ready Heart and minde thus voide of fraud Is that true signe Vertue doth most applaud Henry Holland in honour of his deerest father Dr. Philemon Holland upon the interpretation of his double Anagram and his indefatigable labours The Hart most ready honest and upright Devoyd of fraud unto each living wight The Head diseas'd for ease of Englishmen The Hand benumm'd with holding of its pen The Pen unworne though worne beyond a pen Doe still hold out to glad their Countrimen They rest in motion and restlesse Rest is that Yet may they rest though Death doth frowne thereat And when those Mortalls may be turn'd to dust Th' immortall part must needs b'among the Iust. PSAL. 112. vers 6. In memoria â—ternâ—â— erâ—â— justus Vpon the Translatours Pen wherewith only hee translated and wrote all Plutarchs Moralls conteining above a Reame of Paper he wrote this Dystick This Booke I wrote with one poore Pen made of a grey Goose quill A Pen I found it us'd before A Pen I leave it still Which Pen afterwards was begged by an auncient Gentlewoman mother to a Noble Countesse yet living who garnished it in silver and kept it as a Monument The Contents of the eight Bookes following THE FIRST BOOKE The Proâ—eme treating of Monarchies Democraties and Oligarchies CHAP. I. The Customes of the Persians in governing their Natives How Cyrus was instituted during his Child-hood in the discipline of vertue with other children of his age in the publique Schooles CHAP. II. How Cyrus went into Media with the Queene his mother where he shewed many tokens of his good nature and pregnant wit unto King Astyages semblably of his temperance and sobrietie CHAP. III. How the Queene mother Mandane returned into Persia and Cyrus abode behind in Media where he gave himselfe much to Horseman-ship and feats of Armes And with his owne hand killed many wild Beasts CHAP. IIII. How Astyages through the politicke Counsell of Cyrus wonne a victory of the Assyrians who were come to invade his Territories CHAP. V. How Cyrus returned to his father into Persia and what honour the Medes did him at his departure CHAP. VI. The beginning of the Warres betweene the Assyrians and the Medes Of the Forces that Cyrus levyed in Persia to aide the King of Media his Vnkle CHAP. VII The Oration of Cyrus to the Peeres and Chieftaines of his Army for to incite them to enterprize this warre with the better courage CHAP. VIII The good instructions that Cambyses gave unto his sonne Cyrus as touching the enterprize against the Assyrians and how a good Captaine should carry himselfe with his Army in a strange Country and winne the love of every man CHAP. IX How a Prince may gaine the obedience of his people vanquish his enemies and get the attribute of Wise and Vertuous THE SECOND BOOKE CHAP. I. How Cyrus came into Persia with his men and procured them all to be armed by his Vnkle Cyaxâres CHAP. II. The speech that Cyrus made to the Chieftaines of all his Hoast for to incite their Souldiers to take their harnois and Armes that Cyrus had prepared for the Persians CHAP. III. The exhortation of Cyrus to the Persian Souldiers to put on the new Armour thâ—â— King Cyaxares had prepared CHAP. IIII. The Ordinance that Cyrus made for the exercise of his Souldiers and to keepe them in all obedience CHAP. V. How Cyrus devised and communed graciously with his Chieftaines and of the pleasant narrations that they related unto him for to doe him pleasure CHAP. VI. The Consultation of Cyrus with his Armie whether he should reward all his Souldiers alike or every one according to his desert CHAP. VII The Oration of Cyrus to his whole Campe the opinions of Chrysantas and Pheraulas as touching that which Cyrus had proposed And what was the conclusion and determination thereof CHAP. VIII The feats of Armes that Cyrus his Captaines practised in exercising their Companies CHAP. IX How Cyaxares gave audience to the King of India his Ambassadours and sent them afterwards to the King of Assyria CHAP. X. How Cyrus being in deliberation and conference with his Vnkle as touching this affaire and about levying summes of money enterprized warre upon the King of Armenia CHAP. XI The Project and speech of Cyrus to his Captaines and to Chrysantas about the laying of an Embush and how the same was put in execution against the King of Armenia THE THIRD BOOKE CHAP. I. How Cyrus without giving Battaile tooke the King of Armenia prisoner and seized upon his Goods The discourses that the said King made with his sonne Tigranes about his deliverance CHAP. II. How Cyrus with great humanitie did set the King of Armenia with his wife and children at large And after he had received their Ransome levyed à good power of Footmen and Horsemen both out of Armenia for this Warre CHAP. III. How Cyrus tooke Tigranes with him in his Traine and went to assayle the Chaldees upon the Mountaines CHAP. IIII. The peceable Communication that Cyrus had with the Armenians and the Chaldees The mutuall accord and peace betweene them all CHAP. V. How Cyrus sent an Embassage to the Indians and returning into Media consulted about making Warre upon the Assyrians CHAP. VI. The speech of Cyrus to Cyaxares about his expedition against the Assyrians CHAP. VII How Cyrus went to encampe neere unto the Assyrians and prepared to give them Battaile CHAP. VIII The exhortation of Cyrus to his Chieftaines and the Peeres to moove them to advance with better courage to the Battaile CHAP. IX How the King of Assyria issued out of his Campe to fight a Field and made a speech unto his Souldiers How Cyrus and they afterwards joyned Battaile wherein the Assyrians were discomfited THE FOVRTH BOOKE CHAP. I. How the King of Assyria dyed in fight King Croesus and the Assyrians fled and Cyrus purposed to follow in chace CHAP. II. The opinion of Cyaxares to divert Cyrus from following the traine of his Victory CHAP. III. How Cyrus obtained of Cyaxares part of the Medes forces and with them and the Hyrcanians togither that yeeled unto him pursued the Assyrians in their flight CHAP. IIII. The exhortation of Cyrus to his whole Armie inciting them to follow the chace of his Enemies with the Cavallerie of the Medes CHAP. V. How Cyrus defaited the Assyrians againe and tooke prisoners Kings Lords and other Souldiers a great number The order that hee gave how to be provided presently of victuals without confusion and trouble CHAP. VI. How Cyrus communed with his Centeniers perswading them to sobrietie and to stay for their fellowes who were in the pursuit and how they raised a great bootie of men women and goods CHAP. VII Cyrus consulteth with his Centeniers about mounting footmen on Horsebacke and erecting a Persian Cavallerie with the Horses taken from the Enemie in the Warres CHAP. VIII How Cyrus by the counsell and advise of his most politicke Captaines ordained in his Army a troupe of Horsemen
a faire day valiant men have and how badly cowards speed Then as hee went from them and came to Abradatas he stayed And Abradatas having given the reines unto the under chariotier dismounted and made towards him others also came running unto him whose places were neere at hand as well footmen as those who had the conduct of chariots And when they were come Cyrus spake in this wise God hath according to your request ô Abradatas judged both you and yours worthy to lead in the vaward before our Associats Remember therefore that when you are to fight they be the Persians who shall both behold and also second you neither will they suffer you to be forlorne and succourlesse Then Abradatas For mine owne selfe Cyrus I thinke all well enough with us But for the sides of the battaile I am perplexed and troubled For I see that the enemies points be stretched out in length and those very firme by reason as well of their chariots as all other forces Whereas we have opposed against those nothing but chariots And therefore but that the charge of this place is by lot fallen unto me I would have beene abashed to be here in such safety me thinks I am Goe to quoth Cyrus If you be well for your owne part take you no thought for them For I trust with the helpe of God to order the matter so that I shall shew unto you these sides of the enemies naked And here I beseech you not to give the onset upon the enemies before you see even those whom you feare now so much put to flight These brave words verily gave Cyrus forth at the point of battaile being otherwise none of these great and vanting boasters But when you see these quoth Cyrus once to flie then thinke me to be hard at hand and then lustily charge you For then shall you find the enemies to be starke cowards and your friends right hardie souldiers And verily whiles you have leisure ô Abradatas ride every way all about your chariots encourage and exhort your men to give the onset partly by your lightsome countenance embolden them and partly by hopes relieve them And that yee may seeme the best and most valorous of all those that be mounted in Chariots kindle some emulation among them For know assuredly that if this be done they will hereafter say that nothing is more gainefull than Vertue So Abradatas gat up againe into his Chariot and did accordingly But Cyrus passed on and being come to the left wing were Hystaspas was with halfe of the Persian Cavallery called unto him by name and said You see now Hystaspas a piece of service wherein there is need of your celerity and expedition For if now we can get the start of our enemies and fall first to the killing of them there shall not one of us die Hystaspes smiling hereat Let me alone quoth hee with the enemies afront And for those on the side give you the charge to others that they be not idle Why quoth Cyrus I my selfe will take them in hand But Hystaspes remember you this that unto whomsoever of us God shall give the upper hand in case there remaine still any daunger of hostility we alwaies set upon that part that maketh head and maintaineth fight Having thus said hee went forward and being come as farre as to the side and to the Captaine of the chariots which were there he said unto him Come I am to succour you But when you perceive once that we charge the enemies at the ends then doe yee also your devoir to breake thorow the mids of them For in more safety shall yee be when ye are without than enclosed within Passing on still untill he was behind the wagons hee commaunded Artagerses and Pharmathus to stay there with a thousand footmen and as many horsemen And so soone as ye understand saith he that I fall upon them that are in the right wing take yee also them in hand that be opposite unto you For yee shall fight against the point in that place where the maine battalion is become weaker And keepe yee embattailed as yee are in a thicke squadron that yee may be the stronger And verily the enemies horsemen as yee see are raunged hinmost against whom in any wise oppose the raunged troupe of the Camels For know this assuredly that before ye fight ye shall see your enemies to become ridiculous and to make you good sport After these directions given Cyrus crossed over to the right side CHAP. II. The great battaile and slaughter of the Lydians where King Croesus and his forces were discomfited The Aegyptians yeeld unto Cyrus CRoesus supposing that the Regiment under his conduct drew very neere already unto the enemies *** and that the wings were stretched out along did set up a signall unto the said wings to proceed no higher but in that very place to turne short Now when they all made a stand beheld the host of Cyrus embattailed he gave the Signe unto them for to advance against the enemies By this meanes three squadrons charged upon Cyrus his armie one full afront and of the other twaine one on the right hand the other on the left In so much as great feare seized upon the armie of Cyrus For like unto a little bricke couched within a greater the battalion of Cyrus was environed on every side with the enemies what with horsemen armed footmen light targuatiers and what with chariots all but behind Howbeit after that Cyrus had given direction they all turned a-brest upon the enemie And verily there was on all parts a deepe silence for feare of the future event But when Cyrus now saw his time hee began to sing the Paean and the whole Armie chaunâ—ed and answered him Then with a loud and cheerefull note they sounded Alala to Mars and with that Cyrus shewed himselfe and presently with his men of armes flanking the enemies with all speed joyned battaile The footmen also in good array soone followed after and charged them on every side so as that they had the greater vantage of them by farre For with their maine battalion they gave a charge upon the wing whereby it came to passe that the enemies were mightily discomfited and quickly put to flight When Artagerses perceived that Cyrus was in Action and entred into the medley himselfe also came in fiercely with his Camels on the left side according as Cyrus had commaunded Their Horses could not abide these Camels a great way off but as their nature is being madded some runne away others flung out of their ranks and some againe rushed one upon another For thus fare horses when once they espie Camels And Artagerses with his owne men in good array and himselfe well appointed preassed hard upon them thus disranked and withall put forth his Chariots at once both on the right side and also on the left Whereupon many of them to avoid the Chariots were killed
