cyropaedia-第14章

按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！


they　answered；　and　all　the　club…bearers　agreed　that　when　it　came　to
close　quarters；　they　had　the　finest　sport。　But　here　those　who　had　been
carbonaded　by　that　weapon　broke　in　and　protested　loudly　that　it　was
anything　but　sport　to　be　clubbed　at　short　range；　and　in　proof　thereof
they　showed　the　weals　on　hand　and　neck　and　face。　Thus　they　laughed　at
one　another　as　soldiers　will；　and　on　the　next　day　the　whole　plain　was
studded　with　combats　of　this　type；　and　whenever　the　army　had　nothing
more　serious　in　hand；　this　sport　was　their　delight。

＇21＇　Another　day　Cyrus　noticed　a　brigadier　who　was　marching　his
regiment　up　from　the　river　back　to　their　quarters。　They　were　advancing
in　single　file　on　his　left；　and　at　the　proper　moment　he　ordered　the
second　company　to　wheel　round　and　draw　up　to　the　front　alongside　the
first；　and　then　the　third；　and　then　the　fourth；　and　when　the　company…
captains　were　all　abreast；　he　passed　the　word　along；　〃Companies　in
twos；〃　and　the　captains…of…ten　came　into　line；　and　then　at　the　right
moment　he　gave　the　order；　〃Companies　in　fours；〃　and　the　captains　of
five　wheeled　round　and　came　abreast；　and　when　they　reached　the　tent
doors　he　called　a　halt；　made　them　fall　into　single　file　once　more；　and
marched　the　first　company　in　first；　and　then　the　second　at　its　heels；
and　the　third　and　fourth　behind　them；　and　as　he　introduced　them；　he
seated　them　at　the　table；　keeping　the　order　of　their　entry。　What　Cyrus
commended　was　the　quiet　method　of　instruction　and　the　care　the　officer
showed；　and　it　was　for　that　he　invited　him　and　all　his　regiment　to
dinner　in　the　royal　tent。

＇22＇　Now　it　chanced　that　another　brigadier　was　among　the　guests；　and
he　spoke　up　and　said　to　Cyrus：　〃But　will　you　never　ask　my　men　to
dinner　too？　Day　after　day；　morning　and　evening；　whenever　we　come　in
for　a　meal　we　do　just　the　same　as　they；　and　when　the　meal　is　over　the
hindmost　man　of　the　last　company　leads　out　his　men　with　their
fighting…order　reversed；　and　the　next　company　follows；　led　by　their
hindmost　man；　and　then　the　third；　and　then　the　fourth：　so　that　all　of
them；　if　they　have　to　retire　before　an　enemy；　will　know　how　to　fall
back　in　good　order。　And　as　soon　as　we　are　drawn　up　on　the　parade…
ground　we　set　off　marching　east；　and　I　lead　off　with　all　my　divisions
behind　me；　in　their　regular　order；　waiting　for　my　word。　By…and…by　we
march　west；　and　then　the　hindmost　man　of　the　last　division　leads　the
way；　but　they　must　still　look　to　me　for　commands；　though　I　am　marching
last：　and　thus　they　learn　to　obey　with　equal　promptitude　whether　I　am
at　the　head　or　in　the　rear。〃

＇23＇　〃Do　you　mean　to　tell　me；〃　said　Cyrus；　〃that　this　is　a　regular
rule　of　yours？〃

〃Truly　yes；〃　he　answered；　〃as　regular　as　our　meals；　heaven　help　us！〃

〃Then　I　hereby　invite　you　all　to　dinner；　and　for　three　good　reasons；
you　practice　your　drill　in　both　forms；　you　do　this　morning　and　evening
both；　and　by　your　marching　and　counter…marching　you　train　your　bodies
and　benefit　your　souls。　And　since　you　do　it　all　twice　over　every　day；
it　is　only　fair　to　give　you　dinner　twice。〃

＇24＇　〃Not　twice　in　one　day；　I　beg　you！〃　said　the　officer；　〃unless　you
can　furnish　us　with　a　second　stomach　apiece。〃

And　so　the　conversation　ended　for　the　time。　But　the　next　day　Cyrus　was
as　good　as　his　word。　He　had　all　the　regiment　to　dinner；　and　the　day
after　he　invited　them　again：　and　when　the　other　regiments　knew　of　it
they　fell　to　doing　as　they　did。

＇C。4＇　Now　it　chanced　one　day　as　Cyrus　was　holding　a　review；　a
messenger　came　from　Cyaxares　to　tell　him　that　an　embassy　from　India
had　just　arrived；　and　to　bid　him　return　with　all　despatch。

〃And　I　bring　with　me；〃　said　the　messenger；　〃a　suit　of　splendid　apparel
sent　from　Cyaxares　himself：　my　lord　wishes　you　to　appear　in　all
possible　splendour；　for　the　Indians　will　be　there　to　see　you。〃

