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always free to wait on the commander…in…chief or carry orders along
the lines without leaving the troops unofficered： for the captains…of…
twelve and the captains…of…six stepped into the gaps； and absolute
order was preserved。 ＇12＇ So Cyrus assembled his staff and led them
along the lines； pointing out the merits of the combined forces and
the special strength of each； and thus he kindled in their hearts the
passion for achievement； and then he bade them return to their
regiments and repeat the lessons he had taught them； trying to implant
in their own men the same desire for action； so that one and all might
sally out in the best of heart； and the next morning they were to
present themselves at Cyaxares' gates。 ＇13＇ So the officers went away
and did as he commanded； and the next morning at daybreak they
assembled at the trysting…place； and Cyrus met them and came before
Cyaxares and said to him：
〃I know well that what I am about to say must often have been in your
own mind； but you have shrunk from suggesting it yourself lest it seem
that you were weary of supporting us。 ＇14＇ Therefore since you must
keep silence； let me speak for both of us。 We are all agreed that
since our preparations are complete we should not wait until the enemy
invades our territory before we give him battle； nor loiter here in a
friendly land； but attack him on his own ground with what speed we
may。 ＇15＇ For while we linger here； we injure your property in spite
of ourselves； but once on the enemy's soil； we can damage his； and
that with the best will in the world。 ＇16＇ As things are； you must
maintain us； and the cost is great； but once launched on foreign
service； we can maintain ourselves； and at our foe's expense。 ＇17＇
Possibly； if it were more dangerous to go forward than to stay here；
the more cautious might seem the wiser plan。 But whether we stay or
whether we go； the enemy's numbers will be the same； and so will ours；
whether we receive them here or join battle with them there。 ＇18＇
Moreover； the spirit of our soldiers will be all the higher and all
the bolder if they feel that they are marching against the foe and not
cowering before him； and his alarm will be all the greater when he
hears that we are not crouching at home in terror but coming out to
meet him as soon as we have heard of his advance； eager to close at
once； not holding back until our territory suffers； but prompt to
seize the moment and ravage his own land first。 ＇19＇ Indeed；〃 he
added； 〃if we do no more than quicken our own courage and his fears； I
would reckon it a substantial gain； and count it so much the less
danger for us and so much the more for him。 My father never tires of
telling me what I have heard you say yourself； and what all the world
admits； that battles are decided more by the character of the troops
than by their bodily strength。〃
＇20＇ He ended； and Cyaxares answered：
〃Cyrus； both you and all my Persian friends may feel sure that I find
it no trouble to maintain you； do not imagine such a thing； but I
agree with you that the time is ripe for an advance on the enemy's
land。〃
〃Then；〃 said Cyrus； 〃since we are all of one mind； let us make our
final preparations； and； if heaven will； let us set forth without
delay。〃
＇21＇ So they bade the soldiers prepare for the start； and Cyrus
offered sacrifices to Zeus the Lord and to the other gods in due
order； and prayed； 〃Look on us with favour； and be gracious to us；
guide our army； stand beside us in the battle； aid us in council； help
us in action； be the comrades of the brave。〃 Also he called upon the
Heroes of Media； who dwell in the land and guard it。 ＇22＇ Then； when
the signs were favourable and his army was mustered on the frontier；
he felt that the moment had come； and with all good omens to support
him； he invaded the enemy's land。 And so soon as he had crossed the
border he offered libations to the Earth and victims to the gods； and
sought to win the favour of the Heroes who guard Assyria。 And having
so done； once more he sacrificed to Zeus； the god of his fathers； and
was careful to reverence every other god who came before his mind。
＇23＇ But when these duties were fulfilled； there was no further pause。
He pushed his infantry on at once； a short day's march； and then
encamped； while the cavalry made a swift descent and captured much
spoil of every kind。 For the future they had only to shift their camp
from time to time； and they found supplies in abundance； and could
ravage the enemy's land at their ease while waiting his approach。 ＇24＇
Presently news came of his advance： he was said to be barely ten days'
off； and at that Cyrus went to Cyaxares and said： 〃The hour has come；
and we must face the enemy。 Let it not seem to friend or foe that we
fear the encounter： let us show them that we enjoy the fight。〃
＇25＇ Cyaxares agreed； and they moved forward in good order； marching
each day as far as appeared desirable。 They were careful to take their
evening meal by daylight； and at night they lit no fires in the camp：
they made them in front of it； so that in case of attack they might
see their assailants； while they themselves remained unseen。 And often
they lit other fires in their rear as well； to deceive the enemy； so
that at times the Assyrian scouts actually fell in with the advance…
guard； having fancied from the distance of the fires that they were
still some way from the encampment。
＇26＇ Meanwhile the Assyrians and their allies； as the two armies came
into touch； halted； and threw up an entrenchment； just as all
barbarian leaders do to…day； whenever they encamp； finding no
difficulty in the work because of the vast numbers at their command；
and knowing that cavalry may easily be thrown into confusion and
become unmanageable； especially if they are barbarians。 ＇27＇ The
horses must be tethered at their stalls； and in case of attack a dozen
difficulties arise： the soldier must loose his steed in the dark；
bridle and saddle him； put on his own armour； mount； and then gallop
through the camp； and this last it is quite impossible to do。
Therefore the Assyrians； like all barbarians； throw up entrenchments
round their position； and the mere fact of being inside a fastness
leaves them； they consider； the choice of fighting at any moment they
think fit。 ＇28＇ So the two armies drew nearer and nearer； and when
they were about four miles apart； the Assyrians proceeded to encamp in
the manner described： their position was completely surrounded by a
trench； but also perfectly visible； while Cyrus took all the cover he
could find； screening himself behind villages and hillocks； in the
conviction that the more sudden the disclosure of a hostile force the
greater will be the enemy's alarm。
＇29＇ During the first night neither army did more than post the
customary guards before they went to sleep； and on the next day the
king of Assyria； and Croesus； and their officers； still kept the
troops within their lines。 But Cyrus and Cyaxares drew up their men；
prepared to fight if the enemy advanced。
Ere long it was plain that they would not venture out that day； and
Cyaxares summoned Cyrus and his staff and said