all Noblemen and of qualitie were well ynougst known one to another What will ye Romanes qd he with one cornet of horse fight with the Latines their confederates What shall your Consuls what shall two Consular armies doe the meane while Marrie quoth Manlius they will be here time enough for you and with them Iup. himselfe a witnesse of league and covenants by you broken Iupiter I say who only can do more than all mens forces in the world And we who at the poole Regillus have given you fighting your bellies full will here also quitour selves so that never after yee shall have any great joy and pleasure to encounter and joine battaile with us again With that Geminius riding forth as he was on horsbacke a little from his companie Wilt thou then qd he till that day come wherein ye meane with so great a doe to set forward your armies to a generall set field break a staffe with me in the meane time that by the proofe and event of us twaine it may henceforth appeare how far the Latine men of armes surpasse the Romane The young man his bloud and courage was soone up either upon anger and choler or for very shame to refuse the combat or because God would so have it and it was his destinie that could not be avoided Forgetting therfore his fathers commandement and the expresse edict of the Consuls he runneth on head and rashly to a single fight wherein it skilled not much whether he had the better or the worse for any great ods thereby in the maine triall of the quarrall Thus when the rest of the horsemen of both parts were retired aside as it were to behold some spectacle or running at tilt in the void place of the plaine field that lay betweene they ran their horses in full carriere one against the other with sharpe and deadly speare in rest Manlius with his launce aloft glid over and rased the morion of his enemie and Metius with his speare lightly touched and passed by the horsenecke Then having turned about their horses Manlius came upon him first with a second charge and so redoubled the push that he thrust the others horse in between the eares At the smart of which wound the horse reared and cabred with his forefeet and with great force shaking his head cast his rider And as hee bare his speare and shield to raise himselfe from his greevous fall Manlius ran him through at the throat so as the spear head came forth at his ribs nailed him fast to the ground And having disarmed dispoiled him rode back to his own troupe and both together with exceeding joy hastened to the campe and so to the Generals pavilion even to his father full little knowing his fatall destinie what was to befall unto him whether he had deserved praise or incurred danger of punishment That all the world qd he ô father may be persuaded report truly that I am descended indeed of your bloud and your undoubted son Lo here I am who being defied and challenged to fight man to man have killed mine enemie a man of arms see here the spoiles of him slain and dead Which so soone as the Cos. heard presently he could not abide to look on his son but turned away by sound of trumpet commanded the host to a publike audience Which being assembled in great number For as much qd he as thou T. Manlius without regard of Coss. authoritie or dread of thy fathers majestie and power over thee against our edict and expresse commandement hast fought with the enemie and that without thy ranke place and as much as lay in thee hast broken the discipline of warre whereby to this day the State of Rome hath stood maintained and hast brought me thy father to this hard point that I must forget either the Commoweale or else mine owne selfe and mine we will abide rather the punishment and smart for our own misdeeds than the whole state to her so great prejudice damage should pay for our folly and transgression A fearefull and dolorous example will wee afford but good and profitable to all youth for ever hereafter As for mee verily both the inbred love and affection of all fathers to their children and also this shew proofe of thy valor and knighthood although seduced with deceitfull apparance and vaine resemblance of honour moveth me not a little but since that either by thy death the Coss. hests must bee established or by impunitie of thy disobedience for ever disanulled I would not wish thee to refuse if there be any of my bloud in thee but by thy punishment to restore set up again the militarie discipline which this day by thy default is fallen down ruinate Go serjeant bind him to a stake At this so cruell a sentence they were all amazed and in an extasie that were present and as if they had seen the edge bent against themselves for fear more than for any modestie or reverence they were quiet So when they were come againe to themselves as if their spirits had beene recovered after some deep impression of a wonder which had astonied them they stood still with silence but so soon as the poore wretch his head was chopt off and his blood seen to gush spin out then began they all of a suddaine to speake freely and complaine with open mouth so as they forbare neither lamentations nor curses they covered the youth his bodie with his owne victorious spoiles they erectected a funerall pile of wood over his corps without the trench and rampiers set it on fire and burnt him accordingly and so with as great love and affection as soldiors could shew performed their last dutie unto him and solemnized his obsequies Thus the commandements of Manlius were not onely dreadfull for the present but gave an heavie and fearfull precedent for the future to all soverain Commanders of an armie Howbeit the rigor of this punishment made the soldiors more dutifull to their captaines and leaders and besides that the rounds and sentinels and the set corps degard were everie where more carefully looked unto and observed even in the verie hazard extremity also of the battaile afterward that austere severitie did much good For their fight was much like unto a civile warre So little or nothing at all in a manner differed the Latines from the Romanes Commonwealth but onely in heart and courage Aforetime they used Romane long large sheilds covering their whole bodies but in processe of time after that they became Stipendaries and to take pay they bare shorter targets And where as aforetime they had their battaillons thicke and close together like to the Macedonian Phalanges afterwards they began to range their battails into bands more loosely and distinctly and last of all they were divided into thinner orders and squadrons everie such order or squadron contained three score soldiors two Centurions and one Pórtensigne The
