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.

Vercingetorix excuseth himself to the Galles for his absence.

VErcingetorix returning back to the army, was accused of treason: in that he had removed his camp near unto the Romans; and further that he had gone away from it, and took all the cavalry with him; that he had left so great an army without any one to com∣mand it; that upon his departure the Romans should come so opportunely and so speedily: for all these things could not fall out by chance without counsell and direction: it seemed he had rather have the kingdome of Gallia by a grant from Caesar, then by their means and gift. Being thus charg••d, he answereth, That he removed the camp for want of forrage, they themselves desiring it. He came near unto the Romans, being led thereunto by the oppor∣tunity of the place, which was such as might defend it self by its own strength; the cavalry was of no use in a boggy place, but might do good service there where it went. He left no man to command the army of purpose, lest by the perswasion of the multitude he should be forced to fight, which he knew they all desired, as not able long to endure any labour. If the Romans came by chance, they were to thank fortune; if by any mans direction, they were beholding unto him that had brought them, where they might from the higher ground both see how small a number they were, and contemn their valour; who not daring to fight, did shamefully return into their camp. He desired to receive no imperiall dignity by treachery from Caesar, which he might other∣wise have by lawfull victory, which was now most certain and sure, both to himself and the rest of the Galles. And for that authority which he had received from them, he was ready to give it up into their hands again, if they thought the honour which they gave him to be greater then the help and safety which they received from him. And to the end you may understand these things to be truly deli∣vered by me, (saith he) hear the Roman soul∣diers. And therewithall he brought forth servants which were taken forraging a few dayes before, miserably tormented with fa∣mine and irons. They being taught before∣hand what to answer, said they were legionary souldiers, and had stole out of the camp to see if they could meet with any corn or cattel in the fields: the whole army suffered the like penu∣ry, and mens strength began to fail them, inso∣much

much that they were not able to undergo any labour: and therefore their Generall had re∣solved, that if he prevailed not against the Town, he would withdraw his army within three dayes. These benefits (saith Vercinge∣torix) you have of me, whom you accuse of treason: for by my means without shedding of your bloud, you see so great a conquering army almost consumed with hunger; and by me it is provided, that when they fly from hence, no State shall receive them into their territories. The whole multitude applauded his speech, by shaking and striking their hands together, as their manner is in such cases, commending Vercingetorix for a great souldi∣er, whose loyalty as it was not to be distrusted, so the war could not have been carried with better directions. They agreed further to send 10000 choise men out of all their forces into the town, as not thinking it fit to commit the common safety of Gallia onely to the Bituriges, for they were perswaded that the summe of all the victory consisted in making good that town against the Romans.

OBSERVATIONS.

A Multitude is Bellua multorum capitum (as one saith) an unreasonable beast of many heads, apt to receive froward and perverse incitements, and hard to be drawn to better understanding, jealous, impatient, treacherous, unconstant, an instrument for a wicked spirit, and sooner moved to mischief by Thersites, then reclaimed to vertue by the authority of Aga∣memnon, or the eloquence of Ulysses, or the wisedome of Nestor, more turbulent then the raging either of the sea, or of a devouring fire. And therefore they may well go together to make a triplicity of evils, according to the say∣ing, Ignis, mare, populus, tria mala; Fire, the Sea, and the rabble multitude are three evils.

Vercingetorix had both his hands full in this service, for his care was no less to keep the Galles from being distasted, then to make his party good against Caesar. It is disputed touching the government of a multitude, whether it be fitter to be severe or obsequious. Tacitus saith peremp∣torily, that In multitudine regenda plus poena quam obsequium valet; foul means does more then fair to the governing of a multitude. But he understandeth such a multitude as are subject to their Commander, either by ancient service, or the interest of regall authority, whereby they are tied to obedience by hereditary duty, and cannot refuse that which custome prescribeth. For otherwise where the people stand free from such bonds, and have submitted themselves to government for some speciall service, there, cle∣mency or obsequious smoothing prevaileth more then the severity of command: according to the saying, Homines duci volunt, non cogi; Men will be led by fair means, not compelled. Upon a dissension which happened at Rome be∣tween the people and the Senate, the people were presently sent into the field under the leading of two Senators, Quintius and Appius Clau∣dius. Appius by reason of his cruelty and se∣verity, was not obeyed by his souldiers, but for∣sook his Province and returned non proficient, they will do nothing: Quintius being curteous and benigne, had an obedient army, and came home a Conquerour. In the like terms did Ver∣cingetorix stand with the Galles, who not long before were all of equall authority, and for the defence of the common cause had submitted themselves to order and government: and there∣fore he carried himself accordingly, but with some cunning too, for he made no scruple to abuse the beast, and to present them with a lesson of deceit, taught to servants and Roman slaves, as the confession of legionarie souldiers, which is a liberty that hath ever been allowed to such as had the managing of an unruly mul∣titude, who have made as much use of the false rein, as the bit or the spur, or any other help belonging to that art.

Notes

• Caesar.
• Horace.
• Whether severitie o•• clemency do more avail in go∣verning a multitude.