8.39.1Ibi crēbrīs litterīs Canīnī fit certior quae dē Drappete et Lucteriō gesta essent, quōque in cōnsiliō permanērent oppidānī.There he was informed by frequent letters from Caninius of what had happened to Drappes and Lucterius, and of the plan in which the townspeople were persisting.Note. Canīnī: contracted genitive of Canīnius. quae … gesta essent and quōque in cōnsiliō permanērent: indirect questions. quōque here is quō + -que, 'and in what plan', not the adverb quoque 'also'. 8.39.2Quōrum etsī paucitātem contemnēbat, tamen pertināciam magnā poenā esse adficiendam iūdicābat, nē ūniversa Gallia nōn sibi vīrēs dēfuisse ad resistendum Rōmānīs, sed cōnstantiam putāret, nēve hōc exemplō cēterae cīvitātēs locōrum opportūnitāte frētae sē vindicārent in lībertātem, cum omnibus Gallīs nōtum esse scīret reliquam esse ūnam aestātem suae prōvinciae, quam sī sustinēre potuissent, nūllum ultrā perīculum verērentur.Although he despised their small numbers, he judged that their obstinacy must be severely punished, so that all Gaul should not think that it was not strength they had lacked for resisting the Romans but resolve, and so that the other states, relying on strong positions, should not follow this example and claim their freedom; for he knew that all the Gauls were aware that only one summer of his command remained, and that if they could hold out through it, they would have no further danger to fear.Note. Quōrum: connecting relative, 'their'. magnā poenā esse adficiendam: gerundive of obligation, 'must be visited with severe punishment'. nē … putāret, nēve … sē vindicārent: two negative purpose clauses. sē vindicāre in lībertātem: a legal phrase, 'to claim oneself into freedom'. reliquam esse ūnam aestātem suae prōvinciae: Caesar's command in Gaul was due to end, so the Gauls hoped to outlast it.
8.39.4Itaque Q. Calēnum lēgātum cum legiōnibus relīquit quī iūstīs itineribus subsequerētur;So he left his legate Quintus Calenus with the legions to follow him by regular marches;Note. iūstīs itineribus: 'by regular marches' (a normal day's march, as opposed to forced marches). 8.39.4ipse cum omnī equitātū quam potest celerrimē ad Canīnium contendit.he himself hurried with all the cavalry as fast as he could to Caninius.Note. quam potest celerrimē: quam with a superlative, 'as fast as possible'.