o return you like for like; even now I am sending to Persia for
more troops, and instructing all the men who come that, if you need them
before we return, they must hold themselves at your service absolutely,
to act not as they wish, but as you may care to use them. [32] In
conclusion, I would advise you, though I am younger than yourself, not
to take back with one hand what you give with the other, or else you
will win hatred instead of gratitude; nor to use threats if you wish
men to come to you speedily; nor to speak of being deserted when you
threaten an army, unless you would teach them to despise you. [33]
For ourselves, we will do our best to rejoin you as soon as we have
concluded certain matters which we believe will prove a common blessing
to yourself and us. Farewell."

[34] "Deliver this," said Cyrus, "to Cyaxares, and whatever questions he
puts to you, answer in accordance with it. My injunctions to you about
the Persians agree exactly with what is written here." With that he gave
him the letter and sent him off, bidding him remember that speed was of
importance.

[35] Then he turned to review his troops, who were already fully armed,
Medes, Hyrcanians, the men Tigranes had brought, and the whole body of
the Persians. And already some of the neighbouring folk were coming up,
to bring in their horses or hand over their arms. [36] The javelins
were then piled in a heap as before and burnt at his command, after his
troops had taken what they needed for themselves, but he bade the owners
stay with their horses until they received fresh orders. This done,
Cyrus called together the officers of the Hyrcanians and of the cavalry,
and spoke as follows:

[37] "My friends and allies, you must not be surprised that I summon
you so often. Our circumstances are so novel that much still needs
adjustment, and we must expect difficulty until everything has found
its place. [38] At present we have a mass of spoil, and prisoners set to
guard it. But we do not ourselves know what belongs to each of us, nor
could the guards say who the owners are: and thus it is impossible for
them to be exact in their duties, since scarcely any of them know what
these duties may be. [39] To amend this, you must divide the spoil.
There will be no difficulty where a man has won a tent that is fully
supplied with meat and drink, and servants to boot, bedding, apparel,
and everything to make it a comfortable home; he has only to understand
that