next to their hands Othersome more beautifull than the rest were appointed for the cheese of the Senatours and by certaine of the commons as they had given them in charge conveied home to their houses But one passing faire and lovely above all others was harried by the companie or crue of one Talassius they say and when as anie asked to whom they carried her they ever cried out for feare she should bee forced or defloured Thalassio Thalassio i. Vnto Thalassius Whereupon Thalassio became a common by-word at wedding ever after Thus their sport and pastime upon this sturre and fright was marred and the parents of the virgines fled away with heavie cheere blaming them highly and complaining of their breach of hospitalitie and calling upon the god for vengeance to whose feastivall games they being come were under colour of religion and truth beguiled The damsels likewise that were ravished conceived neither better hope of themselues no lesse indignation against them But Romulus himselfe in person went from one to another declaring That their fathers pride who denied their neighbours marriage was the cause of all this promising neverthelesse that they should bee linked in lawfull wedlocke made partakers of all woridly goods obtained the freedome of a citie and than which nothing is more deare to mankind enioy the blessing of children exhorting them to appease their anger and quiet themselues and to give them their harts whose hap it was to have their bodies For oftentimes vpon wrong and iniurie there growth loue and reconciliation Alledging moreover that they should find their spouses so much more louing and kind as everie one of them for his part would endevour after they had in their turne and course fulfilled the dutie to them of good husbands for to make amends and supplie the misse they haue of father mother and native countrey Their husbands with all used faire speeches and flattering words excusing the matter and laying all the weight upon servent affection and pure loue which kind of persuasion of all other prevaileth most with womens nature Thus were the ravished young wines in some sort quieted in mind and held themselues well contented But their fathers then most of all araied in mourning weed with teares and heauie complaints stirred vp the Citties where they dwelt neither contained they their mood within home but assembled themselues from all parts vnto Tatius the king of the Sabines and to him repaired their Embassages for that the name of Tatius was highly renowned in those countries They of Cenina Crustuminum and Antemnae who were partly touched and greeved for that wrong done thought that Tatius and the Sabines dealt but coldly in the action and went but slowly about revenge These three natitons therefore banded themselves and agreed to prepare for warre But so sharpe set were the Ceninians that the men of Crustuminum and Antemnae bestirred not themselves quick ynough for them So they of Cenina entred alone by force of armes the territories of the Romanes As they wasted and spoiled without order and measure Romulus met them with an armie and in one small skirmish made proofe how Moode without might is vain and bootlesse For he discomsited put to flight and pursued in chase their whole host slew their king in battell and him despoiled and having slaine their generall at the first assault hee won the towne and after hee had from thence brought backe his armie with conquest and victorie as a man no lesse desirous to shew his noble acts with glorie than to atchieve the same by prowesse he bare afore him on high as a pompeous pageant in a frame fitly for the purpose wrought the spoile and armour of his enemies captaine by himselfe slaine and so ascended up to the Capitoll hill where laying them downe at the Oke which the sheepeheards had in great reverence hee consecrated them as a present to Iupiter and set out with all the foundation and bounds of a temple unto him giving moreover this addition and title to the god and saying solemnely O Iupiter Feretrius I king Romulus upon my victorie present unto thee this armor of a king and within this compasse of ground which even now I haue conceived and assigned I dedicate a temple to receive those rich and roiall spoiles which the posteritie following mine example shall beare away from the kings and captaines generall of their enemies whom they shall happen hereafter to kill This is the very beginning of that temple which first of all other was in Rome consecrated And so it pleased God that neither the first founders words were spoken in vaine whereby he foretold and pronounced that his posteritie should bring their spoiles thither nor his glorie made vulgar and common to manie compartenes with him in the like exploit and glorious present For after him in so many yeres and after so many wars two roiall spoiles only were won of the enemies So rare was the happinesse of honour in that behalfe Whilest the Romanes were thus emploied about Cenina the armie of the Antemnates taking the vantage of the time and of the Romanes absence from home and seeing their frontiers without a guard with a power of armed men entred the confines of Rome Against whom also the Romane legion made head in all hast and finding them scattered out of order in the fields charged upon them By reason whereof at the very first shocke and shout made discomfited were the enemies and their towne surprised As Romulus returned with triumph and joy for these two victories his wife Hersilia at the importunate sute of the wives that had beene ravished earnestly besought him to pardon their fathers and receive them into his cittie for so by concord and unitie the weale publicke and the good estate of his kingdome might flourish and grow mightie This sure was gently heard and soone obtained After this he set forth against the Crustuminians that began to warre upon him with whom hee had the lesse adoe for that their courages were well abated alreadie by the ouertrowes of others To both these places as unto Colonies were new inhabitants sent But the greater number were desirous to enter their names and to plant themselues at Crustuminium for the fertilitie of the soile And manie likewise removed from thence to Rome the parents especially and kinsfolke of the ravished women Last of all the Sabines warred farre more sharply and dangerously than the rest for nothing did they either in furie or rage or for covetous desire of spoile Neither made they talke shew of war before they warred indeed and were seene in field And besides this their considerat policie they dealt also with craft subtillie For wheras one Sp. Tarpeius had the charge of the castle in Rome his daughter a young maiden Tatius with a summe of money corrupted and procured at what time as shee went to fetch water without the wals for sacrifice to
answered in this wife How great skill quoth he of martiall feats and what sufficiencie is in C. Sempronius it is not for me a souldiour to judge nor yet to make any estimate of my Generall but it was for the people of Rome to determine thereof at what time as by their suffrages and voices in a solemne Election they chose him Consull And therefore yee are not to enquire of me and to be informed either of the polliciesof a General captain or vertues and duties of a Consull deepe points to be examined weighed and discoursed by great wits reaching heads and high mindes But for that which I with mine cie sawe I am able to make report and testifie namely That before himselfe was excluded out of the battaile I beheld the Consull fighting manfully in the vaward encouraging his men earnestly and even amongst the Romane standards and pikes of the enemies busily emploied After which I was carried from the fight of my fellowes how beit by the stirre noise and shouting I well perceived that the conflict continued until night Neither was it possible as I thought for them to breake through unto the hill which I kept by reason of the multitude of enemies betweene As for the armie what is become of it I know not But I suppose that as I my selfe in an extremitie and fearefull case defended my selfe and my men by advantage of the ground so the Consull for to save the armie tooke some more safer place to encampe in Neither thinke I verely that the Volscians stood in better termes than the Romanes fortune was And the darknes of the night no doubt caused errour and confusion on every side and in all places After which speech when as he besought them not to hold him any longer wearied with travaile