SPINTHO. (_rising and running about in abject terror_) I never thought of that. O Lord, spare me to be martyred. Oh, what a thought to put into the mind of a brother! Oh, let me be martyred today, now. I shall die in the night and go to hell. You’re a sorcerer: you’ve put death into my mind. Oh, curse you, curse you! (_He tries to seize Androcles by the throat_). FERROVIUS. (_holding him in a grip of iron_) What’s this, brother? Anger! Violence! Raising your hand to a brother Christian! SPINTHO. It’s easy for you. You’re strong. Your nerves are all right. But I’m full of disease. (_Ferrovius takes his hand from him with instinctive disgust_). I’ve drunk all my nerves away. I shall have the horrors all night. ANDROCLES. (_sympathetic_) Oh, don’t take on so, brother. We’re all sinners. SPINTHO. (_snivelling, trying to feel consoled_). Yes: I daresay if the truth were known, you’re all as bad as I am. LAVINIA. (_contemptuously_) Does that comfort you? FERROVIUS. (_sternly_) Pray, man, pray. SPINTHO. What’s the good of praying? If we’re martyred we shall go to heaven, shan’t we, whether we pray or not? FERROVIUS. What’s that? Not pray! (_Seizing him again_) Pray this instant, you dog, you rotten hound, you slimy snake, you beastly goat, or— SPINTHO. Yes: beat me: kick me. I forgive you: mind that. FERROVIUS. (_spurning him with loathing_) Yah! (_Spintho reels away and falls in front of Ferrovius_). ANDROCLES. (_reaching out and catching the skirt of Ferrovius’s tunic_) Dear brother: if you wouldn’t mind—just for my sake— FERROVIUS. Well? ANDROCLES. Don’t call him by the names of the animals. We’ve no right to. I’ve had such friends in dogs. A pet snake is the best of company. I was nursed on goat’s milk. Is it fair to them to call the like of him a dog or a snake or a goat? FERROVIUS. I only meant that they have no souls. ANDROCLES. (_anxiously protesting_) Oh, believe me, they have. Just the same as you and me. I really don’t think I could consent to go to heaven if I thought there were to be no animals there. Think of what they suffer here. FERROVIUS. That’s true. Yes: that is just. They will have their share in heaven. SPINTHO. (_who has picked himself up and is sneaking past Ferrovius on his left, sneers derisively_)!! FERROVIUS. (_turning on him fiercely_) What’s that you say? SPINTHO. (_cornering_). Nothing. FERROVIUS. (_clenching his fist_) Do animals go to heaven or not? SPINTHO. I never said they didn’t. FERROVIUS. (_implacable_) Do they or do they not? SPINTHO. They do: they do. (_Scrambling out of Ferrovius’s reach_). Oh, curse you for frightening me! _A bugle call is heard._ CENTURION. (_waking up_) Tention! Form as before. Now then, prisoners, up with you and trot along spry. (_The soldiers fall in. The Christians rise_). A man with an ox goad comes running through the central arch. THE OX DRIVER. Here, you soldiers! clear out of the way for the Emperor.