gnty; Priscus first
commenced; that Servius Tullus reigned next; that though an interval
thus intervened, that Tarquinius Superbus, not losing sight of the
kingdom as the property of another, had reclaimed it by crime and
violence, as the hereditary right of his family. That Superbus being
expelled, the government was in the hands of Collatinus: that the
Tarquinii knew not how to live in a private station; the name pleased
them not; that it was dangerous to liberty."--Such discourses were at
first gradually circulated through the entire state by persons sounding
their dispositions; and the people, now excited by jealousy, Brutus
convenes to a meeting. There first of all he recites the people's oath:
"that they would suffer no one to be king, nor any thing to be in Rome
whence danger might result to liberty. That it ought to be maintained
with all their might, and nothing that could tend that way ought to be
overlooked; he said it with reluctance, for the sake of the individual;
and would not say it, did not his affection for the commonwealth
predominate; that the people of Rome do not believe that entire liberty
has been recovered; that the regal family, the regal name, was not only
in the state but even in the government; that was unfavourable, that was
injurious to liberty. Do you, L. Tarquinius," says he, "do you, of your
own accord, remove this apprehension. We remember, we own it, you
expelled the royal family; complete your kindness; take hence the royal
name--your property your fellow citizens shall not only restore you, by
my advice, but if any thing is wanting they will generously supply.
Depart in amity. Relieve the state from a dread which is perhaps
groundless. So firmly are they persuaded in mind that only with the
Tarquinian race will kingly power depart hence." Amazement at so
extraordinary and sudden an occurrence at first impeded the consul's
utterance; then, when he was commencing to speak, the chief men of the
state stand around him, and by many importunities urge the same request.
Others indeed had less weight with him. After Sp. Lucretius, superior in
age and rank, his father-in-law besides, began to try various methods,
by entreating and advising alternately, that he would suffer himself to
be prevailed on by the general feeling of the state, the consul,
apprehending lest hereafter these same things might befall him, when
again in a private station, together with loss of property and other
additiona