our Men not rang'd in order nor drawn up in warlike maner but at a venture in single Troops and scattering Parties The Romans thus surpriz'd with suddain Fear and unprovided yet calling to mind their wonted Valour some betook themselves to their Arms others defended their fellows while they made themselves ready The Cavalry mounted and hastned to stop the Enemies Career so that the Fight lookt rather like a Rancounter of Free-booters then a Battel observing neither Ensigns nor Ranks Horse and Foot mix'd one among another some giving ground others being slain many while stoutly engag'd with their Adversaries had the Enemy upon their Backs neither Valour nor Steel were a sufficient Protection for that the Enemy was more numerous and made their Attacks on every side For remedy whereof the Romans as well Veteranes as the raw Souldiers being instructed by their fellows as Chance or Place gave them an opportunity threw themselves into Oval Bodies and so facing the Enemy every way substain'd their Fury with a much more safe resistance All this while Marius thus hard put to it was nothing at all dejected nor shew'd the least sign of fear more then at any other time but with his own Life-guard which he had made choice of not for favour but for their Bravery and Stoutness flew from one place to another relieving those that were over power'd and sometimes charging the Thickest of the Enemy instructing 'em by acts of personal Examples since as a General all Commands were vain in such a terrible Confusion And now by this the day was well nigh spent and yet the Enemy abated nothing of their Fury but according to Jugurth's instructions relying upon the darkness of the night rather press'd on more eagerly When Marius taking resolutions from the necessity of his Affairs that he might have a place of Retreate orders his men to take possession of two small Hills that lay close adjoyning one to another Upon the least of these Hills which was not spacious enough to pitch his Camp there was a large Fountain of Water the other more for his purpose for that being high and steep it wanted the less fortification Therefore upon the first he commanded Sylla to keep a strict Guard with the Cavalry all the Night He himself takes care to rally his Men and to disingage 'em from among the Enemy who were in no less confusion then the Romans Which done he retreats in a full Body to the second Hill The two Kings being thus discourag'd by the difficulty of the place from making any farther attempts however would not leave the Consul so but lay all Night surrounding both the Hills with their extended Multitude All the Night long the Enemy made great and many Fires were merry and jocond skipp'd and daunc'd about and made several strange noises with their feet and throates after their Barbarous Custom The Kings themselves were pufft up and full of high thoughts because they had not been constrain'd to fly but like Victors lay Besieging the Romans But all these things were easily descernible by the light of the Fires to our Men from the higher ground and gave them no small encouragement 99. Marius therefore embolden'd to see the Enemies defect of Discipline commands a most exact Silence in his own Camp not suffering the Trumpets to sound upon relieving the Watches as they were wont to do but as soon as Day began to peep when the Enemy tyr'd with their Jollity were gone to their repose and all in a profound Sleep of a suddain he causes all the Tributary Trumpeters and all the Trumpeters of the several Cohorts Troops and Legions all to sound together and the Souldiers at the same time with loud shouts and Military clamours to rend the Air and pour out of the Camp upon the Enemy On the other side the Moors and Getulians waken'd with the unusual and horrid noise could neither fly nor stand to their Arms neither resolve nor prevent In such a manner were they stupify'd and har'd with noise clamour tumult terrour fright amazement want of succour and the Inundation of the Enemy and at length all routed and put to flight most of their Arms and Military Ensigns taken and more slain in that Battel then in all the Encounters before for being scarce awake and scar'd out of their Wits they had not sence enough to fly 100. Marius thus a Victor according to his first determination hasten'd to his Winter Quarters which he resolv'd to take up in the Sea Towns for the conveniency of Provision Yet in the heighth of his success ne'er the more negligent or puff'd up but as if still the Enemy had been in the field he March'd with his Army divided into four Battalions Upon the right-Right-wing Sylla lead the Horse the Left was guarded by A. Manlius with the Slingers and Darters and a Cohort of Ligurians In the Front and Rear he plac'd the Tribunes with certain Bands of light Armed foot The Fugitives as being little valu'd and exactly acquainted with the Country were put upon the Forlorns to to observe the Motion of the Enemy The Consul confin'd to no Place as if there had been no other Overseers but himself had an eye every where was present with all prais'd or reprov'd according to Desert He rode about compleatly arm'd and made it his business to keep the Souldiers from stragling no less vigilant then as if he had been upon a March to fortify his Camp to set the Sentinels to order what Cohorts what Auxiliary Horse should be upon the Guard without the Trenches which to watch upon the Brest-works within the Fortifications and go the Rounds in Person not so much mistrusting disobedience of his Commands but that the Souldiers might be the more willing to endure hardship when they beheld the General himself so painfully sharing their laborious Toyl And indeed Marius may be said both then and at other times during the Jugurthin War to keep his Army in awe rather by shame then severity of Punishment which many attributed to his Ambition but others more soft in their censures ascrib'd to his being enur'd to Hardship from his Cradle which made him take pleasure in those things which others lookt upon as Tribulations However it were this is certain He was no less profitable and successful to the Commonwealth then if he had been the severest Commander in the World 101. Upon the fourth day being not far from Cirta the Scouts came all thundering into the Body of the Army which was a certain sign the Enemy was at hand But because they had been all several ways and all brought the same Intelligence the Consul uncertain which way to Embattel his Army would not change any thing of his Order as being already prepar'd to attend the Enemies coming with a Front every way By this means he disappointed Jugurth's Expectations for having divided his Forces into four Battalions he made full account that one or other of the Four would have an opportunity
equal the Souldiers might be the more encourag'd himself a foot Embattles his Army as his number and the Nature of the Place would permit For finding that the Plain lay between Mountains on the Right and rugged and steep Rocks on the Left he made a Front of Eight Cohorts The rest he drew up more close in Reserves Out of these he brings all the choice Centurions and Honorary Reformades together with the stoutest of all the Common Souldiers well Arm'd into his first Array To C. Manlius he gave the Right to a Commander of Fiesoli the Left Wing Himself with his enfranchiz'd Bondmen and some of Sylla's old Souldiers that had been distributed into Colonies he posted himself next to the Eagle which as they said had been the Standard which Marius made use of in the Cimbric War On the other side C. Antonius being then sick of the Gout because he could not be present at the Battle gave the Command of his Army to his Legate M. Petreius He plac'd the Veterane Cohorts which he had rais'd of a suddain in the Front and behind them the rest of his Men for a Reserve Himself Riding about from Rank to Rank calls every one by their Names encourages and intreats 'em to be but mindful that they fought against unarm'd Robbers for their Country their Liberty their Altars and their Houshold Gods This Man an old Souldier who had been for above thirty years together either a Tribune or Prefect or Legate or Pretor and all along acquitted himself with great Honour knew most of the Souldiers was acquainted with their stoutest Actions and by bringing 'em fresh to their Memories greatly inflam'd their Courages Now then Petreius having diligently observ'd the Enemies Array and given out his last Orders by sound of Trumpet Commands the Signal of Battle and the Cohorts at the same time to move slowly forward The same did the Enemy but when they were so near to one another that the Lighter arm'd might well begin the fight with their Missive weapons the Legionaries never stood to throw their Piles as they were to do but running with a hideous shout on both sides to the Combat began a close fight foot to foot with their Swords The Veteranes mindful of their Pristine Bravery bore vigorously upon the Enemy nor did their Opposites make a Timorous Resistance so that the Combat was sharp on both sides All the while Catiline with the most active and smartest of his followers kept still in the head of his Men succour'd those that were over-power'd supply'd the places of the wounded with fresh Men frequently charg'd in Person and