seeing that now he had peace at home。 ＇5＇ Thus Cyrus took his
departure； having gained not only the actual money he took away with
him； but a far ampler store of wealth； won by his own graciousness； on
which he could draw in time of need。
For the first night he encamped on the borders of Armenia； but the
next day he sent an army and the money to Cyaxares； who was close at
hand； as he had promised to be； while he himself took his pleasure in
hunting wherever he could find the game； in company with Tigranes and
the flower of the Persian force。
＇6＇ And when he came back to Media he gave gifts of money to his chief
officers； sufficient for each to reward their own subordinates； for he
held to it that； if every one made his own division worthy of praise；
all would be well with the army as a whole。 He himself secured
anything that he thought of value for the campaign； and divided it
among the most meritorious； convinced that every gain to the army was
an adornment to himself。
＇7＇ At every distribution he would take occasion to address the
officers and all whom he chose to honour in some such words as these：
〃My friends； the god of mirth must be with us to…day： we have found a
source of plenty； and we have the wherewithal to honour whom we wish
and as they may deserve。 ＇8＇ Let us call to mind； all of us； the only
way in which these blessings can be won。 We shall find it is by toil；
and watchfulness； and speed； and the resolve never to yield to our
foes。 After this pattern must we prove ourselves to be men； knowing
that all high delights and all great joys are only gained by obedience
and hardihood； and through pains endured and dangers confronted in
their proper season。〃
＇9＇ But presently； when Cyrus saw that his men were strong enough for
all the work of war； and bold enough to meet their enemies with scorn；
expert and skilful in the use of the weapons each man bore； and all of
them perfect in obedience and discipline； the desire grew in his heart
to be up and doing and achieve something against the foe。 He knew well
how often a general has found delay ruin his fairest armament。 ＇10＇ He
noticed； moreover； that in the eagerness of rivalry and the strain of
competition many of the soldiers grew jealous of each other； and for
this； if for no other reason； he desired to lead them into the enemy's
country without delay； feeling that common dangers awaken comradeship
among those who are fighting in a common cause； and then all such
bickerings cease； and no man is galled by the splendour of his
comrade's arms； or the passion of his desire for glory： envy is
swallowed up in praise； and each competitor greets his rivals with
delight as fellow…workers for the common good。
＇11＇ Therefore Cyrus ordered his whole force to assemble under arms；
and drew them up into battle…array； using all his skill to make the
display a wonder of beauty and perfection。 Then he summoned his chief
officers； his generals； his brigadiers； and his company…captains。
These men were not bound to be always in the ranks； and some were
always free to wait on the commander…in…chief or carry orders along
the lines without leaving the troops unofficered： for the captains…of…
twelve and the captains…of…six stepped into the gaps； and absolute
order was preserved。 ＇12＇ So Cyrus assembled his staff and led them
along the lines； pointing out the merits of the combined forces and
the special strength of each； and thus he kindled in their hearts the
passion for achievement； and then he bade them return to their
regiments and repeat the lessons he had taught them； trying to implant
in their own men the same desire for action； so that one and all might
sally out in the best of heart； and the next morning they were to
present themselves at Cyaxares' gates。 ＇13＇ So the officers went away
and did as he commanded； and the next morning at daybreak they
assembled at the trysting…place； and Cyrus met them and came before
Cyaxares and said to him：
〃I know well that what I am about to say must often have been in your
own mind； but you have shrunk from suggesting it yourself lest it seem
that you were weary of supporting us。 ＇14＇ Therefore since you must
keep silence； let me speak for both of us。 We are all agreed that
since our preparations are complete we should not wait until the enemy
invades our territory before we give him battle； nor loiter here in a
friendly land； but attack him on his own ground with what speed we
may。 ＇15＇ For while we linger here； we injure your property in spite
of ourselves； but once on the enemy's soil； we can damage his； and
that with the best will in the world。 ＇16＇ As things are； you must
maintain us； and the cost is great； but once launched on foreign
service； we can maintain ourselves； and at our foe's expense。 ＇17＇
Possibly； if it were more dangerous to go forward than to stay here；
the more cautious might seem the wiser plan。 But whether we stay or
whether we go； the enemy's numbers will be the same； and so will ours；
whether we receive them here or join battle with them there。 ＇18＇
