and seeing before him a boar advancing, he rode forward to meet it, and taking a good aim with his javelin, struck the boar in the forehead, and brought it down. 9. But now his uncle, seeing his rashness, began to reprove him. Cyrus however, notwithstanding his uncle was finding fault with him, begged that he would allow him to carry off the beasts that he had taken, and to present them to his grandfather. To this, they say, his uncle replied, "But, if he learn that it is you that have taken them, he will not only blame you, but me, for allowing you to do it.' "Let him even beat me," says he, " if he will, when I have given them to him; and do you, if you will, uncle," says he, "correct me as you please; gratify me only in this." Cyaxares at last said, "Do as you please; for you seem now to be our king."

10. Cyrus accordingly, carrying home the beasts, presented them to his grandfather, and told him that he himself had hunted them for him. The javelins he did not show him, but laid them down, covered with blood, where he thought that he certainly would see them. Astyages said, "Child, I receive with pleasure whatever you give me; yet I am not in such want of any of these animals, as that you should run into danger for them." "If, then, you do not want them, grandfather," said Cyrus, "pray give them to me, that I may distribute them to my companions." "Child," said Astyages, "take them, and distribute them to whom you please, and of everything else whatever you will." 11. Cyrus, taking the beasts, carried them off and gave them to the boys; and said to them at the same time, "Boys, what very triflers were we when we hunted the beasts in the park! It seems to me the same as if one had hunted animals tied by the leg; for, first, they were within a narrow compass of ground; then the creatures were lean mangy things; one was lame, another maimed; but the beasts in the mountains and plains, how fine, how large, and how sleek did they appear! The stags, as if they had wings, leaped to the very sky; the boars, as they say brave men do, came to close quarters; and, by reason of their bulk, it was impossible to miss them. These, even when they are dead," says he, "appear to me finer than those other walled-up creatures when alive. But," added he, "would your fathers, think you, allow you to go out a hunting?" very readily," said they, "if Astyages desired it."

"Yes,

12. Cyrus

CH. 4.]

A GREAT HUNTING MATCH.

19

then said, "Who is there, then, that would mention it for us to Astyages?" "Who more able," said they, "to persuade him than yourself?" "By Jupiter," said he, "for my part, I know not what kind of person I am become; for I am neither able to speak, nor look up to my grandfather in the same manner as formerly; and, if I go on at this rate, I fear," says he, "I shall become a mere dullard and fool; yet, when I was a little boy, I was thought a wonderful talker." The boys then said, "You tell us a sad piece of news, if you will be able to do nothing for us in case of need, but, as far as depends on you,1we must make our requests to some one else."

13. Cyrus, on hearing this remark, was annoyed, and retiring in silence, encouraged himself to venture; and, having considered how he might speak to his grandfather in the least offensive manner, and obtain for himself and the boys what they desired, went in, and began thus: "Tell me," said he, "grandfather, if one of your domestic servants should run away, and you should take him again, what would you do with him?" "What else," said he, "but put him in chains, and force him to work?" "But if he should of himself return to you, how would you act?" "What else should I do," said he, "but have him whipped, that he may do so no more, and make use of him as at first?" "It is time for you, then," said Cyrus, "to prepare a scourge to whip me, as I am contriving how to run away, and take my companions with me, to hunt." "You have done well," said Astyages, "to tell it me beforehand; for I now order you not to stir from home. It would be a fine thing, indeed," added he, "if, for the sake of a little venison, I should send out my daughter's son to ramble at his pleasure."

14. Cyrus, hearing this, obeyed, and stayed at home; but he continued afflicted, melancholy-looking, and silent. Astyages, finding that he was so extremely distressed, and being willing to please him, took him out to the chase; and, assembling abundance of people, both foot and horse, and also the boys, and driving the beasts into that part of the country which was suited for riding, he made a great hunt, and being himself present, royally attended, gave orders that none should throw till Cyrus had had enough of the exercise. Cyrus how1 Τὸ ἐπὶ σέ.] Most of the old editions have τὸ ἐπὶ σοί, “ what is in your power," which is inconsistent with the context.

have a

ever would not let him hinder them, but said, “If you mind, grandfather, that I should hunt with pleasure, let all those with me engage in the pursuit, and strive each to do his best." 15. Astyages then gave them permission, and, taking his stand, saw them engage with the beasts, striving to outdo each other, pursuing and throwing their javelins. He was delighted with Cyrus, who, from excess of joy, could not hold his tongue, but, like a young and generous dog, cried out when he approached a beast, and encouraged every one by name. He was pleased to see him laughing at one; another he observed him to praise cordially, and without the least feeling of envy. At last Astyages, having taken abundance of game, retired; and, in other respects, was so pleased with that hunt, that he always went out with Cyrus whenever he could, and took abundance of people with him, as well as the boys, for the sake of Cyrus. Thus, for the most part, did Cyrus pass his time, contributing much pleasure and service to every one, without doing the least harm.

