The old man asks why the people are hanging up like this. He tells the old man that the Romans nailed the people to the plank of wood to warn them not to cause trouble, or they'd be sent to the god of heaven. The Old Man wonders if the people's faith is weak, or if the god is just as weak as the Roman god. He asks the Old Man to tell him what other gifts the king sent him, aside from the silver he gave him. He says that the taxes the king imposes have been rising, and that many of his subjects have lost their lives as a result. He also says that he's ready to spend his days "drowning in mead" now that it's his turn to bring the two boys to fight. The two boys say they're there to make their fortunes, and they'll need the silver from the king's gift to keep them and fed. They'll be able to do more than they lose, they say, because they've been persecuted for their faith in the Roman God.