What he felt himself he expressed when the next day he inspected the capabilities14 of the city, notoriously the strongest place in Lesser Asia, which had fallen so unexpectedly into his hands. The town, he said, might have been held for a long time by a resolute15 garrison; but the citadel16, with its sheer descent on every side and its triple wall was absolutely impregnable. “Well,” he went on, turning to Hephaestion, “well might old Meles have neglected to carry his lion’s cub17 round such a place as this!”[24]
[62]
A garrison of Argive soldiers was left to hold the place. Alexander, who, like all generals of the very first ability, possessed18 a gift for remembering everything, had not forgotten that Charidemus had many friends and connections in Argos, and offered the young man the post of second in command, but was not at all displeased19 when he refused it. “You are right,” he said, “though I thought it well to give you the choice. But a young man like you is fit for something better than garrison duty. You wish to follow me then? to see Susa and Babylon, and Tyre and Jerusalem, and Egypt, perhaps India.” As he said this last word a cloud passed over his face. It brought back what to his dying day was the great remorse20 and terror of his life, the fate of Thebes and the dreaded21 anger of Bacchus, that city’s patron god. For was not Bacchus the conqueror of India, and who could hope to be under his ban, and yet safely tread in his footsteps?
“Young man,” he said, “thank the gods that they have not made you a king, or given you the power to kill and to keep alive.”
Ephesus was won as easily as Sardis had been; Miletus refused to surrender, but was taken by storm a few days after it had been invested. The only place of any real importance that remained in the[63] west of Lesser Asia was Halicarnassus. But the capture of this town would, it was evident, be a task of difficulty. Memnon, now Commander-in-chief of the Persian forces in the west, had thrown himself into it. It was strongly placed and strongly fortified22, Memnon himself, who was a skilful engineer, having personally superintended the improvement of the defences; and it could not be attacked by sea, for the Persian fleet, which had been prevented from helping23 Miletus by being shut out from the harbour, held the port of Halicarnassus in great force. Under these circumstances, the fall of the town would be nearly as great a blow to the Great King, as had been the signal defeat of his army at the Granīcus.
Alexander’s first experience was encouraging. He had scarcely crossed the borders of Caria when he was met by the Carian princess, Ada. The army had just halted for the midday meal, and Alexander with his staff was sitting under a tree when the approach of the visitor was announced by one of his outriders. Shortly afterwards she arrived, and, alighting from her litter, advanced to salute24 the king.
The princess was a majestic25 figure, worthy26, at least in look, of the noble race from which she sprang. She was nearly seventy years of age, and her hair was white; but her face was unwrinkled, her form erect27, and her step light and vigorous. Alexander, who had not forgotten to make himself[64] acquainted with Carian politics, advanced to meet her, and kissed her hand. “Welcome, my son, to my land,” she said, as she kissed him on the cheek. She then seated herself on a chair which a page had set for her, and told her story. Briefly28, it was a complaint against her brother and the Persian king who had dispossessed her of her throne. “My brother took it; the Great King has supported him in his wrong. My ancestors fought for his house at Salamis, and was faithful to it when others failed; and this is his gratitude29. It is enough; we Carians have never been slaves, and, if he will not have us for friends, we will be enemies.[25] One fortress the robber has not been able to filch30 from me. That is yours, and all that it contains. My people love not these Persian tyrants31, and they will help you for my sake. One favour I ask. The gods have not given me the blessing32 of children; will you be my son? I shall be more than content, for the gods could scarcely have allowed me an offspring so noble.”
[65]
Alexander kneeled before her; “Mother,” he said, “give me your blessing. I have now another wrong to avenge33 on these insolent34 Persians. And remember that Caria, when I shall have wrested35 it from the hand of these usurpers, is yours.”
The siege of Halicarnassus was a formidable undertaking36. A wall of unusual height and strength surrounded the town, and the wall was protected by the outer defence of a moat, more than forty feet wide and twenty deep. Two citadels37 overlooked the town; and the besieged38, besides being well provided with food and ammunition39, had the command of the sea. The harbour, itself strongly fortified, was occupied by the Persian fleet.
The first efforts of the besiegers failed. An attack on the north-east of the town was repulsed40 with loss; and an attempt to take the neighbouring town of Myndos, from which Alexander hoped to operate with advantage against Halicarnassus, was equally unsuccessful. The king then moved his army to the west side of the town, and commenced the siege in regular form. The soldiers, working under the protection of pent-houses, which could be moved from place to place, filled up the ditch for a distance of seven hundred yards, so that their engines could be brought up close to the walls.
