in his judgement most meet and worthy to wit into Arabia Megabystus into Cappadocia Artabatas Artacamas into Phrygia the great and Chrysantas into Lycia and Ionia Into Caria Cadusius according to the Carians request Into Phrygia lying upon Hellespont and into Aecolis Pharnuchus But into Cilicia Cyprus and to the Paphlagonians he sent no Governors because they seemed of their owne accord and unsent for to joyne with him in the journey of Babylon Howbeit these nations also he commaunded to bring in their tribute And as Cyrus ordained it in those daies so at this time also the garrisons in every Castle are at the Kings dispose The Colonels also over every 1000. of garrison souldiers are by the King appointed and their names enrolled and remaining with the King Furthermore he gave all those LL. Governours in charge whom he sent out to endeavour with all their whole power for to imitate his example in all things that they saw him to doe First and principally to ordaine a troupe of horsemen and Chariotiers out of those Persians and Allies who followed them in their traine And as many as were endowed with Lands and * Or faire bouses Palaces to force them to give attendance ordinarily at the * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Court to the end that being studiously given to temperance they might shew themselves ready to be employed by the Lord Governour as occasion required Also their children to be trained up at the Court like as the manner was with him Item that each Viceroy or Governour aforesaid should bring those his Courteours attending upon him forth a hunting and to exercise both himselfe and those about him in such disports and pastimes as tend unto warfare And whosoever saith he in proportion of his puissance and regiment shall be able to shew unto me most charriots meet for service the greatest number likewise of horsemen right expert and skilfull him will I honour and reward as a singular Associate in warre him will I consider as a speciall preserver with me both of the Persian Empire and mine Let there be also quoth he among you certaine degrees of seats and see that the best warriours and most valiant Knights sit in higher place as it is the order with me As for your * Or. Dyec table I would have it answerable to mine first to feed houshold servants and then to be sufficiently furnished for to impart an allowance for friends and to honour those who daily shall performe some worthy exploit See likewise that ye be possessed of parks and keepe wild beasts in them for game and never either your selves cause meat to be set upon the bourd before yee have laboured nor give your horses hay unlesse they be first exercised For it is not possible that I being one man alone with all the humane wisedome and prowesse that is should preserve the weale of you all but necessarie it is that I being a valiant person my selfe should assist you with mine owne also and those redoubted Knights Yee likewise ought to be hardy your selves and with those brave and valourous men about you to aide me Moreover I would have you consider thus much that none of these points which now I recommend unto you I doe impose upon slaves but whatsoever I say that yee ought to doe the same I endeavour to practise first my selfe To conclude like as I bid you imitate me so teach yee those subordinate and inferiour Magistrates within your jurisdiction to follow you And as at that time Cyrus first ordained even so at this day are all the garrisons under the Kings dominion kept all the Courts of the Grand Rulers in like manner served and attended all houses and families as well great as small in the same sort ordered Of all them that be present in ordinary they who have carried themselves best are graced with higher seats above the rest all their journeyes are likewise appointed and disposed And generally many matters are compendiously dispatched by few Governours When he had given this charge to these Lieutenants and Deputies how every one was to frame and digest his affaires and withall assigned unto each of them a certaine power of souldiers he dismissed them with a warning given to them all to prepare themselves and be in readinesse For that the yeere next ensuing he intended an expedition and meant to review and muster all his men horses and chariots Which laudable custome being first begun by Cyrus wee understand by report continueth still For hereupon some great man or other yeerely visiteth the Provinces with an army Who if any one of the foresaid Governours stands in need is ready to helpe if any beare himselfe insolently him he reduceth into order and teacheth to be wiser Is there any one that neglecteth the bringing in of Tribute is slacke in protecting the inhabitants or looketh not to the ground that it be tilled and husbanded or leaveth ought else undone that is commaunded he it is that brings all into good frame againe but if he cannot effect this by himselfe he giveth notice thereof to the King Then he no sooner heareth the matter but consulteth deliberately about the party thus delinquent And oftentimes they of whom it is commonly said The Kings sonne commeth downe The Kings brother The Kings Eye c. be the Visitours and Overseers yea sometimes when they are not seene at all themselves For every one of these is called backe againe out of the way whensoever the King commaundeth Moreover we are given to understand of another invention of Cyrus which concerneth the greatnesse of his Empire whereby he quickly had intelligence brought unto him how the State of things went For knowing by experience how farre an horse would carry a man in a day without tyring hee appointed stable-roomes distant so much one from another and therein post-horses and persons of purpose to looke unto them He appointed