rself, and follow the guidance of the gods, who
portended that this head would be illustrious by having formerly shed a
blaze around it. Now let that celestial flame arouse you. Now awake in
earnest. We, too, though foreigners, have reigned. Consider who you are,
not whence you are sprung. If your own plans are not matured by reason
of the suddenness of this event, then follow mine." When the uproar and
violence of the multitude could scarcely be withstood, Tanaquil
addresses the populace from the upper part of the palace through the
windows facing the new street (for the royal family resided near the
temple of Jupiter Stator). She bids them "be of good courage; that the
king was stunned by the suddenness of the blow; that the weapon had not
sunk deep into his body; that he was already come to himself again; that
the wound had been examined, the blood having been wiped off; that all
the symptoms were favourable; that she hoped they would see him very
soon; and that, in the mean time, he commanded the people to obey the
orders of Servius Tullius. That he would administer justice, and would
perform all the functions of the king." Servius comes forth with the
trabea and lictors, and seating himself on the king's throne, decides
some cases, with respect to others pretends that he will consult the
king. Therefore, the death being concealed for several days, though
Tarquin had already expired, he, under pretence of discharging the duty
of another, strengthened his own interest. Then at length the matter
being made public, and lamentations being raised in the palace, Servius,
supported by a strong guard, took possession of the kingdom by the
consent of the senate, being the first who did so without the orders of
the people. The children of Ancus, the instruments of their villany
having been already seized, as soon as it was announced that the king
still lived, and that the power of Servius was so great, had already
gone into exile to Suessa Pometia.

42. And now Servius began to strengthen his power, not more by
public[53] than by private measures; and lest the feelings of the
children of Tarquin might be the same towards himself as those of the
children of Ancus had been towards Tarquin, he unites his two daughters
in marriage to the young princes, the Tarquinii, Lucius and Aruns. Nor
yet did he break through the inevitable decrees of fate by human
measures, so that envy of the sovereign power should not produce general
treac