the highest to
the lowest, approved of engaging instantly, and would not relax the
least from the rigour of their determination, on a sudden the
standard-bearer shouted out, "Go forth, O Caesar, most fortunate of all
princes. Go whither thy better fortune leads thee. At least we have
learnt by your example the power of valour and military skill. Go on and
lead us, as a fortunate and gallant champion. You shall see what a
soldier under the eye of a warlike general, a witness of the exploits of
each individual, can do, and how little, with the favour of the Deity,
any obstacle can avail against him."

19. When these words were heard, without a moment's delay, the whole
army advanced and approached a hill of moderate height, covered with
ripe corn, at no great distance from the banks of the Rhine. On its
summit were posted three cavalry soldiers of the enemy as scouts, who
at once hastened back to their comrades to announce that the Roman army
was at hand; but one infantry soldier who was with them, not being able
to keep up with them, was taken prisoner by the activity of some of our
soldiers, and informed us that the Germans had been passing over the
river for three days and three nights.

20. And when our generals beheld them now at no great distance forming
their men into solid columns, they halted, and formed all the first
ranks of their troops into a similarly solid body, and with equal
caution the enemy likewise halted.

21. And when in consequence of this halt, the enemy saw (as the deserter
I mentioned above had informed them) that all our cavalry was ranged
against them in our right wing, then they posted all their own cavalry
in close order on their left wing. And with them they mingled every here
and there a few infantry, skirmishers and light-armed soldiers, which
indeed was a very wise manoeuvre.

22. For they knew that a cavalry soldier, however skilful, if fighting
with one of our men in complete armour, while his hands were occupied
with shield and bridle, so that he could use no offensive weapon but the
spear which he brandished in his right hand, could never injure an enemy
wholly covered with iron mail; but that an infantry soldier, amid the
actual struggles of personal conflict, when nothing is usually guarded
against by a combatant except that which is straight before him, may
crawl unperceivedly along the ground, and piercing the side of the Roman
soldier's horse, throw the rider down headlong, r