him,
as he perceived that to capture Rome and utterly subdue the Roman
people would be a work of no small difficulty, and that it would be
vain to attempt it with the force at his disposal, while after his
victory he could make peace on terms which would reflect great lustre
on himself. Kineas was sent as ambassador to conduct this negotiation.
He conversed with the leading men of Rome, and offered their wives and
children presents from the king. No one, however, would accept them,
but they all, men and women alike, replied that, if peace were
publicly concluded with the king, they would then have no objection to
regard him as a friend. And when Kineas spoke before the Senate in a
winning and persuasive manner he could not make any impression upon
his audience, although he announced to them that Pyrrhus would restore
the prisoners he had taken without any ransom, and would assist them
in subduing all Italy, while all that he asked in return was that he
should be regarded as a friend, and that the people of Tarentum should
not be molested. The common people, however, were evidently eager for
peace, in consequence of their having been defeated in one great
battle, and expecting that they would have to fight another against a
larger force, because the Italian states would join Pyrrhus. At this
crisis Appius Claudius, an illustrious man, but who had long since
been prevented by old age and blindness from taking any active part in
politics, when he heard of the proposals of Pyrrhus, and that the
question of peace or war was about to be voted upon by the Senate,
could no longer endure to remain at home, but caused his slaves to
carry him through the Forum to the Senate House in a litter. When he
reached the doors of the Senate House his sons and sons-in-law
supported him and guided him into the house, while all the assembly
observed a respectful silence.

XIX. Speaking from where he stood, he addressed them as follows:--"My
countrymen, I used to grieve at the loss of my sight, but now I am
sorry not to be deaf also, when I hear the disgraceful propositions
with which you are tarnishing the glory of Rome. What has become of
that boast which we were so fond of making before all mankind, that if
Alexander the Great had invaded Italy, and had met us when we were
young, and our fathers when they were in the prime of life, he would
not have been reputed invincible, but would either have fled or
perhaps even have fallen, and added