Page:The Maid's Tragedy Altered - Waller (1690).djvu/101

which was their Parliament: This, says the Hi­storian, did not only deject the Romans, and make them despair of their Liberty, but caused them to be less valued by their Neighbours: The Sabines take the advantage and invade them; and now the Decemviri are forc'd to call the long-desired Senate; whereof the People were so glad, that Hostibus belloque gratiam habuerunt: This Assembly breaks up in discontent: nevertheless the War proceeds; Forces are raised, led by some of the Decemviri, and with the Sabines they meet in the Field: I know your Lordships expect the event: My Authors words of his Countrymen are these, Ne' quid ductu aut auspicio Decemvirorum prospere gereretur, vinci se patiebantur: They chose rather to suffer a present diminution of their Honour, than by victory to confirm the Tyranny of their new Masters: At their return from this unfortunate ex­pedition, after some distempers and expostulati­ons of the people, another Senate, that is, a se­cond Parliament, is call'd; and there the Decem­viri are questioned, deprived of their Authority, imprisoned, banish'd, and some lose their Lives: and soon after his vindication of their Liberties, the Romans by their better success, made it appear to the World, that Liberty and Courage dwell al­ways in the same Breast, and are never to be di­vorced. No doubt, my Lords, but your Justice shall have the like effect upon this dispirited peo-ple;