A PRINCE. Let us arrange for ourselves the terms of the surrender of this castle with the worthy envoy! GODFATHER. The great man who sent me here secures life to you all, if you will enter into a league with him and acknowledge the justice of the struggle of the century. MANY VOICES. We acknowledge it. THE MAN. You have sworn to me, and I have sworn to you, to die upon these walls; I intend to keep my oath, and you shall be true to yours. You are all to die with me! Ha! can you indeed still wish to live? Ha! ask the spirits of your fathers why, when living, they were guilty of such continuous oppression, and why they ruled with so much cruelty!--(_To a Count._) Why have you, count, oppressed your serfs?--(_To another._) Why have you passed your youth in cards and dice, and your life in the land of the stranger?--(_To another._) Why have you crept before the great, and scorned the lowly?-(_To one of the women._) Why did you not bring up your sons to defend you? As knights and soldiers, they might then have served you now; but you have preferred dealings with Jews and lawyers: call upon them, then, for life and safety.--(_He rises and extends his arms toward them._) Why hasten ye thus to shame? why wrap your last hours in shrouds of infamy? On with me, ye knights and nobles! On, where bayonets glitter, swift balls whistle! Oh seek not the accursed gallows prepared for you by the New Men; believe me, the masked and silent hangman stands waiting to throw the rope of shame around your high-born throats! A VOICE. He speaks the truth--to our bayonets! ANOTHER VOICE. We die of hunger; there is no more food! VOICES OF WOMEN. Our children! Your children! Mercy! GODFATHER. I promise you safety--safety of life and limb.... THE MAN (_approaching the Godfather, and seizing him y the shoulder_). Sacred person of the herald, go! Go, and hide thy gray hairs in the tents of Jews and low mechanics, that I may not dye them in thine own base blood! Jacob enters with a division of armed men. Take aim at this brow, furrowed with the folds of idle learning! Aim at this liberty cap, which trembles on the brainless head before every breath from the lips of a man! The Godfather escapes. ALL _cry, with one breath_: Bind Count Henry! Deliver him up to Pancratius!