Morpheus quotes from The Sandman

Dream Lord? It is you.

Morpheus

I greet you, Nada.

Kai'ckul. How I have prayed for this day. I knew you would come.

Morpheus

It pains me to see you like this.

Then, free me, Lord. Only your forgiveness can free me. Do you not still love me?

Morpheus

It has been 10,000 years, Nada. Yes. I still love you. But I have not yet forgiven you.

Hello, Dream.

Morpheus

Greetings to you, Lucifer Morningstar. And to you, Mazikeen of the Lillim.

Greetings, Dream Lord.

Lucifer

You look well, Dream. Are you well? And your family, Destiny, Death, Despair, and the others?

Morpheus

I presume the Ruler of Hell knows this is no social call.

Lucifer

Have you come to join forces then? To ally your realm to ours? To acknowledge the sovereignty of Hell?

Morpheus

You know my feelings on that, Lightbringer.

Lucifer

Feelings change. Especially when one has been caught and imprisoned by mortals. We expected better of you, sweet Morpheus.

Lucifer

I am … a dire wolf. Prey-stalking, lethal prowler.

Morpheus

I am a hunter. Horse-mounted, wolf-stabbing.

Lucifer

I am a serpent. Horse-biting, poison-toothed.

Morpheus

I am a bird of prey. Snake-devouring, talons ripping.

Lucifer

I am a butcher bacterium. Warm-life destroying.

Morpheus

I am a world. Space-floating, life-nurturing.

Lucifer

I am a nova. All-exploding, planet-cremating.

Morpheus

I am a universe. All things encompassing, all life embracing.

Lucifer

I am anti-life.The Beast of Judgement. The dark at the end of everything. What will you be then, Dream Lord?

Morpheus

[fallen to the floor, dying] I … I … I …

Boss? Hey, boss!

Lucifer

Still with us, Dream?

He is — and it's his move … Your Majesty.

Lucifer

There are no more moves. What can survive the anti-life?

Hey, boss. Listen to me. You know what can survive the anti-life? You. — Dreams don't fucking die. — Not if you believe in them, and I believe Dream of the Endless would never leave his raven here, alone, in Hell with Lucifer.

Morpheus

I … am … Hope. [rises, and stands]

Lucifer

Hope.

Morpheus

Well, Lightbringer? It's your move. What is it that kills hope?

Lucifer

[despairing] Choronzon, give him his helm.

Morpheus

The Ruler of Hell is honorable, indeed. I will not forget this.

Lucifer

Honorable? You joke, surely. Look out there, Morpheus. The billion Lords of Hell stand arrayed about you. Tell us. Why should we let you leave? Helmet or no, you have no power here. After all … What power have dreams in Hell?

Morpheus

You say I have no power here. Perhaps you speak truly. But to say dreams have no power in Hell … Tell me, Lucifer Morningstar, what power would Hell have if those here imprisoned were not able to dream … of Heaven?

Lucifer

One day, Morpheus … we shall destroy you.

Morpheus

Until that day, Lightbringer. [Leaves]

Bette

[still surviving, amidst the carnage in the Diner] How is this a better world?

John Dee

You're still seeing it with your eyes. You need to close them. Embrace the darkness. [she is driven to stab her eyes, and dies]

[suddenly appearing in flashes, sometimes as the 3 dead women in the diner] I see the future.

John Dee

Then tell me. Tell me my future.

You come from dust. You walk the dust. You go back to dust.

John Dee

That's everyone's future. Tell me my future.

There is no future for you, John Dee. It is bound by walls and guards and the sour smell of madness. And then the skein of your life is cut, son of your mother.

John Dee

No. Look again. Tell me my future.

You have stolen some of the power of Dreams. You will take all of it. You will crush the Dream Lord's life in your hands.

John Dee

[after Morpheus enters the Diner] Hello. I'm John. I'm glad you're here. The power has gone out. So there's no TV, and no one left to talk to.

Morpheus

What is it you think you're doing?

John Dee

Saving the world from its lies.

Morpheus

The ruby wasn't made for that.

John Dee

Oh … you're The Sandman. My mother was right. She said you'd be coming for it.

Morpheus

You must return it to me so that I can repair the damage you have done.

John Dee

I'm not giving it to you, it's mine.

Morpheus

It is harming you, John, and your world.

John Dee

It's revealing the truth. … This is the truth of mankind.

