22.29
Fabius'
attention was first drawn to the cries of alarm, then he observed in the
distance the disordered and broken ranks. "Just so," he exclaimed, "Fortune
has overtaken his rashness, but not more quickly than I feared. Fabius is his
equal in command, but he has found out that Hannibal is his superior both in
ability and in success. However, this is not the time for censure or rebuke,
advance into the field! Let us wrest victory from the foe, and a confession of
error from our fellow-citizens." By this time the rout had spread over a large
part of the field, some were killed, others looking round for the means of
escape, when suddenly the army of Fabius appeared as though sent down
from heaven to their rescue. Before they came within range of their missiles,
before they could exchange blows, they checked their comrades in their wild
flight and the enemy in their fierce attack. Those who had been scattered
hither and thither after their ranks were broken, closed in from all sides and
reformed their line; those who had kept together in their retreat wheeled
round to face the enemy, and, forming square, at one moment slowly retired,
and at another shoulder to shoulder stood their ground. The defeated troops
and those who were fresh on the field had now practically become one line,
and they were commencing an advance on the enemy when the Carthaginian
sounded the retreat, showing clearly that whilst Minucius had been defeated
by him he was himself vanquished by Fabius. The greater part of the day had
been spent in these varying fortunes of the field. On their return to camp
Minucius called his men together and addressed them thus: "Soldiers, I have
often heard it said that the best man is he who himself advises what is the
right thing to do; next to him comes the man who follows good advice; but
the man who neither himself knows what counsel to give nor obeys the wise
counsels of another is of the very lowest order of intelligence. Since the first
order of intelligence and capacity has been denied to us let us cling to the
second and intermediate one, and whilst we are learning to command, let us
make up our minds to obey him who is wise and far sighted. Let us join
camp with Fabius. When we have carried the standards to his tent where I
shall salute him as 'Father,' a title which the service he has done us and the
greatness of his office alike deserve, you soldiers will salute as 'Patrons'
those whose arms and right hands protected you a little while ago. If this day
has done nothing else for us, it has at all events conferred on us the glory of
having grateful hearts."
