The army now marched slowly eastward1, covering scarcely eight miles a day. Alexander was not commonly a general who spared his troops; but he was, for the present, almost timidly careful of them. A large Persian force had, as he knew from his spies, been massed for several weeks within striking distance of his point of disembarkation. Thanks to the supineness or pride of the Persian leaders, he had been allowed to make good his footing on Asian soil without opposition2; but he would not be suffered, he knew perfectly3 well, to advance without having to force his way. He wanted to fight his first battle with every advantage on his side; a victory would produce an immense impression in Western Asia, a check on the other hand would be almost fatal. To bring his army into the field perfectly fresh and unimpaired in numbers was, for the present, his chief object. About noon on the fourth day his scouts4 came racing5 back, with the intelligence that the Persians were posted on the right or eastern bank of[49] the Granīcus, a torrent-like stream which came down from the slopes of Ida. A halt was immediately called, and a hasty council of war held. The general opinion of the officers summoned, as expressed by Parmenio, was to delay the attack till the following day. The king, who was as ready to over-rule his advisers7 as great generals commonly are, decided8 to fight at once. His men were flushed with high spirits and confidence. Their strength had been so carefully husbanded that they would be still perfectly fresh after a few more miles marching. The king’s only fear was lest the enemy should decamp before he came up with them. “I thanked the gods,” he said, in announcing his decision to the council, “that the enemy did not offer me battle when I was landing my army. I shall thank them not less fervently9, if the enemy do offer it now when I am better prepared to meet them than I shall ever be again.”
It was about an hour from sunset when Alexander, who was riding in advance with a small staff, came in sight of the Persian army. It was, indeed, but a single mile distant; and through the clear air, unencumbered by the smoke of modern artillery10, every detail of its formation could be distinctly seen. The bank was lined with cavalry11. On the right were the Medes and Bactrians, wearing the round-topped cap, the gaily-coloured tunic12, and the scale armour13 which were distinguishing parts of their national[50] dress; the Paphlagonians and Hyrcanians, equipped in much the same way, occupied the centre. Memnon the Rhodian, the ablest of the counsellors of Darius, of whom we shall hear more hereafter, shared with a Persian satrap the command of the right. He had a few Greek troopers with him, but most of his men were Asiatics. These were, however, the best horsemen that the vast empire of Darius could send into the field. The descendants of the Seven Deliverers,[19] with the flower of the Persian youth, in all the pride of a caste that claimed to rule more than a hundred provinces, stood in all the splendour of their gilded14 arms, to dispute the passage of the river. The stream, greatly diminished indeed from its volume in early spring, when it is swollen15 by the melting snows of Mount Ida, but not yet dwindled16 to the slender proportions of summer,[20] was flowing with considerable volume. The ford17 was many hundred yards in length, and for all this distance the right bank opened out into level ground. The whole of this was occupied by the cavalry. On the rising ground behind, marking the extreme limit reached by the floods of water, or, rather, of early[51] spring, the infantry18, both Greek and Asiatic, were posted in reserve. Mounted on his famous steed Bucephalus, the king rode along the line, addressing a few words of encouragement to each squadron and company as he passed it, and finally placed himself at the head of the right division of the army. (There were, it should be remembered, but two divisions.) For some minutes the two armies stood watching each other in silence. Then, as the Persian leaders recognized the presence of Alexander on the right wing of his own force—and it was easy to distinguish him by his gilded arms, his splendid charger, and the movement of the line as he rode along it—they began to reinforce their own left. The fame of his personal prowess had not failed to reach them; and they knew that the fiercest struggle would be where he might be in immediate6 command. Alexander saw the movement, and it hastened his own action. If he could catch his antagonists20 in the confusion of a change he would have them at a disadvantage. The word to advance was given, and the whole army moved forward towards the river, the right wing being somewhat in advance. Here was the famous corps21 d’élite, a heavy cavalry regiment22 that went under the name of the “Royal Companions.” This was the first to enter the river. A number of javelin-throwers and archers23 covered them on either flank; and they were followed by some light horse, and by one of the regiments24 of light infantry. This happened[52] to be Charidemus’s own; he had begged and obtained permission to return to his place in its ranks.
