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.The Britons.also put On theirarms, and placed themselves in their ranks.But Androgens with.fivethousand men lay hid in a wood hard by, to be ready to assist Caesar,and spring forth on a sudden upon Cassibellaun and his party.Botharmies now approached to begin the fight, some with bows and arrows,some with swords, so that much blood was shed on both sides, and thewounded fell down like leaves in autumn.While they were thusengaged, Androgens sallied forth from the wood and fell upon the rearof CassibellaunÕs army, upon which the hopes of the battle entirelydepended.And now, what with the breach which the Romans had madethrough them just before, what with the furious irruption of their owncountrymen, they were no longer able to stand their ground, but wereobliged with their broken forces to quit the field.Near the place stood arocky mountain, on the top of which was a thick hazel wood.HitherCassibellaun fled with his men after he found himself worsted; andhaving climbed up to the top of the mountain, bravely defended himselfand killed the pursuing enemy.For the Roman forces with those ofAndrogeus pursued him to disperse his flying troops, and climbing upthe mountain after them made many assaults, but all to, little purpose;for the rockiness of, the mountain and great height of its top was adefence to the Britons, and the advantage of higher ground gave them anopportunity of killing great numbers of the enemy.Caesar hereuponbesieged the mountain that whole night, which had now overtaken them,and shut up all the avenues to it; intending to reduce the king by famine,since he could not do it by force of arms.Such was the wonderful valourof the British nation in those times, that they were able to put theconqueror of the world twice to flight and being ready to die for thedefence of their country and liberty, they, even though defeated,withstood him whom the whole world could not withstand.HenceLucan in their praise says of Caesar,62Geoffrey of MonmouthÒTerrita quaesitis ostendit terga Britannis.ÓWith pride he fought the Britons, but when found,Dreaded their force, and fled the hostile ground.Two days were now passed, when Cassibellaun having consumed allhis provision, feared famine would oblige him to surrender himselfprisoner to Caesar.For this reason he sent a message to Androgeus tomake his peace with Julius, lest the honour of the nation might suffer byhis being taken prisoner.He likewise represented to that he did notdeserve to be pursued to death for the annoyance which he had givenhim.As soon as the messengers had told this to Androgeus, he madeanswer: ÒThat prince deserves not to be loved, who in war is mild as alamb, but in peace cruel as a lion.Ye gods of heaven and earth! Does mylord then condescend to entreat me now, whom before he took upon himto command? Does he desire to be reconciled and make his submission toCaesar, of whom Caesar himself, had before desired peace? He oughttherefore to have considered, that he who was able to drive so great acommander out of the kingdom, was able also to bring him back again.Iought not to have been so unjustly treated, who had then done him somuch service, as well as now so much injury.He must be mad who eitherinjures or reproaches his fellow soldiers by whom he defeats the, enemy.The victory is not the commanderÕs, but theirs who lose their blood infighting for him.However, I will procure him peace if I can, for theinjury which he has done me is sufficiently revenged upon him, since hesues for mercy to me.Ó63Geoffrey of MonmouthChapter 10.AndrogeusÕs speech to Caesar.Androgeus after this went to Caesar, and after a respectful salutationaddressed him in this manner: ÒYou have sufficiently revenged yourselfupon Cassibellaun; and now let clemency take place of vengeance.Whatmore is there to be done than that he make his submission and paytribute to the Roman state?Ó To this Caesar returned him no answer:upon which Androgeus said again; ÒMy whole engagement with you,Caesar, was only to reduce Britain under your power, by the submissionof Cassibellaun.Behold! Cassibellaun is now vanquished and Britain byany assistance become subject to you.What further service do I owe you?God forbid that I should suffer my sovereign who sues to me for peace,and makes me satisfaction for the injury which he has done me, to be inprison or in chains.It is no easy matter to put Cassibellaun to death whileI have life; and if you do not comply with my demand, I shall not beashamed to give him my assistance.Ó Caesar, alarmed at these menaces ofAndrogeus, was forced to comply, and entered into peace withCassibellaun, on condition that he should pay a yearly tribute of threethousand pounds of silver.So then Julius and Cassibellaun from this timebecame friends, and made presents to each other.After this, Caesarwintered in Britain, and the following spring returned into Gaul.Atlength he assembled all his forces, and marched towards Rome againstPompey.Chapter 11.Tenuantius is made king of Britain after Cassibellaun [ Pobierz caÅ‚ość w formacie PDF ]