deal of Difference between a Warlike, and a Luxurious People, unaccustomed to Arms. 'Tis true, the Multitude of Persians made it an Admiration, That there was more Toil in Killing, than in Overcoming them. In my Judgment, Hannibal's three Victories at Trebia, at Thrasymene, and at Cannæ, did far exceed all the Exploits of Alexander: For why? the one overcame valiant Warriors, the other had to do with the slothful People of Asia.
FABIUS Maximus had as much Courage, as Titus Sempronius, Caius Flaminius, or Varro; and more Judgment: That great Commander knew that he had to do with an Enemy educated in the Camp, well vers'd in Arms, skilful in Military Discipline, who by a singular Fate, or Felicity, had obtained many Victories; therefore he was not rashly to venture all, but to use Delay to weary him out; that was the only Hope left against so great an Enemy, to evade his Assaults, and to drill on the Combat till an Opportunity was afforded for a Remedy. In the mean time, he was to be watch'd, restrain'd, and, as it were, nibbled at; wherein he was so happy, that Fabius was as much Renown'd as Scipio himself, who ended the War against Hannibal; for who knows whether Scipio would have ever overcome him, if Fabius had not first stopped the Course of his Victories? To overcome by Prudence is as highly to be priz'd, as to overcome by Force. The former has nothing common with Beasts, but Force has.
The Emperor Ferdinand had the same Design with Fabius Maximus, if his and Solyman's Forces had been equal. His first Work would have been, to put all to the hazard of a Battel; but the Inequality considered, his next Design was, to stop an over-flowing Flood in Walls and Banks; and herein he employ'd his utmost Endeavours. 'Tis about