and faint of his woundes he was with exceeding praise both of his valiant service and also of his modest speech licenced to depart Whiles these thinges thus passed the Consull by that time had marched by the way of Lavicum as farre as to the Temple of Quies thither were waines draught-beasts and sumpter horses sent from the cittie to receive and ease the armie toiled out with fight and tired by journying all night Within a while after the Cos. entred into the cittie who endevoured not more to put the fault from himselfe than to extoll Tempanius and give him his due deserved praises Now whiles the cittie was sad and heavie for this hard hap and angrie also with the captaines behold M. Posthumius who before had been accused was now presented unto the people for to wreke their choler malice upon He had been a Tribune Militarie in place of a Cos. at Veij and now was condemned and a fine set on his head of ten thousand Asses of brasse But as for Titus Quintius his fellow in government because that among the Volscians he had served fortunatly as Consull under the conduct of Postbumius Tibertus the Dictator and likewise at Fidene as Lieutenant of the other Dictator Mamercus Aemylius and laid the whole fault of that other time from himselfe upon his colleague before condemned he was found unguiltie acquit by all the Tribes It is said that the fresh remembrance of his father Cincinnatus late a right worshipfull citizen helped him much Yea and Capitolinus Quintius a very aged man did him no hurt who humbly besought them that they would not suffer him having but a while in this world to live for to be the carrier of so heavie newes unto Cincinnatus The Commons made Tribunes of the comminaltie Sex Tempanius A. Sellius Sex Antiflius Sex Pompilius in their absence whom also the horsemen had chosen for their captains or Centurians in the former exploit by the advise and counsell of Tempanius But the Senatours because now for hatred of Sempronius the name of Consuls misliked and offended them determined that militarie Tribunes with Consuls authoritie should be created So there were chosen L. Manlius Capitolinus Q. Antonius Merenda L. Papyrius Mugilanus In the very beginning of the yeare L. Hortenfius the fift Tribune of the comminaltie accused C. Sempronius the Consull of the former yeare And when as his other foure fellows in office in the sight of the people of Rome besought him not to trouble their guiltles captaine in whom nothing could be blamed or found fault withall but adverse fortune Hortensius could hardly abide but thought it was but to prove and trie his resolute constancie and that the partie accused trusted not upon the praier and intercession of the Tribunes which only for a shew was pretended but upon their support assistance And therfore turning one while to Sempr. himselfe demanded what was become of that hautie courage and stomack so ordinarie in those of Senatours calling and where was that magnanimitie which rested and relied upon innocencie since that he having been a Consull was faine to shelter and shrowd himselfe under the shadow and protection of the Tribunes Another while directing his speech to his fellow Tribunes but you my Masters qd he what will ye do if I prosecute mine action against him still and convict him in the end Will ye take from the people their right and overthrow the authoritie of the Tribunes among the Commons When they again said and inferred that the people of Rome had absolute power to doe what they would both with Sempronius and all others and that they neither would nor could abridge the people of their judgment But if say they our praiers in the behalfe of our Generall who was to us in steed of a father may not availe then will we together with him change our weede for companie Nay God forbid quoth Hortenfius The Commons of Rome shall never see their Tribunes arraied in soiled mournfull apparell And as for C. Sempronius I have now no more to say to him since that he hath carried himselfe so whiles he was generall as that he hath gained thus much as to be so dearly beloved of his souldiors Neither was the kindnesse of those foure Tribunes more acceptable to the Commons and Nobles than the good nature of Hortensius who at their reasonable request was so easie to be pacified and intreated It was no long time that fortune fawned upon the Aequians who embraced the doubtfull victorie of the Volscians and tooke it as their owne The next yeare after when Cn. Fabius Vibulanus and T. Quintius Capitolinus the sonne of Capitolinus were Consuls by the leading of Fabius unto whom was allotted that province nothing was done there worthie of remembrance For when as the Aequians had made semblance of a battell brought their armie only in fight they were in fearfull wise soon discomfited and shamefully fled ministring no matter of great honor to the Cos. And therfore was he denied triumph But yet because the ignominie of the losse which happened by Sempronius was partly allaied it was granted that he might enter Ovant into the
government should returne to an Interreigne So there were Interregents one after another M. Manlius Capitolinus Ser. Sulpitius Camerinus L. Valerius Potitus Valerius at length held the assemblie for to elect Tribunes Militarie in Consuls authritie and created L. Papyrius Cn. Sergius L. Aemylius the second time L. Licinius T. Valerius Publicola the third time These presently after the Interreigne began their government That yeare the Temple of Mars vowed in the Gauls war was dedicated by T. Quintius a Duumvir deputed for the executing of holy duties Foure Tribes of new citizens were now adjoined Stellalina Pomatina Sabbatina Arniensis and these made up the number of the 35 Tribes And now L. Sicinius a Tribune of the Commons was in hand with the people in greater number assembled together about the Pomptine lands and more enclined they were and forward to hearken after grounds than they had beene asore And whereas it was mooved in the Senate house to make warre upon the Latines and the Hernicks that matter was not followed but put off to a further time by reason of preparation for a greater warre because Hetruria was alreadie up in armes And all was laid againe upon Caemillus his shoulders who was made Tribune Militarie with Consuls authority and had five other brethren in office joined unto him Sâ—r. Cornelius Maluginensis Q. Servilius Fidenas the sixt time L. Quintius Cincinnatus L. Horatius Pulvillus P. Valerius In the beginning of the yeare the minds of men were turned cleane away from the carefull regard they had of the Tuscane warre by reason that a number of people that fled out of the Pomptine countrie came all of a suddaine in great hast to the cittie and brought word that the Antiates were up in armes that the nations of the Latines had sent their able youth to that warre closelie under hand thereby disavowing it to be any action of the State and standing upon this point that by the covenant there was no proviso but that voluntarie soldiours might serve in what warres soever they would Now had the Romanes beene well taught and learned to set light no more by any warres The Senate therefore thanked the gods that Camillus was in place of government who if he had beene a private person was no doubt to have beene nominated and created Dictatour yea and his companions in office confessed frankely that he was the onlie man to have the soveraigne and absolute regiment of all in case there were any fearfull and dangerous warre toward and were fully resolved to yeeld up all their interest in government unto him