Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1876 edition. Excerpt: ... voice is for the search. 2nd Com. The same is mine. 3rd Com. And your joint voices are irrefragable. Fran. Yet spare my sex this last indignity. Oh ye were born of women--all of you Had mothers once--and some of you this day Have living mothers--sisters haply some. I do beseech you think of them before Ye make their sex dishonoured in my shame. Since in your malice, and your cruel thirst For human blood, or ignorance, or disdain Of feelings shared by creatures ye despise--Though we're of the same nature, flesh, and blood, From the same God descended, as yourselves--Ye seek my life--Oh take it on the spot--Yes--take it now--this instant--'tis no more Than in the course of Nature I must lose Some few years hence--a trifle in the account, Of long eternities that are to come. If torture be my doom, pronounce it now. I can expect no better at your hands From what I bear, or have already borne, And knowing how ye're cruel--how ye burn To glut your cold hearts with vicarious pain--To the Infinite Mercy have I prayed, and pray For strength to bear the worst--Then do the worst. "Why not be brief? Why pause upon your work. For vain observance, wasting precious hours With foolish processes, and futile forms? What hinders you? No further proofs ye need Who never needed any. Then at once Rush to the extreme ye long for--grasp the goal And sublime summit of your grand desires. Yes. Tear away my flesh with red-hot tongs--Saw me asundor--cramp and crush my bones With rack and screw--impale me--roast alive--"Wring out my wretched, insignificant life, In gory drops, and every drop a pang--But spare me--spare me--from that open shame. 1st Com. Drag her away--regard nor shrieks nor tears--'Tis only what her insolence well deserves. 2nd Com. But...
