Rerum potiri[1]. And, without doubt, Pompey had[2] tired out Cæsar, if upon vaine Confidence he had not left that Way[3]. We see the great Effects of Battailes by Sea. The Battaile of Actium decided the Empire of the World. The Battaile of Lepanto arrested the Greatnesse of the Turke. There be many Examples, where Sea-Fights have beene Finall to[4] the warre; But this is when Princes or States have set up their Rest[5] upon the Battailes. But thus much is certaine, That hee that Commands the Sea, is at great liberty, and may take as much and as little of the Warre as he will. Whereas those that be strongest by land are many times neverthelesse in great Straights. Surely, at this Day, with us of Europe, the Vantage of Strength at Sea (which is one of the Principall Dowries of this Kindome of Great Brittaine) is Great; Both because Most of the Kingdomes of Europe are not meerely[6] Inland, but girt with the Sea most part of their Compasse[7]; And because the Wealth of both Indies seemes in great Part but an Accessary to the Command of the Seas.
The Warres of Latter Ages seeme to be made in the Darke, in Respect of[8] the Glory and Honour which reflected upon Men from the Warres in Ancient Time. There be now, for Martiall Encouragement, some Degrees and Orders of Chivalry; which, neverthelesse, are conferred promiscuously upon Soldiers and no Soldiers; And some Remembrance perhaps upon the Scutchion; And some Hospitals for Maimed Soldiers; And such like Things. But in Ancient Times, The Trophies erected upon the Place of the Victory; The Funerall Laudatives[9] and Monuments for those that died in the Wars; The Crowns and Garlands Personal[10]; The Stile of Emperor[11], which the Great Kings of the World after borrowed; The Triumphes[12]of the Generalls upon their Returne; The great Donatives
- ↑ Pompey's policy is clearly that of Themistocles, for he thinks that whoever is master of the sea is master of the situation.
- ↑ would have
- ↑ abandoned that line of action
- ↑ have put an end to
- ↑ have staked everything
- ↑ entirely
- ↑ boundaries
- ↑ compared with
- ↑ panegyrics
- ↑ granted to individual soldiers
- ↑ the title Imperator
- ↑ triumphal processions
