§5.44.1Erant in ea legione fortissimi viri, centuriones, qui primis ordinibus appropinquarent, Titus Pullo et Lucius Vorenus.
There were in that legion most brave men, centurions, who were approaching the first ranks, Titus Pullo and Lucius Vorenus.
§5.44.2Hi perpetuas inter se controversias habebant, quinam anteferretur, omnibusque annis de locis summis simultatibus contendebant.
These used to have perpetual disputes between themselves as to which of them should be preferred, and every year they contended for the highest positions with the greatest rivalry.
§5.44.3Ex his Pullo, cum acerrime ad munitiones pugnaretur, "Quid dubitas," inquit, "Vorene? aut quem locum tuae probandae virtutis exspectas?
Of these, Pullo, when the fight was being waged most fiercely at the fortifications, said, "Why do you hesitate, Vorenus? Or what opportunity of proving your valor do you expect?
§5.44.4Hic dies de nostris controversiis iudicabit. "Haec cum dixisset, procedit extra munitiones quaque pars hostium confertissima est visa irrumpit.
This day shall decide our disputes." When he had said this, he advanced outside the fortifications, and rushed into that part of the enemy which appeared the thickest.
§5.44.5Ne Vorenus quidem tum sese vallo continet, sed omnium veritus existimationem subsequitur.
Nor did Vorenus indeed keep himself then within the rampart, but, fearing the opinion of all, followed closely.
§5.44.6Mediocri spatio relicto Pullo pilum in hostes immittit atque unum ex multitudine procurrentem traicit; quo percusso et exanimato hunc scutis protegunt, in hostem tela universi coniciunt neque dant regrediendi facultatem.
A moderate space being left, Pullo cast his javelin into the enemy and transfixed one running forward from the crowd; who being struck and lifeless, they protected him with their shields, and all together cast their weapons at Pullo, and did not give him an opportunity of retreating.
§5.44.7Transfigitur scutum Pulloni et verutum in balteo defigitur.
The shield of Pullo was pierced through, and a javelin was fixed in his belt.
§5.44.8Avertit hic casus vaginam et gladium educere conanti dextram moratur manum, impeditumque hostes circumsistunt.
This accident turned aside his scabbard and delayed his right hand when attempting to draw his sword, and the enemy surrounded him while he was embarrassed.
§5.44.9Succurrit inimicus illi Vorenus et laboranti subvenit.
His rival Vorenus ran to his aid and succored him in his distress.
§5.44.10Ad hunc se confestim a Pullone omnis multitudo convertit: §5.44.11illum veruto arbitrantur occisum.
To him the whole crowd immediately turned themselves from Pullo; they imagined that he had been slain by the javelin.
Gladio comminus rem gerit Vorenus atque uno interfecto reliquos paulum propellit; §5.44.12dum cupidius instat, in locum deiectus inferiorem concidit.
Vorenus carried on the combat hand to hand with his sword, and, one having been slain, drove back the rest a little; while he pressed on too eagerly, having slipped into a hollow place, he fell.
Huic rursus circumvento fert subsidium Pullo, §5.44.13atque ambo incolumes compluribus interfectis summa cum laude sese intra munitiones recipiunt.
To him, surrounded in his turn, Pullo brought assistance, and both, unhurt, having slain several, retreated within the fortifications with the highest praise.
§5.44.14Sic fortuna in contentione et certamine utrumque versavit, ut alter alteri inimicus auxilio salutique esset, neque diiudicari posset, uter utri virtute anteferendus videretur.
Thus fortune so dealt with both in their rivalry and conflict, that the one rival was an assistance and a preservation to the other, nor could it be determined which of the two appeared to be preferred to the other in valor.