In the evening they took their meal, and posted their pickets and lit watch-fires in front of their outposts, and so turned to sleep.
[34] But early the next morning Cyrus put a garland on his head and went out to offer sacrifice, and sent word to all the Peers of Persia to join him, wearing garlands like himself.

And when the rite was over, he called them together and said: "Gentlemen, the soothsayers tell us, and I agree, that the gods announce by the signs in the victims that the battle is at hand, and they assure us of victory, they promise us salvation.

[35] I should be ashamed to admonish you at such a season, or tell you how to bear yourselves: I do not forget that we have all been brought up in the same school, you have learnt the same lessons as I, and practised them day by day, and you might well instruct others.

But you may not have noticed one point, and for this I would ask a hearing.
[36] Our new comrades, the men we desire to make our peers--it may be well to remind them of the terms on which Cyaxares has kept us and of our daily discipline, the goal for which we asked their help, and the race in which they promised to be our friendly rivals.

[37] Remind them also that this day will test the worth of every man.