ome for an offering to the gods, if I wish to act
in honour and according to the law, and ask the magistrates how much is
due to the commonwealth. And let them send commissioners to watch all
that we do and answer all that we ask. So, sir," he ended, "you will get
your baggage together, and take your company with you as an escort. Fare
you well."

[18] With that message he turned to the Medes and at the same moment the
messenger from Cyaxares presented himself, and in the midst of the whole
assembly announced the anger of the king against Cyrus, and his threats
against the Medes, and so bade the latter return home at once, even if
Cyrus wished them to stay. [19] The Medes listened, but were silent; for
they were sore bested; they could hardly disobey the summons, and
yet they were afraid to go back after his threats, being all too well
acquainted with the savage temper of their lord. [20] But Cyrus spoke:

"Herald," said he, "and sons of the Medes, I am not surprised that
Cyaxares, who saw the host of the enemy so lately, and knows so little
of what we have done now, should tremble for us and for himself. But
when he learns how many have fallen, and that all have been dispersed,
his fears will vanish, and he will recognise that he is not deserted on
this day of all days when his friends are destroying his foes. [21] Can
we deserve blame for doing him a service? And that not even without his
own consent? I am acting as I am, only after having gained his leave
to take you out; it is not as though you had come to me in your own
eagerness, and begged me to let you go, and so were here now; he himself
ordered you out, those of you who did not find it a burthen. Therefore,
I feel sure, his anger will melt in the sunshine of success, and, when
his fears are gone, it will vanish too. [22] For the moment then," he
added, turning to the messenger, "you must recruit yourself; you have
had a heavy task; and for ourselves," said he, turning to the Persians,
"since we are waiting for an enemy who will either offer us battle
or render us submission, we must draw up in our finest style; the
spectacle, perhaps, will bring us more than we could dare to hope. And
do you," he said, taking the Hyrcanian chieftain aside, "after you
have told your officers to arm their men, come back and wait with me a
moment."

[23] So the Hyrcanian went and returned. Then Cyrus said to him, "Son
of Hyrcania, it gives me pleasure to see that you show not o