ave been a leader
of men. And after them followed a great crowd, first of kinsfolk and
friends, then of the other citizens, bidding them God speed in this
their enterprise. "Be bold." they cried, "and fortunate. Let the issue
of this undertaking be even as the beginning, and ye shall have from us
consulships and triumph, yea, and all honours that ye can desire." And
as the army passed by the Capitol they prayed to all the Gods that they
would guide it safely on its way and bring it back safely home. They
prayed to no purpose. Passing by that which men call the Unlucky Way,
through the right archway of the Gate of Carmenta, the Fabii went on
their way till they came to the river Cremera, thinking that to be a fit
place for building a fort.

For a while all things prospered with the Fabii in their dealings with
the men of Veii. And not only did they make incursions upon their lands
and carry off much booty, but fought set battles, not once or twice, but
many times; a single Roman house so winning victory over that which was
the wealthiest of all the cities of Etruria. Now this seemed to the men
of Veii a shameful thing, and one that was not to be endured. So they
began to take counsel how they might take this enemy by subtlety, and
perceived, not without joy, that the Fabii grew daily bolder by success.

So when the men went to gather booty they would cause that herds of
cattle came in their way, as though it had been by chance, and that
companies of soldiers, sent to hinder them from their plundering,
fled before them, making pretence of fear. And now the Fabii had such
contempt for the enemy that they thought themselves such as could never
be conquered at any place or time. In which confidence, seeing on a
certain day herds of cattle on the plain, they ran forth to drive them,
heeding not that they were distant from the fort a great space of plain.
And so, scattering themselves in thoughtless fashion, they passed a
place where the enemy had set an ambush, and busied themselves with the
cattle. Then all of a sudden the Etrurians rose up from the ambush, and
lo! there were enemies both before them and on all sides. These set up
a great shout and threw their javelins, still closing in upon them, so
that the Fabii also were compelled to gather themselves more and more
closely together, so making it the more evident how few they were in
comparison of them that were against them. After this they fought not as
before, turning