C. P. Gasquoine - "The Story of the Cambrian"

Charles Kingsley - "Daily Thoughts"

William A. Williams - "The Evolution Of Man Scientifically Disproved"

Emily Dickinson - "Poems [Series 1]"

Annual Bibliography of Commonwealth Literature 2007
This paper argues that discourses of love in Ghanaian market literature for youth offer a view into complex negotiations of agency and empowerment. Drawing on Deborah Durham's notion of youth as "social `shifters'" and Francis Nyamnjoh's conception of the "interconnectedness" of agency, I take Ghanaian market literature as one specific case of how African literature for youth foregrounds questions of continuity and change as African societies enter into increasingly complex global relations. In this literature for youth, received notions of love, often constructed out of impressions from American pop and hip hop music, carry new notions of agency that compete with existing "domesticated" forms. Authors like Ike Tandoh and Evelyn Tay employ discourses of love to offer youth alternative avenues for empowerment in a context of socio-economic disenfranchizement. In a creative process of "straddling", this writing both reveals and reproduces the contradictions that obtain in youth configurations of agency.

The Palace of Pleasure, Volume 1

W >> William Painter >> The Palace of Pleasure, Volume 1




When he was come thither, the armed multitude did beate a marueilous
feare throughout the whole Citie: but yet because they sawe the
chiefeste personages goe before, they thought that the same enterprise
was taken in vaine. Wherefore the people out of all places of the citie,
ranne into the market place. Where Brutus complained of the abhominable
Rape of Lucrece, committed by Sextus Tarquinius. And thereunto he added
the pride and insolent behauiour of the king, the miserie and drudgerie
of the people, and howe they, which in time paste were victours and
Conquerours, were made of men of warre, Artificers, and Labourers. He
remembred also the infamous murder of Seruius Tullius their late kinge.
These and such like he called to the peoples remembraunce, whereby they
abrogated and deposed Tarquinius, banishing him, his wife, and children.
Then he leuied an armie of chosen and piked men, and marched to the
Campe at Ardea, committing the gouernemente of the Citie to Lucretius,
who before was by the king appointed Lieutenant. Tullia in the time of
this hurlie burlie, fledde from her house, all the people cursing and
crying vengeaunce vpon her. Newes brought into the campe of these
euentes, the king with great feare retourned to Rome, to represse those
tumultes, and Brutus hearinge of his approche, marched another waye,
because hee woulde not meete him. When Tarquinius was come to Rome, the
gates were shutte against him, and he himselfe commaunded to auoide into
exile. The campe receiued Brutus with great ioye and triumphe, for that
he had deliuered the citie of such a tyraunte. Then Tarquinius with his
children fledde to Caere, a Citie of the Hetrurians. And as Sextus
Tarquinius was going, he was slaine by those that premeditated
reuengemente, of olde murder and iniuries by him done to their
predecessours. This L. Tarquinius Superbus raigned XXV yeares. The
raigne of the kinges from the first foundation of the citie continued
CCxliiii. yeares. After which gouernmente two Consuls were appointed,
for the order and administration of the Citie. And for that yeare
L. Iunius Brutus, and L. Tarquinius, Collatinus.




THE THIRD NOUELL.

_The siege of Rome by Porsenna, and the valiaunt deliuerie thereof by
Mutius Sc[oe]uola, with his stoute aunswere vnto the kinge._


