tagonist, was now proceeding to a
second attack. Then the Romans encourage their champion with a shout
such as is usually (given) by persons cheering in consequence of
unexpected success: he also hastens to put an end to the combat.
Wherefore before the other, who was not far off, could come up he
despatches the second Curiatius also. And now, the combat being brought
to an equality of numbers, one on each side remained, but they were
equal neither in hope nor in strength. The one his body untouched by a
weapon, and a double victory made courageous for a third contest: the
other dragging along his body exhausted from the wound, exhausted from
running, and dispirited by the slaughter of his brethren before his
eyes, presents himself to his victorious antagonist. Nor was that a
fight. The Roman, exulting, says, "Two I have offered to the shades of
my brothers: the third I will offer to the cause of this war, that the
Roman may rule over the Alban." He thrusts his sword down into his
throat, whilst faintly sustaining the weight of his armour: he strips
him as he lies prostrate. The Romans receive Horatius with triumph and
congratulation; with so much the greater joy, as success had followed so
close on fear. They then turn to the burial of their friends with
dispositions by no means alike; for the one side was elated with (the
acquisition of) empire, the other subjected to foreign jurisdiction:
their sepulchres are still extant in the place where each fell; the two
Roman ones in one place nearer to Alba, the three Alban ones towards
Rome; but distant in situation from each other, and just as they
fought.[34]

[Footnote 33: The order is: _fortuna patriae deinde futura ea quam ipsi
f. (animo obvers.)_; the fortune of their country, the high or humble
character of which for the future depended on their exertions on that
occasion.]

[Footnote 34: The two Roman champions, we have seen, fell in the one
place, _super alium alius_; consequently were buried together; whilst
the Curiatii fell in different places, as Horatius contrived to separate
them to avoid their joint attack.]

26. Before they parted from thence, when Mettus, in conformity to the
treaty which had been concluded, asked what orders he had to give,
Tullus orders him to keep the youth in arms, that he designed to employ
them, if a war should break out with the Veientes. After this both
armies returned to their homes. Horatius marched foremost, carrying
before hi