Max Havelaar (Nahuijs)/Motto

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Officer.My Lord, this is the man who murdered Betsy.
Judge.He must hang for it. How did he do it?
Officer.He cut up her body in little pieces, and salted them.
Judge.He is a great criminal. He must hang for it.
Lothario.My Lord, I did not murder Betsy: I fed and clothed and cherished her. I can call witnesses who will prove me to be a good man, and no murderer.
Judge.You must hang. You blacken your crime by your self-sufficiency. It ill becomes one who....is accused of anything to set up for a good man.
Lothario.But, my Lord,....there are witnesses to prove it; and as I am now accused of murder....
Judge.You must hang for it. You cut up Betsy—you salted the pieces—and you are satisfied with your conduct,—three capital counts——who are you, my good woman?
Woman.I am Betsy.
Lothario.Thank God! You see, my Lord, that I did not murder her.
Judge.Humph!——ay——what!——What about the salting?
Betsy.No, my Lord, he did not salt me:——on the contrary, he did many things for me....he is a worthy man!
Lothario.You hear, my Lord, she says I am an honest man.
Judge.Humph!——the third count remains. Officer, remove the prisoner, he must hang for it; he is guilty of self-conceit.

(Unpublished Play.)