against him, and the two armies were now drawn up in battle
array, the one against the other, there came a messenger to King Tullus,
saying that Mettus of Alba desired to have speech with him, having that
to say to him which concerned the Romans not less than the men of Alba.
Nor did King Tullus refuse to hear him, though indeed battle had pleased
him better than speech. So when the King and certain nobles with him
had gone forth into the open space that was between the two armies, and
Mettus also with his companions had come to the same place, this last
spake, saying, "I have heard King Cluilius that is dead affirm that your
wrong-doing, ye men of Rome, in that ye would not deliver up the things
that had been carried off, was the cause of this war; nor do I doubt
but that thou, King Tullus, hast the same quarrel against us. Yet if we
would speak that which is true rather than that which has a fair show,
we should, I doubt not, confess that we, though we be both kinsmen and
neighbours, are driven into this war by the lust of power. Now I say not
whether this be just or no. Let others look to this; for I am not King
of Alba, but captain of the host only. Yet there is a matter which
I would fain call to thy mind, King. Thou knowest the Etruscans, how
mighty they are both by land and sea; for indeed they are nearer by far
to thee at Rome than to us at Alba. Bethink thee, therefore, how, when
thou shalt give the signal of battle between thy army and our army, the
same Etruscans will look on, rejoicing to see us fight together; and
how, when the battle is ended, they will fall upon us, having us at
disadvantage; for of a truth, whether ye or we prevail, we shall have
but little strength remaining to us. If therefore we be not content
with the freedom that we have, but must needs set on the chance of a die
whether we shall be masters or servants, let us devise some way by which
the one may win dominion over the other without great loss and shedding
of blood." Now King Tullus was a great warrior, and would willingly
have fought, being confident that he and his people would prevail;
nevertheless the thing that Mettus of Alba had said pleased him. And
when they came to consider the matter, there seemed by good fortune
to be a way ready to their hands. There were in the army of Alba three
brothers that had been born at one birth, whose name was Curiatius.
And in the army of the Romans there were other three, and these born
likewis