Gentlemen For indeed these Men are now over-match'd in this Popular Contention So spake Pheraulas Many others there were who rose up and declar'd their Approbation both of the one Opinion and the other So it was resolved that every ones Reward ought to bear Proportion to his Worth and Cyrus to be the Judge of the Merits of the Cause And thus proceeded these Matters Cyrus also on a time invited to Supper with him a Captain and his whole Company because he had seen him divide his Souldiers into two Parties and set them in Battel Array one against another both Divisions being arm'd with Breast-Plates and light Targets in their Left-hands in their Right-hands he gave to one half good stout Truncheons the other half he commanded to take up Clods and therewith to pelt their Adversaries Now when they all stood thus ready arm'd he gave the Signal for the Skirmish Then one Party threw their Clods and hit some of them on the Breast-Plates some on the Targets some on the Thighs and some on the Legs But when they came to it hand to hand they that were arm'd with Truncheons smote their Adversaries some of them Hip and Thigh some on the Hands and some of them that stoop'd down to take up Clods on the Neck and Shoulders At last the Battoon bearers put the others to flight and smote them and chas'd them with much Sport and Laughter In like manner when heir turn came the other took the Truncheons and dealt just after the same rate with those that threw Clods against them Cyrus greatly admired this notable Invention of the Captain and commended the Obedience of the Souldiers who did at once both Exercise and recreate themselves and withall observing that they that imitated the Persian way of Arming themselves always came off with Victory he was mightily pleased therewith and invited the Combatants to Supper Now when in his Pavilion he espy'd some with their Legs bound up and some their Arms he ask'd them what they ailed They answered They had been bruised with Clods He then put the Question further to them whether they were hurt when they came to close or when they fought at a distance The Truncheoners reply'd When they skirmish'd at a distance For said they when we came to it hand to hand we had very pleasant Sport on 't Then they that had been sorely maul'd with the Truncheons cry'd out That they did not think it such fine Pastime to be bastinado'd at that rate when they came to close fighting and withall shewed in their Arms and Necks nay and some of them in their Faces too the very Prints and Strokes of the Batoons This done as well they might they laugh'd at and derided one another The next day all the whole Field was throng'd with Men who came to practise this way of Combating and whenever they were not taken up with Business of greater moment they constantly us'd this kind of Exercise and Recreation Another time he saw a Captain leading his Company from the River one by one to Dinner who when he saw his time commanded the Rereband to pass by the third and fourth Ward and march up into the Fore-front Now when they stood all in the Van-guard he commanded them to double their Files and lead them out by two and two Then the Decurions with their Files advanced into the Front Where he when he thought convenient commanded them again to re-double their Files and lead them on by four and four Then came on in order the Captains of five yet so that they also might march by four and four Now when he was come to his Tent door he gave the Word that they should again march one by one so he led in his Van-guard and commanded the next to follow them in the Rere and giving the same Charge to the third and the fourth he led them all into his Pavilion where he made them sit down to meat in the same order they came in Cyrus mightily admir'd the Man as well for the Mildness of his Temper as for his Discipline and his Industry and therefore solemnly invited Him and his whole Company to Supper Now it fortun'd that at the same time there was another Captain invited to Supper who thus bespake Cyrus Why don't you invite my Company to your Tent for when they are here at Supper they do the very same thing that these do And when the Entertainment in your Pavilion is at an end the Leader of the last File brings out the Rere-ward and in the first place sets them in Battel Array Then follows the Leader of the second Band and so in order the third and the fourth that so when they are to make good a Retreat they may know in what Order they ought to do it Now when we come into a Plain where we use to have a running March if it be toward the Sun-rising I lead the Van and the foremost Band takes place first after that the second and so in Course the third and the fourth then follow the lesser Bands of Ten and of Five so long as I give the Word of Command But if we march toward the Sun-setting then the Rere-ward and the Officer that leads it begin to march off first and they do nevertheless obey me though I come hindmost of all that so they may with equal Obedience accustom themselves both to lead and to follow And do you quoth Cyrus use always to do thus Yes I assure you reply'd he as constantly and duely as we go to our Meals I invite you therefore answer'd Cyrus partly because you carefully practise to keep good Order both in your Approaches and Retreats whether by Night or by Day and partly because you exercise your Bodies by moving up and down and also improve your Understandings by Experience and Practice So that in regard you perform a double Duty in every Thing 't is but reasonable that you should be treated with a double Repast Not in one day for Heavens sake quoth the Captain unless you will supply us with double Bellies too And thus ended this Entertainment in the Tent. The next day as also the Day following Cyrus invited this Company to his Pavilion which when the other Regiments understood they all ever after imitated them Now Cyrus held a general Rendezvous of all his Forces in their Arms and was mustering them in order for Battel when Cyaxares by an Express advertis'd him of an Embassy arrived from India and withall signified his Pleasure That he should immediately repair unto him The Messenger likewise told him That he had brought him from Cyaxares a very noble Robe of State for quoth he his Desire is that you should appear with all Magnificence and Splendour imaginable because the Indians will see how you make your Entry Cyrus having receiv'd this Message he gave order to the principal Officer that led the Van-guard that he should draw out his Company one
the other Commanders of the Horse lead those whom they brought with them when they came to us After these let the Sacians be led The Cadusians as they came last of all so let them bring up the Rear And these Alcenna I commit to your Conduct And now let every Commander shew his Wisdom by marching silently For every thing must be observ'd and done in the night more by the Ear than the Eye Besides there is more danger in having any Disturbance happen by Night than by Day and more difficulty in allaying it again You must of necessity therefore be silent and keep your Order As for our Night-Watches as often as we have occasion to move our Station by Night we must make them as short and as frequent as we can lest over-watching indispose us for our March When the hour of marching is come the Signal must be given by a Trumpet And then let every one make ready what he thinks necessary and be present in the way that leads towards Babylon And let every one that goes before encourage him that is behind to follow him After this they went to their Tents and as they were going they discoursed among themselves what a vast memory Cyrus had in that if he had any concern with any man he would speak to him by name But this Cyrus did on set purpose as thinking it a great shame that a Mechanic Artificer should know the name of all his Tools and that a Physician should know the names of all the parts of the Body and of the Medicaments which he uses and that a General should be so foolish as not to know the names of his under-Officers which he must make use of as Instruments whether he be minded to take any thing or keep any thing to encourage his Souldiers or to terrify them Besides if the should have a mind to bestow any Honour upon any one he thought it very expedient that he should call him by his name And again he was of opinion that those who thought themselves particularly known to the Prince would the more desire to be seen when they did any brave exploit and abstain from what was unworthy of them with the greater abhorrence He thought it also very unseemly that a General when he would have any thing done should command in the same manner as some Masters of Families do at home Go some body and fetch me some Water and some body go cleave the wood For should he command after this manner he thought all would stand looking one upon another and no body would do the thing commanded And that tho' they were all equally in fault yet no body would blush for shame or be concern'd for himself in particular because he had a great many to bear him company in his guilt For these reasons whenever he commanded any thing to be done he spoke to them all by name This was the judgment of Cyrus as to this Now his Souldiers when they had Supp'd and placed the Guards and pack'd up what was necessary betook themselves to their rest At Midnight the Trumpet alarum'd them up for the march Cyrus giving order to Chrysantas that he should stay on the way at the head of the Army set forth with a small Guard attending him In a short time after Chrysantas was come leading those that wore Breast-plates Cyrus gave him some to be his guides on the way and bad him march leasurely on till the return of the Messenger For they were not all yet upon the way He himself standing still in one place bad every one as they came along go in his order and if any lagg'd behind he sent one to him to hasten him forward Assoon as all were upon the Way he sent a company of Horse to Chrysantas to tell him of it and that he should therefore march the faster He himself riding on toward the Front silently observ'd their Orders and whomsoever he observ'd to march orderly and quietly he rode up to them and ask'd who they were And when he knew he commended them But if he took notice of any that made disturbance he examin'd the matter and used his endeavour to Compose the disorder There is yet one more Instance of his Industry by night to be mention'd which is that he sent a few nimble Foot-men before the body of the Army who might still be in sight of Chrysantas and be seen by him that if any thing considerable came within their notice they might inform Chrysantas of it And there was one among them who Commanded and managed them Who if any thing occurr'd worth Communication he imparted it if not he would not trouble them with needless alarms And after this manner they march'd that night On the Morrow Cyrus left some of the Cadusian Horse with their Foot in râ—…d they march'd last of all lest they should be quite destitute of the aid of the Horse The rest he order'd to march in the Front directly opposite to the Enemy that in case any Opposition should be made he might be in a ready posture to encounter it but if any fled he might persue with all Expedition And he had always those ready by him who were fit for a Persuit if need were and those who were fit to bide with him For he would never suffer all his ranks to be dispers'd by a Persuit at once Thus did Cyrus lead his Army Neither did he keep constantly to one place but rode up and down and bestowed his Care and Labour where ever there was need of it In this posture march'd Cyrus his Army But a certain man belonging to the Troop of Gadatas of considerable quality hearing that his Master had revolted from the Assyrian thought he should be able to beg all that Gadatas had of the Assyrian in case he should miscarry Whereupon he dispatches a trusty messenger of his own to the Assyrian telling him that if he saw the Assyrian forces in the Coast of Gadatas he should tell the Assyrian that if he would ly in Ambush he might easily take Gadatas and those that were with him Moreover he had him a quaint him with the number of forces which Gadatas had under his conduct and that Cyrus did not accompany him He gave him also directions how to find Access And to make the business the more plaosible he gave order to his Domesticks that they should deliver up the Castle which he had in the Country of Gadatas to the Assyrian with every thing in it Telling them withal that he himself would come to them when Gadatas was kill'd if he could if not however he would henceforth side with the Assyrian Now when the person employed in this business was come with all the expedition he could to the Assyrian and had given an account of his errand the Assyrian immediately upon the reception of this News sieses the Castle and lays a great number of Horse and of Chariots in Ambush all the Villages
