ABSTRACT
From Pharsalia, Pompey flies, first to Larissa, and after to the Sea-Shore; where he embarks upon a small vessel for Lesbos. There, after a melancholy Meeting with Cornelia, and his Refusal of the Mitylenians Invitations, he embarks with his Wife for the Coast of Asia. In the Way thither he is join’d by his Son Sextus, and several Persons of Distinction, who had fled likewise from the late Battle; and among the rest by Deiotarus, King of Gallo-Græcia. To him he recommends the Solliciting of Supplies from the King of Parthia, and the rest of his Allies in Asia. After coasting Cilicia for some time, he comes at length to a little Town call’d Syedra or Syedræ, where great Part of the Senate meet him. With these, he deliberates upon the present Circumstances of the Commonwealth, and proposes either Mauritania, Ægypt, or Parthia, as the proper Places where he may hope to be receiv’d, and from whose Kings he may expect Assistance. In his own Opinion he inclines to the Parthians; but this Lentulus, in a long Oration, opposes very warmly; and in Consideration of young Ptolomy’s personal Obligations to Pompey, prefers Egypt. This Advice is generally approv’d and follow’d, and Pompey sets Sail accordingly for Ægypt. Upon his Arrival on that Coast, the King calls a Council, where at the Instigation of Pothinus, a villainous Minister, it is resolv’d to take his Life; and the Execution of this Order is committed to the Care of Achillas, formerly the King’s Governor, and then General of the Army. He, with Septimius, a Renegado Roman Soldier, who had formerly serv’d under Pompey, upon some frivolous Pretences, persuades him to quit his Ship, and come into their Boat; where, as they make towards the Shore, he treacherously Murders him, in the Sight of his Wife, his Son, and the rest of his Fleet. His Head is cut off, and his Body throw’n into the Sea. The Head is fix’d upon a Spear, and carri’d to Ptolomy; who, after he had seen it, commands it to be Embalm’d. In the succeeding Night, one Cordus, who had been a Follower of Pompey, finds the Trunk floating near the Shore, brings it to Land with some difficulty; and with a few Planks that remain’d from a Shipwrack’d Vessel, burns it. The melancholy Description of this mean Funeral, with the Poet’s Invective against the Gods, and Fortune, for their unworthy Treatment of so great a Man, concludes this Book.
