Hrotsvitha

Name: The Plays of Roswitha — Dulcitius
Author: Hrotsvitha

The Plays of Roswitha — Dulcitius (1923)

Summary

“The Plays of Roswitha — Dulcitius”, published in 1923, is a work by Hrotsvitha. It explores elements such as Irena, gods and torture.

Quotes from The Plays of Roswitha — Dulcitius (Hrotsvitha)

Hrotsvitha, The Plays of Roswitha — Dulcitius (1923)

“ IRENA. Now he presses the saucepans tenderly to his breast, now the kettles and frying-pans! He is kissing them hard!
CHIONIA. How absurd!
IRENA. His face, his hands, his clothes! They are all as black as soot. He looks like an Ethiope.
AGAPE. I am glad. His body should turn black—to match his soul, which is possessed of a devil.
IRENA. Look! He is going now. Let us watch the soldiers and see what they do when he goes out.
SCENE V
SOLDIERS. What's this? Either one possessed by the devil, or the devil himself. Let's be off!
DULCITIUS. Soldiers, soldiers! Why do you hurry away? ”

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Source: Wikisource

Hrotsvitha, The Plays of Roswitha — Dulcitius (1923)

“ IRENA. Better far that my body should suffer outrage than my soul.
SISINNIUS. When you are dishonoured and forced to live among harlots, you can no longer be numbered among the virgins.
IRENA. The wage of sin is death; the wage of suffering a crown. If the soul does not consent, there is no guilt.
SISINNIUS. In vain I try to spare her, and show pity to her youth!
SOLDIERS. We could have told you as much. She is not to be frightened, and nothing can make her worship the gods. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Hrotsvitha, The Plays of Roswitha — Dulcitius (1923)

“ DULCITIUS. Soldiers, produce your prisoners.
SOLDIERS. The ones you wanted to see are in there.
DULCITIUS. Ye Gods, but these girls are beautiful! What grace, what charm!
SOLDIERS. Perfect!
DULCITIUS. I am enraptured!
SOLDIERS. No wonder!
DULCITIUS. I'm in love! Do you think they will fall in love with me?
SOLDIERS. From what we know, you will have little success.
DULCITIUS. Why?
SOLDIERS. Their faith is too strong.
DULCITIUS. A few sweet words will work wonders!
SOLDIERS. They despise flattery.
DULCITIUS. Then I shall woo in another fashion—with torture! ”

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Source: Wikisource

Hrotsvitha, The Plays of Roswitha — Dulcitius (1923)

“ SOLDIERS. In there.
SISINNIUS. Keep Irena back, and bring the others here.
SOLDIERS. Why is one to be treated differently?
SISINNIUS. She is young, and besides she may be more easily influenced when not intimidated by her sisters.
SOLDIERS. That may be so.
SCENE XI
SOLDIERS. We have brought the girls you asked for.
SISINNIUS. Agape, and you, Chionia, take my advice.
AGAPE. And if we do, what then?
SISINNIUS. You will sacrifice to the gods.
AGAPE. We offer a perpetual sacrifice of praise to the true God, the eternal Father, to His Son, co-eternal, and to the Holy Ghost. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Hrotsvitha, The Plays of Roswitha — Dulcitius (1923)

“ SOLDIERS. We are all the sport of some strange enchantment. We are exhausted. If you let this mad-woman live an hour longer it will be the death of us all.
SISINNIUS. Take a bow one of you, bend it as far as you can, and loose a shaft that shall pierce this devilish witch.
SOLDIERS. That's the way!
IRENA. You wretched Sisinnius! Do you not blush for your shameful defeat? Are you not ashamed that you could not overcome the resolution of a little child without resorting to force of arms? ”

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Source: Wikisource

Hrotsvitha, The Plays of Roswitha — Dulcitius (1923)

“ AGAPE. You have no power over us, and can never compel us to sacrifice to demons.
SISINNIUS. Do not be obstinate. Sacrifice to the gods, or by order of the Emperor Diocletian I must put you to death.
CHIONIA. Your Emperor has ordered you to put us to death, and you must obey, as we scorn his decree. If you were to spare us out of pity, you also would die.
SISINNIUS. Come, soldiers! Seize these blasphemers and fling them alive into the flames.
SOLDIERS. We will build a pyre at once. The fierceness of the fire will soon put an end to their insolence. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Hrotsvitha, The Plays of Roswitha — Dulcitius (1923)

“ DIOCLETIAN. Is it not madness to give up practising an ancient religion and run after this silly new Christian superstition?
AGAPE. You are bold to slander the majesty of Almighty God. It is dangerous. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Hrotsvitha, The Plays of Roswitha — Dulcitius (1923)

“ Thus we decree, making the condition that you first promise to deny your Christ and sacrifice to the gods.
AGAPE. We beg you not to concern yourself about us, and it is useless to make preparations for our marriage. Nothing can make us deny that Name which all should confess, or let our purity be stained. ”

Hrotsvitha

Summary

Quotes from The Plays of Roswitha — Dulcitius (Hrotsvitha)

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