their Leâ—der as in time of warre for he both hunteth himselfe and also taketh order that others also should hunt the reson is because this exercise seemeth to bee an exercise that most truly doth resemble warfare For it inureth them to rise early in the morning and to endure both heate and cold it traineth them to travell on foote in their mâ—rch yea and to run Againe of necessity they must shoot and dart at the wilde bâ—â—st where soeuer he hapneth to encounter them yea and oftentimes in hunting their courage 〈◊〉 not chuse but be quickned and whetted namely when any of these fell beasts shall be presented vnto them For when the same approacheth neere strike they must and withall in any wise avoid such as violently make head So that all things considâ—red there cannot lightly be any feat in warre which is not seene in this wilde chase When these goe forth on hunting they haue for their dinner a larger allowance somewhat as good reason is than the Boyes have howbeit in other respects alike During the time that they be hunting dine they may not and say it fall out so that they must stay long for the game or that they will for their pleasure otherwise continue the 〈◊〉 and tarry by it still with this their dinners allowance they make their supper and 〈◊〉 morrow after hunt all day vntill supper-time and so these two dayes they 〈◊〉 but for one because they spend but one dayes proportion of food Which they 〈◊〉 of purpose to accustome themselues that if the like occasion should happen in warrâ— they might bee able to performe the same And looke what venison they of this age and growth get that have they for Cates to their bread but if they speed not they must take vp with bare Cresses Now if any man thinke they haue no pleasure in feeding thus because Cresses be their onely Cates to their bread and as little in dâ—inking for that they drinke nothing but sheere water let him remember how favory is barly meale and dry bread to him that is hungry and how sweet it is to drink sheere water when a man is dry As for these companies which remaine at home among other exercises that they practised when they were boyes they give themselues to the â—eate of shooting and darting In making matches also continually and striuing one to excell another they spend the time There be also certain publique games for these masterâ—â—s and prizes withall proposed for the winners And in what Tribe there proue to bee the greatest number of most skilfull hardy and trusty persons in this kinde their Provost not onely for the time being but hee also who trained them vp in their boyes age is highly praised and honoured of the people therefore Moreover these young men who tarry at home the Magistrates still employ in case there be need of any gâ—ard or of serch for the finding out of malefactors likewise of heui-and cry for the intercepting or apprehension of theeves and in one word about the execution of any service that requireth either maine strength or speedy expedition Thus much of young men and their imployments Now after they haue passed these ten yeeres in this wise they come to be reckoned men of perfect age and so for the space of fiue and twenty yeeres from this their youth forward they spend after this manner At the first they give attendance as the young men did vpon the Magistrates what need soeuer the Common-wealth hath of such service especially as is to be performed by those that are both for wisdome and knowledge and also for courage and strength yet sufficient And if they must vpon some occasion goe to the warres these men who have thus farre proceeded vse no more either bowes and arrowes or darts and javelins to be launced from them but such weapons and armour as be called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. meet for close fight to wit wearing a cuirace for the defence of the brest bearing in their left hand a light Targuate such as the Persians be portrayed with in their pictures but in the right hand a sword or Cymiter And of this ranke consist all the Rulers except the Preceptors of the boyes abouesaid Who by the time that they have spent these twenty five yeeres may well be somewhat above fifty yeeres of age and therefore then they be accompted of their ranke and number who both indeed are and also bee called Seniours These Auncients goe now no more to warre out of their owne countrey but remaine still at home imploied in deciding and dispatching of all causes as well publike as priuate These likewise determine iudicially matters of life and death They have the election also of all Rulers and Magistrates And if any one of the younger sort or of the middle and settled age be slacke in observing the lawes him whomsoeuer he be the Tribunes or Presidents of each Tribe and company or any other person else that will doe present And these Elders when they haue heard the cause displace the said party who being thus removed out of his ranke leadeth all the rest of his life in disgrace and infamy But to the end that the whole Common-wealth of the Persians and the forme thereof may more evidently appeare now will I returne and ascend a little higher For by reason of that discourse which hath already beene made I shall be able to declare the same very briefely The Persians are said to be in number about one hundred and twenty thousand and none of them all by law vncapable of honourable dignities and Offices of State Yea and lawfull it is for all the Persians to send their children to the common schooles of Iustice. Howbeit they onely doe send who are able to keepe them otherwise in ease and doing nothing but such as cannot so doe never send them thither And verily these Children who haue had their Institution by the publike Schoole-masters may lawfully among the young men passe their youth forward But such as haue not bin so taught may not once come amongst them They also who haue conversed with other young men and performed their parts as the law requireth of them are allowed to step higher vnto the fellowship of those men that are come to full age to be partakers also with them in Magistracies and dignities But such as have not liued and continued out their time among the boyes or young persons abovesaid are never admitted into the society of the middle aged men Moreouer as many as have passed their compleat time without blame and reproufe among those of full and perfect yeeres be promoted vnto the order and degree of the Auncients And thus are they ordained Seniours when they have gone through all good and honest functions And truely this is that forme of policy and government which as many as vse be reputed simply the best men and most vertuous And even at
the Commons I exhort you that yee will arme your selves in this battaile to strive for the better with these Gentlemen so well brought up And now no doubt quoth he are these Gallants overtaken already in this triall with us the Commons To this effect spake Pheraulas There were also many others beside who rose up and accorded to both their speeches Whereupon there passed a Decree That every man should be honoured and rewarded after his owne worth and Cyrus to be Iudge thereof And thus verily proceeded these matters CHAP. VIII The feats of armes that Cyrus his Captaines practised in exercising their Companies MOreover Cyrus invited also upon a time a whole Centurie togither with their Centinier to supper by occasion that he had seene him to divide his Companie into two parts and to set them in battaile ray one side against the other ready to skirmish armed as they were on both sides for defense with brest-plates and bearing in their left hands light bucklers But for offense he gave unto the one halfe in their right hands good round bastons signifying to the rest that they should take up clods and fling them at their opposites Now when they stood thus arraunged and appointed he gave them the signall to combat Then the one part threw from them their clods at the other and hit them some on the brest-plates and bucklers others upon the thighs and boots But when those were once come to close fight who had the wasters abovesaid they laid about them and basted the other well some on their thighs others about their hands and armes others also over their shinnes and legges yea and if any of them stouped for to take up clods they would be sure to lay upon their necks and backs At length the waster-men put the others to flight pursued them and beat them throughly with much good laughter and pastime Others also for their parts againe would in like manner take wasters in hand and serve them so who fought with flinging clods Cyrus admiring as well the witty devise of the Leader as the due obedience of the Soldiers for that they were at once both exercised and also emboldened and seeing withall those gaine the better who counterfaited the Persians armour and weapons being much delighted with this sight bade them all to supper and espying in his pavilion some of them with their shinnes and legges others with their armes and hands bound up he asked them what they ayled who answered that they had beene hurt with clods then demaunded he of them againe whether they caught their hurt when they met close togither or when they were farre asunder they made answer when they were farre asunder but when wee came to close-hand-fight said the Wastermen we made most pleasant pastime and sport Sport cried out the other who had beene well basted with the bastinado We for our parts found no such sport when we buckled togither thus to be cudgelled and with that shewed on their armes hands and necks yea and some of them upon their faces the dry blowes of the bastons which they had received And then verily they laughed heartily one at another as they might well enough The day following the whole field was full of men who assayed to imitate these in this manner of fight and when they had no other weightier affaires in hand they practised evermore this kinde of game Moreover Cyrus having espied on a time another Centurion leading his Centurie one by one from a river to dinner and when he saw his time commanding the Caporalls to bring forward the hindmore band the third likewise and the fourth in to the front also when as now the Caporals or Leaders of the said bands were all afront how he bade them to double their fyles and lead every band by two and two And so thereupon the Decurions brought forward their men afront accordingly And when he thought it good againe how he gave charge to lead their bands by foure and foure in ranke whereupon the Quincurions went forward with their souldiers so as that the band marched foure and foure in ranke Also how after they were come once to their Pavilion doore hee led the formost band in commanding