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never by word or deed did I commit injustice or foulness of any kind。〃
But here the words died on his lips； he burst into tears over his
sorrows； and could say no more。 ＇32＇ Cyrus was touched with pity at
his suffering and said to him：
〃Let me accept the horses； for in that I can help you； if I set loyal
riders on them； men of a better mind； methinks； than those who had
them before； and I myself can satisfy a wish that has long been mine；
to bring my Persian cavalry up to ten thousand men。 But take back； I
pray you； all these other riches； and guard them safely against the
time when you may find me able to vie with you in gifts。 If I left you
now so hugely in your debt； heaven help me if I could hold up my head
again for very shame。〃
＇33＇ Thereto Gadatas made answer； 〃In all things I trust you； and will
trust you； for I see your heart。 But consider whether I am competent
to guard all this myself。 ＇34＇ While I was at peace with the king； the
inheritance I had from my father was； it may be； the fairest in all
the land： it was near that mighty Babylon； and all the good things
that can be gathered from a great city fell into our laps； and yet
from all the trouble of it； the noise and the bustle； we could be free
at once by turning our backs and coming home here。 But now that we are
at war； the moment you have left us we are sure to be attacked；
ourselves and all our wealth； and methinks we shall have a sorry life
of it； our enemies at our elbow and far stronger than ourselves。 ＇35＇
I seem to hear some one say； why did you not think of this before you
revolted？ But I answer； Cyrus； because the soul within me was stung
beyond endurance by my wrongs； I could not sit and ponder the safest
course； I was always brooding over one idea； always in travail of one
dream； praying for the day of vengeance on the miscreant； the enemy of
God and man； whose hatred never rested； once aroused； once he
suspected a man； not of doing wrong； but of being better than himself。
＇36＇ And because he is a villain； he will always find； I know； worse
villains that himself to aid him； but if one day a nobler rival should
appearhave no concern； Cyrus； you will never need to do battle with
such an one； yonder fiend would deal with him and never cease to plot
against him until he had dragged him in the dust； only because he was
the better man。 And to work me trouble and disaster； he and his wicked
tools will； I fear me； have strength enough and to spare。〃
＇37＇ Cyrus thought there was much in what he said； and he answered
forthwith：
〃Tell me； Gadatas； did we not put a stout garrison in your fortress；
so as to make it safe for you whenever you needed it； and are you not
taking the field with us now； so that； if the gods be on our side as
they are to…day； that scoundrel may fear you； not you him？ Go now；
bring with you all you have that is sweet to look on and to love； and
then join our march： you shall be； I am persuaded； of the utmost
service to me； and I； so far as in me lies； will give you help for
help。〃
＇38＇ When Gadatas heard that； he breathed again； and he said：
〃Could I really be in time to make my preparations and be back before
you leave？ I would fain take my mother with me on the march。〃
〃Assuredly；〃 said Cyrus； 〃you will be in time： for I will wait until
you say that all is ready。〃
＇39＇ So it came to pass that Gadatas went his way； and with the aid of
Cyrus put a strong garrison in his fortress； and got together the
wealth of his broad estates。 And moreover he brought with him in his
own retinue servants he could trust and in whom he took delight； as
well as many others in whom he put no trust at all； and these he
compelled to bring their wives with them； and their sisters； that so
they might be bound to his service。
＇40＇ Thus Gadatas went with Cyrus； and Cyrus kept him ever at his
side； to show him the roads and the places for water and fodder and
food； and lead them where there was most abundance。
＇41＇ At last they came in sight of Babylon once more； and it seemed to
Cyrus that the road they were following led under the very walls。
Therefore he summoned Gobryas and Gadatas； and asked them if there was
not another way； so that he need not pass so close to the ramparts。
＇42＇ 〃There are many other ways； my lord；〃 answered Gobryas； 〃but I
thought you would certainly want to pass as near the city as possible；
and display the size and splendour of your army to the king。 I knew
that when your force was weaker you advanced to his walls； and let him
see us； few as we were； and I am persuaded that if he has made any
preparation for battle now； as he said he would； when he sees the
power you have brought with you； he will think once more that he is
unprepared。〃
＇435＇ But Cyrus said：
〃Does it seem strange to you； Gobryas； that when I had a far smaller
army I took it right up to the enemy's walls； and to…day when my force
is greater I will not venture there？ ＇44＇ You need not think it
strange： to march up is not the same as to march past。 Every leader
will march up with his troops disposed in the best order for battle
and a wise leader will draw them off so as to secure safety rather
than sped。 ＇45＇ But in marching past there is no means of avoiding
long straggling lines of waggons； long strings of baggage…bearers； and
all these must be screened by the fighting…force so as never to leave
the baggage unprotected。 ＇46＇ But this must mean a thin weak order for
the fighting…men； and if the enemy choose to attack at any point with
their full force； they can strike with far more weight than any of the
troops available to meet them at the moment。 ＇47＇ Again； the length of
line means a long delay in bringing up relief； whereas the enemy have
only a handsbreadth to cover as they rush out from the walls or
retire。 ＇48＇ But now； if we leave a distance between ourselves and
them as wide as our line is long； not only with they realise our
numbers plainly enough； but our veil of glittering armour will make
the whole multitude more formidable in their eyes。 ＇49＇ And； if they
do attack us anywhere； we shall be able to foresee their advance a
long way off and be quite prepared to give them welcome。 But it is far
more likely； gentlemen；〃 he added； 〃that they will not make the
attempt； with all that ground to cover from the walls； unless they
imagine that their whole force is superior to the whole of ours： they
know that retreat will be difficult and dangerous。〃
＇50＇ So Cyrus spoke； and his listeners felt that he was right； and
Gobryas led the army by the way that he advised。 And as one detachment
after another passed the city； Cyrus strengthened the protection for
the rear and so withdrew in safety。
＇51＇ Marching in this order； he came back at last to his first
starting…point； on the frontier between Assyria and Media。 Here he
dealt with three Assyrian fortresses： one； the weakest； he attacked
and took by force； while the garrisons of the other two； what with the
eloquence of Gadatas and the terror inspired by Cyrus； were persuaded
to surrender。
＇C。5＇ And now that his expedition was completed； Cyrus sent to
Cyaxares and urged him to come to the c