第 39 节
作者:这就是结局      更新:2021-02-20 14:15      字数:9322
  wood。〃 '50' After a command of that kind; every one looks at every one
  else; and no one carries it out; every one is to blame; and no one is
  ashamed or afraid; because there are so many beside himself。 Therefore
  Cyrus always named the officers whenever he gave an order。
  '51' That; then; was his view of the matter。 The army now took supper
  and posted their guards and got their necessaries together and went to
  rest。 '52' And at midnight the horn was blown。 Cyrus had told
  Chrysantas he would wait for him at a point on the road in advance of
  the troops; and therefore he went on in front himself with his own
  staff; and waited till Chrysantas appeared shortly afterwards at the
  head of his cuirassiers。 '53' Then Cyrus put the guides under his
  command; and told him to march on; but to go slowly until he received
  a message; for all the troops were not yet on the road。 This done;
  Cyrus took his stand on the line of march; and as each division came
  up; hurried it forward to its place; sending messengers meanwhile to
  summon those who were still behind。 '54' When all had started; he
  despatched gallopers to Chrysantas to tell him that the whole army was
  now under way; and that he might lead on as quick as he could。 '55'
  Then he galloped to the front himself; reined up; and quietly watched
  the ranks defile before him。 Whenever a division advanced silently and
  in good order; he would ride up and ask their names and pay them
  compliments; and if he saw any sign of confusion he would inquire the
  reason and restore tranquillity。 '56' One point remains to add in
  describing his care that night; he sent forward a small but picked
  body of infantry; active fellows all of them; in advance of the whole
  army。 They were to keep Chrysantas in sight; and he was not to lose
  sight of them; they were to use their ears and all their wits; and
  report at once to Chrysantas if they thought there was any need。 They
  had an officer to direct their movements; announce anything of
  importance; and not trouble about trifles。
  '57' Thus they pressed forward through the night; and when day broke
  Cyrus ordered the mass of the cavalry to the front; the Cadousians
  alone remaining with their own infantry; who brought up the rear; and
  who were as much in need as others of cavalry support。 But the rest of
  the horsemen he sent ahead because it was ahead that the enemy lay;
  and in case of resistance he was anxious to oppose them in battle…
  order; while if they fled he wished no time to be lost in following up
  the pursuit。 '58' It was always arranged who were to give chase and
  who were to stay with himself: he never allowed the whole army to be
  broken up。 '59' Thus Cyrus conducted the advance; but it is not to be
  thought that he kept to one particular spot; he was always galloping
  backwards and forwards; first at one point and then at another;
  supervising everything and supplying any defect as it arose。 Thus
  Cyrus and his men marched forward。
  'C。4' Now there was a certain officer in the cavalry with Gadatas; a
  man of power and influence; who; when he saw that his master had
  revolted from Assyria; thought to himself; 〃If anything should happen
  to him; I myself could get from the king all that he possessed。〃
  Accordingly he sent forward a man he could trust; with instructions
  that; if he found the Assyrian army already in the territory of
  Gadatas; he was to tell the king that he could capture Gadatas and all
  who were with him; if he thought fit to make an ambuscade。 '2' And the
  messenger was also to say what force Gadatas had at his command and to
  announce that Cyrus was not with him。 Moreover; the officer stated the
  road by which Gadatas was coming。 Finally; to win the greater
  confidence; he sent word to his own dependents and bade them deliver
  up to the king of Assyria the castle which he himself commanded in the
  province; with all that it contained: he would come himself; he added;
  if possible; after he had slain Gadatas; and; even if he failed in
  that; he would always stand by the king。
  '3' Now the emissary rode as hard as he could and came before the king
  and told his errand; and; hearing it; the king at once took over the
  castle and formed an ambuscade; with a large body of horse and many
  chariots; in a dense group of villages that lay upon the road。 '4'
  Gadatas; when he came near the spot; sent scouts ahead to explore; and
  the king; as soon as he sighted them; ordered two or three of his
  chariots and a handful of horsemen to dash away as though in flight;
  giving the impression that they were few in number and panic…stricken。
