The king of the Arabs near Petra, who had hitherto despised the

power of the Romans, now began to be in great alarm at it, and

sent letters to him promising to be at his commands, and to do

whatever he should see fit to order. However, Pompey having a

desire to confirm and keep him in the same mind, marched

forwards for Petra, an expedition not altogether

irreprehensible in the opinion of many; who thought it a mere

running away from their proper duty, the pursuit of

Mithridates, Rome's ancient and inveterate enemy, who was now

rekindling the war once more, and making preparations, it was

reported, to lead his army through Scythia and Paeonia, into

Italy. Pompey, on the other side, judging it easier to destroy

his forces in battle, than to seize his person in flight,

resolved not to tire himself out in a vain pursuit, but rather

to spend his leisure upon another enemy, as a sort of

digression in the meanwhile. But fortune resolved the doubt;

for when he was now not far from Petra, and had pitched his

tents and encamped for that day, as he was talking exercise

with his horse outside the camp, couriers came riding up from

Pontus, bringing good news, as was known at once by the heads

of their javelins, which it is the custom to carry crowned with

branches of laurel. The soldiers, as soon as they saw them,

flocked immediately to Pompey, who notwithstanding was minded to

finish his exercise; but when they began to be clamorous and

importunate, he alighted from his horse, and taking the letters

went before them into the camp. Now there being no tribunal

erected there, not even that military substitute for one which

they make by cutting up thick turfs of earth and piling them

one upon another, they, through eagerness and impatience,

heaped up a pile of pack-saddles, and Pompey standing upon

that, told them the news of Mithridates's death, how that he

had himself put an end to his life upon the revolt of his son

Pharnaces, and that Pharnaces had taken all things there into

his hands and possession, which he did, his letters said, in

right of himself and the Romans. Upon this news, the whole

army expressing their joy, as was to be expected, fell to

sacrificing to the gods, and feasting, as if in the person of

Mithridates alone there had died many thousands of their

enemies.

Pompey by this event having brought this war to its completion,

with much more ease than was expected, departed forthwith out

of Arabia, and passing rapidly through the intermediate

provinces, he came at length to the city Amisus. There he

received many presents brought from Pharnaces, with several

dead bodies of the royal blood, and the corpse of Mithridates

himself, which was not easy to be known by the face, for the

physicians that embalmed him had not dried up his brain, but

those who were curious to see him knew him by the scars there.

Pompey himself would not endure to see him, but to deprecate

the divine jealousy, sent it away to the city of Sinope. He

admired the richness of his robes, no less than the size and

splendor of his armor. His swordbelt, however, which had cost

four hundred talents, was stolen by Publius, and sold to

Ariarathes; his tiara also, a piece of admirable workmanship,

Gaius, the roster brother of Mithridates, gave secretly to

Faustus, the son of Sylla, at his request. All which Pompey

was ignorant of, but afterwards, when Pharnaces came to

understand it, he severely punished those that embezzled them.

Pompey now having ordered all things, and established that

province, took his journey homewards in greater pomp and with

more festivity. For when he came to Mitylene, he gave the city

their freedom upon the intercession of Theophanes, and was

present at the contest, there periodically held, of the poets,

who took at that time no other theme or subject than the

actions of Pompey. He was extremely pleased with the theater

itself, and had a model of it taken, intending to erect one in

Rome on the same design, but larger and more magnificent. When

he came to Rhodes, he attended the lectures of all the

philosophers there, and gave to every one of them a talent.

Posidonius has published the disputation which he held before

him against Hermagoras the rhetorician, upon the subject of

Invention in general. At Athens, also, he showed similar,

munificence to the philosophers, and gave fifty talents towards

the repairing and beautifying the city. So that now by all

these acts he well hoped to return into Italy in the greatest

splendor and glory possible to man, and find his family as

desirous to see him, as he felt himself to come home to them.

But that supernatural agency, whose province and charge it is

always to mix some ingredient of evil with the greatest and

most glorious goods of fortune, had for some time back been

busy in his household, preparing him a sad welcome. For Mucia

during his absence had dishonored his bed. Whilst he was

abroad at a distance, he had refused all credence to the

report; but when he drew nearer to Italy, where his thoughts

were more at leisure to give consideration to the charge, he

sent her a bill of divorce; but neither then in writing, nor

afterwards by word of mouth, did he ever give a reason why he

discharged her; the cause of it is mentioned in Cicero's

epistles.

Rumors of every kind were scattered abroad about Pompey, and

were carried to Rome before him, so that there was a great

tumult and stir, as if he designed forthwith to march with his

army into the city, and establish himself securely as sole

ruler. Crassus withdrew himself, together with his children

and property, out of the city, either that he was really

afraid, or that he counterfeited rather, as is most probable,

to give credit to the calumny and exasperate the jealousy of

the people. Pompey, therefore, as soon as he entered Italy,

called a general muster of the army; and having made a suitable

address and exchanged a kind farewell with his soldiers, he

commanded them to depart every man to his country and place of

habitation, only taking care that they should not fail to meet

again at his triumph. Thus the army being disbanded, and the

news commonly reported, a wonderful result ensued. For when

the cities saw Pompey the Great passing through the country

unarmed, and with a small train of familiar friends only, as if

he was returning from a journey of pleasure, not from his

conquests, they came pouring out to display their affection for

him, attending and conducting him to Rome with far greater

forces than he disbanded; insomuch that if he had designed

any movement or innovation in the State, he might have done it

without his army.

Now, because the law permitted no commander to enter into the

city before his triumph, he sent to the senate, entreating them

as a favor to him to prorogue the election of consuls, that

thus he might be able to attend and give countenance to Piso,

one of the candidates. The request was resisted by Cato, and

met with a refusal. However, Pompey could not but admire the

liberty and boldness of speech which Cato alone had dared to

use in the maintenance of law and justice. He therefore had a

great desire to win him over, and purchase his friendship at

any rate; and to that end, Cato having two nieces, Pompey asked

for one in marriage for himself, the other for his son. But

Cato looked unfavorably on the proposal, regarding it as a

design for undermining his honesty, and in a manner bribing him

by a family alliance; much to the displeasure of his wife and

sister, who were indignant that he should reject a connection

with Pompey the Great. About that time Pompey having a design

of setting up Afranius for the consulship, gave a sum of money

among the tribes for their votes, and people came and received

it in his own gardens a proceeding which, when it came to be

generally known, excited great disapprobation, that he should

thus for the sake of men who could not obtain the honor by

their own merits, make merchandise of an office which had been

given to himself as the highest reward of his services. "Now,"

said Cato to his wife and sister, "had we contracted an

alliance with Pompey, we had been allied to this dishonor too;"

and this they could not but acknowledge, and allow his judgment

of what was right and fitting to have been wiser and better

than theirs.

The splendor and magnificence of Pompey's triumph was such that

though it took up the space of two days, yet they were

extremely straitened in time, so that of what was prepared for

that pageantry, there was as much withdrawn as would have set

out and adorned another triumph. In the first place, there were

tables carried, inscribed with the names and titles of the

nations over whom he triumphed, Pontus, Armenia, Cappadocia,

Paphlagonia, Media, Colchis, the Iberians, the Albanians,

Syria, Cilicia, and Mesopotamia, together with Phoenicia and

Palestine, Judaea, Arabia, and all the power of the pirates

subdued by sea and land. And in these different countries

there appeared the capture of no less than one thousand

fortified places, nor much less than nine hundred cities,

together with eight hundred ships of the pirates, and the

foundation of thirty-nine towns. Besides, there was set forth

in these tables an account of all the tributes throughout the

empire, and how that before these conquests the revenue

amounted but to fifty millions, whereas from his acquisitions

they had a revenue of eighty-five millions; and that in present

payment he was bringing into the common treasury ready money,

and gold and silver plate, and ornaments, to the value of

twenty thousand talents, over and above what had been

distributed among the soldiers, of whom he that had least had

fifteen hundred drachmas for his share. The prisoners of war

that were led in triumph, besides the chief pirates, were the

son of Tigranes, king of Armenia, with his wife and daughter;

as also Zosime, wife of king Tigranes himself, and Aristobulus,

king of Judaea, the sister of king Mithridates and her five

sons, and some Scythian women. There were likewise the

hostages of the Albanians and Iberians, and of the king of

Commagene, besides a vast number of trophies, one for every

battle in which he was conqueror, either himself in person, or

by his lieutenants. But that which seemed to be his greatest

glory, being one which no other Roman ever attained to, was

this, that he made his third triumph over the third division of

the world. For others among the Romans had the honor of

triumphing thrice, but his first triumph was over Africa, his

second, over Europe, and this last, over Asia; so that he

seemed in these three triumphs to have led the whole world

captive.

As for his age, those who affect to make the parallel exact in

all things betwixt him and Alexander the Great, do not allow

him to have been quite thirty-four, whereas in truth at that

time he was near forty. And well had it been for him had he

terminated his life at this date, while he still enjoyed

Alexander's fortune, since all his aftertime served only either

to bring him prosperity that made him odious, or calamities too

great to be retrieved. For that great authority which he had

gained in the city by his merits, he made use of only in

patronizing the iniquities of others, so that by advancing

their fortunes, he detracted from his own glory, till at last

he was overthrown even by the force and greatness of his own

power. And as the strongest citadel or fort in a town, when it

is taken by an enemy, does then afford the same strength to the

foe, as it had done to friends before; so Caesar, after

Pompey's aid had made him strong enough to defy his country,

ruined and overthrew at last the power which had availed him

against the rest. The course of things was as follows.

Lucullus, when he returned out of Asia, where he had been

treated with insult by Pompey, was received by the senate with

great honor, which was yet increased when Pompey came home; to

check whose ambition they encouraged him to assume the

administration of the government, whereas he was now grown cold

and disinclined to business, having given himself over to the

pleasures of ease and the enjoyment of a splendid fortune.

