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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 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
despatched him to Pompey with an invitation that they； meeting
together in a conference； should disband 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 land…forces； as likewise of
all ports and harbours commodious to receive any that came by sea；
so that what wind soever blew； it must needs； in some way or other； be
favourable 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 〃To…day the victory had been the enemy's had there
been any one 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 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 honour 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 honourable 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； the
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 in 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
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 Cae