they will not be able so much as to thinke either of the one or the other. For,
as men once discomfited, they will state and looke upon us: and suspecting no∣thing
lesse, than that we are comming, they being neither set embattailed nor
provided to fight, will be surprised. If therefore we desire to sit at supper fee∣ding
merrily, to passe the night sleeping quietly, and in a word, hereafter to
live pleasantly: let us give them no respit, either to consult or prepare any
good thing for themselves, no nor so much as to know at all that we be men:
but thinke onely, that nought else is come among them but bucklers, courtill-axes,
glaives, browne-bills and bloudy wounds. And yee Hyrcanians, quoth
he, step forward upon them, and make way before us, that by the sight of your
armour, we may be in covert and unseene as long as possible it is. But, when
I am come close to the enemies armie, leave with me every of you a corner of
horsemen, to use as need requireth so long as I abide here with the armie. And
such of you as are Commaunders, chiefe-Officers and of the elder sort, see you
ride close in a thicke squadron togither, when yee charge them, if yee be wise:
least haply yee light upon their massive troupes, and so be borne downe by vio∣lence.
But, suffer the younger gallants to follow the chace, and let them have
the killing of the enemies. For, this is the safest way now, that we leave as few
of our enemies alive as may be. And if it come to passe (as it hapneth to many
winners) that we quite overthrow their fortunes, and breake their backes for
ever, take heed we must, that we fall not to pillage. For, he that so doth, is no
more a valiant souldier, but a base souldiers page, and such an one, any man that
will may use as his slave. This also ought we to know, that nothing is more
gainefull than victory. For, the victour presently carrieth all away with him at
once, men, women, money and goods, yea and the whole countrey withall.
Furthermore, this one thing would be thought upon especially: How we may
hold and reteine victorie. For, in it even the rifler and spoyler himselfe is com∣prised.
To conclude, remember this among the rest, in your chace, that yee
returne to mee while it is day-light. For, bee it once darke, wee will receive
none.
Cyrus having thus said, sent every man to his owne companie; commaun∣ding
them withall, that when they were thither come, each one should signifie
as much to their Decurions. For, seeing that these Decurions stood in the Front,
they might easily heare: who likewise were bidden every one to intimate as
much unto their severall Denaries under their charge. Thus the Hyrcanians led
the Vaward. Cyrus with the Persians conducted the maine battaile in the mids,
and so marched. As for the Horsemen, he marshalled them as meet it was, on
both sides like wings.