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第3章

anabasis-第3章

小说: anabasis 字数: 每页4000字

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f; with Tamos on board as admiral; were sailing round from Ionia to Cilicia。 Whatever the reason might be; Cyrus made his way up into the hills without let or hindrance; and came in sight of the tents where the Cilicians were on guard。 From that point he descended gradually into a large and beautiful plain country; well watered; and thickly covered with trees of all sorts and vines。 This plain produces sesame plentifully; as also panic and millet and barley and wheat; and it is shut in on all sides by a steep and lofty wall of mountains from sea to sea。 Descending through this plain country; he advanced four stagestwenty…five parasangsto Tarsus; a large and prosperous city of Cilicia。 Here stood the palace of Syennesis; the king of the country; and through the middle of the city flows a river called the Cydnus; two hundred feet broad。 They found that the city had been deserted by its inhabitants; who had betaken themselves; with Syennesis; to a strong place on the hills。 All had gone; except the tavern…keepers。 The sea…board inhabitants of Soli and Issi also remained。 Now Epyaxa; Syennesis's queen; had reached Tarsus five days in advance of Cyrus。 During their passage over the mountains into the plain; two companies of Menon's army were lost。 Some said they had been cut down by the Cilicians; while engaged on some pillaging affair; another account was that they had been left behind; and being unable to overtake the main body; or discover the route; had gone astray and perished。 However it was; they numbered one hundred hoplites; and when the rest arrived; being in a fury at the destruction of their fellow soldiers; they vented their spleen by pillaging the city of Tarsus and the palace to boot。 Now when Cyrus had marched into the city; he sent for Syennesis to come to him; but    26 the latter replied that he had never yet put himself into the hands of any one who was his superior; nor was he willing to accede to the proposal of Cyrus now; until; in the end; his wife persuaded him; and he accepted pledges of good faith。 After this they met; and Syennesis gave Cyrus large sums in aid of his army; while Cyrus presented him with the customary royal giftsto wit; a horse with a gold bit; a necklace of gold; a gold bracelet; and a gold scimitar; a Persian dress; and lastly; the exemption of his territory from further pillage; with the privilege of taking back the slaves that had been seized; wherever they might chance to come upon them。



III

At Tarsus Cyrus and his army halted for twenty days; the soldiers       1 refusing to advance further; since the suspicion ripened in their minds; that the expedition was in reality directed against the king; and as they insisted; they had not engaged their services for that object。 Clearchus set the example of trying to force his men to continue their march; but he had no sooner started at the head of his troops than they began to pelt him and his baggage train; and Clearchus had a narrow escape of being stoned to death there and then。 Later on; when he perceived that force was useless; he summoned an assembly of his own men; and for a long while he stood and wept; while the men gazed in silent astonishment。 At last he spoke as follows: 〃Fellow soldiers; do not marvel that I am sorely distressed on account of the present troubles。 Cyrus has been no ordinary friend to me。 When I was in banishment he honoured me in various ways; and made me also a present of ten thousand darics。 These I accepted; but not to lay them up for myself for private use; not to squander them in pleasure; but to expend them on yourselves。 And; first of all; I went to war with the Thracians; and with you to aid; I wreaked vengeance on them in behalf of Hellas; driving them out of the Chersonese; when they wanted to deprive its Hellenic inhabitants of their lands。 But as soon as Cyrus summoned me; I took you with me and set out; so that; if my benefactor had any need of me; I might requite him for the good treatment I myself had received at his hands。 。 。 。 But since you are not minded to continue the march with me; one of two things is left to  5 me to do; either I must renounce you for the sake of my friendship with Cyrus; or I must go with you at the cost of deceiving him。 Whether I am about to do right or not; I cannot say; but I choose yourselves; and; whatever betide; I mean to share your fate。 Never shall it be said of me by any one that; having led Greek troops against the barbarians'1'; I betrayed the Hellenes; and chose the friendship of the barbarian。 No! since you do not choose to obey and follow me; I will follow after you。 Whatever betide; I will share your fate。 I look upon you as my country; my friends; my allies; with you I think I shall be honoured; wherever I be; without you I do not see how I can help a friend or hurt a foe。 My decision is taken。 Wherever you go; I go also。〃

'1' Lit。 〃into the country of the barbarian。〃

Such were his words。 But the soldiers; not only his own; but the rest also; when they heard what he said; and how he had scouted the idea of going up to the great king's palace'2'; expressed their approval; and more than two thousand men deserted Xenias and Pasion; and took their arms and baggage…train; and came and encamped with Clearchus。 But Cyrus; in despair and vexation at this turn of affairs; sent for Clearchus。 He refused to come; but; without the knowledge of the soldiers; sent a message to Cyrus; bidding him keep a good heart; for that all would arrange itself in the right way; and bade him keep on sending for him; whilst he himself refused to go。 After that he got together his own men; with those who had joined him; and of the rest any who chose to come; and spoke as follows: 〃Fellow soldiers; it is clear that the relations of Cyrus to us are identical with ours to him。 We are no longer his soldiers; since we have ceased to follow him; and he; on his side; is no longer our paymaster。 He; however; no doubt considers himself wronged by us; and though he goes on sending for me; I cannot bring myself to go to him: for two reasons; chiefly from a sense of shame; for I am forced to admit to myself that I have altogether deceived him; but partly; too; because I am afraid of his seizing me and inflicting a penalty on the wrongs which he conceives    11 that I have done him。 In my opinion; then; this is no time for us to go to sleep and forget all about ourselves; rather it is high time to deliberate on our next move; and as long as we do remain here; we had better bethink us how we are to abide in security; or; if we are resolved to turn our backs at once; what will be the safest means of retreat; and; further; how we are to procure supplies; for without supplies there is no profit whatsoever in the general or the private soldier。 The man with whom we have to deal is an excellent friend to his friends; but a very dangerous enemy to his foes。 And he is backed by a force of infantry and cavalry and ships such as we all alike very well see and know; since we can hardly be said to have posted ourselves at any great distance from him。 If; then; any one has a suggestion to make; now is the time to speak。〃 With these words he ceased。

'2' Or 〃how he insisted that he was not going up。〃

Then various speakers stood up; some of their own motion to propound their views; others inspired by Clearchus to dilate on the hopeless difficulty of either staying; or going back without the goodwill of Cyrus。 One of these; in particular; with a make…believe of anxiety to commence the homeward march without further pause; called upon them instantly to choose other generals; if Clearchus were not himself prepared to lead them back: 〃Let them at once purchase supplies〃 (the market being in the heart of the Asiatic camp); 〃let them pack up their baggage: let them;〃 he added; 〃go to Cyrus and ask for some ships in order to return by sea: if he refused to give them ships; let them demand of him a guide to lead them back through a friendly district; and if he would not so much as give them a guide; they could but put themselves; without more ado; in marching order; and send on a detachment to occupy the passbefore Cyrus and the Cilicians; whose property;〃 the speaker added; 〃we have so plentifully pillag

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