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Macedonia and Thessaly； he had neglected to carry the war thither； and
had sat down by the seaside； where his enemies had such a powerful
fleet； so that he was in fact rather besieged by the want of
necessaries； than besieging others with his arms。 Being thus
distracted in his thoughts with the view of the difficulty and
distress he was in； he raised his camp； with the intention of
advancing towards Scipio； who lay in Macedonia； hoping either to
entice Pompey into a country where he should fight without the
advantage he now had of supplies from the sea； or to overpower
Scipio if not assisted。
This set all Pompey's army and officers on fire to hasten and pursue
Caesar； whom they concluded to be beaten and flying。 But Pompey was
afraid to hazard a battle on which so much depended； and being himself
provided with all necessaries for any length of time； thought to
tire out and waste the vigour of Caesar's army； which could not last
long。 For the best part of his men； though they had great
experience； and showed an irresistible courage in all engagements； yet
by their frequent marches； changing their camps； attacking
fortifications； and keeping long night…watches； were getting worn
out and broken； they being now old； their bodies less fit for
labour； and their courage； also； beginning to give way with the
failure of their strength。 Besides； it was said that an infectious
disease； occasioned by their irregular diet； was prevailing in
Caesar's army； and what was of greatest moment； he was neither
furnished with money nor provisions； so that in a little time he
must needs fall of himself。
For these reasons Pompey had no mind to fight him； but was thanked
for it by none but Cato； who rejoiced at the prospect of sparing his
fellow…citizens。 For he； when he saw the dead bodies of those who
had fallen in the last battle on Caesar's side； to the number of a
thousand； turned away； covered his face； and shed tears。 But every one
else upbraided Pompey for being reluctant to fight； and tried to
goad him on by such nicknames as Agamemnon； and king of kings； as if
he were in no hurry to lay down his sovereign authority； but was
pleased to see so many commanders attending on him； and paying their
attendance at his tent。 Favonius； who affected Cato's free way of
speaking his mind； complained bitterly that they should eat no figs
even this year at Tusculum； because of Pompey's love of command。
Afranius； who was lately returned out of Spain； and； on account of his
ill success there； laboured under the suspicion of having been
bribed to betray the army； asked why they did not fight this purchaser
of provinces。 Pompey was driven； against his own will； by this kind of
language； into offering battle； and proceeded to follow Caesar。 Caesar
had found great difficulties in his march； for no country would supply
him with provisions； his reputation being very much fallen since his
late defeat。 But after he took Gomphi； a town of Thessaly； he not only
found provisions for his army； but physic too。 For there they met with
plenty of wine； which they took very freely； and heated with this；
sporting and revelling on their march in bacchanalian fashion； they
shook off the disease； and their whole constitution was relieved and
changed into another habit。
When the two armies were come into Pharsalia； and both encamped
there； Pompey's thoughts ran the same way as they had done before；
against fighting； and the more because of some unlucky presages； and a
vision he had in a dream。 But those who were about him were so
confident of success； that Domitius； and Spinther； and Scipio； as if
they had already conquered； quarrelled which should succeed Caesar
in the pontificate。 And many sent to Rome to take houses fit to
accommodate consuls and praetors； as being sure of entering upon those
offices as soon as the battle was over。 The cavalry especially were
obstinate for fighting； being splendidly armed and bravely mounted；
and valuing themselves upon the fine horses they kept； and upon
their own handsome persons； as also upon the advantage of their
numbers； for they were five thousand against one thousand of Caesar's。
Nor were the numbers of the infantry less disproportionate； there
being forty…five thousand of Pompey's against twenty…two thousand of
the enemy。
Caesar； collecting his soldiers together； told them that Corfinius
was coming up to them with two legions； and that fifteen cohorts
more under Calenus were posted at and Athens； he then asked him
whether they would stay till these joined them； or would hazard the
battle by themselves。 They all cried out to him not to wait； but on
the contrary to do whatever he could to bring about an engagement as
soon as possible。 When he sacrificed to the gods for the lustration of
his army； upon the death of the first victim； the augur told him；
within three days he should come to a decisive action。 Caesar asked
him whether he saw anything in the entrails which promised a happy
event。 〃That；〃 said the priest； 〃you can best answer yourself； for the
gods signify a great alteration from the present posture of affairs。
If； therefore； you think yourself well off now； expect worse
fortune； if unhappy； hope for better。〃 The night before the battle； as
he walked the rounds about midnight； there was a light seen in the
heavens； very bright and flaming； which seemed to pass over Caesar's
camp and fall into Pompey's。 And when Caesar's soldiers came to
relieve the watch in the morning； they perceived a panic disorder
among the enemies。 However； he did not expect to fight that day； but
set about raising his camp with the intention of marching towards
Scotussa。
But when the tents were now taken down； his scouts rode up to him；
and told him the enemy would give him battle。 With this news he was
extremely pleased； and having performed his devotions to the gods； set
his army in battle array； dividing them into three bodies。 Over the
middlemost he placed Domitius Calvinus； Antony commanded the left
wing； and he himself the right； being resolved to fight at the head of
the tenth legion。 But when he saw the enemy's cavalry taking
position against him； being struck with their fine appearance and
their number； he gave private orders that six cohorts from the rear of
the army should come and join him； whom he posted behind the right
wing； and instructed them what they should do when the enemy's horse
came to charge。 On the other side； Pompey commanded the right wing；
Domitius the left； and Scipio； Pompey's father…in…law； the centre。 The
whole weight of the cavalry was collected on the left wing； with the
intent that they should outflank the right wing of the enemy； and rout
that part where the general himself commanded。 For they thought no