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at least it was。
＇19＇ Meanwhile Cyrus； who was anxious that the Medes and the allies
should stay with him of their own free choice； called a meeting of
their leading men； and when they were come together he spoke as
follows：
＇20＇ 〃Sons of the Medes and gentlemen all； I am well aware it was not
from need of money that you went out with me； nor yet in order to
serve Cyaxares； you came for my sake。 You marched with me by night；
you ran into danger at my side； simply to do me honour。 ＇21＇ Unless I
were a miscreant； I could not but be grateful for such kindness。 But I
must confess that at present I lack the ability to make a fit
requital。 This I am not ashamed to tell you； but I would feel ashamed
to add； 'If you will stay with me； I will be sure to repay you；' for
that would look as though I spoke to bribe you into remaining。
Therefore I will not say that； I will say instead； 'Even if you listen
to Cyaxares and go back to…day； I will still act so that you shall
praise me； I will not forget you in the day of my good fortune。' ＇22＇
For myself； I will never go back； I cannot； for I must confirm my oath
to the Hyrcanians and the pledge I gave them； they are my friends and
I shall never be found a traitor to them。 Moreover； I am bound to
Gobryas； who has offered us the use of his castle； his territory； and
his power； and I would not have him repent that he came to me。 ＇23＇
Last of all； and more than all； when the great gods have showered such
blessings on us； I fear them and I reverence them too much to turn my
back on all they have given us。 This； then； is what I myself must do；
it is for you to decide as you think best； and you will acquaint me
with your decision。〃
＇24＇ So he spoke； and the first to answer was the Mede who had claimed
kinship with Cyrus in the old days。
〃Listen to me；〃 he said； 〃O king！ For king I take you to be by right
of nature； even as the king of the hive among the bees； whom all the
bees obey and take for their leader of their own free will； where he
stays they stay also； not one of them departs； and where he goes； not
one of them fails to follow； so deep a desire is in them to be ruled
by him。 ＇25＇ Even thus； I believe； do our men feel towards you。 Do you
remember the day you left us to go home to Persia？ Was there one of
us； young or old； who did not follow you until Astyages turned us
back？ And later； when you returned to bring us aid； did we not see for
ourselves how your friends poured after you？ And again； when you had
set your heart on this expedition； we know that the Medes flocked to
your standard with one consent。 ＇26＇ To…day we have learnt to feel
that even in an enemy's country we may be of good heart if you are
with us； but； without you； we should be afraid even to return to our
homes。 The rest may speak for themselves； and tell you how they will
act； but for myself； Cyrus； and for those under me； I say we will
stand by you； we shall not grow weary of gazing at you； and we will
continue to endure your benefits。〃
＇27＇ Thereupon Tigranes spoke：
〃Do not wonder； Cyrus； if I am silent now。 The soul within me is
ready； not to offer counsel； but to do your bidding。〃 ＇28＇ And the
Hyrcanian chieftain said； 〃For my part； if you Medes turn back to…day
I shall say it was the work of some evil genius； who could not brook
the fulfilment of your happiness。 For no human heart could think of
retiring when the foe is in flight； refusing to receive his sword when
he surrenders it； rejecting him when he offers himself and all that he
calls his own； above all； when we have a prince of men for our leader；
one who； I swear it by the holy gods； takes delight to do us service；
not to enrich himself。〃
＇29＇ Thereupon the Medes cried with one consent：
〃It was you； Cyrus； who led us out； and it is you who must lead us
home again； when the right moment comes。〃
And when Cyrus heard that； he prayed aloud：
〃O most mighty Zeus； I supplicate thee； suffer me to outdo these
friends of mine in courtesy and kindly dealing。〃
＇30＇ Upon that he gave his orders。 The rest of the army were to place
their outposts and see to their own concerns； while the Persians took
the tents allotted to them； and divided them among their cavalry and
infantry； to suit the needs of either arm。 Then they arranged for the
stewards to wait on them in future； bring them all they needed； and
keep their horses groomed； so that they themselves might be free for
the work of war。 Thus they spent that day。
＇C。2＇ But on the morrow they set out for their march to Gobryas。 Cyrus
rode on horseback at the head of his new Persian cavalry； two thousand
strong； with as many more behind them； carrying their shields and
swords； and the rest of the army followed in due order。 The cavalry
were told to make their new attendants understand that they would be
punished if they were caught falling behind the rear…guard； or riding
in advance of the column； or straggling on either flank。 ＇2＇ Towards
evening of the second day the army found themselves before the castle
of Gobryas； and they saw that the place was exceedingly strong and
that all preparations had been made for the stoutest possible defence。
They noticed also that great herds of cattle and endless flocks of
sheep and goats had been driven up under the shelter of the castle
walls。 ＇3＇ Then Gobryas sent word to Cyrus； bidding him ride round and
see where the place was easiest of approach； and meanwhile send his
trustiest Persians to enter the fortress and bring him word what they
found within。 ＇4＇ Cyrus； who really wished to see if the citadel
admitted of attack in case Gobryas proved false； rode all round the
walls； and found they were too strong at every point。 Presently the
messengers who had gone in brought back word that there were supplies
enough to last a whole generation and still not fail the garrison。 ＇5＇
While Cyrus was wondering what this could mean； Gobryas himself came
out； and all his men behind him； carrying wine and corn and barley；
and driving oxen and goats and swine； enough to feast the entire host。
＇6＇ And his stewards fell to distributing the stores at once； and
serving up a banquet。 Then Gobryas invited Cyrus to enter the castle
now that all the garrison had left it； using every precaution he might
think wise； and Cyrus took him at his word； and sent in scouts and a
strong detachment before he entered the palace himself。 Once within；
he had the gates thrown open and sent for all his own friends and
officers。 ＇7＇ And when they joined him； Gobryas had beakers of gold
brought out； and pitchers； and goblets； and costly ornaments； and
golden coins without end； and all manner of beautiful things； and last
of all he sent for his own daughter； tall and fair； a marvel of beauty
and stateliness； still wearing mourning for her brother。 And her
father said to Cyrus； 〃All these riches I bestow on you for a gift；
and I put my daughter in your hands； to deal with as you think best。
We are your suppliants； I but three days gone for my son； and she this
day for her brother； we beseech you to avenge him。〃
＇8＇ And Cyrus made answer：
〃I gave you my promise before that if you kept faith with me