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. II.

The Marseillians prepare themselves for a Sea-fight.

IN the mean time,* 1.1 L. Nasidius being sent by Cn. Pompeius with a Navie of sixteen ships (amongst which, some few had their beak-head of Iron) to the succour and supply of L. Domitius and the Marseillians, he passed the straights of Sicilie,* 1.2 before Curio had intelligence thereof: and putting into Messana, by reason of the suddain terrour of the principall men, and the Senate that took themselves to flight, he sur∣prized one Ship in the road, and carried her a∣way, and so held on his course to Marseilles. And having sent a small Bark before, he certified Domitius and the rest of his coming; exhorting them by all means, that joyning their forces with his supplies, they would once again give fight to Brutus Navie.

The Marseillians since their former over∣throw, had taken the like number of ships out of their Arcenall, and new rigged and trimmed them, and with great industrie furnished and manned them for that service: for they wanted neither Oare-men, Mariners, Sailers, nor Pilots, fit for that purpose. To these they added certain Fisher-boats, and fenced them with coverings, that the Oare-men might be safe from casting weapons: and these he filled with Archers and Engines. The Navie being thus furnished and prepared, the Marseillians (incited and stirred up with the prayers and tears of old men, women and maids, to give help and defence to their Citie in time of extreme danger; and to fight with no lesse courage and confidence then formerly they had accustomed) went all aboard with great courage: as it cometh to passe through the common fault of Nature, whereby we put more confidence in things unseen and unknown, or otherwise are more troubled thereat: accord∣ing as it then happened. For the coming of Nasi∣dius had filled the City full of assured hope and courage: and thereupon, having a good wind, they left the Port,* 1.3 and came and found Nasidius at Taurenta (a Castle belonging to the Marseil∣lians) and there fitted themselves for a fight; in∣couraging each other again to a valiant car∣riage of that service, and consulting how it might be best performed.

The right squadron was given to the Marseil∣lians, and the left to Nasidius. And to the place repaired Brutus, having increased the number of his Ships: for those six which he took from the Marseillians, he had added unto the other which Caesar had caused to be made at Arelate,* 1.4 and had mended them since the last fight, and fitted them with all necessaries for men of war. And thereupon exhorting his souldiers to con∣temn the Enemy, as a vanquished partie, ha∣ving already foiled and overthrown them when they were in their strength, they set forward against them with great assurance and courage.

Out of the Camp of C. Trebonius, and from all those higher places they might easily per∣ceive and see in the City, how all the youth which remained in the town, and all the aged, with their wives and children, did from the publick

places of guard, and from the town walls, stretch out their hands towards heaven, or other∣wise run to their Churches and Temples, and there prostrating themselves before their Ima∣ges, did desire victorie of their Gods. Nei∣ther was there any of them all that did not think the event of all their fortunes to consist in that daies service: for the chiefest of all their able men, and the best of all sorts and degrees, were by name called out, and intreated to go aboard, to the end that if any disaster or mischance should happen, they might see nothing further to be endeavoured for their safety; and if they overcame, they might rest in hope to save their Citie, either by their own valour, or by forrain help.

OBSERVATIONS.

COmmuni fit vitio naturae, ut invisis, lati∣tantibus, atque incognitis rebus, magis confidamus, vehementiusque exterreamur, ut tum accidit; It cometh to pass through the com∣mon fault of nature, &c. In cases of hazard, things brought unto us by report do more abuse our judge∣ment, either in conceiving too great hopes, or yielding too much to distrust, then any matter pre∣sent can move or inforce: for these perturbations attending upon our will, are inlarged more ac∣cording to the qualitie of our desires, then as they are directed by discourse of reason; and so draw men either easily to believe what their wishes do require,* 1.5 or otherwise to reject all as ut∣terly lost.

The uncertainty whereof, and the disappoint∣ment ensuing those deceivable apprehensions, hath brought the hope of this life into very slight account, being reckoned but as the dream of him that is awake; and as Piafraus, or a charitable delusion, to support us through the hard chances of this world, and to keep mans heart from break∣ing: for every mans help is hope; which never af∣fordeth present relief, but asswageth the bitternesse of extremities, by

—Dabit Deus his quoque finem,* 1.6 God once will put an end to these things too.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Caesar▪
• * 1.2

  Messin••▪
• * 1.3

  Tholose.
• * 1.4

  Arles.
• * 1.5

  Q••od maxi∣me volun••, id facile credunt.
• * 1.6

  Virgil. lib. 2 Aeneid.