midnight
Every sword flashed from its scabbard , every knee was bent ; and kneeling , with the bright blades all pointed like concentric sunbeams toward that bloody idol , in deep emotion , and deep awe , they swore to be true to the Eagle , traitors to Rome , parricides to their country . `` One cup of wine , and then to horse , and to glory ! '' The goblets were brimmed with the liquid madness ; they were quaffed to the very dregs ; they clanged empty upon the marble floor . Ten minutes more , and the hall was deserted ; and mounted on proud horses , brought suddenly together , by a perfect combination of time and place , with the broad steel heads of their javelins sparkling in the moonbeams , and the renowned eagle poised with bright wings above them , the escort of the Roman Traitor rode through the city streets , at midnight , audacious , in full military pomp , in ordered files , with a cavalry clarion timing their steady march -- rode unresisted through the city gates , under the eyes of a Roman cohort , to try the fortunes of civil war in the provinces , frustrate of massacre and conflagration in the capitol . Cicero knew it , and rejoiced ; and when he cried aloud on the following day , `` ABIIT , EXCESSIT , EVASIT , ERUPIT -- He hath departed , he hath stolen out , he hath gone from among us , he hath burst forth into war '' -- his great heart thrilled , and his voice quivered , with prophetic joy and conscious triumph . He felt even then that he had `` SAVED HIS COUNTRY . '' Give first admittance to th ' ambassadors .