You will tell us whether we ought to pursue the campaign further or whether the time has now come to disband our army." [44] Thereupon Cyaxares betook himself to the banquet and Cyrus called a council of his friends, the shrewdest and the best fitted to act with him, and spoke to them as follows: "My friends, thanks to the gods, our first prayers are granted.

Wherever we set foot now we are the masters of the country: we see our enemies brought low and ourselves increasing day by day in numbers and in strength.

[45] And if only our present allies would consent to stay with us a little longer, our achievements could be greater still, whether force were needed or persuasion.

Now it must be your work as much as mine to make as many of them as possible willing and anxious to remain.
[46] Remember that, just as the soldier who overthrows the greatest number in the day of battle is held to be the bravest, so the speaker, when the time has come for persuasion, who brings most men to his side will be thought the most eloquent, the best orator and the ablest man of action.

[47] Do not, however, prepare your speeches as though we asked you to give a rhetorical display: remember that those whom you convince will show it well enough by what they do.