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. IX.

The Marseillians give up the Town.

THe Marseillians being much op∣prest,* 1.1 and almost worn out with all sorts of inconveniences, brought to an extreme exigent of victuall, de∣feated & overthrown in two fights

at sea, broken and cut in pieces oftentimes in their sallies out, afflicted with a grievous pe∣stilence through long shutting up and alte∣ration of diet (for they lived of nothing but of old Panick and musty Barly,* 1.2 which was long before laid up in publick for this pur∣pose;) their tower being overthrown, and a great part of their wall down, out of hope of any succours from the Provinces, or of other Armies, which they knew were come into the hands and power of Caesar; they seriously de∣termined (without fraud) to give up the town. But a few dayes before, L. Domitius understanding their resolution, having got three ships (whereof two he assigned to his familiar friends, the third he took himself, and taking the opportunity of a troublesome storm) put to sea: which being perceived by the ships that by Brutus commandement did continually guard the mouth of the Ha∣ven, they weighed their Anchours, and made after them. Notwithstanding, that wherein Domitius was held on her course, and by the help of the foul weather got out of sight. The other two being afraid of our ships, retur∣ned back into the Haven.

The Marscillians, according as was com∣manded, brought their Arms and Engines out of the town, drew forth their shipping, both out of their Haven and their Arcenalls, and delivered up their publick treasure. Which things being accomplished and performed, Caesar willing to save them, rather for the name and antiquity of the town, then for any merit of theirs, left two legions there for a Garrison, and sent the rest into I∣taly. He himself took his way towards Rome.

OBSERVATIONS.

HEnce we may observe, that when men re∣fuse to be led by reason, as the best means to guide them to convenient ends, they are commonly constrained by the commanding warrant of Necessity,* 1.3 to undergo the same thing upon harder conditions. As it happen∣ed to the Marseillians, who not regarding the Army then present, and ready to take a strict account of their answers (which with good excuse doth command a neutrall State) chose rather to be shut up with a siege,* 1.4 that of all miseries is accounted the worst; and therein so carried themselves, as they left no stone un∣removed to make good their refusall: but for want of better helps,* 1.5 brought their Fraud to play a part, to their greater disadvantage. And if the Conquerour had not took all occa∣sions to shew his clemency, they might hap∣pily have paid dear for their contempt. But where either desert or other motives wanted, there nomen & vetustas, their name and an∣tiquity was sufficient to make Caesar constant to his own ends: which, as near as the course wherein he was ingaged would afford him, were alwayes levelled at the generall applause of his actions; taking that to be no little help to work himself into the sovereignty of the State:* 1.6 observing it the rather in cases of great and happy successe, which are ever more restrained then lesser fortunes.* 1.7 Howsoever, it cannot be denied but that Clemency is a property of excellent honour:* 1.8 which Caesar shewed in saving the town.* 1.9

Notes

• * 1.1

  Caesar.
• * 1.2

  Vetere Panico.
• * 1.3

  Ultimum & durissimum telum, ne∣cessitas.
• * 1.4

  Omnium maxime mi∣serabile, claudi ob∣sidione.
• * 1.5

  Egesippus.
• * 1.6

  In maxima fort••m, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 li∣centia est.
• * 1.7

  S••lust.
• * 1.8

  Servare propri••m est excellen∣tis fortunae.
• * 1.9

  Seneca de clement. lib. 1.