Strato (_with a sword in his hand_), Aridäus, Philotas. STRATO. King! I came to the soldier who had taken the prince and demanded the prince's sword from him in your name. But hear how nobly the soldier refused! "The king," he said, "must not take the sword from me! It is a good sword, and I shall use it in his service. I must also keep a remembrance of this deed. By the gods, it was none of my least! The prince is a young demon. But perhaps you wish only the precious hilt!" And on this, before I could prevent it, his strong hand had broken off the hilt, and throwing it contemptuously before my feet--"There it is," he continued, "what care I for your gold?" ARIDÄUS. O Strato, make good for me what this man has done! STRATO. I have done so. And here is one of your swords! ARIDÄUS. Give it me! Will you accept it, prince, instead of yours? PHILOTAS. Let me see! Ha! (_aside_.) Be thanked, ye gods! (_eyeing it long and earnestly_). A sword! STRATO. Have I not chosen well, prince? ARIDÄUS. What do you find in it so worthy of your deep attention? PHILOTAS. That it is a sword!--(_recovering himself_.) And a beautiful sword! I shall not lose anything by this exchange. A sword! ARIDÄUS. You tremble, prince! PHILOTAS. With joy! It seems, however, a trifle short for me. But why short? A step nearer to the enemy replaces what is wanting in the steel. Beloved sword! What a beautiful thing is a sword,--to play with and to use! I have never played with anything else. ARIDÄUS (_to_ Strato). O the wondrous combination of child and hero! PHILOTAS (_aside_). Beloved sword! Could I but be alone with thee! But, courage! ARIDÄUS. Now gird on the sword, prince, and follow me! PHILOTAS. Directly! Yet one must not know one's friend and one's sword only outwardly (_he draws it, and_ Strato _steps between him and the king_). STRATO. I understand the steel better than the workmanship. Believe me, prince, the steel is good. The king has cleft more than one helmet with it since his youth. PHILOTAS. I shall never grow so strong as that! But--Do not step so near, Strato! STRATO. Why not? PHILOTAS. So! (_springing back and swinging the sword through the air_). It has the right swing. ARIDÄUS. Prince, spare your wounded arm! You will excite yourself! PHILOTAS.