"On what conditions?" asked Herhor.
"On very good ones. Assyria will yield to you the land of Israel as far as the city of Akko, and the land of Edom to the city of Elath. So your boundaries will be advanced ten days march toward the north without war, and ten days toward the east also."
"But Phoenicia?" inquired Herhor.
"Approach not temptation!" exclaimed Beroes. "If the pharaoh were to stretch his hand today toward Phoenicia, in a month Assyrian armies intended for the north and east would turn southward, and a year hence or earlier their horses would be swimming in your sacred river."
"Egypt cannot renounce influence over Phoenicia," interrupted Herhor, with an outburst.
"Should she not renounce she would prepare her own ruin," said the Chaldean. "Moreover, I repeat the words of the highest college: 'Tell Egypt,' declared the brothers in Babylon, 'to cower to the earth for ten years, like a partridge, for the falcon of evil fate is watching her. Tell her that we Chaldeans hate Assyria more than do the Egyptians, for we endure the burden of its rule; but still we recommend to the Egyptians peace with that bloodthirsty nation. Ten years is a short period; after that not only can ye regain your ancient place, but ye can save us.'."
"That is true!" added Mefres.
"Only consider," continued the Chaldean, "should Assyria begin war with you, she would involve also Babylon, which hates warfare. War will exhaust our wealth and stop the labor of wisdom. Even were ye not defeated your country would be ruined for a long period. Ye would lose not only people, but the fertile soil, which would be buried by sand in the absence of earth-tillers."
"We understand that," replied Herhor; "hence we have no thought of attacking Assyria. But Phoenicia."
"What harm will it be to you," asked Beroes, "if the Assyrian robber squeezes the Phoenician thief? Your merchants and ours will gain by such action. But if ye want Phoenicians, let them settle on your shores. I am sure that the richest and most adroit of them would flee from Assyrian conquest."