To the extent possible under law, the Text Creation Partnership has waived all copyright and related or neighboring rights to this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above, according to the terms of the CC0 1.0 Public Domain Dedication (http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/). This waiver does not extend to any page images or other supplementary files associated with this work, which may be protected by copyright or other license restrictions. Please go to http://www.textcreationpartnership.org/ for more information.
Iugurth flyeth to King Bocchus, and procureth him to make Warre against the Romans.
AFter the losse of Thala, Iugurth supposing that no place could affoord him sufficient security, a∣gainst the good conduct of Me∣tellus; with small attendance, he resolueth to passe ouer the vast deserts, to the Getuli; a people rude and barbarous; who before that time, had neuer heard of the
Roman name. Of these, he allureth a tumultuary multi∣tude; by little and little invreth them to discipline; to fol∣low their Ensignes, to hearken to their commanders, and finally to obserue all other points of souldiery.
Secondly, by present entertainment, and farre greater promises, he procureth the fauourites of King Bocchus, to bee a meanes to his Maiesty in fauour of so distressed a neighbour, to begin the warre against the Romans.
His sure was the sooner and easier harkened vnto, vpon occasion, that in the beginning of this Warre, the King had sent his Ambassadors to Rome, to desire their loue & friendship.
Which Ouerture most aduantagious for the time, some few men blinde, through Auarice; and accustomed to make all suites saleable, in the beginning frustrated.
* 1.1Moreouer, Iugurth had married the daughter of Boc∣chus: but that bonde is little accounted of amongest the Moores and Numidians; for that euery man, according to his ability, may haue as many wiues as him list: some ten, some more; Kinges most of all: who hauing theyr minds thus distracted by variety, reckon no one for their lawfull spouse, but account all alike, vile and contemp∣tible.
Both kings, both Armies, make their enterview in an ap∣pointed place with equal goodliking: There they plight reciprocall oaths, and Iugurth the more to exasperate the mind of Bocchus by his Oration, Tearmeth the Romaines to be an iniust people, of insatiable Auarice, a common enemy to al men: That, the same reasons vpon which they grounded the pretence of warre against Iugurth, and many other Nati∣ons, the same they would inforce for good, against Bocchus, (viz:) their Ambition of Soueraignty.* 1.2 In which their imperi∣ous humors, they account all kings their enemies, at this in∣stant, Himselfe; a litle before, the Carthaginians, and king Perses, yea, and heereafter euery one as hee groweth by wealth or greatnesse to be a mote in their eyes.
After these speeches, they take their iourney towardes Cirtha, for that Quintus Metellus had made that City the seat of the Warre, and therein had bestowed his spoiles,
his Prisoners, and the baggage of the Army. His reasons were, first, that if he forced the place, the spoile would proue exceeding profitable; secondly, if Metellus should offer to succour the besieged, then was he sure, both Ar∣mies should not part without blowes. For his pollicies did onely aime by celerity to ingage Bocchus, least by de∣lay (the King not yet vtterly despairing of peace) might change his minde, and accept of any conditions, rather then of warre.
The Generall vnderstanding of these Combinations, accepteth not rashly of euery proffer of fight & place,* 1.3 as oftentimes he had accustomed to do after hee had once ouerthrowne Iugurth, but fortifying his campe not farre from Cirtha, maketh prooffe of the enemies courage, ac∣counting it more safe (seeing hee had to doe with a new∣come Nation) after some triall of the Moorish valour, to fight at pleasure to his best aduantage.
By this time he receiueth aduertisement, that at Rome Numidia is fallen by lot to Marius, that hee had attained the Consulship, he had learned long before. The newes whereof so moued him beyond all meane and measure, that he could not forbeare teares, neither (being so wor∣thy a personage, adorned with all other vertues) mode∣rat his tongue, or beare this crosse with manlike behaui∣our: for which, some scandalized him with pride: others excused him, with replie, that his generous Nature was onely agreeued at the disgrace; for that the victory now already as good as gained,* 1.4 was iniuriously wrested out of his hands. To vs, it is sufficiently knowne, that the ho∣nour of Marius, more then any conceit of disgrace, dis∣quieted his mind: for if the prouince had befallen to any man besides, he could haue brooked it with requisite pa∣tience.
But howeuer, Metellus stomacking his successor, and acounting it a fond part by indangering himselfe to plea∣sure another, sendeth Ambassadors to intreat Bocchus, that without cause hee would not shew himselfe an enemie to the Roman people: that at this present he had faire opportunity to renue his suite of alliance, and friendshippe, which at any
hand were to be preferred before war. Yea although his abi∣lities might in a manner promise assurance, yet were it not wisdom, to hazard certainties for incertainiies. The beginning of all wars were plausible, but their ends distastfull. They are in no one mans power to begin and end, at pleasure. Euen Co∣wards may take Armes when they please; lay them down, they cannot, but by sufferance of the victor. And therefore he ad∣uised him, to bethinke himselfe of his owne, & his kingdoms, safety, rather then to intangle his flourishing and prosperous estate with the desperate courses of Iugurth.
Heereunto the King gaue a very curteous reply; That his desire was onely peace: but withall took compassion on the hard estate of Iugurth. If like Ouerture might bee offered him, without doubt, they should soone compound all controuer∣sies. The Generall returneth this aunswere to Bocchus; That something he allowed, something he refused. So, in this ma∣ner by sending and resending of Messages, time wasted, & by the cautellous conniuency of Metellus the Warre was protracted, and nothing set forward.
Honesta, et inho∣nesta.
Quam calida vti∣tur inductione a ••••ibus temporibus: •• praeterito, per Carthaginenses. a praesenti per se, a ••utur••, per Bocchū nisi prospexerit.
ad placitum hostis
••. Authori.