ABSTRACT
Plutarch's Lives oj Noble Grecians and Romal1es 535 geven the Romaines thirtie dayes respit for their aunswer, and specially bicause the warres have not accustomed to make any great chaunges, in lesse space of time then that: he thought it good yet, not to lye a sleepe idle all the while, but went and destroyed the landes of the enemies allies, and tooke seven citties of theirs well inhabited, and the Romaines durst not once put them selves into the field, to come to their ayde and helpe: they were so fainte harted, so mistrustfull, and lothe besides to make warres. In so muche as they properly ressembled the bod yes paralyticke, and losed of their limmes and members: as those which through the palsey 1 have lost all their sence and feeling. Wherefore, the time of peace expired, Martius being returned into the dominions of the Romaines agaille with all his armie, they sent another ambassade unto him, to praye peace, and the remove of the Volsces out of their countrie 2: that afterwardes they might with better leysure fall to suche agreementes together, as should be thought most mete and necessarie. For the Romaincs were no men that would ever yeld for fcare. But if he thought the Volsces had any grounde to demaunde reasonable articles and conditions, all that they would reasonably aske should be graunted unto, by the Romaines, who of them selves would willingly yeld to reason, conditionally, that they dyd laye downe armes. Martius to that aunswered: that as generall of the Volsces he would replie nothing unto it. But yet as a Romaine cittizen, he would counsell them to let fall their pride, and to be conformable to reason, if they were wise: and that they should returne againe within three dayes, delivering up the articles agreed upon, which he had first delivered them.3 Or otherwise, that he would no more geve them assuraunce or safe conduite to returne againe into his campe, with suche vaine and frivolous messages. When the ambassadours were returned to Rome, and had reported Martius aunswer to the Senate: their cittie being in extreme daunger, and as it were in a terrible storme or tempest, they threw out (as the common proverbe sayeth) their holy ancker. For then they appointed all the bishoppes, priestes, ministers of the goddes, and keepers of holy things, and all the augures or soothesayers, which foreshowe things to come by observation of the flying of birdes (which is an olde auncient kynde of prophecying and divination amongest the Romaines) to goe to Martius 4 apparelled, as when they doe their sacrifices: and first to intreate him to leave ofwarre, and then that he would speake to his contrymen, and conclude peace with the Volsces. Martius suffered
them to come into his campe, but yet he graunted them nothing the more, neither dyd he entertaine them or speake more curteously to them, then he dyd the first time that they came unto him, saving only that he willed them to take the one of the two: either to accept peace under the first conditions offered, or e1s to receyve warre. When all this goodly rable of superstition and priestes were returned, it was determined in counsell that none should goe out of the gates of the cittie, and that they should watche and warde upon the walles, to repulse their enemies if they came to assault them: referring them selves and all their hope to time, and fortunes uncertaine favour, not knowing otherwise howe to remedie the daunger. Now all the cittie was full of tumult, feare, and marvelous doubt what would happen: untiIl at length there fell out suche a like matter, as Homer oftetimes sayed they would least have thought of. For in great matters, that happen seldome, Homer sayeth, and crieth out in this sorte,
The goddesse Pallas she, with her fayer glistering eyes, dyd put into his minde suche thoughts, and made him so devise.
