THE SECOND OBSERVATION.
IT is a principle among men of warre,* 1.1 not to put necessity upon an enemy, nor make him valiant whether he will or no, (as I have al∣ready noted in the former Commentaries;) which the Romans well observed in this particu∣lar service at Avaricum: for being possest of the walls, they did not suddenly assault them in the market-place, where they had made head for their defence, but gave them a breathing time, the better to understand what they did, and re∣spite, to bethink themselves of a starting hole for the safety of their lives. Which as it was quick∣ly apprehended by the Galles, so it made an easie execution to the Roman souldier.
And as it seemeth, it was the more carefully handled in respect of the condition of the enemy being revolters: for such Provinces as have rebelled, are harder to be recovered after their revolt, then they were at first to be subdued. For at the first, they have no occasion to fear any hard condition, but yielding to subjection do look for favour: whereas rebels and revolters, besides the condition of an enemy, are in the nature of offenders, and stand in fear of the extremities of warre,* 1.2 which maketh them more obstinate then otherwise they would be. And therefore it behoveth a Generall not to impose any further necessity upon an enemy, then the quality of the warre doth lay upon him: which oftentimes is more then can be well avoided.