When P. Valerius and T. Lucretius were created Consuls, Porsenna kinge
of Hetruria, vppon the instigation of the banished Tarquinians, came
before the citie with a huge armie. The brute wherof did wonderfully
appall the Senate: for the like occasion of terrour, neuer before that
time chaunced to the Romaines, who did not onely feare their enemies,
but also their owne subiects, suspecting lest they should be forced to
retaine the kinges againe. All which afterwards, were through the
wisedome and discretion of the fathers quietlye appeased, and the citie
reduced to such vnitie and courage, as all sorts of people despised the
name of king. When the enemies were approched, the rurall people
abandoning their colonies, fled for rescue into the citie. The citie was
diuided into garrisons: some kept the walles, and some the waye ouer
Tiber, which was thought very safe and able to be defended. Althoughe
the wodden bridge made ouer the Riuer, had almost been an open way for
the enemies entrie, whereof Horacius Cocles, as fortune serued that day,
had the charge. Who so manfully behaued himselfe, as after he had broken
vp and burned the bridge, and done other notable exploites, he defended
that passage with such valiance, that the defence therof seemed
miraculous, to the great astonishment of the enemies. In fine Porsenna
seing that he coulde litle preuaile in the assault, retourned to the
Campe, determining neuerthelesse to continue his siege. At which time
one Caius Mutius, a yonge gentleman of Rome, purposed to aduenture some
notable enterprise: saying to the Senators these wordes: "I determine to
passe the Riuer, and enter if I can, into the campe of the enemies, not
to fetch spoile, or to reuenge mutuall iniuries, but to hazard greater
matters, if the Gods be assistant vnto me." The senate vnderstanding the
effect of his indeuour, allowed his deuise. And then hauinge a sword
vnder his garment, went forth. When he was come into the throng, he
conueighed himselfe as nere the kinges pauilion as he could. It chaunced
that he was paying wages that day to his souldiours, by whom his
Secretarie did sit in such apparell, almost as the king himselfe did
weare. Mutius being afraide to demaunde which of them was the king, lest
he should bewray himselfe, sodainly killed the Secretarie in steede of
the king, and as he was making waye with his bloudie sworde to escape,
he was apprehended and brought before the king, and with maruailous
stoutnesse and audacitie, spake these wordes: "I am a citizen of Rome,
and my name is Mutius, and beinge an enemy, I woulde faine haue killed
mine enemie. For which attempt I esteeme no more to die, then I cared to
commit the murder. It is naturally giuen to the Romaines, both valiantly
to do and stoutly to suffer. And not I alone haue conspired thy death,
but a greate nomber of vs, haue promised the like, and hope to prosecute
semblable prayse and glorie: wherfore if this beginninge do not please
thee, make thy selfe ready euerye houre to expect like perill, and to
fight for thy selfe. And make accompt, that euery day euen at the dore
of thine owne lodging, thy enemye armed doth waite for thee: we alone
yong gentlemen of the Citie do stand at defiance, and pronounce vppon
thee this kinde of battaile. Feare no armies or other hostilitie, for
with thee alone, and with euerye one of vs these warres shalbe tryed."
The king astonied with that bold and desperate enterprise, fell into a
great rage and furie, commaundinge Mutius presentlye to be consumed with
fyre, vnlesse he would out of hand tell him the order of the purposed
and deuised treason. "Behold O king (quoth hee) how litle they care for
theyr bodies, that do aspire and seeke for fame and glorie." And then he
thrust his right hand into the fire, and rosted the same in the flame,
like one that had been out of his wits. The king amazed wyth the
straungnes of the fact, stepped downe from the seate, and caused him to
be taken from the fire, saying: "Away, frend (quoth the king) thou hast
killed thy selfe, and aduentured hostilitie vppon thy selfe rather then
against mee. Surely I would thincke mine estate happie, if like
valiaunce were to be found wythin the boundes of my countrye. Wherfore
by law of Armes I set the at libertie to go whither thou list."
Whereunto Mutius for acquiting that desert, aunswered: "For as much as
thou hast thus honourably delt with me, I wil for recompence of this
benefite, saye thus muche vnto thee, whych by threates thou shouldest
neuer haue gotten at my handes. Three hundred of vs that be yonge noble
men of Rome, haue conspired thy death, euen by the like attempt. It was
my lot to come first, the reste when fortune shall giue opportunitie,
euerye one in his tourne will giue the aduenture." Whereupon he was
dismissed, and afterwards was called Scaeuola, for the losse of his right
hande. Then peace was offered to the Romaynes, who vpon conditions that
the enemies garrisons should be withdrawen from Ianiculum, and that the
country wonne of the Veientines, should be restored againe, gaue
hostages. Amonges whom there was a gentlewoman called Cloelia deliuered
into the handes of the Hetrurians, who deceyuinge her keepers,
conueighed herselfe and the other pledges from their enemies, and
swimming ouer the riuer of Tiber, arriued at Rome in safetye, which
being redemaunded by Porsenna, were sent backe againe. The king driuen
into a wonderfull admiration for the desperate and manly enterprises,
done by the Romaine Nation, retourned the maiden home againe to Rome. In
whose honour the Romaines erected an Image on horse backe, placed at the
vpper ende of the streate called Sacra via. And so peace was concluded
betweene Porsenna and the Romaynes.




THE FOURTH NOUELL.

_Martius Coriolanus goinge aboute to represse the common people of
Rome with dearth of Corne was banished. For reuengement whereof he
perswaded Accius Tullius king of the Volscians, to make warres upon
the Romaynes, and he himselfe in their ayde, came in his owne person.
The Citie brought to greate miserye, the fathers deuised meanes to
deliuer the same, and sent vnto the Volscian campe, the mother, the
wife and children of Coriolanus. Vpon whose complaintes Coriolanus
withdrewe the Volscians, and the citie was reduced to quietnes._