perform'd all the Duties of a stout Souldier and experienc'd Commander Petreius therefore perceiving that Catiline made a stouter Resistance then he expected orders the Pretorian Cohort to Advance and Charge the very thickest of the Enemy and then it was that all things went to wrack on Catiline's side his Men being every where disorder'd and every where put to the Sword which done the Legate flew upon both the Enemies Wings at the same time with the same fury Manlius and the Faesulane fell among the first But as for Catiline when he saw his Army routed and himself left naked with a small Remainder remembring his Descent and his Ancient Dignity he threw himself into the thickest of his Enemies and was there slain with his Sword in his hand But after the Battle was over then you might see the wonderful Audacity and Resolution that had reign'd in Catiline's Army For generally the place which every one had stood on when alive the same when dead he cover'd with his Body Some few indeed whom the Pretorian Cohort had routed in the middle lay more dispers'd yet all had receiv'd their wounds before and no man turning his back Only Catiline was found at a distance from his own Men among the Carcases of his Enemies with some remainder of Life retaining in his Countenance that Fury and Fierceness of Mind which inspir'd him when alive and the last thing remarkable is this that of that whole Number neither in the Fight nor in the Pursuit was any Free-born Citizen taken Prisoner so equally merciful had they all been to their own and the Lives of their Enemies Nor can we say that the Army of the Roman People enjoy'd a Victory to be rejoyc'd at or at the expence of little Blood For not a Man of forward Bravery but either fell in the Battle or was carry'd off desperately wounded So that of many that either out of Curiosity or greedy of Plunder going to view the Field of Battle turn'd up the Carcases of the Slain there were hardly any but either knew their Friends their Guests or their Kindred and some there were who knew their Enemies Thus Joy and Sorrow Mourning and Gladness variously affected the Victorious Army The End of the Catilinarian War C. Crispus Sallustius's JUGURTH OR JUGURTHINE War 1. FAlsely does Human kind complain of the Condition of Life as if it were too frail and short and rather under the Dominion of Chance then Vertue For entertaining contrary thoughts we shall find that there is nothing greater nothing more excellent then Man himself and that he neither wants power nor length of years but only Industry For the Captain and Commander of human Life is the Soul which while it journeys with an eager pace toward Glory through the paths of Vertue is sufficiently prevalent powerful and eminent not needing Fortune's aid which neither can bequeath or take away from any Man his Probity his Industry or any other vertuous Endowments But if enslav'd to lewd desires we plunge our selves in Luxury and Corporeal Pleasures by degrees accustom'd to pernicious sensuality when we have once mispent our Parts our Strength our precious Hours in Sloath and Oscitancy the Infirmity of Nature is then accus'd for that the Guilty lay the blame of their folly upon the difficulty of Business Whereas if Men were but as sedulous in laudable Professions as they are eager in the pursuit of things unprofitable and many times extreamly hazardous they would rather govern then be govern'd by Fortune and would advance themselves to that degree of Grandeur that instead of being Mortal they would become Eternal in Glory 2. For as all Mankind is compounded of Soul and Body so do also all our Affairs and all our Studies follow some the nature of the Body others of the Soul Therefore lovely Form superfluous Riches strength of Body these in a short time all decay but the glorious Atchievements of Wit and Parts are like the Soul Immortal Lastly as there is a beginning so there is an end of all the Blessings of Body and Fortune all things rising set again and as they grow grow old But the Soul Incorruptible Eternal the Guide and Ruler over all Mankind acts and possesses all things not possess'd it self And the deprav'd humor of those Men is so much the more to be admir'd
make ready the Place and Instruments for Execution He after the Guards were set brings Lentulus himself to the Prison as the Praetors also did the rest Within the Javl there is a certain place call'd Tullianum after a small Ascent to the left hand about Twelve Foot under ground being wall'd about on every side with an Arch of Stone over head but nasty dark offensive to the Smell and frightful to the Sight Into this Dungeon Lentulus being let down the Lictors or Executioners according to their Orders strangl'd him with a Halter Thus fell that great Patrician descended from the Illustrious Family of the Cornelii that frequently had held the Consular Dignity of Rome meeting that fatal End which the Course of his Life and his Actions justly merited In the same manner also Cethegus Statilius Gabinius and Ceparius were executed at the same time While these things are thus transacted at Rome Catiline of all the Men which he had rais'd himself and those that Manlius had muster'd together made two Legions and fill'd up his Cohorts proportionable to the Number of his Men. Then as Voluntiers or Friends came in to him he made an equal distribution of their Number insomuch that in a short time he compleated both his Legions whereas before he had but Two Thousand in all Of these not above a fourth part were arm'd with Souldier like Weapons the rest supply'd by Chance and Fortune carry'd either Country Pike-staves Javelins or Stakes made sharp at the end But when Antonius approach'd with his Army Catiline keeping the Mountains bent his March sometimes towards the City sometimes towards Gallia carefully avoyding Combat with his Enemy for he was in hopes of numerous Reinforcements so soon as his Confederates had accomplish'd their work at Rome In the mean time he refus'd the Assistance of Slaves and Servants of which a great Number had resorted to him at the beginning confiding in the strength of the Conspiracy and deeming it might also disadvantage his Interests to have intermix'd the Complaints and Cause of Free Citizens with Slaves But afterwards when News was brought to the Camp that the Conspiracy was discover'd and that Lentulus Cethegus and the rest were executed the greatest part whom hopes of Plunder and desire of new revolutions had inveigl'd to the War dropt from him with the rest Catiline swiftly retires through the rough and difficult Passes of the Hills into the Territory of the Pistorienses with a Design to steal away privately under the shelter of the Woods and Mountains into Lumbardy But Q. Metellus Celer lay with three Legions in the Territory of Picenum rightly conjecturing Catiline's Intention considering the distress of his Affairs Therefore having intelligence of his March by certain Fugitives he presently raises his Camp and posts himself at the foot of the Mountains where Catiline must come down in his March for Hither Gallia Nor was Antonius far behind as he that follow'd the nimble Fugitives with a numerous Army through more level and less incumber'd ways Catiline therefore when he perceiv'd himself enclos'd with Hills and numerous Enemies that all things had fail'd his Expectations in the City and that there was no safety in flight nor hope of Succour believing it his wisest course in such a condition to try the chance of War he resolv'd to hazard his Fortune with Antonius And to that purpose at the Head of all his Army he made this Oration to his Souldiers I am convinc'd by Truth of History and Experience fellow Souldiers that Words afford no addititon of Courage unto Men or that a Generals Harangue renders a sloathful Army stout no Cowardly numbers Valiant Only what Courage is by Nature or generous Practice inherent in the Soul of every Man so much displays it self in Battle The Person whom neither Glory nor Dangers can excite in vain we seek with Speeches to inflame for Consternation stops his Ears However I have call'd ye here together partly to inculcate some few things into your Breasts but chiefly to unfold the cause of this my suddain Resolution You understand too well fellow Souldiers how great a Calamity the sloath and negligence of Lentulus has brought upon himself and Us and how I am debarr'd from Marching into Gallia in Expectation of considerable Succours And now you likewise know as well as my self what is the desperate condition of our Affairs at present Two Armies of the Enemy one from the City another from Gallia lie posted in our way To stay longer in these Parts had we never so great a Desire scarcity of Provision and other Necessaries will not permit And wheresoever we design our March we have no other way but what our Swords must open Wherefore I exhort ye be resolute and still prepar'd for vigorous Encounter and when ye are ready to joyn Battle that you carry Riches Honour Grandeur your Liberty and your Country in your hands If we vanquish all these things will be secure plenty of Provision Municipal Towns and Colonies will be at our Devotion But if through Cowardice we turn our Backs then all the World will be our Enemies no place nor friend will shelter them whose Arms could not protect ' em Moreover