them to march two by two in ranke willing withall the second to follow hard after in the very taile of the other and having given the like charge to the third and fourth how he led them in And thus as he brought them in how he caused them to sit downe to their meale even as they entred Cyrus I say wondering at this Captaine for his mildnesse his dexteritie in teaching and diligence withall invited this hundred also to supper with their Centinier Now there being then in place a certeine other Centurion that was bidden to supper But invite you not my Centurie quoth he ô Cyrus into your Pavilion and yet when he is at supper he doth the very same every way when supper also is done and the meeting dissolved the last Leader of the reare band bringeth forth his crew having the last verily set formost in array against they should fight then after them he likewise that leadeth the taile of the second crew and semblably the third and the fourth to the end that when they are to be led away from the enemies they might know how to retire Furthermore if we addresse our selves for a running march and be disposed to journey whensoever we set out toward the Sun-rising I my selfe lead the way and the first band goeth formost then the second keepeth his place as is meet the third likewise and the fourth in order as also the Decuries and Quicuries of every band so long as I bid them But when we march toward the West or Sun-setting then the Caporall of the reare band and with him those that be last lead in the front and yet they obey me neverthelesse comming behind in the very taile that they may be accustomed as well to follow as lead with like obedience And what quoth Cyrus Doe ye alwaies practise this Yea Sir I assure you quoth the said Captain so often and as duly as we go to our suppers I invite therefore you also saith Cyrus partly for that you yonder traine your souldiours so precisely to keepe order in going and comming in marching on and retiring and partly because you practise so to doe both by day and night and withall not onely exercise your bodies by journeying but also profit your minds by teaching And now for as much as yee doe every thing double good reason it is that we semblably make you double cheere Not so for Gods sake saith the Captaine unlesse you give us also two bellies apeece And thus brake up their meeting in his Pavilion The morrow after Cyrus reinvited this Centurie to his Pavilion according as he had said overnight and so the day following Which when the rest perceived they all from that time forward
you never fled from us You also King of Armenia have away with you both your wife and children without any ransome at all that they may know they come unto you free And now verily for this present take your suppers with us and when yee have supped Depart whither yee list So they stayed But after supper whiles they were yet in the pavilion Cyrus questioned in this manner Tell me Tigranes quoth he what is become of the Gentleman that was wont to hunt with us For you highly esteemed him Why quoth he hath not this my father here put him to death Of what offense said Cyrus was he convict Hee laid to his charge quoth he that he corrupted me And yet my deere Cyrus so good a man he was and so honest that even then when he was to die he called unto mee and said Bee not you greived Tigranes and offended with your father in that he mindeth to take away my life For he doth not this in any malice but of errour and ignorance And what trespasse men upon errour doe commit I suppose is done against their wils At these words said Cyrus Alas good man that he was But the Armenian King turning unto Cyrus spake in this wise Neither doe those good Cyrus who take other men naught with their wives pursue them therefore to death for that they make their wives more wanton and unchast but because they thinke they steale away their hearts and quench that love which they owe unto them in which regard they proceed against them as very enemies And even so Ielous was I and envied that man because me thought he was the cause that my sonne admired and esteemed him more than my selfe Then Cyrus So God me love good King of Armenia as I thinke your fault was no other than any man would have done Therefore Tigranes pardon your Father for this Gentlemans death Thus having at that time discoursed lovingly entertained and embraced one another as meet it was after this reconciliation they mounted upon their carroches togither with their wives and so with great joy departed CHAP. III How Cyrus tooke Tigranes with him in his traine and went to assaile the Chaldees upon the mountaines WHEN they were come home some made report of Cyrus his wisedome others related his patience and sufferance one spake of his mildnesse another of his beautie and goodly tall presence Whereupon Tigranes asked his owne wife and said How now my Armenian Ladie Seemed Cyrus in your eyes also a faire and beautifull personage In good faith quoth she I never looked upon him Whom then did you behold said Tigranes Even him I assure you quoth she who said That with the price of his life he would redeeme mee from captivitie And then as meet it was after such matters as these passed they tooke their rest togither The day following the Armenian King sent unto Cyrus and the whole armie gifts and tokens of hospitalitie He gave warning also to his owne subjects such as were to goe to warfare for to be ready against the third day following As for the money whereof Cyrus spake he payed it downe double But Cyrus when he had taken of it so much as he required sent backe the rest and demaunded withall whether of them twaine would lead the armie The sonne or himselfe Whereunto both of them made answere the father in this wise Even hee whom you shall commaund but the sonne after this sort as for mee ô Cyrus I will not leave you no though I should follow you hard at heeles as a Campe drudge Hereat Cyrus laughed heartily and said And how much would you be content to give for to have your wife heare you are become a Campe slave and to carry fardels Shee shall never need quoth he to heare that For I will bring her along with me that shee may see what ever I doe But now said Cyrus it were time for you to trusse up and be furnished every way for this journey I make full accompt quoth Tigranes that we shall shew our selves in readinesse with whatsoever my father hath allow'd And so for that time the soldiers after gifts of friendly entertainment bestowed upon them went to rest The next day Cyrus taking to him Tigranes with the best and most select horsemen of the Medes as many also of his owne friends as he thought convenient rode abroad to view the country of Armenia devising where he might build a fortresse And being mounted up to an hill top hee asked Tigranes which were those mountaines from whence the Chaldees used to make rodes downe into the plaines and so to drive away booties Which when Tigranes had shewed unto him he asked againe whether those mountaines were now without companie and unfrequented No verily quoth he for they have alwaies certeine spies and Sentinels who signifie to the rest whatsoever they discover And what doe they saith he when they have notice of any thing Every man saith Tigranes makes what hast he can up to the hill tops for to help and succor When Cyrus heard this and withall beheld the country all about he might perceive that a great part thereof lay as wast ground to the Armenians and untilled by reason of the warres Then for that time returned they to the armie and after supper tooke their repose and slept The morrow next ensuing Tigranes shewed himselfe ready and well appointed having raised a power of foure thousand Horsemen with ten thousand Archers and as many Targuatiers But whiles these forces were a levying Cyrus sacrificed and seeing the entrails of the beasts to be faire and fortunate to him he called togither the Leaders both of the Persians and of the Medes and in the presence of that Assembly made this speech My welbeloved friends These mountaines that we see belong to the Chaldaees which if we may first be masters off and on the top of them build a fort and plant our garrison of necessitie as well the Chaldaees as the Armenians will demeane themselves loyally toward us As for our sacrifices they betoken all good on our side and as touching mans alacritie and humane meanes nothing will so much help the same forward to the atchieving of this exploit as expedition For if we can climb up the hils before the enemies assemble their power we shall either gaine the hill tops wholly without any resistance or else skirmish with our enemies when they are but few in number and feeble in strength No labour therefore can be easier and more void of daunger than if presently we be resolute in celeritie and quicke dispatch Arme your selves therefore on all hands As for you the Medes march on our left hand but yee the Armenians goe one halfe of you on the right side and the other halfe lead the way in the vaward before us Yee that bee horsemen follow behind in the Rear to incite and put us forward up the hill neither suffer yee any one faintly to draw backe When
