# XXIII: I Have Spoken explained — Allan Quatermain

> Chapter companion for Allan Quatermain by H. Rider Haggard.

## What happens

Sorais is brought before Nyleptha, Sir Henry, and Good to answer for her rebellion and assassination attempts. Nyleptha, moved by Sir Henry's plea, grants him Sorais's life as a boon. Sir Henry suggests Good might marry Sorais, but she defiantly rejects the offer and commits suicide by stabbing herself with a silver spear. A month later, Curtis is formally declared King-Consort of Zu-Vendis in a grand ceremony.

## Themes in this chapter

### Power and Politics

The trial of Sorais and Curtis's coronation highlight the struggle for political control and the consolidation of power after a rebellion.

### Love and Jealousy

Sorais's love for Sir Henry and her jealousy of Nyleptha drive her actions, culminating in her dramatic suicide.

### Death and Mortality

Sorais's suicide and the subsequent funeral underscore the finality of death and the cost of ambition and defiance.

## Character check-ins

### Allan Quatermain

Narrates the chapter; still recovering from his wounds, he attends the trial and later reflects on Curtis's coronation.

### Sorais

Brought as a prisoner, she defiantly rejects mercy and commits suicide by stabbing herself with a silver spear.

### Nyleptha

Presides over the trial, grants Sorais's life to Sir Henry as a boon, and later marries Curtis in a grand ceremony.

### Sir Henry Curtis

Pleads for Sorais's life, receives it as a boon, and is formally declared King-Consort of Zu-Vendis.

### Captain Good

Offers to marry Sorais, but she refuses; he attends the coronation and reports back to Quatermain.

### Alphonse

Helps Quatermain to the trial; Sorais mentions his earlier betrayal of her plans.

## Key lines

> Thou hast rent the kingdom like a rag, thou hast put thousands of my people to the sword, thou hast twice basely plotted to destroy my life by murder, thou hast sworn to slay my lord and his companions and to hurl me from the Stairway. What hast thou to say why thou shouldst not die? Speak, O Sorais!

Nyleptha accuses Sorais of tearing the kingdom apart, killing many, plotting assassinations, and threatening to kill Curtis and his friends, demanding an explanation for why she should not be executed.

_Nyleptha lists Sorais's crimes during the trial._

> Little can ye understand of me, Nyleptha and my lords, if ye know not that for me there is no middle path; that I scorn your pity and hate ye for it; that I cast off your forgiveness as though it were a serpent's sting; and that standing here, betrayed, deserted, insulted, and alone, I yet triumph over ye, mock ye, and defy ye, one and all, and thus I answer ye;

Sorais declares that she rejects their pity and forgiveness, feeling betrayed and alone, and instead chooses to defy them all by taking her own life.

_Sorais's final speech before her suicide._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/allan_quatermain_se/chapters/xxiii-i-have-spoken
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/allan_quatermain_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/allan_quatermain_se/chapters