ere neither able to take arms briskly, nor make
resistance, nor to pursue them. During the trepidation and confusion of
the Samnites, the Roman guard, slaying such of the guards as came in
their way, reached the consul's camp. A considerable portion of night
still remained, and things now appeared to be in safety; when Decius
says, "Roman soldiers, be honoured for your bravery. Your journey and
return ages shall extol. But to behold such bravery light and day are
necessary; nor do you deserve that silence and night should cover you,
whilst you return to the camp with such distinguished glory. Here let us
wait in quiet for the daylight." His words they obeyed. And as soon as
it was day, a messenger being despatched to the camp to the consul, they
were aroused from sleep with great joy; and the signal being given by
ticket, that those persons returned safe who had exposed their persons
to evident danger for the preservation of all, rushing out each most
anxiously to meet them, they applaud them, congratulate them, they call
them singly and collectively their preservers, they give praises and
thanks to the gods, they raise Decius to heaven. This was a sort of camp
triumph for Decius, who proceeded through the middle of the camp, with
his guard fully armed, the eyes of all being fixed on him, and all
giving him equal honour with the consul. When they came to the general's
tent, the consul summons them by sound of trumpet to an assembly; and
commencing with the well-earned praises of Decius, he adjourned the
assembly on the interposition of Decius himself, who advising the
postponement of every thing else, whilst the occasion was still present,
persuaded the consul to attack the enemy, whilst still in consternation
from the panic of the night, and dispersing in separate detachments
around the hill, [adding] that he believed that some who had been sent
out in pursuit of him were straggling through the forest. The legions
were ordered to take arms; and having departed from the camp, as the
forest was now better known by means of scouts, they are led onwards to
the enemy through a more open tract. Having unexpectedly attacked the
enemy when off their guard, since the soldiers of the Samnites
straggling in every direction, most of them unarmed, were not able
either to rally, nor to take arms, nor to betake themselves within the
rampart, they first drive them in a panic into the camp: then they take
the camp itself, having dislodge