Gentlemen For indeed these Men are now over-match'd in this Popular Contention So spake Pheraulas Many others there were who rose up and declar'd their Approbation both of the one Opinion and the other So it was resolved that every ones Reward ought to bear Proportion to his Worth and Cyrus to be the Judge of the Merits of the Cause And thus proceeded these Matters Cyrus also on a time invited to Supper with him a Captain and his whole Company because he had seen him divide his Souldiers into two Parties and set them in Battel Array one against another both Divisions being arm'd with Breast-Plates and light Targets in their Left-hands in their Right-hands he gave to one half good stout Truncheons the other half he commanded to take up Clods and therewith to pelt their Adversaries Now when they all stood thus ready arm'd he gave the Signal for the Skirmish Then one Party threw their Clods and hit some of them on the Breast-Plates some on the Targets some on the Thighs and some on the Legs But when they came to it hand to hand they that were arm'd with Truncheons smote their Adversaries some of them Hip and Thigh some on the Hands and some of them that stoop'd down to take up Clods on the Neck and Shoulders At last the Battoon bearers put the others to flight and smote them and chas'd them with much Sport and Laughter In like manner when heir turn came the other took the Truncheons and dealt just after the same rate with those that threw Clods against them Cyrus greatly admired this notable Invention of the Captain and commended the Obedience of the Souldiers who did at once both Exercise and recreate themselves and withall observing that they that imitated the Persian way of Arming themselves always came off with Victory he was mightily pleased therewith and invited the Combatants to Supper Now when in his Pavilion he espy'd some with their Legs bound up and some their Arms he ask'd them what they ailed They answered They had been bruised with Clods He then put the Question further to them whether they were hurt when they came to close or when they fought at a distance The Truncheoners reply'd When they skirmish'd at a distance For said they when we came to it hand to hand we had very pleasant Sport on 't Then they that had been sorely maul'd with the Truncheons cry'd out That they did not think it such fine Pastime to be bastinado'd at that rate when they came to close fighting and withall shewed in their Arms and Necks nay and some of them in their Faces too the very Prints and Strokes of the Batoons This done as well they might they laugh'd at and derided one another The next day all the whole Field was throng'd with Men who came to practise this way of Combating and whenever they were not taken up with Business of greater moment they constantly us'd this kind of Exercise and Recreation Another time he saw a Captain leading his Company from the River one by one to Dinner who when he saw his time commanded the Rereband to pass by the third and fourth Ward and march up into the Fore-front Now when they stood all in the Van-guard he commanded them to double their Files and lead them out by two and two Then the Decurions with their Files advanced into the Front Where he when he thought convenient commanded them again to re-double their Files and lead them on by four and four Then came on in order the Captains of five yet so that they also might march by four and four Now when he was come to his Tent door he gave the Word that they should again march one by one so he led in his Van-guard and commanded the next to follow them in the Rere and giving the same Charge to the third and the fourth he led them all into his Pavilion where he made them sit down to meat in the same order they came in Cyrus mightily admir'd the Man as well for the Mildness of his Temper as for his Discipline and his Industry and therefore solemnly invited Him and his whole Company to Supper Now it fortun'd that at the same time there was another Captain invited to Supper who thus bespake Cyrus Why don't you invite my Company to your Tent for when they are here at Supper they do the very same thing that these do And when the Entertainment in your Pavilion is at an end the Leader of the last File brings out the Rere-ward and in the first place sets them in Battel Array Then follows the Leader of the second Band and so in order the third and the fourth that so when they are to make good a Retreat they may know in what Order they ought to do it Now when we come into a Plain where we use to have a running March if it be toward the Sun-rising I lead the Van and the foremost Band takes place first after that the second and so in Course the third and the fourth then follow the lesser Bands of Ten and of Five so long as I give the Word of Command But if we march toward the Sun-setting then the Rere-ward and the Officer that leads it begin to march off first and they do nevertheless obey me though I come hindmost of all that so they may with equal Obedience accustom themselves both to lead and to follow And do you quoth Cyrus use always to do thus Yes I assure you reply'd he as constantly and duely as we go to our Meals I invite you therefore answer'd Cyrus partly because you carefully practise to keep good Order both in your Approaches and Retreats whether by Night or by Day and partly because you exercise your Bodies by moving up and down and also improve your Understandings by Experience and Practice So that in regard you perform a double Duty in every Thing 't is but reasonable that you should be treated with a double Repast Not in one day for Heavens sake quoth the Captain unless you will supply us with double Bellies too And thus ended this Entertainment in the Tent. The next day as also the Day following Cyrus invited this Company to his Pavilion which when the other Regiments understood they all ever after imitated them Now Cyrus held a general Rendezvous of all his Forces in their Arms and was mustering them in order for Battel when Cyaxares by an Express advertis'd him of an Embassy arrived from India and withall signified his Pleasure That he should immediately repair unto him The Messenger likewise told him That he had brought him from Cyaxares a very noble Robe of State for quoth he his Desire is that you should appear with all Magnificence and Splendour imaginable because the Indians will see how you make your Entry Cyrus having receiv'd this Message he gave order to the principal Officer that led the Van-guard that he should draw out his Company one
