From that time there was neither peace nor war with the Veientians; their proceedings had now come very near to the form of that of brigands.

They retired from the Roman troops into the city; when they perceived that the troops were drawn off, they made incursions into the country, alternately evading war by quiet, quiet by war.

Thus the matter could neither be dropped altogether, nor brought to a conclusion; and other wars were impending either at the moment, as from the AEqui and Volsci, who remained inactive no longer than until the recent smart of their late disaster should pass away; or it was evident that the Sabines, ever hostile, and all Etruria would put themselves in motion: but the Veientians, a constant rather than a formidable enemy, kept their minds in constant uneasiness by their insults more frequently than by any danger apprehended from them; a matter which could at no time be neglected, and which suffered them not to direct their attention to any other object.

Then the Fabian family addressed the senate; the consul speaks in the name of the family: "Conscript fathers, the Veientian war requires, as you know, a constant rather than a strong force.

Do you attend to other wars: assign the Fabii as enemies to the Veientians.