However, he began for the time to exert himself against Pompey,

attacked him sharply, and succeeded in having his own acts and

decrees, which were repealed by Pompey, reestablished, and with

the assistance of Cato, gained the superiority in the senate.

Pompey having fallen from his hopes in such an unworthy

repulse, was forced to fly to the tribunes of the people for

refuge, and to attach himself to the young men, among whom was

Clodius, the vilest and most impudent wretch alive, who took

him about, and exposed him as a tool to the people, carrying

him up and down among the throngs in the market-place, to

countenance those laws and speeches which he made to cajole the

people and ingratiate himself. And at last for his reward, he

demanded of Pompey, as if he had not disgraced, but done him

great kindness, that he should forsake (as in the end he did

forsake) Cicero, his friend, who on many public occasions had

done him the greatest service. And so when Cicero was in

danger, and implored his aid, he would not admit him into his

presence, but shutting up his gates against those that came to

mediate for him, slips out at a back door, whereupon Cicero

fearing the result of his trial, departed privately from Rome.

About that time Caesar, returning from military service,

started a course of policy which brought him great present

favor, and much increased his power for the future, and proved

extremely destructive both to Pompey and the commonwealth. For

now he stood candidate for his first consulship, and well

observing the enmity betwixt Pompey and Crassus, and finding

that by joining with one he should make the other his enemy, he

endeavored by all means to reconcile them, an object in itself

honorable and tending to the public good, but as he undertook

it, a mischievous and subtle intrigue. For he well knew that

opposite parties or factions in a commonwealth, like passengers

in a boat, serve to trim and balance the unready motions of

power there; whereas if they combine and come all over to one

side, they cause a shock which will be sure to overset the

vessel and carry down everything. And therefore Cato wisely

told those who charged all the calamities of Rome upon the

disagreement betwixt Pompey and Caesar, that they were in error

in charging all the crime upon the last cause; for it was not

their discord and enmity, but their unanimity and I friendship,

that gave the first and greatest blow to the commonwealth.

Caesar being thus elected consul, began at once to make an

interest with the poor and meaner sort, by preferring and

establishing laws for planting colonies and dividing lands,

lowering the dignity of his office, and turning his consulship

into a sort of tribuneship rather. And when Bibulus, his

colleague, opposed him, and Cato was prepared to second

Bibulus, and assist him vigorously, Caesar brought Pompey upon

the hustings, and addressing him in the sight of the people,

demanded his opinion upon the laws that were proposed. Pompey

gave his approbation. "Then," said Caesar, "in case any man

should offer violence to these laws, will you be reedy to give

assistance to the people?" "Yes," replied Pompey, "I shall be

ready, and against those that threaten the sword, I will appear

with sword and buckler." Nothing ever was said or done by

Pompey up to that day, that seemed more insolent or

overbearing; so that his friends endeavored to apologize for it

as a word spoken inadvertently; but by his actions afterwards

it appeared plainly that he was totally devoted to Caesar's

service. For on a sudden, contrary to all expectation, he

married Julia, the daughter of Caesar, who had been affianced

before and was to be married within a few days to Caepio. And

to appease Caepio's wrath, he gave him his own daughter in

marriage, who had been espoused before to Faustus, the son of

Sylla. Caesar himself married Calpurnia, the daughter of Piso.

Upon this Pompey, filling the city with soldiers, carried all

things by force as he pleased. As Bibulus, the consul, was

going to the forum, accompanied by Lucullus and Cato, they fell

upon him on a sudden and broke his rods; and somebody threw a

vessel of ordure upon the head of Bibulus himself; and two

tribunes of the people, who escorted him, were desperately

wounded in the fray. And thus having cleared the forum of all

their adversaries, they got their bill for the division of

lands established and passed into an act; and not only so, but

the whole populace being taken with this bait, became totally

at their devotion, inquiring into nothing and without a word

giving their suffrages to whatever they propounded. Thus they

confirmed all those acts and decrees of Pompey, which were

questioned and contested by Lucullus; and to Caesar they

granted the provinces of Gaul, both within and without the

Alps, together with Illyricum, for five years, and likewise an

army of four entire legions; then they created consuls for the

year ensuing, Piso, the father-in-law of Caesar, and Gabinius,

the most extravagant of Pompey's flatterers.

During all these transactions, Bibulus kept close within doors,

nor did he appear publicly in person for the space of eight

months together, notwithstanding he was consul, but sent out

proclamations full of bitter invectives and accusations against

them both. Cato turned prophet, and, as if he had been

possessed with a spirit of divination, did nothing else in the

senate but foretell what evils should befall the Commonwealth

and Pompey. Lucullus pleaded old age, and retired to take his

ease, as superannuated for affairs of State; which gave

occasion to the saying of Pompey, that the fatigues of luxury

were not more seasonable for an old man than those of

government. Which in truth proved a reflection upon himself;

for he not long after let his fondness for his young wife

seduce him also into effeminate habits. He gave all his time

to her, and passed his days in her company in country-houses

and gardens, paying no heed to what was going on in the forum.

Insomuch that Clodius, who was then tribune of the people,

began to despise him, and engage in the most audacious

attempts. For when he had banished Cicero, and sent away Cato

into Cyprus under pretence of military duty, and when Caesar

was gone upon his expedition to Gaul, finding the populace now

looking to him as the leader who did everything according to

their pleasure, he attempted forthwith to repeal some of

Pompey's decrees; he took Tigranes, the captive, out of prison,

and kept him about him as his companion; and commenced actions

against several of Pompey's friends, thus designing to try the

extent of his power. At last, upon a time when Pompey was

present at the hearing of a certain cause, Clodius, accompanied

with a crowd of profligate and impudent ruffians, standing up

in a place above the rest, put questions to the populace as

follows: "Who is the dissolute general? who is the man that

seeks another man? who scratches his head with one finger?"

and the rabble, upon the signal of his shaking his gown, with a

great shout to every question, like singers making, responses

in a chorus, made answer, "Pompey."

This indeed was no small annoyance to Pompey, who was quite

unaccustomed to hear anything ill of himself, and

unexperienced altogether in such encounters; and he was yet

more vexed, when he saw that the senate rejoiced at this foul

usage, and regarded it as a just punishment upon him for his

treachery to Cicero. But when it came even to blows and wounds

in the forum, and that one of Clodius's bondslaves was

apprehended, creeping through the crowd towards Pompey with a

sword in his hand, Pompey laid hold of this pretence, though

perhaps otherwise apprehensive of Clodius's insolence and bad

language, and never appeared again in the forum during all the

time he was tribune, but kept close at home, and passed his

time in consulting with his friends, by what means he might

best allay the displeasure of the senate and nobles against

him. Among other expedients, Culleo advised the divorce of

Julia, and to abandon Caesar's friendship to gain that of the

senate; this he would not hearken to. Others again advised him

to call home Cicero from banishment, a man who was always the

great adversary of Clodius, and as great a favorite of the

senate; to this he was easily persuaded. And therefore he

brought Cicero's brother into the forum, attended with a strong

party, to petition for his return; where, after a warm dispute,

in which several were wounded and some slain, he got the

victory over Clodius. No sooner was Cicero returned home upon

this decree, but immediately he used his efforts to reconcile

the senate to Pompey; and by speaking in favor of the law upon

the importation of corn, did again, in effect, make Pompey

sovereign lord of all the Roman possessions by sea and land.

For by that law, there were placed under his control all ports,

markets, and storehouses, and in short, all the concerns both

of the merchants and the husbandmen; which gave occasion to the

charge brought against it by Clodius, that the law was not made

because of the scarcity of corn, but the scarcity of corn was

made, that they might pass a law, whereby that power of his,

which was now grown feeble and consumptive, might be revived

again, and Pompey reinstated in a new empire. Others look upon

it as a politic device of Spinther, the consul, whose design it

was to secure Pompey in a greater authority, that he himself

might be sent in assistance to king Ptolemy. However, it is

certain that Canidius, the tribune, preferred a law to dispatch

Pompey in the character of an ambassador, without an army,

attended only with two lictors, as a mediator betwixt the king

and his subjects of Alexandria. Neither did this proposal seem

unacceptable to Pompey, though the senate cast it out upon the

specious pretence, that they were unwilling to hazard his

person. However, there were found several writings scattered

about the forum and near the senate-house, intimating how

grateful it would be to Ptolemy to have Pompey appointed for

his general instead of Spinther. And Timagenes even asserts

that Ptolemy went away and left Egypt, not out of necessity,

but purely upon the persuasion of Theophanes, who was anxious

to give Pompey the opportunity for holding a new command, and

gaining further wealth. But Theophanes's want of honesty does

not go so far to make this story credible as does Pompey's own

nature, which was averse, with all its ambition, to such base

and disingenuous acts, to render it improbable.

Thus Pompey being appointed chief purveyor, and having within

his administration and management all the corn trade, sent

abroad his factors and agents into all quarters, and he himself

sailing into Sicily, Sardinia, and Africa, collected vast

stores of corn. He was just ready to set sail upon his voyage

home, when a great storm arose upon the sea, and the ships'

commanders doubted whether it were safe. Upon which Pompey

himself went first aboard, and bid the mariners weigh anchor,

declaring with a loud voice, that there was a necessity to

sail, but no necessity to live. So that with this spirit and

courage, and having met with favorable fortune, he made a

prosperous return, and filled the markets with corn, and the

sea with ships. So much so that this great plenty and

abundance of provisions yielded a sufficient supply, not only

to the city of Rome, but even to other places too, dispersing

itself; like waters from a spring, into all quarters.

