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caesar-第9部分
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a strong wind from the sea; which overpowered that from the land; so
that where the river met the influx of the seawater and the opposition
of the waves it was extremely rough and angry; and the current was
beaten back with such a violent swell that the master of the boat
could not make good his passage; but ordered his sailors to tack about
and return。 Caesar; upon this; discovers himself; and taking the man
by the hand; who was surprised to see him there; said; 〃Go on; my
friend; and fear nothing; you carry Caesar and his fortune in your
boat。〃 The mariners; when they heard that; forgot the storm; and
laying all their strength to their oars; did what they could to
force their way down the river。 But when it was to no purpose; and the
vessel now took in much water; Caesar finding himself in such danger
in the very mouth of the river; much against his will permitted the
master to turn back。 When he was come to land; his soldiers ran to him
in a multitude; reproaching him for what he had done; and indignant
that he should think himself not strong enough to get a victory by
their sole assistance; but must disturb himself; and expose his life
for those who were absent; as if he could not trust those who were
with him。
After this; Antony came over with the forces from Brundusium;
which encouraged Caesar to give Pompey battle; though he was
encamped very advantageously; and furnished with plenty of
provisions both by sea and land; whilst he himself was at the
beginning but ill supplied; and before the end was extremely pinched
for want of necessaries; so that his soldiers were forced to dig up
a kind of root which grew there; and tempering it with milk; to feed
on it。 Sometimes they made a kind of bread of it; and advancing up
to the enemy's outposts; would throw in these loaves; telling them;
that as long as the earth produced such roots they would not give up
blockading Pompey。 But Pompey took what care he could that neither the
loaves nor the words should reach his men; who were out of heart and
despondent through terror at the fierceness and hardihood of their
enemies; whom they looked upon as a sort of wild beasts。 There were
continual skirmishes about Pompey's outworks; in all which Caesar
had the better; except one; when his men were forced to fly in such
a manner that he had like to have lost his camp。 For Pompey made
such a vigorous sally on them that not a man stood his ground; the
trenches were filled with the slaughter; many fell upon their own
ramparts and bulwarks; whither they were driven in flight by the
enemy。 Caesar met them and would have turned them back; but could not。
When he went to lay hold of the ensigns; those who carried them
threw them down; so that the enemy took thirty…two of them。 He himself
narrowly escaped; for taking hold of one of his soldiers; a big and
strong man; that was flying by him; he bade him stand and face
about; but the fellow; full of apprehensions from the danger he was
in; laid hold of his sword; as if he would strike Caesar; but Caesar's
armour…bearer cut off his arm。 Caesar's affairs were so desperate at
that time that when Pompey; either through over…cautiousness or his
ill fortune; did not give the finishing stroke to that great
success; but retreated after he had driven the routed enemy within
their camp; Caesar; upon seeing his withdrawal; said to his friends;
〃The victory to…day had been on the enemies' side if they had had a
general who knew how to gain it。〃 When he was retired into his tent;
he laid himself down to sleep; but spent that night as miserable as
ever he did any; in perplexity and consideration with himself;
coming to the conclusion that he had conducted the war amiss。 For when
he had a fertile country before him; and all the wealthy cities of
Macedonia and Thessaly; he had neglected to carry the war thither; and
had sat down by the seaside; where his enemies had such a powerful
fleet; so that he was in fact rather besieged by the want of
necessaries; than besieging others with his arms。 Being thus
distracted in his thoughts with the view of the difficulty and
distress he was in; he raised his camp; with the intention of
advancing towards Scipio; who lay in Macedonia; hoping either to
entice Pompey into a country where he should fight without the
advantage he now had of supplies from the sea; or to overpower
Scipio if not assisted。
This set all Pompey's army and officers on fire to hasten and pursue
Caesar; whom they concluded to be beaten and flying。 But Pompey was
afraid to hazard a battle on which so much depended; and being himself
provided with all necessaries for any length of time; thought to
tire out and waste the vigour of Caesar's army; which could not last
long。 For the best part of his men; though they had great
