The commentaries of C. Julius Cæsar of his warres in Gallia, and the civil warres betwixt him and Pompey / translated into English with many excellent and judicious observations thereupon ; as also The art of our modern training, or, Tactick practise, by Clement Edmonds Esquire, ... ; where unto is adjoyned the eighth commentary of the warres in Gallia, with some short observations upon it ; together with the life of Cæsar, and an account of his medalls ; revised, corrected, and enlarged.

CHAP. XXVII.

The Treaty of Peace.

THe next day,* 1.1 Caesar went about to fi∣nish and end the fortification which he had begun; and the Enemy, to try whether they might find a foord in the River Sicoris, and so get over. Which being perceived Caesar carried over the light-armed Germans, and part of the Cavalry, and disposed them in guard along the River bank. At length, being besieged and shut up on all sides, and having kept their horses without meat four dayes together, besides their extreme want of water, wood and corn, they required a parlie, and that (if it might be) in some place out of the presence of the souldier. Which Caesar denied, unlesse it were in publick. Whereupon Afrani••s his sonne was given in hostage to Cae∣sar; and so they presented themselves in a place of Caesar's appointing.

And in the hearing of both the Armies, Afra∣nius spake to this effect; That he was not to be offended, neither with him nor with the souldier, for being faithfull and obedient to the Generall Cn. Pompeius; but now, having made sufficient proof of their duty, they had also throughly suf∣fered for the same, having endured the extremi∣ty of want in all necessary provisions: Insomuch as now they were shut up as women, kept from water, kept from going out, opprest with a great∣er weight of grief in body, and of dishonour in their reputation then they were able to bear; and therefore d••d confesse themselves to be van∣quished and overcome: praying and beseeching, that if there were any mercy left, they might not undergo the extremity of Fortune.* 1.2 And this he delivered as humbly and demissively as was possible.

To which Caesar answered; That these terms of complaint and compassion could be used to no man more unproperly then himself:* 1.3 for where∣as every man else did his duty; he only, upon fit cond••tions of time and place, refused to fight with them, to the end all circumstances might concurre to apeace: Albeit his Army had suf∣fered much wrong, in the death and slaughter of their fellows, yet he had kept and preserved such of their party as were in his power, and came of their own accord to move apeace; where∣in they thought they went about to procure the safety of all their fellows. So that the whole course of his proceeding with them consisted of clemen∣cy. Howbeit their Commanders abhorred the name of Peace, and had not kept the laws either of treaty or truce: for they had caused many simple men to be massacred and slain, that were deceived by a shew of treaty. And therefore it had befallen them, as it happeneth for the most part to perverse and arrogant persons, to seek and earnestly to desire that which a little before they had foolishly contemned.

Neither would he take the advantage of this their submission, or of any other opportunity of time, either to augment his power, or to strengthen his party: but he onely required, that those Ar∣mies might be discharged, which for many years together had been maintained against him. For neither were those six Legions for any other cause sent into Spain, nor the seventh inrolled there, nor so many and so great Navies pre∣pared, nor such experienced and skilfull Com∣manders selected and appointed, (for none of these needed to keep Spain in quiet;) nothing hereof was prepared for the use and behoof of the Province, which (by reason of their long continuance of peace) needed not any such assi∣stance. All these things were long ago provided in a readinesse against him: New forms of go∣vernment were made and ordained against him; That one and the same man, should be resident at the gates of Rome, have the whole superinten∣dency and direction of the City business; and yet notwithstanding, hold two warlike Provinces for so many years together, being absent from both of them.

Against him, and for his ruine, were changed the ancient Rights and Customs of Magistracy, in sending men at the end of their Pretorship or Consulship, to the government of Provinces, as was alwaies accustomed; but in lieu of them, were chosen some that were allowed and authori∣sed by a few. Against him the prerogative of age did nothing prevail: but whosoever they were that in former wars had made good proof of their valour, were now called out to command Armies. To him onely was denied that which was granted to all other Generalls; that when they had happily brought things to an end, they might dismisse their Armie, and return home with honour, or at the least, without dis∣honour.

All which things he notwithstanding both had, and would suffer patiently: neither did he now go about to take their Army from them, and retain them in pay for himself, which he might easily do; but that they should not have means to make head against him. And there∣fore, as it was said before, they should go out of the Provinces, and discharge their Army; if they did so, he would hurt no man: But that was the onely and last means of peace.

OBSERVATIONS.

THere is not any one vertue that can chalenge a greater measure of honour, or hath more pre∣rogative

either amongst friends or enemies, then fidelity. For which cause it is, that men are more strict in matters committed to their trust for the be∣hoof of others,* 1.4 then they can well be, if the same things concerned themselves. And yet neverthe∣lesse there is a Quatenus in all endeavours, and seemeth to be limited with such apparency, as true affection may make of a good meaning: and was the ground which Afranius took to move Caesar for a pardon; Non esse aut ipsis aut mi∣litibus succensendum, quod fidem erga Impera∣torem Cn. Pompeium conservare voluerint; sed satis jam fecisse officio, satisque supplicii tu∣lisse, &c. That he was not to be angry, either with him or the souldiery, for being faithfull to their Generall Cn. Pompeius; but that now they had sufficiently done their duty, and as throughly smarted for the same, &c. which he delivered in a stile suiting his fortune. For, as Cominaeus hath observed,* 1.5 Men in fear give reverent and humble words; and the tongue is ever conditioned to be the chiefest witnesse of our fortune.

On the other side, Caesar produced nothing for his part, but such wrongs as might seem valuable to make good those courses which he prosecuted. As first, injuries done by them, and that in the highest degree of blame against his souldiers, that went but to seek for peace. Injuries done by their Generall, in such a fashion, as spared not to evert the fundamentall rights of the State, to bring him to ruine and confusion. Whereby he was moved to indeavour that which Nature tieth every man unto, Propellere injuriam, to repell an injury from himself: and having brought it to these termes wherein it now stood,* 1.6 he would give assurance to the world, by the revenge he there took, that he entred into that warre for his only end, that he might live in peace: and so required no more but that the Army should be dismissed.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Caesar.
• * 1.2

  At n••nc so∣la mi••i est orandae causa salu∣tis▪
• * 1.3

  Dignum do∣nanda, Cae∣sar, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 cre∣dere vita.
• * 1.4

  Multa, quae nostra cau∣sa nunquam faceremus, facimus caus•• ami∣corum. Cice∣ro Laeli••s.
• * 1.5

  Qui vincun∣tur victam habent lin∣guam. Plut.
• * 1.6

  Bellum ita s••scipiatur, ut nihil ali∣ud nisi pax quaesita vi∣deatur. Cic. lib. 1. de offici.