en being removed to a distance as if to witness the sight, in the
space of clear ground which lay between them they spurred on their
horses against each other; and when they were together in fierce
encounter, the spear of Manlius passed over the helmet of his
antagonist, that of Metius across the neck of the other's horse. Then
wheeling round their horses, when Manlius arose to repeat the blow, he
fixed his javelin between the ears of his opponent's horse. When, by the
pain of this wound, the horse, having raised his fore-feet on high,
tossed his head with great violence, he shook off his rider, whom, when
he was raising himself from the severe fall, by leaning on his spear and
buckler, Manlius pierced through the throat, so that the steel passed
out through the ribs, and pinned him to the earth; and having collected
the spoils, he returned to his own party, and with his troop, who were
exulting with joy, he proceeds to the camp, and thence to the general's
tent to his father, ignorant of what awaited him, whether praise or
punishment had been merited. "Father," says he, "that all may truly
represent me as sprung from your blood; when challenged, I slew my
adversary, and have taken from him these equestrian spoils." When the
consul heard this, immediately turning away from his son, he ordered an
assembly to be summoned by sound of trumpet. When these assembled in
great numbers, "Since you, Titus Manlius," says he, "revering neither
the consular power nor a father's majesty, have fought against the enemy
out of your post contrary to our orders, and, as far as in you lay, have
subverted military discipline, by which the Roman power has stood to
this day, and have brought me to this necessity, that I must either
forget the republic, or myself and mine; we shall expiate our own
transgressions rather than the republic should sustain so serious a loss
for our misdeeds. We shall be a melancholy example, but a profitable
one, to the youth of future ages. As for me, both the natural affection
for my children, as well as that instance of bravery which has led you
astray by the false notion of honour, affects me for you. But since
either the authority of consuls is to be established by your death, or
by your forgiveness to be for ever annulled; I do not think that even
you, if you have any of our blood in you, will refuse to restore, by
your punishment, the military discipline which has been subverted by
your misconduct. Go, lictor,