human
I agree with you, it is indeed a noble wine, and tastes twice as well when presented with such inimitable grace. Strangers are quite right in saying that there are no cupbearers like the Persian.
gpt
Thanks for this praise, replied the other, kissing his friend's forehead.
human
Yes, I am proud of my office, and it is one which the king only gives to his friends. Still it is a great plague to have to stay so long in this hot, suffocating Babylon. Shall we ever be off for the summer, to Ecbatana or Pasargada?
gpt
I was talking to the king about it to-day. He had intended not to leave before the Massagetan war, and to go straight from Babylon into the field, but to-day's embassy has changed matters; it is probable that there may be no war, and then we shall go to Susa three days after the king's marriage--that is, in one week from the present time.
human
To Susa? cried the cup-bearer.
gpt
It's very little cooler there than here, and besides, the old Memnon's castle is being rebuilt.
human
The satrap of Susa has just brought word that the new palace is finished, and that nothing so brilliant has ever been seen. Directly Cambyses heard, it he said: Then we will start for Susa three days after our marriage. I should like to show the Egyptian Princess that we understand the art of building as well as her own ancestors. She is accustomed to hot weather on the Nile, and will not find our beautiful Susa too warm.' The king seems wonderfully fond of this woman.
gpt
He does indeed! All other women have become perfectly indifferent to him, and he means soon to make her his queen.
human
That is unjust; Phaedime, as daughter of the Achaemenidae, has an older and better right.
gpt
No doubt, but whatever the king wishes, must be right.
human
The ruler's will is the will of God.
gpt
Well said! A true Persian will kiss his king's hand, even when dripping with the blood of his own child.
human
Cambyses ordered my brother's execution, but I bear him no more ill-will for it than I should the gods for depriving me of my parents. Here, you fellows! draw the curtains back; the guests are coming. Look sharp, you dogs, and do your duty! Farewell, Artabazos, we shall have warm work to-night.