there himselfe supped with him For he tooke delight in his presence and company In regard of which affection and diligence of his he was highly esteemed of Cyrus and of others in the Court likewise for Cyrus his sake When guests invited to supper came Cyrus placed them not one with another hand over head without respect but whom he vouchsafed most honour him did he set on his left hand because the same hand is more exposed to daunger of wait-laying that the right the second in dignity he placed on the right hand the third againe on the left hand and the fourth on the right If there were any more he marshalled them in the same order And he thought it very expedient to declare how he honoured each one For where men suppose that he who surpasseth others in worthinesse shall receive neither praise nor prize evident it is that there is no emulation among them who shall excell But where the best is seene to be in the highest place and to have the precedency of the rest there doe they all with exceeding alacrity enter into open strife and contention And Cyrus verily after this manner shewed who were of greatest authority and reputation with him beginning first with the order of their sitting with him and standing about him Howbeit he would not that any man should challenge that place then assigned as his owne for ever but he brought up this custome as a law that according to their good and vertuous deeds they should be advanced to an higher degree of honour and as any one demeaned himself more basely he should come down to a lower place For Cyrus thought it would redound greatly to his owne shame in case any person promoted to the highest roome in sitting should not be seene abroad for to enjoy many ornaments and favours by him And as in Cyrus time these matters were thus carried so in these daies we understand the same order holdeth still When they were at supper Gobryas thought it no wonderous matter that every thing was served up unto Cyrus in so great plenty being a Prince so puissant and the Ruler over so many but he mervailed rather at this that having afchieved so great exploits if any toothsome and deinty cates came before him he would not enjoy the pleasure thereof alone but take the paines even to intreat his friends about him for to receive part thereof Nay he saw him many a time to send unto some that were absent such deinties as haply he had a speciall mind unto himselfe Whereby it came to passe that after they had supped themselves Cyrus would send from the very table one way or other all the dishes as many as they were whereat Gobryas I was of opinion heretofor◠quoth he ô Cyrus that you surmounted all other men in military affaires and in leading an armie but now I protest and sweare by the Gods that in my conceit you excell farre more in humanity than in martiall prowesse So it is in truth quoth Cyrus and verily a greater pleasure it is unto me for to shew the deeds of courtesie than of chivalrie And how so quoth Gobryas because saith Cyrus these must of necessity be seene in doing hurt unto men the other in doing them good After this when they had drunke moderately Hystaspas propounded this question unto Cyrus and said Sir will you not be offended with me if I aske you that which I desire to know No verily quoth Cyrus but contrariwise I would be displeased with you if you kept that in which you were minded to aske Tell me then I pray you quoth he whether at any time I came not to you when you called for me Oh quoth Cyrus no more of that let us have no such words Nay but was I any whit slacke said Hystaspas in comming to you No neither quoth Cyrus Commaunded you me at any time that which I performed not accordingly I can find no fault with you answered Cyrus And whatsoever I did could you ever perceive me to doe it not cheerefully nor with delight and pleasure No I assure you quoth Cyrus For herein of all other I can least find fault with you What is it then For the love of God quoth he and wherein hath Chrysantas so prevailed with you that hee should be preferred to a more honourable place than my selfe Shall I tell you the reason saith Cyrus what else quoth Hystaspas And will not you be angry quoth Cyrus when you heare the truth No verily saith Hystaspas but rather very glad will I be if I may know that I am not wronged Goe to then saith Cyrus you shall understand This Chrysantas here first and formost never expected untill I sent for him but was alwaies present to attend and follow our affaires before he was called Againe he did not that onely which he was bidden but whatsoever himselfe knew expedient for us to be done that did he Moreover if at any time a matter was to be delivered by speech unto our Allies and Confederates whatsoever he thought decent for me to say therto he would advise me But whatever he perceived I was desirous that our Associats should know but yet upon a bashfull modesty loth my selfe to utter unto them hee would declare the same in such termes as if it had beene his owne opinion So that in these cases what can be alleadged to the contrary but that he is more carefull for my good and commodity than mine owne selfe Furthermore this is his saying that he stands alwaies contented with his present fortune as sufficient for him but for me he sheweth himselfe provident and forecasting in my behalfe what good I may have by any thing added to my estate To conclude in my welfare he taketh more joy and pleasure than I doe my selfe At these words Hystaspas said Now so love me Lady Iuno as it doth me good at the very heart that I demaunded those questions of you And why so especially◠I pray quoth Cyrus because saith he I will endeavour what I can to doe the same But for one thing I know not what to doe namely how and in what sort I might shew my affection when I rejoyce in your good fortune and welfare Whether I must clap my hands or laugh or what else I should do Hereat Artabazus you ought then quoth he to daunce the Persian daunce At which they all laughed a good Now as the banquet went on still and they began to drinke more liberally Cyrus demaunded of Gobryas Tell me Gobryas whether are you more willing now to bestow your daughter in marriage upon one of these Gentlemen than at your first acquaintance with us And will you give me also leave quoth Gobryas to say a truth Yea verily saith Cyrus For no question needs to be answered with a lye Why then saith Gobryas know for certaine That much more willing I am now than heretofore And can you render a reason why quoth Cyrus Yea that I can
as to admit Suiters vnto the presence of Astyages and to put backe such as he thought came out of season and not meet to have accesse But Cyrus as a child not smaying at all nor abashed at the question readily came upon him againe with a reply And why Grandfather quoth he set you such store by this Sacas Then Astyages answered merrily in this manner 〈◊〉 thou not quoth he how deftly and featly he doth his office for the Cup-bearers of these Kings be very neate and fine in powring in the wine with a singular grace bearing the Cup also with three fingers so handsomely that as they deliuer it into the hands of him that shall drinke thereof hee may receive it with greatest facility Why quoth Cyrus commaund Sacas good Grandfather to put the Cup likewise into my hands that I also serving you with wine right decently may if I can win your grace and favour Whereupon Astyages willed him to give the Cup unto Cyrus which when he had received he rinsed it as featly as he had seene Sacas doe it and so with a setled countenance hee brought it to his Grandfather and gave it him so curiously with such a seemely gesture that he set both his Mother and Astyages alaughing full heartily And Cyrus himselfe taking up a laughter for company ran unto his Grandfather and kissed him saying with all Thou art utterly undone Sacas for I am like to thrust thee out of thy honorable place For as in other respects I shall powre out wine better than thou so when I do it I will not drinke it off my selfe For these Kings Cup-bearers when they present a cup of wine powre some of it forth into a taster which they hold in their left hand and so take the assay and drink it off to the end that if they had conveyed poyson into the Cup they might not escape themselves without a mischiefe Hereupon Astyages minding to make some sport with Cyrus And why quoth he unto him dost thou imitate Sacas in all points else but drankest not the wine as he did Because said he I feared that poyson was mixed therewith in the goblet For when upon your birth-day you feasted your friends I perceived evidently that he powred forth unto you all very poyson And how knewest thou that quoth he my Sonne For-sooth said Cyrus because I saw you distempered both in body and minde For first looke what ye forbid us children to doe that did yee your selves yee did set up a cry and howted all at once together yee fell to singing and that very ridiculously and whom yee heard not to sing at all ye would not sticke to sweare that he fung passing well Moreouer when every one of you bragged of his owne strength and valour no sooner rose yee vp to daunce but so farre were yee from keeping the measures that unneth ye were able to stand vpright on your feet So that yee all forgat your selves you that you were a King and the rest that they were your subjects And then learned I first that this which you then did was that very liberty of free speech which alloweth every man to speake indifferently his mind And to say a truth your tongues neuer lay still Why quoth Astyages then Tell mee my sonne when thy father drinketh wine is hee not drunken otherwhiles No truly answered Cyrus But how doth he order the matter quoth Astyages that he continueth sober Truly saith Cyrus he drinketh so as that hee allayeth his thirst onely and in so doing other harme hee feeleth none For hee hath no Sacas I trow Grandfather to fill him wine Hereat inferred his mother and said What is the reason my sonne that thou art so heauy a friend to Sacas and thus set against him To tell troth said Cyrus because I hate him in my heart for many times when I am desirous to runne unto my Grandfather this fellow most lewd and wicked varlet as he is puts mee backe But I beseech you good Grandfather giue mee the command ouer him but three daies And after what sort said Astyages wilt thou exercise thy authoritie vpon him Stand I will quoth Cyrus in the very entry where he is wont to stand and when he would come in to dinner Backe Sirra will I say There is no ingresse for you yet unto your dinner My Grandfather is busie in giving audience unto certaine persons Againe when he commeth to supper I will say Hee is now bathing of him And if I see that very faine he would eat I will tell him that my Grandfather is even then with the Ladies Thus will I doe untill I have put him off like as himselfe useth to delude and delay mee keeping mee backe from accesse to your presence Such prety sports as these ministred Cyrus at the table all supper while But in the day time if he perceiued that either his Grandfather or Vnkle by the Mothers side had a minde to any thing hard it was for any other to prevent him in effecting the same For exceeding glad was Cyrus to gratifie them in any service to his power CHAP. III. How the Queene Mother Mandane returned into Persia and Cyrus abode behind in Media where he gave himselfe much to Horse-manship and feates of Armes and with his owne hand killed many wild beasts NOw when Mandane addressed her selfe to returne unto her husband Astyages besought her to leave Cyrus with him But shee made this answer againe That willing shee was indeed to satisfie her father in all things howbeit she thought it hard to leave the childe behind her against his will Then Astyages directing his speech to Cyrus my sonne quoth he if thou wilt tarry here with me First and formost for accesse to me thou shalt not be beholden to Sacas nor at his appointment But whensoever thou art disposed to enter into my chamber it shall be as thou wilt thy selfe and the oftner that thou shalt repaire unto me the more thanke will I conn thee Againe mine owne horses shall be at thy commaund yea and others as many as it pleaseth thee to use And when thou wilt depart take with thee which of them thou list Besides at thy suppers use thine owne diet and take what course thou wilt unto that which thou thinkest to stand with moderate sobriety Moreover I bestow upon thee all wild beasts that now be in my Parke and others will I get together for thee of all kinds which so soone as ever thou hast learned to ride an horse perfectly thou shalt chace at thy pleasure and by shooting and darting overthrow like as tall and mighty men are wont to doe Furthermore I will appoint certaine young Gentlemen to bee thy play-feers And in one word whatsoeuer thy mind stands to say but the word to me and thou shalt not faile but have it After that Astyages had thus said to Cyrus his mother asked him whether he would stay or depart who without any study
