All own that they know what is the bearing of the state’s
fortune; but their tongues can only mutter. Let him
accord freedom of speech, and bate his angry blasts, to 25
whose ill-omened leadership and inauspicious temper—aye,
I will speak, let him threaten me with duel and death
as he may—we owe it that so many of our army’s stars
have set before our eyes, and the whole city is sunk in
mourning, while he is making his essay of the Trojan camp, 30
with flight always in reserve, and scaring heaven with the
din of his arms. One gift there is over and above that