"Rise, noble lady, you belong to the living, not to the dead."
She looked up, startled.
"You here, Cethegus? What seek you here?"
"A Queen!"
"Oh, you only find a weeping mother!" she cried, sobbing.
"That I cannot believe. The kingdom is in danger, and Amalaswintha will show that even a woman can sacrifice her sorrow to the fatherland."
"She can!" replied the Queen, rising. "But look at him. How young! how beautiful! How could Heaven be so cruel!"
"Now, or never!" thought Cethegus, and said aloud: "Heaven is just, severe; not cruel."
"Of what do you speak? What wrong has my noble son committed? Do you dare to accuse him?"
"Not I! But a portion of Holy Writ has been fulfilled upon him: 'Honour thy father and mother, that thy days may be long in the land!' The commandment is also a threat. Yesterday he sinned against his mother and dishonoured her by bold rebellion--to-day he lies here. Therein I see the finger of God."