also in every of these places a man fit both to receive packets of letters and to deliver them as they were brought Who also should take the weary horses and make supply with fresh to send forward And it is said that otherwhiles this manner of riding post gave not over all night but after the day-messenger immediately succeeded another for the night Which being thus ordered some say that his posts dispatched their journeyes faster than Cranes flye Which saying if it be not true yet thus much at least wise is evident that of all journeyes by land it is of greatest speed And this good came thereof that so soone as one perceived any occurrent the same was looked unto with all expedition CHAP. IX The expeditions that Cyrus made during his reigne and how hee returned into Persia and there dyed AFTER a yeere come and gone Cyrus assembled all his forces at the Rendez-vouz in Babylon And the report goeth that he was able to bring into the field 120000 men of Armes of sithed Chariots 2000. of footmen to
both horsemen and footmen to succeed in place of the former garrison So that now he supposed himselfe to be furnished with a great army as having two garrisons in readinesse besides the foot and horse which himselfe had brought with him Vpon good deliberation therfore he thought it best to make an incursion and raise booty out of the Medes ground for that thereby as the pastime of hunting would seeme more brave and gallant so he thought hee should have greater store of beasts to sacrifice Betimes therfore in the morning he did set forward with his power in this order His footmen he left thicke embattayled upon the borders himselfe with his Cavallery advanced toward the fortresses of the Medes where he stayed with the best men of armes and those in number most whom he kept about him that the garrison soldiours of the Medes might not make head upon his Avantcourriers as they stragled and overran the confines as for the light horsmen nimbly appointed he sent certein forth out of every band to make rodes some one way some another with commandement to overspread every place and whatsoever came within their reach to drive the same to his hand Which service they performed accordingly When advertisement was giuen to King Astyages that enemies were already entred into his land both himselfe in person went forth with such as were about him to relieve the marches and his sonne also with such a troupe of horsemen as were in readinesse accompanied him Not forgetting withall to send out his commissions to all others for to come forward in aid The Medes when they saw a great power of the Assyrians arraunged in good order together with their men of armes keeping their ground and not stirring made also a stand themselves And Cyrus for his part seeing others on all sides ready to set forth in defence of the Frontiers did the same likewise Which was the first time that ever he put harneis on his backe a thing not permitted him before to do so desirous was he to be armed and truly a very fayre armour it was and well befitting him which his Grandfather had caused to be made compleat for his body Thus armed at all peeces and mounted upon a goodly courser hee rode forward to the service Astyages seeing this albeit he mervayled much at whose commaund he came yet required he him to abide with him and not to stirre one foot Cyrus then so soone as he discovered a number of horsemen afront demaunded saying Be those yonder our enemies Grandfather who sit still upon their horse-backs so quietly yea quoth he enemies they are And what are they a farre off that ride and drive before them quoth Cyras be they likewise enemies yes said Astyages and they too Now surely Grandsire quoth he they seeme to be but cowards and to ride upon very jades and titts who thus harry and drive before them our goods It were a good deed yea and uery requisite that some of us made a rode out after them Yea but see you not my Child answered he what a strong troupe of great horse and men of armes standeth on a plump in battell-ray who if we should make after those would intercept us by the way and stop our passage besides our forces are not yet come together But if you will tarry here replyed Cyrus and receive such as are comming hither to aide those that stand still hereby will be afraid and not once dare to quetch those other also who are driving booties will immediately forgoe their prey upon the very sight of some that charge upon them Having thus said he seemed unto Astyages for to speake somewhat to the purpose Who wondring withall at his prudent forecast and vigilant circumspection commaunded Cyaxares his sonne to take a Cornet of horsemen for to set forward and to charge those that were a boot-haling And I for my part quoth Astyages will make head at these here if they once seeme to stirre and advance against you so that they shall be forced to have a watchfull eye unto us Thus Cyaxares taking with him the valiantest men and best mounted did put forwards And Cyrus so soone as he perceived them to come on speedily breaketh out with them and long it was not but himselfe was the foremost of the troup and led them all a great pace Cyaxares followed hard and the rest were nothing behind Whom when they that drave the booty saw to approach incontinently they abandoned all and fled But the company about Cyrus intercepted them and whomsoeuer they could ouertake and reach they wounded out of hand and Cyrus was the foremost but as many as ouerrode them and escaped their hands those they pursued hotely and neuer gave over untill they had taken some of them prisoners And like as a generous Hound untrained yet and without experience runneth all on the head rashly upon the wild Bore Even so for all the world rode Cyrus upon the spurre looking at