§6.7.1Dum haec a Caesare geruntur, Treveri magnis coactis peditatus equitatusque copiis Labienum cum una legione, quae in eorum finibus hiemaverat, adoriri parabant.
While these things are being done by Caesar, the Treveri, having assembled large forces of infantry and cavalry, were preparing to attack Labienus with the single legion which had wintered in their territories.
§6.7.2Iamque ab eo non longius bidui via aberant, cum duas venisse legiones missu Caesaris cognoscunt.
And already they were not further than a two days' journey from him, when they learn that two legions had arrived by the dispatch of Caesar.
§6.7.3Positis castris a milibus passuum XV auxilia Germanorum exspectare constituunt.
Having pitched their camp fifteen miles off, they resolve to wait for the auxiliary forces of the Germans.
§6.7.4Labienus hostium cognito consilio sperans temeritate eorum fore aliquam dimicandi facultatem praesidio quinque cohortium impedimentis relicto cum viginti quinque cohortibus magnoque equitatu contra hostem proficiscitur et mille passuum intermisso spatio castra communit.
Labienus, having learned the design of the enemy, hoping that through their rashness there would be some opportunity of engaging, having left five cohorts as a guard for the baggage, sets out against the enemy with twenty-five cohorts and a large body of cavalry, and, having left a space of a mile between them, fortifies his camp.
§6.7.5Erat inter Labienum atque hostem difficili transitu flumen ripisque praeruptis.
There was between Labienus and the enemy a river difficult to cross, and with steep banks.
Hoc neque ipse transire habebat in animo neque hostes transituros existimabat.
This he neither had intention of crossing himself, nor did he think the enemy would cross.
§6.7.6Augebatur auxiliorum cotidie spes.
The hope of auxiliary forces was increasing daily.
Loquitur in concilio palam, quoniam Germani appropinquare dicantur, sese suas exercitusque fortunas in dubium non devocaturum et postero die prima luce castra moturum.
He declares openly in council that, since the Germans are said to be approaching, he will not bring his own fortunes and those of the army into danger, and will move his camp at dawn on the following day.
Celeriter haec ad hostes deferuntur, §6.7.7ut ex magno Gallorum equitum numero nonnullos Gallicis rebus favere natura cogebat.
These things are quickly reported to the enemy, as nature compelled some out of the large number of Gallic cavalry to favor the Gallic cause.
§6.7.8Labienus noctu tribunis militum primisque ordinibus convocatis, quid sui sit consili proponit et, quo facilius hostibus timoris det suspicionem, maiore strepitu et tumultu, quam populi Romani fert consuetudo castra moveri iubet.
Labienus, having assembled the military tribunes and the centurions of the first rank by night, lays before them what his plan is, and, that he may the more easily give the enemy a suspicion of fear, orders the camp to be moved with greater noise and confusion than is the custom of the Roman people.
His rebus fugae similem profectionem effecit.
By these means he made their departure resemble a flight.
§6.7.9Haec quoque per exploratores ante lucem in tanta propinquitate castrorum ad hostes deferuntur.
These things also are reported to the enemy before daybreak by scouts, owing to the camps being so close.