第 3 节
作者:瞎说呗      更新:2022-08-26 22:12      字数:9322
  how the Volscians had arrayed their army and where they had placed
  their best men and on his answering that he took the troops of the
  Antiates in the centre to be their prime warriors that would yield
  to none in bravery; 〃Let me demand and obtain of you;〃 said Marcius;
  〃that we may be posted against them。〃 The consul granted the
  request; with much admiration for his gallantry。 And when the conflict
  began by the soldiers darting at each other; and Marcius sallied out
  before the rest the Volscians opposed to him were not able to make
  head against him; wherever he fell in; he broke their ranks; and
  made a lane through them; but the parties turning again; and enclosing
  him on each side with their weapons; the consul; who observed the
  danger he was in despatched some of the choicest men he had for his
  rescue。 The conflict then growing warm and sharp about Marcius and
  many falling dead in a little space; the Romans bore so hard upon
  their enemies; and pressed them with such violence; that they forced
  them at length to abandon their ground; and to quit the field。 And
  going now to prosecute the victory; they besought Marcius; tired out
  with his toils; and faint and heavy through the loss of blood; that he
  would retire to the camp。 He replied; however; that weariness was
  not for conquerors; and joined with them in the pursuit。 The rest of
  the Volscian army was in like manner defeated; great numbers killed;
  and no less taken captive。
  The day after; when Marcius; with the rest of the army; presented
  themselves at the consul's tent; Cominius rose; and having rendered
  all due acknowledgment to the gods for the success of that enterprise;
  turned next to Marcius; and first of all delivered the strongest
  encomium upon his rare exploits; which he had partly been an
  eye…witness of himself; in the late battle; and had partly learned
  from the testimony of Lartius。 And then he required him to choose a
  tenth part of all the treasure and horses and captives that had fallen
  into their hands; before any division should be made to others;
  besides which; he made him the special present of a horse with
  trappings and ornaments; in honour of his actions。 The whole army
  applauded; Marcius; however; stepped forth; and declaring his thankful
  acceptance of the horse; and his gratification at the praises of his
  general; said; that all other things; which he could only regard
  rather as mercenary advantages than any significations of honour; he
  must waive; and should be content with the ordinary proportion of such
  rewards。 〃I have only;〃 said he; 〃one special grace to beg; and this I
  hope you will not deny me。 There was a certain hospitable friend of
  mine among the Volscians; a man of probity and virtue; who is become a
  prisoner; and from former wealth and freedom is now reduced to
  servitude。 Among his many misfortunes let my intercession redeem him
  from the one of being sold as a common slave。〃 Such a refusal and such
  a request on the part of Marcius were followed with yet louder
  acclamations; and he had many more admirers of this generous
  superiority to avarice; than of the bravery he had shown in battle。
  The very persons who conceived some envy and despite to see him so
  specially honoured; could not but acknowledge; that one who so nobly
  could refuse reward; was beyond others worthy to receive it; and
  were more charmed with that virtue which made him despise advantage;
  than with any of those former actions that have gained him his title
  to it。 It is the higher accomplishment to use money well than to use
  arms; but not to need it is more noble than to use it。
  When the noise of approbation and applause ceased; Cominius;
  resuming; said: 〃It is idle; fellow…soldiers; to force and obtrude
  those other gifts of ours on one who is unwilling to accept them;
  let us; therefore; give him one of such a kind that he cannot well
  reject it; let us pass a vote; I mean; that he shall hereafter be
  called Coriolanus; unless you think that his performance at Corioli
  has itself anticipated any such resolution。〃 Hence; therefore; he
  had this third name of Coriolanus; making it all the plainer that
  Caius was a personal proper name; and the second; or surname; Marcius;
  one common to his house and family; the third being a subsequent
  addition which used to be imposed either from some particular act or
  fortune; bodily characteristic; or good quality of the bearer。 Just as
  the Greeks; too; gave additional names in old time; in some cases from
  some achievement; Soter; for example; and Callinicus; or personal
