38. As they went along in an almost continuous body, Tullus having
preceded them to the fountain of Ferentina, accosting the chiefs among
them according as each arrived, by asking questions and expressing
indignation, he led both themselves, who greedily listened to language
congenial[94] to their angry feelings, and through them the rest of the
multitude, into a plain adjoining to the road. There having commenced an
address after the manner of a public harangue, he says, "Though you were
to forget the former ill treatment of the Roman people and the
calamities of the nation of the Volsci, and all other such matters, with
what feelings do you bear this outrage offered you to-day, whereon they
have commenced their games by insulting us? Have you not felt that a
triumph has been had over you this day? that you, when departing, were a
spectacle to all, citizens, foreigners, so many neighbouring states?
that your wives, your children were exhibited before the eyes of men?
What do you suppose to have been the sentiments of those who heard the
voice of the crier? what of those who saw you departing? what of those
who met this ignominious cavalcade? what, except that we are identified
with some enormous guilt by which we should profane the games, and
render an expiation necessary; that for this reason we are driven away
from the residences of these pious people, from their converse and
meeting? what, does it not strike you that we still live because we
hastened our departure? if this is a departure and not a flight. And do
you not consider this to be the city of enemies, where if you had
delayed a single day, you must have all died? War has been declared
against you; to the heavy injury of those who declared it, if you are
men." Thus, being both already charged with resentment, and incited (by
this harangue) they went severally to their homes, and by instigating
each his own state, they succeeded in making the entire Volscian nation
revolt.
[Footnote 94: _Audientes secunda iræ verba_--attentively listening to
words which fanned (or chimed in with) their anger.--_St_.]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account