＇2＇　At　that　Cyrus　commanded　the　brigadier　of　the　first　regiment　to
draw　up　to　the　front　with　his　men　behind　him　on　the　left　in　single
file；　and　to　pass　the　order　on　to　the　second；　and　so　throughout　the
army。　Officers　and　men　were　quick　to　obey；　so　that　in　a　trice　the
whole　force　on　the　field　was　drawn　up；　one　hundred　deep　and　three
hundred　abreast；　with　their　officers　at　the　head。　＇3＇　When　they　were
in　position　Cyrus　bade　them　follow　his　lead　and　off　they　went　at　a
good　round　pace。　However　the　road　leading　to　the　royal　quarters　was
too　narrow　to　let　them　pass　with　so　wide　a　front　and　Cyrus　sent　word
along　the　line　that　the　first　detachment；　one　thousand　strong；　should
follow　as　they　were；　and　then　the　second；　and　so　on　to　the　last；　and
as　he　gave　the　command　he　led　on　without　a　pause　and　all　the
detachments　followed　in　due　order；　one　behind　the　other。　＇4＇　But　to
prevent　mistakes　he　sent　two　gallopers　up　to　the　entrance　with　orders
to　explain　what　should　be　done　in　case　the　men　were　at　a　loss。　And
when　they　reached　the　gates；　Cyrus　told　the　leading　brigadier　to　draw
up　his　regiment　round　the　palace；　twelve　deep；　the　front　rank　facing
the　building；　and　this　command　he　was　to　pass　on　to　the　second；　and
the　second　to　the　third；　and　so　on　till　the　last。　＇5＇　And　while　they
saw　to　this　he　went　in　to　Cyaxares　himself；　wearing　his　simple　Persian
dress　without　a　trace　of　pomp。　Cyaxares　was　well　pleased　at　his
celerity；　but　troubled　by　the　plainness　of　his　attire；　and　said　to
him；　〃What　is　the　meaning　of　this；　Cyrus？　How　could　you　show　yourself
in　this　guise　to　the　Indians？　I　wished　you　to　appear　in　splendour：　it
would　have　done　me　honour　for　my　sister's　son　to　be　seen　in　great
magnificence。〃

＇6＇　But　Cyrus　made　answer：　〃Should　I　have　done　you　more　honour　if　I
had　put　on　a　purple　robe；　and　bracelets　for　my　arms；　and　a　necklace
about　my　neck；　and　so　presented　myself　at　your　call　after　long　delay？
Or　as　now；　when　to　show　you　respect　I　obey　you　with　this　despatch　and
bring　you　so　large　and　fine　a　force；　although　I　wear　no　ornament　but
the　dust　and　sweat　of　speed；　and　make　no　display　unless　it　be　to　show
you　these　men　who　are　as　obedient　to　you　as　I　am　myself。〃　Such　were
the　words　of　Cyrus；　and　Cyaxares　felt　that　they　were　just；　and　so　sent
for　the　Indian　ambassadors　forthwith。　＇7＇　And　when　they　entered　they
gave　this　message：The　king　of　the　Indians　bade　them　ask　what　was　the
cause　of　strife　between　the　Assyrians　and　the　Medes；　〃And　when　we　have
heard　you；〃　they　said；　〃our　king　bids　us　betake　ourselves　to　the
Assyrian　and　put　the　same　question　to　him；　and　in　the　end　we　are　to
tell　you　both　that　the　king　of　the　Indians；　when　he　has　enquired　into
the　justice　of　the　case；　will　uphold　the　cause　of　him　who　has　been
wronged。〃

＇8＇　To　this　Cyaxares　replied：

〃Then　take　from　me　this　answer：　we　do　the　Assyrian　no　wrong　nor　any
injustice　whatsoever。　And　now　go　and　make　inquiry　of　him；　if　you　are
so　minded；　and　see　what　answer　he　will　give。〃

Then　Cyrus；　who　was　standing　by；　asked　Cyaxares；　〃May　I　too　say　what
is　in　my　mind？〃　〃Say　on；〃　answered　Cyaxares。　Then　Cyrus　turned　to　the
ambassadors：　〃Tell　your　master；〃　he　said；　〃unless　Cyaxares　is
otherwise　minded；　that　we　are　ready　to　do　this：　if　the　Assyrian　lays
any　injustice　to　our　charge　we　choose　the　king　of　the　Indians　himself
to　be　our　judge；　and　he　shall　decide　between　us。〃

