torie with so
small resistance: but when they perceiued that the Romans were quite
ouerthrowne and that the field was clearelie rid of them, they got
togither the spoile, and made towards Rome it selfe, where such
feare and terror was striken into the heartes of the people, that all
[Sidenote: The Romans in despaire withdraw into the capitoll.]
men were in despaire to defend the citie: and therefore the senate
with all the warlike youth of the citizens got them into the capitoll,
which they furnished with victuals and all things necessarie for the
maintenance of the same against a long siege. The honorable fathers
and all the multitude of other people not apt for warres, remained
still in the citie, as it were to perish with their countrie if hap so
befell.

[Sidenote: The Galles enter into Rome.]
In the meane time came the Galles to the citie, and entring by the
gate Collina, they passed forth the right way vnto the market place,
maruelling to see the houses of the poorer sort to be shut against
them, and those of the richer to remaine wide open; wherefore being
doubtfull of some deceitfull traines, they were not ouer rash to enter
the same; but [Sidenote: The Reuerend aspect of the senators.] after
they had espied the ancient fathers sit in their chaires apparelled
in their rich robes, as if they had bin in the senat, they reuerenced
them as gods, so honorable was their port, grauenesse in countenance,
and shew of apparell.

[Sidenote: _Marcus Papirius_]
In the meane time it chanced, that Marcus Papirius stroke one of
the Galles on the head with his staffe, because he presumed to stroke
his beard: with which iniurie the Gall being prouoked, slue Papirius
(as he sat) with his sword, and therewith the slaughter being begun
with one, all the residue of those ancient fatherlie men as they sat
in their chaires were slaine and cruellie murthered. After this all
the people found in the citie without respect or difference at
[Sidenote: Rome sacked. 365.]
all, were put to the sword, and their houses sacked. And thus was Rome
taken by the two brethren, Beline and Brenne, 365 yeares after the
first building thereof. Besides this, the Galles attempted in the
night season to haue entred the capitoll: and in deed ordered their
enterprise so secretlie, that they had atchieued their purpose, if a
[Sidenote: The capitoll defended.]
sort of ganders had not with their crie and noise disclosed them,
in wakening the Romans that were