turned their faces, and made head against him; who not intending to seek honour with danger of his life, wheeled about and fled, being pursued unto a certain village that lay under a hill, on the top whereof he made a stand, rather in a bravery than with purpose to attempt upon these bold fellows any further. For he knew well that his brother's death had secured his estate, whom he would seem to have slain with his own hand, thinking that fact alone sufficient to give reputation to his valour; and this reputation he thought that he might now preserve well enough by shewing a manly look half a mile off. On the top of this hill therefore he advanced his standard, a golden eagle displayed on the top of a spear. This ensign might have encouraged his people, had not some of the Greeks espied it, who, not meaning that he should abide so near them, with all their power marched toward him. The king, discovering their approach, fled upon the spur; so that none remained in the place of battle, save only the Greeks, who had lost that day not one man, nor taken any other harm than that one of them was hurt with an arrow. Much they wondered that they heard no news of Cyrus, but thinking that he was pursuing the army, they thought it was fittest for them, having that day done enough, to return to their quarter and take their supper, to which they had good appetite, because the expectation of the king's coming had given them no leisure to dine.

SECT. V.

The hard estate of the Greeks after the fight; and how Artaxerxes in vain sought to have made them yield unto him.

IT was now about the setting of the sun, and they bringing home dark night with them found their camp spoiled, little or nothing being left that might serve for food; so that wanting victuals to satisfy their hunger, they refreshed their weary bodies with sleep. In the mean season Artaxerxes returning to his camp, which he entered by torchlight, could not enjoy the pleasure of his good fortune entire, because he perceived that the baseness of his people, and weakness of his empire, was now plainly discovered

to the Greeks; which gave him assurance, that if any of these who had beheld the shameful demeanour of his army should live to carry tidings home, it would not be long ere with greater forces they disputed with him for his whole seigniory. Wherefore he resolved to try all means whereby he might bring them to destruction, and not let one escape to carry tidings of that which he had seen to which purpose he sent them a brave message the next morning, charging them to deliver up their arms and come to his gate, to await there upon his mercy. It seems that he was in good hope to have found their high courages broken, upon report of his brother's death; but he was greatly deceived in that thought. For the Greeks being advertised that morning from Ariæus, a principal commander under Cyrus, that his master being slain, he had retired himself to the place of their last encamping, about eight miles from them, whence intending to return into Ionia his meaning was to dislodge the next day, awaiting for them so long, if they would join with him, but resolving to stay no longer; they sent answer back to Ariæus, that having beaten the king out of the field, and finding none that durst resist them, they would place Ariæus himself in the king's throne, if he would join with them and pursue the victory. Before they received any reply to this answer, the messengers of Artaxerxes arrived at the camp, whose errand seemed to the captains very insolent: one told them that it was not for the vanquishers to yield their weapons; another, that he would die ere he yielded to such a motion; a third asked, whether the king, as having the victory, required their weapons; if so, why did he not fetch them? or, whether he desired them in way of friendship; for then would they first know with what courtesy he meant to requite their kindness. To this question Phalinus a Grecian, waiting upon Tissaphernes, answered, That the king, having slain Cyrus, knew no man that could pretend any title to his kingdom, in the midst whereof he held them fast enclosed with great rivers, being able to bring against them such numbers of men as they wanted strength to kill if

