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第74章

cyropaedia-第74章

小说: cyropaedia 字数: 每页4000字

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camp and the quarters of the generals and the standards of each。 Thus;
if Cyrus needed any one they had not to search and seek; but could run
by the shortest road and summon him at once。 '14' Owing to this clear
arrangement; it was easy to see where good discipline was kept and
where duty was neglected。 With these dispositions Cyrus felt that if
an attack should be made; by night or day; the enemy would find not so
much a camp as an ambuscade。 '15' Nor was it enough; he considered;
for a real master of tactics to know how to extend his front without
confusion; or deepen his ranks; or get from column into line; or wheel
round quickly when the enemy appeared on the right or the left or in
the rear: the true tactician must also be able to break up his troops
into small bodies; whenever necessary; and place each division exactly
where it would be of the greatest use; he must know how to quicken
speed when it was essential to forestall the enemy; these and a
hundred other operations are part of his science; and Cyrus studied
them all with equal care。 '16' On the march he varied the order
constantly to suit the needs of the moment; but for the camp; as a
rule; he adopted the plan we have described。

'17' And now when the march had brought them into Media; Cyrus turned
aside to visit Cyaxares。 After they had met and embraced; Cyrus began
by telling Cyaxares that a palace in Babylon; and an estate; had been
set aside for him so that he might have a residence of his own
whenever he came there; and he offered him other gifts; most rich and
beautiful。 '18' And Cyaxares was glad to take them from his nephew;
and then he sent for his daughter; and she came; carrying a golden
crown; and bracelets; and a necklace of wrought gold; and a most
beautiful Median robe; as splendid as could be。 '19' The maiden placed
the crown upon the head of Cyrus; and as she did so Cyaxares said:

〃I will give her to you; Cyrus; my own daughter; to be your wife。 Your
father wedded the daughter of my father; and you are their son; and
this is the little maid whom you carried in your arms when you were
with us as a lad; and whenever she was asked whom she meant to marry;
she would always answer 'Cyrus。' And for her dowry I will give her the
whole of Media: since I have no lawful son。〃

'20' So he spoke; and Cyrus answered:

〃Cyaxares; I can but thank you myself for all you offer me; the
kinship and the maiden and the gifts; but I must lay the matter before
my father and my mother before I accept; and then we will thank you
together。〃

That was what Cyrus said; but none the less he gave the maiden the
gifts he thought would please her father。 And when he had done so; he
marched on home to Persia。

'21' And when he reached the borders of his fatherland; he left the
mass of his troops on the frontier; and went forward alone with his
friends to the city; leading victims enough for all the Persians to
sacrifice and hold high festival。 And he brought special gifts for his
father and his mother and his friends of old; and for the high
officers of state; the elders; and all the Persian Peers; and he gave
every Persian man and every Persian woman such bounties as the king
confers to…day whenever he visits Persia。 '22' After this Cambyses
gathered together the elders of the land and the chief officers; who
have authority in the highest matters; and spoke as follows:

〃Men of Persia; and Cyrus; my son; both of you are dear to me and must
needs be dear; I am the king of my people and the father of my son;
therefore I am bound to lay before you openly all that I believe to be
for the good of both。 '23' In the past the nation has done great
things for Cyrus by giving him an army and appointing him the leader;
and Cyrus; God helping him; has made my Persians famous in all the
world by his leadership; and crowned you with glory in Asia。 Of those
who served with him he has made the bravest wealthy for life; and
given sustenance and full pay to numbers。 By founding the cavalry he
has won the plains for Persia。 '24' If your hearts are still the same
in future; all of you will bless each other: but if you; my son; would
be puffed up by your present fortune and attempt to rule the Persians
for your own advantage as you rule the rest of the world; or if you;
my people; should envy this man's power and try to drive him from his
throne; I tell you; you will cut each other off from many precious
things。 '25' Therefore; that this should never be; and only good be
yours; I counsel you to offer sacrifice together; and call the gods to
witness and make a covenant。 You; Cyrus; shall vow to resist with all
your strength any man who attacks our land of Persia or tries to
overthrow our laws; and you; my people; must promise that if rebels
attempt to depose Cyrus or if his subjects revolt; you will render aid
to him and to yourselves in whatever way he wishes。 '26' Now; so long
as I live; the kingdom of Persia is and continues mine; but when I die
it passes to Cyrus if he is still alive; and whenever he visits Persia
it should be a holy custom for him to offer sacrifice on your behalf;
even as I do now; and when he is abroad; it will be well for you; I
think; if the member of our family whom you count the noblest fulfils
the sacred rites。〃

'27' Cambyses ended; and Cyrus and the officers of Persia agreed to
all he said。 They made the covenant and called the gods to witness;
and to this day they keep it still; the Persians and the Great King。
And when it was done; Cyrus took his leave and came back to Media。
'28' There; with the full consent of his father and his mother; he
wedded the daughter of Cyaxares; the fame of whose beauty has lasted
to this day。 And after the marriage his steeds were yoked and they set
out for Babylon。

'C。6' When he was in Babylon once more; he thought it would be well to
appoint satraps and set them over the conquered tribes。 Yet he did not
wish the commandants in the citadels and the captains in charge of the
garrisons throughout the country to be under any authority but his
own。 Herein he showed his foresight; realising that if any satrap
became insolent and rebellious; relying on his own wealth and the
numbers at his back; he would at once find a power to oppose him
within his own district。 '2' In order to carry out this plan; Cyrus
resolved to summon a council of the leading men and explain the terms
on which the satraps who went would go。 In this way; he thought; they
would not feel aggrieved; whereas; if a man found himself appointed
and then learnt the restrictions for the first time; he might well
take it ill; fancying it a sign of personal mistrust。 '3' So it was
that Cyrus called a council and spoke as follows:

〃Gentlemen and friends of mine; you are aware that we have garrisons
and commandants in the cities we conquered; stationed there at the
time。 I left them with orders simply to guard the fortifications and
not meddle with anything else。 Now I do not wish to remove them from
their commands; for they have done their duty nobly; but I propose to
send others; satraps; who will govern the inhabitants; receive the
tribute; give the garrisons their pay; and discharge all necessary
dues。 '4' Further; I think it right that certain of you who live here
and yet on whom I may lay the task of travelling to these nations and
working for me among them; should possess houses there and estates;
where tribute may be brought them; and where they may find a place of
their own to lodge in。〃

'5' With these words he assigned houses and districts to many of his
friends among the lands he had subdued: and to this day their
descendants possess the estates; although they reside at court
themselves。 '6' 〃Now;〃 he added; 〃we must choose for the satraps who
are to go abroad persons who will not forget to send us anything of
value in their districts; so that we who are at home may share in all
the wealth of the world。 For if any danger comes; it is we who must
ward it off。〃

'7' With that he ended for the time; but later on when he came to know
what friends of his were ready and willing to go on the terms
prescribed; he selected those he thought best qualifi

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