Prose Literature 5.48

Question 1

venit magnis itineribus in Nerviorum fines.

Answer 1

[Caesar] goes into the territory of the Nervii by long marches.

Question 2

ibi ex captivis cognoscit quae apud Ciceronem gerantur,

Answer 2

There he finds out from captives what is happening in Cicero’s camp,

Question 3

quantoque in periculo res sit.

Answer 3

and in how much danger the situation is.

Question 4

tum cuidam ex equitibus Gallis magnis praemiis persuadet uti ad Ciceronem epistolam deferat.

Answer 4

Then he persuades a certain man from the Gallic cavalry with great rewards to carry a letter to Cicero.

Question 5

hanc Graecis conscriptam litteris mittit, ne intercepta epistola nostra ab hostibus consilia cognoscantur.

Answer 5

He sends this [letter] written with Greek characters, so that if the letter is intercepted our plans should not be learned by the enemies.

Question 6

si adire non possit, monet ut tragulam cum epistola ad ammentum deligata intra munitionem castrorum abiciat.

Answer 6

If he should be unable to reach [the camp] he advises that he should throw his spear with the letter tied to the strap inside the fortifications of the camp.

Question 7

in litteris scribit se cum legionibus profectum celeriter adfore;

Answer 7

In the letter Caesar writes that he, having set out with his legions, would be there quickly.

Question 8

hortatur ut pristinam virtutem retineat.

Answer 8

He urges Cicero to maintain his ancient valour.

Question 9

Gallus periculum veritus, ut erat praeceptum, tragulam mittit.

Answer 9

The Gaul, fearing danger, as he had been ordered, throws his spear.

Question 10

haec casu ad turrim adhaesit neque ab nostris biduo animadversa tertio die a quodam milite conspicitur, dempta ad Ciceronem defertur

Answer 10

This spear, by chance stuck to a tower and, not having been noticed by our men for two days, on the third day is noticed by a certain soldier, taken down and brought to Cicero.

Question 11

ille perlectam in conventu militum recitat, maximaque omnes laetitia adficit.

Answer 11

He, having read it through, reads it out in the assembly of soldiers, and fills everyone with the greatest joy.

Question 12

tum fumi incendiorum procul videbantur, quae res omnem dubitationem adventus legionum expulit.

Answer 12

Then the smoke of the fires was seen in the distance, and this event banished all doubt of the arrival of the legions.