whatsoever falleth unto him Whereas the immortall Gods know all as well past as present yea and the future events of euery thing And to as many as seeking to them for direction they vouchsafe their gracious favour therefore signifie what enterprises they are to attempt and what not Now if they be not willing thus to advise all men no marvaile is it For they are not bound of necessitie to regard such as they will not THE SECOND BOOKE CHAP. I. How Cyrus came into Persia with his men and procured them all to be armed by his Vnkle Cyaxáres AS they discoursed thus togither come they were as farre as to the marches of Persia. Where after that an Aegle appeared unto them on the right hand and became their guide to lead them the way they made their prayers unto the Gods and Demigods Patrons of the Persian Land for to dismisse them with propitious grace and fauour and so passed over the bounds thereof When they were once past these Frontiers they prayed againe to the Tutelan Gods of the Median Land that they likewise would vouchsafe as graciously and with semblable favour to receive them This done after they had in decent manner embraced ech other the father returned backe into Persia but Cyrus journeyed forward in Media to his Vnkle Cyaxáres When he was come thither unto him at their first meeting they saluted one another as it well beseemed Then Cyaxáres enquired of Cyrus how great an Army he had brought Who answered thirty thousand even those who were wont heretofore to come unto you and serve as mercenaries And certeine others besides of the Peeres ranke who never yet went forth to warre are comming to them And How many be they quoth Cyaxáres As for the number said Cyrus it will not greatly please you when you heare it yet thus much I would you knew that as few as these Peeres be whom we call Homotimi they so farre excell as that they be able easily to rule all the other Persians be they never so many But what Is there any need of thē or did you feare in vaine and happly the enimies come not Yes verily that they doe quoth Cyaxáres and those a great number And how know you that said Cyrus Because quoth he how ever there be many come from those parts reporting diversly yet they all agree in one point of substance and speake to the same purpose Then I see quoth Cyrus fight we must against these men No remedie said Cyaxáres Why then replyed Cyrus did not you tell me if you have so good intelligence what power of theirs is a-foot as also what our owne forces bee that upon the certeine knowledge thereof wee may consult togither which way best to joyne battaile with them Hearken then quoth Cyaxáres Croesus that rich King of Lydia bringeth they say ten thousand Horsemen and of Targuetiers and Archers more than 40000. Artámes the Prince of Great Phrygia is said to come with a power of 8000 Horse and of Pikemen and Targuetiers together no fewer then 40000. Aribaeus King of the Cappadocians leadeth by report 6000 Horsemen and his Archers with Targuetiers are not under 30000. Maragdus the Arabian hath in his conduct 10000 men of Armes one hundred Chariots and of Slingers an exceeding great multitude But as touching the Greekes that inhabit Asia it is not yet knowne whether they follow or no Gabaeus as the speech goeth who hath from about the plaine of Caystros 6000 Horse and 10000 Targuetiers will augment his number with those of that Phrygia which joyneth to Hellespont But the Carians varily the Cilicians and Paphlagonians for ought we heare follow not although they were requested to come Howbeit the Assyrian Monarch who hath under him Babylon and all Assyria beside will bring into the Field as I suppose 20000 horse and no fewer Chariots I am sure not above 200 but of footmen I guesse an huge number For so is he wont to doe whensoever he invadeth these parts By this computation then quoth Cyrus you say that our enimies be in Horse 60000 of Targuetiers and Archers not so few as 200000 strong Goe to now to what number say you doe your owne forces amount There be quoth he of Median Horsemen above 10000 of Targuetiers and Archers there may be levied in our owne territory about 60000. But of the Armenians and Borderers there will be here 4000 Horse and 20000 Foot By your saying then inferred Cyrus Our men of armes bee fewer than one third part of our enimies Cavallery our footmen well neere halfe their Infantery How then said Cyaxares doe you accoumpt the Persians to be but few whom you bring as you say with you As for fighting men quoth Cyrus whether we haue need of any more or no Wee shall take into consideration hereafter but for the present relate you unto me the manner of their severall services Surely quoth Cyaxares They use in manner all the same kinde of fight For there be of them as well as of us Archers and Darters Since then said Cyrus they be for weapons thus appointed there musts needs be skirmishing with volly of short from a farre Of necessitie it will be so answered Cyaxares Then quoth he againe in this kinde of service it cannot be but that the greater number shall have the victory For sooner will there be a few hurt and slaine by many than many by a few If the case so stands my good Cyrus quoth he what devise may a man finde better than to send unto the Persians both to declare unto them that if the Medes susteine any disastre the losse and calamitie will reach even unto them and withall to require a greater power But I would have you to understand thus much saith Cyrus that if all the Persians should come into the field wee were not able for number to surmount our enimies What other meanes then doe you see better than this quoth Cyaxares Were I said Cyrus as you are I would cause to be made for all the Persians that are comming such armour in every point as those Gentlemen of ours have who are repairing hither and be called Homotimi namely a Curace over the brest a light targuet for the left hand and a short curtelax for the right If you can provide us these armes you shall bring to passe that as it wil be more safe for us to confront our enimies cope with them in close fight so it shall be better for them to flie than to keepe their ground And verily we that are Persians be prest to deale with such as will stand to it but looke how many of them do flie those commit we to you and to your horsmen so that they shall have no leisure either to flie or once to turne backe When Cyrus had thus discoursed upon the point Cyaxares approved well his speech insomuch as he made no more words of sending for a new levie but presently provided the armour and
and faster than ordinarie he led the way himselfe and his souldiers followed not onely with an orderly pace in good array as having through long exercise learned to keep order but also courageously and with resolution For that in a kind of emulation they strove one to excell another and had bodies withall well enured and hardned to travaile as also for that all those that went formost were no other than their very Captaines and Commaunders yea and cheerefully beside in regard of their skill and cunning For they knew and had learned long agoe that it was the safest and easiest way all at once directly to charge the enemies especially if they be Archers darters and horsemen Whiles therefore they were yet without the daunger of shot Cyrus gave this Motto for the signal of Battaile IVPITER AIDER And LEADER which having passed from one to another through the host and being returned again unto him he began to sing a solemne Hymne unto CASTOR and PoLLVX and all his souldiours with a devout mind and loud voice chaunted the same with him For in such a case as many as be religiously given stand lesse in feare of men The said song being ended The Peeres above-said march on bravely togither with a lightsome countenance as being well trained and taught beholding one another calling by name to their sidemen and next followers iterating full often these words Now to it good friends Goe to it now right valiant Knights mightily encouraging each one his fellow to follow Which they that came behind hearing exhorted semblably the former to lead and goe before boldly Thus the whole armie without was replenished with forward alacrity desirous of glory and renowne full of strength of confident boldnesse of encouragement and exhortation of stayed temperance and obedience which I take to be the most terrible objects that can be presented to enemies But of the Assyrians such as were ready to fight before the rampiers and in defence of their campe when the Persians army once approached neere unto them mounted their chariots and retired themselves to their fellowes where they were thickest embattailed As for their Archers Darters and Slingers they discharged from them their shot farre sooner and before they could possibly reach unto their enemies When the Persians now by preassing forward were come within the daunger of shot Cyrus with a lowd voice cryed out Now most brave and redouted Knights Step some one quickly before and shew proufe of his valour and therewith encourage he the rest These words uttered they also againe to the other By occasion whereof some upon a brave and courageous spirit upon an ardent desire also and love to fight began to make speed whom the whole maine battaile followed with a running pace Cyrus likewise himselfe forgetting to keepe his ordinary march ranne before crying out Who followes who where is the valiant soldier that will fell and lay along the first man Which others hearing seconded him and held on the same note Thus throughout the whole armie as he began the voice went who will follow who will play the douty man Well in this manner gave the Persians the first onset and fiercely assailed the enemies But they not able to abide the shocke and the open field reculed and turned their backs flying amaine unto their trench and rampier The Persians pursuing them unto the very gates whiles they thronged and thrust one another to get in slew many of them And looke who fell into the trenches they leaped downe upon them and killed them outright both horse and man For some of the Chariots were forced in this their rout to fall downe into the ditches Which when the Medes horsemen saw they rode with full carrier against the enemies horsemen who gave way to decline their violence Whereupon began a great chace both of horse and men together with much slaughter as well of the one as of the other Those Assyrians which within the Munition stood upon the top of the rampier had neither mind nor might to shoot and dart at those who made such carnage and havocke so terrible was the spectacle thereof and so smitten were they with feare Perceiving then soone after that certaine Persians had broken through the gates and entries of their fortifications they turned backe and fled from the said toppe of the rampier The wives as well of the Assyrians as of their auxiliary Associats seeing this rout within the campe skriked out and ran up and downe all amazed Some of them being mothers of children others but younglings tearing their side garments and scratching themselves with their owne nailes lamentably beseeching all those whom they met not to flye and forsake them but to defend their children and themselves And herewith the KK themselves with their trustiest guard about them stood at the very gates and climbing up to the top of the rampiers partly in proper person fought and in part exhorted others to doe the same Cyrus after he understood what was done fearing least by making an irruption and forcible entry his men so few in number might be hurt of so many sounded the retrait commaunding them to retire out of the arrow shot and to obey Then and there a man might have seene the noble Peeres how excellently they had beene brought up in martiall discipline For streightwaies themselves obeied and gave charge to the rest for to doe the like as quickely and no sooner were they without the danger of shot but they stood raunged in their places more orderly than in any daunce or quire of Musicians whiles every man knew perfitly where hee should be THE FOVRTH BOOKE CHAP. I. How the King of Assyria died in fight King Croesus and the Assyrians fled and Cyrus purposed to follow in chace CYRVS having staied there long enough with his armie and made open shew that ready they were to fight if any would issue forth seeing none to come abroad withdrew his power so farre as he thought good and there encamped Now when he had set his Corps du guard and sent out his espialls before himselfe having assembled his soldiers in this manner spake unto them My friends yee that are Persians First the Gods above I laud and praise to my full power like as I suppose yee all doe For atchieved we have this day both victorie and safetie In regard whereof bound we are to retribute gifts unto their Majesties in token of thankes even out of all that ever we have And as for you I cannot choose but commend you every one For looke what service there is exploited the same hath beene performed to the honour of you all But as concerning due recompense in particular when I am certified by those of whom meet it is I should enquire of what desert every one is I shall endevour both in word and deed to conferre rewards upon each one respectively And verily as touching this Centurion here Chrysantas who was next unto mee I need not to
then said Cyrus Since we concurre in one and the same mind Send every Caporall out of his owne band five of the tallest and best men to goe round about and as many as they see busie in purveiance of necessaries to command them but whomsoever they perceive slacke in this behalfe against them to proceed with more severity than if they were their very masters And thus verily did Cyrus and those with him As for the Medes some of them who overtooke certaine waines which had gone before and turned them backe brought them full loden with such commodities as the armie had need of Others tooke and brought away with them Chariots and Carroches wherein were passing faire women partly lawfull wives and in part concubines such as for their singular beauty were carried about and went with the Campe. For the manner is of all the nations in Asia even at this day whensoever they make any warlike expedition to take with them along the most precious things they have saying That they are the more eger of fight when their most leife and deerest jewels are about them For there is a certeine necessitie imposed upon them manfully to protect and defend the same and even so in very deed perhaps it is or peradventure thus they doe to satisfie their lusts and pleasures Now Cyrus when hee saw what feats the Medes and Hyrcanians had exploited check'd as it were and rebuked himselfe and his whole traine in that others at this time seemed to outgoe them in valour and to winne somewhat whiles he and those about him sit still in a place farre remote from performing good service doing just nothing And in truth they that came away with this said bootie had no sooner shewed unto Cyrus what they brought but they rode forth eftsoones to pursue the rest of the enemies For so said they we have expresse commaundement from our Provosts and Rulers Cyrus albeit he was stung herewith yet bestowed hee this bootie safe and laid it up every thing in due place Then assembled he once againe his Centiniers and standing so as he might be heard whatsoever he spake made this oration unto them CHAP. VII Cyrus consulteth with his Centiniers about mounting footmen on horsebacke and erecting a Persian Cavallerie with the horses taken from the enemie in the warres MY good friends Wee all I suppose doe know that if we may atchieve those matters which fortune at this time presenteth unto us as there shall accrue much profit unto the Persians all in common so the greatest part of good right will be ours by whose travaile the service is done But how we should be Lords thereof being not of sufficient strength to enjoy and hold the same unlesse we have a Persian Cavallerie of our owne truly I cannot yet see For consider I pray you with mee that wee Persians are furnished with those weapons wherewith we may seeme to foyle and discomfit our enemies at close fight but when wee have once routed them what Horsemen what Archers what Targuaters or what Darters can we either take prisoners or kill as they flie wanting horses as we doe And why should either Archers or Darters or Horsemen be affraid to assaile us and worke us mischiefe so long as they know for certeine that they stand in