THE SECOND OBSERVATION.
SEcondly, upon this resolution that there was no league to be made with the Germans if they continued on this side the Rhene, we may observe how he entertained a treaty of peace, with such consents and denials, as might manifest his rea∣dinesse to further what he made shew of, and not weaken the means of his best advantage. For as he was content they should take a quiet fare∣well of Gallia, and plant themselves in the pos∣sessions of the Ubii; so was he loath to yield to any condition which might disadvantage his for∣cible constraint, or weaken his command, if per∣swasion failed: for he well knew that powerfull means to effect that which he required, would further the course of a peaceable conclusion, and carry more authority in a parlee, then any other motive how reasonable soever.
Moreover we may observe how carefull he was not to impose upon the Germans a necessity of fighting;* but opened a passage (by propoun∣ding unto them the association of the Ubii) by which they might avoyd the hazard of battel. Which thing was alwayes observed by Comman∣ders of ancient times, who diligently searching into the nature of things, found that neither of those noble instruments whereby man worketh such wonders (I mean the hand and the tongue) had ever brought so many excellent works to that type of perfection, unlesse they had been forced Page 87 thereunto by necessity: and therefore we are wisely to handle the course of our actions, least while we stand too strict upon a violent guard, we give occasion to the Enemy, by the way of Antiperistasis, to redouble his strength, and so furnish him with that powerfull engine, which Vetius Mescius calleth ultimum and maxi∣mum telum, the last and greatest weapon; the force whereof shall better appear by these ex∣amples.
Some few of the Samnites,* contrary to the ar∣ticles of peace between them and the Romans, having made incursions into the territories of the Roman confederats, the Senate of that State sent to Rome to excuse the fact, and to make offer of satisfaction. But being rejected, Claudius Pon∣tius Generall of their forces, in an excellent O∣ration which he made, shewed how the Romans would not hearken to peace, but chose rather to be revenged by war; and therefore necessity con∣strained them to put on Arms: Justum est bel∣lum (saith he) quibus necessarium; & pia ar∣ma quibus nulla nisi in Armis spes est, That war is just which is necessary; and it is piety in those men to take up arms, who have no hope but in taking up arms. The issue thereof was, that the Samnites intrapped the Romans in a place of ad∣vantage, so that they were forced upon disho∣nourable terms to save their lives, as it is at large in the ninth book of Livie.
Caius Manlius conducting the Roman legi∣ons against the Veii,* part of the Veian Army had entred the Roman Camp; which Manlius per∣ceiving, he hasted with a band of men to keep the breach, and to shut in the Veii: which they no sooner perceived, but they fought with that rage and fury that they slew Manlius; and had o∣verthrown the whole Camp, had not a Tribune opened them a passage by which they fled away.
In like manner Camillus, the wisest of the Ro∣man Captains, being entered into the City of the Veii, that he might take it with greater facility, and disarme the Enemy of that terrible weapon of necessity, he caused it to be proclaimed, that no Veian should be hurt that was found unarmed. Whereupon every man cast away his weapon, and so the town was taken without bloudshed.
Let a souldier therefore take such hold of occa∣sions and opportunities as are offered unto him, that in time of battel he may seem to cast necessity upon his own cause, and retain it in his pay: con∣sidering how the power thereof altereth the works of Nature, and changeth their effects into con∣trary operations; being never subject to any or∣dinance or law, and yet making that lawfull which procedeth from it.
