[46] So the officers went to their quarters, and as they went they
talked of Cyrus, and what a marvellous memory he had, always naming
each officer as he assigned him his post. [47] The fact was Cyrus took
special pains over this: it struck him as odd that a mere mechanic could
know the names of all his tools, and a physician the names of all his
instruments, but a general be such a simpleton that he could not name
his own officers, the very tools he had to depend on each time he wanted
to seize a point or fortify a post or infuse courage or inspire terror.
Moreover it seemed to him only courteous to address a man by name when
he wished to honour him. [48] And he was sure that the man who feels he
is personally known to his commander is more eager to be seen performing
some noble feat of arms, and more careful to refrain from all that is
unseemly and base. [49] Cyrus thought it would be quite foolish for him
to give his orders in the style of certain householders: "Somebody fetch
the water, some one split the wood." [50] After a command of that kind,
every one looks at every one else, and no one carries it out, every one
is to blame, and no one is ashamed or afraid, because there are so many
beside himself. Therefore Cyrus always named the officers whenever he
gave an order.
[51] That, then, was his view of the matter. The army now took supper
and posted their guards and got their necessaries together and went to
rest. [52] And at midnight the horn was blown. Cyrus had told Chrysantas
he would wait for him at a point on the road in advance of the troops,
and therefore he went on in front himself with his own staff, and
waited till Chrysantas appeared shortly afterwards at the head of his
cuirassiers. [53] Then Cyrus put the guides under his command, and told
him to march on, but to go slowly until he received a message, for all
the troops were not yet on the road. This done, Cyrus took his stand on
the line of march, and as each division came up, hurried it forward to
its place, sending messengers meanwhile to summon those who were still
behind. [54] When all had started, he despatched gallopers to Chrysantas
to tell him that the whole army was now under way, and that he might
lead on as quick as he could. [55] Then he galloped to the front
himself, reined up, and quietly watched the ranks defile before him.
Whenever a division advanced silently and in good order, he would ride
up and ask their names and pay them compliments; and if he saw any sign
of confusion he would inquire the reason and restore tranquillity. [56]
One point remains to add in describing his care that night; he sent
forward a small but picked body of infantry, active fellows all of them,
in advance of the whole army. They were to keep Chrysantas in sight, and
he was not to lose sight of them; they were to use their ears and all
their wits, and report at once to Chrysantas if they thought there
was any need. They had an officer to direct their movements, announce
anything of importance, and not trouble about trifles.
[57] Thus they pressed forward through the night, and when day broke
Cyrus ordered the mass of the cavalry to the front, the Cadousians alone
remaining with their own infantry, who brought up the rear, and who
were as much in need as others of cavalry support. But the rest of the
horsemen he sent ahead because it was ahead that the enemy lay, and in
case of resistance he was anxious to oppose them in battle-order, while
if they fled he wished no time to be lost in following up the pursuit.
[58] It was always arranged who were to give chase and who were to stay
with himself: he never allowed the whole army to be broken up. [59] Thus
Cyrus conducted the advance, but it is not to be thought that he kept
to one particular spot; he was always galloping backwards and forwards,
first at one point and then at another, supervising everything and
supplying any defect as it arose. Thus Cyrus and his men marched
forward.
[C.4] Now there was a certain officer in the cavalry with Gadatas, a man
of power and influence, who, when he saw that his master had revolted
from Assyria, thought to himself, "If anything should happen to him, I
myself could get from the king all that he possessed."
Accordingly he sent forward a man he could trust, with instructions
that, if he found the Assyrian army already in the territory of Gadatas,
he was to tell the king that he could capture Gadatas and all who were
with him, if he thought fit to make an ambuscade. [2] And the messenger
was also to say what force Gadatas had at his command and to announce
that Cyrus was not with him. Moreover, the officer stated the road by
which Gadatas was coming. Finally, to win the greater confidence, he
sent word to his own dependents and bade them deliver up to the king of
Assyria the castle which he himself commanded in the province, with all
that it contained: he would come himself, he added, if possible, after
he had slain Gadatas, and, even if he failed in that, he would always
stand by the king.
[3] Now the emissary rode as hard as he could and came before the king
and told his errand, and, hearing it, the king at once took over the
castle and formed an ambuscade, with a large body of horse and many
chariots, in a dense group of villages that lay upon the road. [4]
Gadatas, when he came near the spot, sent scouts ahead to explore,
and the king, as soon as he sighted them, ordered two or three of his
chariots and a handful of horsemen to dash away as though in flight,
giving the impression that they were few in number and panic-stricken.
At this the scouting party swept after them, signalling to Gadatas, who
also fell into the trap and gave himself up to the chase.
