第 46 节
作者:这就是结局      更新:2021-02-20 14:16      字数:9321
  departed。
  '45' Now Pantheia; when she heard that Araspas had fled; sent a
  messenger to Cyrus; saying:
  〃Grieve not; Cyrus; that Araspas has gone to join the foe: I will
  bring you a far trustier friend than he; if you will let me send for
  my husband; and I know he will bring with him all the power that he
  has。 It is true that the old king was my husband's friend; but he who
  reigns now tried to tear us two asunder; and my husband knows him for
  a tyrant and a miscreant; and would gladly be quit of him and take
  service with such a man as you。〃
  '46' When Cyrus heard that; he bade Pantheia send word to her husband;
  and she did so。 Now when Abradatas saw the tokens from his wife; and
  learnt how matters stood; he was full of joy; and set out for Cyrus'
  camp immediately; with a thousand horsemen in his train。 And when he
  came to the Persian outposts he sent to Cyrus saying who he was; and
  Cyrus gave orders that he should be taken to Pantheia forthwith。 '47'
  So husband and wife met again after hope had well…nigh vanished; and
  were in each other's arms once more。 And then Pantheia spoke of Cyrus;
  his nobleness; his honour; and the compassion he had shown her; and
  Abradatas cried:
  〃Tell me; tell me; how can I repay him all I owe him in your name and
  mine!〃 And she answered:
  〃So deal with him; my husband; as he has dealt with you。〃
  '48' And thus Abradatas went to Cyrus; and took him by the hand; and
  said:
  〃Cyrus; in return for the kindness you have shown us; I can say no
  more than this: I give myself to you; I will be your friend; your
  servant; and your ally: whatever you desire; I will help you to win;
  your fellow…worker always; so far as in me lies。〃
  '49' Then Cyrus answered:
  〃And I will take your gift: but for the moment you must leave me; and
  sup with your wife: another day you will let me play the host; and
  give you lodging with your friends and mine。〃
  '50' Afterwards Abradatas perceived how much Cyrus had at heart the
  scythe…bearing chariots and the cavalry and the war…horses with their
  armour; and he resolved to equip a hundred chariots for him out of his
  own cavalry force。 '51' These he proposed to lead himself in a chariot
  of his own; four…poled and drawn by eight horses; all the eight
  protected by chest…plates of bronze。 '52' So Abradatas set to work;
  and this four…poled chariot of his gave Cyrus the idea of making a car
  with eight poles; drawn by eight yoke of oxen; to carry the lowest
  compartment of the battering engines; which stood; with its wheels;
  about twenty…seven feet from the ground。 '53' Cyrus felt that he had a
  series of such towers brought into the field at a fair pace they would
  be of immense service to him; and inflict as much damage on the enemy。
  The towers were built with galleries and parapets; and each of them
  could carry twenty men。 '54' When the whole was put together he tested
  it and found that the eight yoke of oxen could draw the whole tower
  with the men more easily than one yoke by itself could manage the
  ordinary weight of baggage; which came to about five…and…twenty
  talents apiece; whereas the tower; build of planks about as thick as
  the boards for a stage; weighed less than fifteen for each yoke。 '55'
  Thus; having satisfied himself that the attempt was perfectly
  possible; he arranged to take the towers into action; believing that
  in war selfishness meant salvation; justice; and happiness。
  'C。2' About this time ambassadors came to Cyrus from India with gifts
  of courtesy and a message from their king; saying:
  〃I send you greeting; Cyrus; and I rejoice that you told me of your
  needs。 I desire to be your friend and I offer you gifts; and if you
  have need of anything more; I bid you say the word; and it shall be
  yours。 I have told my men to do whatever you command。〃
  '2' Then Cyrus answered:
  〃This; then; is my bidding: the rest of you shall stay where you have
  pitched your tents; you shall guard your treasures and live as you
  choose: but three of you shall go to the enemy and make believe that
  you have come to him about an alliance with your king; and thus you
  shall learn how matters stand; and all they say and all they do; and
  so bring me word again with speed。 And if you serve me well in this; I
  shall owe you even more than I could owe you for these gifts。 There
  are some spies who are no better than slaves; and have no skill to
  find out anything more than is known already; but there are men of
  another sort; men of your stamp; who can discover plans that are not
  yet disclosed。〃
  '3' The Indians listened gladly; and for the moment made themselves at
