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THE DANCE TO DEATH.
163
REUBEN.
Oh horror ! horror ! Father, I will not die.
Come, let us flee — we yet have time for flight.
I 'll bribe the sentinel — he will ope the gates,
Liebhaid, Claire, Father ! let us flee ! Away
To some safe land where we may nurse revenge.
SUSSKIND.
Courage, my son, and peace. We may not flee.
Didst thou not see the spies who dogged my steps?
The gates are thronged with citizens and guards.
We must not flee — God wills that we should die.
LIEBHAID.
Said you at sunset?
SÜSSKIND.
So they have decreed.
CLAIRE.
Oh why not now ? Why spare the time to warn ?
Why came they not with thee to massacre.
Leaving no agony betwixt the sentence
And instant execution ? That were mercy !
Oh, my prophetic father !