In the yeare that Titus Geganius and Publius Minutius were Consuls, when
all thinges were quiet abrode, and dissention at home appeased, an other
great mischiefe inuaded the citie. First a dearth of victuals, for that
the land was vntilled, by the peoples departure, then a famine, such as
chaunceth to the besieged: which had brought a great destruction of
people, had not the Consuls forseene the same, by prouision in forren
places. They sent purueiors into Scicilia: but the malice of the cities
adioyning, stayed the prouision that was made a farre of. The Corne
prouided at Cumas was stayed for the goodes of Tarquinius by Aristodemus
the tyrant, that was his heire. The next yere followinge, a greate masse
of Corne was transported oute of Scicile, in the time of the Consuls,
M. Minutius and A. Sempronius. Then the Senate consulted, vppon the
distribution of the same vnto the people. Diuers thought that the time
was then come, to bridle and suppresse the people, that thereby they
mighte the rather recouer those priuileges, which were extorted from the
fathers. Amonges whom Martius Coriolanus a yonge gentleman was the
chiefest, who being an enemie to the Tribune authoritie, said these
woords. "If the people will haue victuals and corne at that price,
whereat it was assised and rated in time past, then it is meete and
necessarie, that they render to the fathers, their auncient aucthoritie
and priuilege: for to what purpose be the plebeian Magistrates ordained?
For what consideration shall I suffer my selfe to be subiugate vnder the
authoritie of Sicinius, as though I were conuersaunte amonges theeues?
Shal I abide these iniuries any longer to continue, then is necessarie?
I that could not suffer Tarquinius the king, shal I be pacient with
Sicinius? Let Sicinius depart if he will, let him draw the people after
him: the way yet is open to the sacred hill, and to the other
mountaines. Let them rob vs of our corne which they toke away from our
owne land, as they did three yeares paste, let them enioy the victuals
which in their furie they did gather. I dare be bold to saye thus much,
that being warned and tamed, by this present penurie, they had rather
plow and til the land, then they would suffer the same to be vncultured,
by withdrawing themselues to armure. It is not so easy to be spoken, as
I thincke it may with facilitie be brought to passe, that vpon
conditions the prices of victuals should be abated, the fathers might
remoue the aucthoritie of the Tribunes and disanul all those lawes,
which against their wills were ratefied and confirmed." This sentence
seemed cruel to the fathers, and almost had set the people together by
the eares, whoe woulde haue torne him in peeces, had not the Tribunes
appointed a day for his appearance. Whervpon their furie for that time
was appeased, Coriolanus seinge the peoples rage to encrease, and
consideringe that they should be his Iudge, when the day of his
apparance was come, he absented himselfe, and therfore was condempned.
Then he fled to the Volscians, of whom he was gently interteigned: and
lodged in the house of Accius Tullius, the chiefe of that citie, and a
deadly enemie to the Romaynes. Vpon daily conference and consultation
had betwene them, they consulted by what sleight or pollicie, they might
comence a quarrell against the Romaines. And because they doubted, that
the Volscians would not easely be perswaded thereunto, beinge so oft
vanquished and ill intreated, they excogitated some other newe occasion.
In the meane time T. Latinius one of the plebeian sorte, perceyuing that
the Romaynes went about to institute great pastimes, conceiued a dreame,
wherein hee sawe Iuppiter to speake vnto him, and said that he liked not
the towardnes of those games, and in case the same were not celebrated,
with great royaltie and magnificens, they would ingender perill to the
citie, which dreame he declared to the Consuls. Then the Senate gaue
order, that the same shoulde be addressed with great pompe and triumphe:
whereunto through th'instigacion of Accius, a greate nomber of the
Volscians resorted. But before the plaies begunne, Tullius according to
the compact agreed vpon, betwene him and Coriolanus, secretely repaired
to the Consuls, and taking them a syde, declared that he had to say vnto
them a matter touching the publique wealth of their citie, in these
words. "I am forced against my will to signifie vnto you a matter, that
toucheth the condition of mine owne subiects and countrie men. I come
not to accuse them, as thoughe they had already admitted any thinge, but
I come to giue you a premonition, lest they should perpetrate some
occasion, contrary to the order of your Citie. The disposition of my
countrie men, is more inconstant then I would wish: which we haue felt,
to our great losse and decaie. The cause of oure security at this
present, is rather suffered by your pacience, then by our desert. Here
be at this instant a great multitude of Volscians: Here be games
prepared, and the citie throughlye bent to behold them. I do remember
what was done vpon like occasion in this citie by the Romain youth: I
tremble to thincke, what may be rashly attempted, wherfore I thought
good both for your owne sakes and for auoyding of mutual displeasure, to
foretel you of these things. And for mine owne part I purpose
immediatlye to returne home, because I wil auoide the daunger and peril,
that maye chaunce by my presence." When he had spoken those words, he
departed. The Consuls immediatly recompted the request of Accius to the
Senate: who more esteming the personage, from whence the same did
procede, then the matter that was spoken, determined to prouide a
remedie for the same, and immediatlye caused the Volscians to auoide the
citie, sending officers about, to commaund them to depart that night:
vpon which sodain edict, at the first they began to marueile. And
afterwards they conceiued great griefe and offence, for that their
vnneighbourlye entertaignment, and as they were passing out of the citie
in a long traine, Tullius being vpon the top of the hill called
