o, containing an account of
the success, being sent to the senate, not to the dictator, showed
plainly that he wished not to impart to him any share of the honour; who
certainly viewed the proceeding in this light, for while others rejoiced
at the victory obtained, he showed only surliness and anger; insomuch
that, immediately dismissing the senate, he hastened out of the
senate-house, and frequently repeated with warmth, that the legions of
the Samnites were not more effectually vanquished and overthrown by the
master of the horse, than were the dictatorial dignity and military
discipline, if such contempt of orders escaped with impunity. Thus,
breathing resentment and menaces, he set out for the camp; but, though
he travelled with all possible expedition, he was unable, however, to
outstrip the report of his coming. For messengers had started from the
city before him, who brought intelligence that the dictator was coming,
eager for vengeance, and in almost every second sentence applauding the
conduct of Titus Manlius.

31. Fabius instantly called an assembly, and entreated the soldiers to
"show the same courage in protecting him, under whose conduct and
auspices they had conquered, from the outrageous cruelty of the
dictator, which they had so lately displayed in defending the
commonwealth from its most inveterate enemies. He was now coming," he
told them, "frantic with envy; enraged at another's bravery and success,
he was mad, because, in his absence, the business of the public had been
executed, with remarkable success; and if he could change the fortune of
the engagement, would wish the Samnites in possession of victory rather
than the Romans. He talked much of contempt of orders; as if his
prohibition of fighting were not dictated by the same motive, which
caused his vexation at the fight having taken place. He wished to
shackle the valour of others through envy, and meant to take away the
soldiers' arms when they were most eager for action, and that no use
might be made of them in his absence: he was further enraged too,
because without Lucius Papirius the soldiers were not without hands or
arms, and because Quintus Fabius considered himself as master of the
horse, not as a beadle to the dictator. How would he have behaved, had
the issue of the fight been unfortunate; which, through the chances of
war and the uncertainty of military operations, might have been the
case; since now, when the enemy has been vanquis