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Ere long it was plain that they would not venture out that day； and
Cyaxares summoned Cyrus and his staff and said：
＇30＇ 〃I think； gentlemen； it would be well for us to march up to the
breastworks in our present order； and show them that we wish to fight。
If we do so；〃 he added； 〃and they refuse our challenge； it will
increase the confidence of our own men； and the mere sight of our
boldness will add to the enemy's alarm。〃
＇31＇ So it seemed to Cyaxares； but Cyrus protested： 〃In the name of
heaven； Cyaxares； let us do no such thing。 By such an advance we
should only reveal our numbers to them： they would watch us at their
ease； conscious that they are safe from any danger； and when we retire
without doing them any harm they will have another look at us and
despise us because of our inferiority in numbers； and to…morrow they
will come out much emboldened。 ＇32＇ At present；〃 he added； 〃they know
that we are here； but they have not seen us； and you may be sure they
do not despise us； they are asking what all this means； and they never
cease discussing the problem； of that I am convinced。 They ought not
to see us until they sally out； and in that moment we ought to come to
grips with them； thankful to have caught them as we have so long
desired。〃
＇33＇ So Cyrus spoke； and Cyaxares and the others were convinced； and
waited。 In the evening they took their meal； and posted their pickets
and lit watch…fires in front of their outposts； and so turned to
sleep。 ＇34＇ But early the next morning Cyrus put a garland on his head
and went out to offer sacrifice； and sent word to all the Peers of
Persia to join him； wearing garlands like himself。 And when the rite
was over； he called them together and said： 〃Gentlemen； the
soothsayers tell us； and I agree； that the gods announce by the signs
in the victims that the battle is at hand； and they assure us of
victory； they promise us salvation。 ＇35＇ I should be ashamed to
admonish you at such a season； or tell you how to bear yourselves： I
do not forget that we have all been brought up in the same school； you
have learnt the same lessons as I； and practised them day by day； and
you might well instruct others。 But you may not have noticed one
point； and for this I would ask a hearing。 ＇36＇ Our new comrades； the
men we desire to make our peersit may be well to remind them of the
terms on which Cyaxares has kept us and of our daily discipline； the
goal for which we asked their help； and the race in which they
promised to be our friendly rivals。 ＇37＇ Remind them also that this
day will test the worth of every man。 With learners late in life； we
cannot wonder if now and then a prompter should be needed： it is much
to be thankful for if they show themselves good men and true with the
help of a reminder。 ＇38＇ Moreover； while you help them you will be
putting your own powers to the test。 He who can give another strength
at such a crisis may well have confidence in his own； whereas one who
keeps his ideal to himself and is content with that； ought to remember
that he is only half a man。 ＇39＇ There is another reason；〃 he added；
〃why I do not speak to them myself； but ask you to do so。 I want them
to try to please you： you are nearer to them than I； each of you to
the men of his own division： and be well assured that if you show
yourselves stout…hearted you will be teaching them courage； and others
too； by deeds as well as words。〃
＇40＇ With that Cyrus dismissed them； and bade them break their fast
and make libation； and then take their places in the ranks； still
wearing their garlands on their heads。 As they went away he summoned
the leaders of the rearguard and gave them his instructions：
＇41＇ 〃Men of Persia； you have been made Peers and chosen for special
duties； because we think you equal to the best in other matters； and
wiser than most in virtue of your age。 The post that you hold is every
whit as honourable as theirs who form the front： from your position in
the rear you can single out the gallant fighters； and your praise will
make them outdo themselves in valour； while if any man should be
tempted to give way； your eyes will be upon him and you will not
suffer it。 ＇42＇ Victory will mean even more to you than to the others；
because of your age and the weight of your equipment。 If the men in
front call on you to follow； answer readily； and let them see that you
can hold your own with them； shout back to them； and bid them lead on
quicker still。 And now；〃 said he； 〃go back and take your breakfast；
and then join your ranks with the rest； wearing your garlands on your
heads。〃
＇43＇ Thus Cyrus and his men made their preparations； and meanwhile the
Assyrians on their side took their breakfast； and then sallied forth
boldly and drew up in gallant order。 It was the king himself who
marshalled them； driving past in his chariot and encouraging his
troops。
＇44＇ 〃Men of Assyria；〃 he said； 〃to…day you must show your valour。
To…day you fight for your lives and your land； the land where you were
born and the homes where you were bred； and for your wives and your
children； and all the blessings that are yours。 If you win； you will
possess them all in safety as before； but if you lose； you must
surrender them into the hands of your enemies。 ＇45＇ Abide； therefore；
and do battle as though you were enamoured of victory。 It would be
folly for her lovers to turn their backs to the foe； sightless；
handless； helpless； and a fool is he who flies because he longs to
live； for he must know that safety comes to those who conquer； but
death to those who flee； and fools are they whose hearts are set on
riches； but whose spirits are ready to admit defeat。 It is the victor
who preserves his own possessions and wins the property of those whom
he overcomes： the conquered lose themselves and all they call their
own。〃
＇46＇ Thus spoke the king of Assyria。
But meanwhile Cyaxares sent to Cyrus saying that the moment for attack
had come。 〃Although；〃 he added； 〃there are as yet but few of them
outside the trenches； by the time we have advanced there will be quite
enough。 Let us not wait until they outnumber us； but charge at once
while we are satisfied we can master them easily。〃
＇47＇ But Cyrus answered him； 〃Unless those we conquer are more than
half their number； they are sure to say that we attacked when they
were few； because we were afraid of their full force； and in their
hearts they will not feel that they are beaten； and we shall have to
fight another battle； when perhaps they will make a better plan than
they have made to…day； delivering themselves into our hands one by
one； to fight with as we choose。〃
＇48＇ So the messengers took back his reply； but meanwhile Chrysantas
and certain other Peers came to Cyrus bringing Assyrian deserters with
them； and Cyrus； as a general would； questioned the fugitives about
the enemy's doings； and they told him that the Assyrians were marching
out in force and that the king himself had crossed the trenches and
was marshalling his troops； addressing them in stirring words； as all
the listeners said。 ＇49＇ Then Chrysantas turned to Cyrus：
〃What if you also were to summon our me