in this
city; ye, men of Rome, will be wholly occupied with these games. Now
I remember what on the like occasion was done in this place by certain
young men of the Sabines, and I am in some fear lest the Volscians
also should venture on a like misdeed. Of this, therefore, I give you
warning, not for your sakes only, but also for ours. As for myself, it
is my purpose to return straightway to my own home, lest something of
the guilt of my countrymen should fall also upon me."

So Attius departed. And when the Consuls had brought the matter before
the Senate, the Fathers, judging that they must take heed to that which
had been told on such authority, commanded that all the Volscians should
depart forthwith from the city. Thereupon criers were sent into all
parts making proclamation, "Let every Volscian depart hence before
nightfall." At the first, on the hearing of these words, as they
hastened each man to his lodgings, to take up such things as belonged
to him, there was great fear; and afterwards, when they were now setting
out on their journey, not the less anger. "What is this," said they,
"that we are driven forth from the presence of gods and men on a day of
festival as if we were polluted with crime?" Now Attius had gone before
them to the Fountain of Ferentina; and as each of the chief men of the
State came thither he spake with him about this matter, making loud
complaints and much display of wrath. And the chiefs gathered the people
together to an assembly in the plain ground that is beneath the road.
To whom Tullus spake, saying, "Though ye forget, ye Volscians, all the
wrong that the Romans have done to us in old times and all that we have
suffered at their hands, how will ye bear the scorn that hath been put
upon you this day, when they have begun their games by making sport of
us? Do ye not perceive that when ye departed in this fashion ye were
made a spectacle to citizens and strangers and all the nations round
about? What thought they that heard the voice of the crier? or they that
saw you depart? or they that met you as ye came hither in such unseemly
plight? What but this, that ye had done some great wickedness, wherefore
ye must be driven away from the gathering of gods and men lest your
presence should be a defilement? Is not this a city of enemies, wherein
if ye had tarried but one single day ye would all have suffered death?
They have declared war against you, and if ye are men they will suffer
no sm