The Hastaâ—i the Principes and Triarii the first Battalion seconding the second and the second the third The Battalions were each of them of sixteen hundred Men drawn up in half Cohorts that is to say two hunred Men in rank and eight Men in file The Legions of Syria were in the middle and Scipio Commanded them The Spanish Cohorts and Legion of Silicia whom Pompey principally relyed on were upon the Right under the Command of Domitius Enofarbus Pompey put himself upon the left where Lentulus Commanded with the two Legions that Caesar had restored in the beginning of the War The other Cohorts were in the same order between the Legions of Scipio and the two Wings The Auxiliary Troops at least those who fought in order as the Greeks did made the body of Reserve For the others Pompey had caused them to draw out without order upon the left with his Archers Slingers and all his Cavalry his Right being fortified with a River that was hard to pass Caesar had onely 24 Cohorts who made but twenty two thousand Men reckoning the two Cohorts which he had left to guard his Camp His Army was drawn up also upon three lines in the same order with Pompey's the tenth Legion was upon the Right and the ninth upon the Left and because that that Legion was weak the eighth was so near it that they both seemed to make but one Body with orders to second one another The rest of the Cohorts being drawn up between these Legions were in the Centre where Domitius Calvinus Commanded Sylla having the right Wing and Antonius the left Caesar put himself at the head of the tenth Legion whose Valour he had often experienced and also to be opposite to Pompey whose design was to fall upon the flanks of Caesar's Troops who soon observed it by his order of Battel so he drew six Cohorts out of all his Troops whereof he composed a body of Reserve he exactly instructed them in what they were to doe and above all gave them to understand that all the hopes of Victory depended upon their Valour Moreover he ordered his third line not to march till they should receive a siâ—nal from him In fine his Cavalry to the number of a thousand Horse covered the right of the tenth Legion The Armies being thus in sight of one another the two Generals went from Rank to Rank encouraging their Souldiers Pompey represented to his the Iustice and Merit of the Cause they defended The advantage of their number strengthened by the assistence of so many illustrious Senatours and the Victory of Durazzo Caesar was contented onely to demonstrate That he had endeavoured by all ways possible to obtain an honourable Peace and if his Enemies had been willing they might have spared the Republick the bloud of so many brave Men. So seeing the impatience of his Souldiers to fall on he gave the signal of Battel CHAP. XLVII The Battel of Pharsalia The fierceness of Crastinus The flight of Pompey and overthrow of his Troops HE had a Voluntier in his Army called Crastinus who the last year was eldest Brigadiere of the tenth Legion This man coming up to Caesar General said he I intend this day to give you reason to speak well of me whether I live or die And then calling to him the Souldiers he had Commanded Follow me he cryed this is the last occasion we shall ever have to acquit our selves of the duty we owe our General and recover our Liberty After these words he advanced and was followed with about twenty six Voluntiers there was onely so much space between the two Armies as was just sufficient for the place of Battel but Pompey had ordered his Men to remain firm at their Posts which Conduct Caesar blamed him for and we may depend upon his Opinion for it and the reasons which he has given in his Commentaries His Souldiers seeing that the Enemy would spare them no ground behaved themselves like Men who very well understood their business and of their own accord made a hault in the midst of their Carriere and after having taken breath a little ran on upon the Enemy where they first discharged their Javelins and then drew their Swords as Caesar had given them orders Pompey's Men received the Charge without the least disorder and then made their discharge and drew their Swords also their word of Battel was Hercules the Invincible and Caesar's Venus the Victorious The Battel was cruel and bloudy as it could not be otherwise between so many brave Men animated by their Glory and particular Interests both sides had an Ambition either to Conquer the Enemy or die upon the spot without appearing the least disordered either with the horrible noise of Arms or the cries of the wounded and dying Men that fell on both sides Crastinus with his little Troop routed the Rank that opposed him and had charged into the middle of the Battalion where he was stopped and born dead to the ground by a wound with a Sword which pierced his head through the mouth and came out at the nape of the neck by this means the Victory became doubtfull in that place when Pompey Commanded his Cavalry to go on It consisted of the chiefest of the Roman