16. But, when he was about fifteen or sixteen years of age, the king of Assyria's son, who was about to marry, had a mind at that time to hunt; and, hearing that there was plenty of game upon the borders of his own people and those of the Medes, having not been hunted because of the war,2 he de

The king of Assyria at that time was Nabuchodonosor, or Nebuchadnezzar, whose empire, besides Assyria and Babylonia, included Chaldæa, Arabia, Syria, and Palestine; for on the death of Sardanapalus, the king of Assyria, three other kingdoms were formed out of his dominions, the Babylonian, Assyrian, and Median. Astyages was then king of Media; but Esarhaddon, the king of Assyria, united under his rule the other two kingdoms, and Nebuchadnezzar was the fourth king from him, his father having destroyed Nineveh with the assistance of Astyages, who had betrothed his daughter Amyitis to Nebuchadnezzar. He is therefore called by Xenophon the king of Assyria, as he is also by John Malala, Chronogr. 190; while in the Book of Daniel he is called king of Babylon. The son of this Nebuchadnezzar was Evilmerodach, who succeeded his father. See Prideaux's Hist. of the O. and N. Test. p. 109. Fischer. Usher places this hunt, and the commencement of the war to which it gave rise, in the year B. c. 581.

2 The commentators understand the war that Nebuchadnezzar carried on with the Jews; just as if Palestine had been on the confines of Media, or as if the Medes, being united in close alliance with the Assyrians, might not have hunted on those borders. Bornemann. What war is meant, is uncertain.

CH. 4.]

MEDIA INVADED BY THE ASSYRIANS.

21

sired to go thither. That he might hunt, therefore, without danger, he took with him a body of horse and another of lightarmed foot, who were to drive the beasts for him out of the thickets into the parts that were cultivated and easy to ride over. Having come, therefore, to the place where their garrisons were, and a guard attending, he took supper there, with the intention of hunting early the next morning. 17. But, when it was evening, a guard of horse and foot arrived from the city,' to relieve those who were there before; and he accordingly thought that he had now a considerable army with him; for the two parties of guards were united in a body, and he himself had brought with him a large number of both horse and foot. He conceived it best, therefore, to carry off some plunder from the Median territory, as this would be a nobler exploit than a hunt; and he thought he should thus procure great abundance of beasts for sacrifice. Rising, in consequence, early in the morning, he led out his army. The foot he left in a body upon the borders; while he himself, advancing up to the Median garrisons with the horse, and keeping the best and greatest number of them with him, halted there, that the Medes in garrison might not give assistance to their countrymen against those who were to overrun the country; and such as were suited for the purpose, he sent out in parties, some to ride one way and some another; and ordered them to surround and seize whatever booty they met with and bring it to him. These did as they were directed.

18. But notice being given to Astyages, that the enemy was in the country, he marched himself, with what forces he had at hand, to the borders, and his son, likewise, with such cavalry as were with him; and he sent word to all his other forces to come and support him. When they caught sight of a great number of Assyrians, drawn up in a body, and their horses standing still, the Medes likewise came to a halt.

Cyrus, seeing others marching out in troops to support their friends, went out to join the expedition himself, putting on his arms then for the first time; having thought that the time would never come for doing so, such was his eagerness to equip himself with them; for they were very fine, and fitted him very well, being those which his grandfather had

Babylon is supposed to be signified. Bornemann,

had made to suit his size. Having thus armed himself, he rode up to the rest on his horse. Astyages wondered by whose encouragement he came; however, he told him to remain near him. 19. Cyrus, seeing a great number of horsemen in front of him, "Grandfather," asked he, "are these men enemies, that sit there quietly on their horses?" "They are indeed enemies," said he. "And are those enemies, too, that are riding up and down?" "Yes, and those also." "By Jove, then, grandfather," said he, "they seem to be wretched fellows, and mounted upon wretched horses, that are carrying off our property; and ought not some of us to march against them?" "But do you not see, child," said he, "what a body of horse stands there in close order, who, if we advance against the others, will intercept us? And our full strength is not yet come up." "But," said Cyrus, "if you wait here, and attach to yourself those that are marching to support us, those of the enemy that are here will be under apprehension, and will not stir; but the plunderers, should they see any troops marching against them, will soon relinquish their booty." 20. As he said this, he appeared to Astyages to say something to the purpose; and, wondering to see how sagacious and vigilant he was, he ordered his son to take a troop of horse and march against the plunderers. "And I," said he, "will bear down upon these men that are here, if they offer to move towards you; so that they shall be obliged to watch our motions."

Cyaxares, accordingly, taking some of the strongest and best, both of men and horses, set forward; and Cyrus seeing them start, pushed on with them, and soon, at a quick pace, got to the head of them. Cyaxares followed, and the rest were not left behind. As soon as the plunderers saw them approaching, they immediately quitted their booty and fled. 21. Those that were with Cyrus intercepted them, and fell at once to blows with such as they overtook, and Cyrus was the first to attack. Those who had got the start, and were beyond them, they pursued in the rear, and made no pause, but captured several of them. As a generous dog that has no experience hurries headlong without caution upon a boar, so Cyrus pressed forward, minding only to strike whomsoever he overtook, and heedless of anything else. The enemy. when they saw their people in distress, moved forward their main body, judging that the pursuers would discontinue their