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After this, the men, being now seven in all, met together to
exchange oaths, and hold discourse with one another. And when it came
to the turn of Darius to speak his mind, he said as follows:
"Methought no one but I knew that Smerdis, the son of Cyrus, was
not now alive, and that Smerdis the Magian ruled over us; on this
account I came hither with speed, to compass the death of the
Magian. But as it seems the matter is known to you all, and not to
me only, my judgment is that we should act at once, and not any longer
delay. For to do so were not well." Otanes spoke upon this: "Son
of Hystaspes," said he, "thou art the child of a brave father, and
seemest likely to show thyself as bold a gallant as he. Beware,
however, of rash haste in this matter; do not hurry so, but proceed
with soberness. We must add to our number ere we adventure to strike
the blow." "Not so," Darius rejoined; "for let all present be
well assured that if the advice of Otanes guide our acts, we shall
perish most miserably. Some one will betray our plot to the Magians
for lucre's sake. Ye ought to have kept the matter to yourselves,
and so made the venture; but as ye have chosen to take others into your
secret, and have opened the matter to me, take my advice and make the
attempt today - or if not, if a single day be suffered to pass by, be
sure that I will let no one betray me to the Magian. I myself will
go to him, and plainly denounce you all."
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