to raunge abroad they gate great pillage of all things Then remooved they and being now furnished with all provision necessary and forraging the country still they encamped and waited the enemies comming Now when noised it was that their army was on foot and within ten daies journey Cyrus said It is now high time ô Cyaxares to put on and to meet with them And let us give no cause to be thought either of our enemies or our owne men to shrinke backe and not to abide them but rather shew our selves not unwilling to fight When Cyaxares allowed well hereof they marched on alwaies after in battaile ray going forward every day as farre as they thought good As for their suppers they never tooke them but by day-light and in the night they made no fires within the campe Howbeit before the campe they burnt fire to the end that by the light thereof they might see if any came by night towards them and yet not be seene themselves Many times also to deceive the enemie they did set fires aburning behind the campe whereby otherwhiles the enemies spies fell into the hands of their formost escont-watch For by reason that the said fires were behind they thought themselves had beene yet farre from the campe Now the Assyrians with their Confederates and Allies after that the Armies approched one the other entrenched themselves A thing that the Barbarian Kings use to do even at this day For when they pitch their tents an easie matter it is for them to cast a trench about their campe so many hands have they to set on worke And they know that a power of horsemen in the night is soone disordered and so of little or no service especially if it consist of Barbarians For such use to have their horses tied by the feet at their mangers And if any man should charge upon them a labour it were by night to unloose the horses a trouble to bridle them a paine to saddle and trap them much adoe also to bard them and doe on their harnois Yea and when they are mounted on horsebacke impossible it is by any meanes to ride them through the campe For all these causes they also like as all other Barbarians enclosed these within certeine fortifications thought they might being thus within the safegard of a fensed place fight when they list themselves and not otherwise Whiles they were thus busied they approched one the other and being about a * About three miles and three quarters English Parasang off the Assyrians encamped thus as I said in a place entrenched round about howbeit open and exposed to the eye But Cyrus pitched his tents as much out of sight as possibly he could as having of purpose sought out certeine villages tofts and mounts afront his campe thinking that all his warlike equipage sodainly presented would be more terrible to his adversaries And verily that night after the Sentinels set as requisite it was they betooke themselves on either side to rest The day ensuing the Assyrian King and Croesus with all the other Commaunders kept their forces quiet within their Strength and rested still But Cyrus and Cyaxares stood embattailed ready to fight if the enemies came forward But when it was for certeine knowne that they would not that day issue forth without their rampier nor intended to fight Cyaxares calling for Cyrus and all the gallants and men of Action spake unto them in this wise My friends I am of this minde that thus well appointed as we are we ought to march unto the assault of our enemies rampier thereby to shew that we for our parts are willing to fight For if by this bravado they will not come forth against us our men shall be the better encouraged in giving the attempt and our enemies upon the sight of our boldnesse and resolution more daunted This was the advise of Cyaxares But Cyrus For the love of God quoth he ô Cyaxares let us not doe so For if according to your minde wee shew our selves and goe forward our enemies will looke upon us now with no feare at all as we come upon them knowing themselves as they doe to be in a place of securitie so as they can receive no hurt and more than that when as we retire without effect they eft-soones seeing our forces far inferiour to theirs will despise the same and to morrow sally forth with much more courage and resolution Now for this present knowing us as they doe to be here and yet not seeing us beleeve me verily they set not light by us but must they doe and marvaile what we meane neither ceasse they I dare well say to talke and discourse of us But when they shall come forth first then will it behoove us both to appeare in sight and at once to encounter and buckle with them as having found them where heretofore we long desired When Cyrus had thus said both Cyaxares and the rest also agreed thereunto Then therefore having taken their suppers set the watch and made fires accordingly before the same they went to bed and slept CHAP. VIII The exhortation of Cyrus to his Cheiftaines and the Peeres to moove them to advance with better courage to battaile THE next day early in the morning Cyrus with a Coronet upon his head sacrificed commaunding likewise the * Honourable Gentlemen called Homotimi Peeres to weare Chaplets and to be present at the solemnitie of Sacrifices When these Devotions were done and Sacrifice offred he assembled them all togither and unto them made this speech The Gods my deere friends as both Divinors say and I my selfe accord fore-tell us that a battaile there will be They also give us victory and in the Intrailes promise unto us safety Now to admonish you in what sort ye should beare your selves in this affaire abashed I am For I know that in these points yee are as skilfull and expert as my selfe as who have studied meditated and heard yea and continually do heare these things as well as I in so much as you by good right teach others the same But if ye have not hitherto understood and learned so much listen then to me These here our Associats whom we have newly taken unto us and endevour to make like unto our selves we must put in minde for what cause we have beene maintained by Cyaxares what exercises wee have beene trained in and to what purpose wee have called them hither as also in what regard they have given it out that right willingly they will enter into the Action with us and try it out by dint of sword This also yee ought to recall into their remembrance that this is the very day which will declare what rewards each one is worthy off For such things as men be late ere they learne no mervaile it is if some of them have need of one also to suggest and prompt unto them Yea a blessed turne it were if men might become valiant even by
how much the occasions in warre be more sodaine so much the greater is their delinquency who slacke any time and be tardy therein But in warfare he saw that exploits of great consequence were performed by those that were ready at hand in due time In which regard very diligent and carefull he was to have every thing placed fitly and in order First of all he tooke up a lodging for himselfe in the mids of the Campe because that place was strongest Then had he next about him as his manner ever was his trustiest men and round about them the men of armes and chariotiers For he supposed it needfull for them to quarter in a place of security because if any sodaine Al-arme be given in the Campe they have not use of their armes out of hand but their service requireth a long time ere they can be armed in case they meane to goe forth with them into the field for to doe any good Moreover on either hand as well the left as the right both of himselfe and of his said horsemen the Iavelotiers with their light bucklers were planted but behind and before the Archers As for the souldiers heavily armed and such as bare massie targuets they compassed all the rest in manner of a wall to the end that when need was that the horsemen should make themselves ready these souldiers so well appointed standing afore them might abide the longest brunt and give them respit and time enough to arme in safety And like as those heavily armed souldiers lodged and slept keeping their order and array stil even so did the Iavelotiers lightly armed and the Archers That if any Al-arme were in the night like as those are prest to wound the assailants close at hand so these Archers and Darters might be as ready to shoot their arrowes and launce their Iavelins from them in the defence of those armed souldiers if any enemies approached and affronted them Furthermore all the Captaines had certaine * or Banners Ensignes upon their Pavilions By which meanes like as in Cities the wiser sort can point unto the dwelling houses of most Citizens but especially of such as are of employment even so the ministers and servitours of Cyrus knew in what places to find their Captains and what Ensignes or colours belonged to every one And thereby if Cyrus had occasion to use any of them they needed not to seeke up and downe but ran readily the next way to every one And because each nation was apart and not intermingled one with another it was much sooner seene both when any kept his owne ranke in order as also whether they did not that which was commaunded Being thus marshalled he thought that if any enemie either by night or day assailed him they should come upon his campe no otherwise than if they fell into a place of ambushment And for a * one that professeth the skill to embartaile an Army Tactick he thought it requisite not onely to know how readily to stretch out in length the front of his Phalang or display and spread it out in depth or reduce it from a pointed wing into a massie squadron or to countermarch as readily the enemy being discovered and to wind about with it in good sort on the right hand or on the left or in the reare but he supposed also it appertained to that skill for to be able to divide it if need required and each part thereof to bestow for most advantage yea and to lead it on speedily where occasion is of prevention All these points and such like feats he thought did belong to that Captaine * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which is expert in the ordinance of a battaile And even so right carefull and studious was he in them all And verily in his journeies he marched with his host not alwaies alike and in the same order but evermore accommodated to divers occurrents and sodaine accidents Howbeit in the pitching of his campe he used for the most part this dispose which I have rehearsed Now when they had journeyed so farre as they were come into the Medes countrey Cyrus turned in to Cyaxares for to lodge with him And after they had embraced one another Cyrus said first to Cyaxares that there was provided for him in Babylon a choice dwelling house with stately edifices that if he came thither he might keepe his Court there as in his owne Then bestowed he upon him very many and those right goodly presents Cyaxares when he had received them at his hands sent his daughter unto him who brought with her for him a golden Coronet a paire of bracelets and a collar of gold with a most beautifull Median robe Here quoth Cyaxares I give unto you Cyrus this young Lady mine owne daughter to be your wedded wife For so your father espoused my fathers daughter whose sonne you are And this is even very she whom you being a child many a time in our house were wont to sport with and dandle as a nurceling And when any one asked her whose wife she would be she was wont to make answer that Cyrus should be her husband And with her I give over and above for a dowry the Kingdome of Media and enfeoffe her wholly in it since I have no issue male of mine owne legitimate Thus said Cyaxares Vnto whom Cyrus made this answer The parentage good Vnkle Cyaxares I commend The young maiden I praise and of the dowry I like well enough but before I conclude of a marriage I will have the consent of my father and mother And albeit Cyrus thus said yet bestowed he upon the Damoisell all those gifts wherein he thought hee might gratifie Cyaxares Which done hee tooke his leave and went forward on his journey for Persia CHAP. VIII How Cyrus arrived in Persia where Cambyses treateth with him and his Lords and chiefe Commanders about the affaires of State How hee tooke to wife the daughter of Cyaxares and being returned to Babylon sent Rulers and Deputies into all his Provinces WHEN he was come so farre as into the Frontiers of Persia the rest of his forces he left there and went himselfe accompanied with his friends to the Susa City bringing with him as well beasts sufficient both to sacrifice and also to feast the whole nation of the Persians as gifts meet to present unto his father and mother and other his friends there yea and such as might beseeme the Head Magistrates Auncients and noble Gentlemen called Homotimi in generall Moreover he gave a largesse among all the Persians both men and women even such congiaries as at this day the King useth to deale among them whensoever he commeth into Persia After this Cambyses assembled a Councell of the Elders of Persia togither with such Rulers as had the menaging of the weightiest affaires in Common-wealth Who being come togither he called Cyrus also unto them and then made a speech to this effect My Lords of Persia