thinking it no disparagement at all unto them nor any losse of their owne honour and reputation in conferring the same upon the majestie of so worthie a person The Senate highly commended the Tribunes and Camillus was much abashed in his mind howbeit he gave them heartie thanks and spake in this wife A waightie burthen quoth he I see is imposed upon me by the people of Rome in that they have elected and nominated me Dictatour now the fourth time a greater charge is enjoined me by the Senate the whole state and bodie of which order hath delivered so singular good opinion and judgement of me but the heaviest lode of all is laid upon me by the exceeding kindnesse and obsequious benignitie of these my honourable brethren and colleagues If any painfull travaile of mine therefore and watchfull care may be redoubled I will earnestlie endeavour I will straine and strive to answere therunto that the opinion which the cittie with so great consent hath conceived of me right as it is exceeding great so it may continue still and be perpetuall As to that warre of the Antiates there are more brags and threats than any danger and perill from thence But as I would counsaile and advise you to be affraid of no warre so I would not have you to be carelesse and secure of any The cittie of Rome is beset on everie side partlie envied and partlie hated of her neighbour borderers Need there is both of more captaines and also of more armies to manage the affaires of the Commonweale I thinke it good therfore quoth hee ô Valerius that you assist me in government and counsell and have the leading togither with me of certaine legions against the Antiate enemies That you Q. Servilius with an other armie well appointed and in readines lie encamped hard by the cittie side having an eie and good regard least either Hetruria in the meane while as of late daies or the Latines and Hernicks who trouble vs now a fresh breake out and make some rising Assured I am that you will behave your selte and quit you in this service so worthilie as may answere the famous memorie of such a father and grandsire as you have had may beseeme your owne honourable person and those six Tribuneâ—hips which you have alreadie performed As for L. Quintius let him leavie a third power of men consisting of those that are by reason of sicklinesse or other wife excused for warfare and are above the ordinarie age for militarie service to be in stead of a garison for defence of the cittie and the walles Let L. Horatius provide harnesse weapons come and other necessaries for warre at all occasions whatsoever Finally ô Sergius Cornelius wee your fellow Tribunes ordaine you president of this publicke Counsell the Custos and keeper of religion and Church matters of generall assemblies of the lawes and all other civill affaires of pollicie whatsoever Now when they had all made promise and that most willingly to do their endeavour in performing their severall charges Valerius whom he had joined with himselfe in commission added moreover and said That as he would take M. Furius to bee Dictatour so would he be unto him againe in steed of his Coronell of horsemen And turning to the Lords of the Senate exhorted them that what opinion they had of one onelic soveraigne Generall the same hope they would conceive of the whole warre The Senatours hereat tooke great joy and contentment giving out willingly with one accord that they hoped exceeding well of war of peace and generally of the State Neither shall the common-weale say they ever stand in need of Dictatour so long as such magistrates be in place so jointly agreeing in one mind together so indifferent and readie as well to obey as to rule and rather yeelding their proper praise to the honour of the common-weale than dismembring and plucking from it to their privat glorie and reputation After a Vacation or Law-steed proclaimed and the Musters taken and past Furius and Valerius set forward to Satricum whither the Antiates had not onely sent the floure of all the Volsci the choise youth out of a fresh frie and new generation but also had raised a mightie power of Latines and Hernicks out of those nations that by long peace were most frimme lustic These new enemies and old thus combined together troubled the
and another while fearefull flight howbeit when all cards were told and the reckoning made the Gaules had the woorst of the game for of them were slaine eleven thousand whereas of Romanes there died but five thousand Then the Gaules retired themselves into the most inward parts of their countrey and the Consull marched with his legions to Placentia Some write that Scipio and his colleague with their joynt forces invaded and spoiled the countries of the Boians and Ligurians so far forth as they could passe for woods and bogs others againe record that he having done no memorable exploit at all returned to Rome about the assembly for election of Consuls The same yeere T. Quintius spent the whole winter season at Elatia whither he had retired his forces for winter harbour in hearing mens causes and ministring justice to every one also in reforming and redressing all such disorders as had passed in the States and cities through the licentious government and jurisdiction either of Philip himselfe or his captaines whiles hee advaunced those favorites of his owne faction and put downe the right and libertie of others In the beginning of spring he came to Corinth where he had given summons that there should be holden a general Diet of the States There in the assembly of all the embassadors and agents from the cities gathered about him as it were to heare an Oration hee made a speech unto them beginning first with the amitie contracted betweene the Romanes and Greece and proceeding to the acts atchieved in Spaine by the Generals afore him and those also of his owne All that he spake was heard and received with great applause untill he touched the point concerning Nabis for it was generally thought unsitting that he undertaking to set all Greece at libertie had left a tyrant not onely a grievous oppressour of his owne subjects but also daungerous to all the cities about him to remaine still as a fearefull maladie setled in the very bowels and heart of a most noble and renowmed State Quintius not ignorant of their affections and dispositions confessed that he should not indeed have given any care at all to the motion or mention of peace with the tyrant in case that Lacedaemon could have stood in safetie without so doing but now since that Nabis might not possibly be confounded and overthrown without the present ruine and fearfull downfall of the citie he thought it a better course in pollicie to leave the tyrant enfeebled and disfurnished of all meanes to offend and hurt any man than to suffer so goodly a citie to die in the cure and under the hand as it were of the Physician amid those quicke and sharpe remedies which it were never able to endure and so in seeking to recover libertie to perish and die for ever And after he had discoursed of things past he inferred that his purpose and intent was to goe into Italie and to have away with him his whole armie also that within ten daies they should heare newes how all the garrisons had quit Demetrias and Chalcis and that he would deliver out of hand unto the Archaeans in their very sight the fortresse of Corinth that all the world may know whether it be the Romans guise or the fashion of the Aetolians to overreach and lie who in their common talke have not let to discourse to sow surmises and to buz into mens heads that it was daungerous