Well, I say that you should all march for Ctesiphon, leaving me to secure Babylon with the cavalry.

Are you going to show the white feather too, Adimantus, now that the danger is near?—Timolaus, what is your advice?

We must march upon the enemy in full force, before they have had time to strengthen their hands with the reinforcements that are pouring in from all quarters; let us engage them whilst they are still making their several ways to Seleucia.

These is something in that. What do you recommend, Lycinus?

Well, we have all been on our legs till we are tired out; there was the early walk down, and we must be a good three miles now on the way home; and the sun is extremely powerful—it is just about noon: how would it be to sit down for a bit on that ruined column under the olive trees, till we are sufficiently restored to complete the journey?

O sancta simplicitas! Did you think that you were at Athens all this time? You are in the plain before Babylon, in a great camp,—engaged in a council of war.

Why, sol am. I forgot; we are drunk, of course; it is against rules to talk sense.