antony-第10章
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addressing a multitude； or for carrying soldiers with him by the force of words； out of shame and sadness he could not find in his heart to speak himself but employed Domitius Aenobarbus。 And some of the soldiers resented it； as an undervaluing of them； but the greater number saw the true cause； and pitied it； and thought it rather a reason why they on their side should treat their general with more respect and obedience than ordinary。 Antony had resolved to return by the same way he came； which was through a level country clear of all trees； but a certain Mardian came to him （one that was very conversant with the manners of the Parthians； and whose fidelity to the Romans had been tried at the battle where the machines were lost）； and advised him to keep the mountains close on his right hand； and not to expose his men； heavily armed； in a broad； open； riding country； to the attacks of a numerous army of light horse and archers； that Phraates with fair promises had persuaded him from the siege on purpose that he might with more ease cut him off in his retreat； but if so he pleased； he would conduct him by a nearer route； on which moreover he should find the necessaries for his army in greater abundance。 Antony upon this began to consider what was best to be done； he was unwilling to seem to have any mistrust of the Parthians after their treaty； but； holding it to be really best to march his army the shorter and more inhabited way； he demanded of the Mardian some assurance of his faith； who offered himself to be bound until the army came safe into Armenia。 Two days he conducted the army bound； and； on the third； when Antony had given up all thought of the enemy； and was marching at his ease in no very good order； the Mardian； perceiving the bank of the river broken down； and the water let out and overflowing the road by which they were to pass； saw at once that this was the handiwork of the Parthians； done out of mischief； and to hinder their march： so he advised Antony to be upon his guard； for that the enemy was nigh at hand。 And sooner had he begun to put his men in order； disposing the slingers and dart…men in convenient intervals for sallying out； but the Parthians came pouring in on all sides； fully expecting to encompass them； and throw the whole army into disorder。 They were at once attacked by the light troops； whom they galled a good deal with their arrows； but being themselves as warmly entertained with the slings and darts； and many wounded； they made their retreat。 Soon after； rallying up afresh； they were beat back by a battalion of Gallic horse； and appeared no more that day。 By their manner of attack Antony； seeing what to do； not only placed the slings and darts as a rear guard； but also lined both flanks with them； and so marched in a square battle； giving order to the horse to charge and beat off the enemy； but not to follow them far as they retired。 So that the Parthians； not doing more mischief for the four ensuing days than they received； began to abate in their zeal； and； complaining that the winter season was much advanced； pressed for returning home。 But； on the fifth day； Flavius Gallus； a brave and active officer； who had a considerable command in the army； came to Antony； desiring of him some light infantry out of the rear； and some horse out of the front； with which he would undertake to do some considerable service。 Which when he had obtained； he beat the enemy back； not withdrawing； as was usual； at the same time； and retreating upon the mass of the heavy infantry； but maintaining his own ground； and engaging boldly。 The officers who commanded in the rear； perceiving how far he was getting from the body of the army； sent to warn him back； but he took no notice of them。 It is said that Titius the quaestor snatched the standards and turned them round； upbraiding Gallus with thus leading so many brave men to destruction。 But when he on the other side reviled him again； and commanded the men that were about him to stand firm； Titius made his retreat； and Gallus； charging the enemies in the front； was encompassed by a party that fell upon his rear； which at length perceiving； he sent a messenger to demand succour。 But the commanders of the heavy infantry； Canidius amongst others； a particular favourite of Antony's； seem here to have committed a great oversight。 For； instead of facing about with the whole body； they sent small parties； and； when they were defeated； they still sent out small parties； so that by their bad management the rout would have spread through the whole army； if Antony himself had not marched from the van at the head of the third legion； and； passing this through among the fugitives； faced the enemies； and hindered them from any further pursuit。 In this engagement were killed three thousand； five thousand were carried back to the camp wounded； amongst the rest Gallus； shot through the body with four arrows； of which wounds he died。 Antony went from tent to tent to visit and comfort the rest of them； and was not able to see his men without tears and a passion of grief。 They； however； seized his hand with joyful faces； bidding him go and see to himself and not be concerned about them； calling him their emperor and their general； and saying that if he did well they were safe。 For； in short； never in all these times can history make mention of a general at the head of a more splendid army； whether you consider strength and youth； or patience and sufferance in labours and fatigues； but as for the obedience and affectionate respect they bore their general； and the unanimous feeling amongst small and great alike； officers and common soldiers； to prefer his good opinion of them to their very lives and being； in this part of military excellence it was not possible that they could have been surpassed by the very Romans of old。 For this devotion； as I have said before； there were many reasons； as the nobility of his family； his eloquence； his frank and open manners； his liberal and magnificent habits； his familiarity in talking with everybody； and； at this time particularly； his kindness in visiting and pitying the sick； joining in all their pains； and furnishing them with all things necessary； so that the sick and wounded were even more eager to serve than those that were whole and strong。 Nevertheless； this last victory had so encouraged the enemy that； instead of their former impatience and weariness； they began soon to feel contempt for the Romans； staying all night near the camp； in expectation of plundering their tents and baggage； which they concluded they must abandon； and in the morning new forces arrived in large masses； so that their number was grown to be not less； it is said； than forty thousand horse； and the king had sent the very guards that attended upon his own person； as to a sure and unquestioned victory； for he himself was never present in any fight。 Antony； designing to harangue the soldiers； called for a mourning habit that he might move them the more； but was dissuaded by his friends； so he came forward in the general's scarlet cloak； and addressed them； praising those that had gained the victory； and reproaching those that had fled； the former answering him with promises of success； and the latter excusing themselves； and telling him they were ready to undergo decimation； or any other punishment he should please to inflict upon them； only entreating that he would forget and not discompose himself with their faults。 At which he lifted up his hands to heaven； and prayed the gods that； if to balance the great favours he had received of them any judgment lay in store； they would pour it upon his head alone； and grant his soldiers victory。 The next day they took better order for their march； and the Parthians； who thought they were marching rather to plunder than to fight； were much taken aback； when they came up and were received with a shower of missiles； to find the enemy not disheartened； but fresh and resolute。 So that they themselves began to lose courage。 But at the descent of a bill where the Romans were obliged to pass； they got together； and let fly their arrows upon them as they moved slowly down。 But the full…armed infantry； facing round； received the light
