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 unto his whole Campe. The opinions of Chrysantas and Pheraulas as touching that which Cyrus had proposed. And what was the conclusion and determination thereof.

THE morrow after, when Cyrus had gathered all his souldiers togither, he made a speech unto them in this manner: Friends we have a battaile toward: For, our enimies approach. And rewards belong only to victorie. If we be victours, certeine it is, that both the enimies will be ours, and likewise all the enimies goods: but if we be vanquished (for this must al∣waies be our saying) semblably, all our goods in case we be overcome, are present prizes and rewards evermore for the winners. Moreover, thus much yee ought to know, that if men taking part togither in warre, shall every one set downe this reckoning, that nothing will succeede well, vnlesse for their

parts and places they play the valiant men, they will soone atchieue many and those right braue exploits. For, such as they, will not neglect through slouth any seruice that is to be done. But when ech one thinketh, that some other man there will be to do the seruice & to fight, though himself sit still & take his ease: then make this full accompt and be sure, that there is no misfortune and calami∣ty, but all such persons must abide it. And verily, this after a sort is the ordinance of God: For, ouer those who will not enioyne themselves labour, to effect good things, he setteth others to rule and command. Now therefore, let some one arise up here and speake to the point, whether he thinketh, that it is like wee will giue our mindes to exercise vertue the rather, if he that is willing to travaile most and to enter into greatest daunger, shall obtaine also the greatest honour: or if he know, that it matters not at all if one bee a coward, seeing that all of us shall be rewarded alike? Then Chrysantas one of the* 1.1 Peeres a∣bove said arose. No big man was he of person to see to, nor strong, but of singular wisedome, who spake in this wise.

I suppose, quoth he, ô Cyrus, you propound not this case to be decided, be∣cause you thinke it meet, that cowards should by right have equall part with valiant men, but to try, whether any one will be seene to carry this minde, that although himselfe execute no good and commendable Act, yet hee would be full partner, and reape like fruit of those things, which others by their valour have atchieved? As for my selfe, quoth he, swift I am not of foot, nor yet a tall man of my hands. And full well I wote, that for any feats which I shall with my body performe; I cannot be raunged in the first, nor second, ne yet I suppose in the thousandth, no, nor peradventure in the ten thousandth place. And yet thus much also, I know for certeine, that if hardy men shall attempt any brave deeds, and doe their best, I shall have such part of some good com∣modities, as I am thought of right to deserve: but if both cowards and slow∣backs shall doe just nothing, and also the valorous and able men be put out of heart and discouraged, I feare me, quoth he, I shall have a part of any thing ra∣ther than that which is good, yea and in greater measure then I would.

When Chrysantas had thus said, there stood up after him Pheraulas a Persian Commoner, one in some sort ever since they came from home, inward with Cyrus and well accepted of him. A man for his body not unpersonable, and in regard of his minde, seeming no ignoble and base pesant, who made this speech.

I suppose ô Cyrus, quoth he, and yee Persians as many as are present, that we all endevour, and strive to the triall of vertue. For, I perceive that general∣ly wee acquaint our bodies to like diet: wee are admitted all, to semblable societies and meetings: and the very same acts of Prowesse are propounded to us all indifferently. For, to obey those that be in authority, is a point in com∣mon that concerneth all, and whosoever is known thus to doe without refusall & pretending excuse for the matter, him I see most honored at Cyrus his hands. Also, to be stout and valiant against the enemy, is a thing not deemed decent for one, and undecent for another: but even the same hath been judged already to be most seemly and honourable for all. But now, say I, a fight battaile also is presented unto us, unto which I see all men are fitted and skilfull by nature: like as other creatures are cunning every one in some fight or other, which they have learned of no other schoolemaster but of nature. As for example, the Bull

[or Oxe] is naturally taught to push with his home, the Horse to strike with his house, the Dog to bite with his mouth, and the Bore to wound with his tusk. And all these beasts know to avoid those things which are most to be taken heed of. And yet for this, they never frequented any Schoole at all. My selfe, when I was but a little one, knew even then, how to cast some thing in his way, who I thought would beat me. And if I had nothing else about mee, I would put forth both my hands and as much as possibly I could impeach him that was smiting of mee. And this did I untaught. For, beaten otherwhiles I was, if in defence of my selfe I opposed ought betweene. Being but a very child, I would catch up a sword, w••eresoever I could see it, not taught of any other so much as how to take and hold it, but onely by instinct of nature, as I suppose. Nay, I would thus doe, when I was not taught, but forbidden to doe it: Like as other things thereby, which notwithstanding I was restreined by my father and mother both, yet by nature I was enforced to practise: And, so helpe me Iupiter, as I loved to be striking with a sword, what ever I could reach covertly and not espyed. Neither was this unto me naturall onely, as to goe or to run, but besides the motion of nature that way, mee thought I found a pleasure and sweetnesse in so doing. Seeing then, quoth he, this fight is left un∣to us, wherein naturall courage is like to prevaile more than artificiall cunning: why should not we delight to enter into contention and aemulation with these * 1.2 Peeres: considering that the like rewards of fortitude be proposed unto us on both sides? and yet we know, that we for our parts hazard not alike. For, these here adventure an honourable life, which is the onely life of all others most pleasant, but we a painfull and laborious life in deed, but a life without ho∣nour, which I suppose is most odious and displeasant. And now, my fellow soldiers, this most of all inciteth me to entertein a contention and triall with them, For that Cyrus shall be our judge, who will not upon any envie deter∣mine partially: but I dare upon mine oath say, That I am verily perswaded in my heart, that whom soever Cyrus seeth to beare themselves valiantly, those he loveth no lesse than his owne heart. And this I perceive in him, that upon them here, he bestoweth what he hath with more pleasure, than keepeth it for him∣selfe: yet I am not ignorant: That these Peeres be h••gh minded Gentlemen, and of hautie stomacke, brought up and trained, as they are, to endure hunger, thirst and cold: Full little knowing that wee have learned even the same of a better Schoolemaster than they. For, there is no better Preceptour of these things than Necessitie, which hath taught us to be very perfect therein. As for these Gentlemen I say, enured they have beene to trauaile in bearing their ar∣mours which all men have devised to make so, as they might be borne most ea∣sily: but we were put to goe and runne also under great burdens: so that now, the carriage of harnois, seemeth unto me more like unto wings than burdens. And therefore, tak mee, ô Cyrus, for such an one as will doe my devoyr: and whatsoever I am, better or worse, I shall require to be honoured and advanced according to my worthinesse and not otherwise. And yee also, my friends, of the Commons, I exhort you that yee will arme your selves in this battaile to strive for the better, with these Gentlemen so well brought up. And now no doubt, quoth he, are these Gallants* 1.3 overtaken already in this triall with us the Commons. To this effect spake Pheraulas. There were also, many others beside, who rose up and accorded to both their speeches. Whereupon there

passed a Decree, That every man should be honoured and rewarded after his owne worth: and Cyrus to be Iudge thereof. And thus verily proceeded these matters.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Or, Knights, Homotimi.
• * 1.2

  Or, Gentl••••men.
• * 1.3

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