this onely how he might strike whomsoeuer he could overtake and regarded nothing els The enemies seeing their fellowes thus distressed and in jeopardy came forward with their maine troupe supposing that the chace would ceasse if they were seene once to advance toward them As for Cyrus he slacked never a whit the more but for joy called upon his unkle to hold on and maintaine the chace still And for that he had gotten the upper hand he did put the enemies to an exceeding great rout And verily Cyaxares the yonger for his part followed haply for a reverent regard of his father the rest likewise came after being then more willing by such an example to make pursuit who otherwise were not very courageous nor resolute to encounter the enemy Astyages perceiving them inconsiderately to follow on still and the enemies many in number and those in good order of battaile redy to confront and receive them being affrayd withall in the behalfe of his owne sonne and of Cyrus lest they being in disaray should rashly rush upon the other so well appointed and so endanger themselves directly led against the enemies who on the other side perceiuing the Medes making towards them stood still some with their darts redy to lance others with bowes and arrowes bent to shoot and so kept their ground supposing that the other likewise would stay and stand so sâ—â—ne as they came within shot according as they were wont to doe For their manner was thus neere and no more to approach one another and so many a time to skirmish only with shot at randam even untill night But now seeing their owne men to flye unto them amaine and therewith the souldiers about Cyrus pursuing them fiercely hard at heeles and Astyages likewise with his Cauallery alredy within arrow shot they declined from them at one side and fled The other who also at once followed in chace tooke many of them by force one with another and whomsoeuer they caught downe they went both horse
all good things of all delicacies and delightsome pleasures shee hath beene partaker with mee but of the cares about attaining thereto of warres also and battaile shee never had part with me And after the very same manner you also seeme to prepare me as I did her whom of all mortall wights I loved most entirely And thereby bound I am of dutie to offer yet more gifts and oblations unto Apollo in token of thankfulnesse These words of his when Cyrus heard he much admired the quietnesse of his minde yea and from that time forward whither so ever he went Croesus he had continually with him either for that hee thought to reape some good by him or because he supposed it would be best for his owne safetie and securitie And so for that time they went to their nights rest The morrow after Cyrus calling to him his friends and the Captaines of his hoast some of thē he appointed to receive the treasures of Croesus to others he gave in charge that what money soever Croesus delivered into their hands first they should select out of it for the Gods such a portion as the * Magi. Priests thought good to be taken the residue thereof to lay up in coffers and so to bestow in waines and then casting lots for the said waines carry it in to what place so ever they went that as opportunitie served every man might take thereof proportionably to his desert And thus did they accordingly CHAP. IIII. The death of Abradatas Of faire Panthea and her Eunuches Cyrus caused a goodly Monument to be erected for their perpetuall memorie THe next morrow Cyrus having called unto him certaine of his serjeants and officers about him Tell me quoth hee whether any of you hath seene Abradatas For I mervaile much that I cannot have a sight of him now who heretofore was wont to frequent our presence Then answered one of the said officers My Lord he is not living but slaine he was in the field what time as in his chariot he valiantly brake in among the Aegyptians All the rest of his companie save onely certaine of his familiar friends avoided by report the daunger and forsooke him when they once saw the strong troupe of the Aegyptians And now quoth he the speech goeth that his wife hath taken up his dead corps bestowed it in the very * or Waggon Carroch wherein shee was wont to ride and brought it somewhither hereabout to the river Pactolus They say also that his Eunuches and servants are a digging for him now dead a grave upon a certaine little hill and the woman her selfe fitteth on the ground who having dressed and adorned her husband with such things as she had holdeth his head resting upon her knees When Cyrus heard this he smote his thighs and forthwith mounting on horsebacke and taking with him a thousand men of armes rode to see this woefull spectacle Likewise he commaunded Gadatas and Gobryas to take with them what ornaments they could get befitting so friendly and valiant a man thus deceased and to seeke him out Furthermore if there were any one that had either any Heards Kine Oxen or Horses in his traine him he charged to bring them along with him yea and many sheep besides to drive to the place whereever he should heare that himselfe was to the end that the same might be killed and sacrificed in the honour of Abradatas his Funerall Now when Cyrus was come and saw the woman sitting upon the ground and the dead corps there lying he wept for very ruth of this hard fortune and said withall O valiant and faithfull heart Alas the while and hast thou left us and gone thy waies with that he tooke him by the right hand and loe the dead mans * or arme hand followed him For cut off it had beene by the Aegyptians and dissevered from the body with an arming sword which when he saw he grieved so much the more The Lady also setting up a pitious cry and taking the hand from Cyrus kissed it and fitted it againe as well