Meantime Caesar grew great and famous with his wars in Gaul,

and while in appearance he seemed far distant from Rome,

entangled in the affairs of the Belgians, Suevians, and

Britons, in truth he was working craftily by secret practices

in the midst of the people, and countermining Pompey in all

political matters of most importance. He himself with his army

close about him, as if it had been his own body, not with mere

views of conquest over the barbarians, but as though his

contests with them were but mere sports and exercises of the

chase, did his utmost with this training and discipline to make

it invincible and alarming. And in the meantime his gold and

silver and other spoils and treasure which he took from the

enemy in his conquests, he sent to Rome in presents, tempting

people with his gifts, and aiding aediles, praetors, and

consuls, as also their wives, in their expenses, and thus

purchasing himself numerous friends. Insomuch, that when he

passed back again over the Alps, and took up his winter

quarters in the city of Luca, there flocked to him an infinite

number of men and women, striving who should get first to him,

two hundred senators included, among whom were Pompey and

Crassus; so that there were to be seen at once before Caesar's

door no less than six score rods of proconsuls and praetors.

The rest of his addressers he sent all away full fraught with

hopes and money; but with Crassus and Pompey, he entered into

special articles of agreement, that they should stand

candidates for the consulship next year; that Caesar on his

part should send a number of his soldiers to give their votes

at the election; that as soon as they were elected, they should

use their interest to have the command of some provinces and

legions assigned to themselves, and that Caesar should have

his present charge confirmed to him for five years more. When

these arrangements came to be generally known, great

indignation was excited among the chief men in Rome; and

Marcellinus, in an open assembly of the people, demanded of

them both, whether they designed to sue for the consulship or

no. And being urged by the people for their answer, Pompey

spoke first, and told them, perhaps he would sue for it,

perhaps he would not. Crassus was more temperate, and said,

that he would do what should be judged most agreeable with the

interest of the Commonwealth; and when Marcellinus persisted in

his attack on Pompey, and spoke, as it was thought, with some

vehemence, Pompey remarked that Marcellinus was certainly the

unfairest of men, to show him no gratitude for having thus made

him an orator out of a mute, and converted him from a hungry

starveling into a man so full-fed that he could not contain

himself.

Most of the candidates nevertheless abandoned their canvass for

the consulship; Cato alone persuaded and encouraged Lucius

Domitius not to desist, "since," said he, "the contest now is

not for office, but for liberty against tyrants and usurpers."

Therefore those of Pompey's party, fearing this inflexible

constancy in Cato, by which he kept with him the whole senate,

lest by this he should likewise pervert and draw after him all

the well-affected part of the commonalty, resolved to withstand

Domitius at once, and to prevent his entrance into the forum.

To this end, therefore, they sent in a band of armed men, who

slew the torchbearer of Domitius, as he was leading the way

before him, and put all the rest to flight; last of all, Cato

himself retired, having received a wound in his right arm while

defending Domitius. Thus by these means and practices they

obtained the consulship; neither did they behave themselves

with more decency in their further proceedings; but in the

first place, when the people were choosing Cato praetor, and

just ready with their votes for the poll, Pompey broke up the

assembly, upon a pretext of some inauspicious appearance, and

having gained the tribes by money, they publicly proclaimed

Vatinius praetor. Then, in pursuance of their covenants with

Caesar, they introduced several laws by Trebonius, the tribune,

continuing Caesar's commission to another five years' charge of

his province; to Crassus there were appointed Syria, and the

Parthian war; and to Pompey himself, all Africa, together with

both Spains, and four legions of soldiers, two of which he lent

to Caesar upon his request, for the wars in Gaul.

Crassus, upon the expiration of his consulship, departed

forthwith into his province; but Pompey spent some time in

Rome, upon the opening or dedication of his theater, where he

treated the people with all sorts of games, shows, and

exercises, in gymnastics alike and in music. There was

likewise the hunting or baiting of wild beasts, and combats

with them, in which five hundred lions were slain; but above

all, the battle of elephants was a spectacle full of horror and

amazement.

These entertainments brought him great honor and popularity;

but on the other side he created no less envy to himself, in

that he committed the government of his provinces and legions

into the hands of friends as his lieutenants, whilst he himself

was going about and spending his time with his wife in all the

places of amusement in Italy; whether it were he was so fond of

her himself, or she so fond of him, and he unable to distress

her by going away, for this also is stated. And the love

displayed by this young wife for her elderly husband was a

matter of general note, to be attributed, it would seem, to his

constancy in married life, and to his dignity of manner, which

in familiar intercourse was tempered with grace and gentleness,

and was particularly attractive to women, as even Flora, the

courtesan, may be thought good enough evidence to prove. It

once happened in a public assembly, as they were at an election

of the aediles, that the people came to blows, and several

about Pompey were slain, so that he, finding himself all

bloody, ordered a change of apparel; but the

servants who brought home his clothes, making a

great bustle and hurry about the house, it chanced

that the young lady, who was then with child, saw his

gown all stained with blood; upon which she dropped immediately

into a swoon, and was hardly brought to life again; however,

what with her fright and suffering, she fell into labor and

miscarried; even those who chiefly censured Pompey for his

friendship to Caesar, could not reprove him for his affection

to so attached a wife. Afterwards she was great again, and

brought to bed of a daughter, but died in childbed; neither did

the infant outlive her mother many days. Pompey had prepared

all things for the interment of her corpse at his house near

Alba, but the people seized upon it by force, and performed the

solemnities in the field of Mars, rather in compassion for the

young lady, than in favor either for Pompey or Caesar; and yet

of these two, the people seemed at that time to pay Caesar a

greater share of honor in his absence, than to Pompey, though

he was present.

For the city now at once began to roll and swell, so to say,

with the stir of the coming storm. Things everywhere were in a

state of agitation, and everybody's discourse tended to

division, now that death had put an end to that relation which

hitherto had been a disguise rather than restraint to the

ambition of these men. Besides, not long after came messengers

from Parthia with intelligence of the death of Crassus there,

by which another safeguard against civil war was removed, since

both Caesar and Pompey kept their eyes on Crassus, and awe of

him held them together more or less within the bounds of

fair-dealing all his lifetime. But when fortune had taken away

this second, whose province it might have been to revenge the

quarrel of the conquered, you might then say with the comic

poet,

The combatants are waiting to begin,

Smearing their hands with dust and oiling each his skin.

So inconsiderable a thing is fortune in respect of human

nature, and so insufficient to give content to a covetous mind,

that an empire of that mighty extent and sway could not satisfy

the ambition of two men; and though they knew and had read,

that

The gods, when they divided out 'twixt three,

This massive universe, heaven, hell, and sea,

Each one sat down contented on his throne,

And undisturbed each god enjoys his own,

yet they thought the whole Roman empire not sufficient to

contain them, though they were but two.

Pompey once in an oration to the people, told them, that he had

always come into office before he expected he should, and that

he had always left it sooner than they expected he would; and,

indeed, the disbanding of all his armies witnessed as much.

Yet when he perceived that Caesar would not so willingly

discharge his forces, he endeavored to strengthen himself

against him by offices and commands in the city; but beyond

this he showed no desire for any change, and would not seem to

distrust, but rather to disregard and contemn him. And when he

saw how they bestowed the places of government quite contrary

to his wishes, because the citizens were bribed in their

elections, he let things take their course, and allowed the

city to be left without any government at all. Hereupon there

was mention straightaway made of appointing a dictator.

Lucilius, a tribune of the people, was the man who first

adventured to propose it, urging the people to make Pompey

dictator. But the tribune was in danger of being turned out of

his office, by the opposition that Cato made against it. And

for Pompey, many of his friends appeared and excused him,

alleging that he never was desirous of that government, neither

would he accept of it. And when Cato therefore made a speech

in commendation of Pompey, and exhorted him to support the

cause of good order in the Commonwealth, he could not for shame

but yield to it, and so for the present Domitius and Messala

were elected consuls. But shortly afterwards, when there was

another anarchy, or vacancy in the government, and the talk of

a dictator was much louder and more general than before, those

of Cato's party, fearing lest they should be forced to appoint

Pompey, thought it policy to keep him from that arbitrary and

tyrannical power, by giving him an office of more legal

authority. Bibulus himself, who was Pompey's enemy, first gave

his vote in the senate, that Pompey should be created consul

alone; alleging, that by these means either the Commonwealth

would be freed from its present confusion, or that its bondage

should be lessened by serving the worthiest. This was looked

upon as a very strange opinion, considering the man that spoke

it; and therefore on Cato's standing up, everybody expected

that he would have opposed it; but after silence made, he said

that he would never have been the author of that advice

himself, but since it was propounded by another, his advice was

to follow it, adding, that any form of government was better

than none at all; and that in a time so full of distraction, he

thought no man fitter to govern than Pompey. This counsel was

unanimously approved of, and a decree passed that Pompey should

be made sole consul, with this clause, that if he thought it

necessary to have a colleague, he might choose whom he pleased,

provided it were not till after two months expired.

Thus was Pompey created and declared sole consul by Sulpicius,

regent in this vacancy; upon which he made very cordial

acknowledgments to Cato, professing himself much his debtor,

and requesting his good advice in conducting the government; to

this Cato replied, that Pompey had no reason to thank him, for

all that he had said was for the service of the commonwealth,

not of Pompey; but that he would be always ready to give his

advice privately, if he were asked for it; and if not, he

should not fail to say what he thought in public. Such was

Cato's conduct on all occasions.