Ferrentine, to waite for the people, as they passed by, called vnto him
the chiefe and principal parsonages, to prouoke them to take that
aduauntage, and then assembled the multitude in the valleie, hard by the
high way, to whom he pronounced these words. "Forgetting all iniuries
and displeasures past, done by the Romaine people against the Volscians,
how can you abide the shame you suffer this daye, wherein to oure great
reproch, they begin to ostentate and shew forth their plaies. Do not you
beleeue, that euen to day, they triumph ouer you? Is not your departure
(thincke ye) ridiculous to all the Romaines, to strangers, and other
cities adioyning? Be not your wiues and children (trow ye) now passing
homewards, laughed to scorne? What thincke ye your selues to be, which
were warned to depart, at the sound of the trumpet? What (suppose ye)
wil all they thinke, which do meete this multitude retiring homewards,
to their great reproch and shame? Truly excepte there be some secrete
occasion, whereby we should be suspected to violate the plaies or commit
some other crime, and so forced to relinquish the company and fellowship
of the honest, I know not what should be the cause of this repulse? Were
we lyuing, when we made such festination to depart? If it may be called
a departure, and not a running away, or shamefull retire. I perceiue ye
did not accompt this to be a citie of our enemies, wher I thinck if ye
had taried but one day longer, ye had all beene slaine. They haue
denounced warres vppon you, which if you be men of courage, shall
redounde to the vtter destruction of them, which first gaue the
defiaunce." The Volscians perceyuing themselues greatly derided, for
considerations before remembred, determined by common accord, to inferre
warres vppon the Romaines, vnder the conduction of Actius Tullius, and
Coriolanus. After they had recouered diuers of the Romaine cities, they
proceded further, and in sondrie places spoiled and destroyed the same,
encamping themselues fiue miles from Rome, besides the trenches called
Fossas Cluilias. In the meane time contention rose betwene the people
and the fathers, howbeit the feare of forren partes, linked their mindes
together, in the bands of concord. The Consuls and fathers reposed their
whole confidence in battel, which the common people in no wise could
abide. Wherfore they were constrained to assemble the Senate, in which
consult was determined, that Ambassadours should be sent to Coriolanus
to demaund peace: who retourned them againe with a froward answere, to
this effect: that first they should restore to the Volscians their
countrie, which they had conquered, and that done, he willed them to
seke for peace. Yet they sent againe Ambassadours, but in no wise they
were suffered to come into their campe. Then the priestes cladde in
their ornamentes, and other diuine furniture, were sent humblye to make
peticion for peace: And yet they coulde not perswade theim. Then the
Romaine Dames repayred to Veturia the mother of Coriolanus, and to his
wyfe Volumnia. But whether the same was done by common consent, or by
the aduise of the feminine kind, it is vncertaine. It was appointed that
Veturia, being an auncient gentlewoman, and mother of Coriolanus and
Volumnia his wife, with her two yonge children, should repaire to the
campe, to the intent that they by their pitiful lamentacion, might
defende the citie, which otherwise by force, was not able to be kept. At
their arriuall, Veturia was knowen by one of her sonnes familier frends,
standing betwene her doughter in law, and her two neuies, who caried
word immediatlye to Coriolanus, how his mother, his wife and children,
were come into the Campe to speake with him. Coriolanus hearing him say
so, descended from his seate, like one not wel in his wits, and went
forth to embrace his mother. The old gentlewoman from supplications,
fell into a great rage, speakinge these woordes. "Abide a while before I
do receiue thy embracementes, let me knowe whether I am comen to mine
enemie, or to my sonne, or whether I am a prisoner in thy Campe, or thy
mother. Alacke how long haue I prolonged these auncient yeares, and
hoare heares most vnhappie, that nowe first I do behold thee an exile,
and then view thee mine enemie. Canst thou finde in thy harte, to
depopulate and destroy this thy country, wherin thou wast begotten and
brought vp? Could not thy rage and furie be appeased, when thou diddest
first put foote into the limites of this thy country? Did not natural
zeale pearce thy cruel hart, when thou diddest first cast thine eyes
upon this citie? Is not the house of thy mother, and her domesticall
Goddes, conteyned within the walles of yonder Citie? Do not thy
sorrowful mother, thy deare wife and children, inhabite within the
compasse of yonder citie? (O I, cursed creature!) if I had neuer had
childe, Rome had not been now assailed. If I had neuer brought forth a
sonne, I should haue laied mine old bones and ended my life in a free
countrie. But I coulde neuer haue susteined, or suffred more miserie,
then is nowe fallen vnto mee, nor neuer more dishonour, then to beholde
thee in pitifull plight, a traytour to thy natife soile. And as I am the
moste wretched wight of all mothers, so I trust I shal not long continue
in that state. If thou procede in this enterprise, either sodaine death,
or perpetuall shame bee thy rewarde." When his mother had ended these
woordes, the whole traine of gentlewomen, brake into pitifull teares:
bitterly bewayling the state of their Countrie, whiche at lengthe did
mitigate the stomacke of Coriolanus. And when he had imbraced his wife
and children, hee dismissed them. Then hee withdrewe the Volscian campe
from the citie, and out of the Romaine Prouince. Vpon the displeasure of
whiche facte, he died. It is sayd that when he was an old man, hee vsed
many times to speake and vtter this sentence. "That verie miserable it
is, for an olde man to liue in banishement." The Romains disdaigned not
to attribute to women, their due prayse: for in memorie of this
deliuerie of their Countrie, they erected a Temple, Fortunae Muliebri, to
Womens Fortune.




