human
Ah, thou art here, son, she said, turning to him.
gpt
Did I speak? Surely the Mother was with me,
human
Come and rest, mother, he replied, raising her up and supporting her tenderly.
gpt
Come, thou art weary.
human
Weary indeed, my son, she said,--
gpt
What did I say, son? she continued.
human
But no matter. It is all blood before me--carnage and victory! Blood! she cried excitedly, grasping his arm and looking intently into his face.
gpt
Art thou ready? ready for victory!--ready to cry 'Jey Kalee! Jey Toolja Máta!'
human
Ready, mother--yes. There is no failing anywhere. The men are at their posts, and the signals have been decided upon. No one will escape us now.
gpt
No one will escape, she echoed,--
human
Ah, mother, cried Sivaji,
gpt
It must be, son, she said gloomily,
human
cried the lady excitedly,
gpt
He is but one to be spared, mother, and that because of my promise,
human
I tell thee it cannot be, my son. She will have him--the slayer of the priests--the murderer of hundreds of the people about her shrine. And that priest of his who, as all say, led the slaughter, cast down her image, and trampled on it! O son, canst thou hesitate? art thou--so firm and true always--now grown weak? have I borne one in travail who is degenerate? Choose then, now--victory and future blessing, or the result which thou knowest, and we all know, if we fail her--the death which must ensue. Both are before thee; choose, boy; I can say no more!