On his return into the city Pompey married Cornelia, the

daughter of Metellus Scipio, not a maiden, but lately left a

widow by Publius, the son of Crassus, her first husband, who

had been killed in Parthia. The young lady had other

attractions besides those of youth and beauty; for she was

highly educated, played well upon the lute, understood

geometry, and had been accustomed to listen with profit to

lectures on philosophy; all this, too, without in any degree

becoming unamiable or pretentious, as sometimes young women do

when they pursue such studies. Nor could any fault be found

either with her father's family or reputation. The disparity

of their ages was however not liked by everybody; Cornelia

being in this respect a fitter match for Pompey's son. And

wiser judges thought it rather a slight upon the commonwealth

when he, to whom alone they had committed their broken

fortunes, and from whom alone, as from their physician, they

expected a cure to these distractions, went about crowned with

garlands and celebrating his nuptial feasts; never considering,

that his very consulship was a public calamity, which would

never have been given him, contrary to the rules of law, had

his country been in a flourishing state. Afterwards, however,

he took cognizance of the cases of those that had obtained

offices by gifts and bribery, and enacted laws and ordinances,

setting forth the rules of judgment by which they should be

arraigned; and regulating all things with gravity and justice,

he restored security, order, and silence to their courts of

judicature, himself giving his presence there with a band of

soldiers. But when his father-in-law Scipio was accused, he

sent for the three hundred and sixty judges to his house, and

entreated them to be favorable to him; whereupon his accuser,

seeing Scipio come into the court, accompanied by the judges

themselves, withdrew the prosecution. Upon this Pompey was

very ill spoken of, and much worse in the case of Plancus; for

whereas he himself had made a law, putting a stop to the

practice of making speeches in praise of persons under trial,

yet notwithstanding this prohibition, he came into court, and

spoke openly in commendation of Plancus, insomuch that Cato,

who happened to be one of the judges at that time, stopping his

ears with his hands, told him, he could not in conscience

listen to commendations contrary to law. Cato upon this was

refused, and set aside from being a judge, before sentence was

given, but Plancus was condemned by the rest of the judges, to

Pompey's dishonor. Shortly after, Hypsaeus, a man of consular

dignity, who was under accusation, waited for Pompey's return

from his bath to his supper, and falling down at his feet,

implored his favor; but he disdainfully passed him by, saying,

that he did nothing else but spoil his supper. Such partiality

was looked upon as a great fault in Pompey, and highly

condemned; however, he managed all things else discreetly, and

having put the government in very good order, he chose his

father-in-law to be his colleague in the consulship for the

last five months. His provinces were continued to him for the

term of four years longer, with a commission to take one

thousand talents yearly out of the treasury for the payment of

his army.

This gave occasion to some of Caesar's friends to think it

reasonable, that some consideration should be had of him too,

who had done such signal services in war, and fought so many

battles for the empire, alleging, that he deserved at least a

second consulship, or to have the government of his province

continued, that so he might command and enjoy in peace what he

had obtained in war, and no successor come in to reap the

fruits of his labor, and carry off the glory of his actions.

There arising some debate about this matter, Pompey took upon

him, as it were out of kindness to Caesar, to plead his cause,

and allay any jealousy that was conceived against him, telling

them, that he had letters from Caesar, expressing his desire

for a successor, and his own discharge from the command; but it

would be only right that they should give him leave to stand

for the consulship though in his absence. But those of Cato's

party withstood this, saying, that if he expected any favor

from the citizens, he ought to leave his army, and come in a

private capacity to canvas for it. And Pompey's making no

rejoinder, but letting it pass as a matter in which he was

overruled, increased the suspicion of his real feelings towards

Caesar. Presently, also, under presence of a war with Parthia,

he sent for his two legions which he had lent him. However,

Caesar, though he well knew why they were asked for, sent them

home very liberally rewarded.

About that time Pompey recovered of a dangerous fit of sickness

which seized him at Naples, where the whole city, upon the

suggestion of Praxagoras, made sacrifices of thanksgiving to

the gods for his recovery. The neighboring towns likewise

happening to follow their example, the thing then went its

course throughout all Italy, so that there was not a city

either great or small, that did not feast and rejoice for many

days together. And the company of those that came from all

parts to meet him was so numerous, that no place was able to

contain them, but the villages, seaport towns, and the very

highways, were all full of people, feasting and sacrificing to

the gods. Nay, many went to meet him with garlands on their

heads, and flambeaux in their hands, casting flowers and

nosegays upon him as he went along; so that this progress of

his, and reception, was one of the noblest and most glorious

sights imaginable. And yet it is thought that this very thing

was not one of the least causes and occasions of the civil war.

For Pompey, yielding to a feeling of exultation, which in the

greatness of the present display of joy lost sight of more

solid grounds of consideration, and abandoning that prudent

temper which had guided him hitherto to a safe use of all his

good fortune and his successes, gave himself up to an

extravagant confidence in his own, and contempt of Caesar's

power; insomuch that he thought neither force of arms nor care

necessary against him, but that he could pull him down much

easier than he had set him up. Besides this, Appius, under

whose command those legions which Pompey lent to Caesar were

returned, coming lately out of Gaul, spoke slightingly of

Caesar's actions there, and spread scandalous reports about

him, at the same time telling Pompey, that he was unacquainted

with his own strength and reputation, if he made use of any

other forces against Caesar than Caesar's own; for such was the

soldiers' hatred to Caesar, and their love to Pompey so great,

that they would all come over to him upon his first appearance.

By these flatteries Pompey was so puffed up, and led on into

such a careless security, that he could not choose but laugh at

those who seemed to fear a war; and when some were saying, that

if Caesar should march against the city, they could not see

what forces there were to resist him, he replied with a smile,

bidding them be in no concern, "for," said he, "whenever I

stamp with my foot in any part of Italy, there will rise up

forces enough in an instant, both horse and foot."

Caesar, on the other side, was more and more vigorous in his

proceedings, himself always at hand about the frontiers of

Italy, and sending his soldiers continually into the city to

attend all elections with their votes. Besides, he corrupted

several of the magistrates, and kept them in his pay; among

others, Paulus, the consul, who was brought over by a bribe of

one thousand and five hundred talents; and Curio, tribune of

the people, by a discharge of the debts with which he was

overwhelmed; together with Mark Antony, who, out of friendship

to Curio, had become bound with him in the same obligations

for them all. And it was stated as a fact, that a centurion of

Caesar's waiting at the senate-house, and hearing that the

senate refused to give him a longer term of his government,

clapped his hand upon his sword, and said, "But this shall give

it." And indeed all his practices and preparations seemed to

bear this appearance. Curio's demands, however, and requests

in favor of Caesar, were more popular in appearance; for he

desired one of these two things, either that Pompey also should

be called upon to resign his army, or that Caesar's should not

be taken away from him; for if both of them became private

persons, both would be satisfied with simple justice; or if

both retained their present power, each being a match for the

other, they would be contented with what they already had; but

he that weakens one, does at the same time strengthen the

other, and so doubles that very strength and power which he

stood in fear of before. Marcellus, the consul, replied

nothing to all this, but that Caesar was a robber, and should

be proclaimed an enemy to the state, if he did not disband his

army. However, Curio, with the assistance of Antony and Piso,

prevailed, that the matter in debate should be put to the

question, and decided by vote in the senate. So that it being

ordered upon the question for those to withdraw, who were of

opinion that Caesar only should lay down his army and Pompey

command, the majority withdrew. But when it was ordered again

for those to withdraw, whose vote was that both should lay

down their arms and neither command, there were but twenty-two

for Pompey, all the rest remained on Curio's side. Whereupon

he, as one proud of his conquest, leaped out in triumph among

the people, who received him with as great tokens of joy,

clapping their hands, and crowning him with garlands and

flowers. Pompey was not then present in the senate, because it

is not lawful for generals in command of an army to come into

the city. But Marcellus rising up, said, that he would not sit

there hearing speeches, when he saw ten legions already passing

the Alps on their march toward the city, but on his own

authority would send someone to oppose them in defense of the

country.

Upon this the city went into mourning, as in a public calamity,

and Marcellus, accompanied by the senate, went solemnly through

the forum to meet Pompey, and made him this address. "I hereby

give you orders, O Pompey, to defend your country, to employ

the troops you now command, and to levy more." Lentulus,

consul elect for the year following, spoke to the same purpose.

Antony, however, contrary to the will of the senate, having in

a public assembly read a letter of Caesar's, containing various

plausible overtures such as were likely to gain the common

people, proposing, namely, that both Pompey and he quitting

their governments, and dismissing their armies, should submit

to the judgment of the people, and give an account of their

actions before them, the consequence was that when Pompey began

to make his levies, he found himself disappointed in his

expectations. Some few, indeed, came in, but those very

unwillingly; others would not answer to their names, and the

generality cried out for peace. Lentulus, notwithstanding he

was now entered upon his consulship, would not assemble the

senate; but Cicero, who was lately returned from Cilicia,

labored for a reconciliation, proposing that Caesar should

leave his province of Gaul and army, reserving two legions

only, together with the government of Illyricum, and should

thus be put in nomination for a second consulship. Pompey

disliking this motion, Caesar's friends were contented that he

should surrender one of the two; but Lentulus still opposing,

and Cato crying out that Pompey did ill to be deceived again,

the reconciliation did not take effect.

In the meantime, news was brought that Caesar had occupied

Ariminum, a great city in Italy, and was marching directly

towards Rome with all his forces. But this latter was

altogether false, for he had no more with him at that time than

three hundred horse and five thousand foot; and he did not mean

to tarry for the body of his army, which lay beyond the Alps,

choosing rather to fall in on a sudden upon his enemies, while

they were in confusion, and did not expect him, than to give

them time, and fight them after they had made preparations.

