The soul within me is ready, not to offer counsel, but to do your bidding." [28] And the Hyrcanian chieftain said, "For my part, if you Medes turn back to-day I shall say it was the work of some evil genius, who could not brook the fulfilment of your happiness.

For no human heart could think of retiring when the foe is in flight, refusing to receive his sword when he surrenders it, rejecting him when he offers himself and all that he calls his own; above all, when we have a prince of men for our leader, one who, I swear it by the holy gods, takes delight to do us service, not to enrich himself." [29] Thereupon the Medes cried with one consent: "It was you, Cyrus, who led us out, and it is you who must lead us home again, when the right moment comes." And when Cyrus heard that, he prayed aloud: "O most mighty Zeus, I supplicate thee, suffer me to outdo these friends of mine in courtesy and kindly dealing." [30] Upon that he gave his orders.

The rest of the army were to place their outposts and see to their own concerns, while the Persians took the tents allotted to them, and divided them among their cavalry and infantry, to suit the needs of either arm.

Then they arranged for the stewards to wait on them in future, bring them all they needed, and keep their horses groomed, so that they themselves might be free for the work of war.

Thus they spent that day.
[C.2] But on the morrow they set out for their march to Gobryas.