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Armenians； as was ever theirs； turned and ran。 ＇10＇ But in the midst
of the pursuit the Chaldaeans met new opponents streaming up the pass；
armed with short swords； and some of them were cut to pieces at once
before they could withdraw； while others were taken prisoners and the
rest fled； and in a few moments the heights were won。 From the top of
the pass Cyrus and his staff looked down and saw below them the
Chaldaean villages with fugitives pouring from the nearest houses。
＇11＇ Soon the rest of the army came up； and Cyrus ordered them all to
take the morning meal。 When it was over； and he had ascertained that
the look…out was really in a strong position； and well supplied with
water； he set about fortifying a post without more ado； and he bade
Tigranes send to his father and bid him come at once with all the
carpenters and stonemasons he could fetch； and while a messenger went
off to the king Cyrus did all he could with what he had at hand。
＇12＇ Meanwhile they brought up the prisoners； all of them bound in
chains and some wounded。 But Cyrus when he saw their plight ordered
the chains to be struck off； and sent for surgeons to dress their
wounds； and then he told them that he came neither to destroy them nor
to war against them； but to make peace between them and the Armenians。
〃I know；〃 he said； 〃before your pass was taken you did not wish for
peace。 Your own land was in safety and you could harry the Armenians：
but you can see for yourselves how things stand to…day。 ＇13＇
Accordingly I will let you all go back to your homes in freedom； and I
will allow you and your fellows to take counsel together and choose
whether you will have us for your enemies or your friends。 If you
decide on war； you had better not come here again without your
weapons； but if you choose peace； come unarmed and welcome： it shall
be my care to see that all is well with you； if you are my friends。〃
＇14＇ And when the Chaldaeans heard that； they poured out praises and
thanks； and then they turned homewards and departed。
Meanwhile the king； receiving the call of Cyrus； and hearing the
business that was at hand； had gathered his workmen together and took
what he thought necessary and came with all speed。 ＇15＇ And when he
caught sight of Cyrus； he cried： 〃Ah； my lord； blind mortals that we
are！ How little can we see of the future； and how much we take in hand
to do！ I set myself to win freedom and I made myself a slave； and now；
when we were captured and said to ourselves that we were utterly
undone； suddenly we find a safety we never had before。 Those who
troubled us are taken now； even as I would have them。 ＇16＇ Be well
assured； Cyrus；〃 he added； 〃that I would have paid the sum you had
from me over and over again simply to dislodge the Chaldaeans from
these heights。 The things of worth you promised me when you took the
money have been paid in full already； and we discover that we are not
your creditors； but deep in your debt for many kindnesses； and we
shall be ashamed not to return them； or we should be base indeed； for
try as we may； we shall never be able to requite in full so great a
benefactor。〃
＇17＇ Such thanks the Armenian gave。
Then the Chaldaeans came back； begging Cyrus to make peace with them。
And Cyrus asked them： 〃Am I right in thinking that you desire peace
to…day because you believe it will be safer for you than war； now that
we hold these heights？〃
And the Chaldaeans said that so it was。 ＇18＇ 〃Well and good；〃 said he。
〃And what if other benefits were gained by peace？〃 〃We should be all
the better pleased；〃 said they。 〃Is there any other reason；〃 he asked；
〃for your present poverty； except your lack of fertile soil？〃 They
said that there was none。 〃Well then；〃 Cyrus went on； 〃would you be
willing to pay the same dues as the Armenians； if you were allowed to
cultivate as much of their land as you desired？〃 And the Chaldaeans
said they would； if only they could rely on being fairly treated。 ＇19＇
〃Now；〃 said Cyrus； turning to the Armenian king； 〃would you like that
land of yours which is now lying idle to be tilled and made
productive； supposing the workers paid you the customary dues？〃 〃I
would； indeed；〃 said the king； 〃so much so that I am ready to pay a
large sum for it。 It would mean a great increase to my revenue。〃 ＇20＇
〃And you； Chaldaeans；〃 said Cyrus； 〃with your splendid mountains；
would you let the Armenians use them for pasture if the graziers paid
you what was fair？〃 〃Surely yes；〃 said the Chaldaeans； 〃it would mean
much profit and no pains。〃
〃Son of Armenia；〃 said Cyrus； 〃would you take this land for grazing；
if by paying a small sum to the Chaldaeans you got a far greater
return yourself？〃
〃Right willingly；〃 said he； 〃if I thought my flocks could feed in
safety。〃
〃And would they not be safe enough；〃 suggested Cyrus； 〃if this pass
were held for you？〃 To which the king agreed。 ＇21＇ But the Chaldaeans
cried； 〃Heaven help us！ We could not till our own fields in safety；
not to speak of theirs； if the Armenians held the pass。〃 〃True；〃
answered Cyrus； 〃but how would it be if the pass were held for you？〃
〃Ah； then；〃 said they； 〃all would be well enough。〃 〃Heaven help us！〃
cried the Armenian in his turn； 〃all might be well enough for them；
but it would be ill for us if these neighbours of ours recovered the
post； especially now that it is fortified。〃 ＇22＇ Then Cyrus said；
〃See； then； this is what I will do： I will hand over the pass to
neither of you： we Persians will guard it ourselves； and if either of
you injure the other； we will step in and side with the sufferers。〃
＇23＇ Then both parties applauded the decision； and said that only thus
could they establish a lasting peace； and on these terms they
exchanged pledges； and a covenant was made that both nations alike
were to be free and independent； but with common rights of marriage；
and tillage； and pasturage； and help in time of war if either were
attacked。 ＇24＇ Thus the matter was concluded； and to this day the
treaty holds between the Chaldaeans and Armenia。
Peace was no sooner made than both parties began building what they
now considered their common fortress； working side by side and
bringing up all that was needed。 ＇25＇ And when evening fell； Cyrus
summoned them all as fellow…guests to his board； saying that they were
friends already。 At the supper as they sat together； one of the
Chaldaeans said to Cyrus that the mass of his nation would feel they
had received all they could desire； 〃But there are men among us；〃 he
added； 〃who live as freebooters： they do not know how to labour in the
field； and they could not learn； accustomed as they are from youth up
to get their livelihood either by plundering for themselves or serving
as mercenaries； often under the king of India； for he is a man of much
wealth； but sometimes under Astyages。〃 ＇26＇ Then Cyrus said： 〃Why
should they not take service with me？ I undertake to give them at
least as much as they ever got elsewhere。〃 The Chaldaeans readily
agreed with him and prophesied that he would have many volunteers。
＇27＇ So this matter was settled to the mind of all。 But Cyrus； on
hearing that the Chaldaeans were in t