the younger, king of Persia,[1] of surpassing genius and renown, when Lysander, the Lacedaemonian, a man of the highest military reputation,[2] came to him at Sardis to bring presents from the confederate states, having treated Lysander in other ways with familiar courtesy, showed him an enclosed field planted with the utmost care. Lysander, marvelling at the great height of the trees, their arrangement in ornamental groups,[3] the ground thoroughly tilled and free from weeds, and the delicious odors breathing from the flowers, said that he admired, not only the care, but also the skill of him who had planned and laid out these grounds. Cyrus answered, "I myself laid out all this field. The plan is mine; the arrangement is mine, and many of these trees I planted with my own hand." Then Lysander, looking at his purple robe, his elegance of person,[4] and his Persian ornaments rich in gold and precious stones, said, "Men may well call
- ↑ This Cyrus was not a king, but a viceroy under his brother, Artaxerxes Mnemon.
- ↑ Latin, vir summae virtutis. I have given to virtus its primitive military signification. He was a brave man and an able commander, but cruel and treacherous; and it is hardly possible that Cicero could have meant to ascribe to him virtus in the ethical sense in which he often uses the word.
- ↑ Latin, directos in quincuncem ordines. The quincunx was a favorite mode of planting with the Roman gardeners. The name is derived from the numeral V, every three trees being so arranged as to form a V.
- ↑ Latin, nitorem corporis. Perhaps, but I think not, his body shining with oil.
