Chapter 2

ROBBER.—And does not Fame speak of me too? Was there (S. 82, N. 7) ever a bolder captain of a more valiant band? Was there ever—but I scorn to boast. You yourself know that I have not been easily subdued.

ALEXANDER.—Still, what are you but a robber, a base, dishonest robber?

ROBBER.—And what is a conqueror? Have not you, too, gone about the earth like an evil genius, blasting the fair fruits of peace and industry, plundering, ravaging, killing without law, without justice, merely to gratify an insatiable lust for dominion? All that I have done to a single district with a hundred followers, you have done to whole nations with a hundred thousand. If I have stripped individuals, you (S. 27, N. 8) have ruined kings and princes. If I have burned a few hamlets, you have desolated the most flourishing kingdoms and cities of the earth. What is then the difference, but that, as you were born a king, and I a private man, you have been able to become a mightier robber than I?

ALEXANDER.—But if I have taken like a king, I have given like a king. If I have subverted empires, I have founded greater. I have cherished arts, commerce, and philosophy.

ROBBER.—I, too, have freely given to the poor, what I took from the rich. I have established order and discipline among the most ferocious of mankind, and have stretched out my protecting arm over the oppressed. I know, indeed, little of the philosophy you talk of; but I believe neither you nor I will ever atone to the world for the mischiefs we have done.

ALEXANDER.—Leave me!—Take off his chains, and use him well. Are we, then, so much like?—Alexander and a Robber?—Let me reflect.—DR. AIKIN.

‘to go about the earth’ here +über die Erde her´ziehen+, conjugated with +sein+.

= to (+um ... zu+) blast, +vernichten+.

= Have you not plundered, ravaged and killed.

= robbed common citizens.

+Besteht denn zwischen uns beiden ein anderer Unterschied als der, daß+; followed by ‘you have — than I’, according to S. 211, N. 9.

= common citizen.

here = protected.

= of all men.

+Ich will darüber nachdenken.+

Section 227.

A TOUCHING SCENE AT SEA.