nly
friendliness, but sagacity. It is clear that our interests are the same;
the Assyrians are my foes as well as yours, only they hate you now even
more bitterly than they hate me. [24] We must consult together and see
that not one of our present allies turns his back on us, and we must do
what we can to acquire more. You heard the Mede summon the cavalry to
return, and if they go, we shall be left with nothing but infantry. [25]
This is what we must do, you and I; we must make this messenger, who is
sent to recall them, desirous to stay here himself. You must find him
quarters where he will have a merry time and everything heart can wish,
and I will offer him work which he will like far better than going back.
And do you talk to him yourself, and dilate on all the wonders we expect
for our friends if things go well. And when you have done this, come
back again and tell me."

[26] So the chieftain took the Mede away to his own quarters, and
meanwhile the messenger from Persia presented himself equipped for the
journey, and Cyrus bade him tell the Persians all that had happened,
as it has been set out in this story, and then he gave him a letter to
Cyaxares. "I would like to read you the very words," he added, "so that
what you say yourself may agree with it, in case you have questions
asked you."

[27] The letter ran as follows:--"Cyrus to Cyaxares, greeting. We do not
admit that we have deserted you; for no one is deserted when he is being
made the master of his enemies. Nor do we consider that we put you in
jeopardy by our departure; on the contrary, the greater the distance
between us the greater the security we claim to have won for you. [28]
It is not the friend at a man's elbow who serves him and puts him out of
danger, but he who drives his enemies farthest and furthest away. [29]
And I pray you to remember what I have done for you, and you for me,
before you blame me. I brought you allies, not limiting myself to those
you asked for, but pressing in every man that I could find; you allowed
me while we were on friendly soil only to take those whom I could
persuade to follow me, and now that I am in hostile territory you insist
that they must all return; you do not leave it to their own choice. [30]
Yesterday I felt that I owed both you and them a debt of gratitude,
but to-day you drive me to forget your share, you make me wish to repay
those, and those only, who followed me. [31] Not that I could bring
myself t