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side Araspas the Mede； who had been his comrade in boyhood。 It was he
to whom Cyrus gave the Median cloak he was wearing when he went back
to Persia from his grandfather's court。 Now he summoned him； and asked
him to take care of the tent and the lady from Susa。 ＇3＇ She was the
wife of Abradatas； a Susian； and when the Assyrian army was captured
it happened that her husband was away： his master had sent him on an
embassy to Bactria to conclude an alliance there； for he was the
friend and host of the Bactrian king。 And now Cyrus asked Araspas to
guard the captive lady until her husband could take her back himself。
＇4＇ To that Araspas replied； 〃Have you seen the lady whom you bid me
guard？〃
〃No； indeed；〃 said Cyrus； 〃certainly I have not。〃
〃But I have；〃 rejoined the other； 〃I saw here when we chose her for
you。 When we came into the tent； we did not make her out at first； for
she was seated on the ground with all her maidens round her； and she
was clad in the same attire as her slaves； but when we looked at them
all to discover the mistress； we soon saw that one outshone the
others； although she was veiled and kept her eyes on the ground。 ＇5＇
And when we bade her rise； all her women rose with her； and then we
saw that she was marked out from them all by her height； and her noble
bearing； and her grace； and the beauty that shone through her mean
apparel。 And； under her veil； we could see the big tear…drops
trickling down her garments to her feet。 ＇6＇ At that sight the eldest
of us said； 'Take comfort； lady； we know that your husband was
beautiful and brave； but we have chosen you a man to…day who is no
whit inferior to him in face or form or mind or power； Cyrus； we
believe； is more to be admired than any soul on earth； and you shall
be his from this day forward。' But when the lady heard that； she rent
the veil that covered her head and gave a pitiful cry； while her
maidens lifted up their voice and wept with their mistress。 ＇7＇ And
thus we could see her face； and her neck； and her arms； and I tell
you； Cyrus；〃 he added； 〃I myself； and all who looked on her； felt that
there never was； and never had been； in broad Asia a mortal woman half
so fair as she。 Nay； but you must see her for yourself。〃
＇8＇ 〃Say； rather； I must not；〃 answered Cyrus； 〃if she be such as you
describe。〃
〃And why not？〃 asked the young man。
〃Because；〃 said he； 〃if the mere report of her beauty could persuade
me to go and gaze on her to…day； when I have not a moment to spare； I
fear she would win me back again and perhaps I should neglect all I
have to do； and sit and gaze at her for ever。〃
＇9＇ At that the young man laughed outright and said：
〃So you think； Cyrus； that the beauty of any human creature can compel
a man to do wrong against his will？ Surely if that were the nature of
beauty； all men would feel its force alike。 ＇10＇ See how fire burns
all men equally； it is the nature of it so to do； but these flowers of
beauty； one man loves them； and another loves them not； nor does every
man love the same。 For love is voluntary； and each man loves what he
chooses to love。 The brother is not enamoured of his own sister； nor
the father of his own daughter； some other man must be the lover。
Reverence and law are strong enough to break the heart of passion。
＇11＇ But if a law were passed saying； 'Eat not； and thou shalt not
starve； Drink not； and thou shalt not thirst； Let not cold bite thee
in winter nor heat inflame thee in summer；' I say there is no law that
could compel us to obey； for it is our nature to be swayed by these
forces。 But love is voluntary； each man loves to himself alone； and
according as he chooses； just as he chooses his cloak or his sandals。〃
＇12＇ 〃Then；〃 said Cyrus； 〃if love be voluntary； why cannot a man cease
to love when he wishes？ I have seen men in love；〃 said he； 〃who have
wept for very agony； who were the very slaves of those they loved；
though before the fever took them they thought slavery the worst of
evils。 I have seen them make gifts of what they ill could spare； I
have seen them praying； yes； praying； to be rid of their passion； as
though it were any other malady； and yet unable to shake it off； they
were bound hand and foot by a chain of something stronger than iron。
There they stood at the beck and call of their idols； and that without
rhyme or reason； and yet； poor slaves； they make no attempt to run
away； in spite of all they suffer； on the contrary； they mount guard
over their tyrants； for fear these should escape。〃
＇13＇ But the young man spoke in answer： 〃True；〃 he said； 〃there are
such men； but they are worthless scamps； and that is why； though they
are always praying to die and be put out of their misery and though
ten thousand avenues lie open by which to escape from life； they never
take one of them。 These are the very men who are prepared to steal and
purloin the goods of others； and yet you know yourself； when they do
it； you are the first to say stealing is not done under compulsion；
and you blame the thief and the robber； you do not pity him； you
punish him。 ＇14＇ In the same way； beautiful creatures do not compel
others to love them or pursue them when it is wrong； but these good…
for…nothing scoundrels have no self…control； and then they lay the
blame on love。 But the nobler type of man； the true gentleman；
beautiful and brave； though he desire gold and splendid horses and
lovely women； can still abstain from each and all alike； and lay no
finger on them against the law of honour。 ＇15＇ Take my own case；〃 he
added； 〃I have seen this lady myself； and passing fair I found her；
and yet here I stand before you； and am still your trooper and can
still perform my duty。〃
＇16＇ 〃I do not deny it；〃 said Cyrus； 〃probably you came away in time。
Love takes a little while to seize and carry off his victim。 A man may
touch fire for a moment and not be burnt； a log will not kindle all at
once； and yet for all that； I am not disposed to play with fire or
look on beauty。 You yourself； my friend； if you will follow my advice；
will not let your own eyes linger there too long； burning fuel will
only burn those who touch it； but beauty can fire the beholder from
afar； until he is all aflame with love。〃
＇17＇ 〃Oh； fear me not； Cyrus；〃 answered he； 〃if I looked till the end
of time I could not be made to do what ill befits a man。〃
〃A fair answer；〃 said Cyrus。 〃Guard her then； as I bid you； and be
careful of her。 This lady may be of service to us all one day。〃
＇18＇ With these words they parted。 But afterwards； after the young man
saw from day to day how marvellously fair the woman was； and how noble
and gracious in herself； after he took care of her； and fancied that
she was not insensible to what he did； after she set herself； through
her attendants； to care for his wants and see that all things were
ready for him when he came in； and that he should lack for nothing if
ever he were sick； after all this； love entered his heart and took
possession； and it may be there was nothing surprising in his fate。 So
at least it was。
＇19＇ Meanwhile Cyrus； who was anxious that the Medes and the allies
should stay with him of th