t was
seized on by us; who with so many thousand men did not prevent us so few
from the ascent, and did not surround us with a rampart when in
possession of the ground, though so much of the day still remained. That
enemy which with their eyes open and awake you so baffled, it is
incumbent on you now to beguile, buried, as they are, in sleep; nay, it
is absolutely necessary. For our affairs are in that situation, that I
am rather to point out to you your necessity than to propose advice. For
whether you are to remain or to depart hence, can no longer be matter of
deliberation, since, with the exception of your arms, and courage
mindful of those arms, fortune has left you nothing, and we must die of
famine and thirst, if we are more afraid of the sword than becomes men
and Romans. Therefore our only safety is to sally forth from this and to
depart. That we must do either by day or by night. But lo! another point
which admits of less doubt; for if daylight be waited for, what hope is
there, that the enemy, who have now encompassed the hill on every side,
as you perceive, with their bodies exposed at disadvantage, will not hem
us in with a continued rampart and ditch? If night then be favourable
for a sally, as it is, this is undoubtedly the most suitable hour of
night. You assembled here on the signal of the second watch, a time
which buries mortals in the profoundest sleep. You will pass through
their bodies lulled to sleep, either in silence unnoticed by them, or
ready to strike terror into them, should they perceive you, by a sudden
shout. Only follow me, whom you have followed. The same fortune which
conducted us hither, will I follow. Those of you to whom these measures
seem salutary, come on, pass over to the right."

36. They all passed over, and followed Decius as he proceeded through
the intervals which lay between the guards. They had now passed the
middle of the camp, when a soldier, striding over the bodies of the
watchmen as they lay asleep, occasioned a noise by striking one of their
shields. When the watchman, being aroused by this, stirred the next one
to him, and those who were awake stirred up others, not knowing whether
they were friends or foes, whether it was the garrison that sallied
forth or the consul had taken their camp; Decius, having ordered the
soldiers to raise a shout, as they were no longer unobserved,
disheartens them by panic whilst still heavy from sleep, by which being
perplexed, they w