After having spoken this, whatever his greatest officers and men
of the best rank could do, they could not raise him from the carpet,
or persuade him to action and resolutions of life; but commanding
all to retire, he shut himself into his pavilion all that day, while
the enemy was ready to engage: and wondering at the delay, the whole
body of the chief of the army then addressed themselves to him, and to
whom they had much ado to get admittance. They fell on their faces
at the foot of his carpet, where they lay, and besought him with
earnest prayers and tears to lead them forth to battle and not let the
enemy take advantages of them; and implored him to have regard to
his glory, and to the world, that depended on his courage and conduct.
But he made no other reply to all their supplications but this, that
he had now no more business for glory; and for the world, it was a
trifle not worth his care: "Go," continued he, sighing, "and divide it
amongst you, and reap with joy what you so vainly prize, and leave
me to my more welcome destiny."
They then demanded what they should do, and whom he would constitute
in his room, that the confusion of ambitious youth and power might not
ruin their order, and make them a prey to the enemy. He replied, he
would not give himself the trouble- but wished 'em to choose the
bravest man amongst 'em, let his quality or birth be what it would:
"for, O my friends!" said he, "it is not titles make men brave or
good; or birth that bestows courage and generosity, or makes the owner
happy.
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