Morpheus

No. … You're wrong. This is the truth of mankind. [shows normal exchanges of polite pleasantries in the diner]

John Dee

They're lying to themselves. … It's all lies.

Morpheus

Not lies, John. Dreams. … Kate dreams of running away, where no one will find her. … Garry dreams of proving his father was wrong about him. … Bette dreams of creating something that matters to people. Their dreams inspired them. … Their dreams kept them alive. … But if you rob them of their dreams, if you take away their hope, then … yes, … this is the truth of mankind. [returns to scenes of the dead lying in the diner] … The ruby is hurting you, John. It has too much of my power within it. It stole more when I tried to use it.

John Dee

Then perhaps if I use it to steal the rest of your powers, I will be the King of Dreams.

Morpheus

If you'd rob a Dream Lord of his power, you shall do so in his realm. … In dreams.

Morpheus

[as his palace burns away] You must stop. It is not too late to save yourself.

John Dee

Oh, you think it's me that needs saving?

Morpheus

Your father stole the ruby from me and cursed you with it.

John Dee

You mean he blessed me with it. [he begins using the ruby to absorb more of Dream's power] Your reign ended when my father captured you. Your kingdom is my birthright. Your power resides within me. How does it feel to know I hold your life in my hands?

Morpheus

You're hurting the dreamers.

John Dee

Well, it's time they woke up! Your life and your lies end now. [crushes the Ruby] I did it. … I killed him. … I won.

Morpheus

[revealed as holding John in the palm of his hand] Thank you, John.

John Dee

But I killed you.

Morpheus

You destroyed the ruby and released the power inside it. I would never have thought of that. I'd forgotten just how much of myself I had placed in the jewel.

John Dee

Are you going to kill me?

Morpheus

I could. … Perhaps I will. … But the dream stone was not made for mortals. And it came to you through no fault of your own. … So, no, John. I will not kill you. [returns John to Arkham Asylum] Sleep well, John.

[amidst the carnage of the streets] All the damage the ruby did, can you undo it?

Morpheus

The ruby didn't do this. John merely used it to reveal wounds that were hidden, but never healed. Tomorrow, the rebuilding will begin. In this realm and in mine. But tonight at least … humanity will sleep in peace.

[As Morpheus walks down the street] I'm watching you, big brother.

Death

What are you doin'?

Morpheus

I'm feeding the pigeons.

Death

You do that too much, you know what you get? …Fat pigeons.… That's from Mary Poppins. Did you ever see it?

Morpheus

No.

Death

Okay, so what's the matter?

Morpheus

What do you mean?

Death

I can tell something's wrong. I mean, look at you. Sittin' here, moping, pigeon-feeding. It's not like you.

Morpheus

No. Perhaps it isn't. I don't know what's wrong, but … You're right. Something is the matter. When they captured me, I just had one thought. Vengeance.

Death

Here you are, feeding the pigeons.

Morpheus

You see, until then, I'd had a true quest. A purpose beyond my function and then suddenly, it was over, and … I felt disappointed. Let down. Empty. Does that make sense?

Death

You could have called me, you know.

Morpheus

I didn't want to worry you.

Death

Oh, I don't believe it.

Morpheus

I didn't think you —

Death

Exactly. You didn't think.

Heads up! [Death catches a soccer ball before it hits her, as Dream had just done a short time before] Wow! You're as good as your … friend there.

Death

He's not my friend. He's my brother. And he's an idiot.

Morpheus

I'm just feeding the birds.

Death

Look, I can't stay here all day. I've got work to do. You can come with me if you want, or you can stay here and sulk.

Morpheus

I'll come with you, I suppose.

Death

Well, don't do me any favors.

Sorry, before you go, umm… could I maybe see you again?

Death

Sure, Franklin. You'll see me again.

[surprised] Seriously?

Death

Soon.

Okay, cool! Yeah, let me just get your number and … [turns back toward them] Wait, how did you know my … [sees that they are gone]

Death

Can you hear it? [violin playing]

Morpheus

I know this piece. I haven't heard it in 200 years.

Death

Come on. [entering Harry's apartment as he stops playing the violin and coughs] No. Don't stop, please.

Uh, sorry for the noise.

Death

It's not noise. It's Schubert. Keep going.

I can't. He never finished it. All we have is a fragment. … Oh, forgive me, I … I am Harry.

Death

I know who you are, Harry. [walks to him] Do you know who I am?