no daunger to receive hurt from us no more than from the very trees that grow fast in the ground Which being so is it not evident that those men of armes who now assist us doe thinke that all these preies which now are taken be no lesse their owne than ours yea and perhaps more too so helpe me Iupiter Thus therefore stands the case now and it cannot otherwise be But if wee may provide our selves of a Cavallerie out of our owne nation not inferiour to this of theirs is it not very apparant unto you all that we shall be able to doe as much against our enemies without them as now we doe with them and besides finde even them more modest in their carriage and respective towards us So that wee shall need the lesse to care whether they will stay with us or bee gone seeing that without their helpe we shall be sufficient of our selves Well Let this goe by For I thinke no man will gainesay this opinion but that it is every way and simply better for the Persians to have Horsemen of their owne But haply yee thinke with your selves How this may be brought about If then we desire to set up a Cavallery let us take into our consideration what we have toward it and what we want Horses we have these here in number many taken already in the Campe bridles we have for to rule and keepe them in with other things besides meet for those to occupie that have horses We have moreover all that a man of Armes needeth to use For defensive armour brest plates to protect our bodies For offensive weapons Darts and Iavelins which wee may launce from us or keepe still in our hands as we please What lacke wee then Belike men we have need of but of them we are best sped For nothing is so much our owne as we our selves be ours But peradventure some man will say we are not skilfull in horsemanship Neither was there I assure you any one of them cunning in that which now they can skill of before hee was taught the fear of it And haply another will object and say that they learned it when they were young children But I pray you good Sir Whether are children more apt and of better capacitie to learne such things as are told and shewed unto them than men growne or whether when they have learned them are childrens bodies or mens more able to put the same in practise Now for our selves wee have such opportunitie to learne as neither children nor any other men have so much For wee shall not need to be taught the feat of shooting as children are considering that we know it already not the sleight of darting for wee can doe it well enough Nor is it with us as with other men who are some troubled about tillage and husbandry others hindred by trades arts and occupations and some againe letted with domesticall affaires Whereas wee are not onely induced by time and leasure to 〈◊〉 martiall feats but also driven thereto upon necessitie Moreover it is not in this as in many other warlike points which may well be profitable but yet are difficile and hard For is it not more easie and pleasant to ride our journeys then to goe them on foot When there is required expedition and speed is it not a great pleasure to be streightwaies with a mans friend yea and in the pursuit of man or beast quickly if need requires to outstrip and inercept them Is not this also very handsome and convenient that what armour soever is to be worne or weapon borne a mans horse should carry both it and him For truly it is all one to
but if he perceived any to be tumultuous and disorderly after the cause thereof knowne he would labour to appease the misrule One thing there remaineth yet as touching the diligence and care which he shewed in the night march namely that he sent forth before the whole armie certaine footmen lightly appointed and those not many in number who being both seene of Chrysantas and also seeing him should as Otacusts listen and advertise him of all occurrents occasions and opportunities presented And one there was over these Avantcurriers to rule and order them and whatsoever was ought worth and materiall he would give notice thereof and what was not hee troubled him not with shewing the same And thus verily marched he by night But when the day was come certaine of the Cadâ—sian horsemen heâ—cleft with their Infantery marching as they did hinmost for that they should not goe naked and destitute of men of Armes the rest hee commaunded to ride on to the Vantguard because the enemies affronted it to the end that if any encountred full opposite unto him he having the strength of his armie in battaile ray might make head and fight with them but if they were seene any whereto flie he might be most ready to pursue them for he had ever about him some appointed to follow the chace when there was need of pursuit others againe to abide with him for never would he suffer a whole Regiment to be dismembred In this wise led Cyrus his Armie forth Yet kept not he himselfe alwayes in one place but riding to and fro and up and down surveied his souldiers and with good care tooke order for whatsoever they wanted Thus much of the march of Cyrus and his host CHAP. VI. A Conspiracy against Gadatas An Ambush layd by the Assyrian King Where hee received a great overthrow How Cyrus saved Gadatas and all his men NOvv it happened that a certeine great person one of Gadatas his men of armes considering how his Lord and Master was revolted from the Assyrian King thought this with himselfe that if ought but well should come unto Gadatas hee might obteine at the Kings hand the seizure of all his goods and lands Vpon which project of his hee sends one of his trusty servants unto the said Assyrian King with these instructions That in case he found the Assyrian forces already in Gadatas his country hee should give the King to understand that if he lay in ambushment hee might take both Gadatas himselfe and all his companie willing him withall to signifie what power Gadatas had in his conduct likewise that Cyrus accompanied him not as also to shew which way he would come Moreover to the end he might be the better beleeved he charged his owne servants to deliver up the Castle which himselfe held within the territorie of Gadatas with all that was therein into the hands of the King of Assyria Furthermore he promised that after he had slaine Gadatas he would come to him in person if hee could if not yet would hee from that time forward take the Kings part The messenger appointed for this errand rode post and with great speed came unto the Assyrian King and declared unto the King the cause of his comming which when he heard he presently entred upon the said Castle and with a great power of horsemen and a number of chariots laid wait in the villages standing thicke thereabout Gadatas when he drew neere to those villages sent forth certeine in espiall to cleere the coasts The Assyrian King having intelligence that these espies were comming commaunded two or three of the chariots and some few horsemen to give ground and flie making semblance as if they were affrighted and but few in number Which when those foreriders perceived they not onely themselves followed in pursuit but also gave the Al-arme to Gadatas Who being deceived thereby made after and followed amaine The Assyrians then for that they thought Gadatas at the point to be taken arose streight out of their embushment Gadatas with his companies seeing that fled as good cause they had The otherside againe with as great reason pursued them At which very time that traiterous villaine who had plotted to forelay Gadatas strake him and failed in deed of giving him a deadly blow but smote him in the shoulder and so wounded him Which deed done he went his wayes to joyne with those that followed in chace For being knowne who he was hee togither with the Assyrians put spurres to his horse and helped the King in his pursuit Then and there be you sure they that rode upon the heaviest and slowest jades were taken by those who had the swiftest steeds under them And verily Gadatas his horsemen being all sore overlayed for that they were tired out with their long journey no sooner espied Cyrus comming forward with his armie but a man might well thinke they were right joyous and glad as if out of some storme and tempest they had arrived to a safe harbour Cyrus at the first sight mervailed thereat but when hee understood what the matter was so long as they rode all afront toward him he led his forces in order of battaile against them But so soone as the enemies knowing how the world went reculed and fled Cyrus commaunded the light horsemen appointed therefore to make hote pursuit and himselfe with the rest followed hard after according as he thought it expedient There might a man have seene some Chariots taken out of which the drivers were fallen partly in the very turning and partly otherwise others againe intercepted by the horsemen and surprised They slew also very many and among the rest the traitour himself who had hurt Gadatas Meane-while the Assyrian footmen who were besieging Gadatas his fortresse abandoned that enterprise Some fled for succour into the Castle which had revolted from Gadatas others got away before their enemies and did put themselves into a great Citie of the Assyrian Kings whereinto himselfe with his chariots and horses was retyred Vpon these exploits thus atchieved Cyrus returned backe into Gadatas his country and after order given unto those whom it concerned to take charge of the captives he went directly to see how Gadatas did upon his hurt And as he went forward Gadatas having by that time his wound dressed and bound up met him on the way When Cyrus saw him he rejoyced and said I was comming to you for to see how you did And I quoth Gadatas so God me love was going to behold you againe and see what a countenance you carry bearing as you doe this brave minde who when I wist not my selfe what need you had now of my helpe nor you ever undertooke or promised to doe this for mee ne yet in your owne particular received so much as any small pleasure at my hand but onely for that I seemed unto you in some measure to benefit my friends have so lovingly and with such affection reskued mee as that now for
and chariots as also the Provosts over the Engins over the carriages also with their carts and waines Meane time whiles they came togither those foreriders who had skowred the plaines brought with them certaine men whom they had taken And when these captives were examined by Cyrus they confessed that they belonged to the enemies campe and were gone out some to provide forage others for fewell For by reason of the great multitude in campe all things were very scarce Cyrus hearing them say so demaunded how farre off their armie was who answered 2. parasangs Then Cyrus enquired further and said What! was there any talke of us among them Yea forsooth say they and that very much and namely that your hoast is on foote and approcheth neere But tell me further quoth Cyrus were they glad when they heard so Nay verily said they glad they were not but exceeding sad And what are they doing now quoth Cyrus They are a training and setting the souldiers in array and even so they were yesterday and two dayes ago But who is he quoth Cyrus that thus embattaileth them Even Croesus himselfe answered they and with him a certaine Gracian and another Median one by report who is fled from you and turned to them Most mighty Iupiter quoth Cyrus ô that I might catch him as I desire After this he commaunded these Captives to be had away and returned unto those that were present as if hee had somewhat to say unto them CHAP. VIII How Araspas returned unto Cyrus and recounted unto him all the ordinance and preparation of the enemie How himselfe prepared to raunge his men in battaile ray BY this time was there another come from the Captaine of the Espials saying that there was seene upon the plaines a great troupe of horsemen and we suppose quoth he that they ride out as desirous to view this army of yours For even before this troupe there be other horsemen to the number of thirtie galloping and verily they make toward us even and anon haply because they would gaine this place of Espiall if possibly they could and surely we are but ten in all to make good the said hill Then Cyrus commanded certeine of those horsemen whom he had alwaies attending about him to ride hard under the said Barbican and there to rest and keepe themselves quiet so as they might not be seene of the enemies But quoth he when as our ten men there abandon the place arise yee and set upon them that climbe up the hill and to the end that ye be not hurt or annoyed by those of that great troupe goe you forth Hystaspas quoth he taking with you a Regiment of two thousand horsemen and make a bravado directly against the troupe of our enemies Howbeit pursue them not in any wise so farre as into covert and unknowne places but so soone as you have taken order that your spies may safely remaine and keepe the ground retire you and depart away Now if there be any of them shall ride towards you holding up their hands in token of peace receive the men courteously So Hystaspas went from him with this charge and armed himselfe the other horsemen also his followers rode away forthwith as he had commanded And who should meet them in the way on this side the said Barbican but Araspas with his men him I meane who being the keeper of that Susian Lady had beene sent long before as an espie Cyrus no sooner saw the man but he sprung out of his chaire went toward him and lovingly tooke him by the hand The rest who knew nothing of the matter wondered hereat as good cause they had and were much amazed untill such time as Cyrus thus said Here is my loving friends a right worthy Gentleman returned unto us For now meet it is that all the world should know what good service he hath done This person here in place departed from us not attaint of any lewd act neither for feare of me but by me was he sent away of purpose to learne out the secret designes of our enemies and to exhibit thereof a true report unto us Therefore my trusty Araspas looke what promise I made unto thee I well remember and with all this here performe the same I will And meet it is my souldiers all that yee every one doe honour this man as a doutie Knight in that for our good he hath exposed himselfe to daunger and undergone the aspersion of a crime imputed unto him With that they all embraced Araspas and tooke him by the hand Then said Cyrus Enough of this And now Araspas quoth hee relate unto us what the present time and occasion requireth wee should know and say not lesse than truth one whit as touching our enemies puissance For better it were that wee imagining it to bee more should afterwards see it lesse than hearing it lesse now finde it afterwards much more Certes quoth Araspas I have done my best endevour to know their strength most certeinly For present I was my selfe in person with others to set them in ray Why then quoth Cyrus you know not onely their number but their order also Yes verily saith Araspas yea and in what manner they intend to embattaile and fight Yet shew us first quoth Cyrus and that summarily their number Their battalions all quoth Araspas as well footmen as horsemen be ordered so as that they beare in depth thirty except the Aegyptians And these are about 40 furlongs off For very carefull I was to know how much ground they tooke up But as touching these Aegyptians saith Cyrus tell me how they be embattailed because you said beside the Aegyptians Surely quoth Araspas their Colonels over ten thousand ordered them so as that every Regiment of ten thousand bare every way a hundred square For this manner of embattailing was by their saying after their country fashion And Croesus I assure you was very loth to graunt them thus to be arraunged For he desired all that he could to hemme in your armie on every side with his battalions And to what end saith Cyrus desired he that Even because he might quoth he environ you with his exceeding number But first Let them see to it said Cyrus least whiles they goe about to encompasse others they be not enclosed themselves Well we have heard of you that which the time required Now therefore let us proceed thus accordingly After yee are departed hence looke well to the armour both of your horses and also of your selves For oftentimes if there be wanting but a small matter man horse and chariot serve all to no purpose And to morrow morning betimes First of all whiles I am busie at sacrifice both horse and man ought to take their dinners to the end that if any opportunitie be offred of an exploit we be not wanting in that behalfe Then lead you Araspas the right wing according to the charge which now you