like defaults For that my sonne as well you as your enimies are of necessitie to meet with many of these occurrents For both of you ought to goe and send out a foraging yee cannot choose yee must needs of both sides take your sleepe Early in the morning yee cannot otherwise doe but all-togither make starts and straggle aside to purvey necessaries and such waies as yee light upon be they better or worse yee are to use perforce All these things ought you to thinke upon and looke wherein yee finde your selves weakest therein most of all yee are to be wary and circumspect in what things you perceive your enimies easiest to be taken and vanquished therein especially to set upon them What! quoth Cyrus is it lawfull to lay for vantage in these particulars onely or in some others beside Yes ywis that it is and in those much more my sonne For in these all men for the most part keepe sure watch and ward as knowing that ordinarily they have need thereof But they that are skilfull to circumvent their enimies can either put them first in a good conceit of themselves and then surprize them at unwares or suffer them to follow in chase and so cause them to breake their raies or by semblance of flight traine them into streights and places disadvantageous there to assaile them sodainly Now my sonne it behooveth you to practise not onely all these stratagemes which with earnest desire you have already learned but devise also and of your owne head other sleights against your enimies even as Musicians use not those tunes and songs onely which they have learn'd but study also to make set other And verily in Musick new dities and fresh notes in their very prime are in most request but much more in warre new policies are best set by For why such late devised inventions are those that soonest can deceive the enimies And if you my sonne quoth he would turne upon men nought else but those sleights which you have laid for very small wild beasts thinke you not that you should make good progresse in winning the better hand of your enemies For to catch foule you have in the most bitter time of winter risen and gone forth by night yea and before the poore birds were stirring set snares and grins for them so cunningly as that the mooveable false floore seemed like unto that which mooved not Besides certeine foules were so taught by you as that they served your owne turne but in the meane time deluded other silly birds of their owne fether whiles your selfe lay in convert and espiall so as you saw them and they had no fight of you Moreover your care and endevour was to prevent the said foules and draw them unto you before they should flye away As for the Hare because she goeth to releife and feedeth in the darke night but by day saveth her selfe by her light foot you kept Hounds which by sent might finde her out and for that when shee is started shee swiftly runneth away you had Greehounds besides trained of purpose to overtake her in pursuit by good footmanship And in case the said Hares should out-strip these Greehounds also you learned out their paths and musets and to what harbours they chuse to flie therein you pitched haies and nets hardly to be seene to the end that the Hare in her most eger flight 01 might fall into them and therein entangle her selfe And that shee might not escape thence you placed men of purpose to watch and marke the manner of it who being neere at hand should streight-waies seize upon her And your selfe verily from behind by setting up a lowd cry that raught unto her so affrighted the poore Hare that caught shee was at unwares whiles those who on the forepart lay in waite instructed by you to keepe silence were hidden and unseene Therefore as I said before if you would practise likewise such devises as these against men I know not for my part how you should come short of any enemie in the world Now if it chaunce at any time that you be enforced in plaine even ground and open feild to joyne battaile with ensignes displayed when yee are on both sides armed and well appointed even then my sonne those helpes and advantages provided long before do very much availe And such I say be these namely if your souldiours bodies have beene well exercised if their hearts have had an edge set upon them and thereby be well encouraged and last of all if they have diligently studied and practized martiall feats aforehand Moreover this thing also you are to know that so many as you shall thinke it meet they should obey you will all of them likewise deeme it as fit that you provide for their good and safetie every way Therefore be you never carelesse in this point but foresee over-night what you would have your liege men to doe the morrow and fore-cast by day how night-service may speed best Furthermore in what sort an armie is to be put in order against a battaile after what manner it is to be led in march by night or day how in streights how in broad plaines and open wayes how over hilly places how through champian fields and plaines Also in what wise a campe is to be pitched How watch and ward is to be set as well for night as day How to advance against the enimies how to come off and retire How to march before an enimie-citie how to lead an armie to the assault of a walled Fort and how to withdraw the same from thence In what manner to passe through * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 hollow waies full of woods or over rivers What order to take with horsemen what with darters and archers Also when you lead your armie displaied into wings if then your enimies charge directly upon you in what sort are you to make head and withstand them Again when you lead it in forme of a thicke * Or Phelony squadron and they flanke you from some other side and not afront in what manner you are to encounter them Also by which meanes you may best know your enimies behaviour and projects and they least perceive your desseine and purpose But all these points why should I now rehearse unto you For whatsoever my selfe knoweth you have often heard and if others besides seemed expert therein you have not neglected conference with any one of them and never were you dull witted and hard to learne You ought therefore as I thinke according as occasions shall be presented to put such instructions in ure as you shall suppose will be at all times most expedient for you And learne withall my sonne of mee these directions of greatest importance Never adventure any thing either by your selfe alone or in your armie without warrant of sacrifices and auguries by bird flight considering thus much that men take matters in hand no otherwise than by guesse as not knowing for
them up for the love of praise and glory to determine for to undergoe all labour and adventure all perils and to grow unto this stedfast resolution that better it is for men to fight valiantly and so to die than to run away and save their lives Also to the imprinting quoth he of such thoughts in mens minds and to retaine the same there firmely fixed is it not behovefull That first there were such positive lawes by vertue whereof for valiant men there should be provided a worshipfull and free life but upon cowards might be imposed a base grievous and unpleasant condition Then there ought to be Mrs I suppose and Governors appointed beside who may rightly instruct accustome them to perform the same so long untill this opinion be surely settled namely to repute in very deed valiant and noble men happiest and to thinke cowards and obscure persons of all others most miserable For in this wise ought they to be affected who will shew that discipline availeth more than the feare that ariseth from the enemies But if a man when souldiours are going armed into the field what time many of them forgoe and forget even their old lessons and principles were able at the instant with a subitary speech to make them brave and worthy warriours certes it were the easiest matter in the world both to learne and also to teach the most excellent vertue of all others that belongeth to a man And verily for mine owne part I would not beleeve That even these here whom we have now with us and have trained up and exercised will constantly persevere and abide to the end but that I see you present in place both willing to give them good example how they ought to carry themselves and able also to suggest unto them that which haply they have forgotten But as for those quoth he my Chrysantas who are altogither raw and untrained in vertue and prowesse I would much marvaile if an oration with a goodly grace pronounced could helpe them more to attaine unto valiantnesse than a song sweetly chaunted edifie those in the knowledge of musicke that are altogither ignorant of that science In this manner reasoned and discoursed they By which time Cyaxares sent eftsoones unto Cyrus charging him in plaine termes that he did amisse to delay the time so long and not with all expedition march against the enemies Then Cyrus returned this answer unto his messengers Let Cyaxares quoth he understand That they are not come forth as many of them as should And thus much tell him from me in the hearing of all Neverthelesse because it is his mind I will anon set forward Having thus said and made his oraisons unto the Gods he brought forth his forces Now when he began to march still faster and faster than ordinarie he led the way himselfe and his souldiers followed not onely with an orderly pace in good array as having through long exercise learned to keep order but also courageously and with resolution For that in a kind of emulation they strove one to excell another and had bodies withall well enured and hardned to travaile as also for that all those that went formost were no other than their very Captaines and Commaunders yea and cheerefully beside in regard of their skill and cunning For they knew and had learned long agoe that it was the safest and easiest way all at once directly to charge the enemies especially if they be Archers darters and horsemen Whiles therefore they were yet without the daunger of shot Cyrus gave this Motto for the signal of Battaile IVPITER AIDER And LEADER which having passed from one to another through the host and being returned again unto him he began to sing a solemn * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or the Battaile Hymne unto CASTOR and PoLLVX and all his souldiours with a devour mind and loud voice chaunted the same with him For in such a case as many as be * Or superstitious 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 religiously given stand lesse in feare of men The said song being ended The Peeres above-said march on bravely togither with a lightsome countenance as being well trained and taught beholding one another calling by name to their sidemen and next followers iterating full often these words Now to it good friends Goe to it now right valiant Knights mightily encouraging each one his fellow to follow Which they that came behind hearing exhorted semblably the former to lead and goe before boldly Thus the whole armie without was replenished with forward alacrity desirous of glory and renowne full of strength of confident boldnesse of encouragement and exhortation of stayed temperance and obedience which I take to be the most terrible objects that can be presented to enemies But of the Assyrians such as were ready to fight before the rampiers and in defence of their campe when the Persians army once approached neere unto them mounted their chariots and retired themselves to their fellowes where they were thickest embattailed As for their Archers Darters and Slingers they discharged from them their shot farre sooner and before they could possibly reach unto their enemies When the Persians now by preassing forward were come within the daunger of shot Cyrus with a lowd voice cryed out Now most brave and redouted Knights Step some one quickly before and shew proufe of his valour and therewith encourage he the rest These words uttered they also againe to the other By occasion whereof some upon a brave and courageous spirit upon an ardent desire also and love to fight began to make speed whom the whole maine battaile followed with a running pace Cyrus likewise himselfe forgetting to keepe his ordinary march ranne before crying out Who followes who where is the valiant soldier that will fell and lay along the first man Which others hearing seconded him and held on the same note Thus throughout the whole armie as he began the voice went who will follow who will play the douty man Well in this manner gave the Persians the first onset and fiercely assailed the enemies But they not able to abide the shocke and the open field reculed and turned their backs flying amaine unto their trench and rampier The Persians pursuing them unto the very gates whiles they thronged and thrust one another to get in slew many of them And looke who fell into the trenches they leaped downe upon them and killed them outright both horse and man For some of the Chariots were forced in this their rout to fall downe into the ditches Which when the Medes horsemen saw they rode with full carrier against the enemies horsemen who gave way to decline their violence Whereupon began a great chace both of horse and men together with much slaughter as well of the one as of the other Those Assyrians which within the Munition stood upon the top of the rampier had neither mind nor might to shoot and dart at those who made such carnage and havocke
knowledge that they be of your nation to the end wee may spare them The Hyrcanians hearing this led the way as he commaunded and withall admired his princely heart and magnanimitie Neither stood they any more in feare of the Assyrians or of the Lydians or yet of any other their Allies and Confederates And as for Cyrus himselfe he supposed there lay matter of no small moment every way in them were they present with him or were they absent Now as they marched and night drew on reported it is that a cleere light shining from heaven appeared evidently unto Cyrus and his host in so much as they all conceived a reverent feare of the Divine power and a consident boldnesse besides against the enemies and for that they were lightly appointed and went apace by good reason they made that night a great journey and by breake of day in the very twy-light approched neere unto the Hyrcanians maine regiment Which when the messengers above-said perceived they signified unto Cyrus that those were their countrimen And hereof said they have we sure intelligence as well by their marching hinmost as by the number of fires which they make Whereupon hee sent one of these two unto them commaunding him in his name to deliver this message That if they were his friends they should with all speed come and meet him holding up their hands aloft Some likewise of his owne men he sent with him whom he commaunded to say unto the Hyrcanians That as his men should see them comming towards him so they also would doe the like againe Thus one of the messengers tarried still with Cyrus and the other rode forth to the Hyrcanians During the time that Cyrus waited to see what the Hyrcanians would doe he caused his armie to stay the march Then the Chieftaines of the Medes togither with Tigranes galloped hard unto him demaunding what they were to doe unto whom he made answere This troupe next unto us is the regiment of the Hyrcanians unto whom one of their messengers accompanied with some few of our men is gone for to signifie unto them that if they meane to be friends they should meet us bearing up all of them their right hands Wherefore if they so doe receive them yee every one in his place friendly giving them your right hands and bid them be of good cheere But if they either take weapon in hand or goe about to flie doe your best quoth he to dispatch them at first so as not one of them remaine alive These were the directions of Cyrus Meane-while the Hyrcanians having heard what the messengers said were exceeding glad and quickly mounting on horsebacke repaired toward them holding up their hands as they had warning so to doe Semblably the Medes and Persians did put forth their hands welcomed them and bade them take a good heart Then Cyrus Wee for our parts quoth he beleeve now and trust you Hyrcanians and even so ought yee to be affected to us ward But first of all Tell us this How farre hence is the place where the principall rulers and puissance of our enemies maine armie are They answere somewhat above a Parasang CHAP. IIII. The exhortation of Cyrus to his whole Armie inciting them to follow the chace of his enemies with the Cavallery of the Medes WHich when Cyrus heard Goe to then my deere friends quoth he Persians Medes and yee Hyrcanians for now speake I to you as unto Allies and partners with us Now