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
weapons abovesaid Now when the same were in good forwardnesse and almost ready the said Peeres were by that time come with the armie sent out of Persia. Whom Cyrus after he had assembled together spake by report unto them in this wise CHAP. II. The speech that Cyrus made unto the Chiefetaines of all his hoast for to incite their souldiers to take the harneis and armes that Cyrus had prepared for the Persians MY friends seeing as I did your selves in armes so well appointed and in hearts so resolute as men ready to joyne in close fight with the enemies knowing withall that the Persians who follow you are not otherwise armed than to skirmish a farre off I was not a little affraid least yee being few in number and abiding the shocke of a battayle destitute of those that were to second you and falling upon your enemies so many in number should haply incurre some hard extremity But now considering yee are hither come with such able and manly bodies as cannot be found fault with and that they againe shall have the like armour unto yours it remaineth onely that for your parts yee whet and quicken their hearts For it is the office of a Captaine not onely to shew himselfe hardy but also to endeavour effectually that his souldiers undr him may prove right valiant When he had thus said they rejoyced all verily for that they thought they should have many more to accompanie them in fight but one of them above the rest delivered also these words I shall be thought peradventure to speake wonderous absurdly if I should advise Cyrus to say ought in our behalfe what time as they shall receive their armour who are to fight with vs against the enemies For this I know that whosoever be most able either to doe a good turne or to worke mischiefe their words enter deepest into the hearts of the heareâ—s Such men also if they bestow any gifts although they be lesse than those that come from equals yet the receivers doe much more prize the same at their hands Semblably the Persians now in case Cyrus should exhort them would joy farre more than if they were exhorted by us And being admitted into the order of the Petres they will account the preferment more assured and the benefit better worth if it proceed both from a Kings Sonne and also from a Lord Generall than if by our meanes they were advanced to the very same place of dignity And yet ought not we to faile in performing our parts accordingly but by all â—â—mes wee can encourage these men and give an edge to their stomacks For the more valorous that these prove the better it will be for our selves Cyrus therefore having thus laid downe the armour aforesaid in the mids of the open place and called together all the Persian souldiers made unto them such an oration as this CHAP. III. The exhortation of Cyrus unto the Persian souldiers to put on the armour that King Cyaxares had prepared MY friends yee that are Persians as yee were borne and bred up in the same region with us and are in bodie besides framed nothing inferiour to us so it is meet that your minds also be not worse then ours And albeit such ye are indeed yet in our native countrey yee were not in equall estate and condition with us not for that yee were by us put by but because yee were enforced to provide necessaries Now both I by the leave and power of God will take order that yee shall have the same degree and your selves also if yee be so disposed using the same armes that we doe how ever otherwise in meaner place than we are may enter upon the same daungers with us and upon the archievement of any noble and worthy exploit receive the like guerdon to ours Heretofore yee were archers and darters as well as wee In which manner of service if yee carried not your selves equall to us it is no marvaile For why yee had not time to practise these feats as wee had But in this kind of armature here we shall have no vantage at all ever you For every one of you shall have a curace fitted for his brest a light buckler in his left hand as wee all were wont to carry and in his right an arming sword or battle axe wherewith we are to smite our enemy that standeth opposite unto us and need not feare to misse whensoever we offer to strike What is it then considering this manner of fight wherein one of us should passe another unlesse it bee in boldnesse and courage which yee ought to shew as well as we And as for victory whereby all good things and excellent are both gotten and kept what reason is there that we should desire it more than yee To speake of Soveraignty which giveth all away to the Conquerours from them that be conquered why should it concerne us more than you to seeke therefore To conclude then saith hee yee have heard all and see the very armour Take every man what he needeth and is fit for his body and then give his name to the Captaine of some company for to be enrolled in the same degree and ranke with us But whosoever is content with the place of a mercenary souldier let him remaine still in such armes as are meet for servitours unto others CHAP. IIII. The ordinances that Cyrus made for the exercise of his souldiers and to keep them in all obedience THese were the words of Cyrus which when the Persians had heard they made this account that worthy they were from that time forward to live all their dayes in penury and want if being thus called to take paines alike for to enjoy therefore like availes they would not accept thereof Whereupon they all entred their names and being once registred tooke every man his armour But all the while that the enemies were said to be comming neere at hand and yet appeared not in sight Cyrus endeavoured both to exercise his souldiers bodies in such feats as it might gather more strength to teach them also to set their array and embattaile yea and to whet their stomacks against warre-service But first of all having received ministers and officers from Cyaxares he commaunded them to furnish every souldier sufficiently with all things needfull Which order being taken he left them by this meanes nothing else to doe but to exercise onely martiall deeds seeming that he had learned and observed thus much that they became alwaies in every point most excellent who leaving to busie their heads to deale in many things gave their minds to one worke onely and no more Nay more than so even of military exercises cutting off their training to the use of bowes arrowes and darts hee left them nought else to practise but to fight with sword buckler and brest-plate whereby it came to passe that immediately he imprinted this opinion in them that either they must buckle with their enemies close
turne him fled up to a certeine hill top for to save himselfe Which Cyrus likewise seeing with the power he had about him laid siege to the hill round about He sent also to Chrysantas willing him to abandon the Keeping of the foresaid mountaine and to come unto him Meane while that Cyrus his armie assembled he sent unto the Armenian King an Herald by whom he demaunded these questions Tell me directly King of Armenia whether you will remaine there still to wrestle and fight with hunger and thirst or come downe into the plaine and fight it out with us The Armenian King answered that he would fight with neither Then Cyrus sent eft-soones and asked in these termes Why then sit you there and come not downe Because quoth he I am to seeke what to doe But you neither need nor ought to doubt replyed Cyrus For you may come downe to plead your owne cause And who shall be our judge saith the King Who but he saith Cyrus unto whom God hath given power without forme of law and judiciall processe to use you at his pleasure The King then considering into what streights he was driven descended from the hill top Then Cyrus having taken both him and all other things also that he had into the middle space betweene environed them round within his tents For now by this time had he all his forces about him At this very instant the Kings eldest sonne Tigranes who before-time had accompanied Cyrus in hunting was newly returned from a certeine journey And hearing what occurrents were falne out went directly even as he was to Cyrus But so soone as he saw his father and mother his brethren sisters and his owne wife captives he wept as good reason he had Cyrus when he beheld the man used no other complement of courtesie and entertainment but thus said unto him Come you are in good season that you may be present to heare your fathers cause tried And therewith immediately he assembled together the Chiefetaines and Rulers as well of the Persians as of the Medes He called likewise to this Councell as many of the Nobles and Honorable persons of Armenia as were present The very women also being there in their Carroches he excluded not but admitted them to the audience of his cause Now when he was provided accordingly and saw his time turning to the King of Armenia thus began he to speake First quoth hee ô King of Armenia I advise you in the deciding of this matter to speake the truth that you may be cleere at least of that one thing which of all others deserveth most hatred For this would I have you to wit well That to be taken with a lye is the greatest barre that men can have against obtaining of grace and pardon Moreover even your children and these women here your wives many Armenians also that be in place are privie to you of all that which you have committed Who if they perceive you to speake otherwise than truth will thinke that you judge your owne selfe worthy to suffer all extremities when I shall once finde out the truth Propose then quoth he ô Cyrus what questions you will For utter the truth I shall come of it what will Why then quoth Cyrus Answere directly unto me Made you warre at any time upon Astyages my mothers father and the rest of the Medes I did said he And when you were vanquished by him Did you not covenant and accept of these conditions Imprimis to yeeld him tribute Item to aide him with men in his warres whensoever he