by one and place himself in the Front He commanded him likewise to give the same Charge to the next and so on that it might pass through the whole Army In obedience to his Commands they immediately gave the Charge and All as readily perform'd it so that in a very short time there were two Hundred in the Fore-front for so many principal Captains he had and the Files were each of them an hundred-deep In this Order he commanded them to follow as he should lead them and presently he began to march at a very great rate But when he understood that the way leading to the Palace-Royal was too narrow for them to march thus all afront he gave Command that the first Thousand should follow him in the same Order they were placed and that the next Thousand should close with their Rere-ward and follow them and the same Method to be observ'd throughout the whole Army Thus he led them on without any stop and one Thousand still orderly succeeded and followed another He dispatch'd likewise before him two of his Attendants to make Proof of the straightness of the Way that so if any one were at a loss therein they might of them be informed what they ought to do Now when they were come to Cyaxares his Palace-Gates he commanded the Captain of the first Band so to order his Files that they might stand twelve deep and to place the File-Leaders afront before the Palace He commanded that the same Charge should be given to the second Captain and so on throughout the Army And all this they accordingly perform'd Cyrus came into Cyaxares's Presence in a plain Persian Robe whom when Cyaxares saw being well pleased that he had repair'd to him with such Celerity and Dispatch but disturb'd at the Meanness of his Garment he thus bespake him What mean you Cyrus to appear thus in such a Garb before the Indian Embassy My Desire was that you should have made your Entry in a most splendid manner for it would have been much for my Reputation and Honour that my Nephew should have appear'd in all Magnificence and Royalty To this Cyrus reply'd Whether should I have done you more Honour by deferring and slighting the Execution of your Commands that so I might have come before you array'd in Purple adorn'd with Bracelets and bedeck'd with Chains or rather as I have now done by expressing my Obedience and Diligence in leading hither so great and gallant an Army and all to maintain your Grandeur and Honour I come adorn'd you see with Sweat and Labour that I may make you glorious by teaching others to obey you When Cyrus had thus spoke Cyaxares approv'd well of what he said and commanded that the Indian Ambassadours should be introduc'd Who when they were admitted to Audience declar'd that they were sent by the King of India with Instructions to demand the Reasons and Grounds of the War betwixt the Medes and Assyrians and that when they had receiv'd his Answer they vvere further impovver'd to go likevvise and demand the same of the King of Assyria and upon the whole matter to let each of you understand that the Indian King was resolved out of a due regard to Justice and Equity to joyn with and assâ—…ist the injur'd Party To this Embassy Cyaxares answer'd Hear therefore what I shall declare We have been no ways injurious to the Assyrian King Go on therefore in your vvay to him and learn vvhat his Declaration is in this Point Cyrus also being present crav'd leave of Cyaxares to impart his Thoughts to them vvhich being granted he thus bespake them To the King of India Your Master if Cyaxares please make this Report That if the King of Assyria pretend he has been any ways injur'd by Us We declare'tis our Resolution to refer to the King of India the Arbitration of the Matter Their Audience thus ended they departed whereupon Cyrus began to address himself to Cyaxares in this manner I came from Home furnish'd with no great store of Treasure of my own and of what I had I have very little left having expended most of it upon my Souldiers which perhaps you may wonder at in regard'tis You that Victual and provide for the Army But assure your self I have employ'd it no otherwise than in rewarding and gratifying such of them as have deserv'd my Admiration and Esteem For I am clearly of Opinion that for all such whose Assistance we desire in any Concern whatsoever 't is much more easie and pleasant to win and ingage them to us by good Words and kind Treatment than to fright them into their Duty by Rigour and Compulsion And especially in Cases of War he that would have his Souldiers cheerfully and heartily espouse his Cause must be sure to gain upon them by all manner of indearing and gracious Expressions for they must be Friends and not Foes that will stand and fall with and without any little pretences for Excuse follow the Fortune of their General neither repining at his Successes nor murmuring at his Misfortunes These things consider'd I conceive it necessary that I have Treasure at Command But to expect a Supply of every thing from you especially when I know what extraordinary Charges you are at I look upon it to be very preposterous and absurd Therefore I think You and I ought joyntly to consult the common Interest that you may not be destitute of Money For this I am assured of if you abound I shall not want when I have occasion especially if I receive it with that Intent that the expending thereof may redound the more to your Honour and Advantage Sir I remember I lately heard you say That the Armenian King does at this Juncture despise you because he is advertised our Enemies are coming against Us so that he will neither assist you with an Army nor send the Tribute he stands obliged to pay This is the Case Cyrus quoth he and thus he treats me so that I am at a Stand whether I should make War upon him and by force of Arms endeavour to bring him to Reason or whether as Affairs now are it were not better for me to take no notice of him lest thereby I should oblige him also to joyn with and increase the Number of our Enemies Cyrus then proceeded to enquire Are the Towns of Armenia situate in strong defensible Places or not Why truly reply'd Cyaxares they are not very strongly fortified for I have been particularly curious in that Point But Mountains there are whither if the Armenian King retire he may so secure himself and whatsoever he removes thither that he need not fall quickly into the Enemy's Hand unless he will sit down to beleaguer and streighten him with a standing Camp as my Father has sometimes done Here Cyrus went on and said If therefore you think fit to send me with a convenient Number of Horse I doubt not but with the Gods Assistance to compell
grateful to him for his Favours shewed on them in his Education among the Medes Many truly for the many good Offices his Goodness had done for them with his Grandfather Many also because they saw the Hyrcanians and a Fame was spread abroad that these were to shew them the way to the best of their Spoiles for that very reason went that they might get by their Journey So it was that almost all the Medes presented themselves excepting those that perhaps were left in Cyaxares his Pavilion For these with those under their Rule stayed behind All the rest with willing and cheerful Minds marched off as those who were not compelled to offer their Services but moved from their own free Will and a Desire of obliging But when they now set forth he first adressed to the Medes and having commended them he intreated the Gods to favour them and them he intreated to be his Captains Then that he might return them his Acknowledgements for their Endeavours He ordered the Foot to march before and them to follow after with the Horse And accordingly as the Army lodged or was posted in their Marches he ordered that Courriers should arrive to give them advice from time to time what Measures they were to take upon every Occasion After this he ordered the Hyrcanians to lead the way But they demanding Why do you not stay say they till we return you Hostages that so you may proceed with Assurance of our Fidility To which Cyrus is said to have made Answer I truly am of