ought we to know for certaine in what state we stand namely that if we now become faint hearted and demeane our selves cowardly we shall incurre the most grievous calamities that be For our enemies know full well wherefore we are come but if we shall fiercely set upon our enemies and give the charge with courage and manly resolution yee shall see them soone like unto fugitive slaves that are found out and apprehended againe some to court us in humble and suppliant manner crying us mercy others to take them to their heeles some againe so maskared as they will not be able so much as to thinke either of the one or the other For as men once discomfited they will stare and looke upon us and suspecting nothing lesse than that we are comming they being neither set embattailed nor provided to fight will be surprised If therefore we desire to sit at supper feeding merrily to passe the night sleeping quietly and in a word hereafter to live pleasantly let us give them no respit either to consult or prepare any good thing for themselves no nor so much as to know at all that we be men but thinke onely that nought else is come among them but bucklers courtill-axes glaives browne-bills and bloudy wounds And yee Hyrcanians quoth he step forward upon them and make way before us that by the sight of your armour we may be in covert and unseene as long as possible it is But when I am come close to the enemies armie leave with me * Armenians Medes and Hyrcanians every of you a cornet of horsemen to use as need requireth so long as I abide here with the armie And such of you as are Commaunders chiefe-Officers and of the elder sort see you ride close in a thicke squadron togither when yee charge them if yee be wise least haply yee light upon their massive troupes and so be borne downe by violence But suffer the younger gallants to follow the chace and let them have the killing of the enemies For this is the safest way now that we leave as few of our enemies alive as may be And if it come to passe as it hapneth to many winners that we quite overthrow their fortunes and breake their backes for ever take heed we must that we fall not to pillage For he that so doth is no more a valiant souldier but a base souldiers page and such an one any man that will may use as his slave This also ought we to know that nothing is more gainefull than victory For the victour presently carrieth all away with him at once men women money and goods yea and the whole countrey withall Furthermore this one thing would be thought upon especially How we may hold and reteine victorie * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 For in it even the rifler and spoyler himselfe is comprised To conclude remember this among the rest in your chace that yee returne to mee while it is day-light For bee it once darke wee will receive none Cyrus having thus said sent every man to his owne * or Centurie companie commaunding them withall that when they were thither come each one should signifie as much to their Decurions For seeing that these Decurions stood in the Front they might easily heare who likewise were bidden every one to intimate as much unto their severall Denaries under their charge Thus the Hyrcanians led the Vaward Cyrus with the Persians conducted the maine battaile in the mids and so marched As for
make warre but I affirme that even when I was at home I lived in warfare For many a time I came to the rescue when our goods were harried and carried away Yea and oftentimes I had employment enough to defend our forts against which traines were laid whiles I stood in feare watched and warded yea and did all this at mine owne charges But now I hold their fortresses and feare them not at all Nay I make merry at their cost I eate and drinke I say of the enemies provision As if therefore our state at home were a continuall warfare and this here a very feast I am not of the minde to dissolve this solemne and generall Celebrity Next unto him spake Gobryas For my part good friends and confederates I commend hitherto the faithfulnesse of Cyrus For he faileth not in the performance of ought that he hath promised But if he be once departed out of this country evident it is that the Assyrian King will bee at rest and tast of no punishment for the wrongs intended against you and done already unto mee And I contrariwise shall be sure to be evill entreated at his hands because I have friended you and become your Associate When these had all delivered their opinions Cyrus spake in this wise Neither am I ignorant my friends that if wee now breake up campe and dissolve the armie we shall our selves be in weaker case and our enemies againe in much stronger For bee there never so many of them disarmed they will soone cause other new armour to be made They that are deprived of their horses will quickly after bee deprived of others And in lieu of them who are slaine there will spring and grow up eftsoone a new supply to succeed So that no mervaile will it be if shortly they put us to new troubles The case standing thus what meant I to moove Cyaxares for to propose this question as touching the dissolution of the Armie Know yee then quoth he It was for feare of after-claps For I see those enemies ready to encounter us with whom if we encampe still here wee shall never bee able to make our parts good in fight For the winter commeth on apace And say that wee our selves had houses to put our heads in yet I assure you we want covert for our horses for our ministers and officers and for the multitude of our common souldiers and without these we cannot possibly mainteine warre Againe the victuals in those parts whither we have come are by us already spent and where wee have not beene it is all conveyed away for feare of us into their strong holds so that if the enemies enjoy them impossible it is for us to come by the same And who is then so valiant who is there so strong and lusty as whiles hee wresteth with hunger and cold will be able to keepe the field If therefore wee must warre in this manner I hold this and averre that we ought rather to dismisse our armie willingly than for want of meanes to bee driven forth against our wils Howbeit if we be desirous still to lye in campe and continue the warre This course in my advise wee must take namely to endevour with all speed to disseize * Our enemies them of as many souldiers of theirs as we can and to fortifie as many as we may for our selves For if this be effected greater store of victuall shall they have who can take more from others and lay the same up besieged also and assaulted they shall be who are the weaker And verily as now things stand our case is all one with Sea-fearing men For they make saile still and passe on continually yet leave they that behinde them which they have sailed through no more their owne than that which they have not yet sailed over Howbeit if we can take in their strong holds and castles the same will alienate the whole country from our enemies and therewith all things will bee more calme and quiet with us Now whereas peradventure some of you be afraid lest yee be put to lye in garrison farre from your native countrey let not that trouble you For how ever wee Persians used to forraine countryes farre from home may take in hand to keepe those places which be next unto our enemies yet possesse yee and occupie the while those parts of Assyria which border hard upon you For if we shall be sufficient to hold those marches safely that be neerest unto them yee that possesse the quarters farthest from them shall live in much rest and peace For in my conceit they shall never be able neglecting their owne harmes and daungers hard at their doores to lay wait and practise against you so farre distant When these reasons were set downe all the rest rose up saying they would be willing so to doe Yea and Cyaxares himselfe did no lesse Gadatas also and Gobryas both the one and the other promised if their Allies would give them leave to fortifie their holds to the end that the same also might be unto their said Associates friendly and helpefull Cyrus then seeing them all prest to performe whatsoever he had said in the end concluded thus If therefore quoth he we be fully minded to accomplish all that we say then there must be done with all expedition that which is needfull namely we are to make fabricks and engins to beat downe our enemies walles and fortifications provided wee ought to be of Carpenters and other workemen to raise towers and bulwarks for our selves Then Cyaxares promised for his part to finde one fabricke for the said purpose Gadatas and Gobryas another Tigranes also a third Cyrus likewise for himselfe said he would take order for another These designes being thus decreed they got unto him the said workemen and enginers and every man provided such things as were requisite for those workes Yea and such men were appointed overseers for the worke as were thought meetest for those purposes As for Cyrus perceiving that the performance of these matters required time kept his standing Campe in a place which he tooke to be for health right holsome and for the carriage and bringing in of all things necessary most passable And whatsoever needed defense he ordered the matter so that if at any time they encamped far off with the maine armie those that remaine behind might ever be in safetie Moreover enquiring of those whom he supposed to have best knowledge of the country from what parts his armie might get greatest commoditie thither he led forth evermore a foraging thereby partly to provide all things necessary for the host in greatest plentie and in part that his souldiers being exercised in such journies might the better stand to health and gather more strength and withall in their convoyes be put in minde to keepe their ranks in array Thus Cyrus imployed himselfe Now there were certeine fugitives from Babylon and captives who gave intelligence that the Assyrian King was gone
of fraud Is that true signe Vertue doth most applaud Henry Holland in honour of his deerest father Dr. Philemon Holland upon the interpretation of his double Anagram and his indefatigable labours The Hart most ready honest and upright Devoyd of fraud unto each living wight The Head diseas'd for ease of Englishmen The Hand benumm'd with holding of its pen The Pen unworne though worne beyond a pen Doe still hold out to glad their Countrimen They rest in motion and restlesse Rest is that Yet may they rest though Death doth frowne thereat And when those Martalls may be turn'd to dust Th' immortall part must needs b' among the Iust PSAL. 112. vers 6. In memoria aeterna erit justus Vpon the Translatours Pen wherewith only hee translated and wrote all Plutarchs Moralls conteining above a Reame of Paper he wrote this Dystick This Booke I wrote with one poore Pen made of a grey Goose quill A Pen I found it us'd before A Pen I leave it still Which Pen afterwards was begged by an auncient Gentlewoman mother to a Noble Countesse yet living who garnished it in silver and kept it as a Monument The Contents of the eight Bookes following THE FIRST BOOKE The Prooeme treating of Monarchies Democraties and Oligarchies CHAP. I. The Customes of the Persians in governing their Natives How Cyrus was instituted during his Child-hood in the discipline of vertue with other children of his age in the publique Schooles CHAP. II. How Cyrus went into Media with the Queene his mother where he shewed many tokens of his good nature and pregnant wit unto King Astyages semblably of his temperance and sobrietie CHAP. III. How the Queene mother Mandane returned into Persia and Cyrus abode behind in Media where he gave himselfe much to Horseman-ship and feats of Armes And with his owne hand killed many wild Beasts CHAP. IIII. How Astyages through the politicke Counsell of Cyrus wonne a victory of the Assyrians who were come to invade his Territories CHAP. V. How Cyrus returned to his father into Persia and what honour the Medes did him at his departure CHAP. VI. The beginning of the Warres betweene the Assyrians and the Medes Of the Forces that Cyrus levyed in Persia to aide the King of Media his Vnkle CHAP. VII The Oration of Cyrus to the Peeres and Chieftaines of his Army for to incite them to enterprize this warre with the better courage CHAP. VIII The good instructions that Cambyses gave unto his sonne Cyrus as touching the enterprize against the Assyrians and how a good Captaine should carry himselfe with his Army in a strange Country and winne the love of every man CHAP. IX How a Prince may gaine the obedience of his people vanquish his enemies and get the attribute of Wise and Vertuous THE SECOND BOOKE CHAP. I. How Cyrus came into Persia with his men and procured them all to be armed by his Vnkle Cyaxâres CHAP. II. The speech that Cyrus made to the Chieftaines of all his Hoast for to incite their Souldiers to take their harnois and Armes that Cyrus had prepared for the Persians CHAP. III. The exhortation of Cyrus to the Persian Souldiers to put on the new Armour that King Cyaxares had prepared CHAP. IIII. The Ordinance that Cyrus made for the exercise of his Souldiers and to keepe them in all obedience CHAP. V. How Cyrus devised and communed graciously with his Chieftaines and of the pleasant narrations that they related unto him for to doe him pleasure CHAP. VI. The Consultation of Cyrus with his Armie whether he should reward all his Souldiers alike or every one according to his desert CHAP. VII The Oration of Cyrus to his whole Campe the opinions of Chrysantas and Pheraulas as touching that which Cyrus had proposed And what was the conclusion and determination thereof CHAP. VIII The feats of Armes that Cyrus his Captaines practised in exercising their Companies CHAP. IX How Cyaxares gave audience to the King of India his Ambassadours and sent them afterwards to the King of Assyria CHAP. X. How Cyrus being in deliberation and conference with his Vnkle as touching this affaire and about levying summes of money enter prized warre upon the King of Armenia CHAP. XI The Project and speech of Cyrus to his Captaines and to Chrysantas about the laying of an Embush and how the same was put in execution against the King of Armenia THE THIRD BOOKE CHAP. I. How Cyrus without giving Battaile tooke the King of Armenia prisoner and seized upon his Goods The discourses that the said King made with his sonne Tigranes about his deliverance CHAP. II. How Cyrus with great humanitie did set the King of Armenia with his wife and children at large And after he had received their Ransome levyed a good power of Footmen and Horsemen both out of Armenia for this Warre CHAP. III. How Cyrus tooke Tigranes with him in his Traine and went to assayle the Chaldees upon the Mountaines CHAP. IIII. The peaceable Communication that Cyrus had with the Armenians and the Chaldees The mutuall accord and peace betweene them all CHAP. V. How Cyrus sent an Embassage to the Indians and returning into Media consulted about making Warre upon the Assyrians CHAP. VI. The speech of Cyrus to Cyaxares about his expedition against the Assyrians CHAP. VII How Cyrus went to encampe neere unto the Assyrians and prepared to give them Battaile CHAP. VIII The exhortation of Cyrus to his Chieftaines and the Peeres to moove them to advance with better courage to the Battaile CHAP. IX How the King of Assyria issued out of his Campe to fight a Field and made a speech unto his Souldiers How Cyrus and they afterwards joyned Battaile wherein the Assyrians were discomfited THE FOVRTH BOOKE CHAP. I. How the King of Assyria dyed in fight King Croesus and the Assyrians fled and Cyrus purposed to follow in chace CHAP. II. The opinion of Cyaxares to divert Cyrus from following the traine of his Victory CHAP. III. How Cyrus obtained of Cyaxares part of the Medes forces and with them and the Hyrcanians togither that yeeled unto him pursued the Assyrians in their flight CHAP. IIII. The exhortation of Cyrus to his whole Armie inciting them to follow the chace of his Enemies with the Cavallerie of the Medes CHAP. V. How Cyrus defaited the Assyrians againe and tooke prisoners Kings Lords and other Souldiers a great number The order that hee gave how to be provided presently of victuals without confusion and trouble CHAP. VI. How Cyrus communed with his Centeniers perswading them to sobrietie and to stay for their fellowes who were in the pursuit and how they raised a great bootie of men women and goods CHAP. VII Cyrus consulteth with his Centeniers about mounting foot men on Horsebacke and erecting a Persian Cavallerie with the Horses taken from the Enemie in the Warres CHAP. VIII How Cyrus by the counsell and advise of his most politicke Captaines ordained in his Army a troupe of Horsemen serving upon the Assyrians