as she could in the right place saying also The rest of his body O Cyrus is in the like case But what should you see and view the same And all this I know quoth she hath he suffred for my sake especially and perhaps nothing lesse for yours For I foolish and silly woman that I was used many words to encourage him so to carry himselfe as might beseeme your friend and one worthy of mens commendation And as for him I know very well he never considered what he did but how he might by any brave exploits and worthy service gratifie you Therefore he verily for his part hath had a noble and renowned death whereas I who exhorted him thereto sit here alive When Cyrus had continued a good while silent and weeping still at length hee spake and said This Knight Madame hath made an excellent end For he died with victory But here you shall take of me these things wherewith to adorne his body for both Gobryas and Gadatas also were in place and had brought with them good store of funerall ornaments and for the time to come know this that of other things to doe him honour there shall be no want Nay there be many of us that proportionally to our estare and degree will in memoriall of him erect a monument yea and in his honour killed there shall be whatsoever is convenient for so noble a personage Neither shall your selfe be forlorne and forsaken but in regard of your chastity and all manner of vertue besides as I will grace you otherwise so I will commend you upon trust to some one who shall bring you whithersoever you would Do but you say onely unto whom you desire to be brought Then Panthea set your heart at rest quoth she ô Cyrus For conceale I will not from you to whom I have a mind to goe When Cyrus had thus communed with her he departed pitying the woman who had lost such a husband and the man likewise who had left such a wife and should never see her more Then she having commaunded her Eunuches to void untill such time quoth she as I have bewailed him my fill and as I would my selfe willed her nurse to abide still with her whom she streightly charged that after her selfe was dead she should wind both her husband and her in one and the same shrowding sheet The nurse besought her most instantly not to commit such a deed Howbeit when she could not prevaile but saw her angry and much displeased with her she sat her downe and wept Then Panthea who a good while before had prepared a cimiter for the purpose * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 killeth her selfe and reposing her head upon her husbands brest yeelded up her vitall breath With that the nurse skriked out aloud and enwrapped them both according as Panthea had given her in charge But Cyrus being advertised what a deed the woman
withall to require a greater power But I would have you to understand thus much saith Cyrus that if all the Persians should come into the field wee were not able for number to surmount our enimies What other meanes then doe you see better than this quoth Cyaxares Were I said Cyrus as you are I would cause to be made for all the Persians that are comming such armour in every point as those Gentlemen of ours have who are repairing hither and be called Homotimi namely a Curace over the brest a light targuet for the left hand and a short curtelax for the right If you can provide us these armes you shall bring to passe that as it wil be more safe for us to confront our enimies cope with them in close fight so it shall be better for them to flie than to keepe their ground And verily we that are Persians be prest to deale with such as will stand to it but looke how many of them do flie those commit we to you and to your horsmen so that they shall have no leisure either to flie or once to turne backe When Cyrus had thus discoursed upon the point Cyaxares approved well his speech insomuch as he made no more words of sending for a new levie but presently provided the armour and weapons abovesaid Now when the same were in good forwardnesse and almost ready the said Peetes were by that time come with the armie sent out of Persia Whom Cyrus after he had assembled together spake by report unto them in this wise CHAP. II. The speech that Cyrus made unto the * Homotimi Chiefetaines of all his hoast for to incite their souldiers to take the harneis and armes that Cyrus had prepared for the Persians MY friends seeing as I did your selves in armes so well appointed and in hearts so resolute as men ready to joyne in close fight with the enemies knowing withall that the Persians who follow you are not otherwise armed than to skirmish a farre off I was not a little affraid least yee being few in number and abiding the shocke of a battayle destitute of those that were to second you and falling upon your enemies so many in number should haply incurre some hard extremity But now considering yee are hither come with such able and manly bodies as cannot be found fault with and that they againe shall have the like armour unto yours it remaineth onely that for your parts yee whet and quicken their hearts For it is the office of a Captaine not onely to shew himselfe hardy but also to endeavour effectually that his souldiers under him may prove right valiant When he had thus said they rejoyced all verily for that they thought they should have many more to accompanie them in fight but one of them above the rest delivered also these words I shall be thought peradventure to speake wonderous absurdly if I should advise Cyrus to say ought in our behalfe what time as they shall receive their armour who are to fight with vs against the enemies For this I know that whosoever be most able either to doe a good turne or to worke mischiefe their words enter deepest into the hearts of the hearers Such men also if they bestow any gifts