Then looking prouder, I think, than ever I had seen
her, she turned toclimb the stair. As he went down his long dark cloakfell from
him.
Nor was oneneeded at this season of the year when
no rain fell. Perhaps thatcaptain of the eunuchs whom I had cut down gave the alarm
before hedied. If you dont derive profits, no royalty is due.
There she lay, her fair face crushed, her splendid
robes red withblood. Then forgetting all, yes, even thedreadful end of my mother, I
opened my arms. Her name is Adna, I answered, one in whom I have faith. A woman
glided up to us and peered into my face.
There are no gods like to the godsof Babylon who
have smitten those of all the peoples.
She looked up and we saw that it wasMetep! It
probably lies deep at the sources ofthe spiritual life of our time.
Now get youbehind me, and if I fall, fight
on.
At length the king rose and spoke, and I who sat
not far from him,could hear every word he said.
O King, he said, the Kings command cannot be
carried out on theinstant.
I stumbled on dragging Myra with me; we came to
thehidden door. Some of that glittering mob were overthrownand trampled, among them
my mother.
Look yonder, and he pointed to a widestreet of the
city beneath us.
Look yonder, and he pointed to a widestreet of the
city beneath us.
Then, sorelywounded both of us, we reeled back to
the parapet and stood there infront of the women. It is not to be found in
superficial politics or inmere economic blunders. Will you help me to hold it, or
will yougive yourselves up?
Better to die as a warriorthan as a dish-bearer.