But these operations took time, and the army, intoxicated41 by its rapid success—in the course of a few weeks it had conquered the north-western[66] provinces of Lesser Asia—loudly murmured at the delay which was keeping it so long before the walls of a single town.
About a month after the commencement of the siege, Parmenio, who was in chief command of the infantry42, gave a great banquet to the officers of the light division, at which Charidemus, in virtue43 of his commission, and his Theban friend, by special invitation, were present. The occasion was the king’s birthday, and Alexander himself honoured the entertainment with his company for a short time in the earlier part of the evening. He was received, of course, with enthusiastic cheers, which were renewed again and again when he thanked the guests for their good will, and ended by pledging them in a cup of wine. Still a certain disappointment was felt when he withdrew without uttering a word about the prospects44 of the siege. There had been a general hope that he would have held out hopes of an immediate45 assault. The fact was that the battering46 rams47 had levelled to the ground a considerable distance of the wall, including two of the towers, and that a third tower was evidently tottering48 to its fall. If many of the older soldiers would have preferred to wait till the breach49 should have been made more practicable, the common opinion amongst the younger men was that the place might be stormed at once.
When the king had left the banqueting tent, there[67] was a general loosening of tongues among the guests. The senior officers, sitting near Parmenio at the upper end of the table, were sufficiently50 discreet51 in the expression of their opinions, but the juniors were less prudent52 and self-restrained.
“What ails3 our Achilles?” cried one of them, Meleager by name, who had been applying himself with more than common diligence to the wine-flask. “Is he going to play the part of Ulysses? If so, we shall have to wait long enough before we find our way into Troy. And if a single town is to keep us for months, how many years must we reckon before we can get to Susa? The breach, in my judgment53, is practicable enough; and unless we are quick in trying it, the townsmen will have finished their new wall behind it, and we shall have all our labour over again.”
A hum of applause greeted the speaker as he sat down. A noisy discussion followed as to the point where the assault might be most advantageously delivered. When it was concluded—and this was not till a polite message had come down from the head of the table that a little more quiet would be desirable—it was discovered that Meleager and his inseparable friend Amyntas had left the tent. This was sufficiently surprising, for they were both deep drinkers, and were commonly found among the latest lingering guests wherever the wine was good and plentiful54.
[68]
“What has come to the Inseparables?” asked one of the company. “Has the wine been too much for them? Meleager seemed a little heated when he spoke55, but certainly not more advanced than he usually is at this hour.”
The next speaker treated the suggestion with contempt. “Meleager,” he said, “and Amyntas, too, for that matter, could drink a cask of this Myndian stuff without its turning their brains or tying their tongues. It may be as good as they say for a man’s stomach, but there is not much body in it. No; they are up to some mischief56, you may depend upon it.”
“Run to the tent of Meleager,” said the officer who sat at the lower end of the table to one of the attendants, “and say that we are waiting for him.”
The lad went on the errand and returned in a few minutes. He brought back the news that neither of the occupants of the tent were there; and he added an interesting piece of information which, being an intelligent young fellow, he had gathered on his way, that they had been seen to come back, and to go out again with their weapons and armour57.
“It was odd,” said Charidemus, who had his own idea about the matter, “that Meleager had nothing to say about the place where the breach might be best stormed, when we consider the speech he made.”
Some one here remarked that he had observed the[69] two Inseparables whispering together while the discussion was going on.
“Then,” cried Charidemus, “depend upon it, they have gone to make a try for themselves.”
“Impossible!” said one of the guests. “What, these two! They cannot have been such madmen!”
“If they have,” laughed another, “this Myndian vintage must be more potent58, or our friends’ brains weaker, than Pausanias thinks.”
But the incredulity with which this astonishing suggestion was at first received soon gave way to the belief that it was not only possibly, but even probably, true. The two friends were notorious dare-devils; and the fact that they had taken their arms with them was, considering that they were neither of them on duty for the night, almost conclusive59.
“Run to Parmenio’s tent,” said Charidemus’ superior officer to him, “and tell him what we suppose.”
The young man overtook the general before he had reached his quarters, and told his story. Parmenio, as may be supposed, was greatly annoyed at having his hand forced in this way. “The Furies seize the hot-headed young fools! Are they in command or am I—not to speak of the king? They have made their pudding; let them eat of it. I shall not risk any man’s life on such hare-brained follies60.”