THE FIFTE NOUELL.

_Appius Claudius, one of the Decemuiri of Rome, goeth about to rauishe
Virginia, a yonge mayden, which indeuour of Appius, when her father
Virginius vnderstode being then in the warres, hee repaired home to
rescue his doughter. One that was betrouthed vnto her, clamed her,
whereupon rose great contention. In the ende her owne father, to saue
the shame of his stocke, killed her with a Bocher's knife, and went
into the Forum, crying vengeance vpon Appius. Then after much
contention and rebellion, the Decemuiri were deposed._


Spurius Posthumius Albus, Aulus Manlius, and P. Sulpitius Camerinus,
were sent Ambassadours to Athenes, and commaunded to wryte out the noble
Lawes of Solon, and to learne the Institutions, orders, and Lawes of
other Greeke cities. Vpon whose retourne, the Tribunes were verie
instant that at length lawes might be enacted and confirmed. And for
that purpose certaine officers were appointed, called Decemuiri: with
soueraigne authoritie and power to reduce the same into wryting, whiche
were thought meete and profitable for the common wealth. The principall
and chiefe of which nomber was Appius Claudius, who committed no lesse
filthy facte, then was done by Tarquinius, for the rape of Lucrece. The
sayde Appius conceiued a libidinous desire, to rauishe a yong virgine,
the doughter of one Lucius Virginius, then a captain in the warres at
Algidum, a man of honest and sober life, whose wife was also of right
good behauiour, and their children accordingly brought vp, and
instructed. They had betrouthed their doughter, to one L. Icilius of the
order of the Tribunes, a man of great stoutnesse and tried valiance in
the cause of the people. This yong maide being of excellent beautie,
Appius at the first began to woe by giftes and faire promises: but when
he sawe that she was impregnable, he deuised by wicked and cruell
pollicie, to obteine her, committing the charge of that enterprise to
one of his frendes, called Marcus Claudius, who went about to proue and
maintaine, that the maide was his bondwoman, and in no wise would giue
libertie to her friendes to haue time to answere the processe made in
that behalfe, thinking by that meanes, in the absence of her father, hee
might at his pleasure enioye her. As the virgine was going to schole in
the Forum, the said Claudius, the minister of mischief, layd handes vpon
her, claimed her to be his bondwoman, for that she was borne of a
seruile woman, and commaunded her to folow him. The mayde being afraide
was amazed, and the Nursse that wayted vpon her, cried out. Whereupon
the people ran out of their doores, to knowe the cause of the sturre.
Claudius seing the maide like to be rescued by the multitude that was
assembled, said, that there was no neede of that hurlie burlie, for that
he attempted nothing by force, but that he was able to proue by lawe.
Whereupon he cited the mayde to appere, her frendes promised that she
should according to the Lawe, make her apperance. Being come before the
consistorie, where Appius set in iudgement, Claudius began to tell a
tale and processe of the cause, whereof Appius being the deuiser,
vnderstode the effect. The tenor of the tale was, that the maide was
borne in his house, and was the doughter of his owne bondwoman, who
afterwardes being stolen awaye, was caried to the house of Virginius,
and supposed to be his childe, which thing he said, he was well able to
proue and would referre the iudgement of his cause to Virginius him
selfe: vnto whom the greater part of his iniurie did apertaine. In the
meane time, he sayde, that it was meete the maide should folowe her
maister: wherunto the Aduocates of the mayde replied, and said, that
Virginius was absent about the affaires of the commonwealth, but if he
were aduertised of the matter, they knewe wel he would bee at home
within twoo dayes after: wherefore, they sayd, that it were against
equitie and iustice, that processe and suite should bee made for clayme
of chyldren in the absence of the parentes, requiring them to deferre
the matter tyll the retourne of the father. Appius not regarding the
iustice of the case, to the intent hee myght satisfie his owne luste and
pleasure, ordeyned in the meane tyme, that Claudius the Assertor and
playntife, shoulde haue the keping and placing of the mayde, till the
father were returned. Against whiche wrong, many did grudge, although
none durst withstand it. But as fortune chaunced immediatly after that
decree and order was so pronounced: Publius Numitorius, the maydes vncle
by her mother's side, and Icilius her beloued, were comen home: vpon
whose retourne, incontinentlye Icilius approched nere to Appius, and
being put backe by the Sergeant, hee cried out a loude in these wordes:
"Thou oughtest to put me back from hence (O Appius) with a sworde that
thou mightest without let, enioye the thing thou wouldest haue kepte
close and secrete. It is I that purpose to mary this maide, who I doubte
not, is very honest and chaste: wherefore cal together thy Sergeantes,
and cause the roddes and axes, to be made prest and ready. For I assure
