but the coming of Publilius contracted all their resources; for, committing the siege to the care of his colleague, and keeping himself disengaged, he threw every difficulty in the way of the enemy’s convoys.  There being therefore little hope for the besieged, or that they would be able much longer to endure want, the Samnites, encamped at Luceria, were obliged to collect their forces from every side, and come to an engagement with Papirius.

14.  At this juncture, while both parties were preparing for an action, ambassadors from the Tarentines interposed, requiring both Samnites and Romans to desist from war; with menaces, that “if either refused to agree to a cessation of hostilities, they would join their arms with the other party against them.”  Papirius, on hearing the purport of their embassy, as if influenced by their words, answered, that he would consult his colleague:  he then sent for him, employing the intermediate time in the necessary preparations; and when he had conferred with him on a matter, about which no doubt was entertained, he made the signal for battle.  While the consuls were employed in performing the religious rites and the other usual business preparatory to an engagement the Tarentine ambassadors put themselves in their way, expecting an answer:  to whom Papirius said, “Tarentines, the priest reports that the auspices are favourable, and that our sacrifices have been attended with excellent omens:  under the direction of the gods, we are proceeding, as you see, to action.”  He then ordered the standards to move, and led out the troops; thus rebuking the exorbitant arrogance of that nation, which at a time when, through intestine discord and sedition, it was unequal to the management of its own affairs, yet presumed to prescribe the bounds of peace and war to others.  On the other side, the Samnites, who had neglected every preparation for fighting, either because they were really desirous of peace, or it seemed their interest to pretend to be so, in order to conciliate the favour of the Tarentines, when they saw, on a sudden, the Romans drawn up for battle, cried out, that “they would continue to be directed by the Tarentines, and would neither march out, nor carry their arms beyond the rampart.  That if deceived, they would rather endure any consequence which chance may bring, than show contempt to the Tarentines, the advisers of peace.”  The consuls said that “they embraced the omen, and prayed that the enemy might continue in the resolution of not even defending their rampart.”  Then, dividing the forces between them, they advanced to the works; and, making an assault on every side at once, while some filled up the trenches, others tore down the rampart, and tumbled it into the trench.  All were stimulated, not only by their native courage, but by the resentment which, since their disgrace, had been festering in their breasts.  They made their way into the camp; where, every one repeating, that here was not Caudium, nor the forks, nor the