Androcles and the Lion Page #8

I could almost yield you my throne.

It's a record for my reign.

I shall live in history.

Once, in Domitian's time, a Gaul slew three men

in the arena and gained his freedom.

But when before has one single man...

slain six armed men

of the bravest and the best?

The persecutions shall cease.

- Ladies and gentlemen, you are all free.

- [Man] Praise the Lord.

If Christians can fight like this,

I shall have none but Christians to fight for me.

You there. Do you hear?

You are ordered

to become Christians at once.

[All Laughing]

Pray, go into the front of the house

and enjoy the spectacle...

to which your brother

has so splendidly contributed.

Captain, oblige me by conducting them

to the seats reserved for my friends.

Caesar! I must have one Christian for the lion.

The people have been promised it.

They'll tear the decorations to bits

if they're disappointed.

Yes, true, true.

We must have someone for the new lion.

- Throw me to him.

- No! No, my friend! You would tear him in pieces.

We cannot afford to throw away lions

as if they were mere slaves.

Caesar. [Whispering, Indistinct]

...the captain.

What?

Throw a Roman captain to the lions?

You must be out of your mind, Cato.

I shall speak to you about this later.

Your management of this whole affair

has displeased me greatly.

Just see what a mess we're in

because of your lack of good judgment.

- Um... -

- Caesar.

No.

This is really extremely awkward.

Why not that little chap?

He's not a Christian.

He's a sorcerer.

A very good idea.

He'll do very well.

[Man]

Number 13.

A Christian for the new lion.

I'll go in his place, Caesar.

No.

I would never have another happy hour.

No.

On the faith of a Christian...

and the honor of a tailor...

I accept the lot that has fallen on me.

If my wife turns up, give her my love.

Tell her my wish was

that she be happy with her next.

Poor fellow.

Farewell, brother.

Caesar, go to your box

and see how a tailor can die.

Make way for number 13 there.

[Cheering In Distance]

[Trumpet Fanfare]

[Crowd Cheering Loudly]

[Crowd Roaring]

[All Laughing]

[Drumroll]

[Gate Creaking]

[Lion Roaring]

[Roars]

[Roars]

[Growling]

[Roars]

[Roaring]

[Roars]

[Low Growl]

- Tommy!

- [Low Growl]

- It's you!

- [Low Growl]

Good old friend.

Oh, Tommy!

[Waltz]

It's an incredible... -

An amazing thing has happened to me!

I can no longer doubt

the truth of Christianity.

This Christian sor... -

[Shrieks]

Now, I wonder why

they all run away from us like that.

Sorcerer, I command you

to put that lion to death instantly.

It is guilty of high treason.

- Your conduct is most dis... -

- [Lion Roars]

- [Roaring]

- [Gasps]

- Don't be afraid of him.

- I am not afraid of him!

Keep between us.

Never be afraid of animals, Your Worship.

That's the great secret.

For, you see, he's afraid of you.

Come on now, Tommy.

Speak nicely to the emperor.

The great, good emperor...

who has the power

to have all our heads cut off...

if we don't behave

very, very respectfully to him.

- Come on, Tommy.

- [Roars]

[Roaring]

Tommy! Stop!

Come back, Tommy!

[Gasps, Shouts]

- [Roaring]

- Tommy, stop! You'll get us in trouble!

- Bad boy!

- [Roaring]

Stop, Tommy!

[Androcles]

Tommy. Stop this instant!

I'm so sorry, Your Worship.

Tommy, now... -

Tommy, stop!

Back! Back!

Don't let him go.

We mustn't let him lash himself into a rage.

You must show him

that you are my particular friend... -

if you will have the condescension.

Look, Tommy, the nice emperor...

is the best friend that Andy-wandy has

in the whole world.

He loves him like a brother.

You little brute.

You filthy little dog of a tailor!

I'll have you burnt alive for daring

to touch the divine person of the emperor!

Oh, don't talk like that, sir.

He understands every word you say.

All animals do.

They take it from the tone of your voice.

[Roars]

I think he's going to spring at Your Worship.

If you wouldn't mind

saying something affectionate.

My, uh... -

My dearest Mr. Androcles.

My sweetest friend.

My long lost brother.

Come to my arm.

Whoa! What an abominable smell of garlic!

- There. You see?

- [Purring]

Even a child can play with him now. See?

- [Purring]

- Come. Pet him.

I must, uh... -

I must conquer these unkingly terrors.

Don't go away from him though.

[Growling Softly]

Goochy, goochy, goochy, goochy.

Goochy, goochy, goochy.

[Sighs]

Oh, sir.

How few men would have

the courage to do that.

Yes, it, uh, takes a bit of nerve.

- Shall we call in the others and frighten them?

- [Roars]

Is he safe, do you think?

Oh, quite safe now, sir.

What ho there!

All who are within hearing,

return without fear.

Caesar has tamed the lion.

[Lion Purring]

I have subdued the beast.

It is strange that I,

who fear no man...

should fear a lion.

Every man must fear something, Ferrovius.

How about

the Praetorian Guard now, Ferrovius?

- I accept service in the Guard, Caesar.

- Very wisely said.

All really sensible men agree

that the only prudent course...

is to be neither bigoted

in our attachment to the old...

nor rash and impractical

in keeping an open mind for the new...

but to make the best of both dispensations.

What do you say, Lavinia?

Will you, too, be prudent?

No. I shall still strive

for the God who is love.

For me, there can be no other.

May I come and argue with you occasionally?

Yes, handsome Captain, you may.

Caesar, give us this sorcerer

to be a slave in the menagerie.

He has a way with the beasts.

Not if they're in cages.

They should not be kept in cages.

They must all be let out.

I give this sorcerer to be a slave...

to the first man who lays hands on him.

[Roars]

[Caesar Laughing]

You see how magnanimous

we Romans are, Androcles?

We suffer you to go in peace.

I thank you, Your Worship.

I thank you all, ladies and gentlemen.

Come, Tommy.

Whilst we stand together...

no cage for you...

and no slavery for me.

[Low Growl]

Come on, Tommy.

Go on, Tommy.

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