although they be lesse than those that come from equals yet the receivers doe much more prize the same at their hands Semblably the Persians now in case Cyrus should exhort them would joy farre more than if they were exhorted by us And being admitted into the order of the Peeres they will account the preferment more assured and the benefit better worth if it proceed both from a Kings Sonne and also from a Lord Generall than if by our meanes they were advanced to the very same place of dignity And yet ought not we to faile in performing our parts accordingly but by all meanes wee can encourage these men and give an edge to their stomacks For the more valorous that these prove the better it will be for our selves Cyrus therefore having thus laid downe the armour aforesaid in the mids of the open place and called together all the Persian souldiers made unto them such an oration as this CHAP. III. The exhortation of Cyrus unto the Persian souldiers to put on the armour that King Cyaxares had prepared MY friends yee that are Persians as yee were borne and bred up in the same region with us and are in bodie besides framed nothing inferiour to us so it is meet that your minds also be not worse then ours And albeit such ye are indeed yet in our native countrey yee were not in equall estate and condition with us not for that yee were by us put by but because yee were enforced to provide necessaries Now both I by the leave and power of God will take order that yee shall have the same degree and your selves also if yee be so disposed using the same armes that we doe how ever otherwise in meaner place than we are may enter upon the same daungers with us and upon the atchievement of any noble and worthy exploit receive the like guerdon to ours Heretofore yee were archers and darters as well as wee In which manner of service if yee carried not your selves equall to us it is no marvaile For why yee had not time to practise these feats as wee had But in this kind of armature here we shall have no vantage at all over you For every one of you shall have a curace fitted for his brest a light buckler in his left hand as wee all were wont to carry and in his right an arming sword or battle axe wherewith we are to smite our enemy that standeth opposite unto us and need not feare to misse whensoever we offer to strike What is it then considering this manner of fight wherein one of us should passe another unlesse it bee in boldnesse and courage which yee ought to shew as well as we And as for victory whereby all good things and excellent are both gotten and kept what reason is there that we should desire it more than yee To speake of Soveraignty which giveth all away to the Conquerours from them that be conquered why should it concerne us more than you to seeke therefore To conclude then saith hee yee have heard all and see the very armour Take every man what he needeth and is fit for his body and then give his name to the Captaine of some company for to be entolled in the same degree and ranke with us But whosoever is content with the place of a mercenary souldier let him remaine still in such armes as are meet for servitours unto others CHAP. IIII. The ordinances that Cyrus made for the exercise of his souldiers and to keep them in all obedience THese were the words of Cyrus which when the Persians had heard they made this account that worthy they were from that time forward to live all their dayes in penury and want if being
bountifull gifts grace and honour such as serve under me according to their worthinesse In these regards I say desirous I am to be furnished with great store of treasure And albeit I make reckoning to stand in need yet gladly doe I spare your monies whom I suppose now to be our friends yet of the Indian King I would willingly take the same if he would part with it As for the said messenger unto whom I will and require you to allow guides for his conduct and to be assistant when he is thither come he shall speake in this wise Cyrus hath sent me unto you ô King of India saying that he stands in need of more money For that he expecteth another army from home out of Persia and in very deed quoth he so I doe If therefore you will send him as much money as you thinke good he saith that if God give him good successe he will endevour so to doe as that you shall thinke you have done very well and wisely for your selfe in gratifying him thus in this kind This message shall my Agent deliver from me Now for those whom yee shall send give them in charge and commission what your selves shall thinke requisite And if quoth he we may get money of him we shall have the greater store by us to use If not we shall know that we are nothing beholden to him nor have any cause to thanke him but may for ought that concerneth him order all things to our owne behoufe Thus said Cyrus supposing that those Armenians and Chaldaees who were to goe this journey would make such reports of him as himselfe desired that all the world should both speake and heare And so for that time when they saw good they dissolved this meering at supper and went to bed The day following Cyrus sent away the Messenger with those directions which he had delivered before The King of Armenia likewise and the Chaldaees appointed such persons to accompanie him as they thought most meet to helpe forward the businesse which they had in commission and also to give out of Cyrus such speeches as were befitting After this when Cyrus had finished the fortresse and furnished it with garrison souldiours as many as were sufficient and with all things else necessarie yea and left as Captaine over them a Median in preferring whom he thought to gratifie Cyaxares most he departed leading away with him that armie which he had brought thither as also those