H. Rider Haggard

Name: The Wizard (Haggard) — IX.The Crisis
Author: H. Rider Haggard

The Wizard (Haggard) — IX.The Crisis (1896)

Summary

“The Wizard (Haggard) — IX.The Crisis”, published in 1896, is a work by H. Rider Haggard. It explores elements such as Nodwengo, snakes and Owen.

Quotes from The Wizard (Haggard) — IX.The Crisis (H. Rider Haggard)

H. Rider Haggard, The Wizard (Haggard) — IX.The Crisis (1896)

“ Of the heads of kraals, how they would grow wealthy when their daughters ceased to be worth cattle? Of the councillors and generals, how the land could be protected from its foes when they were commanded to lay down the spear? Of the soldiers, whose only trade was war, how it would please them to till the fields like girls? Dismay took hold of the nation, and although they were much loved, there was open talk of killing or driving away the King and Nodwengo who favoured the white man, and of setting up Hafela in their place. ”

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Source: Wikisource

H. Rider Haggard, The Wizard (Haggard) — IX.The Crisis (1896)

“ Let us halt no longer between two opinions, let us become wholly Christian or rest wholly heathen, for to be divided is to be destroyed. The magic of the Messenger is great; once and for all let us learn if it is more than our magic. Let us put him and his doctrines to the trial by fire.”
“What is the trial by fire?” asked Owen. ”

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Source: Wikisource

H. Rider Haggard, The Wizard (Haggard) — IX.The Crisis (1896)

“ Take the Cross by which you swear and set it up yonder and stand by it, and with you your converts, Nodwengo the Prince, and this man whom you have named John, if they dare to go. Over against you, around the symbol of the god by which we swear, will stand I and my company, and we will pray our god and you shall pray your God. Then the storm will break upon us, and when it is ended we shall learn which of us remain alive. If you and your cross are shattered, to us will be the victory; if we are laid low, take it for your own. ”

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Source: Wikisource

H. Rider Haggard, The Wizard (Haggard) — IX.The Crisis (1896)

“ If on the other hand you do accept it, these shall be the stakes: that if you pass the trial unharmed, and the Fire-doctors are swept away, your creed shall be my creed and the creed of the land; but if the Fire-doctors prevail against you, then it shall be death or banishment to any who profess that creed. Now choose!”
“I have chosen,” said Owen. “I will meet Hokosa and his company on the Place of Fire whenever he may appoint, but for the others I cannot say.”
“We will come with you,” said Nodwengo and John, with one voice; “where you go, Messenger, we will surely follow.” ”

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Source: Wikisource

H. Rider Haggard, The Wizard (Haggard) — IX.The Crisis (1896)

“ This man has slain, not a snake, but that which held the spirit of an ancestor, and for the deed he deserves to die. Hearken, O King, for the business is larger than it seems. How are we to be governed henceforth? Are we to follow our ancient rules and customs, or must we submit ourselves to a new rule and a new custom? ”

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Source: Wikisource

H. Rider Haggard, The Wizard (Haggard) — IX.The Crisis (1896)

“ It was a law among them that if one of these snakes entered a kraal it must not be killed, or even driven away, under pain of death, but must be allowed to share with the human occupants any hut that it might select. As a result of this enforced hospitality deaths from snake-bite were numerous among the people; but when they happened in a kraal its owners met with little sympathy, for the doctors explained that the real cause of them was the anger of some ancestral spirit towards his descendants. ”

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Source: Wikisource

H. Rider Haggard, The Wizard (Haggard) — IX.The Crisis (1896)

“ Alas! we must live with the thing here in the hut till it chooses to go away.”
“Truly,” said Owen, “I am ashamed to think that you who are a Christian should still believe so horrible a superstition. Does your faith teach you that the souls of men enter into snakes?” ”

H. Rider Haggard

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