Mercedes of Castile

us, from chi

y fondest h

ved a tree

he first to

a Ro

erected for the accommodation of the conquering army. Most of these persons were grave Spaniards of a certain age, though young Luis de Bobadilla was also there, and the tall, dignified form of Columbus was in the group. The latter was equipped for the road, and a stout, serviceable Andalusian mule stood ready to receive its burden, near at hand. A charger was by the side of the mule, showi

ssion had closed, and Se?or de St. Angel, a man of generous feelings and ard

or Colon-God have you in his holy keeping, and send you wiser and less prejudiced judges, her

streets, attended by the young noble on his charger. Not a syllable was uttered by either, until they were fairly on the plain, though Columbus often sighed like a

young companion and thanked him for his escort; but, with a cons

I must not forget your own character. Didst thou not remark, friend Luis, as we pass

had it not been that I dreaded your displeasure, I would have trodden th

the birth, or the opportunities, causeth material distinctions between them, though the manner of expression vary. There are vulgar among the

f you, Se?or, to Luis de Bobadilla! We are not a pati

ce at all who think and speak folly, we may pass our days in harness. Let the young nobles

his truant thoughts would revert to th

lass different from your own-sure

in thy opinions and feelings, y

of his remark; but falling back on his own frank and generous na

re merely for the honor of the class. There are so many among us who do no

ledge of their descent, and plebeians rise to the rank of nobles. There is a tradition among us, that we were formerly of the privileged class; but time and our unlucky fortune have brought us down to humble employments.

we are now about to part for some time, I ask permission to lay bare my whole soul to y

he opinion of but too many! I fear Don Ferdinand of Aragon, as well as that stern prelat

lf with fancied ravings; but, though no immediate change of opinion followed as to the truth of the theory, I soon perceived that a great philosopher and profound reasoner had the matter in hand. Here my judgment might have rested, and my opinion been sati

necessary,

or rambling-a burning desire to see foreign lands, and this, too, in a free and roving fashion-with a disposition for the sea and the doings of h

," put in Colu

e noble virgins of the court, hath also her prejudices, and it hath become necessary to regain her good opinion, to win the Do?a Mercedes. It struck me"-Luis was too manly to betray his mistress by confessing that the thought was hers-"it struck me, that if my rambling tastes took the direction of some noble enterprise, like this you urge, that what hath been a demerit might be deemed a merit in the royal eyes, which would be certain

office. It seemeth, then," he added, smiling, "I owe my disciple to the two potent agents of love and reason; the former, as most potent, overcoming the fir

are. I here solemnly vow"-Don Luis lifted his cap and looked to heaven, as he spoke-"to join you in this voyage, on due notice, sail from whence you may, in whatever bark you shall choose, and

ss, and pleased with his sincerity-"though it might have been a more faithfu

and of Do?a Isabella, herself, shall prevent our having one caravel, at least; and the coffers of Bobadilla must have been foully dealt by, during their master's childhood, if the

sufficient authority to uphold a scheme so large. Did we make the discoveries without that sanction, we should be toiling for others, without security for ourselves, since the Portuguese or some other monarch would wrong us of our reward. That I am destined to effect this great work, I feel, and it must be done in a manner suited to the majesty of the thought and to the magnitude of the subje

ce his hopes, to any friendly impressions in his own favor. The leave-taking was warm, and the navigator felt a glow at his heart, as he witnessed the sincere and honest emotions that the young man could not repress at parting. They separated, howe

l; and each ray of hope, however feeble, had been eagerly caught at with joy, each disappointment borne with a constancy that none but the most exalted spirit could sustain. But he was now required to endure the most grievous of all his pains. The recall of Isabella had awakened within him a confidence to which he had long been a stranger; and he awaited the termination of the siege with the calm dignity that became his purpose, no less than his lofty philosophy. The hour of leisure had

ther long and exhausting probation, that, like this, might lead to nothing. He had already reached the lustrum that would fill his threescore years, and life seemed slipping from beneath him, while its great object remained unachieved. Still the high resolution of the man sustained him. Not once did he think of a compromise of what he felt to be his rights-not once did he doubt of the practicability of accomplishing the great enterprise that others derided. His h

sted in God for the fulfilment of his destiny. If quivering sighs occasionally broke out of his breast, they did not disturb the placidity of his venerable countenance; if grief and disappointment still lay heavy on his heart, they rested on a base that was