his Friends waited and in the mean while the croud increas'd till the evening was come upon him before he could have opportunity of conversing with his Friends Therefore Cyrus said to them Now Friends 't is high time to adjourn but to morrow morning I would have you be here again For I have something to say to you When his Friends heard this they departed contentedly though by reason of waiting up and down they had neglected their necessary affairs So for that night they betook themselves to their rest The next day Cyrus was present in the same place and now a greater Multitude of Visitants throng'd to come to him then before who had got the start of his Friends Cyrus therefore setting a Guard of Persian Spear-men in a large compass round about him commanded them to admit none besides his Friends and the Persian Captains and those of his Fellow-Souldiers when these were come together before him he made this Oration to them We have no reason Friends and Fellow-Souldiers to complain of the Gods as if hitherto all things had not succeeded according to our desires But if this be the fruits of performing great exploits that a man cannot be master of his own time nor have the freedome of enjoying his Friends farewel all such happiness For you know I began early in the morning Yesterday to hear those that came to me and that 't was quite night before I was released And now you see those same Persons and a great many more besides are come here again to find me more work And therefore if a man will once indure this I see I shall have but little of your Company and you of mine But of my own Company I know I shall have none at all Besides I take notice of another thing which seems to me very odd and ridiculous For to you I stand affected as I ought but of these that flock round about me I scarce know so much as one and yet these are so ready to press forward that they would prevent you in their Petitions if they could Whereas on the contrary I think the best way for these Petitioners would be to study how to oblige my Friends and to desire them to introduce them But perhaps some of them may say Why did he not use this Method at first but afford himself freely to all Commers Why because I understood that the Nature of War was such that a Commander ought not to be the last either in understanding or in doing what was necessary And if Commanders should appear but seldome they must needs Omit many things which ought to be done But now we have finish'd the greatest part of our Wars and enjoy a little respite I am willing now to consult my own ease Wherefore since I am in doubt what is best to be done for the security both of our own affairs and theirs whom we ought to be concern'd for let some body or other advise with me and propose what he thinks most convenient These were the words of Cyrus Then stood up Artabazus he that said that he was Cyrus his Kinsman and said Indeed Cyrus you have well done in beginning this discourse For when you were very young I began to get an interest in your Friendship but when I saw that you stood in no need of my Services I was something scrupulous of coming to you But when you desired me by chance to deliver the Commands of Cyaxares to the Medes I thought with my self that if I serv'd you readily in this I might ingratiate my self with you and have the priviledge of conversing with you which I desired for a long while And that Charge indeed I perform'd well so that you your self commended me For 't was then that the Hyrcanians first began to League with us at a time when we were very destitute of assistants So that we could e'ne have hugg'd them in our Arms for very kindness After that when the Enemies Tents were taken I thought you were not at leisure for me and indeed I forgave you on that score At that time Gobryas enter'd into League with us which was matter of great joy to me and Gadatas too And now I thought 't would be exceeding difficult to have access to you And then when the Sacians and Cadusians came over to us 't was but fit you should attend upon them because they did upon you But after that we were return'd to the place from whence we first set out because I saw you were taken up in ordering your Horses Chariots and Engins sure thought I when this business is over he will be at leasure for me But when we were alarm'd wiâ—…h that terrible News that almost all the World were banded together against us I was sensible that we then stood upon a very ticklish point but in case things succeeded well I seem'd to be pretty well assured of having very intimate Converse with you And now at length we have with much adoe overcome the Sardians with Craesus himself are in subjection to us Babylon we have taken and reduced all things within our Power and yet by Mithres Yesterday I could no come to you had I not struggled with the croud But when you took me by the Hand and commanded me to sit down by you then was I fain to sit there a whole day in the view of the Multitude without either meat or drink Now therefore if things may be so order'd that those that have deserv'd most at your Hands may enjoy your Company most well and good but if not I will again in your own words give order that all shall withdraw from you except those that have been your Friends from the beginning Then Cyrus and a great many more laugh'd heartily Then stood up Chrysantas the Persian and said thus You did very well Cyrus formerly in exposing your self to common view partly for the reasons you your self just now mention'd and partly because we were not worthy of such a particular regard For we were then with you upon our own account But it was necessary for you at that time to procure a Multitude at any rate that they might share with us in undertaking Labours and undergoing dangers But now you are in this Condition and can have more supplies of Souldiers when you please 't is fit now that you as well as others should have a fixt abode For what will you be the better for your Empire if you alone want an Habitation then which nothing is counted more sacred among men nor more peculiarly our own Besides do you think we are not ashamed to see you weather it out abroad when we in the mean time live in our Houses and seem to be in a better Condition than you When Chrysantas had thus spoken he was seconded by others who approved of his opinion Then Cyrus enter'd into the Palace and those that carried the Mony from Sardis here delivered up their Charge Assoon as he was enter'd in the
be bold and dare But to the keeping it there is required Temperance Continence and a great deal of care and wise management And therefore considering this we ought to Exercise our Vertues more now then before we were in possession of these things And besides we must know that the more any one possesses the more Envy Treachery and Hostility he is obnoxious to especially if he has Mens goods and Services against their wills as 't is our case We have reason to expect the favour of the Gods For we did not come by these things through Treachery or Injustice but we reveng'd the Treachery which was designed against us Now that which is next best we must obtain for our selves and that is to think our selves worthy of Government no farther then we are better then our Subjects 'T is necessary that our Servants share with us in heat and cold meat and drink labour and sleep but these things must be so common to them with us that in every of these things we shew our selves Superior to them But we must Communicate nothing of our Military Discipline and Exercise to them whom we keep only to Labour for us and to pay Tribute but we must excel them in these Exercises and know that they are given us by the Gods as Instruments of Liberty and Happiness And as we have deprived them of their Arms so we must never be without them our selves well knowing that those have all things at command as their own who are constantly ready furnish'd with Arms. Now if any one should throw in this Objection What then are we the better for obtaining what we wish'd for if we must still endure hunger and thirst care and Labour You must consider that the precedent labour does always sweeten the enjoyment For Labour is the greatest Banquet that can be to men of Generous Minds But 't is not all the sumptuousness in the World that will make that sweet and grateful which a man did not stand greatly in need of before he had it But if as Providence affords us what men most desire so to make them relish the better every one provides them for himself such a man will be in a much better Condition than other indigent Persons in this respect because his hunger will sweeten his meat and his thirst will sweeten his drink and his weariness will indear his rest Wherefore I think 't is our interest to keep up our Military Discipline as becomes men that we may find the more relish in what we enjoy and secure our selves from experimenting the greatest of Afflictions For 't is not half so grievous a thing not to get as 't is to lose what a man has gotten Besides I would have you consider what cause we have to pretend for an idle life now more then we had before Is it because we are in Power But 't is a disparagement for those that Govern to be worse then their Subjects Is it because we seem now to be in a more flourishiug Condition then before Can Idleness then be warrantable in a prosperous Fortune Shall we animadvert upon those Servants which we have if they behave themselves amiss But with what face can he that does ill himself punish others for idleness or any other misdemeanour Besides I would have you consider that we have undertaken to maintain a great number of Guards both for our Persons and