第 32 节
作者:这就是结局      更新:2021-02-20 14:15      字数:9322
  apparel; and everything to make it a comfortable home; he has only to
  understand that this is now his private property; and he must look
  after it himself。 But where the quarters are not furnished so well;
  there you must make it your business to supply what is lacking。 '40'
  There will be more than enough for this; of that I am sure; the enemy
  had a stock of everything quite out of proportion to our scanty
  numbers。 Moreover; certain treasurers have come to me; men who were in
  the service of the king of Assyria and other potentates; and according
  to what they tell me; they have a supply of gold coin; the produce of
  certain tributes they can name。 '41' You will send out a proclamation
  that this deposit must be delivered up to you in your quarters; you
  must terrify those who fail to execute the order; and then you must
  distribute the money; the mounted men should have two shares apiece
  for the foot…soldier's one; and you should keep the surplus; so that
  in case of need you may have wherewith to make your purchases。 '42'
  With regard to the camp…market; proclamation must be made at once;
  forbidding any injustice; the hucksters must be allowed to sell the
  goods they have brought; and when these are disposed of they may bring
  more; so that the camp may be duly supplied。〃
  '43' So the proclamations were issued forthwith。 But the Medes and the
  Hyrcanians asked Cyrus:
  〃How are we to distribute the spoil alone; without your men and
  yourself?〃
  '44' But Cyrus met question by question: 〃Do you really think;
  gentlemen; that we must all preside over every detail; each and all of
  us together? Can I never act for you; and you for me? I could scarcely
  conceive a surer way of creating trouble; or of reducing results。
  See;〃 said he; 〃I will take a case in point。 '45' We Persians guarded
  this booty for you; and you believe that we guarded it well: now it is
  for you to distribute it; and we will trust you to be fair。 '46' And
  there is another benefit that I should be glad to obtain for us all。
  You see what a number of horses we have got already; and more are
  being brought in。 If they are left riderless we shall get no profit
  out of them; we shall only have the burden of looking after them。 But
  if we set riders on them; we shall be quit of the trouble and add to
  our strength。 '47' Now if you have other men in view; men whom you
  would choose before us to share the brunt of danger with you; by all
  means give these horses to them。 But if you would rather have us fight
  at your side than any others; bestow them upon us。 '48' To…day when
  you dashed ahead to meet danger all alone; great was our fear lest you
  might come to harm; and bitter our shame to think that where you were
  we were not。 But if once we have horses; we can follow at your heels。
  '49' And if it is clear that we do more good so mounted; shoulder to
  shoulder with yourselves; we shall not fail in zeal; or if it appears
  better to support you on foot; why; to dismount is but the work of a
  moment; and you will have your infantry marching by your side at once;
  and we will find men to hold our horses for us。〃
  '50' To which they answered:
  〃In truth; Cyrus; we have not men for these horses ourselves; and even
  if we had them; we should not do anything against your wish。 Take
  them; we beg you; and use them as you think best。〃
  '51' 〃I will;〃 said he; 〃and gladly; and may good fortune bless us
  all; you in your division of the spoil and us in our horsemanship。 In
  the first place;〃 he added; 〃you will set apart for the gods whatever
  our priests prescribe; and after that you must select for Cyaxares
  what you think will please him most。〃
  '52' At that they laughed; and said they must choose him a bevy of
  fair women。 〃So let it be;〃 said Cyrus; 〃fair women; and anything else
  you please。 And when you have chosen his share; the Hyrcanians must
  see to it that our friends among the Medes who followed us of their
  own free will shall have no cause to find fault with their own
  portion。 '53' And the Medes on their side must show honour to the
  first allies we have won; and make them feel their decision was wise
  when they chose us for their friends。 And be sure to give a share of
  everything to the messenger who came from Cyaxares and to his retinue;
  persuade him to stay on with us; say that I would like it; and that he
  could tell Cyaxares all the better how matters stood。 '54' As for my
  Persians;〃 he added; 〃we shall be quite content with what is left
  over; after you are all provided for; we are not used to luxury; we
  were brought up in a very simple fashion; and I think you would laugh