Nobility and the Allies all young handsome Men and such as had great care of their Persons At first they made Caesar's Men give ground and had got upon the flank of his Army when causing the six Cohorts to advance which were his body of Reserve he gave them order to march with their Pikes ported and in that manner to charge upon the face of their Enemies This contrivance disordered those young Men and the fear of spoyling their faces put them into confusion so that Caesar's Cavalry rallying charged upon them and brake them to pieces in a moment They had not the courage to rally but galloped full speed to the Neighbouring Mountains All the Slingers and Archers being thus abandoned by the Cavalry were cut to pieces and Caesar's Men following their advantage came and charged Pompey's Troops upon the naked flank They had maintained the fight with a great deal of resolution and though that Charge had disordered them the Allies defended themselves on every side when Casar gave the signal for his third Line to advance so those fresh Troops pouring in upon those of Pompey who were wearied and attacked on every side easily broke them The flight began amongst the Strangers who getting into their Camp and securing what they well could carry away fled full speed though Pompey's right Wing still stood and kept their ground but Caesar's causing a Cry to be given out Of kill the Strangers but save the Romans was the reason that the Romans laid down their Arms and demanded Quarter which was given them accordingly But there was a terrible slaughter amongst the Strangers Pompey seeing himself as he said afterwards betrayed by the Cowardise of those Troops on whom he most depended the
to the rout had not Fabius come up to their relief with all his Troops Caesar in the mean while marched to joyn him with eight hundred Horse and in two days made that Road which reaches from the Pyreneans down to the Segre After that he had understood the disposition of the places and of the Countrey and that the rest of his Troops were arrived he gave orders for the repairing of one of those Bridges which the River had broken down and left six Cohorts with all his Baggage to guard the Bridge and his Camp Marching embaâ—â—elled in three Lines till he came within view of the Enemy Afranius appeared with his Troops in Battalia upon an eminence where he was encamped and where Caesar could not attack him which oblig'd him to post himself four hundred paces onely from the foot of the Mountain The Romans never used to encamp without retrenching themselves within a Ditch and a Palisade which the Legionary Souldiers could throw up in an instant every one of them besides his Arms carrying a stake upon his Shoulders for the making of the Palisade This was their first work and this they supported with Earth and Turf for the forming of a Rampart Caesar that he might not be disturbed in intrenching left his two foremost lines to remain in Battalia while the third wrought under the shelter of the two others and threw up a Ditch of fifteen foot breadth so that face of the Camp which looked towards the Enemy was fortifi'd e'er Afranius could perceive it Then Caesar caused his Troops to retreat by the two ends of the Trench His whole Army were all that night at their Arms and the next day he drew up three Legions in Battalia behind the Ditch As it was a hard matter to get Turf he contented himself to cause a Trench to be thrown up upon the other sides of his Camp by the three Legions who were not at their Arms. The work was completed in a few days though Afranius and Petreius made some attempts to hinder it but unsuccessfully so that being in so good a condition as it was Caesar caused all his Equipage to come up with the Cohorts that were at the guard of the Bridge CHAP. XXIV The Battel of Lerida BEtween the Eminence where the Enemy was Encamped and the Town of Lerida there was a Plain of about three hundred paces and in the middle of that Plain a small advanced ground Caesar endeavoured to get possession of this Post and fortifie himself there by that means to take away from the Enemy the conveniency of their Bridge and their communication with the City from whence they furnished themselves with all their subsistence He caused three of his Legions to advance which he posted in three different places giving orders to the first Battalion of that Legion which was nearest to the advanced ground to run all together and possess themselves of it But the Cohorts of Afranius his advanced Guard who had less way to go got thither first and repulsed Caesar's Men. They were seconded with other Troops so that the Battel grew hot in that place The manner of fighting on both sides was very different Afranius his Souldiers accustomed to Wars against the Barbarians who never keep their ground charged fiercely at the first and advanced with a great deal of Courage but they took no care of their ranks but opened themselves in fighting and when ever they were pressed hard thought it no dishonour to give