such as stood doubtfull by hard and
severe punishment: for such as had commit∣ted
a great offence, he put to death by fire and
torture; lesser faults he punished with the
losse of their nose or their eies, and so sent
them home, that by their example others
might be terrified. By these practises and
severity having speedily raised a great army,
he sent Lucterius of Cahors, a man of great
spirit and boldnesse, with part of the forces,
towards the Rutheni, and he himself made
towards the Bituriges. Upon his coming the
Bituriges sent to the Hedui, in whose protection
they were, in require aid against Vercingeto∣rix.
The Hedui, by the advice of the Legates
which Caesar had left with the army, sent for∣ces
of horse and foot to the aid of the Bituriges:
who coming to the river Loire, which divideth
the Bituriges from the Hedui, after a few dayes
stay, not daring to passe over the river, re∣turned
home again, bringing word to our Le∣gates,
that they durst not commit themselves
to the Bituriges, and so returned. For they
knew that if they had passed over the river,
the Bituriges had inciosed them in on the one
side, and the Arverni on the other. But whe∣ther
they did return upon that occasion, or
through perfidious treachery, it remaineth
doubtfull. The Bituriges upon their depar∣ture
did presently joyn themseleves with the
Arverni.
OBSERVATIONS.
IT is observed by such as are acquainted with
matter of Government, that there ought to be
alwayes a proportion of quality between him
that commandeth and them that obey: for if
a man of Sardanapalus condition should take
upon him the charge of Marius army, it were
like to take no better effect, then if Manlius
had the leading of lascivious Cinaedes. And
as we may observe in oeconomicall policy, a
dissolute master may as soon command hair to
grow on the palm of his hand, as to make a
vertuous servant; but the respect of duty be∣tween
such relatives doth likewise inferre the
like respect of quality: so in all sorts and con∣ditions
of command, there must be sympathi∣zing
means, to unite the diversity of the parts in
the happy end of perfect Government. In
this new Empire which befell Vercingetorix,
we may observe a double proportion between
him and his people. The first, of strength and
ability; and the other, of quality and resem∣blance
of affection: upon the assurance of
which proportion he grounded the austerity of
his command. For it appeareth that his first
beginning was by perswasion and intreaty,
and would indure no direction, but that which
was guided by a loose and easy reine; hold∣ing
it neither safe nor seemly, but rather a strain
of extreme madnesse, first to punish or threaten,
and then to want power to make good his
judgements: but being strengthened by au∣thority
from themselves, and backed with an
army able to controll their disobedience, he
then added punishment as the ensign of Ma∣gistracy,
and confirmed his power by rigorous
commands; which is as necessary a demon∣stration
of a well-settled government, as any
circumstance belonging thereunto.
Touching the resemblance and proportion
of their qualities, it is manifestly shewed by the
sequele of this history, that every man desired
to redeem the common liberty of their coun∣try,
in that measure of endeavour as was fitting
so great a cause. Amongst whom Vercinge∣torix
being their chief Commander, summae
diligentiae (as the story saith) added summam
severitatem, to great diligence great severity;
as well assured, that the greater part would ap∣prove
his justice, and condemn the uncertainty
of doubtfull resolutions, desiring no further
service at their hands, then that wherein himself
would be the formost. In imitation of Vale∣rius
Corvinus: Factamea, non dicta, vos mi∣lites
sequi volo; nec disciplinam modo, sed
exemplum etiam à me petere; I would have
you, O my Souldiers, do as I do, and not so
much mind what I say; and to take not your
discipline only, but your pattern also from me.
And therefore the party was like to be well up∣held;
forasmuch as both the Prince and the peo∣ple
were so far ingaged in the matter intended,
as by the resemblance of an earnest desire
might answer the measure of due propor∣tion.