The Assyrians waited till the quarry was within their grasp and then
sprang out from their ambuscade. [5] The men, with Gadatas, seeing
what had happened, turned back and fled, as one might expect, with
the Assyrians at their heels, while the officer who had planned it all
stabbed Gadatas himself. He struck him in the shoulder, but the blow was
not mortal. Thereupon the traitor fled to the pursuers, and when
they found out who he was he galloped on with them, his horse at full
stretch, side by side with the king. [6] Naturally the men with the
slower horses were overtaken by the better mounted, and the fugitives,
already wearied by their long journey, were at the last extremity when
suddenly they caught sight of Cyrus advancing at the head of his army,
and were swept into safety, as glad and thankful, we may well believe,
as shipwrecked mariners into port.
[7] The first feeling of Cyrus was sheer astonishment, but he soon saw
how matters stood. The whole force of the Assyrian cavalry was rolling
on him, and he met it with his own army in perfect order, till the
enemy, realising what had happened, turned and fled. Then Cyrus ordered
his pursuing party to charge, while he followed more slowly at the pace
he thought the safest. [8] The enemy were utterly routed: many of the
chariots were taken, some had lost their charioteers, others were seized
in the sudden change of front, others surrounded by the Persian cavalry.
Right and left the conquerors cut down their foes, and among them fell
the officer who had dealt the blow at Gadatas. [9] But of the Assyrian
infantry, those who were besieging the fortress of Gadatas escaped
to the stronghold that had revolted from him, or managed to reach an
important city belonging to the king, where he himself, his horsemen,
and his chariots had taken refuge.
[10] After this exploit Cyrus went on to the territory of Gadatas, and
as soon as he had given orders to those who guarded the prisoners, he
went himself to visit the eunuch and see how it was with him after his
wound. Gadatas came out to meet him, his wound already bandaged. And
Cyrus was gladdened and said, "I came myself to see how it was with
you." [11] "And I," said Gadatas, "heaven be my witness, I came out to
see how a man would look who had a soul like yours. I cannot tell what
need you had of me, or what promise you ever gave me, to make you do as
you have done. I had shown you no kindness for your private self: it was
because you thought I had been of some little service to your friends,
that you came to help me thus, and help me you did, from death to life.
Left to myself I was lost. [12] By heaven above, I swear it, Cyrus, if
I had been a father as I was born to be, God knows whether I could
have found in the son of my loins so true a friend as you. I know of
sons--this king of ours is such an one, who has caused his own father
ten thousand times more trouble than ever he causes you."
[13] And Cyrus made answer:
"You have overlooked a much more wonderful thing, Gadatas, to turn and
wonder at me."
"Nay," said Gadatas, "what could that be?"
"That all these Persians," he answered, "are so zealous in your behalf,
and all these Medes and Hyrcanians, and every one of our allies,
Armenians, Sakians, Cadousians."
[14] Then Gadatas prayed aloud:
"O Father Zeus, may the gods heap blessings on them also, but above
all on him who has made them what they are! And now, Cyrus, that I may
entertain as they deserve these men you praise, take the gifts I bring
you as their host, the best I have it in my power to bring."
And with the word he brought out stores of every kind, enough for all
to over sacrifice who listed; and the whole army was entertained in a
manner worthy of their feat and their success.
[15] Meanwhile the Cadousians had been always in the rear, unable to
share in the pursuit, and they longed to achieve some exploit of their
own. So their chieftain, with never a word to Cyrus, led them forth
alone, and raided the country towards Babylon. But, as soon as they
were scattered the Assyrians came out from their city of refuge in good
battle-order. [16] When they saw that the Cadousians were unsupported
they attacked them, killing the leader himself and numbers of his men,
capturing many of their horses and retaking the spoil they were in the
act of driving away. The king pursued as far as he thought safe, and
then turned back, and the Cadousians at last found safety in their own
camp, though even the vanguard only reached it late in the afternoon.
[17] When Cyrus saw what had happened he went out to meet them,
succouring every wounded man and sending him off to Gadatas at once, to
have his wounds dressed, while he helped to house the others in their
quarters, and saw that they had all they needed, his Peers aiding him,
for at such times noble natures will give help with all their hearts.
[18] Still it was plain to see that he was sorely vexed, and when the
hour for dinner came, and the others went away, he was still there on
the ground with the attendants and the surgeons; not a soul would he
leave uncared for if anything could be done: he either saw to it himself
or sent for the proper aid.
