Fred Niblo

“ Under the cover of midnight—
"Watch every boat for my return and have the horses ready."
"Set sail for England this instant or I'll blow out your brains!"
"My heart fails me. Every foot of this road is sown with danger."
"I'll stake my life he is near the shores of England at this moment."
"You love him."
The fête at the palace of the Duke of Buckingham—
"To the harbour." ”

“ I place the resources of a kingdom at your command and you fail. Imbecile!"
"Guard every entrance to Paris. Line the streets. D'Artagnan must not pass."
"Go to the ball. Join the Queen—never leave her for an instant."
"Block every way that leads to the palace. Arrest that seamstress, Constance."
"D'Artagnan—dead or alive!"
The grand ball room of the palace—
"Her Majesty is late. I trust she will not forget that you desired her to wear your gift of jewels."
At the gates of Paris D'Artagnan scents danger—
"Our luck runs too high. ”

“ Judah, Ben-Hur!"
"How strange it is after all these years to see you a Roman officer! How splendid you look!"
"My mother and sister will be rejoiced to see you. I pray you come!"
"In the past this house was as your own, Messala. Continue to regard it so."
"Do you remember my sister, Tirzah, whom you delighted to tease?"
"Another to greet you, Messala—Amrah, who used to make you sweets!"
"You have not changed, Lord Messala——you were always bold and handsome."
"It is good to have you back, Messala——a Roman who understands my people——"
"Rome rules the peoples she has conquered. ”

“ I spent a wretched night at Fray Felipe's."
"The troopers came there and turned the place topsy-turvy searching for this fellow, Zorro."
"Captain Ramon came here during our absence and forced his attentions upon our daughter!"
"It is an insult, Don Diego, that should be wiped out in blood!"
"So many unpleasant things happen——it is most fatiguing."
"It is a matter for the sword!" ”

“ Ten minutes later Constance arrives at home—
"Can I trust you?"
"I love you."
"As rivers love the sunlight."
"Are you sure?"
"I would give my life for you."
"This may mean your life."
"Go to England. Get the jewels from the Duke of Buckingham and return in all haste. The Queen's happiness, her life, her honor are in your hands."
"When you come back."
"Find Porthos and Aramis and meet me at De Tréville's."
Bonacieux sells his information—
"Search Paris. If D'Artagnan is within the gates, fetch him to me."
"On perilous expeditions of this kind you must pay toll. ”

“ Is there no God left in Israel?"
"I am strengthened, O Lord, and I will live—live to fight for the King when he comes!"
And so, for the first time, Judah and the Son of Mary met—and parted.
The vengeful arm of Rome had reached forth to Simonides—
"Speak dog! Where are the Hur moneys hidden? Gratus will have them if he cracks every bone in your stubborn skin!"
Then for a time the name of Hur was forgotten. Roman legions tramped the land and Roman galleys swept the seas—
—Stately and beautiful; but under the beauty, deep-locked in the heart of each ship, a hell of human woe
"He is dead! ”

“ Douglas Fairbanks
Oppression—by its very nature—creates the power that crushes it. A champion arises—a champion of the oppressed—whether it be a Cromwell or someone unrecorded, he will be there. He is born. ”

“ I pray you be seated."
"Surely we are not strangers—have we not met before?"
"To forget so easily is scarce a tribute to me!"
"—Your face I never could forget. It is the time and place have slipped me."
"I am told you are Simonides——once steward to the House of Hur."
"And what concern is that of yours? Who are you to question me?"
"I am Judah, Ben-Hur!"
"Know you not that Ben-Hur died in the galleys, a galley-slave—and that he was the last of the Hurs?"
"What to you mean? Speak! My mother and sister——"
"The women of Hur are dead! ”

“ Only prevented from hating him by one thought—"That woman must have him in her power."
The Grand Carlton tea-room, a playground for fashion and folly.
"Do you know her?"
"Y-yes; most everybody does—or did." ”

