§42.49.1per hos forte dies P. Licinius consul votis in Capitolio nuncupatis paludatus ab urbe profectus est.
During these days, as it happened, the consul Publius Licinius, having pronounced his vows on the Capitol, set out from the city clad in the general's cloak.
§42.49.2semper quidem ea res cum magna dignitate ac maiestate agitur; praecipue convertit oculos animosque, cum ad magnum nobilemque aut virtute aut fortuna hostem euntem consulem prosecuntur.
Indeed, that ceremony is always conducted with great dignity and majesty; but it especially turns the eyes and minds of all when they escort a consul going against an enemy great and renowned either for valor or for fortune.
§42.49.3contrahit enim non officii modo cura, sed etiam studium spectaculi, ut videant ducem suum, cuius imperio consilioque summam rem publicam tuendam permiserunt.
For they are drawn together not only by the care of duty, but also by the eagerness for the spectacle, so that they may see their own leader, to whose command and counsel they have entrusted the protection of the supreme commonwealth.
§42.49.4subit deinde cogitatio animos, qui belli casus, quam incertus fortunae eventus communisque Mars belli sit; §42.49.5adversa secundaque, quae inscitia et temeritate ducum clades saepe acciderint, quae contra bona prudentia et virtus attulerit.
Then a thought enters their minds, what the hazards of war may be, how uncertain the outcome of fortune, and how common the Mars of war is; adversity and prosperity, what disasters have often happened through the ignorance and rashness of leaders, and, on the contrary, what good things prudence and valor have brought.
§42.49.6quem scire mortalium, utrius mentis, utrius fortunae consulem ad bellum mittant? triumphantemne mox cum exercitu victore scandentem in Capitolium ad eosdem deos, a quibus proficiscatur, visuri, an hostibus eam praebituri laetitiam sint? Persei autem regi, adversus quem ibatur, famam et bello clara Macedonum gens et Philippus pater, inter multa prospere gesta Romano etiam nobilitatus bello, praebebat; §42.49.7tum ipsius Persei numquam, ex quo regnum accepisset, desitum belli expectatione celebrari nomen.
Who of mortals could know what kind of mind, what kind of fortune the consul they are sending to war possesses? Are they soon to see him triumphing, ascending the Capitol with a victorious army to the same gods from whom he is setting out, or are they to afford that joy to the enemies? Moreover, for King Perseus, against whom they were going, his reputation was enhanced both by the Macedonian nation, famous in war, and by his father Philip, who among many successful achievements was also made renowned by the Roman war; then, of Perseus himself, the name had never ceased to be celebrated in expectation of war from the time he had received the kingdom.
§42.49.8cum his cogitationibus omnium ordinum homines proficiscentem consulem prosecuti sunt.
With these thoughts, men of all classes escorted the departing consul.
§42.49.9duo consulares tribuni militum cum eo missi, C. Claudius, Q. Mucius, et tres inlustres iuvenes, P. Lentulus et duo Manli Acidini: alter M. Manli, alter L. Manli filius erat.
Two military tribunes of consular rank were sent with him, Gaius Claudius and Quintus Mucius, and three illustrious youths, Publius Lentulus and two Manlii Acidini: one of whom was the son of Marcus Manlius, the other of Lucius Manlius.
§42.49.10cum iis consul Brundisium ad exercitum profectus atque inde cum omnibus copiis transvectus ad Nymphaeum in Apolloniatium agro posuit castra.
With them, the consul set out for the army at Brundisium, and having crossed from there with all his forces, he pitched his camp at Nymphaeum in the territory of the Apolloniates.