[The summer residences of the kings cf Persia, where it is sometimes very cold.  Ecbatana lies at the foot of the high Elburs (Orontes) range of mountains in the neighborhood of the modern Hamadan; Pasargadae not far from Rachmet in the highlands of Iran]

“And these boys, so simply and severely brought up, become in after life such luxurious men?”

“Yes, that is always the case.  A meal that has been waited for is all the more relished when it comes.  These boys see splendor and magnificence around them daily; they know how rich they are in reality, and yet have to suffer from hunger and privation.  Who can wonder, if, when at last they gain their liberty, they plunge into the pleasures of life with a tenfold eagerness?  But on the other hand, in time of war, or when going to the chase, they never murmur at hunger or thirst, spring with a laugh into the mud regardless of their thin boots and purple trousers, and sleep as soundly on a rock as on their beds of delicate Arabian wool.  You must see the feats these boys perform, especially when the king is watching them!  Cambyses will certainly take you if you ask him.”

“I know those exercises already.  In Egypt the girls as well as the boys are kept to such gymnastic exercises.  My limbs were trained to flexibility by running, postures, and games with hoops and balls.

“How strange!  Here, we women grow up just as we please, and are taught nothing but a little spinning and weaving.  Is it true that most of the Egyptian women can read and write?”

“Yes, nearly all.”

“By Mithras, you must be a clever people!  Scarcely any of the Persians, except the Magi and the scribes, learn these difficult arts.  The sons of the nobles are taught to speak the truth, to be courageous, obedient, and to reverence the gods; to hunt, ride, plant trees and discern between herbs; but whoever, like the noble Darius, wishes to learn the art of writing, must apply to the Magi.  Women are forbidden to turn their minds to such studies.—­Now your dress is complete.  This string of pearls, which the king sent this morning, looks magnificent in your raven-black hair, but it is easy to see that you are not accustomed to the full silk trousers and high-heeled boots.  If, however, you walk two or three times up and down the room you will surpass all the Persian ladies even in your walk!”

At this moment a knock was heard and Boges entered.  He had come to conduct Nitetis to Kassandane’s apartments, where Cambyses was waiting for her.

The eunuch affected an abject humility, and poured forth a stream of flattering words, in which he likened the princess to the sun, the starry heavens, a pure fount of happiness, and a garden of roses.  Nitetis deigned him not a word in reply, but followed, with a beating heart, to the queen’s apartment.