forces which he received from the Armenian King and together with them such as came from the Chaldaees to the number of 4000. who of all the parts inhabited there was not an Armenian man or woman that staied within doores but they all went forth to meet him rejoycing greatly at this peace bringing with them and driving before them what thing so ever any of them had worth presenting unto him Neither was the King of Armenia herewith displeased for that he thought Cyrus would take the more contentment in being thus generally honoured of all In the end came forth likewise his Queene with her daughters and younger sonne And beside other gifts shee brought that gold also which before time Cyrus refused to take All which when Cyrus saw Yee shall never quoth he make me ô Armenians for hire and reward sake to goe from place to place and bestow my favours And you Madame goe your waies and keepe the money that you bring to your selfe and give it no more to the King your husband for to bee buried in the ground but rather therewith set out your sonne right gallantly and so send him forth to the wars Of all the rest for your selfe your husband your daughters and sonnes have and hold so much as by the enjoying thereof and adorning your selves therewith you may lead a more deinty and pleasant life and let it suffice quoth he for the bodies of the dead to be interred This said he rode away whom there accompanied the King himselfe of Armenia and all the people besides calling him their bountifull benefactour and a worthy good man Thus they continued untill they had conducted him out of their countrey The Armenian King then sent unto him a greater armie because he had now peace at home Thus departed Cyrus mightily enriched not onely by the present treasure that he had received but also for that by his good deportment he had made way for much more whensoever he should need And so for that time they pitched their tents in the confines The next morrow he sent the armie and part of the money to Cyaxares who according to his promise was not farre off But himselfe with Tigranes and the Nobles of Persia hunted wheresoever he could meet with game and merrily followed his sports Afterwards being come into the Medes land hee dealt money among his owne Centurions so much as was thought sufficient for every one that they also might have wherewith to honour and reward those that served under them as many as they admired for their valour For this reckoning made he that if each one performed his part praise-worthy the whole body of the army likewise would prove right excellent Furthermore if himselfe saw any thing that might adorne the army the same when he had once gotten it hee would bestow upon the best worthy For this hee supposed that what good thing and beautifull ornament soever the souldiours had himselfe with all the same was likewise adorned And at the very same time when he distributed among them such presents as he had received in a frequent assembly of his Centurions * or File leaders Caporalls and all those whom he best esteemed he made a speech in this wise We seeme now my friends to conceive a certaine joy partly because wee have gotten some wealth and in part for that we have wherewith to adorne those we would and whereby our selves may be honoured againe according as each one of us is worthy of advancement But in any wise we must ever call to remembrance what manner of feats they bee which have procured these good things unto us For if yee consider well yee shall find that yee have attained hereunto by watching when time required by travaile and paines taking by celerity and expedition and finally by giving no ground unto the enemies It behooveth you therefore hereafter to be hardy and valiant men setting this downe with your selves that great pleasures and commodities both cannot proceed but from obedience constancie labours and perils undertaken in time convenient Cyrus now perceiving how fresh and able in bodie his souldiers were to endure warre-travailes how resolute also and courageous in heart to despise their enemies what skill beside each one had in every point belonging to their owne armes Semblably seeing them all well disposed and ready to obey their Rulers In these respects desirous he was even now to performe some of those exploits which are usually enterprised against enemies knowing that many times by delayes and
so terrible was the spectacle thereof and so smitten were they with feare Perceiving then soone after that certaine Persians had broken through the gates and entries of their fortifications they turned backe and fled from the said toppe of the rampier The wives as well of the Assyrians as of their auxiliary Associats seeing this rout within the campe skriked out and ran up and downe all amazed Some of them being mothers of children others but younglings tearing their side garments and scratching themselves with their owne nailes lamentably beseeching all those whom they met not to flye and forsake them but to defend their children and themselves And herewith the KK themselves with their trustiest guard about them stood at the very gates and climbing up to the top of the rampiers partly in proper person fought and in part exhorted others to doe the same Cyrus after he understood what was done fearing least by making an irruption and forcible entry his men so few in number might be hurt of so many sounded the retrait commaunding them to retire out of the arrow shot and to obey Then and there a man might have seene the noble Peeres how excellently they had beene brought up in martiall discipline For streightwaies themselves obeied and gave charge to the rest for to doe the like as quickely and no sooner were they without the danger of shot but they stood raunged in their