the speech
Boudicca, leading her daughters before her in her chariot, passed through each tribe and addressed her soldiers something like this: "The Britons have always been accustomed to waging war under the leadership of women. But now I take vengeance, not for my palace or for my property, but for the freedom lost, and also for my body that has been beaten with whips, and for the dishonor of my daughters. Carried away by their desire for loot, the Romans do not leave even old age and virginity untouched.
But take a good look at what kind of enemies we have against us. Neither in number nor in courage do they surpass us. Some wear helmets and breastplates in their line of battle, others already defend themselves with palisades and ramparts, or long for flight. We are so bold that we are safe in our tents and not behind ramparts. They are hampered by their heavy weaponry and can neither pursue nor flee. We easily find shelter in the swamps and the mountains. They can withstand neither hunger nor thirst nor heat. They always need shade and shelter. Without bread, wine and olive oil they perish. We, however, regard herbs and roots as our bread, the juice of herbs as our olive oil, and any tree as our home. After all, we know this region like the back of our hands, it is unknown and hostile to them. Let's go on the offensive trusting in Fate! For me as a woman, this is certain: we will be victorious in this fight or we will die. They are hares and foxes trying to rule over dogs and wolves.”
With these words she took out a hare from the fold of her soldier's cloak and let it run away: the jubilant people interpreted the animal's flight as an omen of victory.