  appearance; as Physcon and Grypus; good qualities; Euergetes and
  Philadelphus; good fortune; Eudaemon; the title of the second
  Battus。 Several monarchs have also had names given them in mockery; as
  Antigonus was called Doson; and Ptolemy; Lathyrus。 This sort of
  title was yet more common among the Romans。 One of the Metelli was
  surnamed Diadematus; because he walked about for a long time with a
  bandage on his head to conceal a scar; and another; of the same
  family; got the name of Celer; from the rapidity he displayed in
  giving a funeral entertainment of gladiators within a few days after
  his father's death; his speed and energy in doing which was thought
  extraordinary。 There are some; too; who even at this day take names
  from certain casual incidents at their nativity: a child that is
  born when his father is away from home is called Proculus; or
  Postumus; if after his decease; and when twins come into the world;
  and one dies at the birth; the survivor has the name of Vopiscus。 From
  bodily peculiarities they derive not only their Syllas and Nigers; but
  their Caeci and Claudii; wisely endeavouring to accustom their
  people not to reckon either the loss of sight; or any other bodily
  misfortune; as a matter of disgrace to them; but to answer to such
  names without shame; as if they were really their own。 But this
  discussion better befits another place。
  The war against the Volscians was no sooner at an end; than the
  popular orators revived domestic troubles; and raised another
  sedition; without any new cause or complaint or just grievance to
  proceed upon; but merely turning the very mischiefs that unavoidably
  ensued from their former contests into a pretext against the
  patricians。 The greatest part of their arable land had been left
  unsown and without tillage; and the time of war allowing them no means
  or leisure to import provision from other countries; there was an
  extreme scarcity。 The movers of the people then observing that there
  was no corn to be bought; and that if there had been they had no money
  to buy it; began to calumniate the wealthy with false stories and
  whisper it about; as if they; out of their malice; had purposely
  contrived the famine。 Meanwhile; there came an embassy from the
  Velitrani; proposing to deliver up their city to the Romans; and
  desiring they would send some new inhabitants to people it; as a
  late pestilential disease had swept away so many of the natives;
  that there was hardly a tenth part remaining of their whole community。
  This necessity of the Velitrani was considered by all more prudent
  people as most opportune in the present state of affairs; since the
  dearth made it needful to ease the city of its superfluous members;
  and they were in hope also; at the same time; to dissipate the
  gathering sedition by ridding themselves of the more violent and
  heated partisans; and discharging; so to say; the elements of
  disease and disorder in the state。 The consuls; therefore; singled out
  such citizens to supply the desolation at Velitrae; and gave notice to
  others; that they should be ready to march against the Volscians; with
  the politic design of preventing intestine broils by employment
  abroad; and in the hope that when rich as well as poor; plebeians
  and patricians; should be mingled again in the same army and the
  same camp; and engage in one common service for the public; it would
  mutually dispose them to reconciliation and friendship。
  But Sicinnius and Brutus; the popular orators; interposed; crying
  out that the consuls disguised the most cruel and barbarous action
  in the world under that mild and plausible name of a colony; and
  were simply precipitating so many poor citizens into a mere pit of
  destruction; bidding them settle down in a country where the air was
  charged with disease; and the ground covered with dead bodies; and
  expose themselves to the evil influence of a strange and angered
  deity。 And then; as if it would not satisfy their hatred to destroy
  some by hunger; and offer others to the mercy of a plague; they must
  proceed to involve them also in a needless war of their own making;
  that no calamity might be wanting to complete the punishment of the
  citizens for refusing to submit to that of slavery to the rich。
  By such addresses; the people were so possessed; that none of them
  would appear upon the consular summons to be enlisted for the war; and
  they showed entire aversion to the proposal for a new plantation; so
  that the senate was at a loss what to say or do。 But Marcius; who
  began now to bear himself higher and to feel confidence in his past
  actions; conscious; too; of the admiration of the best and greatest
  men o