places more orderly than in any daunce or quire of Musicians whiles every man knew perfitly where hee should be THE FOVRTH BOOKE CHAP. I. How the King of Assyria died in fight King Croesus and the Assyrians fled and Cyrus purposed to follow in chace CYRVS having staied there long enough with his armie and made open shew that ready they were to fight if any would issue forth seeing none to come abroad withdrew his power so farre as he thought good and there encamped Now when he had set his Corps du guard and sent out his espialls before himselfe having assembled his soldiers in this manner spake unto them My friends yee that are Persians First the Gods above I laud and praise to my full power like as I suppose yee all doe For atchieved we have this day both victorie and safetie In regard whereof bound we are to retribute gifts unto their Majesties in token of thankes even out of all that ever we have And as for you I cannot choose but commend you every one For looke what service there is exploited the same hath beene performed to the honour of you all But as concerning due recompense in particular when I am certified by those of whom meet it is I should enquire of what desert every one is I shall endevour both in word and deed to conferre rewards upon each one respectively And verily as touching this Centurion here Chrysantas who was next unto mee I need not to learne of others as knowing my selfe very well how hee hath borne himselfe For as in every point else hee hath done his devoyr like as of you all I suppose no lesse so when I had caused the retreat to bee sounded and called unto him by name albeit hee had his sword up ready to smite his enemie hee presently obeyed and leaving that undone which hee went about did as he was commanded For not onely retired he in person but readily charged the rest to doe the same in so much as he brought his owne company without daunger of the voley ere our enemies wist that we gave ground at all even before they could draw their bowes or launce their javelins against us and so he is both safe himselfe and by his obedience hath saved his owne men also As for others quoth he I see some in deed wounded of whom when I have better considred what time they were hurt I shall then deliver my doome But Chrysantas being so brave a man of action so wise withall and sufficient as well to rule as to be ruled him I say at this present I ordeine a Colonel over a thousand And whensoever God shall give me a good hand againe I will not then be forgerfull of him And I would have you all quoth he to remember thus much and make use of this journey For whatsoever erewhile ye have seene in this fight never ceasse to thinke upon that ye may alwaies judge within your selves whether it is running away or preesse rather that saveth your lives Also whether they that fight willingly be sooner freed from warre or those who are unwilling Likewise what pleasure it is that victory bringeth For none of these points may ye best determine as having made proofe and seene the experience considering the service is so lately performed And verily by continuall meditation hereof yee shall prove the better Now therefore as religious valiant and temperate men take your suppers Offer sacred libations to the Gods beginning with a triumphant * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 song and withall have an eye and due regard to that which is commaunded Thus said he got up to horsebacke and rode away untill he was come to Cyaxares Where after rejoycing with him as requisite it was upon mutuall congratulation for their common victory when he had seene how things went there and asked of him what need he had of his service he rode backe from thence to his own armie As for Cyrus and his souldiers after they had supped and appointed a sufficient watch they betooke themselves to rest But the Assyrians whose Soveraine Commaunder was slaine and with him the very flowre and best of his souldiers were all in great heavinesse yea and many of them by night slipt away and fled out of the Camp Which when Croesus and the rest of their Allies perceived they sorrowed all very much for every thing was dolorous but this troubled them most in generall that throughout the armie all the prime company of those that should have beene their Leaders were out of heart void of counsell and at their wits end Whereupon in the night season they abandoned their tents and departed When day appeared and discovered how naked of fighting men their Camp was Cyrus presently advanced thither first with the Persians Now the enemies had left behind them many Sheepe many Kine and Oxen and besides many waggons full of much treasure and goods Then repaired thither all the Medes likewise who were with Cyaxares where they dined Dinner being done Cyrus called unto him his owne Centiniers and unto them made this Oration My souldiers what benefits and how great presented here unto us by the goodnesse of God seeme we to let slip out of our hands For now your owne selves see that the enemies for feare of us be fled And if they being fortified strongly within their hold have quit the same and are runne away how may any man imagine that they will stand to it if they see us on even ground in the plaine field Also they that durst not hold out when they
