第 17 节
作者:
这就是结局 更新:2021-02-20 14:15 字数:9322
moment he gave the order; 〃Companies in fours;〃 and the captains of
five wheeled round and came abreast; and when they reached the tent
doors he called a halt; made them fall into single file once more; and
marched the first company in first; and then the second at its heels;
and the third and fourth behind them; and as he introduced them; he
seated them at the table; keeping the order of their entry。 What Cyrus
commended was the quiet method of instruction and the care the officer
showed; and it was for that he invited him and all his regiment to
dinner in the royal tent。
'22' Now it chanced that another brigadier was among the guests; and
he spoke up and said to Cyrus: 〃But will you never ask my men to
dinner too? Day after day; morning and evening; whenever we come in
for a meal we do just the same as they; and when the meal is over the
hindmost man of the last company leads out his men with their
fighting…order reversed; and the next company follows; led by their
hindmost man; and then the third; and then the fourth: so that all of
them; if they have to retire before an enemy; will know how to fall
back in good order。 And as soon as we are drawn up on the parade…
ground we set off marching east; and I lead off with all my divisions
behind me; in their regular order; waiting for my word。 By…and…by we
march west; and then the hindmost man of the last division leads the
way; but they must still look to me for commands; though I am marching
last: and thus they learn to obey with equal promptitude whether I am
at the head or in the rear。〃
'23' 〃Do you mean to tell me;〃 said Cyrus; 〃that this is a regular
rule of yours?〃
〃Truly yes;〃 he answered; 〃as regular as our meals; heaven help us!〃
〃Then I hereby invite you all to dinner; and for three good reasons;
you practice your drill in both forms; you do this morning and evening
both; and by your marching and counter…marching you train your bodies
and benefit your souls。 And since you do it all twice over every day;
it is only fair to give you dinner twice。〃
'24' 〃Not twice in one day; I beg you!〃 said the officer; 〃unless you
can furnish us with a second stomach apiece。〃
And so the conversation ended for the time。 But the next day Cyrus was
as good as his word。 He had all the regiment to dinner; and the day
after he invited them again: and when the other regiments knew of it
they fell to doing as they did。
'C。4' Now it chanced one day as Cyrus was holding a review; a
messenger came from Cyaxares to tell him that an embassy from India
had just arrived; and to bid him return with all despatch。
〃And I bring with me;〃 said the messenger; 〃a suit of splendid apparel
sent from Cyaxares himself: my lord wishes you to appear in all
possible splendour; for the Indians will be there to see you。〃
'2' At that Cyrus commanded the brigadier of the first regiment to
draw up to the front with his men behind him on the left in single
file; and to pass the order on to the second; and so throughout the
army。 Officers and men were quick to obey; so that in a trice the
whole force on the field was drawn up; one hundred deep and three
hundred abreast; with their officers at the head。 '3' When they were
in position Cyrus bade them follow his lead and off they went at a
good round pace。 However the road leading to the royal quarters was
too narrow to let them pass with so wide a front and Cyrus sent word
along the line that the first detachment; one thousand strong; should
follow as they were; and then the second; and so on to the last; and
as he gave the command he led on without a pause and all the
detachments followed in due order; one behind the other。 '4' But to
prevent mistakes he sent two gallopers up to the entrance with orders
to explain what should be done in case the men were at a loss。 And
when they reached the gates; Cyrus told the leading brigadier to draw
up his regiment round the palace; twelve deep; the front rank facing
the building; and this command he was to pass on to the second; and
the second to the third; and so on till the last。 '5' And while they
saw to this he went in to Cyaxares himself; wearing his simple Persian
dress without a trace of pomp。 Cyaxares was well pleased at his
celerity; but troubled by the plainness of his attire; and said to
him; 〃What is the meaning of this; Cyrus? How could you show yourself
in this guise to the Indians? I wished you to appear in splendour: it
would have done me honour for my sister's son to be seen in great
magnificence。〃
'6' But Cyrus made answer: 〃Should I have done you more honour if I
had put on a purple robe; and bracelets for my arms; and a necklace
about my neck; and so presented myself at your call after long delay?
