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So when these resolutions had been agreed upon, and the quarrels
between the states made up, first of all they sent into Asia three men
as spies. These men reached Sardis, and took note of the king's
forces, but, being discovered, were examined by order of the generals
who commanded the land army, and, having been condemned to suffer
death, were led out to execution. Xerxes, however, when the news
reached him, disapproving the sentence of the generals, sent some of
his bodyguard with instructions, if they found the spies still alive,
to bring them into his presence. The messengers found the spies
alive, and brought them before the king, who, when he heard the
purpose for which they had come, gave orders to his guards to take them
round the camp, and show them all the footmen and all the horse,
letting them gaze at everything to their hearts' content; then, when
they were satisfied, to send them away unharmed to whatever country
they desired.
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