thrown, and perceiving that Pompey's soul∣diers
did not make out to meet them (as men
taught with long use, and exercised in former
fights) stopt their course of their own accord,
and almost in the mid-way stood still; that
they might not come to blows upon the spending
of their strength: and after a little respite of
time, running on again, threw: their piles, and
presently drew their swords, as Caesar had
commanded them. Neither were Pompey's
souldiers wanting in this business; for they
received the piles which were cast at them,
took the shock of the Legions, kept their ranks,
cast their piles, and betook them to their
swords.
At the same time, the Cavalry, according as
was commanded them, issued out from Pom∣pey's
left Cornet, and the whole multitude of
Archers thrust themselves out. Whose assault
our horsemen were not able to endure, but fell
back a little from the place wherein they stood:
whereby Pompey's horsemen began to presse
them with more eagerness, and to put them∣selves
in squadrons, to inclose the Army about.
Which Caesar perceiving, gave the signe of ad∣vancing
forward to the fourth Battell, which
he had made up of six Cohorts; who came with
such a 〈◊〉〈◊〉 upon Pompey's horsemen, that none
of them were able to stand before them, but
turning their backs, did not onely give place,
but fled all as fast as they could to the highest
Hills: whereby the Archers and Slingers
being left naked without succour, were all put
to the sword. And with the same violence, those
Cohorts incompassed about the left Cornet, not∣withstanding
any resistance that could be made
by Pompey's party, and charged them behind
upon their backs.
At the same time Caesar commanded the
third Battell, which as yet stood still, and
were not removed, to advance forward: by
means of which fresh and sound men, re∣lieving
such as were faint and weary, as al∣so
that others did charge them behind up∣on
their backs, Pompey's party were able no
longer to endure it, but all turned their backs
and fled.
Neither was Caesar deceived in his opinion,
that the beginning of the victory would grow
from those Cohorts which he placed in the
fourth Battell, against the horsemen: ac∣cording
as he himself had openly spoken, in
his incouragement to the souldiers. For by
them first the Cavalry was beaten, by them
the Archers and Slingers were slain, by them
Pompey's Battell was circumvented on the
left Cornet, and by their means they began to
flie.
As soon as Pompey saw his Cavalry beaten,
and perceived the part wherein he most
trusted, to be amused and affrighted, and
distrusting the rest, he forthwith left the Bat∣tell,
and conveighed himself on horseback into
the Camp. And speaking to the Centurions
that had the watch at the Praetorian gate with
a loud voice, as all the souldiers might hear,
he said, Keep the Camp, & defend it diligently,
to prevent any hard casualty that may hap∣pen.
In the mean while, I will go about to the
other Ports, to settle the Guards of the Camp.
And having thus said, he went into the
Praetorium, distrusting the main point, and yet
expecting the event.
THE FIRST OBSERVATION.
POmpey so carried himself in the course of
this war, as he rather seemed a sufferer then
a doer: never disposing his Army for any at∣tempt
or on-set, but onely when he brake out
of the place wherein he was besieged at Dyr∣rachium.
And accordingly he gave order, that
in the main action & point of triall, his souldiers
should suffer and sustain the assault, rather then
otherwise. But whether he did well or no, hath
since been in question. Caesar utterly disliked it,
as a thing contrary to reason. Est quaedam (saith
he) animi incitatio atque alacritas, naturali∣ter
innata omnibus, quae stud••o pugnae incen∣ditur;
hanc non reprimere, sed augere Impe∣ratores
debent. There is a certain incitation
and alacrity of spirit naturally planted in every
man, which is inflamed with a desire to fight.
Neither should any Commander represse or
restrain the same, but rather increase it, and set it
forward.
Agreeable whereunto is that of Cato the
Great; that in cases of battell, and Enemy is
to be charged with all violence. And to that
purpose it is requisite, to put the souldiers (at
some reasonable distance) into a posture of
vaunting and definance, with menaces and
cries of terrour; and then to spring forward in
such manner, as may make them fall upon their
enemies with greater furie: As Champions or
Wrastlers, before they buckle, stretch out
their limbs, and make their flourishes as may
best serve to assure themselves, and discourage
their adversaries; according as we read of Her∣cules
and Antaeus.
Ille Cleonaei projecit terga Leonis,
Antaeus Liby••i: persud••t membra liquore
Hospes, Olympiacae servato more Palaestrae.
Ille parum ••idens pedibus contingere ma∣trem,
Auxilium membris, calidas infudit arenas.
The one throws by's Cleoncan Lion's skin,
The other's Libyan; and ere they begin,