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no wine； but make libations of milk。 While the infants lay here；
history tells us； a she…wolf nursed them； and a woodpecker
constantly fed and watched them； these creatures are esteemed holy
to the god Mars； the woodpecker the Latins still especially worship
and honour。 Which things； as much as any； gave credit to what the
mother of the children said； that their father was the god Mars；
though some say that it was a mistake put upon her by Amulius； who
himself had come to her dressed up in armour。
Others think that the first rise of this fable came from the
children's nurse； through the ambiguity of her name； for the Latins
not only called wolves lupoe； but also women of loose life； and such
an one was the wife of Faustulus； who nurtured these children； Acca
Larentia by name。 To her the Romans offer sacrifices； and in the month
of April the priest of Mars makes libations there； it is called the
Larentian Feast。 They honour also another Larentia； for the
following reason： the keeper of Hercules's temple having； it seems；
little else to do； proposed to his deity a game at dice； laying down
that； if he himself won； he would have something valuable of the
god； but if he were beaten； he would spread him a noble table； and
procure him a fair lady's company。 Upon these terms； throwing first
for the god and then for himself； he found himself beaten。 Wishing
to pay his stakes honourably； and holding himself bound by what he had
said； he both provided the diety a good supper； and giving money to
Larentia； then in her beauty； though not publicly known； gave her a
feast in the temple； where he had also laid a bed； and after supper
locked her in； as if the god were really to come to her。 And indeed；
it is said； the deity did truly visit her； and commanded her in the
morning to walk to the marketplace； and； whatever man she met first；
to salute him； and make him her friend。 She met one named Tarrutius；
who was a man advanced in years； fairly rich； without children； and
had always lived a single life。 He received Larentia； and loved her
well； and at his death left her sole heir of all his large and fair
possessions； most of which she； in her last will and testament；
bequeathed to the people。 It was reported of her； being now celebrated
and esteemed the mistress of a god； that she suddenly disappeared near
the place where the first Larentia lay buried； the spot is at this day
called Velabrum； because； the river frequently overflowing； they
went over in ferry…boats somewhere hereabouts to the forum； the
Latin word for ferrying being velatura。 Others derive the name from
velum； a sail； because the exhibitors of public shows used to hang the
road that leads from the forum to the Circus Maximus with sails；
beginning at this spot。 Upon these accounts the second Larentia is
honoured at Rome。
Meantime Faustulus； Amulius's swineherd； brought up the children
without any man's knowledge； or； as those say who wish to keep
closer to probabilities； with the knowledge and secret assistance of
Numitor； for it is said； they went to school at Gabii； and were well
instructed in letters； and other accomplishments befitting their
birth。 And they were called Romulus and Remus （from ruma； the dug）； as
we had before； because they were found sucking the wolf。 In their very
infancy； the size and beauty of their bodies intimated their natural
superiority； and when they grew up； they both proved brave and
manly； attempting all enterprises that seemed hazardous； and showing
in them a courage altogether undaunted。 But Romulus seemed rather to
act by counsel； and to show the sagacity of a statesman； and in all
his dealings with their neighbours； whether relating to feeding of
flocks or to hunting； gave the idea of being born rather to rule
than to obey。 To their comrades and inferiors they were therefore
dear； but the king's servants； his bailiffs and overseers； as being in
nothing better than themselves； they despised and slighted； nor were
the least concerned at their commands and menaces。 They used honest
pastimes and liberal studies； not esteeming sloth and idleness
honest and liberal； but rather such exercises as hunting and
running； repelling robbers； taking of thieves； and delivering the
wronged and oppressed from injury。 For doing such things they became
famous。
A quarrel occurring betwixt Numitor's and Amulius's cowherds； the
latter； not enduring the driving away of their cattle by the others；
fell upon them and put them to flight； and rescued the greatest part
of the prey。 At which Numitor being highly incensed； they little
regarded it； but collected and took into their company a number of
needy men and runaway slaves；… acts which looked like the first stages
of rebellion。 It so happened that when Romulus was attending a
sacrifice； being fond of sacred rites and divination； Numitor's
herdsmen； meeting with Remus on a journey with few companions； fell
upon him； and after some fighting； took him prisoner； carried him
before Numitor； and there accused him。 Numitor would not punish him
himself； fearing his brother's anger； but went to Amulius； and desired
justice； as he was Amulius's brother and was affronted by Amulius's
servants。 The men of Alba likewise resenting the thing； and thinking
he had been dishonourably used； Amulius was induced to deliver Remus
up into Numitor's hands； to use him as he thought fit。 He therefore
took and carried him home； and； being struck with admiration of the
youth's person； in stature aid strength of body exceeding all men； and
perceiving in his very countenance the courage and force of his
mind； which stood unsubdued and unmoved by his present
circumstances； and hearing further that all the enterprises and
actions of his life were answerable to what he saw of but chiefly；
as it seemed； a divine influence aiding and directing the first
steps that were to lead to great results； out of the mere thought of
his mind and casually； as it were； he put his hand upon the fact； and；
in gentle terms and with a kind aspect； to inspire him with confidence
and hope； asked him who he was； and whence he was derived。 He；
taking heart； spoke thus： 〃I will hide nothing from you； for you
seem to be of a more princely temper than Amulius； in that you give
a hearing and examine before you punish； while he condemns before
the cause is heard。 Formerly； then； we （for we are twins） thought
ourselves the sons of Faustulus and Larentia； the king's servants； but
since we have been accused and aspersed with calumnies； and brought in
peril of our lives here before you； we hear great things of ourselves；
the truth of which my present danger is likely to bring to the test。
Our birth is said to have been secret； our fostering and nurture in
our infancy still more strange； by birds and beasts； to whom we were
cast out； we were fed； by the milk of a wolf and the morsels of a
woodpecker； as we lay in a little trough by the side of the river。 The
trough is still in being； and is preserved； with brass plates round
it； and an inscription in letters almost effaced； which may prove
hereafter unavailing tokens to our parents when we are dead and gone。〃
Numitor； upon t