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. XIX.

A relation of divers incounters,* 1.1 that happened between both Parties.

IN the mean time Pub. Sylla, whom Caesar (at his departure from the Camp) had left to command the Army,* 1.2 being certified thereof, came with two legions to succour the Cohort: at whose approach, Pompey's party was easily beaten off, being neither able to in∣dure the shock nor sight of our men. For the first being put off, the rest gave back, and left the place: but as our men pursued them, Sylla called them back, and would not suffer them to follow far after. Howbeit, many men think, that if he would have pressed hard upon them, the war had ended that day. But in my opinion, he is not to be blamed;* 1.3 for there is one charge and power peculiar to a Lieutenant, and ano∣ther to him that commandeth in Chief: the one doing nothing but by order and prescription, and the other disposing every thing as he shall think fit.

Sylla (in Caesar's absence) having freed h••s men, was content therewith, and would no fur∣ther ingage them in fight (which might happi∣ly prove subject to ill fortune) least he should seem to assume unto himself the place and au∣thority of a Generall. There were certain things that made the retreat of Pompey's men very difficult and hazardous. For having ascended from a bottome to a Hill, they now found themselves upon the top thereof. And as they were to make their retreat down again, they stood in fear of our men, pres∣sing on them from the higher ground; neither was it far from sunne-setting (for hoping to end it speedily, they drew out the business untill it was almost night) whereby Pompey was forced to take a resolution from the time, and to possesse himself of a Mount, no fur∣ther from the Fort then out of shot. There he made a stand, fortified the place, and kept his forces.

At the same time they fought in two other places: for Pompey, to separate and distract our troups, assaulted divers forts together, to the end they might not be succoured from the next Garrisons. In one place, Volcatius Tullus with three Cohorts sustained the assault of a Legion, and made them forsake the place. In another part, the Germans sallying out of our works, slew many of the Enemy, and return∣ed back to their fellows in safety. So that in one day there were six severall sights; three at Dyrrachium, and three at the fortifications: of all which an account being taken, there were found slain of Pompey's Party to the number of two thousand, with many Centurions, and other speciall men called out to that war.* 1.4 A∣mongst whom was Valerius Flaccus, the son of Lucius, who being Praetor had obtained the Province of Asia: besides, there were six En∣signes taken. Our Party lost not above twenty men in all those fights; howbeit in the fort there was not one man but was hurt.

Four Centurions of one Cohort lost their eyes; and for argument of their endeavour and great danger, they made report to Caesar, of thirty thousand arrows shot into the fort. There was also a Target of one Scaeva, a Cen∣turion, which was shewed unto him, being pier∣ced through in two hundred and thirty places; whom Caesar (as having well des••rved of him and the Common-wealth) rewarded with six hundred pound sterling;* 1.5 and advanced him from the Companies of the e••ghth rank, to be the chiefest Centurion,* 1.6 or Prin••ipile of the Legion: for it appeared, that by his means spe∣cially the fort was saved. For the Cohort, he doubled their pay, as well in Money, as in Corn and Apparrell; and rewarded them no∣bly with ornaments of Military honour.

Pompey having wrought all that night, to fortify his Trenches, the dayes following he built towers 15 foot high; which being finished, he added mantelets to that part of the Camp. And after five daies, having got a dark night (shutting all the Ports of his Camp, and ramming them up) in the beginning of the third watch, ••e drew out his Army in si∣lence, and betook himself to his old fortifica∣tions.

OBSERVATIONS.

THe breach of the Historie in this place, is like a blot in a fair Table, or as a gap in a daunce of Nymphs, and doth much blemish the beauty of this Discourse. But, forasmuch as it is a losse which cannot be repaired, we must rest contented with the use of that which re∣maineth.

Out of which we may observe the notice they took of well-deserving; according to the insti∣tution

of their discipline, supported especially by Praem••um and Poena, Reward and Punishment. The recognition whereof (according to the judgement of the gravest Law-givers) is the means to raise a State to the height of perfecti∣on.* 1.7 Eo enim impendi laborem & periculum, unde emolumentum & honos speratur, Men will then venture and take pains, when they know they shall get themselves honour and preferment by it. The R••mans, saith Polybius, crowned the valour of their souldiers with eter∣nall honours. Neither did any thing so much excite them to the atchievement of noble Acts, as their Triumphs, Garlands, and other En∣signs of publick ••enown: which Caesar spe∣cially observed above the rest. For besides this which he did to Cassius Scaeva (recorded by all the Writers of these wars) Plutarch relateth,* 1.8 that at his being in Britain, he could not contain from imbracing a souldiers, that carried himself valiantly in defence of divers Centurions. And whereas the poor man, fal∣ling down at his feet, asked nothing but par∣don for leaving his Target behind him; he re∣warded him with great gifts, and much honour. Howbeit, the difference which Salust hath made in this kind is too generally observed;* 1.9 that It more importeth a Commonweal to punish an ill member, then to reward a good act: for a vertuous desire is by neglect a little aba∣ted, but an ill man becomes unsufferable. And thence it is, that merit is never valued but upon necessity. It is fit that he will have the ho∣nour of wearing a Lions skin, should first kill the beast, as Hercules did: but to kill a Lion, and not to have the skin,* 1.10 is not so available as a meaner occupation. Anthony 〈◊〉〈◊〉giveth another rule, observed in that government, which is the true Idea of Perfection: En la ca∣sa de Dios jamas fuc, nies, ni sera, merito sin premio, ni colpa sin pena; In the house of God there never was, nor is, nor shall be, desert un∣rewarded, or fault unpunished.

Notes

• * 1.1

  There is a great part of the histo∣ry in this place omit∣ted.
• * 1.2

  Caesar.
• * 1.3

  Al••ae sunt Legati par∣••es, atque Imperatoris
• * 1.4

  ••vocati.
• * 1.5

  Millibus ducentis aeris.
• * 1.6

  Prin••ipilus.
• * 1.7

  Solon. Plat. ••. de 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Livi•• lib. 4. Lib. 6.
• * 1.8

  In vita Cae∣••••is.
• * 1.9

  In repub. multo prae∣stat benefi∣cii q••••m ma••••ficii immemorem esse: bonus, segnior ••it ubi negli∣gas; m••••as improbior.
• * 1.10

  Sal. Iug••r.