The van of the attacking force made its way in fair order through the stream. The bottom was rough and uneven25, full of large stones brought down by winter floods, with now and then a hole of some depth, but there was no mud or treacherous26 sand. The first onset27 on the defenders28 of the further bank was not successful. A line of dismounted troopers stood actually in the water, wherever it was shallow enough to allow it; on the bank above them (the summer bank, as it may be called, in distinction from that mentioned before as the limit of the winter floods) was ranged a dense29 line of horsemen, two or three files deep. The combatants below plied30 their swords, or thrust with their short spears; those above them showered their javelins31 upon the advancing enemy, and these, not only finding their footing insecure, but having to struggle up a somewhat steep ascent32, failed to get any permanent hold on the coveted33 bank. The few who contrived34 to make their way up were either slain35 or disabled, and the rest were thrust back upon the troops that followed them. These were of course checked in their advance, and it was not till the king himself at the head of the main body of his army took up the attack that there appeared a prospect36 of success. Then indeed the tide of battle began to turn. For the first of many times throughout these marvellous campaigns the[53] personal strength, the courage, the dexterity37 in arms of Alexander, a matchless soldier as well as a matchless general, changed the fortune of the day. He sprang forward, rallying after him his disheartened troops, struck down adversary38 after adversary, and climbed the bank with an agility39 as well as a daring which seemed to inspire his companions with an irresistible40 courage. What a few minutes before had seemed impossible was done; the first bank of the Granīcus was gained. But the battle was not yet won. The Persians had been beaten back from their first line of defence, but they still held the greater part of the level ground in what seemed overwhelming force. And now they could deliver charges which with the superior weight of horses and men might be expected to overthrow41 a far less numerous foe42. Again Alexander was in the very front of the conflict. His pike had been broken in the struggle for the bank. He called to one of the body-guards, a man whose special office it was to hold his horse when he mounted or dismounted, and asked for another. The man, without speaking, showed him his own broken weapon. Then the king looked round on his followers43, holding high the splintered shaft44. The appeal was answered in an instant. This time it was a Greek, Demaratus of Corinth, who answered his call, and supplied him with a fresh lance. It was not a moment too soon. A heavy column of Persian horse was advancing[54] against him, its leader, Mithradates, son-in-law of Darius, riding a long way in advance of his men. Alexander spurred his horse, charged at Mithradates with levelled pike, struck him on the face, and hurled45 him dying to the ground. Meanwhile another Persian noble had come up. He struck a fierce blow at the king with his scymetar, but in his excitement almost missed his aim, doing no further damage than shearing46 off the crest47 of the helmet. Alexander replied with a thrust which broke through his breastplate, and inflicted48 a mortal wound. There was a third antagonist19 behind, but his arm was severed49 by a sword-cut from a Macedonian officer just as it was in the act of delivering a blow. The mêlée however, still continued with unabated fury. The Persian nobles pressed forward with a reckless courage; and it was not till almost every leader had fallen that the cavalry gave way.
In other parts of the field the resistance had been less obstinate50. The élite of the Persian army had been brought together to oppose Alexander, and the remainder did not hold their ground with the same tenacity51. When the phalanx, after meeting no opposition in making the passage of the river, formed again on the other shore, and made its way over the level ground, it encountered no resistance. All the defending force either had perished or was scattered52 in a wild flight over the plain.
A force, however, still remained unbroken, which,[55] had it been properly handled, might have been found a serious difficulty for the conquerors53. The infantry had remained, during the conflict just described, in absolute inaction on the rising ground, watching without attempting to share in the battle that was being fought on the plain below. They had no responsible leader; no orders had been issued to them. The Persian nobles had felt, in fact, so blind a confidence in the strength of their own special arm, the cavalry, that they had treated this important part of their resources with absolute neglect. And yet, not to speak of the native troops, there were not less than ten thousand Greek mercenaries, resolute54, well-armed men, got together and supported at a vast expense, who were never utilized55 in the struggle, but simply left to be slaughtered56. These now remained to be dealt with. The king had recalled his cavalry from their pursuit of the flying Persians, and had launched them against the unprotected flanks of the Greek infantry. Not content with what he had already done in the way of personal exertion—and it was, perhaps, his one defect that he was incontrollably eager in his passion for “drinking the delight of battle,” he charged at the head of the troopers, and had a horse killed under him by a thrust from a mercenary’s lance. This horse was not the famous Bucephalus, which, as it had fallen slightly lame57 in the course of the battle, he had exchanged for another charger. While he was waiting[56] for another horse to be brought to him, the light infantry came up, and with it Charidemus and his Theban friend. “Ah!” cried the king, recognizing the two comrades, with whom indeed he had exchanged a few words several times on the march from the place of landing, “the crowns of victory have fallen so far to the horsemen; now it is your turn.” He had scarcely spoken when he remembered that one at least of the two might find former friends or even kinsmen58 in the hostile ranks, for many Thebans, he knew, had, after the fall of their city, taken service with Persia. With the thoughtful kindness that distinguished59 him till his temper had been spoilt by success and by absolute power, he devised for the young man an escape from so painful a dilemma60. Hastily improvising61 a reason for sending him away from the scene of action he said, “You must be content to help me just now as an aide-de-camp: run to Parmenio[21] with all the speed you can command and deliver to him this tablet. It contains some instructions which I should like him to receive at once.” As a matter of fact the instructions contained nothing more than this, “Keep the messenger with you till the battle is over.”