for Greece to put their libertie into the Romans hands and that they had but made an exchange of their lordly rulers admitting the Romanes in lieu of the Macedonians But as for them quoth he their tongue is no slaunder being such persons as never tooke heed and made regard what either they did or said But the other cities he advertised to weigh their friends by deeds and not by words to be wise and well advised whome they are to trust and whome they are to beware of to use their libertie in measure and moderation which if it be well attempered and qualified is good and holesome to particular persons and generall States but excessive if it be it would not only be grievous and unsupportable to others but also untruly daungerous and pernicious to themselves that have it He gave them counsell that the princes and States in ech citie should maintaine concord not onely among themselves but also with all other in one communitie for so long as they accord and agree togither no king nor tyrant should be strong enough for them whereas discord and sedition maketh overture and openeth easie way to enemies that lie in await for the vantage considering that the side which in civill contention is the weaker and goeth to the walls will band rather with a forrainer than give place and stoupe to a citizen In conclusion he advised them to keepe and preserve by their carefull regard this their libertie purchased for them by forraine forces and delivered unto them with faithfull securitie of strangers and alliens that the people of Rome might see that they have given freedome to well deserving people and this their great benefit hath beene well bestowed upon worthy persons Whiles they hearkened to these sage admonitions as uttered out of the mouth of a verie father the teares gushed plenteously out of their eyes for kind heart and joy in so much as they troubled him in the deliverie of the rest of his speech For a while there was a plausible noise heard among them as they approved his words and advised one another to ponder these sage sawes and to imprint them deeply in their hearts proceeding as it were from divine oracle After silence made he requested them to seeke up all those Romane citizens if haply there were any who lived in servitude and slaverie among them and within two moneths to send them unto him into Thessalie for it were a great disworship and shame even for them that in their countries there should remaine in bondage any of those by whose meanes they themselves were set free and delivered out of bondage With that they all cried aloud with one voice That for this above all the rest they rendred thankes unto him in that they were admonished and warned by him to performe their devoir and duty so honest so religious and so necessarie Now a mighty number there was of captives in the Punick war such as Anniball when their friends redeemed them not by raunsome had sold in open market And how great the multitude of them was this may proove and testifie which Polibius writeth to wit that this cost the Achaeans for their part one hundred talents and yet they ordained and set downe that there should but 500 Denarij bee repaid unto their masters for the redemption of every poll for by this account Achaea had 1200 of them Adde now unto them as many as all Greece was like to have by that proportion and see what number may arise The assembly was not broken up and dismissed
behalfe yea and many privat persons in particular for an ill neighbour he was to them all repaired to Rome in hope either to be righted and eased of their wrongs or to discharge their stomacks and be moned and comforted for their miserie Likewise from king Eumenes there arrived an embassage accompanied with his owne brother Athenaeus to make complaint as finding themselves grieved that the garrisons were not with drawen out of Thracia as also to enforme that Philip had sent certein aids into Bithynia to Prusias who made war upon Eumenes Now Demetrius Philip his sonne at that time a very yong gentleman was to answer to all these challenges and an easie peece of worke it was not either to beare in mind all the matters objected or to thinke upon the points of every answer accordingly For over and besides that the articles were many in number most of them were of very small consequence and importance namely strife about limits and land-marks about carying away men and ravishing women of driving of cattell of ministring justice partially with affection or els of none ministred at all of sentences given judgements passed in causes either by force or for favour The Senat perceiving that neither Demetrius could speak to these points and give them good evidence nor themselves be wel enformed and cleerly instructed by him being moved also and grieved to see the youth so raw a scholler in these affairs therwith much troubled in spirit gave order to enquire and demand of him Whether he had received any notes in writing from his father as touching the premisses And when hee answered and said Yea they thought the first and principall thing for them to do was to see and heare what were the answers of the king to every specialtie and particular And therupon they presently called for that booke of his fathers and then permitted him to read the contents thereof Now therein were set downe certein briefe abstracts of pleas and defenses to ech severall point shewing Imprimis that some things he had done according to the decrees and awards of the Roman Delegates and commissioners Item Whereas hee had left somwhat undone the default was not in him but in the very parties that accused him Hee had interlaced between certeine grievances and complaints as touching the iniquitie and hard penning of those decrees and how matters were not scannedand debated before Caecilius with that indifferencie and equitie as was meet and requisite and namely that without desert of his part all men were set against him insulted over him The Senat collected hereby good arguments how the hart of Philip was wounded galled against the Romans But when the yong prince excused some of these matters for the rest promised and undertooke that all should be done to the uttermost as it pleased the Senat to order set down then it was thought good to deliver this answer unto him That his father had in nothing done better nor more to the contentment of the Senat than that he seemed willing howsoever matters were passed already to make satisfation to the Romans by the means of his son Demetrius As for the Senate they could dissimule forget put up and endure many things done and past yea and were persuaded verily in their hearts that they might beleeve and trust Demetrius as knowing assuredly that although they sent his body again to his father Philip yet they had his heart and affection with them still as a sure pledge and hostage and that hee was a friend to the people of Rome so farre forth as his reverent dutie to his father would permit and give him leave letting him withall to understand that for to doe him honour they would send embassadours into Macedonie to the end that if ought had not beene so fully effectuated as it should have beene it might be done yet in good time without imputation of fault and blame or poenall satisfaction to be made for any thing hitherto omitted yea and desirous they were that Philip should understand that by the mediation of Demetrius and for his sake he stood yet in good tearmes of peace and friendship with the people of Rome These things intended and done for the increase of credit and reputation presently turned to the