66 habit of an Etrurian peasant, entered the camp of the enemy, resolving to die or to kill the king. 21. With this resolution he made up to the place where Porsen'na was paying his troops, with a secretary by his side; but, mistaking the latter for the king, he stabbed him to the heart, and was immediately apprehended, and brought into the royal presence. 22. Upon Porsen'na's demanding who he was, and the cause of so heinous an action, Mu'tius, without reserve, informed him of his country and his design, and at the same time thrusting his right hand into a fire that was burning upon the altar before him, "You see," cried he, "how little I regard the severest punishment your cruelty can inflict. A Roman knows, "not only how to act, but how to suffer; I am not the only person you have to fear; three hundred Roman “youths, like me, have conspired your destruction; there"fore prepare for their attempts." 23. Porsen'na, amazed at so much intrepidity, had too noble a mind not to acknowledge merit, though found in an enemy; he, therefore, ordered him to be safely conducted back to Rome, and offered the besieged conditions of peace'. 24. These were readily accepted on their side, being neither hard nor disgraceful, except that twenty hostages were demanded; ten young men, and as many virgins, of the best families in Rome. 25. But even in this instance also, as if the gentler sex were resolved to be sharers in the desperate valour of the times, Cie'lia, one of the hostages, escaping from her guards, and pointing out the way to the rest of her female companions, swam over the Tiber on horseback, amidst showers of darts from the enemy, and presented herself to the consul. 26. This magistrate, fearing the consequences of detaining her, sent her back; upon which Porsen'na, not to be outdone in generosity, not only gave her liberty, but permitted her to choose 1 From this time he obtained the additional name of Scævola, or lefthanded, from his having lost the use of his right hand by the fire. such of the hostages, of the opposite sex, as she should think fit to attend her. 27. On her part, she, with all the modesty of a Roman virgin, chose only such as were under fourteen, alleging, that their tender age was least capable of sustaining the rigours of slavery'. 28. The year after the departure of Porsen'na, the Sab'ines invading the Roman territories, committed great devastations. The war that ensued was long and bloody; but at length the Sab'ines were compelled to purchase a peace, with corn, money, and the cession of part of their territory. 29. Tarquin, by means of his son-in-law, Man'lius, once more stirred up the Latins to espouse his interest, and took the most convenient opportunity when the plebe ́ians were at variance with the senators concerning the payment of their debts 2. These refused to go to war, unless their debts were remitted upon their return: so that the consuls, finding their authority insufficient, offered the people to elect a temporary magistrate, who should have absolute power, not only over all ranks of the state, but even over the laws themselves. To this the plebe'ians readily consented, willing to give up their own power for the sake of abridging that of their superiors. 30. In consequence of this, Lar'tius was created the first dictator of Rome, for so was this high office called, being nominated to it by his 1 National pride induced the Romans to conceal the fact that the city was surrendered to Porsenna; Tacitus, however, expressly declares that it was, and Pliny informs us of the severe conditions imposed by the conqueror; one of the articles prohibited them from using iron except for the purposes of agriculture. Plutarch, in his Roman Questions, declares that there was a time when the Romans paid a tenth of their produce to the Etrurians, but that they were freed from the disgraceful tribute by Hercules; this tradition appears to refer to the conquest of the city by Porsenna. 2 Besides this, by his emissaries, he engaged the meaner sort of citizens and the slaves in a conspiracy. The former were at an appointed time to seize the ramparts, and the latter to murder their masters at the same instant. The gates were then to be opened to the Tar'quins, who were to enter Rome while it was yet reeking with the blood of the senators. This conspiracy was discovered to the consul by two of Tarquin's principal agents. colleague in the consulship. 31. Thus the people, who could not bear the very name of king, readily submitted to a magistrate possessed of much greater power; so much do the names of things mislead us, and so little is any form of government irksome to the people, when it coincides with their prejudices. Questions for Examination. 1. What form of government was substituted for the regal? 2. Who were the first consuls? 3. Did this new government appear stable at its commencement? 4. Was this party formidable, and who were the most remarkable of its members? 