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. III.

The fight, and the Marseillians overthrow.

THe fight being begun,* 1.1 the Marseil∣lians were wanting in no point of valour: but bearing in mind such exhortations as a little before had been given them by their friends, they fought so resolutely, as though they meant not to fight again; or as if any one should chance to miscarry in that battell, he should make account that he did but anticipate, for a small moment of time, the fatall end of his fel∣low-Citizens, who (upon taking of the town,) were to undergo the same fortune of war. Our Ships putting on by little and little, were glad to give way to the nimbleness and mobility of their shipping, which by the skill of their Pilots were well managed. And if it happened that our men had found means to grapple with any of their ships, they presently came on all sides to their rescue. Neither did the Albici shew themselves backward when the matter came to hands, or were they inferiour to our men in courage or va∣lour. Moreover, out of the lesser Ships were cast infinite numbers of darts, and other weapons, wherewith our men busied in fight were suddain∣ly wounded.

In this conflict, two of their Triremes having spied Brutus ship (which by her flag might ••asi∣ly be discerned) came violently against him from two contrary parts: but the danger being foreseen, Brutus did so prevail through the swiftnesse of his Ship, that he a little out-stript them; whereby they coming with their full swinge, did so encounter one another, that they were both very much shaken with the blow: for the beak-head of one being broken off, the water was ready to come in on all sides. Which being observed by some of Brutus party that were near about, they set upon them (being thus distressed) and quickly sunk them both.

The ships that came with Nasidius were found of no use, and therefore quickly left the fight; for there was not offered there unto them either the sight of their Countrey, or the exhortations and prayers of their kinsfolks and allies, as motives to hazard their lives in that quarrell: so that of them there was none wanting. Of the Ships that came out from Marseilles, five were sunk, and four taken. One escaped with Nasidius fleet, which made towards the hither Spain. One of them that remained was sent before to Mar∣seilles; who coming as a messenger before the rest, and approching near unto the town, all the mul∣titude ran out to hear the news: which being once known, there was such a generall mourn∣ing and desolation, as though the town were in∣stantly to be taken by the Enemy. Notwithstand∣ing, they left not off to make ready such necessa∣ries as were requisite for defence of the same.

OBSERVATIONS.

THis was the second fight the Marseillians made, to keep the sea open for the aid and relief of the Town; being otherwise straight∣ly besieged by land, & yet that was not so tender∣ly cared for as their shutting up by sea; the free passage whereof brought in all their profit in time of peace, and their succours in times of war:

[illustration]

for which regard it was, that they commended to their gods the successe of that enterprise, with as much devotion, as tears, vowes and prayers could expresse••▪

The benefit a Town besieged receiveth from an open in-let by sea, cannot be better manifested, then by the siege of Ostend; for by that occasion specially, it indured the most famous siege that was in Christendome these many years. This L. Nasidius was rather a constant friend to the cause, then a fortunate Admirall: for afterwards, he refused not to take the like overthrow for Pompey the son,* 1.2 at Leucades, as he did now for the father. And surely it falleth out (whether it be through the uncertainty of sea-faring matters,* 1.3 or that men have fairer pretences at sea, to avoid oc∣casions of hazard, then are found at land, or that Pauca digna nascuntur in Mari,* 1.4 few things of value come from the Sea, according to the pro∣verb, or for what other cause, I know not) that there are few of those which sought honour in this kind, who have attained the least part of their de∣sires. And yet neverthelesse, some there are of fa∣mous memorie: as* 1.5 Barbarussa, a terrour of the Levant seas; Andreas Auria, of Genua, renown∣ed for his great exploits upon the Turk: together with divers of our own Nation; as namely, Sir Francis Drake, who for skill and fortune at sea, is held matchable with any other whatsoever; besides, Mr. Candish, for voyages to the South, and Sir Martin Frobisher, for discoveries to the North.

Howbeit, these later times have advantage without comparison of former ages, through the invention of the Sea-compass with the Needle; which was found out little more then three hundred years ago, by one Flavus, born in the kingdome of Naples; without which, no ship can shape a course in the Ocean, and to which nothing can be added, more then to find a perfect and rea∣dy direction for longitudes.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Caesar.
• * 1.2

  Dio Cassius
• * 1.3

  Nihil tam capax for∣tuitorum quam Mare.
• * 1.4

  Tacit. 14, Annal.
• * 1.5

  King of Algiers in the time of Soliman.