could not make any league with them if they
continued in Gallia: neither was it probable
that they that could not keep their own, would
get possessions out of other mens hands: Gallia
had no vacant place to entertain so great a mul∣titude:
but if they would they might find a
welcome amongst the Ubii, whose agents were
at that instant in his Camp, complaining of the
injury of the Suevi, and desiring aid against
them; thus much he himself would intreat of
the Ubii. The messengers went back with these
Mandates, promising within three dayes to re∣turn
again to Caesar: in the mean time they de∣sired
him not to bring his Army any nearer their
quarters. Which request Caesar denyed. For
understanding that a few dayes before a great
part of their Cavalry were passed over the Mo∣sa
to the Ambivariti, there to pillage and get
provisions, he suspected that this delay imported
nothing more then the return of their horsemen.
The river Mosa hath its rise from the mount
Vogesus in the dominions of the Lingones, and
having run farre, it receives the river Wa∣lis,
which is a part of the Rhene: these two joyn∣ing
make the island of the Batavi: fourscore
miles below which it falleth into the sea. The
Rhene ariseth amongst the Lepontii, a people
inhabiting the Alpes; and after a tedious course
through the Nantuates, Helvetii, Sequani, Me∣diomatrices,
Triboci and Treviri, drawing near
the sea, it divides into severall branches, and so
makes many considerable islands, most of which
are inhabited by savage and barbarous people,
some whereof live only upon fish and the eggs of
birds: after this the river empties it self at se∣verall
mouthes into the Ocean.
When Caesar was come within twelve miles
of their Camp, their Ambassadours returned,
and meeting him on the way, entreated him ear∣nestly
to march no further towards them. But
being denyed of their suit, they besought him to
send to those troups of horse which marched be∣fore
the Army, that they should not fight nor
make any hostile incounter; and that he would
give them leave to send messengers to the Ubii:
of whose entertainment they would willingly ac∣cept,
if the Princes and Senate would swear
faith and safe continuance unto their people: nei∣ther
would they require more then three dayes to
negotiate this businesse. Caesar conceived this
intreaty to import nothing else then the return of
their horsemen that were absent in pillage, whom
they expected within three dayes; notwithstand∣ing
he promised them to march but four miles
further that day, to a convenient watring-place,
and bade that a considerable number of them
should come thither to him next day, that he
might know what they desired: in the mean time
he sent to the Commanders of the horse that were
before, not to provoke the Enemy to fight; and if
they were set upon, to sustain the charge untill he
came nearer with the Army.
THE FIRST OBSERVATION.
FIrst, we may observe his dissembling of the
practice of the Galles with the Germans; and
the incouragement which he gave them in a faith∣full
and loyall affection to the people of Rome,
when he himself knew they had started from that
duty which both their honour and a good respect
of their friends required: for he well understood
that his presence did take away all scruple of any
further motion in that kind; and therefore to
have objected unto them their errours, had not
been to heal, but to discover their wound. Only
he took the way to cut off their hopes of any pra∣ctices
which they might attempt against the Ro∣man
people; and held them in the mean time in
the apparance of faithfull friends, that they might
not be discouraged by the detection of their re∣volt.
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