THE TRUMPETER TAKEN PRISONER
A Trumpeter marched into battle in
the van of the army and put courage into his comrades
by his warlike tunes. Being captured by the enemy,
he begged for his life, and said, “Do not put
me to death; I have killed no one: indeed, I
have no weapons, but carry with me only my trumpet
here.” But his captors replied, “That
is only the more reason why we should take your life;
for, though you do not fight yourself, you stir up
others to do so.”