5.38

Ambiorix having been lifted by this victory sets out immediately with the cavalry to the Aduatici, who were neighboring to his kingdom; he discontinues neither the night nor the day and he orders the foot soldiers to follow closely.

With the matter having been explained and the Aduatuci having been rallied , he arrives on the next day among the Nervii and he exhorts that they might not throw away the opportunity of freeing themselves forever and of punishing the Romans for those wrongs/injustices which they [the Gauls] have received; he shows that the two legates have been killed and a great part of the army has died; [he shows] that [it is] nothing of a effort [for] the legion, which is passing the winter with Cicero, to be killed having been suddenly [i.e., if suddenly attacked]; he promises himself as an assistant toward this matter. He easily persuades the Nervii with this speech.

5.39

And so with the messengers having been sent away immediately to the Ceutrones, the Grudii, the Levaci, Pleomoxii, (and) the Geidumni, who are all under the authority of them (the Nervii), they assemble armed forces as large as they are able and unexpectedly they rush at the winter quarters of Cicero, with the report about the death of Titurius [Sabinus] not yet conveyed to him. It also happens to him (Quintus Tullius Cicero), which was necessary, that some soldiers who had departed into the forest for the sake of collecting wood and fortifying were intercepted by the sudden arrival of cavalry.

These  having been surrounded by a large band, the Eburones, the Nervii, the Aduatuci and the allies and the dependents of all these people begin to attack the legion. Our (men) quickly hurry to the arms, they mount the rampart. This day is withstood with difficulty because the enemies were placing all hope in swiftness, and having accomplished this victory they were hoping that  they would be conquerers forever.

5.40

Letters are sent to Caesar immediately by Cicero with great rewards having been offered (to the messengers), if they had carried (them) through: with all the roads having been obstructed the sent men are intercepted. At night from the lumber which they had collected for the sake of fortification, as many as 120 towers are fully constructed with unbelievable speed; [and those things] which seemed to have been lacking for defense are built.

On the following day the enemy, after they had gathered much larger forces, attack the camp, [and] complete the trench. In the same manner by which on the day before, it is opposed by our men. This same thing happens afterward on the remaining days. No part of nighttime is omitted for the work; not to the sick, not to the wounded is the opportunity for rest granted.

Whatever things are needed for the next day’s attack are prepared at night; many beams burned at the end, a great number of wall pikes is constructed; towers are built up, battlements and parapets are woven from the wickerwork. Cicero himself, although he was in very delicate health, was not indeed leaving for himself the night time for quiet, so that spontaneously he was compelled to spare himself by the assembly and voices/pleas of the soldiers.