Mercedes of Castile

h a height hath

welling of his t

r nor hope can

esolved

ni

were thronged, and the different individuals in waiting jealously eyed each other, as if to inquire how far their neighbors would be likely to thwart their several views or to advance their wi

of his air, and the peculiar sort of notice that he attracted. Few approached him, and they that did, as they turned their backs, cast those glances of self-sufficiency and ridicule about them, that characterize the vulgar-minded when they fancy that they are deriding or sneering in consonance with popular opinion. This was Columbus, who was very generally regarded by the multitude as a visionary schemer, and who necessarily shared in that sort of

Her Highness' favor

fitting associate of this Colon, as neither the authority of his guardians, the w

e had the prudence and wisdom to turn

an inferior officer of the infantry, "and who unhorsed Don Alonso de Ojeda in the tourney; bu

olon. The smiles, nods, shrugs, and half-suppressed whispers that followed, betrayed the common feeling; but a door on the side of t

bus. "Since our discourse of last evening I have thought of l

er in which he raised his body, as if full of the grandeur of his own designs; but he

hnesses, to bring my affair to a speedy issue, and who hath named this very morning for that purpose. We touch upon the verge of great events: the

the spot you have named, and your own eyes shall not see it, and its gorgeous stor

reat deeds of your ancestors will be eclipsed by the glory achieved

he pages, in a loud authoritative voice, and the na

he subordinates of office soon appeared in the rooms, to hear solicitations and answer questions, the affair was quickly forgotten. Luis withdrew disappointed, for he had hoped to enjoy another long discourse with Columbus,

courtiers, persons of probity and of good general characters, but who were too little accustomed to learned research, properly to appreciate the magnitude of the proposed discoveries. Into the presence of these distinguished nobles and churchmen was Columbus now

Highnesses' power and authority, that you propose to undertake a voyage into the un

th been so often up between the agents of the two sovereigns an

Lady the Queen, however, are disposed to view the matter favorably, and this commission hath been commanded that we might arrange all previous principles, and determine the ri

done, for his glory and worship are involved in the success. With so good an ally on my side, little worldly means will b

le some saw in the moderate request the enthusiastic heedlessne

d treasury, we could compass that little without the aid of a miracle. The caravels might be found, and the mariners levied, but there are weight

-commander, of their Highnesses. The force employed will be trifling in appearance, but the risks will be great, and the powe

you thought maturely on the advantages that are to accrue to

by night. In the whole of that long period have I done little that hath not had a direct bearing on the success of thi

them,

usly crossed themselves, an act in which Columbus himself joined. "Their Highnesses, as is meet, will reap the next advantages, in the extension of their empire and in the increase of their subjects. Wealth will flow in upon Cast

it, for the glory of God. You doubtless know, Se?or Colon, that Don John of Portugal hath paid great attention to these matters already, and that he and his predec

estern shore of Africa, and in a direction altogether different from that I propose to take. My purpose is to launch forth, at once, into the broad Atlantic,

s; the manner in which he quietly smoothed down his white locks, when he had spoken; and the enthusiasm that never failed to kindle in his eye, as he dwelt on his noble designs, produced a deep impression on all present, and

r Colon, to seek the

sophical bias that is derived from science, and who entered little into the popular fallacies of the day, though necessarily subject

restor John was a creature of the imagination, was abandoning the marvellous to fall back on demonstrati

issioners, who was indebted to his present situation purely to King Ferdinand's policy, "who will flatly deny that the earth is ro

ing smile by most present, though Fernan

orld was in truth what it seemeth, confessions would

tian, Se?or Colon," observ

though I humbly trust that when I shall have achieved this great end, that I may

emest thyself especially set ap

encourageth such a hope; but I build naught

e churchmen present, it seemed arrogant in a humble and unknown layman, even to believe it possible that he could be the chosen vessel, when so many who appeared to have higher claims were rejected.

