THE FIRST OBSERVATION.
THis Chapter maketh the first period of this Warre,* 1.1 as it is taken from the beginning of these Civill Broiles, unto Pompey's forsaking Italie, which was begun and ended in the space of 60 daies: and also openeth the gate to second resolutions, which are prosecuted, as the sequele of the Historie will manifest: Containing likewise the reasons, why Caesar made not present pursute after Pompey, as the hinges of the succeeding War, and the true causes of the consequents of the same. In the consideration whereof, albeit Caesar understood the advantage of him that prosecuteth a receding enemie, and the hopes which might be thereby conceived of a speedy end of that warre; yet having no ready means to accomplish his de∣sire, he thought it better to prevent such inconve∣niences as might happily have fallen out upon the same: and so to keep his partie in a progresse of their active thoughts, by clearing and assuring that Western part of the Empire, which Pompey had left unto him by his departure; rather then to leave an enemie on his back, or to admit a cooling and languishment of their resolutions, through expectation of shipping, to follow that course which otherwise had been without exception.
In the carriage whereof we may observe, that as upon the first breaking out of these troubles, they scambled for the towns of Italie, and sought to strengthen their parties by such as had no voice in the grand Chapter of the Senate,* 1.2 but onely in∣jo••ed the benefit of Municipall rights; so now being parted asunder, and the contagion of this intestine evill spread abroad, and grown to more ripeness, they made like haste to fasten upon the remoter Provinces, wherein Caesar had the better portion. For in his share were contained Italia, Gallia, Britannia, Hispania, Sicilia; which being the prime Countreys of Europe, were consequent∣ly the flour of that Empire, for that Europe hath ever been taken for the principall and chiefest part of the world.