Gallic War |
Translator: W. A. McDevitte
|
|
| 71 |
His rebus cognitis , exploratores centurionesque praemittit qui locum castris idoneum deligant . Cum ex dediticiis Belgis reliquisque Gallis complures Caesarem secuti una iter facerent , quidam ex his , ut postea ex captivis cognitum est , eorum dierum consuetudine itineris nostri exercitus perspecta , nocte ad Nervios pervenerunt atque his demonstrarunt inter singulas legiones impedimentorum magnum numerum intercedere , neque esse quicquam negotii , cum prima legio in castra venisset reliquaeque legiones magnum spatium abessent , hanc sub sarcinis adoriri ; qua pulsa impedimentisque direptis , futurum ut reliquae contra consistere non auderent . Adiuvabat etiam eorum consilium qui rem deferebant quod Nervii antiquitus , cum equitatu nihil possent ( neque enim ad hoc tempus ei rei student , sed quicquid possunt , pedestribus valent copiis ) , quo facilius finitimorum equitatum , si praedandi causa ad eos venissent , impedirent , teneris arboribus incisis atque inflexis crebrisque in latitudinem ramis enatis [ et ] rubis sentibusque interiectis effecerant ut instar muri hae saepes munimentum praeberent , quo non modo non intrari sed ne perspici quidem posset . His rebus cum iter agminis nostri impediretur , non omittendum sibi consilium Nervii existimaverunt .
|
Having learned these things, he sends forward scouts and centurions to choose a convenient place for the camp. And as a great many of the surrounding Belgae and other Gauls, following Caesar, marched with him; some of these, as was afterwards learned from the prisoners, having accurately observed, during those days, the army's method of marching, went by night to the Nervii, and informed them that a great number of baggage-trains passed between the several legions, and that there would be no difficulty, when the first legion had come into the camp, and the other legions were at a great distance, to attack that legion while under baggage, which being routed, and the baggage-train seized, it would come to pass that the other legions would not dare to stand their ground. It added weight also to the advice of those who reported that circumstance, that the Nervii, from early times, because they were weak in cavalry, (for not even at this time do they attend to it, but accomplish by their infantry whatever they can,) in order that they might the more easily obstruct the cavalry of their neighbors if they came upon them for the purpose of plundering, having cut young trees, and bent them, by means of their numerous branches [extending] on to the sides, and the quick-briars and thorns springing up between them, had made these hedges present a fortification like a wall, through which it was not only impossible to enter, but even to penetrate with the eye. Since [therefore] the march of our army would be obstructed by these things, the Nervii thought that the advice ought not to be neglected by them. |
| 72 |
Loci natura erat haec , quem locum nostri castris delegerant . Collis ab summo aequaliter declivis ad flumen Sabim , quod supra nominavimus , vergebat . Ab eo flumine pari acclivitate collis nascebatur adversus huic et contrarius , passus circiter CC infimus apertus , ab superiore parte silvestris , ut non facile introrsus perspici posset . Intra eas silvas hostes in occulto sese continebant ; in aperto loco secundum flumen paucae stationes equitum videbantur . Fluminis erat altitudo pedum circiter trium .
|
The nature of the ground which our men had chosen for the camp was this: A hill, declining evenly from the top, extending to the river Sambre, which we have mentioned above: from this river there arose a [second] hill of like ascent, on the other side and opposite to the former, and open for about 200 paces at the lower part; but in the upper part, woody, (so much so) that it was not easy to see through it into the interior. Within these woods the enemy kept themselves in concealment; a few troops of horse-soldiers appeared on the open ground, along the river. The depth of the river was about three feet. |
| 73 |
Caesar equitatu praemisso subsequebatur omnibus copiis ; sed ratio ordoque agminis aliter se habebat ac Belgae ad Nervios detulerant . Nam quod hostibus adpropinquabat , consuetudine sua Caesar VI legiones expeditas ducebat ; post eas totius exercitus impedimenta conlocarat ; inde duae legiones quae proxime conscriptae erant totum agmen claudebant praesidioque impedimentis erant . Equites nostri cum funditoribus sagittariisque flumen transgressi cum hostium equitatu proelium commiserunt . Cum se illi identidem in silvis ad suos reciperent ac rursus ex silva in nostros impetum facerent , neque nostri longius quam quem ad finem porrecta [ ac ] loca aperta pertinebant cedentes insequi auderent , interim legiones VI quae primae venerant , opere dimenso , castra munire coeperunt . Ubi prima impedimenta nostri exercitus ab iis qui in silvis abditi latebant visa sunt , quod tempus inter eos committendi proelii convenerat , ut intra silvas aciem ordinesque constituerant atque ipsi sese confirmaverant , subito omnibus copiis provolaverunt impetumque in nostros equites fecerunt . His facile pulsis ac proturbatis , incredibili celeritate ad flumen decucurrerunt , ut paene uno tempore et ad silvas et in flumine [ et iam in manibus nostris ] hostes viderentur . Eadem autem celeritate adverso colle ad nostra castra atque eos qui in opere occupati erant contenderunt .