[19] So for that night they rested. But with daybreak Cyrus sent out
a herald and summoned a gathering of all the officers and the whole
Cadousian army, and spoke as follows:
"My friends and allies, what has happened is only natural; for it is
human nature to err, and I cannot find it astonishing. Still we may gain
at least one advantage from what has occurred, if we learn that we must
never cut off from our main body a detachment weaker than the force of
the enemy. [20] I do not say that one is never to march anywhere, if
necessary, with an even smaller fraction than the Cadousians had; but,
before doing so you must communicate with some one able to bring up
reinforcements, and then, though you may be trapped yourself, it is at
least probable that your friends behind you may foil the foilers, and
divert them from your own party: there are fifty ways in which one can
embarrass the enemy and save one's friends. Thus separation need not
mean isolation, and union with the main force may still be kept, whereas
if you sally forth without telling your plan, you are no better off than
if you were alone in the field. [21] However, God willing, we shall take
our revenge for this ere long; indeed, as soon as you have breakfasted,
I will lead you out to the scene of yesterday's skirmish, and there we
will bury those who fell, and show our enemies that the very field where
they thought themselves victorious is held by those who are stronger
than they: they shall never look again with joy upon the spot where they
slew our comrades. Or else, if they refuse to come out and meet us, we
will burn their villages and harry all their land, so that in lieu of
rejoicing at the sight of what they did to us, they shall gnash their
teeth at the spectacle of their own disasters. [22] Go now," said
he, "the rest of you, and take your breakfast forthwith, but let the
Cadousians first elect a leader in accordance with their own laws, and
one who will guide them well and wisely, by the grace of God, and with
our human help, if they should need it. And when you have chosen your
leader, and had your breakfast, send him hither to me."
[23] So they did as Cyrus bade them, and when he led the army out, he
stationed their new general close to his own person, and told him to
keep his detachment there, "So that you and I," said he, "may rekindle
the courage in their souls."
In this order they marched out, and thus they buried the Cadousian dead
and ravaged the country. Which done, they went back to the province of
Gadatas, laden with supplies taken from the foe.
[24] Now Cyrus felt that those who had come over to his side and who
dwelt in the neighbourhood of Babylon would be sure to suffer unless he
were constantly there himself, and so he bade all the prisoners he set
free take a message to the king, and he himself despatched a herald
to say that he would leave all the tillers of the soil unmolested and
unhurt if the Assyrian would let those who had come over to him continue
their work in peace. [25] "And remember," he added, "that even if you
try to hinder my friends, it is only a few whom you could stop, whereas
there is a vast territory of yours that I could allow to be cultivated.
As for the crops," he added, "if we have war, it will be the conqueror,
I make no doubt, who will reap them, but if we have peace, it will be
you. If, however, any of my people take up arms against you, or any of
yours against me, we must, of course, each of us, defend ourselves as
best we can."
[26] With this message Cyrus despatched the herald, and when the
Assyrians heard it, they urged the king to accept the proposal, and so
limit the war as much as possible. [27] And he, whether influenced by
his own people or because he desired it himself, consented to the terms.
So an agreement was drawn up, proclaiming peace to the tillers of the
soil and war to all who carried arms.
[28] Thus Cyrus arranged matters for the husbandmen, and he asked his
own supporters among the drovers to bring their herds, if they liked,
into his dominions and leave them there, while he treated the enemy's
cattle as booty wherever he could, so that his allies found attraction
in the campaign. For the risk was no greater if they took what they
needed, while the knowledge that they were living at the enemy's expense
certainly seemed to lighten the labour of the war.
[29] When the time came for Cyrus to go back, and the final preparations
were being made, Gadatas brought him gifts of every kind, the produce
of a vast estate, and among the cattle a drove of horses, taken from
cavalry of his own, whom he distrusted owing to the late conspiracy.
[30] And when he brought them he said, "Cyrus, this day I give you these
for your own, and I would pray you to make such use of them as you think
best, but I would have you remember that all else which I call mine
is yours as well. For there is no son of mine, nor can there ever be,
sprung from my own loins, to whom I may leave my wealth: when I die
myself, my house must perish with me, my family and my name. [31] And I
must suffer this, Cyrus, I swear to you by the great gods above us, who
see all things and hear all things, though never by word or deed did I
commit injustice or foulness of any kind."
But here the words died on his lips; he burst into tears over his
sorrows, and could say no more. [32] Cyrus was touched with pity at his
suffering and said to him:
"Let me accept the horses, for in that I can help you, if I set loyal
riders on them, men of a better mind, methinks, than those who had them
before, and I myself can satisfy a wish that has long been mine, to
bring my Persian cavalry up to ten thousand men. But take back, I pray
you, all these other riches, and guard them safely against the time
when you may find me able to vie with you in gifts. If I left you now so
hugely in your debt, heaven help me if I could hold up my head again for
very shame."
[33] Thereto Gadatas made answer, "In all things I trust you, and will
trust you, for I see your heart. But consider whether I am competent
to guard all this myself. [34] While I was at peace with the king, the
inheritance I had from my father was, it may be, the fairest in all the
land: it was near that mighty Babylon, and all the good things that can
be gathered from a great city fell into our laps, and yet from all the
trouble of it, the noise and the bustle, we could be free at once by
turning our backs and coming home here. But now that we are at war, the
moment you have left us we are sure to be attacked, ourselves and all
our wealth, and methinks we shall have a sorry life of it, our enemies
at our elbow and far stronger than ourselves. [35] I seem to hear
some one say, why did you not think of this before you revolted? But I
answer, Cyrus, because the soul within me was stung beyond endurance by
my wrongs; I could not sit and ponder the safest course, I was always
brooding over one idea, always in travail of one dream, praying for
the day of vengeance on the miscreant, the enemy of God and man, whose
hatred never rested, once aroused, once he suspected a man, not of
doing wrong, but of being better than himself. [36] And because he is a
villain, he will always find, I know, worse villains that himself to
aid him, but if one day a nobler rival should appear--have no concern,
Cyrus, you will never need to do battle with such an one, yonder fiend
would deal with him and never cease to plot against him until he had
dragged him in the dust, only because he was the better man. And to work
me trouble and disaster, he and his wicked tools will, I fear me, have
strength enough and to spare."