“ And in that same hour Ben-Hur, saddle-weary and travel-worn, came again to the city of his fathers——
"Get you immediate news of the Nazarene from his followers. I go to my father's house to wait for Simonides."
"Mother!"
"Not a sound! He belongs to the living—we to the dead!"
"In all the world I have no one left but you, beloved."
"They have seized the King! The mob howls——only the legions can save him!" ”

“ The high Sierras I would level to your feet—
The wild waves on Capistrano's shore should pay you homage—
I'd make the desert a million roses yield——to die in shame before your beauty—
If this could be! ”

“ Possessed of Gascon courage, D'Artagnan wasted not a moment in regret that his first day in Paris had involved him with the three best blades of the time.
Behind the Luxembourg at one o'clock—
"Gentlemen, I desire to explain——"
"If you kill me, I shall have been honored——"
"If I kill you, I shall regret it all my life—for I love you every one." ”

“ I'd like to meet some nice man."
"You're right, kid. Billy's all right and he's rich as mud, but he's a goody-goody."
"Certainly rich. His father owns the Morning News. Didn't you know that?"
"Run around the block for a half hour. Amelia and I want to talk."
For the twentieth time on the point of "quitting cold" but never quite reaching that point.
"I guess I can trust you to keep your mouth shut."
"Well, I have a very rich friend—Of course, it's not my fault that he's married."
"His name doesn't matter, but he's coming here tonight—and—"
"I'll tell you what I'll do. ”

“ Hopeful of saving the small remnant of their possessions, the Pulidos go to the presidio to plead their cause before Captain Ramon—
"The young lady's duenna is absent. It will be better if the señor calls at another time."
"Captain Ramon, your visit at this time is an intrusion."
"Beauty should not be cruel!"
"I demand that you leave—now!"
"The daughter of a man so out of favor with the governor should be more friendly—to the governor's friend." ”

“ May I bring him in?"
"Athos, you left your purse."
"I trust I am not intruding."
"Father, I have a friend outside—a fine fellow."
"Monsieur le Cardinal, you always win!"
"When I have bent my energies to a purpose, I have never failed."
D'Artagnan invites his friends to dine—
"I wagered D'Artagnan that he could not provide a dinner without money. Does he think Paris is paved with food?"
"Patience, my friends. This Gascon has a fashion of winnings his wagers."
Certain fortune-favored members of the Cardinal's Guards are gathered for a feast—
"Marvellous!" ”

“ If the law allowed I would free you, Simonides."
"My bondage is easy since you have let the world——even my daughter—believe me free. I am content."
Esther, Simonides' daughter, on her first visit to Jerusalem—
The young prince—Judah, Ben-Hur.
"The pigeon—I would know if his wing mends. May I not come to inquire?"
"—It is a far journey—to Antioch."
"Not too far for me—some day!"
"Save you excuses. It is way of your race to walk backwards!"
"I seek the Roman officer Messala—my friend."
"Messala!"
"Your past has come to life—a Jew claims you for friend!" ”

“ Let's go up to the roof."
"It's too dull here. Let's go."
"Hello, Dolly! When did you get back?"
Too interested in his pretty "boss" to notice anything else.
"Have tea with me here tomorrow—about one o'clock."
Firm in the belief that to save her mother's happiness she must meet the woman who threatens it.
"Meet me in the tea room here tomorrow at one o'clock." ”

“ Nothing matters but that I see you again."
"You see me at the risk of my honor—at the risk of your life."
"So sweet a voice can never pronounce the words that separate us."
"Everything separates us——" ”

“ You will see how richly it is furnished."
"Have you seen this one?"
"I think I've said everything. I'll run along now."
"You will honor my house with a visit?"
"He isn't a man—he's a fish!"
Some ten minutes elapse, when—
"Zorro! To secure his arrest will win us the governor's favor."
"Race to the presidio and tell Captain Ramon that Zorro is here!"
"Once, in a garden I saw a beautiful rose—"
"I sought to pluck it—quickly. ”

“ Nice young man who knows the city to act as escort to young woman who is a stranger. Applicants please phone Miss Amelia Black, Hotel Grand Carlton, between two and three o'clock this afternoon.
"Gee! At last somebody's come to life! I'm going to answer this!"
"And probably find some chorus girl looking for an easy-mark."
The following afternoon. Just one minute after two.
"This is Mr. W. H. Fiske. I read your Ad and I'd like to apply for the position."
Discovering an "honest ring" in his voice.
"I will take you. Meet me in the west corridor of this hotel at eight-thirty tonight." ”

