When the great Theban, in his midnight tramp,
A sleeping guard beside the postern saw,
He slew him on the instant, that the camp
Might read in blood a soldier's swerveless law.
"Blame not your General!"--pointing to the slain,--
The wise, severe Epaminondas said,--
"I was not cruel, comrades, for 't is plain
I only left him, as I found him, dead!"