The old man advanced a step towards him and took his hand: "That's brave, Witichis, son of Waltari. I knew thee well, and will not forget that thou wert the first to speak a word of bold assurance. Yes, I too think we are not yet past help, and I have asked you all to come here, where no Italian hears us, in order to decide upon what is best to be done. First tell me your opinion, then I will speak." As all remained silent, he turned to the man with the black locks: "If thy thoughts are ours, speak, Teja! Why art thou ever silent?" "I am silent because I differ from you." The others were amazed. Hildebrand spoke: "What dost thou mean, my son?" "Hildebad and Totila do not see any danger; thou and Witichis see it and hope; but I saw it long ago, and have no hope." "Thou seest too darkly; who dare despair before the battle?" said Witichis. "Shall we perish with our swords in the sheath, without a struggle and without fame?" cried Totila. "Not without a struggle, my Totila, and not without fame, I am sure," answered Teja, slightly swinging his battle-axe. "We will fight so that it shall never be forgotten in all future ages; fight with highest fame, but without victory. The star of the Goths is setting." "Meseems, on the contrary, that it will rise very high," cried Totila impatiently. "Let us go to the King; speak to him, Hildebrand, as thou hast spoken to us. He is wise; he will devise means." The old man shook his head: "I have spoken to him twenty times. He listens no more. He is tired and will die, and his soul is darkened, I know not by what shadows. What is thy advice, Hildebad?" "I think," answered Hildebad, proudly raising his head, "that as soon as the old lion has closed his tired eyes, we arm two hosts. Witichis and Teja lead the one before Byzantium and burn it down; with the other I and my brother climb the Alps and destroy Paris, that dragon's nest of the Merovingians, and make it a heap of stones for ever. Then there will be peace in East and West." "We have no ships against Byzantium," said Witichis. "And the Franks are seven to one against us," said Hildebrand. "But thy intentions are valiant, Hildebad. Say, what advisest thou, Witichis?" "I advise a league--weighted with oaths, secured with hostages--of all the Northern races against the Greeks." "Thou believest in fidelity, because thou thyself art true. My friend, only the Goths can help the Goths. But they must be reminded that they _are_ Goths. Listen to me. You are all young, love all manner of things, and have many pleasures. One loves a woman, another weapons, a third has some hope or some grief which is to him as a beloved one. But believe me, a time will come--it may be during your young days--when all these joys and even pains will become worthless as faded wreaths from yesterday's banquet.