1The Roman consuls, too, dreaded nothing other than their own strength, their own arms. 2The memory of the very bad example set in the last war frightened them from risking a battle in circumstances where two battle lines were to be feared at once. 2And so they kept within their camp, turning away from so double-edged a danger: time and circumstance themselves would perhaps soften the anger and bring sanity to their minds. 3The Veientine enemy and the Etruscans acted all the more precipitately for that; 3they provoked them to battle, first by riding up to the camp and issuing challenges, finally, when this had no effect, by abusing now the consuls themselves, now the army: the pretence of internal discord had been devised as a cure for fear, and the consuls distrusted their soldiers rather than disbelieved them; 4this was a new kind of mutiny — silence and idleness among armed men.
4Besides this they hurled taunts, some false, some true, at the newness of their race and origin. 5While they made this din right under the rampart and the gates, the consuls bore it without much distress; 5but the hearts of the unskilled multitude were stirred now by indignation, now by shame, and turned away from their internal ills: they did not want the enemy to go unpunished, nor did they want success for the senators or for the consuls; 5foreign and domestic hatreds strove together in their minds. 6At last the foreign prevail; 6so arrogantly and insolently was the enemy mocking them. 6They gather in crowds at the general's tent; 6they demand battle, they insist that the signal be given.
7The consuls put their heads together as though deliberating, and confer for a long time. 7They were eager to fight, but that eagerness had to be held back and concealed, so that by opposing and delaying they might add impetus to the soldiers once they had been roused. 8The reply is given that the matter is premature, that it is not yet time for battle; 8they should keep within the camp. 8They then issue an edict that they abstain from fighting: if anyone fought without orders, they would punish him as an enemy. 9When the men had been dismissed in this way, their ardour for fighting grows the less they believe the consuls want it.
9The enemy inflame them further by coming on much more boldly, once it became known that the consuls had decided not to fight: they could insult them with impunity, they said, the soldiers were not trusted with arms, the matter would burst out into the extreme of mutiny, and the end had come for Roman power. 10Relying on this, they run up to the gates, heap abuse on them, and can barely refrain from attacking the camp. 10Then indeed the Romans could bear the insults no longer; 11from all over the camp men run to the consuls from every side; 11no longer gradually, as before, through the leading centurions do they make their demands, but all of them everywhere press with shouts.
11The matter was ripe; 11still they hold back. 12Then Fabius, as his colleague was now giving way before the growing uproar for fear of mutiny, having obtained silence with a trumpet call, said: 'I know, Gnaeus Manlius, that these men can conquer; 13whether they are willing, they themselves have kept me from knowing. 13And so it is fixed and decided not to give the signal unless they swear that they will return victorious from this battle. 13Once a soldier has deceived a Roman consul in battle; the gods he will never deceive.' 13There was a centurion, Marcus Flavoleius, among the foremost in demanding battle. 14'Victorious, Marcus Fabius,' he said, 'I will return from the field.' 14If he broke his word, he called down upon himself the wrath of Father Jupiter, Mars Gradivus and the other gods.
14Then the whole army, each man for himself, swears the same oath. 14When they have sworn, the signal is given; 14they take up arms; 14they go into battle full of anger and hope. 14Now they bid the Etruscans hurl their insults, now they bid the enemy, so ready with his tongue, face each of them armed. 16On that day the valour of all, plebeians and patricians alike, was outstanding; 16the Fabian name shone out above all. 16The Fabii resolve in that battle to win back to themselves the feelings of the plebs, embittered by many civil contests.