"Speak freely," Darius said, raising his head in pride.
"Then, unless thou canst make thy army equal to his in discipline and spirit, thy numbers will not avail," the Athenian said.
Darius' face flushed, and a murmur of protest rose from the watchful courtiers.
"Is that thy opinion, too?" the king asked, turning to Chares.
"The ocean himself must break upon the rock," the Theban said.
"And thine?" the king continued, addressing Charidemus, the Corinthian.
"It is, O king," Charidemus replied.
Phradates had been watching the face of Darius. He had recognized his enemies as soon as they entered the audience chamber and had resolved to deal them a blow if the chance presented itself. When he saw the frown on the brow of the king and caught the gleam of anger in his eye, he believed he might safely act. He stepped forward and again prostrated himself at the steps of the throne.
"Speak!" said Darius, looking down upon him.
"My lord, I know these men for spies," he said. "I was in Halicarnassus when they were captured just before I received the wound that so nearly cost me my life. Memnon, for reasons that I do not presume to guess, wished to save them. They mock at thee and seek to create doubt of the promise that the Gods have given thee by spreading fear of the result among thy men. Every Greek well knows that Alexander cannot stand against thee and that he will never dare to meet thee in battle."