patricians. It was afterwards added, by a
liberality towards the people on the part of the leading men the most
seasonable ever shown, that before any mention should be made of it by
the commons or tribunes, the senate should decree that the soldiers
should receive pay out of the public treasury, whereas up to that period
every one had discharged that duty at his own expense.

60. It is recorded that nothing was ever received by the commons with so
much joy; that they ran in crowds to the senate-house, and caught the
hands of those coming out, and called them fathers indeed; acknowledging
that the result of such conduct was that no one would spare his person
or his blood, whilst he had any strength remaining, in defence of a
country so liberal. Whilst the prospect of advantage pleased them, that
their private property should remain unimpaired at the time during which
their bodies should be devoted and employed for the interest of the
commonwealth, it further increased their joy very much, and rendered
their gratitude for the favour more complete, because it had been
offered to them voluntarily, without ever having been agitated by the
tribunes of the commons, or made the subject of a demand in their own
conversations. The tribunes of the commons, the only parties who did not
participate in the general joy and harmony prevailing through the
different ranks, denied "that this measure would prove so much a matter
of joy, or so honourable to the patricians,[159] as they themselves
might imagine. That the measure at first sight was better than it would
prove by experience. For from what source was that money to be raised,
except by levying a tax on the people. That they were generous to some
therefore at the expense of others; and even though others may endure
it, those who had already served out their time in the service, would
never endure that others should serve on better terms than they
themselves had served; and that these same individuals should have to
bear the expense of their own service, and then that of others." By
these arguments they influenced a part of the commons. At last, when the
tax was now announced, the tribunes publicly declared, that they would
afford protection to any one who should refuse to contribute his
proportion for the pay of the soldiers. The patricians persisted in
supporting a matter so happily commenced. They themselves were the first
to contribute; and because there was as yet no coined s