Directly! Yet one must not know one's friend and one's sword only outwardly (he draws it, and Strato steps between him and the king).
STRATO.
I understand the steel better than the workmanship. Believe me, prince, the steel is good. The king has cleft more than one helmet with it since his youth.
PHILOTAS.
I shall never grow so strong as that! But--Do not step so near, Strato!
STRATO.
Why not?
PHILOTAS.
So! (springing back and swinging the sword through the air). It has the right swing.