displeasure of the young gentleman and in the end to his utter ruine and overthrow Then were the Lacedaemonians admitted to audience in the Senate They mooved many pettie matters and trifling controversies but those that principally touched the maine point were these to wit Whether they should be restored againe whome the Achaeans had condemned or no Item Whether they were justly or unjustly killed whome they murdered Moreover they put to question Whether the Lacedaemonians were to be comprised within the generall assembly and counsell of Achaea or that this State as before-time should have their rights and franchises apart by themselves from all others in Peloponnesus The Senate ordained and awarded Imprimis That they should be restored Item That the sentences pronounced against them should be reversed Item That Lacedaemon should doe service to that high court and publicke Diet of Achaea and finally that this accord and award should be engrossed subscribed and signed as well by the Lacedaemonians as Achaeans Q. Martius was sent embassadour into Macedonie who also had direction and order given him by the same commission to visite the state of the allies in Peloponnesus for there also remained some troubles after the old quarrels and variance yea and the Messenians refused to appeare at the generall councell of Achaea Now if I would set in hand to record the causes and circumstances of that warte I should forget my purpose in the beginning of my worke wherein I resolved not to touch at all any discourse of forein histories no farther than they wer linked to the Romane affaires Howbeit one memorable occurrence there hapned which I cannot passe by namely that albeit the Achaeans had the better hand in warre yet it chaunced that Philopoemen their Pretour was taken prisoner by the Messenians as he made an expedition to seize upon Corone by prevention which the enemies were desirous to be masters of Surprised hee was in a valley of great disadvantage and some few horsmen with him It is reported that by the help of the Thracians and Candiots he might have fled and escaped but for very shame to abandon those men of armes which were the noblest gentlemen of that nation and whome hee lately had made choise of he had not the power to doe otherwise but stay to see the last For whiles he came himselfe behind in the rereward because he was desirous to make meanes for their evasion through the streights of that passe and to that purpose valiantly received the charge of the enemies his horse fell and cast him at once so as with his owne fall and his horse lying upon him he had like to have gone away in a swoune a man now threescore
from the gods and finally they testified their owne contentment and wished them great joy of their victorie obteined saying that the king himselfe would have bin with all his power at the atchieving thereof in case he had bene enjoined to performe any service The embassadors of Ptolomeus in the name jointly of their king of Cleopatra rendred thankes unto them acknowledging themselves more bounden and beholden to the Senate and people of Rome than to their owne parents yea and more than to the immortall gods for by their good means they were first delivered from the most lamentable miseries of a siege and had recovered their fathers kingdome which they were at the point to have lost forever The Senate returned this aunswere againe That whereas Antiochus had bene ruled and ordered by the embassadours therein hee did well and as it beseemed him and in so doing he highly contended and pleased the Senat and people of Rome Againe if Ptolomeus and Cleopatra the king and queene of Aegypt had found any goodnesse and commoditie by them the Senate was very glad therfore and rejoyced thereat and would endeavour and worke it so that they mought bee persuaded that the greatest assurance and safeguard of their realme rested at all times most in the faithfull protection of the people of Rome This said the Pretour C. Papyrius had in charge to see that presents and gifts were sent to these embassadours according to the auncient custome Then were letters brought out of Macedonie to redouble the joy of the victorie importing that Perseus was sure ynough in the hands of the Consull When those embassadours were dismissed and gone much debate and argument there was betweene the Embassadours of the Pisanes and Lunenses They of Pisae complained that they were disseized and driven out of their territorie by the Romane coloners contrariwise those of Luna plainly avetred that the land in controversie had bene set out assigned for them by the Triumvirs The Senate hereupon sent five men as commissioners to make inquisition into the limits of the said territorie and to determine accordingly and those were Q. Fabius Baleo P. Cornelius Blasio T. Sempronius Musea L. Naevius Balbus C. Apultius Saturninus There came likewise a solemne embassage sent in common from Eumenes Alsalus and Athenaesus all three brethren to notifie the joy and contentment which they tooke for the Romanes victorie Moreover L. Menlius the treasure was readie at Puteoli to receive and welcome Masgaba the son of king Masanissa as hee should disbarke and set a land for sent hee was of purpose with money to meet him upon the way to conduct him also and bring him to Rome at the cities charges He was no sooner come but immediatly audience was given him in the Senate This young prince spake in such sort as the things which of themselves were acceptable enough indeed he graced made more worthie of acceptance by his good words He rehearsed what forces of foot horse both how many elephants what quantitie of come for that four yeeres space during the warre his father had sent over into Macedonie But two things there were for which hee was dismaied and could not chuse but blush the one that the Senat by their embassadors had made request unto him not commanded rather to furnish them with necessaries for the war the other that they had sent them money to pay for their corne For Masanissa was not forgetfull but bare well in mind that he held his kingdome as first conquered for him afterwards augmented and amplified many waies unto him by the people of Rome and for his owne part he could content himselfe with the use and occupation thereof as a tenant in fee-serme acknowledging the proprietie and possession thereof to bee in them who as lords of the see feossed him therein Good reason therefore and meet it was that they also should bee bold with their owne to take and not to aske to have and not to crave much lesse then to buy the commodities and fruites yssuing out of the lands by them demised given and graunted As for Masanissa sufficed hee was and evermore would rest contented with that overplus which the people of Rome might leave spare for him Thus much quoth he I had in charge and commission from my fathers owne mouth when I departed and took my leave of him but afterwards certein horsemen riding post overtooke me to let me understand that Macedonie was subdued and to charge me that after I had signified our joy in your behalfe I should shew unto the Senate that my father tooke such contentment therein that he would gladly come to Rome to offer sacrifice and render thankes to Iup. opt Max. in the capitoll which to doe hee requested leave of the Senate so it might stand with their good liking and be no trouble unto them The prince received this answere from the Senat That his father Masanissa did as beseemed a good man and thankefull person so to doe in giving such a grace honor over above to benefit of dutie