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Me you attacked, I did myself defend.
As for your project taken in itself,
I love these outbursts of a faithful heart;
Courage doth smile upon me, and bold feats
Of daring do rejoice my very soul.
Albeit your success was incomplete,
I place you no less high in my esteem.
Your hearts are moved by loftiest sentiments;
Onward you march with firm and equal step;
You faltered not, nor trembled, nor turned pale;
You are—accept my compliments sincere—
My chosen foes, foes worthy of my steel.
Nought do I see in you to be despised,
In fine, too highly do I value you—
To spare you.—My esteem for you would fain
Display itself in public; I attest it,
By having you all hanged.—No thanks, I beg.
Forgive me, rather, that I join with you,
On the same scaffold,
[Pointing to the panic-stricken Murray.
On the same scaffold, Yonder whining braggart,
The coward who doth listen while I speak,
Albeit he 's not worth the rope to hang him!
He should give thanks to you, for but for you
He would not have been honoured with my wrath.
[Pointing to Manasseh, who has not moved.
Bear with me if I add yon noisome Jew
Unto your company. 'Tis hard, I know,
To mingle deicides with Christian men,
Or a Barabbas with right-minded thieves!
I will arrange to hang him lower down.
And now I crave your pardon, one and all,
For that I do so ill requite your kindness;
I give that which I have. I know full well