“ An impoverished nobleman sends forth his son to seek his fortune—
D'Artagnan
"Remember, my son, that you ancient nobility gives you the right to the best in France."
"You are brave for two reasons. First, because you are a Gascon and, second, because you are my son."
"You have thews of iron and wrists of steel. Fight an all occasions!"
"Fight the more since duels are forbidden, for that means double courage."
"Never forget these things—loyalty to the King—reverence for the Cardinal—devotion to the Queen———"
"——and my pride in you—my love for you."
In Paris—fresh intrigue ”

“ Bernardo who can hear but cannot speak—
"Oppression will grow less, Bernardo. Could I but enlist the caballeros in this cause, perchance 'twould end—"
"My father here—at this time of night! There's some ill brewing. Detain him."
"You've been back from Spain three months—shut up here in your house——idle—bloodless——without ambition—"
"The family name must be perpetuated. At least you are rich enough to win you a wife."
"No girl will ever marry me—"
"—for my money." ”

“ He needs no armies!"
Antioch! The Rome of the East! Colorful, pagan, famed for its games.
On the outskirts of the city the Sheik Ilderim, known throughout the East for his fiery racing Arabs, had pitched his tents——
"He should drive goats—not horses!"
"Curse him! Tomorrow the races and he has killed himself. Was ever such a fool!"
Now there was one in the heart of the city, body broken by Roman torture, who cared nothing for Roman games——
—A merchant prince known as the Miser of Antioch. ”

“ And always with the Cardinal's Guards."
"But if you must fight—fight as you did yesterday."
"The three best swordsmen in Paris."
"So you are from Gascony—and the son of my old friend."
"What brought you to Paris?"
"I came to join the Musketeers."
"My boy, these Musketeers are all picked men."
"All my life I've dreamed, I've hoped, I've prayed to be in your regiment."
"Impossible! Serve your apprenticeship with the cadets for two years——and—we shall see."
"My man of Meung!"
"Excuse me. I am running after someone."
"You can find me without running. Do you understand?" ”

“ Far to the Southward—three wise men bent on a strange and holy quest.
And in the even Mary and Joseph came unto Bethlehem——but there was no room for them in the inn.
"Nay, other wives must sleep beneath the stars tonight. Is your wife better than her sisters?" ”

“ Our country's out of joint. It is for us caballeros, and us alone, to set it right!"
"This man speaks true and to his cause I pledge myself——so help me heaven!"
"Justice for all!"
"Good! And now, my friends, for reasons known to me, my name must be my secret. Adios——until we meet again!"
Accused of treason, the Pulidos, under military arrest, are brought to jail—
To-night—
At the place you know.
Come masked—and ride black horses.
Z
Just before dawn—
"I fear it will help my cause but little to be rescued by you, señor." ”

“ With one thought uppermost in her aching brain——that to fight "Dolly" she must first know who "Dolly" is.
The helplessness of a girl unable to frequent the Bright Light District "alone," and afraid to pick an escort from among her friends.
The Want Ad Department of the Morning News.
WANT ADS
"Will you please take this Ad for tomorrow's paper?" ”

“ You interfere with the governor's officers in the performance of their duty. His Excellency shall hear of this!"
Caballeros!!
How long will you allow thieving politicians to rob honest men and mistreat natives?
Let those of good blood band together to put down oppression. ”

“ He can save you! All Jerusalem is ringing with his miracles!"
"He has even raised the dead!"
And so Pilate delivered Jesus to the mob.
SENATUS [-POPULUSQUE...]
In the thousands that looked on—Romans Jews, Greeks, Arabs, Syrians, Easterners. It seemed the whole world wad represented along that tragic way.
"O King, two legions of fighting men are coming! Each blow to you will be avenged a thousandfold!"
And a voice came to him saying:
"My Kingdom is not of this world. ”