[gazes into her face] No. Not yet. Please.

Death

It's time.

Can I just … There's something I have to say. If that's all right.

Death

Of course.

Sh'ma Yisra'el, YHWH 'eloheinu, YHWH 'eḥad: Hear, O Israel: The Lord is our God. The Lord is One.

Death

Now's when you find out, Harry.

Morpheus

My sister …

Death

Yeah?

Morpheus

When I was captured, it wasn't me they were looking for. It was you.

Death

Yeah … I know. … [stops and reaches down]

Morpheus

What are you doing?

Death

I'm taking my shoes off. You should take yours off too. It's good to touch the Earth with your bare feet. It's grounding. Come on, I don't want to miss the next one.

Morpheus

How do you do it?

Death

Do what?

Morpheus

This. Be there, for all of them.

Death

I have a job to do. And I do it.

Morpheus

Who? Hob Gadling?

Death

[nods] Hmm.

Morpheus

I don't know. I was forced to miss our last appointment.

Death

Well, I'm sure he'd love to see you. They're never too keen to see me, though.

Morpheus

Does it not bother you?

Death

I actually used to think I had the hardest job in all our family.

Morpheus

Oh, did you?

Death

They fear the Sunless Lands, yet they enter your realm every night without fear.

Morpheus

And yet I am far more terrible than you.

Death

It was fine in the beginning. Dying and living were new things and people did them with the enthusiasm they always bring to new things. And then after a bit, it just got harder.

Morpheus

But you continued.

Death

I thought about giving up. Walking out. This was a long time ago, long before this world. It really started to get to me. I got kind of hard and brittle inside. I mean, people feel as pleased to have been born as if they did it themselves. But they get upset and hurt and shaken when they die. But eventually, I learned that all they really need is a kind word and a friendly face. Like they had in the beginning.

Morpheus

I find myself wondering about humanity. Their attitude towards your gift is so strange. Why do they fear the Sunless Lands? It is as natural to die as it is to be born.

Death

People may not be ready for my gift. But they get it anyway. No matter what the circumstance. At the end, each of us stands alone. The Sunless Lands are far away and the journey is hard. Most of us will be glad for the company of a friend.

Morpheus

But you do.

Death

No. At the end, I'm there with them. I'm holding their hand and they're holding mine. I'm not alone when I'm doing my job. And neither are you. Think about it. The only reason we even exist, you and I, and Desire and Despair, the whole family. We're here to serve them.

Morpheus

You've taught me something I had forgotten. I thank you, my sister.

Death

Aw. That's what family's about, little brother. … One last appointment, then I have to go.

Morpheus

I, too, am late for an appointment.

Death

Tell him I said hello.

Franklin!

Death

I have to go.

Hey. Did you see that? That car came this close to hitting me.

Death

This close, huh?

Yeah.

Death

Come with me, Franklin. I need to show you something. [takes his arm]

Okay.

Death

See ya, Dream. Don't be a stranger, okay?

Hob Gadling

Look, I've seen death. I lost half my village to the Black Death. I fought under Buckingham in Burgundy. It's not like I don't know what death is. Death is … stupid.

You're a fool, Hob.

Hob Gadling

Nobody has to die. The only reason people die is … is 'cause everyone does it. You all just go along with it. But not me. I've made up my mind. I'm not going to die.

[amidst general laughter] Hobs, death comes for every man.

Hob Gadling

You don't know that. I might get lucky. There's always a first time. There's so much to do, so many things to see. Women to swive. Ale to drink. People to drink with.

Morpheus

Why would any sensible creature crave an eternity of this?

Death

You could find out.

Morpheus

How?

Death

I could grant him his wish.

Morpheus

Do that, and he will be begging for death within a century, I assure you.

Death

This will prove very interesting.

What will you do with all that life?

Hob Gadling

I'll find better friends than you, I can tell you that.

Death

Are you gonna tell him, or should I?

Morpheus

I shall.

Death

Very well, little brother. Very well.

Morpheus

Did I hear you say you have no intention of ever dying?

Hob Gadling

Uh, yeah. Yeah, that's right.

Morpheus

Then you must tell me what it's like. Let us meet here again, Robert Gadling, in this tavern of the White Horse in 100 years.

[amidst general laughter] A hundred years and I'm Pope Urban.

Hob Gadling

Don't mind them. A hundred years' time, on this day? [Dream nods] I will see you in the year of our Lord 1489, then. [Dream leaves].