dy related, walked toward the royal pavillion, they conversed freely together concerning the man, his vast conceptions, the treatment he had received, and the shame that would alight on Spain in consequence, were he suffered thus to depart forever. Blunt of speech, the receiver of the ecclesiastical revenues did not measure

pure spirit of the queen threw a truth and a natural grace around all that depended on her, which rendered mere forms, except as they were connected with delicacy and propriety, useless, and indeed impracticable. Both

he king, on this occasion, was in an adjoining closet, at work, as usual, with his calculations and orders. Official labor was Ferdinand's relaxation, and he seldom manifested more happiness than when clearing off a

my presence?" asked Isabella, smiling in a way to assure both that the boon would be aske

is de St. Angel, bluntly. "We are not here to solicit for ourselves, but to show Your Highness the ma

rnestness, as well as his freedom of speech. Accustomed, however, to something of

poiled," she asked; "or would the receiver of the

Angel, kissing the queen's offered hand with a respect and affection that neutralized the freedom of his words. "Do you know, my gracious mistr

er trusty counsellors, and they have found the terms of the Genoese arrogant; so full of exceeding and unreasonable extravagance, that it ill befitted our dignity, and our

he will yield his dignity. This Colon feeleth that he is treating for e

y, hath need to expect that he will not stand high in

ed, will not the discovery eclipse all others that have been made since the creation of the world? Is it nothing to circle the earth, to prove the wisdom of God by actual experiment, to follow the sun in its daily track, and imitate the motions of th

here were honor and profit in success, what would there be in failure? Should the king and myself send out this Colon, with a commission to be our viceroy, forever, over undisco

raise objections when the feelings lean against an enterprise. No glory is obtained without risk. Look, Your Highness, at our neighbors, the Port

ual tones of the speaker, had left his closet, and approached unseen. "Is that truth established? Our doctors

hat form can it be? Will any doctor, come he of Salamanca, or come he from elsewhere, pretend that the earth is a plain, and that it hath limits, and that one

tle interested in the discussion, "allege that there are nations who forever walk with their heads downward, where the rai

ed on the ocean know it to be thus, why doth not the water flow into a level, here, on our own shores? If the earth be round, there must be means to encircle it by water, as well as by land-to complete the entire journey, as well as to perform a part. Colon proposeth to open the way to this exploit, and the monarch that shall furnish the means will live in the memories of our descendants, as one far greater than a conqueror. Remember, illustrious Se?or, that all the east is peop

his political jealousies being momentarily aroused by the remarks of

ouis of France, a sovereign whose lo

ous wishes had ever leaned toward the accomplishment of Columbus' great project, and her generous nature had sympathized deeply with the noble conception, vast moral results, and the glory of the enterprise. Nothing but the manner in which her mind, as well as her religious aspirations, had been occupied by the war in Granada, had prevented her from entering earlier into a full examination of the navigator's views; and she had yielded to the co

ed friend, in her doubts, "what thinkest thou of this weighty matter

h in view. I agree fully with the receiver-general in thinking that Castile will be much discredited, if, in sooth, a new world should be discovered, and t

gnity, Se?ora," put in St. Angel-"on

ors claimed by Colon would far exceed the service, even should t

ere, by actual measurement, whatever we may know in theories. Then cometh the wealth and benefits of those eastern possessions, a quarter of the world whenc

dled, and her matronly but fine form seemed to tower wit

rs have been precipitate, and that the magnitude of t

ings of a liberal zeal for either the church or science. He was generally esteemed a wise prince, a title that would seem to infer neither a generous

dded Beatriz de Cabrera, using that freedom of speech that her royal mistress much encouraged in their more private intercourse. "I

