let me, I pray you, volunteer for the post in front."

[36] And Cyrus, struck with admiration for the man, took him by the
hand, and turning to the Persians in command of the other centuries
said:

"Perhaps, gentlemen, you will allow this?"

But they answered that it was hard to resign the post of honour, and so
they all drew lots, and the lot fell on Abradatas, and his post was
face to face with the Egyptians. Then the officers left the council and
carried out the orders given, and took their evening meal and posted the
pickets and went to rest.

[C.4] But early on the morrow Cyrus offered sacrifice, and meanwhile the
rest of the army took their breakfast, and after the libation they armed
themselves, a great and goodly company in bright tunics and splendid
breastplates and shining helmets. All the horses had frontlets and
chest-plates, the chargers had armour on their shoulders, and the
chariot-horses on their flanks; so that the whole army flashed with
bronze, and shone like a flower with scarlet. [2] The eight-horse
chariot of Abradatas was a marvel of beauty and richness; and just as he
was about to put on the linen corslet of his native land, Pantheia came,
bringing him a golden breastplate and a helmet of gold, and armlets and
broad bracelets for his wrists, and a full flowing purple tunic, and
a hyacinth-coloured helmet-plume. All these she had made for him in
secret, taking the measure of his armour without his knowledge. [3] And
when he saw them, he gazed in wonder and said:

"Dear wife, and did you destroy your own jewels to make this armour for
me?"

But she said, "No, my lord, at least not the richest of them all, for
you shall be my loveliest jewel, when others see you as I see you now."

As she spoke, she put the armour on him, but then, though she tried to
hide it, the tears rolled down her cheeks.

[4] And truly, when Abradatas was arrayed in the new panoply, he, who
had been fair enough to look upon before, was now a sight of splendour,
noble and beautiful and free, as indeed his nature was. [5] He took the
reins from the charioteer, and was about to set foot on the car, when
Pantheia bade the bystanders withdraw, and said to him, "My own lord,
little need to tell you what you know already, yet this I say, if any
woman loved her husband more than her own soul, I am of her company. Why
should I try to speak? Our lives say more than any words of mine. [6]
And yet, feeling for you what you know,