begin with
the laws, and frame them so that the righteous can count on a life of
honour and liberty, while the bad have to face humiliation, suffering,
and pain, and a life that is no life at all. [53] And then we ought to
have tutors and governors to instruct and teach and train our citizens
until the belief is engendered in their souls that the righteous and
the honourable are the happiest of all men born, and the bad and the
infamous the most miserable. This is what our men must feel if they are
to show that their schooling can triumph over their terror of the foe.
[54] Surely, if in the moment of onset, amid the clash of arms, at a
time when lessons long learnt seem suddenly wiped away, it were possible
for any speaker, by stringing a few fine sentiments together, to
manufacture warriors out of hand, why, it would be the easiest thing in
all the world to teach men the highest virtue man can know. [55] For my
own part," he added, "I would not trust our new comrades yonder, whom
we have trained ourselves, to stand firm this day unless they saw you at
their side, to be examples unto them and to remind them if they forget.
As for men who are utterly undisciplined, I should be astonished if any
speech, however splendid, did one whit more to encourage valour in their
hearts than a song well sung could do to make a musician of a man who
had no music in his soul."

[56] But while they were speaking, Cyaxares sent again, saying that
Cyrus did ill to loiter instead of advancing against the enemy with all
speed. And Cyrus sent back word there and then by the messengers:

"Tell Cyaxares once more, that even now there are not as many before us
as we need. And tell him this so that all may hear. But add that, if it
so please him, I will advance at once."

[57] So saying and with one prayer to the gods, he led his troops into
battle.

Once the advance began he quickened the pace, and his men followed
in perfect order, steadily, swiftly, joyously, brimful of emulation,
hardened by toil, trained by their long discipline, every man in the
front a leader, and all of them alert. They had laid to heart the lesson
of many a day that it was always safest and easiest to meet enemies at
close quarters, especially archers, javelin-men, and cavalry. [58] While
they were still out of range, Cyrus sent the watchword along the lines,
"Zeus our help and Zeus our leader." And as soon as it was returned to
him, he sounded the first notes of the