Curiosities & wonders > Titus Livius' Roman history

120
TITUS LIVIUS’
Book II.
" enemy to pass, they would soon see more of them in
“ the Palatium and capitoI, than in the Janiculum; and,
“ for that reason, he advised and charged them to de-
“ molish the bridge by the axe, by fire, or by any other
" means of destruction in their power, that, in the mean
“ time, he would singly sustain the enemy’s attack, with
" all the vigour he was master of.”
He then advanced to the entrance of the bridge, and
being easily distinguished among those who had turned
their backs and fled, facing about to engage with the
enemy, hand to hand, by that surprising instance of
gallantry, he confounded the Etrurians. Two, however,
Spurius Lartius, and Titus Herminius, men eminent for
their birth and noble actions, were ashamed to leave him
with them: for a short time, he stood the first shock of
danger, and the most disorderly part of the assault; and
at last, upon a call fro.m those who were employed in
cutting down the bridge, he obliged his companions to
retire, upon the little that remained. Then looking fierce¬
ly at the Etrurian officers, and with a threatening air, he
challenged them one by one, and upbraided tliem all;
telling them, “ That they were the slaves of haughty
“ tyrants, who, regardless of their own liberty, came to
“ wrest it from their neighbours.”
They hesitated for some timp, and looked at one ano¬
ther, who should step out to begin the attack; shame at
length put the army in motion, who setting up a shout
threw their javelins from every quarter at a single ene¬
my; all which, when he received on his shield, and stood
firm and undaunted,* to keep possession of the bridge,
they endeavoured to justle him off by force; when the
crash of the bridge, that was now broke down, and the
shouts of the Romans, rejoicing that it was done, stunned
them with the shock, and suspended their fury. Then
Codes, “ O father, Tiberinus,” says he, “ earnestly do
<« I pray, that thou wouldst receive these arms and this
« soldier, and that thy streams would be merciful.”
Wherefore he threw himself into the Tiber, armed as
Be was, and amidst ten thousand darts, that fell about
him, he swimmed across the river to his own party, with-
* Ingots gradus, stately step.