Pagina 173 de 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.