our Houses Now what a shameful thing will it be that when we think we stand in need of others Guards we be not Guards to our selves But you must know there is no such Guard in the World as for a man to be Diligent and Valiant For this will always inseparably attend us But he that wants this will never speed well in any thing else What is it then that I would have you do And wherein would I have you employ your Valour and Care Why I will lay no new Injunction upon you but as the Peers among the Persians live at the Court so would I have you Peers that are here take to the same employment which we used there And I would have you be intent upon me and observe whether I make it my business to mind my Duty and I in like manner will observe you and those whom I perceive to be careful and diligent I will honour and reward Moreover we will here educate those children which we have here For 't will be a means to improve our selves if we endeavour to thew good Examples to our children and 't will not be an easy matter for our children to grow debauch'd if they would never so fain when they shall neither see nor hear any thing that is filthy but shall spend their whole days in the study and Discipline of Vertue XENOPHON'S INSTITUTION AND LIFE OF CYRUS the GREAT THE EIGHT BOOK THese were the Words of Cyrus Then Chrysantas stood up and spoke to this effect I have long since observ'd Fellow-Souldiers that in divers respects there is no difference between a good Prince and a good Father For Fathers provide for their Children that they may want nothing that is good for them and Cyrus seems now to advise us to those things which make for our Happiness But in as much as he seems to me to have said something less then the matter required I will endeavour to make up what is wanting for your better Information Think then with your selves what City of the Enemy can be taken by those who will not obey the Commands of their Governour Or what City of our Friends can be preserv'd by them What Army of Rebellious Souldiers can obtain the Victory How can men be more easily overcome in Battel then when they persue every one a divided interest Or what other great exploit can be done by those who refuse to resign themselves to the conduct of their Governours What Cities can be rightily order'd What Families can be kept up How do Ships arrive to the place which they are bound for How have we our selves attain'd to this prosperous Condition we are now in any otherwise then by yielding Obedience to our Governour For by this means we speedily arrived whether by day or night to all places according as our business lay And while we follow'd our Governour all in a Body none were able to sland before us neither did we leave any thing done by halves of all that was commanded us If therefore to be obedient be the greatest good in order to the obtaining all other good things know for certain that it is also the greatest good in order to the preserving what is already obtain'd Consider moreover that before many exercis'd power over us and we over none but now your Condition is such that some of you command more and some less As therefore you think it fit that you should be obey'd by those who are under your Command so let us obey those to whom in Duty we are bound And let there be this difference
wrought hard at the same Drudgery and Toil stand more quietly and gently together in the same Stall And undoubtedly they give the best Proofs of their Bravery against the Enemy who are conscious to themselves how well they have acted in their exercises one with another Cyrus also erected a Pavilion for himself fit for the Accommodation and Reception of those that he invited to sup with him Now for the most part he invited of his chief Captains such as he thought proper and convenient sometimes he sent for his Lieutenants to his Table sometimes for the Corporals and sometimes for the Captains over Five Upon some Occasions likewise he admitted private Souldiers sometimes also half a File together sometimes a whole File sometimes an entire Band of Souldiers and sometimes a whole Regiment And this kind of Invitation and honouring them thus was usual with him when he saw any particular Person perform that which he would have recommended to the Army in general now the Entertainment he provided was always the same for himself and his Guests He took also special Care that those Messengers that followed and attended the Camp should in all things share equally with the rest in that he look'd upon such Officers to be in no case less deserving of Honour and Advancement than Heralds and Ambassadors for he concluded that they must needs be Men of Fidelity and Skill in Military Affairs Understanding in Business earnest quick of dispatch diligent and undaunted Over and above all this Cyrus knew 't was expedient that these kind Officers should be treated with the same Regard as they that were reputed the best amongst them and so to be manag'd that they might refuse nothing that was enjoyn'd them but that in all things they might make their Prince's Commands the Measure of their Obedience It was likewise his constant Care as oft as he made these publick Entertainments in his Tent to provide that they might be season'd with such Discourses as would at once create Mirth and incite to some noble and generous Undertaking So on a time he occasionally entred upon this kind of Discourse How think you Country-men quoth he do you esteem others any way our Inferiors or to fall short of us because they have not had the same Advantage of Education and Discipline as we have Or will there think you be no Difference betwixt them and us neither in our common Conversation nor when we come to give the Enemy Battel To him Hystaspes reply'd How they will behave themselves against the Enemy I don't yet understand but I vow to you in their ordinary Converse one with another some of them seem already very morose and refractory for Cyaxares sent lately consecrate Victims to every Company which being distributed every Man had at least three Dividends of Flesh for his share The Cook when he carried about the first Course began with me but when he came in with the second I bad him invert his method and begin with the last Whereupon one of the Souldiers that sat about the middle cry'd out and said In good faith this is by no means fair dealing if he shall never begin with us that sit here in the midst Which when I perceiv'd I was very much disturb'd that they should think they were cozen'd and immediately call'd the Souldier to me and therein he as readily obey'd Now by that time the Messes which were carry'd about came to us and we I remember being to be serv'd last the Pieces of Meat that were left were very small whereat he being heartily vex'd was not able any longer to contain himself but mutter'd out these Words What hard Fortune had I to be call'd hither and speed so much the worse To whom I reply'd Come trouble not your self for by and by he will begin with us then you shall choose with the first and have the largest Portion This said in comes the Cook with the third Course even all that was left undistributed and here he had his choice next after me But when a third had likewise taken and had as he thought met with a larger piece than himself down again he threw what he had already pitch'd upon as if he would make a second Choice But the Cook supposing the Man had no need of Meat kept on his way and carried the Mess quite about before he could seize on another piece Whereupon he took this Disaster so heinously because that which he had chosen before was all eaten up that he overturn'd even the Sauce that was left out of a mere Transport of Vexation and Rage at his ill fortune Which when the Officer that stood next Us perceived clapping his hands together he burst out into a great Laughter and I for my part was forc'd to counterfeit a Cough not being able otherwise to forbear laughing out-right Such a one as this Cyrus quoth he can I shew you amongst our own Fellows Whereat all of them as well they might laugh'd heartily Then stood up another of the Captains and said This Gentleman it seems has light upon a very peevish humoursome Fellow But when you dismist us with your Instructions for Marshalling an Army and commanded every one of us what we had learnt of you to teach the same to our respective Companies then went I as the rest did and exercis'd one Party When having placed their Leader at the head of them and next to him a brisk Young-man and so the rest in such order as I thought fit I stood forth and fac'd them where viewing the whole Band when I saw my own time I commanded them to march forward Presently my Young-man stepping forth march'd in the Van before his Leader Which when I perceiv'd You Sir what do you mean said I To march on replied he as you commanded But my Commands quoth I were not to you only but to all the rest Upon these Words turning him about to the Company What hear you not saith he how our Captain commands us all to advance forward Hereupon the whole Band moving on march'd before their Leader and came up to Me. And when their Officer commanded them back again they began to be discontented and to murmur saying Whether of these two must we obey for here one commands us and the other forbids us to march forward All this I patiently bore with and replacing every one in his proper Order I gave them in charge That not a Man of those that came behind should fair a foot till he before him began to move but that they should all have a special regard to this That every Man follow his Leader Now so it was that one going for Persia came to wait upon me for my Letter which I had wrote to my Friends wherefore I wish'd the Officer for he knew where the Letter lay to run and fetch it He did accordingly when immediately the aforesaid Young-man guarded as he was with a Breast-Plate and a Halbert
