§6.24.1simul primo concursu concrepuere arma, hostis dolo, non metu pedem rettulit.
As soon as the weapons clashed at the first onset, the enemy retreated by design, not from fear.
§6.24.2lenis ab tergo clivus erat inter aciem et castra; et, quod multitudo suppeditabat, aliquot validas cohortes in castris armatas instructasque reliquerant, quae inter commissum iam certamen, ubi vallo adpropinquasset hostis, erumperent.
There was a gentle slope behind them, between the battle line and the camp; and since they had a superabundance of men, they had left several strong cohorts armed and drawn up in the camp, to sally forth during the conflict already begun, when the enemy should approach the rampart.
§6.24.3Romanus cedentem hostem effuse sequendo in locum iniquum pertractus opportunus huic eruptioni fuit.
The Romans, drawn into an unfavorable position by pursuing the retreating enemy in a disordered manner, were exposed to this sally.
versus itaque in victorem terror et novo hoste et supina valle Romanam inclinavit aciem.
Thus, the terror being turned against the victor, and both by the new enemy and by the sloping valley, it shook the Roman battle line.
§6.24.4instant Volsci recentes, qui e castris impetum fecerant; integrant et illi pugnam, qui simulata cesserant fuga.
The fresh Volscians, who had made the charge from the camp, pressed on; and those who had retreated in pretended flight renewed the battle.
iam non recipiebat se Romanus miles, sed inmemor recentis ferociae veterisque decoris terga passim dabat atque effuso cursu castra repetebat, §6.24.5cum Camillus subiectus ab circumstantibus in equum et raptim subsidiis oppositis “haec est” inquit, “milites, pugna, quam poposcistis? quis homo, quis deus est, quem accusare possitis?
No longer did the Roman soldier check his retreat, but forgetful of his recent fierceness and ancient honor, turned his back everywhere and sought the camp in headlong flight, when Camillus, lifted onto his horse by those around him and quickly posting the reserves in the way, said: "Is this, soldiers, the battle which you demanded? What man, what god is there whom you can accuse?
§6.24.6vestra ilia temeritas, vestra ignavia haec est.
That rashness of yours, this cowardice is yours.
secuti alium ducem sequimini nunc Camillum et, quod ductu meo soletis, vincite.
Having followed another general, now follow Camillus, and conquer as you are accustomed to do under my leadership.
quid vallum et castra spectatis? neminem vestrum illa nisi victorem receptura sunt.
Why do you look to the rampart and the camp?
” §6.24.7pudor primo tenuit effusos; inde, ut circumagi signa obvertique aciem viderunt in hostem, et dux, praeterquam quod tot insignis triumphis, etiam aetate venerabilis, inter prima signa, ubi plurimus labor periculumque erat, se offerebat, increpare singuli se quisque et alios, et adhortatio in vicem totam alacri clamore pervasit aciem.
None of you will those receive except as a victor." Shame at first held back those in headlong flight; then, when they saw the standards wheeled round and the line turned to face the enemy, and the general, who besides being distinguished by so many triumphs was also venerable for his age, offering himself among the foremost standards where the greatest toil and danger lay, each man began to reproach himself and others, and mutual encouragement pervaded the whole line with an eager shout.
§6.24.8neque alter tribunus rei defuit, sed missus a collega restituente peditum aciem ad equites, non castigando, ad quam rem leviorem auctorem eum culpae societas fecerat, sed ab imperio totus ad preces versus orare singulos universosque, ut se reum fortunae eius diei crimine eximerent: §6.24.9“abnuente ac prohibente collega temeritati me omnium potius socium quam unius prudentiae dedi.
Nor did the other tribune fail in his duty, but being sent to the cavalry by his colleague who was restoring the line of infantry, not by chiding—for which task his partnership in the guilt had made him a less authoritative adviser—but turning completely from command to entreaty, he began to implore them individually and collectively to free him from the charge of the fortune of that day: "Though my colleague refused and forbade it, I associated myself with the rashness of all rather than the prudence of one.
Camillus in utraque vestra fortuna suam gloriam videt; ego, ni restituitur pugna, quod miserrimum est, fortunam cum omnibus, infamiam solus sentiam. ” §6.24.10optimum visum est in fluctuante acie tradi equos et pedestri pugna invadere hostem.
Camillus sees his own glory in either fortune of yours; as for me, unless the battle is restored, which is most miserable, I shall share the fortune with everyone, but bear the infamy alone." It seemed best, in the wavering line, to give up the horses and attack the enemy in an infantry fight.
eunt insignes armis animisque, qua premi parte maxime peditum copias vident.
They advanced, distinguished in arms and courage, to the part where they saw the infantry forces most hard pressed.
nihil neque apud duces neque apud milites remittitur a summo certamine animi.
No relaxation of courage in this supreme struggle was made either by the leaders or by the soldiers.
§6.24.11sensit ergo eventus virtutis enixae opem, et Volsci, qua modo simulato metu cesserant, ea in veram fugam effusi; magna pars et in ipso certamine et post in fuga caesi, ceteri in castris, quae capta eodem impetu sunt; plures tamen capti quam occisi.
The issue, therefore, felt the aid of their strenuous valor, and the Volscians, where they had just now retreated in pretended fear, were scattered in real flight; a great part were slain both in the battle itself and afterwards in the flight, the rest in the camp, which was taken in the same charge; more, however, were captured than slain.