Fellow Souldiers the same necessity binds not them that strictly obliges us We Combate for our Country our Liberty and Lives 't is only a superfluous kindness in them to defend in fight the Usurpation of a few the reason wherefore you should be more daringly mindful of your Ancient Vertue You had your choice to spend your ignominious Lives in shameful Exile or else to live at Rome your Patrimonies and Fortunes lost in Expectation of other Mens Estates But because these things seem'd base or not to be endur'd you determin'd to follow these resolutions If these your last determinations please not the more need of Courage at this time For no man but the Victor Exchanges War for Peace And to expect Security in Flight when we have thrown away our Weapons that were the Protection of our Bodies that 's a peice of Real Madness Always in Battle they are most in Danger who are most afraid for daring Boldness guards yee like a Wall When I consider your Persons Fellow Souldiers and put an estimate upon your Actions my hopes of Victory are exceeding Great Your Valour Age and Stoutness all encourage me Moreover your Necessities which renders even Cowards Valiant nor will the nature of these narrow passages permit the Enemy to surround us with their numbers However if Fortune frown upon your Valour beware that unreveng'd you do not lose your Lives or choose to be taken and be massacred like Sheep rather then fighting like Men to leave the Enemy a Bloody and mournful Victory Having thus spoken after he had made a little Pause he commanded the Trumpets to sound and leads down his Men in good order into a Champion ground Then sending away all the Horses to the end the danger being
Army with some of the nimblest Cohorts and a select Band of Archers and Slingers The Reer C. Marius his Legate brought up with his Horse and upon each Wing he had divided the Auxiliary Horse at the Command of the Tribunes of the Legions and Captains of the Cohorts to the end that the light Armed Foot and the Horse being thus intermixt they might be able to withstand the Enemies Cavalry which way soever they make an Impression For Jugurth was so politic so well acquainted with the Situation of the Country and the Art of War that whether he were more dangerous absent or present treating Peace or actually in War was hard to be resolv'd 47. There stood not far from the Road which Metellus took in his march a Town belonging to the Numidians which was call'd Vacca the most famous for Trade of any in the Kingdom and greatly frequented by the Italian Merchants Here the Consul as well for a Trial whether they would obey or no as also considering the Advantages of the Situation places a Garrison Moreover he commanded the Inhabitants to furnish him with a Quantity of Corn and other Necessaries useful in War believing as it was most rational to think That the great Concourse of Merchants and plenty of Provision would be a great Assistance to his Army besides that the Place lay convenient for a Magazine of necessary Preparations for the future In the midst of these Transactions Jugurth sends again submissive Messengers and much more earnestly then before sues for Peace with Offers to Metellus to surrender all things to his Mercy but his own and the Lives of his Children whom the Consul as he did the former sent back again with Temptations to betray their Master but as to the Peace which the King desir'd he neither gave any positive Grant or Refusal delaying on purpose in expectation of the Agents Promises 48. But Jugurth when he compar'd the Words and Deeds of Metellus together and found himself match'd at his own Weapons of Delay and Dissimulation while Peace was dissembl'd in Words but actually a sharp and vigorous War in the Bowels of his Kingdom one of his chiefest Cities in the Enemies Hands the Country discover'd and the People staggering in their Allegiance constrain'd by the Necessity of his Affairs he resolves to fight it out And therefore by his Spies having throughly discover'd and observ'd the March of the Enemy conceiving great hopes of Victory from the Opportunity of the Place he raises all the Force he could make of all sorts of People and so by private ways and shorter Cuts he gets before Metellus's Army There was in that part of Numidia which upon the Division of the Kingdom fell to Adherbal's share a River rising Southward which was call'd Muthul from whence at the distance of about a Thousand and Twenty Paces a great Mountain shew'd it self wild by Nature and altogether untill'd and uninhabited from the middle of which there grew as it were another Hill to a very great height cover'd over with wild Olives Mirtles and such other sorts of Trees as delight in barren and sandy Grounds All the surrounding Plain for want of Water lay desart only those parts that border'd upon the Stream which were thick set with Bushes and Hedges full of Cattel and Husbandmen Upon this Hill which ran cross the High-way as we have said it was that Jugurth drew up the Vanguard of his Army thinly Marshall'd giving Bomilcar the Charge of his Elephants and some part of his Forces with full Instructions what to do He himself with his Cavalry and some selected Battalions of Foot plants himself nearer the Mountain then riding from Troop to Troop and Rank to Rank he exhorts encourages and conjures them not to forget their pristine Valour and victorious Conquests but bravely to defend themselves and his Kingdom from the Avarice of the Romans That they were to deal with only such as they had forc'd to pass the Yoke already That their Captain only not their Courage was chang'd That his Care and Foresight had prevail'd against all Accidents as became an expert Leader That he had taken the upper Ground and intermix'd 'em so Veteranes with the raw and undisciplin'd to the end that they might not be afraid to grapple a few in number with many or less expert with their Superiors in War therefore that they should be all in a readiness and forward to assail the Romans upon the Signal given That this was the Day which would either prove the end of all their Toyls by glorious Conquest or the beginning of unavoydable Calamities Then culling out by Name every particular Person that for their Martial Deeds he had either enrich'd with Gold or advanc'd to Military Honours he admonishes 'em to be mindful of his Favours and bids 'em encourage others with the same Expectancies Lastly as if he understood the particular Genius of those he spoke to some he promises others he threatens but emboldens and encourages all by all the ways imaginable All this while Metellus ignorant of the Enemies Approach is discover'd marching with his Army down the Hill Who suddenly descrying an unusual sight began to consider for the Numidians kept themselves and their Horses snug within the Trees and Bushes which nevertheless were not so high as to shelter 'em sufficiently from being seen and yet the nature of the Place was such that they could not fully be discover'd besides that they had cunningly hid all their Military Ensigns But in a short time the Truth being fully found out and the General made a steady halt Then hastning to embattel his Army he chang'd the Order of his March and in the right Wing which was next the Enemy he places three Bodies of Reserves Between the small Divisions he disperses the Slingers and Darters and plants all his Cavalry upon the Wings Then after some few Exhortations to the Souldiers for shortness of time would not permit him to use many words he brings his Army thus Embatell'd into the Plain only that the first Ranks chang'd their ground in Marching 49. But when he perceiv'd that the Numidians lay still and would not come down from the Hill fearing lest his Men should be distress'd for want of Water he sent Rutilius before with some of the nimblest Cohorts and part of the Horse to the River to secure a place for his Camp believing that the Enemy would then powr down upon him and by Charging him in Flank endeavour to prevent him and because they durst not rely upon their own Courage would seek to tire out his Men with heat and drought After Him the Consul follow'd slowly descending the Hill as the nature of the Place would give leave Marius brought up the Rear himself march'd with the Cavalry upon the Left Wing On the other side Jugurth when he found that the Rear of Metellus's Army was just past by the Front of his own Men places a Guard of two thousand Foot upon
