human
Can you hear what they are shouting?
gpt
They are crying 'The King! The King!'
human
It is not a demonstration in my honour, said Norman, grimly.
gpt
Will you come with me and see?
human
There is no danger, said Sforelli, calmly.
gpt
All the guards are true as steel. The castle is defended by cannon. The guards know their work well, and we can depend on them to the last breath.
human
thundered the populace.
gpt
I have to apologize, he said,
human
Let us give them a chance first, said the King.
gpt
I wonder if I could talk to them and find out exactly what they want!
human
They will believe no voice but that of the cannon, said the Captain, gravely,
gpt
Well, if we are found out, we are found out,
human
Men that are fools enough to support a cause like theirs, exclaimed Sforelli,
gpt
I am in no hurry to shoot down those poor idealists, objected Norman.
human
For them truth is more important than prosperity: and there is a great deal to be said for their point of view. And you, Captain, he added, turning to the old guardsman at his side,
gpt
My King, he said, stiffly.
human
I hold your life in trust from Princess Ianthe. In fighting for you we fight for her and for her we would blow the whole rabble of Alsander to the moon and ourselves after them. It is she who has commanded us to obey you, and obey you we shall, like the boys obeyed the Old Man of the Mountains, even if you order us to fling ourselves down man by man from the Western Tower. But let me add, Sir, that I and my company do not think that the Princess, whom God preserve, could have chosen a finer ruler for Alsander than the man you have shown yourself to be even in these very few days, my lord the King.
gpt
Captain, replied Norman,
human
I thank you. I entrust the defence of the Castle entirely to your wisdom. I have only this request to make. I beg of you, let the first shots you fire from our cannon be blank, and the first loaded shells you send pass high above the heads of the crowd; and do not bring out the murderous quickfirers except at the last necessity. Alsandrian blood would weigh heavily upon me, Captain, and not less heavily, I think, on our Royal Mistress.
gpt
Fling us down the grocer!--a rope for all traitors!--the river for the foreigner!--the stake for the foreigner!
human
I will strictly carry our your Majesty's recommendations, he promised.
gpt
We will see if the Castle cannot at least make as much noise as the town.