ost will be the
one most grateful for the granting of the gift? [30] And if you have it
at all at heart to leave matters settled here, think for yourself, and
see where tranquillity will lie when your back is turned. Will it be
with the new dynasty, or with the old familiar house? And if you want
as large a force as possible at your command, where will you find a man
better fitted to test the muster-roll than the general who has used it
time and again? If you need money, who will provide the ways and means
better than he who knows and can command all the resources of the
country? I warn you as a friend," he added, "that if you throw us aside
you will do yourself more harm than ever my father could have done."

[31] Such were the pleadings of the prince, and Cyrus, as he listened,
was overjoyed, for he felt he would accomplish to the full all he had
promised Cyaxares; his own words came back to him, "I hope to make the
Armenian a better friend than before."

Thereupon he turned to the king and said, "Son of Armenia, if I were
indeed to hearken unto you and yours in this, tell me, how large an army
would you send me and how much money for the war?"

[32] And the king replied, "The simplest answer I can make and the most
straightforward is to tell you what my power is, and then you may take
the men you choose, and leave the rest to garrison the country. And so
with the money: it is only fair that you should know the whole of our
wealth, and with that knowledge to guide you, you will take what you
like and leave what you like." [33] And Cyrus said, "Tell me then, and
tell me true: how great is your power and your wealth?" Whereupon the
Armenian replied: "Our cavalry is 8000 strong and our infantry 40,000;
and our wealth," said he, "if I include the treasures which my father
left, amounts in silver to more than 3000 talents."

[34] And Cyrus, without more ado, said at once, "Of your whole armament
you shall give me half, not more, since your neighbours the Chaldaeans
are at war with you: but for the tribute, instead of the fifty talents
which you paid before, you shall hand over twice as much to Cyaxares
because you made default; and you will lend me another hundred for
myself, and I hereby promise you, if God be bountiful, I will requite
you for the loan with things of higher worth, or I will pay the money
back in full, if I can; and if I cannot, you may blame me for want of
ability, but not for want of will." [35] But t