ther the AEqui; that all the neighbouring states might be subdued,
the Roman people all the time enjoying profound peace." The day
following, the Fabii take up arms; they assemble where they had been
ordered. The consul coming forth in his paludamentum,[97] beholds his
entire family in the porch drawn up in order of march; being received
into the centre, he orders the standards to be carried forward. Never
did an army march through the city, either smaller in number, or more
distinguished in fame and in the admiration of all men. Three hundred
and six soldiers, all patricians, all of the one stock, not one of whom
the senate would reject as a leader in its palmiest days, proceeded on
their march, menacing destruction to the Veientian state by the prowess
of a single family. A crowd followed, partly belonging to their kinsmen
and friends, who contemplated in mind no moderation either as to their
hopes or anxiety, but every thing on the highest scale; partly
consisting of individuals not connected with their family, aroused by
solicitude for the public weal, all enraptured with esteem and
admiration. They bid them "proceed in the brave resolve, proceed with
happy omens, bring back results proportioned to their undertaking:
thence to expect consulships and triumphs, all rewards, all honours from
them." As they passed the Capitol and the citadel, and the other sacred
edifices, they offer up prayers to all the gods that presented
themselves to their sight, or to their mind: that "they would send
forward that band with prosperity and success, and soon send them back
safe into their country to their parents." In vain were these prayers
sent up. Having set out on their luckless road by the right-hand postern
of the Carmental gate, they arrive at the river Cremera: this appeared
a favourable situation for fortifying a post. L. AEmilius and C.
Servilius were then created consuls. And as long as there was nothing
else to occupy them but mutual devastations, the Fabii were not only
sufficiently able to protect their garrison, but through the entire
tract, as far as the Etrurian joins the Roman territory, they protected
all their own districts and ravaged those of the enemy, spreading their
forces along both frontiers. There was afterwards an intermission,
though not of long duration, to these depredations: whilst both the
Veientians, having sent for an army from Etruria, assault the post at
the Cremera, and the Roman troops, led thit