§2.47.1proelio ex parte una restituto nihilo segnius in cornu altero Cn. Manlius consul pugnam ciebat, ubi prope similis fortuna est versata.
The battle having been restored in one quarter, the consul Gnaeus Manlius was maintaining the fight with no less vigor on the other wing, where a nearly similar fortune was experienced.
§2.47.2nam ut altero in cornu Q. Fabium, sic in hoc ipsum consulem Manlium iam velut fusos agentem hostis et inpigre milites secuti sunt et, ut ille gravi vulnere ictus ex acie cessit, interfectum rati gradum rettulere;
For just as the soldiers had eagerly followed Quintus Fabius on the other wing, so on this one they followed the consul Manlius himself, who was already driving the enemy as if they were routed; but when he, struck by a severe wound, retired from the battle, they, believing him killed, retraced their steps and gave way.
§2.47.3cessissentque loco, ni consul alter cum aliquot turmis equitum in eam partem citato equo advectus, vivere clamitans collegam, se victorem fuso altero cornu adesse, rem inclinatam sustinuisset.
And they would have yielded the ground, had not the other consul, having ridden to that quarter at full speed with some troops of cavalry and crying out that his colleague was alive and that he himself was present as victor after routing the other wing, sustained the wavering fortune.
§2.47.4Manlius quoque ad restituendam aciem se ipse coram offert.
Manlius also presented himself in person to restore the battle-line.
duorum consulum cognita ora accendunt militum animos.
The recognized faces of the two consuls kindled the spirits of the soldiers.
simul et vanior iam erat hostium acies, dum abundante multitudine freti subtracta subsidia mittunt ad castra oppugnanda.
At the same time, the enemy's battle-line was already weaker, since, relying on their abundant numbers, they had withdrawn their reserves and sent them to assault the camp.
§2.47.5in quae haud magno certamine impetu facto, dum praedae magis quam pugnae memores tererent tempus, triarii Romani, qui primam inruptionem sustinere non potuerant, missis ad consules nuntiis, quo loco res essent, conglobati ad praetorium redeunt et sua sponte ipsi proelium renovant.
Having made an attack on it without much opposition, while they wasted time mindful of plunder rather than of the fight, the Roman triarii, who had not been able to withstand the first inroad, sent messengers to the consuls to report how matters stood, and having massed together, returned to the general's tent and of their own accord renewed the battle.
§2.47.6et Manlius consul revectus in castra ad omnes portas milite opposito hostibus viam clauserat.
And the consul Manlius, having ridden back to the camp and posted soldiers at all the gates, had blocked the way against the enemy.
ea desperatio Tuscis rabiem magis quam audaciam accendit.
This despair kindled in the Etruscans fury rather than boldness.
nam cum incursantes, quacumque exitum ostenderet spes, vano aliquotiens impetu issent, globus iuvenum unus in ipsum consulem insignem armis invadit.
For when, as they rushed on wherever hope showed an outlet, they had made several useless charges, one band of youths made an attack upon the consul himself, who was conspicuous by his arms.
§2.47.7prima excepta a circumstantibus tela; sustineri deinde vis nequit.
The first weapons were intercepted by those standing around; then their violence could not be resisted.
consul mortifero vulnere ictus cadit, fusique circa omnes.
The consul fell, struck by a mortal wound, and all around him were routed.
§2.47.8Tuscis crescit audacia; Romanos terror per tota castra trepidos agit, et ad extrema ventum foret, ni legati rapto consulis corpore patefecissent una porta hostibus viam.
Boldness increased for the Etruscans; terror drove the trembling Romans through the whole camp, and they would have come to extremities had not the lieutenants, having snatched up the body of the consul, opened a way for the enemy by one of the gates.
§2.47.9ea erumpunt; consternatoque agmine abeuntes in victorem alterum incidunt consulem.
Through this they burst out; and as they were retreating in a disordered column, they fell upon the other victorious consul.
ibi iterum caesi fusique passim.
There they were again slaughtered and routed on all sides.
victoria egregia parta, tristis tamen duobus tam claris funeribus.
A splendid victory was gained, yet saddened by two such illustrious deaths.
§2.47.10itaque consul decernente senatu triumphum, si exercitus sine imperatore triumphare possit, pro eximia eo bello opera facile passurum respondit; se, familia funesta Q. Fabi fratris morte, re publica ex parte orba, consule altero amisso, publico privatoque deformem luctu lauream non accepturum.
Therefore, when the senate was decreeing a triumph, the consul replied that if the army could triumph without its commander, he would readily permit it on account of their extraordinary service in that war; but as for himself, with his family in mourning for the death of his brother Quintus Fabius and the commonwealth partially orphaned by the loss of the other consul, he would not accept a laurel crown disfigured by public and private grief.
§2.47.11omni acto triumpho depositus triumphus clarior fuit; adeo spreta in tempore gloria interdum cumulatior redit.
A triumph declined was more glorious than any actually celebrated; so true is it that glory, when rejected at the proper time, sometimes returns with interest.
funera deinde duo deinceps collegae fratrisque ducit, idem in utroque laudator, cum concedendo illis suas laudes ipse maximam partem earum ferret.
He then celebrated the two funerals of his colleague and his brother in succession, acting as the panegyrist in both cases, and by yielding his own praises to them, he himself bore away the greatest share of them.
§2.47.12neque inmemor eius, quod initio consulatus inbiberat, reconciliandi animos plebis, saucios milites curandos dividit patribus.
Nor was he unmindful of that which he had resolved upon at the beginning of his consulship, namely, of reconciling the minds of the plebeians; he distributed the wounded soldiers among the patricians to be cared for.
Fabiis plurimi dati nec alibi maiore cura habiti.
The greatest number were given to the Fabii, and nowhere were they treated with greater care.
inde populares iam esse Fabii nec hoc ulla re nisi salubri rei publicae arte.
From that time the Fabii became popular, and that too by no other art than one beneficial to the state.