his army to meet the enemy but Pompey, either suspecting his troops, or dreading the event, kept his advantageous situation at the foot of the hill near which he was posted. 6. Cæsar, unwilling to attack him at a disadvantage, resolved to decamp the next day, hoping to weary out his antagonist, who was not a match for him in sustaining the fatigues of duty. 7. Accordingly the order for marching was given, and the tents were struck, when word was brought him, that Pompey's army had now quitted their intrenchments, and advanced farther into the plain than usual, so that he might engage them at less disadvantage'. 8. Upon this he caused his troops to halt, and with a countenance of joy, informed them that the happy time was at last come, which they had so long wished for, and which was to crown their glory and terminate their fatigues. He then drew up his troops in order, and advanced towards the place of battle. 9. His forces did not amount to above half those of Pompey; the army of the one was about forty-five thousand foot, and seven thousand horse; that of the other not exceeding twenty-two thousand foot, and about a thousand horse. 10. This disproportion, particularly in the cavalry, had filled Cæsar with apprehensions; he therefore had some days before picked out the strongest and nimblest of his foot soldiers, and accustomed them to fight between the ranks of his cavalry. By their assistance his thousand horse was a match for Pompey's seven thousand, and had actually got the better in a skirmish that happened between them some days before. 11. Pompey, on the other hand, had a strong expectation of success; he boasted that he could put Cæsar's legions to flight, w.thout striking a single blow; presuming that as soon as the armies formed, his cavalry, on which he placed his greatest expectations, would outflank and surround the enemy. In this disposition Pompey led his troops to battle. 12. As the armies approached, the two generals went from rank to rank, encouraging their men, exciting their hopes, and lessening their apprehensions. 13. Pompey represented to his men that the glorious occasion which they had long besought him to grant was now before them. "What advantages," said he, 66 could you wish, that you are not now possessed of? Your num1 Pompey was in some measure compelled to hazard a buttle, contrary to his judgment, by the ardour of his troops. bers, your vigour, a late victory, all assure us of a speedy and an easy conquest of those harassed and broken troops, composed of men worn out with age, and impressed with the terrors of a recent defeat; but there is still a stronger bulwark for our protection than the superiority of our strength; and that is, the justice of our cause. You are engaged in the defence of liberty and of your country! you are supported by its laws, and followed by its magistrates; the world are spectators of your conduct, and wish you success on the contrary, he whom you oppose is a robber, an oppressor of his country, already nearly sunk with the consciousness of his crimes, as well as the ill success of his arms. Show then, on this occasion, all that ardour and detestation of tyranny, which should animate Romans, and do justice to mankind." 66 He 14. Cæsar, on his part, went among his men with that steady serenity for which he was so much admired in the midst of danger. He insisted on nothing so strongly as his frequent and unsuccessful endeavours for peace. spoke with terror of the blood he was about to shed, and pleaded the necessity that urged him to it. He deplored the many brave men that were to fall on both sides, and the wounds of his country, whoever might be victorious. 15. His soldiers answered only with looks of ardour and impatience. He gave the signal to begin. The word on Pompey's side was, Her'cules the invincible;" that on Cæsar's, Ve'nus the victorious." 16. There was no more space between both armies than to give room for the charge; Pompey therefore ordered his men to receive the first shock without moving from their places, expecting the enemy's ranks to be put into disorder. Cæsar's soldiers were now rushing on with their usual impetuosity, when perceiving the enemy motionless, they all stopped short, as if by general consent, and halted in the midst of their career. 17. A terrible pause ensued, in which both armies continued to gaze upon each other with mutual terror and dreadful serenity. At length Cæsar's men, having taken breath, ran furiously upon the enemy, first discharging their javelins, and then drawing their swords. The same method was observed by Pompey's troops, who as firmly sustained the attack. His cavalry also were ordered to charge at the very onset, which with the multitude of archers and slingers soon obliged Cæsar's men to give ground. 18. Cæsar instantly ordered the six cohorts, that were placed as a reinforcement, to advance, and to strike at the enemy's faces. 19. This had its desired effect: Poinpey's cavalry, that were just before sure of the victory, received an immediate check. The unusual method of fighting pursued by the cohorts, their aiming entirely at the visages of the assailants, and the horrible disfiguring wounds they made, all contributed to intimidate them so much, that instead of defending their persons, they endeavoured only to save their faces 1. 20. A total rout ensued; they fled to the neighbouring mountains, while the archers and slingers, who were thus abandoned, were cut to pieces. 21. Cæsar now commanded the cohorts to pursue their success, and charge Pompey's troops upon the flank: this charge the enemy withstood for some time with great bravery, till Cæsar brought up his third line, which had not yet engaged. 