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＇27＇ So this matter was settled to the mind of all。 But Cyrus； on
hearing that the Chaldaeans were in the habit of going to India；
remembered how Indian ambassadors had come to the Medes to spy out
their affairs； and how they had gone on to their enemiesdoubtless to
do the same thereand he felt a wish that they should hear something
of what he had achieved himself。 ＇28＇ So he said to the company： 〃Son
of Armenia； and men of the Chaldaeans； I have something to ask you。
Tell me； if I were to send ambassadors to India； would you send some
of your own folk with them to show them the way； and support them in
gaining for us all that I desire？ I still need more money if I am to
pay all the wages； as I wish； in full； and give rewards and make
presents to such of my soldiers as deserve them。 It is for such things
I need all the money I can get； for I believe them to be essential。 It
would be pleasanter for me not to draw on you； because I look on you
already as my friends； but I should be glad to take from the Indian as
much as he will give me。 My messengerthe one for whom I ask guides
and coadjutorswill go to the king and say： 'Son of India； my master
has sent me to you； bidding me say that he has need of more money。 He
is expecting another army from Persia；' and indeed I do expect one；〃
Cyrus added。 〃Then my messenger will proceed； 'If you can send my
master all that you have at hand he will do his best； if God grant him
success； that you should feel your kindness has not been ill…advised。'
＇30＇ That is what my emissary will say： and you must give such
instructions to yours as you think fit yourselves。 If I get money from
the king； I shall have abundance at my disposal： if I fail； at least
we shall owe him no gratitude； and as far as he is concerned we may
look to our own interests alone。〃
＇31＇ So Cyrus spoke； convinced that the ambassadors from Armenia and
Chaldaea would speak of him as he desired all men might do。 And then；
as the hour was come； they broke up the meeting and took their rest。
＇C。3＇ But on the next day Cyrus despatched his messenger with the
instructions； and the Armenians and Chaldaeans sent their own
ambassadors； choosing the men they thought would help Cyrus most and
speak of his exploits in the most fitting terms。 Cyrus put a strong
garrison in the fort and stored it with supplies； and left an officer
in command； a Mede； whose appointment； he thought； would gratify
Cyaxares； and then he turned homewards； taking with him not only the
troops he had brought； but the force the Armenians had furnished； and
a picked body of Chaldaeans who considered themselves stronger than
all the rest together。 ＇2＇ And as he come down from the hills into the
cultivated land； not one of the Armenians； man or woman； stayed
indoors： with one accord they all went out to meet him； rejoicing that
peace was made； and bringing him offerings from their best； driving
before them the animals they valued most。 The king himself was not
ill…pleased at this； for he thought that Cyrus would take delight in
the honour the people showed him。 Last of all came the queen herself；
with her daughters and her younger son； bearing many gifts； and among
them the golden treasure that Cyrus had refused before。 ＇3＇ But when
he saw it he said： 〃Nay； you must not make me a mercenary and a
benefactor for pay； take this treasure back and hie you home； but do
not give it to your lord that he may bury it again； spend it on your
son； and send him forth gloriously equipped for war； and with the
residue buy yourself and for your husband and your children such
precious things as shall endure； and bring joy and beauty into all
your days。 As for burying； let us only bury our bodies on the day when
each must die。〃
＇4＇ With that he rode away； the king and all his people escorting him；
like a guard of honour； calling him their saviour； their benefactor；
and their hero； and heaping praises on him until he had left the land。
And the king sent with him a larger army than ever he had sent before；
seeing that now he had peace at home。 ＇5＇ Thus Cyrus took his
departure； having gained not only the actual money he took away with
him； but a far ampler store of wealth； won by his own graciousness； on
which he could draw in time of need。
For the first night he encamped on the borders of Armenia； but the
next day he sent an army and the money to Cyaxares； who was close at
hand； as he had promised to be； while he himself took his pleasure in
hunting wherever he could find the game； in company with Tigranes and
the flower of the Persian force。
＇6＇ And when he came back to Media he gave gifts of money to his chief
officers； sufficient for each to reward their own subordinates； for he
held to it that； if every one made his own division worthy of praise；
all would be well with the army as a whole。 He himself secured
anything that he thought of value for the campaign； and divided it
among the most meritorious； convinced that every gain to the army was
an adornment to himself。
＇7＇ At every distribution he would take occasion to address the
officers and all whom he chose to honour in some such words as these：
〃My friends； the god of mirth must be with us to…day： we have found a
source of plenty； and we have the wherewithal to honour whom we wish
and as they may deserve。 ＇8＇ Let us call to mind； all of us； the only
way in which these blessings can be won。 We shall find it is by toil；
and watchfulness； and speed； and the resolve never to yield to our
foes。 After this pattern must we prove ourselves to be men； knowing
that all high delights and all great joys are only gained by obedience
and hardihood； and through pains endured and dangers confronted in
their proper season。〃
＇9＇ But presently； when Cyrus saw that his men were strong enough for
all the work of war； and bold enough to meet their enemies with scorn；
expert and skilful in the use of the weapons each man bore； and all of
them perfect in obedience and discipline； the desire grew in his heart
to be up and doing and achieve something against the foe。 He knew well
how often a general has found delay ruin his fairest armament。 ＇10＇ He
noticed； moreover； that in the eagerness of rivalry and the strain of
competition many of the soldiers grew jealous of each other； and for
this； if for no other reason； he desired to lead them into the enemy's
country without delay； feeling that common dangers awaken comradeship
among those who are fighting in a common cause； and then all such
bickerings cease； and no man is galled by the splendour of his
comrade's arms； or the passion of his desire for glory： envy is
swallowed up in praise； and each competitor greets his rivals with
delight as fellow…workers for the common good。
＇11＇ Therefore Cyrus ordered his whole force to assemble under arms；
and drew them up into battle…array； using all his skill to make the
display a wonder of beauty and perfection。 Then he summoned his chief
officers； his generals； his brigadiers； and his company…captains。
These men were not bound to be always in the ranks； and some were
always free to wait on the commander…in…chief or carry orders along
the lines wit