Opinion that we have Securities for your Fidelity in our own Hearts and Hands For we think our selves sufficient that we have abundant means in our own Power to recompence you upon Experience of your Truth or if you use Deceit we take our selves to be of that Ability that we are not in the least at your Mercy but you rather at ours if it so please the Gods And for the Hyrcanians because you have told us they march in the Rear as soon as you shall discern them signifie to us that they are your Countrymen that they may taste our Mercy The Hyrcanians having heard this marched before to lead the way as Cyrus had ordered having the Greatness of his Soul in Admiration nor were they any longer in Apprehensions either of the Assyrians the Lydians or the Allies of these only of this lest Cyrus by any means should esteem them of no Importance whether he had their Assistance or not Now when they marched and that Night came on it seemed to Cyrus and the Army that a great Light as it were from Heaven opened to them which humbled them to a Veneration of the Deity and raised in them a Confidence towards their Enemies And because it is but just to believe that considering the Dispatch and Expedition of their March they had proceeded a great way they were together with the Evening not far removed from the Hyrcanian Troops This when their Courriers once discovered they brought News to Cyrus that those were their Countrymen This too he himself might be able to judge of both because they were posted in the Rear and from the blaze of their Fires Then he dispatching one of these to them ordered him to tell them if they were indeed his Friends they should strait present themselves all with their right Hands raised aloft Some also of his own he joyned with them to whom he gave in charge that they should let the Hyrcanians know that he and his should demean themselves towards them as they saw them enclined towards them Thus one Messenger of theirs remained with Cyrus at the same time another was dispatch'd to the Hyrcanians But in the mean time while Cyrus was to expect what Measures the Hyrcanians would take he ordered the Army to make a Halt Then Tygranes and the Princes of the Medes being brought to him he demanded what was to be done To whom he spake thus This next says he is the Troop of Hyrcanians to whom one of the Courriers is dispatch'd and together with him some of ours to signifie to them that if they are our Friends indeed all of them should meet us with their right Hands lifted up on high Wherefore if they accord to this Condition let every one of you in his Place embrace them with your right Hands and so give assurance to them But if they should make ready their Arms or prepare for flight let it be your Endeavours that none of these Enemies escape To this Effect were Cyrus's Commands In the mean time upon hearing the Courriers the Hyrcanians were filled with Joy and getting up nimbly on their Horses presented and stretched out their Hands for the Signal which the Medes and Persians in return receiv'd them with their right Hands and gave them Assurance Then Cyrus We truly says he have a Confidence in you Hyrcanians and it becomes you in like manner to have the same in us But acquaint us in the first Place how far is the Place off where the Head-quarters and entire Forces are They replyed that the distance was somewhat greater then a Mile from thence To which Cyrus Go you then says he ye Persians Medes Hyrcanians for now even you also I style my Friends and Allies you ought to understand that our Affairs are in such a Posture as if we proceed remisly and with slackness extraordinary Mischiefs may betide us For our Enemies cannot be ignorant of the Cause of our coming But if pushing with all our force we shall with due Courage and Bravery attaque the Enemy they will strait appear in the fashion of Slaves and Fugitives who are found some to turn Supplicants others to run away others not to have so much Resolution left them as to run For the vanquished will behold us c're yet they can persuade themselves into a belief of our coming They will be surprized in no Martial Order and wholly unprepared to fight Wherefore if we will sup sweetly and give this Night to our selves and live afterwards we must not leave them any leisure either of consulting or of providing ought that they may have occasion for nay nor indeed of so much as reflecting that we are Men but rather that they may imagine that hurdles and hunting-Spears and Axes and Strokes and Wounds are their Lot And for you Hyrcanians said he I would have you still proceed to keep your Order in the first Rank before us by which means your Cognisances being discern'd a far off at a good distance we may impose upon the Enemy But when I shall arrive where the Forces of the Enemy are leave me a Band of Horse which I continuing with the Army may employ as there shall be Occasion But you who are Princes and old Commanders proceed keeping your Ranks unbroken if you are wise lest whilst you spread wide against the gathered Forces of the Enemy you should be forcibly repulsed Give the Youth the Opportunity of charging and doing
he you may assure your self tho' I should never leave looking upon her I shall not be so far inslav'd as to commit any thing unworthy of my self You say very well says he and therefore keep her for me as I command you and have a care of her For perhaps she may be of great use for us at a convenient Opportunity After this Discourse was ended they parted from each other But the young man partly through the Sight of this incomparably fair woman partly because he had observ'd her excellent Accomplishments and partly also because he waited upon her and perceiv'd his Service was acceptable to her and withal found her not ungrateful as who in return took care of him by her Servants that whenever he came in and out he should be handsomly accommodated and if he happen'd at any time to be indisposed he should want no Conveniencies all this I say conspiring together he fell in love with her which perhaps was no such great wonder And so much for this Let us now return to Cyrus who being willing that the Medes and the rest of his Fellow Souldiers should abide with him chearfully and of their own accord call'd together as many as he thought convenient and when they were convened said thus to them I am well assured ye Medes and all you that are here present that you took not this Expedition along with me either for want of money or for any thoughts of doing Service herein to Cyaxares but purely out of a min'd to oblige and honour me you would hazard your Lives with me in these Night-Marches for which reason I cannot without great Injustice deny my self much indebted to you but yet methinks I am not at present in a capacity to râ—…te you which I am not ashamed to confess Bâ—… to tell you that I will requite you in case you â—…arry with me indeed I am asham'd of that For that would look I fancy as if I said it for that very reason to make you more willing to stay with me Instead therefore of that I say this That altho' in Compliance to the Command of Cyaxares you should go away from me yet if I do any thing prosperously I will endeavour so to do it that you your selves shall praise me For I am not now about to depart but will be faithful to the Hircanians