§23.47.1haec ubi Asello sunt nuntiata in castra, id modo moratus, ut consulem percunctaretur, liceretne extra ordinem in provocantem hostem pugnare, §23.47.2permissu eius arma extemplo cepit provectusque ante stationes equo Tauream nomine compellavit congredique, ubi vellet, iussit.
When these things were reported to Asellus in the camp, having delayed only so long as to ask the consul whether he might fight against the challenging enemy outside of the ranks, with his permission he immediately took up arms, and having ridden out before the outposts, he called upon Taurea by name and ordered him to clash where he pleased.
§23.47.3iam Romani ad spectaculum pugnae eius frequentes exierant, et Campani non vallum modo castrorum sed moenia etiam urbis prospectantes repleverant.
Already the Romans had gone out in crowds to watch this fight, and the Campanians also, looking on, had filled not only the rampart of the camp but even the walls of the city.
§23.47.4cum iam ante ferocibus dictis rem nobilitassent, infestis hastis concitarunt equos; dein libero spatio inter se ludificantes sine vulnere pugnam extrahebant.
Since they had already previously made the affair famous with fierce words, they spurred on their horses with spears leveled; then, maneuvering against each other in the open space, they prolonged the fight without a wound.
§23.47.5tum Romanus Campano “Equorum” inquit “hoc, non equitum erit certamen, nisi e campo in cavam hanc viam demittimus equos; ibi nullo ad evagandum spatio comminus conserentur manus. ” §23.47.6dicto prope citius equum in viam Claudius deiecit; Taurea verbis ferocior quam re “minime sis” inquit “cantherium in fossam; ” quae vox in rusticum inde proverbium prodita est.
Then the Roman said to the Campanian: "This will be a contest of horses, not of horsemen, unless we ride our horses down from the plain into this hollow road; there, with no room to wheel about, we shall exchange blows at close quarters." Almost faster than the word was spoken, Claudius plunged his horse into the road; Taurea, fiercer in words than in action, said, "By no means, please, a gelding into a ditch!" which expression was passed down from then on as a rustic proverb.
§23.47.7Claudius, cum cava longe perequitasset via, nullo obvio hoste in campum rursus evectus increpans ignaviam hostis cum magno gaudio et gratulatione victor in castra redit.
Claudius, when he had ridden a long way through the hollow road, with no enemy meeting him, rode back out into the plain, and, upbraiding the cowardice of the enemy, returned as victor to the camp with great joy and congratulation.
§23.47.8huic pugnae equestri rem — quae quam vera sit, communis existimatio est — mirabilem certe adiciunt quidam annales: cum refugientem ad urbem Tauream Claudius sequeretur, patenti hostium porta invectum per alteram stupentibus miraculo hostibus intactum evasisse.
To this cavalry combat some annals add a story—how true it may be is a matter of common opinion—which is certainly marvelous: that when Claudius was pursuing Taurea as he fled back to the city, having ridden in through an open gate of the enemy, he escaped unharmed through another gate while the enemy were paralyzed with astonishment.