贝壳电子书 > 英文原著电子书 > camillus >

第4章

camillus-第4章

小说: camillus 字数: 每页4000字

按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页,按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页,按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部!
————未阅读完?加入书签已便下次继续阅读!



round; stretched out his hands to the Capitol; and prayed to the gods;
that if; without any fault of his own; but merely through the malice
and violence of the people; he was driven out into banishment; the
Romans might quickly repent of it; and that all mankind might
witness their need for the assistance; and desire for the return of
Camillus。
  Thus; like Achilles; having left his imprecations on the citizens;
he went into banishment; so that; neither appearing nor making
defence; he was condemned in the sum of fifteen thousand ases;
which; reduced to silver; make one thousand five hundred drachmas; for
the as was the money of the time; ten of such copper pieces making the
denarius; or piece of ten。 And there is not a Roman but believes
that immediately upon the prayers of Camillus; a sudden judgment
followed; and that he received a revenge for the injustice done unto
him; which though we cannot think was pleasant; but rather grievous
and bitter to him; yet was very remarkable; and noised over the
whole world; such a punishment visited the city of Rome; an era of
such loss and danger and disgrace so quickly succeeded; whether it
thus fell out by fortune; or it be the office of some god not to see
injured virtue go unavenged。
  The first token that seemed to threaten some mischief to ensue was
the death of the censor Julius; for the Romans have a religious
reverence for the office of a censor; and esteem it sacred。 The second
was that; just before Camillus went into exile; Marcus Caedicius; a
person of no great distinction; nor of the rank of senator; but
esteemed a good and respectable man; reported to the military tribunes
a thing worthy their consideration; that; going along the night before
in the street called the New Way; and being called by somebody in a
loud voice; he turned about; but could see no one; but heard a voice
greater than human; which said these words; 〃Go; Marcus Caedicius; and
early in the morning tell the military tribunes that they are
shortly to expect the Gauls。〃 But the tribunes made a mock and sport
with the story; and a little after came Camillus's banishment。
  The Gauls are of the Celtic race; and are reported to have been
compelled by their numbers to leave their country; which was
insufficient to sustain them all; and to have gone in search of
other homes。 And being; many thousands of them; young men and able
to bear arms; and carrying with them a still greater number of women
and young children; some of them; passing the Riphaean mountains; fell
upon the Northern Ocean; and possessed themselves of the farthest
parts of Europe; others; seating themselves between the Pyrenean
mountains and the Alps; lived there a considerable time; nearer to the
Senones and Celtorii; but; afterwards tasting wine which was then
first brought them out of Italy; they were all so much taken with
the liquor; and transported with the hitherto unknown delight; that;
snatching up their arms and taking their families along with them;
they marched directly to the Alps; to find out the country which
yielded such fruit; pronouncing all others barren and useless。 He that
first brought wine among them and was the chief instigator of their
coming into Italy is said to have been one Aruns; a Tuscan; a man of
noble extraction; and not of bad natural character; but involved in
the following misfortune。 He was guardian to an orphan; one of the
richest of the country; and much admired for his beauty; whose name
was Lucumo。 From his childhood he had been bred up with Aruns in his
family; and when now grown up did not leave his house; professing to
wish for the enjoyment of his society。 And thus for a great while he
secretly enjoyed Aruns's wife; corrupting her; and himself corrupted
by her。 But when they were both so far gone in their passion that they
could neither refrain their lust nor conceal it; the young man
seized the woman and openly sought to carry her away。 The husband;
going to law; and finding himself overpowered by the interest and
money of his opponent; left his country and; hearing of the state of
the Gauls; went to them; and was the conductor of their expedition
into Italy。
  At their first coming they at once possessed themselves of all
that country which anciently the Tuscans inhabited; reaching from
the Alps to both the seas; as the names themselves testify; for the
North or Adriatic Sea is named from the Tuscan city Adria; and that to
the south the Tuscan Sea simply。 The whole country is rich in
fruit…trees; has excellent pasture; and is well watered with rivers。
It had eighteen large and beautiful cities; well provided with all the
means for industry and wealth; and all the enjoyments and pleasures of
life。 The Gauls cast out the Tuscans; and seated themselves in them。
But this was long before。
  The Gauls at this time were besieging Clusium; a Tuscan city。 The
Clusinians sent to the Romans for succour; desiring them to
interpose with the barbarians by letters and ambassadors。 There were
sent three of the family of the Fabii; persons of high rank and
distinction in the city。 The Gauls received them courteously; from
respect to the name of Rome; and; giving over the assault which was
then making upon the walls; came to conference with them; when the
ambassadors asking what injury they had received of the Clusinians
that they thus invaded their city; Brennus; King of the Gauls; laughed
and made answer: 〃The Clusinians do us injury; in that; being able
only to till a small parcel of ground; they must needs possess a great
territory; and will not yield any part to us who are strangers; many
in number; and poor。 In the same nature; O Romans; formerly the
Albans; Fidenates; and Ardeates; and now lately the Veientines and
Capenates; and many of the Faliscans and Volscians; did you injury;
upon whom ye make war if they do not yield you part of what they
possess; make slaves of them; waste and spoil their country; and
ruin their cities; neither in so doing are cruel or unjust; but follow
that most ancient of all laws; which gives the possessions of the
feeble to the strong; which begins with God and ends in the beasts;
since all these; by nature; seek the stronger to have advantage over
the weaker。 Cease; therefore; to pity the Clusinians whom we
besiege; lest ye teach the Gauls to be kind and compassionate to those
that are oppressed by you。〃 By this answer the Romans; perceiving that
Brennus was not to be treated with; went into Clusium; and
encouraged and stirred up the inhabitants to make a sally with them
upon the barbarians; which they did either to try their strength or to
show their own。 The sally being made; and the fight growing hot
about the walls; one of the Fabii; Quintus Ambustus; being well
mounted; and setting spurs to his horse; made full against a Gaul; a
man of huge bulk and stature; whom he saw riding out at a distance
from the rest。 At the first he was not recognized; through the
quickness of the conflict and the glittering of his armour; that
precluded any view of him; but when he had overthrown the Gaul; and
was going to gather the spoils; Brennus knew him; and; invoking the
gods to be witness; that; contrary to the known and common law of
nations; which is holily observed by all mankind; he who had come as
an ambassador had now engaged in hostility against him; he drew off
his men; and bidding Clusium farewell; led his army directly to
Rome。 But not wishing that it should look as if they took advantage of
that injury; and were ready to embrace any occasion of quarrel; he
sent a herald to demand the man in punishment; and in the meantime
marched leisurely on。
  The senate being met at Rome; among many others that spoke against
the Fabii; the priests called fecials were the most decided; who; on
the religious ground; urged the senate that they should lay the
whole guilt and penalty of the fact upon him that committed it; and so
exonerate the rest。 These fecials Numa Pompilius; the mildest and
justest of kings; constituted guardians of peace; and the judges and
determiners of all causes by which war may justifiably be made。 The
senate referring the whole matter to the people; and the p

返回目录 上一页 下一页 回到顶部 0 0

你可能喜欢的