thee, the spouse of Icilius shall not remayne out of her father's house.
No! although thou hast taken away from the Romaine people their Tribunes
aide and appeales, whiche be twoo strong fortes and holdes of their
common libertie. Is authoritie geuen thee, libidinously to abuse our
wyues and children? Exercise thy crueltie behinde our backes, and vppon
our lives if thou liste, so that thou doe not contaminate and defile the
vertue of chastitie. Whereunto if thou inferre any damage or iniurie,
I will for mine owne parte, and for the loue of my beloued, crie out for
the ayde of the Romaines that be present, and Virginius shall do the
like of the souldiours, in the quarell of his owne doughter. And all wee
together, will implore for the succour of Goddes and men. And truste to
it, that thou shalt not enioye thy purpose before some of vs haue lost
our liues. Wherefore Appius I aduise thee, take hede in time, for when
Virginius doth come, hee will seke remedie to defende his doughter, and
will knowe in what condition and sorte shee is ordred, if shee be
referred to the seruitude of this man. And for my part, my life shall
soner fayle in defending her libertie, then my faithe to her
betrouthed." Appius perceiuing the constancie of Icilius, and that the
people was in a great mutine and sturre, differred the cause of Virginia
til the next daye: whose frends hoped by that time, that her father
would be at home: wherefore with all expedition they addressed
messengers vnto him in the campe, bicause the saufgarde of his doughter
consisted in his presence. In the meane time the Assertor required the
mayde, offering to put in baile; the like offer made Icilius, of purpose
to contriue and spende the time, till the ariuall of Virginius. The
multitude of their owne accordes, helde vp their hands promising to
become suretie for Icilius, vnto whome hee gaue thankes, weping for
ioye, to se their kinde behauiour, and said: "I thanke you moste hartely
my beloued frendes, to morowe I wil vse your frendly offer, but at this
present I haue sureties sufficient." Whereupon Virginia was bailed. Then
Appius repaired home, and wrote to his frendes in the campe, that in no
wyse they should giue Virginius leaue to come to Rome, whiche vngracious
deuise came to late, and tooke none effecte. Whereupon Virginius
retourned home, and in poore and vile apparell, repaired to the Forum,
after whom followed a great nomber of matrones and aduocates. Then he
began to require them all of succour and ayde, alledging that he was a
Souldiour, and one that aduentured him selfe, for the saufegarde and
defence of them al: with such like perswasions to the multitude.
Semblable wordes were vttered by Icilius. All which doinges being viewed
and marked by Appius, in a greate furie he ascended the consistorie.
Then M. Claudius the plaintife began to renewe his sute: and before the
father of the mayden could make answere to that plea, Appius gaue
sentence that the mayde was bonde: which sentence semed so cruell, as it
appalled the whole multitude. And as Claudius was laying handes vppon
the virgine, Virginius stepped to Appius, and said: "I haue betrouthed
my doughter to Icilius, and not to thee Appius. My care in the bringing
of her vp, was to marrie her, and not to suffer her to be violated and
defloured. It is your maner, like sauage and cruell beastes,
indifferentlye thus to vse your fleshly affections: I can not tell
whether the multitude here present will supporte this enormitie, but I
am sure the armed Souldiours, and men of warre, will not suffer it."
Marcus Claudius being repulsed by the women, and Aduocates that were
present, silence was proclaymed by the Trumpet. Then Appius began to
declare how he vnderstoode, that all the night before, certaine
companies were assembled within the citie, to excite and moue sedicion,
for whiche cause hee came with armed men, not to hurte any that was
quiet, but according to the authoritie of his office to bridle and
represse those, that were troublers of the publique state. "Wherefore
goe Seargeant (quod he) make roume emonges the multitude, that the
maister may enioye his seruante." Which wordes he thundered out with
great furie, and therewithall the multitude gaue place, leauing the
poore Puselle to be a praye to the ennemy. Her father seeing that hee
was voyde of succoure and helpe, to defende the innocencie of his
doughter, spake to Appius in this sorte: "I firste doe beseche thee
Appius, if I haue vsed any vnreasonable woordes against thee, to pardone
mee, and to impute the same to the Father's griefe and sorowe. Suffer
mee I praye thee, to examine the Noursse, in the presence of the wenche,
of the whole circumstance of this matter, to the intent that if I be but
a supposed father, I maye departe hence with quiet conscience satisfied
and contented." Virginius hauing licence to talke with his doughter and
Noursse, departed a side into a place called Cloacina, where the shoppes
be, nowe called Tabernae Nouae, and plucking a sharpe knife from a Bocher
that stode by, he thrust the same to the harte of his doughter, sayinge:
