who before-time had approoved that Decree of honouring every man according to his worth him he calleth for and deviseth with him how he might make this progresse of his most acceptable to his affectionate friends and as terrible to his enemies Now when they both had considered well hereupon and were accorded in one and the same point hee gave Pheraulas in charge that this riding forth the next day might be ordered so as they thought it most decent and commendable For mine owne part quoth he I have given warning already that they be all obedient to you in the marshalling of this said solemnitie but to the end they may more willingly be ruled by you here take these coats to distribute among the Captaines of the * Or Pensioners Guard These saddle clothes besides of tapestry bestow upon the Leaders of the horsemen and these other liveries give unto the Rulers of the Chariots So Pheraulas received this furniture and carried it accordingly Whom when the Captaines and Rulers aforesaid saw You are become say they ô Pheraulas some great man now in that you are to direct us also in those things that are 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 neat 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 wither neither is it lawfull for any to enter within these said ranks unlesse they were eminent and honourable persons There were also certaine * As Tipstaves 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 * When they muster before him 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 oneside and halfe on the other Now when the Court gates were set open First were led forth goodly faire Buls * In ranke foure by foure for Iupiter as also for other Gods as the * Magi. 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 * Or Crosbred 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 * Or Hearth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 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 * Or Regall band 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 accoutred 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 * Or Pikemen 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 Hyrcanians 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 * Or Guiders Colours preferring sundry petitions unto him To them therefore he sent certaine of his * Scepter-bearers or Sâ—ave-bearers 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Mace-bearers for three
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 at hand-strokes or else confesse themselves to bee warre-fellowes of no worth But to acknowledge thus much was very hard and harsh to them knowing as they did that they were kept for no other purpose but in defence of those that gave them maintenance Furthermore weighing well with himselfe that men be much more willing to practise all those feats about which ariseth an emulation and contentious desire of victory he proclaimed games of price and triall of masteries among them in all those points that he deemed expedient for souldiers to put in ure Now the particulars that he ordained and published were these Imprimis for a private souldier that he beare himselfe hardy obey his Rulers and Captaines be willing to labour forward and prest to adventure yet so as hee keep order in his ranke expert in military affaires elegant and neat in his armour and in all such things desirous of praise and honour For a * That hath the leading of 5. souldiers Cinquenier that both in his owne person he behave himselfe as becommeth a valorous private souldier and withall performe to the uttermost of his power that the Quincury under his charge may be like unto himselfe For a * A leader of 10. Dizinier that semblably he tend his Decurie the * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Caporall likewise his band The * A Captain as I guesse over 25. or 50. Centinier his hundred For every Captaine beside that he not onely demeane himselfe without touch and blame but bee carefull also that other peti-captaines under him keepe those in good order whom they commaunded Now the rewards or prizes which he proposed were these For the Centiniers That as many of them as brought their Centuries to best proufe might be made * The leader of an hundred or a Centution Colonels For the Caporals * Leaders of a thousand that such of them as were thought to have trained their bands most sufficiently might succeed in their places who had beene Centurions In like maner that the best Decurions should be advanced to the rowme of Caporals and the Quincurions likewise to the leading of Decuries Finally that private souldiers such as excelled the rest should step into the Quincurions degree And verily all these Captaines gained this at first To be esteemed of those Companies whereof they had the rule then other honours consequently followed as were beseeming every one according to their calling Furthermore he made shew of greater hopes to such as were praise worthy if haply in time to come there should appeare any shew of farther commodity Hee proclaimed likewise rewards of victory to whole Centuries as also to whole Decuries and Quincuries according as they shewed themselves right * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 faithfull and * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 obedient to their Captaines yea and most ready to execute the services appointed unto them And such were their rewards as best befitted a multitude Thus much as touching these particulars which himselfe published and wherein the Soldiours were exercised Moreover he provided for them Pavilions for number as many as there were Centurions and for their capacity sufficient every one to receive a * A hundred Company and each Company contained one hundred Soldiers And thus