第 2 节
作者:风格1      更新:2021-02-18 23:33      字数:9322
  Most were for the immediate reception of Marius; but Sertorius
  openly declared against it; whether he thought that Cinna would not
  now pay as much attention to himself; when a man of higher military
  repute was present; or feared that the violence of Marius would
  bring all things to confusion; by his boundless wrath and vengeance
  after victory。 He insisted upon it with Cinna that they were already
  victorious; that there remained little to be done; and that if they
  admitted Marius; he would deprive them of the glory and advantage of
  the war; as there was no man less easy to deal with; or less to be
  trusted in; as a partner in power。 Cinna answered; that Sertorius
  rightly judged the affair; but that he himself was at a loss; and
  ashamed; and knew not how to reject him; after he had sent for him
  to share in his fortunes。 To which Sertorius immediately replied; that
  he had thought that Marius came into Italy of his own accord; and
  therefore had deliberated as to what might be most expedient; but that
  Cinna ought not so much as to have questioned whether he should accept
  him whom he had already invited; but should have honourably received
  and employed him; for his word once passed left no room for debate。
  Thus Marius being sent for by Cinna; and their forces being divided
  into three parts; under Cinna; Marius; and Sertorius; the war was
  brought to a successful conclusion; but those about Cinna and Marius
  committing all manner of insolence and cruelty; made the Romans
  think the evils of war a golden time in comparison。 On the contrary;
  it is reported of Sertorius that he never slew any man in his anger to
  satisfy his own private revenge; nor ever insulted over any one whom
  he had overcome; but was much offended with Marius; and often
  privately entreated Cinna to use his power more moderately。 And in the
  end; when the slaves whom Marius had freed at his landing to
  increase his army; being made not only his fellow…soldiers in the war;
  but also now his guard in his usurpation; enriched and powerful by his
  favour; either by the command or permission of Marius; or by their own
  lawless violence; committed all sorts of crimes; killed their masters;
  ravished their masters' wives and abused their children; their conduct
  appeared so intolerable to Sertorius that he slew the whole body of
  them; four thousand in number; commanding his soldiers to shoot them
  down with their javelins; as they lay encamped together。
  Afterwards when Marius died; and Cinna shortly after was slain; when
  the younger Marius made himself consul against Sertorius's wishes
  and contrary to law; when Carbo; Norbanus; and Scipio fought
  unsuccessfully against Sylla; now advancing to Rome; when much was
  lost by the cowardice and remissness of the commanders; but more by
  the treachery of their party; when with the want of prudence in the
  chief leaders; all went so ill that his presence could do no good;
  in the end when Sylla had placed his camp near to Scipio; and by
  pretending friendship; and putting him in hopes of a peace;
  corrupted his army; and Scipio could not be made sensible of this;
  although often forewarned of it by Sertorius… at last he utterly
  despaired of Rome; and hasted into Spain; that by taking possession
  there beforehand; he might secure a refuge to his friends from their
  misfortunes at home。 Having bad weather in his journey; and travelling
  through mountainous countries; and the inhabitants stopping the way;
  and demanding a toll and money for passage; those who were with him
  were out of all patience at the indignity and shame it would be for
  a proconsul of Rome to pay tribute to a crew of wretched barbarians。
  But he little regarded their censure; and slighting that which had
  only the appearance of an indecency; told them he must buy time; the
  most precious of all things to those who go upon great enterprises;
  and pacifying the barbarous people with money; he hastened his
  journey; and took possession of Spain; a country flourishing and
  populous; abounding with young men fit to bear arms; but on account of
  the insolence and covetousness of the governors from time to time sent
  thither from Rome they had generally an aversion to Roman supremacy。
  He; however; soon gained the affection of their nobles by
  intercourse with them; and the good opinion of the people by remitting
  their taxes。 But that which won him most popularity was his
  exempting them from finding lodgings for the soldiers; when he
  commanded his army to take up their winter quarters outside the
  cities; and to pitch their camp in the suburbs; and when he himself;