Horses and intended to set at large all his Prisoners CHAP. IX The speech of Cyrus to the Assyrian prisoners at their deliverance CHAP. X. How Cyaxares envied the glory of Cyrus and was wroth with the Medes The answer that Cyrus made to him and the Embassage which he sent into Persia CHAP. XI The Missive of Cyrus to Cyaxares CHAP. XII The oration of Cyrus directing his souldiers how they should part the spoiles Also how he mounted the Persians on Horsebacke CHAP. XIII How Gobryas yeelded himselfe unto Cyrus and related unto him the disasterous calamitie of his son and required revenge for his death upon the King of Assyria which Cyrus promised to doe THE FIFTH BOOKE CHAP. I. How Araspas had the keeping of faire Panchea on whom he became enamoured A discourse betweene Cyrus and him whether love were voluntary or forced CHAP. II. How Cyrus being assured of the Medes and other Allies rode to the Castle of Gobryas And of his Magnificence CHAP. III. How Cyrus intended to assault the great City of Babylon the discourses which hee had with the Prince of Hyrcania and with Gobryas CHAP. IIII. How Cyrus chalenged the King of Babylon to come into the Field and then making a league with Gadatas won the Fortresses of the Frontiers and augmented his Forces with a number of 40000. and how the King of Assyria would have surprised and taken in the Castles of Gadatas CHAP. V. How Cyrus exhorted his souldiers to give all the booty unto Gadatas how he raunged his battailes as well to fight as to march by night CHAP. VI. A Conspiracy against Gadatas An Ambush laid by the Assyrian King where he received a great overthrow How Cyrus saved Gadatas and all his men CHAP. VII The good Remonstrances of Cyrus as touching the fault of the Cadusian Prince The Treatie with the King of Assyria for the good of his people CHAP. VIII How Cyrus as hee returned into Media passed before Babylon and surprized certaine Forts upon the Frontiers CHAP. IX How Cyrus returned to the Monarchs of Media and laboured to appease the wrath of Cyaxares The answer also that he made unto him THE SIXTH BOOKE CHAP. I. The Counsell that Cyrus held about the dissolving his Armie for that yeere The preparations which he made against the yeere next ensuing The fabrick and engines that he devised for to batter the walls His Chariots armed with Pikes and Sithes carrying turrets upon them Also the Camels which he provided for the warre CHAP. II. How Cyrus sent Araspas as a spie into Lydia who feigned that he fled for the displeasure of Cyrus CHAP. III. How Panthea sent for her husband to come unto Cyrus The preparation that Cyrus made for the warre The forme of Chariots devised by him for the carriage of his great engins and fabricks CHAP. IV. How the King of India sent an Ambassage unto Cyrus to treat about a league with him who sent the said Ambassadours to listen after as spies the affaires of the Assyrians The newes that they brought backe CHAP. V. The oration of Cyrus unto his souldiers to put them out of that feare and astonishment which they had conceived of the Newes they heard as touching the warre toward CHAP. VI. The Instruction of Cyrus delivered unto his Chieftaines as well concerning their souldiers diet as the conduct of an Army in their march through the Country The order of the Pioners Merchants and Tradesmen Artizans and Munitioners CHAP. VII How Cyrus marched against his Enemies in Lydia The manner he used as well in encamping as in leading his whole Army CHAP. VIII How Araspas returned unto Cyrus and recounted unto him all the Ordnance and preparation of the Enemy How himselfe prepared to raunge himselfe in Battaile-ray CHAP. IX How Panthea enarmed her husband Abradate and Cyrus did put himselfe in readinesse to give battaile THE SEVENTH BOOKE CHAP. I. How Cyrus entred the field with his puissance approached King Croesus to give him battaile The manner that both Armies used to fight with their best advantage CHAP. II. The great Battaile and slaughter of the Lydians where King Croesus and his forces were discomfited The Aegyptians yeeld unto Cyrus CHAP. III. How Cyrus following the traine of his victory forced the City Sardes and tooke King Croesus prisoner The discourse that he held with him as touching the Oracle of Apollo and how he did set him at liberty and saved the same City from saccage CHAP. IV. The death of Abradatas Of faire Panthea and her Eunuches Cyrus caused a goodly Monument to be erected for their perpetuall memory CHAP. V. How Cyrus by the Wisedome and Policie of Cadusius tooke the King of Phrygia prisoner brought under subjection in small time the Cappadocians the Arabians and all the Nations round about which done how he embattailed his forces to the number of 40000. men in Armes and approached Babylon CHAP. VI. How Cyrus laid siege unto the Citie Babylon and by a wonderfull Stratagem won it How the King of Assyria and his men were slaine the Citie put to the sack and the Fortresses rendred into his hands CHAP. VII How Cyrus established his Kingdome in Babylon instituted the honour and veneration of Kings entertained Eunuches for the service of his House and Persians for the Guard of his person CHAP. VIII The Oration of Cyrus to his chiefe friends the Peeres or Homotimes To the Captaines also of his Allies for to induct and frame them to vertue and to entertaine prowesse and feats of Armes in his Dominion with many other good Instructions to make them mild and vertuous THE EIGHTH BOOKE CHAP. I. How Cyrus ordered the seat of his Court What Institution of his life he recommended to his Courtiers The manner that he used in teaching them how to live devoutly to God-ward and to exercise themselves in all manner of vertue toward men CHAP. II. How Cyrus ordeined militarie Discipline in his Realme The Officers of his Court His magnificence and humanitie CHAP. III. The Triall that Cyrus made of his friends love unto him How hee dealt away his riches to be himselfe the better beloved of them and they not to affect one another CHAP. IIII. The triumphant pompe of King Cyrus riding forth of his Palace A solemne Horse-running wherein himselfe was winner CHAP. V. The liberalitie that Pheraulas shewed unto one that gave him a faire Courser A notable discourse of that which is able to make a man happy and to live in contentment CHAP. VI. By what meanes Cyrus graced and honoured his friends The marriage of Gobryas his daughter with Hystaspas one of Cyrus his grand-Seigneurs CHAP. VII How Cyrus sent away his Associates into their owne Countries distributed the spoile and returned into Persia How he ordered and marshalled his Campe being arrived in Media where King Cyaxares offered him his daughter in marriage and gave with her for a portion the Kingdome of Media CHAP. VIII How Cyrus arrived in Persia where Cambyses treateth with him
set me forward against those enemies whom I know most certainly by that which my selfe have seene in them already to be unexpert in fight against us Certes for my part I hold not these to be able souldiers who howsoever they have the feat and knowledge to shoot well to dart likewise and ride aswell yet cannot endure any labour but quaile when they are put unto it But these our enemies for any matter of paines taking are very raw and untrained novices Neither are they to be accompted good souldiers who when they should watch cannot away withall and our enemies here are such as for their sleepe cannot of all things want it Nor yet may they goe for good warriors who albeit in the points abovesaid are sufficient enough yet be to seeke how to carry themselves toward their friends and how to enemies And evident it is that these here be altogether to learne those disciplines which in warre be of greatest consequence But as for you able yee are to use the night in every point as well as others the day yee repute labours to be the guides leading the way to pleasant life Hunger yee reckon in stead of sauce * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and to drinke water yee can endure better than the very Lyons To conclude the fayrest possession the most precious treasure and best agreeable unto warriors that is yee have laid up within your hearts in that ye take more joy in being praised than in all things else in the world And they that are lovers of praise and renowme must needs for the attaining thereto willingly undergoe all travell and abide all daunger Now if I should pronounce thus much of you thinking and knowing otherwise I doe but deceive my selfe as upon whom the fault will redownd incase no such thing be performed by you But verily such is your owne skill your love also to me ward such likewise is the blockish ignorance of our enemies that I trust assuredly these good hopes will not faile mee Only let us march on in this our journey with bold and couragious hearts considering it is farre from us to be thought for to covet other mens goods unjustly for even now as our enemies are comming and begin first to deale wrongfully with us so our friends call unto us for ayde What then is there either more just than to put by an injury or more honourable than to helpe our friends Moreouer in this regard I suppose you repose not the least confidence because I have not enterprised this expedition with neglect of the Gods For being as yee are privy unto many of my doings and much conversant with mee yee know very well that not only in weighty affaires but also in smaller matters I use alwayes to begin in the name of the Gods In conclusion quoth he what should I say more when you have chosen and taken unto you elect men and are otherwise in all points well and sufficiently provided set forth toward the Medes As for mee repaire I will unto my Father to the end that having with all speed learned of him the state of our enemies I may accommodate you what I can in this affaire and so with the power of God make a right noble journey of it CHAP. VIII The good instructions that Cambyses gave unto his sonne Cyrus as touching the enterprise against the Assyrians and how a good Captaine should carry himselfe with his army in a strange country and win the love of every man THus therefore were they busied and thus prepared they themselves But Cyrus after his returne home and having made his prayers unto Vesta the Patronesse of his countrey to Iupiter also the Protectour thereof and to other gods did put himselfe in his war expedition and his father brought him on his way When they were gone forth of the Palais it thundered and lightned on the right and lucky side as they say whereupon without any other token or presage taken by augury they marched forth as who would say no man then could be ignorant of the signes given by the most high and mighty God Now when Cyrus was gone a little forward his father began to discourse unto him in this wise That the gods my Sonne are propitious and accompany thee with their gracious favour evident it is as well by sacrifices as celestiall tokens and thou thy selfe doest know as much For taught thee I have these matters of purpose partly that thou mightest know the will and counsell of the gods by no other interpreters but understand the same by thy selfe seeing the sights and hearing the noises that are to bee seene and heard and not depend upon wizards who might if they were disposed deceive thee by relating other things than were signified by the gods above and partly because if at any time thou wert without a Soothsayer thou shouldest not doubt what to resolve upon by those divine tokens but observing by this skill of Divination what Gods will is obey the same Surely father quoth Cyrus endeavour I will alwaies even to the uttermost of my power and according to your advertisement that the gods being favourable unto us would ever be pleased to aduise us for the best For I remember that I heard you once say It standeth with good congruity that he should obtaine any thing at the gods hands as well as at mans yea and more easily who doth not fawne upon them when he is in distresse but at what time he is in greatest prosperity even then thinkes upon the gods most of all You said moreover that the same consideration of friends likewise must be had Certes then my Sonne quoth Cambyses being as thou art so devoutly affected to the gods thou commest unto them now at this time more willingly in that regard to crave their helpe yea and thou hopest so much the rather to obtaine whatsoever thou needest and makest petition for because thy conscience beareth thee witnesse that thou wert never slacke in their service Doubtlesse father quoth he I am thus conceited of the * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 gods as of my affectionate friends What Sonne said the Father and doest thou remember those points which sometime we resolved upon Namely that such men are like to speed better who have learned those sciences which are given unto us by the gods than those that be ignorant of the same Againe that by travell they shall gaine more than by sitting still As also that by carefull diligence they shall live in more safety than if they carry themselves carelesly and take no heed And verily thus was then our opinion that after this sort wee should crave good things at Gods hands to wit in demeaning our selves as we ought Truly Father quoth Cyrus I remember very well that I heard you deliver these lessons and I could not choose but of necessity yeeld my consent to those speeches and bee perswaded thereby Full well I wot also what you added moreover and
