reproaching those of the commonalty with their late injustice to
Marcius； while the plebeians； on their side did not hesitate to accuse
them of having； out of spite and revenge； solicited him to this
enterprise； and thus； when others were involved in the miseries of a
war by their means； they sat like unconcerned spectators； as being
furnished with a guardian and protector abroad of their wealth and
fortunes； in the very person of the public enemy。 After this incursion
and exploit； which was of great advantage to the Volscians； as they
learned by it to grow more hardy and to contemn their enemy； Marcius
drew them off； and returned in safety。
But when the whole strength of the Volscians was brought together in
the field； with great expedition and alacrity； it appeared so
considerable a body； that they agreed to leave part in garrison； for
the security of their towns； and with the other part to march
against the Romans。 Marcius now desired Tullus to choose which of
the two charges would be most agreeable to him。 Tullus answered that
since he knew Marcius to be equally valiant with himself； and far more
fortunate； he would have him take the command of those that were going
out to the war； while he made it his care to defend their cities at
home and provide all conveniences for the army abroad。 Marcius； thus
reinforced； and much stronger than before； moved first towards the
city called Circaeum； a Roman colony。 He received its surrender and
did the inhabitants no injury； passing thence； he entered and laid
waste the country of the Latins； where he expected the Romans would
meet him； as the Latins were their confederates and allies； and had
often sent to demand succours from them。 The people； however； on their
part； showing little inclination for the service； and the consuls
themselves being unwilling to run the hazard of a battle； when the
time of their office was almost ready to expire； they dismissed the
Latin ambassadors without any effect； so that Marcius； finding no army
to oppose him； marched up to their cities； and having taken by force
Toleria； Lavici； Peda； and Bola； all of which offered resistance；
not only plundered their houses； but made a prey likewise of their
persons。 Meantime he showed particular regard for all such as came
over to his party； and； for fear they might sustain any damage against
his will； encamped at the greatest distance he could； and wholly
abstained from the lands of their property。
After； however； that he had made himself master of Bola； a town
not above ten miles from Rome； where he found great treasure； and
put almost all the adults to the sword； and when on this； the other
Volscians that were ordered to stay behind and protect their cities；
hearing of his achievements and success； had not patience to remain
any longer at home； but came hastening in their arms to Marcius；
saying that he alone was their general and the sole commander they
would own； with all this； his name and renown spread throughout all
Italy； and universal wonder prevailed at the sudden and mighty
revolution in the fortunes of two nations which the loss and the
accession of a single man had effected。
All at Rome was in great disorder； they were utterly averse from
fighting； and spent their whole time in cabals and disputes and
reproaches against each other； until news was brought that the enemy
had laid close siege to Lavinium； where were the images and sacred
things of their tutelar gods； and from whence they derived the
origin of their nation； that being the first city which Aeneas built
in Italy。 These tidings produced a change as universal as it was
extraordinary in the thoughts and inclinations of the people； but
occasioned a yet stranger revulsion of feelings among the
patricians。 The people now were for repealing the sentence against
Marcius； and calling him back into the city； whereas the senate； being
assembled to preconsider the decree； opposed and finally rejected
the proposal； either out of the mere humour of contradicting and
withstanding the people in whatever they should desire； or because
they were unwilling； perhaps； that he should owe his restoration to
their kindness； or having now conceived a displeasure against
Marcius himself； who was bringing distress upon all alike； though he
had not been ill…treated by all； and was become a declared enemy to
his whole country； though he knew well enough that the principal and
all the better men condoled with him and suffered in his injuries。
This resolution of theirs being made public； the people could
proceed no further； having no authority to pass anything by
suffrage； and enact it for a law； without a previous decree from the
senate。 When Marcius heard of this； he was more exasperated than ever；
and； quitting the siege of Lavinium； marched furiously towards Rome；
and encamped at a place called the Cluilian ditches； about five
miles from the city。 The nearness of his approach did； indeed；
create much terror and disturbance； yet it also ended their
dissensions for the present； as nobody now； whether consul or senator；
