"We will open the gates."
But Cethegus shunned this thought. Not having received news from the outer world for weeks, he had no idea when Belisarius could possibly arrive at the mouth of the Tiber.
"What!" he cried. "Shall I fix a term during which you will remain Romans, and after which you will become cowards and slaves! Honour knows no term!"
"You speak thus, because you do not believe in the reinforcements."
"I speak thus, because I believe in you!"
"But we will have a term. We are resolved. You speak of Roman freedom! Are we free, or are we bound to obey you like your slaves? We demand a term, and we will have it."
"We will have it!" repeated a chorus of voices.
Before Cethegus could reply, the sound of trumpets was heard from the south-eastern corner of the Forum.
From the Via Sacra advanced a crowd of people, citizens and soldiers; in their midst were two horsemen in foreign armour.