him to aid you with an Army and oblige him to pay the Tribute due to you Nay and after all this I make no Question but he shall hold a stricter Friendship with you than at present he does And I am perswaded quoth Cyaxares the Armenian will much rather come in and joyn with You than with Us. For I have been informed that some of that King's Children have been your Companions in Hunting and they may probably strike in with you again Now if you can but get any of them into your Hands we can't fail of effecting what we our selves desire But what think you saith Cyrus is it not expedient that this Design of ours should be carried on with Secresie and Concealment By all means reply'd Cyaxares for so we may with less difficulty trepan some of them and if we should in an hostile manner set upon them they will be less provided against such a Surprise Hear me then quoth Cyrus whether what I shall say be to the purpose or no. I and all my Train of Persians that attended me have often hunted about the Confines of Media and Armenia and that many times I have been followed with a Troop of Horse-men my Friends and Familiars from hence You may therefore reply'd Cyaxares make the same Attempt now without incurring the least Suspicion But if you lead out considerably more Forces now than did usually follow you to Hunting this will make them jealous of your Design But we may quoth Cyrus even in that Case frame a very specious Pretence as suppose some one spread a Report there that I intend a great and solemn Hunting and for that end have openly requested you to furnish me with Horsemen I approve well of what you sayâ—… quoth Cyaxares and indeed those I shall furnish you with will be but very few because I my self will make shew as if I intended to visit my Frontier Garrisons upon the Borders of Assyria which I do verily purpose to do and to make them strong and fit for Service Now so soon as you are advanced to the Confines with what Forces you have and have spent some two days in Hunting I will send you of the Forces I have levyed a sufficient Recruit both of Cavalry and Infantry with whom as soon as they have joyn'd you you may immediately march on further into the Country and I with the Remainder of my Army will endeavour to keep at such a distance that whenever Occasion serves I may come in to your Relief Hereupon Cyaxares presently drew together a Body of Horse and Foot for the Service of his Garrisons and withall sent Wagons â—…aden with Provisions the very direct way leading thereunto But Cyrus in order to his March did Sacrifice to the Gods and at the same time sent to Cyaxares to request of him his younger Horsemen He tho great Numbers of them readily offer'd him their Service yet sent him but a few Now as Cyaxares was marching at the Head of his Forces to visit his Castles Cyrus by Sacrifice had an auspicious Presage of a fortunate Expedition against the King of Armenia whereupon out he leads his Men as one prepared only to hunt No sooner was he entred the first Field but up starts a Hare when an Eagle coming from a luckey Quarter and perceiving her Flight made at her beat her down seiz'd her and so took Wing again and carrying the captive Prey to the top of a neighbouring Hill she us'd it as she pleased Cyrus liked this Omen well and rejoycing for the same he pay'd his devout Acknowledgments to King Jupiter and withall told those that were present My Friends quoth he by the Favour of Heaven this will prove a fortunate Hunting to us Now when they were come to the Frontiers as his usual manner was he began his Sport When the ordinary sort as well Horse as Foot rushing forth beat up and down to rouse their Game but for the more choice Men they stood distributed here and there that they might be in a readiness to receive and pursue the wild Beasts many whereof they took as wild Boars Goats Stags and Asses for there are in those Parts good store of wild Asses even at this day Now when they had concluded that days Sport Cyrus entring the Marches of Armenia sat down and supped there and the next day renewing his Game again he made his Approaches to those Mountains where he long'd to be which done and his Hunting ended to Supper he sat down again But so soon as he discover'd Cyaxares his Army marching towards him he sent private Dispatches to them that they should sup some eight miles distance from him for he foresaw this would very much conduce to conceal his Approaches from the Enemy He likewise signified his Pleasure that after Supper the chief Captain should repair unto him So when Supper was ended he commanded the Officers of the Army to appear before him and when they were assembled bespake them after this manner Heretofore my Friends the King of Armenia was in Confederacy with and also tributary to Cyaxares But now understanding that we are invaded by our Enemies he despises us neither does he send us any Supply either of Men or Money He therefore is now to be our Game Him we are to Hunt out if we can In order to which I think we must thus proceed You Chrysantas after you have somewhat refresh'd your self with Sleep shall take with you one half of the Persians that are here and entering the mountainous part of the Country make your self Master of those Hills whither 't is reported He uses to fly when he is apprehensive of Danger Guides I will give you to direct you and they say those Mountains are so thick and wooddy that I hope there is no fear of your being discovered However if you send out some before the Army that may both for their Number and their Garb resemble Robbers nimble active Men look what Armenians they meet with if they can take them Prisoners they will be sure to prevent their giving Intelligence but if they let them escape their Hands they will force and drive them so far off that they shall not possibly have a sight of the main Body of the Army nor design any thing more against you than what they would against common Rovers And this quoth he Chrysantas shall be your Charge I for my part with the remaining half of the Foot and all the Horse will by break of day march the direct and plain Road to the Palace Royal where if we find any Opposition we shall of necessity be obliged to fight but if he quit the plain Field then we must undoubtedly pursue him Now if we fly to the Mountains there it will especially be your business to suffer none to escape that fall into your Hands For you must imagine this to be a kind of Hunting-match and look upon us as those that are to find out and rouse the
have obliged us to be your Friends who will in requital be so far assistant to you on all Occasions that you shall find Son and Nephews in us Thus Cyrus And then Hyrcanius as soon as ever he had notice what was done ran to Cyrus and taking him by the Hand How much am I indebted to the Gods says he Cyrus my best of Friends that they have joyn'd me with you But go your way says Cyrus and take the Castle into your own Power for whose sake you so embrace me and so manage it to the best advantage of your self the rest of my Fellow-souldiers and especially of this Gadatas who surrender'd it up to us Shall we then says Hyrcanius when the Cadusians and the Sacians with my Citizens are come call him too that all of us who are concern'd may consult in common how to make the most of this our Castle which Proposal Cyrus liked very well When therefore they were all conven'd who had the charge of the Castle they agreed that it should be kept in common by those whose interest 't was to have it quiet that it might serve them for a Garrison in War and for a Defence against the Assyrians When this was so order'd the Cadusians Sacians and Hyrcanians were much more forward to Lift themselves together So that from among the Cadusians there was rais'd an Army of twenty thousand Target men and about four thousand Horse and among the Sacians ten thousand Archers and two thousand Horse of the same The Hyrcanians also augmented the number of their Foot as much as they could and made their Horse up two thousand For before the greater part of their Horse was left at home because the Cadusians and Sacians were at eumity with the Assyrians But during all the time that Cyrus abode there to order the Affairs of the Castle many of the Neighbouring Assyrians brought him Horses and Arms because they now stood in fear of all Borderers After this Gadatas came to Cyrus and told him that he was inform'd by Messengers that came to him that the Assyrian was mightily concern'd about the delivery of the Castle and that he was in Preparation to make an Incursion upon the Coast of Gadatas Wherefore if you will dismiss me Cyrus I will endeavour at least to secure the Works as for the rest no great matter what becomes of it If you go now then repli'd Cyrus against what time will you be at home By the third day says Gadatas I will Sup within my own Territories And do you think you shall find the Assyrian there Yes without doubt says Gadatas For the farther off he thinks you to be he will make the more hast But how soon do you think says Cyrus I can Arrive thither with my Army You must consider says Gadatas your Army is now swell'd to a considerable bigness and therefore you can scarce come to my Habitation in six or seven days Do you then says Cyrus hasten away with all sâ—…eed and I will march aâ—…r as fastas I can Whereupon Gadatas â—…ent But Cyrus calling together the chiefs of his fellow-Souldiers who now seem'd to be many and gallant Men made this Speech to them Gadatas my Fellow Souldiers has obliged us all with Kindness of a very high Nature and that before he had received any from us And now 't is reported that the Assyrian invades his Territories intending to revenge himself upon him because he thinks himself very much wrong'd by him And perhaps he thinks with himself that if he should take no Revenge upon Revolters and if those that adhere to him should be thus continually slaughter'd by us in a little time none will be on his Side any longer I think therefore 't wou'd be a very commendable thing if we did chearfully lend our assistance to Gadatas a man that has so well deserv'd at our hands This I think would be but a just Gratitude to him and it may be a piece of self-interest For if Men once observe that we endeavour to out-do them in ill Turns that hurt us and them in good Turns that oblige us 't is probable that we shall have many that will seek our friendship and that none will much care to be at Enmity with us But now if we seem to neglect Gadatas with what Rhetorick shall we prevail with others to do us any Kindness How shall we be able to justifie our selves How will any of us be able to look Gadatas in the Face if we who are so numerous suffer him to overcome us in Kindness and at such a Pinch of Necessity too as this Thus Cyrus to which they all unanimously agreed Well then says Cyrus since all of you like the Proposal let every one of us leave those with the Horses and the Carriages who are fittest to march with these and let Gobryas head them since he is acquainted with the ways and useful also for other Services But let us taking the choicest both of Horse and Men and three days Provision set out immediately For the less we incumber our selves we shall Dine Sup and Sleep the sweeter for these three days following Now let us march in this Order In the first place do you Chrysantas lead those that wear Breast-Plates since the way is smooth and broad having all the Captains in the Front and let every Company march one by one after each other For if we are close knit together in a Body our March will be the faster and the safer And for that Reason I would have those that wear Breast-Plates lead before because they are the heaviest part of the Army Now if the heaviest part go foremost the lighter must needs follow with more ease But if the most expedite Part lead by Night 't is no wonder if the Army be sever'd For then the forepart leaves the other lagging behind Next let Artabazus lead the Persians who carry Targets and Bows Next let Andramias the Mede lead the Medi in Foot then Embas the Armenian Foot then Artucas the Hâ—…rcanians then Thambradas the Sacian Foot And after all these leâ—… Damatas lead the Cadusians And let all these so lead that the Captains of the Companies be in the Front the Target-men on the right Wing and the Archers on the left Wing of their respective Companies For if they march in this Order they will be the readier for any Service Then let the Lieger-Boys follow with the Carriages and let the Captains take care that they pack up all their things before they sleep and that they are ready in the morning at the set place with their Carriages and so march in their Order After the Carriages let Madatas the Persian lead the Persian Horse having the Centurions of the Horse in the Front And let every Centurion lead a single Company by himself as the Commanders of the Foot do After these let Rambacas the Mede lead his Horse and after him do you Tigranes lead yours And let