the Mountain from whence Metellus had descended to prevent the Enemy from regaining it and fortifying themseves in that place should they be put to a retreat then giving the Signal he flew upon the Romans The Numidians soon made havock in the Rear while others Charge in the Flank some upon the right others upon the left side they press on and lay about 'em every where endeavouring to break the Ranks of the Romans among whom they who with greatest resolution labour'd to come to a close Fight were disappointed by the uncertain Assaults of the Enemy who fought and wounded at a distance those that could reach to revenge themselves For the Horsemen had been instructed before by Jugurth that when they were pursu'd by any of the Roman Troops that they should not retreat in a Body but scatter several ways by that means if they could not deter the Enemy from pursuit they were in a Condition being Superior in number to Charge 'em when dissipated on all sides Rear Front and Flanks and then a gain if the Hill were more advantageous to secure their Flight then the Plain Fields that then they should retire thither where their Horses accustom'd to scoure through the Bushes could not be follow'd by our Men easily incumber'd among the Shrubs and Thickets 50. All this while the Event of things lookt but with an ill Aspect uncertain various bloody and miserable dispers'd from their own some fled others pursu'd neither Ensigns nor Orders observ'd where-ever danger attacque'd any Man there he made resistance Arms Weapons Horses Men Enemies and Friends lay all intermingl'd together nothing was acted by Counsel or Command but Fortune govern'd And now the day began to be far spent and then the Issue was also uncertain But at length both sides being spent with toyl and heat Metellus observing the Numidians fury to abate rallies his Men together by degrees reduces 'em into Order and places four Legionary Cohorts against the Enemies foot To those Cohorts of which the greatest part weary and tir'd had possess'd the upper Grounds Metellus gave good words and desir'd 'em not to desert their fellow Souldiers nor suffer an Enemy half vanquish'd to wrest the Victory out of their hands that they had neither Camp nor Fortification to retreat to but all their hopes was in their Swords Neither was Jugurth idle he rode about exhorted entreated renew'd the fight and in person with the select Guards of his Body try'd all places reliev'd his own press'd furiously upon those that waver'd and against those he could not move he fought at a distance Thus these two famous Generals bestirr'd themselves in Courage and Experience in their Forces not so equally match'd For Metellus had the more valiant Souldiers tho the Ground was disadvantageous Jugurth had all Advantages of his side but only Souldiers At length the Romans understanding they had no place of Refuge and finding that the Enemy would not hazzard a close Fight besides that it was now toward Evening by the Generals Command they briskly charge up Hill and then it was that the Numidians having lost their footing were soon routed and out to flight few were slain in regard that the swiftness of their Heels and the Country unknown to the Roman protected their Lives 51. In the mean time Bomilcar to whom Jugurth had given the Command of his Elephants and part of his Infantry as we have said already when Rutilius was March'd past him brings his own Men into the Champaign ground by degrees and whilst the Legate hastned to the River whither he was sent before orders his Army with great silence as it behov'd him not neglecting however by his Spies to observe the Motions of the Enemy in every place So soon as he understood that Rutilius was Encamp'd in a careless posture and found that Jugurth was engag'd by the hideous Noises that reach'd his Ears from the Battle fearing least the Legate when he understood the cause would hasten to the Assistance of his own Party he extends the Front of his Army which before upon distrust of their Courage he had drawn up thick and close and to stop the March of the Enemy Marches directly toward Rutilius's Camp The Romans of a suddain perceive a prodigious Cloud of Dust for the fields being thick set with low Trees hindr'd a clear Prospect and believes at first that it was rais'd by the Wind but afterwards when they saw it continue and approach nearer and nearer to themselves then readily conjecturing what the matter was they betake themselves to their Arms and range themselves before the Camp according to command When the Enemy drew near both sides joyn Battle with a hideous clamour and noise The Numidians stood fast so long as they thought there was any hope in their Elephants but when they saw them entangl'd among the Boughs and by that means overthrown and surrounded by the Romans they betook themselves to their Heels and throwing away their Arms by the benefit of the Hill and the Night which was then at hand escap'd with little Execution Four Elephants were taken the rest to the number of forty kill'd But the Romans though tir'd with their March with raising the Fortifications of their Camp and the heat of the Battle yet because Metellus staid longer then was expected they March forward Embattl'd as they were and with an extraordinary Resolution to meet him For the Craft of the Numidians will admit of nothing negligent or remiss At first through the darkness of the Night when they came within hearing one of another being taken for Enemies there was nothing but fear and hurry one among another And through imprudence a fatal Accident had like to have happen'd had not the Forelorns on both sides rectify'd the mistake But then their fears were chang'd of a suddain into joy The Souldiers merrily call to one another relate and hearken to one anothers Exploits and every one extols his own Valour to the Skies For such is the Condition of human Affairs that after Victory Cowards have leave to boast but ill success casts a reproach on the most Valiant 52. Metellus stay'd four days in the same Camp orders the wounded to be carefully look'd after those that had well deserv'd in the Battle he well Rewards according to the Military Custom applauds 'em all in general and gives 'em thanks in a Public Assembly As to what was behind which would now prove easy he exhorted 'em to behave themselves with equal Courage that they had already fought sufficiently for Victory their other Toyls woul'd only be for Booty In the mean time he sends the Fugitives and other proper Spies to bring him News where Jugurth was what he was doing what force he had about him and how he brook'd his loss But Jugurth had retir'd himself among the Woods and Places strongly fortify'd by Nature there he levy'd an Army more numerous that he had before but such as had neither Mettle nor Strength Which happen'd so
for this reason because unless it were the Royal Cavalry not one of all the Numidians accompani'd the King in his Flight but every one took his own Course as his Fancy lead him neither is it accounted any shame for a Souldier so to do as being the Custom of the Country Metellus therefore when he found that the Kings Courage was not yet cool'd but that the War would be renew'd which could not then be manag'd but as Jugurth pleas'd himself Moreover that he fought upon unequal terms with an Enemy to whom it was less prejudice to be vanquish'd then to overcome his Men he determin'd to fight no more pitch'd Battles but to carry on the War after another manner Therefore he Marches into the Richest Parts of Numidia harrasses and lays wast all the Country takes and burns several Castles and Towns either slightly fortify'd or else without any Garrisons puts all the Young men to the Sword all other things he gives free Booty to the Souldiers These severe Proceedings cause several to send Pledges to the Romans Corn and all other necessary Provisions are plentifully supply'd and where ever need requir'd there he plac'd a Garrison Which manner of Warlike management terrify'd the King much more then the ill success of a Battle For that be whose hopes of safety were all in flight was now constrain'd to follow And he that could not defend the Territories that were left him was now forc'd to wage War in the Conquests of another But in this distress and exigency of choice he took that course which seem'd to him to be the wisest He orders the Body of his Army still to lie in the same place He himself with a select number of Horse follows Metellus and in regard his Nocturnal Marches and unfrequented ways were not subject to quick Discovery he frequently met with the Roman Forragers and Straglers of which the greatest part were slain or taken nor did one escape unwounded which done before Assistance could be sent from the Camp the Numidians were vanish'd to the next Hills 55. In the mean time there was extraordinary rejoycing at Rome upon the News of Metellus's success that he had govern'd both himself and the Army according to the Custom and Discipline of their Ancestors that in a disadvantageous ground he had obtain'd the Victory by his Valour that he was Master of the Enemies Country and had constrain'd Jugurth vain-gloriously puff'd up and grown insolent through the Cowardice of Aulus to hide his head in Deserts and to place all his hopes of safety in Flight Therefore the Senate order'd Supplications to the Immortal Gods for the success of their Arms The City trembling before and solicitously dreading the Event of the War were all in Festivals and Jollity and Metellus's Fame spread far and near For this reason he labour'd more vigorously after Victory He leaves no stone unturn'd yet provident all the while how he fell into the Ambuscado's of the Enemy mindful that after Glory Envy follows Therefore the greater his Reputation was so much the more Careful and Vigilant also was he neither after the last Attempts of Jugurth would he suffer the Army to forrage at random and therefore when he wanted either Corn or Fodder he sent several Cohorts and all the Cavalry to guard the Forragers He himself led one part of the Army and Marius the other the Country was laid wast rather by Fire then driving of Booty they Encamp'd in two