take my father to be; he who fears not only for his own liberty, but for mine, for that of his wife, and that of all his children?" Then Cyrus said "It does not seem at all improbable to me that your father is at this time affected in this manner; but it belongs to the same man to be in. solent and injurious in prosperity, and when broken in his fortune, to be dejected and sunk; and when re-established in his affairs, to become insolent again, and again to create disturbance." 66 Truly, Cyrus," said he, "our transgressions give you cause to distrust us: but you are at liberty to build fortresses, to keep possession of our places of strength, and to take whatever other pledge you please; and yet," said he, "you will not find us very uneasy under these sufferings; for we shall remember that we ourselves were the cause of them. But if by giving up our government to any of those who are free from guilt, you appear distrustful of us; look to it, lest at the same time you should be a benefactor to them, they shall think you no friend. And if, in caution against their enmity, you do not impose a yoke on them to prevent their injuries; look to it, that you come not under a greater necessity of reducing them to be considerate and humble, than you are now under of acting that part towards us." "By the gods!" said he, "it is, methinks, with displeasure that I make use of such servants as I know serve me by necessity and force; but those that I judge to act their parts in concert with me, out of friendship and good-will, these, I think, I can more easily bear with when they transgress, than with those that hate me, and who by force discharge their duty the most completely." Tigranes to this said: "And with whom can you ever acquire so great a friendship as you may with us?" "With those, as I take it, who have never been so much at enmity with us, provided I would be that friend and benefactor to them that you now desire me to be to you." "And can you possibly find, Cyrus," said he, "at this time any one whom it is in your power to gratify in so high a degree as you may my father? First," said he, "if you grant their lives to those who never did you any injury, what thanks will they pay you for it, think you? If you leave a man his wife and children, who can have greater friendship for you, on this score, than he who thinks they may be justly taken from him? Do you know any one that will be more afflicted than ourselves if the kingdom of Armenia be 66 not given them? And it is evident that he who is most afflicted that he is not king, when he receives the regal power will be the most grateful to you for it. And in case," said he, 'you are any-wise concerned that things should be left here in the least confusion and disorder, when you quit us, consider whether things are likely to be on a quieter footing under a new government, than if the old-accustomed government continue. If it be of any concern to you to draw from hence the greatest number of forces possible, who do you think will levy them better than he who has often made use of them? And if you want money, who do you reckon will better raise it than he who knows all, and is in possession of all? Good Cyrus," said he, "be careful, lest by rejecting us, you do yourself more mischief than my father has been able to do you." To this effect he spoke. And Cyrus was extremely pleased to hear him, thinking that he should be able to effect all that he had promised Cyaxares to do; for he remembered to have told him that he thought he should make the Armenian yet more his friend than before. On this, then, he inquired thus of the Armenian: "And if I comply with you in these things, tell me," said he, "what force will you send with me; and what money will you contribute to the war ?" To this the Armenian said: "Cyrus," said he, "I have no reply to make more plain or more just than to expose to you all the forces I have, that, viewing the whole, you may take with you whatever you will, and leave what you will for the guard of the country. In like manner with respect to our riches, it is just that I should discover to you all that I have, that, being apprised of all, you may carry off what you will of it and leave what you please of it." Then Cyrus said: "Proceed, then, and show me what forces you have, and tell me what your riches amount to." Here the Armenian replied: "The horse of the Armenians are eight thousand, and their foot forty thousand. Our riches, including the treasure my father left and reckoned in money, amount to more than three thousand talents." Then Cyrus, without hesitation said: "Since therefore," said he, "the Chaldeans that border on you are at war with you, send me half of your forces; and of your treasure, instead of fifty talents, which was the tribute you were to pay, give Cyaxares double that sum for your defect in the pay more; and I promise you, that if the gods enable me, I will, in return of what you lend me, either do you such services as shall be of greater value; or, if I am able, will count you down the money again; if I am not able to do it, I may then appear unable, but unjust I cannot be justly accounted." Then the Armenian said: "I conjure you by the gods, Cyrus, not to talk in that manner; if you do you will afflict me; but rather reckon," said he, "that what you leave behind is not less yours than what you carry off with you." "Be it so," said Cyrus; "but, to have your wife again, what money will you give me?" "All that I am able," said he. "What for your children?" "And for these too," said he, "all that I am able." "Here is then," said Cyrus, "already as much again as you have. And you, Tigranes," said he, "at what rate would you purchase the regaining of your wife?" Now he happened to be but lately married, and had a very great love for his wife. Cyrus," said he, "to save her from servitude I would ransom her at the expense of my life." "Take then your own to yourself," said he, "I cannot reckon that she is properly our captive; for you never fled from us. And do you, Armenian, take your wife and children without paying any thing for them, that they may know they come free to you. And now," said he, "pray take supper with us; and when that is over, go your ways wherever you please." So they stayed. 