198 MELPOMENE.

CXIX. When the Scythians had thus delivered.
their sentiments, the princes of the nations who were
assembled deliberated among themselves, but great
difference of opinion prevailed; the sovereigns of th»
Geloni, Budini, and Sauromatse were unanimous in
their inclination to assist the Scythians; but those of
the Agathyrsi, Neuri, Androphagi, Melanchlaeni, and
Tauri,made this answer to the ambassadors: "If yoi
had not been the first aggressors in this dispute, hav­
ing first of all commenced hostilities against Persia,
your desire of assistance would have appeared to us
reasonable; we should have listened to you with at­
tention, and yielded the aid which you require : but
without any interference on our part, you first made
incursions into their territories, and, as long as for­
tune favoured you* ruled over Persia. The same for­
tune now seems propitious to them, and they only re­
taliate ydur own conduct upon you. We did not
before Offer any injury to this people, neither without
provocation shall we do so now: but if he attack our
country, and commence hostilities against us, he will
find that wc shall not patiently endure the insult. Until
ho shall do this, we shall remain neutral. We cannot
believe that the Persians intend any injury to us, but
to those alone who first offended them."

CXX. When the Scythians heard this, and found
that they had no assistance to expect, they determined
to avoid all open and decisive encounters: with this
view they divided themselves into two bodies, and
retiring gradually before the enemy, they filled up the
wells and fountains which lay in their way, and de­
stroyed the produce of their fields. The Sauromatae
were directed to advance to the district under the au­
thority of Scopasis, with orders, upon the advance of
the Persians, to retreat towards the Ma:otis, by the
river Tanais. If tho Persians retreated, thoy were to
harass and pursue them. This was the disposition of
one part of their power. The two other divisions of
their country, the greater one under Indathyrsus, and
the third under Taxacis, were to join themselves to
the Geloni and Budini, and advancing a day's march
before the Persians, were gradually to retreat, and in