back the Medes without any delay. This unreasonable proceeding did not dismay Cyrus, who in return writ him a respectful letter; in which, however, he expressed himself with a generous and noble freedom, justified his own conduct, and put him in mind of the permission he had given him, of taking as many Medes with him as were willing to follow him. At the same time Cyrus sent into Persia for an augmentation of his troops, designing to push his conquests still farther. a Amongst the prisoners of war whom they had taken, there was a young princess of most exquisite beauty, whom they reserved for Cyrus. Her name was Panthea, the wife of Ábradates, king of Susiana. Upon the report made to Cyrus of her extraordinary beauty, he refused to see her ; for fear (as he said) such an object might engage his affection more than he desired, and divert him from the prosecution of the great designs he had in view. This singular moderation in Cyrus was undoubtedly an effect of the excellent education he had received: for it was a principal among the Persians, never to speak before young people of any thing that tended or related to love, lest their natural inclination to pleasure, which is so strong and violent at that age of levity and indiscretion, should be awakened and excited by such discourses, and should hurry them into follies and debaucheries. Araspes, a young nobleman of Media, who hat the lady in his custody, had not the same distrust of his own weakness, but pretended, that a man may be always master of himself. Cyrus committed the princess to his care, and at the same time gave him a very prudent admonition. "I "have seen a great many persons (says he) that have thought themselves very strong, wretchedly overcome by "that violent passion, in spite of all their resolution; who "have owned afterwards, with shame and grief, that their "passion was a bondage and slavery, from which they had "not the power to redeem themselves; an incurable dis"temper, out of the reach of all remedies and human efforts; a kind of bond or necessity, more difficult to force than "the strongest chains of iron." "Fear nothing (replied Araspes), I am sure of myself, and I will answer with my "life that I shall do nothing contrary to my duty." Nevertheless, his passion for this young princess increased, and by degrees grew to such a height, that finding her invincibly averse to his desires, he was upon the point of using violence towards her. The princess at length made Cyrus acquainted with his conduct, who immediately sent Artabasus to a Cyrop. lib. v. p. 114, 117. & I vi. p. 153, 155. b Ibid. lib i. p. 34. σιδήρῳ ἐδέδιντο. Araspes, with orders to admonish and reprove him in his name. This officer executed his orders in the harshest manner, upbraiding him with his fault in the most bitter terms, and with such a rigorous severity, as was enough to throw him into despair. Araspes, struck to the soul with grief and anguish, burst into a flood of tears; and being overwhelmed with shame and fear, thinking himself undone, had not a word to say for himself. Some days afterwards, Cyrus sent for him. He went to the prince in fear and trembling, Cyrus took him aside, and instead of reproaching him with severity as he expected, spoke gently to him; acknowledging that he himself was to blame, for having imprudently exposed him to so formidable an enemy. By such an unexpected kindness the young nobleman recovered both life and speech. But his confusion, joy, and gratitude, expressed themselves first in a torrent of tears. "Alas' (says he) now "I am come to the knowledge of myself, and find most plainly, that I have two souls; one, that inclines me to good; another, that incites me to evil. The former pre"vails, when you speak to me, and come to my relief: "when I am alone, and left to myself, I give way to, and "am overpowered by the latter." Araspes made an advantageous amends for his fault, and rendered Cyrus considerable service, by retiring among the Assyrians, under the pretence of discontent, and by giving intelligence of their measures and designs. 66 a The loss of so brave an officer, whom discontent was supposed to have engaged on the enemy's side, caused a great concern in the whole army. Panthea, who had occasioned it, promised Cyrus to supply his place with an officer of equal merit whereby she meant her husband Abradates. Accordingly, upon her writing to him, he repaired to the camp of the Persians, and was directly carried to Panthea's tent, who told him with a flood of tears, how kindly and handsomely she had been treated by the generous conqueror. And how (cried out Abradates) shall I be able to acknowledge so important a service ?” “ By behaving towards "him (replied Panthea) as he hath done towards me." Whereupon he waited immediately upon Cyrus, and paying his respects to so great a benefactor: "You see before you (says he to him) the tenderest friend, the most devoted ser"vant, and the faithfullest ally you ever had; who, not being able otherwise to acknowledge your favours, comes "and devotes himself entirely to your service." Cyrus received him with such a noble and generous air, accompanied by so much tenderness and humanity, as fully convinced him, 66 a Cyrop. l. vi. p. 155, 156. that whatever Panthea had said of the wonderful character of that great prince, was abundantly short of the truth. • Two Assyrian noblemen, likewise, who designed, as Cyrus was informed, to put themselves under his protection, rendered him extraordinary service. The one was called Gobryas, an old man, venerable both on account of his age and his virtue. The king of Assyria, lately dead, who was well acquainted with his merit, and had a very particular regard for him, had resolved to give his daughter in marriage to Gobryas's son, and for that reason had sent for him to court. This young nobleman, at a match of hunting, to which he had been invited, happened to pierce a wild beast with his dart, which the king's son had missed: the latter, who was of a passionate and savage nature, immediately struck him with his lance, through rage and vexation, and laid him dead upon the spot. Gobryas besought Cyrus to avenge so unfortunate a father, and to take his family under his protection; and the rather, because he had no children left now but an only daughter, who had long been designed for a wife to the young king, but could not bear the thought of marrying the murderer of her brother. This young king was called Laborosoarchod: he reigned only nine months, and was succeeded by Nabonid, called also Labynet and Belshazzar, who reigned seventeen years. The other Assyrian nobleman was called Gadatas : he was prince of a numerous