anabasis-第57章
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istribution of it I may provide you with pay。 Let them flee; let them creep into hiding…places; we shall be able to pursue after them; we will track them out; or if they resist; along with you we will endeavour to subdue them to our hands。〃 Xenophon inquired: 〃And how far from the sea shall you expect the army to follow you?〃 〃Nowhere more than seven days' journey;〃 he answered; 〃and in many places less。〃
After this; permission was given for all who wished to speak; and many spoke; but ever to one and the same tune: 〃What Seuthes said; was very right。 It was winter; and for a man to sail home; even if he had the will to do so; was impossible。 On the other hand; to continue long in a friendly country; where they must depend upon what they could purchase; was equally beyond their power。 If they were to wear away time and support life in a hostile country; it was safer to do so with Seuthes than by themselves; not to speak of all these good things; but if they were going to get pay into the bargain; that indeed was a godsend。〃 To complete the proceedings; Xenophon said: 〃If any one opposes the measure; let him state his views; if not; let the officer put the proposition to the vote。〃 No one opposed; they put it to the vote; and the resolution was carried; and without loss of time; he informed Seuthes that they would take the field with him。
After this the troops messed in their separate divisions; but the generals and officers were invited by Seuthes to dinner at a neighbouring village which was in his possession。 When they were at the doors; and on the point of stepping in to dinner; they were met by 16 a certain Heracleides; of Maronea'1'。 He came up to each guest; addressing himself particularly to those who; as he conjectured; ought to be able to make a present to Seuthes。 He addressed himself first to some Parians who were there to arrange a friendship with Medocus; the king of the Odrysians; and were bearers of presents to the king and to his wife。 Heracleides reminded them: 〃Medocus is up country twelve days' journey from the sea; but Seuthes; now that he has got this army; will be lord on the sea…coast; as your neighbour; then; he is the man to do you good or do you ill。 If you are wise; you will give him whatever he askes of you。 On the whole; it will be laid out at better interest than if you have it to Medocus; who lives so far off。〃 That was his mode of persuasion in their case。 Next he came to Timasion the Dardanian; who; some one had told him; was the happy possessor of certain goblets and oriental carpets。 What he said to him was: 〃It is customary when people are invited to dinner by Seuthes for the guests to make him a present; now if he should become a great person in these parts; he will be able to restore you to your native land; or to make you a rich man here。〃 Such were the solicitations which he applied to each man in turn whom he accosted。 Presently he came to Xenophon and said: 〃You are at once a citizen of no mean city; and with Seuthes also your own name is very great。 Maybe you expect to obtain a fort or two in this country; just as others of your countrymen have done'2'; and territory。 It is only right and proper therefore that you should honour Seuthes in the most magnificent style。 Be sure; I give this advice out of pure friendliness; for I know that the greater the gift that you are ready to bestow on him; the better the treatment you will receive at his hands。〃 Xenophon; on hearing this; was in a sad dilemma; for he had brought with him; when he crossed from Parium; nothing but one boy and just enough to pay his travelling expenses。
'1' A Greek colony in Thrace。 Among Asiatico…Ionian colonies were Abdera; founded by Teos; and Maroneia; celebrated for its wine; founded by Chios about 540 B。C。Kiepert; 〃Man。 Anct。 Geog。〃 viii。 182。
'2' Notably Alcibiades; who possessed two or three such fortresses。
As soon as the company; consisting of the most powerful Thracians 21 there present; with the generals and captains of the Hellenes; and any embassy from a state which might be there; had arrived; they were seated in a circle; and the dinner was served。 Thereupon three…legged stools were brought in and placed in front of the assembled guests。 They were laden with pieces of meat; piled up; and there were huge leavened…loaves fastened on to the pieces of meat with long skewers。 The tables; as a rule; were set beside the guests at intervals。 That was the custom; and Seuthes set the fashion of the performance。 He took up the loaves which lay by his side and broke them into little pieces; and then threw the fragments here to one and there to another as seemed to him good; and so with the meat likewise; leaving for himself the merest taste。 Then the rest fell to following the fashion set them; those that is who had tables placed beside them。
Now there was an Arcadian; Arystas by name; a huge eater; he soon got tired of throwing the pieces about; and seized a good three…quarters loaf in his two hands; placed some pieces of meat upon his knees; and proceeded to discuss his dinner。 Then beakers of wine were brought round; and every one partook in turn; but when the cupbearer came to Arystas and handed him the bowl; he looked up; and seeing that Xenophon had done eating: 〃Give it him;〃 quoth he; 〃he is more at leisure。 I have something better to do at present。〃 Seuthes; hearing a remark; asked the cupbearer what was said; and the cupbearer; who knew how to talk Greek; explained。 Then followed a peal of laughter。
When the drinking had advanced somewhat; in came a Thracian with a white horse; who snatched the brimming bowl and said: 〃Here's a health to thee; O Seuthes! Let me present thee with this horse。 Mounted on him; thou shalt capture whom thou choosest to pursue; or retiring from battle; thou shalt not dread the foe。〃 He was followed by one who brought in a boy; and presented him in proper style with 〃Here's a health to thee; O Seuthes!〃 A third had 〃clothes for his wife。〃 Timasion; the Dardanian; pledged Seuthes; and presented a silver bowl'3' and a carpet worth ten minae。 Gnesippus; an Athenian; got up 28 and said: 〃It was a good old custom; and a fine one too; that those who had; should give to the king for honour's sake; but to those who had not; the king should give; whereby; my lord;〃 he added; 〃I too may one day have the wherewithal to give thee gifts and honour。〃 Xenophon the while was racking his brains what he was to do; he was not the happier because he was seated in the seat next Seuthes as a mark of honour; and Heracleides bade the cupbearer hand him the bowl。 The wine had perhaps a little mounted to his head; he rose; and manfully seized the cup; and spoke: 〃I also; Seuthes; have to present you with myself and these my dear comrades to be your trusty friends; and not one of them against his will。 They are more ready; one and all; still more than I; to be your friends。 Here they are; they ask nothing from you in return; rather they are forward to labour in your behalf; it will be their pleasure to bear the brunt of battle in voluntary service。 With them; God willing; you will gain vast territory; you will recover what was once your forefathers'; you will win for yourself new lands; and not lands only; but horses many; and of men a multitude; and many a fair dame besides。 You will not need to seize upon them in robber fashion; it is your friends here who; of their own accord; shall take and bring them to you; they shall lay them at your feet as gifts。〃 Up got Seuthes and drained with him the cup; and with him sprinkled the last drops fraternally'4'。
'3' Or rather 〃saucer〃 ({phiale})。
'4' For the Thracian custom; vide Suidas; s。v。 {kataskedazein}。
At this stage entered musicians blowing upon horns such as they use for signal calls; and trumpeting on trumpets; made of raw oxhide; tunes and airs; like the music of the double…octave harp'5'。 Seuthes himself got up and shouted; trolling forth a war song; then he sprang from his place and leapt about as though he would guard himself against a missile; in right nimble style。 Then came in a set of clowns and jesters。
'5' Or; 〃magadis。〃 This is said to have been one of the most perfect instruments。 It comprised