they would hold up their throats, for which cause he accounted them his prisoners. These words, to them who knew themselves to be free, were nothing pleasant: therefore one told Phalinus, that having nothing left but their arms and valour, whilst they kept their arms, their valour would be serviceable; but should they yield them, it was to be doubted that their bodies would not long remain their own. Hereat Phalinus laughed, saying, This young man did seem a philosopher, and made a pretty speech; but that his deep speculation shewed his wits to be very shallow, if he thought with his arms and his valour to prevail against the great king. It seems that Phalinus being a courtier, and employed in a business of importance, thought himself too profound a statesman to be checked in his embassage by a bookish discourser. But his wisdom herein failed him: for whatsoever he himself was, (of whom no more is known than that he brought an unhonest message to his own countrymen, persuading them basely to surrender their weapons and lives to the merciless Barbarians,) this young scholar by him despised was that great Xenophon, who, when all the principal commanders were surprised by treachery of the Persians, being a private gentleman, and having never seen the wars before, undertook the conduct of the army, which he brought safe into Greece, freeing it from all those, and from greater dangers than Phalinus could propound. Some there were who promised to be faithful to the king, as they had been to Cyrus, offering their service in Egypt, where they thought Artaxerxes might have use of them. But the final answer was, that without weapons they could neither do the king good as friends, nor defend themselves from him as enemies. Hereupon Phalinus delivered the king's further pleasure, which was to grant them truce, whilst they abode where they then were, denouncing war if they stirred thence; whereunto he required their answer. Clearchus the general told him they liked it. How (saith Phalinus) must I understand you? As choosing peace, if we stay, otherwise war, said Clearchus. But whether war or peace? quoth this

politic ambassador. To whom Clearchus, (not willing to acquaint him with their purpose,) Let our doings tell you; and so dismissed him no wiser than he came. All that day the Greeks were fain to feed upon their horses, asses, and other beasts, which they roasted with arrows, darts, and wooden targets thrown away by the enemies.

SECT. VI.

How the Greeks began to return homewards.

AT night they took their way towards Ariæus, to whom they came at midnight, being forsaken by four hundred foot, and forty horse, all Thracians, who fled over to the king; by whom how they were entertained I do not find. Like enough it is that they were cut in pieces; for had they been kindly used, it may well be thought that some of them should have accompanied Tissaphernes, and served as stales to draw in the rest. Ariæus being of too base a temper and birth to think upon seeking the kingdom for himself, with such assistance as might have given it unto Cyrus, was very well pleased to make covenant with them for mutual assistance unto the last; whereunto both parts having sworn, he advised them to take another way homeward, which should be somewhat longer, yet safer and fitter to relieve them with victuals than that by which they came. The next day, having made a wearisome march, and tired the soldiers, they found the king's army which had coasted them, lodged in certain villages, where they purposed themselves to have encamped; towards which Clearchus made directly, because he would not seem by declining them to shew fear or weakness. That the king's men were contented to remove, and give place to their betters, it cannot be strange to any that hath considered their former behaviour; nor strange, that the Grecians, being weary and hungry, and lying among enemies in an unknown country, should be very fearful; but it is almost past belief, that the noise which was heard of these poor men, calling one to another tumultuously, as the present condition enforced them to do, should make the Persians fly out of their camp,

and so affright the great king, that instead of demanding their arms, he should crave peace of them. The next day, very early, came messengers from Artaxerxes, desiring free access for ambassadors to entreat of peace. Were it not that such particulars do best open the quality of the persons by whom things were managed, I should hold it fitter to run over the general passages of those times, than to dwell among circumstances. But surely it is a point very remarkable, that when Clearchus had willed the messengers to bid the king prepare for battle, because the Greeks (as he said) wanting whereupon to dine, could not endure to hear of truce till their bellies were full, Artaxerxes, dissembling the indignity, was contented sweetly to swallow down this pill, sending them guides who conducted them to a place where was plenty of victuals to relieve them.

SECT. VII.

How Tissaphernes, under colour of peace, betrayed all the captains of the Greeks.

HITHERTO the Greeks, relying upon their own virtue, had rather advanced their affairs than brought themselves into any straits or terms of disadvantage. But now came unto them the subtile fox Tissaphernes, who, circumventing the chief commanders by fine sleights, did mischievously entrap them, to the extreme danger of the army. He told them, that his province, lying near unto Greece, had caused him greatly to desire, that their deliverance might be wrought by his procurement; knowing well that in time to come both they, and their countrymen at home, would not be unthankful for such a benefit. Herewithal he forgot not to rehearse the great service that he had done to his master, being the first that advertised him of Cyrus's intent; and having not only brought him a good strength of men, but in the day of battle shewed his face to the Greeks, when all others turned their backs; that he, together with the king, did enter their camp, and gave chase to the Barbarians that stood on the part of Cyrus. All this, quoth he, did I allege to the king, entreating that he