several Places not far distant one from the other When there was occasion for reinforcement they joyn'd both together and when they design'd to clear and ravage the Country and spread the Terror of their Arms then they acted asunder At the same time Jugurth follow'd close at their Heels but still keeping the Mountains VVhere ever he could perceive the Enemy bent their March there he destroy'd all the Forrage and poyson'd the Wells and Fountains of which there was great scarcity Sometimes he would shew himself to Metellus sometimes to Marius by and by fall upon the Rear neither engage in Battle nor suffer 'em to be at rest only to obstruct the Enemies designs 56. Therefore the Roman General when he saw himself tir'd out by a crafty Adversary that would not be drawn to a fair Encounter he determin'd to Besiege a great City called Zama in that Quarter of the Country the Key and Bulwark of the Kingdom believing as it was but rational that Jugurth would come to relieve the Place and so give him the Opportunity of a Battle But he being inform'd by the Fugitives of Metellus's designs with long Marches gets before him encourages the Townsmen to defend their Walls and leaves 'em all his Fugitives to re-inforce their Garrison which were a sort of People the stoutest and most resolute of all the Kings Forces as being under a constraint of being faithful and having thus settl'd his Affairs away he slips into the most private lurking holes he could meet with Soon after he understood that Marius was upon his March being commanded with some few Cohorts to Convoy a considerable quantity of Corn from Sicca Which was the first Town that revolted from the King after his Defeat Thither Jugurth hastens in the Night time with some select Troops of Horse and Engag'd the Romans as they were just Marching out at the Gate and at the same time cry'd out to the Inhabitants to fall upon the Cohorts in the Rear withall encouraging 'em for that Fortune had put into their hands a noble Opportunity which if they laid hold on he should for the future enjoy his Kingdom and they their Liberty in Peace and Tranquillity So that had not Marius fall'n on with all the fury imaginable made his way out of the Town and broke through the Enemy at the same time either all or most of the Inhabitants had chang'd their Fidelity so mutable and inconstant is the Numidian Faith But Jugurth's Souldiers being a while supported by the presence of their Prince when they felt the smart strokes of the Enemy who prest in hard on the thickest and most forward with the loss of some few betook themselves to speedy flight and Marius comes safe to Zama 57. This Town was seated in a Plain rather fortify'd by Industry then Nature provided with all Necessaries and stor'd with Men and Ammunition Metellus therefore having prepar'd all things in readiness so far as the Time and Place would permit surrounds the Walls with his whole Army and gives Orders to the Legates what Posts to take Then upon the Signal given a hideous Clamour fills the Skies on every side but all their noise nothing terrifies the Numidians they stand resolute and fix'd without any Tumult so the Assault begins The Romans plaid their parts as they thought best themselves some fought with Slings and Darts at a distance others make close Approaches some to undermine and some resolv'd to set their Ladders to the Walls and make a speedier trial of
all the speed they could the Cyrenians travell'd flowly but whether it were through negligence or by chance I am not able to say Yet in those Places a contrary Wind is no less troublesom to a Traveller then at Sea For when Tempestuous Gusts blow hard and brush those level Sands naked of all manner of Coverture the Dust Pebbles so terribly molest the Sight and Faces of Travellers that not daring to open their Eyes they are no longer able to proceed in their Journey Howere it were the Cyrenians finding they had loyter'd behind and fearing Capital Punishment for their Negligence at their Return quarell'd with the Carthaginians and accus'd 'em of setting forward from home beford their Time made a hideous Bustle ann resolv'd whatere it cost 'em not to reture home Losers Whereupon when thy Carthaginians proffer'd to accept of ane Condition that was but reasonable thr Greeks made this Proposal That eithes the Carthaginians should suffer themselve to be bury'd alive in that Place which they claim'd for the Limits of their Empire or else upon the same Condition That they would travel forward as far as they thought fit Whereupon the Philaeni accepting the Proposal surrender'd themselves and their Lives for the Good of the Commonwealth and were bury'd alive without more ado In remembrance of which pious Act the Carthaginians erected Altars which they consecrated to the Memories of the Two Brethren besides other Honours which were decreed 'em at home Now I return to the Matter in hand 80. Jugurth after the Loss of Thala thought nothing sufficiently secure against the Conduct of Metellus and therefore crossing vast Desarts with a small Retinue at length he comes to the Getulians a fierce and barbarous sort of People and at that time unacquainted with the Roman Name Of these he musters together a vast Multitude and by degrees accustoms 'em to keep their Ranks to follow their Ensigns to obey Commands and several other Points of Military Discipline Moreover by great Gifts and larger Promises he procutes the Favour of such as had the Ear of King Bocchus and by their Assistance addressing himself to the King he perswades him to undertake a War against the Romans Which Bocchus was the more easily inclin'd to do in regard that at the beginning of the Jugurthine War he had sent his Ambassadors to Rome to desire a League and Friendship with the Romans Which Overture most advantageous at the beginning of that War some few obstructed blinded with Covetousness and according to their usual Custom putting all things to Sale both honest and dishonest Besides Jugurth but a little before had marry'd the Daughter of Bocchus But that same Tye of Relation is little valu'd among the Moors and Numidians because they marry several Wives some Ten and others more according to their Estates and Princes consequently a far greater Number So that being thus distracted with variety the King advances none to his Society particularly but looks on all as equally vile and equally inferior 81. Therefore at the Rendezvouz by both appointed both Armies meet and there both Princes giving and taking mutual Oaths of Fidelity and Constancy Jugurth in a set Speech the more to exasperate Bocchus tells him That the Romans were unjust immensely covetous the common Enemies of all Mankind That they would make the same Pretences serve for an occasion of War with Bocchus as with him and other Nations Ambition of Rule as having a perfect Antipathy against Monarchs That at present Himself a little before the Carthaginians and King Perseus were the Objects of their Fury and that hereafter the Power and Opulency of any Prince would be a sufficient Provocation for the Romans to quarrel with him This said away they bend their March for Cirta for that Metellus there had stow'd his Booty Captives and his Baggage Thence Jugurth consider'd That either the taking of the Place would be worth his while or if the Romans attempted to relieve it he should have the opportunity to fight ' em For it was his Policy to make haste to engage Bocchus beyond the Hopes of Peace lest by delay his Mind might vary to accept of any Conditions rather then enter into a War 82. But the General so soon as he had Intelligence that there was a League between the two Kings would not rashly not upon every slight occasion proffer Battel as he was wont to do after he had overthrown Jugurth but having fortify'd his Camp not far from Cirta there he waits the coming of the Kings believing it his wiser course to fight upon Advantage after he had made Trial of the Courage of the Moors as being an Enemy with which he had never yet engag'd In the mean time he had Advice by Letters from Rome that the Province of Numidia was given to Marius for he had heard before that he was elected Consul The News of which so strangely mov'd him beyond all measure and put him so beside himself that he could neither refrain from Tears nor moderate his Tongue a Man so excellent and so accomplish'd in all other things yet not able to brook his inward Vexations Which some attributed to his Pride others to the Generosity of his Naturet that could not suffer an Affront but many to his Indignation that the Victory now as good as won should be wrested out of his Hands But we are satisfy'd that Marius's Honour more tormented him then the Injury done to himself and that he would not have taken it so impatiently had the Province when taken from him been bestow'd upon any other then Marius 83. Metellus therefore sick of this Distemper and because he deem'd it a folly for him to procure Triumphs for another at the haxard of his own Life sends Ambassadors to Bocchus to caution him how he quarrell'd with the People of Rome without any provocation That now he had a fair Opportunity to obtain the League and Alliance which he had before desir'd and which would be far more advantageous to him then War That though he might rely upon his great Power yet 't was not the safest way to hazard Certainties for Uncertainties That a War was easily begun but not so soon ended That the Beginning and Conclusion of it were not at the disposal of the same Person That any Coward might begin a War but the End of it was at the pleasure of the Victor only and therefore that he should consult his own and the welfare of his Kingdom and not adventure his flourishing Prosperity in the same Bottom with Jugurth's Misfortunes To which the King in mild and gentle Terms return'd for Answer That Peace was his desire only he pity'd the miserable Condition of Jugurth so that if he might be included in the Articles all things would be soon concluded Again the General in Answer to Bocchus's Demands sends other Commissioners some things he approv'd others he refus'd and thus by sending to and fro Time wasted and the War was spun out without a
