He thought no more of sending for a larger force, but set about preparing the equipment he had been asked for, and all was in readiness just about the time when the Peers arrived from Persia at the head of their own troops.
[11] Then, so says the story, Cyrus called the Peers together and spoke to them as follows: "Men of Persia, my friends and comrades, when I looked at you first and saw the arms you bore and how you were all on fire to meet the enemy, hand to hand, and when I remembered that your squires are only equipped for fighting on the outskirts of the field, I confess my mind misgave me.

Few and forlorn they will be, I said to myself, swallowed up in a host of enemies; no good can come of it.

But to-day you are here, and your men behind you, stalwart and stout of limb, and to-morrow they shall have armour like our own.

None could find fault with their thews and sinews, and as for their spirit, it is for us to see it does not fail.

A leader must not only have a stout heart himself; he must see to it that his followers are as valiant as he." [12] Thus Cyrus spoke, and the Peers were well satisfied at his words, feeling that on the day of battle they would have more to help them in the struggle.