[38] The people, when they heard that he gave audience, thronged to him in multitudes, and in the struggle to gain access there was much jostling and scheming and no little fighting.

[39] His attendants did their best to divide the suitors, and introduce them in some order, and whenever any of his personal friends appeared, thrusting their way through the crowd, Cyrus would stretch out his hand and draw them to his side and say, "Wait, my friends, until we have finished with this crowd, and then we can talk at our ease." So his friends would wait, but the multitude would pour on, growing greater and greater, until the evening would fall before there had been a moment's leisure for his friends.

[40] All that Cyrus could do then was to say, "Perhaps, gentlemen, it is a little late this evening and time that we broke up.

Be sure to come early to-morrow.

I am very anxious myself to speak with you." With that his friends were only too glad to be dismissed, and made off without more ado.