Beric the Briton quotes

but there is no reason because they are wiser and far more polished, and in many respects a greater people than we, that they should come here to be our masters.

These things are desirable, but they are as nothing to freedom.

I have said that I like them more for being among them. I like them more for many reasons. They are grave and courteous in their manner to each other; they obey their own laws; every man has his rights;

… our fault more than theirs, and that if they were ruled kindly and wisely, as were the people in Southern Gaul, where the legion was stationed before it came over here, they would settle down and live peaceably, and be greatly benefited by our rule.”

“If you treat a man as you would a dog you must not be surprised if he bites you,” Beric said.

“Some of your people not only think that we are dogs, but that we are toothless ones. Mayhap they will find their mistake some day.”

“It is as well as another,” one of the chiefs said. “Let the Sarci look on this time while we destroy the enemy. I should have thought Beric would have chosen for his tribe the post of honour in the attack.”

“The Romans always keep their best troops in reserve,” Beric said quietly; “in a hard fight it is the reserve that decides the fate of the battle.”

“Then let it be so,” Boadicea said. “Is the swamp that you speak of deep?”

Of one thing you may be sure, the Roman vengeance will be terrible. We have brought disgrace and defeat upon them. We have destroyed their chief cities. We have massacred tens of thousands.

No mercy will be shown us, and chiefly will their vengeance fall upon the Iceni.

When we return to the camp, go among the men and ask them whether they mean to fight tomorrow as they fought Cerealis, or whether they will fight in the fashion of the rest.

“

Not at all, Boduoc; a prudent man prepares for either fortune, it is only the fool that looks upon one side only.

I hope for victory, but I prepare for defeat; those who like to return to their homes and remain there to be slaughtered by the Romans, can do so. I intend to fight to the last.”

“It is of no use to obey a chief only when ranged in battle; it is that which has ruined our country. There is nothing slavish in recognizing that one man must rule, and in obeying when obedience is necessary for the sake of all.

As one body led by one mind you may do much; as two hundred men swayed by two hundred minds you will do nothing.

I shall be with Beric, and my experience may be of aid to him. And if I, a chief of high standing among the Iceni, am well content to recognize in him the leader of our party, you may well do the same.

… in the open air, hunt the wolf and the bear, meet our enemies face to face, die as men should, and go to the Happy Island without bothering our brains about such things as the arts and luxuries that the Romans put such value on.

A bed on the fallen leaves under an oak tree, with the stars shining through the leaves, is better than the finest chamber in Rome covered with paintings.

”

“I was a hostage for five years among the Romans,” Beric said, “and any knowledge I may have of the art of war was learned from the pages of Caesar, Polybius, and other Roman writers.

The Romans taught me how to fight them.

”

“I meant but to show my cousins how impossible it was for you to make any comparison between our women and yours. All who know them speak well of the British women, and admire their devotion to their husbands and children, their virtue, and bravery.

You might as well compare a Libyan lioness with a Persian cat as the British women with these little cousins of mine.

”

“

What is an enemy? A man who wants to do you harm.

This man facing you is going to kill you, unless you kill him. There cannot be a worse enemy than that. After all, it is just the same with soldiers in a battle. They have no particular quarrel with the men facing them;

“That is one of the public granaries. Corn is brought here in vast quantities from Sardinia and Sicily, from Spain and Africa, and since Nero came to the throne it is distributed gratis to all who choose to apply for it.

No wonder Nero is popular among the people; he feeds them and gives them shows⁠—they want nothing more.

It is nothing to them, the cruelties he exercises upon the rich.”

How can a child like you know more than the wisest heads of Rome? How can you deny the gods who have protected and given victory to your country? I would fain spare you.”

“I am but a child, as you say, Caesar,” Ennia replied. “I have no strength of my own, but I am strong in the strength of Him I worship. He gave His life for me⁠—it is not much that I should give mine for Him.”

Nero sank back on his seat with an angry wave of his hand. He saw that the sympathy of the audience was with the prisoner, and would willingly have gained their approval by extending his clemency towards her.

“I know how it will end,” the girl sighed; “but I shall hope always. You conquered the lion, maybe you will conquer Nero.”

“Who is a very much less imposing creature,” Beric smiled.

A slave girl at this moment summoned Aemilia into the house. She waited a moment.

She looked up now.

“I love you, Beric,” she said. “I would rather live in a cottage with you for my lord and master than in a palace with any other. I would die with you were there need. Your wishes shall always be my law.”

“That is not the way in Britain,” Beric said, as he drew her to him and kissed her. “The husband is not the lord of his wife, they are friends and equals, and such will we be. There is honour and respect on both sides.”

“That is not the way in Britain,” Beric said, as he drew her to him and kissed her.

“The husband is not the lord of his wife, they are friends and equals, and such will we be. There is honour and respect on both sides.”

“It will be but your betrothal at present,” Norbanus said. “Neither Beric nor I would like to see you in the palace of Caesar; but the sponsalia shall take place today, and then he can claim you when he will. Come again this evening, Beric.

Beric was silent. He felt that had he himself not had means his own bands would have also taken to pillage. The men who took to the hills regarded themselves as at war with Rome.

Rome sent her soldiers against them, and slew every man captured. She hunted them like wild beasts, and as wild beasts they had to live at her expense.

Beric was not in advance of the spirit of his time. It was the custom in war to burn, destroy, and slay.

It may be weeks yet before they come.

Roman armies are not moved as quickly as a tribe of mountaineers.

”

This was what they most longed for. Not one there but hated Rome with a bitter hatred, as the author of unnumbered woes to their tribes, their families and themselves.

Death had no terrors whatever to these men, so that they could die fighting with Romans.

Rising to their feet they returned with exulting shouts to their comrades.

while those who are despatched to drive up cattle, or to guard them until needed in the forest, will know that their turn for active fighting will come in good time.

The man who disobeys me dies.

“It is only by acting as one man and under one leader that we can hope to resist successfully. You are free men, and may consider it humiliating thus to obey the orders of another;

“

It requires less bravery to come up here with a message, Aemilia, than to run away from Rome with an outlaw who had just bearded Caesar in his palace.

”