|
Caesar, having sent his cavalry on before, followed close after them with all his forces; but the plan and order of the march was different from that which the Belgae had reported to the Nervii. For as he was approaching the enemy, Caesar, according to his custom, led on [as the van six legions unencumbered by baggage; behind them he had placed the baggage-trains of the whole army; then the two legions which had been last raised closed the rear, and were a guard for the baggage-train. Our horse, with the slingers and archers, having passed the river, commenced action with the cavalry of the enemy. While they from time to time betook themselves into the woods to their companions, and again made an assault out of the wood upon our men, who did not dare to follow them in their retreat further than the limit to which the plain and open parts extended, in the mean time the six legions which had arrived first, having measured out the work, began to fortify the camp. When the first part of the baggage train of our army was seen by those who lay hid in the woods, which had been agreed on among them as the time for commencing action, as soon as they had arranged their line of battle and formed their ranks within the woods, and had encouraged one another, they rushed out suddenly with all their forces and made an attack upon our horse. The latter being easily routed and thrown into confusion, the Nervii ran down to the river with such incredible speed that they seemed to be in the woods, the river, and close upon us almost at the same time. And with the same speed they hastened up the hill to our camp, and to those who were employed in the works. |
| 74 |
Caesari omnia uno tempore erant agenda : vexillum proponendum , quod erat insigne , cum ad arma concurri oporteret ; signum tuba dandum ; ab opere revocandi milites ; qui paulo longius aggeris petendi causa processerant arcessendi ; acies instruenda ; milites cohortandi ; signum dandum . Quarum rerum magnam partem temporis brevitas et incursus hostium impediebat . His difficultatibus duae res erant subsidio , scientia atque usus militum , quod superioribus proeliis exercitati quid fieri oporteret non minus commode ipsi sibi praescribere quam ab aliis doceri poterant , et quod ab opere singulisque legionibus singulos legatos Caesar discedere nisi munitis castris vetuerat . Hi propter propinquitatem et celeritatem hostium nihil iam Caesaris imperium expectabant , sed per se quae videbantur administrabant .
|
Caesar had every thing to do at one time: the standard to be displayed, which was the sign when it was necessary to run to arms; the signal to be given by the trumpet; the soldiers to be called off from the works; those who had proceeded some distance for the purpose of seeking materials for the rampart, to be summoned; the order of battle to be formed; the soldiers to be encouraged; the watchword to be given. A great part of these arrangements was prevented by the shortness of time and the sudden approach and charge of the enemy. Under these difficulties two things proved of advantage; [first] the skill and experience of the soldiers, because, having been trained by former engagements, they could suggest to themselves what ought to be done, as conveniently as receive information from others; and [secondly] that Caesar had forbidden his several lieutenants to depart from the works and their respective legions, before the camp was fortified. These, on account of the near approach and the speed of the enemy, did not then wait for any command from Caesar, but of themselves executed whatever appeared proper. |
| 75 |
Caesar , necessariis rebus imperatis , ad cohortandos milites , quam [ in ] partem fors obtulit , decucurrit et ad legionem decimam devenit . Milites non longiore oratione cohortatus quam uti suae pristinae virtutis memoriam retinerent neu perturbarentur animo hostiumque impetum fortiter sustinerent , quod non longius hostes aberant quam quo telum adigi posset , proelii committendi signum dedit . Atque in alteram item cohortandi causa profectus pugnantibus occurrit . Temporis tanta fuit exiguitas hostiumque tam paratus ad dimicandum animus ut non modo ad insignia accommodanda sed etiam ad galeas induendas scutisque tegimenta detrahenda tempus defuerit . Quam quisque ab opere in partem casu devenit quaeque prima signa conspexit , ad haec constitit , ne in quaerendis suis pugnandi tempus dimitteret .
