The rumour spreads through the entire city; they extol the Fabii to the skies by their encomiums.

"That a single family had taken on them the burden of the state: that the Veientian war had now become a private concern, a private quarrel.

If there were two families of the same strength in the city, let them demand, the one the Volsci for itself, the other the AEqui; that all the neighbouring states might be subdued, the Roman people all the time enjoying profound peace." The day following, the Fabii take up arms; they assemble where they had been ordered.

The consul coming forth in his paludamentum,[97] beholds his entire family in the porch drawn up in order of march; being received into the centre, he orders the standards to be carried forward.

Never did an army march through the city, either smaller in number, or more distinguished in fame and in the admiration of all men.