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Cyrus, struck by what Croesus had said, bade all the court to
withdraw, and then asked Croesus what he thought it best for him to do
as regarded the plundering. Croesus answered, "Now that the gods
have made me thy slave, oh! Cyrus, it seems to me that it is my
part, if I see anything to thy advantage, to show it to thee. Thy
subjects, the Persians, are a poor people with a proud spirit. If
then thou lettest them pillage and possess themselves of great wealth,
I will tell thee what thou hast to expect at their hands. The man who
gets the most, look to having him rebel against thee. Now then, if
my words please thee, do thus, oh! king: Let some of thy bodyguards
be placed as sentinels at each of the city gates, and let them take
their booty from the soldiers as they leave the town, and tell them
that they do so because the tenths are due to Jupiter. So wilt thou
escape the hatred they would feel if the plunder were taken away from
them by force; and they, seeing that what is proposed is just, will
do it willingly."
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