ven by a look. Had I a hundred quarrels, I
would fight with no one until I had completed my enterprise and
answered successfully the expectation of my king. When that moment
comes, I will fight singled-handed against all. And, when I have ended
the conflict, you will find me--close to the king.

Sarpi
Oh! we are not going to lose sight of each other.

SCENE FIFTEENTH

The same persons, Faustine, Don Fregose and Paquita.

Faustine (on the balcony)
Tell me what is going on, my lord, between that young man and your
secretary? Let us go down.

Quinola (to Monipodio)
Don't you think that my master has pre-eminently the gift of drawing
down the lightning on his own head?

Monipodio
He carries his head so high!

Sarpi (to Don Fregose)
My lord, there has arrived in Catalonia a man upon whom the king our
master has heaped future honors. According to my humble opinion, he
should be welcomed by your excellency in accordance with his merits.

Don Fregose (to Fontanares)
Of what house are you?

Fontanares (aside)
How many sneers, such as this, have I not been forced to endure!
(Aloud) The king, your excellency, never asked me that question. But
here is his letter and that of his ministers. (He hands him a
package.)

Faustine (to Paquita)
That man has the air of a king.

Paquita
Of a king who will prove a conqueror.

Faustine (recognizing Monipodio)
Monipodio! Do you know who that man is?

Monipodio
He is a man who, according to rumor, is going to turn the world upside
down.

Faustine
Ah! I see; it is that famous inventor of whom I have heard so much.

Monipodio
And here is his servant.

Don Fregose
Sarpi, you may file these ministerial documents; I will keep that of
the king. (To Fontanares) Well, my fine fellow, the letter of the king
seems to me to be positive. You are undertaking, I see, to achieve the
impossible! However great you may be, perhaps it would be well for you
to take the advice, in this affair, of Don Ramon, a philosopher of
Catalonia who, on this subject, has written some famous treatises--

Fontanares
In a matter of this kind, your excellency, the finest dissertations in
the world are not worth so much as a practical achievement.

Don Fregose
That sounds presumptuous. (To Sarpi) Sarpi, you must place at the
disposal of this gentleman whatever vessel in the harbor he may
choose.

Sarpi (to the viceroy)
Are you quite sure that such is the king's wis