OBSERVATIONS.
THe great alteration which the revolt of the Hedui made in Gallia,* 1.1 caused Labienus to let fall his former resolutions, and to shape such a course as might best answer the extremitie of the tempest. For he that will attain the end of his desires, or make peace with the affections of his mind, must not think at all times to carry away contentment with the strength of his means, or subdue resistance with force of arms, but must be well pleased to be driven with the stream, untill he meet with a tide of better oppor∣tunitie: for oftentimes it falleth out, that the oppo∣sition of resisting power is more available then ten Legions commanded by Caesar, or what the Roman Empire could adde besides, to so great an army. For there is no quantitie so great, but there may be found a greater; nor none so little, but there may be a less: which may teach a man neither to conceit himself in a matchless singu∣larity, nor to despair of a weak condition. And this is that which is so often recommended to the consideration of discreet Governours, whether they be Magistrates in peace, or Commanders in warre, to put them in mind of the condition of times, and to carry themselves answerable thereunto: forasmuch as fortunate and happy success, riseth for the most part from such means as have respect to the occurrences of the time, not running alwayes upon one biass, nor failing at all times with a fore-wind; but sometimes to press forward, and sometimes to give back, according as the circumstances of the time shall make way to good for∣tune.
Fabius the great Roman thought it no scorn to be called coward,* 1.2 or to undergo the displea∣sure of the people of Rome, while he gave place to the fury of the Carthaginian, and refused to receive a third overthrow. And thus he altered the course of the Roman warfare according to the time, and overthrew that enemy by shunning to encounter him, which in a battell would have hazarded the conquest of Rome. In like manner Cn. Sulpitius the Dictator did imitate this wisedome of Fabius against the Galles, by lingring out the warre: Nolens se fortunae committere adversus hostem (as Livy saith) quem tempus deteriorem indies & locus alienus fuceret; Not willing to put the triall to Fortune, when as he dealt with an enemy, which time and ignorance of the place rendred every day weaker and weaker. And to conclude this point, Caesar upon the loss which he received at Dyrrachium, Omnem sibi commutandam belli rationem exi∣stimavit, thought it his best way to alter the whole course of the warre, as the Story saith: which was nothing else but varying with the time, and helping a bad Fortune with new di∣rections.