Page:Xenophon by Alexander Grant.djvu/154

144 hymn to the gods, which was sung at daybreak. Great moderation and simplicity characterised the style of living in the palace. Everything unseemly was carefully avoided. A strict code of etiquette and politeness was introduced, and differences of rank were marked with appropriate observances. No outbreak of anger or rude laughter was ever to be heard. "You would have thought that the whole court lived entirely for the beautiful."

As a preparation for war (here Xenophon introduces one of his favourite ideas, and not a bad one), Cyrus used to take out all the gentlemen of his court to hunt wild animals on horseback with spears. Thus a great emulation arose in riding and skill of various kinds. And all became inured to hardy habits and long fasts in the open air; and Cyrus himself outvied them all, and showed them his opinion, "that no man has any business with government who is not himself better than those whom he governs." But while setting this example, and taking all this trouble for the education of the upper classes, with respect to the lower ranks of society he took a very different course. He studiously avoided inciting them to any liberal pursuit, and even prevented them as far as possible from exercising the virtues of self-denial. For when a crowd of the common people had to act as beaters in the mountains and forests, he had provisions carried for them, but none for the nobles. So that the lower orders, not understanding his aims, and being well cared for, "called him their father, for arranging that they should always continue slaves." This Machia-