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tumults; for want of a better excuse; betook himself to the poorest of
defences; confessing he had forgotten his vow; they in turn complained
that he had vowed the tenth of the enemy's goods; and now levied it
out of the tenth of the citizens'。 Nevertheless; every one having
brought in his due proportion; it was decreed that out of it a bowl of
massy gold should be made; and sent to Delphi。 And when there was
great scarcity of gold in the city; and the magistrates were
considering where to get it; the Roman ladies; meeting together and
consulting among themselves; out of the golden ornaments they wore
contributed as much as went to the making of the offering; which in
weight came to eight talents of gold。 The senate; to give them the
honour they had deserved; ordained that funeral orations should be
used at the obsequies of women as well as men; it having never
before been a custom that any women after death should receive any
public eulogy。 Choosing out; therefore; three of the noblest
citizens as a deputation; they sent them in a vessel of war; well
manned and sumptuously adorned。 Storm and calm at sea may both; they
say; alike be dangerous; as they at this time experienced; being
brought almost to the very brink of destruction; and; beyond all
expectation; escaping。 For near the isles of Aeolus the wind slacking;
galleys of the Lipareans came upon them; taking them for pirates; and;
when they held up their hands as suppliants; forbore indeed from
violence; but took their ship in tow; and carried her into the
harbour; where they exposed to sale their goods and persons as
lawful prize; they being pirates; and scarcely; at last; by the virtue
and interest of one man; Timasitheus by name; who was in office as
general; and used his utmost persuasion; they were; with much ado;
dismissed。 He; however; himself sent out some of his own vessels
with them; to accompany them in their voyage and assist them at the
dedication; for which he received honours at Rome; as he had deserved。
  And now the tribunes of the people again resuming their motion for
the division of the city; the war against the Faliscans luckily
broke out; giving liberty to the chief citizens to choose what
magistrates they pleased; and to appoint Camillus military tribune;
with five colleagues; affairs then requiring a commander of
authority and reputation; as well as experience。 And when the people
had ratified the election; he marched with his forces into the
territories of the Faliscans; and laid siege to Falerii; a
well…fortified city; and plentifully stored with all necessaries of
war。 And although he perceived it would be no small work to take it;
and no little time would be required for it; yet he was willing to
exercise the citizens and keep them abroad; that they might have no
leisure; idling at home; to follow the tribunes in factions and
seditions; a very common remedy; indeed; with the Romans; who thus
carried off; like good physicians; the ill humours of their
commonwealth。 The Falerians; trusting in the strength of their city;
which was well fortified on all sides; made so little account of the
siege; that all; with the exception of those that guarded the walls;
as in times of peace; walked about the streets in their common
dress; the boys went to school; and were led by their master to play
and exercise about the town walls; for the Falerians; like the Greeks;
used to have a single teacher for many pupils; wishing their
children to live and be brought up from the beginning in each
other's company。
  This schoolmaster; designing to betray the Falerians by their
children; led them out every day under the town wall; at first but a
little way; and; when they had exercised; brought them home again。
Afterwards by degrees he drew them farther and farther; till by
practice he had made them bold and fearless; as if no danger was about
them; and at last; having got them all together; he brought them to
the outposts of the Romans; and delivered them up; demanding to be led
to Camillus。 Where being come; and standing in the middle; he said
that he was the master and teacher of these children; but preferring
his favour before all other obligations; he was come to deliver up his
charge to him; and; in that; the whole city。 When Camillus had heard
him out; he was astounded at the treachery of the act; and; turning to
the standers…by; observed that 〃war; indeed; is of necessity
attended with much injustice and violence! Certain laws; however;
all good men observe even in war itself; nor is victory so great an
object as to induce us to incur for its sake obligations for base
and impious acts。 A great general should rely on his own virtue; and
not on other men's vices。〃 Which said; he commanded the officers to
tear off the man's clothes; and bind his hands behind him; and give
the boys rods and scourges; to punish the traitor and drive him back
to the city。 By this time the Falerians had discovered the treachery
of the schoolmaster; and the city; as was likely; was full of
lamentations and cries for their calamity; men and women of worth
running in distraction about the walls and gates; when; behold; the
boys came whipping their master on naked and bound; calling Camillus
their preserver and god and father。 Insomuch that it struck not only
into the parents; but the rest of the citizens that saw what was done;
such admiration and love of Camillus's justice; that; immediately
meeting in assembly; they sent ambassadors to him; to resign
whatever they had to his disposal。 Camillus sent them to Rome;
where; being brought into the senate; they spoke to this purpose: that
the Romans; preferring justice before victory; had taught them
rather to embrace submission than liberty; they did not so much
confess themselves to be inferior in strength; as they must
acknowledge them to be superior in virtue。 The senate remitted the
whole matter to Camillus; to judge and order as he thought fit; who;
taking a sum of money of the Falerians; and; making a peace with the
whole nation of the Faliscans; returned home。
  But the soldiers; who had expected to have the pillage of the
city; when they came to Rome empty…handed; railed against Camillus
among their fellow…citizens; as a hater of the people; and one that
grudged all advantage to the poor。 Afterwards; when the tribunes of
the people again brought their motion for dividing the city to the
vote; Camillus appeared openly against it; shrinking from no
unpopularity; and inveighing boldly against the promoters of it; and
so urging and constraining the multitude that contrary to their
inclinations they rejected the proposal but yet hated Camillus。
Insomuch that though a great misfortune befell him in his family
(one of his two sons dying of a disease); commiseration for this could
not in the least make them abate their malice。 And indeed he took this
loss with immoderate sorrow being a man naturally of a mild and tender
disposition and when the accusation was preferred against him; kept
his house; and mourned amongst the women of his family。
  His accuser was Lucius Apuleius; the charge; appropriation of the
Tuscan spoils; certain brass gates; part of those spoils; were said to
be in his possession。 The people were exasperated against him; and
it was plain they would take hold of any occasion to condemn him。
Gathering; therefore; together his friends and fellow…soldiers; and
such as had borne command with him; a considerable number in all; he
besought them that they would not suffer him to be unjustly
overborne by shameful accusations; and left the mock and scorn of
his enemies。 His friends; having advised and consulted among
themselves; made answer; that; as to the sentence; they did not see
how they could help him; but that they would contribute to
whatsoever fine should be set upon him。 Not able to endure so great an
indignity; he resolved; in his anger; to leave the city; and go into
exile; and so; having taken leave of his wife and his son; he went
silently to the gate of the city; and there stopping and turning
round; stretched out his hands to the Capitol; and prayed to the gods;
that if; without any fault of his own; but 

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