Mercedes of Castile

ul is genius

s! Oh! how d

thly harp, whose

hand of Pi

's shrine, th

music in the

Wil

ress. They were loud in their eulogiums on Isabella, and added to the assurances of Don Luis, such proofs of the seriousness of the qu

All our misunderstandings are finally removed, and henceforth, I trust that we shall act cheerfully and un

raised to the buoyancy of hope; for it was a peculiarity connected with the origin and execution of this great enterprise, that, after h

for this kindness-so welcome because so little hoped for this morning-and God will reward it. We have great things in reserve, and I devoutly wish

probation and consent of the King of Aragon. Don Fernando hath been gained over to our side, though his great

so much the more acceptable, by giving it every appearance of sincerity. "Her known prudence shall turn from me the derision of the lig

sing; but the character of the man shone through the exterior, and, in his case, all that artificial training could supply fell short of the noble aspect of nature, sustained by high aspirations. To a commanding person, and a gravity that was heightened by the loftiness of his purposes, Columbus added the sober earnestness of a deeply-seated and an all-pervading enthusiasm, which threw the grace of truth and probity on what he said an

, and knowledge to decide, your interests as well as those of this long-cherished scheme, shall be looked to. But we are not to exclude the king fr

o leave her blind to faults that the enemies of Aragon were fond of dwelling on. All admitted the truth of Isabella, but Ferdinand had far less credit with his contemporaries, either on the score of faith or on that of motives. Still he might have been ranked among the most upright of the reigning princes of Europe, his faults being rendered more conspicuous, perhaps, from being necessarily placed in such close connection with,

rcessions of a favorite, though the better opinion would seem to be that deference for Isabella, whose pure earnestness in the cause of virtue often led him from his more selfish policy, lay at the bottom of his compliance. Wha

de, who was an entranced witness of all that was passing. "We have recovered our truant, and there is not a moment of unnecessary delay to be permitted, until he shall be s

st to expect, we shall have reason to rejoice that our countenance hath not been withheld. He may not render the crown of Castile stil

ristian," answered the navigator, "while the Inf

k, sharp voice: "dost thou think, Se?or, of a c

t that Christ visited on earth; where, indeed he was born, and where his holy remains lay until his glorious resurrection? This foul disgrace there are hearts and swords enough ready to wipe out; all that is wanted is gold. If the first desire of my heart be to become the instrument of leading t

ven two insignificant caravels, and the fate of a sum as small as three thousand crowns, to a visionary, who had scarcely made a commencement in one extremely equivocal enterprise, before his thoughts were running on the execution of another, that had baffled the united efforts and pious constancy of all Europe. To him, the discovery of a western passage to the Indies, and the

calculating policy might have prevailed over the good faith, sincere integrity, and newly awakened enthusiasm of his wife. Fortunately, the conversation had gone on while he was medit

race the religion of Christ was manifested by many in that gorgeous court, the sovereign included. We are told in the sacred books of prophecy, that the day is to arrive when the whole earth will worship the true and living God; and that time, it would seem, from many signs and tokens that a

Providence so guide us in this mighty undertaking, that it m

may be well, Se?ora, first to plant the cross in the islands, and thence to spread the truth over the main land. Cipango, in particula

ld a sinking treasury, and repay us for so much cost and risk?" asked the

ate wives are wont to feel when their husbands forget to think, act, or speak up to the level of their own w

ts, is covered with smaller islands, Marco telling us that no less than seven thousand four hundred and forty have been enumerated, not one of all which doth not produce some odoriferous tree, or plant of delicious perfume. It is then, thither, gracious Lord and Lady, my honored sovereigns, that I propose to proceed at once, leaving all meaner objects, to exalt the two kingdoms and to serve the church. Should we reach Cipango in safet

d his own feelings. The picture of wealth that Columbus had conjured to his imagination, was as enticing, as his cold and calculating habits of distrust and caution rendered it questionable. Isabella heard only, or t

ad the Genoese been a monarch, treating with monarchs, he could not have had more reason to be satisfied with the respectful manner in which his terms were heard. Even his proposal to receive one-eighth of the profits of this, and all future expeditions to the places

and cordiality of manner, that cheered a heart which had lately been so bruised and disappointed. As they walked away in company, the former, who, notwithst

among us, and in a way, sometimes, to make me doubt the prudence of our interference. He hath

more than thyself, f

lla's patience, the matter had been decided against this voyage, an

ht intentions and generous thoughts-will never regret the trifling cost, even though bootless, with so great an aim in view. But now the thing is done, I marvel, myself, that

Luis de St. Ang

cient cause. I only marvel at our success, and at the manner in which this Colon hath borne himself

if thou thoughtst it insignificant, compared

o see the other side of the question. I am chiefly surprised at mine own success! As for this Genoese, he is, truly, a most wonderful man, and, in my heart, I th

ir word, though willing enough to laugh at the pretensions of triflers. After all, the high demands of Colon may have done him

of our pretensions. But there is sterling merit in this Colon to sustain him in all that he sayeth and doth; wisdom of speech, di

iration be of the true quality or not," returned the other. "O

n nature. Opposition awakens our zeal, quickens our apprehension, stimulates our reason, and emboldens our opinions; while, thrown back upon ourselves for the proofs of what we have been long stoutly maintaining under the pressure of resistance, we begin to distrust the truth of our own theories and to dread the demonstrations of a failure. Even the first disciples of the Son of God faltered most in their fait

were transient and of little account; and it was remarked of them, whenever they were in the presence of Columbus himself, that the calm, steady, but deeply s