to scale the Walls of the Sardians the night following in the most difficult and seemingly desperate place of all the Works The Leader of this undertaking was a certain Persian who was a Servant to one of the Keepers of the Garrison and knew both the descent to and the ascent from the River When 't was known that the Tower was taken the Lydians fled from the Walls every one where he could Cyrus entring the Town at break of day gave order to his Army that none should offer to leave his Rank But Craesus locking himself up in his Palace call'd out upon Cyrus Who when he had left him in Custody went to the Tower that was taken Where when he saw the Persians keeping the Tower as they ought to do but of the Chaldeans nothing but their Arms because they were gone down to plunder the Houses he presently call'd together their Commanders and forthwith casheer'd them from his Army For says he I will never endure that those that desert their Ranks shall fare better then others And I would have you know that 't was my design to make all you that fight in my Service such as all the Chaldeans should call happy But now think it no wonder when you are gone from me if you meet with those that are stronger then your selves When the Chaldeans heard this they were affraid and desired him not to be angry and they would refund all the Plunder back again Cyrus told them he had no need of it but if they would have him reconciled they should give all which they had taken to those who stood guarding the Tower For says he if my Souldiers observe that those who keep their Ranks are best rewarded then all will go well Whereupon the Chaldeans did as Cyrus had commanded them And so those that behaved themselves obediently were well rewarded Cyrus having incamp'd his Army in the most convenient place about the City Commanded his Souldiers to keep on their Armour and take their dinner When this was done he gave Command that Craesus should be brought to him He when he saw Cyrus God save you Master says he For that is the Name which Fortune has now order'd me to call you by And you too Craesus reply'd Cyrus forasmuch as we are both Men. But what say you Craesus will you give me some advice Yes reply'd Craesus I would be ready to serve you in any thing for I believe thereby I should also advantage my self Then the business is this Craesus I see that my Souldiers are quite spent with Labour and have exposed themselves to much danger and that now they think to have the richest City in all Asia next to Babylon and therefore I think 't is but reasonable they should be something the better for it For I know that unless they reap some benefit from their Labours I can't expect to have them continue Obedient to me long But yet I am not willing to yeild up the City to be Plunder'd by them For then the City would go near to be utterly destroy'd and besides I know that in such pillaging those would get most who least deserve it Upon the hearing of this says Craesus let me tell some of the Lydians whom I please that I have prevail'd with you that there shall be no plundering and that their Wives and Children shall not be dragg'd from them and that I have ingaged to you for this Priviledge that the Lydians shall come and offer you of their own accord what ever is of any worth in Sardis For I am confident if they hear this they bring you all the good things they have among them And besides by this means the City will be able to afford you a new supply of good things another year Whereas if you suffer it to be plunder'd all Trades and Arts which are the Seminaries of plenty will be destroy'd But besides you will have time enough to think of plundering as you pass along and survey every thing But in the first place I would have you send to my Treasures and my Keepers shall surrender it up to those you employ Cyrus liked all these proposals of Craesus very well But tell me Craesus says he what 's become of what the Oracle of Delphos said to you For they say that Oracle is in great esteem with you and that you undertake every thing you do by his Direction I wish things were so with me Cyrus but I have offended Apollo by doing things quite contrary at first How do you mean says Cyrus for methinks you speak paradoxically In the first place says he neglecting to inquire of him about the things which concern'd me I must needs try whether he could give true answers or no. Now you know that not only God but even good and honest Men don't love to have their Integrity question'd But when I perceiv'd that I had not done wisely being at a great distance from Dephos I sent to know of him Whether I should have any Children or no. For the first time he would not so much as vouchsafe me an answer But at length after I had ingratiated my self into his favour as I thought by presenting him with many Offerings Gold and Silver and frequent Sacrifices I enquired of him again what I should do to have Children He told me I should have Children And indeed he was as good as his Word for I had Children but to little purpose For one was very dumb and the other a ever hopeful Young Man dyed in the very Flower of his Age. Having such ill Fortune with my Children I sent to him again and desired to know of him what course I should take to spend the remaining part of my Life as happily as might be His answer to me was this You shall live happâ—…ly Craesus if you know your self I was mightily pleased with this answer for I thought the Terms of my happiness were so easie that the God did in a manner give it me For indeed as for other Persons they might partly be known and partly not but thought I every one must needs know himself And after this as long as I lived in peace I had nothing to Charge upon my Fortune since the Death of my Son But being overperswaded afterwards by the Assyrian to War against you I went through dangers of all sorts and yet was preserv'd without sustaining any harm And thus far I had no reason to complain of Apollo For when I perceiv'd that I was not able to make my party good against you by the help of Apollo I and those that were with me made a safe escape But being again dissolv'd in the luxury of my present wealthy Condition and overcome partly by the importunity of those who would have me head them and partly by the Presents whereby they oblige me and partly by the flattery of those that told me how ready all were to obey me and what a great man I should
toward the River When this was done the Water flow'd into the Trenches by night so that that part of the River which ran through the City began at length to be passable When this had taken effect Cyrus commanded the chief Officers of his Horse and Foot to come to him and that they should each of them lead their Thousands divided into two Companies And that the rest of their Fellows should follow behind after their wonted manner When these were come Cyrus sent some of his Horse and Foot into the shallow parts of the River to try whether it was passable or no. And when they had brought word that it was passable then calling together the Officers of his Horse and Foot he thus deliver'd himself to them This River Fellow-Souldiers has afforded us a passage into the City Let us therefore enter with Courage and fear nothing but let us consider that those whom we now let upon are the very same which we overcame before when they were assisted by Neighbour Forces When they were all awake and sober arm'd and in Martial order But now we go against them at a time when many of them are fast asleep many drunk and all in a disorderly posture And besides when they once know that we are got within them they will be ten times more impotent then they are now because they will be in a Consternation But if any be terrified with that which uses to be most formidable to those that enter Cities lest getting up upon their Houses they throw down things upon us let that rather add to your Courage For if any climb up into the tops of their Houses we have you know the God Vulcan forâ—…our Fellow-Souldier And their Porches are very easy to take fire For their Doors are made of Palm-Tree and daub'd over with Sulphur which is very apt to kindle And we for our parts have good store of Torches Pitch and Tow which will quickly kindle a great fire so that they must of necessity either quickly leave their Houses or be quickly burnt But come on and take to your Arms and I by the help of the Gods will lead you the way But do you Gadatas and Gobryas shew us which way we must take because you know it and assoon as we are come in lead us to the Palace Then said those that were with Gobryas 't is no wonder if the Gates of the Palace stand now open for the whole City seems this night to be given up to Revelling But however we shall light upon the Watch before the Gates of the Palace forasmuch as they always stand there Come says Cyrus let us not lose time but make hast that we may take them napping And with that they marched on Those that met with them were either kill'd or fled and made a great noise Gobryas his Company answer'd them in the same noise pretending that they also belong'd to the Revel Thus they kept on till at length they were come to the Palace Where they found the Gates shut but those that were commanded to set upon the Guard fell upon them while they were drinking by a great fire and used them after the hostile manner But assoon as there began to be a great clamour and noise and those that were within perceived the Tumult the King commanded them to see what was the matter and some of them open'd the Gates and ran out When Gadatas his men perceived the Gates were open they presently rush'd in and following hard upon them and slaying them as they retreated they came where the King was and found him standing with his Sword drawn But he was easily overcome by the more numerous Company of Gadatas and Gobryas And those also that guarded him were all slain some flying and others offering to defend themselves as well as they could Cyrus sent his Troops of Horse all about the ways with a Commission to kill all those whom they found stragling out of their Houses but as for those who were within Doors he sent them word by some that understood the Syriac Language that they should keep within and that if any one were caught without doors it should be as much as his life was worth But when Gadatas and Gobryas were come to Cyrus they first of all gave thanks to the Gods for giving them the opportunity of punishing such an impious King then they kiss'd Cyrus his Hands and Feet and wept for the very excess of joy The next day when 't was light those that kept the Walls perceiving that the City was taken and that the King was kill'd they surrender'd up all without any more adoe Cyrus took the Castles and placed a Garrison in them He gave their Friends leave to bury their dead and order'd a Proclamation to be made by his Heraulds that the Babylonians should come and bring in their Arms denouncing death to all those in whose Houses any Arms should be found They brought in their Arms accordingly which Cyrus put up in the Towers that they might be in readiness upon any occasion