ius rather than to the tribunes, there came such
tidings from Veii as made all men agree that the city must be attacked
with all steadfastness and energy. The works of the besiegers were now
pushed forward well-nigh to the walls, and the minds of all being wholly
given to the finishing of them, it followed, that though they were
diligently advanced in the day, they were the less carefully watched by
night. The townsfolk perceiving this, a great multitude of men issued
forth from the gates carrying torches in their hands, and set fire to
the works, consuming in a very brief space of time that which had been
finished after many months. Not a few also of them that would have
stayed the burning perished either by fire or by the sword. When
these tidings were brought to them the city was greatly disturbed.
Nevertheless the matter turned to the public good. First they that had
the dignity of horsemen in the State, but were not called to serve, came
forward saying that they would serve, finding horses at their own cost;
likewise a great multitude of the people offered themselves to serve as
foot soldiers. Thus was there raised a great army, which, marching to
Veii, not only restored that which had been destroyed by fire, but also
made works that were larger and stronger by far.

In the fourth year of the siege the Romans suffered no small loss.
First Anxur was lost, the garrison being surprised by the Volscians, and
afterwards there followed great reverses at Veii. The men of Capena and
Falerii came to the help of Veii, judging that if this city should be
taken they themselves would be the next to perish. These fought against
a certain part of the Romans, and at the same time the townsfolk sallied
from the gates. And when help should have been given to them from the
other part of the camp, because there was a strife between the generals,
none such was sent; for the one said, "If my colleague be in need of
help he will ask for it," and the other, for pride and jealousy, had
rather be conquered by the enemy than conquer by aid of one whom he
loved not. So it came to pass that Sergius (for he it was whom the men
of Capena and Falerii had attacked) with his soldiers left the works
and fled, some escaping to the other camp, but the greater part making
escape to Rome.

In the seventh year of the siege there happened many marvels. Of these,
for the most part? men took little count; but one seemed especially
noteworthy, to wit, that