spirits are ready to admit defeat. It is the victor who preserves his
own possessions and wins the property of those whom he overcomes: the
conquered lose themselves and all they call their own."

[46] Thus spoke the king of Assyria.

But meanwhile Cyaxares sent to Cyrus saying that the moment for attack
had come. "Although," he added, "there are as yet but few of them
outside the trenches, by the time we have advanced there will be quite
enough. Let us not wait until they outnumber us, but charge at once
while we are satisfied we can master them easily."

[47] But Cyrus answered him, "Unless those we conquer are more than half
their number, they are sure to say that we attacked when they were few,
because we were afraid of their full force, and in their hearts they
will not feel that they are beaten; and we shall have to fight another
battle, when perhaps they will make a better plan than they have made
to-day, delivering themselves into our hands one by one, to fight with
as we choose."

[48] So the messengers took back his reply, but meanwhile Chrysantas and
certain other Peers came to Cyrus bringing Assyrian deserters with
them, and Cyrus, as a general would, questioned the fugitives about the
enemy's doings, and they told him that the Assyrians were marching out
in force and that the king himself had crossed the trenches and was
marshalling his troops, addressing them in stirring words, as all the
listeners said. [49] Then Chrysantas turned to Cyrus:

"What if you also were to summon our men, while there is yet time, and
inspire them with your words?"

[50] But Cyrus answered:

"Do not be disturbed by the thought of the Assyrian's exhortations;
there are no words so fine that they can turn cowards into brave men
on the day of hearing, nor make good archers out of bad, nor doughty
spearmen, nor skilful riders, no, nor even teach men to use their arms
and legs if they have not learnt before."

[51] "But," replied Chrysantas, "could you not make the brave men braver
still, and the good better?"

"What!" cried Cyrus, "can one solitary speech fill the hearer's soul on
the selfsame day with honour and uprightness, guard him from all that is
base, spur him to undergo, as he ought, for the sake of glory every
toil and every danger, implant in him the faith that it is better to die
sword in hand than to escape by flight? [52] If such thoughts are ever
to be engraved in the hearts of men and there abide, we must