Who was that, then, Hobsie?

Hob Gadling

Haven't a clue. But tell you what, I'll ask him in 100 years' time.

Hob Gadling

[sitting across from him] How did you know … that I'd still be here? Who are you? A wizard? A … saint? … A demon? [fearfully] Have I made a bargain with the devil?

Morpheus

No.

Hob Gadling

[puzzled] Then why aren't I dead long since? Is this some kind of game?

Morpheus

No game.

Hob Gadling

But why? Who are you? Why are you here?

Morpheus

I'm here because I'm interested.

Hob Gadling

In me?

Morpheus

In your experience.

Hob Gadling

What do I have to do?

Morpheus

Nothing. You live your life as you choose. Then on this day, every 100 years, we will meet.

Hob Gadling

[1789 in The White Horse Tavern] That lad, Will Shakespeare. He turned out to be a half-decent playwright after all. You made some kind of deal with him, didn't you?

Morpheus

Perhaps.

Hob Gadling

What kind of deal? His soul?

Morpheus

Nothing so crude.

Hob Gadling

Four hundred years now, I've been meeting you here and there is so much I still don't know. Who are you? Truly? What's your name?

I might ask both of you that same question, gentlemen.

Hob Gadling

Is that meant to be me? Oh, I look terrible. You look worse.

You return to this pub every 100 years, striking bargains with men, sharing gifts, immortality, which you will now share with me. … Well, have you nothing to say?

Morpheus

I am no Devil.

Hob Gadling

And I'm not Jewish.

Fie. … What manner of creatures are you then?

Hob Gadling

Who wants to know?

I'm Lady Johanna Constantine. You will both follow me, sirs. My coach is without. I can see there is so much you can tell me. So much I can learn.

Morpheus

No. … No, I think not.

Hob Gadling

[1889 in The White Horse Tavern] You knew Lady Johanna. You know Lushing Lou. You know everyone, don't you?

Morpheus

I saw her again, you know.

Hob Gadling

Who? Lady Johanna?

Morpheus

She undertook a task for me — and succeeded admirably, I might add.

Hob Gadling

That might be the only thing I've learned after 500 years. People are almost always better than you think they are. Not me, though. Still the same as ever.

Morpheus

I think perhaps you've changed.

Hob Gadling

Well, I may have learnt a bit from my mistakes. But, — doesn't seem to stop me from making them. I think it's you that's changed.

Morpheus

How so?

Hob Gadling

I think I know why we still meet here, century after century. It's not because you want to see whether or not I'm ready to seek death. I don't think I'll ever seek death. By now, you know that about me. So, I think you're here for something else.

Morpheus

And what might that be?

Hob Gadling

Friendship. I think you're lonely.

Morpheus

You dare …

Hob Gadling

No, look, I'm not saying …

Morpheus

You … dare suggest one such as I might need your companionship?

Hob Gadling

Yes. Yes, I do.

Morpheus

[Morpheus stands angrilly] Then I shall take my leave of you and prove you wrong. [leaves]

Hob Gadling

[rushes out door, shouting to him] I'll tell you what, I'll be here in 100 years' time. If you're here then too, it'll be because we're friends. No other reason, right? …Fuck!

Hob Gadling

[1989 in The White Horse Tavern] Whiskey, please.

Uh, you'll have to be more specific. We got a menu now.

Hob Gadling

Oh. … What's the oldest you got?

Well, I've got a Glen Grant, old enough to be your father.

Hob Gadling

[smiles] I'm older than I look.

You waiting for someone?

Hob Gadling

I think I've been stood up. We had a fight. Last time we were here.

Ah.

Hob Gadling

It was my fault. Wish I could say I was drunk at the time, but I was just an idiot.

I've seen plenty of friends get in fights in pubs. Even more of them laugh about it together later.

Hob Gadling

Maybe in another 100 years.

Ah.… You'll have to have found a new pub by then. This place has been sold to make room for new flats. [Hob looks stunned] The borough council are trying to stop them, but if you've got enough money in this country, you can do whatever you bloody want. Pour you another one? While you wait?

Hob Gadling

Please.

Hob Gadling

[looking up from paperwork he is doing in "The New Inn", he sees Morpheus has just come in and smiles] You're late.

Morpheus

[smiles] It seems I owe you an apology. I've always heard it impolite to keep one's friends waiting.