ver, in the midst lay two talents
of gold, to give to him who should best establish his claim among them.
But round the other city sat two armies of people glittering in arms;
and one of two plans was agreeable to them,[606] either to waste it, or
to divide all things into two parts,--the wealth, whatever the pleasant
city contained within it. They, however, had not yet complied, but were
secretly arming themselves for an ambuscade. Meanwhile, their beloved
wives and young children kept watch, standing above, and amongst them
the men whom old age possessed. But they (the younger men) advanced; but
Mars was their leader, and Pallas Minerva, both golden, and clad in
golden dresses, beautiful and large, along with their armour, radiant
all round, and indeed like gods; but the people were of humbler
size.[607] But when they now had reached a place where it appeared fit
to lay an ambuscade, by a river, where there was a watering-place for
all sorts of cattle, there then they settled, clad in shining steel.
There, apart from the people, sat two spies, watching when they might
perceive the sheep and crooked-horned oxen. These, however, soon
advanced, and two shepherds accompanied them, amusing themselves with
their pipes, for they had not yet perceived the stratagem. Then they,
discerning them, ran in upon them, and immediately slaughtered on all
sides the herds of oxen, and the beautiful flocks of snow-white sheep;
and slew the shepherds besides. But they, when they heard the great
tumult amongst the oxen, previously sitting in front of the
assembly,[608] mounting their nimble-footed steeds, pursued; and soon
came up with them. Then, having marshalled themselves, they fought a
battle on the banks of the river, and wounded one another with their
brazen spears. Amongst them mingled Discord and Tumult, and destructive
Fate, holding one alive, recently wounded, another unwounded, but a
third, slain, she drew by the feet through the battle; and had the
garment around her shoulders crimsoned with the gore of men.[609] But
they turned about, like living mortals, and fought, and drew away the
slaughtered bodies of each other.

[Footnote 600: Cf. Hesiod, Scut. Herc. 270, sqq.]

[Footnote 601: The escort took place at even-tide.]

[Footnote 602: On the origin of this term, see Serv. on Virg. AEn.
i. 655.]

[Footnote 603: Or, "on the testimony of witnesses." See Kennedy.]

[Footnote 604: See Heyne on x. 56. So [Gr