§27.46.1tessera per castra ab Livio consule data erat, ut tribunus tribunum, centurio centurionem, eques equitem, pedes peditem acciperet: §27.46.2neque enim dilatari castra opus esse, ne hostis adventum alterius consulis sentiret; et coartatio plurium in angusto tendentium facilior futura erat, quod Claudianus exercitus nihil ferme praeter arma secum in expeditionem tulerat.
A watchword had been given through the camp by the consul Livius, that tribune should receive tribune, centurion centurion, cavalryman cavalryman, infantryman infantryman: for there was no need for the camp to be enlarged, lest the enemy perceive the arrival of the other consul; and the crowding of a larger number pitching their tents in a narrow space was going to be easier because the Claudian army had carried with them on the expedition scarcely anything besides their arms.
ceterum in ipso itinere auctum voluntariis agmen erat, §27.46.3offerentibus ultro sese et veteribus militibus perfunctis iam militia et iuvenibus, quos certatim nomina dantes, si quorum corporis species roburque virium aptum militiae videbatur, conscripserat.
But on the march itself the column had been increased by volunteers, both veteran soldiers who had already completed their service and young men voluntarily offering themselves; the latter, who were eagerly giving their names, Nero had enrolled if the appearance of anyone's body and strength of muscles seemed fit for military service.
§27.46.4ad Senam castra alteriue consulis erant, et quingentos ferme inde passus Hasdrubal aberat.
The camp of the other consul was near Sena, and Hasdrubal was about five hundred paces away from there.
itaque cum iam adpropinquaret, tectus montibus substitit Nero, ne ante noctem castra ingrederetur.
Therefore, when he was already approaching, Nero halted, concealed by the hills, lest he should enter the camp before night.
§27.46.5silentio ingressi, ab sui quisque ordinis hominibus in tentoria abducti, cum summa omnium laetitia hospitaliter excipiuntur.
Having entered in silence, they were led away into the tents each by men of his own rank, and were hospitably received to the greatest joy of all.
postero die consilium habitum, cui et L. Porcius Licinus praetor adfuit.
On the following day a council was held, which the praetor Lucius Porcius Licinus also attended.
§27.46.6castra iuncta consulum castris habebat et ante adventum eorum per loca alta ducendo exercitum, cum modo insideret angustos saltus, ut transitum clauderet, modo ab latere aut ab tergo carperet agmen, ludificatus hostem omnibus artibus belli fuerat; is tum in consilio aderat.
He had his camp joined to that of the consuls, and before their arrival, by leading his army through high places, sometimes occupying narrow passes to close the passage, sometimes harassing the column from the flank or rear, he had baffled the enemy with all the arts of war; he was then present at the council.
§27.46.7multorum eo inclinabant sententiae, ut, dum fessum via ac vigiliis reficeret militem Nero, simul et ad noscendum hostem paucos sibi sumeret dies, tempus pugnae differretur; §27.46.8Nero non suadere modo, sed summa ope orare institit, ne consilium suum, quod tutum celeritas fecisset, temerarium morando facerent: §27.46.9errore, qui non diuturnus futurus esset, velut torpentem Hannibalem nec castra sua sine duce relicta adgredi nec ad sequendum se iter intendisse.
The opinions of many inclined to this, that while Nero refreshed his soldiers fatigued by the march and lack of sleep, and at the same time took a few days for himself to reconnoitre the enemy, the time of the battle should be deferred; Nero began not only to advise, but with his utmost effort to beg them not to make his plan, which speed had made safe, rash by delaying: owing to a mistake which would not be long-lasting, Hannibal, as if torpid, had neither attacked his camp left without a leader nor directed his march to follow him.
antequam se moveat, deleri exercitum Hasdrubalis posse redirique in Apuliam.
Before he could move himself, Hasdrubal's army could be destroyed and they could return to Apulia.
§27.46.10qui prolatando spatium hosti det, eum et illa castra prodere Hannibali et aperire in Galliam iter, ut per otium, ubi velit, Hasdrubali coniungatur.
He who, by procrastinating, gives time to the enemy, betrays both that camp to Hannibal and opens the road into Gaul, so that at his leisure, whenever he wishes, he may join Hasdrubal.
§27.46.11extemplo signum dandum et exeundum in aciem abutendumque errore hostium absentium praesentiumque, dum neque illi sciant cum paucioribus nec hi cum pluribus et validioribus rem esse.
The signal must be given immediately, and they must march out into the battle line and exploit the mistake of the enemies, both the absent and the present, while the former do not know that they have to do with fewer men, nor the latter with more numerous and stronger forces.
§27.46.12consilio dimisso signum pugnae proponitur, confestimque in aciem procedunt.
The council having been dismissed, the signal for battle was displayed, and they immediately marched out into the battle line.