For when he came to the banks of the Rubicon, a river that

made the bounds of his province, there he made a halt, pausing

a little, and considering, we may suppose, with himself the

greatness of the enterprise which he had undertaken; then, at

last, like men that are throwing themselves headlong from some

precipice into a vast abyss, having shut, as it were, his

mind's eyes and put away from his sight the idea of danger, he

merely uttered to those near him in Greek the words,

"Anerriphtho kubos," (let the die be cast,) and led his army

through it. No sooner was the news arrived, but there was an

uproar throughout all the city, and a consternation in the

people even to astonishment, such as never was known in Rome

before; all the senate ran immediately to Pompey, and the

magistrates followed. And when Tullus made inquiry about his

legions and forces, Pompey seemed to pause a little, and

answered with some hesitation, that he had those two legions

ready that Caesar sent back, and that out of the men who had

been previously enrolled he believed he could shortly make up a

body of thirty thousand men. On which Tullus crying out aloud,

"O Pompey, you have deceived us," gave his advice to send off a

deputation to Caesar. Favonius, a man of fair character,

except that he used to suppose his own petulance and abusive

talking a copy of Cato's straight-forwardness, bade Pompey

stamp upon the ground, and call forth the forces he had

promised. But Pompey bore patiently with this unseasonable

raillery; and on Cato putting him in mind of what he had

foretold from the very beginning about Caesar, made this answer

only, that Cato indeed had spoken more like a prophet, but he

had acted more like a friend. Cato then advised them to choose

Pompey general with absolute power and authority, saying that

the same men who do great evils, know best how to cure them.

He himself went his way forthwith into Sicily, the province

that was allotted him, and all the rest of the senators

likewise departed every one to his respective government.

Thus all Italy in a manner being up in arms, no one could say

what was best to be done. For those that were without, came

from all parts flocking into the city; and they who were

within, seeing the confusion and disorder so great there, all

good things impotent, and disobedience and insubordination

grown too strong to be controlled by the magistrates, were

quitting it as fast as the others came in. Nay, it was so far

from being possible to allay their fears, that they would not

suffer Pompey to follow out his own judgment, but every man

pressed and urged him according to his particular fancy,

whether it proceeded from doubt, fear, grief, or any meaner

passion; so that even in the same day quite contrary counsels

were acted upon. Then, again, it was as impossible to have any

good intelligence of the enemy; for what each man heard by

chance upon a flying rumor, he would report for truth, and

exclaim against Pompey if he did not believe it. Pompey, at

length, seeing such a confusion in Rome, determined with

himself to put an end to their clamors by his departure, and

therefore commanding all the senate to follow him, and

declaring, that whosoever tarried behind, should be judged a

confederate of Caesar's, about the dusk of the evening he went

out and left the city. The consuls also followed after in a

hurry, without offering the sacrifices to the gods, usual

before a war. But in all this, Pompey himself had the glory,

that in the midst of such calamities, he had so much of men's

love and good-will. For though many found fault with the

conduct of the war, yet no man hated the general; and there

were more to be found of those that went out of Rome, because

that they could not forsake Pompey, than of those that fled for

love of liberty.

Some few days after Pompey was gone out, Caesar came into the

city, and made himself master of it, treating everyone with a

great deal of courtesy, and appeasing their fears, except only

Metellus, one of the tribunes; on whose refusing to let him

take any money out of the treasury, Caesar threatened him with

death, adding words yet harsher than the threat, that it was

far easier for him to do it than say it. By this means

removing Metellus, and taking what moneys were of use for his

occasions, he set forwards in pursuit of Pompey, endeavoring

with all speed to drive him out of Italy before his army, that

was in Spain, could join him.

But Pompey arriving at Brundusium, and having plenty of ships

there, bade the two consuls embark immediately, and with them

shipped thirty cohorts of foot, bound before him for

Dyrrhachium. He sent likewise his father-in-law Scipio, and

Cnaeus his son, into Syria, to provide and fit out a fleet

there; himself in the meantime having blocked up the gates,

placed his lightest soldiers as guards upon the walls; and

giving express orders that the citizens should keep within

doors, he dug up all the ground inside the city, cutting

trenches, and fixing stakes and palisades throughout all the

streets of the city, except only two that led down to the

sea-side. Thus in three days space having with ease put all

the rest of his army on shipboard, he suddenly gave the signal

to those that guarded the walls, who nimbly repairing to the

ships, were received on board and carried off. Caesar meantime

perceiving their departure by seeing the walls unguarded,

hastened after, and in the heat of pursuit was all but

entangled himself among the stakes and trenches. But the

Brundusians discovering the danger to him, and showing him the

way, he wheeled about, and taking a circuit round the city,

made towards the haven, where he found all the ships on their

way, excepting only two vessels that had but a few soldiers

aboard.

Most are of opinion, that this departure of Pompey's is to be

counted among the best of his military performances, but Caesar

himself could not but wonder that he, who was thus ingarrisoned

in a city well fortified, who was in expectation of his forces

from Spain, and was master of the sea besides, should leave and

abandon Italy. Cicero accuses him of imitating the conduct of

Themistocles, rather than of Pericles, when the circumstances

were more like those of Pericles than they were like those of

Themistocles. However, it appeared plainly, and Caesar showed

it by his actions, that he was in great fear of delay, for when

he had taken Numerius, a friend of Pompey's, prisoner, he sent

him as an ambassador to Brundusium, with offers of peace and

reconciliation upon equal terms; but Numerius sailed away with

Pompey. And now Caesar having become master of all Italy in

sixty days, without a drop of blood shed, had a great desire

forthwith to follow Pompey; but being destitute of shipping, he

was forced to divert his course, and march into Spain,

designing to bring over Pompey's forces there to his own.

In the meantime Pompey raised a mighty army both by sea and

land. As for his navy, it was irresistible. For there were

five hundred men of war, besides an infinite company of light

vessels, Liburnians, and others; and for his land forces, the

cavalry made up a body of seven thousand horse, the very flower

of Rome and Italy, men of family, wealth, and high spirit; but

the infantry was a mixture of unexperienced soldiers drawn from

different quarters, and these he exercised and trained near

Beroea, where he quartered his army; himself noways slothful,

but performing all his exercises as if he had been in the flower

of his youth, conduct which raised the spirits of his soldiers

extremely. For it was no small encouragement for them to see

Pompey the Great, sixty years of age wanting two, at one time

handling his arms among the foot, then again mounted among the

horse, drawing out his sword with ease in full career, and

sheathing it up as easily; and in darting the javelin, showing

not only skill and dexterity in hitting the mark, but also

strength and activity in throwing it so far that few of the

young men went beyond him.

Several kings and princes of nations came thither to him, and

there was a concourse of Roman citizens who had held the

magistracies, so numerous that they made up a complete senate.

Labienus forsook his old friend Caesar, whom he had served

throughout all his wars in Gaul, and came over to Pompey; and

Brutus, son to that Brutus that was put to death in Gaul, a man

of a high spirit, and one that to that day had never so much as

saluted or spoke to Pompey, looking upon him as the murderer of

his father, came then and submitted himself to him as the

defender of their liberty. Cicero likewise, though he had

written and advised otherwise, yet was ashamed not to be

accounted in the number of those that would hazard their lives

and fortunes for the safeguard of their country. There came to

him also into Macedonia, Tidius Sextius, a man extremely old,

and lame of one leg; so that others indeed mocked and laughed

at the spectacle, but Pompey, as soon as he saw him, rose and

ran to meet him, esteeming it no small testimony in his favor,

when men of such age and infirmities should rather choose to be

with him in danger, than in safety at home. Afterwards in a

meeting of their senate they passed a decree, on the motion of

Cato, that no Roman citizen should be put to death but in

battle, and that they should not sack or plunder any city that

was subject to the Roman empire, a resolution which gained

Pompey's party still greater reputation, insomuch that those

who were noways at all concerned in the war, either because

they dwelt afar off, or were thought incapable of giving help,

were yet, in their good wishes, upon his side, and in all their

words, so far as that went, supported the good or just cause,

as they called it; esteeming those as enemies to the gods and

men, that wished not victory to Pompey.

Neither was Pompey's clemency such, but that Caesar likewise

showed himself as merciful a conqueror; for when he had taken

and overthrown all Pompey's forces in Spain, he gave them easy

terms, leaving the commanders at their liberty, and taking the

common soldiers into his own pay. Then repassing the Alps, and

making a running march through Italy, he came to Brundusium

about the winter solstice, and crossing the sea there, landed

at the port of Oricum. And having Jubius, an intimate friend

of Pompey's, with him as his prisoner, he dispatched him to

Pompey with an invitation, that they, meeting together in a

conference, should disband both their armies within three days,

and renewing their former friendship with solemn oaths, should

return together into Italy. Pompey looked upon this again as

some new stratagem, and therefore marching down in all haste to

the sea-coast, possessed himself of all forts and places of

strength suitable to encamp in, and to secure his laud forces,

as likewise of all ports and harbors commodious to receive any

that came by sea, so that what wind soever blew, it must needs

in some way or other be favorable to him, bringing in either

provision, men, or money; while Caesar, on the contrary, was so

hemmed in both by sea and land, that he was forced to desire

battle, daily provoking the enemy, and assailing them in their

very forts; and in these light skirmishes for the most part had

the better. Once only he was dangerously overthrown, and was

within a little of losing his whole army, Pompey having fought

nobly, routing the whole force, and killing two thousand on the

spot. But either he was not able, or was afraid, to go on and

force his way into their camp with them, so that Caesar made

the remark, that "Today the victory had been the enemy's, had

there been anyone among them to gain it." Pompey's soldiers

were so encouraged by this victory that they were eager now to

have all put to the decision of a battle; but Pompey himself,

though he wrote to distant kings, generals, and states in

confederacy with him, as a conqueror, yet was afraid to hazard

the success of a battle, choosing rather by delays, and

distress of provisions, to tire out a body of men, who had

never yet been conquered by force of arms, and had long been

used to fight and conquer together; while their time of life,

now an advanced one, which made them quickly weary of those

other hardships of war, such as were long marches, and frequent

decampings, making trenches, and building fortifications, made

them eager to come to close combat and venture a battle with

all speed.