to whom I have given my Hand in token of a League of Amity so that it shall never be said that I have dealt treacherously with them And as for Gobryas his part who has given up to us the Fortifications the Country and the Forces I shall make it my Care that he never have occasion to repent him of his Journey to me Lastly that which weighs most with me is that since the Favour and Good Will of Heaven appears so manifest in our good Success we ought to fear the Gods the more and be asham'd to go away and leave our Blessings behind us This is my Resolution but you do what you shall think good and tell me what you resolve to do Thus far Cyrus Then he that once claim'd Kindred with Cyrus made the first Reply I believe says he you were no less design'd by Nature to be a King than the Leading Bee is in the Hive For to him the Bees pay a voluntary Homage and wherever his Abode is there is the Court whither they all resort And if he chance to take a Progress any whither none of them all offer to desert him Such an incredible Love have they naturally for their King After the same rate methinks these Men stand affected towards you for when you went from us unto Persia what Person among the Medes either young or old was absent from accompanying you till Astyages gave us order to return And when you came again from Persia to our assistance we saw almost all your friends following you of their own accord And again when you made an Expedition into these parts all the Medes voluntarily followed you And now you have such Influence upon us that with you we can dare and be bold in the Enemies Country but without you we should be affraid to return home Therefore let others declare for what they will as for me and those under my Command we will all abide with you and fetching Supplies of Courage from your sight will indure any thing and yield to nothing but the Indearments of your Kindnesses After this Tigranes began I would not have you wonder Cyrus at my silence for my mind is not prepared for long Debate but to Execute whatever you Command And then Hyrcanius If you should go away now yee Medes I should say it came to pass through the spite of some ill Genius that maligned your growing happyness For sure no man that Consults his Reason would turn away from his flying Enemy or refuse to take his Arms or himself when he Surrenders both Especially when we have such a Leader who I verily believe would take more delight in benefitting us then in Enriching himself Then said all the Medes You Cyrus lead us forth and do you bring us home with you when you see good Cyrus when he had heard all this made this Prayer Grant I beseech thee Almighty Jupiter that I may outdo them in kindnesses who honour me After this he gave order that the rest having first placed the Guards should take care of themselves but that the Persians should dispose of the Tents to the Horse such as were convenient for them to the Foot such as were fit for them And that they should so order things that all those who were in the Tents should provide things Necessary and bring them home to the Ranks of the Persians and furnish them with Horses ready for Service But that the Persians should have nothing else to do besides Exercising their Arms. And thus they pass'd the Day On the Morrow assoon as they rose they made an Expedition to Gobryas Cyrus himself being on Horse-back with the Persian Horse who were now improv'd to the number of about two thousand After these followed a company of Men of the same number with Grated Irons and hunting Spears And so the rest of the Army March'd on in due order Cyrus also gave Command to every Leader that they should tell their fresh Souldiers that whoever of them should be seen behind the Bringers up of the Rear or before the Front or out of their Ranks in either Wing should be sure to be punish'd The next day after about Sun-set they arrive at the place where Gobryas was and perceive the Fortification to be very strong and that the Walls were furnish'd with all things requisite for their own defence Besides they observ'd that a great many Oxen and Sheep were brought under the Works Gobryas upon the news of Cyrus his Arrival sent word to him that he should Ride round about the Castle and observe where it was most Accessible and that he should send
Iron were fastened to the Axle-Trees whereby they might easily break in upon the ranks of the Enemy Besides this that they had Camels with them which they rode upon one of which would fright a hundred Horses with his very looks That their Chariots were such out of which they might help their own party and by shooting their Arrows hinder you from fighting in the plain What a Condition would you be in if you should be told that the Enemy was thus provided since you are affraid now Now when you are told that the Enemy has chosen Craesus for their Commander who was so much more faint-hearted then the Syrians that when they were put to the worse He seeing their misfortune instead of helping them as he ought being a Fellow-Souldier he e'ne fled too Besides 't is reported that the Enemy distrusts his ability to cope with us upon his own strength and therefore hires others who may fight better for them then they are able to do for themselves If therefore here be any among you that think the Enemy's party formidable and our own weake and inconsiderable let them with my consent be turn'd over to the Enemy For I think 't would be better for us to be without them then with them When Cyrus had thus said Chrysantas the Persian stood up and spoke I would not have you wonder Cyrus that some seem to be sad upon the hearing this News For this is not the effect of fear but of indignation just as if some when they were sharp set and as they thought upon the point of going to Dinner should be told of some Work which they must do before they should Dine none I suppose would look very pleasingly upon this And so now we who were in expectation of a rich booty after we heard that there was work to be done first look a little discontentedly not because we are affraid but because we long to have it over But since we are to fight not only for Syria which abounds with Corn Cattle and fruitful Palm-trees but also for Lydia in which there is great store of Wine Figgs and Oil besides the advantage of being near the Sea upon this consideration we are no longer discontented but of a firm Resolution and Courage that so we may the sooner possess our selves of these good things of Lydia These were his words whereat all his Fellow-Souldiers were well pleas'd And then Cyrus in my opinion Fellow-Souldiers 't would be our best way to march on against them with as much speed as we can that we may get before them if possible to the place where they take up their Provision Besides the sooner we come upon them the more unprovided we shall find them This is my judgment but if any one thinks we may go a safer or an easier way to work let him propose it But when 't was resolved upon without any Contradiction that 't was the best way to march against the Enemy with all Expedition Cyrus begun thus to the Army We have been my Fellow-Souldiers this good while provided with Minds Bodies and Arms for our service But now we must carry with us Provision for the march and that no less then what will serve us and