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much anxiety and concern； as one may well suppose。 The men went about
their work with an unusual quietness； their faces clouded over； or
gathered in knots and clusters everywhere； anxiously asking each other
the news and discussing the report。 ＇13＇ When Cyrus saw that fear was
in the camp； he called a meeting of his generals； and indeed of all
whose dejection might injure the cause and whose confidence assist it。
Moreover； he sent word that any of the attendants； or any of the rank
and file； who wished to hear what he had to say； would be allowed to
come and listen。 When they met； he spoke as follows：
＇14＇ 〃My friends and allies； I make no secret of the reason I have
called you here。 It was because I saw that some of you； when the
reports of the enemy reached us； looked like men who were panic…
stricken。 But I must say I am astonished that any of you should feel
alarm because the enemy is mustering his forces； and not be reassured
by remembering that our own is far larger than it was when we
conquered him before； and far better provided； under heaven； with all
we need。 ＇15＇ I ask you how you would have felt； you who are afraid
now； if you had been told that a force exactly like our own was
marching upon us； if you had heard that men who had conquered us
already were coming now； carrying in their hearts the victory they had
won； if you knew that those who made short work then of all our bows
and javelins were advancing again； and others with them； ten thousand
times as many？ ＇16＇ Suppose you heard that the very men who had routed
our infantry once were coming on now equipt as before； but this time
on horseback； scorning arms and javelins； each man armed with one
stout spear； ready to charge home？ ＇17＇ Suppose you heard of chariots；
made on a new pattern； not to be kept motionless； standing； as
hitherto； with their backs turned to the foe as if for flight； but
with the horses shielded by armour； and the drivers sheltered by
wooden walls and protected by breastplates and helmets； and the axles
fitted with iron scythes so that they can charge straight into the
ranks of the foe？ ＇18＇ And suppose you heard that they have camels to
ride on； each one of which would scare a hundred horses； and that they
will bring up towers from which to help their own friends； and
overwhelm us with volleys of darts so that we cannot fight them on
level ground？ ＇19＇ If this were what you had heard of the enemy； I as
you； once again； you who are now so fearful what would you have done？
You who turn pale when told that Croesus has been chosen commander…in…
chief； Croesus who proved himself so much more cowardly than the
Syrians； that when they were worsted in battle and fled； instead of
helping them； his own allies； he took to his heels himself。 ＇20＇ We
are told； moreover； that the enemy himself does not feel equal to
facing you alone； he is hiring others to fight for him better than he
could for himself。 I can only say； gentlemen； that if any individual
considers our position as I describe it alarming or unfavourable； he
had better leave us。 Let him join our opponents； he will do us far
more service there than here。〃
＇21＇ When Cyrus had ended； Chrysantas the Persian stood up and said：
〃Cyrus； you must not wonder if the faces of some were clouded when
they heard the news。 The cloud was a sign of annoyance； not of fear。
Just as if；〃 he went on； 〃a company were expecting breakfast
immediately； and then were told there was some business that must be
got through first； I do not suppose any of them would be particularly
pleased。 Here we were； saying to ourselves that our fortunes were
made； and now we are informed there is still something to be done； and
of course our countenances fell； not because we were afraid； but
because we could have wished it all over and done with。 ＇22＇ However；
since it now appears that Syria is not to be the only prizethough
there is much to be got in Syria； flocks and herds and corn and palm…
trees yielding fruitbut Lydia as well； Lydia the land of wine and
oil and fig…trees； Lydia； to whose shores the sea brings more good
things than eyes can feast on； I say that once we realise this we can
mope no longer； our spirits will rise apace； and we shall hasten to
lay our hands on the Lydian wealth without delay。〃
So he spoke； and the allies were well pleased at his words and gave
him loud applause。
＇23＇ 〃Truly； gentlemen；〃 said Cyrus； 〃as Chrysantas says； I think we
ought to march without delay； if only to be beforehand with our foes；
and reach their magazines before they do themselves； and besides； the
quicker we are； the fewer resources we shall find with them。 ＇24＇ That
is how I put the matter； but if any one sees a safer or an easier way；
let him instruct us。〃
But many speakers followed； all urging an immediate march； without one
speech in opposition； and so Cyrus took up the word again and said：
＇25＇ 〃My friends and allies； God helping us； our hearts； our bodies；
and our weapons have now been long prepared： all that remains is to
get together what we need for ourselves and our animals on a march of
at least twenty days。 I reckon that the journey itself must take more
than fifteen； and not a vestige of food shall we find from end to end。
It has all been made away with； partly by ourselves； partly by our
foes； so far as they could。 ＇26＇ We must collect enough corn； without
which one can neither fight nor live： and as for wine； every man must
carry just so much as will accustom him to drink water： the greater
part of the country will be absolutely devoid of wine； and the largest
supply we could take with us would not hold out。 ＇27＇ But to avoid too
sudden a change and the sickness that might follow； this is what we
must do。 We must begin by taking water with our food： we can do this
without any great change in our habits。 ＇28＇ For every one who eats
porridge has the oatmeal mixed with water； and every one who eats
bread has the wheat soaked in water； and all boiled meat is prepared
in water。 We shall not miss the wine if we drink a little after the
meal is done。 ＇29＇ Then we must gradually lessen the amount； until we
find that； without knowing it； we have become water…drinkers。 Gradual
change enables every creature to go through a complete conversion； and
this is taught us by God； who leads us little by little out of winter
until we can bear the blazing heat of summer； and out of heat back
again into the depths of winter。 So should we follow God； and take one
step after another until we reach our goal。 ＇30＇ What you might spend
on heavy rugs and coverlets spend rather on food： any superfluity
there will not be wasted： and you will not sleep less soundly for lack
of bedclothes； if you do； I give you leave to blame me。 But with
clothing the case is different： a man can hardly have too much of that
in sickness or in health。 ＇31＇ And for seasoning you should take what
is sharp and dry and salted； for such meats are more appetising and
more satisfying。 And since we may come into districts as yet unravaged
where we may find growing corn； we ought to take handmills for
grinding： these are the lightest machines for the purpose。