[70]
As he was speaking, the king himself, who was making a nightly round among the men’s quarters, came up. Parmenio told him the story, and was not a little surprised at the way in which he took it.
“Ah,” said the king, “perhaps they are right. After all, we must be audacious, if we are to succeed. Life is short, and the world is large; and if we are to conquer it, we cannot afford to wait. It is madness, as you say; but sometimes madness is an inspiration of the gods. Perhaps, after all, they will have shown us the way. Anyhow, they must be supported. Go,” he went on, addressing himself to Charidemus, “and get all the volunteers you can to follow at once. And you, Parmenio, get three companies under arms at once.”
The young officer found that the king’s commands had been anticipated. The volunteers were ready, and, hurrying up at the double, found that they had just come in time. Meleager and Amyntas had been at first astonishingly successful. So absolutely unlooked-for was their attack, that the party told off by the commander of the garrison to defend the weak point in the defences of the city was taken completely by surprise. Man after man was cut down almost without resistance, and the survivors61, who did not realize that their assailants were but a simple pair, began to retire in confusion. But such a panic naturally did not last long. The clash of swords attracted other defenders62 from the neighbouring[71] parts of the walls, and the Inseparables found themselves hard pressed. They had indeed been parted by the rush of the enemy. Amyntas had set his back against a broken piece of wall, and was defending himself with desperate courage against some half-dozen assailants; Meleager had been forced about twenty yards backwards63, and at the moment of the arrival of the Macedonian volunteers, had been brought to his knees by a blow from the sword of a Theban refugee. A furious conflict ensued. Reinforcements hurried up from within the walls, and for a time the besiegers were forced back. But when the regular Macedonian infantry appeared upon the scene, the aspect of affairs was changed, and the garrison could no longer hold their own. Indeed, it became evident that if proper preparations had been made, the town might have been taken there and then.
“You see that the madmen were inspired after all,” said Alexander to Parmenio.
Meanwhile one of the two original assailants was in serious danger. The tide of battle had left him stranded64, so to speak, and alone, and a disabling wound on the right knee prevented him from regaining65 the line of his friends. His companion saw his predicament, and rushed to his help, followed by a score of Macedonians, among whom were Charidemus and Charondas. The rescue was successfully effected, but not without loss. By this time the sky[72] had become overcast66, and the darkness was so thick that it was necessary to suspend the attack. The signal for retreat was accordingly sounded, and the besiegers hastened to retire within their lines. At this moment a missile discharged at random67 from the walls struck Charidemus on the head with a force that at once prostrated68 him on the ground. Charondas, who was close by him when he fell, lifted him on to his shoulders, and carried him as well as he could. But the burden of a full-grown man—and the young Macedonian was unusually tall and broad—was considerable, not to speak of the additional weight of his armour, and Charondas, who had been slightly wounded in the course of the struggle, fainted under the exertion69. Partially70 recovering consciousness, he struggled on for a few paces in the hope of getting help. Then he lost his senses again. When he came to himself he was in the camp, but about his friend nothing was known. The soldier who had carried the Theban off had supposed him to be alone, and had unwittingly left his companion to his fate.
