Book 3
1.29
But, Cyrus, said he, as things now are,He argues for the continuance of his father’s reign could you find any one to whom you could do as great favours as you can to my father? For example, if you grant any one of those who have done you no wrong his life, what gratitude do you think he will feel toward you for that? And again, who will love you for not depriving him of his wife and children more than he who thinks that it would serve him right to lose them? And do you know of any one who would be more grieved than we, not to have the throne of Armenia? Well, then, he added, it is evident that he who would be most grieved not to be king, would also be most grateful for receiving the throne.
1.30
And if you care at all to leave matters here in as little confusion as possible when you go away, consider whether you think the country would be more tranquil under the beginning of a new administration than if the one we are used to should continue. And if you care to take with you as large an army as possible, who do you think would be in a better position to organize the troops properly than he who has often employed them? And if you need money also, who do you think could supply it better than he who knows and commands all the sources of supply? My good Cyrus,” he added, beware lest in casting us aside you do yourself a greater injury than any harm my father has been able to do you. Thus he spoke.
1.31
And Cyrus was more than pleased at hearing him, for he thought that everything that he had promised Cyaxares to do was in course of accomplishment; for he remembered having told him that he would make the Armenian more his friend than he was before. Tell me, king of Armenia, he therefore asked,Cyrus takes a conciliatory attitude if I yield to you in this matter, how large an army will you send with me and how much money will you contribute to the war?
