when the first impulse of excitement had in some measure spent its force, Philip and his comrades so far recovered their composure as to begin to turn their thoughts to the only consolation that was now left to them, that of performing the solemn duties of sepulture.  They found the wreck of a fishing boat upon the strand, from which they obtained wood enough for a rude funeral pile.  They burned what remained of the mutilated body, and, gathering up the ashes, they put them in an urn and sent them to Cornelia, who afterward buried them at Alba with many bitter tears.

[Illustration:  Death of Pompey]

CHAPTER IX.

CAESAR IN EGYPT.

[Sidenote:  Caesar after the battle of Pharsalia.]

Caesar surveyed the field of battle after the victory of Pharsalia, not with the feelings of exultation which might have been expected in a victorious general, but with compassion and sorrow for the fallen soldiers whose dead bodies covered the ground.  After gazing upon the scene sadly and in silence for a time, he said, “They would have it so,” and thus dismissed from his mind all sense of his own responsibility for the consequences which had ensued.

[Sidenote:  His clemency.] [Sidenote:  Caesar pursues Pompey.]

He treated the immense body of prisoners which had fallen into his hands with great clemency, partly from the natural impulses of his disposition, which were always generous and noble, and partly from policy, that he might conciliate them all, officers and soldiers, to acquiescence in his future rule.  He then sent back a large portion of his force to Italy, and, taking a body of cavalry from the rest, in order that he might advance with the utmost possible rapidity, he set off through Thessaly and Macedon in pursuit of his fugitive foe.

[Sidenote:  Treasures of the Temple of Diana.]

He had no naval force at his command, and he accordingly kept upon the land.  Besides, he wished, by moving through the country at the head of an armed force, to make a demonstration which should put down any attempt that might be made in arty quarter to rally or concentrate a force in Pompey’s favor.  He crossed the Hellespont, and moved down the coast of Asia Minor.  There was a great temple consecrated to Diana at Ephesus, which, for its wealth and magnificence, was then the wonder of the world.  The authorities who had it in their charge, not aware of Caesar’s approach, had concluded to withdraw the treasures from the temple and loan them to Pompey, to be repaid when he should have regained his Dower.  An assembly was accordingly convened to witness the delivery of the treasures, and take note of their value, which ceremony was to be performed with great formality and parade, when they learned that Caesar had crossed the Hellespont and was drawing near.  The whole proceeding was thus arrested, and the treasures were retained.