said that in no wise lawfull it was for them to crave of the gods victory in Horse-fight who have not learned to ride well neither for those who be unexpert in shooting to pray unto the gods that they may have the better hand of cunning Archers ne yet for such pilots as know not how to guide the helme to beseech the gods they may save ships by their steering no more than for them that never sowed their seed to wish for a fayre crop of corne to come up or for those who looke not to themselves battayle desire the safety of their lives For all such prayers and wishes verily be against the ordinance and law of God Semblably you said that whosoever asked at Gods hands ungodly things by as good reason deserved to be said nay as those to take a repulse who preferre unto men unlawfull suits But have you Sonne forgotten those matters quoth Cambyses whereof you and I sometime devised and talked together namely That it is a sufficient Act for a man to performe if he be able to procure thus much as to be himselfe a worthy man indeed and so reputed and also that both he and his family may be well furnished with necessaries And if this be so difficult a matter to effect then to have the skill for to rule other men so as they may have foison of all things needfull and be themselves likewise all such as they ought to be I suppose is an admirable thing Truly Father quoth Cyrus I remember full well that this also was your saying and therefore unto me as well as unto you it seemed then an exceeding hard matter to Governe wel And even now likewise am I of the same mind considering as I do with my selfe what a piece of worke it is to commaund But when I looke into other men and observe withall both the quality of those persons that are become Rulers as also what manner of concurrents and adversaries we shall find I thinke it a foule shame to be affraid of any such and not willingly to oppose our selves against them whom I for my part to begin first with these our friends here perceive to bee of this opinion that a Prince or Ruler ought to differ from his people and to goe beyond them in more plentifull fare and sumptuous suppers in having at home better store of gold and treasure in sleeping and lying longer abed and in a word in living at greater ease and taking lesse paines than those that are under him Whereas I quoth Cyrus contrariwise am of this mind that a Soveraigne ought to excell his subjects not in idlenesse of life but in prudent forecast and in forwardnesse to endure all trauaile True it is Sonne quoth he but it falleth out otherwhiles in certaine cases that we are to fight not against men but even with the very things themselves which we cannot without great difficulty ouercome As for example you know well quoth he that all your rule and commaund will soone come to naught if haply your army have not at hand sufficient provision of necessaries Yes quoth Cyrus but Cyaxares Father sayth he is to make purveiance thereof to serve all those that goe from hence how many soever they be And doe you indeed my Sonne quoth Cambyses enter upon this journey trusting in these meanes of Cyaxares Yea that I doe answered Cyrus Why doe you certainly know replyed he againe what store of treasure he hath Not I quoth Cyrus I assure you And give you credit neverthelesse to these uncertainties Or wote you not thus much that you shall have need of many things and even anon be forced to spend much otherwise Yes full well I know that quoth Cyrus How then quoth Cambyses Say that he either lacke money and bee not able to beare the charge or for the nonce hold you up with untruths where are you then and in what case will your army be Certes plaine it is verily that it cannot be well with it If then Father quoth he you see any way whereby I may raise some masse of money whiles we are yet among our friends shew unto me the same Aske you of me ô Sonne quoth he whether there may be meanes wrought by you to make money Why who should in all reason devise and cast about for to make provision thereof rather than you who have so puissant an army to commaund going as you doe from hence with such a power of footmen under your hand as I know you would not exchange the same for another farre greater in number than it and as for horsemen you shall have a troupe to joyne with you from the Medes which of all other in these dayes is simply the best What neighbour nation then thinke you will not bee glad both by way of gratification and also for feare of dammage and displeasure to relieve you which you and Cyaxares ought joyntly to consider and thinke upon to the end that at no time you bee at a fault for want of ought that must be had yea and if it were but for custome sake you are of course to lay for meanes to bring in revenewes store But of all things remember this especially that in no wise you deferre and put off your provision untill very need enforce you thereto but whereas you have most plenty be you carefull so much the more to be furnished before you feele any want For you shall the sooner speed at their hands of whom you are to seeke reliefe if you seeme not to bee destitute and in need besides your souldiers shall have no cause to find fault and so by this meanes others also will the rather have you in reverence your souldiers likewise so long as they have all things necessary will be more ready to serve if you be disposed by the help of your army either to doe pleasure or displeasure unto any And this moreover you are to know that your speech will carry greater credit and be more effectuall to perswade them when as you shall be most able to shew that you have power enough as to doe a good turne so also to worke a mischiefe Then Cyrus Me thinks Father quoth he that you speake all this very well unto me as in other respects so in this also that whatsoever the souldiers shall now receive not one of them will take himselfe beholden to mee as who know well upon what conditions Cyaxares sendeth for them to aide him But looke what shall come vnto them over and above that which is set downe the same verily will they both take as an honour due unto themselves and like it is by good reason also that they will yeeld much thanks therefore to the giver Furthermore he that hath the commaund of an army by the which he may both doe his friends good and so receive for it the like benefit from them as also endamage his enemies by attempting to get something from them and then afterwards bee negligent
in purveiance of plenty and store Thinke you this quoth he to be lesse shamefull in him than if a man who hath land of his owne and husbandmen beside to till the same should yet for all that suffer his ground to lie still and unprofitable And therefore this opinion I would have you Sir to conceive of mee that I will never be carelesse in devising all meanes possible of provision for my souldiours necessaries neither in my friends countrey nor in mine enemies But beare you not in minde Sonne quoth Cambyses what other matters we thought upon and concluded sometimes and those in no wise to be neglected Yes verily quoth he I remember them well what time I came unto you for silver to pay unto one by way of reward who said he had instructed me in the leading of an armie For when you gave me the said money you questioned withall in this manner with me Tell mee my Sonne said you whether this man to whom you carrie this reward among his rules of a Generall made any mention unto you of * House-goveroment oeconomy For souldiers verily have no lesse need of necessaries for their living in the Campe than servants in an house And when I told you the truth and said that hee spake not one word at all of that point you asked me againe whether hee discoursed unto me of health and bodily strength whereof a Grand-Commaunder should be no lesse carefull than of the conduct of his host And upon my denyall thereof you demaunded of me once more if he had taught me any meanes whereby mine Associates fighting under mee might in every respect be most expert in warlike feats And when hereto also I answered nay you enquired farther whether I had learned of him how I might encourage and cheere up mine armie saying therwith that in every deed courageous alacritie far excelled heartlesse backwardnesse When I had denyed this too you came yet stil upon me and would needs know what precept he had given of this point namely the obedience of an armie and how a man might best bring that to passe And when it appeared that there had not been a word delivered as touching that in the end you concluded with this question what one point he had taught me when he said that he instructed me in the Art Imperatory Vnto which when I made answer saying That he had trained me in * The Tactiks embattailing an armie you smiled thereat and discoursed unto me in particular to wit what good did the embattailing of an armie to the Art * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Imperatory without the purveiance of things necessary to live by also what availed it without preservation of health what without the knowledge of arts devised for warre what without obedience of souldiers Now when you had made it plaine to me that the * Tactick skill setting of a battayle in ray was but a small part of the * Of cōmaunding an army art Imperatorie and therewith I asked of you whether you could instruct me in any of those points you willed me to goe my waies and repaire unto military men that were reputed expert Commaunders and of them to enquire how these matters each one might best be effected Since which time I conversed with those whom I heard to be most skilfull in these points And verily as touching victuals for our campe I am perswaded that so much will suffice for this present occasion as Cyaxares will provide for us As concerning our bodily health because I heard and saw how Cities such as regarded health make choice of cunning Physicians whom they maintaine and Generals of the field also for their soldiers sake take Physicians forth with them in their traine I likewise was no sooner appointed to this charge but presently I had a care thereof And I suppose quoth he ô father that I have about me very expert men in the Art of Physicke Whereunto his Father replyed in this wise But these Physicians my Sonne whom you speake of are much like unto certaine botchers that mend torne garments For even so when some are fallen sicke then and not before they cure and heale them But your regard of health I would have to be much more honourable unto you for you are to endeavour and provide in the beginning that your army fall not into sicknesse And what course shall I take father quoth Cyrus to performe this At the first and principally you must quoth he see to this that the place be holsome where you purpose to abide and lye encamped a long time together wherein you cannot faile if you take any heed For commonly men cease not in their ordinary talke to give out which be healthy coasts and which subject to maladies and there be alwaies at hand certain apparent signes to testifie and direct unto both to wit the very bodies and colour of the inhabitants Moreover it will not be sufficient to consider the regions onely but remember you ought also in what manner you endeavour to looke unto your selfe that your owne person may live in health Then Cyrus first of all quoth he my principall care I assure you is that I never surfait for that is a dolourous and yrksome thing Secondly with labour and travaile I digest and worke out whatsoever is gone into my belly For by this meanes I am perswaded that I stand to health the longer and besides get the greater strength And even so my Sonne quoth Cambyses as carefull you ought to be of others But may Souldiours good Father have leisure to exercise their bodies Yes Iwis quoth his father they not onely may but of necessity must so doe For an army if it would doe as it should and as belongeth thereto ought never to be at rest but be doing still either working mischiefe to the enemies or doing good to it selfe A griefe it is my Sonne to nourish but one person idle much more grievous to keep a houshold that is sloathfull but most importable of all to maintaine a whole hoast in idlenesse Many things there bee in an army to begin at the least and so to proceed forward that eate and spend and looke what they winne they waste excessively And therefore in no wise is it expedient that an army should bee idle Your words Father as I conceive them imply thus much that like as of a sloathfull husbandman there ariseth no profit even so of an idle Generall can never come good But I vndertake quoth he that an industrious Captaine unlesse some God do crosse him will both bring to passe that his souldiers may have plenty of victuals and necessaries and also provide that their bodies be passing healthy strong and able To the end therefore quoth hee that they may be well seene and practised in each feat of armes I suppose Father that if I publish to every one of them certaine games of prise and propose rewards I shall cause them best to