pitched they their tents by the hundreds Of encamping thus and lodging together he supposed this commodity would arise unto them against any future battaile in that they saw themselves one with another kept and maintained alike In which regard none could have pretense of Cowardise for to shrinke or beare himselfe worse in fighting with his enemy as having smaller availes one than another This conversing also under one roufe he thought would make much for their mutuall acquaintance For in knowing each other he was perswaded they would bee all more abashed to doe amisse Whereas those who are unknowne like unto such as live in darknesse seeme in some sort more prone to commit wickednesse Againe it seemed unto him that by reason of this society in campe and pavilion they should finde much good in the exact ordinance of their Companies and setting them in array For the Centurions had under them their hundreds lying and lodging * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in so good dispose as if every Century marched by it selfe upon the way Semblably the Caporals of their bands The Decurions their Tenns and Quicurions their fives This precise order of severall bands and companies he thought very profitable both to prevent all trouble and confusion and also in case they were once shuffled and in desarary to rally and reduce them againe sooner into order like as stones and pieces of timber which are to bee joyned and set together in building how ever they chance to lye asunder and cast aside may yet be easily fitted and couched one to another if they have certaine marks by which it may evidently appeare from what place every of them came Finally by such fellowship in living together at bed and boord he thought they should finde this benefit in that they would be more louth to forsake one another because hee saw that even wild beasts feeding together hoan exceedingly after their fellowes if happly any man plucke and sever them asunder Moreover Cyrus had a speciall eye to this also that his Soldiours should never goe in to dinner or supper unlesse they had laboured first untill they sweat againe For he either led them forth on hunting and so caused them to sweat or else devised for them such games and pastimes as might drive them into a sweat And if it happened that himselfe were to performe any exploit hee would in person
to destroy you choose rather to save your lives Which when the Aegyptians heard they asked this question Say we enter into league and friendship with you In what manner would you carry your selfe to usward Then answered Cyrus I will doe well by you and looke for the like at your hands as of true liege men And what good turne is that said they which you will deigne us Whereto Cyrus made this answer I will give you better pay during the warre than at this time yee receive But if there be a peace concluded as many of you as list to tarry with me I will endow with lands to occupie and Cities to inhabit I will bestow upon them wives and houshold servants Which when the Aegyptians heard they intreated him to except this onely in the Capitulation that they might not be compelled to beare armes against Croesus For him alone said they we acquit of all fault As for all other Articles they agreed unto and therewith plighted their faith and troth interchangeably And even at this very day the posteritie of those Aegyptians who then stayed with him continue firme and loyall unto the * Of Persia King and yeeld alleageance to him Vnto whom Cyrus gaue Cities both those in the higher country which in these dayes be called the Aegyptians Cities and also Larissa and Cyllene neere to Cumes by the Seaside which be yet held peaceably in possession by their issue and off-spring When Cyrus had atchieved these exploits he withdrew his forces even when it was darke and encamped in the Thyribarians country CHAP. III. How Cyrus following the traine of his victorie forced the Citie Sardes and tooke King Croesus prisoner The discourse that he held with him as touching the Oracle of Apollo And how hee did set him at libertie and saved the said Citie from saccage IN this battaile the Aegyptians alone of all the enemies bare themselves courageously and wonne renowne and of those on Cyrus side the Persian horsemen seemed to performe the bravest service In so much as that manner of armour which Cyrus caused them to be made for the men of Armes continueth still in credit and price to this very day Also those fythed Chariots were in high esteeme so that even in this age the King who reigneth in those parts reteines the use alwaies of that warlike kinde of Chariots The Camels onely affrighted the horses and did no other hurt For as they that rode upon them slew none of the horsemen so were not they killed by the horsemen because there was not an horse that came neere unto them And even that was thought then to doe good Howbeit there is no valiant man of any worth and qualitie willing either to keepe a Camel for his saddle or to practise fight and service from their backs Thus therefore being come againe to their wonted manner and fashion they are employed onely as beasts for carriage As for Cyrus his souldiers after they had supped and appointed their Sentinels betooke themselves as meet it was to their nights rest But Croesus upon this overthrow immediatly fled with his armie to Sardes the other nations departed and tooke the way homeward every man reaching so farre as possibly he could by night The morrow morning when day appeared Cyrus led his power forthwith directly to Sardes And no sooner was he come to the walles of the Citie but he planted his Ordnance and bent his Engins of Artillery intending to give an Assault thereto and prepared ladders to skale Whiles he was busied