5. What share had Tarquin in this conspiracy? 6. By what means was it discovered? 7. In what unhappy situation was Brutus placed? 8. What had the criminals to say in extenuation of their offences? 9. What effect had this scene on the judges? 10. Did not paternal affection cause him to relent? 11. What measures did Tarquin next pursue? 12. What steps were taken to resist him? 13. What remarkable event attended the meeting of the armies? 14. Did this decide the fate of the day? 15. Did Tarquin relinquish his hopes? 16. In what manner did Porsenna attempt the restoration of Tarquin? 17. By what heroic action was the city saved? 18. Did Porsenna persevere in his attempt? 19. What was the consequence? 20. What was this act of heroism? 21. Did he succeed? 22. What followed? 23. How did Porsenna act on the occasion? 24. Were these conditions accepted? 25. What remarkable circumstance attended the delivery of the hostages? 26. How did the consul act on the occasion ? 27. Whom did she choose? 28. What happened after the departure of Porsenna? 29. What measures did Tarquin next resort to? 30. What was the consequence? 31. What inference may be drawn from this? CHAPTER X. FROM THE CREATION OF THE DICTATOR, TO THE ELECTION OF THE TRIBUNES.-U. c. 255. The senators of Rome are this good belly, And you the mutinous members: for, examine Their counsels, and their cares; digest things rightly, But it proceeds, or comes, from them to you; SHAKSPEARE. 3. Len'ity, s. mildness, mercy. 5. Defection, s. a falling away, a revolt. 6. Oblivion, s. forgetfulness, a general pardon for offences against the state. 8. Or'atory, s. a fine and persuasive manner of speaking. Ag'gravated, v. heightened, represented as worse than they really were. 10. Aver'red, v. declared positively. Valid'ity, s. force, effect. 1. LAR'TIUS being created dictator', entered upon his office, surrounded with lictors and all the ensigns of ancient royalty; and seated upon a throne in the midst of the people, ordered the levies to be made in the manner of the kings of Rome. 2. The populace looked with terror upon a magistrate whom they had invested with uncontrollable power, and each went peaceably to range himself under his respective standard. 3. Thus going forth to oppose the enemy, he, after concluding a truce for a year, returned with his army, and, in six months, laid down the dictatorship, with the reputation of having exercised it witk blameless lenity'. 1 The power of the dictator was absolute; he could of his own will make peace or war, levy forces, lead them forth, disband them, and even dispense with the existing laws at his pleasure, without consulting the senate. 2 At the expiration of the truce with the Latins, Posthu'mius, at that time dictator, marched against them, obtained a complete victory over them at the Lake Regil'lus, and concluded an advantageous peace. About this time died Tarquin, which put an end to any farther contests for the crown. 4. But, though for this time the people submitted to be led forth, they yet resolved to free themselves from the yoke; and, though they could not get their grievances1 redressed, yet they determined to fly from those whom they could not move to compassion, The grievances, therefore, continuing, they resolved to quit a city which gave them no shelter, and to form a new establishment without its limits. They, therefore, under the conduct of a plebe'ian, named Sicin'ius Bellu'tus, retired to a mountain, hence called the Mons Sacer2, within three miles of Rome. 5. Upon the news of this defection, the city was filled with tumult and consternation: those who wished well to the people made every attempt to scale the walls, in order to join it3. 6. The senate was not less agitated than the rest; some were for violent measures, and repelling force by force; others were of opinion that gentler arts were to be used, and that even a victory over such enemies would be worse than a defeat. At length, it was resolved to send a messenger, entreating the people to return home, and declare their grievances, promising at the same time, an oblivion of all that had passed. 7. This message not succeeding, Mene'nius Agrip'pa, one of the wisest and best of the senators, was of opinion, that the demands of the people were to be complied with. It was resolved, therefore, to enter into a treaty, and to make them such offers as should induce them to return. 8. Ten commissioners were deputed. The dignity and popularity of the ambassadors procured them a very respectful reception among the soldiers, and a conference began. They employed all their oratory; while Sicin'ius and Lu'cius 1 The principal of these grievances was the intolerable severity of creditors, who seized their debtors as slaves, notwithstanding many of them had fought and bled for their country. 2 Sacred mountain. 3 The gates had been shut by order of the senate, to prevent farther defection. |