§5.28.1Arpineius et Iunius, quae audierunt, ad legatos deferunt.
Arpineius and Junius report what they heard to the legates.
Illi repentina re perturbati, etsi ab hoste ea dicebantur, tamen non neglegenda existimabant maximeque hac re permovebantur, quod civitatem ignobilem atque humilem Eburonum sua sponte populo Romano bellum facere ausam vix erat credendum.
The latter, greatly disturbed by the sudden matter, although those things were said by an enemy, yet did not think they should be neglected, and were especially moved by this fact, that it was scarcely to be believed that the insignificant and humble state of the Eburones had dared of its own accord to make war on the Roman people.
§5.28.2Itaque ad consilium rem deferunt magnaque inter eos exsistit controversia.
Therefore they refer the matter to a council, and a great controversy arises among them.
§5.28.3Lucius Aurunculeius compluresque tribuni militum et primorum ordinum centuriones nihil temere agendum neque ex hibernis iniussu Caesaris discedendum existimabant: quantasvis [magnas] copias etiam Germanorum sustineri posse munitis hibernis docebant: rem esse testimonio, quod primum hostium impetum multis ultro vulneribus illatis fortissime sustinuerint: re frumentaria non premi; interea et ex proximis hibernis et a Caesare conventura subsidia: postremo quid esse levius aut turpius, quam auctore hoste de summis rebus capere consilium?
Lucius Aurunculeius and several military tribunes and centurions of the first rank thought that nothing should be done rashly, and that they should not depart from the winter quarters without the order of Caesar; they showed that any forces whatsoever, even of the Germans, could be sustained in well-fortified winter quarters; that the fact was for a proof, because they had most bravely sustained the first attack of the enemy, many wounds having been inflicted on them besides; that they were not hard pressed for corn; that in the meantime relief would come both from the nearest winter quarters and from Caesar; finally, what was more trifling or more shameful than to take counsel on the most important matters on the authority of an enemy?