iling forth into the broad Atlantic," resumed the archb

ny the existence of the monarch you have named. For the probability of the success of my enterprise, I have already pro

our holy church, is said to have converted such a p

ove to be as deceptive as the light which recedes before the hand that would touch it. As for Cathay and its position and its wonders, we have the better established evidence of the renowned Venetians, Marco and Nicolo Polo, who not only travel

d to be obeyed, and knowing that the theory of Columbus had been gravely heard and reported on, years before, at Salamanca, h

e?or," he said, "and truly they are not light, if all your brilliant hopes may be realized; but it now remaineth t

ou will find the substance of my wishes set forth in this paper, t

ore deliberation, and it would be difficult to say whether ridicule or indignation was most strongly expressed in his countenance, as he deridingly thr

ternly, and with a look that would have caused most men, in th

mind sleeping and waking. I saw the truth early and intensely, but every day seems to bring it brighter and brighter before my eyes. I feel a reliance on success, that cometh from dependence on God. I think myself an agent, chosen for the accomplishment of grea

uracy of this opinion, were the method and science with which he had often maintained, even in his own presence, the reasonableness of his geographical suppositions; arguments which, though they had failed to convince one bent on believing the proj

were endeavoring to read it, and all at the same moment, "the moderate and modest demands of the Se?or Christoval Colon, the celebrated navig

xclaimed several in a breath. "

ve the sovereigns infinite satisfaction. The Se?or Colon actually satisfieth himself with the rank of Admiral and Viceroy over all the countries he may d

rs, denoted a common dissatisfaction, and at that in

se high dignities should weary their Highnesses' shoulders, and those of their royal progeny, the liberal Genoese actually consenteth to transmit them to his own posterity, in all time to co

checked its indulgence; and even Ferdinand of Talavera, under the stern rebuke of an ey

dded; "but your conditions sounded so lofty that they have quite

f his own humiliation. I shall give to the sovereigns an empire that will far exceed in value all their other possessions, and I claim my re

. "The Se?or Colon will be certain of commanding in the service of their Highnesses, and if nothing is done he will have that high honor without cos

unworthy of further discussion. With the view to preserve at least the appearance of impartiality and discretion, however

said, "I ask if you still ins

lessen their dignity, by accepting aught else. But, Lord Archbishop, and you, too, noble Se?or, that treateth my claims so lightly, I am ready to add

the room; "we will make our report to the sovereigns, th

ation; while Columbus, filled with the noble character of his own designs, disappeared in another direction, with the bearing of one whose self-respe

, he took his way directly to the private apartments of the queen, and, as a matter of course, was at once admitted. Isabella heard his representations with mortification and regret, for she had

ding honors and authority that belong only to God and his anointed, the princes of the earth? Who is this Colon?-a nameless Genoese

, "and seemeth to delight in the service and glory of God, and t

d yet may there b

eech and more manly bearing it is not usual to see, even in the most powerful. He hath

se may exist without the spirit that shall be fitted for heaven. But what are gravity and decorum, if sustained by an inflated pride and inordinate rapacity? ambition being a term too lofty for such a craving. Reflect, Se?ora, on the full nature of these demands. This Colon requireth to be established, forever, in the high state of a substitute for a king, not only for his own person, but for those of his descendants throughout all time, with the title and authority of Admiral over all adjacent seas, should he discover any of the lands he so much exalts, before he wi

and long-tried friend who was occupied with her needle near her own side-

ures, Se?ora," was the steady reply of Do?a Beatriz, as she glanced tow

The opinions of her confessor had seemed so reasonable, that Isabella was on the point of assenting to the report of the commissioners, and of abandoning altogether the secret hopes and expectations she had begun to couple with the success of the navigator's schemes, when a gentler feeling, one that belonged peculiar

vorite and great scheme; but kind words and reason may yet lead him to more moderation. Let him, then, be tried with propositions of our own, and doubtless, his necessities, if not a sense of justice, will cause him to accept them. The viceroyalty doth, indeed, exceed the usual policy of princes, and, as you say, hol

e character of Isabella to presume to dispute an order she had once issued, although it was in her own mild and feminine manner. After receiving a few mor

stic circle, when admission was once more demanded in behalf of her confessor. The archbishop entered with a flush

la-"doth thy new flock vex thy spirit, and

false prophet more reasonable than some who exult in Christ's name and favor. This Colon is a madman,

egotiation would be removed, and that the time was at hand, when the being who, in spite of the boldness and unusual character of his projects, had succeeded in so signally commanding their respect, and in interesting their feelings, was about to depart, and to furnish a practical solution to

asked, with more severity of manner than she was accustomed to betray; "and doth he still insist on

ot hold higher terms or more inflexible conditions. He abateth nothing. The man deemeth himself chosen of God, to answer certain end

oncession. I shall urge no more in the navigator's favor, but leave him to the

enitent, he left the room. Shortly after, Christoval Colon, as he was called by the Spaniards-Columbus, as he styled himself in later life-received, for a