required Moreover that the people of Rome acknowledged how they had received great helpe at his hands in the Punick warre by his valiant and loiall service as well as he obteined his kingdome through the favour of the people of Rome yea and afterwards according to equitie and justice had borne himselfe right woorthily in all sort of devoirs and duties during the warres of three kings one after another Neither was it any marvell at all that he rejoyced at the victorie of the people of Rome beeing a king who had engaged hazarded and entangled all his owne fortunes and the whole estate of his kingdome with the Romane affaires As for rendring thankes to the gods for the victorie of the people of Rome let him doe that himselfe in his owne house at home for it should sulfice that his sonne for him performed that dutie at Rome That hee and his father both had sufficiently for their parts testified their joy As for Masanissa in proper person to leave his realine and depart out of Africke over and besides that it was in no wise profitable to himselfe the Senat deemed it not expedient for the weale-publicke of the people of Rome Masgaba furthermore requested that Hanno the sonne of Amilcar should be sent hostage in place of another Carthaginian whose name is not knowne but the Senate answered That they thought it not meet to demand hostages at the pleasure of Masanissa The treasurer was commaunded by order from the Senat to buy certaine presents for to bestow upon this young prince namely as much place as might arise out of an hundred pound weight of silver also to accompanie him as farre as Puteoli to defry all his charges during his abode within Italie and to hire two ships for to transport and conduct him and his princely traine into Africk To all his retinue as well bondas free there was allowance made of
and the whole cittie wonderfull well Servius albeit he were now without all question by so long continuance fully and really invested in the kingdome yet because he heard say that young Tarquinius otherwhile gave out speeches of him that he raigned without the nomination and election of the people therfore after he had first wan the hearts of the commons by dividing among them everyone certaine lands gotten by conquest from the enemies he adventured to propound unto the people put it to their suffrages and voices Whether their will and pleasure was that he should raigne over them Thus was he declared king with as great consent as never any before with the like But Tarquinius for all this had never the lesse hope to aspire and attaine unto the crowne nay rather so much the more because he understood the said division of the lands among the commons was a thing concluded passed against the wil mind of the Senators Taking therfore occasion therby to accuse blame Servius before them he supposed he had good means offered to wind himself into favor with the lords of the Senat so to become strong in the counsel house Over and besides he was both himself a young man of great courage hot stomack his wife likewise at home dame Tullia lay ever upon him pricked forward his distempered troubled mind for you must thinke that the roiall court of Rome also hath brought forth and afforded one example of a tragicall and horrible act that by a wearines and lothing conceived against the kings government liberty and freedome might the sooner ensue and that raigne bee the last which was by mischeefe gotten first This L. Tarquinius whether he were the sonne or nephew of Priscus Tarquinius it is not very cleare howbeit I would rather thinke with most writers that he was his sonne A brother he had Aruns Tarquinius a young gentleman of a mild nature These two as is aforesaid had married the two Tulliae the kings daughters and they also themselves were in conditions farre unlike And happily it so fell out that two froward and violent natures were not coupled together in wedlock such was the good fortune I beleeve of the Romane people that thereby the raigne of Servins might continue the longer and the cittie brought and setled in good order The younger Tullia a stout dame and a prowd greeved and vexed much that her husband had nothing in him no mettall or matter at all either to cover and desire or to enterprise and adventure her mind was fully set upon the other Tarquine him she esteemed highly and had in admiration him she said to be a man indeed and descended of roiall bloud As for her sister she despised and checked her for that she having a forward and valorous knight to her husband sat still and seconded him not in audacitie and boldnesse as a woman should doe Well in short time likenesse and disposition soone brought them together and as it is commonly seene Naught will to naught and sort best together But the mischeefe and trouble that brought all up side downe arose from the woman For she using to have secret conference with her sisters husband never ceased to speake badlie and to raile of her own husband unto his brother and of her sister unto her husband Affirming in good earnest it were better both for her selfe to be a widdow and for him to live single and without a wife than so to be mismatched as they were and through the craven cowardise of others to languish and come to nothing As for her selfe if the gods had given her an husband according to her owne qualitie and worthinesse she doubted not to see and that very shortly the crowne in her own house that now she seeth in her fathers In this manner possesseth she quickly the humorous young man and filled his head with her owne rashnesse and follies Now when Aruns Tarquinius and the elder Tullia who died just in a manner both at one time had well rid their owne houses and made way and ouverture for a new marriage it was not long but they were married with Servius his leave and connivencie rather than his good liking But then every day more than other began Tullius to be a continual more in their eies his old age hatefull and his raign more odious for now the woman minded nothing but one mischeese upon another and would not suffer her husband to be at rest night nor day least peradventure the former murders done and past should serve to no purpose and misle the effect of their designements And thus she brake out and said That she wanted not before one that carried the name of an husband with whom she served kept her selfe quiet and said nothing But she had a want of one that thought himselfe worthie of a kingdome that remembred he was the sonne of Tarquinius Priscus that loved better to be seised of a crowne and scepter indeed than hope for a kingdome and here thereof But sir quoth she if you be the man to whom I take my selfe wedded then I cal you both husband and king if not then is our case changed for the worse in that cowardlinesse is accompanied now with wickednesse Why resolve you not why arme you not your selfe and go about this businesse you need not go so far as to Corinth or Tarquinij for to seeke and compasse forraine kingdomes as your father did The gods of your owne house and native country the Image and example of your father the kings pallace and therein theroiall seat and throne of estate yea the very name of Tarquine createth nameth and saluteth you king But and if your heart will not serve you to these desseignes why beare you the world in hand and deceive them why take you so upon you as you doe to shew your selfe as a kings sonne Get you hence to Corinth againe away to Tarquinij turne backeward to your former stocke and condition more like to your brother than to your father With these and such like motives by way of reproofe she checketh the young man set him on and pricked him forwards and she her selfe for her part could be at no repose for thinking that Tanaquil an alien and stranger borne could contrive in her head and effect so great matter as to make two kings together one after other namely her husband first and afterward her son in law and she her owne selfe a kings daughter could beare no stroke either in giving or taking away a kingdome Tarquinius kindled with these furies and temptations of a woman went about laboured and made court to the Nobles especially those that were Minorum gentium estsoones putting them in mind of the pleasures and favours that his father had done them and requiring now of dutie the like good turne at their hands The young men the flower and manhood in generall of the cittie he wrought and won to himselfe with
