o seek restitution of such
things as had been carried off. King Tullus said to his ambassador,
"Delay not to do your business so soon as ye shall be come to Alba;"
knowing that the men of Alba would certainly refuse to deliver up the
things, and thinking that he could thus with a good conscience proclaim
war against them. As for the ambassadors of Alba, when they were come
to Rome, they made no haste about their business, but ate and drank, the
King entertaining them with much courtesy and kindness. While therefore
they feasted with him, there came back the ambassadors of Rome telling
the King how they had made demand for the things carried off, and when
the men of Alba had refused to deliver them, had declared war within the
space of thirty days. Which when the King heard, he called to him the
ambassadors of Alba, and said to them, "Wherefore are ye come to
Rome? Set forth now your mission." Then the men, not knowing what had
befallen, began to make excuse, saying, "We would not willingly say
aught that should displease the King, but we are constrained by them
that have sent us thither. We are come to ask for the things that your
country folk have carried off. And, if ye will not deliver them up, we
are bidden to declare war against you." To this Tullus made answer,
"Now do I call the Gods to witness that ye men of Alba first refused
to repair the thing that has been done amiss, and I pray them that they
will bring all the blood of this war upon your heads." And with this
message the men of Alba went home.

After this the two cities made great preparations for war. And because
the men of Troy had built Lavinium, from which some going forth had
set up the city of Alba, and from the royal house of Alba had come the
founder of Rome, it was as though the children would fight against their
fathers. Yet it came not to this, the matter being finished without
a battle. The men of Alba first marched into the land of the Romans,
having with them a very great army, and pitched their camp five miles
from the city, digging about it a deep ditch. But while they lay in this
camp their King Cluilius died, and a certain Mettus was made dictator in
his room. Which when King Tullus heard, he became very bold, saying that
the gods had smitten Cluilius for his wrong-doing, and would smite also
the whole people of Alba. Whereupon he marched into the land of the
Albans, leaving the enemy's camp to one side. And when these also had
come forth