§3.27.1postero die dictator, cum ante lucem in forum venisset, magistrum equitum dicit L. Tarquitium, patriciae gentis, sed qui, cum stipendia pedibus propter paupertatem fecisset, bello tamen primus longe Romanae iuventutis habitus esset.
On the following day, the dictator, having come into the forum before dawn, named Lucius Tarquitius as master of the horse, a man of patrician family, but who, though he had served on foot because of his poverty, was nevertheless considered by far the first of the Roman youth in war.
§3.27.2cum magistro equitum in contionem venit, iustitium edicit, claudi tabernas tota urbe iubet, vetat quemquam privatae quicquam rei agere.
He came into the assembly with the master of the horse, proclaimed a suspension of public business, ordered the shops to be closed throughout the whole city, and forbade anyone to attend to any private business.
§3.27.3tum, quicumque aetate militari essent, armati cum cibariis in dies quinque coctis vallisque duodenis ante solis occasum Martio in campo adessent; quibus aetas ad militandum gravior esset, §3.27.4vicino militi, dum is arma pararet vallumque peteret, cibaria coquere iussit.
Then, whoever were of military age were to be present before sunset in the Campus Martius, armed, with cooked provisions for five days and twelve stakes each; those whose age was too advanced for military service, he ordered to cook the provisions for their neighboring soldier, while he was preparing his arms and seeking stakes.
§3.27.5sic iuventus discurrit ad vallum petendum.
Thus the youth dispersed to seek stakes.
sumpsere, unde cuique proximum fuit; prohibitus nemo est; §3.27.6inpigreque omnes ad edictum dictatoris praesto fuere.
They took them from wherever was nearest to each; no one was prevented; and all were promptly present according to the dictator's edict.
inde conposito agmine non itineri magis apti quam proelio, si res ita tulisset, legiones ipse dictator, magister equitum suos equites ducit. in utroque agmine quas tempus ipsum poscebat adhortationes erant:
Then, having formed the army in a column not more fit for a march than for battle, if circumstances should require, the dictator himself led the legions, and the master of the horse his own cavalry.
§3.27.7adderent gradum; maturato opus esse, ut nocte ad hostem perveniri posset.
In both columns there were such exhortations as the occasion itself demanded: let them quicken their pace; there was need of haste, so that they could reach the enemy by night.
consulem exercitumque Romanum obsideri, tertium diem iam clausos esse; quid quaeque nox aut dies ferat, incertum esse; puncto saepe temporis maximarum rerum momenta verti.
The consul and the Roman army were besieged, they had been shut up now for three days; what each night or day might bring was uncertain; often in a moment of time the crises of the greatest events are turned.
§3.27.8“accelera signifer!” “sequere miles!” inter se quoque gratificantes ducibus clamabant.
"Hurry, standard-bearer!" "Follow, soldier!" they shouted also among themselves to please their leaders.
media nocte in Algidum perveniunt et, ut sensere se iam prope hostes esse, signa constituunt.
In the middle of the night they arrived at Algidus, and when they perceived that they were already near the enemy, they halted.