The FoKr ]\fo}i archies. 223
He with his Crown receives a double war.
The Egyptians to' reduce, and Greece to marr,
The firft begun, and finifli'd in fuch hafte,
None write by whom, nor how, "'twas over pall.
But for the laft, he made fuch preparation,
As if to dufl, he meant, to grinde that nation;
Yet all his men, and Infhruments of (laughter, [103]
Produced but derilion and laughter,
Sage Artabaniis Counfel had he taken,
And's Couzen young Mardonius forfaken.
His Souldiers credit, wealth at home had ftaid,
And Greece fuch wondrous triumphs ne'r had made.
The firft dehorts " and layes before his eyes
His Fathers ill fuccefs, in's enterprize,
Againft the Scythians and Grecians too,
What Infamy to's honour did accrew.
FlattVing Mardonius on the other fide,
With conqueft of all Europe^ feeds his pride:
Vain Xerxes thinks his counfel hath moft wit,
That his ambitious humour belt can fit;
And by this choice unwarily pofts on,
To prefent lofs, future fubveriion.
Although he hafted, yet four years was fpent
In great provifions, for this great intent.*
His Army of all Nations was compounded,
That the vail'" Perjian government furrounded.
His Foot was feventeen hundred thoufand fi:rong.
Eight hundred thoufand horfe, to thefe belong
« deports. v With certainty of Europe. w large.
�� �
