CHAP. XIV.
Ambiorix directeth the Galles how they might best fight with advantage, and frustrate the weapons of the Roman souldiers.
THe which thing when Ambiorix perceived, he commanded his men to throw their casting weapons afar off, and keep themselves from co∣ming near at hand, and where the Romans charged them to give way, for that by reason of the lightnesse of their armes and their daily exercise the Romans could do them no harm: and again, as they saw them ret••re to their Ensignes, then to pursue them. Which commandment was so diligently observed by the Galles, that as oft as any cohort sallied out of the Orbe to give an assault, the Enemy gave back as fast as they could; and in the mean time there was no help but that part must be left naked and open to the inconvenience of casting weapons: and again, as they retired to their place, they were circumvented, as well by them that had given place unto them, as by such as stood next about them. And if they went about to keep their ground, they could nei∣ther help themselves by their manhood, nor standing thick together avoid the darts that such a multitude cast upon them. A••d yet not∣withstanding these inconveniences, besides the wounds which they had received, they stood still at their defence; and having so spent the greatest part of the day (for they had fought eight houres together) they committed nothing dishonourable, or unworthie of themselves.
THE OBSERVATION.
I Have spoken already of the manner of the Ro∣man fight, consisting altogether in good dispo∣sition of imbattelling, and in firm standing, and buckling at handy-blowes: as may appear by this circumstance, where Ambiorix forbiddeth his men to buckle with them, but to give back and follow on again, as the lightnesse of their Armes gave them opportunity. In like manner in the first book of the Civile wars, in the battel between Caesar and Afranius, it appeareth that Caesar his souldiers were bound to keep their ar∣ray, not to leave their Ensignes, nor without a weighty occasion to forsake their stations ap∣pointed them: whereas the Afranians fought thin and scattered here and there; and if they were hard laid unto, they thought it no disho∣nour to retire and give back, as they had learned of the Portugals and other Barbarous Na∣tions.