wife brought unto him an helmet of gold with vambraces likewise and broad bracelets to weare about the wrests of his hands Also a side purple cassocke downe to his foot with the skirts falling in plaits beneath togither with a crest upon his armet of an Hyacinth or Azure dye All these ornaments had shee wrought for her husband unwitting to him as having privily gotten the just measure of his armour Which when he beheld he wondered thereat and said unto Panthea How now my wife hast thou cut and mangled thine owne Iewels and ornaments for to make mee this faire armour No verily quoth Panthea I have not yet defaced the most precious and richest jewell of all For if you Sir appeare unto others as you seeme unto me your selfe shall be my greatest and most soveraine jewell And as shee thus said shee fell to enarme him and how ever she did what shee could not to be seene for to weepe yet for all that the teares trickled downe her cheeks And Abradatas albeit hee was before a goodly man to see to yet now after he was thus dight and harnessed with this armour he seemed right beautifull and of a most liberall presence as being by nature also correspondent thereto Then having taken of his charriottier the reines into his owne hand hee addressed himselfe presently to mount up into his chariot But then Panthea commanding all those that were present to void said thus unto him My Abradate If ever there were any woman that esteemed her husband more than her owne life I suppose you acknowledge mee also to be one of them And therefore what need I to particularize in every point For I am perswaded that the deeds which I have done already are of more credit with you than the words which I now speake Howbeit although I bee thus affected as you know well enough yet doe I solemnely professe my love to you-ward and yours also to mee and that I had rather togither with you having borne your selfe as a valiant Knight be enterred than live with you disgraced and taking disgrace my selfe So farre forth esteeme I both you and my selfe worthy of the best respect Moreover in my conceit we are much beholden unto Cyrus in this behalfe for that he daigned to enterteine mee a captive woman and selected for himselfe not using me as a slave with villany nor as a free woman with disparagement of mine honour but when he had received me kept me for you as if I had beene his owne brothers wife Againe when Araspas my Guardian revolted from him I assured him if he would give me leave to send unto you that you should come unto him a more faithfull friend and a better and every way by farre than Araspas Thus spake she and Abradatas much delighted with her speech softly touching her head and therewith looking up toward heaven made this prayer O most mightie Iupiter graunt that I may bee thought an husband meet for Panthea and a friend worthy of Cyrus who hath so honourably dealt with us With these words he mounted the Chariot at the entry and doore of the seat thereof When he was thus gotten up and that the Vnder-Chariotier had made fast and shut the seat close after him Panthea having no other meanes otherwise to embrace him kissed yet the very seat And so the Chariot went forward But she closely followed after her husband unseene of him untill such time as he turning himselfe and espying her said Be of good cheere my Panthea Farewell and now depart Then her Eunuches and waiting women tooke and conveied her into her Caroch and when they had laid her downe they covered her within the closet thereof But the folke there in place albeit both Abradatas and his Chariot also made a goodly show yet could they not behold him untill Panthea was quite gone Now when Cyrus had sacrificed with the favourable approbation of the Gods and the armie was set in aray as he commaunded and had appointed Avant Curriers one before another he assembled his Captaines togither and made a speech unto them in this wise Deare friends and Confederates The Gods shew unto us such signes in our sacrifices as they did sometime when they gave unto us our first victory I will recall therefore into your minds those points which if ye remember ye shall in mine opinion advance more couragiously to battaile For in martiall prowesse exercised ye are much more than your enemies In the same yee have beene brought up and trained farre longer than they and joyntly one with another have atchieved victory Whereas many of your enemies with their Associates have beene foyled and vanquished And of both sides as many as have not yet fought those of the enemies part know well enough that they have for Assistants such as will betray them but yee that side with us are sure that yee shall hazzard the fortune of battaile with them that are desirous to helpe their Allies And it standeth to good reason that they who repose mutuall trust one in another will joyntly sticke to it and fight with one accord but they that distrust must needs devise how every one may soonest get away and escape Advance wee therefore my friends against our enemies with strong armed Chariots against those that are not armed with horsemen likewise in compleat armour and horses bard against those that be naked ready to cope with them hand to hand As for you that are footmen yee shall deale with no other than yee have heretofore The Aegyptians be harnoised after the same sort and in like maner set in aray For greater shields they have than that they can either doe or see ought and being raunged by hundreds no doubt they will hinder one another in the medley except some very few Now if they trust by preassing hard upon us to make us give backe and lose ground First they must beare-off the brunt of the horses themselves then of the yron harnois wherewith the horses are strengthened And say that any of them shall hold out and abide by it how can they possibly at once mainteine fight against the horsemen and the maine battalion of footmen and the turrets beside For from those turrets our men will be alwaies ready to succour us and annoy the enemies so as being by us slaine they will rather despaire than fight it out Now if ye thinke that yee want ought let me know for with the leave of God yee shall lacke nothing Againe if any man be disposed to say ought let him speake his minde If not draw neere to the sacrifices and when yee have prayed unto those Gods to whom we have sacrificed repaire unto your companies See also that every one of you put them in minde who are under your charge concerning those points that I have admonished you of And let each one shew himselfe unto those that are in his conduct so undaunted and fearelesse in gesture countenance and speech
upon his Avantcourriers as they stragled and overran the confines as for the light horsmen nimbly appointed he sent certein forth out of every band to make rodes some one way some another with commandement to overspread every place and whatsoever came within their reach to drive the same to his hand Which service they performed accordingly When advertisement was giuen to King Astyages that enemies were already entred into his land both himselfe in person went forth with such as were about him to relieve the marches and his sonne also with such a troupe of horsemen as were in readinesse accompanied him Not forgetting withall to send out his commissions to all others for to come forward in aid The Medes when they saw a great power of the Assyrians arraunged in good order together with their men of armes keeping their ground and not stirring made also a stand themselves And Cyrus for his part seeing others on all sides ready to set forth in defence of the Frontiers did the same likewise Which was the first time that ever he put harneis on his backe a thing not permitted him before to do so desirous was he to be armed and truly a very fayre armour it was and well befitting him which his Grandfather had caused to be made compleat for his body Thus armed at all peeces and mounted upon a goodly courser hee rode forward to the service Astyages seeing this albeit he mervayled much at whose commaund he came yet required he him to abide with him and not to stirre one foot Cyrus then so soone as he discovered a number of horsemen afront demaunded saying Be those yonder our enemies Grandfather who sit still upon their horse-backs so quietly yea quoth he enemies they are And what are they a farre off that ride and drive before them quoth Cyrus be they likewise enemies yes said Astyages and they too Now surely Grandsire quoth he they seeme to be but cowards and to ride upon very jades and titts who thus harry and drive before them our goods It were a good deed yea and uery requisite that some of us made a rode out after them Yea but see you not my Child answered he what a strong troupe of great horse and men of armes standeth on a plump in battell-ray who if we should make after those would intercept us by the way and stop our passage besides our forces are not yet come together But if you will tarry here replyed Cyrus and receive such as are comming hither to aide those that stand still hereby will be afraid and not once dare to quetch those other also who are driving booties will immediately forgoe their prey upon the very sight of some that charge upon them Having thus said he seemed unto Astyages for to speake somewhat to the purpose Who wondring withall at his prudent forecast and vigilant circumspection commaunded Cyaxares his sonne to take a Cornet of horsemen for to set forward and to charge those that were a boot-haling And I for my part quoth Astyages will make head at these here if they once seeme to stirre and advance against you so that they shall be forced to have a watchfull eye unto us Thus Cyaxares taking with him the valiantest men and best mounted did put forwards And Cyrus so soone as he perceived them to come on speedily breaketh out with them and long it was not but himselfe was the foremost of the troup and led them all a great pace Cyaxares followed hard and the rest were nothing behind Whom when they that drave the booty saw to approach incontinently they abandoned all and fled But the company about Cyrus intercepted them and whomsoeuer they could ouertake and reach they wounded out of hand and Cyrus was the foremost but as many as ouerrode them and escaped their hands those they pursued hotely and neuer gave over untill they had taken some of them prisoners And like as a generous Hound untrained yet and without experience runneth all on the head rashly upon the wild Bore Even so for all the world rode Cyrus upon the spurre looking at this onely how he might strike whomsoeuer he could overtake and regarded nothing els The enemies seeing their fellowes thus distressed and in jeoâ—pardy came forward with their maine troupe supposing that the chace would ceasse if they were seene once to advance toward them As for Cyrus he slacked never a whit the more but for joy called upon his unkle to hold on and maintaine the chace still And for that he had gotten the upper hand he did put the enemies to an exceeding great rout And verily Cyaxares the yonger for his part followed haply for a reverent regard of his father the rest likewise came after being then more willing by such an example to make pursuit who otherwise were not very courageous nor resolute to encounter the enemy Astyages perceiving them inconsiderately to follow on still and the enemies many in number and those in good order of battaile redy to confront and receive them being affrayd withall in the behalfe of his owne sonne and of Cyrus lest they being in disaray should rashly rush upon the other so well appointed and so endanger themselves directly led against the enemies who on the other side perceiuing the Medes making towards them stood still some with their darts redy to lance others with bowes and arrowes bent to shoot and so kept their ground supposing that the other likewise would stay and stand so soone as they came within shot according as they were wont to doe For their manner was thus neere and no more to approach one another and so many a time to skirmish only with shot at randam even untill night But now seeing their owne men to flye unto them amaine and therewith the souldiers about Cyrus pursuing them fiercely hard at heeles and Astyages likewise with his Cauallery already within arrow shot they declined from them at one side and fled The other who also at once followed in chace tooke many of them by force one with another and whomsoeuer they caught downe they went both horse and man killing and slaying all that fell and never gave over the execution untill they came as farre as to the Assyrians Infantery And there verily for feare of some greater ambushment in covert to intercept and cut them off they stayed themselves Then Astyages retired with his forces as right joyfull for the horsemens victory But of Cyrus he wist not what to make or say For well he knew that he was the chiefe authour of this exploit but he saw withall how in all the service for his audacious adventure he fared like unto one furiously transported For even at that time I assure you when others were returning homeward he onely did nothing els but ride up and downe all about to view them that were ouerthrowne and slaine in so much as hardly could they who had commission so to doe hale him away and bring him to Astyages and
