The enemy have given us the slip, as you see with your own eyes.

Is it likely that men who forsook the shelter of their own fortress will ever face us in fair field on level ground?
Will those who shrink from us before they put our prowess to the test ever withstand us now when we have overthrown and shattered them?
They have lost their best and bravest, and will the cowards dare to give us battle ?" [11] At that one of his officers cried, "Why not pursue at once, if such triumphs are before us ?" And Cyrus answered, "Because we have not the horses.

The stoutest of our enemies, those whom we must seize or slay, are mounted on steeds that could sweep past us like the wind.

God helping us, we can put them to flight, but we cannot overtake them." [12] "Then," said they, "why not go and lay the matter before Cyaxares ?" And he answered, "If so, you must all go with me, that Cyaxares may see it is the wish of all." So they all went together and spoke as they thought best.

[13] Now Cyaxares felt, no doubt, a certain jealousy that the Persians should be the first to broach the matter, but he may also have felt that it was really wiser to run no further risks for the present; he had, moreover, abandoned himself to feasting and merrymaking, and he saw that most of his Medes were in like case.