Kitap 4
5.43
And they proceeded at once to issue the proclamation. But the Medes and Hyrcanians asked: How could we divide this spoil without help from you and your men?
5.44
And Cyrus in turn answered their question as follows: Why, my good men, do you really suppose that we must all be present to oversee everything that has to be done, and that I shall not be competent in case of need to do anything on your behalf, nor you again on ours? How else could we make more trouble and accomplish less than in this way?
5.45
No, said he; you must look to it, for we have kept it for you and you must have confidence in us that we have kept it well; now for your part, do you divide it, and we shall have the same confidence in your dividing it fairly.
5.46
And there is something more that we, on our part, shall try to gain for the common advantage. For here,Cyrus asks for the horses for his Persians you observe, first of all, how many horses we have right now, and more are being brought in. If we leave them without riders, they will be of no use to us but will only give us the trouble of looking after them; but if we put riders upon them, we shall at the same time be rid of the trouble and add strength to ourselves.
5.47
If, therefore, you have others to whom you would rather give them and with whom you would rather go into danger, if need should be, than with us, offer them the horses. If, however, you should wish to have us as your comrades in preference to others, give them to us.
