The Trumpeter Taken Prisoner

112. THE TRUMPETER TAKEN PRISONER. A Trumpeter being taken prisoner in a battle, begged hard for quarter. “Spare me, good sirs, I beseech you,” said he, “and put me not to death without cause, for I have killed no one myself, nor have I any arms but this trumpet only.”
“For that very reason,” said they who had seized him, “shall you the sooner die, for without the spirit to fight yourself, you stir up others to warfare and bloodshed.”
He who incites to strife is worse than he who takes part in it. [more info]

The Captive Trumpeter

088. THE CAPTIVE TRUMPETER. You will find the fable in English on this page; scroll down to see if there are multiple English versions. [more info]

The Trumpeter Taken Prisoner

158. THE TRUMPETER TAKEN PRISONER. A trumpeter, being taken prisoner in battle, begged hard for quarter, declaring his innocence, and protesting that he neither had, nor could kill any man, bearing no arms but only his trumpet, which he was obliged to sound at the word of command. “For that reason,” replied his enemies, “we are determined not to spare you; for though you yourself never fight, yet, with that wicked instrument of yours, you blow up animosity between other people, and so become the occasion of much bloodshed. [more info]

The Trumpeter Taken Prisoner

088. THE TRUMPETER TAKEN PRISONER. A trumpeter, being taken prisoner in battle, begged hard for quarter, declaring his innocence, and protesting that he neither had, nor could kill any man, bearing no arms but only his trumpet, which he was obliged to sound at the word of command. “For that reason,” replied his enemies, “we are determined not to spare you; for though you yourself never fight, yet, with that wicked instrument of yours, you blow up animosity between other people, and so become the occasion of much bloodshed. [more info]

The Trumpeter Taken Prisoner

249. THE TRUMPETER TAKEN PRISONER. A TRUMPETER, bravely leading on the soldiers, was captured by the enemy. He cried out to his captors, “Pray spare me, and do not take my life without cause or without inquiry. I have not slain a single man of your troop. I have no arms, and carry nothing but this one brass trumpet.” “That is the very reason for which you should be put to death,” they said; “for, while you do not fight yourself, your trumpet stirs all the others to battle.” [more info]

The Trumpeter

1.22. THE TRUMPETER. The fomenter of mischief is at least as culpable as he who puts it in execution.
A Trumpeter in a certain army happened to be taken prisoner. He was ordered immediately to execution; but pleaded, in excuse for himself, that it was unjust a person should suffer death, who, far from an intention of mischief, did not even wear an offensive weapon. So much the rather, replied one of the enemy, shalt thou die; since without any design of fighting thyself, thou excitest others to the bloody business: for he that is the abetter of a bad action, is at least equally guilty with him that commits it. [more info]

The Trumpeter Taken Prisoner

79. THE TRUMPETER TAKEN PRISONER. A Trumpeter during a battle ventured too near the enemy and was captured by them. They were about to proceed to put him to death when he begged them to hear his plea for mercy. "I do not fight," said he, "and indeed carry no weapon; I only blow this trumpet, and surely that cannot harm you; then why should you kill me?"
"You may not fight yourself," said the others, "but you encourage and guide your men to the fight."
Words may be deeds. [more info]

The Trumpeter Taken Prisoner

43. THE TRUMPETER TAKEN PRISONER.
A Trumpeter, prisoner made,
Hoped his life would be spared when he said
He'd no part in the fight,
But they answered him — "Right,
But what of the music you made?"
SONGS MAY SERVE A CAUSE AS WELL AS SWORDS
[more info]