पृष्ठ 173 / 266

The strange spectacle of these rapidly moving lights so alarmed

and discomfited the Romans that they withdrew from their

position, and Hannibal's army passed safely through the defile.

[See Polybius, III. 93, 94; Livy, XXII. 16 17.]

On desperate ground, fight.

[For, as Chia Lin remarks: "if you fight with all your might,

there is a chance of life; where as death is certain if you cling

to your corner."]

15. Those who were called skilful leaders of old knew how to

drive a wedge between the enemy's front and rear;

[More literally, "cause the front and rear to lose touch with

each other."]

to prevent co-operation between his large and small divisions; to

hinder the good troops from rescuing the bad, the officers from

rallying their men.

16. When the enemy's men were scattered, they prevented them from

concentrating; even when their forces were united, they managed

to keep them in disorder.

17. When it was to their advantage, they made a forward move;

when otherwise, they stopped still.