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eumenes-第3部分

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baggage of Antigonus; he might easily have taken many captives; both
bond and freemen; and much wealth collected from the spoils of so many
wars; but he feared lest his men; overladen with so much booty;
might become unfit for rapid retreat; and too fond of their ease to
sustain the continual marches and endure the long waiting on which
he depended for success; expecting to tire Antigonus into some other
course。 But then considering it would be extremely difficult to
restrain the Macedonians from plunder; when it seemed to offer itself;
he gave them order to refresh themselves; and bait their horses; and
then attack the enemy。 In the meantime he sent privately to
Menander; who had care of all this baggage; professing a concern for
him upon the score of old friendship and acquaintance; and therefore
advising him to quit the plain and secure himself upon the sides of
the neighbouring hills; where the horse might not be able to hem him
in。 When Menander; sensible of his danger; had speedily packed up
his goods and decamped; Eumenes openly sent his scouts to discover the
enemy's posture; and commanded his men to arm and bridle their horses;
as designing immediately to give battle; but the scouts returning with
news that Menander had secured so difficult a post it was impossible
to take him; Eumenes; pretending to be grieved with the
disappointment; drew off his men another way。 It is said that when
Menander reported this afterwards to Antigonus; and the Macedonians
commended Eumenes; imputing it to his singular good…nature; that
having it in his power to make slaves of their children and outrage
their wives he forbore and spared them all; Antigonus replied;
〃Alas; good friends; he had no regard to us; but to himself; being
loath to wear so many shackles when he designed to fly。〃
  From this time Eumenes; daily flying and wandering about;
persuaded many of his men to disband; whether out of kindness to them;
or unwillingness to lead about such a body of men as were too few to
engage and too many to fly undiscovered。 Taking refuge at Nora; a
place on the confines of Lycaonia and Cappadocia; with five hundred
horse and two hundred heavy…armed foot; he again dismissed as many
of his friends as desired it; through fear of the probable hardships
to be encountered there; and embracing them with all demonstrations of
kindness gave them licence to depart。 Antigonus; when he came before
this fort; desired to have an interview with Eumenes before the siege;
but he returned answer that Antigonus had many friends who might
command in his room; but they whom Eumenes defended had nobody to
substitute if he should miscarry; therefore; if Antigonus thought it
worth while to treat with him; he should first send him hostages。
And when Antigonus required that Eumenes should first address
himself to him as his superior; he replied; 〃While I am able to
wield a sword; I shall think no man greater than myself。〃 At last;
when; according to Eumenes's demand; Antigonus sent his own nephew
Ptolemy to the fort; Eumenes went out to him; and they mutually
embraced with great tenderness and friendship; as having formerly been
very intimate。 After long conversation; Eumenes making no mention of
his own pardon and security; but requiring that he should be confirmed
in his several governments; and restitution be made him of the rewards
of his service; all that were present were astonished at his courage
and gallantry。 And many of the Macedonians flocked to see what sort of
person Eumenes was; for since the death of Craterus no man had been so
much talked of in the army。 But Antigonus; being afraid lest he
might suffer some violence; first commanded the soldiers to keep
off; calling out and throwing stones at those who pressed forwards。 At
last; taking Eumenes in his arms; and keeping off the crowd with his
guards; not without great difficulty; he returned him safe into the
fort。
  Then Antigonus; having built a wall round Nora; left a force
sufficient to carry on the siege; and drew off the rest of his army;
and Eumenes was beleaguered and kept garrison; having plenty of corn
and water and salt; but no other thing; either for food or delicacy;
yet with such as he had; he kept a cheerful table for his friends;
inviting them severally in their turns; and seasoning his
entertainment with a gentle and affable behaviour。 For he had a
pleasant countenance; and looked not like an old and practised
soldier; but was smooth and florid; and his shape as delicate as if
his limbs had been carved by art in the most accurate proportions。
He was not a great orator; but winning and persuasive; as may be
seen in his letters。
  The greatest distress of the besieged was the narrowness of the
place they were in; their quarters being very confined; and the
whole place but two furlongs in compass; so that both they and their
horses fed without exercise。 Accordingly; not only to prevent the
listlessness of such inactive living; but to have them in condition to
fly if occasion required; he assigned a room one…and…twenty feet long;
