ses
attending us do you suppose that we set out from thence--how, think you,
did we leave every place full of vows and tears? In what a state of
expectation do you suppose that the senate are, the Campanian nation,
our wives and our children? I am certain that the entire multitude are
standing at the gates, looking forward to the road that leads from
hence, anxious as to what answer you may order us, conscript fathers, to
bring back to them, in their solicitude and suspense of mind. One kind
of answer may bring them safety, victory, light, and liberty--what the
other may, I feel horror to think. Determine therefore about us, as
about persons who will be your future friends and allies, or as persons
who are to have no existence any where."

31. The ambassadors then withdrawing, after the senate had been
consulted, though to a great many, their city the greatest and
wealthiest in Italy, their land the most fertile, and situated near the
sea, seemed likely to prove a granary to the Roman people for all
varieties of provision; still the faith of their engagements was more
regarded than such great advantages, and the consul, by the direction of
the senate, answered as follows: "Campanians, the senate considers you
deserving of aid. But it is meet that friendship be so established with
you, that no prior friendship and alliance be violated. The Samnites are
united in a treaty with us. Therefore we refuse you arms against the
Samnites, which would be a violation of duty to the gods first, and then
to men. We will, as divine and human law requires, send ambassadors to
our allies and friends to entreat that no violence be committed against
you?" To this the chief of the embassy replied, (for such were the
instructions they had brought from home,) "Since you are not willing to
defend by just force our possessions against violence and injustice, at
least you will defend your own. Wherefore, conscript fathers, we
surrender the Campanian people, and the city of Capua, their lands, the
temples of the gods, all things divine and human, into your jurisdiction
and that of the Roman people; whatever we shall suffer henceforth, being
determined to suffer as men who have surrendered to you." On these
words, all extending their hands towards the consuls, bathed in tears
they fell prostrate in the porch of the senate-house. The fathers,
affected at the vicissitude of human greatness, seeing that a nation
abounding in wealth, noted for luxury