Quarters of the Romans But being met upon the Road by certain Getulian Free-booters and rob'd of all their Equipage frighted as they were and meanly habited they fly to Sylla's Quarters whom Marius upon his March into the Desarts had left Pretor in his room These Men did Sylla treat not as vain and fickle Enemies but Genteelly and Bountifully supply'd their wants So that the Barbarians finding Sylla so munificent and so friendly withal readily alter'd their Opinion of the Roman Avarice For in those very days many there were that understood not the reason of expensive Liberality only a Man was accounted munificent because his Bounty seem'd his voluntary Act and all Gifts were lookt upon as Retalliations or in expectation of Kindness Therefore they discover Bocchus's Instructions to Sylla and withal beseech him to stand both their Friend and their Adviser They extol the Strength the Integrity and Grandeur of the King their Master not omitting any thing that might be advantageous to their Negotiation or to gain the good will of the Pretor Nor did Sylla scruple to promise 'em all Assistance but gave 'em full Instructions how to manage their Affairs how to behave themselves as well toward Marius as before the Lords of the Senate and thus recruited and directed they waited about forty days for the Consuls return 104. At what time Marius not succeeding in his Design return'd for Cirta where being inform'd of the arrival of the Embassadors he sends for them and Sylla together with L. Bellienus the Pretor from Vtica as also from all other Parts for all that were of the Senatorian Degree In their presence he makes known the Commands of Bocchus to his Embassadors and gives 'em leave to repair to Rome but in the mean while the Consul demands a Cessation of Arms. These Proceedings were approv'd by Sylla and the greatest Part some few were more hot and furious in their Opinions ignorant of Human Affairs which being inconstant and subject to a thousand Accidents often alter for the worse At length the Mows having obtain'd all their desires three of 'em set forward toward Rome with Octavius Bufo who being Treasurer at War had brought the Money into Africa which was to pay the Army The other two return'd back to the King and gave him an account of their Proceedings in Conclusion highly magnifying Sylla's great civillity and kindness At Rome after the Embassadors had submissively confess'd the Kings oversights as being lead away by the Insinuations of Jugurth and humbly desir'd a League and mutual Amity the following Answer was return'd The Senate and People of Rome are mont to be no less mindful of Kindnesses then Injuries But as for Bocchus because they find him Penitent they pardon his Offence A League and Friendship shall be granted him when he deserves it These things being made known to Bocchus by Letters he desires Marius to send Sylla to him that according to his pleasure and good liking there might be a final Conclusion of all differences Thereupon he was dispatch'd away with a Guard of Horse and Foot the Balearic Slingers together with the Archers and the Pelignian Cohort with their Light Arms for expeditions sake with those slighter Arms as well defensive as offensive no less secur'd then by Arms of greater Force from the Darts of the Enemy which were as slight and easily avoided Upon the Road after they had travell'd five days of a sudden Volux shew'd himself in the open Field with about a Thousand Horse who riding scatter'd and without any Order not only seem'd to be more then they were but begot a kind of mistrust of Hostile Treachery both in Sylla and all the rest Thereupon every one began to make ready to fix their Weapons and put themselves into a Posture of defence Something of Fear but more of Hopes as being Victors and to fight against those whom they had often vanquish'd But in the midst of this hurry the Vancurriers that scouted before returning brought word that all were friends Then Volux coming up call'd to speak with the Questor and told him that he was sent by his Father Bocchus to meet him and attend him as his Convoy So that the Moors and Romans joyn'd together and March'd all the next day without any mistrust one of another But in the Evening so soon as the Camp was pitch'd Volux with fear and disorder in his Countenance comes galloping to Sylla and informs him that he was ascertain'd by his Spies that Jugurth was at hand and therefore with great Importunity intreats and beseeches him privately in the dead of the Night to consult his own safety by speedy flight But Sylla with an undaunted Courage denies that he fear'd the Numidian whom he had so often vanquish'd that he was sufficiently assur'd of the Valour of his Souldiers and though certain destruction star'd him in the face he would rather stand his ground then deserting those that were committed to his Conduct by shameful flight endeavour to spare a frail and uncertain Life which perchance soon after sickness might deprive him of However he follows his advice to dislodg by Night and to that purpose orders the Souldiers to take their Suppers make a great number of Fires and at the first Watch without Noise or Tumult to be ready to March The next morning by Sun rise the Souldiers being weari'd with travelling in the dark Sylla pitches his Tents at what time the Moorish Scouts bring Intelligence that Jugurth lay within two Miles before ' em Which news being spread in the Camp our Men were not a little terrify'd believing themselves betray'd by Volux and brought into an Ambuscado And some there were who cry'd out that such a Peice of Treachery ought not to escape unpunish'd but that they should revenge themselves upon the Traytor with their own hands But Sylla though he thought the same however he protected the Moor from any Injury encourages his Men to behave themselves Valiantly that it was not the first time a few Couragious and brave had Fought against a Multitude with Success that the less they spar'd themselves in Battel the more secure they were and that it no way became any Man who had Arms in his hands to expect safety from his unarmed feet or in the midst of certain danger to turn the naked part of his Body toward the Enemy After that invoking the mighty Jupiter to be a witness of the Treachery and Falshood of Bocchus he commands Volux to depart the Camp as one that might assist the Enemy He on the other side with tears in his Eyes beseeches the Legate not to have such mistrustful thoughts of him that there was nothing of deceit in Bocchus but that all proceeded from the subtilty of Jugurth who had by his Spics discover'd his March and therefore in regard that Jugurth had no great Forces with him besides that all his hopes and welfare depended upon his Father desir'd him to believe the Numidian durst
Fathers makes me sensible of Me whom expos'd to a most cruel Enemy ' ere scarce my Age was capable of Action together with an Army most deserving as much as lies within your power you have betray'd to perish for want of Food the most miserable of all Deaths Was it with this Design the Roman People sent their Sons to War Are these the Guerdons of our Wounds and Blood so often shed for the Honour of our Country Tyr'd out with writing and sending Messengers I have wasted all my private Wealth and Hopes While you for three Years time have scarce allow'd me a single Years Expence I call the Immortal Gods to witness whether you think me to be a Bottomless Exchequer and whether I am able to Support an Army without Food or Pay I must confess indeed I hasten'd to this War with a more eager desire then prudent Consideration as one who having from you receiv'd the Title of General in forty days levy'd an Army and from the Alpes drave back the Enemy already pressing upon the Neck of Italy into Spain Through them I open'd another Passage more then ever Hannibal did and more convenient for our Marches I recover'd Gallia the Pyrenaeans Laceâ—ania and Jergetum and with raw Souldiers and much fewer in number stood the first shock of Victor Sertorius and surrounded with a cruel and barbarous Enemy winter'd in the field not in warm Quarters nor of my own choice But why should I enumerate Battels or winter Expeditions Towns levell'd with the Earth or taken by Composition Deeds are more prevalent then Words The Enemies Camp surpriz'd nere the River Subro the Battel by the River Durius and C. Heremius chief Leader of a Potent Adversary vanquish'd and