n and determination which I
am to maintain, you yourselves shall suggest. The war may be both
prolonged with advantage, and be brought to a speedy conclusion. If it
is to be prolonged, I shall take care by the same discipline with which
I have commenced, that your hopes and your valour may increase every
day. If you have now sufficient courage, and it is your wish that the
matter be decided, come on, raise here that shout such as you will raise
in the field of battle, the index at once of your inclination and your
valour." When the shout was raised with great alacrity, he assures them
"that with the good favour of heaven, he would comply with their wishes
and lead them next day to the field." The remainder of the day is spent
in preparing their arms. On the following day, as soon as the Sabines
saw the Roman army being drawn up in order of battle, they too, as being
long since eager for the encounter, come forward. The battle was such a
one as may be expected between two armies confident in themselves, the
one animated by the glory of former and uninterrupted glory, the other
lately so by an unusual instance of success. The Sabines aided their
strength by stratagem also; for having formed a line equal (to that of
the enemy,) they kept two thousand men in reserve, to make an attack on
the left wing of the Romans in the heat of the battle. When these, by an
attack in flank, were overpowering that wing, now almost surrounded,
about six hundred of the cavalry of two legions leap down from their
horses, and rush forward in front of their men, now giving way; and they
at the same time both oppose the progress of the enemy, and incite the
courage of the infantry, first sharing the danger equally with them, and
then by arousing in them a sense of shame. It was a matter of shame that
the cavalry should fight in their own proper character and in that of
others; and that the infantry should not be equal to the cavalry even
when dismounted.

63. They press forward therefore to the fight, which had been suspended
on their part, and endeavour to regain the ground which they had lost,
and in a moment not only is the battle restored, but one of the wings of
the Sabines gives way. The cavalry, covered between the ranks of the
foot, return to their horses; they then gallop across to the other
division to announce their success to their party; at the same time also
they make a charge on the enemy, now disheartened by the discomfiture of
t