"General," said a centurion, stepping forward, "the men pray; for the earth quaked."
"Do you think that Italy will devour her own children? No, Romans; see! The very earth quakes at the tread of the barbarians. It rises, breaks its bonds, and their walls fall. Roma, Roma æterna!"
His words took effect.
It was one of those Cæsarian speeches which move men to great deeds.
"Roma, Roma æterna!" cried, first Licinius, and after him thousands of Roman youths; and through night and storm, through thunder and lightning, they followed the Prefect, whose grand enthusiasm irresistibly carried them away.
Excitement lent wings to their feet. They were soon across the wide moat which usually they scarcely dared to approach.
Cethegus was the first to reach the opposite side.
The wind had extinguished the torches.
But he found his way in the dark.
"Here, Licinius!" he cried, "follow me! Here must be the breach."