I swear to you by the love
between us that I would rather go down to the grave beside you after a
hero's death than live on with you in shame. I have thought you worthy
of the highest, and believed myself worthy to follow you. [7] And I
bear in mind the great gratitude we owe to Cyrus, who, when I was his
captive, chosen for his spoil, was too high-minded to treat me as a
slave, or dishonour me as a free woman; he took me and saved me for
you, as though I had been his brother's wife. [8] And when Araspas, my
warder, turned from him, I promised, if he would let me send for you,
I would bring him a friend in the other's place, far nobler and more
faithful."

[9] And as Pantheia spoke, Abradatas listened with rapture to her words,
and when she ended, he laid his hand upon her head, and looking up to
heaven he prayed aloud:

"O most mighty Zeus, make me worthy to be Pantheia's husband, and the
friend of Cyrus who showed us honour!"

[10] Then he opened the driver's seat and mounted the car, and the
driver shut the door, and Pantheia could not take him in her arms again,
so she bent and kissed the chariot-box. Then the car rolled forward and
she followed unseen till Abradatas turned and saw her and cried, "Be
strong, Pantheia, be of a good heart! Farewell, and hie thee home!"

[11] Thereupon her chamberlains and her maidens took her and brought her
back to her own carriage, and laid her down and drew the awning. But
no man, of all who was there that day, splendid as Abradatas was in his
chariot, had eyes to look on him until Pantheia had gone.

[12] Meanwhile Cyrus had found the victims favourable, and his army was
already drawn up in the order he had fixed. He had scouts posted ahead,
one behind the other, and then he called his officers together for his
final words:

[13] "Gentlemen, my friends and allies, the sacred signs from heaven are
as they were the day the gods gave us victory before, and I would call
to your minds thoughts to bring you gladness and confidence for the
fight. [14] You are far better trained than your enemies, you have
lived together and worked together far longer than they, you have won
victories together. What they have shared with one another has been
defeat, and those who have not fought as yet feel they have traitors to
right and left of them, while our recruits know that they enter battle
in company with men who help their allies. [15] Those who trust each
other will stand firm and fight