his Army with the City of Valencia utterly ruin'd are sufficient Testimonies of the Truths I utter For which most grateful Fathers you repay Us with want and starving Hunger So that the Condition of mine is no better then that of the Enemies Army Neither of the two are paid and both ready to March Victors into Italy Of which I put ye in mind and beseech ye to take care That I may not be constrain'd to take private Resolutions in the midst of these Necessities The hither Spain of which the Enemy has no part either our selves or Sertorius have laid wast even to utter destruction unless some Maritime Towns which are rather a burthen and a charge to Us. The last year Gallia supply'd the Army of Metellus with Corn and Money Which now by reason of bad and blasted Harvests is scarce able to support it self And for my own part I have not only wasted my particlar Estate but lost all my Credit Our last Hopes are in your selves who unless you relieve our distresses must expect no other then what I now foretel ye and which I never shall be able to prevent that the Army will March from hence and with it all the whole War of Spain must be remov'd into Italy The Oration of Marcus Licinius Tribune of the People to the Commonalty of Rome IF Worthy Romans you were not well acquainted with the difference between the Rights and Privileges which you inherit from your Ancestors and that same servitude design'd by Sylla my Discourse would then require a longer time and it behov'd me to instruct ye for what Oppressions and how oft the Armed Commons made a separation from the Fathers Now it suffices only to encourage ye and first to lead the way which I esteem most proper to redeem our Liberty Nor am I ignorant how vast a Power and Interest among the Nobility I am about to pull down from domineering Usurpation my self alone without assistance and unguarded only with the shadow of Magistracy and how much safer it is for a whole Faction to act in Combination then for Persons innocent to move singly by themselves But besides the good Hopes which I have in you This has overcome all my fears that the Misfortunes of Contending are far more satisfactory to a generous Courage then never at all to have contested Tho all others who have been created Tribunes to secure your Franchises have turn'd all their Power and Authority to your prejudice o'er sway'd by Favour Hopes or by Rewards and rather chose to sin for Hire then do justly Gratis For these reasons they all submitted under the Domination of a Few who by their Reputation in War have got Possession of the public Treasure Armies Kingdoms Provinces and make your spoils their Towre of safety while you the Multitude like to many Sheep surrender your selvs in Vassalage to this and t'other Paramounting Lord dispoyl'd of all those Blessings which your Fore-fathers left you But perhaps it is because as formerly you gave your Suffrages for Rulers now you give the same for Masters Therefore all your Tribunes flock to them and if it be your chance to recover your own again you shall see 'em upon the Turn of the Tyde return to you again For few have the Courage to defend what best they like the t'other are the stonger Party that fight in their own wrong But can you dream of meeting an Obstruction when unanimous and resolute from those that fear'd ye when remiss and negligent unless you think that Cotta a Consul of the middle Faction restor'd some certain Privileges to the Tribunes for any other reason then out of fear for tho L. Sicinius first adventuring to open his Mouth in behalf of the Tribunitian Power was disappointed while you only mutter'd at it yet they that oppos'd him first began to dread your Hatred ' ere you would be brought to resent the Oppression At which I never can sufficiently admire most worthy Romans For you knew it was a vanity to tire your Expectations After the Death of Sylla who impos'd that heavy Bondage you thought that then the end of all your Mischiefs was at hand But there sprung up a far more Cruel Catulus A Tumult brake out when Brutus and Aemilius Mamerous were Consuls But then C. Curio play'd the Tyrant even to the fatal destruction of the innocent Tribune You saw last year how furiously Lueullus threatned L. Quinctius and wrought him from his Purpose And lastly now how I am plagu'd and harrass'd among ' em A needless Trouble would they but once surcease their Usurpation before you made an end of serving Especially seeing whatever are the pretences for their civil Broils the main Contest on both sides is for Dominion over you Those other Figments of Licentiousness Hatred or Avarice are but Flashes that extinguish in a short Time Only one thing continues permanent the end at which both sides with ardour drive at and that is to dispoilye perpetually of the Tribunitial Power the only Buckler which your Ancestors provided to shield your Liberty which I admonish and beseech ye to consider and that you would not odly changing the Names of things to favour sloth call Servitude Tranquillity which it were not
you I observ'd one particular Excellency above all the rest to be egregiously admit'd I mean a greater Courage always in Disaster then in Prosperity But this is still no more then what is yet more manifest from other men who are tyr'd with applauding and admiring your Munificence before you are weary of performing Deeds deserving Fame Immortal And I am firmly perswaded there is nothing so sublime or so profound but what is within the easy reach of your thoughts Nor have I sent ye my Opinion and Judgment concerning the ordering of a Commonwealth as having a higher conceit then becomes me of my Advice and Parts but because I thought it necessary in the midst of Military Toyls in the hurry of Battels Victories and high Command to retrieve back your thoughts sometimes to the Consideration of Civil Affairs For if it be your only design to secure your Person from the violence of your Enemies or how to retain the favour of the People that you may be able to cope with the Consul you harbour thoughts unworthy of your Courage But if your Magnanimity still continue such as from the beginning disturb'd the Faction of the Nobility recover'd the Roman People out of heavy Bondage into Liberty that during your Pretorship unarm'd and naked as you were out-brav'd and daunted the insulting Fury of the Enemy and both at home and abroad perform'd so many and such far fam'd Exploits that your very Adversaries have nothing to object against ye but your Greatness vouchsafe to accept these few Notions of Mine touching the Grand Concerns of the Commonwealth which you will find to be true or at least not far remote from Truth For since that Pompey either through oversight or else because he car'd not what he did to obstruct your Proceedings fell into such a Fatal Error as to put Weapons into the hands of his Enemies by the same means that he brought all things out of Order the same Courses must you take to restore Tranquillity to the Commonwealth In the first place he resign'd his absolute Power of disposing of the Imperial Revenue the Public Expences and the Penal Laws into the hands of a Few Senatours but as for the Roman Commonalty in whom the Supream Power was vested before he left 'em without so much as the Relief of Common Justice For Causes and Actions are still committed to the determination of the three Orders yet the same small Number of Tyrants are above all govern all place and displace as they think fit They circumvent and oppress the Innocent and advance their own Tools and Favourites to Honour Neither Iniquity nor Scandal nor the most hainous of Crimes are any obstruction to debar their assuming Offices of Trust and Dignity Whatever is commodious and profitable they haul and tear away by violence Lastly as if the City were taken by Assault absolute Will and licencious Domineering are the only Laws they will endure And yet it would not grieve me much thus servilely to be enthrall'd according to their usual Practice had they obtain'd the Victory by their Bravery and Valour But it perplexes me to see the most sloathful among Mortals all whose Vigor and Courage lies in their boasting Tongues insolently exercising a Tyranny offer'd 'em by Chance and through the Remissness of another For what Civil Sedition and Dissention ever extirpated so many and such Illustrious Families Or whom did ever Victory so precipitate and render so enormously Outragious L. Sylla who had some pretence as a Victor to plead the Laws of War in justification of his Cruelty though he knew his Interest could no way better be secur'd then by the Capital Punishment of his Enemies yet after he had put some few to death chose rather to restrain the rest by Clemency then Fear But now besides Cato L. Domitius and others of the same Faction above Forty Senators and many Young Gentlemen of great Hopes have been slaughter'd like Victims on the Altar and yet the most cruel of all Mankind cannot be satiated with the Blood of so many miserable Fellow-Citizens Neither Orphans nor aged Parents not the Moans of Men nor the Lamentations of Women could mollify their inexorable Inhumanity but every day more violent then other and raging both in Word and Deed some they degraded from their Dignities while others were expell'd their Native Country Nay what shall I say of You