But if you would rather have us fight at your side than any others, bestow them upon us.

[48] To-day when you dashed ahead to meet danger all alone, great was our fear lest you might come to harm, and bitter our shame to think that where you were we were not.

But if once we have horses, we can follow at your heels.

[49] And if it is clear that we do more good so mounted, shoulder to shoulder with yourselves, we shall not fail in zeal; or if it appears better to support you on foot, why, to dismount is but the work of a moment, and you will have your infantry marching by your side at once, and we will find men to hold our horses for us." [50] To which they answered: "In truth, Cyrus, we have not men for these horses ourselves, and even if we had them, we should not do anything against your wish.

Take them, we beg you, and use them as you think best." [51] "I will," said he, "and gladly, and may good fortune bless us all, you in your division of the spoil and us in our horsemanship.