ing able to lay her
hands again on that beloved head, she forgot everything else--even her
first-born son who stood by smiling bitterly, as he watched the rich and
boundless stream of a mother's love flowing out to his younger brother.

Cambyses had been spoiled from his earliest infancy. Every wish had been
fulfilled, every look regarded as a command; and thus he grew up totally
unable to brook contradiction, giving way to the most violent anger if
any of his subjects (and he knew no human beings who were not his
subjects) dared to oppose him.

His father Cyrus, conqueror of half the world--the man whose genius had
raised Persia from a small nation to the summit of earthly greatness--who
had secured for himself the reverence and admiration of countless
subjugated tribes--this great king was incapable of carrying out in his
own small family-circle the system of education he had so successfully
adopted towards entire countries. He could see nought else in Cambyses
but the future king of Persia, and commanded his subjects to pay him an
unquestioning obedience, entirely forgetful of the fact that he who is to
govern well must begin by learning to obey.

Cambyses had been the first-born son of Kassandane, the wife whom Cyrus
had loved and married young; three daughters followed, and at last,
fifteen years later, Bartja had come into the world. Their eldest son had
already outgrown his parents' caresses, when this little child appeared
to engross all their care and love. His gentle, affectionate and clinging
nature made him the darling of both father and mother: Cambyses was
treated with consideration by his parents, but their love was for Bartja.
Cambyses was brave; he distinguished himself often in the field, but his
disposition was haughty and imperious; men served him with fear and
trembling, while Bartja, ever sociable and sympathizing, converted all
his companions into loving friends. As to the mass of the people, they
feared the king, and trembled when he drew near, notwithstanding the
lavish manner in which he showered rich gifts around him; but they loved
Bartja, and believed they saw in him the image of the great Cyrus the
"Father of his people."

Cambyses knew well that all this love, so freely given to Bartja, was not
to be bought. He did not hate his younger brother, but he felt annoyed
that a youth who had as yet done nothing to distinguish himself, should
be honored and revered as if he were already a hero