THE DECLINE AND FALL

222

chap, on the right, the infantry on the left; and theday was so far spent when they appeared insight of the enemy, that Julian was desirous otdeferring the battle till the next morning, andof allowing his troops to recruit their exhaust-ed strength by the necessary refreshments ofsleep and food. Yielding, however, with somereluctance, to the clamours of the soldiers, andeven to the opinion of his council, he exhortedthem to justify by their valour the eager impa-tience, which, in case of a defeat, would be uni-versally branded with the epithets of rashnessand presumption. The trumpets sounded, themilitary shout was heard through the field, andthe two armies rushed with equal fury to thecharge. The Cajsar, who conducted in personhis right wing, depended on the dexterity of hisarchers, and the weight of his cuirassiers. Buthis ranks were instantly broken by an irregularmixture of light-horse and of light-infantry, andhe had the mortification of beholding the flightof six hundred of his most renowned cuirassiers . 4The fugitives were stopped and rallied by thepresence and authority of Julian, who, carelessof his own safety, threw himself before them,and, urging every motive of shame and honour,led them back against the victorious enemy.The conflict betw-een the two lines of infantrywas obstinate and bloody. The Germans pos-sessed the superiority of strength and stature,

d After the battle, Julian ventured to revive the rigour of ancientdiscipline, by exposing these fugitives in female apparel to the derisionof the whole camp. Iu the next campaign, these troops nobljr retrievedtheir honour. Zosiimis, 1. iii, p. 142