|
Caesar, having given the necessary orders, hastened to and fro into whatever quarter fortune carried him, to animate the troops, and came to the tenth legion. Having encouraged the soldiers with no further speech than that "they should keep up the remembrance of their wonted valor, and not be confused in mind, but valiantly sustain the assault of the enemy ;" as the latter were not further from them than the distance to which a dart could be cast, he gave the signal for commencing battle. And having gone to another quarter for the purpose of encouraging [the soldiers], he finds them fighting. Such was the shortness of the time, and so determined was the mind of the enemy on fighting, that time was wanting not only for affixing the military insignia, but even for putting on the helmets and drawing off the covers from the shields. To whatever part any one by chance came from the works (in which he had been employed), and whatever standards he saw first, at these he stood, lest in seeking his own company he should lose the time for fighting. |
| 76 |
Instructo exercitu magis ut loci natura [ delectusque collis ] et necessitas temporis quam ut rei militaris ratio atque ordo postulabat , cum diversae legiones aliae alia in parte hostibus resisterent saepibusque densissimis , ut ante demonstravimus , interiectis prospectus impediretur , neque certa subsidia conlocari neque quid in quaque parte opus esset provideri neque ab uno omnia imperia administrari poterant . Itaque in tanta rerum iniquitate fortunae quoque eventus varii sequebantur .
|
The army having been marshaled, rather as the nature of the ground and the declivity of the hill and the exigency of the time, than as the method and order of military matters required; while the legions in the different places were withstanding the enemy, some in one quarter, some in another, and the view was obstructed by the very thick hedges intervening, as we have before remarked, neither could proper reserves be posted, nor could the necessary measures be taken in each part, nor could all the commands be issued by one person. Therefore, in such an unfavorable state of affairs, various events of fortune followed. |
| 77 |
Legionis VIIII . et X . milites , ut in sinistra parte aciei constiterant , pilis emissis cursu ac lassitudine exanimatos vulneribusque confectos Atrebates ( nam his ea pars obvenerat ) celeriter ex loco superiore in flumen compulerunt et transire conantes insecuti gladiis magnam partem eorum impeditam interfecerunt . Ipsi transire flumen non dubitaverunt et in locum iniquum progressi rursus resistentes hostes redintegrato proelio in fugam coniecerunt . Item alia in parte diversae duae legiones , XI . et VIII ., profligatis Viromanduis , quibuscum erant congressae , ex loco superiore in ipsis fluminis ripis proeliabantur . At totis fere castris a fronte et a sinistra parte nudatis , cum in dextro cornu legio XII . et non magno ab ea intervallo VII . constitisset , omnes Nervii confertissimo agmine duce Boduognato , qui summam imperii tenebat , ad eum locum contenderunt ; quorum pars ab aperto latere legiones circumvenire , pars summum castrorum locum petere coepit .
|
The soldiers of the ninth and tenth legions, as they had been stationed on the left part of the army, casting their weapons, speedily drove the Atrebates (for that division had been opposed to them,) who were breathless with running and fatigue, and worn out with wounds, from the higher ground into the river; and following them as they were endeavoring to pass it, slew with their swords a great part of them while impeded (therein). They themselves did not hesitate to pass the river; and having advanced to a disadvantageous place, when the battle was renewed, they [nevertheless] again put to flight the enemy, who had returned and were opposing them. In like manner, in another quarter two different legions, the eleventh and the eighth, having routed the Veromandui, with whom they had engaged, were fighting from the higher ground upon the very banks of the river. But, almost the whole camp on the front and on the left side being then exposed, since the twelfth legion was posted in the right wing, and the seventh at no great distance from it, all the Nervii, in a very close body, with Boduognatus, who held the chief command, as their leader, hastened toward that place; and part of them began to surround the legions on their unprotected flank, part to make for the highest point of the encampment. |
| 78 |
Eodem tempore equites nostri levisque armaturae pedites , qui cum iis una fuerant , quos primo hostium impetu pulsos dixeram , cum se in castra reciperent , adversis hostibus occurrebant ac rursus aliam in partem fugam petebant ; et calones , qui ab decumana porta ac summo iugo collis nostros victores flumen transire conspexerant , praedandi causa egressi , cum respexissent et hostes in nostris castris versari vidissent , praecipites fugae sese mandabant . Simul eorum qui cum impedimentis veniebant clamor fremitusque oriebatur , aliique aliam in partem perterriti ferebantur . Quibus omnibus rebus permoti equites Treveri , quorum inter Gallos virtutis opinio est singularis , qui auxilii causa a civitate missi ad Caesarem venerant , cum multitudine hostium castra [ nostra ] compleri , legiones premi et paene circumventas teneri , calones , equites , funditores , Numidas diversos dissipatosque in omnes partes fugere vidissent , desperatis nostris rebus domum contenderunt : Romanos pulsos superatosque , castris impedimentisque eorum hostes potitos civitati renuntiaverunt .
