OBSERVATIONS.
ANd this is the end of presumptuous rashnesse, when men are become so pregnant, as to take upon them more then is required. But as they say of fair weather, that it is pity it should do hurt: so is it great pity that valour and resolution should prove disadvantageous. For this over∣doing of a service, is but the spirit of valiant car∣riage, and the very motion of prowesse and cou∣rage, memorable in the offenders themselves; as we may see by this particular report of Fabius and Petreius: and much to be pitied, that vertue should at any time be overquelled with a greater strength.
At this service the Romans stood in these terms; they were overmatched in number, they had spent their strength in speedy running to the place which in it self was not favourable unto them, but almost as great an enemy as the Galls, only they trusted in their valour, and thought by vertue to clear all difficulties. The Galles had the favour of the place, a far greater number of fighting men, they came fresh to the battel, and were alwaies seconded with fresh supplies. Caesar seeing the two armies ingaged one with another, could neither part them nor recall his souldiers, but set such forces as were free in such convenient places, as might rescue his people in the retreat, and keep the Galles from following the chase, or making any great slaughter of the Roman souldier. Whereby it happened, that in so great an inequality, where there were so ma∣ny swords drawn to make way to death, there were not seven hundred men lost of the Roman army. And yet it happened to be the greatest losse that ever he received in those wars in his own presence, when the issue of the conflict gave the enemy the better of the day.