hereabout he caused the Chaldaees and Persians the night following to get up unto those munitions and bulwarks of the Sardians which seemed most steepe Now he that guided them was a Persian one who had beene a servant to a garrison souldier within the Castle of the City A man that had learned both the descent downe to the river and the ascent also into the Castle But when it was once knowne that the said high * or Castle fortresse was surprized the Lydians all abandoned the wals and fled every man whither he could Cyrus by the breake of day entred the City and gave commaundement that no man should breake his ray or quit his place But Croesus being shut close within his royall Palace cryed out unto Cyrus Howbeit Cyrus leaving a strong guard about him went in person to the Castle that was newly wonne Where seeing how the Persians kept the Piece as requisite it was and the Chaldaeans armour no where to bee seene for runne downe they were to rifle and ransake houses presently he called their Captaines togither and commaunded them with all speed to avoid out of the Armie For I cannot quoth he endure to see them that breake order and forsake their ranks to enrich themselves with pillage above others And know yee this assuredly quoth he that I had determined with my selfe to make you that serve with me such as all the Chaldaees might report to be happie But now mervaile not at all if some one stronger than your selves set upon you as yee depart from hence Which the Chaldaees hearing were so strucken with feare that they besought him to lay downe his anger saying they would restore all the money and goods which they had taken To whom Cyrus made answer that himselfe had no need thereof But if yee would have me saith he to cease my displeasure and indignation Bestow all that yee have gotten vpon them that kept the Castle For if the rest of the souldiers shall perceive that they who forsake not their ranks and stations gaine greater commodities than others all will goe well on my side And even so did the Chaldaeans as Cyrus commaunded And as many as had behaved themselves obediently received much money and goods of all kinds Now when Cyrus had pitched tents for his owne souldiers in that place of the City wherein hee thought most commodious for them to abide in armes hee gave commaundement that to supper they should goe Thus having set all things in order he commaunded that Croesus should be brought unto him No sooner saw hee Cyrus but he said All haile my Lord and Master For this is the name that Fortune hath graunted both you to use from henceforth and me also to call you by And you likewise quoth Cyrus All haile ô Croesus since we both of us are mortall men But would you my Croesus quoth he giue me any Counsell I would to God saith hee ô Cyrus I could deuise some good thing for you For I might thinke that the same would be gainefull and commodious modious to my selfe Then quoth Cyrus listen O Croesus what I shall say Whereas I see my souldiers spent by taking exceeding paines and plunged into many daungers thinke now that they hold in possession the richest Citie in all Asia next to Babylon I judge them worthy to receive some benefit for their service For this I know that unlesse they reape some fruit of their travailes I
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 out 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 imitated them CHAP. IX How Cyaxares gave audience to the King of India his Embassadours and sent them afterwards to the King of Assyria AS Cyrus on a time was mustering all his souldiours in their armour and setting them in order of battaile there came a messenger from Cyaxares advertising him of an Embassage arrived from the Indians and therefore Cyaxares his will is saith he that you repaire unto him with all speed I have beside quoth the messenger brought unto you from Cyaxares a most goodly and faire robe For his desire is that you should shew your selfe in most magnificent and gorgeous manner For that the Indians are to view and behold you as you come Cyrus hearing this newes gave commandement to the principall and formost Centinier arraunged as he was in battaile ray that standing himselfe on the right hand and leading his Centurie one by one hee should place it afront he willed him also to give the like charge unto the second and so throughout them all hee bad him intimate so much Which order of his they obeyed and as they quickly delivered this charge so they performed the same as speedily Thus within a short time there stood afront in ranke 200. For so many Centiniers there were and in depth one hundred When they were thus placed hee commaunded them to follow as himselfe led the way And forthwith he set forward in a running march But when he understood once that the way leading to the Court was so narrow that it might not receive them marching all afront he commaunded the * Formost first regiment of a thousand to follow in their place and the second to march after in the taile of it And in this manner he went himselfe alwaies formost never resting betweene and the other thousands followed every one hard at the heeles of the former Moreover he sent two * Sargeants Officers of purpose unto the entry of the way for to instruct any one that was ignorant and to seeke what to doe Now when they were come before the gates of Cyaxares his Palace hee commaunded the formost Centurion to arrange his Companie so as they might stand 12. in file deep and to place the leaders of every 12. afront before the Palace The like charge he caused to be given unto the second and so throughout to all Which they did accordingly Then Cyrus presented himselfe to Cyaxares in a long Persian robe nothing proud nor sumptuous When Cyaxares saw him well pleased