Obseruations vpon the fiue first bookes of Cæsars commentaries setting fourth the practise of the art military in the time of the Roman Empire : wherein are handled all the chiefest point of their discipline, with the true reason of euery part, together with such instructions as may be drawn from their proceedings, for the better direction of our moderne warres / by Clement Edmunds.

CHAP. II.

Orgetorix practises are discouered: his death: the Heluetians continue the resolution of their ex∣pedition, and prepare themselues accordingly.

BVT Orgetorix failed in the first entrance into his proiectes, for seeking to colour his attempt by the example of Casticus, a man of the like authority amongst the Sequani, and Dumnorix among the Hedui, (whom he persuaded) in their seuerall states to clime the same steps of ambition, he reuealed his intent, and ended it also: for being called by the Heluetians to answere that treason; before he came to triall, his body was found dead, not without sus∣pition of murthering himselfe. The Heluetians notwithstanding continued their de∣termined voyage, making preparations correspondent for the same; and for their bet∣ter prouision of victuals, they thought two yeares little enough to study tillage, to furnish themselues with conuenient store of corne; and in the meane time to prouide themselues of cartes and cariages, that nothing might be wanting to make the iourney easie and the end fortunate. And that no neare borderer might interrupt with newe troubles, a dessigne of such hope, they made peace with all their neighbour nations, and resolued for their owne aduantage, to part friendes with those, whom they had euer liued with in continuall iars. And lastly, considering the mutability of mans nature, which scarce continueth constant the space of one houre, but altereth his determinati∣ons, according as he diuersly apprehendeth the same subiect, least any of them should change their minde, and suffer the difficulties of the action to ouersway the honour that might ensue thereof: in the heate of their forwardnes they made a law, which at the ende of two yeares, commanded their departure.

THE OBSERVATION.

AS these prouisoes were all requisite, so one thing was omitted, which might haue furthered their good fortune more then any thing thought of, which was to haue concealed by all meanes the time of their departure: for all the beastes of the wood must needes stand at gaze, when such lyons roused themselues out of their dens, and be then very watchfull of their safety when they knewe the instant of time, when some of their spoiles must needes be offered to appease their furie: Or at the least it be∣hooued them so to haue dealt by hostages and treaty, that such as were likeliest and best able to crosse their dessignements, might haue beene no hinderance of their proceedings: considering there were but two waies out of their coun∣trey by which they might go, the one narrow and difficult betwene the hill Iura and the riuer Rhone, by the countrey of the Sequani: the other through Pro∣uence far easier and shorter, but not to be taken but by the permission of the Romans. But howsoeuer their errour was, that after two yeares prouision to go, and hauing made an exterminating decree which inioyned them to go, when they came to the point they knew not what way to go.

Notes

• Caesar.
• The omission in the Helue∣tian expedi∣tion.