The commentaries of C. Julius Cæsar of his warres in Gallia, and the civil warres betwixt him and Pompey / translated into English with many excellent and judicious observations thereupon ; as also The art of our modern training, or, Tactick practise, by Clement Edmonds Esquire, ... ; where unto is adjoyned the eighth commentary of the warres in Gallia, with some short observations upon it ; together with the life of Cæsar, and an account of his medalls ; revised, corrected, and enlarged.

CHAP. X.

Ambiorix attempteth to surprise the Camp of Sabinus and Cotta; and failing, practiseth to take them by guile.

FIfteen daies after the legions were setled in their wintering-camps, there began a sudden tumult and rebellion by the means of Ambio∣rix and Cativulcus, who having received Sabinus and Cotta into their confines, and brought them in corn to the place where they lay; at the inducement of Induciomarus of Triers, they stirred up their people to rebel∣lion: and suddenly surprising those that were gone abroad to get wood, came with a great power to assault the camp. But when our men had took Arms, and were got up upon the ram∣pier, and had overmatched them in a skirmish of horse, which made a sally out of the camp upon the Galles; Ambiorix despairing of good successe, withdrew his men from the assault: and then after their manner they cryed unto us, that some of our company should come and speak with them, for they had somewhat to discover touching the publick state, whereby they hoped all controversies might be ended. Whereupon Caius Carpineius a Roman horse∣man, and one of Titurius his familiar friends, and one Q. Junius a Spaniard, who divers times before had been sent by Caesar to Ambiorix, were sent out to treat with them. Ambiorix first acknowledged himself much indebted to Caesar for many courtesies; in that by his means he was freed from a pension which he payed to the Aduatici; and for that both his own son and his brothers son, whom the Aduatici had held in prison under the name of hostages, were by Caesar released and sent home again. And touching the assault of the camp, he had done nothing of himself, but by the impulsion of the State; among whom such was his condition, that the people had as great authority over him, as he himself had in regard of the people: who were likewise inforced to this war, because they could not withstand the sudden insurrecti∣on of the Galles, whereof his smal means might be a sufficient argument. For his experience was not so little, to think himself able with so small a power to overthrow the people of Rome; but it was a generall appointment throughout all Gallia, upon this day to assault all Caesars garrisons, to the end that one legion might not give relief unto another. Galles could not ea∣sily deny the request of Galles, especially when it concerned their publick liberty. Now ha∣ving satisfied that duty which he owed to his Country, he had respect to Caesar & his benefits; in regard whereof he admonished them, and

prayed Titurius for the hospitality that had been between them, that he would look to the safety of himself and his souldiers. There was a great number of Germans that had already passed the Rhene, and would be here within two days: and therefore let them adv••se themselves, whether they thought it good before the next borderers perc••ived it, to depart with their souldiers out of their wintering-places either to Cicero or Labienus, of whom the one was not past fifty mile off, and the other a little further. For his own part he promised them thus much, and confirmed it by oath, that they should have sa••e passage through his territories; for so he should both do a pleasure to his countrey in disburthening it of garrisons, and shew himself thankfull to Caesar for his benefits. This spee••h being ended Ambiorix departed, and Carpineius and Junius made report thereof to the Le∣gates.

OBSERVATION.

LEander his counsell, to use the Foxes skin where the Lions faileth, doth shew that the discourse of our reason is sooner corrupted with errour, then the powers of our body are over∣come with force. For oftentimes the mind is so disquieted with the extremity of perturbation, that neither the apprehension can take sound in∣structions, nor the judgement determine of that which is most for our good; but according as any passion shall happen to reigne in our disposition, so are we carried headlong to the ruine of our fortune, without sense of er∣rour, or mistrust of well-succeeding: whereas the body continueth firme in his own strength, and is subject onely to a greater weight of pow∣er, by which it may be subdued and overthrown. It behoveth us therefore to take good heed, that our surest hold be not unfastned by the subtilty of the Fox, when it hath continued firm against the force of the Lion: and that the treachery of the spirit do not disadvantage those meanes, which either our own power or opportunity hath gained in our actions. Wherein a Comman∣der cannot have a better rule for his direction, then to beware that violence of passion do not hinder the course of sound deliberation: and withall to be jealous of whatsoever an Enemy shall, either by speech or action, seem to thrust upon him, how colourable soever the reasons may be which are alledged to induce him there∣unto. For first, if the mind be not conf••••med by the vertue of her better faculties to resist the motion of fruitlesse apprehensions, it may easily be seduced (either by fear or vain imagination, diffident conceptions or over-easie credulity, with many other such disturbing powers) from that way which a good discretion, and an un∣derstanding free from passion would have taken.

First therefore I hold it necessary to have the consistory of our judgement well setled with a firme resolution, and with the presence of the mind, before we enter into deliberation of such things as are made happy unto us by good dire∣ction. And then this, amongst other circum∣stances, will give some help to a good conclusi∣on, when we consider how improbable it is that an Enemy, whose chiefest care is to weaken his adversary, and bring him to ruine, should ad∣vise him of any thing that may concern his good; unlesse the profit which he himself shall thereby gather, do far exceed that which the contrary part may expect.

I grant that in civile wa••s, where there are many friends on either party, and have the ad∣verse cause as dear unto them as their own, there are oftentimes many advertisements given, which proceed from a true and sincere affection, and may advantage the party whom it concer∣neth, as well in preventing any danger, as in the furtherance of their cause; and therefore are not altogether to be neglected, but to be weighed by circumstances, and accordingly to be respected; whereof we have many pregnant examples in the civile wars of France, & particularly in Monsieur l•• No•• his discourses: but where there are two Armies, dif∣ferent in nation, language and humour, conten∣ding for that which peculiarly belongeth unto one of them, where care to keep that which is dearest unto them possesseth the one, and hope of gain stirreth up the other, there is commonly such an universall hatred between them, that they are to look for small advantage by advertise∣ments from the enemy. Which if the Romans had well considered, this subtle Gall had not dispos∣sest them of their strength, nor brought them to ruine.

Notes

• Caesar.