e else, an
adept in the art of getting too much."

[C.4] So the boy's tongue ran on. But at last his mother went home, and
Cyrus stayed behind and was brought up in Media. He soon made friends
with his companions and found his way to their hearts, and soon won
their parents by the charm of his address and the true affection he bore
their sons, so much so that when they wanted a favour from the king
they bade their children ask Cyrus to arrange the matter for them.
And whatever it might be, the kindliness of the lad's heart and the
eagerness of his ambition made him set the greatest store on getting it
done. [2] On his side, Astyages could not bring himself to refuse his
grandson's lightest wish. For once, when he was sick, nothing would
induce the boy to leave his side; he could not keep back his tears, and
his terror at the thought that his grandfather might die was plain for
every one to see. If the old man needed anything during the night Cyrus
was the first to notice it, it was he who sprang up first to wait upon
him, and bring him what he thought would please him. Thus the old king's
heart was his.

[3] During these early days, it must be allowed, the boy was something
too much of a talker, in part, may be, because of his bringing-up. He
had been trained by his master, whenever he sat in judgment, to give a
reason for what he did, and to look for the like reason from others. And
moreover, his curiosity and thirst for knowledge were such that he must
needs inquire from every one he met the explanation of this, that, and
the other; and his own wits were so lively that he was ever ready with
an answer himself for any question put to him, so that talkativeness had
become, as it were, his second nature. But, just as in the body when a
boy is overgrown, some touch of youthfulness is sure to show itself
and tell the secret of his age, so for all the lad's loquacity, the
impression left on the listener was not of arrogance, but of simplicity
and warm-heartedness, and one would gladly have heard his chatter to the
end rather than have sat beside him and found him dumb.

[4] However, as he grew in stature and the years led him to the time
when childhood passes into youth he became more chary of his words and
quieter in his tone: at times, indeed, he was so shy that he would blush
in the presence of his elders, and there was little sign left of the old
forwardness, the impulsiveness of the puppy who will jump up on every
o