OBSERVATION.
IT may be observed for Caesar's custome throughout the whole course of his wars, to ap∣proch as near the enemie as conveniently he could; that so he might the better observe his passages, and be ready to take the favour of any opportunitie, which either the nature of the place, or the motions of the adversary would afford him. Which was the rather his advantage, in re∣gard of his dexteritie, and superlative knowledge in the use of Armes, together with the experience of his old legions: whereby he was able, not one∣ly to improve his own designes to the utmost of an honourable successe, but to return the disgrace of any attempt made upon his Armie, upon the heads of them that were authors of the same. For otherwise, his accosting so near an enemie, might have turned to his own losse; as being full of hazard, and subject to more casualties then he that standeth further off. And therefore the rule is, That he that desireth to ••it near his adversarie, must be exceeding circumspect, and sure of some advantage, either from the place, or the over-awing power of his forces, or else out of his own vertue, or by some other means, to over-sway the inconveniences which attend such ingagements. As may appear by that which Frontinus observeth hence, touching the straight whereinto Caesar was fallen;* 1.1 being ei∣ther to give battel, which the enemie refused; or to make good that place, from whence he could not retreat but with danger. Whereupon, a little before night be stole the making of a ditch on the back of his Armie; and retiring himself within the same, stood in Armes all night, for his better safetie.
The use of such ditches are of much impor∣tance, and have oftentimes redeemed an Ar∣my from great extremities: and were so fre∣quent upon all occasions with the Romans, that he that shall deny them to be good ditchers, shall do them wrong. And not onely they, but other Nations could tell how to make use of the Spade.
Pericles of Athens, being forced by them of Peloponnesus into a place that had but two out∣lets of escape, sunk a ditch of a great lati∣tude thwart one of the passages (as though he meant to keep out the enemie) and set his souldiers to break out the other way. The Peloponne∣sians thinking he could no way escape by the passage where the trench was cut, applied them∣selves wholly to the other place, where the souldiers made shew of breaking out: whereby (through the help of bridges which he had for∣merly provided) he escaped over the ditch with∣out resistance. Sometimes they added other helps to these trenches, especially when they sought handsome means to get themselves a∣way: