1856.1 Cincinnatus. 



Dictator," replied the Senators, "'tis too true — too well avouclied: for 

 five of our brave Equites, furiously spurring their fiery steeds, broke 

 headlong through the .Equian ranks : and, one, more fleetly mounted 

 than his fellows, pressed his high-mettled steed swiftly on to Eome, and 

 at midnight hour bore the fearful tidings to our Consul Fabius. By him 

 a Lictor was, forthwith, dispatched to summon Nautius from his camp 

 among the Sabines; the Senate was immediately convened; and, the 

 Consuls so advising, thou, most noble Cincinnatus, by decree of our 

 Senate, art summoned from this quiet farm, and constituted Eome's sole 

 and supreme Dictator ! Therefore, wc pray thee, hasten to the city, 

 and there see to it that the RejjuUlc receive no detrimfut." " 'lis 

 Eome that calls, and I obey ! " said Cincinnatus in a firm, calm under- 

 tone, half turning to Eacilia as she drew near, bearing his ample toga, 

 wherewith to cover the rustic work-day tunic in which he had received 

 the Senate's embassy. Bidding her adieu, and bowing to the Senators 

 his readiness to depart, he proceeded with rapid strides to enter the boat 

 they had left, which speedily re-crossed the Tiber. Stepping upon the 

 City's shore, Consuls, Senators, Jidiles, and Equites, hurried to meet 

 and greet him, attended by thronging thousands of the citizens whose 

 great alarm their silent, anxious bearing full well bespoke. Surrounded 

 now by mighty Eome's most mighty chiefs, his portly form erect, his 

 stately tread, his eagle eye, his firm-set lip, bespoke the patriot's stern 

 resolve that, though die he might, Eome should not receive a wound. 

 Perceiving this, the watching multitude raised concurring shouts ; the 

 four and twenty Lictors, filing in before him, bearing their official fasces 

 and secures, escorted the Eoman Farmer to the Forum, as Eome's 

 Supreme and Sovereign Euler. Here anxious expectation held all 

 breathing silent. The Lictors cleared ample space around the Dictator's 

 curule chair. 



Upon his native dignity this regal honor sat with all the graceful 

 ease that his own flowing toga sat upon his more than regal person. 

 But, a Eoman army is surrounded, and Eome herself in peril ; hence no 

 precious time did he consume in idle forms and useless pagantry. Quick 

 to think, wise to choose, and prompt to act, turning him from the helm- 

 eted Patricians around, he calmly ordered Lucius Tarquitius, a brave 

 and prudent man, but, withal, too poor to buy a horse, and therefore a 

 soldier in the ranks on foot, to be brought. Tarquitius came. As he 

 approached, addressing the wondering soldier, Cincinnatus said : " Tar- 

 quitius, right well thy valor Eome doth know, right well do we approve 

 thy wisdom; thou art, therefore, this hour, appointed our Magister, 

 Equitum ; and, as Commander of the Horse, go arm you from Eome's 



