There was silence between them for a while, and then Cyrus said: "Nay, Cyaxares, what you say is not true, and what you think is not right, if you imagine that because I am here, your Medes have been equipt to do you any harm.

[11] I do not wonder that you are pained, and I will not ask if you have cause or not for your anger against them: you will ill brook apologies for them from me.

Only it seems to me a grievous error in a ruler to quarrel with all his subjects at once.
Widespread terror must needs be followed by widespread hate: anger with all creates unity among all.

[12] It was for this reason, take my word for it, that I would not send them back to you without myself, fearing that your wrath might be the cause of what would injure all of us.
Through my presence here and by the blessing of heaven, all is safe for you: but that you should regard yourself as wronged by me,--I cannot but feel it bitter, when I am doing all in my power to help my friends, to be accused of plotting against them.

[13] However," he continued, "let us not accuse each other in this useless way; if possible, let us see exactly in what I have offended.