ground and abandon their Posts and this Caesar says happened in regard that Souldiers easily learn the Discipline of those places where they have longest served Caesar's Men on the contrary thought it was for their Honour to fight Embodied and to keep their ranks and never to quit their Colours nor their Posts In the mean time the manner of the Enemies fighting surprised them by its Novelty they believed that they should be hemm'd in and the whole Battalion moved with a great deal of disorder and the astonishment had certainly reached the rest of the Troops who were not accustomed to see themselves push't by their Enemies had not Caesar assured them by his presence He caused a Legion to go on entire and it was the ninth which put a stop to the Attempts of the Enemy and charged them so hotly that they retreated under the walls of Lerida But that Legion enraged with the affront they had received engaged themselves too inconsiderately in so dangerous a place upon the steep part of the rising ground upon which the City was built Afranius his Souldiers returned to the charge and as they had gotten the advantage of the place and Caesar also had recruited his Men the Battel lasted five hours upon that spot with great disadvantage to Caesar's Party who were forced to fight up hill and where every Dart from the Enemy did execution which last obliged them to run up with their Swords in their hands and with so much vigour that they pushed the Enemies Party which were in the Trenches and the others also in the same place By this time Caesar's Horse were with difficulty advanced to favour their retreat which they made without any disorder Both Parties attributed to themselves the Honour of the Victory Caesar because his Troops had maintained the fight for five hours in so disadvantageous a Post and that they had with their Swords in their hands put the Enemy to flight And Afranius for that his being less in number had had at first the advantage and that he still remained Master of the Post for which they fought and which he caused to be fortified CHAP. XXV Caesar's Army reduced to great extremities by the overflowing of two Rivers Cicero and a great many other Senatours go to find out Pompey AN Accident which happened two days after this Battel gave him still greater hopes The Rains which fell in abundance and melted the Snow upon the Mountains so swelled up the two Rivers that the Rapidity of the Waters carried away both Caesar's Bridges so that he saw himself shut up between two over-flown Rivers and could receive neither Convoys of Provisions nor those powerfull succours which he expected out of Gaul and Italy This was at the beginning of Summer when the Corn was not yet ripe enough for the making of Bread Besides Afranius his Spaniards being well acquainted with the Countrey and accustomed to pass the Rivers in Goat-skins which they always carried with them to the Wars continually met and fell upon Caesar's Men when ever any of them were stragling or out from the rest Afranius on the other side had great store of Corn and other Provisions which he still supply'd himself withall out of that part of the Countrey which lay behind his Camp and which had not yet been ravaged Caesar attempted to repair his Bridges but the largeness and violence of the Rivers rendered all his endeavours fruitless besides that the Enemy disturbed the Work with flights of Darts from the
side by which means Cassius was in a short time at the head of 12 Legions He imparted this good news to all his Friends and went afterwards to besiege Dolabella in Laodicea which is a City of Syria On the other side Brutus in Macedonia the Government whereof Hortentius had put into his hands by the means of Apuloius's Money had drawn to him all such of Pompey's Souldiers as were in Thessaly and all the Neighbouring Princes who still had a respect for the Memory of Pompey assisted him with their Troops so that the whole World was again divided between two Men for they were no more since it was in effect the Credit of Caesar and Pompey which kept up the War between those of their several Parties Cajus the Brother of Antonius was gone with one Legion into Macedonia where Brutus who was much stronger than he might easily have destroyed him but resolving to Husband well the lives of his Fellow Citizens and the Repute which he had already gotten for great Moderation he contented himself to weary him out with moving from one place to another and it was Cicero's Son who Commanded the Party against him He was as yet but a young Man though of great expectation and Brutus praised him extremely in the Letters which he wrote to Cicero He got the better of Cajus in two or three little encounters the ill success whereof at last was the reason that all Cajus his Souldiers surrendred themselves to Brutus and he himself was at last forc't to follow their example Brutus used him very well without depriving him of any marks of his Dignity till the death of Cicero CHAP. XXV Caesar demands the Honour