Cyrupædia The institution and life of Cyrus, the first of that name, King of Persians. Eight bookes. Treating of noble education, of princely exercises, military discipline, vvarlike stratagems, preparations and expeditions: as appeareth by the contents before the beginning of the first booke. Written in Greeke by the sage Xenophon. Translated out of Greeke into English, and conferred with the Latine and French translations, by Philemon Holland of the city of Coventry Doctor in Physick. Dedicated to his most excellent Maiesty.

CHAP. VII.

The oration of Cyrus to the Peeres and Chieftaines of his Army for to incite them to enterprise this warre with the better courage.

MY friends, chosen you I have, not as one who had good proufe of you at this present and not before: but in that I have seene, even from your Child-hood, with what alacrity you travaile in those things which the Common-wealth reputeth vertuous: and utterly abandon such as it dee∣meth vicious. But what motives induced me not unwillingly both to under∣take this high place of government, as also to call you forth into the Action, I am now minded to declare unto you. Thus much I observe, that our Aun∣cestors have in nothing beene inferiour unto us, as who evermore practised the deeds of vertue: But what benefit they have acquired being so brave men as they were, either in publike to the Persians Common-weale, or in private to their owne estates, I cannot yet perceive. For, surely, in mine opinion, men give not their minds to exercise any vertue for this end, that when they are be∣come good and honest, they should in nothing be preferred above the wicked. And even they that forbeare the fruition of pleasures presented unto them, doe it not because they would never joy any more: but, for that by such con∣tinent behaviour, they might in future time attaine to many and sundry de∣lights. They that desire to excell in eloquence, aime not in all their studies and meditations to this end, that they should never give ove•• the eloquent plea∣ding of causes: but their hope is, that when they have by their fine tongues perswaded men to their minds, they may to themselves purchase many great and goodly availes. Moreover, Martiall men that are emploid in feats of Armes, take not all this their paines, never to make an end of fighting: but even these men also, set this downe to themselves, that being once come to perfection in military prowesse, they shall win both to themselves and to their countrey much wealth, much happinesse and great honours. Now, if any men after their great toyle in these affaires, before they reaped any fruit there∣of, have carelessely suffered themselves to age, and thereby to grow unmeet for warre, in my conceit they fare much like, as if one desirous to be a good and thrifty husbandman, should sow well and plant his ground as well: but when he is to receive the encrease comming of his tillage and husbandry, suf∣fereth the corne not inned, to shed, and fall againe upon the ground. Or, as if some Champion when hee hath sustained much travaile, so as now he is thought a worthy victour, should never after enter into the lists and performe his devoyr. For, in my judgement, even such an one deserveth worthily to be condemned for his folly. Let not us therefore my souldiers be faulty in this kind: but considering we are privy to our owne hearts, and assured that even at first from our tender yeers we have beene trained up in noble and worthy

Acts, set me forward against those enemies, whom I know most certainly, by that which my selfe have seene in them already, to be unexpert in fight against us. Certes, for my part, I hold not these to be able souldiers, who howsoever they have the feat and knowledge, to shoot well, to dart likewise and ride as∣well, yet cannot endure any labour, but quaile when they are put unto it. But these our enemies, for any matter of paines taking, are very raw and untrained novices. Neither are they to be accompted good souldiers, who when they should watch cannot away withall: and our enemies here are such, as for their sleepe cannot of all things want it: Nor yet may they goe for good warriors, who albeit in the points abovesaid are sufficient enough, yet be to seeke how to carry themselves toward their friends, and how to enemies. And evident it is that these here be altogether to learne those disciplines which in warre be of greatest consequence. But as for you, able yee are to use the night in every point as well as others the day: yee repute labours to be the guides leading the way to pleasant life. Hunger yee reckon in stead of sauce* 1.1 and to drinke water, yee can endure better than the very Lyons. To conclude, the fayrest possession, the most precious treasure and best agreeable unto warriors that is, yee have laid up within your hearts: in that ye take more joy in being praised, than in all things else in the world. And they that are lovers of praise and re∣nowme, must needs for the attaining thereto, willingly undergoe all travell and abide all daunger. Now, if I should pronounce thus much of you, thinking and knowing otherwise, I doe but deceive my selfe: as upon whom the fault will redownd, incase no such thing be performed by you. But verily, such is your owne skill, your love also to me ward: such likewise is the blockish ig∣norance of our enemies, that I trust assuredly these good hopes will not faile mee. Only let us march on in this our journey with bold and couragious hearts: considering, it is farre from us to be thought for to covet other mens goods unjustly: for even now, as, our enemies are comming and begin first to deale wrongfully with us: so our friends call unto us for ayde. What then is there either more just than to put by an injury, or more honou∣rable, than to helpe our friends? Moreouer, in this regard I suppose you re∣pose not the least confidence, because I have not enterprised this expedition, with neglect of the Gods: For, being as yee are, privy unto many of my do∣ings, and much conversant with mee, yee know very well that not only in weighty affaires, but also in smaller matters, I use alwayes to begin in the name of the Gods. In conclusion, quoth he, what should I say more? when you have chosen and taken unto you elect men, and are otherwise in all points well and sufficiently provided, set forth towards the Medes. As for mee, repaire I will unto my Father, to the end that having with all speed learned of him the state of our enemies, I may accommodate you what I can in this affaire, and so with the power of God, make a right noble journey of it.

Notes

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