Page:The Works of Francis Bacon (1884) Volume 1.djvu/530

 402 CIVIL CHARACTER OF JULIUS C.ESAR. but all artificial ; yet he covered, and disguis ed himself so, that no such vices appeared to the eyes of the world; but he was generally re puted to proceed plainly and uprightly with all men. Howbeit, he did not stoop to any petty and mean artifices, as they do, which are ignorant in state employments; and depend not so much upon the strength of their own wits, as upon the coun sels and brains of others, to support their au thority; for he was skilled in the turnings of all human affairs ; and transacted all matters, espe cially those of high consequence, by himself, and not by others. He was singularly skilful to avoid envy ; and found it not impertinent to his ends, to decline that, though it were with some diminution of his dignity. For aiming at a real power, he was content to pass by all vain pomp and outward shows of power throughout his whole life; till at the last, whether high-flown with the continual exercise of power, or corrupted with flatteries, he affected the ensigns of power, (the style and dia dem of a king,) which was the bait that wrought his overthrow. This is true, that he harboured the thoughts of a kingdom from his very youth: and hereunto the example of Sylla, and the kindred of Mtirius, and his emulation of Pompey, and the corruption and ambition of the times, did prick him forward : but then he paved his way to a kingdom, after a wonderful and strange manner. As first, by a popular and seditious power ; afterwards by a military power, and that of a general in war. For there was required to effect his ends ; first, that he should break the power and authority of the senate ; which, as long as it stood firm, was ad verse, and a hinderance, that no man could climb to sovereignty and imperial command. Then the power of Crassus and Pompey was to be subdued and quelled, which could not be done otherwise than by arms. And therefore, as the most cun ning contriver of his own fortune, he laid his first foundation by bribes; by corrupting the courts of justice ; by renewing the memory of Caius Mari- us, and his party ; for most of the senators and nobility were of Sylla s faction : by the laws of distributing the fields, amongst the common peo ple : by the sedition of the tribunes, where he was the author: by the madness and fury of Catiline, and the conspirators, unto which action he secret ly blew the coals ! By the banishment of Cicero, which was the greatest blow to the authority of the senate, as might be; and several other the like arts ; but most of all by the conjunction of Cras sus and Pompey, both betwixt themselves, and with him; which was the thing that finished the work. Having accomplished this part, he betook him self to the other ; which was to make use of, and 10 enjoy his power. For being made proconsul if France for five years ; and afterwards continu ing it for five years more; he furnished himself with arms and legions, and the power of a warlike and opulent province; and was formidable to Italy. Neither was he ignorant, that aftei he had strengthened himself with arms, and a military power, neither Crassus nor Pompey could ever be able to bear up against him ; whereof the one trusted to his great riches ; the other to his fame and reputation ; the one decayed through age, the other in power and authority : and neither of them were grounded upon true and lasting foundations. And the rather, for that he had obliged all the senators and magistrates : and in a word all those that had any power in the commonwealth, so firmly to himself, with private benefits, that he was fearless of any combination or opposition against his designs, till he had openly invaded the imperial power. Which thing, though he always bare in his mind, and at the last acted it; yet he did not lay down his former person: but coloured things so, that what with the reasonableness of his demands ; what with his pretences of peace; and what with the moderate use of his successes, he turned all the envy of the adverse party ; and seemed to take up arms upon necessity for his own preser vation and safety. But the falseness of this pre tence manifestly appeared, inasmuch as soon after having obtained the regal power, all civil wars being appeased, and all his rivals and oppo- sites, which might put him to any fear, being re moved out of the way by the stroke of death ; not withstanding he never thought of resigning the republic ; no, nor ever made any show or offer of resigning the same. Which showed plainly, that his ambition of being a king was settled in him, and remained with him unto his last breath. For he did not lay hold upon occasions, as they hap pened, but moulded and formed the occasions, as himself pleased. His chief abilities consisted in martial know ledge ; in which he so excelled, that he could not only lead an army, but mould an army to his own liking. For he was not more skilful in managing affairs, than in winning of hearts. Neither did he effect this by any ordinary discipline, as by inur ing them to fulfil all his commands; or by strik ing a shame into them to disobey, or by carrying a severe hand over them : but by such a way as did wonderfully stir up an alacrity and cheerful ness in them; and did in a sort assure him of the victory aforehand, and which did oblige the soldier to him, more than was fit for a free estate. Now whereas he was versed in all kinds of martial knowledge, and joined civil arts, with the arts of war; nothing came so suddenly, or so unlocked for upon him, for which he had not a remedy at hand: and nothing was so adverse, but that hn could pick something for his turn and benefit oir of it.