of Triumph which is refused him He attempts the Consulship by Cicero's interference THE news of these proceedings was received in Italy with very different sentiments the Senate were extremely rejoiced at it but young Caesar seemed to have a very little share in their pleasure the last advice of Pansa wholly employed his thoughts and to sound the inclinations of the Senate he sent to demand a Triumph but that Honour was denied to Caesar who from the very moment resolved to use his best indeavours to re-unite himself with Antonius He sent him back all the Prisoners which he had taken at the Battel of Modena and amongst the rest Decius a particular friend of Antonius having first discovered to him his intentions he let Ventidius's Army pass which he might have destroyed and also saw him particularly himself to complain to him of the Divisions that ruined the interest of their Party At last he sent to Lepidus and Pollio to give them to understand the same thing and all this with the greatest secrecy in the world In the mean time Decimus wrote word to the Senate that Antonius was ruined that he was not able to stand before him and that he would undertake in a short time to chase him to the other side of the Alps the joy for this news was every where apparent so without any farther consideration a Committee was appointed of ten Senatours for the drawing up of a Process against Antonius and abolishing all that he had done during his Consulship This was an oblique blow with which they intended to wound the Ordinances of Iulius Caesar. Those of Pompey's Party solicited Decimus that he would demand the Consulship in the room of Hirtius and Pansa Caesar also had the same design but discovered it at first onely to Cicero to whom he sent word That he much desired to see himself once Consul with him that so he might be instructed in those rules and methods which are requisite for the government of the Commonwealth That for his part he onely desired the name of Consul to recompence himself in some measure for the loss of his Triumph but that he would leave the Authority intirely to Cicero He could not have thought of any thing better to prevail upon the weakness of that Man all his great knowledge and experience gave way to that bait of Vain-glory so he proposed it to the Senate with a great many circumlocutions which nevertheless could not disguise it so well but that his vanity was perceived and made light of by the Senate who laughed at him for his pains and the Kinsmen of the Conspiratours hindred any farther proceeding towards the Election of Consuls CHAP. XXVI Antonius makes his retreat into Gall. He makes himself Master of Lepidus's Army He returns into Italy with seventeen Legions ANTONIVS began now to understand his true interest those Friends which Caesar had sent to him had opened his Eyes but he had a mind in the first place throughly to discover the intentions of Lepidus who was advanced out of Spain as far as the place where the Rivers of Rhone and Saone meet the Senate had given orders to him and Plancus to fortify themselves in that place and it was at this time that Plancus laid the foundation of the City of Lyons Antonius passed over the Alps having first gained Culeâ— who guarded the narrow passages in all that march his Army suffered most extremely and Antonius even out-did himself in instructing his Souldiers by his own example to indure their weariness and their wants at last he came and incamped hard by Lepidus but fortified himself not in the least because he would make it known that he thought himself near his Friends Nevertheless Lepidus sent him word that the Senate had given him orders to prosecute him as an Enemy but Antonius who had let his beard and hair grow came and shewed himself in that condition to Lepidus's Souldiers they had all served with him under Iulius Caesar esteemed him for his Courage and the Civility of his Manners so that the condition they now saw him in moved them to compassion he spoke to them several times between the two Camps where they would meet him though Lepidus did all that lay in his power to prevent it Antonius Souldiers were dayly telling them stories of the goodness of their General that he marched the first on foot into the middle of the Snow himself comforting those whom he saw were wearied which gained the very hearts of them at last Lepidus perceiving that he was no longer Master of his Troops that they had sent Claudius and Laelius to Antonius to invite him to come into their Camp where they would receive him for their General and at the same time cut off Lepidus if he would give them Orders Antonius forbad them the doing of him any violence and the next day passed over a shallow part of the River which separated them and came into Lepidus's Camp The Souldiers received him with great Acclamations and Lepidus being very much terrified offered him his Command Antonius refused it but was willing to divide with him though the Authority should still remain intirely his Plancus who was loath to expose himself to the like disgrace past Iserum with four Legions and retreated into Savoy as if