22. Pompey's infantry being thus doubly attacked, in front by fresh troops, and in the rear by the victorious cohorts, could no longer resist, but fled to their camp. The flight began among the strangers. Pompey's right wing still valiantly maintained. their ground. 23. Cæsar, however, convinced that the victory was certain, with his usual clemency cried out to pursue the strangers, but to spare the Romans; upon which they all laid down their arms and received quarter. The greatest slaughter was among the auxiliaries, who fled on all sides. 24. The battle had now lasted from break of day till noon, and the weather was extremely hot; nevertheless, the conquerors remitted not their ardour, being encouraged by the example of a general, who thought his victory incomplete till he should become master of the enemy's camp. Accordingly, marching on foot at their head, he called upon them to follow and strike the decisive blow. 25. The cohorts which were left to defend the camp for some time made a formidable resistance : particularly a great number of Thra'cians and other barbarians, who were appointed for that purpose; but nothing could resist the ardour of Cæsar's victorious army; the enemy were at last driven from the trenches, and compelled to fly to the mountains. 1 Cæsar calls the young patricians that composed Pompey's cavalry pretty young dancers. Questions for Examination. 1. What was the state of Cæsar's army immediately before the battle of Pharsalia? 2. What effect had the approaching event on the minds of men? 3. What were the respective advantages of each army? 4. On what did they principally build their hopes? 5. Who was the first to offer battle? 6. How did Cæsar act on this occasion? 7. What followed? 8. What effect had this intelligence on Cæsar's plan? 9. Of what number of troops were each of the armies composed? 10. What did Cæsar consider necessary to be done to remedy this disproportion? 11. What were Pompey's expectations and boasts ? 12. What was the conduct of the generals? 13. Repeat Pompey's address to his troops. 14. How did Cæsar encourage his men? 15. What effect had this speech, and what was the word on both sides? 16. In what manner did the attack commence? 17. Describe the progress of the battle. 18. What means did Cæsar adopt to prevent a defeat? 19. Was this measure successful? 20. What was the consequence? 21. What were Cæsar's farther commands? 22. What followed? 23. What use did Cæsar make of his victory? 24. Did not fatigue abate the ardour of Cæsar's troops 25. Did they attempt to defend their camp? SECTION V. While thus united Cæsar's arms appear, 2. Ban'quet, s. a feast. 4. Unten'able, a. not to be defended or kept. 5. Intercept'ed, v. cut off. 6. Inces'sant, a. unceasing. 9. Neu'tral, a. indifferent, not engaged on either side. 19. Mi'nor, s. a person under age. LUCAN'S PHARSALIA, b. 5. 20. Insid'iously, ad. craftily, deceitfully. 23. Contempt'uous, a. scornful, proud, 25. Inevit'able, a. not to be escaped. 30. Rites, s. religious ceremonies. 1. CESAR, seeing the field and camp strewed with his 1 Lesbos was one of the principal islands in the Archipelago, on the coast of Asia. It was greatly favoured by Pompey, and after it had suffered in the Mithridatic war, restored by him to a qualified independence. It is now called Metelin, from Mitylene, its ancient capital. in fallen countrymen, was strongly affected at the melancholy prospect, and cried out to one that stood near him, "They would have it sɔ.” 2. In the camp every object presented fresh instances of the blind presumption and madness of his adversaries. On all sides were to be seen tents adorned with ivy and myrtle, couches covered with purple, and side-boards loaded with plate. Every thing gave proofs of the highest luxury, and seemed rather the preparatives for a banquet, or the rejoicings for a victory, than dispositions for a battle. 3. A camp so richly furnished would have engaged the attention of any troops but Cæsar's; but there was still something to be done, and he permitted them not to pursue any other object than their enemies. 4. A considerable body having retired to the adjacent mountains, he prevailed on his soldiers to join him in the pursuit order to oblige these to surrender. He began by enclosing them with a line drawn at the foot of the mountain; but they quickly abandoned a post which was untenable for want of water, and endeavoured to reach the city of Laris'sa. 5. Cæsar, leading a part of his army by a shorter way, intercepted their retreat. However, these unhappy fugitives again found protection from a mountain, at the foot of which ran a rivulet that supplied them with water. 6. Night approaching, Cæsar's men were almost spent, and fainting with their incessant toil since morning; yet still he prevailed upon them to renew their labours, and cut off the rivulet that supplied the defendants. 7. The fugitives, thus deprived of all hopes of succour or subsistence, sent deputies to the conqueror, offering to surrender at discretion. During this interval of negotiation, a few senators that were among them took the advantage of the night to escape, and the rest, next morning, gave up their arms and experienced the conqueror's clemency. In fact, he addressed them with great gentleness, and forbade the soldiers to offer violence, or to take any thing from them. 8. Thus Cæsar gained the most complete victory that had ever been obtained; and by his great clemency after the battle, seemed to have deserved it. His loss amounted only to two hundred men ; that of Pompey to fifteen thousand, twenty-four thousand men surrendered themselves prisoners of war, and the greatest part of these entered into Cæsar's army, and were incorporated with the rest of his forces. |