gave you warning and lastly to hold no fortresses in your realme It was even so indeed answered hee Now therefore why have you falsified your faith and neither tendred your tribute nor sent a power for aide but have walled your forts Because saith he I was desirous of liberty For I thought it a noble thing both my selfe to be free and also to leave the same freedome to my children Certes quoth Cyrus a worthy matter it is for a man to endeavour that he may never come into bondage but if one either defeated in war or otherwise brought into servitude be taken practizing to revolt and shake off alleageance unto his Lords tell me you first doe you honour him as a good man and behaving himselfe well or punish him as a trangressour after you have taken him Surely I punish him quoth he For you allow me not to lye Then answer me plainely and punctually quoth Cyrus to these Interrogatories If any man in place of authority and commaund under you doe offend and deale unjustly suffer you him to beare rule still or appoint you another in his roome I place another saith he in his stead And say such an one be very wealthy and full of money permit you him to be rich still or bring you him to poverty I take from him quoth the King whatsoever he hath If you understand that he fall away from you and taketh part with the enemie what doe you to him then I put him to death said he For why should I die convicted of leasing rather than confessing the truth Then his sonne hearing these words plucked in peeces the Turbant from about his owne head and withall rent his mantell and upper garments The women also piteously cried out and tare themselves as if both father had beene even then condemned and a dead man and all of them besides undone for ever But Cyrus willing them to be silent said thus againe Well be it so I have enough These bee just and rightfull courses in your owne practise ô King of Armenia But what would you counsell us hereupon to doe The Armenian held his tongue as being doubtfull whether he should advise Cyrus to put him to death or teach contrary to that which he said himselfe did But his sonne Tigranes demaunded of Cyrus and said Tell me Cyrus because my father seemeth to stand in suspence whether I shall advise you concerning him what I thinke will be best and most expedient for you to doe Cyrus having observed well enough what time as Tigranes used to hunt with him that he entertained a certaine learned man who was very familiar and in wonderfull esteeme with him desired greatly to heare what hee could say and therefore bad him speake his mind boldly If you approve saith Tigranes either the designes by my father intended or the acts by him already done I advise you in any hand to imitate him but if in your opinion he hath altogether faulted I would give you counsell not to follow him Then quoth Cyrus If I doe right I may not in any wise take him doing thus amisse for an ensample True said Tygranes By your reason then inferred Cyrus I must punish your Father in case it stand with justice to chastice a man that doth wrong Yea but whether thinke you it is better ô Cyrus quoth Tigranes to proceed unto punishment with your owne good and profit or to your
replyed Cyrus Can ye put in any pledge for our assurance that yee speake the truth Wee will say they forthwith ride away and even this night bring hostages with us for your better securitie Onely doe you assure us in the name of God and give us your right hand that we may make report to others what wee have received from you Then hee faithfully promised them that if they performed bona fide what they had said he would use them as his trusty and assured friends neither would he ranke them inferiour in place either to the Persians or to the Medes And even at this very day a man shall see the Hyrcanians put in trust and bearing office of state as well as Persians or Medes such as are thought of best worth After they had supped Cyrus led forth his armie before day light was gone and commaunded those Hyrcanians to give attendance there and to march onward togither with him As for the Persians they all in generall as requisite it was speedily came forth and Tigranes also with his owne Regiment Of the Medes some entred this journey for that having beene children when Cyrus was a child were now become his friends others because they had beene his companions in hunting and were much delighted in his good behaviour some againe in token of thankfulnesse unto him because he seemed to have delivered them out of great feare others also upon good hopes that seeing hee bare himselfe so valiantly hee would prove afterwards a fortunate and mightie Prince There were besides divers of them willing now to doe him some reciprocall pleasure and service for the good turnes which hee had procured unto any whiles hee was brought up among the Medes And verily as he was of a kinde and courteous nature he had procured for a number of them at his Grandsires hands many favours Last of all a great sort of them after they had seene the Hyrcanians and heard a rumour spred abroad that they would be their Leaders to bring them unto great wealth went forth for to get somewhat Thus the Medes in manner all followed him unlesse they were such as hapned to be of the Domesticall traine of Cyaxares For these onely remained togither with those that were their vassals and followers As for all the rest full gladly and cheerefully they did put themselves forward in this journey not I say as men constreined but as meere voluntaries and who to gratifie him of their owne accord went forth When they were now abroad upon the way first hee commeth out unto the Medes whom he praised and prayed withall Imprimis that the Gods would vouchsafe to be propitious guides both to them and his Item To graunt him such favour as to bee able to render unto them condigne recompense for this their affectionate love unto him In conclusion hee gave order that the footmen should lead the march and then he commaunded the horsemen to follow Moreover if in any place they rested or stayed in their journey he charged that some should ride unto him to know from time to time what was expedient to be done After this he willed the said Hyrcanians to lead formost Who asked him in this manner Why Sir tarry not you and expect untill wee bring our hostages that you also having taken pledges of us for the better securitie of our troth may then set forward And he by report made this answere Even for that I consider we doe all carry the assurance of our faith no otherwise than in our hands and hearts For at this point and thus provided seeme wee to be that if yee be true of your word unto us we have sufficient power and meanes to doe you good but if yee be false and deceive us we take our selves to be in that state as we need not be in subjection unto you but yee rather if the Gods will shall be thrall unto us and at our devotion And verily quoth he yee Hyrcanians because yee say your countrymen use to march hinmost therefore when ye see them once give us knowledge that they be of your nation to the end wee may spare them The Hyrcanians hearing this led the way as he commaunded and withall admired his princely heart and magnanimitie Neither stood they any more in feare of the Assyrians or of the Lydians or yet of any other their Allies and Confederates And as for Cyrus himselfe he supposed there lay matter of no small moment every way in them were they present with him or were they absent Now as they marched and night drew on reported it is that a cleere light shining from heaven appeared evidently unto Cyrus and his host in so much as they all conceived a reverent feare of the Divine power and a confident boldnesse besides against the enemies and for that they were lightly appointed and went apace by good reason they made that night a great journey and by breake of day in the very twy-light approched neere unto the Hyrcanians maine regiment Which when the messengers above-said perceived they signified unto Cyrus that those were their countrimen And hereof said they have we sure intelligence as well by their marching hinmost as by the number of fires which they make Whereupon hee sent one of these two unto them commaunding him in his name to deliver this message That if they were his friends they should with all speed come and meet him holding up their hands aloft Some likewise of his owne men he sent with him whom he commaunded to say unto the Hyrcanians That as his men should see them comming towards him so they also would doe the like againe Thus one of the messengers tarried still with Cyrus and the other rode forth to the Hyrcanians During the time that Cyrus waited to see what the Hyrcanians would doe he caused his armie to stay the march Then the Chieftaines of the Medes togither with Tigranes galloped hard unto him demaunding what they were to doe unto whom he made answere This troupe next unto us is the regiment of the Hyrcanians unto whom one of their messengers accompanied with some few of our men in gone for to signifie unto them that if they meane to be friends they should meet us bearing up all of them their right hands Wherefore if they so doe receive them yee every one in his place friendly giving them your right hands and bid them be of good cheere But if they either take weapon in hand or goe about to flie doe your best quoth he to dispatch them at first so as not one of them remaine alive These were the directions of Cyrus Meane-while the Hyrcanians having heard what the messengers said were exceeding glad and quickly mounting on horsebacke repaired toward them holding up their hands as they had warning so to doe Semblably the Medes and Persians did put forth their hands welcomed them and bade them take a good heart Then Cyrus Wee for our parts quoth he beleeve now and trust you
