第 56 节
作者:这就是结局      更新:2021-02-20 14:16      字数:9321
  and received all who desired speech with him; and then dismissed them。
  '38' The people; when they heard that he gave audience; thronged to
  him in multitudes; and in the struggle to gain access there was much
  jostling and scheming and no little fighting。 '39' His attendants did
  their best to divide the suitors; and introduce them in some order;
  and whenever any of his personal friends appeared; thrusting their way
  through the crowd; Cyrus would stretch out his hand and draw them to
  his side and say; 〃Wait; my friends; until we have finished with this
  crowd; and then we can talk at our ease。〃 So his friends would wait;
  but the multitude would pour on; growing greater and greater; until
  the evening would fall before there had been a moment's leisure for
  his friends。 '40' All that Cyrus could do then was to say; 〃Perhaps;
  gentlemen; it is a little late this evening and time that we broke up。
  Be sure to come early to…morrow。 I am very anxious myself to speak
  with you。〃 With that his friends were only too glad to be dismissed;
  and made off without more ado。 They had done penance enough; fasting
  and waiting and standing all day long。 '41' So they would get to rest
  at last; but the next morning Cyrus was at the same spot and a much
  greater concourse of suitors round him than before; already assembled
  long before his friends arrived。 Accordingly Cyrus had a cordon of
  Persian lancers stationed round him; and gave out that no one except
  his personal friends and the generals were to be allowed access; and
  as soon as they were admitted he said:
  '42' 〃My friends; we cannot exclaim against the gods as though they
  had failed to fulfil our prayers。 They have granted all we asked。 But
  if success means that a man must forfeit his own leisure and the good
  company of all his friends; why; to that kind of happiness I would
  rather bid farewell。 '43' Yesterday;〃 he added; 〃I make no doubt you
  observed yourselves that from early dawn till late evening I never
  ceased listening to petitioners; and to…day you see this crowd before
  us; larger still than yesterday's; ready with business for me。 '44' If
  this must be submitted to; I calculate that what you will get of me
  and I of you will be little enough; and what I shall get of myself
  will simply be nothing at all。 Further;〃 he added; 〃I foresee another
  absurd consequence。 '45' I; personally; have a feeling towards you
  which I need not state; but; of that audience yonder; scarcely one of
  them do I know at all; and yet they are all prepared to thrust
  themselves in front of you; transact their business; and get what they
  want out of me before any of you have a chance。 I should have thought
  it more suitable myself that men of that class; if they wanted
  anything from me; should pay some court to you; my friends; in the
  hopes of an introduction。 '46' Perhaps you will ask why I did not so
  arrange matters from the first; instead of always appearing in public。
  Because in war it is the first business of a commander not to be
  behindhand in knowing what ought to be done and seeing that it is
  done; and the general who is seldom seen is apt to let things slip。
  '47' But to…day; when war with its insatiable demands is over; I feel
  as if I had some claim myself to rest and refreshment。 I am in some
  perplexity; however; as to how I can arrange matters so that all goes
  well; not only with you and me; but also with those whom we are bound
  to care for。 Therefore I seek your advice and counsel; and I would be
  glad to learn from any of you the happiest solution。〃
  '48' Cyrus paused; and up rose Artabazus the Mede; who had claimed to
  be his kinsman; and said:
  〃You did well; Cyrus; to open this matter。 Years ago; when you were
  still a boy; from the very first I longed to be your friend; but I saw
  you did not need me; and so I shrank from approaching you。 '49' Then
  came a lucky moment when you did have need of me to be your good
  messenger among the Medes with the order from Cyaxares; and I said to
  myself that if I did the work well; if I really helped you; I might
  become your comrade and have the right to talk with you as often as I
  wished。 '50' Well; the work was done; and done so as to win your
  praise。 After that the Hyrcanians joined us; the first friends we
  made; when we were hungry and thirsty for allies; and we loved them so
  much we almost carried them about with us in our arms wherever we
  went。 Then the enemy's camp was taken; and I scarcely think you had
  the leisure to trouble your head with meoh; I quite forgave you。
  '51' The next thing was that Gobryas became your friend; and I had to
  take my leave; and after him Gadatas; and by that time it was a real
  task to get hold of you。 Then came the alliances with the Sakians; and
  the Cadousians; and no doubt you had to pay them court; if they danced
  attendance on you; you must dance attendance on them。 '52' So that
  there I was; back again at my starting…point; and yet all the while;
  as I saw you busy with horses and chariots and artillery; I consoled
  myself by thinking; 'when he is done with this he will have a little
  leisure for me。' And then came the terrible news that the whole world
  was gathering in arms against us; I could not deny that these were
  important matters; but still I felt certain; if all went well; a time
  would come at last when you need not grudge me your company; and we
  should be together to my heart's content; you and I。 '53' Now; the day
  has come; we have conquered in the great battle; we have taken Sardis
  and Babylon; the world is at our feet; and yesterday; by Mithras!