it were better for me to make warre upon him and so to try what I can doe by force or now for my behoufe to let him alone at this time for feare wee make the number of our enemies the greater by him Then Cyrus replyed and asked What! Doe the Armenians dwell in places surely situate or in such as be easie of accesse Surely answered Cyaxares Their houses be not seated very strongly For I have not beene carelesse in that behalfe Howbeit there be certaine hils into which if he retire he may straight-wayes be in such safety as that he need not yeeld unto the enemy either himselfe or whatsoever he can convey thither unlesse he would beleaguer him a long time with a standing campe as my Father sometime did Hereupon Cyrus inferred thus If you will send me and give me the conduct of a troupe of horsemen such as you shall thinke sufficient I trust with the leave and helpe of God to cause the Armenian King both to send unto you an army and also to pay you the tribute Yea and I hope besides that much more friendly he will be to us than now he is And even I too quoth Cyaxares am verily perswaded that they will all rather come in and side with you than with us For I heare say that some of the Kings children were wont to be your companions in hunting who perhaps will joyne with you againe But if some of them be subdued and brought under your hand all things will succeed as wee would our selves How then saith Cyrus thinke you it not expedient to conceale these dâ—ssignes of ours Yes truly quoth Cyaxares For by this meanes both some one of them we shall take the sooner and also if a man should invade them they might be surprized lesse provided Listen then saith Cyrus whether I shall seeme unto you to say somewhat to the purpose Many a time have I with all the Persians that were with mee hunted about the confines of your land and the Armenians and otherwiles having joyned unto mee some horsemen those I meane who were my friends and familiars here in Media made a journey thither Therefore quoth Cyaxares if you enterprise the like now you should never be suspected But if your forces appeare much greater than you were wont to take with you a hunting then it were very suspitious indeed Yet may we devise a pretty perswasive pretense quoth Cyrus for this Namely if some one give it out and carry word thither that I have a desire to make a great hunting seeme withal to crave openly of you certain horsmen Well said of you quoth Cyaxares and I my selfe will not willingly graunt unto you but a meane sort making semblance as though I meant my selfe to goe unto my Forts and Castles which frontier next unto Assyria For in very truth I intend a journey thither to fortifie the same holds and make them as sure as possibly I can Now when you are set forth with those forces of your owne and have hunted two daies I wil send unto you a sufficient strength of horse and foot levied already about me which when you have received you may directly make an invasion And I for my part ready to second you with the rest of my forces will doe my best not to bee farre from you to the end that when I see my time I may shew my selfe in the field Thus Cyaxares assembled out of hand horsemen and footmen both for his holds and withall sent waggons before with victuals the very way that led to the said Forts But Cyrus immediately sacrificed in regard of this expedition and therwith sent unto Cyaxares requesting that he might have the younger horsemen and notwithstanding many were ready to follow as voluntaries yet he graunted unto him but few When Cyaxares had now put himselfe upon his way with a power of foot and horse toward his fortresses Cyrus hapned to have a lucky Sacrifice presaging fortunate successe in his journey against the Armenian King and so he set forward as one well appointed onely for to hunt And as he marched on behold in the very first open field that he came into he presently started an Hare and with that an AEgle flying on the lucky hand having espied the Hare running made wing strake her caught her up and away Now when shee had carried the Hare to the next hill top shee seized on her prey as shee would her selfe Cyrus observing this signe rejoyced in his heart and therewith worshipped Iupiter King and said unto those that were present My friends This will be I trust in God a faire and pleasant Chace When they were come hard to the Frontiers he hunted streightwaies as his manner was And verily the common sort as well of footmen as of horsemen coursed and galloped to and fro intending thereby to rouse the Deere but the best and chiefe of horse and foot both were divided to stand at the receit of the beast being once a-foot and to follow the game So within few houres they tooke many wild Bores Harts fallow Deere and wild Asses For in these parts there be many such Asses bred even at this day When they had given over hunting for that day so soone as he was entred into the marches of the Armenians he supped The next day he hunted againe approching nigh to those mountaines which hee desired to gaine And here likewise after hee had done hunting hee tooke his supper But so soone as he discovered the power that Cyaxares sent advancing neere at hand he dispatched secretly a messenger willing them to fall off about two parasangs from him and there to goe to supper Foreseeing that this would much availe to conceale his comming from the enemies And so soone as he had supped hee commaunded that their Captaine should repaire unto him When supper was done he called likewise before him the Centurions unto whom being present he spake in this wise CHAP. XI The project and speech of Cyrus to his Captaines and to Chrysantas about the laying of an Embush And how the same was put inexecution against the King of Armenia MY good friends the Armenian King hath before-time beene confederate with Cyaxares and as a Tributary done homage unto him But now upon intelligence of our enimies comming hee setteth him at nought and neither sendeth us an armie nor payeth tribute therefore must we hunt him now if we can and in this manner quoth he I thinke it good that we proceed You Chrysantas after that you have gotten some moderate sleepe take with you the one halfe of the Persians which are with us enter the way of the mountaines and seize those hils first unto which they say he useth to flie when he is in feare I my selfe will give unto your guides for your better conduct And verily these hils by report be so thicke overspred with trees that I hope yee shall not be descried Howbeit if you send forth before
Hyrcanians and even so ought yee to be affected to us ward But first of all Tell us this How farre hence is the place where the principall rulers and puissance of our enemies maine armie areâ— They answere somewhat above a Parasang CHAP. IIII. The exhortation of Cyrus to his whole Armie inciting them to follow the chace of his enemies with the Cavallery of the Medes WHich when Cyrus heard Goe to then my deere friends quoth he Persians Medes and yee Hyrcanians for now speake I to you as unto Allies and partners with us Now ought we to know for certaine in what state we stand namely that if we now become faint hearted and demeane our selves cowardly we shall incurre the most grievous calamities that be For our enemies know full well wherefore we are come but if we shall fiercely set upon our enemies and give the charge with courage and manly resolution yee shall see them soone like unto fugitive slaves that are found out and apprehended againe some to court us in humble and suppliant manner crying us mercy others to take them to their heeles some againe so maskared as they will not be able so much as to thinke either of the one or the other For as men once discomfited they will state and looke upon us and suspecting nothing lesse than that we are comming they being neither set embattailed nor provided to fight will be surprised If therefore we desire to sit at supper feeding merrily to passe the night sleeping quietly and in a word hereafter to live pleasantly let us give them no respit either to consult or prepare any good thing for themselves no nor so much as to know at all that we be men but thinke onely that nought else is come among them but bucklers courtill-axes glaives browne-bills and bloudy wounds And yee Hyrcanians quoth he step forward upon them and make way before us that by the sight of your armour we may be in covert and unseene as long as possible it is But when I am come close to the enemies armie leave with me every of you a corner of horsemen to use as need requireth so long as I abide here with the armie And such of you as are Commaunders chiefe-Officers and of the elder sort see you ride close in a thicke squadron togither when yee charge them if yee be wise least haply yee light upon their massive troupes and so be borne downe by violence But suffer the younger gallants to follow the chace and let them have the killing of the enemies For this is the safest way now that we leave as few of our enemies alive as may be And if it come to passe as it hapneth to many winners that we quite overthrow their fortunes and breake their backes for ever take heed we must that we fall not to pillage For he that so doth is no more a valiant souldier but a base souldiers page and such an one any man that will may use as his slave This also ought we to know that nothing is more gainefull than victory For the victour presently carrieth all away with him at once men women money and goods yea and the whole countrey withall Furthermore this one thing would be thought upon especially How we may hold and reteine victorie For in it even the rifler and spoyler himselfe is comprised To conclude remember this among the rest in your chace that yee returne to mee while it is day-light For bee it once darke wee will receive none Cyrus having thus said sent every man to his owne companie commaunding them withall that when they were thither come each one should signifie as much to their Decurions For seeing that these Decurions stood in the Front they might easily heare who likewise were bidden every one to intimate as much unto their severall Denaries under their charge Thus the Hyrcanians led the Vaward Cyrus with the Persians conducted the maine battaile in the mids and so marched As for the Horsemen he marshalled them as meet it was on both sides like wings CHAP. V. How Cyrus defaited the Assyrians againe and tooke prisoners Kings Lords and other souldiours a great number The order that he gave how to bee provided presently of victuals without confusion and trouble WHen it was day light the enemies some wondred and were astonied at these occurrents others perceived at the first what the matter was some told it as newes others cryed out some unloosed their horses others fell to trusse up bag and baggage some flung armour and weapons from of their beasts backs others did on their harnois some leapt on horsebacke others bridled them some mounted their wives and women into wagons others caught up their things of greatest price to save them some againe were taken in the manner as they were hiding the same in the ground but the most part tooke their heeles And we must thinke that many and sundry things they did save this onely that there was not one of them fought but perished without fight Croesus the Lydian King had sent away before in the night for that it was the hote summer season his wives in Carroches that during the coole aire they might travaile more easily and himselfe followed hard after with his horsemen Likewise did by report the Phrygian Potentate who ruled that Phrygia which lieth upon Hellespont But when they understood by those that fled and overtooke them how the world went themselves fled also as fast as ever they could The KK of the Cappadocians and Arabians who were next hand and made some resistance unarmed and without their curaces the Hyrcanians put to the sword The most part of those that lost their lives were Assyrians and Arabians For being within their owne land they made slowest haste and went least forward Whiles the Medes and Hyrcanians made havocke and execution as it was no other like following the chace as they did and having still the upper hand Cyrus commaunded those Cornets of horsemen which were left with him to ride about the Campe and whomsoever they saw going forth armed to kill them ouâ—â—ight but to those who stayed within he made proclamation That what souldiours so ever of the enemies armie were either Horsmen Targuatiers or Archers they should trusse up their armour and bring it forth leaving their horses still at their Pavilions But as many as did not this they should forthwith lose their heads Meane while with their arming swords ready drawne they stood in order of battaile round about the tents They therefore that had armour brought it forth and flung the same from them into one place where Cyrus had appointed which they set on fire and burnt who had commandement from him so to doe Cyrus then considering that thither they were come unprovided altogither of meat and drinke without which impossible it is that either an expedition should hold out or any other feat of armes be exploited and casting about how hee might most speedily and
