第 44 节
作者:
这就是结局 更新:2021-02-20 14:15 字数:9322
sign || to indicate parallelism of any sort。 The passage from Cicero
might be translated thus: 〃Some have lived in the country; content
with the happiness of home。 These men have enjoyed all that kings
could claim; needing nothing; under the dominion of no man;
untrammelled and in freedom; for the free man lives as he chooses。〃'
C4。36。 The wicked man as conceived in Hellenico…Xenophontine fashion;
charged with the spirit of meanness; envy; and hatred; which cannot
brook the existence of another better than itself。
C4。38。 A nice touch: we learn to know Gadatas and Xenophon also; and
the Hellenic mind。
C5。10。 Pathos well drawn: /vide/ Richard II。 and Bolingbroke。
Euripidean quality。
C5。12。 The archic man has got so far he can play the part of
intercessor between Cyaxares and his Medes。 The discussion involves
the whole difficulty of suppression (〃he must increase; but I must
decrease〃 is one solution; not touched here)。
C5。34。 Perhaps this is the very point which Xenophon; Philosopher;
wishes to bring out; the pseudo…archic man and the archic man
contrasted; but Xenophon; lover of man and artist; draws the situation
admirably and truthfully without any doctrinal purpose。 It is
{anthropinon} human essentially; this jealousy and humiliation of
spirit。
C5。35。 Cyrus' tone of voice and manner must have some compelling charm
in them: the dialectic debate is not pursued; but by a word and look
the archic man wins his way。
C5。36。 Oriental and antique Hellenic; also /modern/; formalities。 I
can imagine some of those crowned heads; emperors of Germany and
Austria; going through similar ceremonies; walking arm…in…arm; kissing
on both cheeks fraternally; etc。
C5。39…40。 This reveals the incorrigible weakness of Cyaxares。 He can
never hold his own against the archic man。 As a matter of philosophic
〃historising;〃 probably Xenophon conceives the Median element as the
corrupting and sapping one in the Persian empire (/vide/ Epilogue);
only he to some extent justifies and excuses Cyrus in his imitations
of it。 That is a difficulty。
C5。41。 The archic man shows self…command again: his energy somewhat
relieves ignobler actors of responsibility and so far saps their
wills。 His up…and…doingness a foil to their indolence。
BOOK VI
'C。1' So the day ended; and they supped and went to rest。 But early
the next morning all the allies flocked to Cyaxares' gates; and while
Cyaxares dressed and adorned himself; hearing that a great multitude
were waiting; Cyrus gave audience to the suitors his own friends had
brought。 First came the Cadousians; imploring him to stay; and then
the Hyrcanians; and after them the Sakians; and then some one
presented Gobryas; and Hystaspas brought in Gadatas the eunuch; whose
entreaty was still the same。 '2' At that Cyrus; who knew already that
for many a day Gadatas had been half…dead with fear lest the army
should be disbanded; laughed outright and said; 〃Ah; Gadatas; you
cannot conceal it: you have been bribed by my friend Hystaspas to take
this view。〃
'3' But Gadatas lifted up his hands to heaven and swore most solemnly
that Hystaspas had not influenced him。
〃Nay;〃 said he; 〃it is because I know myself that; if you depart; I am
ruined utterly。 And therefore it was that I took it upon me to speak
with Hystaspas myself; and ask him if he knew what was in your mind
about the disbanding of the army。〃
'4' And Cyrus said; 〃It would be unjust then; I suppose; to lay the
blame on Hystaspas。〃 〃Yes; Cyrus; most unjust;〃 said Hystaspas; 〃for I
only said to Gadatas that it would be impossible for you to carry on
the campaign; as your father wanted you home; and had sent for you。〃
'5' 〃What?〃 cried Cyrus; 〃you dared to let that be known whether I
wished it or not?〃
〃Certainly I did;〃 he answered; 〃for I can see that you are mad to be
home in Persia; the cynosure of every eye; telling your father how you
wrought this and accomplished that。〃
〃Well;〃 said Cyrus; 〃are you not longing to go home yourself?〃
〃No;〃 said the other。 〃I am not。 Nor have I any intention of going:
here I shall stay and be general…in…chief until I make our friend
Gadatas the lord and the Assyrian his slave。〃
'6' Thus half in jest and half in earnest they played with one
another; and meanwhile Cyaxares had finished adorning himself and came
forth in great splendour and solemnity; and sat down on a Median
throne。 And when all were assembled and silence was proclaimed;
Cyaxares said:
〃My friends and allies; perhaps; since I am present and older than