and powerful people. The king then reigning had treated him in a very cruel manner, after he came to the throne; because one of his concubines had mentioned him as a handsome man, and spoken advantageously of the happiness of that woman whom he should choose for a wife. The expectation of this double succour was a strong inducement to Cyrus, and made him determine to penetrate into the heart of the enemy's country. As Babylon, the capital city of the empire he designed to conquer, was the chief object of his expedition, he turned his views and his march that way, not to attack that city immediately in form, but only to take a view of it, and make himself acquainted with it; to draw off as many allies as he could from that prince's party, and to make previous dispositions and preparations for the siege he meditated. He set out therefore with his troops, and first marched to the territories of Gobryas. The fortress he lived in seemed to be an impregnable place, so advantageously was it situated, and so strongly fortified on all sides. This nobleman came out to meet him, and ordered refreshments to be brought for his whole army. He then a Cyrop. l. iv. p. 111, 113. e Cyrop, hv. p. 173, 124. b A M. 3449. Ant. J. C, 555. 66 64 46 conducted Cyrus into his palace, and there laid an infinite number of silver and golden cups, and other vessels, at his feet, together with a multitude of purses, full of the golden coin of the country: then sending for his daughter, who was of a majestic shape and exquisite beauty, which the mourning habit she wore for her brother's death seemed still to enhance, he presented her to Cyrus, desiring him to take her under his protection, and to accept those marks of his acknowledgment, which he took the liberty to offer him. "I willingly accept your gold and silver (says Cyrus), and "I make a present of it to your daughter, to augment her "portion. Doubt not, but amongst the nobles of my court, you will find a match suitable for her. It will neither be her riches nor yours which they will value. I can assure you, there are many amongst them, that would make no account of all the treasures of Babylon, if they were un"attended with merit and virtue. It is their only glory, I "dare affirm it of them, as it is mine, to approve themselves "faithful to their friends, formidable to their enemies, and "respectful to the gods." Gobryas pressed him to take a repast with him in his house, but he stedfastly refused it, and returned into his camp with Gobryas, who staid and ate with him and his officers. The ground and the green turf that was upon it, was all the beds and couches they had; and it is to be supposed the whole entertainment was suitable. Gobryas who was a person of good sense, was convinced how much that noble simplicity was superior to his vain magnificence; and declared, that the Assyrians had the art of distinguishing themselves by pride, and the Persians by merit; and above all things he admired the ingenious vein of humour, and the innocent cheerfulness, that reigned throughout the whole entertainment. a Cyrus, always intent upon his great design, proceeded with Gobryas towards the country of Gadatas, which was beyond Babylon. In the neighbourhood there was a strong citadel, which commanded the country of the Saca and the Cadusians, where a governor for the king of Babylon resided to keep those people in awe. Cyrus made a feint of attacking the citadel. Gadatas, whose intelligence with the Persians was not yet known, by Cyrus's advice, made an offer to the governor of it, to join with him in the defence of that important place. Accordingly, he was admitted with all his troops, and immediately delivered it up to Cyrus. The possession of this citadel made him master of the country of the Sacæ and the Cadusians; and as he treated those people with great kindness and lenity, they remained inviolably attached to his service. The Cadusians raised an Not the Sacæ of Scythia, a Cyrop. l. v. p. 124-140. army of 20,000 foot and 4,000 horse; and the Sacæ furnished 10,000 foot and 2,000 horse archers. The king of Assyria took the field, in order to punish Gadatas for his rebellion. But Cyrus engaged and defeated him, making a great slaughter of his troops, and obliging him to retreat to Babylon. After which exploit the conqueror employed some time in ravaging the enemy's country. His kind treatment of the prisoners of war, in giving them all their liberty to go home to their habitations, had spread the fame of his clemency wherever he came. Numbers of people voluntarily surrendered to him, and very much augmented his army. Then advancing near the city of Babylon, he sent the king of Assyria a personal challenge to terminate their quarrel by a single combat: but his challenge was not. accepted. In order to secure the peace and tranquillity of his allies during his absence, he made a kind of a truce, or treaty, with the king of Assyria, by which it was agreed on both sides, that the husbandmen should not be molested, but should have full liberty to cultivate their lands, and reap the fruits of their labour. Therefore, after having viewed the country, examined the situation of Babylon, acquired a considerable number of friends and allies, and greatly augmented his cavalry, he marched away on his return to Media. a When he came near the frontiers, he sent a messenger to Cyaxares, to acquaint him with his arrival and to receive his commands. Cyaxares did not think proper to admit so great an army into his country; and an army, that was going to receive a further augmentation of 40,000 men, just arrived from Persia. He therefore set out the next day with what cavalry he had left, to join Cyrus; who likewise advanced forwards to meet him with his cavalry, that was very fine and numerous. The sight of those troops rekindled the jealousy and dissatisfaction of Cyaxares. He received his nephew in a very cold manner, turned away his face from him, to avoid the receiving of his salute, and even wept through vexation. Cyrus commanded all the company to retire, and entered into a conversation with his uncle, for explaining himself with the more freedom. He spoke to him with so much temper, submission, and reason; gave him such strong proofs of his integrity, respect, and inviolable attachment to his person and interest, that in a moment he dispelled all his suspicions, and perfectly recovered his favour and good opinion. They embraced one another, and tears were shed on both sides. How great the joy of the Persians and Medes was, who waited the event of this interview with anxiety and trembling, is not to be expressed. Cyaxares and Cyrus immediв Сугор. 1. . р. 141-147. |