Yonder he stands.

Fontanares (kneeling)
And ready, to the great glory of God, to do wonders which shall add
splendor to the reign of the king, my master.

Philip II.
Rise up and speak to me; what is this force miraculous which shall
give to Spain the empire of the world?

Fontanares
It is a force invincible, sire. It is steam; for, when water has
become expanded in steam, it demands a much more extensive area than
that which it occupies in its natural form; and in order to take that
space it would blow up mountains. By my invention this force is
confined; the machine is provided with wheels, which beat the sea and
propel a vessel as swiftly as the wind, so that tempests cannot resist
its course. Voyages can be made in safety and so swiftly that there is
no limit to speed excepting in the revolution of the wheels. Human
life is lengthened every time a moment is economized. Sire,
Christopher Columbus gave to you a world three thousand leagues across
the ocean; I will bring one to you at the port of Cadiz, and you shall
claim, with the assistance of God, the dominion of the sea.

The Queen
You do not seem to be astonished, sire?

Philip II.
Astonishment is involuntary flattery, and kings may never flatter. (To
Fontanares) What do you ask of me?