Cyrus; it is suitable that I should address you first。 It appears to
me that the moment has come to discuss one question before all others;
the question whether we ought to go on with the campaign or disband
the army。 Be pleased;〃 he added; 〃to state your opinions on the
matter。〃
'7' Then the leader of the Hyrcanians stood up at once and said:
〃Friends and allies; I hardly think that words are needed when facts
themselves show us the path to take。 All of us know that while we
stand together we give our enemy more trouble than we get: but when we
stood alone it was they who dealt with us as they liked best and we
liked least。〃
'8' Then the Cadousian followed。
〃The less we talk;〃 said he; 〃about breaking…up and going home
separately the better; separation has done us anything but good; it
seems to me; even on the march。 My men and I; at any rate; very soon
paid the penalty for private excursions; as I dare say you have not
forgotten。〃
'9' Upon that Artabazus rode; the Mede who had claimed kinship with
Cyrus in the old days。
〃Cyaxares;〃 said he; 〃in one respect I differ from those who have
spoken before me: they think we should stay here in order to go on
with the campaign; but I think I am always on campaign at home。 '10' I
was for ever out on some expedition or other; because our people were
being harried; or our fortresses threatened; and a world of trouble I
had; what with fears within and fighting without; and all too at my
own expense。 As it is now; I occupy the enemy's forts; my fear of them
is gone; I make good cheer on their own good things; and I drink their
own good wine。 Since home means fighting and service here means
feasting; I am not in favour myself;〃 said he; 〃of breaking up the
company。〃
'11' Then Gobryas spoke。
〃Friends;〃 said he; 〃I have trusted Cyrus' word and had no fault to
find with him: what he promises that he performs: but if he leaves the
country now; the Assyrian will be reprieved; he will never be punished
for the wrongs he tried to inflict on you and did inflict on me: I
shall be punished instead; because I have been your friend。〃
'12' At that Cyrus rose at last and said:
〃Gentlemen; I am well aware that the disbanding of our forces must
mean the decrease of our power and the increase of theirs。 If some of
them have given up their weapons; they will soon procure others; if
some have lost their horses; the loss will soon be made good; if some
have fallen in battle; others; younger and stronger; will take their
place。 We need not be surprised if they are soon in a condition to
cause us trouble again。 '13' Why; then; did I ask Cyaxares to put the
question to debate? Because; I answer; I am afraid of the future。 I
see opponents against us whom we cannot fight; if we conduct the
campaign as we are doing now。 '14' Winter is advancing against us; and
though we may have shelter for ourselves we have nothing; heaven
knows; for our horses and our servants and the great mass of our
soldiery; without whom we cannot even think of a campaign。 As to
provisions; up to the limits of our advance and because of that
advance they have been exhausted; and beyond that line; owing to the
terror we inspire; the inhabitants will have stowed their supplies
away in strong places where they can enjoy them and we cannot get
them。 '15' Where is the warrior; stout of heart and strong of will;
who can wage war with cold and hunger? If our style of soldiering is
to be only what it has been; I say we ought to disband at once of our
own accord; and not wait to be driven from the field against our will
by sheer lack of means。 If we do wish to go forward; this is what we
must do: we must detach from the enemy all the fortresses we can and
secure all we can for our own: if this is done; the larger supply will
be in the hands of those who can stow away the larger store; and the
weaker will suffer siege。 '16' At present we are like mariners on the
ocean: they may sail on for ever; but the seas they have crossed are
no more theirs than those that are still unsailed。 But if we hold the
fortresses; the enemy will find they are living in a hostile land;
while we have halcyon weather。 '17' Some of you may dread the thought
of garrison duty far from home; if so; dispel your doubts。 We
Persians; who must; as it is; be exiles for the time; will undertake
the positions that are nearest to the foe; while it will be for you to
occupy the land on the marches between Assyria and yourselves and put
it under tillage。 '18' For; if we can hold his inner line; your peace
will not be disturbed in the outlying parts: he will scarcel