he was with this speedy repaire that he made but offended at the basenesse of his garment How now Cyrus quoth hee what meane you by this to shew your selfe in so simple habit before the Indians I would have had you most stately and gloriously to be seene For an honour it would have beene to me that you my sisters sonne had beene set out and arrayed most royally To this Cyrus made answer in this wise Whether should I have honoured you more good Vnkle Cyaxares if being clad in purple putting on bracelets and wearing a colar about my necke I have accomplished your will and commandement by leasure or rather as now I doe obey you so speedily with so great and goodly a power and all to doe you honour adorned as you see my selfe and so adorning you with swett and through diligence teaching others also thereby to be likewise obedient unto you Thus spake Cyrus and Cyaxares liked well of his speech and thereupon commaunded the Indians to be brought forward for audience Who being come in place The Indian King our Master say they hath sent us with commission to demaund the cause wherefore the Medes and Assyrians make warre one against the other and upon the hearing of your answer he willed us to go on directly to the Assyrian King and of him likewise to demaund the same but in conclusion to declare vnto you both That the Indian King upon consideration of right and Iustice will take part with him that hath the wrong To which Embassage Cyaxares returned this answer Give eare then unto my words No wrong at all doe wee unto the Assyrian King And now go your wayes yee may unto him and enquire what he saith But Cyrus being there present Pleaseth it you quoth he unto Cyaxares that I also may deliver mine opinion Say on quoth Cyaxares and speake your minde Yee then saith Cyrus unto the Embassadors shall thus report unto the King your Master That unlesse it seeme good otherwise to Cyaxares wee make this answer That if the Assyrian King say he hath in any thing bin injured by us wee are content to accept of the Indian King himselfe to be the Iudge When they heard this they tooke their leave and departed
recompense you accordingly and to your desert mee thinkes I am not able as yet And verily so to say I am not abashed And to promise That if yee tarry still I will requite you wote yee may well I am ashamed For I might suppose it would be thought I so spake because I would have you to be more willing for to stay with mee But in lieu thereof thus much I protest unto you That albeit yee depart upon your alleageance to Cyaxares yet will I endevour so to carry my selfe to you ward in case I speed well that even your selves may commend and praise me For I am not now upon my departure out of these parts But with the Hyrcanians unto whom I have given mine oath and right hand I will keepe just promise and never will I be found to betray them As for Gobryas who erewhile hath made over unto us his walled forts his territorie and forces I will so deale with him as he shall never repent of his journey made to mee And that which more is since that the Gods so evidently goe with us and further our enterprises I should both stand in feare of them and also be ashamed if I gave over these designments and departed inconsideratly without effect This therefore quoth he will I for my part performe doe yee as yee shall thinke good but withall acquaint me with your resolution Thus spake he But the Gentleman who sometime claimed kinred of Cyrus opined first in this wise As to my selfe verily thus much ô King for a King you seeme to be by nature no lesse than the Master Bee which in the hive is bred their Leader as whom the Bees are willing to obey in so much as wheresoever hee remaineth not one of them will depart from thence and whithersoever he goeth none will tarry behind such an ardent love is inbred in them to be governed by him Semblably are these men I say in some sort affected to you For when you went from us into Persia who was there of all the Medes young or old left behind but hee waited upon you untill such time as King Astyages called us away Againe after that you came out of Persia to aide us wee might perceive incontinently your friends in manner all as voluntaries to follow you Moreover when you were desirous to undertake an expedition into these parts all the Medes willingly attended upon you And truly at this present thus disposed we are that so long as we have your personall presence in our enemies Land wee dare be bold but without you affraied we should be to returne even into our native country Therefore what other men intend to doe let them speake themselves but I ô Cyrus and all those that are under me will stay with you and so long as we behold you be resolute to abide all brunts and shew our selves firme and fast to you in regard of those favours and benefits which we have received at your hands Then spake Tigranes after this manner Mervaile not ô Cyrus quoth he if I keepe silence For my minde is not ready now to deliberate but to execute whatsoever you commaund Then the Hyrcanian Prince I would say quoth he that if yee the Medes departed now it were the will of adverse fortune and some crosse handiwork of God not to permit you for to enjoy any great felicitie For in the judgement of man who would either turne backe when his enemies flie or when they deliver up their armes not receive them or when they yeeld themselves and what they have not take all especially seeing we have such a Captaine as seemeth I take all the Gods to record to delight more in doing us pleasure and procuring our good than in enriching himselfe After him all the Medes with one voice brake out into these or such like words You ô Cyrus brought us forth and therefore when you thinke it time to depart bring