Page:Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire (1827) Vol 2.djvu/50

 32 THE DECLINE AND FALL CHAP, up in two lines, according to the usual practice of ^^^' war; but their experienced leader, perceiving that the numbers of the Italians far exceeded his own, sud- denly changed his disposition, and reducing the se- cond, extended the front of his first line to a just proportion with that of the enemy. Such evolutions, which only veteran troops can execute without confu- sion in a moment of danger, commonly prove decisive: but as this engagement began towards the close of the day, and was contested with great obstinacy during the whole night, there was less room for the conduct of the generals than for the courage of the soldiers. The return of light displayed the victory of Constan- tine, and a field of carnage covered with many thou- sands of the vanquished Italians. Their general Pom- peianus was found among the slain ; Verona immedi- ately surrendered at discretion, and the garrison was made prisoners of war" When the officers of the victorious army congratulated their master on this im- portant success, they ventured to add some respectful complaints, of such a nature, however, as the most jealous monarchs will listen to without displeasure. They represented to Constantine, that, not contented with performing all the duties of a commander, he had exposed his own person with an excess of valour which almost degenerated into rashness ; and they conjured him for the future to pay more regard to the preserva- tion of a life in which the safety of Rome and of the empire was involved". Indolence While Constantine signalized his conduct and valour MaxeTdus. i" the field, the sovereign of Italy appeared insensible of the calamities and danger of a civil war which raged in the heart of his dominions. Pleasure was still the only business of Maxentius. Concealing, or at least attempting to conceal, from the public knowledge the " They wanted chains for so great a multitude of captives, and the whole council was at a loss ; but the sagacious conqueror imagined the happy ex- pedient of converting into fetters the swords of the vanquished. Panegyr. Vet. ix. 11. n Panegyr. Vet. ix. 10.