hat has once been ours. [83] And let us ask ourselves
what excuse we could offer for being unworthy of our past. Shall we say
it is because we have won an empire? Surely it is hardly fitting that
the ruler should be baser than the ruled. Or is it that we seem to
be happier to-day than heretofore? Is cowardice, then, an adjunct of
happiness? Or is it simply because we have slaves and must punish them
if they do wrong? But by what right can a man, who is bad himself,
punish others for badness or stupidity? [84] Remember, too, that we have
arranged for the maintenance of a whole multitude, to guard our persons
and our houses, and it would be shameful for us to depend for safety on
the weapons of others and refuse to carry weapons for ourselves. Surely
we ought to know that there can be no defence so strong as a man's own
gallantry. Courage should be our companion all our days. For if virtue
leave us, nothing else whatever can go well with us. [85] What, then,
would I have you do? How are we to remember our valour and train our
skill? Gentlemen, I have nothing novel to suggest; at home in Persia the
Peers spend their days at the public buildings and here we should do the
same. Here we are the men of rank and honour, as we are there, and we
should hold to the same customs. You must keep your eyes on me and watch
whether I am diligent in my duty, and I shall give heed to you, and
honour him who trains himself in what is beautiful and brave. [86] And
here too let us educate our sons, if sons are born to us. We cannot but
become better ourselves if we strive to set the best example we can to
our children, and our children could hardly grow up to be unworthy, even
if they wished, when they see nothing base before them, and hear nothing
shameful, but live in the practice of all that is beautiful and good."

NOTES

C1. Notice the epic tone now adopted, or rather swum into, or rather
which floats the writer up of its own motion.

C1.2 ff. On the whole this description of the battle is, for Xenophon,
obscure.

C1.5-6. Xenophon, Artist. This military criticism and technical
discussion juxtaposed to the epic prelude and the epic sequel is a
clever device enough. We are pleased.

C1.8-9. Final injunctions somewhat obscure, I think.

C1.24 ff. The epic and Homeric vein.

C1.33. The Egyptians have the advantage. This is noticeable in reference
to Cyrus' criticisms of their arms before battle. That