The persons sent by the senate with this
message were chosen out of his kindred and acquaintance, who
naturally expected a very kind reception at their first interview;
in which, however, they were much mistaken. Being led through the
enemy's camp, they found him sitting in state amid the chief men
of the Volscians, looking insupportably proud ;and arrogant. He
bade them declare the cause of their coming, which they did in the
most gently terms, and with a behavior suitable to their language.
When they had made an end of speaking, he returned them a sharp
answer, full of bitterness and angry resentment, as to what
concerned himself, and the ill usage he had received from them;
but as general of the Volscians, he demanded restitution of the
cities and the lands which had been seized upon during the late
war, and that the same rights and franchises should be granted
them at Rome, which had been before accorded to the Latins; since
there could be no assurance that a peace would be firm and lasting
without just conditions on both sides. He allowed them thirty days
to consider and resolve.
The ambassadors having departed; he withdrew his forces from the
Roman territory. Those of the Volscians who had long envied his
reputation, and could not endure to see the influence he had with
the people, laid hold of this as a matter of complaint against
him.
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