No honest man's ambitious to press forward
To the hangman's service.

BUTLER.

And no brave man loses
His color at a daring enterprise.

GORDON.

A brave man hazards life, but not his conscience.

BUTLER.

What then? Shall he go forth anew to kindle
The unextinguishable flame of war?

GORDON.

Seize him, and hold him prisoner--do not kill him.

BUTLER.

Had not the Emperor's army been defeated,
I might have done so.--But 'tis now past by.

GORDON.

O, wherefore open'd I the stronghold to him?