recovering from his wound a little, turned about to renew the
battle, and, facing the fliers, with a loud voice encouraged them
to stand and fight. But being overborne with numbers, and nobody
daring to face about, stretching out his hands to heaven, he
prayed to Jupiter to stop the army, and not to neglect but
maintain the Roman cause, now in extreme danger. The prayer was no
sooner made than shame and respect for their king checked many;
the fears of the fugitives changed suddenly into confidence. The
place they first stood at was where now is the temple of Jupiter
Stator (which may be translated the Stayer); there they rallied
again into ranks, and repulsed the Sabines to the place called now
Regia, and to the temple of Vesta; where both parties, preparing
to begin a second battle, were prevented by a spectacle, strange
to behold, and defying description. For the daughters of the
Sabines, who had been carried off, came running, in great
confusion, some on this side, some on that, with miserable cries
and lamentations, like creatures possessed, in the midst of the
army, and among the dead bodies, to come at their husbands and
their fathers, some with their young babes in their arms, others
their hair loose about their ears, but all calling, now upon the
Sabines, now upon the Romans, in the most tender and endearing
words. Hereupon both melted into compassion, and fell back, to
make room for them betwixt the armies. The sight of the women
carried sorrow and commiseration upon both sides into the hearts
of all, but still more their words, which began with expostulation
and upbraiding, and ended with entreaty and supplication.

"Wherein," say they, "have we injured or offended you, as to
deserve such sufferings, past and present? We were ravished away
unjustly and violently by those whose now we are; that being done,