uakes. Whole armies, proud of their triumphs, may be in an instant
scattered and destroyed like the summer's dust before the whirlwind;
and, what increases the prodigy, a single man may securely give death to
thousands. This composition I have hitherto concealed, in pity to the
miseries of mankind; but since there appears no other method of
preserving the virtuous inhabitants of these mountains from slavery and
ruin, I am determined to employ it in their defence. Give orders,
therefore, that a certain number of your countrymen provide me with the
ingredients that I shall indicate, and expect the amplest success from
your own valour, assisted by such powerful auxiliaries.'

"Sophron said everything to Chares which such an unexpected mark of
confidence deserved, and instantly received his orders, and prepared to
execute them with the greatest alacrity. Chares, meanwhile, was
indefatigable in the execution of his project; and it was not long
before he had prepared a sufficient quantity to provide for the common
defence.

"Tigranes now approached with the rage and confidence of a lion that
invades a flock of domestic animals. He had long forgotten all the ties
which attach men to the place of their birth; and neither time nor
distance had been able to extinguish the hatred he had conceived to
Sophron. Scarcely did he deign to send an ambassador before his army;
he, however, despatched one with an imperious message, requiring all the
inhabitants of Lebanon to submit to his victorious arms, or threatening
them with the worst extremities of war.

"When the ambassador returned, and reported the fixed determination of
Sophron and his countrymen, he was inflamed with rage, and ordered his
army to advance to the attack. They marched without opposition till they
entered the mountainous districts, where all the bravest inhabitants
were ranged in arms to meet the invader. Then arose the noise of arms;
then man encountered man, and wounds and death were seen on every side.
The troops of Tigranes advanced in close array with long protended
spears; the inhabitants of Lebanon were more lightly armed, and, with
invincible courage, endeavoured to break the formidable battalion of
their enemies. They rushed with fury upon the dreadful range of weapons,
and, even wounded and dying, endeavoured to beat down their points, and
open a way to their companions.

"Sophron was seen conspicuous in every part of the field, encouraging
his companio