"Quite so," answered Cyrus, "a full stomach is high and an empty paunch is flat."
(22) "And now," said Chrysantas, "in heaven's name, tell us the bride for a flat king?"
But at this Cyrus laughed outright, and all the others with him. (23) And the laughter still rang loud when Hystaspas said:
"There is one thing, Cyrus, that I envy in your royal state more than all the rest."
"And what is that?" said Cyrus.
"That though you are flat, you can raise a laugh."
"Ah," said Cyrus, "what would you give to have as much said of you? To have it reported on all sides and wherever you wished to stand well that you were a man of wit?"
Thus they bantered each other and gave jest for jest.
(24) Then Cyrus brought out a woman's attire and ornaments of price and gave them to Tigranes as a present for his wife, because she had followed her husband so manfully to the war, and he gave a golden goblet to Artabazus, and a horse to the Hyrcanian leader, and many another splendid gift among the company.
"And to you, Gobryas," said he, "I will give a husband for your daughter."