Cho. Not yet hath time laid low thy spirit, 'tis young as ever; but thy body's strength is gone. Why toil to no purpose? 'Twill do thee hurt and benefit our city little. At thy age thou shouldst confess thy error and let impossibilities alone. Thou canst in no way get thy vigour back again.
Alc. What means this mad resolve to leave me with my children undefended here?
Iol. Men must fight; and thou must look to them.
Alc. And what if thou art slain? what safety shall I find?
Iol. Thy son's surviving children will care for thee.
Alc. Suppose they meet with some reverse? which Heaven forefend!
Iol. These strangers will not give thee up, fear not.
Alc. They are my last and only hope, I have no other.
Iol. Zeus too, I feel sure, cares for thy sufferings.
Alc. Ah! of Zeus will I never speak ill, but himself doth know, whether he is just to me.
Ser. Lo! here thou seest a full coat of mail; make haste to case thyself therein; for the strife is nigh, and bitterly doth Ares loathe loiterers; but if thou fear the weight of the armour, go for the present without it, and in the ranks do on this gear; meantime will I carry it.
Iol. Well said! keep the harness ready to my hand, put a spear within my grasp, and support me on the left side, guiding my steps.
Ser. Am I to lead this warrior like a child?
Iol. To save the omen, we must go without stumbling.
Ser. Would thy power to act were equal to thy zeal!
Iol. Hasten; I shall feel it grievously, if I am too late for the battle.
Ser. 'Tis thou who art slow, not I, though thou fanciest thou art doing wonders.
Iol. Dost not mark how swift my steps are hasting?
