第 27 节
作者:这就是结局      更新:2021-02-20 14:15      字数:9322
  little ones she will never fly; even if she is all alone; she will
  turn on the hunters。 '18' Yesterday the enemy shut themselves up in a
  fort; and then handed themselves over to us to choose how many we
  cared to fight。 But if we meet them in open country; and they learn
  how to divide their forces and take us in front and flank and rear; I
  wonder how many pairs of eyes and hands each man of us would need!
  Finally;〃 he added; 〃I have no great wish myself to disturb my Medes
  in their enjoyment; and drive them out to further dangers。〃
  '19' Then Cyrus took him up: 〃Nay; I would not have you put pressure
  on any man; only let those who are willing follow me; and perhaps we
  shall come back with something for all of you to enjoy。 The mass of
  the enemy we should not think of pursuing; indeed; how could we
  overtake them? But if we cut off any stragglers; we could clap hands
  on them and bring them back to you。 '20' Remember;〃 he added; 〃when
  you sent for us; we came a long way to do you service; is it not fair
  that you should do us a kindness in return; and let us have something
  to take back with us for ourselves; and not stand here agape at all
  your treasures?〃
  '21' At that Cyaxares answered; 〃Ah; if any will follow you of their
  own free will; I can but be most grateful。〃
  〃Send some one with me then;〃 said Cyrus; 〃from these trusty men of
  yours; to carry your commands。〃
  〃Take whomever you like;〃 he answered; 〃and begone。〃
  '22' Now; as it chanced; among the officers present was the Mede who
  had claimed kinship with Cyrus long ago and won a kiss thereby。 Cyrus
  pointed to him and said; 〃That man will do for me。〃 〃He shall go with
  you then;〃 Cyaxares replied。 And turning to the officer; 〃Tell your
  fellows;〃 he said; 〃that he who lists may follow Cyrus。〃 '23' Thus
  Cyrus chose his man and went forth。 And when they were outside he
  said; 〃To…day you can show me if you spoke truth long ago when you
  told me that the sight of me was your joy。〃
  〃If you say that;〃 said the Mede; 〃I will never leave you。〃
  〃And will you not do your best;〃 added Cyrus; 〃to bring me others
  too?〃 〃By the gods in heaven;〃 cried the Mede; 〃that I will; until you
  say in your turn that to see me is your joy。〃 Thereupon; with the
  authority of Cyaxares to support him; the officer went to the Medes
  and delivered with message with all diligence; adding that he for one
  would never forsake Cyrus; the bravest; noblest; and best of men; and
  a hero whose lineage was divine。
  'C。2' While Cyrus was busied with these matters; by some strange
  chance two ambassadors arrived from the Hyrcanians。 These people are
  neighbours of the Assyrians; and being few in number; they were held
  in subjection。 But they seemed then; as they seem now; to live on
  horseback。 Hence the Assyrians used them as the Lacedaemonians employ
  the Skirites; for every toil and every danger; without sparing them。
  In fact; at that very moment they had ordered them to furnish a rear…
  guard of a thousand men and more; so as to bear the brunt of any rear
  attack。 '2' The Hyrcanians; as they were to be the hindmost; had put
  their waggons and families in the rear; for; like most of the tribes
  in Asia; they take their entire households with them on the march。 '3'
  But when they thought of the sorry treatment they got from the
  Assyrians and when they saw the king fallen; the army worsted and a
  prey to panic; the allies disheartened and ready to desert; they
  judged it a fine moment to revolt themselves; if only the Medes and
  Persians would make common cause with them。 So they sent an embassy to
  Cyrus; for after the late battle there was no name like his。 '4' They
  told him what good cause they had to hate the Assyrians; and how if he
  was willing to attack them now; they themselves would be his allies
  and show him the way。 At the same time they gave a full account of the
  enemy's doings; being eager to get Cyrus on the road。 '5' 〃Do you
  think;〃 said Cyrus; 〃we should overtake the Assyrians before they
  reach their fortresses? We look on it as a great misfortune;〃 he
  added; 〃that they ever slipped through our fingers and escaped。〃 (This
  he said; wishing to give his hearers as high an opinion as possible of
  himself and his friends。) '6' 〃You should certainly catch them;〃 they
  answered; 〃and that to…morrow; ere the day is old; if you gird up your
  loins: they move heavily because of their numbers and their train of
  waggons; and to…day; since they did not sleep last night; they have
  only gone a little way ahead; and are now encamped for the evening。〃
