pprehended the tribunes or
commons, other evils predominating and constantly starting up; that
appeared an evil of a mild nature, and one always arising during the
cessation of other evils, and it then appeared to be lulled to rest by
external terror. Yet that was almost the only one that most aggravated
their distressing circumstances: for such madness took possession of the
tribunes, that they contended that not war, but the empty appearance of
war had taken possession of the Capitol, to avert the people's minds
from attending to the law; that these friends and clients of the
patricians would depart in greater silence than they came, if they once
perceived that, by the law being passed, they had raised these tumults
in vain. They then held a meeting for passing the law, having called
away the people from their arms. In the mean time, the consuls convene
the senate, another dread presenting itself on the part of the tribunes,
greater than that which the nightly foe had occasioned.

[Footnote 122: _Fidem abrogare_,--non habere fidem, non credere. _Non
credendo_ here seems superfluous.]

17. When it was announced that their arms were being laid aside, and
that the men were quitting their posts, Publius Valerius, his colleague
still detaining the senate, hastens from the senate-house; he comes
thence into the meeting to the tribunes: "What is all this," says he,
"tribunes? Are you determined to overthrow the commonwealth under the
guidance and auspices of Appius Herdonius? Has he been so successful in
corrupting you, who, by his authority, has not influenced your slaves?
When the enemies are over our heads, is it your pleasure that arms
should be given up, and laws be proposed?" Then directing his discourse
to the populace: "If, Romans, no concern for your city, for yourselves,
moves you, at least revere the gods of your country, now made captive by
the enemy. Jupiter, the best and greatest, Queen Juno, and Minerva, the
other gods and goddesses, are besieged; the camp of slaves now holds the
tutelary gods of the state. Does this seem to you the form of a state in
its senses? Such a crowd of enemies is not only within the walls, but in
the citadel, commanding the forum and senate-house: in the mean while
meetings are being held in the forum; the senate is in the senate-house,
just as when perfect tranquillity prevails; the senator gives his
opinion, the other Romans give their votes. Would it not behove all the
patricians