in the best sort be therewith furnished thought withall how necessary it is for all those that undertake warfare to have some one man who should take charge of Pavilion and lodging yea and purvey victuals ready for souldiers against their entrie into the Campe. Knowing therefore that by all likelihood such as these at this present especially might be found in the Campe for that now they would be busied in providing necessaries hee commaunded by proclamation all those Campe-officers to shew themselves and if any such minister were wanting the most auncient in every tent to come forth and appeare and herein not to faile nor disobey at their utmost peril They seeing their Lords and Masters to yeeld obedience forthwith themselves obeyed also When they were come in place First hee commaunded them to sit downe who had in their tents more provision of victuall then would serve for two moneths After he had seene them he bad those likewise to sit who had one moneths victuall and then all in manner sat them downe Now when he had learned thus much he spake unto them in this manner Goe to then good fellowes quoth he whosoever of you doe hate miseries and desire to have any good at our hands looke to it with all diligence that there bee in every tent double so much victualls as well meats as drinks provided both for master and man for Captaine likewise and souldiours as yee were wont daily to provide See also that all other things be ready prepared which may set out and furnish a feast For there will be here anon those who after they have gotten the upper hand of their enemies will thinke it meet that they have all necessaries plenteously and to the full Know yee therefore that it will bee for your owne good if yee entertaine them so as they have no cause to complaine When they heard this they performed diligently what they were enjoyned to doe Then Cyrus called togither his owne Centurions againe and made such an oration as this unto them CHAP. VI. How Cyrus communed with his Centiniers perswading them to sobriety and to stay for their fellowes who were in the pursuite and how they raised a great booty of men women and goods WEE are not ignorant goods Friends that you may now if yee will take your dinners before our Associats that are absent yea and enjoy those meats and drinks which are right exquisitly provided But I am not perswaded that this dinner and refection of ours will profit us more than if it may appeare that we are carefull of our fellowes and confederates neither can all this good cheere make us so much the stronger as this one thing would doe to wit if we might be able to cause our Allies to be forward in ayding us If therefore we should seeme so to vilipend those who now follow the chace and execution of our enemies fighting still with them that make head as that before we know how they speed we should dine and make merry I feare me as we shall be noted openly for lewd persons so wee shall weaken our selves when we misse their aide But to have such a care of those that take paines and expose themselves unto daungers as that when upon their entry into the Campe they may finde food ready and all things necessary This say I were a feast alone and would make us much more jocund and joviall than if we went by and by to fill and pamper our bellies Consider furthermore quoth he that although it stood us not upon in modestie to have any regard at all of them yet ought we not at any time to give our selves to belly cheere and drunkennesse For as yet we have not fully atchieved those exploits which we enterprised but all things now are come to the very pitch and doubtfull point which requireth carefull diligence For we have in the campe enemies in number farre more than we be our selves and those loose and at liberty whom peradventure it were fit to be guarded surely still yea and care would be had that there be such as may purvey us necessaries Moreover our horsemen are away who verily disquiet our minds and make us to muse where they be and when they are returned whether they will stay with us or no therefore in mine opinion such meat and drinke we are at this time to take and stay our stomacks with as a man may thinke most meete and expedient thereby neither to be full of drowsie sleepe nor surprised with inconsiderate folly I wote well likewise that much treasure there is and other goods in the camp of which I know it is in our power to convert to our proper use as much as we list how ever the same be common as well to those who were with us at the winning thereof as to our selves But I doe not thinke it would turne more to our gaine for to seize the said goods into our owne hands than if we shew our selves true and just unto them and in so doing purchase thus much as that they shall be more fast and assured friends unto us than now they are In these respects therefore I thinke it good to commit the dispose and distribution of these monies and goods to the Medes Hyrcanians and Tigranes at their returne and say they deale the lesse part among us yet to reckon even it our gain advantage For by reason of lucre growing to them ward more willing they will be to remaine with us As for our selves if at this time we should regard our owne commodity before theirs verily it would gaine us wealth to last but a small while But to let this pillage goe by and in lieu thereof to have and hold such things whereof riches doth arise this is it in my judgement which may yeeld both to us and to all ours more durable and perpetuall wealth For this cause also quoth he I suppose when we are at home in our owne countrey we doe inure our selves to master and keepe downe our bellies to forbeare likewise unlawfull and unreasonable games that when need requires we might use the same to our weale and commodity And verily where we may shew our institution and bringing up in greater matters than these now presented unto us I cannot see And herewith made Cyrus an end of his speech This advise of his Hystaspes a Persian and one of the above-named Peeres approved and said as followeth An indignity and shame it were ô Cyrus if we many times in hunting should continue without meat and all for to take some wild beast and the same peradventure but little worth and now when we are in the pursuite of a world of wealth we be our owne hinderance by those things that rule lewd men and are subject to the good so as wee should not seeme to performe what we ought and befitteth us best to doe Thus agreed Hystaspes with the opinion of Cyrus and all the rest allowed thereof Goe to
nation through which you goe at this time When Cyrus heard this What now my Gobryas and accuse you not this young Prince newly come to the Crowne as one who in his deportment is very proud and insolent Yes verily quoth Gobryas for I found him so But hath he carried himselfe in that sort replyed Cyrus to you onely or to some besides so helpe mee Iupiter quoth Gobryas to many others likewise But of his outrages committed upon feeble persons what need I to relate For a much greater Potentates sonne then I am and one verily who was his companion as mine had beene whiles he dranke and made merry with him he laid hands upon and guelded him because as some have given out a Concubine of his had praised him for his beauty and goodly personage in saying that the woman were right happy who might be his wife but as himself now saith for that he would have forced the said Concubine And now is he become indeed an Eunuch But since his fathers death enjoyeth his Seignorie and Dominion How then quoth Cyrus thereupon thinke you that this young Gentleman also would gladly see us if he might be perswaded that wee would aide and assist him Yes that he would I dare be bold to say quoth Gobryas But to have a sight of him my good friend Cyrus it is an hard matter And why so saith Cyrus Because quoth Gobryas he that will joyne with him must of necessity passe hard by Babylon And what difficulty lyeth in tâ—at said Cyrus For that I assure you upon my knowledge there hath issued out of that City a more puissant armie by farre than that which you have in field at this present Moreover this you are to know that for this very cause the Assyrians furnish you lesse with armour now and bring unto you fewer horses than they did at first Because your forces seemed â—nto them that viewed the same but small and this rumour is already very much spred abroad And therefore in mine opinion better it were that wee march warily and well guarded Cyrus having heard Gobryas deliver such speeches made answer in this manner I approove very well ô Gobryas of this that you advise us to stand upon our guard and to make our journeyes most safely And considering the businesse well I cannot thinke in my mind of any surer way than to passe on directly unto Babylon if so be our enemies forces be there most puissant For many they be in number as your selfe confesse Now if they shall take heart and be confident withall they will upon my word bee terrible also unto us In case therefore they shall have no sight at all of us but thinke that wee keepe close and unseene as if we stood in feare of them know assuredly quoth he that they will be delivered of the feare which they have conceived and in stead thereof gather more boldnesse the longer it be that they see us not But if wee march now straight against them wee shall find many of them weeping and wailing still for those whom we have slaine many having yet their wounds bound up which they received from us and all of them carrying the fresh remembrances of the late manhood and valour of this our armie togither with the wofull flight and disasterous calamity of their owne You are besides ô Gobryas to take knowledge of this what an ordinary thing it is in most men when they are confident and resolute to carry an hautie and invincible minde Let them be affrayd once the more they are in number the greater will their affright and amazednesse be For by many rumours and those evill it is in them augmented upon many adverse occurrents also by occasion likewise of many heavy down-looks and astonied countenances it gathereth still and groweth more and more In so much as for the greatnesse thereof it is no easie matter to extinguish it with comfortable words or by leading against the enemies to put heart and strength againe or yet by drawing them away to recover in them any good conceit of themselves But the more that a man exhorteth them to resolution the greater perils they thinke they are plunged into Let us therefore take throughly into consideration this point For if in the question of warre and martiall exploits we measure victories by this whether side can levie and number more men good cause you have then to be afraid on our behalfe and we in very truth are in great jeopardie but if as heretofore so now also battailes are tried and determined by the valour of those that sight manfully you cannot doe amisse if you be bold and confident For you shall finde with the helpe of God many more with us and in our Campe willing to fight than among them And that you may yet take more courage unto you consider this also with your selfe The enemies are at this present in number lesse by farre than before they were discomfited by us yea and fewer still than what time they fled away from us As for us greater we are now than heretofore by reason that we have wonne a victorie more puissant also and strong in regard of our good fortune and withall more in number by your comming unto us And doe not you henceforth detract from the honour of your owne men now that they be with us For where Conquerours be wote well Gobryas that even the very Lackeys and Pages in the traine that hang on follow boldly Neither be you ignorant of this that well may our enemies take a view of us now but know for a truth that no way can we terrifie them more than in our march against them Sithens then my opinion is thus delivered lead us forth directly to Babylon CHAP. IIII. How Cyrus challenged the King of Babylon to come into the field and then making a league with Gadatas wanne the fortresses of the Frontiers and augmented his forces with a number of fortie thousand And how the king of Assyria would have surprized and taken in the Castles of Gadatas THv s they set forward and by the fourth day reached as farre as to the utmost marches of Gadatas his country But so soone as Cyrus was entred within the enemies land he ordeined to have in battaile ray about his owne person both of foot and horse as many as he thought sufficient The residue of the horsemen he permitted to make rodes and to raunge abroad charging them to kill whomsoever they found in armes but all the rest togither with the cattell that they tooke to bring unto him alive The Persians with the rest he commaunded to harry and over-runne the country Many of them came backe againe such as had tumbled downe from their horses and were falne and many brought away rich booties with them Now when the whole pillage was before him he assembled all the Chieftaines of the Medes and Hyrcanians the Homotims likewise of Persia unto whom he made this speech Gobryas my good
onely necessarie for every mans private use but profitable many times in publike occasions Well then whatsoever is requisite for food and sustenance yee that are the leaders of the armour-bearers see that yee enquire of those that be under you And regard must be had that nothing be forgotten which any one wanteth For need we shall have of such As for all those things which I commaund that the draught beasts should have yee that are the Masters of the Carriages with the bag and baggage see thereto and looke who hath not the same compell them to provide Yee that be overseers of the Pioners for making of the waies even and passable before the army have already for that purpose those that I enrolled to wit out of the darters archers and slingers such as I cassed and put out of their places And therefore those of the late darters yee shall enforce in this warfare to doe service with an hewing axe for to cut wood such as were archers put them to serve with a spade and the slingers with a mattocke These Pioners then thus furnished yee must compell to goe before the waines by severall troups togither that if there bee cause to make wayes and causies yee may presently goe to worke and that my selfe if I need any mens helpe may know from whence to fetch them for my use I will have also with me copper-smiths and black-smiths carpenters and shoomakers or leather-cutters with their tooles such as be of full age for warfare to the end there be â—o want of ought that requires the help of such artificers in an armie And these verily shall be freed and exempt from the raunge of armourâ—bearers and having a certaine place appointed for them shall according to their skill serve all commers for their money Furthermore if there be any merchant disposed to follow the camp minding to â—ell any wares and commodities let him have allowance of victuall during those 20. dayes before named but in case he be found selling ought else in that time hee shall forfeit and lose all he hath But after these dayes be expired he may sell what he will at his pleasure And looke which of all these merchants or tradesmen is knowne to furnish the mercate best with wares of all sorts hee shall both at my hands and mine Allies also be best rewarded and advanced Now if any such person thinketh that hee wants money to merchandize and trade with let him bring unto me such as know him well and sureties to be bound and to undertake for him that he will goe with the armie he may take what we have in our coffers Thus doe I punctually deliver my mind and professe the same And if any man seeth ought else that is requisite and needfull to be done let him acquaint me therewith As for you goe your waies and get togither your bag and baggage whiles I sacrifice for our happy out-fare And when our devotions shall be well performed wee will give you the signall And let every man bee ready with the premises at a place appointed under their owne colours And yee that are the Leaders when yee haue put your Company in array shall repaire all to me that yee may each one take his severall place Which they hearing addressed themselves for the journey CHAP. VII How Cyrus marched against his enemies in Lydia The manner he used as well in encamping as in leading his whole Armie CYRVS then sacrificed and for that the inwards of the beasts shewed good lucke he did put himselfe on the way with his armie The first day he pitched his tents in the neerest place he could find to this end that if any man had