[49] And, if they do attack us anywhere, we shall be able to foresee their advance a long way off and be quite prepared to give them welcome.

But it is far more likely, gentlemen," he added, "that they will not make the attempt, with all that ground to cover from the walls, unless they imagine that their whole force is superior to the whole of ours: they know that retreat will be difficult and dangerous." [50] So Cyrus spoke, and his listeners felt that he was right, and Gobryas led the army by the way that he advised.

And as one detachment after another passed the city, Cyrus strengthened the protection for the rear and so withdrew in safety.
[51] Marching in this order, he came back at last to his first starting-point, on the frontier between Assyria and Media.

Here he dealt with three Assyrian fortresses: one, the weakest, he attacked and took by force, while the garrisons of the other two, what with the eloquence of Gadatas and the terror inspired by Cyrus, were persuaded to surrender.
[C.5] And now that his expedition was completed, Cyrus sent to Cyaxares and urged him to come to the camp in order that they might decide best how to use the forts which they had taken, and perhaps Cyaxares, after reviewing the army, would advise him what the next move ought to be, or, Cyrus added to the messenger, "if he bids me, say I will come to him and take up my encampment there." [2] So the emissary went off with the message, and meanwhile Cyrus gave orders that the Assyrian tent chosen for Cyaxares should be furnished as splendidly as possible, and the woman brought to her apartment there, and the two singing-girls also, whom they had set aside for him.
[3] And while they were busied with these things the envoy went to Cyaxares and delivered his message, and Cyaxares listened and decided it was best for Cyrus and his men to stay on the frontier.

The Persians whom Cyrus had sent for had already arrived, forty thousand bowmen and targeteers.