on, and you
blame the thief and the robber; you do not pity him, you punish him.
[14] In the same way, beautiful creatures do not compel others to
love them or pursue them when it is wrong, but these good-for-nothing
scoundrels have no self-control, and then they lay the blame on love.
But the nobler type of man, the true gentleman, beautiful and brave,
though he desire gold and splendid horses and lovely women, can still
abstain from each and all alike, and lay no finger on them against the
law of honour. [15] Take my own case," he added, "I have seen this lady
myself, and passing fair I found her, and yet here I stand before you,
and am still your trooper and can still perform my duty."

[16] "I do not deny it," said Cyrus; "probably you came away in time.
Love takes a little while to seize and carry off his victim. A man may
touch fire for a moment and not be burnt; a log will not kindle all at
once; and yet for all that, I am not disposed to play with fire or look
on beauty. You yourself, my friend, if you will follow my advice, will
not let your own eyes linger there too long; burning fuel will only burn
those who touch it, but beauty can fire the beholder from afar, until he
is all aflame with love."

[17] "Oh, fear me not, Cyrus," answered he; "if I looked till the end of
time I could not be made to do what ill befits a man."

"A fair answer," said Cyrus. "Guard her then, as I bid you, and be
careful of her. This lady may be of service to us all one day."

[18] With these words they parted. But afterwards, after the young man
saw from day to day how marvellously fair the woman was, and how noble
and gracious in herself, after he took care of her, and fancied that she
was not insensible to what he did, after she set herself, through her
attendants, to care for his wants and see that all things were ready for
him when he came in, and that he should lack for nothing if ever he were
sick, after all this, love entered his heart and took possession, and it
may be there was nothing surprising in his fate. So 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 w