[37] Cyrus thought there was much in what he said, and he answered
forthwith:
"Tell me, Gadatas, did we not put a stout garrison in your fortress,
so as to make it safe for you whenever you needed it, and are you not
taking the field with us now, so that, if the gods be on our side as
they are to-day, that scoundrel may fear you, not you him? Go now, bring
with you all you have that is sweet to look on and to love, and then
join our march: you shall be, I am persuaded, of the utmost service to
me, and I, so far as in me lies, will give you help for help."
[38] When Gadatas heard that, he breathed again, and he said:
"Could I really be in time to make my preparations and be back before
you leave? I would fain take my mother with me on the march."
"Assuredly," said Cyrus, "you will be in time: for I will wait until you
say that all is ready."
[39] So it came to pass that Gadatas went his way, and with the aid of
Cyrus put a strong garrison in his fortress, and got together the
wealth of his broad estates. And moreover he brought with him in his own
retinue servants he could trust and in whom he took delight, as well as
many others in whom he put no trust at all, and these he compelled to
bring their wives with them, and their sisters, that so they might be
bound to his service.
[40] Thus Gadatas went with Cyrus, and Cyrus kept him ever at his side,
to show him the roads and the places for water and fodder and food, and
lead them where there was most abundance.
[41] At last they came in sight of Babylon once more, and it seemed
to Cyrus that the road they were following led under the very walls.
Therefore he summoned Gobryas and Gadatas, and asked them if there was
not another way, so that he need not pass so close to the ramparts. [42]
"There are many other ways, my lord," answered Gobryas, "but I thought
you would certainly want to pass as near the city as possible, and
display the size and splendour of your army to the king. I knew that
when your force was weaker you advanced to his walls, and let him
see us, few as we were, and I am persuaded that if he has made any
preparation for battle now, as he said he would, when he sees the
power you have brought with you, he will think once more that he is
unprepared."
[435] But Cyrus said:
"Does it seem strange to you, Gobryas, that when I had a far smaller
army I took it right up to the enemy's walls, and to-day when my force
is greater I will not venture there? [44] You need not think it strange:
to march up is not the same as to march past. Every leader will march up
with his troops disposed in the best order for battle and a wise leader
will draw them off so as to secure safety rather than sped. [45] But
in marching past there is no means of avoiding long straggling lines of
waggons, long strings of baggage-bearers, and all these must be screened
by the fighting-force so as never to leave the baggage unprotected. [46]
But this must mean a thin weak order for the fighting-men, and if the
enemy choose to attack at any point with their full force, they can
strike with far more weight than any of the troops available to meet
them at the moment. [47] Again, the length of line means a long delay in
bringing up relief, whereas the enemy have only a handsbreadth to cover
as they rush out from the walls or retire. [48] But now, if we leave
a distance between ourselves and them as wide as our line is long,
not only with they realise our numbers plainly enough, but our veil of
glittering armour will make the whole multitude more formidable in
their eyes. [49] And, if they do attack us anywhere, we shall be able to
foresee their advance a long way off and be quite prepared to give them
welcome. But it is far more likely, gentlemen," he added, "that they
will not make the attempt, with all that ground to cover from the walls,
unless they imagine that their whole force is superior to the whole of
ours: they know that retreat will be difficult and dangerous."
[50] So Cyrus spoke, and his listeners felt that he was right, and
Gobryas led the army by the way that he advised. And as one detachment
after another passed the city, Cyrus strengthened the protection for the
rear and so withdrew in safety.
[51] Marching in this order, he came back at last to his first
starting-point, on the frontier between Assyria and Media. Here he dealt
with three Assyrian fortresses: one, the weakest, he attacked and took
by force, while the garrisons of the other two, what with the eloquence
of Gadatas and the terror inspired by Cyrus, were persuaded to
surrender.
[C.5] And now that his expedition was completed, Cyrus sent to Cyaxares
and urged him to come to the camp in order that they might decide best
how to use the forts which they had taken, and perhaps Cyaxares, after
reviewing the army, would advise him what the next move ought to be, or,
Cyrus added to the messenger, "if he bids me, say I will come to him
and take up my encampment there." [2] So the emissary went off with the
message, and meanwhile Cyrus gave orders that the Assyrian tent chosen
for Cyaxares should be furnished as splendidly as possible, and the
woman brought to her apartment there, and the two singing-girls also,
whom they had set aside for him.
