“I love my parents, and I am not ashamed to be a shepherd’s son. I have learned many good lessons from Mitradates as I have looked after the king’s sheep. But you are right in saying I do not wish to be a shepherd. If you think that means I would prefer to be a prince, you are wrong, O king. I plan to be a general and to lead armies into victory. You don’t need to be a prince for that.”
