It was to smile somewhat sorrowfully, seeing his great difficulties.

He was the born Discoverer mightily loving Discovery, and watching the Beloved in her life through time.

But he had to serve Prince Have-it-now, in the city Greed.

I said, "Senor, do not put too much splendor in your journal for the King and Queen and the Spanish merchants and the Church and all the chivalry that the ended war releases! Or, if you prophesy, mark it prophecy.

It is a great trouble in the world that men do not know when one day is talked of or when is meant great ranges of days! Otherwise you will have all thirsty Spain sailing for Ophir and Golden Chersonesus, wealth immediate, gilding Midas where he stands! If they find disappointment they will not think of the future; they will smite you!" I knew that he was writing in that book too ardently, and that he was even now composing letters to great persons to be dispatched from what Spanish port he should first enter, coming back east from west, over Ocean-Sea, from Asia! But he had long, long followed his own advice, stood by his own course.
The doing so had so served him that it was natural he should have confidence.