The Good Book_ A Secular Bible - A. C. Grayling [116]
7. ‘Be content to rule your own kingdom in peace, and bear to see us reign over the countries that are ours to govern.
8. ‘As, however, I know you will not choose to listen to this counsel, since there is nothing you less desire than peace and quietness,
9. ‘Come now, if you are so desirous of meeting the Massagetae in arms, leave your useless toil of bridge-making;
10. ‘We will retire three days’ march from the river bank, and you can come across with your soldiers;
11. ‘Or, if you prefer to give us battle on your side of the stream, retire an equal distance and we will come over.’
12. Cyrus, on hearing this, called together the Persian chiefs, asking them to advise what he should do.
13. All the votes were in favour of letting Tomyris cross the stream, and giving battle on Persian ground.
14. But Croesus the Lydian, who was present at the meeting, disagreed with this advice; he therefore rose and said,
15. ‘O king! I promised that I would, to the best of my ability, avert impending danger from your house.
16. ‘Alas! my own sufferings, by their very bitterness, have taught me to be keen-sighted of dangers.
17. ‘My judgement runs counter to that of your other counsellors. If you agree to let the enemy into your country, consider the risk!
18. ‘Lose the battle, and with it your whole kingdom is lost. For assuredly, if the Massagetae win they will not return to their homes, but will push forward against the states of your empire.
19. ‘Or if you win, why, then you gain far less than if you were across the stream, where you might follow up your victory.
20. ‘Rout their army on the other side of the river, and you can push at once into the heart of their country.
21. ‘My counsel, therefore, is that we cross the river, push forward as far as they fall back, then get the better of them by stratagem.
22. ‘I am told they are unacquainted with the good things on which the Persians live, and have never tasted the delights of life.
23. ‘Let us prepare a feast for them in our camp; let sheep be slaughtered, and wine cups be filled, and let all manner of dishes be prepared: then leaving behind us our worst troops, let us fall back towards the river.
24. ‘Unless I much mistake, when they see the good fare set out, they will forget everything else, and feast. Then it will remain for us to do our parts manfully.’
25. Cyrus, preferring the advice Croesus had given, returned answer to Tomyris that she should retire, and he would cross the stream.
26. She did so; and Cyrus, giving Croesus into the care of his son and heir Cambyses, with strict charge to the latter to pay Croesus all respect and treat him well if the expedition failed, crossed the river.
27. After Cyrus had advanced a day’s march from the river, he did as Croesus had advised, and, leaving the worthless portion of his army in the camp, drew off with his good troops towards the river.
28. Soon afterwards, a detachment of the Massagetae, one-third of their entire army, led by Spargapises, son of queen Tomyris, fell upon the troops left behind by Cyrus, and killed them.
29. Then, seeing the banquet prepared, they began to feast. When they had eaten and drunk, and had sunk into sleep, the Persians under Cyrus returned, slaughtered many, and made an even larger number prisoner, Spargapises among them.
30. When Tomyris heard what had happened she sent a herald to Cyrus to say, ‘Bloodthirsty Cyrus, do not pride yourself on this poor success:
31. ‘It was the grape juice which, when one drinks it, makes one mad, and brings to one’s lips such bold words; it was this poison by which you defeated my son, not in fair open fight.
32. ‘Now listen to what I advise. Restore my son and leave my land unharmed. Refuse, and I will give you more than your fill of blood.’
33. Cyrus ignored the herald. As for Spargapises, when he became sober, and saw the extent of his calamity, he requested Cyrus to release him from his bonds; then, when his request was granted, and the fetters were removed, he killed