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 THEN Pheraulas invited the Sacan who had bestowed upon him the good Horse and courteously entertained him but beside many other gifts which he fastened upon him in great aboundance when they had supped togither hee filled those * or Pots cups with wine that hee had received of Cyrus dranke to him and gave them likewise unto him when hee had done The Sacan beholding in the place goodly faire carpets and coverings with much trim furniture besides and a number of houshold servants Tell mee Pheraulas quoth he were you at home also in your countrey reckoned in the number of rich men what rich men meane you said Pheraulas To bee plaine I was one of them that got their living by their hands For even my father before mee labouring hard himselfe for a poore living kept mee bare and brought mee up with other children at schoole And when I was past my childhood because he was not able to finde mee in idlenesse hee had me away with him into the field setting me to labour and till the ground Then and there I kept and maintained him likewise to his dying day digging and delving with mine owne hands and sowing a peece of land little though it were in quantity yet nothing bad I may say to you but of all others most true and just For what seed so ever it tooke the same it yeelded againe truly and justly with increase for usury though not very great And yet one time above the rest upon a speciall fertilitie it rendred double as much as it received Thus you see truly in what sort I lived at home But all this riches now that you see here Cyrus hath freely bestowed upon mee Happy man are you quoth the Sacan as in other respects so in this that of a poore man you are become wealthy For I suppose you have much more joy and pleasure in your riches because when you hungred after it you attained thereto and grew rich And thinke you my good Sacan quoth Pheraulas that I live now much more merrily for the greater store of goods that I possesse ywis you are deceived For wote you not that I eate drinke and sleepe with no greater contentment one whit than when I was a poore man Thus much I gaine by having a great deale that I must looke to the keeping of more than I did I must deale more unto others I must carke and care more and so by consequence have much adoe For my houshold * Hines servants many call on mee for meat many for drinke and many for * Liveries garments And some of them need the Physicians One brings mee word that either my Sheepe are worried by the Woolfe or mine Oxen falne headlong from some steepe downe-fall or else hee telleth mee that some disease is come among my cattaile Whereby quoth Pheraulas I am of this minde that I feele now farre more griefe and sorrow by possessing much than heretofore when I had but little Yea marry quoth the Sacan you say very true yet when you see this world of wealth safe and in good case you take more pleasure than I doe by many degrees But it is not saith Pheraulas so great a joy to be possessed of riches as griefe to forgoe the same Doe but marke what I say and you shall finde my words true There is not one of these wealthy men driven to breake his sleepe for joy but of such as lofe ought you shall not see one able to sleepe for sorrow Neither shall a man see I assure you quoth the Sacan one of them also to be sleepy for joy that are * or getting taking any thing True saith the other But the case is not alike For were it as sweet to keepe as to get the rich should be in happier state by far than the poore And trust mee truly it cannot be chosen my Sacan but he that possesseth much must likewise spend as much upon the Gods upon his friends upon guests and strangers comming in Whosoever therefore taketh great delight in his money and riches know he this for certaine that he also is much vexed when he is at any expense But for my part I protest before Iupiter quoth the Sacan I am none of these but I repute even this to be a felicitie that a man which hath much may likewise dis-spend much Why then before God quoth Pheraulas what should let but that you all of a sudden may become very happy and withall make mee happy too For take in Gods name all that is here Have and hold it use and bestow it at your pleasure As for mee doe but finde and maintaine mee as you would your guest and no otherwise Nay keepe mee more barely than a guest For it shall suffice mee to take part with you of that which you have You doe but jest with mee I am sure quoth the Sacan With that Pheraulas sware unto him and said that hee was in good earnest and spake as he thought Yea and more than so my good Sacan I will obtaine of Cyrus other things besides for you namely that you shall not bee tyed to waite and give attendance in his Court not to goe in any voyage and serve in the warres but remaine still at home with all this wealth This I say will I effect both for your sake and mine owne Over and above looke what commoditie else I can procure either by my dutifull service unto Cyrus in Court or by any warlike exploit in the field I will bring the same to you that you may have the rule of more still Onely doe you thus much for mee as discharge mee of this care For may I once be delivered from these troubles and live at ease I thinke you shall stead me much and I likewise shall the better serve Cyrus These words thus passed betweene them and as they covenanted so they did accordingly The one reputed himselfe happy for being Lord and Master now of so much wealth the other againe thought he was most happy because he should have a Procurator in his place to procure him rest and leasure for to doe that which contented his minde This Pheraulas was of a gentle nature courteous and amiable to his friends neither thought hee that there was so great pleasure or gaine in making much of any thing as of men For he supposed that of all living creatures in the world man was simply the best and most thankfull seeing as he did and observing those that were praysed by any how studious they were to praise them again and how they endevoured to requite one kindnesse and pleasure done with another such as they know to be kinde unto them how they requite with like affection whom they see to love them how they cannot hate and as for their