＇9＇　With　that　the　embassy　departed。　And　when　they　had　gone　out　Cyrus
turned　to　his　uncle　and　began；　〃Cyaxares；　when　I　came　to　you　I　had
scant　wealth　of　my　own　and　of　the　little　I　brought　with　me　only　a
fragment　is　left。　I　have　spent　it　all　on　my　soldiers。　You　may　wonder
at　this；〃　he　added；　〃when　it　is　you　who　have　supported　them；　but；
believe　me；　the　money　has　not　been　wasted：　it　has　all　been　spent　on
gifts　and　rewards　to　the　soldiers　who　deserved　it。　＇10＇　And　I　am
sure；〃　he　added；　〃if　we　require　good　workers　and　good　comrades　in　any
task　whatever；　it　is　better　and　pleasanter　to　encourage　them　by　kind
speeches　and　kindly　acts　than　to　drive　them　by　pains　and　penalties。
And　if　it　is　for　war　that　we　need　such　trusty　helpers；　we　can　only　win
the　men　we　want　by　every　charm　of　word　and　grace　of　deed。　For　our　true
ally　must　be　a　friend　and　not　a　foe；　one　who　can　never　envy　the
prosperity　of　his　leader　nor　betray　him　in　the　day　of　disaster。　＇11＇
Such　is　my　conviction；　and　such　being　so；　I　do　not　hide　from　myself
the　need　of　money。　But　to　look　to　you　for　everything；　when　I　know　that
you　spend　so　much　already；　would　be　monstrous　in　my　eyes。　I　only　ask
that　we　should　take　counsel　together　so　as　to　prevent　the　failure　of
your　funds。　I　am　well　aware　that　if　you　won　great　wealth；　I　should　be
able　to　help　myself　at　need；　especially　if　I　used　it　for　your　own
advantage。　＇12＇　Now　I　think　you　told　me　the　other　day　that　the　king　of
Armenia　has　begun　to　despise　you；　because　he　hears　we　have　an　enemy；
and　therefore　he　will　neither　send　you　troops　nor　pay　the　tribute
which　is　due。〃　＇13＇　〃Yes；〃　answered　Cyaxares；　〃such　are　his　tricks。
And　I　cannot　decide　whether　to　march　on　him　at　once　and　try　to　subdue
him　by　force；　or　let　the　matter　be　for　the　time；　for　fear　of　adding　to
the　enemies　we　have。〃　Then　Cyrus　asked；　〃Are　his　dwellings　strongly
fortified；　or　could　they　be　attacked？〃　And　Cyaxares　answered；　〃The
actual　fortifications　are　not　very　strong：　I　took　good　care　of　that。
But　he　has　the　hill…country　to　which　he　can　retire；　and　there　for　the
moment　lie　secure；　knowing　that　he　himself　is　safely　out　of　reach；
with　everything　that　he　can　convoy　thither；　unless　we　are　prepared　to
carry　on　a　siege；　as　my　father　actually　did。〃

＇14＇　Thereupon　Cyrus　said；　〃Now　if　you　are　willing　to　send　me　with　a
moderate　force　of　cavalryI　will　not　ask　for　many　menI　believe；
heaven　helping　me；　I　could　compel　him　to　send　the　troops　and　the
tribute。　And　I　even　hope　that　in　the　future　he　may　become　a　firmer
friend　that　he　is　now。〃　＇15＇　And　Cyaxares　said：　〃I　think　myself　they
are　more　likely　to　listen　to　you　than　to　me。　I　have　been　told　that　his
sons　were　your　companions　in　the　chase　when　you　were　lads；　and
possibly　old　habits　will　return　and　they　will　come　over　to　you。　Once
they　were　in　our　power；　everything　could　be　done　as　we　desire。〃
〃Then；〃　said　Cyrus；　〃this　plan　of　ours　had　better　be　kept　secret；　had
it　not？〃　〃No　doubt；〃　answered　Cyaxares。　〃In　that　way　they　would　be
more　likely　to　fall　into　our　hands；　and　if　we　attack　them　they　would
be　taken　unprepared。〃

＇16＇　〃Listen　then；〃　said　Cyrus；　〃and　see　what　you　think　of　this。　I
have　often　hunted　the　marches　between　your　country　and　Armenia　with
all　my　men；　and　sometimes　I　have　taken　horsemen　with　me　from　our
comrades　here。〃　〃I　see；〃　said　Cyaxares；　〃and　if　you　chose　to　do　the
like　again　it　would　seem　only　natural；　but　if　your　force　was　obviously
larger　than　usual；　suspicion　would　arise　at　once。〃　＇17＇　〃But　it　is
possible；〃　said　Cyrus；　〃to　frame　a　pretext　which　would　find　credit
with　us　and　with　them　too；　if　any　rumour　reached　them。　We　might　give
out　that　I　intend　to　hold　a　splendid　hunt　and　I　might　ask　you　openly
for　a　troop　of　horse。〃

〃Admirable！〃　said　Cyaxares。　〃And　I　shall　refuse　to　give　you　more　than
a　certain　number；　my　reason　being　that　I　wish　to　visit　the　outposts　on
the　Syrian　side。　And　as　a　matter　of　fact；〃　he　added；　〃I　do　wish　to　see
them　and　put　them　in　as　strong　a　state　as　possible。　Then；　as　soon　as
you　have　started　with