§57Sed postquam in castra nuntius pervenit Romae coniurationem patefactam, de Lentulo et Cethego ceterisque, quos supra memoravi, supplicium sumptum, plerique, quos ad bellum spes rapinarum aut novarum rerum studium illexerat, dilabuntur; reliquos Catilina per montis asperos magnis itineribus in agrum Pistoriensem abducit eo consilio, uti per tramites occulte perfugeret in Galliam Transalpinam.
But after the news reached the camp that the conspiracy had been disclosed at Rome and that punishment had been inflicted on Lentulus, Cethegus, and the others whom I mentioned above, most of those whom the hope of plunder or the desire for revolution had enticed to the war slipped away; Catiline led the rest by forced marches through rugged mountains into the territory of Pistoria, with the intention of escaping secretly by mountain paths into Transalpine Gaul.
at Q. Metellus Celer cum tribus legionibus in agro Piceno praesidebat, ex difficultate rerum eadem illa existumans quae supra diximus Catilinam agitare.
But Quintus Metellus Celer was stationed with three legions in the Picenian territory, estimating from the difficulty of the situation that Catiline was contemplating those very same things which we mentioned above.
igitur ubi iter eius ex perfugis cognovit, castra propere movit ac sub ipsis radicibus montium consedit, qua illi descensus erat in Galliam properanti.
Therefore, when he learned of his route from deserters, he quickly moved camp and took up a position at the very foot of the mountains, where Catiline would have to descend in his haste to Gaul.
neque tamen Antonius procul aberat, utpote qui magno exercitu locis aequioribus expeditus in fuga sequeretur.
Nor indeed was Antonius far away, inasmuch as he was pursuing them in their flight with a large army, unencumbered, through more level regions.
sed Catilina postquam videt montibus atqie copiis hostium sese clausum, in urbe res advorsas, neque fugae neque praesidi ullam spem, optumum factu ratus in tali re fortunam belli temptare, statuit cum Antonio quam primum confligere.
But Catiline, after he saw himself enclosed by the mountains and the forces of the enemy, his affairs in the city ruined, and no hope of flight or assistance remaining, thinking it best in such a situation to try the fortune of war, resolved to engage with Antonius as soon as possible.
itaque contione advocata huiusce modi orationem habuit: §58'Compertum ego habeo, milites, verba virtutem non addere, neque ex ignavo strenuom neque fortem ex timido exercitum oratione imperatoris fieri.
Therefore, having called an assembly, he delivered a speech of this kind: 'I am well aware, soldiers, that words do not add courage, and that an army is not made active instead of slothful, or brave instead of cowardly, by a speech of its commander.
quanta quoiusque animo audacia natura aut moribus inest, tanta in bello patere solet.
Whatever amount of daring is in each man's mind by nature or by character, that much is accustomed to show itself in war.
quem neque gloria neque pericula excitant, nequiquam hortere: timor animi auribus officit.
You would urge in vain him whom neither glory nor dangers excite; the fear in his mind obstructs his ears.
sed ego vos, quo pauca monerem, advocavi, simul uti causam mei consili aperirem.
But I have called you together to advise you on a few points, and at the same time to explain the reason of my plan.
Scitis equidem, milites, socordia atque ignavia Lentuli quantam ipsi nobisque cladem attulerit, quoque modo, dum ex urbe praesidia opperior, in Galliam proficisci nequiverim.
You know indeed, soldiers, how great a disaster the negligence and sloth of Lentulus brought upon himself and us, and in what manner, while I was waiting for reinforcements from the city, I was unable to set out for Gaul.
nunc vero quo loco res nostrae sint, iuxta mecum omnes intellegitis.
But now, in what condition our affairs are, you all understand as well as I.
exercitus hostium duo, unus ab urbe, alter a Gallia obstant; diutius in his locis esse, si maxume animus ferat, frumenti atque aliarum rerum egestas prohibet; quocumque ire placet, ferro iter aperiundum est.
Two armies of the enemy, one from the city, the other from Gaul, oppose us; to remain longer in these places, even if our minds most wish it, the lack of corn and other supplies prevents; wherever it pleases us to go, a path must be opened by the sword.
quapropter vos moneo, uti forti atque parato animo sitis et, quom proelium inibitis, memineritis vos divitias, decus, gloriam, praeterea libertatem atque patriam in dextris vostris portare.
Therefore I advise you to be of a brave and ready mind and, when you enter the battle, to remember that you carry riches, honor, glory, and moreover liberty and your country in your right hands.
si vincimus, omnia nobis tuta erunt: commeatus abunde, municipia atque coloniae patebunt; si metu cesserimus, eadem illa advorsa fient, neque locus neque amicus quisquam teget quem arma non texerint.
If we conquer, all things will be safe for us: supplies in abundance, municipal towns and colonies will lie open; if we give way through fear, those very same things will become adverse, and neither place nor any friend will protect him whom arms have not protected.
praeterea, milites, non eadem nobis et illis necessitudo inpendet: nos pro patria, pro libertate, pro vita certamus; illis supervacuaneum est pugnare pro potentia paucorum.
Furthermore, soldiers, the same necessity does not impend over us and them: we fight for our country, for liberty, for life; for them it is superfluous to fight for the power of a few.
quo audacius aggredimini memores pristinae virtutis.
Therefore, go to the attack more boldly, mindful of your pristine virtue.
licuit vobis cum summa turpitudine in exilio aetatem agere, potuistis nonnulli Romae amissis bonis alienas opes expectare: quia illa foeda atque intoleranda viris videbantur, haec sequi decrevistis.
You might have spent your life in exile with the utmost disgrace, some of you might have expected at Rome, after losing your property, the wealth of others: because those things seemed foul and intolerable to men, you resolved to follow these courses.
si haec relinquere voltis, audacia opus est: nemo nisi victor pace bellum mutavit.
If you wish to abandon these, you have need of daring: no one except a victor has exchanged war for peace.
nam in fuga salutem sperare, quom arma, quibus corpus tegitur, ab hostibus avorteris, ea vero dementia est.
For to hope for safety in flight, when you have turned away from the enemy the arms with which your body is protected, that indeed is madness.
semper in proelio iis maxumum est periculum, qui maxume timent: audacia pro muro habetur.
Always in battle the danger is greatest to those who fear most; daring is held as a wall.
Quom vos considero, milites, et quom facta vostra aestumo, magna me spes victoriae tenet.
When I look at you, soldiers, and when I estimate your deeds, a great hope of victory holds me.
animus aetas virtus vostra me hortantur, praeterea necessitudo, quae etiam timidos fortis facit.
Your mind, age, and virtue encourage me, and moreover necessity, which makes even the timid brave.
nam multitudo hostium ne circumvenire queat, prohibent angustiae loci.
For the narrowness of the place prevents the multitude of the enemy from being able to surround us.
quod si virtuti vostrae fortuna inviderit, cavete inulti animam amittatis, neu capti potius sicuti pecora trucidemini, quam virorum more pugnantes cruentam atque luctuosam victoriam hostibus relinquatis. '
But if fortune should grudge your virtue, take care that you do not lose your life unavenged, nor be slaughtered like cattle after being captured, rather than, fighting in the manner of men, leave a bloody and mournful victory to the enemy.'