- Edition: Julius Caesar
Life of Caesar
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40
40XL.This remove of Caesar's camp did much encourage Pompey's army and his captains, who would needs in any case have followed after him, as though he had been overcome and had fled. But for Pompey himself, he would in no respect hazard battle, which was a matter of so great importance. For finding himself so well provided of all things necessary to tarry time, he thought it better to draw this war out in length by tract of time, the rather to consume this little strength that remained in Caesar's army: of the which, the best men were marvelous well trained and good soldiers, and for valiantness at one day's battle were incomparable. But on the other side again, to remove here and there so oft, and to fortify their camp where they came, and to besiege any wall, or to keep watch all night in their armor: the most part of them could not do it, by reason of their age, being then unable to away with their pains, so that the weakness of their bodies did also take away the life and courage of their hearts. Furthermore, there fell a pestilent disease among them, that came by ill meats hunger drave them to eat. Yet was not this the worst: for besides, he had no store of money, neither could tell how to come by victuals; so that it seemed, in all likelihood, that in very short time he would come to nothing.