64 CAIUS MARIUS.

of a terrible aspect, and uttering strange cries and shouts. Taking up a great part of the plain with their camp, they challenged Marius to battle ; he seemed to take no notice of them, but kept his soldiers within their fortifications, and sharply reprehended those that were too forward and eager to show their courage, and who, out of passion, would needs be fighting, calling them traitors to their country, and telling them they were not now to think of the glory of triumphs and trophies, but rather how they might repel such an impetuous tempest of war, and save Italy. Thus he discoursed privately with his officers and equals, but placed the soldiers by turns upon the bul- warks to survey the enemy, and so made them familiar with their shape and voice, which were indeed altogether extravagant and barbarous, and he caused them to ob- serve their arms, and way of using them, so that in a lit- tle time what at first appeared terrible to their apprehen- sions, by often viewing, became familiar. For he very rationally supposed, that the strangeness of things often makes them seem formidable when they are not so ; and that by our better acquaintance, even things which are really terrible, lose much of their frightfulness. This daily converse not only diminished some of the soldiers' fear, but their indignation warmed and inflamed their courage, when they heard the threats and insupportable insolence of their enemies ; who not only plundered and depopulated all the country round, but would even con- temptuously and confidently attack the ramparts. Complaints of the soldiers now began to come to Ma- rius's ears. " What effeminacy does Marius see in us, that he should thus like women lock us up from encountering our enemies ? Come on, let us show ourselves men, and ask him if he expects others to fight for Italy; and means merely to employ us in servile offices, wben he