me forward here forgetful of my condition; but the
[present] case and the common danger obliges every one to contribute to
the common good whatever service he can in our present alarming
situation. And when shall I repay you for your so very important
services to me, if I now be remiss? or where will you derive benefit
from me, if not in war? By this accomplishment I maintained my rank in
my native country: and, unconquered in war, I was banished during peace
by my ungrateful fellow-citizens. To you, men of Ardea, a favourable
opportunity has been presented of making a return for all the former
favours conferred by the Roman people, such as you yourselves remember,
(for which reason, as being mindful of them, you are not to be upbraided
with them,) and of obtaining great military renown for this your city
over the common enemy. The nation, which now approaches in disorderly
march, is one to which nature has given great spirits and bodies rather
huge than firm. Let the disaster of Rome serve as a proof. They captured
the city when lying open to them; a small handful of men from the
citadel and Capitol withstand them. Already tired out by the slow
process of a siege, they retire and spread themselves through the
country. Gorged with food and wine hastily swallowed, when night comes
on they stretch themselves indiscriminately, like brutes, near streams
of water, without entrenchment, without guards or advanced posts; more
incautious even now than usual in consequence of success. If you then
are disposed to defend your own walls, and not to suffer all these
places to become Gaul, take up arms in a full body at the first watch:
follow me to slaughter, not to battle. If I do not deliver them up to
you fettered by sleep, to be butchered like cattle, I decline not the
same issue of my affairs at Ardea as I had at Rome."

45. Both friends and enemies were satisfied that there existed no where
at that time a man of equal military talent. The assembly being
dismissed, they refresh themselves, carefully watching the moment the
signal should be given; which being given, during the silence of the
beginning of the night they attended Camillus at the gates. Having gone
forth to no great distance from the city, they found the camp of the
Gauls, as had been foretold, unprotected and neglected on every side,
and attack it with a shout. No fight any where, but slaughter every
where; their bodies, naked and relaxed with sleep, are cut to pie