disgraces as Providence sends upon us was a horrible attempt against the power of Heaven and wicked in the eyes of men but that he had now altered his opinion since being no longer Master of one life which he had sacrificed to his Countrey upon the Ides of March he was resolved to change it for a happier if Fortune proved his Enemy Cassius imbraced him and smiling told him Now we may go on upon the Enemy for either we will be Conquerours our selves or we will have no cause to fear those that are so This was doubtless a sure method for the preventing any farther fear but it is very apparent by this discourse that for this resolution they were more beholding to their frailty than to that greatness of Soul whereon they so much valued themselves for it was neither this Opinion nor Caesar's death that deserves those Heroick Titles which Cicero in his Epistles hath given them They afterwards appointed their order of Battel Brutus had the right Wing with Messala and Cassius the left The Triumviri's Army was already drawn up Antonius onely Commanded because Caesar was sick whose Troops had the left Wing and Antonius's the right At last about Noon he marched against Cassius with the party that he headed The inequality of the ground forced his Legions upon such a motion that Brutus's Troops believed they were coming against them so that without expecting the Word or the Commands of their General they advanced to receive them Antonius avoided the ingaging by a motion which he made to the right to go â—â—ainst Cassius He lost some Souldiers there and must have been fallen upon in the flank if Caesar's Army had not advanced Brutus's Souldiers marched without order but with so much heat that at the first onset they overthrew all that opposed them Messala followed by three Legions pushed even into Caesar's Camp who had just left it and was retreated very sick to Antonius's They found his Litter which they pierced several times through and through so that a report began to be spread about that he was slain He has since written That one of his Friends called Artorius persuaded him to this retreat upon the occasion of a dream The slaughter was great in Caesar's Camp and there fell in it 2000 Lacedemonians who fought on his side Three of his Legions were also cut to pieces upon the spot and Brutus must have obtained an intire Victory could he possibly have governed the fury of his Souldiers who would needs engage themselves too far Antonius knew well how to make his advantage of this Errour and without changing went directly upon Cassius who expected him in Battalia upon the advanced ground the Combat was very rough and after several takings and re-takings of each other they fell together Pell-mell with their Swords in their hands In the mean time a Party of Antonius's Souldiers opened a passage through the Lines at the bottom of the Marsh and when they came up charging Cassius's Troops upon the flank overthrew them with great slaughter Antonius Commanded four Legions to pursue the Victory over the Marsh hastening the others to Cassius's Camp which was very ill guarded by reason that all the Souldiers were come forth to the Battel he soon made himself Master of it which raised so great a consternation in the rest of the Army that they immediately dispersed themselves Cassius did upon this occasion all that could be expected from a man of Courage he returned several times to the charge and took himself the Eagle out of an Ensigns hand who was running away and held it a long time before him but he forgot the duty of a General when he so long tamely expected Antonius whom he ought to have charged at the same time that Brutus went on At last his Guards forsaking him he was forced to retreat up to an advanced ground near the City of Philippi He had lost eight thousand Men reckoning the Sutlers that were killed in his Camp But there were once as many slain on Caesar's side from whom there were taken three Eagles and several other Colours by which Brutus believing he had gotten an intire Victory led back his Troops loaden with pillage to his Camp when observing that in Cassius's Camp the Tents were thrown down and perceiving by the number and the Arms of those Souldiers who were within that they were Enemies he immediately detached a body of Cavalry to hasten to the relief of his Friend though by misfortune that relief did but add speed to his ruine Cassius was short sighted and besides the dust which the fight had raised all over the Field hindred him from distinguishing Brutus's Troops Nevertheless he saw confusedly some Cavalry marching and sent Titinius one of his Friends to discover what they were He was received with great cries of joy by Brutus's Cavalry who embracing him asked him What news of his General Cassius perceiving this from the place where he was and believing that those men who ran to embrace Titinius had taken him Prisoner