§4.28.1et iam lucescebat omniaque sub oculis erant.
And now it was growing light, and everything was plain to view.
et Fabius cum equitatu impetum dederat, et consul eruptionem e castris in trepidos iam hostes fecerat; §4.28.2dictator autem parte altera subsidia et secundam aciem adortus circumagenti se ad dissonos clamores ac subitos tumultus hosti undique obiecerat victorem peditem equitemque. §4.28.3circumventi igitur iam in medio ad unum omnes poenas rebellionis dedissent, ni Vettius Messius ex Volscis, nobilior vir factis quam genere, iam orbem volventes suos increpans clara voce “hic praebituri” inquit
Both Fabius had charged with his cavalry, and the consul had made a sally from the camp upon the enemy, who were already in a state of panic; the dictator, however, having attacked the reserves and the second line in another quarter, had opposed his victorious infantry and cavalry on all sides to the enemy, who were turning themselves towards the discordant cries and sudden tumults. They would therefore, now surrounded in the midst, all to a man have paid the penalty of their rebellion, had not Vettius Messius, a Volscian, more noble for his deeds than his birth, rebuking his men who were already forming a circle, cried out with a loud voice: "Are you going to offer yourselves here defenceless and unavenged to the weapons of the enemy?
§4.28.4“vos telis hostium estis indefensi, inulti? quid igitur arma habetis aut quid ultro bellum intulistis in otio tumultuosi, in bello segnes? quid hic stantibus spei est? an deum aliquem protecturum vos rapturumque hinc putatis? ferro via facienda est. §4.28.5hac, qua me praegressum videritis, agite, qui visuri domos parentes, coniuges liberos estis, ite mecum.
Why then do you have arms, or why did you voluntarily bring on war, turbulent in peace, sluggish in war? What hope is there for those who stand here? Do you think that some god will protect you and snatch you away from here? A way must be made with the sword. Come on, where you see me go before you; you who hope to see your homes, parents, wives, and children, come with me!
non murus nec vallum, sed armati armatis obstant.
It is not a wall or a rampart, but armed men who stand in the way of armed men.
virtute pares, necessitate, quae ultimum ac maximum telum est, superiores estis. ” §4.28.6haec locutum exsequentemque dicta redintegrato clamore secuti dant inpressionem, qua Postumius Albus cohortes obiecerat; et moverunt victorem, donec dictator pedem iam referentibus suit advenit, eoque omne proelium versum est. §4.28.7uni viro, Messio, fortuna hostium innititur.
Equal in courage, you are superior in necessity, which is the ultimate and greatest weapon." Having spoken these words, and suiting his actions to his words, they followed him with a renewed shout and made a charge where Postumius Albus had opposed his cohorts; and they shook the victors, until the dictator arrived, while his own men were already retreating, and the whole battle was turned to that quarter. On one man, Messius, the fortune of the enemy depended.
multa utrimque vulnera, multa passim caedes est.
There were many wounds on both sides, and much slaughter everywhere.
iam ne duces quidem Romani incruenti pugnant. §4.28.8unus Postumius ictus saxo perfracto capite acie excessit, non dictatorem umerus vulneratus, non Fabium prope affixum equo femur, non bracchium abscisum consulem ex tam ancipiti proelio summovit.
Now not even the Roman leaders fought without drawing blood. Postumius alone, struck by a stone, with his skull fractured, left the field; but neither his wounded shoulder withdrew the dictator, nor his thigh almost pinned to his horse withdrew Fabius, nor his lacerated arm withdrew the consul from so critical a struggle.