made with his sonne Tigranes about his deliverance CYRVS verily was thus busied in these affaires But the King of Armenia upon the mandate of Cyrus delivered by his Herault was much affrighted considering especially that he did wrong both in with-holding tribute and also in not sending an Armie And this most of all hee feared least he should be seene for to have begun to build and fortifie his Palace so as it might be able to keepe out his enemies Being therefore much perplexed by all these occasions He sent forth Commissioners into divers parts of his Kingdome for to assemble his owne forces and withall conveied away into the mountaines his younger sonne Sabaris his owne wife his sonnes wife and his daughters togither with their ornaments furniture and Iewels of great valew appointing a convoy of purpose to conduct them safe He made out also certeine men in espiall to see what Cyrus did yea and did put in order of battaile those Armenians who were come unto him And within a while others repaired unto him with newes that Cyrus in person was at hand But then his heart would serve him no longer for to try a battaile and so secretly withdrew himselfe out of the way Now when the Armenians saw him so to doe they also fled home every man intending to remove their goods farther off Cyrus then beholding the fields how full they were of those that ranne straggling here and there shifting for themselves and driving before them their cattell sent after and did them to understand That he meant not to proceed in hostile manner against any one that would tarry but if he tooke any flying away hee denounced aforehand that he would deale with them as enemies By this meanes the vulgar sort and the most part stayed Howbeit divers there were that privily conveyed themselves away with the King When as now they that were gone afore with the women fell within the danger of them that kept the mountaines they set up by and by a great and piteous cry and as they fled very many of them were taken In the end the Kings sonne the wives also and daughters aforesaid were taken captive and all the goods and treasure seized upon which they had carryed with them The King himselfe when hee understood what was befalne unto them being in doubt what to doe and which way to turne him fled up to a certeine hill top for to save himselfe Which Cyrus likewise seeing with the power he had about him laid siege to the hill round about He sent also to Chrysantas willing him to abandon the Keeping of the foresaid mountaine and to come unto him Meane while that Cyrus his armie assembled he sent unto the Armenian King an Herald by whom he demaunded these questions Tell me directly King of Armenia whether you will remaine there still to wrestle and fight with hunger and thirst or come downe into the plaine and fight it out with us The Armenian King and answered that he would fight with neither Then Cyrus sent eft-soones and asked in these termes Why then sit you there and come not downe Because quoth he I am to seeke what to doe But you neither need nor ought to doubt replyed Cyrus For you may come downe to plead your owne cause And who shall be our judge saith the King Who but he saith Cyrus unto whom God hath given power without forme of law and judiciall processe to use you at his pleasure The King then considering into what streights he was driven descended from the hill top Then Cyrus having taken both him and all other things also that he had into the middle space betweene environed them round within his tents For now by this time had he all his forces about him At this very instant the Kings eldest sonne Tigranes who before-time had accompanied Cyrus in hunting was newly returned from a certeine journey And hearing what occurrents were falne out went directly even as he was to Cyrus But so soone as he saw his father and mother his brethren sisters and his owne wife captives he wept as good reason he had Cyrus when he beheld the man used no other complement of courtesie and entertainment but thus said unto him Come you are in good season that you may be present to heare your fathers cause tried And therewith immediately he assembled together the Chiefetaines and Rulers as well of the Persians as of the Medes He called likewise to this Councell as many of the Nobles and Honorable persons of Armenia as were present The very women also being there in their Carroches he excluded not but admitted them to the audience of his cause Now when he was provided accordingly and saw his time turning to the King of Armenia thus began he to speake First quoth hee ô King of Armenia I advise you in the deciding of this matter to speake the truth that you may be cleere at least of that one thing which of all others deserveth most hatred For this would I have you to wit well That to be taken with a lye is the greatest barre that men can have against obtaining of grace and pardon Morcover even your children and these women here your wives many Armenians also that be in place are privie to you of all that which you have committed Who if they perceive you to speake otherwise than truth will thinke that you judge your owne selfe worthy to suffer all extremities when I shall once finde out the truth Propose then quoth he ô Cyrus what questions you will For utter the truth I shall come of it what will Why then quoth Cyrus Answere directly unto me Made you warre at any time upon Astyages my mothers father and the rest of the Medes I did said he And when you were vanquished by him Did you not covenant and accept of these conditions Imprimis to yeeld him tribute Item to aide him with men in his warres whensoever he gave you warning and lastly to hold no fortresses in your realme It was even so indeed answered hee Now therefore why have you falsified your faith and neither tendred your tribute nor sent a power for aide but have walled your forts Because saith he I was desirous of liberty For I thought it a noble thing both my selfe to be free and also to leave the same freedome to my children Certes quoth Cyrus a worthy matter it is for a man to endeavour that he may never come into bondage but if one either defeated in war or otherwise brought into servitude be taken practizing to revolt and shake off alleageance unto his Lords tell me you first doe you honour him as a good man and behaving himselfe well or punish him as a trangressour after you have taken him Surely I punish him quoth he For you allow me not to lye Then answer me plainely and punctually quoth Cyrus to these Interrogatories If any man in place of authority and commaund under you doe offend and deale unjustly suffer
putting of Commaunders and Generals find some alteration even in brave projects and worthy dessignements Furthermore perceiving that many of his souldiers upon an ambitious humour in their contentions where they strived to surpasse began to envie one another for this cause also desirous he was with all speed to lead them forth into the enemies countrey as knowing right well that common daungers kindle mutuall love and affection betweene fellow souldiers in which case none of them will either envie others that are set out in bravest armour or repine at them that be given to seeke after glory and honour but rather such persons both praise and also embrace their like as reputing them to be joynt labourers with them in procuring the common good First and formost therefore hee harnoised his armie and marshalled it in as beautifull and excellent order as possibly he could then called he togither the * Colonels or leaders of ten thousand Myriarches the * Cōmaunders of a thousand Chiliarches the Centiniers the Caporals likewise and pety Captaines of smaller bands for these were free and not enrolled in the ordinary lists of souldiers and yet when it was required that the Generall should be obeied or any charge given no part of the armie for all that was left ungoverned but all matters else executed well enough by pety Captaines of 12. and 6. in a crew Now after these serviceable men of note were come togither Cyrus brought them into his Pavilion and both shewed unto them what things were well and in good order as also instructed them how the severall forces and Companies of their Allies and Auxiliaries might be most firme and strong And when he had so wrought that even they also had a longing desire to be employed in some Action they cared not how soone thus he said unto them Goe your waies now for this time unto your Companies and instruct every one your owne charge as I have taught you doing withall your best to kindle in them all a fervent desire to undertake this expedition that with a cheerefull heart yee may every one set forward and to morrow betimes shew your selves before Cyaxares at the Court gate Then departed they and did accordingly The next morning by breake of day those men of Action prest to performe their service were ready at the Palace Cyrus therefore being entred in with them to Cyaxares began to speake in this manner CHAP. VI. The speech of Cyrus unto Cyaxares about his expedition against the Assyrians I Am not ignorant deare Vnkle Cyaxares that the projects which I shall now deliver have beene long since considered upon and approved by you no lesse than by us but haply abashed you are to utter the same least if your selfe made mention of leading forth our armie you might seeme weary of finding and maintaining us as you doe Seing therefore you keepe silence I my selfe both for you and us will propound the businesse now in hand For we are all of this mind seeing we be so well appointed not to fight then when as the enemie shall invade your land nor to wait for his comming sitting still as we doe in our friends country but with all speed to make a rode into the territories of our enemies For now so long as we remaine in your land much hurt we doe even against our wils unto many things of yours but if we remoove into our enemies quarters we shall worke them the like displeasure as willingly Moreover now are we kept at your great charges but if wee warre abroad without your marches we shall be victualled from out of our enemies countrey Furthermore were it so that some greater perill might betide us there than here then peradventure the safest course were to bee chosen But now the case is all one with them whether wee waite here for them or set forward to meet them there In like manner wee also shall be the same in fight whether we receive them comming hither or goe thither and give them battaile But in very truth the hearts of our souldiers we shall finde more courageous if we invade our enemies and seeme not loth to affront them and looke them in the face Semblably they will bee much more in feare of us when they shall heare that we sit not still at home as men smitten with dread of them but upon intelligence of their comming are ready to encounter them on the way for to joyne battaile with all speed and not tarry untill our owne country be endamaged but preventing their attempts waste their land first Certes if we make them any whit more fearefull or our selves bolder I suppose it will bee to our great advantage And by this meanes verily I make accompt that our danger will be lesse and our enemies hazard much greater Moreover my father was alwaies wont to say you also to confesse and all others to accord that fields are fought and battailes tried rather by the resolution of mens hearts than the strength of their bodies Thus verily said Cyrus unto whom Cyaxares made this answere But I would not have you Cyrus and the rest of the Persians once to suspect that I thinke much to mainteine you with victuals Yet am I also of this minde that in every respect it will be more expedient for us even now to invade our enemies land Since then quoth Cyrus we concurre in one opinion let us joyntly trusse up bagge and baggage and so dislodge and in case our sacrifices unto the Gods assent soone unto our desires with all speed set forward Hereupon after warning given to packe up and to put themselves in readinesse Cyrus sacrificed to Iupiter King first afterwards to the rest of the Gods praying withall that they would vouchsafe to be propitious and favourable guides unto the Armie and shew themselves gracious Assistants assured helpers and Associates yea and Counsellers for good in all their Affaires He invocated likewise the tutelar * Or Deities powers that inhabited and patronized the Median Land Now when he had finished the sacrifices with lucky presages and that the armie was wholly assembled togither before him in the very marches after tokens likewise of bird-flight promising happy successe he did set foot within the enemies country And no sooner was hee entred the borders but presently hee there procured the gracious favour of Dame Tellus with Libatours and liquid offerings The Gods also and inhabitant Patrons of Assyria he pacified with solide hosts and sacrifices Which complements done and ended he sacrificed eft-soones to Iupiter the Protectour of his owne native soile and looke what other of the Gods soever came into his knowledge he neglected them not CHAP. VII How Cyrus went to encampe neere unto the Assyrians and prepared to give them battaile WHEN all these things were accomplished in good sort the Infantery forthwith marched on and made no great journey but soone pitched their tents Howbeit having put forth the Cavallery to make incursions and
yea and sent to Gadatas for to be cured The rest he bestowed in pavilions by themselves togither and with great care gave order that they should have all necessaries assuming unto him as assistants in the businesse certeine of the Persian Homotimi For in such cases as these good and honest men are willing to set to their helping hands And for his owne part verily how much hee grieved it evidently appeared in that it being now supper time when the rest were at supper Cyrus still with his * Serjeants Ministers Physicians and Chirurgions gave attendance and by his good will left not one neglected and unlooked to but if hee did not in his owne person see to them every man might plainly perceive that he sent others to tend them And so for that time they went to rest By the breake of day he made Proclamation by the publike Criers that the Rulers of the other Associates but the Cadusians all in generall should assemble togither and unto them hee delivered these or such like words My friends and Confederates An ordinary accident it is among men that hath befalne unto you For men yee are and that men should erre is in my conceit no wonder And yet by good right meet it is that of this infortunitie we should reape some profit Namely To learne never hereafter to sever from the whole body of the armie any Regiment weaker than the enimies forces Neither speake I this quoth he that a man ought not sometimes to goe out when the case so requireth with a lesse power than wherewith the Cadusians erewhile did set forth But if one enterprise an exploit imparting his minde first to him who is able and sufficient to helpe and so goe forth he may perchance faile of his purpose and be deceived yet as possible it is that hee who stayeth still behind may delude the enemies diverting them another way from those who went forth There are besides other meanes to worke trouble unto the enemies and thereby to procure the safetie of friends And so verily he that is gone apart from the rest may not be coumpted absent but to depend upon the residue of the forces behind But he that departeth making no man privie beforehand where he is differeth nothing at all from him who of himselfe alone undertaketh an expedition Howbeit for this mischance quoth he that hath happened God willing ere it bee long wee will be avenged of our enemies For so soone as ever yee have taken a short dinner I my selfe will bring you where the deed was done and there will we both bury our dead and also if God will shew unto our enemies that in the very place where they thinke they have gotten the upper hand there be others better men than themselves in so much as they shall take no great joy to see that plot of ground on which they slew our Associates But in case they will not come forth and meet us in the field let us set their villages on fire let us harry and wast their country that they may have no pleasure in the sight of those things which they have done to us but contrariwise sorrow and grieve to behold their owne calamities Goe yee therefore all the rest quoth he to your dinners As for you that are Cadusians First choose according to your owne law and custome some one to be your * Generall or Coronell Prince who with the auspicious helpe of the Gods and us may take the charge of you