s will soon be made good; if some have fallen
in battle, others, younger and stronger, will take their place. We need
not be surprised if they are soon in a condition to cause us trouble
again. [13] Why, then, did I ask Cyaxares to put the question to debate?
Because, I answer, I am afraid of the future. I see opponents against
us whom we cannot fight, if we conduct the campaign as we are doing now.
[14] Winter is advancing against us, and though we may have shelter for
ourselves we have nothing, heaven knows, for our horses and our servants
and the great mass of our soldiery, without whom we cannot even think
of a campaign. As to provisions, up to the limits of our advance and
because of that advance they have been exhausted; and beyond that line,
owing to the terror we inspire, the inhabitants will have stowed their
supplies away in strong places where they can enjoy them and we cannot
get them. [15] Where is the warrior, stout of heart and strong of will,
who can wage war with cold and hunger? If our style of soldiering is to
be only what it has been, I say we ought to disband at once of our own
accord, and not wait to be driven from the field against our will by
sheer lack of means. If we do wish to go forward, this is what we must
do: we must detach from the enemy all the fortresses we can and secure
all we can for our own: if this is done, the larger supply will be in
the hands of those who can stow away the larger store, and the weaker
will suffer siege. [16] At present we are like mariners on the ocean:
they may sail on for ever, but the seas they have crossed are no
more theirs than those that are still unsailed. But if we hold the
fortresses, the enemy will find they are living in a hostile land,
while we have halcyon weather. [17] Some of you may dread the thought of
garrison duty far from home; if so, dispel your doubts. We Persians,
who must, as it is, be exiles for the time, will undertake the positions
that are nearest to the foe, while it will be for you to occupy the land
on the marches between Assyria and yourselves and put it under tillage.
[18] For, if we can hold his inner line, your peace will not be
disturbed in the outlying parts: he will scarcely neglect the danger at
his door to attack you out in the distance."

[19] At this the whole assembly rose to express their eagerness and
assent, and Cyaxares stood up with them. And both Gadatas and Gobryas
offered to fortify a post if the allies wished,