ur past services; you will
be sent as viceroy to Peru, where you will be able to repair your
fortunes; but first finish your work here; let us crush this
discoverer and check the progress of his dangerous innovation.

Don Fregose
But how can we do so? The orders of the king must be obeyed, at least
ostensibly.

The Grand Inquisitor
We have taken such measures that obedience may be rendered both to the
Holy Office and to the king. You have only to do as you are bidden.
(To Lothundiaz) Count Lothundiaz, as the first municipal officer of
Barcelona, you must offer to Don Ramon, in the name of the city, a
crown of gold in honor of his discovery, whose result will secure to
Spain the domination of the sea.

Lothundiaz (in astonishment)
To Don Ramon!

The Grand Inquisitor and Don Fregose
To Don Ramon.

Don Fregose
You must address a eulogy to him.

Lothundiaz
But--

The Grand Inquisitor
It is the wish of the Holy Office that you do so.

Lothundiaz (kneeling)
Pardon!

Don Fregose
What is that the people are calling out?

(A cry is heard, "Long live Don Ramon!")

Lothundiaz
Long live Don Ramon! Yes, indeed, and so much the better, for I shall
be avenged for the wrong which I have done to myself.

SCENE SECOND

The same persons, Don Ramon, Mathieu Magis, the landlord of the Golden
Sun, Coppolus, Carpano, Esteban, Girone, and all the people.

(All form a semicircle, in the centre of which is Don Ramon.)

The Grand Inquisitor
In the name of the king of Spain, Castile and the Indies, I must
express to you, Don Ramon, the congratulations of all upon the success
of your mighty genius. (He leads him to the arm-chair.)

Don Ramon
After all, he is but the hand, I am the head. The original idea is
superior to the work of realizing it. (To the crowd) In such a moment
as this, modesty would be an insult to the honors which I have
attained through midnight vigils, and a man should openly show himself
proud of his achievement.

Lothundiaz
In the name of the city of Barcelona, Don Ramon, I have the honor to
offer you this crown, due to your perseverance, as the author of an
invention which will give you immortality.

SCENE THIRD

The same persons and Fontanares (his garments soiled with the work of
his experiment).

Don Ramon
I accept these honors, on condition that they be shared by the
courageous artisan who has so well assisted me in my e