Cyrus, who entertained him, and amongst other marks of courtesy showed
him his "paradise" at Sardis.[16] Lysander was astonished at the
beauty of the trees within, all planted[17] at equal intervals, the
long straight rows of waving branches, the perfect regularity, the
rectangular[18] symmetry of the whole, and the many sweet scents which
hung about them as they paced the park. In admiration he exclaimed to
Cyrus: "All this beauty is marvellous enough, but what astonishes me
still more is the talent of the artificer who mapped out and arranged
for you the several parts of this fair scene."[19] Cyrus was pleased
by the remark, and said: "Know then, Lysander, it is I who measured
and arranged it all. Some of the trees," he added, "I planted with my
own hands." Then Lysander, regarding earnestly the speaker, when he
saw the beauty of his apparel and perceived its fragrance, the
splendour[20] also of the necklaces and armlets, and other ornaments
which he wore, exclaimed: "What say you, Cyrus? did you with your own
hands plant some of these trees?" whereat the other: "Does that
surprise you, Lysander? I swear to you by Mithres,[21] when in
ordinary health I never dream of sitting down to supper without first
practising some exercise of war or husbandry in the sweat of my brow,
or venturing some strife of honour, as suits my mood." "On hearing
this," said Lysander to his friend, "I could not help seizing him by
the hand and exclaiming, 'Cyrus, you have indeed good right to be a
happy man,[22] since you are happy in being a good man.'"[23]

[16] See "Hell." I. v. 1.

[17] Reading {oi' isou pephuteumena}, or if {ta pephuteumena}, transl.
"the various plants ranged."

[18] Cf. Dion. Hal. "de Comp." p. 170; Cic. "de Senect." S. 59.