none of them thought of daring to enter together with the fugitives into a city full of armed men, yet he stood and cheered them on, loudly telling them that fortune had opened the city gates as much to the pursuers as to the pursued.  Few cared to follow him, but he, forcing his way through the crowd of fugitives, entered the city with them, none daring at first to withstand him.  Soon, when the enemy saw how few of the Romans were within the gates, they rallied and attacked them.  Marcius, in the confused mass of friends and foes, fought with incredible strength, swiftness, and courage, overthrowing all whom he attacked, driving some to the further parts of the town, and forcing others to lay down their arms, so that Lartius was able to march the rest of the Roman army into the gates unmolested.

IX.  When the city was taken, the greater part of the soldiers fell to plundering it, which greatly vexed Marcius.  He loudly exclaimed that it was a disgraceful thing, when the consul was on the point of engaging with the enemy, that they should be plundering, or, on the pretext of plunder, keeping themselves safe out of harm’s way.  Few paid any attention to him, but with those few he marched on the track of the main body, frequently encouraging his followers to greater speed, and not to give way to fatigue, and frequently praying to Heaven that he might not come too late for the battle, but arrive in time to share the labours and perils of his countrymen.  There was at that time a custom among the Romans, when they were drawn up in order of battle, ready to take their shields in their hands, and to gird themselves with the trabea, to make their will verbally, naming their heir in the presence of three or four witnesses.  The Roman army was found by Marcius in the act of performing this ceremony.  At first some were alarmed at seeing him appear with only a few followers, covered with blood and sweat; but when he ran joyously up to the consul and told him that Corioli was taken, Cominius embraced him, and all the ranks took fresh courage, some because they heard, and others because they guessed the glorious news.  They eagerly demanded to be led to battle.  Marcius now enquired of Cominius how the enemy’s line of battle was arranged, and where it was strongest.  When the consul answered that he believed that the men of Antium, the proudest and bravest troops of the Volscians, were posted in the centre, he answered, “I beg of you, place us opposite to those men.”  The consul, filled with admiration for his spirit, placed him there.  As soon as the armies met, Marcius charged before the rest, and the Volscians gave way before his onset.  The centre, where he attacked, was quite broken, but the ranks on either side wheeled round and surrounded him, so that the consul feared for his safety, and despatched the choicest of his own troops to his aid.  They found a hot battle raging round Marcius, and many slain, but by the shock of their charge they drove off the enemy in confusion.  As they began to pursue them, they begged Marcius, now weary with toil and wounds, to retire to the camp, but he, saying that “it was not for victors to be weary,” joined in the pursuit.  The rest of the Volscian army was defeated, many were slain, and many taken.