Page:The History of Armenia - Avdall - Volume 1.djvu/85

 HISTORY OF ARMENIA. Page 40

alition against us. I, doubtless, shall perish in defending my crown, but a harder fate will befal you, surviving, as you most assuredly will, all your honour and dignities!"

Tigrana, however, was too affectionate a sister to engage in the black designs of her guilty husband. She appeared to listen to his proposals with pleasure, but secretly sent to Armenia, by the means of trusty servants, a faithful account of all that had occurred from the period of her leaving it. Tigranes no sooner learned the fate to which his brother- in-law had devoted him, than he became furious, and despatching a messenger to Cyrus, requested him immediately to push the war vigourously against Ahasuerus. In the mean time he levied a large army, and placing himself at its bead, advanced to the frontiers of Media. Here he waited the arrival of Cyrus, and forbore commencing hostilities, through affection for his sister Tigrana, for whose safety he feared, should Ahasuerus suspect her having disclosed to him the projects of her husband. About five months after, Tigrana managed to effect her escape to her brother; and Cyrus having arrived with a Persian army, the two princes forthwith entered Media.

Ahasuerus made a faint attempt to protect his dominions, but he was defeated, and fell by