THE

war.

LUCAN'S PHARSALIA.

B 0 0 K v.

ARGUMENT. In Epirus the consuls assemble the senate, who unani

mously appoint Pompey general of the war against Cæsar, and decree public thanks to the several princes and states who aslifted the commonwealth. Appius, at that time prætor of Achaia, consults the Oracle of Delphos, concerning the event of the civil

And, upon this occasion, the poet goes into a digression concerning the origin, the manner of the delivery, and the present frience of that oracle. From Spain, Cæsar returns into Italy, where he quells a mutiny in his army, and punishes the of fenders. From Placentia, where this disorder happened, he orders them to march to Brundufium ; where, after a short turn to Rome, and affuming the confulship, or rather the supreme power, he joins them himself. From Brundusium, though it was then the middle of winter, he transports part of his army by lea to Epirus, and lands at Palæste. Pompey, who then lay about Candavia, hearing of Cæsar's arrival, and being in pain for Dyrrachium, marched that way: On the banks of the river Apfus, they met and incamped close together. Cæsar was not yet joined by that part of his troops which he had left behind him at Brundufium, under the command of Mark Anthony ; and being uneasy at his delays leaves his camp by night, and ventures over a tempestuous fea in a small bark to hasten the transport. Upon Cæsar joining his forces together, Pompey perceived that the war would now probably be foon decided by a battle; and upon that confideration, resolved to fend his wife to expect the event at Lesbos. Their parting, which is extremely moving, concludes this book, 5

,THUS

10

THUS
HUS, equal fortune holds a while the scale,

And bids the leading chiefs by turns prevail ;
In doubt the goddess, yet, their fate detains,
And keeps them for Emathia's fatal plains.
And now the setting Pleiades grew low,

5
The hills stood hoary in December's snow;
The folemn season was approaching near,
When other names renew'd the Fafti wear,
And double Janus leads the coming year.
The consuls, while their rods they yet remain’d,
While, yet, some few of liberty maintain’d,
With mislives round the scatter'd fathers greet,
And in Epirus bid the senate meet.
There the great rulers of the Roman state,
In foreign seats, consulting, meanly fate.

15 No face of war the grave assembly wears, But civil power in peaceful pomp appears : The purple order to their place resort, While waiting lictors guard the crouded court. No faction these, nor party, seem to be, But a full senate, legal, just, and free. Great, as he is, here Pompey stands confest A private man, and one among the rest.

Their mutual groans, at length, and murmurs cease, And every mournful sound is hush'd in peace; 25 When from the consular distinguish'd throne, Sublimely rais’d, thus Lentulus begun.

If yet our Roman virtue is the same,
Yet worthy of the race from which we came,
And emulates our great forefathers name,

Lea