66 66 have for them, and for this reason they treat them as enemies. And I," said he, "bore hatred and ill-will to this man because I thought he made my son respect and admire him more than myself." Cyrus then said: . By the gods !" said he, "Armenian, I think you faulty, but in such a manner as human nature is often liable to be. And do you, Tigranes, forgive your father." Having at that time discoursed in this manner, and having treated each other with great kindness and friendship, as is natural on a reconciliation, they mounted their chariots in company with the women, and drove away well pleased. 66 When they came home one talked of Cyrus' wisdom, another of his patience and resolution, another of his mildness: one spoke of his beauty and the tallness of his person; and on that Tigranes asked his wife: "And do you," said he, " Armenian dame, think Cyrus handsome?" Truly," said she, "I did not look at him." "At whom then did you look ?" said Tigranes. At him who said that, to save me from servitude, he would ransom me at the expense of his own life." And after some entertainment of this kind, as was usual, they went together to rest. 66 The next day the Armenian sent presents of friendship to Cyrus, and to the whole army: he sent orders to those of his people that were to serve in this expedition to attend on the third day; and he paid down double the sum of money that Cyrus had mentioned. Cyrus, accepting the sum he had expressed, sent the rest back, and asked: "Which of them would command the army, whether his son or himself?" They both spoke together, and the father said: While they were together in the tent, Cyrus inquired thus: "Tell me," said he, " Tigranes, where is that man that used to hunt with us, and that you seemed much to admire ?" "Oh!" said he, "and has not this father of mine put him to death?" "And what crime did he dis-" Either of us that you shall order." The son cover him committing ?" "He said that he corrupted me and yet, Cyrus, so good and so excellent a man he was, that when he was going to die he sent for me and told me: "Tigranes,” said he, “do not bear ill-will to your father for putting me to death; for he does it not out of malice, but out of ignorance. And whatever errors men fall into by ignorance, I reckon all such involuntary." Cyrus on this said: "Alas! good man!" The Armenian then spoke thus. "They, Cyrus, who find strangers engaged in familiar commerce with their wives do not put them to death, and charge them as endeavouring to make their wives more discreet and modest; but they are of opinion that these men destroy that affection and love their wives said: "I assure you, Cyrus, that I will not leave you, though I serve in the army as a slave." Cyrus, laughing at this, said: "What would one give," said he, "that your wife heard you were to carry baggage!" "There is no need," said he, " that she should hear, for I will carry her with me; and by that means she may see what I do." "But it is full time," said he, "that you had all things ready to attend us." "Count on it," said he, "that we will be present at the time with all things ready that my father affords us." When the soldiers had been all thus entertained, and treated as friends, they went to rest. II. The next day Cyrus, taking Tigranes with him, and the best of the Median horse, to gether with as many of his own friends as he thought proper, marched round, viewing the country, and examining where to build a fortress. When they came to a certain eminence he asked Tigranes which were the mountains from whence the Chaldeans made their incursions to plunder the country. Tigranes showed them to him. He then inquired again: "And are these mountains entirely desert ?" "No, truly," said he; "but they have always certain scouts there, who give notice to the rest of whatever they observe." "And what do they do," said he, "when they have this notice ?" "They all then run to the eminences to defend themselves, every one as fast as he can." Cyrus gave attention to these things; and, viewing around, he observed a great part of the Armenian territory to be desert and uncultivated by reason of the war. They then retired to the camp; and, taking their supper, went to rest. heights were going to be attacked, gave their signal to their people, hallooed out to each other, and ran together. Cyrus then gave out orders in this manner; "Men of Persia ! they give us the signal of despatch; if we prevent them in gaining the heights, the efforts of the enemy will be of no significance." The Chaldeans had every one his shield and two javelins: they are said to be the most warlike people of all in that part of the world. Where they are wanted they serve for hire, being a warlike people and poor: for their country is mountainous, and but little of it fertile and rich. As Cyrus' men approached the heights, Tigranes, marching with Cyrus, spoke to him thus: Cyrus," said he, “do you know that we must presently come to action, and that the Armenians will not stand the