For after you have taken the first you must take the second, and still after that the third.

But you might have saved much trouble and time if----" "If what ?" "If you had assaulted the middle one first.

For then, while the siege went on, you would have been able to prevent either of the other two towns from sending assistance, and when you had taken the first and put your garrison in it, neither of the others could have stirred, or reaped their corn, nor could they even communicate with each other, since you would be between them; and in fact you would have cut your enemies in twain." "By St.John!" swore the king, "it is a good idea.

I begin to think--but go on, you have more to say." "I think, too, your majesty, that by staying here as you have done this fortnight past without action, you have encouraged the other two cities to make more desperate resistance; and it seems to me that you are in a dangerous position, and may at any moment be overwhelmed with disaster, for there is nothing whatever to prevent either of the other two from sending troops to burn the open city of Aisi in your absence.

And that danger must increase every day as they take courage by your idleness." "Idleness! There shall be idleness no longer.