Pompey had all along hitherto by his persuasions pretty well

quieted his soldiers; but after this last engagement, when

Caesar for want of provisions was forced to raise his camp, and

passed through Athamania into Thessaly, it was impossible to

curb or allay the heat of their spirits any longer. For all

crying out with a general voice, that Caesar was fled, some

were for pursuing and pressing upon him, others for returning

into Italy; some there were that sent their friends and

servants beforehand to Rome, to hire houses near the forum,

that they might be in readiness to sue for offices; several of

their own motion sailed off at once to Lesbos to carry to

Cornelia, (whom Pompey had conveyed thither to be in safety,)

the joyful news, that the war was ended. And a senate being

called, and the matter being under debate, Afranius was of

opinion, that Italy should first be regained, for that it was

the grand prize and crown of all the war; and they who were

masters of that, would quickly have at their devotion all the

provinces of Sicily, Sardinia, Corsica, Spain, and Gaul; but

what was of greatest weight and moment to Pompey, it was his

own native country that lay near, reaching out her hand for his

help; and certainly it could not be consistent with his honor

to leave her thus exposed to all indignities, and in bondage

under slaves and the flatterers of a tyrant. But Pompey

himself, on the contrary, thought it neither honorable to fly a

second time before Caesar, and be pursued, when fortune had

given him the advantage of a pursuit; nor indeed lawful before

the gods to forsake Scipio and divers other men of consular

dignity dispersed throughout Greece and Thessaly, who must

necessarily fall into Caesar's hands, together with large sums

of money and numerous forces; and as to his care for the city

of Rome, that would most eminently appear, by removing the

scene of war to a greater distance, and leaving her, without

feeling the distress or even hearing the sound of these evils,

to await in peace the return of whichever should be the victor.

With this determination, Pompey marched forwards in pursuit of

Caesar, firmly resolved with himself not to give him battle,

but rather to besiege and distress him, by keeping close at his

heels, and cutting him short. There were other reasons that

made him continue this resolution, but especially because a

saying that was current among the Romans serving in the cavalry

came to his ear, to the effect, that they ought to beat Caesar

as soon as possible, and then humble Pompey too. And some

report, it was for this reason that Pompey never employed Cato

in any matter of consequence during the whole war, but now when

he pursued Caesar, left him to guard his baggage by sea,

fearing lest, if Caesar should be taken off, he himself also by

Cato's means not long after should be forced to give up his

power.

Whilst he was thus slowly attending the motions of the enemy,

he was exposed on all sides to outcries, and imputations of

using his generalship to defeat, not Caesar, but his country

and the senate, that he might always continue in authority, and

never cease to keep those for his guards and servants, who

themselves claimed to govern the world. Domitius Aenobarbus,

continually calling him Agamemnon, and king of kings, excited

jealousy against him; and Favonius, by his unseasonable

raillery, did him no less injury than those who openly attacked

him, as when he cried out, "Good friends, you must not expect

to gather any figs in Tusculum this year." But Lucius

Afranius, who had lain under an imputation of treachery for the

loss of the army in Spain, when he saw Pompey purposely

declining an engagement, declared openly, that he could not but

admire, why those who were so ready to accuse him, did not go

themselves and fight this buyer and seller of their provinces.

With these and many such speeches they wrought upon Pompey, who

never could bear reproach, or resist the expectations of his

friends; and thus they forced him to break his measures, so

that he forsook his own prudent resolution to follow their vain

hopes and desires: weakness that would have been blamable ill

the pilot of a ship, how much more in the sovereign commander

of such an army, and so many nations. But he, though he had

often commended those physicians who did not comply with the

capricious appetites of their patients, yet himself could not

but yield to the malady and disease of his companions and

advisers in the war, rather than use some severity in their

cure. Truly who could have said that health was not disordered

and a cure not required in the case of men who went up and down

the camp, suing already for the consulship and office of

praetor, while Spinther, Domitius, and Scipio made friends,

raised factions, and quarrelled among themselves, who should

succeed Caesar in the dignity of his high-priesthood, esteeming

all as lightly, as if they were to engage only with Tigranes,

king of Armenia, or some petty Nabathaean king, not with that

Caesar and his army that had stormed a thousand towns, and

subdued more than three hundred several nations; that had

fought innumerable battles with the Germans and Gauls, and

always carried the victory; that had taken a million of men

prisoners, and slain as many upon the spot in pitched battles?

But they went on soliciting and clamoring, and on reaching the

plain of Pharsalia, they forced Pompey by their pressure and

importunities to call a council of war, where Labienus, general

of the horse, stood up first and swore that he would not return

out of the battle if he did not rout the enemies; and a]l the

rest took the same oath. That night Pompey dreamed that as he

went into the theater, the people received him with great

applause, and that he himself adorned the temple of Venus the

Victorious, with many spoils. This vision partly encouraged,

but partly also disheartened him, fearing lest that splendor

and ornament to Venus should be made with spoils furnished by

himself to Caesar, who derived his family from that goddess.

Besides there were some panic fears and alarms that ran through

the camp, with such a noise that it awaked him out of his

sleep. And about the time of renewing the watch towards

morning, there appeared a great light over Caesar's camp,

whilst they were all at rest, and from thence a ball of flaming

fire was carried into Pompey's camp, which Caesar himself says

he saw, as he was walking his rounds.

Now Caesar having designed to raise his camp with the morning

and move to Scotussa, whilst the soldiers were busy in pulling

down their tents, and sending on their cattle and servants

before them with their baggage, there came in scouts who

brought word that they saw arms carried to and fro in the

enemy's camp, and heard a noise and running up and down, as of

men preparing for battle; not long after there came in other

scouts with further intelligence, that the first ranks were

already set in battle array. Thereupon Caesar, when he had

told them that the wished for day was come at last, when they

should fight with men, not with hunger and famine, instantly

gave orders for the red colors to be set up before his tent,

that being the ordinary signal of battle among the Romans. As

soon as the soldiers saw that, they left their tents, and with

great shouts of joy ran to their arms; the officers, likewise,

on their parts drawing up their companies in order of battle,

every man fell into his proper rank without any trouble or

noise, as quietly and orderly as if they had been in a dance.

Pompey himself led the right wing of his army against Antony,

and placed his father-in-law Scipio in the middle against

Lucius Calvinus. The left wing was commanded by Lucius

Domitius; and supported by the great mass of the horse. For

almost the whole cavalry was posted there, in the hope of

crushing Caesar, and cutting off the tenth legion, which was

spoken of as the stoutest in all the army, and in which Caesar

himself usually fought in person. Caesar observing the left

wing of the enemy to be lined and fortified with such a mighty

guard of horse, and alarmed at the gallantry of their

appearance, sent for a detachment of six cohorts out of the

reserves, and placed them in the rear of the tenth legion,

commanding them not to stir, lest they should be discovered by

the enemy; but when the enemy's horse should begin to charge,

and press upon them, that they should make up with all speed to

the front through the foremost ranks, and not throw their

javelins at a distance, as is usual with brave soldiers, that

they may come to a close fight with their swords the sooner,

but that they should strike them upwards into the eyes and

faces of the enemy; telling them that those fine young dancers

would never endure the steel shining in their eyes, but would

fly to save their handsome faces. This was Caesar's employment

at that time. But while he was thus instructing his soldiers,

Pompey on horseback was viewing the order of both armies, and

when he saw how well the enemy kept their ranks, expecting

quietly the signal of battle; and, on the contrary, how

impatient and unsteady his own men were, waving up and down in

disorder for want of experience, he was very much afraid that

their ranks would be broken upon the first onset; and therefore

he gave out orders that the van should make a stand, and

keeping close in their ranks, should receive the enemy's

charge. Caesar much condemns this command; which he says not

only took off from the strength of the blows, which would

otherwise have been made with a spring; but also lost the men

the impetus, which, more than anything, in the moment of their

coming upon the enemy, fills soldiers with impulse and

inspiration, the very shouts and rapid pace adding to their

fury; of which Pompey deprived his men, arresting them in their

course and cooling down their heat.

Caesar's army consisted of twenty-two thousand, and Pompey's of

somewhat above twice as many. When the signal of battle was

given on both sides, and the trumpets began to sound a charge,

most men of course were fully occupied with their own matters;

only some few of the noblest Romans, together with certain

Greeks there present, standing as spectators without the

battle, seeing the armies now ready to join, could not but

consider in themselves to what a pass private ambition and

emulation had brought the empire. Common arms, and kindred

ranks drawn up under the self-same standards, the whole flower

and strength of the same single city here meeting in collision

with itself, offered plain proof how blind and how mad a thing

human nature is, when once possessed with any passion; for if

they had been desirous only to rule, and enjoy in peace what

they had conquered in war, the greatest and best part of the

world was subject to them both by sea and land. But if there

was yet a thirst in their ambition, that must still be fed with

new trophies and triumphs, the Parthian and German wars would

yield matter enough to satisfy the most covetous of honor.

Scythia, moreover, was yet unconquered, and the Indians too,

where their ambition might be colored over with the specious

pretext of civilizing barbarous nations. And what Scythian

horse, Parthian arrows, or Indian riches, could be able to

resist seventy thousand Roman soldiers, well appointed in arms,

under the command of two such generals as Pompey and Caesar,

whose names they had heard of before that of the Romans, and

whose prowess, by their conquests of such wild, remote, savage,

and brutish nations, was spread further than the fame of the

Romans themselves? Today they met in conflict, and could no

longer be induced to spare their country, even out of regard

for their own glory or the fear of losing the name which till

this day both had held, of having never yet been defeated. As

for their former private ties, and the charms of Julia, and the

marriage that had made them near connections, these could now

only be looked upon as tricks of state, the mere securities of

a treaty made to serve the needs of an occasion, not the

pledges of any real friendship.

