cyropaedia-第24章
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'41' But when they were home again; they all spoke of Cyrus; one
praising his wisdom; another his endurance; a third the gentleness of
his nature; and a fourth his stature and his beauty。 Then Tigranes
turned to his wife and asked; 〃Did Cyrus seem so beautiful in your
eyes?〃 But she answered; 〃Ah; my lord; he was not the man I saw。〃 〃Who
was it then?〃 asked Tigranes。 〃He;〃 she answered; 〃who offered his own
life to free me from slavery。〃
And so they took their delight together; as lovers will; after all
their sufferings。
'42' But on the morrow the king of Armenia sent gifts of hospitality
to Cyrus and all his army; and bade his own contingent make ready to
march on the third day; and himself brought Cyrus twice the sum which
he had named。 But Cyrus would take no more than he had fixed; and gave
the rest back to the king; only asking whether he or his son was to
lead the force。 And the father answered that it should be as Cyrus
chose; but the son said; 〃I will not leave you; Cyrus; if I must carry
the baggage to follow you。〃 '43' And Cyrus laughed and said; 〃What
will you take to let us tell your wife that you have become a baggage…
bearer?〃 〃She will not need to be told;〃 he answered; 〃I mean to bring
her with me; and she can see for herself all that her husband does。〃
〃Then it is high time;〃 said Cyrus; 〃that you got your own baggage
together now。〃 〃We will come;〃 said he; 〃be sure of that; in good
time; with whatever baggage my father gives。〃
So the soldiers were the guests of Armenia for the day; and rested for
that night。
'C。2' But on the day following Cyrus took Tigranes and the best of the
Median cavalry; with chosen followers of his own; and scoured the
whole country to decide where he should build a fort。 He halted on the
top of a mountain…pass and asked Tigranes where the heights lay down
which the Chaldaeans swept when they came to plunder。 Tigranes showed
him。 Then Cyrus asked him if the mountains were quite uninhabited。
〃No; indeed;〃 said the prince; 〃there are always men on the look…out;
who signal to the others if they catch sight of anything。〃 〃And what
do they do;〃 he asked; 〃when they see the signal?〃 〃They rush to the
rescue;〃 he said; 〃as quickly as they can。〃 '2' Cyrus listened and
looked; and he could see that large tracts lay desolate and untilled
because of the war。 That day they came back to camp and took their
supper and slept。 '3' But the next morning Tigranes presented himself
with all his baggage in order and ready for the march; 4000 cavalry at
his back; 10;000 bowmen; and as many targeteers。 While they were
marching up; Cyrus offered sacrifice; and finding that the victims
were favourable; he called the leaders of the Persians together and
the chief captains of the Medes and spoke to them thus:
'4' 〃My friends; there lie the Chaldaean hills。 If we could seize them
and set a garrison to hold the pass; we should compel them both;
Chaldaeans and Armenians alike; to behave themselves discreetly。 The
victims are favourable; and to help a man in such a work as this there
is no ally half so good as speed。 If we scale the heights before the
enemy have time to gather; we may take the position out of hand
without a blow; and at most we shall only find a handful of weak and
scattered forces to oppose us。 '5' Steady speed is all I ask for; and
surely I could ask for nothing easier or less dangerous。 To arms then!
The Medes will march on our left; half the Armenians on our right; and
the rest in the van to lead the way; the cavalry in our rear; to cheer
us on and push us forward and let none of us give way。〃
'6' With that Cyrus led the advance; the army in column behind him。 As
soon as the Chaldaeans saw them sweeping up from the plain; they
signalled to their fellows till the heights re…echoed with answering
shouts; and the tribesmen gathered on every side。 Then Cyrus sent word
along his lines; 〃Soldiers of Persia; they are signalling to us to
make haste。 If only we reach the top before them; all they can do will
be in vain。〃
'7' Now the Chaldaeans were said to be the most warlike of all the
tribes in that country; and each of them was armed with a shield and a
brace of javelins。 They fight for pay wherever they are needed; partly
because they are warriors born; but partly through poverty; for their
country is mountainous; and the fertile part of it small。 '8' As Cyrus
and his force drew near the head of the pass; Tigranes; who was
marching at his side; said:
〃Do you know; Cyrus; that before long we shall be in the thick of the
fight ourselves? Our Armenians will never stand the charge。〃 Cyrus
answered that he was well aware of that; and immediately sent word
that the Persians should be ready to give chase at once; 〃as soon as
we see the Armenians decoying the enemy by feigning flight and drawing
them within our reach。〃
'9' Thus they marched up with the Armenians in the van: and the
Chaldaeans who had collected waited till they were almost on them; and
then charged with a tremendous shout; as their custom was; and the
Armenians; as was ever theirs; turned and ran。 '10' But in the midst
of the pursuit the Chaldaeans met new opponents streaming up the pass;
armed with short swords; and some of them were cut to pieces at once
before they could withdraw; while others were taken prisoners and the
rest fled; and in a few moments the heights were won。 From the top of
the pass Cyrus and his staff looked down and saw below them the
Chaldaean villages with fugitives pouring from the nearest houses。
'11' Soon the rest of the army came up; and Cyrus ordered them all to
take the morning meal。 When it was over; and he had ascertained that
the look…out was really in a strong position; and well supplied with
water; he set about fortifying a post without more ado; and he bade
Tigranes send to his father and bid him come at once with all the
carpenters and stonemasons he could fetch; and while a messenger went
off to the king Cyrus did all he could with what he had at hand。
'12' Meanwhile they brought up the prisoners; all of them bound in
chains and some wounded。 But Cyrus when he saw their plight ordered
the chains to be struck off; and sent for surgeons to dress their
wounds; and then he told them that he came neither to destroy them nor
to war against them; but to make peace between them and the Armenians。
〃I know;〃 he said; 〃before your pass was taken you did not wish for
peace。 Your own land was in safety and you could harry the Armenians:
but you can see for yourselves how things stand to…day。 '13'
Accordingly I will let you all go back to your homes in freedom; and I
will allow you and your fellows to take counsel together and choose
whether you will have us for your enemies or your friends。 If you
decide on war; you had better not come here again without your
weapons; but if you choose peace; come unarmed and welcome: it shall
be my care to see that all is well with you; if you are my friends。〃
'14' And when the Chaldaeans heard that; they poured out praises and
thanks; and then they turned homewards and departed。
Meanwhile the king; receiving the call of Cyrus; and hearing the
business that was at hand; had gathered his workmen together and took
what he thought necessary and came with all speed。 '15' And when he
caught sight of Cyrus; he cried: 〃Ah; my lord; blind mortals that we
are! How little can we see of the future; and how much we take in hand
to do! I set myself to win freedom and I made myself a slave; and now;
when we were captured and said to ourselves that we were utterly
undone; suddenly we find a safety we never had before。 Those who
troubled us are taken now; even as I would have them。 '16' Be well
assured; Cyrus;〃 he added; 〃that I would have paid the sum you had
from me over and over again simply to dislodge the Chaldaeans from
these heights。 The things of worth you promised me when you took the
money have been paid in full already; and we discover that we are not
your creditors; but deep in your debt for many kindnesses; and we
shall be ashamed not to return them; or we should be base indeed; for
try as we may; we shall never be able to requite in full so great