|
At the same time our horsemen, and light-armed infantry, who had been with those, who, as I have related, were routed by the first assault of the enemy, as they were betaking themselves into the camp, met the enemy face to face, and again sought flight into another quarter; and the camp-followers who from the Decuman Gate, and from the highest ridge of the hill had seen our men pass the river as victors, when, after going out for the purposes of plundering, they looked back and saw the enemy parading in our camp, committed themselves precipitately to flight; at the same time there arose the cry and shout of those who came with the baggage-train: and they (affrighted), were carried some one way, some another. By all these circumstances the cavalry of the Treviri were much alarmed, (whose reputation for courage is extraordinary among the Gauls, and who had come to Caesar, being sent by their state as auxiliaries), and, when they saw our camp filled with a large number of the enemy, the legions hard pressed and almost held surrounded, the camp-retainers, horsemen, slingers, and Numidians fleeing on all sides divided and scattered, they, despairing of our affairs, hastened home, and related to their state that the Romans were routed and conquered, [and] that the enemy were in possession of their camp and baggage-train. |
| 79 |
Caesar ab X . legionis cohortatione ad dextrum cornu profectus , ubi suos urgeri signisque in unum locum conlatis XII . legionis confertos milites sibi ipsos ad pugnam esse impedimento vidit , quartae cohortis omnibus centurionibus occisis signiferoque interfecto , signo amisso , reliquarum cohortium omnibus fere centurionibus aut vulneratis aut occisis , in his primipilo P . Sextio Baculo , fortissimo viro , multis gravibusque vulneribus confecto , ut iam se sustinere non posset , reliquos esse tardiores et non nullos ab novissimis deserto loco proelio excedere ac tela vitare , hostes neque a fronte ex inferiore loco subeuntes intermittere et ab utroque latere instare et rem esse in angusto vidit , neque ullum esse subsidium quod submitti posset , scuto ab novissimis [ uni ] militi detracto , quod ipse eo sine scuto venerat , in primam aciem processit centurionibusque nominatim appellatis reliquos cohortatus milites signa inferre et manipulos laxare iussit , quo facilius gladiis uti possent . Cuius adventu spe inlata militibus ac redintegrato animo , cum pro se quisque in conspectu imperatoris etiam in extremis suis rebus operam navare cuperet , paulum hostium impetus tardatus est .
