Off with him, guards!" Bischen, the captain, came up to obey the order, but in the same moment Croesus threw himself at the king's feet, touched the floor with his forehead, raised his hands and cried: "May thy days and years bring nought but happiness and prosperity; may Auramazda pour down all the blessings of this life upon thee, and the Amescha cpenta be the guardians of thy throne! [The Amescha cpenta, "holy immortal ones," maybe compared to the archangels of the Hebrews.

They surround the throne of Auramazda and symbolize the highest virtues.

Later we find their number fixed at six.] Do not close thine ear to the words of the aged, but remember that thy father Cyrus appointed me to be thy counsellor.

Thou art about to slay thy brother; but I say unto thee, do not indulge anger; strive to control it.

It is the duty of kings and of the wise, not to act without due enquiry.