At last, calling to Lucius
Lucretius, whose place it was to speak first, he commanded him to
give his sentence, and the rest as they followed, in order.
Silence being made, and Lucretius just about to begin, by chance a
centurion, passing by outside with his company of the day-guard,
called out with a loud voice to the ensign-bearer to halt and fix
his standard, for this was the best place to stay in. This voice,
coming in that moment of time, and that crisis of uncertainty and
anxiety for the future, was taken as a direction what was to be
done; so that Lucretius, assuming an attitude of devotion, gave
sentence in concurrence with the gods, as he said, as likewise did
all that followed. Even among the common people it created a
wonderful change of feeling: every one now cheered and encouraged
his neighbor, and set himself to the work, proceeding in it,
however, not by any regular lines or divisions, but every one
pitching upon that plot of ground which came next to hand, or best
pleased his fancy; by which haste and hurry in building they
constructed their city in narrow and ill-designed lanes, and with
houses huddled together one upon another; for it is said that
within the compass of the year the whole city was raised up anew,
both in its public walls and private buildings.
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