[History of Rome, Vol III by Titus Livius]@TWC D-Link book
History of Rome, Vol III

BOOK XXVII
40/146

Four military standards were lost by the wing which first fled, and two belonging to the legion which came up in place of the retiring allies.
13.

Marcellus, on his return to the camp, delivered an address to his soldiers so severe and acrimonious, that the words of their exasperated general were more painful to them than what they had suffered in the unsuccessful battle during the whole day.

"I praise and thank the immortal gods," said he "that in such an affair the victorious enemy did not assail our very camp, when you were hurrying into the rampart and the gates with such consternation.

There can be no doubt but you would have abandoned the camp with the same cowardice with which you gave up the battle.

What panic was this?
What terror?
What sudden forgetfulness of who you are, and who the persons with whom you were fighting, took possession of your minds?
Surely these are the same enemies in conquering and pursuing whom when conquered you spent the preceding summer; whom latterly you have been closely pursuing while they fled before you night and day; whom you have wearied by partial battles; whom yesterday you would not allow either to march or encamp.


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