and see what yee stand in need of When yee have elected him and dined withall send whom yee have elected unto mee And so they did accordingly But Cyrus after hee had brought forth his armie and appointed him to his Regiment whom the Cadusians had made choice of commaunded him to lead the same arraunged in order of battaile close to himselfe to the end quoth he that if it be possible wee may encourage these men againe Thus set they forth and being come to the place they both entered the Cadusians and harried the country And when they had so done and gotten victuall and other provision out of the enemies land they departed and returned into the territorie of Gadatas Cyrus then considering that they who had revolted unto him bordering as they did upon Babylon should susteine much detriment by so ill a neighbour unlesse himselfe were continually present with them commaunded as many of the enemies as he dismissed to say unto the Assyrian King and withall sent an Herauld to denounce unto him in his name that ready hee was for his part to forbeare the husbandmen that tilled the ground and would doe them no wrong in case the King likewise would permit their labourers and husbandmen who had revolted unto him to till their grounds in peace And you verily quoth he to the King were you able to prohibit them shall when you have all done hinder but a few For their territories are but small who have turned from you to me but it lies in my power to suffer a large country of yours to be tilled And as touching the harvest and inning of the fruits therein if the warre continue he shall reape and gather all as I suppose that is the Conquerour But if peace shall be established who but your selfe shall have and hold all For surely if any of my souldiers shall rise and take armes against you or yours against mee we will of both sides quoth he doe our best to chastice and punish the delinquents Having put these instructions in this wise into the Heraulds mouth he sent him away The Assyrians when they heard this message did the best they could to perswade their King to condiscend unto these conditions and to leave as little warre behind as might be And verily the Assyrian King whether it were through the perswasion of his owne nation or for that himselfe was willing enough and inclined that way already assented thereto Hereupon capitulated and covenanted it was betweene these two Potentates that the husbandmen should have peace and the armed souldiers warre Thus much effected Cyrus in the behalfe of husbandmen As touching pasturage for their labouring beasts he gave order unto his friends That it should be assigned and set out as they would themselves where their owne Demesnes and Seignories lay but from the enemies they drave booties wheresoever they could light upon any to the end that unto his Associates the warfare might be the more pleasant For admit they gat no victuals and necessaries yet the daungers were all one but to live of their enemies country seemed to make their souldiery and service the easier Well whiles Cyrus now made preparation to depart out of those quarters Gadatas came and shewed himselfe bringing and driving before him many and sundry presents as having a large habitation and the same well stored and among the rest many horses of service which he had taken from his owne men of armes such as he distrusted for
into Lydia and had conveyed with him many talents of silver and gold besides great riches otherwise and furniture of all kinds Whereupon the common sort and multitude of the souldiers supposed and gave it our that for very feare he now remooved and carryed his goods-away But Cyrus knowing full well that hee departed for this intent to sollicite and excite if possibly he could some opposites to make head against him prepared and made himselfe strong resolute to encounter him as making no other reckoning yet but to fight it our And verily to this purpose he made up the full companies of the Persian Cavallarie taking some horses at his prisoners hands others of his friends For such things as these he received of all neither rejected he ought that any one gave him were it a faire armour or a goodly Courser Furthermore he provided himselfe of Chariots both out of that store which he had taken from the enemie and else-where also as hee could As for the old Trojane manner of chariots used aforetime as also the Cyrenaicks fashion of driving which they use even at this day he did quite put downe For in times past the Medes Syrians and Arabians yea all those in Asia generally used their chariots so as at this day the Cyrenians doe Now was Cyrus of this opinion that the best part by all reason and likelihood of the armie considering that the bravest and most valiant men use to be mounted in chariots is but in the nature of light skirmishers with shot before the battaile and for the atchiving of victory stand in small stead For three hundred chariots yeeld not above three hundred fighting men but require 1200 Steeds To guide also and to rule the same such men as by good reason they trust most who are the very flowre of the armie they have 300 beside And these are they that doe no hurt at all unto their enemies This manner therefore of charioting he abolished and in lieu thereof devised to make chariots fit for warre with strong wheeles because they should not quickly breake and with long axelltrees For that all things are the harder to be overturned that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 carry a good breadth He made also for the drivers a seate in manner of a turret of strong quarters of timber the height whereof raught up to their elbowes to the end that the Steeds might be ruled by them sitting upon their seats These drivers he armed at all pieces throughout save onely their eyes Moreover he fastened to the axeltrees on both sides of the wheeles certeine yron * Or sithes 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 hooks two cubits long besides others under the very axel-tree to the groundward as if they meant even with the chariots to charge upon the enemies And like as Cyrus then devised and made these chariots so even in these our dayes they that are under the dominion of the King use the same Cyrus also had many Camels gathered togither such as he could get of his friends beside all those that were taken from the enemies And thus verily finished he these things CHAP. II. How Cyrus sent Araspas as a spie into Lydia who feigned that he fled for the displeasure of Cyrus CYRVS now being desirous to send a certeine Spie into Lydia and to learne what the King of Assyria did thought Araspas to bee a meet man for to negotiate in this businesse him I meane who had the keeping of that faire Lady Panthea For unto this Araspas such like employments usually had befalne Who being surprised with the love of that Gentlewoman was forced to breake with her about the same and desired her carnall companie But shee denyed and rejected his suit keeping her selfe true unto her owne husband for shee loved him entirely Yet complained shee not of Araspas unto Cyrus as one very loth to set two friends at difference But Araspas supposing it would make much to the obteining of that which hee longed after menaced the woman that if shee condiscended not willingly unto him shee should doe it against her will whereupon the woman fearing violence concealed the thing no longer Or Chamberlaine 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Araspas but dispatched her * Eunuch unto Cyrus commaunding him to reveale the whole matter Which when he heard he set up a laughter at * him for making such brags that he was able to conquer love and therewith sent Artabazus backe with the Eunuch willing him to deliver unto Araspas this message that in any wise he should not force the woman but perswade and winne her if he could and in so doing he would not be his hindrance But Artabazus when hee was come unto Araspas all to rated and reviled him charging him with this that the Lady was committed unto his custodie upon trust and laying upon him the imputation of impietie injury and incontinency insomuch as Araspas for very griefe of heart wept sore for shame hid himselfe and for feare also of some hard measure from Cyrus was in manner out of the world Which when Cyrus understood hee both sent for him and also when they were by themselves alone used these words unto him I see quoth he ô Araspas that you are afraid of mee and exceeding much ashamed But give over and make an end once For I have heard say that the very Gods themselves have beene overcome of love and I know what accidents have befalne unto men reputed very wise by occasion of this passion Yea and thus much have I noted and blamed in my selfe that I am not so continent but if I conversed with those that are faire and beautifull I despise them not Nay that which more is I my selfe am the cause of all this businesse For I was he that immured you up as it were * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or incōparable with this inexpugnable thing Vnto these words of his Araspas made this answere Now surely quoth he ô Cyrus you are in this particular like unto your selfe and as in all other cases the same still to wit mild and ready to pardon mens trespasses But other men there be that overwhelme and oppresse me with griefe For ever since that this my adverse hap and calamitie was bruted abroad mine enemies take their pleasure of mee but my friends comming about me give me counsell to withdraw my selfe out of the way least I might be hardly entreated at your hands as one whom I have much wronged and abused Know this well therefore ô Araspas quoth Cyrus that by this opinion which men have conceived you may doe mee a high pleasure and withall greatly profit our Associates Would to God said Araspas it lay in my power any wayes to doe you acceptable service Why quoth Cyrus If you would now make semblance as though you fled from me and so goe to the enemies I am verily perswaded you might be credited of them And I assure you of my troth and as God shall helpe mee said Araspas
engins might bee drawne with a teem of eight yoke of oxen * Story Now tooke this Chariot with wheeles and all * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 three fathome at the most from the ground That such turrets as these should follow with the maine battaile * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 he thought might be a great helpe to his owne * or Phalanx troupe and no lesse anoiance to the enemies battaile * Galleries Vpon these foresaid rownes he made round compassed * or turret-like lofts with their battlements and in every such * wagon or chariot turret he bestowed 20. fighting men Now when hee had finished all that belonged to these said turrets he made triall of the * or load Draught and he found by proufe that eight yoke would draw a turret with all the soldiers * or in it upon it much more easily than each yoke the ordinary lode of stuffe and baggage For there was commonly charged upon a single yoke as much as weighed about 25. talents Whereas in a turret drawne after this manner the timber carrying the thicknesse of a tragicall Pageant with 20. souldiers in it and armour besides the draught came to lesse in proportion than 15. talents for every yoke When he perceived therefore that the * or carrying draught was so easie he provided to bring these turrets togither with his armie against the enemies For this he thought that in warre all catching and winning of advantage was both safe and just and withall fortunate CHAP. IIII. How the King of India sent an Embassage unto Cyrus to treat about a league with him who sent the said Embassadours to listen after as spies the affaires of the Assyrians The newes that they brought backe ABout this time there came unto his Presence those that brought him money from the Indian King and declared besides unto him their Credence That the King by way of answer greeted him in these termes It pleaseth me right well ô Cyrus and I take it kindly that you made me acquainted with what you stood in need of Willing therefore I am to entertaine the law of hospitality and friendship with you and so I send you money And if you want any thing else send and you shall have Moreover I have commaunded those that are come from me to you for to doe whatsoever you bid them Which newes when Cyrus heard Why then quoth he I charge all the rest of you to abide here in those tents which you have taken up already there to have the custodie of the said money and to live at your most pleasure onely three of you at my request shall make an errand to the enemies as if yee came as Embassadours from the Indian King to treat with them about an Association in these warres Wherein if yee doe me good service I will take my selfe more beholden unto you and give you greater thankes than for the treasure which yee have brought unto me For these common * Intelligēcers Spies in forme of slaves can learne and report no other thing but what all men know Whereas such men as yee are in quality of Embassadors doe many times come to the intelligence even of their secret projects also The Indians having heard this right gladly and beene for that time courteously intertained and rewarded by Cyrus did put themselves in readinesse and the next day set forward on their journey promising upon their fidelity that when they had learned what they could of the enemies they would repaire againe unto him with all speed possible And Cyrus verily as he was a man who projected no small enterprises provided all things for the warre magnificently Neither tooke he order for such matters onely as his Allies thought meet but also kindled an aemulation among his Friends who might shew themselves in their armour most gallant in horsmanship most skilfull in darting and shooting most cunning and in travaile most painfull And these feats wrought he what by training them forth to hunting and what by gracing and rewarding the best in every kind Such Captaines also and Rulers as he saw most studious and carefull in this point that their souldiers should prove right expert and valiant such I say he did put forward and embolden as well by praising as by gratifying them in whatsoever he could And if at any time he sacrificed or kept some festivall holiday he would then set forth and exhibit some games of price respective to all those feats which men practise for the use of warre Yea and to the victour hee gave rewards most magnificently So that much joy and mirth there was throughout his armie And now by this time were all things in manner finished which he minded to use in his expedition saving onely * Artillery engins For the Persian horsemen were growne already to the compleat number of 10. thousand of sithed chariots that himselfe had provided there were full one hundred and of others that Abradatas the Susian tooke in hand to make according to the patterne of Cyrus his chariots there were as many Moreover Cyrus had perswaded Cyaxares to chaunge his Median chariots from the Trojane and Lybian fashion and to make them after his owne Of which sort also there was a third hundred Furthermore for the * Dromedaries Camels were souldiers appointed to serve upon them for every one two archers And the most part of his armie carried this mind as if they had wonne the victorie already and as if the enemies were of no worth Now when as they stood thus affected and appointed after that the Indians also whom Cyrus had sent to discover were returned from the enemies and related how Croesus was elected the Generall and Conductor of all their forces How it was decreed by all the Confederate KK that every one should be present with all his puissance and bring with him great store of money to serve partly for to wage as many as they could levie and partly to bestow by way of largesse upon such as need required Moreover that many Thracians wearing swords by their sides were already hired and Aegyptians to the number of an hundred and twenty thousand were under saile and those armed with shields reaching down to their feet and great massie speares such as they use even at this day and long swords Also that a power of Cyprians was comming by sea And as for the Cilicians That they were all arrived already The Phrygians likewise of both sorts togither with the Lycaonians Paphlagonians Cappadocians and Phoenicians Furthermore that with the Babylonian King the Assyrians Iōnians Aeolians and well neere all the Greeks inhabiting Asia were enforced to follow Croesus And that hee had sent unto Lacedaemon also for aide-souldiers That the maine armie was assembled about the river Pactolus That they would march forward to the Rendezvous at Thybarrhe where even now the Barbarians inhabiting the lower Syria that are in subjection to
