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. IIII.

How Cyrus challenged the King of Babylon to come into the field: and then making a league with Gadatas, wanne the fortresses of the Frontiers, and augmented his forces with a number of fortie thousand. And how the king of Assyria would have surprized and taken in the Castles of Gadatas.

THv s they set forward, and by the fourth day reached as farre as to the utmost marches of Gadatas his country. But so soone as Cyrus was en∣tred within the enemies land, he ordeined to have in battaile ray about his owne person, both of foot and horse as many as he thought sufficient. The residue of the horsemen, he permitted to make rodes, and to raunge abroad, charging them to kill whomsoever they found in armes: but all the rest, togi∣ther with the cattell that they tooke, to bring unto him alive. The Persians with the rest he commaunded to harry and over-runne the country. Many of them came backe againe, such as had tumbled downe from their horses and

were falne: and many brought away rich booties with them. Now when the whole pillage was before him: he assembled all the Chieftaines of the Medes and Hyrcanians, the* 1.1 Homotims likewise of Persia, unto whom he made this speech. Gobryas, my good friends, hath heretofore entertained us all, with ma∣ny gifts of hospitalitie. If now therefore, after wee have selected (as the man∣ner is) a due proportion for the Gods, and set by for the rest of the armie a competent part, wee bestow upon him the remnant of the spoiles, wee shall doe passing well: shewing our selves straightwayes to endevour for to sur∣mount those in courtesies who deserve so well at our hands. No sooner heard they this, but they all approoved yea and commended the motion: but one a∣bove the rest added moreover and said. Wee must in any case ô Cyrus so doe. For, thus Gabryas, as I take it, reputed us no better than beggers, because wee came not with our proofes full of Daricke purses, nor dranke in* 1.2 cups of gold. But if we thus doe, he wil perhaps acknowledge, that we may be liberall with∣out gold. Goe to therefore said Cyrus, when yee have delivered up unto the Priests the Deo-dands, and set aside as much as may suffice the armie, send for Gobryas, and let him have the residue. So after they had taken all that was meet and necessary, the surplusage they gave unto Gobryas.

This done, Cyrus marched against the very Citie of Babylon, with his armie arraunged in order of battaile, like as when the field was fought. Now when the Assyrians issued not forth against him, Cyrus commaunded Gobryas to ride on, and in his name to summon the King, saying, That if he would come out in person and fight for his country, himselfe would combat with him: but in case he would not defend his country, then of necessitie he must give place and submit unto the winners. So Gobryas rode so farre as hee might with safetie, and delivered the said Challenge. Vnto whom the King sent out one to returne his answere in these words. Thy Lord and Master, (Gobryas) saith, I repent mee not that I have slaine thy sonne, but because I killed not thee also with him. If yee are minded to fight, come thirtie dayes hence: For, now we have no leisure, and cannot intend it, being as yet but in preparation for a battaile. Vnto whom Gobryas said, God graunt that his repentance of yours may never have end. For, evident it is, that ever since it came upon you thus to repent, I am become a pricke in your sides. Then Gobryas related the answere of the Assyrian King unto Cyrus, which so soone as he heard, he raised his Camp and withdrew the Armie. And calling Gobryas unto him. Tell mee, quoth he, Said you not erewhile, that he whom the Assyrian [King] did evirate, would as you thought willingly side with us? Me thinks, said he, I dare warrant that he will. For many times hee and I have freely communed togither. When therefore you think it good, goe unto the man: but first handle the matter so as that yee may sound him and know what he saith. And after you have fami∣liarly talked with him, if you perceive him willing to friend us, devise what you can that he be not knowne to be our friend. For, in warre, neither can a man by any meanes more pleasure his friends than if he seeme to be their ene∣mie, nor endamage and hurt his enemies more any way, than if he make shew to be their friend. Certes, I know, quoth Gobryas, that Gadatas would give a great deale, to worke this king of Assyria some mischiefe, but it behooveth us to consider what he is able to doe? Tell mee then, quoth Cyrus. Thinke you that the Captaine of the Fortresse situate in the Frontiers of this country, which

