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Rome’s Fortune, however, did not lack a voice capable of revealing and declaring such a great mischance. Sacred geese Cf. 287 c, supra. were kept near the temple of Juno for the service of the goddess. Now by nature this bird is easily disturbed and frightened by noise; and at this time, since they were neglected, because dire want oppressed the garrison, their sleep was light, and was made uncomfortable by hunger, with the result that they were at once aware of the enemy as they showed themselves above the edge of the cliif. The geese hissed at them and rushed at them impetuously, and, at the sight of arms, became even more excited, and filled the place with piercing and discordant clamour. By this the Romans were aroused, and, when they comprehended what had happened, they forced back their enemies and hurled them over the precipice. And even to this day, in memory of these events, there are borne in solemn procession a dog impaled on a stake, Cf. Pliny, Natural History, xxix. 4 (57); Aelian, De Natura Animalium, xii. 33; Lydus, De Mensibus, iv. 114; Bücheler, Umbrica, p. 128. but a goose perched in state upon a costly coverlet in a litter.