if you had respected me any whit you would have beene better advised and bereft me of any thing rather than of my honour and dignity For what boote gaine I by this bargaine to have my kingdome never so much enlarged and my selfe despised For in this respect ruled I the Medes not because I am better and worthier than they all but for that they reputed me every way worthier than themselves As Cyaxares thus spake Cyrus interrupted his speech and said For Gods sake good unkle If ever heretofore I have done you any pleasure gratifie me now I beseech you in that I shall request of you Make an end once of reprooving me and when you have made a proufe of us how loyally we stand affected to you if it appeare that those atchievements of mine were performed for your good embrace me as I do you and take me to be your well deserving friend If othertherwise then blame me and spare not Well quoth Cyaxares peradventure you are in the right And even so will I doe What then quoth Cyrus Shall I be so bold as to kisse you Yes verily if you be so disposed said he And will you not turne away quoth Cyrus as you did erewhile No said he And so Cyrus kissed him Which when the Medes and Persians with the rest and those were many saw For they were all in suspense what would come of this in the end they became immediately right glad and rejoyced Then Cyaxares and Cyrus both mounted on horsebacke and rode before The Medes followed Cyaxares their King For Cyrus beckened unto them so to do The Persians attended upon Cyrus After whom the residue followed in order When they were come to the Campe and had brought Cyaxares unto his Pavilion richly dight for him They who were appointed thereto provided all things meet and necessarie for him But the rest of the Medes all the vacant time before supper that Cyaxares had repaired into the Presence some of their owne accord others by commaundement from Cyrus and those were the greater number presenting unto him their gifts One a deft and faire Cup-bearer another a good and skilfull cooke Here comes in one with a baker another with a singing woman one brings drinking cups another gorgeous and trim apparell And for the most part every one gave him one especiall thing or other out of that which they had gotten In so much as Cyaxares began to retract and change his mind confessing that neither Cyrus had stollen away their hearts from him nor the Medes were lesse observant unto him than before When supper time drew nigh Cyaxares called for Cyrus and because it was long since he had seen him before requested his company at supper O good unkle quoth Cyrus will me not to doe that See you not all these here how by my impulsion they are come hither I should not do well therefore to neglect them and follow mine owne pleasure For thus it is quoth he Souldiers thinking themselves unregarded were they valiant before become much lesse courageous â—f cowards they grow far more insolent and malapert Your selfe therefore considering you have come a great way hither go now to your supper and if any doe you honour see you embrace and make much of them againe invite such I say and entertaine them with good cheere that they may have the more assiance in you hereafter As for me I will goe my wayes about such affaires as I said To morrow morning betimes all the principall men of employment shall be ready here before your roial tent to shew themselves to the end that we and you togither may consult what henceforth is to be done And you being then present in place put to question and deliver your own opinion Whether you hold it expedient to continue the warre or thinke it now a good time to dispatch the armie Hereupon Cyaxares went to supper But Cyrus calling to him such friends of his as were most sufficient both for wisedome and execution as need required made this speech or the like unto them My loving Friends what we first wished and praied for unto the Gods the same through their goodnesse wee have obtained For looke how farre we march on forward so much ground we get still Our enemies we see to be impared but our selves in number increased and in strength more puissant In case our Associats newly come would be willing to stay with us more powerable we shall be to effect any thing whether opportunity serve to winne the same by force or to gaine it by perswasion And therefore your part it is no lesse than mine to worke this feat that the greater number of our said Associats may like well of their abode here And as in fighting a field he that taketh most prisoners is reputed the hardiest souldier even so when counsell and policy is required hee that can draw the greater part to our mind ought by good right to be esteemed most eloquent in word and most valiant in deed Neither speake I this as if I would have you to premeditate and exhibit some formall oration which you may pronounce to every one of them but order the matter so that they who are by any of you perswaded may shew what they are by their deeds This I say is the charge which I would have you to thinke upon I for my part will endeavour diligently that the souldiers having what victuals and necessaries I can provide for them may deliberately resolve of this warfare and expedition THE SIXTH BOOKE CHAP. I. The counsell that Cyrus held about dissolving his Armie for that yeere The preparations which he made against the yeere next ensuing The Fabricke and Engins that he devised for to batter walles His chariots armed with pikes and sithes carrying turrets upon them Also the Camels which he provided for the warre HAVING thus spent this day and taken their suppers they went to rest The next day early in the morning all the Associates repayred to the Pavilion gates of Cyaxares And therefore in the time that he dressed himselfe royally to be seene as hearing that so great a multitude attended at the gates meane-while I say Cyrus his familiar friends brought with them some the Cadusians who desired him to tarry other the Hyrcanians Gobryas came with one and Sacas with another Hystaspes came with the Eunuch Gadatas who also requested him to stay Cyrus understanding that Gadatas was long since full woe and even out of the world for feare least the Armie should breake up smiling pleasantly upon him said It appeareth evidently ô Gadatas that upon the perswasion of Hystaspes you thinke as you say Then Gadatas stretching up his hands toward heaven devoutly sware That hee was not mooved thus to thinke by any inducement of Hystaspes But I know right well quoth he that if ye were gone my estate should utterly be overthrowne And therefore came I of my selfe unto him to aske the question what your resolution was
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
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
this happy life Even mine owne wife quoth he O Cyrus For of all good things of all delicacies and delightsome pleasures shee hath beene partaker with mee but of the cares about attaining thereto of warres also and battaile shee never had part with me And after the very same manner you also seeme to prepare me as I did her whom of all mortall wights I loved most entirely And thereby bound I am of dutie to offer yet more gifts and oblations unto Apollo in token of thankfulnesse These words of his when Cyrus heard he much admired the quietnesse of his minde yea and from that time forward whither so ever he went Croesus he had continually with him either for that hee thought to reape some good by him or because he supposed it would be best for his owne safetie and securitie And so for that time they went to theâ—â— nights rest The morrow after Cyrus calling to him his friends and the Captaines of his hoast some of theÌ„ he appointed to receive the treasures of Croesus to others he gave in charge that what money soever Croesus delivered into their hands first they should select out of it for the Gods such a portion as the Priests thought good to be taken the residue thereof to lay up in coffers and so to bestow in waines and then casting lots for the said waines carry it in to what place 〈◊〉 ever they went that as opportunitie served every man might take thereof proportionably to his desert And thus did they accordingly CHAP. IIII. The death of Abradatas of faire Panthea and her Eunuches Cyrus caused a goodly Monument to be erected for their perpetuall memorie THe next morrow Cyrus having called unto him certaine of his serjeants and officers about him Tell me quoth hee whether any of you hath seene Abradatas For I mervaile much that I cannot have a sight of him now who heretofore was wont to frequent our presence Then answered one of the said officers My Lord he is not living but slaine he was in the field what time as in his chariot he valiantly brake in among the Aegyptians All the rest of his companie save onely certaine of his familiar friends avoided by report the daunger and forsooke him when they once saw the strong troupe of the Aegyptians And now quoth he the speech goeth that his wife hath taken up his dead corps bestowed it in the very Carroch wherein shee was wont to ride and brought it somewhither hereabout to the river Pactolus They say also that his Eunuches and servants are a digging for him now dead a grave upon a certaine little hill and the woman her selfe sitteth on the ground who having dressed and adorned her husband with such things as she had holdeth his head resting upon her knees When Cyrus heard this he smote his thighs and forthwith mounting on horsebacke and taking with him a thousand men of armes rode to see this woefull spectacle Likewise he commaunded Gadatas and Gobryas to take with them what ornaments they could get befitting so friendly and valiant a man thus deceased and to seeke him out Furthermore if there were any one that had either any Heards Kine Oxen or Horses in his traine him he charged to bring them along with him yea and many sheep besides to drive to the place whereever he should heare that himselfe was to the end that the same might be killed and sacrificed in the honour of Abradatas his Funerall Now when Cyrus was come and saw the woman sitting upon the ground and the dead corps there lying he wept for very ruth of this hard fortune and said withall O valiant and faithfull heart Alas the while and hast thou left us and gone thy waies with that he tooke him by the right hand and loe the dead mans hand followed him For cut off it had beene by the Aegyptians and dissevered from the body with an arming sword which when he saw he grieved so much the more The Lady also setting up a pitious cry and taking the hand from Cyrus kissed it and fitted it againe as well as she could in the right place saying also The rest of his body O Cyrus is in the like case But what should you see and view the same And all this I know quoth she hath he suffred for my sake especially and perhaps nothing lesse for yours For I foolish and silly woman that I was used many words to encourage him so to carry himselfe as might beseeme your friend and one worthy of mens commendation And as for him I know very well he never considered what he did but how he might by any brave exploits and worthy service gratifie you Therefore he verily for his part hath had a noble and renowned death whereas I who exhorted him thereto sit here alive When Cyrus had continued a good while silent and weeping still at length hee spake and said This Knight Madame hath made an excellent end For he died with victory But here you shall take of me these things wherewith to adorne his body for both Gobryas and Gadatas also were in place and had brought with them good store of funerall ornaments and for the time to come