Long enough in pursuing cattle among the desert mountains of Lusitania [Footnote: The ancient name of Portugal.] and Celtiberia, you have seen no emolument from so many toils and dangers: it is time to make rich and profitable campaigns, and to gain the great reward of your labours, after having accomplished such a length of journey over so many mountains and rivers, and so many nations in arms.

Here fortune has granted you the termination of your labours; here she will bestow a reward worthy of the service you have undergone.

Nor, in proportion as the war is great in name, ought you to consider that the victory will be difficult.

A despised enemy has often maintained a sanguinary contest, and renowned states and kings been conquered by a very slight effort.

For, setting aside only the splendour of the Roman name, what remains in which they can be compared to you?
To pass over in silence your service for twenty years, distinguished by such valour and success you have made your way to this place from the pillars of Hercules, [Footnote: Calpe, a mountain or rather rock in Spain, and Abyla in Africa, fabled to have been placed by Hercules as marks of his most distant voyage, are now well known as Gibraltar and Ceuta.] from the ocean, and the remotest limits of the world advancing victorious through so many of the fiercest nations of Gaul and Spain: you will fight with a raw army, which this very summer was beaten, conquered, and surrounded by the Gauls, as yet unknown to its general, and ignorant of him.