forgotten ought he might goe backe for it or if he found that he wanted any thing he might provide it And Cyaxares verily staied at home in Media with the third part of his Medes because his countrey should not bee disfurnished of souldiers but Cyrus went forward with as swift a march as possibly he could In the vaward he placed his horsemen and before them he sent out alwaies certaine avantcurriers and spies into the coasts and quarters lying forward such as were meetest to discover Next after them he led the carriages But when he came into any plaine and open ground he made many ranks and rowes of wagons and carriages Behind these followed a great battalion of footmen raunged foure square to the end that if any carriage dragged behind such Captaines thereof as came formost and espied them might see to it that they were not hindred and stopped in their march And where ever there was an over-narrow and streight passe the armed souldiers received the same baggage within them and went on either side therof Also if there chaunced to be any let by the way impeaching the passage certaine souldiers were appointed beside to goe thither and remedie all But for the most part in this march they kept this order that every companie had their owne carriage with them For commaundement was given unto all the carriers that every one should goe close unto his owne companie unlesse some important accident fell out to the contrary Moreover every carrier went afore having the watchword of his owne Centinier such as to all the souldiers of that companie was well knowne And therefore they kept their way close and round togither whiles every one did his best that none of their owne fellowes should be left behind And so doing they needed not to seeke one another and therewith were all things hard at hand in more safety whiles the souldiers throughout the host had every thing sooner and readier Now the Avantcurriers and Spies that were gone before supposing they saw men in the plaines getting forage and wood perceiving also draught-beasts to draw other things and feeding the whiles and by discovering the coasts more remote when they spied as they thought any smoake rising or dust raised on high by all these signes understood that the enemies armie was somewhere neere at hand Wherefore the Captaine of these Spies dispatched presently one of purpose to give intelligence thereof unto Cyrus Vpon which advertisement he commaunded that they should remaine still in the same place of espiall for to signifie unto him from time to time what new occurrent they saw Moreover he sent out a Cornet of light horsemen into those parts before them with commission to doe their best for to intercept some or other of them about the plaines that he might learne the truth more certainly Who did as they were appointed But Cyrus himselfe bestowed the rest of his forces in their severall quarters to provide whatsoever he thought necessarie before he approched the enemies too neere And first of all he willed them to dine then to abide in their owne stations and so to have an eye unto that they were commaunded When they had taken their dinner he called togither the Captaines of the horsemen footmen
as he may seeme worthy of commaund and government THE SEVENTH BOOKE CHAP. I. How Cyrus entred the field with his puissance Approched King Croesus to give him battaile The manner that both armies used to fight with their best advantage THESE Captaines then having made their oraisons to the Gods departed to their Ensignes But unto Cyrus and the Gentlemen of his traine whiles they were yet about offring sacrifice the servitours brought both meate and drinke And Cyrus even as he stood after consecration of the first essay tooke his dinner and ever gave part to him that most wanted who also when he had performed the complements of libations and prayed withall dranke himselfe and so did all the rest that were about him Which done having besought Iupiter the protectour of his native countrey to vouchsafe him his guidance and helper hee mounted on horsebacke and commaunded all the rest to doe the same Now were they all that attended upon Cyrus armed as he was to wit in purple tabards corslets and head-pieces of brasse with white crests and with swords every man also with a javelin of corneil wood Their horses were bard with frontlets poictrels and side peeces of brasse Of the same matter likewise were the greives that every man wore This onely was the difference of Cyrus his armour from the rest that whereas their harneis was vernished over and laid with a golden colour his glittered like a Crystall mirour When he was once mounted and sat still a while looking to his way that he was to goe it thundered on his right hand in token of good whereupon he said Thee will we follow most mighty Iupiter And so he did set forward having on his right side Chrysantas Generall of the horse with his men of armes and Arasambas Colonell of the footmen on his left Hee gave commaundement also that they should cast an eye to the maine Standard to keepe even pace and to follow in order Now this Ensigne Royall that he had was a golden Spred-Eagle displaied upon a long speare And at this very day the King of Persia retaineth the same standard But before they came within sight of the enemies he caused the Armie by resting thrice to refresh themselves And by that time that they had marched out-right twenty stadia they began to descrie their enemies power to approach and come forward against them Now when they were all evidently seene one of another and the enemies determined on both sides to environ the battalion of footmen afront them they stood still with their owne maine battalion For otherwise there can be no encompassing round and then wheeled about therwith for to enclose the enemies in the minds to the end that when they had embattailed themselves on both sides after the forme of the Greek letter Gamma they might every way fight all at once Which albeit Cyrus saw well enough yet staied he never the more for it but led still as before and perceiving how far off the enemies stretched out on both sides the wings and points of their battaile Marke you not Chrysantas quoth he where the enemies begin to fetch a winding compasse Yes very well saith Chrysantas and I mervaile much thereat For me thinks they distract the points very farre from their owne maine battaile yea and from ours too quoth Cyrus I assure you And why so said Chrysantas because quoth he lest if their wings were neere unto us and their owne maine battaile farre remooved wee might charge upon them But how can they then afterwards helpe one another said Chrysantas when they be so farre asunder It is evident quoth Cyrus that their purpose is when their wings have proceeded so farre as to flanke us and to stand against the sides of our host then to turne short againe as it were into squadrons and so at once on every side to set upon us But what thinke you saith Chrysantas is this their policy good or no Good quoth Cyrus in regard of that which they see but in respect of that which they see not they hurt themselves more then if they should assaile us afront point to point But you Arsamas quoth Cyrus goe softly before the Infantery like as you see me to doe And you Chrysantas semblably as he doth follow close with your Cavallery As for me thither will I goe where I thinke it best to begin the battaile yet withall as I passe by view I will and consider how every thing stands with us After I am thither come and when wee are at the very point to encounter I will begin to sing the Paan and then see that yee all second me But when we buckle and joyne fight with our enemies yee shall soone perceive For there will be I suppose no small shouts and escries And then shall Abradatas with the chariots charge upon his opposites For he shall have word and direction so to doe Then must yee follow on as neere and close as you possibly can to the Chariots For by this meanes shall we fall upon our enemies when they are most in disorder I will my selfe also be present in person and by Gods helpe with all speed pursue them When he had thus said and withall pronounced this Motto Iupiter Saviour and Guide he advanced forward And as he rode on betweene the Chariots and the Corfelettiers ever as he spied any orderly in their Companies he would one while say thus unto them Oh how it doth me good my souldiours to see your faces Another while to others Goe to Sirs Thinke that this present fight is not onely for this dayes victorie but in regard of that also which heretofore yee have atchieved yea and for all felicity whatsoever As he came to some he would use these words From this time forward we shall never have cause to blame the Gods for they have put into our hands the meanes to attaine to many and those goodly chievances But yet wee must my good souldiours play the parts of valiant men To others againe such a speech as this he would use What more gawdy feast could we possibly bid one another unto than to this For now the opportunity we have bearing our selves manfully to stead and benefit passing well one another many wayes To another Company thus would he speake Yee know I suppose my souldiers that these rewards are now proposed to wit unto winners To chace to wound to kill to be possessed of goods to gaine renowne and fame to enjoy freedome to commaund and to rule But unto Cowards what else but the contrary Whosoever therefore loveth himselfe let him enter battaile and fight as I doe For with my good will no example shall I give of cowardise nor admit of any lewd and dishonorable act Moreover as he came to some of those who had served with him in the former battaile he said As for you my douty souldiours what need I to speake unto you For yee wote well enough what
by those who followed at the wing and as many there were who flying from them were intercepted and caught up by the Chariots Abradatas also for his part slacked no time but crying alowd Follow me friends follow mee spared no horse-flesh but by pricking his Steeds drew blood of them good store And with him the rest of the Chariotiers made a violent impression upon them Then immediatly the enemies Chariots fled from them some taking their riders with them others leaving them behind But Abradatas passed directly through them and violently assayled the Phalang of the Aegyptians and togither with him they also who stood embatteled next did set upon them And as many waies else it is cleere that there is no battaile more strongly arraunged than that which consisteth of friends assembled to fight togither so at this time that companie of his about him shewed no lesse For they were his familiar friends and companions at his table that stucke close to him and joyntly charged the enemie The rest of the Chariotiers when they saw how the Aegyptians with a strong troupe stiffely abid the shocke withdrew themselves toward the Chariots as they fled and followed after them But Abradatas his companie where they had once broken in because the Aegyptians could not give backe by reason of those their fellowes who stood thicke about them on every side look how many they encountred directly in their way with violence of horses they slew and overthrew and as they fell trampled and crushed in pieces themselves their armour their horses and wheeles whatsoever the yron sythes of the chariots tooke hold of they violently cut in twaine as well harnois and weapons as men In this tumultuous medley that cannot be expressed in word it fortuned that Abradatas for that his chariot wheeles were flowne off by reason of so many confused heaps of all sorts fell out of it with others besides that accompanied him in this exploit who having borne themselves with him in fight right manfully were there slaine and left dead in the place The Persians following hard after rushing thither where Abradatas his companie had made the overture disranked the enemies and killed them outright But the Aegyptians where they stood still in good order not disarrayed and these were many in number advanced directly forward all a-brest against the Persians where there was a hote and fierce conflict pell-mell with launces chasing staves and swords And to say a truth the Aegyptians had the ods as well in number as in weapon For they bare stiffe and long Launces which even at this day they use shields also which covered their bodies much more than the brestplates and bucklers of the Persians and helped them somewhat else to punch and shoove from them fitted as they were to their shoulders And therefore locking their targuets togither they went on and thrust from them But the Persians were not able to sustaine their force considering they carried their light bucklers of wicker at armes end but softly retired foot by foot giving and taking blowes untill such time as they gate close under their fabricks aforesaid When they were thither come the Aegyptians began to have the worse and to be wounded afresh from the Turrets They then who stood behind in the rere would suffer neither Archers nor Darters to flye but lifting up and bending their swords at them forced them both to shoot arrowes and also to fling darts Hereupon grew a great carnage of men and a mightie noise and clattering as well of armours as of casting weapons of all sorts togither with a wonderfully cry whiles some called to their fellowes others encouraged them to fight and a third sort cryed unto the Gods for their helpe Meane-while Cyrus who had pursued in chace those that stood against him came and seeing the Persians put backe and lose ground he grieved at it perceiving also that by no other meanes he could sooner stay the enemies from preassing still forward than by wheeling about and riding at their very taile he commaunded his men to follow him and so rode hard upon their rereward Thus they assaile and wound them behind yea and kill many of them looking another way Which when the Aegyptians perceived they cryed That the enemies were hard at their backs and withall amid their wounds were faine to turne head upon them and make resistance Then fought horsemen and footmen one with another And there it fortuned that one being falne under Cyrus his horse as he lay trampled under foot with his sword stabbed the horse in the bellie whereupon the beast winsing and flinging out with his heeles for paine of the wound never rested untill he had cast and overthrowne Cyrus But here a man might have seene what a worthy matter it is for a Prince to be loved of his subjects For presently they all did set up an outcry and with exceeding violence fought togither right manfully Here was thrusting to and fro here were blowes given and taken reciprocally But one at length of Cyrus his guard alighting from his owne horse mounted him thereupon Now when Cyrus was gotten up he might by that time see the Aegyptians beaten downe on every side For both Hystaspas was come already with the Persian Cavallery and Chrysantas also Howbeit he would not suffer them any longer to run upon the Aegyptians battalion but commaunded from without to discharge arrowes and darts at them Now after he had ridden all about untill he was come unto the fabricks he thought good to get up into one of the turrets to espy whether any other companie of the enemies stood to it and fought in any place When he was once aloft he saw the whole field and plaine before him full of horses men and chariots soâ—e flying others chacing some winners others losers to wit the enemies running away and his owne men having the upper hand And verily of those that were discomfited he could see none any more but onely the Aegyptians Who being driven to a streight cast themselves round into a ring so as their armour was onely seene and they set close covered under their shields And now verily nought did they else but abide many and grievous extremities Cyrus then wondring at them and pitying their distresse to see so hardy and valiant men to die caused all those to retyre that charged them on every side not permitting one of them to fight any longer He sent withall an Herault at Armes unto them demaunding whether they would all of them perish for their sakes who had betrayed them or rather save their owne lives with the reputation of brave and valourous soldiers Vnto whom they answered And how can we be saved and yet reputed 〈◊〉 souldiers Then Cyrus said againe For that yee are the men alone whom wee see to abide by it and willing to fight it out But from henceforth replyed the Aegyptians By what good and notable Action of ours may wee possibly be
