em follow his lead and off they went at a good round pace. However the
road leading to the royal quarters was too narrow to let them pass
with so wide a front and Cyrus sent word along the line that the first
detachment, one thousand strong, should follow as they were, and then
the second, and so on to the last, and as he gave the command he led
on without a pause and all the detachments followed in due order, one
behind the other. [4] But to prevent mistakes he sent two gallopers up
to the entrance with orders to explain what should be done in case the
men were at a loss. And when they reached the gates, Cyrus told the
leading brigadier to draw up his regiment round the palace, twelve deep,
the front rank facing the building, and this command he was to pass on
to the second, and the second to the third, and so on till the last. [5]
And while they saw to this he went in to Cyaxares himself, wearing his
simple Persian dress without a trace of pomp. Cyaxares was well pleased
at his celerity, but troubled by the plainness of his attire, and said
to him, "What is the meaning of this, Cyrus? How could you show yourself
in this guise to the Indians? I wished you to appear in splendour:
it would have done me honour for my sister's son to be seen in great
magnificence."

[6] But Cyrus made answer: "Should I have done you more honour if I had
put on a purple robe, and bracelets for my arms, and a necklace about my
neck, and so presented myself at your call after long delay? Or as now,
when to show you respect I obey you with this despatch and bring you
so large and fine a force, although I wear no ornament but the dust and
sweat of speed, and make no display unless it be to show you these
men who are as obedient to you as I am myself." Such were the words of
Cyrus, and Cyaxares felt that they were just, and so sent for the
Indian ambassadors forthwith. [7] And when they entered they gave this
message:--The king of the Indians bade them ask what was the cause of
strife between the Assyrians and the Medes, "And when we have heard
you," they said, "our king bids us betake ourselves to the Assyrian and
put the same question to him, and in the end we are to tell you both
that the king of the Indians, when he has enquired into the justice of
the case, will uphold the cause of him who has been wronged."

[8] To this Cyaxares replied:

"Then take from me this answer: we do the Assyrian no wrong nor any
injustice whatsoever. And now go