|
Caesar proceeded, after encouraging the tenth legion, to the right wing; where he perceived that his men were hard pressed, and that in consequence of the standards of the twelfth legion being collected together in one place, the crowded soldiers were a hinderance to themselves in the fight; that all the centurions of the fourth cohort were slain, and the standard-bearer killed, the standard itself lost, almost all the centurions of the other cohorts either wounded or slain, and among them the chief centurion of the legion P. Sextius Baculus, a very valiant man, who was so exhausted by many and severe wounds, that he was already unable to support himself; he likewise perceived that the rest were slackening their efforts, and that some, deserted by those in the rear, were retiring from the battle and avoiding the weapons; that the enemy [on the other hand] though advancing from the lower ground, were not relaxing in front, and were [at the same time] pressing hard on both flanks; he also perceived that the affair was at a crisis, and that there was not any reserve which could be brought up, having therefore snatched a shield from one of the soldiers in the rear (for he himself had come without a shield), he advanced to the front of the line, and addressing the centurions by name, and encouraging the rest of the soldiers, he ordered them to carry forward the standards, and extend the companies, that they might the more easily use their swords. On his arrival, as hope was brought to the soldiers and their courage restored, while every one for his own part, in the sight of his general, desired to exert his utmost energy, the impetuosity of the enemy was a little checked. |
| 80 |
Caesar , cum VII . legionem , quae iuxta constiterat , item urgeri ab hoste vidisset , tribunos militum monuit ut paulatim sese legiones coniungerent et conversa signa in hostes inferrent . Quo facto cum aliis alii subsidium ferrent neque timerent ne aversi ab hoste circumvenirentur , audacius resistere ac fortius pugnare coeperunt . Interim milites legionum duarum quae in novissimo agmine praesidio impedimentis fuerant , proelio nuntiato , cursu incitato in summo colle ab hostibus conspiciebantur , et T . Labienus castris hostium potitus et ex loco superiore quae res in nostris castris gererentur conspicatus X . legionem subsidio nostris misit . Qui cum ex equitum et calonum fuga quo in loco res esset quantoque in periculo et castra et legiones et imperator versaretur cognovissent , nihil ad celeritatem sibi reliqui fecerunt .
|
Caesar, when he perceived that the seventh legion, which stood close by him, was also hard pressed by the enemy, directed the tribunes of the soldiers to effect a junction of the legions gradually, and make their charge upon the enemy with a double front; which having been done, since they brought assistance the one to the other, nor feared lest their rear should be surrounded by the enemy, they began to stand their ground more boldly, and to fight more courageously. In the mean time, the soldiers of the two legions which had been in the rear of the army, as a guard for the baggage-train, upon the battle being reported to them, quickened their pace, and were seen by the enemy on the top of the hill; and Titus Labienus, having gained possession of the camp of the enemy, and observed from the higher ground what was going on in our camp, sent the tenth legion as a relief to our men, who, when they had learned from the flight of the horse and the sutlers in what position the affair was, and in how great danger the camp and the legion and the commander were involved, left undone nothing [which tended] to dispatch. |
| 81 |
Horum adventu tanta rerum commutatio est facta ut nostri , etiam qui vulneribus confecti procubuissent , scutis innixi proelium redintegrarent , calones perterritos hostes conspicati etiam inermes armatis occurrerent , equites vero , ut turpitudinem fugae virtute delerent , omnibus in locis pugnae se legionariis militibus praeferrent . At hostes , etiam in extrema spe salutis , tantam virtutem praestiterunt ut , cum primi eorum cecidissent , proximi iacentibus insisterent atque ex eorum corporibus pugnarent , his deiectis et coacervatis cadaveribus qui superessent ut ex tumulo tela in nostros coicerent et pila intercepta remitterent : ut non nequiquam tantae virtutis homines iudicari deberet ausos esse transire latissimum flumen , ascendere altissimas ripas , subire iniquissimum locum ; quae facilia ex difficillimis animi magnitudo redegerat .
|
By their arrival, so great a change of matters was made, that our men, even those who had fallen down exhausted with wounds, leaned on their shields, and renewed the fight: then the camp-retainers, though unarmed, seeing the enemy completely dismayed, attacked [them though] armed; the horsemen too, that they might by their valor blot the disgrace of their flight, thrust themselves before the legionary soldiers in all parts of the battle. But the enemy, even in the last hope of safety, displayed such great courage, that when the foremost of them had fallen, the next stood upon them prostrate, and fought from their bodies; when these were overthrown, and their corpses heaped up together, those who survived cast their weapons against our men [thence], as from a mound, and returned our darts which had fallen short between [the armies]; so that it ought not to be concluded, that men of such great courage had injudiciously dared to pass a very broad river, ascend very high banks, and come up to a very disadvantageous place; since their greatness of spirit had rendered these actions easy, although in themselves very difficult. |
| 82 |
Hoc proelio facto et prope ad internecionem gente ac nomine Nerviorum redacto , maiores natu , quos una cum pueris mulieribusque in aestuaria ac paludes coniectos dixeramus , hac pugna nuntiata , cum victoribus nihil impeditum , victis nihil tutum arbitrarentur , omnium qui supererant consensu legatos ad Caesarem miserunt seque ei dediderunt ; et in commemoranda civitatis calamitate ex DC ad tres senatores , ex hominum milibus LX vix ad D , qui arma ferre possent , sese redactos esse dixerunt . Quos Caesar , ut in miseros ac supplices usus misericordia videretur , diligentissime conservavit suisque finibus atque oppidis uti iussit et finitimis imperavit ut ab iniuria et maleficio se suosque prohiberent .
