The plan of this expedition had been long matured, and the preparations
to effect it were considerably advanced. Jabaster had not been idle
during the absence of his pupil. One hundred thousand warriors were now
assembled[59] at the capital of the kingdom of the Medes and Persians;
of these the greater part were Hebrews, but many Arabs, wearied of the
Turkish yoke, and many gallant adventurers from the Caspian, easily
converted from a vague idolatry to a religion of conquest, swelled the
ranks of the army of the Lord of Hosts.
The plain of Hamadan was covered with tents, the streets were filled
with passing troops, the bazaars loaded with military stores; long
caravans of camels laden with supplies every day arrived from
the neighbouring towns; each instant some high-capped Tatar with
despatches[60] rushed into the city and galloped his steed up the steep
of the citadel. The clang of arms, the prance of horses, the flourish
of warlike music, resounded from all quarters. The business and the
treasure of the world seemed, as it were in an instant, to have become
concentrated in Hamadan. Every man had some great object; gold glittered
in every hand. All great impulses were stirring; all the causes of human
energy were in lively action.
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