his speech, generously replied, that he came into Italy not to injure the liberties of Rome and its citizens, but to restore them. 17.  This humane reply being quickly carried into the city, the senators and the knights, with their children, and some officers of the garrison, came out to claim the conqueror’s protection, who, just glancing at their ingratitude, gave them their liberty, with permission to go wheresoever they should think proper. 18.  But while he dismissed the leaders, he took care upon this, as upon all other occasions, to attach the common soldiers to his interest, sensible that he might stand in need of the army; but that while he lived, the army could never stand in need of a commander.

19.  Pompey, who was unable to continue in Rome, having intelligence of what had passed upon this occasion, retreated to Brundu’sium, where he resolved to stand a siege, in order to retard the enemy, until the forces of the empire should be united to oppose him. 20.  His aim in this succeeded to his wish; and after having employed Caesar for some time in a fruitless siege, he privately carried his forces over to Dyrrach’ium, where the consul had levied a body of troops for his assistance. 21.  However, though he made good his escape, he was compelled to leave all Italy at the mercy of his rival, without a town or an army that had strength to oppose his progress.

22.  Caesar, who could not follow Pompey for want of shipping, went back to Rome, to take possession of the public treasures, which his opponent, by a most unaccountable oversight, had neglected to take with him. 23.  Upon his coming up to the door of the treasury, Metel’lus, the tribune, who guarded it, refused to let him pass; but Caesar, with emotion, laying his hand upon his sword, threatened to strike him dead.  “Know, young man,” cried he, “it is easier to do this than say it.”  This menace had its effect; Metel’lus retired, and Caesar took out of the treasury three hundred thousand pounds weight of gold, and an immense quantity of silver.

24.  Having thus provided for continuing the war, he departed from Rome, resolved to subdue Pompey’s lieutenants, Afra’nius and Petrei’us, who had been long in Spain at the head of a veteran army, which had ever been victorious. 25.  Caesar, however, who knew the abilities of its present commanders, jocosely said, as he was preparing to march, “I am going to fight an army without a general, and return to fight a general without an army.”

26.  The first conflict which he had with Afra’nius and Petrei’us was rather unfavourable.  It was fought near the city of Ilerda,[8] and both sides claimed the honour of the victory.  But, by various stratagems, he reduced them at last to such extremity of hunger and drought, that they were obliged to yield at discretion. 27.  Clemency was his favourite virtue; he dismissed them all with the kindest professions, and then sent them home to Rome loaded with shame, and with obligations to publish his virtues, and confirm the affections of his adherents. 28.  Thus, in the space of about forty days, he became master of Spain, and returned again victorious to Rome.  The citizens on this occasion received him with fresh demonstrations of joy, and created him dictator and consul.  But the first of these offices he laid down when he had held it eleven days.