The Germans had no inferior courage, but they were exceeded in the fashion
of arms and art of fighting. Their mighty multitude, hampered in narrow
places, could not push nor recover their long spears, nor practise in a
close combat their usual boundings and velocity of limbs. On the contrary,
our soldiers, with handy swords, and their breasts closely guarded with a
buckler, delved the large bodies and naked faces of the Barbarians, and
opened themselves a way with a havoc of the enemy: besides, the activity
of Arminius now failed him, either spent through his continual efforts or
slackened by a wound just received. Inguiomerus was everywhere upon the
spur, animating the battle, but fortune rather than courage deserted him.
Germanicus, to be the easier known, pulled off his helmet, and exhorted
his men "to prosecute the slaughter; they wanted no captives," he said;
"only the cutting off that people root and branch would put an end to the
war." It was now late in the day, and he drew off a legion to make a camp;
the rest glutted themselves till night, with the blood of the foe; the
horse fought with doubtful success.
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