  at us if you saw us tricked out in grand attire; just as I am sure you
  will when you see us seated on our horses; or; rather; rolling off
  them。〃
  '55' So they dispersed to make the distribution; in great mirth over
  the thought of the riding; and then Cyrus called his own officers and
  bade them take the horses and their gear; and the grooms with them;
  number them all; and then distribute them by lot in equal shares for
  each division。 '56' Finally he sent out another proclamation; saying
  that if there was any slave among the Syrians; Assyrians; or Arabians
  who was a Mede; a Persian; a Bactrian; a Carian; a Cilician; or a
  Hellene; or a member of any other nation; and who had been forcibly
  enrolled; he was to come forward and declare himself。 '57' And when
  they heard the herald; many came forward gladly; and out of their
  number Cyrus selected the strongest and fairest; and told them they
  were now free; and would be required to bear arms; with which he would
  furnish them; and as to necessaries; he would see himself that they
  were not stinted。 '58' With that he brought them to the officers and
  had them enrolled forthwith; saying they were to be armed with shields
  and light swords; so as to follow the troopers; and were to receive
  supplies exactly as if they were his own Persians。 The Persian
  officers themselves; wearing corslets and carrying lances; were for
  the future to appear on horseback; he himself setting the example; and
  each one was to appoint another of the Peers to lead the infantry for
  him。
  'C。6' While they were concerned with these matters; an old Assyrian
  prince; Gobryas by name; presented himself before Cyrus; mounted on
  horseback and with a mounted retinue behind him; all of them armed as
  cavalry。 The Persian officers who were appointed to receive the
  weapons bade them hand over their lances and have them burnt with the
  rest; but Gobryas said he wished to see Cyrus first。 At that the
  adjutants led him in; but they made his escort stay where they were。
  '2' When the old man came before Cyrus; he addressed him at once;
  saying:
  〃My lord; I am an Assyrian by birth; I have a strong fortress in my
  territory; and I rule over a wide domain; I have cavalry at my
  command; two thousand three hundred of them; all of which I offered to
  the king of Assyria; and if ever he had a friend; that friend was I。
  But he has fallen at your hands; the gallant heart; and his son; who
  is my bitterest foe; reigns in his stead。 Therefore I have come to
  you; a suppliant at your feet。 I am ready to be your slave and your
  ally; and I implore you to be my avenger。 You yourself will be a son
  to me; for I have no male children now。 '3' He whom I had; my only
  son; he was beautiful and brave; my lord; and loved me and honoured me
  as a father rejoices to be loved。 And this vile kinghis father; my
  old master; had sent for my son; meaning to give him his own daughter
  in marriage; and I let my boy go; with high hopes and a proud heart;
  thinking that when I saw him again the king's daughter would be his
  bride。 And the prince; who is now king; invited him to the chase; and
  bade him do his best; for he thought himself far the finer horseman of
  the two。 So they hunted together; side by side; as though they were
  friends; and suddenly a bear appeared; and the two of them gave chase;
  and the king's son let fly his javelin; but alas! he missed his aim;
  and then my son threwoh; that he never had!and laid the creature
  low。 '4' The prince was stung to the quick; though for the moment he
  kept his rancour hidden。 But; soon after that; they roused a lion; and
  then he missed a second timeno unusual thing for him; I imaginebut
  my son's spear went home; and he brought the beast down; and cried;
  'See; I have shot but twice; and killed each time!' And at this the
  monster could not contain his jealousy; he snatched a spear from one
  of his followers and ran my son through the body; my only son; my
  darling; and took his life。 '5' And I; unhappy that I am; I; who
  thought to welcome a bride…groom; carried home a corpse。 I; who am
  old; buried my boy with the first down on his chin; my brave boy; my
  well…beloved。 And his assassin acted as though it were an enemy that
  he had done to death。 He never showed one sign of remorse; he never
  paid one tribute of honour to the dead; in atonement for his cruel
  deed。 Yet his own father pitied me; and showed that he could share the
  burden of my grief。 '6' Had he lived; my old master; I would never
  have come to you to do him harm; many a kindness have I received from
  him; and many a service have I done him。 But now that