FERROVIUS.
(continuing) And I forgot it all: I thought of nothing but offering to fight you with one hand tied behind me.
THE EDITOR.
(turning pugnaciously) What!
FERROVIUS.
(on the border line between zeal and ferocity) Oh, don’t give way to pride and wrath, brother. I could do it so easily. I could—
They are separated by the Menagerie Keeper, who rushes in from the passage, furious.
THE KEEPER.
Here’s a nice business! Who let that Christian out of here down to the dens when we were changing the lion into the cage next the arena?
THE EDITOR.
Nobody let him. He let himself.
THE KEEPER.
Well, the lion’s ate him.
Consternation. The Christians rise, greatly agitated. The gladiators sit callously, but are highly amused. All speak or cry out or laugh at once. Tumult.
LAVINIA. Oh, poor wretch! FERROVIUS. The apostate has perished. Praise be to God’s justice! ANDROCLES. The poor beast was starving. It couldn’t help itself. THE CHRISTIANS. What! Ate him! How frightful! How terrible! Without a moment to repent! God be merciful to him, a sinner! Oh, I can’t bear to think of it! In the midst of his sin! Horrible, horrible! THE EDITOR. Serve the rotter right! THE GLADIATORS. Just walked into it, he did. He’s martyred all right enough. Good old lion! Old Jock doesn’t like that: look at his face. Devil a better! The Emperor will laugh when he hears of it. I can’t help smiling. Ha ha ha!!!!!
THE KEEPER.
Now his appetite’s taken off, he won’t as much as look at another Christian for a week.