86
THE DEATH OF
BUTLER.
And no brave man loses
His colour at a daring enterprize.
And no brave man loses
His colour at a daring enterprize.
GORDON.
A brave man hazards life, but not his conscience.
A brave man hazards life, but not his conscience.
BUTLER.
What then? Shall he go forth anew to kindle
The unextinguishable flame of war?
What then? Shall he go forth anew to kindle
The unextinguishable flame of war?
GORDON.
Seize him, and hold him prisoner—do not kill him!
Seize him, and hold him prisoner—do not kill him!
BUTLER.
Had not the Emperor's army been defeated,
I might have done so.—But 'tis now past by.
Had not the Emperor's army been defeated,
I might have done so.—But 'tis now past by.
GORDON.
O, wherefore open'd I the strong hold to him?
O, wherefore open'd I the strong hold to him?
BUTLER.
His destiny and not the place destroys him.
His destiny and not the place destroys him.
GORDON.
Upon these ramparts, as beseem'd a soldier,
I had fallen, defending the Emperor's citadel!
Upon these ramparts, as beseem'd a soldier,
I had fallen, defending the Emperor's citadel!
BUTLER.
Yes! and a thousand gallant men have perish'd.
Yes! and a thousand gallant men have perish'd.
GORDON.
Doing their duty—that adorns the man!
But murder's a black deed, and nature curses it.
Doing their duty—that adorns the man!
But murder's a black deed, and nature curses it.
BUTLER. (brings out a paper.)
Here is the manifesto which commands us
To gain possession of his person. See—
It is address'd to you as well as me.
Here is the manifesto which commands us
To gain possession of his person. See—
It is address'd to you as well as me.
Are
