ith me by night, you ran
into danger at my side, simply to do me honour. [21] Unless I were a
miscreant, I could not but be grateful for such kindness. But I must
confess that at present I lack the ability to make a fit requital. This
I am not ashamed to tell you, but I would feel ashamed to add, 'If you
will stay with me, I will be sure to repay you,' for that would look
as though I spoke to bribe you into remaining. Therefore I will not say
that; I will say instead, 'Even if you listen to Cyaxares and go back
to-day, I will still act so that you shall praise me, I will not forget
you in the day of my good fortune.' [22] For myself, I will never go
back; I cannot, for I must confirm my oath to the Hyrcanians and the
pledge I gave them; they are my friends and I shall never be found a
traitor to them. Moreover, I am bound to Gobryas, who has offered us the
use of his castle, his territory, and his power; and I would not have
him repent that he came to me. [23] Last of all, and more than all, when
the great gods have showered such blessings on us, I fear them and I
reverence them too much to turn my back on all they have given us. This,
then, is what I myself must do; it is for you to decide as you think
best, and you will acquaint me with your decision."

[24] So he spoke, and the first to answer was the Mede who had claimed
kinship with Cyrus in the old days.

"Listen to me," he said, "O king! For king I take you to be by right of
nature; even as the king of the hive among the bees, whom all the bees
obey and take for their leader of their own free will; where he stays
they stay also, not one of them departs, and where he goes, not one of
them fails to follow; so deep a desire is in them to be ruled by him.
[25] Even thus, I believe, do our men feel towards you. Do you remember
the day you left us to go home to Persia? Was there one of us, young or
old, who did not follow you until Astyages turned us back? And later,
when you returned to bring us aid, did we not see for ourselves how your
friends poured after you? And again, when you had set your heart on this
expedition, we know that the Medes flocked to your standard with one
consent. [26] To-day we have learnt to feel that even in an enemy's
country we may be of good heart if you are with us, but, without you,
we should be afraid even to return to our homes. The rest may speak for
themselves, and tell you how they will act, but for myself, Cyrus, and
for those unde