our Horses twenty days For I find by Computation that we shall have above fifteen days journey without any new supply of Provision For it is carried away partly by our selves and partly by the Enemy as much as they could Wherefore we must carry with us a competency of Victuals for without this there is neither fighting nor living and so much Wine as may suffice to accustom us to the drinking of Water For there is no Wine to be had for the greater part of the way And if we should carry never so much it would not suffice us Lest therefore a suddain defection of Wine should make us sickly and infirm we must learn forthwith to drink Water at Meals For if we begin betimes we shall find no great alteration by it But if we take a draught of Wine after meat 't is no great matter Only we must daily lessen our proportion that so at last we may come to drink Water For any Constitution may indure alteration if it be by degrees And this Lesson is taught us by God himself who from Winter by little and little brings us to endure the most Violent heat and so from heat to endure cold Him therefore let us imitate I would have you moreover carry with you good store of Blankets for altho you be over-stock'd yet the Surplusage will be of great use But in case you want you 'l hardly sleep very comfortably Whereas he that is well-stockt with Cloaths is provided either for sickness or for health The meat which you provide must be such as is acid sharp and salt For these both whet the stomack and stick by a man a long time But assoon as we arrive at the place where we are like to have Corn we must get us some Hand-mills Wherewith we may make our Bread That being the lightest of all Instruments of that kind we must also carry Leathern Thongs with us for these are of great use both to men and Horses and therefore in case they should break we must be forc'd to stand still by the way unless we have others to make all fast again And if any one hath learnt how to sharpen a Javelin let him be sure not to forget it 'T will be also useful to have files with us for he that whets his Spear does at the same time whet his Courage also For the very sense of disgrace will not suffer him to be a Coward it will be necessary also to have good store of Wood to repair the Chariots and Wagons for in much service and Action there must needs be a great deal of decay And moreover we must provide our selves with necessary instruments for Work-men are not every where to be had Neither will a few be able to do the work of every day There should also be a Rake and a Mattock in every Chariot and an Ax and an Hook upon every Pack-Horse For these will be both for private and publick use As for meat you who are leaders of the Horse must inquire of those who are under your Command what is necessary For I would not have any one want what is fitting For their Indigency will redound to our damage And do you Masters of the Carriages see that the Horses be provided for according to my Orders We will also carry with us Smiths and Carpenters and Shoomakers with their Instruments that in case we should stand in need of their work nothing may be wanting And these shall have a station by themselves off from the Souldiers ranks where they shall work for those that will hire them And if any Merchant will follow the camp with a design to sell any Commodity let him also have with him so many days Provision as I said before And if
he be taken in the selling any thing before those days be over he shall forfeit all that he has But when those days are past he shall sell at what rate he please And whosoever of the Merchants shall most advance the Market he shall be amply rewarded both by my 〈◊〉 and my Fellow Souldiers And if any one thinks he shall want money to buy Commodities let him bring to me some that know him and that will engage that he shall go with the Army and let him take what we have And this is what I thought good to impart to you if any one knows of any thing else that is needful to be done let him communicate it to me And now do you go and make ready and I in the mean time will do Sacrifice and when we have any token of good success we will beat the march Let all be present at the place appointed with their Captains and provided with all the necessaries before mentioned And do you Captains after you have marshall'd every man in his rank come all together to me that I may assign every one his place When they heard this they prepared themselves for the march Cyrus in the mean while being employ'd in doing Sacrifice which assoon as he had prosperously ended he march'd with his Army And for the first day he incamp'd as near as he could that in case any one had left any thing behind he might go back for it and if any one perceiv'd he had need of any thing he might procure it Cyaxares with the third part of the Medes tarried behind that things might not be left too desolate at home Cyrus march'd on with all possible speed having placed the Horse in the Front before whom he sent Spies into all convenient places Next to these followed the Carriages and next to them the Body of the Army that in case any of the Carriages should drop behind the Captains coming after might take care of them that so they might not be hindred in their Progress And if the way happen'd any where to be narrower then ordinary the armed Souldiers taking the Carriages into the middle march'd on both sides of them and if they also met with any incumbrance there were other Souldiers ready at hand to assist them Most of the Companies march'd so as to have their particular Carriages just by them For all those that look't to the Carriages had order to keep to their respective Companies unless some necessary accident hinder'd them And 't was also order'd that every Over-seer of the Carriages should go foremost carrying the Colours of his Centurion which were well known to the Souldiers of the same Company They march'd all in a well knit Body and 't was the great concern of every one not to lay behind his Fellows So that they had no need of seeking one another out and all things were ready at hand and in greater security and the Souldiers were the sooner supplied with what they wanted But the Spies which were sent before seeing some in the Plain gathering Provision and Wood and seeing also Horses there loaden with the same and seeding And when looking on further they saw either Smoke or Dust ascending upward from all this they concluded that the Enemy's Forces were somewhere at hand Whereupon the Commander of the Spies sent a Messenger to Cyrus to acquaint him with it He when he heard it gave order that the Spies should abide still in the same place and as they discovered any new Motion they should give him Intelligence Moreover he sent a Company of Horse on further with Command that they should endeavour to take some of these in the Plain that so they might have a more certain account of the Business Which was done accordingly by those who were deputed to that Charge Cyrus himself order'd the rest of his Army to abide here that they might provide those things which he thought they would have occasion for before they ingaged In the first place he gave order that they should Dine and then that they should remain in their Ranks and observe what was commanded them When they had dined he