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.

THE SECOND OBSERVATION.

M. Varro here mentioned, made more pro∣fession of knowledge and Arts, then any o∣ther of his Nation, being thereupon stiled by the name of Doctus or Learned; & yet in the judge∣ment of learned Philosophers, was fitter to per∣swade then to teach. Tully being deprived of publick offices, handled Philosophy a little in his own language: Pliny and Seneca, lesse then Varro or Tully. But what are these to Aristotle or Plato? Or rather, what hath learning to do with a Roman Generall? whose knowledge con∣sisted in their Military discipline, and in the pow∣erfull means of victorious endeavour. Wherein Varro was as ignorant, as was Don Raimun∣dus, the eleventh king of Arragon, in managing of Arms; who taking his sword in one hand, and his buckler in the other, held the horse bridle in his teeth.* 1.1 Howbeit, if Qui minus facit, minus peccat, he that does least, offends least, were a good excuse, it were fitting to make him blamelesse, that deserved so well of learning a∣bove all others of that Empire. But forasmuch as his actions appear so far inferiour to that which is conceived of his understanding, let that be ac∣knowledged which is true,* 1.2 that Confiderate age∣re pluris est, quam cogitare prudenter; consi∣derate action is more worth, then wise thinking.

This Ilipa Italica was the chief town of the Turdetani in Andaluzia; &* 1.3 is conjectured by the ruines yet remaining, to stand over against Sevill.* 1.4

Tarraco is that which is now called Tarragon;

a Colony of Scipio his planting, whereof the Province taketh appellation; which is exten∣ded (as Plinie witnesseth) from Catalonia to Navarre and Castile,* 1.5 along the Alpes. Bla••se de Vigenere reporteth, that in the year 516, there was a Councell held at Tarraco by ten Bishops; wherein it was decreed, that Sunday should alwayes begin presently after Evening prayer (or their Vespers) on the Saturday. From whence it is, that the Spaniards do not work at all after that time; and do eat upon Saturdayes at supper, the head, the feet, and the entralls of such flesh as is killed in the Shambles (together with other pretty bits which they call Morsillas) without prohibition or scruple of conscience. In this town of Tarraco was born Paulus Osorius, that noble Oratour.

Corduba,* 1.6 otherwise called Colonia Patricia, was held the next of worth and dignity to Se∣vill; but for excellent wits to be preferred above all the towns of Spain: for here first were born the two Senecas, the father, the Rhetorician, and the sonne, the Philosopher; together with their kinsman, Annaeus Lucanus, the divine Poet, of whom Martial writeth;

Duosque Senecas, unicumque Lucanum Facunda loquitur Corduba. One Lucan and two Senecas Brave Corduba doth shew.

Besides of later times, Avenzoar, Avicenna, and Averrois, as excellent a Philosopher, as the other was a Physician: of whose works

—Fama loquetur Anus. —Fame when she's old will speak.

And from hence come those Cordovan skins, so much in request.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Iamb••••ch. cap. 4.
• * 1.2

  Cicero lib. 1. de officiis.
• * 1.3

  Ilipa Ita∣lica.
• * 1.4

  Tarraco. aliter Julia victrix.
• * 1.5

  Lib. 4. cap. 20.
• * 1.6

  Corduba.