When  Mathews  was  poisoned  by  thy  order, — nay,  start  not !  thou
knowest  well  it  is  the  truth, — I  was  given  the  choice  of  life,  and
thy  service,  or  death  upon  refusal, — I  chose  death.  Year  after
year  I  have  seen  those  die  around  me  whom  I  loved ;  I  have
courted  death  by  refusal  of  thy  base  and  dishonourable  offers :
thou  hast  not  dared  to  destroy  me.  My  life,  a  miserable  one  to
me,  is  now  of  no  value ;  those  whom  I  love  in  my  own  land  have
long  mourned  me  as  dead.     It  is  well  that  it  is  so — I  am  hon-


TIPPOO  SULTAUN.  195

oured  in  death.  Alive,  and  in  thy  service,  I  should  be  dead  to
them,  but  dishonoured :  therefore  I  prefer  death.  I  ask  it  from
thee  as  a  favour ;  I  have  no  wish  to  five :  bid  yonder  fellow  strike
my  head  from  my  body  before  thine  eyes.  As  thou  lovest  to  look
on  blood,  thou  wUt  see  how  a  man,  and  an  Englishman,  can  bear
death.     Strike !  I  defy  thee.'

'  Beat  him  on  the  mouth  with  a  shoe !  gag  the  kafir  son  of
perdition  1  send  him  to  hell !'  roared  many  voices  j  '  let  him  die  ! '
while  scowling  looks  and  threatening  gestures  met  him  on  all
sides.
