They perform for me the service of slaves, and obey my slightest nod.

One might imagine that the parents who devote their children to this service, and who are the highest in rank among the priesthood, would be the most obedient and reverential servants of the king whom they profess to honor as divine; but believe me, Croesus, just in this very act of devotion, which no ruler can refuse to accept without giving offence, lies the most crafty, scandalous calculation.

Each of these youths is my keeper, my spy.

They watch my smallest actions and report them at once to the priests." "But how canst thou endure such an existence?
Why not banish these spies and select servants from the military caste, for instance?
They would be quite as useful as the priests." "Ah! if I only could, if I dared!" exclaimed Amasis loudly.

And then, as if frightened at his own rashness, he continued in a low voice, "I believe that even here I am being watched.