The Sign of the Cross (1932)

Fredric March: Marcus Superbus - Prefect of Rome

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Quotes 

• Poppaea : Do you love this girl? Answer me!

  Marcus Superbus, Prefect of Rome : Well, then I... I don't know.

  Poppaea : That says you perhaps do. I could laugh with Rome about it if I didn't care so much. Marcus Superbus... caught at last by a Christian wanton.

  Marcus Superbus, Prefect of Rome : You've no right to call her that.

  Poppaea : Oh, very much in love.

  Marcus Superbus, Prefect of Rome : Well, why not? It's not so impossible, so laughable. She's young, beautiful, virtuous. I find I'm sick of patrician women.

  Poppaea : That's a direct enough insult.

• Mercia : Marcus, listen to me. I don't want to live like this. I want to die with them.

  Marcus Superbus, Prefect of Rome : You mean you'd give up life with me... and would rather die for a belief, for some vague...

  Mercia : It isn't vague. It's certain. One man proved it. He changed men with it.

  Marcus Superbus, Prefect of Rome : It's an illusion. It's madness, I tell you. Rome and mankind will go on as they are forever. Your Christianity will be stamped out and dead within a year.

  Mercia : I know better.

• Marcus Superbus, Prefect of Rome : Mercia, listen to me. Renounce your God in name only. Even though I can't believe in Him, I will respect Him. You'll not lose Him, I swear it, if you'll live as my wife.

  Mercia : No, Marcus, to know that you love me is all I can have.

  Marcus Superbus, Prefect of Rome : Mercia, how can you do this to both of us?

  Mercia : This is stronger than we are, much greater than our love.

  Marcus Superbus, Prefect of Rome : Mercia, live.

  Mercia : Didn't you see Stephan go out there?

  Marcus Superbus, Prefect of Rome : Yes, yes. It was horrible. I couldn't believe it. But why should you go, too?

  Mercia : Didn't you hear my promise that I would follow him?

  Marcus Superbus, Prefect of Rome : You must live, Mercia.

  Mercia : No, Marcus, I must follow them.

  Marcus Superbus, Prefect of Rome : Then if you die, I shan't live either.

  Mercia : You must live. If only because someday you may know what I know now.

• Marcus Superbus, Prefect of Rome : Oh, Mercia, tell me. This is all true, isn't it? An afterlife and happiness?

  Mercia : Yes.

  Marcus Superbus, Prefect of Rome : For me, too? Even I could have it?

  Mercia : Yes, Marcus.

  Marcus Superbus, Prefect of Rome : I believe you. I believe what you tell me. There, with this Christ, we could always be together? Promise me that?

  Mercia : It's true.

  Marcus Superbus, Prefect of Rome : Then I want to go with you.

  Mercia : Marcus!

  Marcus Superbus, Prefect of Rome : Yes, with you, now.

  Mercia : But it isn't fair to you.

  Marcus Superbus, Prefect of Rome : Yes it is, it's merciful to me. It's some hope. It keeps you with me, maybe always.

  Jailer : [interrupting Marcus]  Excellence, the Emperor...

  Marcus Superbus, Prefect of Rome : Yes, yes, we're ready. Come, Mercia. Why, you're pitying me, and I'm happy. I can't believe it. I'm full of strange hope. Much happier. You want me to go with you, don't you?

  Mercia : Yes. I love you.

  Marcus Superbus, Prefect of Rome : Well, come, then. You'll have to go on teaching me, leading me. Sometime I'll know. But stay close. Give me your hand. I can't sing the hymn. I shan't look up either. I'll be looking at you... and believing you're my wife.