you us likewise home againe When Cyrus heard this uniforme accord hee praied in this wise Graunt I beseech thee most mighty Iupiter that I may exceed these in beneficence who doe me this honour Which said he commaunded all the rest after they had set their watch and ward to keepe themselves in their severall quarters but the Persians to set out and distribute the tents to the men of armes such as were meet for horsemen to the footmen those that were sufficient for them Also to take order that generally throughout as many as were within the tents should bring all things necessarie unto the Persians according to their severall companies yea and furnish them with horses well tended and dressed to their hands to the end that the Persians themselves might have nothing else to doe but to attend upon warlike affaires Thus spent they this day The next morning early when they were risen they put themselves in their journey toward Gobryas Cyrus verily being mounted on horsebacke togither with the new Cavallery of the Persians growne now to the number of 2000. or there about After whom followed those who carried their targuets and cimiters being in number equall to them Semblably the rest of the armie marched in good array Moreover Cyrus commaunded every one of them to say unto these their new waiters and followers that whosoever were seene either dragging behind the leaders and keepers of the rereward or leaping before the front of the vantgard or taken on either side or flanke of the battaile without divided from those that were in their ranks they should be grievously punished Thus the next day they were come by the evening as farre as to Gobryas his Castle An exceeding strong pile they saw it to bee and upon the wals every thing planted to make resistance and forcibly to repell the enemie Furthermore they perceived many head of oxen and a mighty number of sheep driven and brought togither under the very fortifications Then Gobryas sent unto Cyrus willing him to ride about and view where the avenue was most easie and withall to send in unto him certaine of his trusty men who might relate unto him what they had seene within Cyrus therefore desirous in very deed to see whether the Castle were any where prenable or whether Gobryas would be found a lier rode all about where he saw every place stronger than to yeeld any accesse As for those whom Cyrus had sent in to Gobryas they brought word backe againe unto him that there was within such store of goods as in their judgement seemed sufficient to serve those therein all a mans life Hereupon Cyrus mused with himselfe what those things might be By which time Gobryas in person came forth unto him and brought out all the persons that were within some laden with wine and wheat-meale others driving before them kine and oxen swine sheepe and goats And all other victuals whatsoever they presented unto him so as Cyrus and his whole armie might sup right-well therewith They therefore who were thereto appointed ordered
yea and sent to Gadatas for to be cured The rest he bestowed in pavilions by themselves togither and with great care gave order that they should have all necessaries assuming unto him as assistants in the businesse certeine of the Persian Homotimi For in such cases as these good and honest men are willing to set to their helping hands And for his owne part verily how much hee grieved it evidently appeared in that it being now supper time when the rest were at supper Cyrus still with his * Serjeants Ministers Physicians and Chirurgions gave attendance and by his good will left not one neglected and unlooked to but if hee did not in his owne person see to them every man might plainly perceive that he sent others to tend them And so for that time they went to rest By the breake of day he made Proclamation by the publike Criers that the Rulers of the other Associates but the Cadusians all in generall should assemble togither and unto them hee delivered these or such like words My friends and Confederates An ordinary accident it is among men that hath befalne unto you For men yee are and that men should erre is in my conceit no wonder And yet by good right meet it is that of this infortunitie we should reape some profit Namely To learne never hereafter to sever from the whole body of the armie any Regiment weaker than the enimies forces Neither speake I this quoth he that a man ought not sometimes to goe out when the case so requireth with a lesse power than wherewith the Cadusians erewhile did set forth But if one enterprise an exploit imparting his minde first to him who is able and sufficient to helpe and so goe forth he may perchance faile of his purpose and be deceived yet as possible it is that hee who stayeth still behind may delude the enemies diverting them another way from those who went forth There are besides other meanes to worke trouble unto the enemies and thereby to procure the safetie of friends And so verily he that is gone apart from the rest may not be coumpted absent but to depend upon the residue of the forces behind But he that departeth making no man privie beforehand where he is differeth nothing at all from him who of himselfe alone undertaketh an expedition Howbeit for this mischance quoth he that hath happened God willing ere it bee long wee will be avenged of our enemies For so soone as ever yee have taken a short dinner I my selfe will bring you where the deed was done and there will we both bury our dead and also if God will shew unto our enemies that in the very place where they thinke they have gotten the upper hand there be others better men than themselves in so much as they shall take no great joy to see that plot of ground on which they slew our Associates But in case they will not come