第 22 节
作者:这就是结局      更新:2021-02-20 14:15      字数:9322
  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 a
  benefactor。〃
  '17' Such thanks the Armenian gave。
  Then the Chaldaeans came back; begging Cyrus to make peace with them。
  And Cyrus asked them: 〃Am I right in thinking that you desire peace
  to…day because you believe it will be safer for you than war; now that
  we hold these heights?〃
  And the Chaldaeans said that so it was。 '18' 〃Well and good;〃 said he。
  〃And what if other benefits were gained by peace?〃 〃We should be all
  the better pleased;〃 said they。 〃Is there any other reason;〃 he asked;
  〃for your present poverty; except your lack of fertile soil?〃 They
  said that there was none。 〃Well then;〃 Cyrus went on; 〃would you be
  willing to pay the same dues as the Armenians; if you were allowed to
  cultivate as much of their land as you desired?〃 And the Chaldaeans
  said they would; if only they could rely on being fairly treated。 '19'
  〃Now;〃 said Cyrus; turning to the Armenian king; 〃would you like that
  land of yours which is now lying idle to be tilled and made
  productive; supposing the workers paid you the customary dues?〃 〃I
  would; indeed;〃 said the king; 〃so much so that I am ready to pay a
  large sum for it。 It would mean a great increase to my revenue。〃 '20'
  〃And you; Chaldaeans;〃 said Cyrus; 〃with your splendid mountains;
  would you let the Armenians use them for pasture if the graziers paid
  you what was fair?〃 〃Surely yes;〃 said the Chaldaeans; 〃it would mean
  much profit and no pains。〃
  〃Son of Armenia;〃 said Cyrus; 〃would you take this land for grazing;
  if by paying a small sum to the Chaldaeans you got a far greater
  return yourself?〃
  〃Right willingly;〃 said he; 〃if I thought my flocks could feed in
  safety。〃
  〃And would they not be safe enough;〃 suggested Cyrus; 〃if this pass
  were held for you?〃 To which the king agreed。 '21' But the Chaldaeans
  cried; 〃Heaven help us! We could not till our own fields in safety;
  not to speak of theirs; if the Armenians held the pass。〃 〃True;〃
  answered Cyrus; 〃but how would it be if the pass were held for you?〃
  〃Ah; then;〃 said they; 〃all would be well enough。〃 〃Heaven help us!〃
  cried the Armenian in his turn; 〃all might be well enough for them;
  but it would be ill for us if these neighbours of ours recovered the
  post; especially now that it is fortified。〃 '22' Then Cyrus said;
  〃See; then; this is what I will do: I will hand over the pass to
  neither of you: we Persians will guard it ourselves; and if either of
  you injure the other; we will step in and side with the sufferers。〃
  '23' Then both parties applauded the decision; and said that only thus
  could they establish a lasting peace; and on these terms they
  exchanged pledges; and a covenant was made that both nations alike
  were to be free and independent; but with common rights of marriage;
  and tillage; and pasturage; and help in time of war if either were
  attacked。 '24' Thus the matter was concluded; and to this day the
  treaty holds between the Chaldaeans and Armenia。
  Peace was no sooner made than both parties began building what they
  now considered their common fortress; working side by side and
  bringing up all that was needed。 '25' And when evening fell; Cyrus
  summoned them all as fellow…guests to his board; saying that they were
  friends already。 At the supper as they sat together; one of the
  Chaldaeans said to Cyrus that the mass of his nation would feel they
  had received all they could desire; 〃But there are men among us;〃 he
  added; 〃who live as freebooters: they do not know how to labour in the
  field; and they could not learn; accustomed as they are from youth up
  to get their livelihood either by plundering for themselves or serving
  as mercenaries; often under the king of India; for he is a man of much
  wealth; but sometimes under Astyages。〃 '26' Then Cyrus said: 〃Why
  should they not take service with me? I undertake to give them at
  least as much as they ever got elsewhere。〃 The Chaldaeans readily
  agreed with him and prophesied that he would have many volunteers。
  '27' So this matter was settled to the mind of all。 But Cyrus; on
  hearing that the Chaldaeans were in the habit of going to India;
  remembered how Indian ambassadors had come to the Medes to spy out
  their affairs; and how they had gone on to their enemiesdoubtless to
  do the same thereand he felt a wish that they should hear something
  of what he had achieved himself。 '28' So he said to the company: 〃Son
  of Armenia; and men of the Chaldaeans; I have something to ask you。
  Tell me; if I were to send ambassadors to India; would you send some
  of your own folk with them to show them the way; and support them in
  gaining for us all that I desire? I still need more money if I am to
  pay all the wages; as I wish; in full; and give rewards and make
  presents to such of my soldiers as deserve them。 It is for such things
  I need all the money I can get; for I believe them to be essential。 It
  would be pleasanter for me not to draw on you; because I look on you
  already as my friends; but I should be glad to take from the Indian as
  much as he will give me。 My messengerthe one for whom I ask guides
  and coadjutorswill go to the king and say: 'Son of India; my master
  has sent me to you; bidding me say that he has need of more money。 He
  is expecting another army from Persia;' and indeed I do expect one;〃
  Cyrus added。 〃Then my messenger will proceed; 'If you can send my
  master all that you have at hand he will do his best; if God grant him
  success; that you should feel your kindness has not been ill…advised。'
  '30' That is what my emissary will say: and you must give such
  instructions to yours as you think fit yourselves。 If I get money from
  the king; I shall have abundance at my disposal: if I fail; at least
  we shall owe him no gratitude; and as far as he is concerned we may
  look to our own interests alone。〃
  '31' So Cyrus spoke; convinced that the ambassadors from Armenia and
  Chaldaea would speak of him as he desired all men might do。 And then;
  as the hour was come; they broke up the meeting and took their rest。
  'C。3' But on the next day Cyrus despatched his messenger with the
  instructions; and the Armenia