第 3 节
作者:
瞎说呗 更新:2022-08-26 22:12 字数:9322
how the Volscians had arrayed their army and where they had placed
their best men and on his answering that he took the troops of the
Antiates in the centre to be their prime warriors that would yield
to none in bravery; 〃Let me demand and obtain of you;〃 said Marcius;
〃that we may be posted against them。〃 The consul granted the
request; with much admiration for his gallantry。 And when the conflict
began by the soldiers darting at each other; and Marcius sallied out
before the rest the Volscians opposed to him were not able to make
head against him; wherever he fell in; he broke their ranks; and
made a lane through them; but the parties turning again; and enclosing
him on each side with their weapons; the consul; who observed the
danger he was in despatched some of the choicest men he had for his
rescue。 The conflict then growing warm and sharp about Marcius and
many falling dead in a little space; the Romans bore so hard upon
their enemies; and pressed them with such violence; that they forced
them at length to abandon their ground; and to quit the field。 And
going now to prosecute the victory; they besought Marcius; tired out
with his toils; and faint and heavy through the loss of blood; that he
would retire to the camp。 He replied; however; that weariness was
not for conquerors; and joined with them in the pursuit。 The rest of
the Volscian army was in like manner defeated; great numbers killed;
and no less taken captive。
The day after; when Marcius; with the rest of the army; presented
themselves at the consul's tent; Cominius rose; and having rendered
all due acknowledgment to the gods for the success of that enterprise;
turned next to Marcius; and first of all delivered the strongest
encomium upon his rare exploits; which he had partly been an
eye…witness of himself; in the late battle; and had partly learned
from the testimony of Lartius。 And then he required him to choose a
tenth part of all the treasure and horses and captives that had fallen
into their hands; before any division should be made to others;
besides which; he made him the special present of a horse with
trappings and ornaments; in honour of his actions。 The whole army
applauded; Marcius; however; stepped forth; and declaring his thankful
acceptance of the horse; and his gratification at the praises of his
general; said; that all other things; which he could only regard
rather as mercenary advantages than any significations of honour; he
must waive; and should be content with the ordinary proportion of such
rewards。 〃I have only;〃 said he; 〃one special grace to beg; and this I
hope you will not deny me。 There was a certain hospitable friend of
mine among the Volscians; a man of probity and virtue; who is become a
prisoner; and from former wealth and freedom is now reduced to
servitude。 Among his many misfortunes let my intercession redeem him
from the one of being sold as a common slave。〃 Such a refusal and such
a request on the part of Marcius were followed with yet louder
acclamations; and he had many more admirers of this generous
superiority to avarice; than of the bravery he had shown in battle。
The very persons who conceived some envy and despite to see him so
specially honoured; could not but acknowledge; that one who so nobly
could refuse reward; was beyond others worthy to receive it; and
were more charmed with that virtue which made him despise advantage;
than with any of those former actions that have gained him his title
to it。 It is the higher accomplishment to use money well than to use
arms; but not to need it is more noble than to use it。
When the noise of approbation and applause ceased; Cominius;
resuming; said: 〃It is idle; fellow…soldiers; to force and obtrude
those other gifts of ours on one who is unwilling to accept them;
let us; therefore; give him one of such a kind that he cannot well
reject it; let us pass a vote; I mean; that he shall hereafter be
called Coriolanus; unless you think that his performance at Corioli
has itself anticipated any such resolution。〃 Hence; therefore; he
had this third name of Coriolanus; making it all the plainer that
Caius was a personal proper name; and the second; or surname; Marcius;
one common to his house and family; the third being a subsequent
addition which used to be imposed either from some particular act or
fortune; bodily characteristic; or good quality of the bearer。 Just as
the Greeks; too; gave additional names in old time; in some cases from
some achievement; Soter; for example; and Callinicus; or personal
appearance; as Physcon and Grypus; good qualities; Euergetes and
Philadelphus; good fortune; Eudaemon; the title of the second
Battus。 Several monarchs have also had names given them in mockery; as
Antigonus was called Doson; and Ptolemy; Lathyrus。 This sort of
title was yet more common among the Romans。 One of the Metelli was
surnamed Diadematus; because he walked about for a long time with a
bandage on his head to conceal a scar; and another; of the same
family; got the name of Celer; from the rapidity he displayed in
giving a funeral entertainment of gladiators within a few days after
his father's death; his speed and energy in doing which was thought
extraordinary。 There are some; too; who even at this day take names
from certain casual incidents at their nativity: a child that is
born when his father is away from home is called Proculus; or
Postumus; if after his decease; and when twins come into the world;
and one dies at the birth; the survivor has the name of Vopiscus。 From
bodily peculiarities they derive not only their Syllas and Nigers; but
their Caeci and Claudii; wisely endeavouring to accustom their
people not to reckon either the loss of sight; or any other bodily
misfortune; as a matter of disgrace to them; but to answer to such
names without shame; as if they were really their own。 But this
discussion better befits another place。
The war against the Volscians was no sooner at an end; than the
popular orators revived domestic troubles; and raised another
sedition; without any new cause or complaint or just grievance to
proceed upon; but merely turning the very mischiefs that unavoidably
ensued from their former contests into a pretext against the
patricians。 The greatest part of their arable land had been left
unsown and without tillage; and the time of war allowing them no means
or leisure to import provision from other countries; there was an
extreme scarcity。 The movers of the people then observing that there
was no corn to be bought; and that if there had been they had no money
to buy it; began to calumniate the wealthy with false stories and
whisper it about; as if they; out of their malice; had purposely
contrived the famine。 Meanwhile; there came an embassy from the
Velitrani; proposing to deliver up their city to the Romans; and
desiring they would send some new inhabitants to people it; as a
late pestilential disease had swept away so many of the natives;
that there was hardly a tenth part remaining of their whole community。
This necessity of the Velitrani was considered by all more prudent
people as most opportune in the present state of affairs; since the
dearth made it needful to ease the city of its superfluous members;
and they were in hope also; at the same time; to dissipate the
gathering sedition by ridding themselves of the more violent and
heated partisans; and discharging; so to say; the elements of
disease and disorder in the state。 The consuls; therefore; singled out
such citizens to supply the desolation at Velitrae; and gave notice to
others; that they should be ready to march against the Volscians; with
the politic design of preventing intestine broils by employment
abroad; and in the hope that when rich as well as poor; plebeians
and patricians; should be mingled again in the same army and the
same camp; and engage in one common service for the public; it would
mutually dispose them to reconciliation and friendship。
But Sicinnius and Brutus; the popular orators; interposed; crying
out that the consuls disguised the most cruel and barbarous action
in the world under that mild and plausible name of a colony; and
were simply precipitating so many poor citizens into a mere pit of
destruction; bidding them settle down in a country where the air was
charged with disease; and the ground covered with dead bodies; and
expose themselves to the evil influence of a strange and angered
deity。 And then; as if it would not satisfy their hatred to destroy
some by hunger; and offer others to the mercy of a plague; they must
proceed to involve them also in a needless war of their own making;
that no calamity might be wanting to complete the punishment of the
citizens for refusing to submit to that of slavery to the rich。
By such addresses; the people were so possessed; that none of them
would appear upon the consular summons to be enlisted for the war; and
they showed entire aversion to the proposal for a new plantation; so
that the senate was at a loss what to say or do。 But Marcius; who
began now to bear himself higher and to feel confidence in his past
actions; conscious; too; of the admiration of the best and greatest
men o