On the Ides the altars of rustic Faunus(1) smoke, there where the island breaks the parted waters. This was the day on which thrice a hundred and thrice two(2) Fabii fell by Veientine(3) arms. A single house had undertaken the defence and burden of the city: the right hands of a single clan proffered and drew their swords. From the same camp a noble soldiery marched forth, of whom any one was fit to be a leader. The nearest way is by the right-hand arch of Carmentis' gate(4): go not that way, whoe'er thou art: 'tis ominous. By it, the rumour runs, the three hundred Fabii went forth. No blame attaches to the gate, but still 'tis ominous. When at quick pace they reached the rushing Cremera(5) (it flowed turbid with winter rain) they pitched their camp on the spot, and with drawn swords broke through the Tyrrhenian(6) array right valiantly, even as lions of the Libyan breed attack herds scattered through spacious fields. The foemen flee dispersed, stabbed in the back with wounds dishonourable: with Tuscan(7) blood the earth is red. So yet again, so oft they fall. When open victory was denied them, they set an ambush of armed men in wait. A plain there was, bounded by hills and forest, where the mountain beasts could find commodious(8) lair. In the midst the foe left a few of their number and some scattered herds: the rest of the host lurked hidden in the thickets. Lo, as a torrent, swollen by rain or snow which the warm West Wind has melted, sweeps across the cornfields, across the roads, nor keeps its waters pent within the wonted(9) limit of its banks, so the Fabii rushed here and there broadcast about the vale; all that they saw they felled; no other fear they knew. Whither away, ye scions(10) of an illustrious house? 'Tis ill to trust the foe. O noble hearts and simple, beware of treacherous blades! By fraud is valour vanquished: from every hand the foe leaps forth into the open plain, and every side they hold. What can a handful of the brave do against so many thousands? Or where can they look for help in such extremity? As a boar, hunted afar from the Laurentine(11) woods, scatters the swift hounds with thunderous snout, but soon himself is slain, so do they die not unavenged, giving and taking wounds alternately. One day sent forth to war the Fabii all: one day undid all that were sent to war. Yet may we believe that the gods themselves took thought to save the seed of the Herculean house; for a boy under age, too young to bear arms, was left alone of all the Fabian clan, to the end, no doubt, that thou, Maximus(12), mightest one day be born to save the commonwealth by biding time.    (1) Faunus = a son of Picus, who is said to have reigned in Italy about 1300 years BC. His bravery as well as wisdom have given rise to the tradition that he was the son of Mars. He raised a temple in honor of Pan, called by the Latins Lupercus, at the foot of the Palatine hill, and dispensed his hospitality to strangers with a liberal hand.    (2) The Fabii were one of the family clans of early Rome. They offered to carry on the war against Veii alone. Of the 306 of their clan who set forth through the Carmental gate, they fought the war for two years before they were ambushed and slaughtered. None returned.    (3) Veientine = those of the city of Veii. Later, after the defeat of this city in 392 BC, they were carried to Rome where the tribe they composed was called the Veientina.    (4) Carmentis gate = The right-hand arch of the Parta Carmentalis, next to the temple of Janus, was considered to be unlucky. After the disastor, it was later renamed and called Scelerata.    (5) Cremera = a stream near the city of Veii.    (6) Tyrrhenian = another of the names for the Etruscans, part of the confederation of peoples and cities principally north of Rome. Their name was taken and applied to the Tyrrhenian Sea, as they were excellent sailors and navigators.    (7) Tuscan = after Tuscania or Tuscia, a large country at the west of Rome.    (8) commodious = adj. spacious and convenient; ample; roomy.    (9) wonted = adj. accustomed; used, habit, practice, usual.    (10) scions = a descendant or offspring, esp. of an illustrious family.    (11) Laurentine = after Laurentum, now S. Lorenzo, the capital of the kingdom of Latium in the reign of Latinus. It was situated on the sea coast, a few miles east of the mouth of the Tiber.    (12) Maximus = Fabius Maximus Cunctator. A celebrated Roman, he became famous for deeds of valor and heroism, and was gradually raised to the highest offices of the state. As an opponent to Hannibal, he would not engage him in the field, like his predecessors who had fatally lost armies in this enterprise, but by continually harassing his army by countermarches and ambushes, from which he received the surname of Cunctator, or 'delayer.'

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