Cyropaedia

And in the next place,Cyrus went on, a snub-nosed woman would suit you admirably. Why so? Because, was the answer, your own nose is so hooked; and hookedness, I assure you, would be the very proper mate for snubbiness. Do you mean to say also, said the other, that a supperless wife would suit one who has had a good dinner, like me now? Aye, by Zeus, answered Cyrus; for the stomach of one who has eaten heartily bows out, but that of one who has not eaten bows in.

Then, in heaven’s name, said Chrysantas,[*](Cyrus’s frigid jokes) could you tell us what sort of wife would suit a frigid king?[*](On the principle of opposites just described, the man who is ψυχρός frigid, cold-blooded should have a wife who is θερμή. In 23 ψυχρός is used in another sense—frigid or dull in his humour.) At this, of course, Cyrus burst out laughing, as did also all the rest.

I envy you for that, Cyrus, said Hystaspas while they were still laughing, more than for anything else in your kingdom.Envy me for what? asked Cyrus. Why, that, frigid as you are, you can still make us laugh.Well said Cyrus, and would you not give a great deal to have made these jokes and to have them reported to the lady with whom you wish to have the reputation of being a witty fellow? Thus, then, these pleasantries were exchanged.

After this he brought out some articles of feminine adornment for Tigranes and bade him give them to his wife, because she had so bravely accompanied her husband throughout the campaigns; to Artabazus he gave a golden goblet and to the Hyrcanian a horse and many other beautiful presents. And you, Gobryas, he said, I will present with a husband for your daughter.

You will please present him with me, then,[*](Hystaspas receives the hand of Gobryas’s daughter) will you not, said Hystaspas, that so I may get the collection of proverbs? Ah, but have you property enough to match the girl’s fortune? asked Cyrus. Yes, by Zeus, he answered, and several times over. And where is this property of yours? asked Cyrus. Right there, said he, in your chair; for you are a friend of mine. I am satisfied, said Gobryas; and at once stretching out his right hand he added: Give him to me, Cyrus; I will accept him.

And Cyrus took Hystaspas by the right hand and placed it in the hand of Gobryas, and he received it. And then Cyrus gave Hystaspas many splendid gifts to send to the young lady. But Chrysantas he drew to himself and kissed him.

By Zeus, Cyrus, cried Artabazus, the cup which you have given me is not of the same gold as the present you have given Chrysantas! Well said he, I will give you the same gift. When? asked the other. Thirty years from now, was the answer. I shall wait for it, then, said he, and not die before I get it; so be getting ready.And thus that banquet came to an end. And as they rose to depart, Cyrus also rose and escorted them to the doors.

On the following day he dismissed to their[*](Cyrus and the allies) several homes all those who had volunteered to be his allies, except such as wished to settle near him. To those who stayed he gave houses and lands which even to this day are in the possession of their descendants; these, moreover, were mostly Medes and Hyrcanians. And to those who went home he gave many presents and sent both officers and privates well contented on their way.

Next he divided also among his own soldiers[*](He divides the Lydian spoils) the spoil that he had obtained at Sardis. To the generals and to his own aides-de-camp he gave the choicest portions—to each, according to his merit—and then distributed the rest; and in assigning to the generals their proper portions he left it to their discretion to distribute it as he had distributed to them.

And they apportioned all the rest, each officer examining into the merits of his subordinate officers; and what was left to the last, the corporals, inquiring into the merits of the private soldiers under their command, gave to each according to his deserts. And so all were in receipt of their fair share.

And when they had received what was then given them, some spoke concerning Cyrus in this vein: He must be keeping an abundance himself, one would think, seeing that he has given so much to each one of us. Abundance, indeed! some others would say; Cyrus is not of the sort to make money for himself; he takes more pleasure in giving than in keeping.

And when Cyrus heard of these remarks and opinions about himself, he called together his friends and all his staff-officers and addressed them as follows: My friends, I have in my time seen fellows[*](The use vs. the abuse of wealth) who wished to have the reputation of possessing more than they had, for they supposed that they would thus be thought fine gentlemen; but to me, said he, it seems that such persons bring upon themselves the very reverse of what they wish. For if any man enjoy the reputation of having great wealth and do not appear to help his friends in a manner worthy of his abundance—that, it seems to me at least, fixes upon him the stigma of being a mean sort.[*](ἐλευθέριος and ἀνελευθερία have both a double meaning: (1) of free or mean extraction, and (2) of free (liberal) or miserly character.)

On the other hand, he continued, there are some who wish to keep it a secret how much they do possess. It seems to me, then, that these also are mean toward their friends. For oftentimes their friends are in need and, because they are ignorant of the truth, they say nothing to their comrades about their difficulties, and really suffer want.

To me, however, he went on, it seems the most straightforward way for a man to let the extent of his means be known and to strive in proportion to them to show himself a gentleman. And so I wish to show you all that I have, as far as it is possible for you to see, and to give you an account of it, in so far as it is impossible for you to see it.

With these words, he showed them many[*](Cyrus exhibits his possessions) splendid possessions and gave them an account of those that were so stored away as not to be easily viewed. And in conclusion he said:

All this, my friends, you must consider mine no more than your own; for I have been collecting it, not that I might spend it all myself or use it up all alone (for I could not), but that I might on every occasion be able to reward any one of you who does something meritorious, and also that, if any one of you thinks he needs something, he might come to me and get whatever he happens to want.Such was his speech.