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and Cyrus stayed behind and was brought up in Media。 He soon made
friends with his companions and found his way to their hearts； and
soon won their parents by the charm of his address and the true
affection he bore their sons； so much so that when they wanted a
favour from the king they bade their children ask Cyrus to arrange the
matter for them。 And whatever it might be； the kindliness of the lad's
heart and the eagerness of his ambition made him set the greatest
store on getting it done。 ＇2＇ On his side； Astyages could not bring
himself to refuse his grandson's lightest wish。 For once； when he was
sick； nothing would induce the boy to leave his side； he could not
keep back his tears； and his terror at the thought that his
grandfather might die was plain for every one to see。 If the old man
needed anything during the night Cyrus was the first to notice it； it
was he who sprang up first to wait upon him； and bring him what he
thought would please him。 Thus the old king's heart was his。
＇3＇ During these early days； it must be allowed； the boy was something
too much of a talker； in part； may be； because of his bringing…up。 He
had been trained by his master； whenever he sat in judgment； to give a
reason for what he did； and to look for the like reason from others。
And moreover； his curiosity and thirst for knowledge were such that he
must needs inquire from every one he met the explanation of this；
that； and the other； and his own wits were so lively that he was ever
ready with an answer himself for any question put to him； so that
talkativeness had become； as it were； his second nature。 But； just as
in the body when a boy is overgrown； some touch of youthfulness is
sure to show itself and tell the secret of his age； so for all the
lad's loquacity； the impression left on the listener was not of
arrogance； but of simplicity and warm…heartedness； and one would
gladly have heard his chatter to the end rather than have sat beside
him and found him dumb。
＇4＇ However； as he grew in stature and the years led him to the time
when childhood passes into youth he became more chary of his words and
quieter in his tone： at times； indeed； he was so shy that he would
blush in the presence of his elders； and there was little sign left of
the old forwardness； the impulsiveness of the puppy who will jump up
on every one； master and stranger alike。 Thus he grew more sedate； but
his company was still most fascinating； and little wonder： for
whenever it came to a trial of skill between himself and his comrades
he would never challenge his mates to those feats in which he himself
excelled： he would start precisely one where he felt his own
inferiority； averring that he would outdo them all；indeed； he would
spring to horse in order to shoot or hurl the javelin before he had
got a firm seatand then； when he was worsted； he would be the first
to laugh at his own discomfiture。 ＇5＇ He had no desire to escape
defeat by giving up the effort； but took glory in the resolution to do
better another time； and thus he soon found himself as good a horseman
as his peers； and presently； such was his ardour； he surpassed them
all； and at last the thinning of the game in the king's preserves
began to show what he could do。 What with the chasing and the shooting
and the spearing； the stock of animals ran so low that Astyages was
hard put to it to collect enough for him。 Then Cyrus； seeing that his
grandfather for all his goodwill could never furnish him with enough；
came to him one day and said； 〃Grandfather； why should you take so
much trouble in finding game for me？ If only you would let me go out
to hunt with my uncle； I could fancy every beast we came across had
been reared for my particular delight！〃 ＇6＇ But however anxious the
lad might be to go out to the chase； he had somehow lost the old
childish art of winning what he wanted by coaxing： and he hesitated a
long time before approaching the king again。 If in the old days he had
quarrelled with Sacas for not letting him in； now he began to play the
part of Sacas against himself； and could not summon courage to intrude
until he thought the right moment had come： indeed； he implored the
real Sacas to let him know when he might venture。 So that the old
butler's heart was won； and he； like the rest of the world； was
completely in love with the young prince。
＇7＇ At last when Astyages saw that the lad's heart was really set on
hunting in the open country； he gave him leave to go out with his
uncle； taking care at the same time to send an escort of mounted
veterans at his heels； whose business it was to keep watch and ward
over him in any dangerous place or against any savage beast。 Cyrus
plied his retinue with questions about the creatures they came across；
which must he avoid and which might he hunt？ They told him he must be
on his guard against bears and wild…boars and lions and leopards： many
a man had found himself at too close quarters with these dangerous
creatures； and been torn to pieces： but antelopes； they said； and deer
and mountain sheep and wild asses were harmless enough。 And the
huntsman； they added； ought to be as careful about dangerous places as
about the beasts themselves： many a time horse and rider had gone
headlong down a precipice to death。 ＇8＇ The lad seemed to take all
their lessons to heart at the time： but then he saw a stag leap up；
and forgot all the wise cautions he had heard； giving chase forthwith；
noticing nothing except the beast ahead of him。 His horse； in its
furious plunge forward； slipped； and came down on its knees； all but
throwing the rider over its head。 As luck would have it the boy
managed to keep his seat； and the horse recovered its footing。 When
they reached the flat bottom； Cyrus let fly his javelin； and the stag
fell dead； a beautiful big creature。 The lad was still radiant with
delight when up rode the guard and took him severely to task。 Could he
not see the danger he had run？ They would certainly tell his
grandfather； that they would。 Cyrus； who had dismounted； stood quite
still and listened ruefully； hanging his head while they rated him。
But in the middle of it all he heard the view…halloo again： he sprang
to his horse as though frenzieda wild…boar was charging down on
them； and he charged to meet it； and drawing his bow with the surest
aim possible； struck the beast in the forehead； and laid him low。 ＇9＇
But now his uncle thought it was high time to scold his nephew
himself； the lad's boldness was too much。 Only； the more he scolded
the more Cyrus begged he would let him take back the spoil as a
present for his grandfather。 To which appeal； says the story； his
uncle made reply： 〃But if your grandfather finds out that you have
gone in chase yourself； he will not only scold you for going but me
for letting you go。〃 〃Well； let him whip me if he likes；〃 said the
boy； 〃when once I have given him my beasts： and you too； uncle；〃 he
went on； 〃punish me however you choose； only do not refuse me this。〃
So Cyaxares was forced to yield：〃Have it your own way then； you are
little less than our king already。〃 ＇10＇ Thus it was that Cyrus was
allowed to bring his trophies hom