Now, therefore, as soon as the plains of Pharsalia were covered

with men, horse, and armor, and that the signal of battle was

raised on either side, Caius Crassianus, a centurion, who

commanded a company of one hundred and twenty men, was the

first that advanced out of Caesar's army, to give the charge,

and acquit himself of a solemn engagement that he had made to

Caesar. He had been the first man that Caesar had seen going

out of the camp in the morning, and Caesar, after saluting him,

had asked him what he thought of the coming battle. To which

he, stretching out his right hand, replied aloud, "Thine is the

victory, O Caesar, thou shalt conquer gloriously, and I myself

this day will be the subject of thy praise either alive or

dead." In pursuance of this promise he hastened forward, and

being followed by many more, charged into the midst of the

enemy. There they came at once to a close fight with their

swords, and made a great slaughter; but as he was still

pressing forward, and breaking the ranks of the vanguard, one

of Pompey's soldiers ran him in at the mouth, so that the point

of the sword came out behind at his neck; and Crassianus being

thus slain, the fight became doubtful, and continued equal on

that part of the battle.

Pompey had not yet brought on the right wing, but stayed and

looked about, waiting to see what execution his cavalry would

do on the left. They had already drawn out their squadrons in

form, designing to turn Caesar's flank, and force those few

horse, which he had placed in the front, to give back upon the

battalion of foot. But Caesar, on the other side, having given

the signal, his horse retreated back a little, and gave way to

those six subsidiary cohorts, which had been posted in the

rear, as a reserve to cover the flank; and which now came out,

three thousand men in number, and met the enemy; and when they

came up, standing by the horses, struck their javelins upwards,

according to their instructions, and hit the horsemen full in

their faces. They, unskillful in any manner of fight, and

least of all expecting or understanding such a kind as this,

had not courage enough to endure the blows upon their faces,

but turning their backs, and covering their eyes with their

hands, shamefully took to flight. Caesar's men, however, did

not follow them, but marched upon the foot, and attacked the

wing, which the flight of the cavalry had left unprotected, and

liable to be turned and taken in the rear, so that this wing

now being attacked in the flank by these, and charged in the

front by the tenth legion, was not able to abide the charge, or

make any longer resistance, especially when they saw themselves

surrounded and circumvented in the very way in which they had

designed to invest the enemy. Thus these being likewise routed

and put to flight, when Pompey, by the dust flying in the air,

conjectured the fate of his horse, it were very hard to say

what his thoughts or intentions were, but looking like one

distracted and beside himself, and without any recollection or

reflection that he was Pompey the Great, he retired slowly

towards his camp, without speaking a word to any man, exactly

according to the description in the verses,

But Jove from heaven struck Ajax with a fear;

Ajax the bold then stood astonished there,

Flung o'er his back the mighty sevenfold shield,

And trembling gazed and spied about the field.

In this state and condition he went into his own tent, and sat

down, speechless still, until some of the enemy fell in

together with his men that were flying into the camp, and then

he let fall only this one word, "What? into the very camp?"

and said no more; but rose up, and putting on a dress suitable

to his present fortune, made his way secretly out.

By this time the rest of the army was put to flight, and there

was a great slaughter in the camp among the servants and those

that guarded the tents, but of the soldiers themselves there

were not above six thousand slain, as is stated by Asinius

Pollio, who himself fought in this battle on Caesar's side.

When Caesar's soldiers had taken the camp, they saw clearly the

folly and vanity of the enemy; for all their tents and

pavilions were richly set out with garlands of myrtle,

embroidered carpets and hangings, and tables laid and covered

with goblets. There were large bowls of wine ready, and

everything prepared and put in array, in the manner rather of

people who had offered sacrifice and were going to celebrate a

holiday, than of soldiers who had armed themselves to go out to

battle, so possessed with the expectation of success and so

full of empty confidence had they gone out that morning.

When Pompey had got a little way from the camp, he dismounted

and forsook his horse, having but a small retinue with him; and

finding that no man pursued him, walked on softly afoot, taken

up altogether with thoughts, such as probably might possess a

man that for the space of thirty-four years together had been

accustomed to conquest and victory, and was then at last, in

his old age, learning for the first time what defeat and flight

were. And it was no small affliction to consider, that he had

lost in one hour all that glory and power, which he had been

getting in so many wars, and bloody battles; and that he who

but a little before was guarded with such an army of foot, so

many squadrons of horse, and such a mighty fleet, was now

flying in so mean a condition, and with such a slender retinue,

that his very enemies who fought him could not know him. Thus,

when he had passed by the city of Larissa, and came into the

pass of Tempe, being very thirsty, he kneeled down and drank

out of the river; then rising up again, he passed through

Tempe, until he came to the seaside, and there he betook

himself to a poor fisherman's cottage, where he rested the

remainder of the night. The next morning about break of day he

went into one of the river boats, and taking none of those that

followed him except such as were free, dismissed his servants,

advising them to go boldly to Caesar, and not be afraid. As he

was rowing up and down near the shore, he chanced to spy a

large merchant-ship, lying off, just ready to set sail; the

master of which was a Roman citizen, named Peticius, who,

though he was not familiarly acquainted with Pompey, yet knew

him well by sight. Now it happened that this Peticius dreamed,

the night before, that he saw Pompey, not like the man he had

often seen him, but in a humble and dejected condition, and in

that posture discoursing with him. He was then telling his

dream to the people on board, as men do when at leisure, and

especially dreams of that consequence, when of a sudden one of

the mariners told him, he saw a river boat with oars putting

off from shore, and that some of the men there shook their

garments, and held out their hands, with signs to take them in;

thereupon Peticius looking attentively, at once recognized

Pompey, just as he appeared in his dream, and smiting his hand

on his head, ordered the mariners to let down the ship's boat,

he himself waving his hand, and calling to him by his name,

already assured of his change and the change of his fortune by

that of his garb. So that without waiting for any further

entreaty or discourse, he took him into his ship, together with

as many of his company as he thought fit, and hoisted sail.

There were with him the two Lentuli, and Favonius; and a little

after they spied king Deiotarus, making up towards them from

the shore; so they stayed and took him in along with them. At

supper time, the master of the ship having made ready such

provisions as he had aboard, Pompey, for want of his servants,

began to undo his shoes himself; which Favonius noticing ran to

him and undid them, and helped him to anoint himself, and

always after continued to wait upon, and attend him in all

things, as servants do their masters, even to the washing of

his feet, and preparing his supper. Insomuch that anyone

there present, observing the free and unaffected courtesy of

these services, might have well exclaimed,

O heavens, in those that noble are,

Whate'er they do is fit and fair.

Pompey, sailing by the city of Amphipolis, crossed over from

thence to Mitylene, with a design to take in Cornelia and his

son; and as soon as he arrived at the port in that island, he

dispatched a messenger into the city, with news very different

from Cornelia's expectation. For she, by all the former

messages and letters sent to please her, had been put in hopes

that the war was ended at Dyrrhachium, and that there was

nothing more remaining for Pompey, but the pursuit of Caesar.

The messenger finding her in the same hopes still, was not able

to salute or speak to her, but declaring the greatness of her

misfortune by his tears rather than by his words, desired her

to make haste if she would see Pompey, with one ship only, and

that not of his own. The young lady hearing this, fell down in

a swoon, and continued a long time senseless and speechless.

And when with some trouble she was brought to her senses again,

being conscious to herself that this was no time for

lamentation and tears, she started up and ran through the city

towards the seaside, where Pompey meeting and embracing her, as

she sank down, supported by his arms, "This, sir," she

exclaimed, "is the effect of my fortune, not of yours, that I

see you thus reduced to one poor vessel, who before your

marriage with Cornelia, were wont to sail in these seas with a

fleet of five hundred ships. Why therefore should you come to

see me, or why not rather have left to her evil genius one who

has brought upon you her own ill-fortune? How happy a woman

had I been, if I had breathed out my last, before the news came

from Parthia of the death of Publius, the husband of my youth,

and how prudent if I had followed his destiny, as I designed!

But I was reserved for a greater mischief, even the ruin of

Pompey the Great."

Thus, they say, Cornelia spoke to him, and this was Pompey's

reply: "You have had, Cornelia, but one season of a better

fortune, which it may be, gave you unfounded hopes, by

attending me a longer time than is usual. It behoves us, who

are mortals born, to endure these events, and to try fortune

yet again; neither is it any less possible to recover our

former state, than it was to fall from that into this."

Thereupon Cornelia sent for her servants and baggage out of the

city. The citizens also of Mitylene came out to salute and

invite Pompey into the city, but he refused, advising them to

be obedient to the conqueror, and fear not, for that Caesar was

a man of great goodness and clemency. Then turning to

Cratippus, the philosopher, who came among the rest out of the

city to visit him, he began to find some fault, and briefly

argued with him upon Providence, but Cratippus modestly

declined the dispute, putting him in better hopes only, lest by

opposing, he might seem too austere or unseasonable. For he

might have put Pompey a question in his turn, in defense of

Providence; and might have demonstrated the necessity there was

that the commonwealth should be turned into a monarchy, because

of their ill government in the state; and could have asked,

"How, O Pompey, and by what token or assurance can we

ascertain, that if the victory had been yours, you would have

used your fortune better than Caesar? We must leave the divine

power to act as we find it do."