forth and meet us in the field let us set their villages on fire let us harry and wast their country that they may have no pleasure in the sight of those things which they have done to us but contrariwise sorrow and grieve to behold their owne calamities Goe yee therefore all the rest quoth he to your dinners As for you that are Cadusians First choose according to your owne law and custome some one to be your * Generall or Coronell Prince who with the auspicious helpe of the Gods and us may take the charge of you and see what yee stand in need of When yee have elected him and dined withall send whom yee have elected unto mee And so they did accordingly But Cyrus after hee had brought forth his armie and appointed him to his Regiment whom the Cadusians had made choice of commaunded him to lead the same arraunged in order of battaile close to himselfe to the end quoth he that if it be possible wee may encourage these men againe Thus set they forth and being come to the place they both entered the Cadusians and harried the country And when they had so done and gotten victuall and other provision out of the enemies land they departed and returned into the territorie of Gadatas Cyrus then considering that they who had revolted unto him bordering as they did upon Babylon should susteine much detriment by so ill a neighbour unlesse himselfe were continually present with them commaunded as many of the enemies as he dismissed to say unto the Assyrian King and withall sent an Herauld to denounce unto him in his name that ready hee was for his part to forbeare the husbandmen that tilled the ground and would doe them no wrong in case the King likewise would permit their labourers and husbandmen who had revolted unto him to till their grounds in peace And you verily quoth he to the King were you able to prohibit them shall when you have all done hinder but a few For their territories are but small who have turned from you to me but it lies in my power to suffer a large country of yours to be tilled And as touching the harvest and inning of the fruits therein if the warre continue he shall reape and gather all as I suppose that is the Conquerour But if peace shall be established who but your selfe shall have and hold all For surely if any of my souldiers shall rise and take armes against you or yours against mee we will of both sides quoth he doe our best to chastice and punish the delinquents Having put these instructions in this wise into the Heraulds mouth he sent him away The Assyrians when they heard this message did the best they could to perswade their King to condiscend unto these conditions and to leave as little warre behind as might be And verily the Assyrian King whether it were through the perswasion of his owne nation or for that himselfe was willing enough and inclined that way already assented thereto Hereupon capitulated and covenanted it was betweene these two Potentates that the husbandmen should have peace and the armed souldiers warre Thus much effected Cyrus in the behalfe of husbandmen As touching pasturage for their labouring beasts he gave order unto his friends That it should be assigned and set out as they would themselves where their owne Demesnes and Seignories lay but from the enemies they drave booties wheresoever they could light upon any to the end that unto his Associates the warfare might be the more pleasant For admit they gat no victuals and necessaries yet the daungers were all one but to live of their enemies country seemed to make their souldiery and service the easier Well whiles Cyrus now made preparation to depart out of those quarters Gadatas came and shewed himselfe bringing and driving before him many and sundry presents as having a large habitation and the same well stored and among the rest many horses of service which he had taken from his owne men of armes such as he distrusted for
wals leaving a space from the river sufficient for great * or platformes bulwarks hee digged an exceeding great trench round about the wall casting up the earth toward themselves Then the first thing that he did was to raise skonces hard to the river side making their foundations upon Date trees which tooke up no lesse than * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 an acre in length For they will grow out in length more than so because the nature of the Date trees is such that if they bee pressed downe with any weight they will swell or bunch upward after the manner of those * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 great asses backs called Canthelij Now these trees he built upon of purpose that hee might seeme especially to lay siege unto the city and in case the River should breake into the trench yet it might not carry away the said * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 skantses He erected also many other turrets or skantses upon the * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 earth that was cast up to the end he might have as many places for Sentinels and warders as possibly he could * or turrets * or terrace And thus verily were they imployed But the Babylonians upon the wall made a mocke at this manner of siege as who were stored with victuals within for 20. yeeres and more Which when Cyrus heard he divided his armie into 12. parts that each part might by turnes watch and ward one moneth in the yeere The Babylonians likewise hearing of that derided them so much the more thinking this with themselves how the Phrygians * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Lydians Lycians Arabians and Cappadocians should haue the warding of them all whom they supposed to be more friendly affected unto themselves than to the Persians And now by this time were the trenches digged and cast