ld go in full
procession to Marcius with their pontifical array, and the dress and
habit which they respectively used in their several functions, and
should urge him, as before, to withdraw his forces, and then treat with
his countrymen in favor of the Volscians. He granted nothing at all, nor
so much as expressed himself more mildly; but without capitulating or
receding, bade them once for all choose whether they would yield or
fight, since the old terms were the only terms of peace. In this great
perplexity, the roman women went, some to other temples, but the
greater part, and the ladies of highest rank, tot he altar of Jupiter
Capitolinus. Among these suppliants was Valeria, sister to the great
Poplicola, who happily lighting, not without divine guidance, on the
right expedient, rose, and bade the others rise, and went directly with
them to the house of Volumnia, the mother of Marcius. And coming in
and finding her sitting with her daughter-in-law, and with her little
grandchildren on her lap, Valeria, then surrounded by her companions,
spoke in the name of them all:--

"We, O Volumnia, and Vergilia, are come as women to women, to request a
thing on which our own and the common safety depends, and which, if you
consent to it, will raise our glory above that of the daughters of
the Sabines, who won over their fathers and their husbands from mortal
enmity to peace and friendship. Arise and come with us to Marcius; join
in our supplication, for your country's sake."

The words of Valeria were seconded by the acclamations of the other
women, to which Volumnia made answer:--"I and Vergilia, my countrywomen,
have an equal share with you all in the common miseries, and we have the
additional sorrow, which is wholly ours, that we have lost the merit and
good fame of Marcius, and see his person confined, rather than protected
by the arms of the enemy. Make use, however, of our service; and lead
us, if you please, to him; we are able, if nothing more, at least to
spend our last breath in making suit to him for our country."

Having spoken thus, she took Vergilia by the hand, and the young
children, and so accompanied them to the Volscian camp. So lamentable
a sight much affected the enemies themselves, who viewed them in
respectful silence. Marcius, seeing the party of women advance, came
down hastily to meet them, saluting his mother first, and embracing her
a long time, and then his wife and children, sparing neither tear