Scipio monologue (Act 3) — Numantia

In very sooth, I am content to view How Fortune's wishes tally with mine own; For this free haughty nation I subdue Without a struggle, by my wits alone. The occasion comes, I seize it as my due, For when it flits and runs, and once hath flown, Full well I know in war we pay the cost, Our credit vanishes, and life is lost. It may be judged a foolish, monstrous thing, To hold our enemies beleaguered there; That shame on Roman chivalry we bring, By using arts of conquest strange and rare. If such be said, then to this hope I cling, That shrewd and practised soldiers will declare That victory to be of most repute, Which yields with least of blood the most of fruit. What glory more exalted can we know, Within the range of war affairs, I mean, Than thus to conquer and subdue the foe, Nor let our naked weapons once be seen? For when the blood of friends is forced to flow, To gain a triumph when the fight is keen, I wot the pleasure is not half so high As that which springs from bloodless victory.