When this was done he call'd his Magi and commanded them that since the City was taken in War they should lay aside the chiefest part of the spoils for the Honour of the Gods and that they should assign Temples for them Then he made a distribution of the other Houses and Palaces among them whom he took to have the greatest share in what was done And after this manner he distributed according to his old rule the best to those who had best deserv'd And in case any one thought he had less then his due he said he would have him come to him and tell him so He gave order also that the Babylonians should till the Field pay Tribute and discharge those Duties which were allotted to every one He commanded the Persians and their Associates and as many of his Fellow-Souldiers as would tarry with him to shew themselves like Masters to those that were delivered to their Charge And from that time Cyrus himself also began to take upon him the state of a King and to this purpose he was advised by his Friends to appear in publick but seldom and that after a more splendid manner then before which he contrived after this manner Early in the morning he stood in a convenient place and admitted any one to come to him that had any business with him and when he had given him his answer he dismiss'd him But when his men understood the time of access they came in vast Multitudes to him So that there was great thronging and quarrelling among them who should come first His Officers gave them admittance as well as they could according to their Quality and if any one of his Friends appear'd pressing forward among the croud then Cyrus reached out his Hand and pluck'd them to him saying to them Stay a little my Friends till we have dispatch'd this croud and then we will converse at leisure Wherefore
the generality of Men while they are in good health make it their business to store themselves with things necessary and useful for the time of sickness and withal observing that they did not much concern themselves about it he thought it was his part to provide here also Wherefore he summon'd together the best Physicians because he would spare no cost And whatsoever Instruments Medicaments Meats or Drinks he was told were convenient he laid up great store of them all in readiness And if any of his Friends were sick he would come and look upon them himself and supply them with all Necessaries And he would give the Physitians thanks as often as they had cured any by those Medicines which he had laid up By these and many more such Arts Cyrus gain'd himself great esteem among those by whom he would be belov'd It made also much for Cyrus his Commendation that he provok'd his Souldiers to Emulation by setting up Martial Games and proposing rewards to the Victorious in as much as therein he shew'd how much 't was his Care to keep up the Exercises of Martial Vertue And these Games did occasion a great deal of Contention and Animosity among those of the chiefest Rank Wherefore Cyrus made an order that as often as there was any Cause to be decided both parties should repair together unto the Judge And then to be sure both the Adversaries would have recourse to such a Judge whom they thought the best and most favourable to themselves So that he that was casâ—… would envy him that overthrew him and hate him that gave it against him And on the other side he that won the day would impute his Victory to the equity of his Cause and think himself indebted to no body And so those who contended to be chief among Cyrus his Friends did envy one another as much as those that dwell in Cities Insomuch that most of them could wish one another out of the way rather then do one another any kindness And these were the Arts by which Cyrus contrived to make his Nobles love him better then they did one another The next thing we have to relate is the manner of Cyrus's Procession out of his Palace For the Majesty of this Procession seems to be one of those Arts whereby he secured the Dignity of his Kingdom In the first place therefore before he came forth he call'd all the Persians and all others that were in any Office and distributed Median Garments among them And indeed that was the first time that the Persians wore the Median Habit. And while he was distributing them he told them he would go to some of the Temples which they had set apart for their Gods and do Sacrifice Wherefore be ye all ready at the Gates adorn'd in this Habit before Sunrising and do you stand in such order there as Pheraulas the Persian shall direct you to from me And when I go before you do you follow as you are directed And if any of you can think of a better way of Procession let them shew it when we come back For all things shall be done for the best After he had distributed the best Garments among those of the best quality he brought forth other Median Garments For he had made Provision of all sorts Purple Brown and Scarlet And having divided these among his Captains he order'd them to adorn their Friends in like manner as he did them Then said some of those that stood by And when do you mean to adorn your self Cyrus To which Cyrus reply'd and don 't I seem to you to be adorn'd now while I adorn you For so long as I can be beneficial to you my Friends whatsoever Garment I wear I shall think my self fine in it So they went away and drest their Friends with that Habit which Cyrus had recommended to them Now Cyrus looking upon Pheraulas to be a Man of quick ready parts tho' of mean quality and one that lov'd neatness and order and withal one that was very careful to please him he calls him to him and consults with him how he might so order his Procession as to make it a delightsom Spectacle to his Friends and a dreadful one to his Enemies And when they had agreed both upon the same Method he desired Pheraulas to take Care that the Procession might be made the next day in the same order as they had contrived it As for keeping order in the Procession says he I have commanded all to obey you But that they may do it the more willingly here take these Coats for the Captains of the Spear-men and these for the Captains of the Horse-men and these for the Captains of the Chariots Pheraulas took them and carried them with him Assoon as the Captains saw him you are a great Man Pheraulas said they since you are to order us also what to do That is not all replied Pheraulas but I am to carry your Packets for you too I have here two Coats you see one for you and one for him whereof I offer you the choice Then he that took the Coat forgetting his envy ask'd his Counsel which to take Pheraulas when he had told him which was the better if you now do tell says he that I gave you the choice you shall not find me so much your Servant another time Pheraulas having thus distributed these things as he was commanded made it his next business to provide for Cyrus his Procession that every thing might be as neat as possible The next day before 't was light all things were made clean and put in readiness and they stood all in a row on each side of the way as they use to do when the King is to ride by And between these rows none might pass unless he were a Noble-Man There stood also Men with Rods to correct those who made any disturbance Before the Gates there stood four thousand Guards in four Companies and on each side two thousand All the Horse-men likewise were present and alighted from their Horses with their Hands appearing out of their Cloaks as the manner of the Persians is to this day when they are in the Kings sight The Persians stood on the Right-Hand the others on the left-Hand of the way and after the same manner were the Chariots divided half on one side and half on the other After the Gates of the Palace were open'd In the first place four great fair Bulls were led forth to be sacrificed to Jupiter and the other Gods according as the Magi had appointed For the Persians make use of Artists more in Divine Service then in any thing else Next to the Bulls there were Horses led to be Sacrificed to the Sun After them was drawn a white Chariot with a Golden Harness crown'd with Garlands and sacred to Jupiter After that followed a white Chariot of the Sun crown'd like the other After these follow'd a third Chariot whose Horses had scarlet-Trappings
And after these came Men with fire in a great Hearth Next came forth Cyrus himself in his Chariot with a Persian Ornament upon his Head and a purple Robe half-white which is an Habit peculiar to the King and silken Garters upon his Legs and a loose Veil all purple upon his Shoulders upon his Head he wore a kind of Diadem and a certain badg proper to those of the Royal Blood which is now still in use His Hands he held forth out of his Sleves Assoon as he appear'd in view they all reverenc'd him with a very low bow either because they had orders to do so or because they were affected with the pomp and grandeur of the thing or because Cyrus appear'd tall and graceful However 't was 't is certain that Cyrus never had such Veneration from any of the Persians before that time But now when the Chariots of Cyrus was come forth the four thousand Guards march'd before and two thousand attended on each side of the Chariot The Nobility follow'd after on Horseback in their Robes with Javelins in their Hands in number about three hundred Next after these were led two hundred Horses that were kept for Cyrus his use with Golden Bridles and embroider'd trappings After these follow'd two thousand men with long Spears after them ten thousand Horse-men divided all along by hundreds whose Leader was Chrysantas After them ten thousand of the Persian Horse alike arm'd led by Hystaspas After them other ten Thousand led by Datamas After them another Company led by Gadatas After these came the Median Horse then the Armenians then the Hyrcanians then the Cadusians and then the Sacians After these Horse-men follow'd Chariots four in a Brest led by Artabates the Persian As they were marching in this order a great many men would be apt to run out of their Ranks to beg Favours of Cyrus Wherefore he sent to them some of his Nobles who waited three of each side of his Chariot on purpose to carry Messages and bade them tell them that if anyone had any petition to present he should impart it to the under-Officers who should Communicate it to him Whereupon they went their way to the Horsemen and considered whom they were best go to Cyrus when he was minded to Honour any of his Friends publickly he would send and call them to him severally and thus bespake them If any of those that are behind should say any thing to you if it be not material do not regard it But if they desire any thing that is reasonable I would have you acquaint me with it that so we may consult together in common what to do Whensoever Cyrus call'd for any they rode to him with all the speed and readiness they could and by their Obsequiousness added much to the grandeur of his Empire and shew'd how ready they were to obey him Only there was one Diapharnes a Man of a rough-cast Temper who thought it a point of Gentility and Freedom not to seem so ready and Officious to obey Which when Cyrus took notice of before he was come near enough to speak to him he sent him word by one of his Nobles that he had now no more business with him neither did he ever send for him