  '7' 〃Can you give us any guarantee;〃 said Cyrus; 〃that what you say is
  true?〃
  〃We will give you hostages;〃 they said; 〃we will ride off at once and
  bring them back this very night。 Only do you on your side call the
  gods to witness and give us the pledge of your own right hand; that we
  may give our people the assurance we have received from you
  ourselves。〃
  '8' Thereupon Cyrus gave them his pledge that if they would make good
  what they promised he would treat them as his true friends and
  faithful followers; of no less account than the Persians and the
  Medes。 And to this day one may see Hyrcanians treated with trust and
  holding office on an equal footing with Persians and Medes of high
  distinction。
  '9' Now Cyrus and his men took their supper and then while it was
  still daylight he led his army out; having made the two Hyrcanians
  wait so that they might go with them。 The Persians; of course; were
  with him to a man; and Tigranes was there; with his own contingent;
  and the Median volunteers; who had joined for various reasons。 '10'
  Some had been friends of Cyrus in boyhood; others had hunted with him
  and learnt to admire his character; others were grateful; feeling he
  had lifted a load of fear from them; others were flushed with hope;
  nothing doubting that great things were reserved for the man who had
  proved so brave and so fortunate already。 Others remembered the time
  when he was brought up in Media; and were glad to return the
  kindnesses that he had shown them; many could recall the favours the
  boy had won for them from his grandfather through his sheer goodness
  of heart; and many; now that they had seen the Hyrcanians and heard
  say they were leading them to untold treasures; went out from simple
  love of gain。 '11' So they sallied forth; the entire body of the
  Persians and all the Medes; except those who were quartered with
  Cyaxares: these stayed behind; and their men with them。 But all the
  rest went out with radiant faces and eager hearts; not following him
  from constraint; but offering willing service in their gratitude。 '12'
  So; as soon as they were well afield; Cyrus went to the Medes and
  thanked them; praying that the gods in their mercy might guide them
  all; and that he himself might have power given him to reward their
  zeal。 He ended by saying that the infantry would lead the van; while
  they would follow with the cavalry; and whenever the column halted on
  the march they were to send him gallopers to receive his orders。 '13'
  Then he bade the Hyrcanians lead the way; but they exclaimed; 〃What?
  Are you not going to wait until we bring the hostages? Then you could
  begin the march with pledges from us in return for yours。〃
  But he answered; as the story says; 〃If I am not mistaken; we hold the
  pledges now; in our own hearts and our own right hands。 We believe
  that if you are true to us we can do you service; and if you play us
  false; you will not have us at your mercy; God willing; we shall hold
  you at ours。 Nevertheless;〃 he added; 〃since you tell us your own folk
  follow in the Assyrian rear; point them out to us as soon as you set
  eyes upon them; that we may spare their lives。〃
  '14' When the Hyrcanians heard this they led the way as he ordered;
  marvelling at his strength of soul。 Their own fear of the Assyrians;
  the Lydians; and their allies; had altogether gone; their dread now
  was lest Cyrus should regard themselves as mere dust in the balance;
  and count it of no importance whether they stayed with him or not。
  '15' As night closed in on their march; the legend runs that a strange
  light shone out; far off in the sky; upon Cyrus and his host; filling
  them with awe of the heavenly powers and courage to meet the foe。
  Marching as they did; their loins girt and their pace swift; they
  covered a long stretch of road in little time; and with the half light
  of the morning they were close to the Hyrcanian rear…guard。 '16' As
  soon as the guides saw it; they told Cyrus that these were their own
  men: they knew this; they added; from the number of their fires; and
  the fact that they were in the rear。 '17' Therefore Cyrus sent one of
  the guides to them; bidding them come out at once; if they were
  friendly; with their right hands raised。 And he sent one of his own
  men also to say; 〃According as you make your approach; so shall we
  Persians comport ourselves。〃
  Thus one of the two messengers stayed with Cyrus while the other rode
  up to his fellows。 '18' Cyrus halted his army to watch what the tribe
  would do; and Tigranes and the Median officers rode along the ranks to
  ask for orders。 Cyrus explained that the troops nearest to them were
  the Hyrcanians; and th