hoc illud meritum est, quod continuare feruntur excubias Latii pro maiestate Palati, quod redimunt vitam populi procerumque salutem, perfundunt quia colla comis bene vel bene cingunt tempora taeniolis et licia crinibus addunt, et quia subter humum lustrales testibus umbris in flammam iugulant pecudes et murmura miscent? an quoniam podii meliore in parte sedentes spectant aeratam faciem quam crebra tridenti inpacto quatiant hastilia, saucius et quam vulneribus patulis partem perfundat harenae cum fugit, et quanto vestigia sanguine signet?
Does their great service lie in this, that they are said to keep constant watch on behalf of the greatness of Latiums Palatine city, that they undertake to preserve the life of her people and the wellbeing of her nobles, let their locks spread nicely over their necks or nicely wreathe their brows with dainty ribbons and lay strings on their hair, and below the ground in presence of ghosts cut the throats of cattle over the flames in propitiatory sacrifice, and mutter indistinct prayers? Or is it that they sit in the better seats on the balcony and watch how often the shaft batters the bronze-helmed face with blows of its three-pronged head, from what gaping gashes the wounded gladiator bespatters his side of the arena when he flees, and with how much blood he marks his traces?
final_alignments\Prudentius_Reply_to_Symmachus_Book2.json