It seems fitting to recall this fact now in honor of Roman magnanimity, inasmuch as Messala,when he had in his power, alone and overwhelmed with misfortune, the man who had proscribed him, saved him and cared for him as his commander.Cornificius was able easily to defend his camp against attack; but, being in danger from want of supplies, he drew his men out for battle and challenged the enemy.But Pompeius did not care to come to an engagement with men whose only hope rested in battle and whom he expected to subdue by famine.Cornificius, having placed in the centre the unarmed men who had escaped to him from the ships, took to the road, grievously exposed to missiles in the open plains from the enemy's horsemen
and in the broken country from the light-armed troops from Numidia in Africa, who hurled javelins from long distances and made their escape when charged by their enemies.On the fourth day, with difficulty, they arrived at the waterless region which they say was formerly inundated by a stream of fire that ran down as far as the sea and dried up all the springs in the district.The inhabitants of the country traverse it only by night, on account of the stifling heat and the dust and ashes with which it abounds. Being ignorant of the roads and fearing ambush, Cornificius and his men did not dare to march through it by night, especially as there was no moon, nor could they endure it by day, but even suffocated, and
the soles of their feet were burned (especially those who had no shoes),as it was now the hottest part of the summer;and since delay was impossible on account of the tormenting thirst,they no longer resisted their assailants,but received wounds without any means of defence. When they saw the place of exit from this burned district occupied by enemies,the able-bodied ones, dashed at the defile with amazing courage and overpowered the enemy with all their remaining strength. When they found the next defile occupied by hostile forces they gave way to despair and succumbed to thirst and heat. Cornificius aroused them by showing them a spring of water near by. Another body of enemies held possession of the fountain.
訂正:厚さのために⇒暑さのために