Ges. I'd see thee hit an apple on his head, Tell. Great Heaven! Ges. On this condition only will I spare Tell. Ferocious monster! make a father Ges. Dost thou consent? Tell. With his own hand! The hand I've led him when an infant by! Boy. You will not hit me, father. You'll be sui To hit the apple. Will you not save me, father? Tell. Speak not to me; Let me not hear thy voice-Thou must be dumb, And so should all things be-Earth should be dumb, And heaven, unless its thunder muttered at The deed, and sent a bolt to stop it.— Give me my bow and quiver. Ges. When all is ready. Sarnem, measure hence The distance three hundred paces. Tell. Will he do it fairly? Ges. What is't to thee, fairly or not? Tell. (Sarcastically.) Oh, nothing, a little thing! A very little thing! I only shoot At my child! [Sarnem prepares to measure.] What matter whether to or from the sun? Tell. I'd have it at my back. The sun should shine I will not shoot against the sun. Ges. Give him his way. [Sarnem paces and goes out.] Tell. I should like to see the apple I must hit. Ges. [Picks out the smallest one.] There, take that. Tell. You've picked the smallest one. Ges. I know I have. Thy skill will be The greater if thou hittest it. Tell. [Sarcastically.] True!-true! I did not think of that; I wonder I did not think of that. A larger one Had given me a chance to save my boy.— Give me my bow. Let me see my quiver. Ges. Give him a single arrow. [To an attendant.] Tell. Let me see my quiver. It is not One arrow in a dozen I would use To shoot with at a dove, much less a dove Ges. Show him the quiver. [Sarnem returns, and takes the apple and the boy to place them. While this is doing, Tell conceals an arrow under his garment. He then selects another arrow, and says] Tell. Is the boy ready? Keep silence now For mercy's sake keep motionless and silent! [He aims and shoots in the direction of the boy. In a moment Sarnem enters with the apple on the arrow's point.] Sarnem. The boy is safe. Tell. [Raising his arms.] Thank Heaven! [As he raises his arms the concealed arrow falls.] Ges. [Picking it up.] Unequalled archer!-why was this concealed? Tell. To kill thee, tyrant, had I slain my boy. XII.—THE BANISHMENT OF CATILINE.-Croly. Cicero. Fathers and Senators-no need for further proof Has been commanded to attend the senate. He dares not come. I now demand your votes,- [Catiline enters hastily, and takes a seat.] Under his roof, with mystic rites and oaths, Catiline. Conscript Fathers! I do not rise to waste the night in words; But here I stand for right. Let him show proofs!— Cic. Bring back the armour of the Gaulish king; Which, as I told you, was this evening seized Cat. The axe and helmet of the Allobroges! (aside) Bribed fool or villain to embark his neck Cic. Deeds shall convince you! Has the traitor done? The Roman from his birthright; and for what?— Vipers that creep where man disdains to climb; Cic. This is his answer! Must I bring more proofs? But is in peril of his midnight sword. Lists of proscription have been handed round, Your murderer's hire. Bring in the prisoners. [Cethegus and the conspirators are brought in by the lictors, who deliver several papers to Cicero.] Cat. Cethegus! (aside.) Cic. Fathers! those stains to their high name and blood Came to my house to murder me; and came Suborned by him. Cat. Cethegus! did you say this? Not I. I went to kill A prating, proud plebeian, whom those fools Cic. Cic. Fathers of Rome! If man can be convinced By proof as clear as daylight, there it stands! Made with all form and circumstance. The time Cat. Come, consecrated lictors! from your thrones; And make the murder as you make the law. Cic. Give up the record of his banishment. [To a lictor. The lictor gives it to the Consul.] [The Consul reads.) "Lucius Sergius Catiline, by the decree of the Senate, you are declared a traitor, an enemy, and an alien to the State, and banished from the territory of the Commonwealth." Cat. Banished from Rome! What's "banished," but set free From daily contact of the things I loathe? Tried and convicted traitor!" Who says this? Who'll prove it, at his peril, on my head? Banished?-I thank you for't. It breaks my chain: But here I stand and scoff you: here I fling Your Consul's merciful.-For this all thanks. He dares not touch a hair of Catiline! Consul. Lictors, now drive the traitor from the temple! Cat. "Traitor!". -I go-but I return. This-trial! Here I devote your Senate! I've had wrongs To stir a fever in the blood of age, Or make the infant's sinews strong as steel. This day's the birth of sorrows! This hour's work Will breed proscriptions.Look to your hearths, my lords! Shapes hot from Tartarus-all shames and crimes ;— Naked Rebellion, with the torch and axe, Consul. Go, enemy and parricide, from Rome! KIII. SIR EDWARD MORTIMER AND WILFORD. Sir E. Wilford, approach me.-What am I to say For aiming at your life ?-Do you not scorn me, Despise me for it? Wilf. I! Oh, Sir! You must; Indeed, indeed, Sir, For I am singled from the herd of men, Wilf. You deeply wrong yourself. Your equal's love, The poor man's prayer, the orphan's tear of gratitude, I am most bound to bless you. Sir E. Mark me, Wilford:- The poor man's prayer, respect from the respected ; -Colman. Is to taste here below, that thrilling cordial I have resolved it.-Fearful struggles tear me: Sir E. You must swear. Wilf. Swear, Sir!—will nothing but an oath, then- May all the ills that wait on frail humanity Be doubled on your head, if you disclose My fatal secret! May your body turn Listen. Most lazar-like and loathsome; and your mind Shrink back, and shudder at your monstrous crimes, Poison your aged days! while all your nights, -Swear thou hopest it, Wilf. Sir E. Well, I [Hesitating.] No retreating! |