Ser. Near enough for their general to be plainly seen.
Iol. What is he about? marshalling the enemy's line?
Ser. So we guessed; we could not hear exactly. But I must go, for I would not that my master should engage the foe without me, if I can help it.
Iol. I also will go with thee; for I like thee am minded, so it seems, to be there and help my friends.
Ser. It least of all becomes thee thus to utter words of folly.
Iol. Far less to shrink from sharing with my friends the stubborn fight.
Ser. Mere looks can wound no one, if the arm do naught.
Iol. Why, cannot I smite even through their shields?
Ser. Smite perhaps, more likely be smitten thyself.
Iol. No foe will dare to meet me face to face.
Ser. Friend, the strength, that erst was thine, is thine no more.
Iol. Well, at any rate, I will fight with as many as ever I did.
Ser. Small the weight thou canst throw into the balance for thy friends.
Iol. Detain me not, when I have girded myself for action.
Ser. The power to act is thine no more, the will maybe is there.
Iol. Stay here I will not, say what else[1] thou wilt.
Ser. How shalt thou show thyself before the troops unarmed?
Iol. There be captured arms within this shrine; these will I use, and, if I live, restore; and, if I am slain, the god will not demand them of me back. Go thou within, and from its peg take down a suit of armour and forthwith bring it to me. To linger thus at home is infamous, while some go fight, and others out of cowardice remain behind.
- ↑ Badham proposed τἀμὰ for τἄλλα.