  first of all; caused his own tent to be raised without the walls。
  Yet not being willing to rely totally upon the good inclination of the
  inhabitants he armed all the Romans who lived in those countries
  that were of military age; and undertook the building of ships and the
  making of all sorts of warlike engines; by which means he kept the
  cities in due obedience; showing himself gentle in all peaceful
  business; and at the same time formidable to his enemies by his
  great preparations for war。
  As soon as he was informed that Sylla had made himself master of
  Rome; and that the party which sided with Marius and Carbo was going
  to destruction; he expected that some commander with a considerable
  army would speedily come against him; and therefore sent away Julius
  Salinator immediately; with six thousand men fully armed; to fortify
  and defend the passes of the Pyrenees。 And Caius Annius not long after
  being sent out by Sylla; finding Julius unassailable; sat down short
  at the foot of the mountains in perplexity。 But a certain
  Calpurnius; surnamed Lanarius; having treacherously slain Julius;
  and his soldiers then forsaking the heights of the Pyrenees; Caius
  Annius advanced with large numbers and drove before him all who
  endeavoured to hinder his march。 Sertorius; also; not being strong
  enough to give him battle; retreated with three thousand men into
  New Carthage; where he took shipping; and crossed the seas into
  Africa。 And coming near the coast of Mauritania; his men went on shore
  to water; and straggling about negligently; the natives fell upon them
  and slew a great number。 This new misfortune forced him to sail back
  again into Spain; whence he was also repulsed; and; some Cilician
  private ships joining with him; they made for the island of
  Pityussa; where they landed and overpowered the garrison placed
  there by Annius; who; however; came not long after with a great
  fleet of ships and five thousand soldiers。 And Sertorius made ready to
  fight him by sea; although his ships were not built for strength;
  but for lightness and swift sailing; but a violent west wind raised
  such a sea that many of them were run aground and shipwrecked; and
  he himself; with a few vessels; being kept from putting further out to
  sea by the fury of the weather; and from landing by the power of his
  enemies; were tossed about painfully for ten days together; amidst the
  boisterous and adverse waves。
  He escaped with difficulty; and after the wind ceased; ran for
  certain desert islands scattered in those seas; affording no water;
  and after passing a night there; making out to sea again; he went
  through the straits of Cadiz; and sailing outward; keeping the Spanish
  shore on his right hand; landed a little above the mouth of the
  river Baetis; where it falls into the Atlantic Sea; and gives the name
  to that part of Spain。 Here he met with seamen recently arrived from
  the Atlantic islands; two in number; divided from one another only
  by a narrow channel; and distant from the coast of Africa ten thousand
  furlongs。 These are called the Islands of the Blest; rain falls
  there seldom; and in moderate showers; but for the most part they have
  gentle breezes; bringing along with them soft dews; which render the
  soil not only rich for ploughing and planting; but so abundantly
  fruitful that it produces spontaneously an abundance of delicate
  fruits; sufficient to feed the inhabitants; who may here enjoy all
  things without trouble or labour。 The seasons of the year are
  temperate; and the transitions from one to another so moderate that
  the air is almost always serene and pleasant。 The rough northerly
  and easterly winds which blow from the coasts of Europe and Africa;
  dissipated in the vast open space; utterly lose their force before
  they reach the islands。 The soft western and southerly winds which
  breathe upon them sometimes produce gentle sprinkling showers; which
  they convey along with them from the sea; but more usually bring
  days of moist; bright weather; cooling and gently fertilizing the
  soil; so that the firm belief prevails; even among the barbarians;
  that this is the seat of the blessed and that these are the Elysian
  Fields celebrated by Homer。
  When Sertorius heard this account; he was seized with a wonderful
  passion for these islands; and had an extreme desire to go and live
  there in peace and quietness; and safe from oppression and unending
  wars; but his inclinations being perceived by the Cilician pirates;
  who desired not peace nor quiet; but riches and spoils; they
  immediately forsook him and sailed away into Africa to assist Ascalis;
  the son of Iphtha