The final struggle of the day, from which the young Theban thus unconsciously received his dismissal, was fierce, but not protracted62. The light-armed infantry, following the charges of the cavalry,[57] acquitted63 themselves well, and Charidemus especially had the good luck to attract the notice of Alexander by the skilful64 way in which he disposed of a huge Arcadian. But the mercenaries continued to hold their own till the phalanx came up. The native levies65 which supported them broke in terror at the sight of that formidable array of steel; and even the hardy66 Greeks felt an unaccustomed fear. Some indeed, having served all their time in Asia, had never seen it in action before. With slow resistless advance it bore down upon the doomed67 survivors68 of the infantry. The front ranks fell before it; the rest stood for a few moments, wavered, and then broke up in hopeless confusion. Two thousand were admitted to quarter; some escaped by feigning69 death as they lay amidst the piles of their comrades’ corpses70; but more than half of the ten thousand perished on the field.
After this nothing was left but to collect the spoils and to bury the dead. This latter duty Alexander caused to be performed with special care. The enemy received the same decent rites71 of sepulture as were accorded to his own men.
Late that night, for it was already dark before the battle was over, the two friends sat talking in the tent which they shared over the events of the day.
[58]
“No,” returned the Theban. “I compared him in my mind with our own Epaminondas. Epaminondas was as brave; but he was less possessed73 with the passion for fighting. Our great general felt it his duty to do everything that a common soldier could be asked to do; he thought it a part of a general’s work; and, consequently, he was lost to his country when he was most needed. The life for which ten thousand talents would have been but a poor equivalent was expended74 in doing something for which one that would have been dear at a score of drachmas would have sufficed.[22] It has always been a puzzle to me, but doubtless so wise a man must have known what was best. But to your king the fighting is not a duty but a pleasure. He is greedy of it. He grudges75 it to others. He would like to do all of it himself. Yes; you are right, he is an incomparable warrior. He is a veritable Achilles. But I tell you he won my heart in quite another way to-day. I have been thinking over his sending me on that message, and I can see what he meant. I did in fact see more than one face that I knew opposite to me, and though I should have done my duty, I hope, it was a terrible dilemma. The general who can think of such a thing on a battle-field, the king[59] who can remember a humble76 man like myself, is one to be honoured and loved. Yes, after to-day I can follow your Alexander everywhere.”
Charidemus grasped his hand, “The gods send us good fortune and a prosperous issue!” he exclaimed.
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收听单词发音
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1
eastward
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| adv.向东；adj.向东的；n.东方，东部 | |
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opposition
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| n.反对，敌对 | |
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perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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4
scouts
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| 侦察员[机，舰]( scout的名词复数 )； 童子军； 搜索； 童子军成员 | |
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racing
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| n.竞赛，赛马；adj.竞赛用的，赛马用的 | |
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6
immediate
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| adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的 | |
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advisers
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| 顾问，劝告者( adviser的名词复数 )； （指导大学新生学科问题等的）指导教授 | |
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8
decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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fervently
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| adv.热烈地，热情地，强烈地 | |
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10
artillery
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| n.(军)火炮，大炮；炮兵(部队) | |
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cavalry
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| n.骑兵；轻装甲部队 | |
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12
tunic
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| n.束腰外衣 | |
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13
armour
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| （=armor）n.盔甲；装甲部队 | |
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14
gilded
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| a.镀金的，富有的 | |
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15
swollen
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| adj.肿大的，水涨的；v.使变大，肿胀 | |
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dwindled
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| v.逐渐变少或变小( dwindle的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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Ford
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| n.浅滩，水浅可涉处；v.涉水，涉过 | |
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18
infantry
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| n.[总称]步兵(部队) | |
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antagonist
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| n.敌人，对抗者，对手 | |
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antagonists
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| 对立[对抗] 者，对手，敌手( antagonist的名词复数 )； 对抗肌； 对抗药 | |
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corps
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| n.(通信等兵种的)部队；(同类作的)一组 | |
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regiment
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| n.团，多数，管理；v.组织，编成团，统制 | |
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archers
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| n.弓箭手，射箭运动员( archer的名词复数 ) | |
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regiments
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| （军队的）团( regiment的名词复数 )； 大量的人或物 | |
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uneven
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| adj.不平坦的，不规则的，不均匀的 | |
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treacherous
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| adj.不可靠的，有暗藏的危险的；adj.背叛的，背信弃义的 | |
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27
onset
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| n.进攻，袭击，开始，突然开始 | |
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defenders
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| n.防御者( defender的名词复数 )；守卫者；保护者；辩护者 | |
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dense