summon'd together the Commanders of the Horse and Foot and of the Chariots together with those who had the Charge of the Engins Carriages and Wagons While these were getting together in the mean time those who made a sally out into the Plain brought with them some men which they had taken Who when they were examin'd by Cyrus told him that they belong'd to the Enemy's Camp and that they went abroad partly to get Victuals and partly to get Wood having pass'd beyond the first Guard For their Army being so numerous they were all in great Scarcity Which when Cyrus heard and how far off says he is the Army They told him about an hundred Furlongs Then says Cyrus and had you any news concerning us Yes reply'd they a great deal and that you were just hard by And were they glad says Cyrus when they heard that Which Question he ask'd for the sake of those who were present No indeed reply'd they they were not glad but on the contrary very much cast down And what do they do now says Cyrus Why now they are mustering as they have been this three days And who is 't that Disciplines them They answer'd Craesus himself and with him a certain Graecian and a Mede who is said to be a Renegade from you Well says Cyrus Heaven grant I may take him as I desire After this he order'd the Captives to be led off and turn'd himself toward them that were by as if he had something to say to them In the mean while another Messenger was come who brought News that a great Company of Horse was seen in the Plain And says he 't is our fancy that they come out of Curiosity to view our Army For before this Company there are almost thirty Horsmen making up very fiercely against us Perhaps with a design to take our Watch-Tower if they can And there are but ten of us there Then Cyrus commanded some of his Horse which he had always about him to march up to the very place and there to bide unseen by the Enemy And says he assoon as our men shall quit the place then do you break forth from your Ambush and invade them that would get the Watch-Tower into their power And that you may receive no hurt from that great Company do you Histaspas march out with a thousand Horse and Confront the Enemy But be sure you don't persue them to any blind and obscure places but assoon as you have taken care for the security of the Watch-Tower retreat again And if any shall make signs of coming over to our side receive them Curteously Hystaspas therefore went and arm'd himself and in the mean time the other Emissaries of Cyrus march'd forth according to their Commission And as they were going they met Araspas with his retinue on
sides For I see that the Enemy has spread out their Wings a great way and withall they are very strong both in regard of Chariots and all manner of Forces And we have nothing to oppose to all this besides Chariots And therefore as for my own part had not this station fall'n to me by lot I should be asham'd of it I seem to be so very safe Well then reply'd Cyrus if you think you are well enough your self don't trouble your self for the other For I warrant you by the help of the Gods you shall see these sides of the Enemy quite bare And I desire you that you would not ingage with the Enemy till you see these whom you are so much affraid of flie before us Thus magnificently did he talk now the Battel was at hand whereas at other times he was not much given to boasting but when you see these flie then conclude that I am not far off and make your onset upon the Enemy For then shall you find the Cowardliness of the Enemy and the Valour of your own Men. But while you have leisure Abradatas ride along by your Chariots and incourage your Men to fight partly by inspiriting them with your looks and partly by chearing them up with hopes And do what you can to excite an Emulation among them of appearing the best in the Chariots For assure your self if you do thus they will all say at last that nothing is better than a good Couragious Heart Whereupon Abradatas getting up into his Chariot rod up and down and did accordingly Cyrus marching forwards came to the left Wing where Hystaspas was with half of the Persian Horse Whom he call'd to by his Name and said now you see Hystaspas a work which requires all your speed For it we can but prevent our Enemies by killing them first none of us shall perish To which Hystaspas smiling reply'd let me alone to deal with those that stand opposite but do you take care that those that are of the sides want not work Those are the men says Cyrus I am now going to But do you remember Hystaspas that to whomsoever of us Heaven shall grant the Victory if any part of the Enemy remain'd unvanquish'd we are both to joyn against those who oppose us When he had thus said he march'd forward And when he was come to the Commander of the Chariots I am come says he to help you But when you perceive that we are invading the skirts of the Enemy then do you endeavour to break through the midst of the Enemy For ' â—…will be safer for you to break through then to be intercepted by them in the middle But when he was come behind the Wagons he commanded that Artagerses and Phatnuchus with their thousand Horse and so many Foot should stand still in the same place But says he when you see me invade those who are on the right side then do you fall on upon those who stand opposite to you For you will fight that Wing where the Army is weakest And you will also be the stronger for having a Body You see the Enemy has placed their Horse in their Rear and against these do you oppose the Ranks of the Camels And be you well assured that the Enemy will appear ridiculous to you before you are to ingage When Cyrus had thus done he went to the Right Wing But Craesus supposing that the Body which he himself led was nearer to the Enemy then the Wings which were drawn out into a great length he gave a token to the Wings that they should venture no further but turn to the Enemy in that very place where they were And when they all stood still and viewed Cyrus his Army he gave them the Word to fall on upon the Enemy And thus there were three Squadrons that ran on upon Cyrus his Army one directly opposite and the other two on each side so that all Cyrus his Army was in a great fear For it 't was like a little Brick in a great Building compass'd about every where except behind with Horse-men and Target-men Archers and Chariots But however assoon as Cyrus gave the Word they all wheel'd about and faced the Enemy And all things were hush'd in great filence for fear of the event Cyrus thinking it now high time began the shout which was answered by the Eccho of the whole Army Then with a loud voice calling out Mars he broke forth and planting his Horse against the Flank of the Enemy he presently ingaged with them The Foot keeping their Ranks follow'd speedily after and were compass'd on every side with the Enemy But they were in much the better Condition for they set upon the Wing with the Body strengthning them So that there was quickly a great flight among the Enemy Artagerses assoon as he saw Cyrus ingaged invaded the left side of the Enemy sending in his Camels among them according to Cyrus his Order The Horses could not endure them at a great distance but some of them ran away Mad some pranc'd and leapt some rush'd upon one another For thus Horses