You hold the first rank among our friends.

And you will not forget, when the moment for action comes, that those who watch you will be Persians, and those who follow you, and they will not let you bear the brunt alone." [16] And Abradatas answered: "Even so, Cyrus; and with us here, methinks, all looks well enough: but the state of our flanks troubles me: the enemy's wings are strong and stretch far: he has chariots there, and every kind of arm as well, while we have nothing else with which to oppose him.

So that for myself," said he, "if I had not won by lot the post I hold, I should feel ashamed to be here in the safest place of all." [17] "Nay," answered Cyrus, "if it is well with you, have no concern for the rest.

God willing, I mean to relieve our flanks.

But you yourself, I conjure you, do not attack until you see the rout of those detachments that you fear." So much of boasting did Cyrus allow himself on the eve of action, though he was the last man to boast at other times.
"When you see them routed," he said, "you may take it that I am there, and then make your rush, for that is the moment when you will find the enemy weakest and your own men strongest.