t. The day before it he summoned the
officers of state, the Persians and the others, and gave them all the
splendid Median dress. This was the first time the Persians wore it,
and as they received the robes he said that he wished to drive in his
chariot to the sacred precincts and offer sacrifice with them. [2] "You
will present yourselves at my gates," he added, "before the sun rises,
attired in these robes, and you will take your places where Pheraulas
the Persian bids you on my behalf. As soon as I lead the way you will
follow in your appointed order. And if any of you should think of some
change to heighten the beauty and stateliness of our procession, you
will acquaint me with it, I pray, on our return; it is for us to see
that all is done in the manner you feel to be most beautiful and best."

[3] With that Cyrus gave the most splendid robes to his chief notables,
and then he brought out others, for he had stores of Median garments,
purple and scarlet and crimson and glowing red, and gave a share to each
of his generals and said to them, "Adorn your friends, as I have adorned
you." [4] Then one of them asked him, "And you, O Cyrus, when will you
adorn yourself?" But he answered, "Is it not adornment enough for me
to have adorned you? If I can but do good to my friends, I shall look
glorious enough, whatever robe I wear."

[5] So his nobles took their leave, and sent for their friends and
put the splendid raiment on them. Meanwhile Cyrus summoned Pheraulas,
knowing that, while he was a man of the people, he was also
quick-witted, a lover of the beautiful, prompt to understand and to
obey, and one who had ever an eye to please his master. It was he who
had supported Cyrus long ago when he proposed that honour should be
given in proportion to desert. And now Cyrus asked him how he thought
the procession might be made most beautiful in the eyes of friends and
most formidable in the sight of foes. [6] So they took counsel and were
of the same mind, and Cyrus bade Pheraulas see that all was done on the
morrow as they had agreed.

"I have issued orders," he added, "for all to obey you in the matter,
but to make them the more willing, take these tunics yourself and give
them to the captains of the guard, and these military cloaks for the
cavalry officers, and these tunics for those who command the chariots."

[7] So Pheraulas took the raiment and departed, and when the generals
saw him, they met him with shouts and cri