re seized and brought on shore by the corsairs
of the Lipari islands in Sicily; when Timasitheus, the prince of these
islands, on learning the nature of the offering, its destination, and by
whom sent, though himself of Lipari, behaved as a Roman might, showing
his people what sacrilege it would be to intercept such a gift, and
speaking to such purpose that by general consent the envoys were
suffered to proceed upon their voyage, taking all their possessions with
them. With reference to which incident the historian observes: "_The
multitude, who always take their colour from their ruler, were filled by
Timasitheus with a religious awe._" And to like purport we find it said
by Lorenzo de' Medici:--

"A prince's acts his people imitate;
For on their lord the eyes of all men wait."[1]

[Footnote 1: E quel che fa il signer, fanno poi molti;
Che nel signer son tutti gli occhi volti.
(_La Rappresentazione di San Giovanni e Paolo._)]

CHAPTER XXX.--_That a Citizen who seeks by his personal influence to
render signal service to his Country, must first stand clear of Envy.
How a City should prepare for its defence on the approach of an Enemy._

When the Roman senate learned that all Etruria was assembled in arms to
march against Rome, and that the Latins and Hernicians, who before had
been the friends of the Romans, had ranged themselves with the Volscians
the ancient enemies of the Roman name, they foresaw that a perilous
contest awaited them. But because Camillus was at that time tribune
with consular authority they thought all might be managed without the
appointment of a dictator, provided the other tribunes, his colleagues
would agree to his assuming the sole direction of affairs. This they
willingly did; "_nor_," says Titus Livius, "_did they account anything
as taken from their own dignity which was added to his._"

On receiving their promise of obedience, Camillus gave orders that
three armies should be enrolled. Of the first, which was to be directed
against the Etruscans, he himself assumed command. The command of the
second, which he meant to remain near Rome and meet any movement of the
Latins and Hernicians, he gave to Quintius Servilius. The third army,
which he designed for the protection of the city, and the defence of
the gates and Curia, he entrusted to Lucius Quintius. And he further
directed, that Horatius, one of his colleagues, should furnish supplies
of arms, and corn, and of all else needful