The world is not round; it is flat.

Your ships would tumble off the edge of the world and all the king's money and all the king's men would be lost.

No, no; go away; you must not trouble the queen or even mention such a ridiculous thing again.
So the most of them said.

But one or two thought it might be worth trying.

Cathay was a very rich country, and if this foolish fellow were willing to run the risk and did succeed, it would be a good thing for Spain, as the king and queen would need a great deal of money after the war with the Moors was over.