  At this the scouting party swept after them; signalling to Gadatas;
  who also fell into the trap and gave himself up to the chase。
  The Assyrians waited till the quarry was within their grasp and then
  sprang out from their ambuscade。 '5' The men; with Gadatas; seeing
  what had happened; turned back and fled; as one might expect; with the
  Assyrians at their heels; while the officer who had planned it all
  stabbed Gadatas himself。 He struck him in the shoulder; but the blow
  was not mortal。 Thereupon the traitor fled to the pursuers; and when
  they found out who he was he galloped on with them; his horse at full
  stretch; side by side with the king。 '6' Naturally the men with the
  slower horses were overtaken by the better mounted; and the fugitives;
  already wearied by their long journey; were at the last extremity when
  suddenly they caught sight of Cyrus advancing at the head of his army;
  and were swept into safety; as glad and thankful; we may well believe;
  as shipwrecked mariners into port。
  '7' The first feeling of Cyrus was sheer astonishment; but he soon saw
  how matters stood。 The whole force of the Assyrian cavalry was rolling
  on him; and he met it with his own army in perfect order; till the
  enemy; realising what had happened; turned and fled。 Then Cyrus
  ordered his pursuing party to charge; while he followed more slowly at
  the pace he thought the safest。 '8' The enemy were utterly routed:
  many of the chariots were taken; some had lost their charioteers;
  others were seized in the sudden change of front; others surrounded by
  the Persian cavalry。 Right and left the conquerors cut down their
  foes; and among them fell the officer who had dealt the blow at
  Gadatas。 '9' But of the Assyrian infantry; those who were besieging
  the fortress of Gadatas escaped to the stronghold that had revolted
  from him; or managed to reach an important city belonging to the king;
  where he himself; his horsemen; and his chariots had taken refuge。
  '10' After this exploit Cyrus went on to the territory of Gadatas; and
  as soon as he had given orders to those who guarded the prisoners; he
  went himself to visit the eunuch and see how it was with him after his
  wound。 Gadatas came out to meet him; his wound already bandaged。 And
  Cyrus was gladdened and said; 〃I came myself to see how it was with
  you。〃 '11' 〃And I;〃 said Gadatas; 〃heaven be my witness; I came out to
  see how a man would look who had a soul like yours。 I cannot tell what
  need you had of me; or what promise you ever gave me; to make you do
  as you have done。 I had shown you no kindness for your private self:
  it was because you thought I had been of some little service to your
  friends; that you came to help me thus; and help me you did; from
  death to life。 Left to myself I was lost。 '12' By heaven above; I
  swear it; Cyrus; if I had been a father as I was born to be; God knows
  whether I could have found in the son of my loins so true a friend as
  you。 I know of sonsthis king of ours is such an one; who has caused
  his own father ten thousand times more trouble than ever he causes
  you。〃
  '13' And Cyrus made answer:
  〃You have overlooked a much more wonderful thing; Gadatas; to turn and
  wonder at me。〃
  〃Nay;〃 said Gadatas; 〃what could that be?〃
  〃That all these Persians;〃 he answered; 〃are so zealous in your
  behalf; and all these Medes and Hyrcanians; and every one of our
  allies; Armenians; Sakians; Cadousians。〃
  '14' Then Gadatas prayed aloud:
  〃O Father Zeus; may the gods heap blessings on them also; but above
  all on him who has made them what they are! And now; Cyrus; that I may
  entertain as they deserve these men you praise; take the gifts I bring
  you as their host; the best I have it in my power to bring。〃
  And with the word he brought out stores of every kind; enough for all
  to over sacrifice who listed; and the whole army was entertained in a
  manner worthy of their feat and their success。
  '15' Meanwhile the Cadousians had been always in the rear; unable to
  share in the pursuit; and they longed to achieve some exploit of their
  own。 So their chieftain; with never a word to Cyrus; led them forth
  alone; and raided the country towards Babylon。 But; as soon as they
  were scattered the Assyrians came out from their city of refuge in
  good battle…order。 '16' When they saw that the Cadousians were
  unsupported they attacked them; killing the leader himself and numbers
  of his men; capturing many of their horses and retaking the spoil they
  were in the act of driving away。 The king pursued as far as he thought
  safe; and then turned back; and the Cadousians at last found safety in
  their own camp; t