He's old and crippled.

Gama: Aye, but I've three sons,
Fine fellows, young and muscular, and brave,
They're well worth talking to! Come, what d'ye say?

Arac: Aye, pretty ones, engage yourselves with us,
If three rude warriors affright you not!

Hilar.: Old as you are, I'd wring your shrivelled neck
If you were not the Princess Ida's father.

Gama: If I were not the Princess Ida's father,
And so had not her brothers for my sons,
No doubt you'd wring my neck -- in safety too!
Come, come, Hilarion, begin, begin!
Give them no quarter -- they will give you none.
You've this advantage over warriors
Who kill their country's enemies for pay,--
You know what you are fighting for -- look there!
(Pointing to Ladies on the
battlements)

(Exit Gamma. Hilarion, Florian, and Cyril
are led off.)

SONG (Arac, Guron, Scynthius and Chorus)
"This Helmet, I Suppose"

Arac: This helmet, I suppose,
Was meant to ward off blows,
It's very hot
And weighs a lot,
As many a guardsman knows,
As many a guardsman knows,
As many a guardsman knows,
As many a guardsman knows,
So off, so off that helmet goes.

Others: Yes, yes, yes,
So off that helmet goes!

(Giving their helmets to
attendants)

Arac: This tight-fitting cuirass
Is but a useless mass,
It's made of steel,
And weighs a deal,
This tight-fitting cuirass
Is but a useless mass,
A man is but an ass
Who fights in a cuirass,
So off, so off goes that cuirass.

Others: Yes, yes, yes,
So off goes that cuirass!
(Removing
cuirasses)

Arac: These brassets, truth t