"By this onely meanes (doughter) I can make thee free:" And looking
againe to the iudgement seate, he said: "This bloud Appius I consecrate
and bestowe vpon thee." Whiche done, with his sworde he made waye, to
passe through the thronge to conueighe him selfe out of the citie. Then
Icilius and Numitorius tooke vp the dead bodie, and shewed it to the
people, who cryed out vpon the wickednesse of Appius, bewayling the
vnhappie beautie of that fayre maiden, and deplored the necessitie of
the father. The women exclaimed in lamentable wyse, saying: "Is this the
condicion and state of them that bring foorth children? Be these the
rewardes of chastitie?" With suche like pitifull cries, as women are
wonte to make vpon suche heauie and dolorous euentes. Virginius being
arriued in the campe, whiche then was at the mount Vicelius, with a
traine of fower hundred persones, that fled out of the Citie, shewed to
the Souldiours the bloudie knife, that killed his doughter, whiche
sighte astonied the whole Campe: in so muche as euery man demaunded,
what was the cause of that sodain chaunce. Virginius could not speake
for teares, but at length he disclosed vnto them, the effecte of the
whole matter, and holding vp his handes towardes the heauens, sayd: "I
beseche you (deare companions) do not impute the wickednesse of Appius
Claudius vpon mee, ne yet that I am a paricide and murderer of mine own
children: the life of my dear doughter had bene more acceptable to me
then mine owne life, if so be shee might haue continued a free woman,
and an honest virgine. But when I sawe she was ledde to the rape like a
bondwoman, I considered, that better it wer her life to be loste, then
suffered to liue in shame: wherefore my naturall pitie was conuerted to
a kynde of crueltie. And for myne owne parte, I doe not passe to lyue
long after her, if I thought I should not haue your helpe and succour to
reuenge her death. Consider that your selues haue doughters, sisters,
and wyues, thinke not therefore, that the fleshlye desire of Appius is
satisfied with the death of my doughter. And the longer that he doth
continue in this securitie, the more vnbrideled is his appetite. Let the
calamitie of an other be a sufficient document for you, to beware like
iniuries. My wife is dead, by naturall fate and constellation, and
bicause my doughter could continewe no longer in honeste and chaste
life, death is befallen vnto her: whiche although it be miserable, yet
the same is honourable. There is nowe no place in my house for Appius to
satisfie his filthie luste: and I will fayle of my purpose, if I do not
reuenge the death of my doughter with so good will vpon his fleshe, as I
did discharge the dishonour and seruitude of her from his violent and
cruell handes." This succlamation and pitifull complainte, so stirred
the multitude, that they promised all to helpe and relieue his sorowe.
Whereupon, the whole Campe were in a mutine and marched in order of
battayle to the mounte Auentine, where Virginius perswaded the
Souldiours, to chose ten principall Captaines, to bee head and chiefe of
that enterprise: whiche with honourable titles of the field, should be
called Tribuni. And Virginius him selfe being elected the chiefe
Tribune, sayde these wordes to the Souldiours: "I praye you reserue this
estimation, whiche you conceiue of me, vntill some better tyme and apter
occasion, as well for your commoditie, as for my selfe. The death of my
doughter, will suffer no honour to bee pleasaunt or welcome to me,
duringe my life. Moreouer in this troubled state of the common wealth,
it is not meete for them to be your gouernours, that be subiect and
occurrant to enuie and reproch, if my seruice shall bee profitable vnto
you when you haue thus created me a Tribune, it shall be no less
commodious if I doe still remaine a priuate man." When he had spoken
those wordes, they chose tenne Tribunes. And like as the campe at the
mounte Auentine, was prouoked and stirred to this sedition, euen so by
meanes of Icilius and Numitorius before remembred, the Armie then beinge
against the Sabines began to reuolte and made the like nomber of
Tribunes, which in array of battaile, marched through the citie, at the
gate Colina, with banner displaied, to ioyne with the campe vpon the
mount Auentine. And when both the campes were assembled, they chose out
two amonges the twenty Tribunes, to be their generalles, called M. Opius
and Sextus Manilius. The Senate, careful and pensife for these euentes,
eftsons assembled, but no certaine determinations was agreed vpon. At
length they concluded, that Valerius and Horatius, should bee sent to
the mount Auentine to perswade the people, but they vtterlye refused the
message, vnlesse the Decemuiri were first deposed. The Decemuiri made
aunswere, that they would not geue ouer their authoritie, til such time
as those lawes were ratified, which were treated vpon, before they wer
elected to that office. Of all these contentions the people was
aduertised by M. Duillius their Tribune. And when both their armies were