[3] And while they were busied with these things the envoy went to
Cyaxares and delivered his message, and Cyaxares listened and decided
it was best for Cyrus and his men to stay on the frontier. The Persians
whom Cyrus had sent for had already arrived, forty thousand bowmen and
targeteers. [4] To watch these eating up the land was bad enough, and
Cyaxares thought he would rather be quit of one horde before he received
another. On his side the officer in command of the Persian levy,
following the instructions from Cyrus, asked Cyaxares if he had any need
of the men, and Cyaxares said he had not. Thereupon, and hearing that
Cyrus had arrived, the Persian put himself at the head of his troops and
went off at once to join him. [5] Cyaxares himself waited till the next
day and then set out with the Median troopers who had stayed behind. And
when Cyrus knew of his approach he took his Persian cavalry, who were
now a large body of men, and all the Medes, Hyrcanians, and Armenians,
and the best-mounted and best-armed among the rest, and so went out to
meet Cyaxares and show the power he had won. [6] But when Cyaxares saw
so large a following of gallant gentlemen with Cyrus, and with
himself so small and mean a retinue, it seemed to him an insult, and
mortification filled his heart. And when Cyrus sprang from his horse
and came up to give him the kiss of greeting, Cyaxares, though he
dismounted, turned away his head and gave him no kiss, while the tears
came into his eyes. [7] Whereupon Cyrus told the others to stand aside
and rest, and then he took Cyaxares by the hand and led him apart under
a grove of palm-trees, and bade the attendants spread Median carpets for
them, and made Cyaxares sit down, and then, seating himself beside him,
he said:
[8] "Uncle of mine, tell me, in heaven's name, I implore you, why are
you angry with me? What bitter sight have you seen to make you feel such
bitterness?"
And then Cyaxares answered:
"Listen, Cyrus; I have been reputed royal and of royal lineage as far
back as the memory of man can go; my father was a king and a king I
myself was thought to be; and now I see myself riding here, meanly
and miserably attended, while you come before me in splendour and
magnificence, followed by the retinue that once was mine and all your
other forces. [9] That would be bitter enough, methinks, from the hand
of an enemy, but--O gods above us!--how much more bitter at the hands of
those from whom we least deserve it! Far rather would I be swallowed in
the earth than live to be seen so low, aye, and to see my own kinsfolk
turn against me and make a mock of me. And well I know," said he, "that
not only you but my own slaves are now stronger and greater than myself:
they come out equipt to do me far more mischief than ever I could
repay."
[10] But here he stopped, overcome by a passion of weeping, so much so
that for very pity Cyrus' own eyes filled with tears. There was silence
between them for a while, and then Cyrus said:
"Nay, Cyaxares, what you say is not true, and what you think is not
right, if you imagine that because I am here, your Medes have been
equipt to do you any harm. [11] I do not wonder that you are pained, and
I will not ask if you have cause or not for your anger against them:
you will ill brook apologies for them from me. Only it seems to me a
grievous error in a ruler to quarrel with all his subjects at once.
Widespread terror must needs be followed by widespread hate: anger with
all creates unity among all. [12] It was for this reason, take my word
for it, that I would not send them back to you without myself, fearing
that your wrath might be the cause of what would injure all of us.
Through my presence here and by the blessing of heaven, all is safe for
you: but that you should regard yourself as wronged by me,--I cannot but
feel it bitter, when I am doing all in my power to help my friends, to
be accused of plotting against them. [13] However," he continued, "let
us not accuse each other in this useless way; if possible, let us see
exactly in what I have offended. And as between friend and friend, I
will lay down the only rule that is just and fair: if I can be shown to
have done you harm, I will confess I am to blame, but if it appears that
I have never injured you, not even in thought, will you not acquit me of
all injustice towards you?"
"Needs must I," answered Cyaxares.
[14] "And if I can show that I have done you service, and been zealous
in your cause to the utmost of my power, may I not claim, instead of
rebuke, some little meed of praise?"
"That were only fair," said Cyaxares.
[15] "Then," said Cyrus, "let us go through all I have done, point by
point, and see what is good in it and what is evil. [16] Let us begin
from the time when I assumed my generalship, if that is early enough.
I think I am right in saying that it was because you saw your enemies
gathering together against you, and ready to sweep over your land and
you, that you sent to Persia asking for help, and to me in private,
praying me to come, if I could, myself, at the head of any forces they
might send. Was I not obedient to your word? Did I not come myself with
the best and bravest I could bring?"
[17] "You did indeed," answered Cyaxares.
"Tell me, then, before we go further, did you see any wrong in this? Was
it not rather a service and a kindly act?" "Certainly," said Cyaxares,
"so far as that went, I saw nothing but kindliness." [18] "Well, after
the enemy had come, and we had to fight the matter out, did you ever see
me shrink from toil or try to escape from danger?" "That I never did,"
said Cyaxares, "quite the contrary."
