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full possession of the city。 But among the young men there was one
Pontius Cominius； of ordinary birth； but ambitious of honour； who
proffered himself to run the hazard； and took no letters with him to
those in the Capitol； lest； if he were intercepted； the enemy might
learn the intentions of Camillus； but； putting on a poor dress and
carrying corks under it； he boldly travelled the greatest part of
the way by day； and came to the city when it was dark； the bridge he
could not pass； as it was guarded by the barbarians； so that taking
his clothes； which were neither many nor heavy； and binding them about
his head； he laid his body upon the corks； and swimming with them； got
over to the city。 And avoiding those quarters where he perceived the
enemy was awake； which he guessed at by the lights and noise； he
went to the Carmental gate； where there was greatest silence； and
where the hill of the Capitol is steepest and rises with craggy and
broken rock。 By this way he got up； though with much difficulty； by
the hollow of the cliff； and presented himself to the guards； saluting
them； and telling them his name； he was taken in； and carried to the
commanders。 And a senate being immediately called； he related to
them in order the victory of Camillus； which they had not heard of
before； and the proceedings of the soldiers； urging them to confirm
Camillus in the command； as on him alone all their fellow…countrymen
outside the city would rely。 Having heard and consulted of the matter；
the senate declared Camillus dictator； and sent back Pontius the
same way that he came； who； with the same success as before； got
through the enemy without being discovered； and delivered to the
Romans outside the decision of the senate； who joyfully received it。
Camillus； on his arrival； found twenty thousand of them ready in arms；
with which forces； and those confederates he brought along with him；
he prepared to set upon the enemy。
But at Rome some of the barbarians； passing by chance near the place
at which Pontius by night had got into the Capitol； spied in several
places marks of feet and hands； where he had laid hold and
clambered； and places where the plants that grew to the rock had
been rubbed off； and the earth had slipped； and went accordingly and
reported it to the king； who； coming in person； and viewing it； for
the present said nothing； but in the evening； picking out such of
the Gauls as were nimblest of body； and by living in the mountains
were accustomed to climb； he said to them； 〃The enemy themselves
have shown us a way how to come at them； which we knew not of
before； and have taught us that it is not so difficult and
impossible but that men may overcome it。 It would be a great shame；
having begun well； to fail in the end； and to give up a place as
impregnable； when the enemy himself lets us see the way by which it
may be taken； for where it was easy for one man to get up； it will not
be hard for many； one after another； nay； when many shall undertake
it； they will be aid and strength to each other。 Rewards and honours
shall be bestowed on every man as he shall acquit himself。〃
When the king had thus spoken； the Gauls cheerfully undertook to
perform it； and in the dead of night a good party of them together；
with great silence； began to climb the rock； clinging to the
precipitous and difficult ascent； which yet upon trial offered a way
to them； and proved less difficult than they had expected。 So that the
foremost of them having gained the top of all； and put themselves into
order； they all but surprised the outworks； and mastered the watch；
who were fast asleep； for neither man nor dog perceived their
coming。 But there were sacred geese kept near the temple of Juno；
which at other times were plentifully fed； but now； by reason that
corn and other provisions were grown scarce for all； were but in a
poor condition。 The creature is by nature of quick sense； and
apprehensive of the least noise； so that these； being moreover
watchful through hunger； and restless； immediately discovered the
coming of the Gauls； and； running up and down with their noise and
cackling； they raised the whole camp； while the barbarians on the
other side； perceiving themselves discovered； no longer endeavoured to
conceal their attempt； but with shouting and violence advanced to
the assault。 The Romans； every one in haste snatching up the next
weapon that came to hand； did what they could on the sudden
occasion。 Manlius； a man of consular dignity； of strong body and great
spirit； was the first that made head against them； and； engaging
with two of the enemy at once； with his sword cut off the right arm of
one just as he was lifting up his blade to strike； and； running his
target full in the face of the other； tumbled him headlong down the
steep rock； then mounting the rampart； and there standing with
others that came running to his assistance； drove down the rest of
them； who； indeed； to begin； had not been many； and did nothing worthy
of so bold an attempt。 The Romans； having thus escaped this danger；
early in the morning took the captain of the watch and flung him
down the rock upon the heads of their enemies； and to Manlius for
his victory voted a reward； intended more for honour than advantage；
bringing him； each man of them as much as he received for his daily
allowance； which was half a pound of bread and one eighth of a pint of
wine。
Henceforward； the affairs of the Gauls were daily in a worse and
worse condition； they wanted provisions； being withheld from
foraging through fear of Camillus； and sickness also was amongst them；
occasioned by the number of carcasses that lay in heaps unburied。
Being lodged among the ruins； the ashes； which were very deep； blown
about by the winds and combining with the sultry heats； breathed up；
so to say； a dry and searching air； the inhalation of which was
destructive to their health。 But the chief cause was the change from
their natural climate； coming as they did out of shady and hilly
countries； abounding in means of shelter from the heat； to lodge in
low； and； in the autumn season； very unhealthy ground； added to
which was the length and tediousness of the siege； as they had now
sate seven months before the Capitol。 There was； therefore； a great
destruction among them； and the number of the dead grew so great
that the living gave up burying them。 Neither； indeed； were things
on that account any better with the besieged； for famine increased
upon them； and despondency with not hearing anything of Camillus； it
being impossible to send any one to him； the city was so guarded by
the barbarians。 Things being in this sad condition on both sides； a
motion of treaty was made at first by some of the outposts； as they
happened to speak with one another； which being embraced by the
leading men； Sulpicius； tribune of the Romans； came to a parley with
Brennus； in which it was agreed； that the Romans laying down a
thousand weight of gold； the Gauls upon the receipt of it should
immediately quit the city and territories。 The agreement being
confirmed by oath on both sides； and the gold brought forth； the Gauls
used false dealing