Book 3
3.46
and CyaxaresCyaxares proposes an immediate attack sent to Cyrus to say that now was the time to advance upon the enemy. For said he, although those outside the fortifications are as yet but few, they will become many while we are advancing; let us therefore not wait until their numbers are more than our own, but let us go while yet we think we could defeat them easily.
3.47
But, Cyaxares, Cyrus answered, if it isCyrus wisely counsels delay not more than half of them that are defeated, you may rest assured that they will say that we attacked only a few because we were afraid of their main body, and they will maintain that they have not been defeated; the result will be that you will find another battle necessary; and then they may perhaps plan better than they have now in delivering themselves so completely to our disposal that we may fight as many or as few of them as we please.
3.48
The messengers received this answer and were gone. And at this juncture Chrysantas, the Persian, and certain other peers came up with some deserters. And Cyrus, as a matter of course, asked the deserters what was going on among the enemy; and they said that the troops were already coming out under arms and that the king was out in person marshalling them and addressing them with many earnest words of exhortation as they came out in succession. So, they said, those reported who heard him.
3.49
How would it do, Cyrus, Chrysantas thenThe value of exhortations to valour asked, for you to get your men together, too, while yet you may, and exhort them, and see if you also might make your soldiers better men.