know this that of other things to doe him honour there shall be no want Nay there be many of us that proportionally to our estare and degree will in memoriall of him erect a monument yea and in his honour killed there shall be whatsoever is convenient for so noble a personage Neither shall your selfe be forlorne and forsaken but in regard of your chastity and all manner of vertue besides as I will grace you otherwise so I will commend you upon trust to some one who shall bring you whithersoever you would Do but you say onely unto whom you desire to be brought Then Panthea set your heart at rest quoth she ô Cyrus For conceale I will not from you to whom I have a mind to goe When Cyrus had thus communed with her he departed pitying the woman who had lost such a husband and the man likewise who had leâ—t such a wife and should never see her more Then she having commaunded her Eunches to void untill such time quoth she as I have bewailed him my fill and as I would my selfe willed her nurse to abide still with her whom she streightly charged that after her selfe was dead she should wind both her husband and her in-one and the same shrowding sheet The nurse besought her most instantly not to commit such a deed Howbeit when she could not prevaile but saw her angry and much displeased with her she sat her downe and wept Then Panthea who a good while before had prepared a cimiter for the purpose killeth her selfe and reposing her head upon her husbands brest yeelded up her vitall breath With that the nurse skriked out aloud and enwrapped them both according as Panthea had given her in charge But Cyrus being advertised what a deed the woman had
to bee done Not so quoth Pheraulas as God love mee So farre am I from being such an one as you take mee that I am ready even to be a Porter also to carry bag and baggage among you For see how I bring here with me these two shag clothes of tapestry the one for you and the other for him there but take you the choise of them whereupon the partie that was about to receive the said saddle cloth forgetting all envie presently asked his advice whether of them he should take And when Pheraulas gave him counsell to lay hold of that which hee tooke to be the better If you will blame mee quoth hee for giving you the choise hereafter when I shall execute my function you shall finde mee another kinde of minister and unlike to my selfe now Thus Pheraulas having made this distribution as he was commaunded tooke order for all things that belonged to the solemne riding forth and pompe of Cyrus that every thing might be most handsomely and featly performed When the morrow was come all was made cleane and near before day-light And they stood by ranke and file directly in order on both sides of the way like as at this day they use to take their standing what way the King is to ride forth any whither neither is it lawfull for any to enter within these said ranks unlesse they were eminent and honourable persons There were also certaine Officers that stood with whips to beat those that made any mis-rule First and formost presented themselves those Pensioners of the guard to the number of 4000. with launces foure in ranke before the Court gates and on either side of the gates 2000. All the men of Armes likewise were present to shew themselves being alighted from their horses carrying their armes out of their sleevelesse cassocks as the manner is in these dayes to put them forth whensoever the King vieweth them Semblably on the right hand stood the Persians and the rest that were Associates on the left hand of the way After which manner were the Chariots placed halfe on the one side and halfe on the other Now when the Court gates were set open First were led forth goodly faire Buls foure by foure for Iupiter as also for other Gods as the Priests gave direction For the Persians are of this opinion that in the service of the Gods there are to be employed skilfull Artists much more than in any other occasions After these Buls were Horses led out for sacrifice to the Sun and after them was brought forth a white Chariot with a golden Spring-tree and the same adorned with Coronets and sacred this was unto Iupiter Behind which came the white Chariot of the Sunne set likewise with Crownes as the other before After it was led forth a third Chariot and the Steeds drawing it all trapped and covered with red Caparisons and behind it certaine men followed who upon a great pan carryed fire After all these rode Cyrus himselfe out of the gates all goodly to be seene in a Chariot with an upright turbant upon his head clad in a purple cassocke halfe white for none else may weare a garment halfe white and having about his thighs and legs breeches and stockings of scarlet dye but his coat of Armes was all purple throughout About his turbant aforesaid he had a Diadem the very badge and cognisance that all his kinsmen likewise be knowne by and even at this day they retaine the same Ensigne His hands likewise he did put forth out of his sleeves There guided his Chariot mounted hard by him his Chariotier a bigge man of stature yet nothing so personable as himselfe whether it were so in very deed or by some other meanes I wote not but however Cyrus seemed a much taller and goodlier person When they beheld him as he passed along they all adored him either for that some had a commandement to begin this manner of adoration or because they were ravished and amazed with the sight of so rich and stately aray or else for that Cyrus himselfe seemed to carry such a majestie and beautie in his personage True it is that before this time never any Persian had thus worshipped Cyrus After that Cyrus his Chariot was gone forth those foure thousand Pensioners marched before and two thousand on either side of the Chariot accompanied him Then hard after followed his Scepter-bearers on horsebacke bravely accounted with their Iavelins to the number of three hundred Moreover led forth there were about two hundred lere-horses richly to bee seene with golden bridles which were kept for Cyrus his saddle and those covered with streaked and party-coloured clothes After these marched two thousand launces and then the Cavallery first erected ten thousand in number arraunged throughout by hundreds who had Chrysatas for their Leader Next after followed another Regiment of ten thousand Persian horsemen in like manner appointed whose Commaunder was Datamas And in the tayle of them another troupe likewise conducted by Gadatas Behinde them the Median Cavallery next unto them the Armenians after whom the Hyrcantans then the Cadusians and after the Cadusians the Sacans horsemen all Now behind the Cavallery thus marshalled there followed the Chariots foure in ranke under the conduct of Artabates the Persian When Cyrus was now upon the way riding in this pompe very many there were that followed extraordinarily without the Colours preferring sundry petitions unto him To them therefore he sent certaine of his Mace-bearers for three there were on either side of his Chariot that accompanied him of purpose to informe and carry messages betweene to declare unto them in his name that whosoever had any request to exhibit unto him he should deliver his mind unto such Delegates as were deputed therefore under him For they quoth he will acquaint me therewith Whereupon they went away and immediatly turned to the men of armes consulting to whom each one should repaire But Cyrus when hee was disposed to have any of his favorites most honoured of the people would by a messenger send for them severally by themselves to come unto him and thus say Whensoever any of these here that accompany me in my traine informe you of ought if the matter that hee mooveth be frivolous give no eare nor take heed of his words but looke who seemes to preferre a just supplication make me acquainted therewith that upon deliberation in common togither we may dispatch such businesses with expedition And verily all the rest whensoever Cyrus called them obeyed and with all their might maine came riding unto him partly to amplifie all they could the Soveraine Majestie of his Empire and in part to shew their owne double diligence and obedience But one Darpharnes there was rude and ill bred above the rest who had this conceit in his head that if hee were not so forward in comming at his call hee should be reputed a jollier fellow
answered Gobryas Say on then quoth Cyrus Because quoth he I saw them as then to endure both paines and perils willingly but now I perceive they can beare prosperity wisely and with moderation And truely ô Cyrus in my conceit it is an harder matter to find a man to beare well the favouring than to brooke the frowning of fortune For of the one may grow pride and insolency in many but the other breedeth modesty and temperance in all How now Hystaspas saith Cyrus have you heard what an Apophthegme Gobryas hath delivered Yes that I have quoth Hystaspas And if he come out with many such sentences he shall have me sooner to become a suiter unto his daughter than if he shewed me many drinking cups And I assure you saith Gobryas Many of these and such like sayings of his I have put in writing of which I will not envy you the having in case you espouse my daughter As for drinking cups because me thinks you set no store by them I wote not whether you should doe well to bestow them upon this Chrysantas here because he hath stolen your seat from you Then Cyrus Certes Hystaspas and yee my friends here present If yee tell me when any one of you will in hand with marriage yee shall see in what good stead I also will stand you in your wooing Then Gobryas If a man would marry forth his daughter whom should he acquaint with that businesse Whom but me quoth Cyrus For I am passing good at such a feat What feat is that quoth Chrysantas even the skill to know what marriage is meet for each person Then for the love of God quoth Chrysantas Tell me what kind of wife will best fit me be most sutable to my person First quoth Cyrus a little woman because you are but little your selfe For if you should match with one of stature tall you must bee faine to leap up to her as these little dogs doe whensoever you would kisse her upright In good faith quoth Chrysantas very well considered of you For I am nothing made at all for leaping Then quoth Cyrus A woman with a flat nose were very meet for you And why so saith Chrysantas because quoth he your selfe are hooke-nosed For you know very well that flat noses and hooked will couch and close best togither Say you then quoth Chrysantas That when one hath supped well as I now have a wife that goeth supperlesse to bed were meet to lye with him yes verily quoth Cyrus For they that are full have round and copped