  home as the guests of Cyrus: but the next day they got ready and set
  off on their journey; promising to find out as much as they could of
  the enemy's secrets and bring him word again with all possible speed。
  '4' Meanwhile Cyrus continued his preparations for the war on a
  magnificent scale; like one who meant to accomplish no small
  achievement。 Not only did he carry out all the resolutions of the
  allies; but he breathed a spirit of emulation into his own friends and
  followers; till each strove to outshine his fellows in arms and
  accoutrements; in horsemanship and spearmanship and archery; in
  endurance of toil and danger。 '5' Cyrus would lead them out to the
  chase; and show especial honour to those who distinguished themselves
  in any way: he would whet the ambition of the officers by praising all
  who did their best to improve their men; and by gratifying them in
  every way he could。 '6' At every sacrifice and festival he instituted
  games and contests in all martial exercises; and lavished prizes on
  the victors; till the whole army was filled with enthusiasm and
  confidence。 '7' By this time Cyrus had almost everything in readiness
  for the campaign; except the battering…machines。 The Persian cavalry
  was made up to its full number of ten thousand men; and the scythed
  chariots were complete; a hundred of his own; and a hundred that
  Abradatas of Susa had provided。 '8' Beside these there were a hundred
  of the old Median chariots which Cyrus had persuaded Cyaxares to
  remodel on his own type; giving up the Trojan and Lydian style。 The
  camels were ready also; each animal carrying a couple of mounted
  archers。
  The bulk of the great army felt almost as though they had already
  conquered; and the enemy's power was held of no account。
  '9' While matters were thus; the Indians whom Cyrus had sent out
  returned with their report。 Croesus had been chosen leader and
  general…in…chief; a resolution had been passed; calling on all the
  allied kings to bring up their entire forces; raise enormous sums for
  the war; and spend them in hiring mercenaries where they could and
  making presents where they must。 '10' Large numbers of Thracians;
  armed with the short sword; had already been enrolled; and a body of
  Egyptians were coming by sea; amountingso said the Indiansto
  120;000 men; armed with long shields reaching to their feet; huge
  spears (such as they carry to this day); and sabres。 Beside these; an
  army was expected from Cyprus; and there were already on the spot all
  the Cilicians; the men of both the Phrygias; of Lycaonia; Paphlagonia;
  and Cappadocia; the Arabians; the Phoenicians; and all the Assyrians
  under the king of Babylon。 Moreover; the Ionians; and Aeolians; and
  indeed nearly all the Hellenic colonists on the coast were compelled
  to follow in the train of Croesus。 '11' Croesus himself had already
  sent to Lacedaemon to propose an alliance with the Spartans。 The
  armament was mustering on the banks of the Pactolus; and they were to
  push forward presently to Thymbrara (the place which is still the
  mustering…ground for all the Asiatic subjects of the Great King west
  of Syria); and orders had been issued to open a market there。 This
  report agreed with the accounts given by the prisoners; for Cyrus was
  always at pains to gave men captured from whom he could get some
  information; and he would also send out spies disguised as runaway
  slaves。
  '12' Such were the tidings; and when the army heard the news there was
  much anxiety and concern; as one may well suppose。 The men went about
  their work with an unusual quietness; their faces clouded over; or
  gathered in knots and clusters everywhere; anxiously asking each other
  the news and discussing the report。 '13' When Cyrus saw that fear was
  in the camp; he called a meeting of his generals; and indeed of all
  whose dejection might injure the cause and whose confidence assist it。
  Moreover; he sent word that any of the attendants; or any of the rank
  and file; who wished to hear what he had to say; would be allowed to
  come and listen。 When they met; he spoke as follows:
  '14' 〃My friends and allies; I make no secret of the reason I have
  called you here。 It was because I saw that some of you; when the
  reports of the enemy reached us; looked like men who were panic…
  stricken。 But I must say I am astonished that any of you should feel
  alarm because the enemy is mustering his forces; and not be reassured
  by remembering that our own is far larger than it was when we
  conquered him before; and far better provided; under heaven; with all
  we need。 '15' I ask you how you would have felt; you who are