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delivered him to the commanders。 The man； reduced to this necessity；
and sensible now that destiny was not to be avoided； discovered to
them the secret oracles of Veii； that it was not possible the city
should be taken； until the Alban lake； which now broke forth and had
found out new passages； was drawn back from that course； and so
diverted that it could not mingle with the sea。 The senate； having
heard and satisfied themselves about the matter； decreed to send to
Delphi； to ask counsel of the god。 The messengers were persons of
the highest repute； Licinius Cossus； Valerius Potitus； and Fabius
Ambustus； who； having made their voyage by sea and consulted the
god； returned with other answers； particularly that there had been a
neglect of some of their national rites relating to the Latin
feasts； but the Alban water the oracle commanded； if it were possible；
they should keep from the sea； and shut it up in its ancient bounds；
but if that was not to be done； then they should carry it off by
ditches and trenches into the lower grounds； and so dry it up； which
message being delivered； the priests performed what related to the
sacrifices； and the people went to work and turned the water。
And now the senate； in the tenth year of the war； taking away all
other commands； created Camillus dictator； who chose Cornelius
Scipio for his general of horse。 And in the first place he made vows
unto the gods； that； if they would grant a happy conclusion of the
war； he would celebrate to their honour the great games； and
dedicate a temple to the goddess whom the Romans call Matuta； the
Mother； though； from the ceremonies which are used； one would think
she was Leucothea。 For they take a servant…maid into the secret part
of the temple； and there cuff her； and drive her out again； and they
embrace their brothers' children in place of their own； and； in
general； the ceremonies of the sacrifice remind one of the nursing
of Bacchus by Ino； and the calamities occasioned by her husband's
concubine。 Camillus； having made these vows； marched into the
country of the Faliscans； and in a great battle overthrew them and the
Capenates； their confederates； afterwards he turned to the siege of
Veii； and； finding that to take it by assault would prove a
difficult and hazardous attempt； proceeded to cut mines underground；
the earth about the city being easy to break up； and allowing such
depth for the works as would prevent their being discovered by the
enemy。 This design going on in a hopeful way； he openly gave
assaults to the enemy； to keep them to the walls； whilst they that
worked underground in the mines were； without being perceived； arrived
within the citadel； close to the temple of Juno； which was the
greatest and most honoured in all the city。 It is said that the prince
of the Tuscans was at that very time at sacrifice； and that the
priest； after he had looked into the entrails of the beast； cried
out with a loud voice that the gods would give victory to those that
should complete those offerings； and that the Romans who were in the
mines； hearing the words； immediately pulled down the floor； and；
ascending with noise and clashing weapons； frightened away the
enemy； and； snatching up the entrails； carried them to Camillus。 But
this may look like a fable。 The city； however； being taken by storm；
and the soldiers busied in pillaging and gathering an infinite
quantity of riches and spoils； Camillus； from the high tower；
viewing what was done； at first wept for pity； and when they that were
by congratulated his success； he lifted up his hands to heaven； and
broke out into this prayer： 〃O most mighty Jupiter； and ye gods that
are judges of good and evil actions ye know that not without just
cause； but constrained by necessity； we have been forced to revenge
ourselves on the city of our unrighteous and wicked enemies。 But if；
in the vicissitude of things； there may be any calamity due； to
counterbalance this great felicity； I beg that it may be diverted from
the city and army of the Romans； and fall； with as little hurt as
may be； upon my own head。〃 Having said these words； and just turning
about （as the custom of the Romans is to turn to the right after
adoration or prayer）； he stumbled and fell； to the astonishment of all
that were present。 But； recovering himself presently from the fall； he
told them that he had received what he had prayed for； a small
mischance； in compensation for the greatest good fortune。
Having sacked the city； he resolved； according as he had vowed； to
carry Juno's image to Rome； and； the workmen being ready for that
purpose； he sacrificed to the goddess； and made his supplications that
she would be pleased to accept of their devotion toward her； and
graciously vouchsafe to accept of a place among the gods that presided
at Rome； and the statue； they say； answered in a low voice that she
was ready and willing to go。 Livy writes； that； in praying； Camillus
touched the goddess； and invited her； and that some of the standers…by
cried out that she was willing and would come。 They who stand up for
the miracle and endeavour to maintain it have one great advocate on
their side in the wonderful fortune of the city； which； from a small
and contemptible beginning； could never have attained to that
greatness and power without many signal manifestations of the divine
presence and co…operation。 Other wonders of the like nature； drops
of sweat seen to stand on statues； groans heard from them； the figures
seen to turn round and to close their eyes； are recorded by many
ancient historians； and we ourselves could relate divers wonderful
things； which we have been told by men of our own time； that are not
lightly to be rejected； but to give too easy credit to such things； or
wholly to disbelieve them； is equally dangerous； so incapable is human
infirmity of keeping any bounds； or exercising command over itself；
running off sometimes to superstition and dotage； at other times to
the contempt and neglect of all that is supernatural。 But moderation
is best； and to avoid all extremes。
Camillus； however； whether puffed up with the greatness of his
achievement in conquering a city that was the rival of Rome； and had
held out a ten years' siege； or exalted with the felicitations of
those that were about him； assumed to himself more than became a civil
and legal magistrate； among other things； in the pride and haughtiness
of his triumph； driving through Rome in a chariot drawn with four
white horses； which no general either before or since ever did； for
the Romans consider such a mode of conveyance to be sacred and
specially set apart to the king； and father of the gods。 This
alienated the hearts of his fellow…citizens； who were not accustomed
to such pomp and display。
The second pique they had against him was his opposing the law by
which the city was to be divided； for the tribunes of the people
brought forward a motion that the people and senate should be
divided into two parts； one of which should remain at home； the
other as the lot should decide； remove to the new…taken city。 By which
means they should not only have much more room； but； by the