THE RIVAL CENTURIONS
In that camp there were two centurions, very brave men, T. Pullo and L. Vorenus, neither of whom wanted to yield to the other in courage. A hostile strife was waged among them for many years now. Then at last, the end of the quarrel was done in this way. On the third day after Publius arrived, the enemy, being assembled with exceptionally large forces, made a very fierce attack against the camp. Then Pullo, since the Romans seemed too slow, said, “why do you hesitate, Vorenus? What more suitable opportunity do you wait for? This day will be the judge of our courage.” When he had said these things, he advanced beyond the fortifications and burst into that part of the enemy that seemed the most crowded. Nor indeed does Vorenus contain himself within the rampart then, but he follows close after Pullo. Then Pullo hurls a javelin at the enemy and strikes a man as he was advancing from the multitude. The enemy covers this man, being pierced and weakened, with their shields and they all throw their spears at Pullo. His shield is pierced through and his sword is fastened on his belt. This chance turns away the sheath and his trying hand delays to draw out his sword. So being hindered, the enemy surrounds him.
Then you may be sure, Vorenus, although he is an enemy, nevertheless gives him help as he was being oppressed. All the multitude immediately turns its attention from Pullo to him. Vorenus fights in close combat with his sword, and, after having killed a man, he drives away the rest a little. But standing too eagerly, he unluckily falls by his foot slipping.
Pullo gives him help again as he is surrounded, and both being uninjured, and after having killed many men, withdraw within the fortifications with the greatest praise. Thus, one of the enemies gave help to the other, nor could anyone judge their courage.
Actually, bedwere, I think a better translation of that part you italicized would be:
and delays his right hand as he was trying to draw out his sword.
What do you think?
My mind went blank when I saw the present participle in the genitive and forgot that the participle is circumstantial. Your correction was better than my first attempt at it though.
THE RIVAL CENTURIONS
In that camp there were two centurions, very brave men, T. Pullo and L. Vorenus, neither of whom wanted to yield to the other in courage. A hostile strife was waged among them for many years now. Then at last, the end of the quarrel was done in this way. On the third day after Publius arrived, the enemy, being assembled with exceptionally large forces, made a very fierce attack against the camp. Then Pullo, since the Romans seemed too slow, said, “why do you hesitate, Vorenus? What more suitable opportunity do you wait for? This day will be the judge of our courage.” When he had said these things, he advanced beyond the fortifications and burst into that part of the enemy that seemed the most crowded. Nor indeed does Vorenus contain himself within the rampart then, but he follows close after Pullo. Then Pullo hurls a javelin at the enemy and strikes a man as he was advancing from the multitude. The enemy covers with their shields this man, being pierced and weakened, and they all throw their spears at Pullo. His shield is pierced through and a dart is stuck on his belt. This chance turns away the sheath and and delays his right hand as he was trying to draw out his sword. So being hindered, the enemy surrounds him.
Then you may be sure, Vorenus, although he is a rival, nevertheless gives him help as he was being oppressed. All the multitude immediately turns its attention from Pullo to him. Vorenus fights in close combat with his sword, and, after having killed a man, he drives away the rest a little. But standing too eagerly, he unluckily falls by his foot slipping.
Pullo gives him help again as he is surrounded, and both being uninjured, and after having killed many men, withdraw within the fortifications with the greatest praise. Thus, one of the rivals gave help to the other, nor could anyone judge their courage.
The main site is down now, but I applied your revision.
All the files are safe. Due to technical problems, Joel decided to take it down. We’ll create a page listing those works that are not already available elsewhere and provide links to download them.