Act, great Cyrus, by raising a sumptuous monument and inscribing the truth, so that<hr>
posterity might know who Abradates was. Immortalize both your glory, and his, and my<hr>
misfortune too. The gold and marble you will use won’t go to waste, and the tomb that<hr>
you will build to immortalize Abradates will likewise immortalize you. There are more people<hr>
capable of a noble deed than there are people who can recognize it and give it the appropriate<hr>
recognition it deserves. Do not have the jealousy that glory gives to the powerful, believe that<hr>
the gods will watch over your fame if you watch over that of Abradates. The blood that he<hr>
shed for you deserves this recognition, that's why I have no doubt about your approval<hr>
about this request. I see that you grant it to me and your kindness compels me into expressing my gratitude. However, I still have one more favor to ask of you,<hr>
Cyrus. Before proceeding with the funeral of my dear Abradates, I wish to have a bit more<hr>
time to wash his wounds with my tears. I implore you, Cyrus, do not rush things. I will not take long to bid him farewell. Moreover, it is only right that I, for whom he died,<hr>
should shed as many tears as he shed in blood, and that not being able to see him anymore in<hr>
this world, I should cherish his presence for as long as possible. Yes, Cyrus, his body, both<hr>
dismal and distressing, is the only thing that remains mine. It embodies both my despair and<hr>
my consolation. I can't look at him without dying. However, I will die as soon as I no longer<hr>
see him. Therefore, I ask you not to rush me. As for your wish to know where I want to go, I<hr>
promise you will soon know the place I will choose for my retreat.<hr>
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                                        Effect of this speech<hr>
       Sadly, the distress of this tragic queen was all too real. Barely had she tricked Cyrus into thinking she would be able to live again after losing Abradates, this trickery being the purpose of her speech, she chose her retirement, namely the tomb of<hr>
her husband. As soon as Cyrus left the room, she stabbed herself in the heart and fell over the body of Abradates. Cyrus was deeply saddened by this. In order to immortalize the memory of this exceptional couple and to express his gratitude, he erected a magnificent monument where, centuries after his own death, marble and bronze still bore witness to the moral excellence of Panthea and to the valor of Abradates. The Pactolus River situated near this tomb seemed to affirm that it treasured their relics more dearly than all the gold that flowed among<br>
its grains of sand.<hr>
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                                                    70<hr>