the night. And at this fear crept over Croesus and
the allies; they saw dangers on every side, and heaviest of all was the
knowledge that the leading nation, the head of the whole expedition, had
received a mortal blow. Nothing remained but to abandon the encampment
under cover of night. [9] Day broke, and the camp was seen to be
deserted, and Cyrus, without more ado, led his Persians within the
entrenchments, where they found the stores that the enemy had left:
herds of sheep and goats and kine, and long rows of waggons laden with
good things. Cyaxares and his Medes followed, and all arms took their
breakfast in the camp. [10] But when the meal was over, Cyrus summoned
his brigadiers and said to them:

"Think what blessings we are flinging away now, spurning, as it were,
the very gifts of heaven! So at least it seems to me. The enemy have
given us the slip, as you see with your own eyes. Is it likely that men
who forsook the shelter of their own fortress will ever face us in fair
field on level ground? Will those who shrink from us before they put our
prowess to the test ever withstand us now when we have overthrown and
shattered them? They have lost their best and bravest, and will the
cowards dare to give us battle?"

[11] At that one of his officers cried, "Why not pursue at once, if such
triumphs are before us?"

And Cyrus answered, "Because we have not the horses. The stoutest of our
enemies, those whom we must seize or slay, are mounted on steeds that
could sweep past us like the wind. God helping us, we can put them to
flight, but we cannot overtake them."

[12] "Then," said they, "why not go and lay the matter before Cyaxares?"

And he answered, "If so, you must all go with me, that Cyaxares may see
it is the wish of all."

So they all went together and spoke as they thought best. [13] Now
Cyaxares felt, no doubt, a certain jealousy that the Persians should be
the first to broach the matter, but he may also have felt that it was
really wiser to run no further risks for the present; he had, moreover,
abandoned himself to feasting and merrymaking, and he saw that most of
his Medes were in like case. Whatever the reason, this was the answer he
gave:

[14] "My good nephew, I have always heard and always seen that you
Persians of all men think it your duty never to be insatiate in the
pursuit of any pleasure; and I myself believe that the greater the joy
the more important is self-restraint. Now what greate