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第4章

pompey-第4章

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calamities; and thereupon fell to work; so that the army was useless
to Pompey for many days; being totally engaged in digging for the
fancied treasure; he himself all the while walking up and down only;
and laughing to see so many thousands together; digging and turning up
the earth。 Until at last; growing weary and hopeless; they came to
themselves and returned to their general; begging him to lead them
where he pleased; for that they had already received the punishment of
their folly。
  By this time Domitius had prepared himself and drawn out his army in
array against Pompey; but there was a watercourse betwixt them;
craggy; and difficult to pass over; and this; together with a great
storm of wind and rain pouring down even from break of day; seemed
to leave but little possibility of their coming together; so that
Domitius; not expecting any engagement that day; commanded his
forces to draw off and retire to the camp。 Now Pompey; who was
watchful upon every occasion; making use of the opportunity; ordered a
march forthwith; and having passed over the torrent; fell in
immediately upon their quarters。 The enemy was in great disorder and
tumult; and in that confusion attempted a resistance; but they neither
were all there; nor supported one another; besides; the wind having
veered about beat the rain full in their faces。 Neither indeed was the
storm less troublesome to the Romans; for that they could not
clearly discern one another; insomuch that even Pompey himself;
being unknown; escaped narrowly; for when one of his soldiers demanded
of him the word of battle; it happened that he was somewhat slow in
his answer; which might have cost him his life。
  The enemy being routed with a great slaughter (for it is said that
of twenty thousand there escaped but three thousand); the army saluted
Pompey by the name of Imperator; but he declined if; telling them that
he could not by any means accept of that title as long as he saw the
camp of the enemy standing; but if they designed to make him worthy of
the honour; they must first demolish that。 The soldiers on hearing
this went at once and made an assault upon the works and trenches; and
there Pompey fought without his helmet; in memory of his former
danger; and to avoid the like。 The camp was thus taken by storm; and
among the rest Domitius was slain。 After that overthrow; the cities of
the country thereabouts were all either secured by surrender; or taken
by storm。 King Iarbas; likewise; a confederate and auxiliary of
Domitius; was taken prisoner; and his kingdom was given to Hiempsal。
  Pompey could not rest here; but being ambitious to follow the good
fortune and use the valour of his army; entered Numidia; and
marching forward many days' journey up into the country; he
conquered all where…ever he came。 And having revived the terror of the
Roman power; which was now almost obliterated among the barbarous
nations; he said likewise; that the wild beasts of Africa ought not to
be left without some experience of the courage and success of the
Romans; and therefore he bestowed some few days in hunting lions and
elephants。 And it is said that it was not above the space of forty
days at the utmost in which he gave a total overthrow to the enemy;
reduced Africa; and established the affairs of the kings and
kingdoms of all that country; being then in the twenty…fourth year
of his age。
  When Pompey returned back to the city of Utica; there were presented
to him letters and orders from Sylla; commanding him to disband the
rest of his army; and himself with one legion only to wait there the
coming of another general; to succeed him in the government。 This;
inwardly; was extremely grievous to Pompey; though he made no show
of it。 But the army resented it openly; and when Pompey besought
them to depart and go home before him; they began to revile Sylla; and
declared broadly that they were resolved not to forsake him; neither
did they think it safe for him to trust the tyrant。 Pompey at first
endeavoured to appease and pacify them by fair speeches; but when he
saw that his persuasions were vain; he left the bench; and retired
to his tent with tears in his eyes。 But the soldiers followed him; and
seizing upon him; by force brought him again; and placed him in his
tribunal; where great part of that day was spent in dispute; they on
their part persuading him to stay and command them; he; on the other
side; pressing upon them obedience and the danger of mutiny。 At
last; when they grew yet more importunate and clamorous; he swore that
he would kill himself if they attempted to force him; and scarcely
even thus appeased them。 Nevertheless; the first tidings brought to
Sylla were that Pompey was up in rebellion; on which he remarked to
some of his friends; 〃I see; then; it is my destiny to contend with
children in my old age;〃 alluding at the same time to Marius; who;
being but a mere youth; had given him great trouble; and brought him
into extreme danger。 But being undeceived afterwards by better
intelligence; and finding the whole city prepared to meet Pompey;
and receive him with every display of kindness and honour; he resolved
to exceed them all。 And; therefore; going out foremost to meet him and
embracing him with great cordiality; he gave him his welcome aloud
in the title of Magnus; or the Great; and bade all that were present
call him by that name。 Others say that he had this title first given
him by a general acclamation of all the army in Africa; but that it
was fixed upon him by this ratification of Sylla。 It is certain that
he himself was the last that owned the title; for it was a long time
after; when he was sent proconsul into Spain against Sertorius; that
he began to write himself in his letters and commissions by the name
of Pompeius Magnus; common and familiar use having then worn off the
invidiousness of the title。 And one cannot but accord respect and
admiration to the ancient Romans; who did not reward the successes
of action and conduct in war alone with such honourable titles; but
adorned likewise the virtue and services of eminent men in civil
government with the same distinctions and marks of honour。 Two persons
received from the people the name of Maximus; or the Greatest;
Valerius for reconciling the senate and people; and Fabius Rullus;
because he put out of the senate certain sons of freed slaves who
had been admitted into it because of their wealth。
  Pompey now desired the honour of a triumph; which Sylla opposed;
alleging that the law allowed that honour to none but consuls and
praetors; and therefore Scipio the elder; who subdued the
Carthaginians in Spain in far greater and nobler conflicts; never
petitioned for a triumph; because he had never been consul or praetor;
and if Pompey; who had scarcely yet fully grown a beard; and was not
of age to be a senator; should enter the city in triumph; what a
weight of envy would it bring; he said; at once upon his government
and Pompey's honour。 This was his language to Pompey; intimating
that he could not by any means yield to his request; but if he would
persist in his ambition; that he was resolved to interpose his power
to humble him。 Pompey; however; was not daunted; but bade Sylla
recollect that more worshipped the rising than the setting sun; as
if to tell him that his power was increasing and Sylla's in the
wane。 Sylla did not perfectly hear the words; but observing a sort
of amazement and wonder in the looks and gestures of those that did
hear them; he asked what it was that he said。 When it was told him; he
seemed astounded at Pompey's boldness; and cried out twice together;
〃Let him triumph;〃 and when others began to show their
disapprobation and offence at it; Pompey; it is said; to gall and
vex them the more; designed to have his triumphant chariot drawn
with four elephants (having brought over several which belonged to the
African kings); but the gates of the city being too narrow; he was
forced to desist from that project; and be content with horses。 And
when his soldiers; who had not received as large rewards as they had
expected; began to clamour; and interrupt the triumph; Pompey regarded
these a

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