§1.39.1Dum paucos dies ad Vesontionem rei frumentariae commeatusque causa moratur, ex percontatione nostrorum vocibusque Gallorum ac mercatorum, qui ingenti magnitudine corporum Germanos, incredibili virtute atque exercitatione in armis esse praedicabant (saepe numero sese cum his congressos ne vultum quidem atque aciem oculorum dicebant ferre potuisse), tantus subito timor omnem exercitum occupavit ut non mediocriter omnium mentes animosque perturbaret.
While he was delaying for a few days at Vesontio for the sake of corn and provisions, from the inquiries of our men and the statements of the Gauls and traders, who asserted that the Germans were of immense size of body, of incredible valor and practice in arms (saying that they had frequently encountered them and had not been able to bear even their countenance and the flash of their eyes), so great a fear suddenly seized the whole army as to perturb the minds and spirits of all in no ordinary degree.
§1.39.2Hic primum ortus est a tribunis militum, praefectis, reliquisque qui ex urbe amicitiae causa Caesarem secuti non magnum in re militari usum habebant:
This fear first arose from the military tribunes, the prefects, and the others who, having followed Caesar from the city for the sake of friendship, had no great experience in military affairs.
§1.39.3quorum alius alia causa inlata, quam sibi ad proficiscendum necessariam esse diceret, petebat ut eius voluntate discedere liceret; non nulli pudore adducti, ut timoris suspicionem vitarent, remanebant.
Of these, one alleging one reason, another another, which they said made it necessary for them to depart, requested that they might be allowed to leave with his consent; some, moved by shame, remained in order to avoid the suspicion of fear.
§1.39.4Hi neque vultum fingere neque interdum lacrimas tenere poterant: abditi in tabernaculis aut suum fatum querebantur aut cum familiaribus suis commune periculum miserabantur.
These could neither compose their countenance nor sometimes restrain their tears; hidden in their tents, they either lamented their own fate, or deplored the common danger with their intimate friends.
Vulgo totis castris testamenta obsignabantur.
Everywhere throughout the whole camp testaments were being signed.
§1.39.5Horum vocibus ac timore paulatim etiam ii qui magnum in castris usum habebant, milites centurionesque quique equitatui praeerant, perturbabantur.
By the talk and fear of these men, even those who had great experience in the camp, the soldiers, the centurions, and those who commanded the cavalry, were gradually perturbed.
§1.39.6Qui se ex his minus timidos existimari volebant, non se hostem vereri, sed angustias itineris et magnitudinem silvarum quae intercederent inter ipsos atque Ariovistum, aut rem frumentariam, ut satis commode supportari posset, timere dicebant.
Those of them who wished to be thought less timid said that they did not fear the enemy, but the narrowness of the roads and the vastness of the forests which intervened between themselves and Ariovistus, or the matter of corn-supply, whether it could be brought up conveniently enough.
§1.39.7Non nulli etiam Caesari nuntiabant, cum castra moveri ac signa ferri iussisset, non fore dicto audientes milites neque propter timorem signa laturos.
Some even reported to Caesar that when he should order the camp to be moved and the standards to be advanced, the soldiers would not be obedient to the command, nor, because of fear, carry the standards.