Curiosities & wonders > Titus Livius' Roman history

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Titus liviqs*
Book- V.
them to Ardea, whither Camillus had retired. This
great man, more affected with the calamities of his coun¬
try, than its ingratitude to himself, after he had exhaust¬
ed himself, accusing gods and men, wondering with in¬
dignation what had become of these men, who under his
command had taken Veii and Falerii, and who, in other
wars, had never been deficient in point of bravery, how¬
ever unsuccessful, was surprised with the news, that an
army of the Gauls were on their way thither, about
which the Ardeates, m the utmost consternation, were
deliberating upon the measures proper to be taken.
Hitherto he had not appeared in their public councils,
but upon this occasion, excited, as it were, by a divine
impulse, he presented himself in the heart of their assem¬
bly, and spoke to the following purpose :
CHAP. XLIV.
Camillns addresses the Ardeans.
People of Ardea, my old friends, though but of late
* my fellow-citizens; to your kindness I owe the first; to
‘ my fote I owe the last; I hope none of you will think
* that I forget my condition, when I appear thus in your
' assembly t but the present occurrence and the common
* danger, calls upon every one to do his utmosfto provide
* against it. And, indeed* when will it be in my power
‘ to evidence my gratitude, for the important favours
* you have conferred on rne> if not at present? It is in ,
* war alone I can be of use to you. It was by that I
* supported my credit in my own country. When in
* war I was invincible, I was banished by my ungrate-
* ful countrymen in time of peace. As for you, my
* friends of Ardea, fortune presents you w ith a fair op-
' portunity of making a suitable return to the people of
‘ Rome, for the obligations you lie under to them, which,
* as you remember them well, it would be using you
« ill to recapitulate ; at the same time that you will ac-
‘ quire immortal glory, by giving a check to the com-
* mon enemy. On that people, who are advancing this
' way in straggling parties, nature has bestow7ed enor-
* mity of size, and impetuosity of courage, rather than
* firmness of body, or constancy of mind; and in con-