Alas said he to preserve the remainder of a miserable life I have exposed my best friend to be taken At these words he went into a Tent with the Gentleman of his Horse whose name was Pindarus we have no very good account of what passed there but Cassius was found dead of a wound in his Neck and Pindarus never appeared afterwards Titinius arrived within a moment with the Cavalry and all rejoycing but their joy was soon turned into a sad affliction and Titinius after having accused himself of folly and laziness slew himself upon the body of his Friend CHAP. L. Brutus's Melancholy His Fleet defeats that of Caesar and Antonius and Brutus knows not of it He speaks to his Troops to confirm them BRVTVS was extremely sorrowfull for the death of his Companion whom he called the last of the Romans and causing his body privately to be removed sent it to Thasos to pay him the last Offices of Funeral In the mean time he told his Friends That he thought him very happy in that he was now beyond the reach of those misfortunes which remained yet for them to suffer In effect his death utterly discomposed the whole affairs of the Conspiratours and it will not be improper to say that Cassius killed himself in despight of his good Fortune Several have reported that he knew of Brutus's Victory and that the same day whereon they fought at Philippi they overthrew Caesar's Fleet which was carrying Provisions to the Triumviri together with a strong relief consisting of two Legions and Caesar's Company of Guards Marcus and Domitius had performed this good service against another Domitius sirnamed Calvinus who in this fight either by the Sword or by fire lost the best of his Souldiers and almost all his Ships This defeat must have ruined the Triumviri beyond all hopes of recovery had Brutus but been informed of it but the negligence or malice of some of his Officers hindred
except sixty that belonged to Cleopatra and of his Men of War kept only those that had from three to ten Rows or Oars which he manned with twenty two thousand Foot and ten thousand Archers As he was putting his Fleet into order of battel and going about to give his necessary orders an old Officer a very brave man and all covered with Scars thus spoke to him aloud My noble General Do you despise this Sword and this Arm which my very wounds have not been able to weaken That you will place your hopes in brittle Boats Leave the Aegyptians and Phoenicians to fight at Sea but put us ashore where we are used to meet or give death with a firm foot and an assured look Anthony answered nothing he onely made a sign with his head as if it were to encourage him though he himself did not seem as if he were very well assured for when the Commanders of his ships propoâ—ed taking away the Sails he opposed it saying He would not have one of the Enemies escape for four days together the Sea ran so high that it was impossible to fight the fifth the Wind was down and then the two Fleets advanced towards each other with their Oars in very good order It was a terrible but a very noble sight and worthy the reward they contended for to see on one side the Shore where there were two hundred thousand Men all at their Arms and on the other side the Sea covered with an incredible number of Vessels filled with Men who were just ready to employ both Fire and Steel for each others destruction Anthony was at the right Division of his Navy where Publicola commanded Calius was upon the left or according to other Authours Sosius Marcus Octavius with Insteius was in the Centre Caesar's General kept in the middle of the Fleet having Carius upon the right and Aruntu upon the lefâ— Caesar himself onely kept the Command of a reserve to carry relief where it was needfull they tell us nothing more of the order of the two Fleets but we may believe that the Vessels that Caesar commanded made a second Line or Division and that Cleopatra with her Gallies did the same in Anthony's This General in a Brigantine went about encouraging his Men with the remembrance of so many Victories they had gained under his Conduct He told them That this day he expected the Empire of the World from their valour and that they might promise themselves answerable rewards that the largeness of his Vessels gave them opportunity of fighting as firmly and with as much assurance as if they were on Land and for this reason he ordered the Pilots not to quit their Posts but expect the Enemies at the entrance of the Gulf. Caesar on his side gave no less hopes to his Souldiers but with more confidence in regard he was animated by a happy Augury At break of day coming out of his Tent to go on board he met a Countreyman driving an Ass before him moved by I know not what Curiosity or instinct he asked him his Name My Lord says he my name is Eutyches and I call my Ass Nicon the first of these Names in Greek signifies Happy and the other Conquerour This rencounter made Caesar so glad that he no longer doubted of the Victory and published the adventure through the