afterwards But he that was call'd for after him rode up to Cyrus long before him Whereupon Cyrus gave him one of his led Horses and commanded one of his Nobles to attend him whither he sent him This was thought by those that saw it to be a very great Honour and this procured him more reverence When they were come to the Altars they burnt whole Bulls in Sacrifice to Jupiter Then to the Sun they Sacrificed whole Horses Then they offer'd Sacrifice acccording to the direction of the Magi in Honour to the Earth And afterwards to the Heroes of the Syrian Country When they had performed this because they were come into a very pleasant place he measured out a piece of Ground five Furlongs long and ordered some Select Persons to run their Horses for Mastery He himself with the Persians that were of his side were Victors because he was well skill'd in managing a Horse Among the Medes Artabazus had the Victory for Cyrus had given him one of his Horses Among the Syrians he that led them Among the Armenians Tigranes Among the Hyrcanians the Commander of the Horse his Son Among the Sacians a certain private Souldier outrod the rest of the Company by half of the Race And here 't is said that Cyrus ask'd the Young-man whether he would part with his Horse for a Kingdom The Young-man made answer I would not take a Kingdom in Exchange but I would part with him to oblige a good man Well then says Cyrus I will shew you a place where if you fling any thing winking you can't miss a good man Shew them me replied the Sacian that I may fling this clod among them Then Cyrus pointed him to a place where a great many of his Friends were He flung at a venture with his Eyes shut and by chance hit Pheraulas as he passed by For he was at that time employ'd upon a Message by Cyrus When he was struck he would not so much as turn about but went on without any Intermission to do what he was sent about The Sacian opening his Eyes ask'd who 't was that he had struck None of those that are here answer'd Cyrus I 'm sure says the Young-man it could be none of those that are absent Yes says Cyrus you struck him that rides full speed by those Chariots yonder How comes it to pass then says he that he did not turn back Why he is a mad man replied Cyrus as you see plain enough When the Young-man heard this he went to see who ' t was And as he was going he met with Pheraulas with his Beard and Chin all bloody which was caused by the bleeding of his Nose When he was come to him he ask'd him whether he had been struck or no. You see I have replied he Then says he I 'll give you this Horse upon what account says Pheraulas Here the Sacian up and told him the whole business and withal says he I think I have not miss'd a good man Then said Pheraulas had you been wise you would have reserv'd this present for a greater Man then I am But I accept it and heartily desire of the Gods by whose will it fell out that you hit me that I may be in a capacity of making such a requital that you may not repent of this Gift But now for the present here take my Horse and I will be with you again by and by And so they made an exchange Among the Cadusians Rathonices overcame Cyrus made the Chariots also run races And to all the Victors he gave Oxen to feast withal and Cups He himself took an Ox because he was Victor and gave Pheraulas part of his Cups because he had pleased him in ordering
full Belly is hooked and an empty one is flat Then said Chrysantas Can you tell me what kind of Wife is fit for a King that is Frigid Here Cyrus and the rest of the Company fell a laughing Then said Hystaspas you are the happiest Man in your Kingdom Cyrus for one thing What is that says Cyrus Because tho' you are so Frigid yet you can move laughter Then said Cyrus I 'l warrant you would not for a good deal but that you had said these things that it may be told your Mistress how witty you are Thus they droll'd upon one another After this Cyrus brought forth a dress for a Womans Head to Tigranes and bad him give it his Wife because she had such a Masculine Spirit as to accompany her Husband to the Battel To Artabazus he gave a Golden Cup to Hyrcanius an Horse with many other good things But for your Daughter Gobryas I will give her a Husband You shall give me then says Hystaspas that I may get those Writings of Gobryas Then said Cyrus to him have you an Estate answerable to her Fortune Yes says he and a great deal more And where says Cyrus does this Estate of yours lie Why here says he where you sit who are my Friend Well says Gobryas that 's enough for me And with that reaching out his Hand Give it me Cyrus says he for I stand to the bargain Then Cyrus gave Hystaspas his Hand to Gobryas and he shook Hands with him Then he gave Hystaspas a great many fine Gifts to send to his Mistress Chrysantas he took and kiss'd him Then said Artabazus Sure Cyrus the Gift which you gave me and that which you gave Chrysantas are not of the same Gold Well but says Cyrus you shall have one of the same But when Thirty years hence says he Well says Artabazus besure to be as good as your word for I am resolv'd not to dye before that time And thus they ended their Banquet for that time And when they rose from Table Cyrus also rose with them and brought them going as far as the Gates The next day he sent home all those Reformades who joyn'd themselves to his assistance except those who were willing to dwell with him And to those he gave Houses and Lands Which their Posterity enjoy to this day They were most of them Medes and Hyrcanians He gave also a great many Gifts to those that went away and after he had given them all full content he dismiss'd them Then he distributed among his own Souldiers the Money which he had at Sardis The Captains of ten thousand and his Guard had an extraordinary Portion every one according to his deserts but the rest he divided here and there as he pleased And when he had given a certain portion to every Captain of ten he permitted them to distribute to others as he had done to them The rest of the Money he order'd to be so distributed that every Officer should make inspection into those that were under him and so distribute the remainder according to every ones deserts And by this means every one had his due After the distribution was made a great many said of Cyrus Sure he must needs be very rich that can give so much to every one of us Others said again But how is that possible for Cyrus never used to hoard up But the truth of the business is 't is a greater pleasure to him to give then to possess When Cyrus heard of these discourses and opinions of men concerning him he call'd his Friends and some others together and spoke thus to them I have known some my Friends who would be thought to possess more than they do out of a design to appear the more liberal But in my mind they take the quite contrary way For when a man has a great deal and does not communicate to his Friends accordingly he takes the ready way to be thought illiberal Again there are some in the World who are of a humour to conceal their possessions But these also seem to me not to do kindly by their Friends For when the Value of their Estates is unknown their indigent Friends are loath to make any applications to them for relief Now I think the greatest Honesty and Ingenuity is to make known what a man has and to endeavour to get the Reputation of a Liberal Man according to the measure of his Estate Wherefore I will shew you all of my Estate which is to be seen and as for that which is not I will give you an Inventory of it And with that he shew'd them a great part of his Treasures and as for that which lay so far in that it could not be seen he gave them an account of it And now says he I would have you look upon this not as mine so much as your own For I have gather'd it together not that I may spâ—… it my self or squander it away for that is almost impossible but partly to Crown your Deserts and partly to relieve your Necessities After this manâ—…er did he discourse to them But now when he thought matters were so order'd at Babylon that he might safely be absent from it he began to prepare himself for an Expedition into Persia. And when he thought himself sufficiently provided with all things Necessary he moved from Babylon We intend to give a Relation of this Expedition it being considerable that so great an Army should be so orderly in laying down their Carriages and in taking them up again and so speedy in repairing to their proper Stations upon Occasion For where ever the King incamps there all those that attend upon him are upon Duty in their Tents both Winter and Summer The first thing that Cyrus did was to pitch his Tent so that it might stand just against the rising Sun Then in the next place he gave order at what distance he would have the Tents of his Guard from his own Then he appointed the Right-Hand place to his Bakers and the left to his Cooks The Right-Hand also was allotted for the Horses and the left for other Cattel There was such distinct order kept that every one might know his Station both as to measure and as to place Now when they are to make up their Carriages every one packs up those things together which are assign'd for his proper use and then there are others whose office is to lead the Horses So that by this means all the Carriers come to fetch those Goods which are allotted to their Charge and everyone puts what is his own upon his own Horses So the same time that serves for the removing the Goods of one Tent serves for all And they unload their Carriages after the same manner Besides every one in particular receives orders what to do and what necessaries to provide and so the same time that serves one to make Preparations in serves all And as each of those Ministers that