"if there is not a true heart in that breast of thine, the

r succeeded by the still greater deed of a discovery of an easy and swift communication with the Indies, the spread of the church, and the flow of inexhaustible wealth into Spain! This Colon can

thou flatterest and offe

t hath become bold through much zeal for Your Highnesses' fame. Alas! alas! should King Louis

hath gone for France?" suddenly demanded t

Se?ora, that deny the theories of Colon. The old philosophers have reasoned in the same manner; and though it may seem to the timid an audacious and even a heedless adventure to sail out into the broad Atlantic, had not the Portuguese done it he would

that the receiver-general was losing sight of his discretion, in the magnitude of his zeal. "This conquest is one of the victories of the church, and will add

nsider the conquest that Colon is likely to achieve over

was earnest, and evidently much excited, but Ferdinand maintained his customary coolness and caution, though his manner was marked with that profound respect which the character of Isabella had early inspired, and which she succeeded in maintaining throughout her married life. This was a picture familiar to the courtiers, one o

xpression of its regrets-loud for even the indulgence of so gentle a mistress. Her intention to repress this ardor by her own presence, however, was momentarily diverted from its objec

n, stopping before the chair of our heroine, and gazing an instant into

th youth and ignorance to be modest; bu

thou, too, think the services of the Geno

se hath been offered to the sovereigns, as a reward for all that they have done and endured for religion and the church. I do think that Colon hath been guided to this court by a divine hand, and by a divin

e," returned the queen, smiling kindly on the blushing Mercedes

uch of woman's affections, however, contributed to give her mind a new bias, and she joined the group, which respectfully opened as she advanced, greatly disposed to yield to de St. Angel's well-meant though somewhat in

verences of the circle, "dost thou still think this Colon expres

day, is to prevail throughout the whole world; and why may not this be the allotted time, as well as another? God ordereth mysteriously, and the very adventure that so many of the learned have scoffed at, may be intended to hasten the victory of the church. We should remember, Your Highness, the hu

t thoughts; but her greater acquirements rendered her more discriminating i

wered-"and the church alone may say what are intended for miracles, and what is left for human agencies.

and three thousand crowns-a sum that many a young spendt

the thoughts of the nobleness of the adventure; "but, small as it is, my Lord t

rtunity to increase the Christian sway, and to add to the glory of S

o this affair, in behalf of Aragon; but I take it on myself, as Queen of Castile, and, so far as it may properly advance human interests, for the benefit of my own much-beloved people. If the royal treasury be drained, my private jewels should su

e either the interests of the church or those of her subjects. The receiver-general, however, soon removed all difficulties on the score of money, by saying that his c

iminaries had been discussed. "He hath already departed, you say, an

de Bobadilla," cried Alonzo de Quintanilla, whose eye had been drawn to a window by the trampling of a hors

tion," answered Isabella, doubtingly; "and yet we sh

erposed Do?a Beatriz; "he is only too happy at

tant's delay. I scarce seem to have decided, while the principa

friend. He did not fail to impute the blame of this occurrence to those who had the power to prevent it; and when his dark, expressive eye met the countenance of his sovereign, had it been in her power to read its meaning, she would have understood that he viewed

my presence," said the young man, as soo

ervices. Can you tell us what hath befel the Se?or Christoval Colon, th

eak. The Genoese is about to shake the dust of Spain from his shoes, and, at this moment, is o

ropensities. Mount thy steed, and pursue the Se?or Colon, with the tidings that his conditions will be granted, and a request that he will forthwith retu

la! My gracious quee

of thy senses, Don Luis, he

t felt since he had been apprized that the queen's good opinion was necessary to secure his happiness. Kneeling respectfully, he kissed the ha

urs, also; for, Daughter-Marchioness, since this holy enterprise hath broken on my mind with a sudden and almost m

arger's flanks, the rein tightened, and the snorting steed was thrown suddenly on his haunches. So elastic are the feelings of youth, so deceptive and flattering the hopes of those who love, that the glances which were exchanged were those of mutual delight. Neither thought of all the desperate chances of the contemplated voyage; of the probability of its want of success; or of the

ry picture of woe. The noble resignation that he manifested in public, nearly gave way in private, and he felt, indeed, how hard his disappointments were to be borne. In this desultory manner of travelling he had reached the celebrated pass of the Bri

r youth, even before he was near enough to be distinctly heard.

is," exclaimed the navigato

gerness and the want of breath rendered his idea

riving to urge it to its own good? Look at these hairs, young Se?or, and remember that I have lost a time that nearly e

never-deceiving Queen of Castile, herself hath awoke to the im

Can this be t

ress, Se?or, to urge

m, youn

cious mistress, through h

a single conditio

granteth all you ask, and hath nobly offered, as I learn, to p

ray the weakness that came over him. When he uncovered his face it was radiant with happiness, and every doubt appeared to have vanished.