552And the strange event touched the nymphs, and the son of the Amazon was astonished just as when the Etruscan ploughman saw in the middle of his fields a fateful clod first move of its own accord with no one stirring it, then take on human form and lose that of earth, and open its newly made mouth to the fates to come (the natives called him Tages, who first taught the Etruscan race to disclose future events); 560or as when Romulus once saw the spear fixed on the Palatine hill suddenly put forth leaves, which stood by a new root, not by the iron driven in, and, no longer a weapon but a tree of pliant wood, gave unexpected shade to those marvelling; 565or when Cipus saw his horns in the river water (for he did see them) and, believing the image false, often raised his fingers to his forehead and touched what he saw, and no longer condemning his eyes he halted, as he was coming victorious from a conquered enemy, and raising his hands and eyes to the sky said: 'Gods above, whatever is foretold by this portent, if it is happy, let it be happy for my country and the people of Quirinus; if threatening, let it fall on me!' 573and he propitiates grassy altars made of green turf with fragrant fires, and offers wine from bowls, and consults the quivering entrails of slaughtered sheep as to what they signify for him.
577As soon as the soothsayer of the Etruscan race looked at them, he saw in them great upheavals of affairs, yet not clearly. 579But when he raised his keen gaze from the sheep's entrails to the horns of Cipus, he said: 'Hail, O king! 581For to you, to you, Cipus, and to your horns this place and the Latin citadels will be subject. 583Only break off delay and hasten to enter the gates that stand open! 584so the fates command; 584for once received into the city you will be king and will hold an everlasting sceptre in safety.' 586He drew back his foot and, turning his stern face away from the walls of the city, said: 'Far, ah!
587far away may the gods drive such omens! 588Much more justly shall I spend my life in exile than have the Capitol see me as king!' 590He spoke, and at once calls together the people and the grave senate, but first veils his horns with peaceful laurel; 592and he stands on a mound built by his brave soldiers, and having prayed to the ancient gods in the customary way, says: 'There is one man here who, unless you drive him from the city, will be king. 595Who he is I shall tell you by a sign, not by name: he wears horns on his brow. 596The augur declares to you that, if he enters Rome, he will impose the laws of slavery.
598He could indeed have burst through the open gates, but I have stood in his way, although no one is more closely joined to me than he. 600Keep the man from the city, Quirites, or, if he deserves it, bind him in heavy chains, or end your fear with the death of the fated tyrant!' 603As murmurs arise in close-girt pine woods when the fierce east wind whistles through them, or as the waves of the sea make if one hears them from afar, such is the sound of the people; 606but through the confused words of the roaring crowd one voice stands out: 'Who is he?', and they look at foreheads and search for the foretold horns.
609Again Cipus says to them: 'You have the one you demand,' and, taking the garland from his head though the people tried to stop him, he displayed his temples marked out with twin horns. 612All lowered their eyes and gave a groan, and (who could believe it?) unwillingly looked upon that head illustrious for its merits; 614and not allowing it to lack honour any longer, they placed on it a festive garland. 616But the leading men, Cipus, since you were forbidden to enter the walls, gave you as much land, in honour, as you could encircle with a plough pressed down behind yoked oxen from dawn to the end of day, and they carve horns reproducing the wondrous shape on the bronze door-posts, to remain through long ages.