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Thus did Croesus speak. Cyrus then ordered his fetters to be taken
off, and made him sit down near himself, and paid him much respect,
looking upon him, as did also the courtiers, with a sort of wonder.
Croesus, wrapped in thought, uttered no word. After a while,
happening to turn and perceive the Persian soldiers engaged in
plundering the town, he said to Cyrus, "May I now tell thee, oh!
king, what I have in my mind, or is silence best?" Cyrus bade him
speak his mind boldly. Then he put this question: "What is it,
oh! Cyrus, which those men yonder are doing so busily?"
"Plundering thy city," Cyrus answered, "and carrying off thy
riches." "Not my city," rejoined the other, "nor my riches.
They are not mine any more. It is thy wealth which they are pillaging."
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