the complements of libations and prayed withall dranke himselfe and so did all the rest that were about him Which done having besought Iupiter the protectour of his native countrey to vouchsafe him his guidance and helper hee mounted on horsebacke and commaunded all the rest to doe the same Now were they all that attended upon Cyrus armed as he was to wit in purple tabards corslets and head-pieces of * or copper brasse with white crests and with swords every man also with a javelin of corneil wood Their horses were bard with frontlets poictrels and side peeces of brasse Of the same matter likewise were the greives that every man wore This onely was the difference of Cyrus his armour from the rest that whereas their harneis was vernished over and laid with a golden colour his glittered like a Crystall mirour When he was once mounted and sat still a while looking to his way that he was to goe it * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 thundered on his right hand in token of good whereupon he said Thee will we follow most mighty Iupiter And so he did set forward having on his right side Chrysantas Generall of the horse with his men of armes and Arasambas Colonell of the footmen on his left Hee gave commaundement also that they should cast an eye to the maine Standard to keepe even pace and to follow in order Now this Ensigne Royall that he had was a golden Spred-Eagle displaied upon a long speare And at this very day the King of Persia retaineth the same standard But before they came within sight of the enemies he caused the Armie by resting thrice to refresh themselves And by that time that they had marched out-right twenty stadia they began to descrie their enemies power to approach and come forward against them Now when they were all evidently seene one of another and the enemies determined on both sides to environ the battalion of footmen afront them they stood still with their owne maine battalion For otherwise there can be no encompassing round and then wheeled about therwith for to enclose the enemies in the mids to the end that when they had embattailed themselves on both sides after the forme of the Greek letter * Gamma r they might every way fight all at once Which albeit Cyrus saw well enough yet staied he never the more for it but led still as before and perceiving how far off the enemies stretched out on both sides the wings and points of their battaile Marke you not Chrysantas quoth he where the enemies begin to fetch a winding compasse Yes very well saith Chrysantas and I mervaile much thereat For me thinks they distract the points very farre from their owne maine battaile yea and from ours too quoth Cyrus I assure you And why so said Chrysantas because quoth he lest if their wings were neere unto us and their owne maine battaile farre remooved wee might charge upon them But how can they then afterwards helpe one another said Chrysantas when they be so farre asunder It is evident quoth Cyrus that their purpose is when their wings have proceeded so farre as to flanke us and to stand against the sides of our host then to turne short againe as it were into squadrons and so at once on every side to set upon us But what thinke you saith Chrysantas is this their policy good or no Good quoth Cyrus in regard of that which they see but in respect of that which they see not they hurt themselves more then if they should assaile us afront point to point But you Arsamas quoth Cyrus goe softly before the Infantery like as you see me to doe And you Chrysantas semblably as he doth follow close with your Cavallery As for me thither will I goe where I thinke it best to begin the battaile yet withall as I passe by view I will and consider how every thing stands with us After I am thither come and when wee are at the very point to encounter I will begin to sing the * Pâ—an This Hymne to Apollo was sung at the first ioyning of battaileâ— To incite the souldiours and for averting all disaster likwise in the end after victory and then it was by way of Triumph 〈◊〉 Macrobius and then see that yee all second me But when we buckle and joyne fight with our enemies yee shall soone perceive For there will be I suppose no small shouts and escries And then shall Abradatas with the chariots charge upon his opposites For he shall have word and direction so to doe Then must yee follow on as neere and close as you possibly can to the Chariots For by this meanes shall we fall upon our enemies when they are most in disorder I will my selfe also be present in person and by Gods helpe with all speed pursue them When he had thus said and withall pronounced this * or Signal Motto Iupiter Saviour and * or Leader Guide he advanced forward And as he rode on betweene the Chariots and the Corselettiers ever as he spied any orderly in their Companies he would one while say thus unto them Oh how it doth me good my souldiours to see your faces Another while to others Goe to Sirs Thinke that this present fight is not onely for this dayes victorie but in regard of that also which heretofore yee have atchieved yea and for all felicity whatsoever As he came to some he would use these words From this time forward we shall never have cause to blame the Gods for they have put into our hands the meanes to attaine to many and those goodly chievances But yet wee must my good souldiours play the parts of valiant men To others againe such a speech as this he would use What more gawdy feast could we possibly bid one another unto than to this For now the opportunity we have bearing our selves manfully to stead and benefit passing well one another many wayes To another Company thus would he speake Yee know I suppose my souldiers that these rewards are now proposed to wit unto winners To chace to wound to kill to be possessed of goods to gaine renowne and fame to enjoy freedome to commaund and to rule But unto Cowards what else but the contrary Whosoever therefore loveth himselfe let him enter battaile and fight as I doe For with my good will no example shall I give of cowardise nor admit of any lewd and dishonorable act Moreover as he came to some of those who had served with him in the former battaile he said As for you my douty souldiours what need I to speake unto you For yee wote well enough what a faire day valiant men have and how badly cowards speed Then as hee went from them and came to Abradatas he stayed And Abradatas having given the reines unto the * Manhood under chariotier dismounted and made towards him others also came running unto him whose places were neere at hand as well footmen as
those who had the conduct of chariots And when they were come Cyrus spake in this wise God hath according to your request ô Abradatas judged both you and yours worthy to lead in the vaward before our Associats Remember therefore that when you are to fight they be the Persians who shall both behold and also second you neither will they suffer you to be forlorne and succourlesse Then Abradatas For mine owne selfe Cyrus I thinke all well enough with us But for the sides of the battaile I am perplexed and troubled For I see that the enemies points be stretched out in length and those very firme by reason as well of their chariots as all other forces Whereas we have opposed against those nothing but chatiots And therefore but that the charge of this place is by lot fallen unto me I would have beene abashed to be here in such safety me thinks I am Goe to quoth Cyrus If you be well for your owne part take you no thought for them For I trust with the helpe of God to order the matter so that I shall shew unto you these sides of the enemies naked And here I beseech you not to give the onset upon the enemies before you see even those whom you feare now so much put to flight These brave words verily gave Cyrus forth at the point of battaile being otherwise none of these great and vanting boasters But when you see these quoth Cyrus once to flie then thinke me to be hard at hand and then lustily charge you For then shall you find the enemies to be starke cowards and your friends right hardie souldiers And verily whiles you have leisure ô Abradatas ride every way all about your chariots encourage and exhort your men to give the onset partly by your lightsome countenance embolden them and partly by hopes relieve them And that yee may seeme the best and most valorous of all those that be mounted in Chariots kindle some emulation among them For know assuredly that if this be done they will hereafter say that nothing is more gainefull than * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Vertue So Abradatas gat up againe into his Chariot and did accordingly But Cyrus passed on and being come to the left wing were Hystaspas was with halfe of the Persian Cavallery called unto him by name and said You see now Hystaspas a piece of service wherein there is need of your celerity and expedition For if now we can get the start of our enemies and fall first to the killing of them there shall one of us die Hystaspes smiling hereat Let me alone quoth hee with the enemies afront And for those on the side give you the charge to others that they be not idle Why quoth Cyrus I my selfe will take them in hand But Hystaspes remember you this that unto whomsoever of us God shall give the upper hand in case there remaine still any daunger of hostility we alwaies set upon that part that maketh head and maintaineth fight Having thus said hee went forward and being come as farre as to the side and to the Captaine of the chariots which were there he said unto him Come I am to succour you But when you perceive once that we charge the enemies at the * Points ends then doe yee also your devoir to breake thorow the mids of them For in more safety shall yee be when ye are * At the sides without than enclosed within Passing on still untill he was behind the wagons hee commaunded Artagerses and Pharmathus to stay there with a thousand footmen and as many horsemen And so soone as ye understand saith he that I fall upon them that are in the right wing take yee also them in hand that be opposite unto you For yee shall fight against the point in that place where the maine battalion is become weaker And keepe yee embattailed as yee are in a thicke squadron that yee may be the stronger And verily the enemies horsemen as yee see are raunged hinmost against whom in any wise oppose the raunged troupe of the Camels For know this assuredly that before ye fight ye shall see your enemies to become ridiculous and to make you good sport After these directions give Cyrus crossed over to the right side CHAP. II. The great battaile and slaughter of the Lydians where King Croesus and his forces were discomfited The Aegyptians yeeld unto Cyrus CRoesus supposing that the Regiment under his conduct drew very neere already unto the enemies *** and that the wings were stretched out along did set up a signall unto the said wings to proceed no higher but in that very place to turne short Now when they all made a stand beheld the host of Cyrus embattailed he gave the Signe unto them for to advance against the enemies By this meanes three squadrons charged upon Cyrus his armie one full afront and of the other twâ—â—â—e one on the right hand the other on the left In so much as great feare seized upon the armie of Cyrus For like unto a little bricke couched within a greater the battalion of Cyrus was environed on every side with the enemies what with horsemen armed footmen light targuatiers and what with chariots all but behind Howbeit after that Cyrus had given direction they all turned a-brest upon the enemie And verily there was on all parts a deepe silence for feare of the future event But when Cyrus now saw his time hee began to sing the Paean and the whole Armie chaunted and answered him Then with a loud and cheerefull note they sounded Alala to Mars and with that Cyrus shewed himselfe and presently with his men of armes flanking the enemies with all speed joyned battaile The footmen also in good array soone followed after and charged them on every side so as that they had the greater vantage of them by farre For with their maine battalion they gave a charge upon the wing whereby it came to passe that the enemies were mightily discomfited and quickly put to flight When Artagerses perceived that Cyrus was in Action and entred into the medley himselfe also came in fiercely with his * Or Dromedaries Camels on the left side according as Cyrus had commaunded Their Horses could not abide these Camels a great way off but as their nature is being madded some runne away others flung out of their ranks and some againe rushed one upon another For thus fare horses when once they espie Camels And Artagerses with his owne men in good array and himselfe well appointed preassed hard upon them thus disranked and withall put forth his Chariots at once both on the right side and also on the left Whereupon many of them to avoid the Chariots were killed by those who followed at the wing and as many there were who flying from them were intercepted and caught up by the Chariots Abradatas also for his part slacked no time but crying alowd Follow me friends follow mee spared no horse-flesh