[19] "And afterwards, when, through the help of heaven, victory was
ours, and the enemy retreated, and I implored you to let us pursue them
together, take vengeance on them together, win together the fruits
of any gallant exploit we might achieve, can you accuse me then of
self-seeking or self-aggrandisement?"
[20] But at that Cyaxares was silent. Then Cyrus spoke again. "If you
would rather not reply to that, tell me if you thought yourself injured
because, when you considered pursuit unsafe, I relieved you of the risk,
and only begged you to lend me some of your cavalry? If my offence lay
in asking for that, when I had already offered to work with you, side by
side, you must prove it to me; and it will need some eloquence."
[21] He paused, but Cyaxares still kept silence. "Nay," said Cyrus, "if
you will not answer that either, tell me at least if my offence lay in
what followed, when you said that you did not care to stop your Medes in
their merry-making and drive them out into danger, do you think it was
wrong in me, without waiting to quarrel on that score, to ask you for
what I knew was the lightest boon you could grant and the lightest
command you could lay on your soldiers? For I only asked that he who
wished it might be allowed to follow me. [22] And thus, when I had
won your permission, I had won nothing, unless I could win them too.
Therefore I went and tried persuasion, and some listened to me, and with
these I set off on my march, holding my commission from your own self.
So that, if you look on this act as blameworthy, it would seem that not
even the acceptance of your own gifts can be free from blame. [23] It
was thus we started, and after we had gone, was there, I ask you, a
single deed of mine that was not done in the light of day? Has not the
enemy's camp been taken? Have not hundreds of your assailants fallen?
And hundreds been deprived of their horses and their arms? Is not the
spoiler spoiled? The cattle and the goods of those who harried your land
are now in the hands of your friends, they are brought to you, or to
your subjects. [24] And, above all and beyond all, you see your own
country growing great and powerful and the land of your enemy brought
low. Strongholds of his are in your power, and your own that were torn
from you in other days by the Syrian domination are now restored to you
again. I cannot say I should be glad to learn that any of these things
can be bad for you, or short of good, but I am ready to listen, if so it
is. [25] Speak, tell me your judgment of it all."
Then Cyrus paused, and Cyaxares made answer:
"To call what you have done evil, Cyrus, is impossible. But your
benefits are of such a kind that the more they multiply upon me, the
heavier burden do they bring. [26] I would far rather," he went on,
"have made your country great by own power than see mine exalted in this
way by you. These deeds of yours are a crown of glory to you; but they
bring dishonour to me. [27] And for the wealth, I would rather have made
largess of it to yourself than receive it at your hands in the way
you give it now. Goods so gotten only leave me the poorer. And for my
subjects--I think I would have suffered less if you had injured them
a little than I suffer now when I see how much they owe you. [28]
Perhaps," he added, "you find it inhuman of me to feel thus, but I would
ask you to forget me and imagine that you are in my place and see how it
would appear to you then. Suppose a friend of yours were to take care of
your dogs, dogs that you bred up to guard yourself and your house, such
care that he made them fonder of him than of yourself, would you be
pleased with him for his attention? [29] Or take another instance, if
that one seems too slight: suppose a friend of yours were to do so much
for your own followers, men you kept to guard you and to fight for
you, that they would rather serve in his train than yours, would you be
grateful to him for his kindness? [30] Or let me take the tenderest of
human ties: suppose a friend of yours paid court to the wife of your
bosom so that in the end he made her love him more than yourself, would
he rejoice your heart by his courtesy? Far from it, I trow; he who did
this, you would say, did you the greatest wrong in all the world. [31]
And now, to come nearest to my own case, suppose some one paid such
attention to your Persians that they learnt to follow him instead of
you, would you reckon that man your friend? No; but a worse enemy
than if he had slain a thousand. [32] Or again, say you spoke in all
friendship to a friend and bade him take what he wished, and straightway
he took all he could lay hands on and carried it off, and so grew rich
with your wealth, and you were left in utter poverty, could you say that
friend was altogether blameless? [33] And I, Cyrus, I feel that you have
treated me, if not in that way, yet in a way exactly like it. What you
say is true enough: I did allow you to take what you liked and go, and
you took the whole of my power and went, leaving me desolate, and to-day
you bring the spoil you have won with my forces, and lay it so grandly
at my feet--magnificent! And you make my country great through the help
of my own might, while I have no part or lot in the performance, but
must step in at the end, like a woman, to receive your favours, while in
the eyes of all men, not least my faithful subjects yonder, you are the
man, and I--I am not fit to wear a crown. [34] Are these, I ask you,
Cyrus, are these the deeds of a benefactor? Nay, had you been kind as
you are kin, above all else you would have been careful not to rob me
of my dignity and honour. What advantage is it to me for my lands to be
made broad if I myself am dishonoured? When I ruled the Medes, I ruled
them not because I was stronger than all of them, but because they
themselves thought that our race was in all things better than theirs."
