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poplicola-第1章

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                                   POPLICOLA
                                    500 B。C。

                                  by Plutarch

                           translated by John Dryden




  SUCH was Solon。 To him we compare Poplicola; who received this later
title from the Roman people for his merit; as a noble accession to his
former name; Publius Valerius。 He descended from Valerius; a man
amongst the early citizens; reputed the principal reconciler of the
differences betwixt the Romans and Sabines; and one that was most
instrumental in persuading their kings to assent to peace and union。
Thus descended; Publius Valerius; as it is said; whilst Rome
remained under its kingly government; obtained as great a name from
his eloquence as from his riches; charitably employing the one in
liberal aid to the poor; the other with integrity and freedom in the
service of justice thereby giving assurance; that; should the
government fall into a republic; he would become a chief man in the
community。 The illegal and wicked accession of Tarquinius Superbus
to the crown; with his making it; instead of kingly rule; the
instrument of insolence and tyranny; having inspired the people with a
hatred to his reign; upon the death of Lucretia (she killing herself
after violence had been done to her); they took an occasion of revolt;
and Lucius Brutus; engaging in the change; came to Valerius before all
others; and; with his zealous assistance; deposed the kings。 And
whilst the people inclined towards the electing one leader instead
of their king; Valerius acquiesced; that to rule was rather Brutus's
due; as the author of the democracy。 But when the name of monarchy was
odious to the people; and a divided power appeared more grateful in
the prospect; and two were chosen to hold it; Valerius; entertaining
hopes that he might be elected consul with Brutus; was disappointed;
for; instead of Valerius; notwithstanding the endeavours of Brutus;
Tarquinius Collatinus was chosen; the husband of Lucretia; a man
noways his superior in merit。 But the nobles dreading the return of
their kings; who still used all endeavours abroad and solicitations at
home; were resolved upon a chieftain of an intense hatred to them; and
noways likely to yield。
  Now Valerius was troubled that his desire to serve his country
should be doubted; because he had sustained no private injury from the
insolence of the tyrants。 He withdrew from the senate and practice
of the bar; quitting all public concerns; which gave an occasion of
discourse; and fear; too; lest his anger should reconcile him to the
king's side; and he should prove the ruin of the state; tottering as
yet under the uncertainties of a change。 But Brutus being doubtful
of some others; and determined to give the test to the senate upon the
altars; upon the day appointed Valerius came with cheerfulness into
the forum; and was the first man that took the oath; in no way to
submit or yield to Tarquin's propositions; but rigorously to
maintain liberty; which gave great satisfaction to the senate and
assurance to the consuls; his action soon after showing the
sincerity of his oath。 For ambassadors came from Tarquin; with popular
and specious proposals; whereby they thought to seduce the people;
as though the king had cast off all insolence; and made moderation the
only measure of his desires。 To this embassy the consuls thought fit
to give public audience; but Valerius opposed it; and would not permit
that the poorer people; who entertained more fear of war than of
tyranny; should have any occasion offered them; or any temptations
to new designs。 Afterwards other ambassadors arrived; who declared
their king would recede from his crown; and lay down his arms; only
capitulating for a restitution to himself; his friends; and allies; of
their moneys and estates to support them in their banishment。 Now;
several inclining to the request; and Collatinus in particular
favouring it; Brutus; a man of vehement and unbending nature; rushed
into the forum; there proclaiming his fellow…consul to be a traitor;
in granting subsidies to tyranny; and supplies for a war to those to
whom it was monstrous to allow so much as subsistence in exile。 This
caused an assembly of the citizens; amongst whom the first that
spake was Caius Minucius; a private man; who advised Brutus; and urged
the Romans to keep the property; and employ it against the tyrants;
rather than to remit it to the tyrants; to be used against themselves。
The Romans; however; decided that whilst they had enjoyed the
liberty they had fought for; they should not sacrifice peace for the
sake of money; but send out the tyrants' property after them。 This
question; however; of his property was the least part of Tarquin's
design; the demand sounded the feelings of the people; and was
preparatory to a conspiracy which the ambassadors endeavoured to
excite; delaying their return; under pretence of selling some of the
goods and reserving others to be sent away; till; in fine; they
corrupted two of the most eminent families in Rome; the Aquillian;
which had three; and the Vitellian; which had two senators。 These
all were; by the mother's side; nephews to Collatinus; besides which
Brutus had a special alliance to the Vitellii from his marriage with
their sister; by whom he had several children; two of whom; of their
own age; their near relations and daily companions; the Vitellii
seduced to join in the plot; to ally themselves to the great house and
royal hopes of the Tarquins; and gain emancipation from the violence
and imbecility united of their father; whose austerity to offenders
they termed violence; while the imbecility which he had long
feigned; to protect himself from the tyrants; still; it appears;
was; in name at least; ascribed to him。 When upon these inducements
the youths came to confer with the Aquillii; and thought it convenient
to bind themselves in a solemn and dreadful oath; by tasting the blood
of a murdered man; and touching his entrails。 For which design they
met at the house of the Aquillii。 The building chosen for the
transaction was; as was natural; dark and unfrequented; and a slave
named Vindicius had; as it chanced; concealed himself there; not out
of design or any intelligence of the affair; but; accidentally being
within; seeing with how much haste and concern they came in; he was
afraid to be discovered; and placed himself behind a chest; where he
was able to observe their actions and overhear their debates。 Their
resolutions were to kill the consuls; and they wrote letters to
Tarquin to this effect; and gave them to the ambassadors; who were
lodging upon the spot with the Aquillii; and were present at the
consultation。
  Upon their departure; Vindicius secretly quitted the house; but
was at a loss what to do in the matter; for to arraign the sons before
the father Brutus; or the nephews before the uncle Collatinus;
seemed equally (as indeed it was) shocking; yet he knew no private
Roman to whom he could intrust secrets of such importance。 Unable;
however; to keep silence; and burdened with his knowledge; he went and
addressed himself to Valerius; whose known freedom and kindness of
temper were an inducement; as he was a person to whom the needy had
easy access; and who never shut his gates against the petitions or
indigences of humble people。 But when Vindicius came and made a
complete discovery to him; his brother Marcus and his own wife being
present; Valerius was struck with amazement; and by no means would
dismiss the discoverer; but confined him to the room; and placed his
wife as a guard to the door; sending his brother in the interim to
beset the king's palace; and seize; if possible; the writings there;
and secure the domestics; whilst he; with his constant attendance of
clients and friends; and a great retinue of attendants; repaired to
the house of the Aquillii; who were; as it chanced; absent from
home; and so; forcing an entrance through the gates; they lit upon the
letters then lying in the lodgings of the ambassadors。 Meantime the
Aquillii returned in all haste; and; coming to blows about the gate;
endeavoured a recovery of the letters。 The other party made a
resistance; and throwing their gowns around their opponents' necks; at
last; after much struggling on both sides; made their way with them
their prisoners through the streets into the forum。 The like
engagement happened about the king's palace; where Marcus seized
some other letters which it was designed should be conveyed away in
the goods; and; laying hands on such of the king's people as he
could find; dragged them also into the forum。 When the consuls had
quieted the tumult; Vindicius was brought out by the orders of
Valerius; and the accusation stated; and the letters were opened; to
which the traitors could make no plea。 Most of the people standing
mute and sorrowful; some only; out of kindness to Brutus; mentioning
banishment; the tears of Collatinus; attended with Valerius's silence;
gave some hopes of mercy。 But Brutus; calling his two sons by their
names; 〃Canst not thou;〃 said he; 〃O Titus; or thou; Tiberius; make
any defence against the indictment
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