turn to my father and start
before you, so that I may learn what I can about the enemy as soon as
may be, and thus make all needful preparations, so that by God's help we
may win glory on the field."

[C.6] Such were his orders and they set about them at once. But Cyrus
himself went home and prayed to the gods of his father's house, to
Hestia and Zeus, and to all who had watched over his race. And when he
had done so, he set out for the war, and his father went with him on
the road. They were no sooner clear of the city, so says the story, than
they met with favourable omens of thunder and lightning, and after that
they went forward without further divination, for they felt that no man
could mistake the signs from the Ruler of the gods. [2] And as they went
on their way Cyrus' father said to him, "My son, the gods are gracious
to us, and look with favour on your journey--they have shown it in the
sacrifices, and by their signs from heaven. You do not need another man
to tell you so, for I was careful to have you taught this art, so that
you might understand the counsels of the gods yourself and have no need
of an interpreter, seeing with your own eyes and hearing with your own
ears and taking the heavenly meaning for yourself. Thus you need not be
at the mercy of any soothsayers who might have a mind to deceive you,
speaking contrary to the omens vouchsafed from heaven, nor yet, should
you chance to be without a seer, drift in perplexity and know not how to
profit by the heavenly signs: you yourself through your own learning can
understand the warnings of the gods and follow them."

[3] "Yes, father," answered Cyrus, "so far as in me lies, I bear your
words in mind, and pray to the gods continually that they may show us
favour and vouchsafe to counsel us. I remember," he went on, "how once I
heard you say that, as with men, so with the gods, it was but natural if
the prayer of him should prevail who did not turn to flatter them only
in time of need, but was mindful of them above all in the heyday of his
happiness. It was thus indeed, you said, that we ought to deal with our
earthly friends." [4] "True, my son," said his father, "and because of
all my teaching, you can now approach the gods in prayer with a lighter
heart and a more confident hope that they will grant you what you ask,
because your conscience bears you witness that you have never forgotten
them." "Even so," said Cyrus, "and in truth I feel towards them as