that the
Medes could have borne to desert me in this way. And now, whether Cyrus
will or no, I command the Medes to present themselves before me without
delay."

[11] Such was the message. But he who was to take it said, "And how
shall I find them, my lord?"

"Why," said Cyaxares, "as Cyrus and his men found those they went to
seek."

"I only asked," continued the messenger, "because I was told that some
Hyrcanians who had revolted from the enemy came here, and went off with
him to act as guides."

[12] When Cyaxares heard that, he was the more enraged to think that
Cyrus had never told him, and the more urgent to have his Medes removed
from him at once, and he summoned them home under fiercer threats
than ever; threatening the officer as well if he failed to deliver the
message in full force.

[13] So the emissary set off with his troopers, about one hundred
strong, fervently regretting that he had not gone with Cyrus himself. On
the way they took a turning which led them wrong, and they did not
reach the Persians until they had chanced upon some of the Assyrians
in retreat and forced them to be their guides, and so at last arrived,
sighting the watch-fires about midnight. [14] But though they had got to
the camp, the pickets, acting on the orders of Cyrus, would not let them
in till dawn. With the first faint gleam of morning Cyrus summoned
the Persian Priests, who are called Magians, and bade them choose the
offerings due to the gods for the blessings they had vouchsafed. [15]
And while they were about this, Cyrus called the Peers together and said
to them:

"Gentlemen, God has put before us many blessings, but at present we
Persians are but a scant company to keep them. If we fail to guard what
we have toiled for, it will soon fall back into other hands, and if we
leave some of our number to watch our gains, it will soon be seen that
we have no strength in us. [16] I propose therefore that one of you
should go home to Persia without loss of time, and explain what I need
and bid them despatch an army forthwith, if they desire Persia to
win the empire of Asia and the fruits thereof. [17] Do you," said he,
turning to one of the Peers, "do you, who are the eldest, go and repeat
these words, and tell them that it shall be my care to provide for the
soldiers they send me as soon as they are here. And as to what we have
won--you have seen it yourself--keep nothing back, and ask my father how
much I ought to send h