use to do at the fight of Camels Artagerses keeping his Men in their Ranks fell upon those which were disorder'd with his well order'd Company and withall sent in the Chariots which were on the right and the left among them Many that escaped from the Chariots were kill'd by those that followed the Wing and many that escaped them were intercepted by the Chariots And Abradatas no longer able to contain himself cry'd out aloud Follow me Friends and rush'd in with his Horse upon the Enemy and shed a great deal of Blood among them giving quarter to no Body And with this the other Chariots broke in also Whereupon the opposite Chariots fled immediately some of them carrying those that fought out of them away with them and some leaving them behind Abradatas making his way directly through them set upon the Squadron of the Egyptians those that were next him in the Army attending him And here they verify'd that which is otherwise evident enough viz. That there is no Body of Men stronger then that which is made up of Friends For those that were his intimate Companions and sate with him at the same Table accompany'd him in this assault upon the Enemy And some of the Chariot-men when they saw that the Egyptians stood the shock with a full Body turn'd to the Chariots that fled and followed after them But those who were with Abradatas because the Egyptians were penn't up so close that they could not give way overturn'd some with the Violence of their Horses and those that were down they trampled under foot And not themselves only but also their Armour Horses and Wheels Whatsoever their Hooks took hold of was cut off by mere force whether Arms or Bodies And in this Tumult too great to be described it happen'd through the jumping of the Wheels over the heaps that laid in the
to scale the Walls of the Sardians the night following in the most difficult and seemingly desperate place of all the Works The Leader of this undertaking was a certain Persian who was a Servant to one of the Keepers of the Garrison and knew both the descent to and the ascent from the River When 't was known that the Tower was taken the Lydians fled from the Walls every one where he could Cyrus entring the Town at break of day gave order to his Army that none should offer to leave his Rank But Craesus locking himself up in his Palace call'd out upon Cyrus Who when he had left him in Custody went to the Tower that was taken Where when he saw the Persians keeping the Tower as they ought to do but of the Chaldeans nothing but their Arms because they were gone down to plunder the Houses he presently call'd together their Commanders and forthwith casheer'd them from his Army For says he I will never endure that those that desert their Ranks shall fare better then others And I would have you know that 't was my design to make all you that fight in my Service such as all the Chaldeans should call happy But now think it no wonder when you are gone from me if you meet with those that are stronger then your selves When the Chaldeans heard this they were affraid and desired him not to be angry and they would refund all the Plunder back again Cyrus told them he had no need of it but if they would have him reconciled they should give all which they had taken to those who stood guarding the Tower For says he if my Souldiers observe that those who keep their Ranks are best rewarded then all will go well Whereupon the Chaldeans did as Cyrus had commanded them And so those that behaved themselves obediently were well rewarded Cyrus having incamp'd his Army in the most convenient place about the City Commanded his Souldiers to keep on their Armour and take their dinner When this was done he gave Command that Craesus should be brought to him He when he saw Cyrus God save you Master says he For that is the Name which Fortune has now order'd me to call you by And you too Craesus reply'd Cyrus forasmuch as we are both Men. But what say you Craesus will you give me some advice Yes reply'd Craesus I would be ready to serve you in any thing for I believe thereby I should also advantage my self Then the business is this Craesus I see that my Souldiers are quite spent with Labour and have exposed themselves to much danger and that now they think to have the richest City in all Asia next to Babylon and therefore I think 't is but reasonable they should be something the better for it For I know that unless they reap some benefit from their Labours I can't expect to have them continue Obedient to me long But yet I am not willing to yeild up the City to be Plunder'd by them For then the City would go near to be utterly destroy'd and besides I know that in such pillaging those would get most who least deserve it Upon the hearing of this says Craesus let me tell some of the Lydians whom I please that I have prevail'd with you that there shall be no plundering and that their Wives and Children shall not be dragg'd from them and that I have ingaged to you for this Priviledge that the Lydians shall come and offer you of their own accord what ever is of any worth in Sardis For I am confident if they hear this they bring you all the good things they have among them And besides by this means the City will be able to afford you a new supply of good things another year Whereas if you suffer it to be plunder'd all Trades and Arts which are the Seminaries of plenty will be destroy'd But besides you will have time enough to think of plundering as you pass along and survey every thing But in the first place I would have you send to my Treasures and my Keepers shall surrender it up to those you employ Cyrus liked all these proposals of Craesus very well But tell me Craesus says he what 's become of what the Oracle of Delphos said to you For they say that Oracle is in great esteem with you and that you undertake every thing you do by his Direction I wish things were so with me Cyrus but I have offended Apollo by doing things quite contrary at first How do you mean says Cyrus for methinks you speak paradoxically In the first place says he neglecting to inquire of him about the things which concern'd me I must needs try whether he could give true answers or no. Now you know that not only God but even good and honest Men don't love to have their Integrity question'd But when I perceiv'd that I had not done wisely being at a great distance from Dephos I sent to know of him Whether I should have any Children or no. For the first time he would not so much as vouchsafe me an answer But at length after I had ingratiated my self into his favour as I thought by presenting him with many Offerings Gold and Silver and frequent Sacrifices I enquired of him again what I should do to have Children He told me I should have Children And indeed he was as good as his Word for I had Children but to little purpose For one was very dumb and the other a ever hopeful Young Man dyed in the very Flower of his Age. Having such ill Fortune with my Children I sent to him again and desired to know of him what course I should take to spend the remaining part of my Life as happily as might be His answer to me was this You shall live happâ—…ly Craesus if you know your self I was mightily pleased with this answer for I thought the Terms of my happiness were so easie that the God did in a manner give it me For indeed as for other Persons they might partly be known and partly not but thought I every one must needs know himself And after this as long as I lived in peace I had nothing to Charge upon my Fortune since the Death of my Son But being overperswaded afterwards by the Assyrian to War against you I went through dangers of all sorts and yet was preserv'd without sustaining any harm And thus far I had no reason to complain of Apollo For when I perceiv'd that I was not able to make my party good against you by the help of Apollo I and those that were with me made a safe escape But being again dissolv'd in the luxury of my present wealthy Condition and overcome partly by the importunity of those who would have me head them and partly by the Presents whereby they oblige me and partly by the flattery of those that told me how ready all were to obey me and what a great man I should
