The cries of victory uttered by the pursuing Longobardians, drowned the blast of the trumpets; or those that heard it disregarded it.
Narses groaned as he saw the last ranks of the Longobardians disappear into the Gate of Capræ.
"Oh!" he sighed; "those blockheads oblige me to commit a folly with open eyes. I cannot let them suffer for their stupidity as they deserve. I still need them. Therefore, forward, in the name of nonsense! Before we can overtake them, they may be already half destroyed! Forward, Cethegus, Anzalas, and Liberius! Take the Isaurians, Armenians, and Illyrians, and get into Capræ. But reflect that the town cannot be empty. It is a snare, into which we follow those blind bulls with open eyes. I will come after in my litter; but I can stand no more."
And he sank back into his seat, terribly fatigued. A slight convulsion, such as he often experienced when excited, shook his frame.
The footmen of Cethegus and Liberius advanced towards the town at a rapid march, the two leaders riding in front.
Meanwhile pursued and pursuers had rushed through the little town, and the last Longobardians had passed Capræ, while the first, with Alboin, had reached that part of the Flaminian Way where the two hills bounded and confined the road on the right and left.
The King galloped forward another horse's length; then he halted, turned, and gave a sign.
Adalgoth, who rode at his side, blew his horn, and out of the northern gate of Taginæ issued Thorismuth and his spear-bearers, while from the double ambush on the hills the Persian horsemen of the Corsican burst out with a yell and a blast of cornets.
"Now wheel about, my Goths! Forward to the charge! Woe to the befooled!" cried Totila.
Alboin looked helplessly round.