the largest in all the fort; for the men to walk in; directing them to
begin their walk gently; and so gradually mend their pace。 And for the
horses; he tied them to the roof with great halters; fastening which
about their necks; with a pulley he gently raised them; till
standing upon the ground with their hinder feet; they just touched
it with the very ends of their forefeet。 In this posture the grooms
plied them with whips and shouts; provoking them to curvet and kick
out with their hind legs; struggling and stamping at the same time
to find support for their forefeet; and thus their whole body was
exercised; till they were all in a foam and sweat; excellent exercise;
whether for strength or speed; and then he gave them their corn
already coarsely ground; that they might sooner despatch and better
digest it。
  The siege continuing long; Antigonus received advice that
Antipater was dead in Macedon; and that affairs were embroiled by
the differences of Cassander and Polysperchon; upon which he conceived
no mean hopes; purposing to make himself master of all; and; in
order to his design; thought to bring over Eumenes; that he might have
his advice and assistance。 He; therefore; sent Hieronymus to treat
with him; proposing a certain oath; which Eumenes first corrected; and
then referred himself to the Macedonians themselves that besieged him;
to be judged by them; which of the two forms was the most equitable。
Antigonus in the beginning of his had slightly mentioned the kings
as by way of ceremony; while all the sequel referred to himself alone;
but Eumenes changed the form of it to Olympias and the kings; and
proceeded to swear not to be true to Antigonus; only; but to them; and
have the same friends and enemies; not with Antigonus; but with
Olympias and the kings。 This form the Macedonians thinking the more
reasonable; swore Eumenes according to it; and raised the siege;
sending also to Antigonus that he should swear in the same form to
Eumenes。 Meantime; all the hostages of the Cappadocians Eumenes had in
Nora he returned; obtaining from their friends war…horses; beasts of
carriage; and tents in exchange。 And collecting again all the soldiers
who had dispersed at the time of his flight; and were now wandering
about the country; he got together a body of near a thousand horse;
and with them fled from Antigonus; whom he justly feared。 For he had
sent orders not only to have him blocked up and besieged again; but
had given a very sharp answer to the Macedonians for admitting
Eumenes's amendment of the oath。
  While Eumenes was flying; he received letters from those in
Macedonia; who were jealous of Antigonus's greatness; from Olympias;
inviting him thither to take the charge and protection of
Alexander's infant son; whose person was in danger; and other
letters from Polysperchon and Philip the king; requiring him to make
war upon Antigonus; as general of the forces in Cappadocia; and
empowering him out of the treasure at Quinda to take five hundred
talents' compensation for his own losses; and to levy as much as he
thought necessary to carry on the war。 They wrote also to the same
effect to Antigenes and Teutamus; the chief officers of the
Argyraspids; who; on receiving these letters; treated Eumenes with a
show of respect and kindness; but it was apparent enough that they
were full of envy and emulation; disdaining to give place to him。
Their envy Eumenes moderated by refusing to accept the money; as if he
had not needed it; and their ambition and emulation; who were
neither able to govern nor willing to obey; he conquered by help of
superstition。 For he told them that Alexander had appeared to him in a
dream; and showed him a regal pavilion richly furnished; with a throne
in it; and told him if they would sit in council there; he himself
would be present; and prosper all the consultations and actions upon
which they should enter in his name。 Antigenes and Teutamus were
easily prevailed upon to believe this; being as little willing to come
and consult Eumenes as he himself was to be seen waiting at other
men's doors。 Accordingly; they erected a tent royal; and a throne;
called Alexander's; and there they met to consult upon all affairs
of moment。
  Afterwards they advanced into the interior of Asia; and in their
march met with Peucestes; who was friendly to them and with the
other satraps; who joined forces with them; and greatly encouraged the
Macedonians with the number and appearance of their men。 But they
themselves; having since Alexander's decease become imperious and
ungoverned in their tempers; and luxurious in their daily habits;
imagining themselves great princes; and pampered in their conceit by
the flattery of the barbarians; when all these conflicting pretensions
now came together; were soon found to be exacting and quarrelsome
one with another; while all alike unmeasurably flattered the
Macedonians; giving them money for revels and sacrifices; till in a
short time they brought the camp to be a dissolute place of
entertainment; and the army a mere multitude of voters; canvassed as
in a democracy for the election of
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