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1
lesser
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| adj.次要的，较小的；adv.较小地，较少地 | |
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conqueror
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| n.征服者，胜利者 | |
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3
ails
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| v.生病( ail的第三人称单数 )；感到不舒服；处境困难；境况不佳 | |
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4
overthrow
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| v.推翻，打倒，颠覆；n.推翻，瓦解，颠覆 | |
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5
skilful
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| (=skillful)adj.灵巧的，熟练的 | |
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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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invaders
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| 入侵者，侵略者，侵入物( invader的名词复数 ) | |
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8
fortress
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| n.堡垒，防御工事 | |
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fortresses
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| 堡垒，要塞( fortress的名词复数 ) | |
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garrisons
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| 守备部队，卫戍部队( garrison的名词复数 ) | |
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garrison
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| n.卫戍部队；驻地，卫戍区；vt.派(兵)驻防 | |
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12
utterly
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| adv.完全地，绝对地 | |
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13
negligent
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| adj.疏忽的；玩忽的；粗心大意的 | |
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14
capabilities
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| n.能力( capability的名词复数 )；可能；容量；[复数]潜在能力 | |
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15
resolute
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| adj.坚决的，果敢的 | |
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citadel
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| n.城堡；堡垒；避难所 | |
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17
cub
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| n.幼兽，年轻无经验的人 | |
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18
possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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19
displeased
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| a.不快的 | |
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remorse
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| n.痛恨，悔恨，自责 | |
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21
dreaded
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| adj.令人畏惧的；害怕的v.害怕，恐惧，担心( dread的过去式和过去分词) | |
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22
fortified
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| adj. 加强的 | |
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helping
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| n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的，辅助的 | |
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salute
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| vi.行礼，致意，问候，放礼炮；vt.向…致意，迎接，赞扬；n.招呼，敬礼，礼炮 | |
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25
majestic
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| adj.雄伟的，壮丽的，庄严的，威严的，崇高的 | |
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worthy
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| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
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erect
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| n./v.树立，建立，使竖立；adj.直立的，垂直的 | |
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briefly
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| adv.简单地，简短地 | |
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gratitude
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| adj.感激，感谢 | |
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filch
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| v.偷窃 | |
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tyrants
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| 专制统治者( tyrant的名词复数 )； 暴君似的人； （古希腊的）僭主； 严酷的事物 | |
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blessing
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| n.祈神赐福；祷告；祝福，祝愿 | |
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avenge
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| v.为...复仇，为...报仇 | |
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insolent
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| adj.傲慢的，无理的 | |
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wrested
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| （用力）拧( wrest的过去式和过去分词 )； 费力取得； （从…）攫取； （ 从… ） 强行取去… | |
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undertaking
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| n.保证，许诺，事业 | |
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citadels
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| n.城堡，堡垒( citadel的名词复数 ) | |
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besieged
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| 包围，围困，围攻( besiege的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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ammunition
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| n.军火，弹药 | |
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40
repulsed
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| v.击退( repulse的过去式和过去分词 )；驳斥；拒绝 | |
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intoxicated
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| 喝醉的，极其兴奋的 | |
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42
infantry
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| n.[总称]步兵(部队) | |
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43
virtue
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| n.德行，美德；贞操；优点；功效，效力 | |
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prospects
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| n.希望，前途(恒为复数) | |
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45
immediate
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| adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的 | |
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46
battering
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| n.用坏，损坏v.连续猛击( batter的现在分词 ) | |
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47
rams
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| n.公羊( ram的名词复数 )；(R-)白羊（星）座；夯；攻城槌v.夯实（土等）( ram的第三人称单数 )；猛撞；猛压；反复灌输 | |
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48
tottering
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| adj.蹒跚的，动摇的v.走得或动得不稳( totter的现在分词 )；踉跄；蹒跚；摇摇欲坠 | |
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49
breach
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| n.违反，不履行；破裂；vt.冲破，攻破 | |
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50
sufficiently
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| adv.足够地，充分地 | |
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51
discreet
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| adj.(言行)谨慎的；慎重的；有判断力的 | |
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52
prudent
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| adj.谨慎的，有远见的，精打细算的 | |
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53
judgment
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| n.审判；判断力，识别力，看法，意见 | |
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54
plentiful
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| adj.富裕的，丰富的 | |
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55
spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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56
mischief
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| n.损害，伤害，危害；恶作剧，捣蛋，胡闹 | |
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57
armour
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| （=armor）n.盔甲；装甲部队 | |
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58
potent
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| adj.强有力的，有权势的；有效力的 | |
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59
conclusive
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| adj.最后的，结论的；确凿的，消除怀疑的 | |
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60
follies
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| 罪恶，时事讽刺剧； 愚蠢，蠢笨，愚蠢的行为、思想或做法( folly的名词复数 ) | |
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61
survivors
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| 幸存者，残存者，生还者( survivor的名词复数 ) | |
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62
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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63
backwards
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| adv.往回地，向原处，倒，相反，前后倒置地 | |
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64
stranded
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| a.搁浅的，进退两难的 | |
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65
regaining
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| 复得( regain的现在分词 )； 赢回； 重回； 复至某地 | |
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66
overcast
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| adj.阴天的，阴暗的，愁闷的；v.遮盖，（使）变暗，包边缝；n.覆盖，阴天 | |
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67
random
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| adj.随机的；任意的；n.偶然的(或随便的)行动 | |
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68
prostrated
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| v.使俯伏，使拜倒( prostrate的过去式和过去分词 )；（指疾病、天气等）使某人无能为力 | |
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69
exertion
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| n.尽力，努力 | |
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70
partially
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| adv.部分地，从某些方面讲 | |
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