[35] But while he was still speaking Cyrus broke in on his words,
crying:
"Uncle of mine, by the heaven above us, if I have ever shown you any
kindness, be kind to me now. Do not find fault with me any more, wait,
and put me to the test, and learn how I feel towards you, and if you see
that what I have done has really brought you good, then, when I embrace
you, embrace me in return and call me your benefactor, and if not, you
may blame me as you please."
[36] "Perhaps," answered Cyaxares, "you are right. I will do as you
wish."
"Then I may kiss you?" said Cyrus.
"Yes, if it pleases you. "And you will not turn aside as you did just
now?" "No, I will not turn aside." And he kissed him.
[37] And when the Medes saw it and the Persians and all the allies--for
all were watching to see how matters would shape--joy came into their
hearts and gladness lit up their faces. Then Cyrus and Cyaxares mounted
their horses and rode back, and the Medes fell in behind Cyaxares, at
a nod from Cyrus, and behind Cyrus the Persians, and the others behind
them. [38] And when they reached the camp and brought Cyaxares to the
splendid tent, those who were appointed made everything ready for him,
and while he was waiting for the banquet his Medes presented themselves,
some of their own accord, it is true, but most were sent by Cyrus.
[39] And they brought him gifts; one came with a beautiful cup-bearer,
another with an admirable cook, a third with a baker, a fourth with a
musician, while others brought cups and goblets and beautiful apparel;
almost every one gave something out of the spoils they had won. [40] So
that the mood of Cyaxares changed, and he seemed to see that Cyrus had
not stolen his subjects from him, and that they made no less account of
him than they used to do.
[41] Now when the hour came for the banquet, Cyaxares sent to Cyrus and
begged him to share it: it was so long, he said, since they had met.
But Cyrus answered, "Bid me not to the feast, good uncle. Do you not see
that all these soldiers of ours have been raised by us to the pitch of
expectation? And it were ill on my part if I seemed to neglect them for
the sake of my private pleasure. If soldiers feel themselves neglected
even the good become faint-hearted, and the bad grow insolent. [42] With
yourself it is different, you have come a long journey and you must fall
to without delay, and if your subjects do you honour, welcome them and
give them good cheer, that there may be confidence between you and them,
but I must go and attend to the matters of which I speak. [43]
Early to-morrow morning," he added, "our chief officers will present
themselves at your gate to hear from you what you think our next step
ought to be. You will tell us whether we ought to pursue the campaign
further or whether the time has now come to disband our army."
[44] Thereupon Cyaxares betook himself to the banquet and Cyrus called
a council of his friends, the shrewdest and the best fitted to act with
him, and spoke to them as follows:
"My friends, thanks to the gods, our first prayers are granted. Wherever
we set foot now we are the masters of the country: we see our enemies
brought low and ourselves increasing day by day in numbers and in
strength. [45] And if only our present allies would consent to stay with
us a little longer, our achievements could be greater still, whether
force were needed or persuasion. Now it must be your work as much as
mine to make as many of them as possible willing and anxious to remain.
[46] Remember that, just as the soldier who overthrows the greatest
number in the day of battle is held to be the bravest, so the speaker,
when the time has come for persuasion, who brings most men to his side
will be thought the most eloquent, the best orator and the ablest man of
action. [47] Do not, however, prepare your speeches as though we asked
you to give a rhetorical display: remember that those whom you convince
will show it well enough by what they do. [48] I leave you then," he
added, "to the careful study of your parts: mine is to see, so far as in
me lies, that our troops are provided with all they need, before we hold
the council of war."
NOTES
C.1. Cyrus' generosity: he is not cold, not incapable of soft pleasure,
but too pre-occupied with greater things. On the whole, if a hedonist,
this type of man, a hedonist that = a stoic (cf. Socrates, H. Sidgwick,
also J. P.).
C1.4, init. Well told: we feel the character of Araspas at once, as soon
as he opens his lips.
C1.4, med. An Eastern picture. She is one of the Bible women, as Gadatas
and Gobryas are brothers of Barzillai; she is sister of Ruth or Susanna
or Judith or Bathsheba. Perhaps she is nobler than any of them. She
is also the sister of the Greek tragedy women, Antigone, Alcestis;
especially Euripidean is she: no doubt she is sister to the great women
of all lands.
C1.10 ff. Xenophon, Moralist. Cf. _Memorabilia_ for a similar
philosophical difficulty about the will and knowledge. And for this
raising of ethical problems in an artistic setting of narrative, cf.
Lyly. I see a certain resemblance between the times and the writers'
minds. _Vide_ J. A. Symonds on the predecessors of Shakespeare.
Araspas' point is that these scamps have only themselves to blame, being
{akrateis}, and then they turn round and accuse love. (We are thrown
back on the origin of {akrasia}: _vide Memorabilia_ [e.g. I. ii. v.; IV.
v.] for such answer as we can get to that question.) Whereas the {kaloi
kagathoi} desire strongly but can curb their desires.
