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with false suggestions that he was wished for by Caesar's army； and
though his affairs here were in some embarrassment through the envy of
some； and the ill state of the government； yet there the army was at
his command； and if they once crossed into Italy would presently
declare for him； so weary were they of Caesar's endless expeditions；
and so suspicious of his designs for a monarchy。 Upon this Pompey grew
presumptuous； and neglected all warlike preparations as fearing no
danger； and used no other means against him than mere speeches and
votes； for which Caesar cared nothing。 And one of his captains； it
is said； who was sent by him to Rome； standing before the senate…house
one day； and being told that the senate would not give Caesar longer
time in his government； clapped his hand on the hilt of his sword
and said； 〃But this shall。〃
Yet the demands which Caesar made had the fairest colours of
equity imaginable。 For he proposed to lay down his arms； and that
Pompey should do the same； and both together should become private
men； and each expect a reward of his services from the public。 For
that those who proposed to disarm him； and at the same time to confirm
Pompey in all the power he held； were simply establishing the one in
the tyranny which they accused the other of aiming at。 When Curio made
these proposals to the people in Caesar's name； he was loudly
applauded； and some threw garlands towards him； and dismissed him as
they do successful wrestlers； crowned with flowers。 Antony； being
tribune； produced a letter sent from Caesar on this occasion； and read
it though the consuls did what they could to oppose it。 But Scipio；
Pompey's father…in…law； proposed in the senate； that if Caesar did not
lay down his arms within such a time he should be voted an enemy；
and the consuls putting it to the question； whether Pompey should
dismiss his soldiers； and again； whether Caesar should disband his；
very few assented to the first； but almost all to the latter。 But
Antony proposing again； that both should lay down their commissions；
all but a very few agreed to it。 Scipio was upon this very violent；
and Lentulus； the consul； cried aloud； that they had need of arms； and
not of suffrages； against a robber； so that the senators for the
present adjourned； and appeared in mourning as a mark of their grief
for the dissension。
Afterwards there came other letters from Caesar； which seemed yet
more moderate； for he proposed to quit everything else； and only to
retain Gaul within the Alps； Illyricum； and two legions； till he
should stand a second time for consul。 Cicero； the orator； who was
lately returned from Cilicia； endeavoured to reconcile differences；
and softened Pompey； who was willing to comply in other things； but
not to allow him the soldiers。 At last Cicero used his persuasions
with Caesar's friends to accept of the provinces and six thousand
soldiers only； and so to make up the quarrel。 And Pompey was
inclined to give way to this； but Lentulus； the consul； would not
hearken to it； but drove Antony and Curio out of the senate…house with
insults； by which he afforded Caesar the most plausible pretence
that could be； and one which he could readily use to inflame the
soldiers； by showing them two persons of such repute and authority who
were forced to escape in a hired carriage in the dress of slaves。
For so they were glad to disguise themselves when they fled out of
Rome。
There were not about him at that time above three hundred horse
and five thousand foot； for the rest of his army； which was left
behind the Alps； was to be brought after him by officers who had
received orders for that purpose。 But he thought the first motion
towards the design which he had on foot did not require large forces
at present； and that what was wanted was to make this first step
suddenly； and so to astound his enemies with the boldness of it； as it
would be easier； he thought； to throw them into consternation by doing
what they never anticipated than fairly to conquer them； if he had
alarmed them by his preparations。 And therefore he commanded his
captains and other officers to go only with their swords in their
hands； without any other arms； and make themselves masters of
Ariminum； a large city of Gaul； with as little disturbance and
bloodshed as possible。 He committed the care of these forces to
Hortensius； and himself spent the day in public as a stander…by and
spectator of the gladiators； who exercised before him。 A little before
night he attended to his person； and then went into the hall； and
conversed for some time with those be had invited to supper； till it
began to grow dusk； when he rose from table and made his excuses to
the company； begging them to stay till he came back； having already
given private directions to a few immediate friends that they should
follow him； not all the same way； but some one way； some another。 He
himself got into one of the hired carriages； and drove at first
another way； but presently turned towards Ariminum。 When he came to
the river Rubicon； which parts Gaul within the Alps from the rest of
Italy； his thoughts began to work； now he was just entering upon the
danger； and he wavered much in his mind when he considered the
greatness of the enterprise into which he was throwing himself。 He
checked his course and ordered a halt； while he revolved with himself；
and often changed his opinion one way and the other； without
speaking a word。 This was when his purposes fluctuated most； presently
he also discussed the matter with his friends who were about him （of
which number Asinius Pollio was one）； computing how many calamities
his passing that river would bring upon mankind； and what a relation
of it would be transmitted to posterity。 At last； in a sort of
passion； casting aside calculation； and abandoning himself to what
might come； and using the proverb frequently in their mouths who enter
upon dangerous and bold attempts； 〃The die is cast；〃 with these
words he took the river。 Once over； he used all expedition possible；
and before it was day reached Ariminum and took it。 It is said that
the night before he passed the river he had an impious dream； that
he was unnaturally familiar with his own mother。
As soon as Ariminum was taken； wide gates； so to say； were thrown
open； to let in war upon every land alike and sea； and with the limits
of the province； the boundaries of the laws were transgressed。 Nor
would one have thought that； as at other times； the mere men and women
fled from one town of Italy to another in their consternation； but
that the very towns themselves left their sites and fled for succour
to each other。 The city of Rome was overrun； as it were； with a
deluge； by the conflux of people flying in fro