summit of the mountain, but was outstripped by Thorismud
and Aëtius, who in their effort to gain the top of the
hill reached higher ground and through this advantage
of position easily routed the Huns as they came up.

[Sidenote: ATTILA ADDRESSES HIS MEN]

XXXIX Now when Attila saw his army was thrown 202
into confusion by this event, he thought it best to encourage
them by an extemporaneous address on this wise:
"Here you stand, after conquering mighty nations and
subduing the world. I therefore think it foolish for me
to goad you with words, as though you were men who
had not been proved in action. Let a new leader or an
untried army resort to that. It is not right for me to 203
say anything common, nor ought you to listen. For what
is war but your usual custom? Or what is sweeter for a
brave man than to seek revenge with his own hand? It
is a right of nature to glut the soul with vengeance. Let 204
us then attack the foe eagerly; for they are ever the
bolder who make the attack. Despise this union of discordant
races! To defend oneself by alliance is proof of
cowardice. See, even before our attack they are smitten
with terror. They seek the heights, they seize the hills
and, repenting too late, clamor for protection against
battle in the open fields. You know how slight a matter
the Roman attack is. While they are still gathering in
order and forming in one line with locked shields, they
are checked, I will not say by the first wound, but even
by the dust of battle. Then on to the fray with stout 205