without
doing them any harm they will have another look at us and despise us
because of our inferiority in numbers, and to-morrow they will come
out much emboldened. [32] At present," he added, "they know that we are
here, but they have not seen us, and you may be sure they do not despise
us; they are asking what all this means, and they never cease discussing
the problem; of that I am convinced. They ought not to see us until
they sally out, and in that moment we ought to come to grips with them,
thankful to have caught them as we have so long desired."

[33] So Cyrus spoke, and Cyaxares and the others were convinced, and
waited. In the evening they took their meal, and posted their pickets
and lit watch-fires in front of their outposts, and so turned to sleep.
[34] But early the next morning Cyrus put a garland on his head and went
out to offer sacrifice, and sent word to all the Peers of Persia to
join him, wearing garlands like himself. And when the rite was over, he
called them together and said: "Gentlemen, the soothsayers tell us, and
I agree, that the gods announce by the signs in the victims that the
battle is at hand, and they assure us of victory, they promise us
salvation. [35] I should be ashamed to admonish you at such a season, or
tell you how to bear yourselves: I do not forget that we have all been
brought up in the same school, you have learnt the same lessons as I,
and practised them day by day, and you might well instruct others. But
you may not have noticed one point, and for this I would ask a hearing.
[36] Our new comrades, the men we desire to make our peers--it may be
well to remind them of the terms on which Cyaxares has kept us and of
our daily discipline, the goal for which we asked their help, and the
race in which they promised to be our friendly rivals. [37] Remind them
also that this day will test the worth of every man. With learners late
in life, we cannot wonder if now and then a prompter should be needed:
it is much to be thankful for if they show themselves good men and true
with the help of a reminder. [38] Moreover, while you help them you will
be putting your own powers to the test. He who can give another strength
at such a crisis may well have confidence in his own, whereas one who
keeps his ideal to himself and is content with that, ought to remember
that he is only half a man. [39] There is another reason," he added,
"why I do not speak to them myself, but ask you to do so. I