§4.4.1In eadem causa fuerunt Usipetes et Tencteri, quos supra diximus; qui complures annos Sueborum vim sustinuerunt, §4.4.2ad extremum tamen agris expulsi et multis locis Germaniae triennium vagati ad Rhenum pervenerunt, quas regiones Menapii incolebant.
The Usipetes and Tencteri, whom we have mentioned above, were in the same condition; they had withstood the power of the Suebi for several years, but at last, having been driven out of their lands and having wandered through many parts of Germany for three years, they reached the Rhine, which regions the Menapii inhabited.
Hi ad utramque ripam fluminis agros, aedificia vicosque habebant; §4.4.3sed tantae multitudinis adventu perterriti ex iis aedificiis quae trans flumen habuerant demigraverant, et cis Rhenum dispositis praesidiis Germanos transire prohibebant.
These people had lands, buildings, and villages on both banks of the river; but, terrified by the arrival of so great a multitude, they had abandoned those buildings which they had possessed across the river, and having posted guards on this side of the Rhine, they prevented the Germans from crossing.
§4.4.4Illi omnia experti, cum neque vi contendere propter inopiam navium neque clam transire propter custodias Menapiorum possent, §4.4.5reverti se in suas sedes regionesque simulaverunt et tridui viam progressi rursus reverterunt atque omni hoc itinere una nocte equitatu confecto inscios inopinantes Menapios oppresserunt, §4.4.6qui de Germanorum discessu per exploratores certiores facti sine metu trans Rhenum in suos vicos remigraverant.
Having tried every expedient, since they could neither contend by force because of their lack of ships, nor cross secretly because of the guards of the Menapii, they pretended that they were returning to their own settlements and regions, and having advanced a three days' journey, they turned back again, and having completed this whole journey in a single night with their cavalry, they fell upon the unsuspecting and off-guard Menapii, who, having been informed of the departure of the Germans by scouts, had returned without fear across the Rhine into their own villages.
§4.4.7His interfectis navibus eorum occupatis, prius quam ea pars Menapiorum quae citra Rhenum erat certior fieret, flumen transierunt atque omnibus eorum aedificiis occupatis reliquam partem hiemis se eorum copiis aluerunt.
Having slain these and seized their ships, before that part of the Menapii which was on this side of the Rhine could be informed, they crossed the river, and having seized all their buildings, they supported themselves on their provisions for the remainder of the winter.