whole Army and when afterwards he erected a Trophy for the Victory with the Spurs and Breakheads of Anthony's Gallies the Statues of the Man and the Ass were made in Brass When Caesar's Fleet was drawn up he went to the right Wing and staid to see how the Enemies would work to give the Onset their Gallies lay as if they were at an Anchor in the entrance of the Gulf and lay so till Noon when a fresh gale carried Anthony's left Division out of the Gulf. Caesar made his right where it was fall a Stern to draw them farther out to Sea that he might encompass them with his Vessels which were lighter and much better fitted his design succeeded and the battel began here but in a different manner than usaul For there was no shock because Anthony's Gallies were too heavy and those of Caesar avoided it fearing splitting against those huge Vessels fortified with thick Timber and iron Spikes so that this fight resembled rather an assault Caesar's Souldiers attacked the Enemies with Pikes Javelins Piles and Fire pots and they defended themselves with Arrows and Darts thrown from their Engines planted on wooden Towers Agrippa whose experience out-went all the Commanders of his time stood out with the point of his left Division to flank Anthony's which made Publicola advance to hinder it Aruntius laying hold on this occasion bore into the midst of the Enemies Fleet which he put into some disorder but the valour of the Souldiers made the Victory yet doubtfull as they were all of them chosen Troops they defended themselves with invincible Courage and made a great slaughter of the Enemies that attempted to approach them When streight they saw Cleopatra's sixty Gaâ—lies advance between the two Fleets with all their Sails abroad this movement equally surprized both Navies Anthony's was already in some disorder and when he expected some great action from these Gallies which were thâ— best of his Fleet he was amazed to see them all of a sudden tack about and run towards Peloponnesus withall the Sail they could bear thus the Historians relate it after Plutarch without giving any other reason of this baseness of the Aegyptians than the timorousness of their Queen that which they add is yet more surprizing Anthony had given too many proofs of his Courage ever to be suspected of Cowardize and in this occasion not onely the Empire of the World but his own Life was at stake and there was nothing to make him despair of Success for quite contrary the resolution of his Men and their firmness in maintaining the Combate seem to assure him of the Victory if they had been but well led on But when he saw Cleopatra fly he forgot the care both of his honour and safety to make himself an Accomplice of her Cowardly flight and as if he had nothing more to apprehend than her absence he thought of nothing then but to run after her He threw himself into a Gally with onely Scellus and Alexander the Syrian abandoning his Souldiers that so generously exposed their lives for his interest and followed the Course that Cleopatra stood She soon knew him and put a flag abroad at the Prow of her Gally he came near and when he was aboard he retired to the Prow without so much as seeing the Queen and was a good while alone leaning his head upon his hand The Gallantry and Fidelity of his Souldiers cannot be enough admired upon this occasion although the General had left them and the report of his flight was spread all about the Fleet they acted like people that would not believe it and still fought
and encamped in sight of Alexandria CHAP. XXXI Anthony defeats Caesar's Cavalry He is forsaken by his men His Despair He wounds himself Is carried to Cleopatra His Death THE Pretence of so formidable a Rival revived all those sparks of Generosity in Anthony's breast that seemed to be quite extinct Caesar's hatred was declared too well to let him hope for any thing but dying like a true Roman and this Anthony resolved upon He rallyed all the Troups he had and made a Sally upon Caesar's Horse which was advanced This action shewed what Anthony might have hoped if he had fought by Land as he was advised He beat this Cavalry and forced it home to Caesar's Camp which he put into disorder nor did he ever shew more Courage and Conduct than now After this Victory he entred Alexandria as in Triumph and went all armed as he was to Cleopatra to tell her the News of his Advantage He presented one of his Cavaliers to her which had behaved himself very bravely in the Fight The Queen rewarded his Valour with an Armour of Gold but that very night this ungratefull wretch went to Caesar. Anthony was very much troubled with this Man that shewed such a dangerous Example He tried to provoke Caesar's Generosity and proposed a Duel to him but he very coldly answered Anthony had ways enough to dye without seeking that He resolved then to make the last Push both by Sea and Land with a design to conquer or dye bravely He ordered his People to treat him with more magnificence than usually they did Perhaps said he to