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26XXVI.This Vercingentorix, dividing his army into divers parts, and appointing divers captains over them, had gotten to take his part all the people and countries thereabouts, even as far as they that dwell towards the sea Adriatick, having further determined (understanding that Rome did conspire against Caesar)to make all Gaul rise in arms against him. So that if he had but tarried a little longer, until Caesar had entered into his civil wars, he had put all Italy in as great fear and danger as it was when the Cimbri did come and invade it. But Caesar, that was valiant in all assays and dangers of war, and that was very skilful to take time and opportunity, so soon as he understood the news of this rebellion, he departed with speed and returned back the self-same way which he had gone, making the barbarous people know that they should deal with an army invincible, and which they could not possibly withstand, considering the great speed he had made with the same in so sharp and hard a winter. For where they would not possibly have believed that a post or currer could have come in so short a time from the place where he was unto them, they wondered when they saw him burning and destroying the country, the towns, and strong forts, where he came with his army, taking all to mercy that yielded unto him: until such times as

the Hedui took arms against him, who before were wont to be called the brethren of the Romans, and were greatly honored of them. Wherefore Caesar's men, when they understood that they had joined with the rebels, they were marvelous sorry, and half discouraged. Thereupon Caesar, departing from those parts, went through the country of the Lingones to enter the country of the Burgonians, who were confederates of the Romans, and the nearest unto Italy on that side, in respect of all the rest of Gaul. Thither the enemies came to set upon him and to environ him on all sides, with an infinite number of thousands of fighting men. Caesar on the other side tarried their coming, and fighting with them a long time, he made them so afraid of him, that at length he overcame the barbarous people.

But at the first, it seemeth notwithstanding, that he had received some overthrow: for the Arvernians showed a sword hanged up in one of their temples, which they said they had won from Caesar. Insomuch as Caesar self coming that way by occasion, saw it, and fell alaughing at it. But some of his friends going about to take it away, he would not suffer them, but bad them let it alone and touch it not, for it was an holy thing.