MELPOMENE. 129

ther respects perform what had been previously de-
irmined in council. They were particularly enjoined
i allure the enemy to pass the dominions of those na*
ons who had withheld their assistance, in order that
ieir indignation might be provoked; that as they
. ere unwilling to unite in any hostilities before, they
hould now be compelled to take arms in their own
efence. They were finally to retire into their own
ountry, and to attack the enemy, if it could be don8
vith any prospect of success.

CXXI. The Scythians, having determined upon
liese measures, advanced silently before the forces of
larius, sending forwards* as scouts a select detach-
uent of their cavalry: they also despatched before
hem the carriages in which their wives and children
lsually live, together with their cattle, reserving only
nch a number as was necessary to their subsistence,
.'iving directions that their route should be regularly
owards the north.

CXXI I. These carriages accordingly advanced as
they were directed; the Scythian scouts, finding that
the Persians had proceeded a three days' journey
from the Ister, encamped at the distance of one day's
march from their army, and destroyed all the produce
of the lands. The Persians, as soon as they came in
sight of the Scythian cavalry, commenced the pur­
suit; whilst the Scythians regularly retired before
them. Directing their attention to one part of the
enemy in particular, the Persians continued to ad­
vance eastward towards the Tanais. The Scythians
having crossed this river, the Persians did the same,
till passing over the country of the Sauromatir, they
came to that of the Budini.

CXXIII. As long as the Persians remained in Scy-
thia and Sarmatia, they had little power of doing in­
jury, the country around them was so vast and exten­
sive; but as soon as they came amongst the Budini,
they discovered a town built entirely of wood, which
the inhabitants had totally stripped and deserted; to
this they set fire. This done, they continued their
pursuit through the country of the Budini, till they
came to a dreary solitude. This is beyond the Budini,