up But Cyrus having intelligence that there was in Babylon such a feast solemnized whereat they use all to drinke eate and banket all night long thereupon so soone as it grew to be darke he tooke with him a number of men and opened the heads of the trenches toward the river Which done the water in the night time flowed and ran into the trenches and thereby the chanell of the river keeping his way through the city became so passible as that it might be waded through by men Whiles this was thus in hand about the river Cyrus commaunded the Persian millenarie * Chiliarchi over 1000. men Colonels as well of foot as horse to come unto him leading their regiments of thousands 2. by 2. in ranke As for the rest that were associats he gave order to follow at their backs arraunged as they were before And they verily presented themselves accordingly Then Cyrus causing officers and ministers both footmen and horsemen to enter into the drie part of the river commaunded them to sound whether the bottom thereof were firme ground and passible or no And after they had brought word backe that it might be waded through hee assembled the Captaines as well of foot as horse unto whom he made such a speech as this This river my loving Friends hath left his ordinary course that leadeth into the City Let us enter in therefore with confidence fearing nought Considering that they against whom we now advance be no other than the very same whom when they were well friended and backed with associats when they were all awake sober armed and in order embattailed we defaited Whereas now we march against them what time as many of them are asleepe many drunke and all out of order But that they shall perceive also that we are gotten within the City they will be farre lesse able to fight than now For that they shall be astonied and amazed at this unexpected surprise And if any man haply thinke that wee shall have a hote welcome at our first entrance for feare least the townsmen get up to the roufes of their houses and from thence assaile us with shot on every side let this most of all embolden you For if any of them shall climbe up to their house-tops we have a God to helpe us even * i. Fire Vulcane For the porches of their houses be soone set on fire the dores are made of Date-tree-wood and those vernished and laid over with Bitumen which will soone catch fire and burne As for us good store we have of matches and torches which will quickly kindle and make a great fire We have pitch and hirds likewise that will as suddenly flame out Whereby it will come to passe that of necessitie they must either forsake their houses or bee soone consumed to ashes Goe to therefore and with good courage take armes And I my selfe in the name of God will lead you in this service As for you Gadatas and Gobryas shew us onely the wayes for yee know them full well and so soone as we be entred into the Citie guide us and bring us directly with all speed to the Kings Palace And that verily said the souldiers about Gobryas can be no wonderfull matter For the court gates will not be shut being as it is a time of banquetting and the whole Citie this night seemeth altogither set thereupon But we shall light upon the Warders before the Palace gates which are wont alwaies to be placed there as a Corps du guard Well saith Cyrus we must not therefore slacke our businesse but goe with all speed that we may take them most unprovided The word was no sooner spoken but they went forward And looke whomsoever they met in the way they were wounded and some slaine outright others fled backe againe into the Citie and part of them made outcryes and shouts Semblably the souldiers about Gobryas and Gadatas answered them with like shouts as if themselves had beene drinking and banquetting as well as they And so marched they on in great hast so farreas to the Kings Palace And verily Gadatas and Gobryas with their Companies being in ordinance of battaile found the Court-gates fast shut but such as were appointed to encounter the Warders ranne upon them drinking as they were by a great light fire and presently dealt with them as with enemies whereupon arose a huge noise and rumbling hurry which hurliburly when they within heard for the King commanded to see what the matter was certaine of them did set open the gates and ranne forth Then Gadatas his souldiers seeing the gates standing wide open rushed in chasing them as they fled backe againe into the Palace and beating them downe before them untill they came as farre as to the King himself whom they find standing with his cimiter that he had drawn And him the souldiers about Gadatas and Gobryas being many in number overcame and disputched They also about him were slaine every mothers sonne whiles one opposed somewhat in their way another did what he could to flie and escape and in one word whiles every
thinkes I goe beyond most of them in that when they have gotten togither more than will suffice their turnes part thereof they bury in the ground part they suffer to rot and be marred And what with telling measuring weighing winnowing ayring and keeping they have much adoe withall And yet for all this whiles they have all at home they neither eate more than they can beare for then would they burst nor put on more clothes than they can carry for so they should be sweltered and stifled but their superfluous money and riches troubles and torments them not a little As for mee I serve and honour the Gods with my goods and ever covet to have more still And when I have gotten it looke what surplusage I see over and above suffisance therewith I supply the penury and want of my friends By enriching men and bestowing benefits liberally upon them I winne good will and amitie The fruit whereof I reape to wit