[_The
Soldiers
assault_ ARNOLD.
Byron
_Arn. _ Even so: there is a woman
Worthy a brave man's liking. Were ye such,
Ye would have honoured her. But get ye hence, 80
And thank your meanness, other God you have none,
For your existence. Had you touched a hair
Of those dishevelled locks, I would have thinned
Your ranks more than the enemy. Away!
Ye jackals! gnaw the bones the lion leaves,
But not even these till he permits.
_A Sold. _ (_murmuring_). The lion
Might conquer for himself then.
_Arn. _ (_cuts him down_). Mutineer!
Rebel in hell--you shall obey on earth!
[_The Soldiers assault_ ARNOLD.
_Arn. _ Come on! I'm glad on't! I will show you, slaves,
How you should be commanded, and who led you 90
First o'er the wall you were so shy to scale,
Until I waved my banners from its height,
As you are bold within it.
[ARNOLD _mows down the foremost; the rest throw down their arms_.
_Soldiers_. Mercy! mercy!
_Arn. _ Then learn to grant it. Have I taught you _who_
Led you o'er Rome's eternal battlements?
_Soldiers_. We saw it, and we know it; yet forgive
A moment's error in the heat of conquest--
The conquest which you led to.
_Arn. _ Get you hence!