attack of the enemy?" Cyrus, telling him that he knew it, made it presently be declared to the Persians that they should hold themselves in readiness, The next day Tigranes, with all things ready as being immediately to fall on; and to purprovided, joined him; having four thousand sue, as soon as the flying Armenians drew the horse, ten thousand archers, and as many tar-enemy down so as to be near them. So the geteers with him. Cyrus at the time they Armenians led on the Chaldeans, who were joined him made a sacrifice. When the vic-on the place, immediately on the approach of tims appeared to portend things fortunate and happy, he summoned the leaders of the Persians and Medes; and, when they were together, he spoke to them to this effect: Friends! those mountains that we see belong to the Chaldeans; if we can seize them, and have a fortress on the summit, both Armenians and Chaldeans will be obliged to act with modesty and submission towards us. Our sacrifice promises us success; and in the execution of a design nothing favours the inclinations of men so much as despatch. If we prevent the enemy and gain the mountains before they assemble, we may either take the summit entirely without a blow, or shall have but few and weak enemies to deal with. Of all labours, therefore, there is none more easy or more free from danger than resolutely to bear the fatigue of despatch. Haste, then, to arms! and do you, Medes, march on our left; and of you, Armenians, let half march on our right, and the other half lead on in front before us; and do you, the horse, follow in the rear, exhorting us, and pushing us up before you; and if any one acts remissly, do not you suffer him to do so." 66 Cyrus having said this led on, drawing the several companies into single files. The Chaldeans, as soon as they perceived that their the Armenians set up a cry; and, according to their custom, ran on them: the Armenians, according to their custom, did not stand to them. When the pursuing Chaldeans saw swordsmen fronting them, and marching up, they some of them came up close, and were presently killed; some fled, and some were taken; and the heights were immediately gained. As soon as Cyrus' men had gained the heights, they saw the habitations of the Chaldeans, and perceived them flying from such of those habitations as were near. Cyrus, as soon as the army was got together, ordered them to dinner. When dinner was over, having got information of the place where the Chaldeans planted their watch, he undertook the building of a fortress, that was very strong, and well supplied with water. He ordered Tigranes to send to his father, and bid him come away with all the carpenters and builders he could get. The messenger went his way to the Armenian. Cyrus applied himself to the building, with all the workmen he had at that time with him. Meanwhile they brought Cyrus the prisoners, some bound, and some wounded. As soon as he saw them he ordered those that were bound to be loosed; and, sending for the physicians, he ordered them to take care of the wounded. He then told the Chaldeans that he was not, other consideration that you desire peace, or 19 come either with a desire to destroy them, or it only because you think you shall live with with inclination to make war on them; but more security in peace than if you continue with intention to make peace between the the war, since we ourselves told you so?" Armenians and Chaldeans. "Before we got "We have other considerations," said the possession of your mountains, I know you had Chaldeans. "And what," said he, "if there are no desire of peace: your own concerns were still other advantages that may accrue to you by in safety; the effects of the Armenians you peace ?” We shall be still the more pleased," plundered at your pleasure. But now you see said they. "Do you think, therefore," said he, the condition you are in. Those of you there- "that your being a poor and needy people is fore that have been taken, I dismiss to your caused by any thing else but by the want of homes, and allow you, together with the rest good land." They agreed with him in this. of the Chaldeans, to consult amongst your- 'Well, then," said Cyrus, "would you willselves, whether you incline to make war with ingly be at liberty to cultivate as much of the us, or to be our friends: if war be your choice, Armenian territory as you pleased, paying the come no more hither without arms, if you are same for it that the Armenians do ?" 6. Yes," wise: if you think peace for your turn, come said they, "if we could be secure that we without arms. And, if you are friends, it shall should not be injured." "What say you, then, be my care that your affairs shall be established Armenian?" said he, "would you be willing on the best footing." The Chaldeans having to have your waste land cultivated on terms heard these things, after many praises bestowed that the farmers of it shall pay you the settled on Cyrus, and many assurances of friendship dues?" The Armenian said he would give a and trust given him, went home. great deal to have it so; for his revenue would be much improved by it. "And you,” said he, "Chaldeans, since you have mountains that are fertile, would you consent that the Armenians should use them for pasture, on condition that they who make use of them shall pay what is just and reasonable ?" The Chaldeans said that they would; for it would be a considerable profit to them, without any labour. “And you, Armenian," said he, "would you make use of the pastures of these men, if by allowing a small profit to the Chaldeans, you might make a much greater profit by it