durst any longer contradict the people in their design of recalling
Marcius； but； seeing their women running affrighted up and down the
streets； and the old men at prayer in every temple with tears and
supplications； and that； in short； there was a general absence among
them both of courage and wisdom to provide for their own safety；
they came at last to be all of one mind； that the people had been in
the right to propose as they did a reconciliation with Marcius； and
that the senate was guilty of a fatal error to begin a quarrel with
him when it was a time to forget offences； and they should have
studied rather to appease him。 It was； therefore； unanimously agreed
by all parties； that ambassadors should be despatched； offering him
return to his country； and desiring he would free them from the
terrors and distresses of the war。 The persons sent by the senate with
this message were chosen out of his kindred and acquaintance； who
naturally expected a very kind reception at their first interview；
upon the score of that relation and their old familiarity and
friendship with him； in which； however； they were much mistaken。 Being
led through the enemy's camp； they found him sitting in state amidst
the chief men of the Volscians； looking insupportably proud and
arrogant。 He bade them declare the cause of their coming； which they
did in the most gentle and tender terms； and with a behaviour suitable
to their language。 When they had made an end of speaking； he
returned them a sharp answer； full of bitterness and angry resentment；
as to what concerned himself and the ill…usage he had received from
them； but as general of the Volscians； he demanded restitution of
the cities and the lands which had been seized upon during the late
war； and that the same rights and franchises should be granted them at
Rome； which had been before accorded to the Latins； since there
could be no assurance that a peace would be firm and lasting without
fair and just conditions on both sides。 He allowed them thirty days to
consider and resolve。
The ambassadors being departed； he withdrew his forces out of the
Roman territory。 This； those of the Volscians who had long envied
his reputation； and could not endure to see the influence he had
with the people； laid hold of； as the first matter of complaint
against him。 Among them was also Tullus himself； not for any wrong
done him personally by Marcius； but through the weakness incident to
human nature； He could not help feeling mortified to find his own
glory thus totally obscured； and himself overlooked and neglected
now by the Volscians； who had so great an opinion of their new leader；
that he alone was all to them； while other captains； they thought；
should be content with that share of power which he might think fit to
accord。 From hence the first seeds of complaint and accusation were
scattered about in secret； and the malcontents met and heightened each
other's indignation； saying； that to retreat as he did was in effect
to betray and deliver up though not their cities and their arms； yet
what was as bad； the critical times and opportunities for action； on
which depend the preservation or the loss of everything else； since in
less than thirty days' space； for which he had given a respite for the
war； there might happen the greatest changes in the world。 Yet Marcius
spent not any part of the time idly； but attacked the confederates
of the enemy； ravaged their land； and took from them seven great and
populous cities in that interval。 The Romans； in the meanwhile；
durst not venture out to their relief； but were utterly fearful； and
showed no more disposition or capacity for action than if their bodies
had been struck with a palsy； and became destitute of sense and
motion。 But when the thirty days were expired； and Marcius appeared
again with his whole army； they sent another embassy； to beseech him
that he would moderate his displeasure and would withdraw the Volscian
army； and then make any proposals he thought best for both parties；
the Romans would make no concessions to menaces； but if it were his
opinion that the Volscians ought to have any favour shown them； upon
laying down their arms they might obtain all they could in reason
desire。
The reply of Marcius was； that he should make no answer to this as
general of the Volscians； but； in the quality still of a Roman
citizen； he would advise and exhort them； as the case stood； not to
carry it so high； but think rather of just compliance； and return to
him； before three days were at an end； with a ratification of his
previous demands； otherwise； they must understand that they could
not have any further freedom of passing through his camp upon idle
errands。
When the ambassadors were come back； and had acquainted the senate
with the answer； seeing the whole state now threatened as it were by a
tempest； and the waves ready to overwhelm them； they were forced； as
we say in extreme perils； to let down the sacred anchor。 A decree
was made； that the whole order of their priests； those who initiated
in the mysteries or had the custody of them； an