Editing Lark (AW2E) (section)

=='''Lark, the Hocus'''==

"My father once told me a story from the time before 'bout a man called Gracchus. He was a wise man, and he saw that the people were in need, and he took land from those that had much land and he gave it to those that had none. For this, the wealthy and the powerful raised their hands against him and they slew him dead. But Gracchus lived on after death, and he took the land again and he returned it to the people. And he was mighty, for the Gods had touched him and forbade anyone to lay hands on him. And he gave food to the hungry. And when that was done, and the people had land to tend and food in their bellies, he gave the Law to the people, to protect them from the wealthy. And at this the wealthy could not contain their wrath, and though the Gods forbade it, they seized him and slew him. And for this, the Gods punished the wealthy, and for their sins the Gods laid them low.

Now in my youth I was a slave like some of you here were. And though I did not toil in the fields I still felt the hatred and the fear that the wealthy bear for the people. And I told my brothers and sisters about Gracchus, and we all agreed that if the Gods had raised him once before they might raise him again. And we took hope. We made our escape, we followed the signs the Gods gave us, and we came here. Here, where there is a man who gives water to the people, so that none may thirst; who gives the Law to the people, so that they are protected; who lays hands on the people, that they shall be healed; and who says that no one shall be ruled by another, and that all of the people shall be free. And we told ourselves that surely this man must be Gracchus. And though he does not answer to that name, still that is what we must believe. And this too we know. The wealthy and the powerful have always hated the people and they will not abide those who guide and protect them. And so we must watch him and ward him, that he shall come to no harm, for even now the wicked do not fear the Gods".