stisement of mere intention; unmindful of arms, they gave
three hundred children of the principal men of Cora and Pometia as
hostages. Upon this the legions were withdrawn without coming to any
action. Not long after their natural disposition returned to the
Volscians, now delivered of their fears; they again make secret
preparation for war, having taken the Hernicians into an alliance with
them. They send ambassadors in every direction to stir up Latium. But
the recent defeat received at the lake Regillus, could scarcely restrain
the Latins from offering violence to the ambassadors through resentment
and hatred of any one who would advise them to take up arms. Having
seized the Volscians, they brought them to Rome. They were there
delivered up to the consuls, and information was given that the
Volscians and Hernicians were making preparations for war against the
Romans. The matter being referred to the senate, it was so gratifying to
the senators that they both sent back six thousand prisoners to the
Latins, and referred to the new magistrates the business regarding the
treaty, which had been almost absolutely refused them. Upon this indeed
the Latins were heartily glad at what they had done, the advisers of
peace were in high esteem. They send a crown of gold to the Capitol as
an offering to Jupiter. Along with the ambassadors and the offering
there came a great crowd, consisting of the prisoners who had been sent
back to their friends. They proceed to the houses of those persons with
whom each had been in servitude, and return thanks for their having been
generously kept and treated during their calamity. They then form
connexions of hospitality. And never at any former time was the Latin
name more closely united to the Roman state, either by public or private
ties.

23. But both the Volscian war was threatening, and the state, being
disturbed within itself, glowed with intestine animosity between the
senate and people, chiefly on account of those confined for debt. They
complained loudly, that whilst fighting abroad for liberty and dominion,
they were captured and oppressed at home by their fellow citizens; and
that the liberty of the people was more secure in war than in peace,
among enemies than among their fellow citizens; and this feeling of
discontent, increasing of itself, the striking sufferings of an
individual still further aggravated. A certain person advanced in years
threw himself into the forum with all