|
This battle being ended, and the nation and name of the Nervii being almost reduced to annihilation, their old men, whom together with the boys and women we have stated to have been collected together in the fenny places and marshes, on this battle having been reported to them, since they were convinced that nothing was an obstacle to the conquerors, and nothing safe to the conquered, sent embassadors to Caesar by the consent of all who remained, and surrendered themselves to him; and in recounting the calamity of their state, said that their senators were reduced from 600 to three; that from 60,000 men they [were reduced] to scarcely 500 who could bear arms; whom Caesar, that he might appear to use compassion toward the wretched and the suppliant, most carefully spared; and ordered them to enjoy their own territories and towns, and commanded their neighbors that they should restrain themselves and their dependents from offering injury or outrage [to them]. |
| 83 |
Atuatuci , de quibus supra diximus , cum omnibus copiis auxilio Nerviis venirent , hac pugna nuntiata ex itinere domum reverterunt ; cunctis oppidis castellisque desertis sua omnia in unum oppidum egregie natura munitum contulerunt . Quod cum ex omnibus in circuitu partibus altissimas rupes deiectusque haberet , una ex parte leniter acclivis aditus in latitudinem non amplius pedum CC relinquebatur ; quem locum duplici altissimo muro munierant ; tum magni ponderis saxa et praeacutas trabes in muro conlocabant . Ipsi erant ex Cimbris Teutonisque prognati , qui , cum iter in provinciam nostram atque Italiam ; facerent , iis impedimentis quae secum agere ac portare non poterant citra flumen Rhenum depositis custodiae [ ex suis ] ac praesidio VI milia hominum una reliquerant . Hi post eorum obitum multos annos a finitimis exagitati , cum alias bellum inferrent , alias inlatum defenderent , consensu eorum omnium pace facta hunc sibi domicilio locum delegerant .
|
When the Aduatuci, of whom we have written above, were coming up with all their forces to the assistance of the Nervii, upon this battle being reported to them, they returned home after they were on the march; deserting all their towns and forts, they conveyed together all their possessions into one town, eminently fortified by nature. While this town had on all sides around it very high rocks and precipices, there was left on one side a gently ascending approach, of not more than 200 feet in width; which place they had fortified with a very lofty double wall: besides, they had placed stones of great weight and sharpened stakes upon the walls. They were descended from the Cimbri and Teutones, who, when they were marching into our province and Italy, having deposited on this side the river Rhine such of their baggage-trains as they could not drive or convey with them, left 6,000 of their men as a guard and defense for them. These having, after the destruction of their countrymen, been harassed for many years by their neighbors, while one time they waged war offensively, and at another resisted it when waged against them, concluded a peace with the consent of all, and chose this place as their settlement. |
| 84 |
Ac primo adventu exercitus nostri crebras ex oppido excursiones faciebant parvulisque proeliis cum nostris contendebant ; postea vallo pedum XII in circuitu XV milium crebrisque castellis circummuniti oppido sese continebant . Ubi vineis actis aggere extructo turrim procul constitui viderunt , primum inridere ex muro atque increpitare vocibus , quod tanta machinatio a tanto spatio institueretur : quibusnam manibus aut quibus viribus praesertim homines tantulae staturae ( nam plerumque omnibus Gallis prae magnitudine corporum quorum brevitas nostra contemptui est ) tanti oneris turrim in muro sese posse conlocare confiderent ?
|
And on the first arrival of our army they made frequent sallies from the town, and contended with our men in trifling skirmishes; afterward, when hemmed in by a rampart of twelve feet [in height], and fifteen miles in circuit, they kept themselves within the town. When, vineae having been brought up and a mound raised, they observed that a tower also was being built at a distance, they at first began to mock the Romans from their wall, and to taunt them with the following speeches. "For what purpose was so vast a machine constructed at so great a distance? With what hands," or "with what strength did they, especially [as they were] men of such very small stature" (for our shortness of stature, in comparison to the great size of their bodies, is generally a subject of much contempt to the men of Gaul) "trust to place against their walls a tower of such great weight." |