Or as now; when to show you respect I obey you with this despatch and
bring you so large and fine a force; although I wear no ornament but
the dust and sweat of speed; and make no display unless it be to show
you these men who are as obedient to you as I am myself。〃 Such were
the words of Cyrus; and Cyaxares felt that they were just; and so sent
for the Indian ambassadors forthwith。 '7' And when they entered they
gave this message:The king of the Indians bade them ask what was the
cause of strife between the Assyrians and the Medes; 〃And when we have
heard you;〃 they said; 〃our king bids us betake ourselves to the
Assyrian and put the same question to him; and in the end we are to
tell you both that the king of the Indians; when he has enquired into
the justice of the case; will uphold the cause of him who has been
wronged。〃
'8' To this Cyaxares replied:
〃Then take from me this answer: we do the Assyrian no wrong nor any
injustice whatsoever。 And now go and make inquiry of him; if you are
so minded; and see what answer he will give。〃
Then Cyrus; who was standing by; asked Cyaxares; 〃May I too say what
is in my mind?〃 〃Say on;〃 answered Cyaxares。 Then Cyrus turned to the
ambassadors: 〃Tell your master;〃 he said; 〃unless Cyaxares is
otherwise minded; that we are ready to do this: if the Assyrian lays
any injustice to our charge we choose the king of the Indians himself
to be our judge; and he shall decide between us。〃
'9' With that the embassy departed。 And when they had gone out Cyrus
turned to his uncle and began; 〃Cyaxares; when I came to you I had
scant wealth of my own and of the little I brought with me only a
fragment is left。 I have spent it all on my soldiers。 You may wonder
at this;〃 he added; 〃when it is you who have supported them; but;
believe me; the money has not been wasted: it has all been spent on
gifts and rewards to the soldiers who deserved it。 '10' And I am
sure;〃 he added; 〃if we require good workers and good comrades in any
task whatever; it is better and pleasanter to encourage them by kind
speeches and kindly acts than to drive them by pains and penalties。
And if it is for war that we need such trusty helpers; we can only win
the men we want by every charm of word and grace of deed。 For our true
ally must be a friend and not a foe; one who can never envy the
prosperity of his leader nor betray him in the day of disaster。 '11'
Such is my conviction; and such being so; I do not hide from myself
the need of money。 But to look to you for everything; when I know that
you spend so much already; would be monstrous in my eyes。 I only ask
that we should take counsel together so as to prevent the failure of
your funds。 I am well aware that if you won great wealth; I should be
able to help myself at need; especially if I used it for your own
advantage。 '12' Now I think you told me the other day that the king of
Armenia has begun to despise you; because he hears we have an enemy;
and therefore he will neither send you troops nor pay the tribute
which is due。〃 '13' 〃Yes;〃 answered Cyaxares; 〃such are his tricks。
And I cannot decide whether to march on him at once and try to subdue
him by force; or let the matter be for the time; for fear of adding to
the enemies we have。〃 Then Cyrus asked; 〃Are his dwellings strongly
fortified; or could they be attacked?〃 And Cyaxares answered; 〃The
actual fortifications are not very strong: I took good care of that。
But he has the hill…country to which he can retire; and there for the
moment lie secure; knowing that he himself is safely out of reach;
with everything that he can convoy thither; unless we are prepared to
carry on a siege; as my father actually did。〃
'14' Thereupon Cyrus said; 〃Now if you are willing to send me with a
moderate force of cavalryI will not ask for many menI believe;
heaven helping me; I could compel him to send the troops and the
tribute。 And I even hope that in the future he may become a firmer
friend that he is now。〃 '15' And Cyaxares said: 〃I think myself they
are more likely to listen to you than to me。 I have been told that his
sons were your companions in the chase when you were lads; and
possibly old habits will return and they will come over to you。 Once
they were in our power; everything could be done as we desire。〃
〃Then;〃 said Cyrus; 〃this plan of ours had better be kept secret; had
it not?〃 〃No doubt;〃 answered Cyaxares。 〃In that way they would be
more likely to fall into our hand