And after these came Men with fire in a great Hearth Next came forth Cyrus himself in his Chariot with a Persian Ornament upon his Head and a purple Robe half-white which is an Habit peculiar to the King and silken Garters upon his Legs and a loose Veil all purple upon his Shoulders upon his Head he wore a kind of Diadem and a certain badg proper to those of the Royal Blood which is now still in use His Hands he held forth out of his Sleves Assoon as he appear'd in view they all reverenc'd him with a very low bow either because they had orders to do so or because they were affected with the pomp and grandeur of the thing or because Cyrus appear'd tall and graceful However 't was 't is certain that Cyrus never had such Veneration from any of the Persians before that time But now when the Chariots of Cyrus was come forth the four thousand Guards march'd before and two thousand attended on each side of the Chariot The Nobility follow'd after on Horseback in their Robes with Javelins in their Hands in number about three hundred Next after these were led two hundred Horses that were kept for Cyrus his use with Golden Bridles and embroider'd trappings After these follow'd two thousand men with long Spears after them ten thousand Horse-men divided all along by hundreds whose Leader was Chrysantas After them ten thousand of the Persian Horse alike arm'd led by Hystaspas After them other ten Thousand led by Datamas After them another Company led by Gadatas After these came the Median Horse then the Armenians then the Hyrcanians then the Cadusians and then the Sacians After these Horse-men follow'd Chariots four in a Brest led by Artabates the Persian As they were marching in this order a great many men would be apt to run out of their Ranks to beg Favours of Cyrus Wherefore he sent to them some of his Nobles who waited three of each side of his Chariot on purpose to carry Messages and bade them tell them that if anyone had any petition to present he should impart it to the under-Officers who should Communicate it to him Whereupon they went their way to the Horsemen and considered whom they were best go to Cyrus when he was minded to Honour any of his Friends publickly he would send and call them to him severally and thus bespake them If any of those that are behind should say any thing to you if it be not material do not regard it But if they desire any thing that is reasonable I would have you acquaint me with it that so we may consult together in common what to do Whensoever Cyrus call'd for any they rode to him with all the speed and readiness they could and by their Obsequiousness added much to the grandeur of his Empire and shew'd how ready they were to obey him Only there was one Diapharnes a Man of a rough-cast Temper who thought it a point of Gentility and Freedom not to seem so ready and Officious to obey Which when Cyrus took notice of before he was come near enough to speak to him he sent him word by one of his Nobles that he had now no more business with him neither did he ever send for him afterwards But he that was call'd for after him rode up to Cyrus long before him Whereupon Cyrus gave him one of his led Horses and commanded one of his Nobles to attend him whither he sent him This was thought by those that saw it to be a very great Honour and this procured him more reverence When they were come to the Altars they burnt whole Bulls in Sacrifice to Jupiter Then to the Sun they Sacrificed whole Horses Then they offer'd Sacrifice acccording to the direction of the Magi in Honour to the Earth And afterwards to the Heroes of the Syrian Country When they had performed this because they were come into a very pleasant place he measured out a piece of Ground five Furlongs long and ordered some Select Persons to run their Horses for Mastery He himself with the Persians that were of his side were Victors because he was well skill'd in managing a Horse Among the Medes Artabazus had the Victory for Cyrus had given him one of his Horses Among the Syrians he that led them Among the Armenians Tigranes Among the Hyrcanians the Commander of the Horse his Son Among the Sacians a certain private Souldier outrod the rest of the Company by half of the Race And here 't is said that Cyrus ask'd the Young-man whether he would part with his Horse for a Kingdom The Young-man made answer I would not take a Kingdom in Exchange but I would part with him to oblige a good man Well then says Cyrus I will shew you a place where if you fling any thing winking you can't miss a good man Shew them me replied the Sacian that I may fling this clod among them Then Cyrus pointed him to a place where a great many of his Friends were He flung at a venture with his Eyes shut and by chance hit Pheraulas as he passed by For he was at that time employ'd upon a Message by Cyrus When he was struck he would not so much as turn about but went on without any Intermission to do what he was sent about The Sacian opening his Eyes ask'd who 't was that he had struck None of those that are here answer'd Cyrus I 'm sure says the Young-man it could be none of those that are absent Yes says Cyrus you struck him that rides full speed by those Chariots yonder How comes it to pass then says he that he did not turn back Why he is a mad man replied Cyrus as you see plain enough When the Young-man heard this he went to see who ' t was And as he was going he met with Pheraulas with his Beard and Chin all bloody which was caused by the bleeding of his Nose When he was come to him he ask'd him whether he had been struck or no. You see I have replied he Then says he I 'll give you this Horse upon what account says Pheraulas Here the Sacian up and told him the whole business and withal says he I think I have not miss'd a good man Then said Pheraulas had you been wise you would have reserv'd this present for a greater Man then I am But I accept it and heartily desire of the Gods by whose will it fell out that you hit me that I may be in a capacity of making such a requital that you may not repent of this Gift But now for the present here take my Horse and I will be with you again by and by And so they made an exchange Among the Cadusians Rathonices overcame Cyrus made the Chariots also run races And to all the Victors he gave Oxen to feast withal and Cups He himself took an Ox because he was Victor and gave Pheraulas part of his Cups because he had pleased him in ordering