Moreover； the spirit of our soldiers will be all the higher and all
the bolder if they feel that they are marching against the foe and not
cowering before him； and his alarm will be all the greater when he
hears that we are not crouching at home in terror but coming out to
meet him as soon as we have heard of his advance； eager to close at
once； not holding back until our territory suffers； but prompt to
seize the moment and ravage his own land first。 ＇19＇ Indeed；〃 he
added； 〃if we do no more than quicken our own courage and his fears； I
would reckon it a substantial gain； and count it so much the less
danger for us and so much the more for him。 My father never tires of
telling me what I have heard you say yourself； and what all the world
admits； that battles are decided more by the character of the troops
than by their bodily strength。〃
＇20＇ He ended； and Cyaxares answered：
〃Cyrus； both you and all my Persian friends may feel sure that I find
it no trouble to maintain you； do not imagine such a thing； but I
agree with you that the time is ripe for an advance on the enemy's
land。〃
〃Then；〃 said Cyrus； 〃since we are all of one mind； let us make our
final preparations； and； if heaven will； let us set forth without
delay。〃
＇21＇ So they bade the soldiers prepare for the start； and Cyrus
offered sacrifices to Zeus the Lord and to the other gods in due
order； and prayed； 〃Look on us with favour； and be gracious to us；
guide our army； stand beside us in the battle； aid us in council； help
us in action； be the comrades of the brave。〃 Also he called upon the
Heroes of Media； who dwell in the land and guard it。 ＇22＇ Then； when
the signs were favourable and his army was mustered on the frontier；
he felt that the moment had come； and with all good omens to support
him； he invaded the enemy's land。 And so soon as he had crossed the
border he offered libations to the Earth and victims to the gods； and
sought to win the favour of the Heroes who guard Assyria。 And having
so done； once more he sacrificed to Zeus； the god of his fathers； and
was careful to reverence every other god who came before his mind。
＇23＇ But when these duties were fulfilled； there was no further pause。
He pushed his infantry on at once； a short day's march； and then
encamped； while the cavalry made a swift descent and captured much
spoil of every kind。 For the future they had only to shift their camp
from time to time； and they found supplies in abundance； and could
ravage the enemy's land at their ease while waiting his approach。 ＇24＇
Presently news came of his advance： he was said to be barely ten days'
off； and at that Cyrus went to Cyaxares and said： 〃The hour has come；
and we must face the enemy。 Let it not seem to friend or foe that we
fear the encounter： let us show them that we enjoy the fight。〃
＇25＇ Cyaxares agreed； and they moved forward in good order； marching
each day as far as appeared desirable。 They were careful to take their
evening meal by daylight； and at night they lit no fires in the camp：
they made them in front of it； so that in case of attack they might
see their assailants； while they themselves remained unseen。 And often
they lit other fires in their rear as well； to deceive the enemy； so
that at times the Assyrian scouts actually fell in with the advance…
guard； having fancied from the distance of the fires that they were
still some way from the encampment。
＇26＇ Meanwhile the Assyrians and their allies； as the two armies came
into touch； halted； and threw up an entrenchment； just as all
barbarian leaders do to…day； whenever they encamp； finding no
difficulty in the work because of the vast numbers at their command；
and knowing that cavalry may easily be thrown into confusion and
become unmanageable； especially if they are barbarians。 ＇27＇ The
horses must be tethered at their stalls； and in case of attack a dozen
difficulties arise： the soldier must loose his steed in the dark；
bridle and saddle him； put on his own armour； mount； and then gallop
through the camp； and this last it is quite impossible to do。
Therefore the Assyrians； like all barbarians； throw up entrenchments
round their position； and the mere fact of being inside a fastness
leaves them； they consider； the choice of fighting at any moment they
think fit。 ＇28＇ So the two armies drew nearer and nearer； and when
they were about four miles apart； the Assyrians proceeded to encamp in
the manner described： their position was completely surrounded by a
trench； but also perfectly visible； while Cyrus took all the cover he
could find； screening himself behind villages and hillocks； in the
conviction that the more sudden the disclosure of a hostile force the
greater will be the enemy's alarm。
＇29＇ During the first night neither army did more than post the
customary guards before they went to sleep； and on the next day the
king of Assyria； and Croesus； and their officers； still kept the
troops within their lines。 But Cyrus and Cyaxares drew up their men；
prepared to fight if the enemy advanced。
Ere long it was plain that they would not venture out that day； and
Cyaxares summoned