ods above us!--how much more bitter at the hands of
those from whom we least deserve it! Far rather would I be swallowed in
the earth than live to be seen so low, aye, and to see my own kinsfolk
turn against me and make a mock of me. And well I know," said he, "that
not only you but my own slaves are now stronger and greater than myself:
they come out equipt to do me far more mischief than ever I could
repay."

[10] But here he stopped, overcome by a passion of weeping, so much so
that for very pity Cyrus' own eyes filled with tears. There was silence
between them for a while, and then Cyrus said:

"Nay, Cyaxares, what you say is not true, and what you think is not
right, if you imagine that because I am here, your Medes have been
equipt to do you any harm. [11] I do not wonder that you are pained, and
I will not ask if you have cause or not for your anger against them:
you will ill brook apologies for them from me. Only it seems to me a
grievous error in a ruler to quarrel with all his subjects at once.
Widespread terror must needs be followed by widespread hate: anger with
all creates unity among all. [12] It was for this reason, take my word
for it, that I would not send them back to you without myself, fearing
that your wrath might be the cause of what would injure all of us.
Through my presence here and by the blessing of heaven, all is safe for
you: but that you should regard yourself as wronged by me,--I cannot but
feel it bitter, when I am doing all in my power to help my friends, to
be accused of plotting against them. [13] However," he continued, "let
us not accuse each other in this useless way; if possible, let us see
exactly in what I have offended. And as between friend and friend, I
will lay down the only rule that is just and fair: if I can be shown to
have done you harm, I will confess I am to blame, but if it appears that
I have never injured you, not even in thought, will you not acquit me of
all injustice towards you?"

"Needs must I," answered Cyaxares.

[14] "And if I can show that I have done you service, and been zealous
in your cause to the utmost of my power, may I not claim, instead of
rebuke, some little meed of praise?"

"That were only fair," said Cyaxares.

[15] "Then," said Cyrus, "let us go through all I have done, point by
point, and see what is good in it and what is evil. [16] Let us begin
from the time when I assumed my generalship, if that is early enough.
I think I am right