gifts and so partly with great promises what wonders he would doe and partly with raising slanders upon the king in all places and charging upon him odious crimes he grew very great and mightie At the last espying a convenient time to set on foot and putin execution his intended projects with a strong guard of armed men hee entred forciblie into the Forum or common place of assemblie whereat the people all surprised with great feare he sat him downe upon the kings throne even at the entrance of the Curia or Senate house and there by the voice of the crier summoned the Senatours to counsell before king Tarquinius Who forthwith there assembled together Some thereto made and prepared aforehand others for feare least their not comming might turn them to displeasure And as they were astonted at this strange and wonderfull sight so they thought Servius utterly undone and his case desperate There Tarquinius began an invective in spightfull and reprochfull tearmes touching the first pedigree or parentage of Servius saying that he being a slave and born of a bond-woman after the cruell and shamefull death of his father Tarquine usurped the king domeanot by meanes of an Interreigne as the order was aforetime nor by a solemne assemblie and the free voices of the people ne yet by the assent of the nobles but only through the wile and fraud of one woman And as he was quoth he thus borne and thus created king so hath he been a partial favourer ever of the basest sort even such as himselfe and in hatred of the noble birth of others hath divided amongst the vilest persons lands taken from the cheese men of the citie and all such burdens and charges as had ben in times past common to all he hath cast upon great personages of qualitie and worth and set up an assessing or taxing that the state of the wealthier persons being made knowne and exposed to envie he might bring them into disgrace with the people and bestow their goods upon the poorest and neediest at his pleasure Amidst this Oration of his came Servius in place advertised of the matter by a fearefull messenger in all hast And presently began to crie out with a lowd voice at the very porch or entrie of the Curia What is here ado quoth hee and what meaneth this O Tarquine How darest thou during my life assemble the Senatours or sit on my seat Whereunto he stoutly made a prowd answere that hee did but keepe his fathers throne and being as hee was a kings sonne hee demeed himselfe more worthie to bee inheritor of the kingdome than a bondslave and as for him hee had been suffered long ynough to play with his good Masters and to insult over his betters With this arose a great clamour from the partakers and complices of both sides the people they ran from all parts to the counsell house and like it was that the stronger should be king Then Tarquinius being put to his shifts and forced to trie the utmost seeing no other remedie tooke Servins by the middle as being himselfe much younger and stronger farre carried him out of the counsell house and threw him downe from the staires head to the foot and so returned againe into the Senate house to get the Senators together The kings officers with the guard attending upon him sled Himselfe well neere dead with certaine of his courtiers and traine breathlesse also for feare made speed and retired towards his pallace as farre as to the top of Cyprius street where he was overtaken by them that were sent by Tarquinius and so slaine outright And it is verily thought that this was done by the suggestion and procurement of Tullia so little disagreeth it from other wicked prankes of hers But this one thing is known for certaintie that she came riding in her coach into the common place of assemblie nothing dismaied or abashed at the presence of so many men there met together called forth his husband out of the Senat house was the first that stiled him with the title of King By whom shee being willed to depart a way out of that throng and uprore as she returned homeward as far as the pitch of Cyprius street where was of late a place consecrated unto Diana called Dianium the coachman that had the guiding and driving of the steeds as he turned the chariot on the right hand up to the cliffe Virbius for to passe up to the hill Esquiliae suddainely staired for feare and reined in his horses and shewed unto his ladie and mistresse Servius lying there murdered And hereof followed as the report goeth a beastly part and beyond all sence of humanitie which the very place doth witnesse still at this day called thereupon Sceleratus Vicus i. the wicked street Wherein the raging and frantike woman Tullia harried with the suries and haunted with the ghosts of her sister and husband caused men say her chariot to be driven over her fathers dead corps and being her selfe bespreint and beraied with the bloudie chariot carried home with her some part of it in token and witnesse that her hand was in this parricide and murder of her owne father to the end that shee might provoke her owne domesticall gods and her husbands to wrath and displeasure and so consequently as they entred their raigne with mischeefe and wickednesse they might soone after be turned out therof with shame and infamie Servius Tullius raigned foure and fortie yeares in such wife carrying himselfe as it were hard even for a good and staied prince that should succeed him to follow his steps This made moreover for his glorie and fame that together with him died all right and lawfull government of Romane kings And even that regiment of his so mild so gracious and temperate as it was yet because it rested in the absolute power of one man he was minded as some doe write to have forgone and given over had not this wicked intestine practise from his owne familie come betweene to prevent and cut off his good designes and intent to let his country free After him began to raigne Tarquinius for his insolent acts surnamed Superbus i. the prowd For he would not suffer his wives father unkind sonne in law he to be interred saying eftsoons in jibing manner that Romulus also died and was never buried Moreover the principall heads of his peeres and nobles such as he thought had favoured Servius his proceedings and tooke parr with him those he made away and slew Afterwards fearing upon the guilt of his owne conscience that he had given an ill precedent for others to take vantage against himselfe attaining to the crown so leaudly he retained therfore a guard of armed men about his bodie and in very truth setting only might aside no other right had he to weare the diademe as who raigned neither by peoples election nor Senatours approbation Over and besides all this to the end he might sit safely in his seat