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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？〃 The question being thrice
proposed； and no reply made； he turned himself to the lictors and
cried； 〃What remains is your duty。〃 They immediately seized the
youths； and； stripping them of their clothes； bound their hands behind
them and scourged their bodies with their rods； too tragical a scene
for others to look at； Brutus； however； is said not to have turned
aside his face； nor allowed the least glance of pity to soften and
smooth his aspect of rigour and austerity； but sternly watched his
children suffer； even till the lictors； extending them on the
ground； cut off their heads with an axe； then departed； committing the
rest to the judgment of his colleague。 An action truly open alike to
the highest commendation and the strongest censure； for either the
greatness of his virtue raised him above the impressions of sorrow； or
the extravagance of his misery took away all sense of it； but
neither seemed common； or the result of humanity； but either divine or
brutish。 Yet it is more reasonable that our judgment should yield to
his reputation； than that his merit should suffer detraction by the
weakness of our judgment； in the Roman's opinion； Brutus did a greater
work in the establishment of the government than Romulus in the
foundation of the city。
Upon Brutus's departure out of the forum； consternation； horror； and
silence for some time possessed all that reflected on what was done；
the easiness and tardiness； however； of Collatinus gave confidence
to the Aquillii to request some time to answer their charge； and
that Vindicius； their servant； should be remitted into their hands；
and no longer harboured amongst their accusers。 The consul seemed
inclined to their proposal； and was proceeding to dissolve the
assembly； but Valerius would not suffer Vindicius； who was
surrounded by his people； to be surrendered； nor the meeting to
withdraw without punishing the traitors； and at length laid violent
hands upon the Aquillii； and； calling Brutus to his assistance；
exclaimed against the unreasonable course of Collatinus； to impose
upon his colleague the necessity of taking away the lives of his own
sons； and yet have thoughts of gratifying some women with the lives of
traitors and public enemies。 Collatinus； displeased at this； and
commanding Vindicius to be taken away； the lictors made their way
through the crowd and seized their man； and struck all who endeavoured
a rescue。 Valerius's friends headed the resistance； and the people
cried out for Brutus； who； returning； on silence being made； told them
he had been competent to pass sentence by himself upon his own sons；
but left the rest to the suffrages of the free citizens： 〃Let every
man speak that wishes； and persuade whom he can。〃 But there was no
need of oratory； for； it being referred to the vote； they were
returned condemned by all the suffrages； and were accordingly
beheaded。
Collatinus's relationship to the kings had； indeed； already rendered
him suspicious； and his second name； too； had made him obnoxious to
the people； who were loth to hear the very sound of Tarquin； but after
this had happened； perceiving himself an offence to every one； he
relinquished his charge and departed from the city。 At the new
elections in his room； Valerius obtained； with high honour； the
consulship； as a just reward of his zeal； of which he thought
Vindicius deserved a share； whom he made； first of all freedmen； a
citizen of Rome； and gave him the privilege of voting in what tribe
soever he was pleased to be enrolled； other freedmen received the
right of suffrage a long time after from Appius； who thus courted
popularity； and from this Vindicius； a perfect manumission is called
to this day vindicta。 This done； the goods of the kings were exposed
to plunder； and the palace to ruin。
The pleasantest part of the field of Mars； which Tarquin had
owned； was devoted to the service of that god； but； it happening to be
harvest season； and the sheaves yet being on the ground； they
thought it not proper to commit them to the flail； or unsanctify
them with any use； and； therefore； carrying them to the river…side；
and trees withal that were cut down； they cast all into the water；
dedicating the soil； free from all occupation； to the deity。 Now；
these thrown in； one upon another； and closing together； the stream
did not bear them far； but where the first were carried down and
came to a bottom； the remainder； finding no farther conveyance； were
stopped and interwoven one with another； the stream working the mass
into a firmness； and washing down fresh mud。 This； settling there；
became an accession of matter； as well as cement； to the rubbish；
insomuch that the violence of the waters could not remove it； but
forced and compressed it all together。 Thus its bulk and solidity
gained it new subsidies； which gave it extension enough to stop on its
way most of what the stream brought down。 This is now a sacred island；
lying by the city； adorned with the temples of the gods； and walks；
and is called in the Latin tongue inter duos