Page:A History of Freedom of Thought.djvu/159

 His drama, Saul (1763), which the police tried to suppress, presents the career of David, the man after God's own heart, in all its naked horror. The scene in which Samuel reproves Saul for not having slain Agag will give an idea of the spirit of the piece.


 * God commands me to tell you that he repents of having made you king.


 * God repents! Only they who commit errors repent. His eternal wisdom cannot be unwise. God cannot commit errors.


 * He can repent of having set on the throne those who do.


 * Well, who does not? Tell me, what is my fault?


 * You have pardoned a king.


 * What! Is the fairest of virtues considered a crime in Judea?

(to Agag): Silence! do not blaspheme. (To Saul). Saul, formerly king of the Jews, did not God command you by my mouth to destroy all the Amalekites, without sparing women, or maidens, or children at the breast?


 * Your god—gave such a command! You are mistaken, you meant to say, your devil.


 * Saul, did you obey God?


 * I did not suppose such a command