[Recoiling.] My great Emperor—!
Julian.
The fleet must neither fall into the hands of the Persians, nor yet cost us men. There is a middle course, I tell you! Why do you falter? Why not speak it out?
Nevita.
[To the Persian.] Do you know whether the citizens of Ctesiphon have stores of corn and oil?
The Persian.
Ctesiphon overflows with supplies of all sorts.
Julian.
And when we have once taken the city, the whole rich country lies open to us.
The Persian.