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.

OBSERVATIONS.

THis small piece of the Story containeth di∣vers notable passages of extremity, in the carriage of Pompey, and others of his Party. As first (to take them as they lie) that of wilfulnesse in Bibulus: whom neither sicknesse, nor despair of help could move to intermit the task he had undertaken; but chose rather to suffer unto death, in approving his zeal to the Cause, then to give himself a breathing time for the saving of his life: and may serve to admonish any other Bi∣bulus, to value his life above that which a stiffe and wilfull opinion may lead him unto, beyond the measure of honourable endeavour, or what else may any way be justly expected; least in striving to do much, he happen to do nothing. For that cannot be understood to be well done in another mans behalf,* 1.1 that is not well done in his own.

The second is, Pompey's resolution; being so extreme, as no composition, or other thing what∣soever, could give him satisfaction, but only a victorious end of that warre. Our proverb saith, Better a lean agreement, then a fat remedy. And the casualties of warre may move an experienced Commander, to imbrace a safe and quiet peace; as knowing, that he that goeth about to vex another, shall have his turn of suffering the like miseases: and as war beginneth when one party listeth, so it endeth when the other side pleaseth.

—facilis descensus Averni: Sed revocare gradum,* 1.2 superasque evadere ad auras, Hoc opus, hic labor est— —The way to hell is easy: But to come back, and to recover life, This is a task indeed—

And therefore let no Commander, how great soever, refuse all peace, but that which

is bought by extremity of war; least the e∣vent (whereof there can be no assurance) fall out as it happened to Pompey: but rather with the use, let him learn the end of Arms; which is, to make straight that which is crooked, and out of discord and dissension, to draw means of a happy peace.

To which may be added that other of La∣bienus, as far in extremity as either of the for∣mer; whom nothing would satisfie but Cae∣sar's head. It cannot be denied, but that he strook at the root; for his head was the head of that war. But to say it, rather then to do it, was no argument of Labienus worthinesse. For as Polybius noteth,* 1.3 It is common to most men to magnify themselves, with words full of wind; yea and more then that, to follow their designes with impetuous violence: but to direct their undertakings to a successfull issue,* 1.4 and to remove by industry or providence, such hin∣derances as happen to traverse their hopes, is granted but to a few; and now denied to Labienus, notwithstanding this Bravado. And therefore, let such Commanders as are in good opinion and esteem with their Gene∣rall, be well wary of imbarking their party in any cause, farther then may beseem the wisdome and experience of judicious Leaders; as believing in that of Metellus to king Boc∣chus:* 1.5 Omne bellum sumi facile, caeterum acerrime desinere: non in ejusdem potestate initium ejus & finem esse: incipere cuivis etiam ignavo licere; deponi, cum victores ve∣lint. Every warre is easily begun, but hardly so soon ended: the beginning and the end of it are not in the same man's power: any poor∣spirited fellow may begin a warre; but it shall end when the Conquerour pleaseth, and not before.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Frustra sa∣pit, qui sibi non sapit.
• * 1.2

  Aeneid. ••.
• * 1.3

  Lib. 16.
• * 1.4

  Successum fortuna, ex∣perientiam laus sequi∣tur. Va••r••, ex Gellio.
• * 1.5

  Salust.