The Rifleman (TV Series)

Eight Hours to Die (1958)

George Macready: Judge Zephaniah Burton

Quotes 

• Judge Zephaniah Burton : For I'm not here to pass judgment on a calf, nor on a man. Since it has been revealed to me that you too have a son.

  [Lucas turns and stares hard at him] 

  Judge Zephaniah Burton : That is right. For I am the judge and this is my judgment. An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, a son for a son. It is simple, poetic justice.

  Lucas McCain : Yeah. Simple, poetic justice.

  Judge Zephaniah Burton : My son could have been guilty of no evil. All my life, I've been a judge of evil. I raised him in a stern and righteous mold, punishing him harshly. But he strayed from the path of righteousness. My son did no evil, those who have persecuted him did. So you must suffer as I have suffered. Waiting endless hour upon hour for my son to hang. For this is the judgment I pronounce upon you. You shall wait for the death of your son. You shall count the minutes and hours as the sun passes across the heavens knowing the moment approaches when I the judge - I the jury will act as executioner as hangman for your son.

• Lucas McCain : I don't know rather to kill you or thank you. Why did you save him?

  Judge Zephaniah Burton : I saved him for the merciful Lord God Jehovah, who has permitted me some atonement for the evil I have wronged. For He is the true judge of all things and I am but His...

  [dies]