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When Prexaspes had so spoken, and Cambyses had approved his words,
the herald was forthwith pursued, and brought back to the king. Then
Prexaspes said to him, "Sirrah, thou bear'st us a message, sayst
thou, from Smerdis, son of Cyrus. Now answer truly, and go thy
way scathless. Did Smerdis have thee to his presence and give thee
thy orders, or hadst thou them from one of his officers?" The herald
answered, "Truly I have not set eyes on Smerdis son of Cyrus,
since the day when king Cambyses led the Persians into Egypt. The
man who gave me my orders was the Magus that Cambyses left in charge
of the household; but he said that Smerdis son of Cyrus sent you the
message." In all this the herald spoke nothing but the strict truth.
Then Cambyses said thus to Prexaspes: "Thou art free from all
blame, Prexaspes, since, as a right good man, thou hast not failed
to do the thing which I commanded. But tell me now, which of the
Persians can have taken the name of Smerdis, and revolted from me?"
"I think, my liege," he answered, "that I apprehend the whole
business. The men who have risen in revolt against thee are the two
Magi, Patizeithes, who was left comptroller of thy household, and
his brother, who is named Smerdis."
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