44.
In that legion there were two very brave men, centurions, who were now
approaching the first ranks, T. Pulfio, and L. Varenus. These used to have continual disputes between
them which of them should be preferred, and every year used to contend for
promotion with the utmost animosity. When the fight was going on most vigorously
before the fortifications, Pulfio, one of them, says,
"Why do you hesitate, Varenus? or what [better]
opportunity of signalizing your valor do you seek? This very day shall decide
our disputes." When he had uttered these words, he proceeds beyond the
fortifications, and rushes on that part of the enemy which appeared the
thickest. Nor does Varenus remain within the rampart,
but respecting the high opinion of all, follows close after. Then, when an
inconsiderable space intervened, Pulfio throws his
javelin at the enemy, and pierces one of the multitude who was running up, and
while the latter was wounded and slain, the enemy cover him with their shields,
and all throw their weapons at the other and afford him no opportunity of
retreating. The shield of Pulfio is pierced and a
javelin is fastened in his belt. This circumstance turns aside his scabbard and
obstructs his right hand when attempting to draw his sword: the enemy crowd
around him when [thus] embarrassed. His rival runs up to him and succors him in
this emergency. Immediately the whole host turn from Pulfio to him, supposing the other to be pierced through by the
javelin. Varenus rushes on briskly with his sword and
carries on the combat hand to hand, and having slain one man, for a short time
drove back the rest: while he urges on too eagerly, slipping into a hollow, he
fell. To him, in his turn, when surrounded, Pulfio
brings relief; and both having slain a great number, retreat into the
fortifications amid the highest applause. Fortune so dealt with both in this
rivalry and conflict, that the one competitor was a succor and a safeguard to
the other, nor could it be determined which of the two appeared worthy of being
preferred to the other.
C. Julius Caesar. Caesar's Gallic War. Translator. W. A. McDevitte. Translator. W. S. Bohn. 1st Edition. New York. Harper & Brothers. 1869. Harper's New Classical Library.
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