before it was clear what the rest of the soldiers would do—­whether, in fact they would follow Cyrus or not—­collected his own troops apart and made them the following speech; “Men,” he said, “if you will listen to me, there is a method by which, without risk or toil, you may win the special favour of Cyrus beyond the rest of the soldiers.  You ask what it is I would have you to do?  I will tell you.  Cyrus at this instant is begging the Hellenes to follow him to attack the king.  I say then:  Cross the Euphrates at once, before it is clear what answer the rest will make; if they vote in favour of following, you will get the credit of having set the example, and Cyrus will be grateful to you.  He will look upon you as being the heartiest in his cause; he will repay, as of all others he best knows how; while, if the rest vote against crossing, we shall go back again; but as the sole adherents, whose fidelity he can altogether trust, it is you whom Cyrus will turn to account, as commandants of garrisons or captains of companies.  You need only ask him for whatever you want, and you will get it from him, as being the friends of Cyrus.

[1] Cf.  Plat.  “Alcib.” i. 123 B.  “Why, I have been informed by a
    credible person, who went up to the king (at Susa), that he passed
    through a large tract of excellent land, extending for nearly a
    day’s journey, which the people of the country called the queen’s
    girdle, and another which they called her veil,” etc.  Olympiodorus
    and the Scholiast both think that Plato here refers to Xenophon
    and this passage of the “Anabasis.”  Grote thinks it very probable
    that Plato had in his mind Xenophon (either his “Anabasis” or
    personal communications with him).

The men heard and obeyed, and before the rest had given their answer, they were already across.  But when Cyrus perceived that Menon’s troops 16 had crossed, he was well pleased, and he sent Glus to the division in question, with this message:  “Soldiers, accept my thanks at present; eventually you shall thank me.  I will see to that, or my name is not Cyrus.”  The soldiers therefore could not but pray heartily for his success; so high their hopes ran.  But to Menon, it was said, he sent gifts with lordly liberality.  This done, Cyrus proceeded to cross; and in his wake followed the rest of the armament to a man.  As they forded, never a man was wetted above the chest:  nor ever until this moment, said the men of Thapascus, had the river been so crossed on foot, boats had always been required; but these, at the present time, Abrocomas, in his desire to hinder Cyrus from crossing, had been at pains to burn.  Thus the passage was looked upon as a thing miraculous; the river had manifestly retired before the face of Cyrus, like a courtier bowing to his future king.  From this place he continued his march through Syria nine stages—­fifty parasangs—­and they reached the river Araxes.  Here were several villages full of corn and wine; in which they halted three days, and provisioned the army.