20] "All hail to you likewise," answered Cyrus: "we are both of us men.
And tell me now," he continued, "would you be more willing to advise me
as a friend?" "I should be more than glad," said Croesus, "to do you
any good. It would mean good for myself, I know." [11] "Listen, then,"
answered Cyrus: "I see that my soldiers have endured much toil and
encountered many dangers, and now they are persuaded that they have
taken the wealthiest city in all Asia, after Babylon. I would not have
them cheated of their recompense, seeing that if they win nothing by
their labour, I know not how I can keep them obedient to me for long.
Yet I am unwilling to give them this city over to plunder. I believe
it would be utterly destroyed, and moreover I know full well that in
plunder the worst villains win the most."

[12] To this Croesus answered, "Suffer me then to tell what Lydians I
please that I have won your promise that the city shall not be sacked,
nor their women and children made away with. [13] I promise you in
return that my men will bring you willingly everything that is costly
and beautiful in Sardis. If I can announce such terms, I am certain
there is not one treasure belonging to man or woman that will not be
yours to-morrow. Further, on this day year, the city will overflow once
more with wealth and beauty. But if you sack it, you will destroy
the crafts in its ruin, and they, we know, are the well-spring of all
loveliness. [14] Howbeit, you need not decide at once, wait and see what
is brought to you. Send first," he added, "to my own treasuries, and let
your guards take some of my own men with them."

To all this Cyrus consented, and then he said:

[15] "And now, O Croesus, tell me one thing more. How did matters go
between you and the oracle at Delphi? It is said that you did much
reverence to Apollo and obeyed him in all things."

[16] "I could wish it had been so," said Croesus, "but, truth to say,
from the beginning I have acted in all things against him." "How can
that be?" said Cyrus. "Explain it to me: for your words seem strange
indeed." [17] "Because," he answered, "in the first place, instead of
asking the god for all I wanted I must needs put him to the test, to see
if he could speak the truth. This," he added, "no man of honour could
endure, let be the godhead. Those who are doubted cannot love their
doubters. [18] And yet he stood the test; for though the things I did
were strange, and I was many leagues