Biographical fiction; Cyrus, King of Persia, -529 B.C. -- Fiction; Education of princes -- Fiction
"When you see them routed," he said, "you may take it that I am there,
and then make your rush, for that is the moment when you will find the
enemy weakest and your own men strongest. [18] And while there is time,
Abradatas, be sure to drive along your front and prepare your men for
the charge, kindle their courage by your looks, lift up their hearts by
your hopes. Breathe a spirit of emulation into them, to make them prove
themselves the flower of the chariot-force. Be assured if things go well
with us all men will say nothing is so profitable as valour."
[19] Accordingly Abradatas mounted his chariot and drove along the lines
to do as Cyrus bade.
Meanwhile Cyrus went on to the left where Hystaspas was posted with half
the Persian cavalry, and he called to him and said:
"Hystaspas, here is work to test your pace! If we are quick enough in
cutting off their heads, none of us will be slaughtered first."
[20] And Hystaspas answered with a laugh:
"Leave it to us! We'll see to the men opposite. But set some one to deal
with the fellows on our flank: it would be a pity for them to be idle."
And Cyrus answered, "I am going to them myself. But remember, Hystaspas,
to which ever of us God grants the victory, so long as a single foeman
is on the field, attack we must, again and again, until the last has
yielded."
[21] With that he passed on, and as he came to the flank he went up to
the officer in command of the chariots and said to him:
"Good, I intend to support you myself. And when you hear me fall on
the wing, at that instant do your best to charge straight through your
opponents; you will be far safer once outside their ranks than if you
are caught half-way."
[22] Then he went on to the rear and the carriages, where the two
detachments were stationed, a thousand horse and a thousand foot, and
told Artagersas and Pharnouchus, their leaders, to keep the men where
they were.
"But when," he added, "you see me close with the enemy on our right,
then set upon those in front of you: take them in flank, where they are
weakest, while you advance in line, at your full strength. Their lines,
as you see, are closed by cavalry; hurl your camels at these, and you
may be sure, even before the fighting begins, they will cut a comic
figure."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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