第 62 节
作者:这就是结局      更新:2021-02-20 14:16      字数:9322
  proclaimed and the prizes he offered to awaken ambition and desire for
  gallant deeds all redounded to his own glory as a man who had the
  pursuit of nobleness at heart; while they bred strife and bitter
  rivalry among the champions themselves。 '27' Further; he laid it down
  that in every matter needing arbitration; whether it were a suit…at…
  law or a trial of skill; the parties should concur in their choice of
  a judge。 Each would try to secure the most powerful man he knew and
  the one most friendly to himself; and if he lost he envied his
  successful rival and hated the judge who had declared against him;
  while the man who won claimed to win because his case was just and
  felt he owed no gratitude to anybody。 '28' Thus all who wished to be
  first in the affections of Cyrus; just as others in democratic states;
  were full of rancour against each other; in fact most of them would
  sooner have seen their rivals exterminated than join with them for any
  common good。 Such are some of the devices by which he made the ablest
  of his subjects more attached to himself than to one another。
  'C。3' I will now describe the first public progress that Cyrus made。
  For the very solemnity of the ceremony was one of the artifices by
  which he won reverence for his government。 The day before it he
  summoned the officers of state; the Persians and the others; and gave
  them all the splendid Median dress。 This was the first time the
  Persians wore it; and as they received the robes he said that he
  wished to drive in his chariot to the sacred precincts and offer
  sacrifice with them。 '2' 〃You will present yourselves at my gates;〃 he
  added; 〃before the sun rises; attired in these robes; and you will
  take your places where Pheraulas the Persian bids you on my behalf。 As
  soon as I lead the way you will follow in your appointed order。 And if
  any of you should think of some change to heighten the beauty and
  stateliness of our procession; you will acquaint me with it; I pray;
  on our return; it is for us to see that all is done in the manner you
  feel to be most beautiful and best。〃
  '3' With that Cyrus gave the most splendid robes to his chief
  notables; and then he brought out others; for he had stores of Median
  garments; purple and scarlet and crimson and glowing red; and gave a
  share to each of his generals and said to them; 〃Adorn your friends;
  as I have adorned you。〃 '4' Then one of them asked him; 〃And you; O
  Cyrus; when will you adorn yourself?〃 But he answered; 〃Is it not
  adornment enough for me to have adorned you? If I can but do good to
  my friends; I shall look glorious enough; whatever robe I wear。〃
  '5' So his nobles took their leave; and sent for their friends and put
  the splendid raiment on them。 Meanwhile Cyrus summoned Pheraulas;
  knowing that; while he was a man of the people; he was also quick…
  witted; a lover of the beautiful; prompt to understand and to obey;
  and one who had ever an eye to please his master。 It was he who had
  supported Cyrus long ago when he proposed that honour should be given
  in proportion to desert。 And now Cyrus asked him how he thought the
  procession might be made most beautiful in the eyes of friends and
  most formidable in the sight of foes。 '6' So they took counsel and
  were of the same mind; and Cyrus bade Pheraulas see that all was done
  on the morrow as they had agreed。
  〃I have issued orders;〃 he added; 〃for all to obey you in the matter;
  but to make them the more willing; take these tunics yourself and give
  them to the captains of the guard; and these military cloaks for the
  cavalry officers; and these tunics for those who command the
  chariots。〃
  '7' So Pheraulas took the raiment and departed; and when the generals
  saw him; they met him with shouts and cries; 〃A monstrous fine fellow
  you are; Pheraulas!〃 said one: 〃you are to give us our orders; it
  seems!〃
  〃Oh; yes;〃 said Pheraulas; 〃and carry your baggage too。 Here I come
  with two cloaks as it is; one for you and another for somebody else:
  you must choose whichever you like the best。〃
  '8' At that the officer put out his hand to take the cloak; he had
  clean forgotten his jealousy; and fell to asking Pheraulas which he
  had better choose。 And Pheraulas gave his advice; adding; 〃But if you
  inform against me; and let out that I gave you the choice; the next
  time I have to wait upon you you will find me a very different sort of
  serving…man。〃
  Thus he distributed the gifts he brought; and then he saw to the
  arrangements for the procession so that everything should be as far as
  possible。
  '9' On the morrow all things were ready before day…break; ranks lining
