ere a second battle was fought; and the Campanians, after
an unsuccessful fight, being driven within their walls, when the flower
of their youth being cut down, no hope was nigh at hand, they were
obliged to sue for aid from the Romans.

30. Their ambassadors, being introduced into the senate, spoke as near
as possible to this purport: "Conscript fathers, the Campanian state has
sent us to you, to solicit from you friendship for ever, and present
aid, which if we had solicited whilst our affairs were prosperous, as it
would have commenced more readily, so would it have been bound by a
weaker tie. For then, as we should have recollected that we entered into
friendship on equal terms, we might be equally friendly as now, but
less submissive and compliant with your wishes. Now, won over by your
compassion for us, and defended by your aid in our critical
circumstances, it is incumbent on us that we show our sense also of the
kindness received; lest we should seem ungrateful, and undeserving of
aid from either god or man. Nor, indeed, do I think that because the
Samnites first became your allies and friends, such a circumstance is
sufficient to prevent our being admitted into friendship; but merely
shows that they excel us in priority and in the degree of honour; for no
provision has been made in your treaty with the Samnites that you should
not form any new treaties. It has ever been with you a sufficient title
to your friendship, that he who sought it desired to be a friend of
yours. We, Campanians, though our present state forbids us to speak in
high terms, not yielding to any state save you in the extent of our
city, or in the fertility of our land, come into friendship with you, no
inconsiderable accession in my opinion to your flourishing condition. We
shall be in the rear of the AEquans and Volscians, the eternal enemies of
this city, whenever they may stir; and whatever ye shall be the first to
perform in defence of our safety, the same shall we ever do in defence
of your empire and glory. Those nations which lie between us and you
being reduced, which both your bravery and good fortune makes it certain
will soon be the case, you will then have an uninterrupted empire
extending even to us. It is distressing and painful, what our condition
obliges us to confess. Conscript fathers, matters are come to this, that
we Campanians must be the property either of friends or enemies. If you
defend us, yours; if you desert us, w