.

." "You understand it?
Then Araspes was right?
You don't deny ?" "A mere dream without any hope of fulfilment." "But what woman could refuse you ?" "Refuse!" "I don't understand you.

Do you mean to say that you--the boldest sportsman, the strongest wrestler--the wisest of all the young Persians--that you, Darius, are afraid of a woman ?" "Bartja, may I tell you more, than I would tell even to my own father ?" "Yes." "I love the daughter of Cyrus, your sister and the king's, Atossa." "Have I understood you rightly?
you love Atossa?
Be praised for this, O ye pure Amescha cpenta! Now I shall never believe in your stars again, for instead of the danger with which they threatened me, here comes an unexpected happiness.

Embrace me, my brother, and tell me the whole story, that I may see whether I can help you to turn this hopeless dream, as you call it, into a reality." "You will remember that before our journey to Egypt, we went with the entire court from Ecbatana to Susa.

I was in command of the division of the "Immortals" appointed to escort the carriages containing the king's mother and sister, and his wives.