But if you persist in compelling us to submit by force of arms, you can only bring great damage on yourselves.

The moment your army nears the Araxes, we shall depart with our wives and children and seek another home, for we have no fixed dwellings like yours, but are accustomed to rove at will on our swift horses, and to rest in tents.

Our gold we shall take with us, and shall fill up, destroy, and conceal the pits in which you could find new treasures.

We know every spot where gold is to be found, and can give it in abundance, if you grant us peace and leave us our liberty; but, if you venture to invade our territory, you win nothing but an empty desert and an enemy always beyond your reach,--an enemy who may become formidable, when he has had time to recover from the heavy losses which have thinned his ranks.

Leave us in peace and freedom and we are ready to give every year five thousand swift horses of the desert, besides the yearly tribute of gold; we will also come to the help of the Persian nation when threatened by any serious danger." The envoy ceased speaking.