第 4 节
作者:
九十八度 更新:2024-05-22 14:00 字数:9322
before its destruction; as Sylla was the reverse in dying before the
dedication of his。 For immediately after Vespasian's death it was
consumed by fire。 The fourth; which now exists; was both built and
dedicated by Domitian。 It is said Tarquin expended forty thousand
pounds of silver in the very foundations; but the whole wealth of
the richest private man in Rome would not discharge the cost of the
gilding of this temple in our days; it amounting to above twelve
thousand talents; the pillars were cut out of Pentelican marble; of
a length most happily proportioned to their thickness; these we saw at
Athens; but when they were cut anew at Rome and polished; they did not
gain so much in embellishment as they lost in symmetry; being rendered
too taper and slender。 Should any one who wonders at the costliness of
the Capitol visit any one gallery in Domitian's palace; or hall; or
bath; or the apartments of his concubines; Epicharmus's remark upon
the prodigal; that…
〃'Tis not beneficence; but truth to say;
A mere disease of giving things away;〃
would be in his mouth in application to Domitian。 It is neither piety;
he would say; nor magnificence; but; indeed; a mere disease of
building; and a desire; like Midas; of converting everything into gold
or stone。 And thus much for this matter。
Tarquin; after the great battle wherein he lost his son in combat
with Brutus; fled to Clusium; and sought aid from Lars Porsenna;
then one of those most powerful princes of Italy; and a man of worth
and generosity; who assured him of assistance; immediately sending his
commands to Rome that they should receive Tarquin as their king;
and; upon the Romans' refusal; proclaimed war; and; having signified
the time and place where he intended his attack; approached with a
great army。 Poplicola was; in his absence; chosen consul a second
time; and Titus Lucretius his colleague; and; returning to Rome; to
show a spirit yet loftier than Porsenna's; built the city Sigliura
when Porsenna was already in the neighbourhood; and walling it at
great expense; there placed a colony of seven hundred men; as being
little concerned at the war。 Nevertheless; Porsenna; making a sharp
assault; obliged the defendants to retire to Rome; who had almost in
their entrance admitted the enemy into the city with them; only
Poplicola by sallying out at the gate prevented them; and; joining
battle by Tiber side; opposed the enemy; that pressed on with their
multitude; but at last; sinking under desperate wounds; was carried
out of the fight。 The same fortune fell upon Lucretius; so that the
Romans; being dismayed; retreated into the city for their security;
and Rome was in great hazard of being taken; the enemy forcing their
way on to the wooden bridge; where Horatius Cocles; seconded by two of
the first men in Rome; Herminius and Lartius; made head against
them。 Horatius obtained this name from the loss of one of his eyes
in the war; or; as others write; from the depressure of his nose;
which; leaving nothing in the middle to separate them; made both
eyes appear but as one; and hence; intending to say Cyclops; by a
mispronunciation they called him Cocles。 This Cocles kept the
bridge; and held back the enemy; till his own party broke it down
behind; and then with his armour dropped into the river; and swam to
the hither side; with a wound in his hip from a Tuscan spear。
Poplicola; admiring his courage; proposed at once that the Romans
should every one make him a present of a day's provisions; and
afterwards give him as much land as he could plough round in one
day; and besides erected a brazen statute to his honour in the
temple of Vulcan; as a requital for the lameness caused by his wound。
But Porsenna laying close siege to the city; and a famine raging
amongst the Romans; also a new army of the Tuscans making incursions
into the country; Poplicola; a third time chosen consul; designed to
make; without sallying out; his defence against Porsenna; but;
privately stealing forth against the new army of the Tuscans; put them
to flight and slew five thousand。 The story of Mucius is variously
given; we; like others; must follow the commonly received statement。
He was a man endowed with every virtue; but most eminent in war;
and; resolving to kill Porsenna; attired himself in the Tuscan
habit; and using the Tuscan language; came to the camp; and
approaching the seat where the king sat amongst his nobles; but not
certainly knowing the king; and fearful to inquire; drew out his
sword; and stabbed one who he thought had most the appearance of king。