experience; and showed an irresistible courage in all engagements; yet
by their frequent marches; changing their camps; attacking
fortifications; and keeping long night…watches; were getting worn
out and broken; they being now old; their bodies less fit for
labour; and their courage; also; beginning to give way with the
failure of their strength。 Besides; it was said that an infectious
disease; occasioned by their irregular diet; was prevailing in
Caesar's army; and what was of greatest moment; he was neither
furnished with money nor provisions; so that in a little time he
must needs fall of himself。
For these reasons Pompey had no mind to fight him; but was thanked
for it by none but Cato; who rejoiced at the prospect of sparing his
fellow…citizens。 For he; when he saw the dead bodies of those who
had fallen in the last battle on Caesar's side; to the number of a
thousand; turned away; covered his face; and shed tears。 But every one
else upbraided Pompey for being reluctant to fight; and tried to
goad him on by such nicknames as Agamemnon; and king of kings; as if
he were in no hurry to lay down his sovereign authority; but was
pleased to see so many commanders attending on him; and paying their
attendance at his tent。 Favonius; who affected Cato's free way of
speaking his mind; complained bitterly that they should eat no figs
even this year at Tusculum; because of Pompey's love of command。
Afranius; who was lately returned out of Spain; and; on account of his
ill success there; laboured under the suspicion of having been
bribed to betray the army; asked why they did not fight this purchaser
of provinces。 Pompey was driven; against his own will; by this kind of
language; into offering battle; and proceeded to follow Caesar。 Caesar
had found great difficulties in his march; for no country would supply
him with provisions; his reputation being very much fallen since his
late defeat。 But after he took Gomphi; a town of Thessaly; he not only
found provisions for his army; but physic too。 For there they met with
plenty of wine; which they took very freely; and heated with this;
sporting and revelling on their march in bacchanalian fashion; they
shook off the disease; and their whole constitution was relieved and
changed into another habit。
When the two armies were come into Pharsalia; and both encamped
there; Pompey's thoughts ran the same way as they had done before;
against fighting; and the more because of some unlucky presages; and a
vision he had in a dream。 But those who were about him were so
confident of success; that Domitius; and Spinther; and Scipio; as if
they had already conquered; quarrelled which should succeed Caesar
in the pontificate。 And many sent to Rome to take houses fit to
accommodate consuls and praetors; as being sure of entering upon those
offices as soon as the battle was over。 The cavalry especially were
obstinate for fighting; being splendidly armed and bravely mounted;
and valuing themselves upon the fine horses they kept; and upon
their own handsome persons; as also upon the advantage of their
numbers; for they were five thousand against one thousand of Caesar's。
Nor were the numbers of the infantry less disproportionate; there
being forty…five thousand of Pompey's against twenty…two thousand of
the enemy。
Caesar; collecting his soldiers together; told them that Corfinius
was coming up to them with two legions; and that fifteen cohorts
more under Calenus were posted at and Athens; he then asked him
whether they would stay till these joined them; or would hazard the
battle by themselves。 They all cried out to him not to wait; but on
the contrary to do whatever he could to bring about an engagement as
soon as possible。 When he sacrificed to the gods for the lustration of
his army; upon the death of the first victim; the augur told him;
within three days he should come to a decisive action。 Caesar asked
him whether he saw anything in the entrails which promised a happy
event。 〃That;〃 said the priest; 〃you can best answer yourself; for the
gods signify a great alteration from the present posture of affairs。
If; therefore; you think yourself well off now; expect worse
fortune; if unhappy; hope for better。〃 The night before the battle; as
he walked the rounds about midnight; there was a light seen in the
heavens; very bright and flaming; which seemed to pass over Caesar's
camp and fall into Pompey's。 And when Caesar's soldiers came to
relieve the watch in the morning; they perceived a panic disorder
among the enemies。 However; he did not expect to fight that day; but
set about raising his camp with the intention of marching towards
Scotussa。
But when the tents were now taken down; his scouts rode up to him;
and told him the enemy would give him battle。 With this news he was
extremely pleased; and having
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