FERROVIUS. (_taking it and throwing it to the old beggar, who snatches it up eagerly, and hobbles off to spend it_) Give all thou hast to the poor. Come, friend: courage! I may hurt your body for a moment; but your soul will rejoice in the victory of the spirit over the flesh. (_He prepares to strike_). ANDROCLES. Easy, Ferrovius, easy: you broke the last man’s jaw. _Lentulus, with a moan of terror, attempts to fly; but Ferrovius holds him ruthlessly._ FERROVIUS. Yes; but I saved his soul. What matters a broken jaw? LENTULUS. Don’t touch me, do you hear? The law— FERROVIUS. The law will throw me to the lions tomorrow: what worse could it do were I to slay you? Pray for strength; and it shall be given to you. LENTULUS. Let me go. Your religion forbids you to strike me. FERROVIUS. On the contrary, it commands me to strike you. How can you turn the other cheek, if you are not first struck on the one cheek? LENTULUS. (_almost in tears_) But I’m convinced already that what you said is quite right. I apologize for striking you. FERROVIUS. (_greatly pleased_) My son: have I softened your heart? Has the good seed fallen in a fruitful place? Are your feet turning towards a better path? LENTULUS. (_abjectly_) Yes, yes. There’s a great deal in what you say. FERROVIUS. (_radiant_) Join us. Come to the lions. Come to suffering and death. LENTULUS. (_falling on his knees and bursting into tears_) Oh, help me. Mother! mother! FERROVIUS. These tears will water your soul and make it bring forth good fruit, my son. God has greatly blessed my efforts at conversion. Shall I tell you a miracle—yes, a miracle—wrought by me in Cappadocia? A young man—just such a one as you, with golden hair like yours—scoffed at and struck me as you scoffed at and struck me. I sat up all night with that youth wrestling for his soul; and in the morning not only was he a Christian, but his hair was as white as snow. (_Lentulus falls in a dead faint_). There, there: take him away. The spirit has overwrought him, poor lad. Carry him gently to his house; and leave the rest to heaven. CENTURION. Take him home. (_The servants, intimidated, hastily carry him out. Metellus is about to follow when Ferrovius lays his hand on his shoulder_). FERROVIUS. You are his friend, young man. You will see that he is taken safely home. METELLUS. (_with awestruck civility_) Certainly, sir. I shall do whatever you think best. Most happy to have made your acquaintance, I’m sure. You may depend on me. Good evening, sir. FERROVIUS. (_with unction_) The blessing of heaven upon you and him. _Metellus follows Lentulus. The Centurion returns to his seat to resume his interrupted nap. The deepest awe has settled on the spectators. Ferrovius, with a long sigh of happiness, goes to Lavinia, and offers her his hand._ LAVINIA. (_taking it_) So that is how you convert people, Ferrovius.