bellies but their bellies be flat that are empty and have not had their suppers But can you tell me for Gods sake Cyrus what manner of wife is good for a cold King Herewith Cyrus laughed and so did the rest And as they were altogither set a laughing In this one point verily quoth Chrysantas I envie you especially in your royall estate And what is that saith Cyrus because quoth he being as you are so cold and dry your selfe yet you can make us all to laugh And would not you quoth Cyrus give a great deale to have these things told you and report made unto her of whom you desire to be so highly esteemed that you are pleasantly conceited Thus passed they the time skoffing and jesting merrily one with another Then Cyrus brought forth a sute of womans apparaile and ornaments thereto for Tigranes which he willed him to give unto his wife because she had borne her selfe manly in this expedition with her husband To Artabazus he gave a cup of gold and to the Hyrcanian Captaine a Courser with many other faire and rich gifts As for you Gobryas I will bestow upon you an husband for your daughter Then me you will give I trow quoth Hystaspas that I may have those written sentences of his Why quoth Cyrus have you any estate of your owne answerable to the dowry of the Damoisell Yea that I have quoth he God be thanked and the same worth much more money And where I pray you lyeth that wealth of yours Even there quoth Hystaspas pointing to Cyrus where you sit that are my friend And that is enough said Gobryas to content me And therewith presently he raught forth his hand and said Give me him Cyrus for I am ready to receive him Then Cyrus taking Hystaspas by the right hand gave him unto Gobryas who received him accordingly After this he bestowed upon Hystaspas many goodly gifts to send unto the young Lady his spouse and withall taking Chrysantas close unto him he kissed him Then Artabazus As Iupiter me helpe ô Cyrus quoth he that cup which you gave unto me and the gift which you bestowed upon Chrysantas be not both of the same gold But I will quoth Cyrus give you the like And when asked he Thirty yeeres hence quoth Cyrus See then quoth he you order the matter so and provide against that time as from whom I will expect so much and not dye in the meane while Thus for that present ended their feast and merry meeting When they were risen Cyrus also arose and accompanied them to the very gates CHAP. VII How Cyrus sent away his Associates into their owne countries distributed the spoyle and returned into Persia. How he ordered and marshalled his campe being arrived in Media where King Cyaxâ—ares offered him his daughter in marriage and gave with her for a portion the Kingdome of Media THE next day those Allies who came unto him as voluntaries he senâ— home every man except those that desired to dwell with him For he enfeoffed them in house and land to them and their heires for ever And verily the posterity descended from those who then stayed enjoy the same possessions to this day These for the most part were Medes and Hyrcanians When he had dealt away gifts among them at their departure and taken such order as neither Captaine nor souldier had cause to complaine hee dismissed them After this he distributed among his owne souldiers what money and treasure he got at Sardes To the Colonels verily over ten thousand men To the Serjeants and Servitours that attended about his owne person he gave peculiarly great and singular gifts according to the worthinesse of every one The rest he divided here and there amongst them all For having bestowed upon every such Colonell a part he charged them that according to the proportion which he had delivered unto them they should distribute likewise unto to others And verily the rest of the monies were bestowed so as every Captaine approved well of their owne Vnder Captaines But the last were divided by the Sizainieirs after they had made proofe of their private souldiers in their charge according as they found each one worthy And thus they all received that which was meet in equity Which largesse being done some there were who gave out of Cyrus these or such like speeches Certes he must needs have much treasure himselfe who hath given to
every one of us so liberally Others againe answered and said And what great thing is it that he hath It is not the manner of Cyrus to seeke wholly to be enriched but he taketh more pleasure in giving to others than in keeping for his owne use When Cyrus perceived what words men gave out and what opinion they had conceived of him he assembled his friends with all the men of action and quality and to this effect spake unto them I have seene ere now my good friends men in the world who would be thought to possesse more than they doe in deed supposing thereby to appeare more liberall But in my mind quoth he they come short of their reckoning and are haled away cleane contrary to their intent For when a man would be accoumpted rich and is not seene withall to benefit his friends after the rate of that wealth me thinks it is enough to set the brand upon him of base illiberality Againe there be others who would not be knowne how rich they are And they also in my judgement deserve but badly of their friends For by reason that their estate is unknowne oftentimes friends in their need acquaint them not therewith and making no mone unto them are deceived But I take this to be the part of the best plaine-dealing man to make his power and substance knowne and then accordingly to endeavour for to shew his goodnesse and honesty And therefore what riches of mine may be seene I am willing of my selfe to shew unto you and looke what can not be seene I will relate unto you by word of mouth Having thus said one part of his treasures which were many and faire he gave them leave to see the rest that were laid up out of sight he recoumpted unto them And in the end these words My friends This accoumpt yee ought all to make That these riches here are no more mine than yours For I doe not gather them either to spend them all my selfe or to weare them out which were a thing impossible but partly to have evermore about me wherewith I may at all times reward any of you as he performeth any brave service and partly that whosoever among you thinketh that he stands in need of ought he may come unto me and receive what he wanteth And there an end of these his words Now when he had well settled as he thought his estate in Babylon so as he might take a journey abroad he addressed himselfe to make a voiage into Persia and commaunded the rest to be in readinesse And when he supposed that he was sufficiently provided of all things needfull and requisite for such an expedition he remooved and tooke his journey But here I purpose to put downe how orderly his armie and traine so great as it was both in taking up their harbour by the way unpacked and discharged their carriage and at their setting forth againe trussed up bag and baggage as also how quickly they made stay and sat downe in any place as need required For where ever the King encampeth they all pitch their tents about him as well in summer as in winter And Cyrus verily at the first ordained that his owne Pavilion should be set so as it might have prospect into the â—ast then he appointeâ— how farre off from his Royall tent the Guard and Pensioners should quarter and have their lodgings After them he assigned for the bakers the right hand and for the cooks and victuallers the left He appointed for the horses of service the right side and for the other labouring and draught beasts the left Semblably all things else were digested so as that every man knew his owne place as well by measure as by the plot of ground Now when they dislodge and are upon their remoove every man packeth up such baggage as he is appointed to use Others there be againe ready to lay them upon the Sumpter beasts whereby it comes to passe that all the porters and carriers come together unto those packs and trusses that they are appointed to bring and every one at once layeth his owne stuffe upon his owne beasts So that the same time that serveth for the pitching and setting up of one tent is sufficient for all And at one and the same instant were all carriages discharged and laid downe likewise Moreover every man had his charge what to doe for purveying of victuals and all necessaries in due season so that one and the same time serveth for one part and for all to make provision thereof And as there was a severall place set by for the purveyours of necessaries meet for them so his armed souldiers in pitching of the campe had that quarter which was convenient for each kind of armature and munition They knew also which it was and in generall held and occupied it so as they never differed about it Certes even in a private house and family Cyrus thought it a speciall matter to be carefull for the order and fit placing of every thing in it For if one hath need of ought he is not to seeke whither to goe and where to find it but he supposed it was a much more excellent thing that in a campe the military tribes and regiments should be placed in good and convenient order For by how much the occasions in warre be more sodaine so much the greater is their delinquency who slacke any time and be tardy therein But in warfare he saw that exploits of great consequence were performed by those that were ready at hand in due time In which regard very diligent and carefull he was to have every thing placed fitly and in order First of all he tooke up a lodging for himselfe in the mids of the Campe because that place was strongest Then had he next about him as his manner ever was his trustiest men and round about them the men of armes and chariotiers For he supposed it needfull for them to quarter in a place of security because if any sodaine Al-arme be given in the Campe they have not use of their armes out of hand but their service requireth a long time ere they can be armed in case they meane to goe forth with them into the field for to doe any good Moreover on either hand as well the left as the right both of himselfe and of his said horsemen the lavelotiers with their light bucklers were planted but behind and before the Archers As for the souldiers heavily armed and such as bare massie targuets they compassed all the rest in manner of a wall to the end that when need was that the horsemen should make themselves ready these souldiers so well appointed standing afore them might abide the longest brunt and give them respit and time enough to arme in safety And like as those heavily armed souldiers lodged and slept keeping their order and array stil even so did the Iavelotiers lightly armed and the Archers That if any Al-arme were in the night