Alexander : a history of the origin and growth of the art of war from ...

382 PARMENIO BEGS FOR HELP.mighty thrust at the heart of the Persian centre. The Thessalianswere holding gallant head against Mazaeus' overwhelmingnumbers. The Parthians, Indians and Persianswere about to be taken in the rear by the reserves of the Macedonianleft. An instant might change the current of thefray. The battle was anybody's, — were it not for Alexander.Parmenio, unaware of Alexander's success on the right,felt, from the utter confusion in which the squadrons whichhad ridden through his lines, and Mazaeus' thundering charge,had left his wing, that the case was desperate. He sent toAlexander urgently begging for reinforcements. This wordreached the king at the moment he saw victory fairly waveringin the balance. He sent back answer to fight it out tothe death. " Tell Parmenio,*' spake the king, " that if victorious,we shall regain all ; if defeated, we shall die blade in"hand. Let him fight as becomes Philip and Alexander !But victory sometimes marches fast. " Le sort d' une batailleest le resultat d' un instant, d' une pensee. On s' approcheavec des combinaisons diverses, on se mele, on se batun certain temps ; le moment decisif se presente ; une etincellemorale prononce, et la plus petite reserve accomplit(Napoleon). No sooner had the columns near Darius becomeaware of the flight of the Great King than they melted awayonce more, as they had done at Issus. There was no head,no purpose. The enormous columns of gallant men readyand eager for the fray if but some one would direct, were somany inert masses — dangerous to each other from their verynumbers. A few more vigorous blows and the tide set backnothing could retard its ebb. The retreat of the centrequickly became rout ; Bessus perceiving the fatal effect ofAlexander's charge, withdrew his cavalry ; the splendid wedgeof the Macedonian right had won the victory, — the Persiancentre and left were in full retreat.