he had attracted to himself the attention
of the entire camp; and when in every quarter battle was called for, "We
cannot," he says, "Marcus Furius, withstand the violence of the
soldiers; and the enemy, whose spirits we have increased by delaying,
insults us by insolence by no means to be borne. Do you, who are but one
man, yield to all, and suffer yourself to be overcome in counsel, that
you may the sooner overcome in battle." To this Camillus replies, that
"whatever wars had been waged up to that day under his single auspices,
in these that neither himself nor the Roman people had been
dissatisfied either with his judgment or with his fortune; now he knew
that he had a colleague, his equal in command and in authority, in
vigour of age superior; with respect to the army, that he had been
accustomed to rule, not to be ruled; with his colleague's authority he
could not interfere. That he might do, with the favour of the gods,
whatever he might deem to be to the interest of the state. That he would
even solicit for his years the indulgence, that he might not be placed
in the front line; that whatever duties in war an old man could
discharge, in these he would not be deficient; that he prayed to the
immortal gods, that no mischance might prove his plan to be the more
advisable." Neither his salutary advice was listened to by men, nor such
pious prayers by the gods. The adviser of the battle draws up the front
line; Camillus forms the reserve, and posts a strong guard before the
camp; he himself took his station on an elevated place as a spectator,
anxiously watching the result of the other's plan.

24. As soon as the arms clashed at the first encounter, the enemy, from
stratagem, not from fear, retreated. There was a gentle acclivity in
their rear, between the army and their camp; and because they had
sufficient numbers, they had left in the camp several strong cohorts,
armed and ready for action, which were to rush forth, when the battle
was now commenced, and when the enemy had approached the rampart. The
Roman being drawn into disadvantageous ground by following the
retreating enemy in disorder, became exposed to this sally. Terror
therefore being turned on the victor, by reason of this new force, and
the declivity of the valley, caused the Roman line to give way. The
Volscians, who made the attack from the camp, being fresh, press on
them; those also who had given way by a pretended flight, renew the
fight. The Roman