of licentious power to assail others. Your
resentment we must rather pardon than indulge; seeing that from your
hatred of cruelty ye rush into cruelty, and almost before you are free
yourselves, you wish already to lord it over your enemies. Shall our
state never enjoy rest from punishments, either of the patricians on the
Roman commons, or of the commons on the patricians? you have occasion
for a shield rather than for a sword. He is sufficiently and abundantly
humble, who lives in a state on an equal footing, neither inflicting nor
suffering injury. Moreover, "should you feel disposed to render
yourselves formidable, when, having recovered your magistrates and laws,
decisions on our lives and fortunes shall be in your hands; then you
shall determine according to the merits of each case; now it is
sufficient that your liberty be restored."

54. All permitting them to act just as they think proper, the
ambassadors assure them that they would speedily return, having
completed every matter. When they went and laid before the patricians
the message of the commons, the other decemvirs, since, contrary to
their own expectation, no mention was made of their punishment, raised
no objection. Appius, being of a truculent disposition and a particular
object of detestation, measuring the rancour of others towards him by
his own towards them, says, "I am aware of the fate which hangs over me.
I see that the contest against us is deferred, until our arms are
delivered up to our adversaries. Blood must be offered up to popular
rage. Not even do I demur to resign my decemvirate." A decree of the
senate is then passed, "that the decemvirs should without delay resign
their office; that Quintus Furius, chief pontiff, should hold an
election of plebeian tribunes, and that the secession of the soldiers
and commons should not be visited on any one." These decrees being
finished, the senate being dismissed, the decemvirs come forth into the
assembly, and resign their office, to the great joy of all. News of this
is carried to the commons. All the people remaining in the city escort
the ambassadors. This crowd was met by another joyous body from the
camp; they congratulate each other on the restoration of peace and
concord to the state. The deputies address the assembly: "Be it
advantageous, fortunate, and happy for you and the republic, return into
your country to your household gods, your wives and children; but carry
into the city the sam