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arms；'they are the same thing on horseback。 ＇14＇ But now； to meet
the worst we can apprehend： suppose； before we are adepts； we are
called upon to run some risk； and then find that we are neither
infantry nor thoroughgoing cavalry？ This may be a danger； but we can
guard against it。 We have it always in our power to turn into infantry
again at a moment's notice。 I do not propose that by learning to ride
we should unlearn the arts of men on foot。〃
＇15＇ Thus spoke Cyrus； and Chrysantas rose to support him； saying：
〃For my part I cannot say I so much desire to be a horseman as flatter
myself that once I can ride I shall be a sort of flying man。 ＇16＇ At
present when I race I am quiet content if； with a fair start； I can
beat one of my rivals by the head； or when I sight my game I am happy
if； by laying legs to the ground； I can get close enough to let fly
javelin or arrow before he is clean out of range。 But when once I am a
horseman I shall be able to overhaul my man as far as I can see him；
or come up with the beasts I chase and knock them over myself or else
spear them as though they stood stock still； for when hunter and
hunted are both of them racing； if they are only side by side； it is
as good as though neither of them moved。 ＇17＇ And the creature I have
always envied；〃 he continued； 〃the centaurif only he had the
intelligence and forethought of a man； the adroit skill and the
cunning hand； with the swiftness and strength of a horse； so as to
overtake all that fled before him； and overthrow all that resisted
why； all these powers I shall collect and gather in my own person when
once I am a rider。 ＇18＇ Forethought I intend to keep with my human
wits； my hands can wield my weapons； and my horse's legs will follow
up the foe； and my horse's rush overthrow him。 Only I shall not be
tied and fettered to my steed； flesh of his flesh； and blood of his
blood； like the old centaur。 ＇19＇ And that I count a great improvement
on the breed； far better than being united to the animal； body and
soul。 The old centaur； I imagine； must have been for ever in
difficulties； as a horse； he could not use the wonderful inventions of
man； and as a man； he could not enjoy the proper pleasures of a horse。
＇20＇ But I； if I learn to ride； once set me astride my horse； and I
will do all that the centaur can； and yet； when I dismount； I can
dress myself as a human being； and dine； and sleep in my bed； like the
rest of my kind： in short； I shall be a jointed centaur that can be
taken to pieces and put together again。 ＇21＇ And I shall gain another
point or so over the original beast： he； we know； had only two eyes to
see with and two ears to hear with； but I shall watch with four eyes
and with four ears I shall listen。 You know； they tell us a horse can
often see quicker than any man； and hear a sound before his master；
and give him warning in some way。 Have the goodness； therefore；〃 he
added； 〃to write my name down among those who want to ride。〃
＇22＇ 〃And ours too；〃 they all cried； 〃ours too； in heaven's name！〃
Then Cyrus spoke： 〃Gentlemen； since we are all so well agreed； suppose
we make it a rule that every one who receives a horse from me shall be
considered to disgrace himself if he is seen trudging afoot； be his
journey long or short？〃
＇23＇ Thus Cyrus put the question； and one and all assented； and hence
it is that even to this day the custom is retained； and no Persian of
the gentle class would willingly be seen anywhere on foot。
＇C。4＇ In this debate their time was spent； and when it was past midday
the Median cavalry and the Hyrcanians came galloping home； bringing in
men and horses from the enemy； for they had spared all who surrendered
their arms。 ＇2＇ As they rode up the first inquiry of Cyrus was whether
all of them were safe； and when they answered yes； he asked what they
had achieved。 And they told their exploits in detail； and how bravely
they had borne themselves； magnifying it all。 ＇3＇ Cyrus heard their
story through with a pleasant smile； and praised them for their work。
〃I can see for myself；〃 he said； 〃that you have done gallant deeds。
You seem to have grown taller and fairer and more terrible to look on
than when we saw you last。〃
＇4＇ Then he made them tell him how far they had gone； and whether they
had found the country inhabited。 They said they had ridden a long way；
and that the whole country was inhabited； and full of sheep and goats
and cattle and horses； and rich in corn and every good thing。
＇5＇ 〃Then there are two matters；〃 he said； 〃to which we must attend；
first we must become masters of those who own all this； and next we
must ensure that they do not run away。 A well…populated country is a
rich possession； but a deserted land will soon become a desert。 ＇6＇
You have put the defenders to the sword； I know； and rightlyfor that
is the only safe road to victory； but you have brought in as prisoners
those who laid down their arms。 Now if we let these men go； I maintain
we should do the very best thing for ourselves。 ＇7＇ We gain two
points； first； we need neither be on our guard against them nor mount
guard over them nor find them victuals （and we do not propose to
starve them； I presume）； and in the next place； their release means
more prisoners to…morrow。 ＇8＇ For if we dominate the country all the
inhabitants are ours； and if they see that these men are still alive
and at large they will be more disposed to stay where they are； and
prefer obedience to battle。 That is my own view； but if any one sees a
better course； let him point it out。〃
＇9＇ However； all his hearers approved the plan proposed。 Thus it came
to pass that Cyrus summoned the prisoners and said to them：
＇10＇ 〃Gentlemen； you owe it to your own obedience this day that your
lives are safe； and for the future if you continue in this conduct； no
evil whatsoever shall befall you； true； you will not have the same
ruler as before； but you will dwell in the same houses； you will
cultivate the same land； you will live with your wives and govern your
children as you do now。 Moreover you will not have us to fight with；
nor any one else。 ＇11＇ On the contrary； if any wrong is done you； it
is we who will fight on your behalf。 And to prevent any one from
ordering you to take the field； you will bring your arms to us and
hand them over。 Those who do this can count on peace and the faithful
fulfilment of our promises； those who will not； must expect war； and
that at once。 ＇12＇ Further； if any man of you comes to us and shows a
friendly spirit； giving us information and helping us in any way； we
will treat him not as a servant； but as a friend and benefactor。
This；〃 he added； 〃we wish you to understand yourselves and make known
among your fellows。 ＇13＇ And if it should appear that you yourselves
are willing to comply but others hinder you； lead us against them； and
you shall be their masters； not they yours。〃
Such were his words； and they made obeisance and promised to do as he
bade。
＇C。5＇ And when they were gone； Cyrus turned to the Medes and the men
of Armenia； and said； 〃It is high time； gentlemen； that we should
dine； one and all of us； food and drink are pre