Continental Monthly The , page 39 by Various Authors
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unknown wastes, and fearest to be lost thyself--to go astray!
Thou knowest not thyself, nor of what thou art capable; thou rulest others, yet doubt'st thyself--thou knowest not what thou art--whither thou goest--nor whence thou earnest! No ... no.... Thou art sublime!
Sinks upon a chair in silent thought.
* * * * *
A forest, with a cleared hill in its midst, upon which stands a gallows; huts, tents, watchfires, barrels, tables, and crowds of men. The Man disguised in a dark cloak and red liberty cap, and holding the Baptized Jew by the hand.
THE MAN. Remember!
THE BAPTIZED (in a whisper). Upon my honor, I will lead your excellency aright, I will not betray you.
THE MAN. Give but one suspicious wink, raise but a finger, and my bullet finds its way to your heart! You may readily imagine that I attach no great value to your life when I thus lightly risk my own.
THE BAPTIZED. Oh woe! You press my hand like a vice of steel. What is it you wish me to do?
THE MAN. Appear to the crowd as if I were an acquaintance--treat me as a newly arrived friend.
What kind of a dance is that?
THE BAPTIZED. The dance of a free people.
Men and woman dance, leap, and sing round the gallows.
THEIR CHORUS. Bread! meat! work! wood in winter, rest in summer! Hurrah! hurrah!
God had no compassion upon us: Hurrah! hurrah!
Kings had no compassion upon us: Hurrah! hurrah!
The nobles had no compassion upon us: Hurrah! hurrah!
We renounce God, kings, and nobles: Hurrah! hurrah! hurrah!
THE MAN (to a maiden). I am glad to see you look so gay, so blooming.
THE MAIDEN. I am sure we have waited quite long enough for such a day as this! I have washed dishes and cleaned knives and forks all my life, without ever having heard a kind word spoken to me: it is high time I too should begin to eat, to dance, to make merry. Hurrah! hurrah!
THE MAN. Dance, citizeness