them this may be the last Service ye may doe me for it may happen that to morrow you may have another Master and ye may see me no more However added he I do not pretend to lead you where death is more certain than victory The following night was troubled by a Prodigy there was heard a great noise of Voices Instruments and Cryes like those of Bacchanals all this passed through the City of Alexandria and went out of the Gate that looked towards the Enemies Camp As Anthony had all his life time affected to imitate Bacchus this prodigy was interpreted to his disadvantage and it was said that this God abandoned him At break of day Anthony posted those few Troops that were left him upon the rising ground near the Town from whence he sent orders to his Gallies to engage the Enemy They advanced in order of Batttel but as soon as Anthony's Souldiers came near they held down their Arms and saluted Caesar's who returning the Salute both Fleets joined and moved against the City All his Cavalry seeing this left him and went over to Caesar's Camp This unfortunate General forsaken by his men and seeing he could not be so happy to dye with glory his Arms in his hands he was forced to go back to Alexandria quite besides himself with rage and spight crying out Cleopatra had betrayed him in favour of those whom he had not made War with but upon her account This being told the Queen the fury and despair of Anthony terrified her so that she retired to her Monument or Sepulchre and fastned up the doors and let down the Portcullis the Place being very strong and then made a report be spread that she was dead which was told Anthony this sad news recalled all that tenderness he had for this Princess Miserable man cryed he what doest thou stay for longer when fortune has deprived thee of all that is worth living for At these words he entred into a Cabinet where laying aside his Armour Cleopatra cryed he my greatest grief is not that I am separated from thee for we shall soon meet but that I who have commanded so many gallant men should be out-done by a woman in Courage In this moment he called Eros the most faithfull of his freed-men whom he had engaged by Oath to kill him when he was reduced to a necessity of dying It was to perform his Promise that he called for him Eros drew out his Sword as if he intended to perform that fatal Duty and turning a little a-side gave himself a wound which made him fall dead at his Master's Feet Dear Eros said he I thank thee for shewing me what I should doe He then gave himself a blow in the Belly with that Violence that he fell backward upon a Bed that was near though the wound were mortal yet the bloud was stopped by the situation his body was in as he fell so that he came to himself and begged of his friends who were come to him that they would dispatch him But they all ran from him leaving him in a condition to move the most insensible to pity the anguish of his wound and the rage to be so cruelly forsaken made him cry out and tumble about the strive when Cleopatra hearing of it sent Diomedes to bring him to her Anthony understanding Cleopatra yet lived ceased lamenting to beg his Officers who were then returned in the most moving manner in the world to carry him to her with much-a-doe they lifted him up to the door of the Tomb. Cleopatra durst not or could not open it for she had no body with her besides two of her Women but she threw out some Cords from a window All the People of Alexandria were present at this sad spectacle and owned there could be nothing more lamentable than to see this great man renowned for so many Victories bathed in his Bloud and exspiring holding out his hands to Cleopatra and weakly endeavouring to raise himself and her holding her Head down and her Body almost out of the Window striving with the help of her Women to pull him up All the Spectatours shewed no less sorrow by their several motions they encouraged her and seemed to assist her with their Cryes for that was all the help they could give her At last after much pain she drew him up to the Window where she embraced him and laid him on a Bed Anthony had loved her too much and the state he was in was too moving not to shew a real grief She tore her Clothes and her Face and beat her Breast calling Anthony her Lord her Husband her Emperour and though she had her self great occasions of grief yet that deplorable object before her eyes was more than all the rest Anthony conjured her to stop her tears and moderate her transports and asked for some Wine whether it were that he was thirsty or that he thought it would the sooner end him After he had drank he exhorted Cleopatra to endeavour to save her life if she could doe it with Honour and to that end she might put more confidence in Proculus than in any else about Caesar that she should not make too much reflexion upon the cruel turn of Fortune which he felt at the end of his days but think what glory he had lived in famous for so many Victories Triumphs and Dignities and after he had been