Page:The robbers - a tragedy (IA robberstragedy00schiiala).pdf/169

us'd to be so prompt?—Betray'd by my own instruments!—The props of my good luck begin to totter—the mound is broken—and all will speedily give way to the enemy.—Now for a quick resolve—But how? but what?——If I durst but do it—to come behind him and stab him!—Durst! a wounded man's a child—I'll do it. (Stalks backwards and forwards, and then stops as if hesitating from fear.) Who's that behind me? (Rolling his eyes.) What figures are these—what sounds—yet I think I have courage—courage! yes—But if my shadow should discover me while I struck him—or a glass—or the whizzing of my arm. Ugh!—How my hair bristles!—(He lets fall a poniard from under his clothes.)—No, I am no coward—tender-hearted only—yes, that is it.—These are virtue's struggles—I honour this feeling—To kill my brother with my own hand! No, that were monstrous! No, no, no:—Let me cherish this vestige of humanity—I will not murder—Nature, thou hast conquer'd—There's something here that feels like—tenderness—Yes, he shall live.