securitie and glory And such fruits as these neither fade and perish nor by growing over-ranke corrupt any man but glory and good name the more it is the greater and fairer it groweth still the more portable it is and oftentimes causeth them to be the lighter that beare it And for your further knowledge ô Craesus take this also with you quoth he I esteeme not those the happiest men that possesse most and have greatest store in their custodie for by this reason the Warders of towne walls should be most fortunate For the keeping they have of all within the said townes but who can get most goods justly and use the same well and honestly him I repute most blessed and his money and wealth also And as Cyrus delivered thus much in word so he was knowne to performe it in deed Furthermore perceiving most men to endevour if they were in good health to be furnished with necessaries and to lay up in store such things as served for the dyet of healthfull persons seeing withall that they tooke no great care to have in readinesse meanes requisite if they should fall sicke he thought it good to be provided also in this behalfe Whereupon he entertained about him the most skilfull Physicians that were to be had And looke what meanes and instruments any man put into his head to be good and expedient for him were they in the nature of purging medicines or meats or drinks there was not any of them but he would be stored therewith and have ready in his Cabinets And if at any time one of them whom it skilled most to be cured fell sicke him would hee visit and minister unto him whatsoever was needfull Yea thankfull he was unto the Physicians if one had healed any of them although he had taken and used in the cure some drugges which himselfe had laid up for his owne store These meanes and many other such he practised for to be in chiefe esteeme with them of whom he desired to be loved Moreover of what things he published solemne games and proposed prises minding thereby to kindle and stirre up in mens minds a strife about brave and worthy feats the same wanne Cyrus praise and commendation because his care was that prowesse should bee practised And verily these games and exercises bred and imprinted in the best sort contentions and emulations one with another Furthermore Cyrus ordained in manner of a law that whatsoever was to be decided either by way of Civill Action or by tryall in Combat they whom it concerned to have their causes determined should have recourse togither unto the Iudges And thus it is evident that the adversaries of both sides had an eye unto such Iudges as were simply best and their greatest friends And hee that was cast and had the foyle envied them that had the better hand and hated those that pronounced not sentence on his side Contrariwise he that overcame pretended that he had the victory by right and therefore thought not himselfe beholden unto any Semblably they who sought to be in most favour with Cyrus bare envie one to another like as it fareth with others that live in Cities And therefore the most part wished one another rid out of the world rather than procured the mutuall good either of other Whereby it appeareth evidently that his drift and policy was that the greatest and best persons about his Court should all of them love him rather than reciprocally to affect one another CHAP. IIII. The triumphant pompe of King Cyrus riding forth of his Palace A solemne horse-running wherein himselfe was winner AND now declare we will in what manner Cyrus the first time came abroad riding forth of his Royall Palace For the majestie of this setting out of his seemeth unto me one of those arts and cunning casts which made his Imperiall State not to bee contemned First therefore ere he went forth on horsebacke hee called togither unto him those that were in any place of government under him as well Persians as others and dealt about unto them Median side-robes and this verily was the first time that ever the Persians ware this Median habit and in this distribution he said withall unto them that he was minded to ride unto the sacred groves especially selected for the Gods and togither with them there to sacrifice Be ready therefore saith he betimes at the Court gates clad in these robes before the Sunne rise and stand yee in such ray as Pheraulas the Persian shall appoint by order and direction from mee And when I am gone before follow yee after every man in the same ranke and place wherein he standeth And if any of you can thinke of a better and comelier way for us to ride forth than this is let him acquaint us therewith when we shall returne backe againe For as yee shall thinke it most seemely and best so shall every thing be disposed respectively After he had bestowed upon the worthiest persons the fairest robes hee brought forth other Median garments likewise of the same fashion for provided he had many vestures of divers and sundry sorts making no spare either of purple and scarlet blacke and puke or of red or of sanguine colour And having given some of these to every Captaine Decke herewith I bid you quoth he your friends like as I doe you Then one of them who were present said And when will you good Cyrus be dight your selfe Vnto whom hee made this answere Why Doe not you thinke me now adorned when I thus dresse and trim you Certes quoth he were I able to doe you good that are my friends what robe soever I wore therein should I seeme fine and gorgeous enough Thus when they were departed they sent for their friends and clad them richly in those robes But Cyrus for that hee supposed Pheraulas by his degree a Commoner to bee a wise understanding man and beside handsome and feat and withall very formall and one that would let slip no occasion to gratifie him and