yourselves?" "Readily," said he, "if I thought I might do it securely." "And securely you might do it," said he, "if the summits were in the hands of your friends." The Armenian agreed: "But, truly," said the Chaldeans, “we should not be able to cultivate securely, neither the lands of these people, nor our own, if they are in possession of the summits." "But suppose," said he, "the summits are possessed by such as are friends to you." Thus, indeed," said they, 'things might do very well." But, indeed," said the Armenian, "things will not be well with us if these men come to be again possessed of the summits; especially when they are fortified." Then Cyrus said: "Thus therefore I will do: I will give up the summits to neither of you, but we will keep them ourselves: and if either of you injure the other, we will take part with the injured." When they heard this The Armenian, as soon as he heard what Cyrus had done, and the request he made him, took carpenters with him, and all things else that he thought necessary, and came to Cyrus with all possible despatch. As soon as he saw Cyrus he said to him: "O Cyrus! how few things in futurity are men able to foresee! and how many projects do we undertake! I have endeavoured on this occasion to obtain liberty, and I became more a slave than ever: and, after having been made captive, and thinking | our destruction certain, we now again appear to be in a condition of greater safety and security than ever: for these men never ceased doing us all manner of mischief; and I now find them just in the condition I wished. And be it known to you,” said he, “Cyrus, that to have so driven the Chaldeans from these heights, I would have given many times the money you received from me; and the services you promised to do us when you took the money you have now so fully performed, that we appear to be brought under new obligations to you, which, if we are not very bad men, we shall be ashamed not to discharge; and whatever returns we make, we shall not be found to have done so much as such a benefactor deserves." Thus spoke the Armenian. The Chaldeans came back, begging of Cyrus to make peace with them. Then Cyrus asked them: "Chaldeans!" said he, "is it on any 66 66 66 they both of them gave their applause, and to discharge the pay of those to whom it said: "Thus only can the peace be firm and comes due, and to honour and reward suc stable." On this they gave and received, mu- my fellow-soldiers as are deserving. On t tually, assurances of friendship and trust, and accounts I would have plenty of treasure stipulated to be both of them free and inde- think I want it; and to spare you would pendent of each other; to intermarry, to culti-pleasure to me; for I now reckon you vate, and feed each other's lands reciprocally, friends. But from the Indian I would gl and to be common allies and supporters of each other against whosoever should injure either of them. Thus were these matters then transacted: and these agreements, then made beween the Chaldeans and the possessor of Armenia, subsist still to this day. When the agreements were made they both presently applied themselves with zeal to the building of this fortress, as a common guard; and they jointly furnished all things necessary towards it. When evening came on he took both parties to sup with him, as being now friends. As they were at supper, one of the Chaldeans said: " That these things were such as all the rest of them wished for; but that there were some of the Chaldeans who lived by plunder, and who neither knew how to apply themselves to work, nor were able to do it, being accustomed to live by war for they were always employed on plunder, or hired out on some service; frequently to the king of the Indians; for he is one, said they, "that abounds in gold; and frequently to Astyages." Then Cyrus said: "And why do they not engage themselves to me? for I will give them as much as any other ever gave." They consented, and said: "That there would be a great many that would willingly engage in his service." These things were accordingly agreed. Cyrus, as soon as he heard that the Chaldeans frequently went to serve under the Indian, and remembering that there were certain persons that came from him to the Medes, to apprise themselves of the Median affairs, and went thence to the enemy, to get an insight likewise into their affairs, he was desirous that the Indian should be informed of what he had done he therefore began a discourse to this effect: "Tell me," said he, "Armenian, and you, Chaldeans, if I should send one of my people to the Indian, would you send with him some of yours, who should direct him in his way, and act in concert with him to obtain from the Indian the things that I desire? for I would procure some farther addition to my treasure, that I may have what will fully suffice accept something, if he would give it me. : III. The next day Cyrus sent away messenger, charging him with all that he before expressed. The Armenian and Chaldeans sent with him such men as judged most proper to act in concert with and to relate such things concerning Cyru were just and worthy of him. After this, Cyrus having supplied the for with a sufficient garrison, and with all th necessary, and leaving as governor a ce Mede, one that he judged would be agreeable to Cyaxares, marched away, ta with him both the army that he came and that which he had from the Armenia well as the men he had from the Chald who amounted to about four thousand, thought themselves better than all the rest When he came down into the inhal country, not one of the Armenians, ne man nor woman, kept within doors, bu |