1. Billy Budd (Full)
  2. Chapter 21
  3. leaf 629
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258 269 buttons that we wear attest that we
of the fleet are actors in Nature's
sphere are the commissioned officers of
Nature? We are the commissioned
officers of the King. And in receiving
our ^ military commissions we in certain
regards ceased to be natural
free-agents. Do you start? And But ^ Suppose ^ now our
33 2 condemnation to follow these ^ present proceedings.
Would it be so much we ourselves
that would condemn as it would be
martial law taking effect operating through
us ? its sworn ^ authorized agents? For that law
and the rigour of it, we are not
responsible. Our vowed responsibility
is in this: that however pitilessly
258 269 buttons that we wear attest that we
of the fleet are actors in Nature's
sphere are the commissioned officers of
Nature? We are the commissioned
officers of the King. And in receiving
our ^ military commissions we in certain
regards ceased to be natural
free-agents. Do you start? And But ^ Suppose ^ now our
33 2 condemnation to follow these ^ present proceedings.
Would it be so much we ourselves
that would condemn as it would be
martial law taking effect operating through
us ? its sworn ^ authorized agents? For that law
and the rigour of it, we are not
responsible. Our vowed responsibility
is in this: that however pitilessly

Transcribed by: John Bryant