Mucius was taken in the act; and whilst he was under examination; a
pan of fire was brought to the king; who intended to sacrifice; Mucius
thrust his right hand into the flame; and whilst it burnt stood
looking at Porsenna with a steadfast and undaunted countenance;
Porsenna at last in admiration dismissed him; and returned his
sword; reaching it from his seat; Mucius received it in his left hand;
which occasioned the name of Scaevola; left…handed; and said; 〃I
have overcome the terrors of Porsenna; yet am vanquished by his
generosity; and gratitude obliges me to disclose what no punishment
could extort; and assured him then; that three hundred Romans; all
of the same resolution; lurked about his camp; only waiting for an
opportunity; he; by lot appointed to the enterprise; was not sorry
that he had miscarried in it; because so brave and good a man deserved
rather to be a friend to the Romans than an enemy。 To this Porsenna
gave credit; and thereupon expressed an inclination to a truce; not; I
presume; so much out of fear of the three hundred Romans; as in
admiration of the Roman courage。 All other writers call this man
Mucius Scaevola; yet Athendrous; son of Sandon; in a book addressed to
Octavia; Caesar's sister; avers he was also called Postumus。
Poplicola; not so much esteeming Porsenna's enmity dangerous to Rome
as his friendship and alliance serviceable; was induced to refer the
controversy with Tarquin to his arbitration; and several times
undertook to prove Tarquin the worst of men; and justly deprived of
his kingdom。 But Tarquin proudly replied he would admit no judge; much
less Porsenna; that had fallen away from his engagements; and
Porsenna; resenting this answer; and mistrusting the equity of his
cause; moved also by the solicitations of his son Aruns; who was
earnest for the Roman interest; made a peace on these conditions; that
they should resign the land they had taken from the Tuscans; and
restore all prisoners and receive back their deserters。 To confirm the
peace; the Romans gave as hostages ten sons of patrician parents;
and as many daughters; amongst whom was Valeria; the daughter of
Poplicola。
Upon these assurances; Porsenna ceased from all acts of hostility;
and the young girls went down to the river to bathe at that part where
the winding of the bank formed a bay and made the waters stiller and
quieter; and; seeing no guard; nor any one coming or going over;
they were encouraged to swim over; notwithstanding the depth and
violence of the stream。 Some affirm that one of them; by name Cloelia;
passing over on horseback; persuaded the rest to swim after; but; upon
their safe arrival; presenting themselves to Poplicola; he neither
praised nor approved their return; but was concerned lest he should
appear less faithful than Porsenna; and this boldness in the maidens
should argue treachery in the Romans; so that; apprehending them; he
sent them back to Porsenna。 But Tarquin's men; having intelligence
of this; laid a strong ambuscade on the other side for those that
conducted them; and while these were skirmishing together; Valeria;
the daughter of Poplicola; rushed through the enemy; and fled; and
with the assistance of three of her attendants made good her escape;
whilst the rest were dangerously hedged in by the soldiers; but Aruns;
Porsenna's son; upon tidings of it; hastened to their rescue; and;
putting the enemy to flight; delivered the Romans。 When Porsenna saw
the maiden returned; demanding who was the author and adviser of the
act; and understanding Cloelia to be the person; he looked on her with
a cheerful and benignant countenance; and; commanding one of his
horses to be brought; sumptuously adorned; made her a present of it。
This is produced as evidence by those who affirm that only Cloelia
passed the river on horseback; those who deny it call it only the
honour the Tuscan did to her courage; a figure; however; on horseback;
stands in the Via Sacra; as you go to the Palatium; which some say
is the statue of Cloelia; others of Valeria。 Porsenna; thus reconciled
to the Romans; gave them a fresh instance of his generosity; and
commanded his soldiers to quit the camp merely with their arms;
leaving their tents; full of corn and other stores; as a gift to the
Romans。 Hence; even down to our time; when there is a public sale of
goods; they cry Porsenna's first; by way of perpetual commemoration of
his kindness。 There stood also; by the senate…house; a brazen statue
of him; of plain and antique workmanship。
Afterwards; the Sabines; making incursions upon the Romans; Marc