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brave should be done to death； drew off his soldiers who were fighting
round them； and would not let another man lift sword。
Then he sent them a herald asking if they wished to be cut to pieces
for the sake of those who had betrayed them； or save their lives and
keep their reputation for gallantry？ And they answered； 〃Is it
possible that we can be saved and yet keep our reputation
untarnished？〃 ＇42＇ And Cyrus said； 〃Surely yes； for we ourselves have
seen that you alone have held your ground and been ready to fight。〃
〃But even so；〃 said the Egyptians； 〃how can we act in honour if we
save ourselves？〃
〃By betraying none of those at whose side you fought；〃 answered Cyrus：
〃only surrender your arms to us； and become our friends； the friends
of men who chose to save you when they might have destroyed you。〃 ＇43＇
〃And if we become your friends；〃 said they； 〃how will you treat us？〃
〃As you treat us；〃 answered he； 〃and the treatment shall be good。〃
〃And what will that good treatment be？〃 they asked once more。 〃This；〃
said Cyrus： 〃better pay than you have had； so long as the war lasts；
and when peace comes； if you choose to stay with me； lands and cities
and women and servants。〃 ＇44＇ Then they asked him if he would excuse
them from one duty； service against Croesus。 Croesus； they said； was
the only leader who knew them； for the rest； they were content to
agree。 And so they came to terms； and took and gave pledges of good
faith。 ＇45＇ Thus it came about that their descendants are to this day
faithful subjects of the king； and Cyrus gave them cities； some in the
interior； which are still called the cities of the Egyptians； beside
Larissa and Kyllene and Kyme on the coast； still held by their
descendants。
When this matter was arranged darkness had already fallen； and Cyrus
drew off his army and encamped at Thymbrara。
＇46＇ In this engagement the Egyptians alone among the enemy won
themselves renown； and of the troops under Cyrus the Persian cavalry
was held to have done the best； so much so that to this day they are
still armed in the manner that Cyrus devised。 ＇47＇ High praise also
was given to the scythe…bearing chariots； and this engine of war is
still employed by the reigning king。 ＇48＇ As for the camels； all they
did was to scare the horses； their riders could take no part in the
slaughter； and were never touched themselves by the enemy's cavalry。
For not a horse would come near the camels。 ＇49＇ It was a useful arm；
certainly； but no gallant gentleman would dream of breeding camels for
his own use or learning to fight on camel…back。 And so they returned
to their old position among the baggage…train。
＇C。2＇ Then Cyrus and his men took their evening meal and posted their
pickets and went to rest。 But Croesus and his army fled in haste to
Sardis； and the other tribes hurried away homewards under cover of
night as fast and as far as they could。 ＇2＇ When day broke Cyrus
marched straight for Sardis； and when he came before the citadel he
set up his engines as though for the assault and got out his ladders。
But the following night he sent a scaling party of Persians and
Chaldaeans to climb the fortifications at the steepest point。 The
guide was a Persian who had served as a slave to one of the garrison
in the citadel； and who knew a way down to the river by which one
could get up。 ＇4＇ As soon as it became clear that the heights had been
taken； all the Lydians without exception fled from the walls and hid
wherever they could。 At daybreak Cyrus entered the city and gave
orders that not a man was to leave the ranks。 ＇5＇ Croesus； who had
shut himself up inside his palace； cried out on Cyrus； and Cyrus left
a guard round the building while he himself went to inspect the
captured citadel。 Here he found the Persians keeping guard in perfect
order； but the Chaldaean quarters were deserted； for the men had
rushed down to pillage the town。 Immediately he summoned their
officers； and bade them leave his army at once。 ＇6＇ 〃I could never
endure；〃 he said； 〃to have undisciplined fellows seizing the best of
everything。 You know well enough；〃 he added； 〃all that was in store
for you。 I meant to make all who served with me the envy of their
fellows； but now；〃 he said； 〃you cannot be surprised if you encounter
some one stronger than yourselves on your way home。〃
＇7＇ Fear fell on the Chaldaeans at this； and they intreated him to lay
aside his anger and vowed they would give back all the booty they had
taken。 He answered that he had no need of it himself。 〃But if；〃 he
added； 〃you wish to appease me； you will hand it over to those who
stayed and guarded the citadel。 For if my soldiers see that discipline
means reward； all will be well with us。〃
＇8＇ So the Chaldaeans did as he bade them； and the faithful and
obedient received all manner of good things。
Then Cyrus made his troops encamp in the most convenient quarter of
the town； and told them to stay at their posts and take their
breakfast there。 ＇9＇ That done； he gave orders that Croesus should be
brought to him； and when he came into his presence； Croesus cried：
〃Hail； Cyrus； my lord and master！ Fate has given you that title from
now henceforward； and thus must I salute you。〃
＇20＇ 〃All hail to you likewise；〃 answered Cyrus： 〃we are both of us
men。 And tell me now；〃 he continued； 〃would you be more willing to
advise me as a friend？〃 〃I should be more than glad；〃 said Croesus；
〃to do you any good。 It would mean good for myself； I know。〃 ＇11＇
〃Listen； then；〃 answered Cyrus： 〃I see that my soldiers have endured
much toil and encountered many dangers； and now they are persuaded
that they have taken the wealthiest city in all Asia； after Babylon。 I
would not have them cheated of their recompense； seeing that if they
win nothing by their labour； I know not how I can keep them obedient
to me for long。 Yet I am unwilling to give them this city over to
plunder。 I believe it would be utterly destroyed； and moreover I know
full well that in plunder the worst villains win the most。〃
＇12＇ To this Croesus answered； 〃Suffer me then to tell what Lydians I
please that I have won your promise that the city shall not be sacked；
nor their women and children made away with。 ＇13＇ I promise you in
return that my men will bring you willingly everything that is costly
and beautiful in Sardis。 If I can announce such terms； I am certain
there is not one treasure belonging to man or woman that will not be
yours to…morrow。 Further； on this day year； the city will overflow
once more with wealth and beauty。 But if you sack it； you will destroy
the crafts in its ruin； and they； we know； are the well…spring of all
loveliness。 ＇14＇ Howbeit； you need not decide at once； wait and see
what is brought to you。 Send first；〃 he added； 〃to my own treasuries；
and let your guards take some of my own men with them。〃
To all this Cyrus consented； and then he said：
＇15＇ 〃And now； O Croesus； tell me one thing more。 How did matters go
between you and the oracle at Delphi？ It is said that you did much
reverence to Apollo and obeyed him in all things。〃
＇16＇ 〃I could wish it had been so；〃 said Croesus； 〃but； truth to say；
from the begi