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| a.密集的，稠密的，浓密的；密度大的 | |
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plied
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| v.使用（工具）( ply的过去式和过去分词 )；经常供应（食物、饮料）；固定往来；经营生意 | |
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javelins
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| n.标枪( javelin的名词复数 ) | |
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ascent
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| n.(声望或地位)提高；上升，升高；登高 | |
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coveted
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| adj.令人垂涎的；垂涎的，梦寐以求的v.贪求，觊觎(covet的过去分词)；垂涎；贪图 | |
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contrived
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| adj.不自然的，做作的；虚构的 | |
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slain
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| 杀死，宰杀，杀戮( slay的过去分词 )； (slay的过去分词) | |
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prospect
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| n.前景，前途；景色，视野 | |
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dexterity
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| n.(手的)灵巧，灵活 | |
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adversary
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| adj.敌手，对手 | |
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agility
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| n.敏捷，活泼 | |
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irresistible
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| adj.非常诱人的，无法拒绝的，无法抗拒的 | |
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overthrow
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| v.推翻，打倒，颠覆；n.推翻，瓦解，颠覆 | |
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42
foe
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| n.敌人，仇敌 | |
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43
followers
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| 追随者( follower的名词复数 )； 用户； 契据的附面； 从动件 | |
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44
shaft
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| n.(工具的)柄，杆状物 | |
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45
hurled
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| v.猛投，用力掷( hurl的过去式和过去分词 )；大声叫骂 | |
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46
shearing
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| n.剪羊毛，剪取的羊毛v.剪羊毛( shear的现在分词 )；切断；剪切 | |
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47
crest
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| n.顶点；饰章；羽冠；vt.达到顶点；vi.形成浪尖 | |
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48
inflicted
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| 把…强加给，使承受，遭受( inflict的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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49
severed
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| v.切断，断绝( sever的过去式和过去分词 )；断，裂 | |
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50
obstinate
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| adj.顽固的，倔强的，不易屈服的，较难治愈的 | |
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51
tenacity
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| n.坚韧 | |
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52
scattered
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| adj.分散的，稀疏的；散步的；疏疏落落的 | |
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53
conquerors
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| 征服者，占领者( conqueror的名词复数 ) | |
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54
resolute
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| adj.坚决的，果敢的 | |
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55
utilized
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| v.利用，使用( utilize的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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56
slaughtered
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| v.屠杀，杀戮，屠宰( slaughter的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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57
lame
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| adj.跛的，(辩解、论据等)无说服力的 | |
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58
kinsmen
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| n.家属，亲属( kinsman的名词复数 ) | |
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59
distinguished
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| adj.卓越的，杰出的，著名的 | |
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dilemma
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| n.困境，进退两难的局面 | |
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61
improvising
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| 即兴创作（improvise的现在分词形式） | |
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protracted
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| adj.拖延的；延长的v.拖延“protract”的过去式和过去分词 | |
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63
acquitted
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| 宣判…无罪( acquit的过去式和过去分词 )； 使（自己）作出某种表现 | |
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64
skilful
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| (=skillful)adj.灵巧的，熟练的 | |
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levies
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| （部队）征兵( levy的名词复数 )； 募捐； 被征募的军队 | |
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66
hardy
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| adj.勇敢的，果断的，吃苦的；耐寒的 | |
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doomed
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| 命定的 | |
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68
survivors
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| 幸存者，残存者，生还者( survivor的名词复数 ) | |
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feigning
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| 假装，伪装( feign的现在分词 )； 捏造（借口、理由等） | |
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70
corpses
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| n.死尸，尸体( corpse的名词复数 ) | |
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71
rites
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| 仪式，典礼( rite的名词复数 ) | |
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warrior
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| n.勇士，武士，斗士 | |
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73
possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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74
expended
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| v.花费( expend的过去式和过去分词 )；使用（钱等）做某事；用光；耗尽 | |
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grudges
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| 不满，怨恨，妒忌( grudge的名词复数 ) | |
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humble
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| adj.谦卑的，恭顺的；地位低下的；v.降低，贬低 | |
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