Livy Page 5

Quae cum in obiecto cuncta scuto haesissent,

When they had clung together to the shield cast before them,

neque ille minus obstinatus ingenti pontem obtineret gradu,

and yet he none the less firmly maintained the bridge in a remarkable position,

iam impetu conabantur detrudere virum,

now they were trying to force the men off with an attack,

cum simul fragor rupti pontis, simul clamor Romanorum,

when at the same time, the crash of the broken bridge and the shout of the Romans,

alacritate perfecti operis sublatus, pavore subito impetum sustinuit.

raised with eagerness of their accomplished task, suddenly he checked the attack with fear.

Tum Cocles ‘Tiberine pater’ inquit, ‘te sancte precor, haec arma et hunc militem propitio flumine accipia.’

Then Cocles said ‘Father Tiberinus, I pray to you sacredly, that you receive these weapons and this soldier with this favourable river.’

Ita sic armatus in Tiberim desiluit multisque superincidentibus telis incolumnis ad suos tranavit, rem ausus plus famae habituram ad prosteros quam fidei.

Thus, armed in this way, he ventured into the Tiber and with many javelins falling on top, he swam across to them unharmed, having dared a deed that would have more fame than credence to those coming after him.

Grata erga tantam virtutem civitas fuit;

The state was thankful towards such courage;

statua in comito posita;

a statue was placed in the comitium;

agri quantum uno die circumaravit, datum.

He was given as much of a field that he could plow in one day.

Privata quoque inter publicos honores studia eminebat;

Private citizens projected their eagerness also, among public honours;

nam in magna inopia pro domesticis copiis unusquisque ei aliquid, fraudans se ipse victu suo, contulit.

For in spite of great poverty each one brought with them something for him within their personal means, robbing himself of his own ration.