Page:Xenophon by Alexander Grant.djvu/148

138 Araspes soundly for his unfaithfulness to a sacred trust, and for his weakness, impiety, and wickedness; so that Araspes was overwhelmed with shame and confusion, and half-dead with fear of some great punishment at the hands of Cyrus. Cyrus, hearing of his distress, sent for him alone; bid him be reassured; told him that he might easily be forgiven, since both gods and men yielded to the power of love; and finally took the blame to himself, as having shut him up with such an irresistible creature. Araspes, however, still made moan, that all men would point at him, and that even his friends advised him to keep out of the way of Cyrus, as likely to do him harm. "This is most opportune," said Cyrus, "for now you will be just the man for me to send as a spy into Lydia. You can pretend to fly from me and go over to the enemy, and you will get their confidence, and be able to give us the most valuable information." This arrangement was speedily made, and the love-stricken Araspes departed on his mission, and disappeared from the scene.

The beautiful Panthea now suggested that she should send for her husband, who, in gratitude for the treatment she had received, would be certain to desert his Assyrian master, and come over to Cyrus. She was allowed to send; and Abradâtes, having recognised his wife's tokens, and heard how matters stood, marched joyfully to the camp of Cyrus, bringing with him about a thousand horse. Having declared who he was, he was admitted within the lines, and embraced his wife tenderly after so long a separation. He then