LUCAN'S PHARSALIA. BOOK V. THE ARGUMENT. In Epirus the confuls affemble the fenate, who unanimoufly appoint Pompey general of the war against Cæfar, and decree public thanks to the feveral princes and states who affifted the commonwealth. Appius, at that time prætor of Achaia, confults the Oracle of Delphos, concerning the event of the civil war. And, upon this occafion, the poet goes into a digreffion concerning the origin, the manner of the delivery, and the prefent filence of that oracle. From Spain, Cæfar returns into Italy, where he quells a mutiny in his army, and punishes the offenders. From Placentia, where this diforder happened, he orders them to march to Brundufium; where, after a fhort turn to Rome, and affuming the confulfhip, or rather the fupreme power, he joins them himself. From Brundufium, though it was then the middle of winter, he tranfports part of his army by fea to Epirus, and lands at Palæfte. Pompey, who then lay about Candavia, hearing of Cæfar's arrival, and being in pain for Dyrrachium, marched that way: On the banks of the river Apfus, they met and incamped clofe together. Cæfar was not yet joined by that part of his troops which hẹ had left behind him at Brundufium, under the command of Mark Anthony; and being uneafy at his delays leaves his camp by night, and ventures over a tempeftuous fea in a small bark to haften the tranfport. Upon Cæfar joining his forces together, Pompey perceived that the war would now probably be foon decided by a battle; and upon that confideration, refolved to fend his wife to expect the event at Lesbos. Their parting, which is extremely moving, concludes this book. 5 ,THUS HUS, equal fortune holds a while the scale, The hills stood hoary in December's snow; There the great rulers of the Roman state, 25 Their mutual groans, at length, and murmurs cease, If yet our Roman virtue is the fame, } Let Let not our thoughts, by fad remembrance led, 31 35 } 40 45 50 Difpers'd by war, though guiltlefs of its crimes, 55 Our order yielded to these impious times; Vulteius with his furious band are loft; 60 While in bold Curio, on the Libyan plain, March then, ye warriors! fecond fate's defign, is near, 65 79 As when you fhunn'd the foe, and left your native Rome. 75 80 In loud applaufe the pleas'd affembly join, And to the glorious task the chief affign: His country's fate they trust to him alone, And bid him fight Rome's battles, and his own. Next, to their friends their thanks are dealt around, And fome with gifts, and fome with praise are crown'd: Of thefe, the chief are Rhodes, by Phoebus lov'd, And Sparta rough, in virtue's lore approv'd. Of Athens much they speak; Maffilia's aid Is with her parent Phocis' freedom paid. Deiotarus his truth they much commend, Their ftill unfhaken faithful Asian friend. Brave Cotys and his valiant fon they grace, With bold Rhafipolis from stormy Thrace. While gallant Juba juftly is decreed To his paternal fceptre to fucceed. 85 And thou too, Ptolemy, (unrighteous fate!) 90 The |