II.

ROBBER.—And does not Fame speak of me too? Was there (S. 82, N. 7) ever a bolder captain of a more valiant band? Was there ever—but I scorn to boast. You yourself know that I have not been easily subdued.

ALEXANDER.—Still, what are you but a robber, a base, dishonest robber?

ROBBER.—And what is a conqueror? Have not you, too, gone about the earth[1] like an evil genius, blasting[2] the fair fruits of peace and industry, plundering, ravaging, killing[3] without law, without justice, merely to gratify an insatiable lust for dominion? All that I have done to a single district with _a_ hundred followers, you have done to whole nations with a hundred thousand. If I have stripped individuals[4], you (S. 27, N. 8) have ruined kings and princes. If I have burned a few hamlets, you have desolated the most flourishing kingdoms and cities of the earth. What is then the difference[5], but that, as you were born a king, and I a private man[6], you have been able to become a mightier robber than I?

ALEXANDER.—But if I have taken like a king, I have given like a king. If I have subverted empires, I have founded greater. I have cherished[7] arts, commerce, and philosophy.

ROBBER.—I, too, have freely given to the poor, what I took from the rich. I have established order and discipline among the most ferocious of mankind[8], and have stretched out my protecting arm over the oppressed. I know, indeed, little of the philosophy you talk of; but I believe neither you nor I will ever atone to the world for the mischiefs we have done.

ALEXANDER.—Leave me!—Take off his chains, and use him well. Are we, then, so much like?—Alexander and a Robber?—Let me reflect[9].—DR. AIKIN.

[1] ‘to go about the earth’ here +über die Erde her´ziehen+, conjugated with +sein+.

[2] = to (+um ... zu+) blast, +vernichten+.

[3] = Have you not plundered, ravaged and killed.

[4] = robbed common citizens.

[5] +Besteht denn zwischen uns beiden ein anderer Unterschied als der, daß+; followed by ‘you have — than I’, according to S. 211, N. 9.

[6] = common citizen.

[7] here = protected.

[8] = of all men.

[9] +Ich will darüber nachdenken.+

_Section 227._

A TOUCHING SCENE AT SEA.