1Besides the spirit they had sufficiently gathered of their own accord, the Romans were also inflamed by indignation: the other army would soon be returning victorious to the city, while the enemy was actually insulting them with taunts; 1when, moreover, would they be a match for the enemy, if they were not now? 2When the consul perceived the soldiers grumbling about these things in the camp, he called an assembly and said: 'How matters went on Algidus, soldiers, I think you have heard. 2That army was such as the army of a free people ought to be. 3By my colleague's strategy and the soldiers' courage the victory was won. 3As far as I am concerned, I shall have such plans and spirit as you give me.
3The war can either be prolonged to advantage or quickly finished. 4If it must be prolonged, I shall see to it, by the same discipline with which I began, that your hope and courage grow day by day; 4if there is now spirit enough and you wish to decide it, come, raise a shout here such as you will raise in battle, as a sign of your will and your courage!' 5When the shout had been raised with tremendous eagerness, he assured them that — and may it turn out well — he would do as they wished and lead them out into battle the next day. 5The rest of the day was spent in preparing arms.
6The next day, as soon as the Sabines saw the Roman line being drawn up, they too came forward, long since eager for the contest. 6The battle was such as one between two armies both confident in themselves, the one proud of its ancient and unbroken glory, the other elated by a fresh and recent victory. 7The Sabines also assisted their strength with strategy; 7for having made their line equal in length, they kept two thousand men in reserve outside the line, to make an attack on the Romans' left wing in the very thick of the fight. 8When these, bearing down with a flank attack, were overwhelming the wing, which was almost surrounded, about six hundred cavalry of the two legions leapt from their horses and, as their men were now giving way, dashed to the front, and at once both set themselves against the enemy and fired the infantry's spirits, first by sharing the danger equally, then by shame.
9It was a disgrace that the cavalry should fight in their own fashion and in another's, while the infantry were not a match even for cavalry who had dismounted.