The Gauls have this custom: (lit. there is this of Gallic custom (partitive genitive) [viz] that . . .) they both force travellers to stop, even when unwilling, and ask what each of them has heard and learnt about everything (lit. each matter); and a crowd stands around merchants in towns and forces them to say from what parts they come and what they have learnt there. Aroused by these matters and reports they often enter into deliberations about the highest affairs, which they must inevitably regret since they are slaves to uncertain rumours and most [of those interrogated] invent replies (lit. reply invented [things]) according to Gauls' wishes (lit. to the wish of those men, i.e. what the travellers and merchants see the Gauls want to hear). (Caesar, de Bello Gallico, IV, 5, 2-3 adapted)
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