THE EDITOR.
(out of patience) Shove them in, there.
The remaining gladiators and the Call Boy make a movement towards them.
FERROVIUS.
(interposing) Touch them, dogs; and we die here, and cheat the heathen of their spectacle. (To his fellow Christians) Brothers: the great moment has come. That passage is your hill to Calvary. Mount it bravely, but meekly; and remember! not a word of reproach, not a blow nor a struggle. Go. (They go out through the passage. He turns to Lavinia) Farewell.
LAVINIA.
You forget: I must follow before you are cold.
FERROVIUS.
It is true. Do not envy me because I pass before you to glory. (He goes through the passage).
THE EDITOR.
(to the Call Boy) Sickening work, this. Why can’t they all be thrown to the lions? It’s not a man’s job. (He throws himself moodily into his chair).
The remaining gladiators go back to their former places indifferently. The Call Boy shrugs his shoulders and squats down at the entrance to the passage, near the Editor.
Lavinia and the Christian women sit down again, wrung with grief, some weeping silently, some praying, some calm and steadfast. Androcles sits down at Lavinia’s feet. The Captain stands on the stairs, watching her curiously.
ANDROCLES.
I’m glad I haven’t to fight. That would really be an awful martyrdom. I am lucky.
LAVINIA.
(looking at him with a pang of remorse). Androcles: burn the incense: you’ll be forgiven. Let my death atone for both. I feel as if I were killing you.