saved In case quoth he yee deliver up your armes into our hands and joyne with them in amitie who when it lies in their power to destroy you choose rather to save your lives Which when the Aegyptians heard they asked this question Say we enter into league and friendship with you In what manner would you carry your selfe to usward Then answered Cyrus I will doe well by you and looke for the like at your hands as of true liege men And what good turne is that said they which you will deigne us Whereto Cyrus made this answer I will give you better pay during the warre than â— this time yee receive But if there be a peace concluded as many of you as list to tarry with me I will endow with lands to occupie and Cities to inhabitâ— I will bestow upon them wives and houshold servants Which when the Aegyptians heard they intreated him to except this onely in the Capitulation that they might not be compelled to beare armes against Croesus For him a lone said they we acquit of all fault As for all other Articles they agreed unto and therewith plighted their faith and troth interchangeably And even at this very day the posteritie of those Aegyptians who then stayed with him continue firme and loyall unto the King and yeeld alleageance to him Vnto whom Cyrus gaue Cities both those in the higher country which in these dayes be called the Aegyptians Cities and also Larissa and Cyllene neere to Cumes by the Sea side which be yet held peaceably in possession by their issue and off-spring When Cyrus had atchieved these exploits he withdrew his forces even when it was darke and encamped in the Thyribarians country CHAP. III. How Cyrus following the traine of his victorie forced the Citie Sardes and 〈◊〉 King Croesus prisoner The discourse that he held with him as touching the Oracle of Apollo And how hee did set him at â—bertie and saved the said Citie from saccage IN this battaile the Aegyptians alone of all the enemies bare themselves courageously and wonne renowne and of those on Cyrus side the Persian horsemen seemed to performe the bravest service In so much as that manner of armour which Cyrus caused them to be made for the men of Armes continueth still in credit and price to this very day Also those sythed Chariots were in high esteeme so that even in this age the King who reigneth in those parts reteines the use alwaies of that warlike kinde of Chariots The Camels onely affrighted the horses and did no other hurt For as they that rode upon them slew none of the horsemen so were not they killed by the horsemen because there was not an horse that came neere unto them And even that was thought then to doe good Howbeit there is no valiant man of any worth and qualitie willing either to keepe a Camel for his saddle or to practise fight and service from their backs Thus therefore being come againe to their wonted manner and fashion they are employed onely as beasts for carriage As for Cyrus his souldiers after they had supped and appointed their Sentinels betooke themselves as meet it was to their nights rest But Croesus upon this overthrow immediatly fled with his armie to Sardes the other nations departed and tooke the way homeward every man reaching so farre as possibly he could by night The morrow morning when day appeared Cyrus led his power forthwith directly to Sardes And no sooner was he come to the walles of the Citie but he planted his Ordnance and bent his Engins of Artillery intending to give an Assault thereto and prepared ladders to skale Whiles he was busied hereabout he caused the Chaldaees and Persians the night following to get up unto those munitions and bulwarks of the Sardians which seemed most steepe Now he that guided them was a Persian one who had beene a servant to a garrison souldier within the Castle of the City A man that had learned both the descent downe to the river and the ascent also into the Castle But when it was once knowne that the said high fortresse was surprized the Lydians all abandoned the wals and fled every man whither he could Cyrus by the breake of day entred the City and gave commaundement that no man should breake his ray or quit his place But Croesus being shut close within his royall Palace cryed out unto Cyrus Howbeiâ— Cyrus leaving a strong guard about him went in person to the Castle that was newly wonne Where seeing how the Persians kept the Piece as requisite it was and the Chaldaeans armour no where to bee seene for runne downe they were to rifle and ransake houses presently he called their Captaines togither and commaunded them with all speed to avoid out of the Armie For I cannot quoth he endure to see them that breake order and forsake their ranks to enrich themselves with pillage above others And know yee this assuredly quoth he that I had determined with my selfe to make you that serve with me such as all the Chaldaees might report to be happie But now mervaile not all if some one stronger than your selves set upon you as yee depart from hence Which the Chaldaees hearing were so strucken with feare that they besought him to lay downe his anger saying they would restore all the money and goods which they had taken To whom Cyrus made answer that himselfe had no need thereof But if yee would have me saith he to cease my displeasure and indignation Bestow all that yee have gotten vpon them that kept the Castle For if the rest of the souldiers shall perceive that they who forsake not their ranks and stations gaine greater commodities than others all will goe well on my side And even so did the Chaldaeans as Cyrus commaunded And as many as had behaved themselves obediently received much money and goods of all kinds Now when Cyrus had pitched tents for his owne souldiers in that place of the City wherein hee thought most commodious for them to abide in armes hee gave commaundement that to supper they should goe Thus having set all things in order he commaunded that Croesus should be brought unto him No sooner saw hee Cyrus but he said All haile my Lord and Master For this is the name that Fortune hath graunted both you to use from henceforth and me also to call you by And you likewise quoth Cyrus All haile ô Croesus since we both of us are mortall men But would you my Croesus quoth he giue me any Counsell I would to God saith hee ô Cyrus I could deuise some good thing for you For I might thinke that the same would be gainefull and commodious to my selfe Then quoth Cyrus listen O Croesus what I shall say Whereas I see my souldiers spent by taking exceeding paines and plunged into many daungers thinke now that they hold in possession the richest Citie in all Asia next to Babylon I judge them worthy to receive some
drunke that they are not able any longer to stand on their feet and to goe forth upright Againe this was one custome of the countrey whiles they were in any journey neither to eate nor drinke the while ne yet to be seene openly by the way to doe any of those things which necessarily ensue upon meat and drinke And surely at this day they observe indeed that order precisely to forbeare such matters but they make so small journeyes that no mervaile it is if they forbeare also such needfull businesses In old time they used to goe on hunting so often as that their very hunting alone was a sufficient exercise both for horse and man But after that King Artaxerxes and his minions began to set their minds overmuch upon drinking wine they neither went themselves to hunt any more as they had done nor yet trained others forth to hunting Nay they openly envied yea and hated them as better men than they who could abide to take paines and with their horsemen went forth a hunting The custome that their children should be brought up about the Court remaineth still I must needs confesse at this day but to learne the feat of riding and to practise the same that is quite laid away and extinct because they converse not where they may come to reputation And whereas children by hearing causes afore-hand pleaded and decided were thought to learne justice that fashion is cleane altered and perverted For they see evidently those to goe cleare away with any matter who give most Furthermore children in times past learned the natures and vertues of those simples which spring and grow out of the earth thereby to make use of medicines holsome as also to avoid what was hurtfull And now they seeme verily to teach the same still but it is how they may doe most mischiefe thereby Thus it commeth to passe that in no place in the world there be more killed or miscarry by poysons than there Againe much more addicted they are now to dainties than in Cyrus his daies For then however they tooke to the fine robes and trim apparell of the Medes yet they used ever the Persian discipline and continence now they neglect the paines taking and enduring of travaile which came from the Persians and suffer it quite to die but they embrace and retaine still the effeminate wantonnesse of the Medes And here I am disposed to lay open their delicate life For in the first place it is not enough to have their beds made soft under them but their very beds feet I would not else must stand upon tapestry to the end forsooth that the bare floore might not make resistance but the carpets somewhat give backe againe Of the fine pastry works and baked meats served up to the table they have abridged none of the old inventions but now they devise still every day more than other And even so doe they in other boyled and rosted viands For in both sorts they entertaine those Cooks that evermore invent new Furthermore in winter-time they thinke it not enough to cover their heads bodies and feet onely but they have for their hands also and their very fingers ends furred mittins and shag-glooves In summer the shade neither of trees nor of rocks and hils will serve their turnes But within them they devise other bowres and artificiall shades besides to coole them And verily who can get the greatest number of drinking cups they take themselves to bee no small men but passing well furnished and adorned Now in case they come indirectly by them and by wrongfull meanes they never bash at the matter nor thinke it any shame For injustice and filthy lucre is rise among them and growne unto an excessive head Moreover in former times it was the manner of the country that no man should be seene openly to goe a journey on foot for no other cause but that they might proove most skilfull and expert in horsemanship But now what with saddles and saddle clothes they hang more furniture on their horsebacks than upon their very beds Neither passe they so much for skilfull riding as they do for soft sitting And now to come unto their martiall feats stands it not to very good reason that they should come farre short of that which was in old time whose manner it was in those dayes that if they held any land in fee of the King they should finde horsemen out of it and those served abroad in the wars And as for such as lay in garrison for defence of the countrey the while if there were any necessity of warre-service they had wages allowed them well and truly paid But now adayes Sergeant-porters and doore-keepers Pantlers Bakers Cooks Butlers Cup-bearers and groomes of the Baines Sewers to set meats upon the bourd and to take away Groomes of the Chamber for to bring men asleep and to waken them againe neat fellowes to anoint to paint to rub to trim and tricke up the carkasse to set every thing about the body point device by art and number all these be they that the great Magnificoes have made their men of armes to serve at all assayes and take horsemens pay And truely these make a goodly shew for number and multitude but in the warres I assure you there is no use of them at all And that appeareth well enough by the events that ensue thereof For yee shall have enemies sooner than friends conversant in their land And verily Cyrus when he tooke his horsemen from among the light skirmishers afarre off and furnished them with compleat armour and their horses likewise giving every one of them a launce in his hand brought in the close fight at armes end But now neither doe they skirmish lightly and aloofe with the enemie any more nor yet joyne and cope together Semblably the footmen in these dayes have their light bucklers their short courtell-axes and cimiters to serve in the warres and to fight close as they did in Cyrus his time howbeit even these will not willingly so much as come to buckle at handfight Neither use they their hooked chariots in that sort as they were ordained by Cyrus For he advancing and honouring his Chariotiers made them good souldiers and had them upon all occasions prest to assaile armed enemies But the Persians in these dayes knowing not what they be that are upon the said Chariots thinke one as good as another and those that be unpractised able to equalize the trained A certaine kind of onset and charge they give I must needs say but before they come among the enemies either they willingly drop out of their chariots or else leap forth of purpose Whereupon the Chariots and teemes both being abandoned of their drivers and rulers do many times much more hurt unto their friends than to their enemies Certes they being privy to themselves and knowing well enough how slenderly they be appointed for the warres withdraw their heads out of the field neither dare