your self whose ignominious fall the basest of Men were it permitted 'em would purchase with the loss of their own Lives Whose Tyranny is not so great a Pleasure to 'em though it befel 'em unexpected as your high Dignity a Grief and Disturbance to their Minds Men that would rather choose to bury their own Liberty in your Calamity then that the Empire of the People of Rome should by your means of Glorious be made the most Glorious in the World So much the more then it ought to be your daily care to fortify and establish your own Interest For my part what my own thoughts are I will not be afraid to utter 't is in your prudence only to make Trial of what you think most probable and beneficial The City according to what I have heard from my Ancestors I take to be divided into two Parts the Fathers and the Common People Formerly the Chief Authority rested in the Fathers but the greater Force by far was in the People Thence frequent Secessions in the City and still the Power of the Nobility lessen'd but the Privileges of the People were enlarg'd By that means the Commonalty liv'd in Freedom because the Power of no Man was above the Law the Noble surpass'd the ignoble not in Wealth or Pride but in Reputation and valiant Exploits Every one alike humble at the Plough or in War wanting nothing of honest and necessary accomodation thought he had sufficient to serve himself enough to serve his Country But when expell'd by degrees from their Possessions Laziness and Poverty compell'd 'em to seek uncertain Habitations then they began to thirst after other Mens Estates and to set to sale both their Liberty and the Commonwealth Thus insensibly the People then the Lords of many Nations dwindl'd into Contempt and instead of Empire in Common every particular Person procur'd his own Slavery This Multitude therefore first infected with ill Manners then dispers'd into sundry Trades and Courses of Life no way united among themselves seems to Me by no means fit to manage the Commonwealth But being intermixt with new Citizens my mind gives me that so they may be all awaken'd and rouz'd up to Liberty while the one would be careful to preserve their Freedom the other glad to shake off the Fetters of their Servitude These Citizens thus blended old and new together my Judgment is you should distribute into Colonies By which means your Militia will become more Numerous and the Common People honestly employ'd will forbear crowding after Mischief and Sedition But yet I am not ignorant when this is put in
they who have lost their Liberty through sloth at Home should be able to instruct others to command The rest of the Faction are a Crew of noble Drones who Statue-like besides the Name can Challenge nothing else of worth but Form and Feature L. Posthumius and M. Favonius seem to me like the superfluous Lading of some great Fly-boat which if the Vessel arrive safe in Harbour may be some way useful but in a Storm are the first undervalu'd things thrown over-board And now having thus far to my own thinking sufficiently discours'd the Point of renewing and reforming the Commonalty I shall speak somewhat of what may seem proper to be done in reference to the Senate So soon as I grew Ripe in years and understanding I was not so much for Exercise of Arms or managing of Horses but rather for the studious part of Learning that is to say finding where my strength lay I betook my self to the Labours of the Brain During which retirement by reading and hearing much I found that all Kingdoms Cities Nations were prosperous so long and flourish'd in Command while they were guided by True and uncorrupted Counsels but that when those Counsels came to be tainted once by Favour fear or Interest soon after their Power decay'd in the next place they lost their Dominion and lastly were enslav'd And therefore 't is my absolute Opinion that whoever is advanc'd to a more Conspicuous and Illustrious degree in his City above all things ought to be more especially careful of the public Welfare For all the rest are only safe in their Liberty so long as the City is secure They who by their Vertue have acquir'd Riches Honour and Authority when they perceive the Common-wealth in a declining Posture they are presently alarm'd and their restless Minds are vex'd with various Cares and Toyls they are presently for defending their Honour their Liberty or their Estates they bestir themselves they are here and there all in a hurry The more they flourish'd in Prosperity the more grievously and impatiently they brook Adversity Therefore when the Commonalty obeys the Senate as the Body submits to the Soul and respectfully execute their Commands it behoves the Fathers to be able in Councel for subtilty and cunning are superfluous in the People Our Ancestors therefore when low reduc'd by dangerous and cruel Wars after they had lost their Men their Horses and their Money were never weary of contending with their Swords in their hands for the Empire Neither want of Treasure nor the prevailing Power of the Enemy nor threatning Calamity could subdue their generous Courages but that what they had won by their Valour they resolv'd to defend to the last drop of Blood Which they did rather by sage and prudent Counsels then fortunate in Battel For among them there was but one Common-wealth for the Welfare of that they all consulted Faction was contriv'd and sow'd among their Enemies All Men exercis'd their Bodies and their Wits for the good of their Country not to advance their own private Interest But now the Case is alter'd the Nobility possess'd with sloth and Cowardice knowing neither what Hardship Enemies or Warfare mean meditating nothing but Faction at home proudly Lord it over all the Nations Thus the Fathers by whose prudence the tottering Estate of the Commonwealth was formerly re-establish'd now under Oppression are driven fluctuating this way and that way with the Tyrannick blasts of Will and Pleasure sometimes they decree one thing then another as if they thought there were no other public Good or Evil but what the private Grudges or the Arrogancy of their Lords and Masters dictated Whereas if all had equal Liberty or the Decrees were render'd less Authentic The Commonwealth would grow more powerful the Nobility less potent But because it is impossible to please all Men or to level the Degrees of Quality and Birth while the Nobility enjoy the Acquists of their vertuous Ancestors Honour Dignity and numerous Tenants on the other side the multitude are for the most part ignorant and illiterate let 'em be free in the Delivery of their Opinions Thus the Power of others no way reaching themselves and consequently less discernable will be the more easily brook'd The good as well as the bad the Coward and the Valiant all are desirous of Liberty But the more silly sort of Men which are the greatest part desert it out of Fear and while the conflict is dubious before the Victory be won basely submit their Necks as vanquish'd to the Yoke of Servitude Therefore in my Opinion there are two ways to restore the dignity of the Senate First that the number of Persons being augmented they may be order'd to deliver their Votes in Tables The Tables will be a means that every Man may be bold to use his Freedom In multitude there will be more assurance and ampler Benefit For now adays it falls out so that many being taken up in hearing public Controversies others employed in soliciting their own and the private Affairs of their Friends there are few that attend the Concerns of the Public Besides that many times it is not business so much as the Commands of their domineering Superiours which deter 'em from making their Appearances The Grandees forsooth with some few of the Senatorian Order Chips of the same Block They are the Men that whatsoere they please to approve revoke anull decree and then at Pleasure put in execution But when after the number of the Senators shall be augmented they shall be forc'd to give their Votes by Tables you shall find they will lay their Loftiness aside when they must be obedient to those o'er whom before they Tyrannously domineer'd Perhaps most noble Emperour upon reading these Letters you may desire to know what number of Senators I think sufficient and how they may be distributed into sundry and various Employments and because 't is my Opinion that the Judgments of the first Classis ought to be abrogated what number of Judges what Method of Election may be most convenient To every one of which particulars it would be no difficult thing to return an Answer but it behoves Us first to discharge our selves of the grand Concern of Counsel and to ascertain the Truth of what we have deliver'd in that Point If you resolve to make use of this Method of proceeding there will be little Difficulty in what comes after 'T is my desire that my Advice may be both wholsome and profitable For then according to your Success my Reputation will extend it self But that which I am much more zealous for at present is this that the Commonwealth may be reliev'd and regulated as soon as may be let the Manner and the Methods be what they will Liberty is that which I more highly prize then Honour And therefore most renowned Emperour I beseech and beg it of ye that since the Gallic Nation is so happily subdu'd you will not suffer the mighty and