Kitap 7
10.5
Then his comrades fastened on his armour; he took an infantry shield and a Spanish swordThis was a short pointed double-edged weapon, and was used like a large dagger. as better adapted for close fighting; thus armed and equipped they led him forward against the Gaul, who was exulting in his brute strength, and even —the ancients thought this worth recording —putting his tongue out in derision.
10.6
They retired to their posts and the two armed champions were left alone in the midst, more after the manner of a scene on the stage than under the conditions of serious war, and to those who judged by appearances, by no means equally matched.
10.7
The one was a creature of enormous bulk, resplendent in a many-coloured coat and wearing painted and gilded armour; the other a man of average height, and his arms, useful rather than ornamental, gave him quite an ordinary appearance. There was no singing of war-songs, Compare the action of Taillefer before the battle ofSenlac. no prancing about, no silly brandishing of
10.8
weapons. With a breast full of courage and silent wrath Manlius reserved all his ferocity for the actual moment of
10.9
conflict. When they had taken their stand between the two armies, while so many hearts around them were in suspense between hope and fear, the Gaul, like a great overhanging mass, held out his shield on his left arm to meet his adversary's blows and aimed a tremendous cut downwards with his
