that Astiages his Father King of Medes was so old he could not live long, and therefore had no minde to be engaged in a long War, since when his Father died he was then to leave Cap∣padocia and go into Medea; and considering the state of things, how the Ponteans were more numerous then the Cappadocians, and that successe of warre is dubious, therefore he accepted the offer: The Controversie was to be determined within eight days. The Articles of Condi∣tions were these following.
1. That both Princes should draw off their Armies into those two Towns which were un∣der their respective subjections, and which were the Causes of the War.
2. That the Combat should be fought in that great Plain between the two Towns, and where now the Armies were entrenched, and those two Towns to be the utmost limits of them.
3. That either Prince should as he pleased, chuse those which should fight for their inte∣rest, without consideration of Rank or Quality, but that valour only was sufficient to be ad∣mitted into Combat.
4. That the Combatants of both sides, coming out of these two Towns at one time, should meet in the middle of the Plain where they were to fight.
5. That they should fight on foot, and have no other Arms, then each man two Javelins and a Sword, but not to bring any Bows or Arrows.
6. That the two enemy-Kings should stay the event of this Combat, each of them in the head of their own Army, neer the Town where they are to encamp, without any information but by the return of the Conqueror, it not being permitted unto the Conquered to return, or have any Quarter of Life from their enemies; nor either party to send any intelligence of disadvantage.
7. That the successe of the Combat being known; the two Kings, guarded only with two thousand men a peece, shall meet in the place of fight, as well to salute one another, as to ve∣rifie the report of the victorious.
8. That Hostages shall be given on both sides.
9. That these Hostages which shall remain in the two Camps, shall visit, and search the two hundred men which must fight, to the end, they shall bring no other Arms then is per∣mitted by Conditions.
10. That after the Combate, the Party vanquished shall abandon the Town, and draw off his Army into his own Country: that the Conquerour shall take Possession of that Town for which the Warre Commenced.
11. That the bodies of those two hundred men of the Parties vanquished, shall receive no ignominy, and that their Funerals shall be solemnized with honour together with those which are dead of the Party conquering, upon the place of Combate.
12. That after this, Peace shall be firmly established between the two Princes, and Com∣merce allowed between their Subjects, the King of Phrygia to be comprised within this Peace as an allie of the King of Pontes.
All these Articles being agreed upon, and signed by both Parties, they were published in both Camps, and both Armies began to move towards the Towns unto which by Articles they were to repair. The Princess hearing of it, desired to see her Father and came unto Anisa, the day before those who should be chosen Combatants were elected. I leave you to judge Sir, how all they who had a desire to purchase Fame and Honour, were solicitous to be accepted of in this service: and I leave you to judge also whither Artamenes and Phi∣lidaspes would not be with the formost. The last of these two did presume upon the favour of Aribees; and my Master, though he was extreamly thirsty of Honour, yet could not assure himself of that favour; for though he had done the King great service, and his va∣lour was sufficiently known, yet because he was a stranger, his fears were above his hopes, and that objection would be a great obstacle: yet he thought that if he were not accepted to be one of them, then all his hopes of Mandana would be quasht: For, said he, what can I do to obtain her esteem in a calm Court, where I shall finde no occasions of serving her? but if I could be an assistant to get this victory, I should then have some ground to build my hopes upon: But alas, I fear that I am not fortunate enough for that happiness, and I fear Philidaspes will be preferred before me, though he be a stranger as well as I: For, Sir, it is not to be imagined how these two young Gallants did in all their actions extreamly envy, at least emulate one another. The Princess was no sooner come, but Artamenes went im∣mediatly to her without my knowledge, and as soon as he found an opportunity, Madam, said he, I come to beg a favour, though I confess, I am unworthy of it: You are worthy