C1.13. Shows a confidence in the healthy action of the will. When
Araspas himself is caught later on he develops the theory of a double
self, a higher and a lower (so hgd., and so, I think, Xenophon and
Socrates. _Vide Memorabilia_).
C1.16, fin. Cyrus || Socrates, his prototype here.
C1.18. Very natural and beautiful. Xenophon sympathetic with such a
beautiful humanity. The woman's nature brought out by these touches.
Xenophon, Dramatist: the moral problem is subordinate, that is to say,
is made to grow out of the dramatic action and characterisation.
C1.20. Notice the absolutely fair and warrantable diplomatic advantage
given to the archic man: each step he takes opens up new avenues of
progress. Herein is fulfilled "to him who hath shall be given," but
Cyrus plays his part also, he has the wisdom of serpents with the
gentleness of doves.
C1.21. This is the true rhetoric, the right road to persuasiveness, to
be absolutely frank.
C1.24. The desire to be ruled by the archic man, which the
archomenoi--i.e. all men--feel, is thus manifest. Notice again how the
Mede's own character is maintained: he speaks as he felt then.
C2.8. The bridegroom will be found to be Hystaspas; but we have no
suspicion as yet, without looking on.
C2.9. In this interview Cyrus' character still further developed. _Ex
ore Cyri._, Xenophon propounds his theory of the latent virtue in man,
which only needs an opportunity to burst forth, but, this lacking,
remains unrevealed. Now it is a great godsend to get such a chance. It
is thoroughly Hellenic, or Xenophon-Socratic, this feeling, "Give me
a chance to show my virtue." (But has Cyrus a touch of superhuman
conscious rectitude?)
C2.12. The same thought again: it is full of delicacy and spiritual
discernment: the more one ponders it the more one feels that.
C2.12, fin. For Hellenic or Xenophontine or old-world theory of the
misfortunes which befall the virtuous, _vide_ Homer, _vide_ Book of Job
(Satan), _vide_ Tragedians.
C2.15. Cf. the _Economist_ for praise of rural simplicity. It is
Xenophon _ipsissimus_.
C2.17. Whose bad manners is Xenophon thinking of? Thebans'?
C2.20, fin. A very noble sentence. The man who utters it and the people
whose heart and mind it emanates from must be of a high order; and in
the _Memorabilia_ Socrates has this highest praise, that he studied to
make himself and _all others also_ as good as possible.
C2.21. Notice the practical answer of Cyrus to this panegyric (cf. J.
P.).
C2.32. Prolix, Xenophontic.
C3.6 ff. Here also I feel the mind of Xenophon shimmering under
various lights. The _Cyropaedia_ is shot with Orientalism. Homeric
Epicism--antique Hellenism and modern Hellenism are both there. Spartan
simplicity and Eastern quaintness both say their say. In this passage
the biblical element seems almost audible.
C3.7. This is in the grand style, Oriental, dilatory, ponderous,
savouring of times when battles were affairs of private arrangement
between monarchs and hedged about by all the punctilios of an affair of
honour.
C3.12. N.B.--The archic man shows a very ready wit and inventiveness in
the great art of "grab" in war, though as he said to his father he was
"a late learner" in such matters. Cf. in modern times the duties of a
detective or some such disagreeable office. G. O. Trevelyan as Irish
secretary. Interesting for _war ethics_ in the abstract, and for
Xenophon's view, which is probably Hellenic. Cyrus now has the
opportunity of carrying out the selfish decalogue, the topsy-turvy
morality set forth in I. C.6, C.26 ff.
C3.13. Cf. Old Testament for the sort of subterfuges and preparations,
e.g. the Gibeonites.
C3.15. The archic man has no time. Cyrus {ou skholazei}. Cf. J. P. It
comes from energy combined with high gifts of organisation, economic,
architectonic.
C3.19. Nice, I think, this contrasting of spiritual and natural
productiveness.
C3.32. Here is the rule of conduct clearly expressed, nor do I see how a
military age could frame for itself any other. Christianity only emerged
_sub pace Romana_, which for fraternal brotherhood was the fullness of
time; and even in the commercial age the nations tumble back practically
into the old system.
C3.36 ff. An army on forced march: are there any novelties here?
C3.53. These minute details probably not boring at the time, but
interesting rather, perhaps useful.
C4.13. Cyrus resembles Fawcett in his unselfish self-estimate. Gadatas
is like the British public, or hgd.
C4.16. Here we feel that the Assyrian is not a mere weakling: he can
play his part well enough if he gets a good chance. It needs an Archic
and Strategic Man to overpower him.
C4.17. ANCIENT and MODERN parallelism in treatment of wounded.
C4.24. Hellenic war ethics: non-combatant tillers of the soil to be let
alone. Is this a novelty? If not, what is the prototype? Did the modern
rights of non-combatants so originate?
C4.27, fin. A touch which gives the impression of real history: that is the art of it. |
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