lest the omission of that occasion after-disturbances I love you my Sons both alike but I give the preheminence of Counsel and Government to him that is the Elder and in all likelyhood has most Experience For as I have been taught by the customs of our Country to give place to my Elders not only Brothers but also Citizens whether in the way or in sitting or in speaking so did I ever accustom you my Sons to give place to your Elders and to take place of your Inferiours Submit then to what I say as that which is primitive customary and confirm'd by the Authority of the Laws The Kingdom then is yours Cambyses as much as the Gods and I can make it And to you Tanaoxares I give the Lie utenantship of Media Armenia and Cadusia And in this I think I give you the largest Empire Your Elder Brother indeed has the Name of a King but you have all the happpiness of it without the Trouble For I cannot imagine what Humane delight you can want For you will have the Command of all those things wherein men place Happiness But now as for the love of those things which are difficult to be accomplish'd the Trouble and Anxiety in a Multitude of Affairs a way of life that is a stranger to all rest and the Designs and Suspicions of Treachery all this will be the lot of him that has the Kingdom And these I am sure are enough to sour the Gaieties and Pleasantness of Life And I would have you know my Cambyses that 't is not this Scepter that must be the Guardian of your Kingdom but that faithful Friends are a Kings best Scepter But I would not have you think that Men are faithful by Nature for then as all other Natural Agents they would be alike to all but those that are faithful must be made so And the way to do that is not by Violence but by Obligations and Arts of Indearment Wherefore if you have a mind to take any Partners to share with you in the administration of the Government be sure to take none but those who are of the same Country with your self For Fellow-Citizens have a nearer Relation to us then Forreigners and those of the same Family then Strangers But those who are descended of and educated by the same Parents and have grown up together in the same House and call the same Persons Father and Mother how is it possible but that they should be under the greatest ties of Affection imaginable Let not therefore those Indearments whereby the Gods unite Brothers be bestowed upon you in Vain But upon these Foundations of Nature do you raise a superstructure of kindness and benevolence that so your Friendship may be impregnable For he that takes Care for his Brother takes Care for himself For upon whom does the advancement of a Brother reflect so much Ornament and Credit as upon his Brother Who will Honour a Person of great Quality so much as his Brother Whom will a man more fear then him who has a Brother in great Power Therefore let no Man be more ready to obey your Brother upon all occasions then your self considering that you are more concern'd in his Prosperity or Adversity then any one besides And I would have you consider this Who is there whom you can oblige more to your own Interest then your Brother What stronger Associate can you make by your help in War Whom is it more dishonourable not to love then your Brother Whom is it more commendable to observe and honour then your Brother Your Brother my Cambyses is the only Person whom you may prefer without the hazard of envy Wherefore I intreat you my Sons by the Gods of my Country that if you have any desire to please me you would shew it by mutually honouring and loving one another For I would not have you perswade your selves that after this life of mine is ended I shall be nothing For you did not see my Soul while I was living any more then you will after I am dead but you concluded it's Existence from it's Operations Have you not yet observ'd what terrors the Souls of the Murther'd â—…rike upon the Murtherers And how they take revenge upon the wicked Do you think the dead would retain such honour as they do among Men if their Souls had now no being Indeed my Children I could never perswade my self that my Soul had such dependence upon my Body as to live while in it and to perish when out of it For I see that 't is the Soul which is the Principle of life to these Mortal Bodies Neither can I be perswaded that the Soul is destitute of all sence and perception when 't is separated from this senseless Body But on the contrary I find it most reasonable to believe that in this state of purity and freedom the Soul is much more knowing then before In the dissolution of a man 't is plain to be seen that every part returns to it 's proper Principle except only the Soul which is neither visible then nor before Consider that nothing more resembles death then sleep does Now in sleep the Soul gives the greatest evidence of it's Divinity and foresees things to come being then in a state of the greatest freedom If then the Soul survives after it has taken it's farewel of the Body as I verily believe it does fulfil this my desire out of reverence to my Soul But in case it be otherwise and my Soul die with my Body yet however fear the Gods who are Immortal Omniscient and Omnipotent who preserve the order of the Universe and secure it's Beauty and Greatness from the decays of time fear them I say and have a Care how you commit or design any Wickedness And next to the Gods I would have you reverence the succeeding Generations of Mankind For the Gods have not placed you in the dark but where your Actions will be conspicuous to the Eyes of the World Which if they are pure and just will advance you among Mankind But if you deal injuriously one by another you will have no credit among Men. For how is it possible that any should confide in you when they observe you cannot forbear injuring your nearest Relatives Now if you think my Instructions are fit to be follow'd well and good but if not I would have you learn by the Examples of those that have gon before us what is best to be done There are great examples of the love of Parents toward their Children and the love of Brothers one towards another And there are many instances of the contrary Your wisest way will be to follow the example of those whom you observe to have prosper'd best Now for my Body after I am dead I would not have you put it either in Gold or Silver or any other thing but lay it in the Ground immediately For what is better then to be hid in the Earth which is the Mother
and Nurse of all good things For as in my life time I have been a lover of Men so after my decease 't will rejoice me to partake of that which is most beneficial to mankind But I perceive I now begin to fail and therefore if any one of you have a mind to take me by the Hand or to look me in the Face now while I am alive let him draw nigh But I intreat you My Sons again and again that neither you your selves nor any man else offer to stare upon my Body after I am cover'd Let all the Persians and my Fellow-Souldiers be call'd to my Funeral that they may congratulate my happiness as being now out of the reach of all evil whether I enjoy the society of God or am reduced to nothing And I would have you bestow upon as many as come such Collations as use to be given at the Funeral of a happy Man The last iostruction which I commend to your Memory is this that if you do good to your Friends you will be in a capacity to punish your Enemies And now my dear Children farewel and commend me to your Mother And farewel all my Friends you who are here present and you who are absent When he had thus said and given his Hand to all of them he cover'd up himself and died That the Kingdom of Cyrus was the greatest and the most glorious that Asia ever knew will be evident upon a survey of it It was bounded Eastward with the Red-Sea Northward with the Euxin-Sea Westward with Cyprus and Egypt and Southward with Aethiopia And yet tho' 't was of such a large extent it was govern'd by the sole management of Cyrus who honour'd and indear'd his Subjects to him like Children and was reverenc'd by them as a Father But assoon as he was dead there began a feud among his Sons Cities and Nations revolted and all things began to turn for the worse And that this may appear to be true the first instance that I give shall be in point of Religion 'T is well known that formerly if the King or his Officers had made a solemn contract with any tho' the greatest Villains imaginable they stood firm to their Words For had they not done so and gain'd themselves the Reputation of Honest Men in the World those that came over to the aid of Cyrus and accompanied him in his marches would never have trusted him any more then they do his Successours who are known to be perfidious But now when they had committed themselves to them upon the account of their former credit they were brought before the King and had their Heads cut off A great many also of the Barbarians who accompanied Cyrus in this last Expedition were by false pretences decoy'd into their ruine They degenerate also in this from their Forefathers For heretofore if any one had hazarded his Life for the King or had added a City or a Nation to his Dominions or had done any other remarkable piece of Service for the King they were sure to be honoured and rewarded for it But now there is no other way for preferment but by betraying ones Father as Mithridates did out of a pretence to serve the King or by pawning ones Wife and Children and Friends as Leomithres did at Egypt or by the breach of Vows And these ill Examples have gain'd upon the greatest part of Asia For as the Governours are so for the most part are those that are under their Charge And by this means People are more wicked now then they were formerly They are also more given to rapine and extortion now then before For they do not only seise upon the notoriously wicked but upon the innocent and make them pay Money against all reason and equity So that now 't is as dangerous a thing to have a good Estate as to be wicked And men are now affraid to converse with those that are in authority above them or to joyn themselves with the Kings Forces So that any one that has a mind to wage War against them may traverse all over the Country without the least resistance because of their impiety towards the Gods and their oppressions towards Men. And in this respect also they are worse then formerly Neither have they the same regard to their Bodies now as they had before It was a piece of Discipline among them not to spit or blow their Noses But 't is plain that this was not enjoyn'd to spare the moisture of their Bodies but that they should make them solid with Labour and Sweat Now indeed they retain the formality of not spitting or blowing their Noses but they care not how little they use bodily Exercise It was also an order among them to make but one Meal a day that they might have the more time for Business and Exercise Now indeed the custom of eating but once a day still remains but then they begin assoon as those that dine earliest and continue at it as long as those that go to bed latest They had also a custom not to bring forth any Bottles at a Feast because they thought it would be best for the Health of their Bodies and Minds not to drink too much And now indeed there are no Bottles brought into play but then they drink at such a med rate that instead of bringing in they themselves have need to be carried out It was also a custom with them not to eat or drink in a Journey or to ease nature openly Now the custom of abstaining from these things is still kept up but then their journies are so short that their abstinence is no such great wonder Heretofore they used to go abroad ahunting so often that they had no need of any other Exercise either for themselves or their Horses But after that King Artaxerxes and his Nobles began to drown themselves in Wine they left off all hunting or if they did now and then use it yet they would have none out along with them because they envy'd at and hated those that loved the Exercise of hunting as better men than themselves They still retain the custom of disciplining their Youths at the Gates but to learn the Art of riding is quite out of date because they are in a place where they have no opportunity to credit themselves by giving any Specimen of it Another instance of their corrupt manners is this that whereas formerly their Young-men had good notions of Justice instill'd into them by hearing just Judgment given upon Causes in the Court Now they see that those win the day who give the largest Fees Heretofore their Boys were instructed in the Natures of Herbs that they might use those that are wholsom and forbear those that are hurtful But now they Study their qualities only to know how to do mischief So that there is no where so much poifoning as among them They are now also more effeminate and Voluptuous then in Cyrus his time For