and eagerly desired to be led on directly against

the enemy.

Alexander had advanced at first very slowly to prevent the ranks on the front of his phalanx from breaking, and halted by intervals. But when he was got within bow-shot, be commanded all his right wing to plunge impetuously into the river, purposely that he might surprise the barbarians, come sooner to a close engagement, and be less exposed to the enemy's arrows; in all which he was very successful. Both sides fought with the utmost bravery and resolution; and being now forced to fight close, they charged both sides sword in hand, when a dreadful slaughter ensued, for they engaged man to man, each aiming the point of his sword at the face of his opponent. Alexander, who performed the duty both of a private soldier, and of a commander, wished nothing so ardently as the glory of killing with his own hand Darius, who being seated on a high chariot, was conspicuous to the whole army; and by that means was 'a powerful object both to encourage his own soldiers to defend, and the enemy to attack him. And now the battle grew more furious and bloody than before, so that a great number of Persian noblemen were killed. Each side fought with incredible bravery. Oxathres, brother to Darius, observing that Alexander was going to charge that monarch with the utmost vigour, rushed before the chariot with the horse under his command, and distinguished himself above the rest. The horses that drew Darius's chariot lost all command, and shook the yoke so violently, that they were on the point of overturning the king, who seeing himself going to fall alive into the hands of his enemies, leaped down and mounted another chariot. The rest ●bserving this, fled as fast as possible, and throw

ing down their arms, made the best of their way. Alexander had received a slight wound in his thigh, but happily it was not attended with ill consequences. Whilst part of the Macedonian infantry (posted to the right) were driving the advantages they had gained against the Persians, the remainder of them who engaged the Greeks, met with greater resistance. These observing that the body of infantry in question were no longer covered by the right wing of Alexander's army, which was pursuing the enemy, came and attacked it in flank. The engagement was very bloody, and victory a long time doubtful. The Greeks endeavoured to push the Macedonians into the river, and to recover the disorder into which the left wing had been thrown. The Macedonians also signalized themselves with the utmost bravery, in order to preserve the advantage which Alexander had just before gained, and support the honour of their phalanx, which had always been considered as invincible. There was also a pérpetual jealousy between the Greeks and Macedonians, which greatly increased their courage, and made the resistance on each side very vigorous.On Alexander's side, Ptolemy, the son of Seleucus, lost his life with an hundred and twenty more considerable officers, who had all behaved with the utmost gallantry.

In the mean time the right wing, which was victorious under its monarch, after defeating all who opposed it, wheeled to the left against those Greeks who were fighting with the rest of the Macedonian phalanx, whom they charged very vigorously; and attacking them in flank entirely

routed them.

At the very beginning of the engagement the Persian cavalry, which was in the right wing

(without waiting for their being attacked by the Macedonians) had crossed the river, and rushed upon the Thessalian horse, several of whose squadrons they broke. Upon this, the remainder of the latter, in order to avoid the impetuosity of the first charge, and oblige the Persians to break their ranks, made a feint of retiring, as if terrified by the prodigious numbers of the enemy. The Persians seeing this, were filled with boldness and confidence; and thereupon, the greatest part of them advancing, without order or precaution, as to a certain victory, had no thoughts but of pursuing the enemy. Upon this, the Thessalians, seeing them in such confusion, faced about on a sudden, and renewed the fight with fresh ardour. The Persians made a brave defence, till they saw Darius put to flight, and the Greeks cut to pieces by the phalanx, when they fled in the utmost disorder.

With regard to Darius, the instant he saw his left wing broken, he was one of the first who fled in his chariot; but getting afterwards into craggy rugged places, he mounted on horseback, throwing down his bow, shield, and royal mantle. Alexander, however, did not attempt to pursue him, till he saw his phalanx had conquered the Greeks, and the Persian horse put to flight; which was of greater advantage to the prince that fled.

Sysigambis, Darius's mother, and that monarch's queen, who also was his sister, were found remaining in the camp, with two of the king's daughters, his son, (yet a child) and some Persian ladies; for the rest had been carried to Damascus, with part of Darius's treasure, and all such things as contributed only to the luxury and magnificence of his court. No more than three thousand talents were found in his camp;

but the rest of the treasure fell afterwards into the hands of Parmenio, at the taking the city of Damascus.

As for the barbarians, having exerted themselves with bravery enough in the first attacks, they afterwards gave way in the most shameful manner; and being intent upon nothing else but saving themselves, they took different ways. Some struck into the high road, which led directly to Persia; others ran into the woods and lonely mountains; and a small number returned to the camp, which the victorious enemy had already taken and plundered. In this battle threescore thousand of the Persian infantry, and ten thousand horsemen, were slain: forty thousand were taken prisoners, while of Alexander's army there fell but two hundred and four-score men in all.

The evening after the engagement, Alexander invited his chief officers to a feast, at which he himself presided, notwithstanding he had been wounded that day in battle. The festivity, however, had scarce begun, when they were interrupted by sad lamentations from a neighbouring tent, which at first they considered as a fresh alarm, but they were soon taught, that it came from the tent in which the wife and mother of Darius were kept, who were expressing their sorrow for the supposed death of Darius. An eunuch, who had seen his cloak in the hands of a soldier, imagining he was killed, brought them these dreadful tidings. Alexander, however, sent one of his officers to undeceive them, and to inform them that the emperor was still alive. The women, little used to the appearance of strangers, upon the arrival of the Macedonian soldier, imagining he was sent to put them to death, threw themselves at his feet, and entreated

him to spare them a little while. They were ready, they said, to die; and only desired to bury Darius, before they should suffer. The soldier

assured them, that he came rather to comfort than afflict them, that the monarch whom they deplored was still living, and he gave Sysigambis his hand to raise her from the ground.

The next day Alexander, after visiting the wounded, caused the last honours to be paid to the dead, in presence of the whole army, drawn up in the most splendid order of battle. He treated the Persians of distinction in the same manner, and permitted Darius's mother, to bury whatever person she pleased according to the customs and ceremonies practised in her country. After this he sent a message to the queens, to inform them that he was coming to pay them a visit; and accordingly, commanded all his train to withdraw; he entered the tent, accompanied only by Hephaestion, who made so cautious and discreet a use of the liberty granted him, that he seemed to take it not so much out of inclination, as from a desire to obey the king, who would have it so. They were of the same age, but Hephæstion was taller, so that the queens took him first for the king, and paid him their respects as such, But some captive eunuchs shewing them Alexander, Sysigambis fell prostrate before him, and entreated pardon for her mistake, but the king raising her from the ground, assured her, that his friend also, was another Alexander; and after comforting her and her attendants, took the son of Darius, that was yet but a child in his arms. The infant, without discovering the least terror, stretched out his arms to the conqueror, who being affected with its confidence, said to Hephæstion, "Oh! that Darius had some share, some portion of this in