held in his
hands the sceptre of sovereignty--a kingship not plotted against, but
respected and beloved. Yet there was no trace of arrogance to be seen
in him, but of tender affection and courteous service to his friends
proof in abundance without seeking. Witness the zest with which he
shared in the round of lovers' talk; (1) the zeal with which he threw
himself into the serious concerns (2) of friends. By dint of a hopeful
and cheery disposition and unflagging gaiety of heart he attracted to
his side a throng of visitors, who came, not simply for the
transaction of some private interest, but rather to pass away the day
in pleasant sort. Though little apt himself to use high-swelling
words, it did not annoy him to hear others sounding their own praises,
which he regarded as a harmless weakness, the pledge at least of high
endeavour (3) in the future.

(1) See "Hell." V. iii. 20; "Cyrop." I. iv. 27; "Econ." ii. 7; Plut.
"Ages." ii.; xx.; Lyc. xx.

(2) Or, "he would discuss graver matters, according to the humour of
his friends."

(3) Or, "of courageous conduct," "noble manhood."

But that he was capable of lofty sentiment and at the right season
must not be overlooked. Thus when a letter reached him from the king
(I speak of that which was brought by the Persian agent in company
with Calleas (4) of Lacedaemon, proposing terms of hospitality and
friendship with the Persian monarch), he disdained to accept it,
telling the bearer to take back to the king this answer: "He need not
be at pains to send him letters in private, but if he could prove
himself a friend to Lacedaemon and the well-wisher of Hellas he should
have no cause to blame the ardour of his friendship," but added, "if
your king be detected plotting, let him not think to find a friend in
me. No, not if he sends me a thousand letters." For my part, then, I
hold it praiseworthy that, by comparison with pleasing his
fellow-Hellenes, Agesilaus scorned such friendship. And this, too, among
his tenets I find admirable: the truer title to self-congratulation
belonged not to the millionaire, the master of many legions, but to him
rather, who, being himself a better man, commanded the allegiance of
better followers.

(4) See "Hell." IV. i. 15; Plut. "Apophth. Lac." p. 777; Grote, "H.
G." x. 402.

And this, in proof of mental forecast, I must needs praise in him.
Holding to the belief that the more satraps there were who revolted
from the king