The things of worth you promised me when you took the money have been paid in full already, and we discover that we are not your creditors, but deep in your debt for many kindnesses; and we shall be ashamed not to return them, or we should be base indeed, for try as we may, we shall never be able to requite in full so great a benefactor." [17] Such thanks the Armenian gave.
Then the Chaldaeans came back, begging Cyrus to make peace with them.
And Cyrus asked them: "Am I right in thinking that you desire peace to-day because you believe it will be safer for you than war, now that we hold these heights ?" And the Chaldaeans said that so it was.

[18] "Well and good," said he.
"And what if other benefits were gained by peace ?" "We should be all the better pleased," said they.

"Is there any other reason," he asked, "for your present poverty, except your lack of fertile soil ?" They said that there was none.

"Well then," Cyrus went on, "would you be willing to pay the same dues as the Armenians, if you were allowed to cultivate as much of their land as you desired ?" And the Chaldaeans said they would, if only they could rely on being fairly treated.

[19] "Now," said Cyrus, turning to the Armenian king, "would you like that land of yours which is now lying idle to be tilled and made productive, supposing the workers paid you the customary dues ?" "I would, indeed," said the king, "so much so that I am ready to pay a large sum for it.