:56:02
He is of royal blood.
:56:05
Too like the sire
for ever being good.
:56:08
First hang the child,
:56:11
that he may see it sprawl--
:56:13
A sight to vex
the father's soul withal.
:56:17
Get me a ladder!
:56:19
Lucius...save the child.
:56:23
If thou do this,
I'll show thee wondrous things
:56:27
that highly may advantage
thee to hear.
:56:30
If thou wilt not,
befall what may befall.
:56:33
I'll speak no more,
but vengeance rot you all!
:56:37
Ha ha ha! Say on,
:56:39
and if it please me
which thou speakst,
:56:41
thy child shall live,
:56:42
and I will see it nourished.
:56:45
And if it please thee!
:56:47
Why, assure thee, Lucius,
:56:49
'twill vex thy soul
to hear what I shall speak,
:56:53
for I must talk of murders,
rapes, and massacres,
:56:56
acts of black night,
abominable deeds,
:56:59
complots of mischief,
treason, villainies.
:57:02
And this shall all be buried in my death
:57:05
unless thou swear to me
my child shall live.
:57:08
Tell on thy mind.
I say thy child shall live.
:57:09
Swear that he shall.
Then I will begin.
:57:11
Who should I swear by?
Thou believest no god.
:57:14
What if I do not?
:57:17
As indeed I do not.
:57:20
Yet--for I know
thou art religious
:57:22
and hast a thing within thee
called conscience--
:57:26
therefore thou shalt vow
by that same god,
:57:29
what god soe'er it be,
to save my boy--
:57:32
to nourish and bring him up...
:57:37
or else I will discover naught to thee.
:57:44
Even by my god,
:57:46
I swear to thee I will.