Kitap 2
1.1
In such conversation they arrived at the PersianCyrus arrives in Media frontier. And when an eagle appeared upon their right and flew on ahead of them, they prayed to the gods and heroes who watch over the land of Persia to conduct them on with grace and favour, and then proceeded to cross the frontier. And when they had crossed, they prayed again to the tutelary gods of the Median land to receive them with grace and favour; and when they had finished their devotions, they embraced one another, as was natural, and the father went back again to Persia, while Cyrus went on to Cyaxares in Media.
1.2
And when he arrived there, first they embracedCyrus and Cyaxares discuss the situation one another, as was natural, and then Cyaxares asked Cyrus how large the army was that he was bringing. Thirty thousand, he answered, of such as have come to you before as mercenaries; but others also, of the peers, who have never before left their country, are coming. About how many? asked Cyaxares.
1.3
The number, said Cyrus, would give you no pleasure, if you were to hear it; but bear this in mind, that though the so-called peers are few, they easily rule the rest of the Persians, many though they be. But, he added, are you in any need of them, or was it a false alarm, and are the enemy not coming? Yes, by Zeus, said he, they are coming and in great numbers, too.
1.4
How is this so certain? Because said he, many have come from there, and though one tells the story one way and another another, they all say the same thing. We shall have to fight those men, then? Aye said he; we must of necessity. Well then, said Cyrus, won’t you please tell me, if you know, how great the forces are that are coming against us; and tell me of our own as well, so that with full information about both we may lay our plans accordingly, how best to enter the conflict.Listen then, said Cyaxares.
