|
SARDANAPALUS
A monologue from the play by Lord Byron
download the complete text of Marino Faliero
|
NOTE: This monologue is reprinted from Lord Byron: Six Plays. Lord Byron. Los Angeles: Black Box Press, 2007. |
|
|
- MARINA: That's false! A truer, nobler, trustier heart,
- More loving, or more loyal, never beat
- Within a human breast. I would not change
- My exiled, persecuted, mangled husband,
- Oppress'd but not disgraced, crush'd, overwhelm'd,
- Alive, or dead, for prince or paladin
- In story or in fable, with a world
- To back his suit. Dishonour'd!—he dishonour'd!
- I tell thee, Doge, 'tis Venice is dishonour'd;
- His name shall be her foulest, worst reproach,
- For what he suffers, not for what he did.
- 'Tis ye who are all traitors, tyrant!—ye!
- Did you but love your country like this victim
- Who totters back in chains to tortures, and
- Submits to all things rather than to exile,
- You'd fling yourselves before him, and implore
- His grace for your enormous guilt.
Download this script!
|
|
|
