第 8 节
作者:
瞎说呗 更新:2022-08-26 22:12 字数:9322
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; and those who;
according to the ancient practice of the country; divined from
birds; should all and every one of them go in full procession to
Marcius with their pontifical array; and the dress and habit which
they respectively used in their several functions; and should urge
him; as before; to withdraw his forces; and then treat with his
countrymen in favour of the Volscians。 He consented so far; indeed; as
to give the deputation an admittance into his camp; but granted
nothing at all; nor so much as expressed himself more mildly; but
without capitulating or receding; bade them once for all choose
whether they would yield or fight; since the old terms were the only
terms of peace。 When this solemn application proved ineffectual; the
priests; too; returning unsuccessful; they determined to sit still
within the city and keep watch about their walls; intending only to
repulse the enemy; should he offer to attack them; and placing their
hopes chiefly in time and in extraordinary accidents of fortune; as to
themselves; they felt incapable of doing anything for their own
deliverance; mere confusion and terror and ill…boding reports
possessed the whole city; till at last a thing happened not unlike
what we so often find represented; without; however; being accepted as
true by people in general; in Homer。 On some great and unusual
occasion we find him say…
〃But him the blue…eyed goddess did inspire;
and elsewhere…
〃But some immortal turned my mind away;
To think what others of the deed would say;〃
and again…
〃Were't his own thought or were't a god's command?〃
People are apt; in such passages; to censure and disregard the poet as
if; by the introduction of mere impossibilities and idle fictions;
he were denying the action of a man's own deliberate thought and
free choice; which is not; in the least; the case in Homer's
representation; where the ordinary; probable; and habitual conclusions
that common reason leads to are continually ascribed to our own direct
agency。 He certain