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This speech charmed Xerxes, and he replied, "Dear Lydian, since
I left Persia there is no man but thou who has either desired to
entertain my army, or come forward of his own free will to offer me a
sum of money for the war. Thou hast done both the one and the other,
feasting my troops magnificently, and now making offer of a right noble
sum. In return, this is what I will bestow on thee. Thou shalt be
my sworn friend from this day; and the seven thousand staters which are
wanting to make up thy four millions I will supply, so that the full
tale may be no longer lacking, and that thou mayest owe the completion
of the round sum to me. Continue to enjoy all that thou hast acquired
hitherto; and be sure to remain ever such as thou now art. If thou
dost, thou wilt not repent of it so long as thy life endures."
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