De Bello Gallico 5.44

5.44.1Erant in eā legiōne fortissimī virī, centuriōnēs, quī prīmīs ōrdinibus appropinquārent, Titus Pullō et Lūcius Vorēnus.

In that legion there were two very brave men, centurions who were close to reaching the first ranks, Titus Pullo and Lucius Vorenus.

Note. quī prīmīs ōrdinibus appropinquārent: subjunctive in a relative clause of characteristic, 'men who were nearing the first ranks', i.e. close to promotion to the senior centurionates.

5.44.2Hī perpetuās inter sē contrōversiās habēbant, quīnam anteferrētur, omnibusque annīs dē locīs summīs simultātibus contendēbant.

They had constant disputes with each other over which of them should be ranked first, and every year they contended for promotion with the fiercest rivalry.

Note. quīnam anteferrētur: an indirect question, 'which of the two should be preferred'. dē locīs: 'about their positions', i.e. rank and promotion.

5.44.3Ex hīs Pullō, cum ācerrimē ad mūnītiōnēs pugnārētur, "Quid dubitās," inquit, "Vorēne?

One of them, Pullo, when the fighting at the fortifications was at its fiercest, said, "Why do you hesitate, Vorenus?

5.44.3aut quem locum tuae probandae virtūtis exspectās?

Or what chance of proving your courage are you waiting for?

5.44.4Hic diēs dē nostrīs contrōversiīs iūdicābit." Haec cum dīxisset, prōcēdit extrā mūnītiōnēs quāque pars hostium cōnfertissima est vīsa irrumpit.

This day will decide our disputes." When he had said this, he went outside the fortifications and burst in where the enemy's ranks seemed thickest.

Note. This sentence ends Pullo's speech and starts the narrative again. quāque: 'and where', quā 'where' with -que.

5.44.5Nē Vorēnus quidem tum sēsē vallō continet, sed omnium veritus exīstimātiōnem subsequitur.

Nor does Vorenus then keep himself within the rampart, but, fearing what everyone would think, he follows.

5.44.6Mediocrī spatiō relictō Pullō pīlum in hostēs immittit atque ūnum ex multitūdine prōcurrentem trāicit;

Leaving a moderate distance, Pullo hurls his javelin at the enemy and runs through one man who was running forward from the crowd;

5.44.6quō percussō et exanimātō hunc scūtīs prōtegunt, in hostem tēla ūniversī coniciunt neque dant regrediendī facultātem.

when he was struck and killed, the enemy protect him with their shields, all together throw their weapons at Pullo, and give him no chance to get back.

Note. quō percussō et exanimātō: ablative absolute, 'when he had been struck and killed'. hunc means the fallen Gaul, whom his comrades cover with their shields.

5.44.7Trānsfīgitur scūtum Pullōnī et verūtum in balteō dēfīgitur.

Pullo's shield is pierced, and a dart lodges in his sword-belt.

5.44.8Āvertit hic cāsus vāgīnam et gladium ēdūcere cōnantī dextram morātur manum, impedītumque hostēs circumsistunt.

This mishap turns his scabbard aside and hampers his right hand as he tries to draw his sword, and while he is hampered the enemy surround him.

Note. cōnantī: dative with morātur, 'hinders his right hand as he tries'. impedītum (eum) is the object of circumsistunt: 'they surround him while he is hampered'.

5.44.9Succurrit inimīcus illī Vorēnus et labōrantī subvenit.

His rival Vorenus runs to his help and comes to his aid in his trouble.

5.44.10Ad hunc sē cōnfestim ā Pullōne omnis multitūdō convertit: illum verūtō arbitrantur occīsum.

At once the whole crowd turns from Pullo to him: they think Pullo has been killed by the dart.

5.44.11Gladiō comminus rem gerit Vorēnus atque ūnō interfectō reliquōs paulum prōpellit;

Vorenus fights hand to hand with his sword, kills one man and drives the rest back a little;

5.44.12dum cupidius īnstat, in locum dēiectus īnferiōrem concidit.

while he presses on too eagerly, he slips down into a hollow and falls.

Note. dum cupidius īnstat: dum with the present indicative, 'while he presses on'. cupidius is a comparative adverb: 'too eagerly'.

5.44.12Huic rūrsus circumventō fert subsidium Pullō, atque ambō incolumēs complūribus interfectīs summā cum laude sēsē intrā mūnītiōnēs recipiunt.

When he in his turn is surrounded, Pullo brings him help, and both, unhurt, after killing several men, return within the fortifications with the highest praise.

5.44.14Sīc fortūna in contentiōne et certāmine utrumque versāvit, ut alter alterī inimīcus auxiliō salūtīque esset, neque dīiūdicārī posset, uter utrī virtūte anteferendus vidērētur.

So fortune handled each of them in their rivalry and contest that each, though a rival, was a help and a rescue to the other, and it could not be decided which should be judged the braver.

Note. alter alterī inimīcus auxiliō salūtīque esset: a double dative, 'each rival was for a help and a safety to the other'. uter utrī … anteferendus: 'which of the two should be preferred to the other'.