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With these words Megabazus easily persuaded Darius, who thought he
had shown true foresight in this matter. Darius therefore sent a
messenger to Myrcinus, who said, "These be the words of the king to
thee, O Histiaeus! I have looked to find a man well affectioned
towards me and towards my greatness; and I have found none whom I can
trust like thee. Thy deeds, and not thy words only, have proved thy
love for me. Now then, since I have a mighty enterprise in hand, I
pray thee come to me, that I may show thee what I purpose!"
Histiaeus, when he heard this, put faith in the words of the
messenger; and, as it seemed to him a grand thing to be the king's
counsellor, he straightway went up to Sardis. Then Darius, when he
was come, said to him, "Dear Histiaeus, hear why I have sent for
thee. No sooner did I return from Scythia, and lose thee out of my
sight, than I longed, as I have never longed for aught else, to
behold thee once more, and to interchange speech with thee. Right
sure I am there is nothing in all the world so precious as a friend who
is at once wise and true: both which thou art, as I have had good
proof in what thou hast already done for me. Now then 'tis well thou
art come; for look, I have an offer to make to thee. Let go
Miletus and thy newly-founded town in Thrace, and come with me up to
Susa; share all that I have; live with me, and be my counsellor.
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