Pompey having taken his wife and friends aboard, set sail,

making no port, nor touching anywhere, but when he was

necessitated to take in provisions, or fresh water. The first

city he entered was Attalia, in Pamphylia, and whilst he was

there, there came some galleys thither to him out of Cilicia,

together with a small body of soldiers, and he had almost sixty

senators with him again; then hearing that his navy was safe

too, and that Cato had rallied a considerable body of soldiers

after their overthrow, and was crossing with them over into

Africa, he began to complain and blame himself to his friends

that he had allowed himself to be driven into engaging by land,

without making use of his other forces, in which he was

irresistibly the stronger, and had not kept near enough to his

fleet, that failing by land, he might have reinforced himself

from the sea, and would have been again at the head of a power

quite sufficient to encounter the enemy on equal terms. And in

truth, neither did Pompey during all the war commit a greater

oversight, nor Caesar use a more subtle stratagem, than in

drawing the fight so far off from the naval forces.

As it now was, however, since he must come to some decision,

and try some plan within his present ability, he dispatched his

agents to the neighboring cities, and himself sailed about in

person to others, requiring their aid in money and men for his

ships. But, fearing lest the rapid approach of the enemy might

cut off all his preparations, he began to consider what place

would yield him the safest refuge and retreat at present. A

consultation was held, and it was generally agreed that no

province of the Romans was secure enough. As for foreign

kingdoms, he himself was of opinion, that Parthia would be the

fittest to receive and defend them in their present weakness,

and best able to furnish them with new means and send them out

again with large forces. Others of the council were for going

into Africa, and to king Juba. But Theophanes the Lesbian,

thought it madness to leave Egypt, that was but at a distance

of three days' sailing, and make no use of Ptolemy, who was

still a boy, and was highly indebted to Pompey for the

friendship and favor he had shown to his father, only to put

himself under the Parthian, and trust the most treacherous

nation in the world; and rather than make any trial of the

clemency of a Roman, and his own near connection, to whom if he

would but yield to be second, he might be the first and chief

over all the rest, to go and place himself at the mercy of

Arsaces, which even Crassus had not submitted to, while alive;

and, moreover, to expose his young wife, of the family of the

Scipios, among a barbarous people, who govern by their lusts,

and measure their greatness by their power to commit affronts

and insolencies; from whom, though she suffered no dishonor,

yet it might be thought she did, being in the hands of those

who had the power to do it. This argument alone, they say, was

persuasive enough to divert his course, that was designed

towards Euphrates, if it were so indeed that any counsel of

Pompey's, and not some superior power, made him take this other

way.

As soon, therefore, as it was resolved upon, that he should fly

into Egypt, setting sail from Cyprus in a galley of Seleucia,

together with Cornelia, while the rest of his company sailed

along near him, some in ships of war, and others in merchant

vessels, he passed over sea without danger. But on hearing

that king Ptolemy was posted with his army at the city of

Pelusium, making war against his sister, he steered his course

that way, and sent a messenger before to acquaint the king with

his arrival, and to crave his protection. Ptolemy himself was

quite young, and therefore Pothinus, who had the principal

administration of all affairs, called a council of the chief

men, those being the greatest whom he pleased to make so, and

commanded them every man to deliver his opinion touching the

reception of Pompey. It was, indeed, a miserable thing, that

the fate of the great Pompey should be left to the

determinations of Pothinus the eunuch, Theodotus of Chios, the

paid rhetoric master, and Achillas the Egyptian. For these,

among the chamberlains and menial domestics, that made up the

rest of the council, were the chief and leading men. Pompey,

who thought it dishonorable for him to owe his safety to

Caesar, riding at anchor at a distance from shore, was forced

to wait the sentence of this tribunal. It seems they were so

far different in their opinions that some were for sending the

man away, and others again for inviting and receiving him; but

Theodotus, to show his cleverness and the cogency of his

rhetoric, undertook to demonstrate, that neither the one nor

the other was safe in that juncture of affairs. For if they

entertained him, they would be sure to make Caesar their enemy,

and Pompey their master; or if they dismissed him, they might

render themselves hereafter obnoxious to Pompey, for that

inhospitable expulsion, and to Caesar, for the escape; so that

the most expedient course would be to send for him and take

away his life, for by that means they would ingratiate

themselves with the one, and have no reason to fear the other;

adding, it is related, with a smile, that "a dead man cannot

bite."

This advice being approved of, they committed the execution of

it to Achillas. He, therefore, taking with him as his

accomplices one Septimius, a man that had formerly held a

command under Pompey, and Salvius, another centurion, with

three or four attendants, made up towards Pompey's galley. In

the meantime, all the chiefest of those who accompanied Pompey

in this voyage, were come into his ship to learn the event of

their embassy. But when they saw the manner of their

reception, that in appearance it was neither princely nor

honorable, nor indeed in any way answerable to the hopes of

Theophanes, or their expectation, (for there came but a few men

in a fisherman's boat to meet them,) they began to suspect the

meanness of their entertainment, and gave warning to Pompey

that he should row back his galley, whilst he was out of their

reach, and make for the sea. By this time, the Egyptian boat

drew near, and Septimius standing up first, saluted Pompey in

the Latin tongue, by the title of imperator. Then Achillas,

saluting him in the Greek language, desired him to come aboard

his vessel, telling him, that the sea was very shallow towards

the shore, and that a galley of that burden could not avoid

striking upon the sands. At the same time they saw several of

the king's galleys getting their men on board, and all the

shore covered with soldiers; so that even if they changed their

minds, it seemed impossible for them to escape, and besides,

their distrust would have given the assassins a pretence for

their cruelty. Pompey, therefore, taking his leave of

Cornelia, who was already lamenting his death before it came,

bade two centurions, with Philip, one of his freedmen, and a

slave called Scythes, go on board the boat before him. And as

some of the crew with Achillas were reaching out their hands to

help him, he turned about towards his wife and son, and

repeated those iambics of Sophocles,

He that once enters at a tyrant's door,

Becomes a slave, though he were free before.

These were the last words he spoke to his friends, and so he

went aboard. Observing presently that notwithstanding there

was a considerable distance betwixt his galley and the shore,

yet none of the company addressed any words of friendliness or

welcome to him all the way, he looked earnestly upon Septimius,

and said, "I am not mistaken, surely, in believing you to have

been formerly my fellow-soldier." But he only nodded with his

head, making no reply at all, nor showing any other courtesy.

Since, therefore, they continued silent, Pompey took a little

book in his hand, in which was written out an address in Greek,

which he intended to make to king Ptolemy, and began to read

it. When they drew near to the shore, Cornelia, together with

the rest of his friends in the galley, was very impatient to

see the event, and began to take courage at last, when she saw

several of the royal escort coming to meet him, apparently to

give him a more honorable reception; but in the meantime, as

Pompey took Philip by the hand to rise up more easily,

Septimius first stabbed him from behind with his sword; and

after him likewise Salvius and Achillas drew out their swords.

He, therefore, taking up his gown with both hands, drew it over

his face, and neither saying nor doing anything unworthy of

himself, only groaning a little, endured the wounds they gave

him, and so ended his life, in the fifty-ninth year of his age,

the very next day after the day of his birth.

Cornelia, with her company from the galley, seeing him

murdered, gave such a cry that it was heard to the shore, and

weighing anchor with all speed, they hoisted sail, and fled. A

strong breeze from the shore assisted their flight into the

open sea, so that the Egyptians, though desirous to overtake

them, desisted from the pursuit. But they cut off Pompey's

head, and threw the rest of his body overboard, leaving it

naked upon the shore, to be viewed by any that had the

curiosity to see so sad a spectacle. Philip stayed by and

watched till they had glutted their eyes in viewing it; and

then washing it with sea-water, having nothing else, he wrapped

it up in a shirt of his own for a winding-sheet. Then seeking

up and down about the sands, at last he found some rotten

planks of a little fisher-boat, not much, but yet enough to

make up a funeral pile for a naked body, and that not quite

entire. As Philip was busy in gathering and putting these old

planks together, an old Roman citizen, who in his youth had

served in the wars under Pompey, came up to him and demanded,

who he was that was preparing the funeral of Pompey the Great.

And Philip making answer, that he was his freedman, "Nay,

then," said he, "you shall not have this honor alone; let even

me, too, I pray you, have my share in such a pious office.

that I may not altogether repent me of this pilgrimage in a

strange land, but in compensation of many misfortunes, may

obtain this happiness at last, even with mine own hands to

touch the body of Pompey, and do the last duties to the

greatest general among the Romans." And in this manner were

the obsequies of Pompey performed. The next day Lucius

Lentulus, not knowing what had passed, came sailing from Cyprus

along the shore of that coast, and seeing a funeral pile, and

Philip standing by, exclaimed, before he was yet seen by any

one, "Who is this that has found his end here?" adding, after

a short pause, with a sigh, "Possibly even thou, Pompeius

Magnus!" and so going ashore, he was presently apprehended and

slain. This was the end of Pompey.

Not long after, Caesar arrived in the country that was polluted

with this foul act, and when one of the Egyptians was sent to

present him with Pompey's head, he turned away from him with

abhorrence as from a murderer; and on receiving his seal, on

which was engraved a lion holding a sword in his paw, he burst

into tears. Achillas and Pothinus he put to death; and king

Ptolemy himself, being overthrown in battle upon the banks of

the Nile, fled away and was never heard of afterwards.

Theodotus, the rhetorician, flying out of Egypt, escaped the

hands of Caesar's justice, but lived a vagabond in banishment;

wandering up and down, despised and hated of all men, till at

last Marcus Brutus, after he had killed Caesar, finding him in

his province of Asia, put him to death, with every kind of

ignominy. The ashes of Pompey were carried to his wife

Cornelia, who deposited them at his country house near Alba.