  the road on either hand; as they do to this day when the king is
  expected to ride abroadno one may pass within the lines unless he is
  a man of markand constables were posted with whips; to use at any
  sign of disturbance。
  In front of the palace stood the imperial guard of lancers; four
  thousand strong; drawn up four deep on either side of the gates。 '10'
  And all the cavalry were there; the men standing beside their horses;
  with their hands wrapped in their cloaks; as is the custom to this day
  for every subject when the king's eye is on him。 The Persians stood on
  the right; and the allies on the left; and the chariots were posted in
  the same way; half on one side and half on the other。 '11' Presently
  the palace…gates were flung open; and at the head of the procession
  were led out the bulls for sacrifice; beautiful creatures; four and
  four together。 They were to be offered to Zeus and to any other gods
  that the Persian priests might name。 For the Persians think it of more
  importance to follow the guidance of the learned in matters pertaining
  to the gods than in anything else whatever。
  '12' After the oxen came horses; an offering to the Sun; then a white
  chariot with a golden yoke; hung with garlands and dedicated to Zeus;
  and after that the white car of the Sun; wreathed like the one before
  it; and then a third chariot; the horses of which were caparisoned
  with scarlet trappings; and behind walked men carrying fire upon a
  mighty hearth。 '13' And then at last Cyrus himself was seen; coming
  forth from the gates in his chariot; wearing his tiara on his head;
  and a purple tunic shot with white; such as none but the king may
  wear; and trews of scarlet; and a cloak of purple。 Round his tiara he
  wore a diadem; and his kinsmen wore the same; even as the custom is to
  this day。 '14' And the king's hands hung free outside his cloak。
  Beside him stood a charioteerhe was a tall man; but he seemed to be
  dwarfed by Cyrus; whether it was really so; or whether there was some
  artifice at work; Cyrus towered above him。 At the sight of the king;
  the whole company fell on their faces。 Perhaps some had been ordered
  to do this and so set the fashion; or perhaps the multitude were
  really overcome by the splendour of the pageant and the sight of Cyrus
  himself; stately and tall and fair。 '15' For hitherto none of the
  Persians had done obeisance to Cyrus。
  And now; as the chariot moved onwards; the four thousand lancers went
  before it; two thousand on either side; and close behind came the
  mace…bearers; mounted on horseback; with javelins in their hands;
  three hundred strong。 '16' Then the royal steeds were led past; with
  golden bridles and striped housings; two hundred and more; and then
  followed two thousand spearmen and after them the squadron of cavalry
  first formed; ten thousand men; a hundred deep and a hundred riding
  abreast; with Chrysantas at their head。 '17' And behind them the
  second body of the Persian horse; ten thousand more; in the same
  order; under Hystaspas; and then again ten thousand under Datamas; and
  others behind them under Gadatas。 '18' And after them the Median
  cavalry; and then the Armenians; the Hyrcanians; the Cadousians; and
  the Sakians in their order; and after the cavalry a squadron of war…
  chariots; drawn up four deep; with Artabatas the Persian in command。
  '19' All along the route thousands of men followed; outside the
  barriers; with petitions to Cyrus。 Accordingly he sent his mace…
  bearers; who rode beside him for the purpose; three on either side of
  his chariot; bidding them tell the crowd of suitors; if they had need
  of anything; to acquaint one of the cavalry officers and he would
  speak for them。 So the petitioners withdrew; and fell to marching
  along the lines of the cavalry; considering whom they should address。
  '20' Cyrus meanwhile would send messengers to the friends he wished to
  be courted; saying to them; 〃If any man appeals to you and you think
  nothing of what he says; pay no heed to him; but if his request seems
  just; report it to me; and we will discuss it together and arrange
  matters for him。〃 '21' As a rule the officers so summoned did not
  loiter; but dashed up at full speed; glad to enhance the authority of
  Cyrus and to show their own allegiance。 But there was a certain
  Da?pharnes; a person of somewhat boorish manners; who fancied that he
  would make a show of greater independence if he did not hurry himself。
  '22' Cyrus noted this; and quietly; before the man could reach him;
  sent another messenger to say he had no further need of him; and that
  was the last time Da?phar