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第7节

coriolanus-第7节

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to follow at their heels。 Several of the attendants on which were;
indeed; scandalized at the sight; yet no one of them interfered; or
acted further in the matter than merely to utter some common
reproaches and execrations on a master who inflicted so cruel a
punishment。 For the Romans treated their slaves with great humanity in
these times; when; working and labouring themselves; and living
together among them; they naturally were more gentle and familiar with
them。 It was one of the severest punishments for a slave who had
committed a fault to have to take the piece of wood which supports the
pole of a wagon; and carry it about through the neighbourhood; a slave
who had once undergone the shame of this; and been thus seen by the
household and the neighbours; had no longer any trust or credit
among them; and had the name of furcifer; furca being the Latin word
for a prop; or support。
  When; therefore; Latinus had related his dream; and the senators
were considering who this disagreeable and ungainly dancer could be;
some of the company; having been struck with the strangeness of the
punishment; called to mind and mentioned the miserable slave who was
lashed through the streets and afterwards put to death。 The priests;
when consulted; confirmed the conjecture; the master was punished; and
orders given for a new celebration of the procession and the
spectacles in honour of the god。 Numa; in other respects also a wise
arranger of religious offices; would seem to have been especially
judicious in his direction; with a view to the attentiveness of the
people; that; when the magistrates or priests performed any divine
worship; a herald should go before; and proclaim with a loud voice;
Hoc age; Do this you are about; and so warn them to mind whatever
sacred action they were engaged in; and not suffer any business or
worldly avocation to disturb and interrupt it; most of the things
which men do of this kind being in manner forced from them; and
effected by constraint。 It is usual with the Romans to recommence
their sacrifices and processions and spectacles; not only upon such
a cause as this; but for any slighter reason。 If but one of the horses
which drew the chariots called Tensae; upon which the images of
their gods were placed; happened to fail and falter; or if the
driver took hold of the reins with his left hand; they would decree
that the whole operation should commence anew; and; in latter ages;
one and the same sacrifice was performed thirty times over; because of
the occurrence of some defect or mistake or accident in the service。
Such was the Roman reverence and caution in religious matters。
  Marcius and Tullus were now secretly discoursing of their project
with the chief men of Antium; advising them to invade the Romans while
they were at variance among themselves。 And when shame appeared to
hinder them from embracing the motion; as they had sworn to a truce
and cessation of arms for the space of two years; the Romans
themselves soon furnished them with a pretence; by making
proclamation; out of some jealousy or slanderous report; in the
midst of the spectacles; that all the Volscians who had come to see
them should depart the city before sunset。 Some affirm that this was a
contrivance of Marcius; who sent a man privately to the consuls;
falsely to accuse the Volscians of intending to fall upon the Romans
during the games; and to set the city on fire。 This public affront
roused and inflamed their hostility to the Romans; and Tullus;
perceiving it; made his advantage of it; aggravating the fact; and
working on their indignation; till he persuaded them; at last; to
despatch ambassadors to Rome; requiring the Romans to restore that
part of their country and those towns which they had taken from the
Volscians in the late war。 When the Romans heard the message; they
indignantly replied that the Volscians were the first that took up
arms; but the Romans would be the last to lay them down。 This answer
being brought back; Tullus called a general assembly of the Volscians;
and the vote passing for a war; he then proposed that they should call
in Marcius; laying aside the remembrance of former grudges; and
assuring themselves that the services they should now receive from him
as a friend and associate would abundantly outweigh any harm or damage
he had done them when he was their enemy。 Marcius was accordingly
summoned; and having made his entrance; and spoken to the people;
won their good opinion of his capacity; his skill; counsel; and
boldness; not less by his present words than by his past actions。 They
joined him in commission with Tullus; to have full power as the
general of their forces in all that related to the war。 And he;
fearing lest the time that would be requisite to bring all the
Volscians together in full preparation might be so long as to lose him
the opportunity of action; left order with the chief persons and
magistrates of the city to provide other things; while he himself;
prevailing upon the most forward to assemble and march out with him as
volunteers without staying to be enrolled; made a sudden inroad into
the Roman confines; when nobody expected him; and possessed himself of
so much booty; that the Volscians found they had more than they
could either carry away or use in the camp。 The abundance of provision
which he gained; and the waste and havoc of the country which he made;
were; however; of themselves and in his account; the smallest
results of that invasion; the great mischief he intended; and his
special object in all; was to increase at Rome the suspicions
entertained of the patricians; and to make them upon worse terms
with the people。 With this view; while spoiling all the fields and
destroying the property of other men; he took special care to preserve
their farms and lands untouched; and would not allow his soldiers to
ravage there; or seize upon anything which belonged to them。 From
hence their invectives and quarrels against one another broke out
afresh; and rose to a greater height than ever; the senators
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

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