Camillus
triumphed, as he deserved, having saved his country that was lost,
and brought the city so to say, back again to itself. For those
that had fled abroad, together with their wives and children,
accompanied him as he rode in; and those who had been shut up in
the capitol, and were reduced almost to the point of perishing
with hunger, went out to meet him, embracing each other as they
met, and weeping for joy, and, though the excess of the present
pleasure, scarcely believing in its truth.
It was a hard task, amidst so much rubbish, to discover and re-
determine the consecrated places; but by the zeal of Camillus, and
the incessant labor of the priest, it was at last accomplished.
But when it came also to rebuilding the city, which was wholly
demolished, despondency seized the multitude, and a backwardness
to engage in a work for which they had no materials. The senate,
therefore, fearing a sedition, would not suffer Camillus, though
desirous, to lay down his authority within the year, though no
other dictator had ever held it above six months.
Camillus thought good to refer the matter of rebuilding to general
deliberation, and himself spoke largely and earnestly in behalf of
his country, as also may others.
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