ioyned at the mount Auentine, aforesayd, al the multitude of the citie,
men, women, and children, repaired thither in sorte, that Rome was like
a forlorne and abandoned place. The fathers seing the citie thus
relinquished, Horatius and Valerius, with diuers of the fathers,
exclamed in this wise. "What do ye expect and looke for, ye fathers
conscript? Will ye suffer al thinges to runne to extreame ruine and
decay? Shall the Decemuiri still persiste in their stubburne and froward
determinacions? What maner of gouernement is this (O ye Decemuiri) that
ye thus lay holde vpon and enioye? Will ye pronounce and make lawes
within your owne houses, and the limites of the same? Is it not a shame
to se in the Forum a greater nomber of your catchpolles and Sergeantes,
then of other sober and wise Citizens? But what will ye doe, if the
enemie vpon the sodaine, dothe approche the walles? What will ye do if
the people vnderstanding that we care not for their departure, do in
armes assaile vs? Will ye finishe your gouernement, with the ouerthrowe
of the citie: But either wee must expell and abandon the people, or els
wee must admitte the Tribunes. We shall soner wante our Fathers and
Senatours, then they their plebeian officers. They bereued and toke
awaye from vs the fathers a newe kinde of authoritie, which was neuer
sene before, who now feeling the sweetnesse thereof, will neuer geue it
ouer. For we can not so well temper our authoritie and gouernement, as
they be able to seke helpe and succour." The Decemuiri perceiuing that
they were hated, so well of the Senate, as of the people, submitted
themselues. And therupon Valerius and Horatius were sent to the campe,
to reuoke the people vpon suche conditions as they thought moste meete.
Then the Decemuiri were commaunded, to take heede of the peoples furie.
So sone as the Commissioners were come to the campe, they were received
with great ioye and gladnesse of the people, because they were the
beginners of that sturre, and supposed that they would make an ende of
the commocion, for whiche cause they rendred to them their humble
thankes. Then Icilius was appointed to speake for the people, who
required to haue the authoritie of the Tribunes restored, and their
appeale renewed, with restitution of those lawes, which before the
erection of the Decemuiri, were ratified and confirmed. They demaunded
also an impunitie and free pardon to those that firste encouraged and
incited the Souldiers to that enterprise, and the restoring of their
liberties. They required to haue their enemies the Decemuiri, to be
deliuered into their handes. Whom they threatened to put to death by
fire. Whereunto the Commissioners aunswered in this wise: "Your
requestes bee so reasonable, that they ought willingly to be graunted.
All which ye desire to obtaine, as a defence and comfort for your
libertie, and not to persecute and infeste others. Your furie and anger
ought rather to be pardoned, then permitted or graunted. Yee beare a
face and seeme to detest and hate seueritie, and ye your selues incurre,
and runne headlong into all kinde of crueltie: and before ye be made
free your selues, ye desire to bee Lordes ouer your aduersaries. Shall
our citie neuer bee voide of tortures and oppressions: sometime of the
fathers towardes the people, sometime of the people towardes the
fathers: you had more neede of a shilde to defende you, then of a sworde
to fight. That man is of a base state and courage we suppose, that
liueth in a citie and beareth him self so vpright, as neither he
inferreth iniurie to others, ne yet suffereth wrong him selfe. If ye
shew your selues so terrible, then it is to be supposed, that after ye
haue recouered your lawes and magistrates, and be placed again in your
former authoritie and preeminence: ye will also ordeine and appointe
lawes ouer vs, that shall concerne our liues and goodes, and euery other
light matter. But for this present I would wishe you, to be contented
with your former freedome." After the commissioners had willed theim to
consulte vppon some determinate aunswere, they retourned to Rome, to
make reporte to the Senate, of the peoples requestes. The Decemuiri
perceiuing, that contrarie to their expectation, no likelihode was of
any persecution, to be done vpon them, condescended to those demaundes.
Appius being a man of nature cruell and malicious, measuring the malice
of others, by his owne maligne disposition, spake these woordes: "I am
not ignoraunte what fortune is nowe imminente: for I do plainely see
that whiles weapons be deliuered to our aduersaries, the combate is
deferred against vs: with bloude, enuie muste be rewarded. I will not
any longer delaie the time, but depriue my selfe of the decemuirate."
When the Senate was aduertised by the Commissioners, Valerius and
Horatius, of the peoples aunswere, they decreed that the Decemuiri
should be deposed, and that Q. Furius the chief bishop, should create
that plebeian Tribunes. Wherin also was enacted, that the departure of
the people, and mutine of the souldiours should be pardoned.

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