Of what do you remind me, king? Of my misfortune--no, of my shame! I was wounded and made prisoner. Yes, but I shall never be so again! By this my sword, I shall never be so again! No, my father, no! To-day a wonder spares you the shameful ransom of your son; his death may spare it you in the future!--His certain death, when he shall see himself surrounded again! Surrounded again? Horrible! I am so! I am surrounded! What now? Companions! Friends! Brothers! Where are you? All dead? Enemies everywhere! Through here, Philotas! Ha! That is for you, rash fellow!--And that for you!--And that for you! (_striking around him_.) STRATO. Prince! what ails you? Calm yourself (_approaches him_.) PHILOTAS (_stepping away from him_). You too, Strato? You too? O, foe, be generous! Kill me! Do not make me captive! No, I do not deliver myself up! Were you all, who surround me, Stratos, yet I will defend myself against you all--against a world will I defend myself! Do your best, my foes! But you will not? You will not kill me, cruel men? You only wish to have me alive? I laugh at you! To take me prisoner alive? Me? Sooner shall this sword--this sword--shall pierce this breast--sooner--before--(_he stabs himself_.) ARIDÄUS. God! Strato! STRATO. King! PHILOTAS. I wished it thus! (_sinking back_.) ARIDÄUS. Hold him, Strato! Help! help for the prince! Prince, what raving anguish---- PHILOTAS. Forgive me, king! I have dealt you a more deadly blow than myself! I die, and soon will peaceful lands enjoy the fruit of my death. Your son, king, is a prisoner, and the son of my father is free! ARIDÄUS. What do I hear? STRATO. Then it was your purpose, prince? But as our prisoner, you had no right over yourself! PHILOTAS. Do not say that, Strato! Should a man be able to fetter another's liberty to die, the liberty which the gods have left in all vicissitudes of life? STRATO. O king! Terror has paralyzed him! King! ARIDÄUS. Who calls me? STRATO. King! ARIDÄUS. Be silent! STRATO. The war is over, king! ARIDÄUS.