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