  unless I had used my fists a hundred times; I swear I could never have
  got near you at all。 Well; you grasped my hand and gave me greeting;
  and bade me wait beside you; and there I waited; the cynosure of every
  eye; the envy of every man; standing there all day long; without a
  scrap to eat or a drop to drink。 '54' So now; if any way can be found
  by which we who have served you longest can get the most of you; well
  and good: but; if not; pray send me as your messenger once more; and
  this time I will tell them they can all leave you; except those who
  were your friends of old。〃
  '55' This appeal set them all laughing; Cyrus with the rest。 Then
  Chrysantas the Persian stood up and spoke as follows:
  〃Formerly; Cyrus; it was natural and right that you should appear in
  public; for the reasons you have given us yourself; and also because
  we were not the folk you had to pay your court to。 We did not need
  inviting: we were with you for our own sakes。 It was necessary to win
  over the masses by every means; if they were to share our toils and
  our dangers willingly。 '56' But now you have won them; and not them
  alone; you have it in your power to gain others; and the moment has
  come when you ought to have a house to yourself。 What would your
  empire profit you if you alone were left without hearth or home? Man
  has nothing more sacred than his home; nothing sweeter; nothing more
  truly his。 And do you not think;〃 he added; 〃that we ourselves would
  be ashamed if we saw you bearing the hardships of the camp while we
  sat at home by our own firesides? Should we not feel we had done you
  wrong; and taken advantage of you?〃
  '57' When Chrysantas had spoken thus; many others followed him; and
  all to the same effect。 And so it came about that Cyrus entered the
  palace; and those in charge brought the treasures from Sardis thither;
  and handed them over。 And Cyrus when he entered sacrificed to Hestia;
  the goddess of the Hearth; and to Zeus the Lord; and to any other gods
  named by the Persian priests。
  '58' This done; he set himself to regulate the matters that remained。
  Thinking over his position; and the attempt he was making to govern an
  enormous multitude; preparing at the same time to take up his abode in
  the greatest of all famous cities; but yet a city that was as hostile
  to him as a city could be; pondering all this; he concluded that he
  could not dispense with a bodyguard for himself。 '59' He knew well
  enough that a man can most easily be assassinated at his meals; or in
  his bath; or in bed; or when he is asleep; and he asked himself who
  were most to be trusted of those he had about him。 A man; he believed;
  can never be loyal or trustworthy who is likely to love another more
  than the one who requires his guardianship。 '60' He knew that men with
  children; or wives; or favourites in whom they delight; must needs
  love them most: while eunuchs; who are deprived of all such dear ones;
  would surely make most account of him who could enrich them; or help
  them if they were injured; or crown them with honour。 And in the
  conferring of such benefits he was disposed to think he could outbid
  the world。 '61' Moreover the eunuch; being degraded in the eyes of
  other men; is driven to seek the assistance of some lord and master。
  Without some such protection there is not a man in the world who would
  not think he had the right to over…reach a eunuch: while there was
  every reason to suppose that the eunuch would be the most faithful of
  all servants。 '62' As for the customary notion that the eunuch must be
  weak and cowardly; Cyrus was not disposed to accept it。 He studied the
  indications to be observed