you caught him, what would you do to him?" "What else
should I do," the old man answered, "but clap irons on him and set him
to work in chains?" "But if he came back of his own accord, how would
you treat him then?" "Why, I would give him a whipping, as a warning not
to do it again, and then treat him as though nothing had happened." "It
is high time then," said the boy, "that you began getting a birch ready
for your grandson: for I am planning to take my comrades and run away on
a hunting expedition." "Very kind of you to tell me, beforehand," said
Astyages. "And now listen, I forbid you to set foot outside the palace
grounds. A pretty thing," he added, "if for the sake of a day's hunting
I should let my daughter's lamb get lost." [14] So Cyrus did as he was
ordered and stayed at home, but he spent his days in silence and his
brow was clouded. At last Astyages saw how bitterly the lad felt it,
and he made up his mind to please him by leading out a hunting-party
himself. He held a great muster of horse and foot, and the other lads
were not forgotten: he had the beasts driven down into the flat country
where the horses could be taken easily, and then the hunt began in
splendid style. After the royal fashion--for he was present in person
himself--he gave orders that no one was to shoot until Cyrus had hunted
to his heart's content. But Cyrus would not hear of any such hindrance
to the others: "Grandfather," he cried, "if you wish me to enjoy myself,
let my friends hunt with me and each of us try our best." [15] Thereupon
Astyages let them all go, while he stood still and watched the sight,
and saw how they raced to attack the quarry and how their ambition
burned within them as they followed up the chase and let fly their
javelins. But above all he was overjoyed to see how his grandson could
not keep silence for sheer delight, calling upon his fellows by name
whenever he came up with the quarry, like a noble young hound, baying
from pure excitement. It gladdened the old man's heart to hear how
gleefully the boy would laugh at one of his comrades and how eagerly he
would applaud another without the slightest touch of jealousy. At
length it was time to turn, and home they went, laden with their mighty
trophies. And ever afterwards, so well pleased was the king with the
day's hunting, that whenever it was possible, out he must go with his
grandson, all his train behind him, and he never failed to take the boys
also, "to please