yee say was built against the Hyrcanians and Sacans, to be a bulwarke in time of warre, for to defend these parts, will admit into it this Eunuch when hee commeth with his power? Yes verily, quoth Gobryas, if he come unto him unsuspected, as now he is. And farthest from all suspicion, saith Cyrus, hee should be, if I besiege and assault his holds as if I were desirous to winne them, and he againe make resistance and defend them with all his might: If I also for my part take somewhat of his, and he againe for it, intercept as much of ours: if he catch I say some others of our men, or else the very messengers whom I send unto those that yee say are enemies unto the Assyrian King: Also, if such as chaunce to be taken prisoners, give out and say, they are going to the armie and bringing ladders for to skale the foresaid Castle walles. Againe, if the Eunuch, as hearing thereof, make semblance, that hee is come to him with all speed, for to give intelligence aforehand of these occurrents. Surely, quoth Gobryas, I know very well, that if matters be thus carried, he will be ready to receive him, yea and intreat him to stay with him untill you be departed. And so, quoth Cyrus, being entred once into the Fort, he will be able easily to make us Masters thereof. It cannot otherwise bee by all likelyhood, saith Gobryas, whiles hee within practiseth and helpeth what he can, and you without more hotely give the assault: Goe your waies then, quoth Cyrus, and doe your ende∣vour, after you have acquainted the Eunuch with this plot, and dispatched e∣very thing accordingly, to be here prest and ready with mee. As for pledges of assurance, you shall neither promise nor shew unto him greater, than those which you have received from us. Hereupon Gobryas departed; whom the Eunuch was glad to see: and so they covenanted and agreed in all points that were meet and requisite. Now when Gobryas had related unto Cyrus, that hee thought all was well and sure enough on the Eunuches part, for the execution of these designments of Cyrus, the very morrow after he gave an assault, and Gadatas withstood him and defended the Peece. The Fort which Cyrus tooke, was the same that Gadatas had given order to be assaulted. As for the messengers whom Cyrus dispatched before with instructions whither to goe, Gadatas suffe∣red some of them to get away and escape, to the end they might bring the for∣ces forward and fetch skaling ladders: but such as he tooke, he examined by torture in the presence of many. And when hee heard by their confession, whereabout they went, hee addressed him immediately that very night to his journey, as if he would reveale the same. Finally, hee menaged the matter so, as that his words were credited: and so hee entreth the Castle as a friend, and one that would doe his devoyr to aide him. And verily, for the while, he joy∣ned with the Captaine of the said Castle, in making preparations all that hee could for the defense thereof. But when Cyrus was come, Gadatas with the helpe of those captives in Cyrus his armie, seized the Castle into his owne hands. Which done, presently this Gadatas the Eunuch, having settled all things in order within, came forth unto Cyrus, and doing his obeisance reverently, as the guise is, saluted him in this manner. Welcome Cyrus, as I may say, God save you and give you joy. And even so he doth truly, said Cyrus again. For, you with the helpe of God doe not onely bid mee, but compell me also to rejoyce. And I would have you to know for certeine, I am not a little proud, that I may leave this fortresse to our Associates here, in termes of friendship: As for your selfe Gadatas, the Assyrian King hath disabled for getting children, howbeit not

bere••t you of strength to get friends. For, perswade your selfe thus much, that by this deed of yours, you have made us so fast friends unto you, as that wee will endevour what wee may to stand to you as helpers and assistants, no lesse than if you had naturall children and* 1.3 nephewes of your owne. Thus said Cyrus. Whereupon the Hyrcanian Prince, who even now and not before un∣derstood what was done, ranne unto Cyrus, and taking him by the right hand, said: O noble Cyrus, the exceeding joy and comfort of your friends, how much bound in thankfulnesse by your meanes am I to the Gods, for that they have joyned mee in alliance to you? Goe you therefore, quoth Cyrus, Take possession of that Castle, for which you love mee so affectionately: yea and dispose of it so, as it may bee best worth and most acceptable to a friend of ours, to the rest of our confederates, and above all to this Gadatas, who hath wonne it and delivered it into our hands. But heare you Sir, quoth the Hyrca∣nian Prince, Shall we when as the Cadusians, Sacans and my subjects are met, call him also unto us, that wee may all, unto whom it apperteineth, lay our heads togither and consult, how to our best behoofe and benefit we may hold this fort? Hereto Cyrus also gave his assent. When they were met, whom the charge of the Castle concerned, they agreed in this, that they should joyntly have the keeping of it, unto whom it was commodious for to be a peaceable and friendly neighbour; to the end it might be, as, a warlike and defensive for∣tresse for themselves, so a strong skants and offensive to the Assyrians.

When this was done, the Cadusians, Sacans and Hyrcanians were much for∣warder in the service of warre, and came up unto him with their forces more cheerefully. And hereupon there assembled a power of the Cadusians to the number of twentie thousand light Targuatiers on foot, and foure thousand horsemen. Of Sacans ten thousand Archers on foot: and Carbires [or Ar∣chers on horsebacke] two thousand. The Hyrcanians also sent unto those that were there before, an addition of as many footmen as they could make; beside a supply of two thousand horsemen. For, beforetime they had left the greater part of their Cavallery at home, because the Cadusians and Sacans mainteined hostilitie with the Assyrians. But, all the time that Cyrus sate here about settling the estate of the Castle; the Assyrians inhabiting neere to those parts, many of them led away their horses thither; many brought and put into his hands their armour; For that by this time they stood in feare of all their bordering neighbours.

After this, came Gadatas unto Cyrus, advertising him of certeine messengers, who reported, how the Assyrian King, when he heard in what termes the said strong Castle stood, tooke it to the heart, and withall made preparation to in∣vade his country. And therefore, ô Cyrus, quoth he, if you will let me goe, I will doe my best to save my forts yet. As for other things I passe the lesse. Then Cyrus, Say you should at this present depart, when will you be at home? Sure∣ly, quoth Gadatas, by the third day I shall be able to suppe in mine owne land. Why! doe you thinke saith Cyrus, that you shall finde the Assyrian King there already? Yea verily, quoth he, I know I shall; For, the farther you seeme to have marched forward, the more hast will he make. By what time, quoth Cyrus, might I reach thither with my forces? Whereunto Gadatas made this answer. You have now my Lord, a great army already, neither can you get unto my habitation in lesse than sixe or seven dayes. Well, said Cyrus, Hie you thither.

Make you what speed you can for your part: I shall rid way and follow after, as well as I may. So Gadatas tooke his leave and departed. Then Cyrus cal∣ling togither all the Rulers and Chieftaines of his confederates, who seemed by this time in number to be many, and those right hardly and martiall men, in their Assembly made a speech to this effect.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The Peet•••• aforesaid
• * 1.2

  Goble••s, or bottles.
• * 1.3

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