Clivedurdle
Member
Interesting. I assume St Bernard of Shaw is soon to be canonized.
http://www.fullbooks.com/Androcles-and-the-Lion.html
SPINTHO. What's the good of praying? If we're martyred we shall
go to heaven, shan't we, whether we pray or not?
FERROVIUS. What's that? Not pray! (Seizing him again) Pray this
instant, you dog, you rotten hound, you slimy snake, you beastly
goat, or--
SPINTHO. Yes: beat me: kick me. I forgive you: mind that.
FERROVIUS (spurning him with loathing) Yah! (Spintho reels away
and falls in front of Ferrovius).
ANDROCLES (reaching out and catching the skirt of Ferrovius's
tunic) Dear brother: if you wouldn't mind--just for my sake--
FERROVIUS. Well?
ANDROCLES. Don't call him by the names of the animals. We've no
right to. I've had such friends in dogs. A pet snake is the best
of company. I was nursed on goat's milk. Is it fair to them to
call the like of him a dog or a snake or a goat?
FERROVIUS. I only meant that they have no souls.
ANDROCLES (anxiously protesting) Oh, believe me, they have. Just
the same as you and me. I really don't think I could consent to
go to heaven if I thought there were to be no animals there.
Think of what they suffer here.
FERROVIUS. That's true. Yes: that is just. They will have their
share in heaven.
http://www.fullbooks.com/Androcles-and-the-Lion.html