what fashion it was pitched. This done he commanded
that the baggage should be gathered together into a
heap, and that the soldiers should stand every man
in his own place. After this he compassed about
the whole army of the enemy with his own army, and
commanded that at a set signal every man should shout,
and when they had shouted should dig a trench and
set up therein the stakes. This the soldiers
did, and the noise of the shouting passed over the
camp of the enemy and came into the city, causing
therein great joy, even as it caused great fear in
the camp. For the Romans cried, “These be
our countrymen, and they bring us help.”
Then said the Consul, “We must make no delay.
By that shout is signified, not that they are come
only, but that they are already dealing with the enemy.
Doubtless the camp of the AEquians is even now assailed
from without. Take ye your arms and follow me.”
So the legion went forth, it being yet night, to the
battle, and as they went they shouted, that the Dictator
might be aware. Now the AEquians had set themselves
to hinder the making of a ditch and rampart which should
shut them in; but when the Romans from the camp fell
upon them, fearing lest these should make their way
through the midst of their camp, they left them that
were with Cincinnatus to finish their entrenching,
and fought with the Consul. And when it was now
light, lo! they were already shut in, and the Romans,
having finished their entrenching, began to trouble
them. And when the AEquians perceived that the
battle was now on either side of them, they could
withstand no longer, but sent ambassadors praying for
peace, and saying, “Ye have prevailed; slay us
not, but rather permit us to depart, leaving our arms
behind us.” Then said the Dictator, “I
care not to have the blood of the AEquians. Ye
may depart, but ye shall depart passing under the
yoke, that ye may thus acknowledge to all men that
ye are indeed vanquished.” Now the yoke
is thus made. There are set up in the ground
two spears, and over them is bound by ropes a third
spear. So the AEquians passed under the yoke.
In the camp of the enemy there was found abundance
of spoil. This the Dictator gave wholly to his
own soldiers. “Ye were well-nigh a spoil
to the enemy,” said he to the army of the Consul,
“therefore ye shall have no share in the spoiling
of them. As for thee, Minucius, be thou a lieutenant
only till thou hast learnt how to bear thyself as a
consul.” Meanwhile at Rome there was held
a meeting of the Senate, at which it was commanded
that Cincinnatus should enter the city in triumph,
his soldiers following him in order of march.
Before his chariot there were led the generals of
the enemy; also the standards were carried in the front;
and after these came the army, every man laden with
spoil. That day there was great rejoicing in
the city, every man setting forth a banquet before
his doors in the street.
After this, Virginius, that had borne false witness
against Caeso, was found guilty of perjury, and went
into exile. And when Cincinnatus saw that justice
had been done to this evil-doer, he resigned his dictatorship,
having held it for sixteen days only.