imploring looks of the people, nor yet the tears of his sons, who were preparing for execution, alter the tenor of his resolution.  Bru’tus, unmoved by any motive but the public good, pronounced upon them the sentence of death, and by his office was obliged to see it put in execution.  The prisoners were scourged and then beheaded, and Bru’tus beheld the cruel spectacle; but, in spite of his stoic firmness, could not stifle the sentiments of nature which he sacrificed to the necessity of his office.

11.  Tarquin’s hopes of an insurrection in his favour being thus overset, he now resolved to force himself upon his former throne by foreign assistance.  He prevailed upon the Veians to assist him, and, with a considerable army, advanced towards Rome.

[Sidenote:  U.C. 246.]

12.  The consuls were not remiss in preparations to oppose him.  Vale’rius commanded the foot, and Bru’tus being appointed to head the cavalry, went out to meet him on the Roman border. 13.  A’runs, the son of Tarquin, who commanded the cavalry for his father, seeing Bru’tus at a distance, resolved, by one great attempt, to decide the fate of the day before the engaging of the armies, when, spurring his horse he flew to him with fury.  Bru’tus perceived his approach, and singled out from the ranks, they met with such ungoverned rage, that, eager only to assail, and thoughtless of defending, they both fell dead upon the field together. 14.  A bloody battle ensued, with equal slaughter on both sides:  but the Romans, remaining in possession of the field of battle, claimed the victory.  In consequence, Vale’rius returned in triumph to Rome. 15.  In the mean time Tarquin, no way intimidated by his misfortunes, prevailed upon Porsen’na, one of the kings of Etruria, to espouse his cause, and in person to undertake his quarrel. 16.  This prince, equally noted for courage and conduct marched directly to Rome, with a numerous army, and laid siege to the city; while the terror of his name and arms filled all ranks of the people with dismay The siege was carried on with vigour; a furious attack was made upon the place; the consuls opposed in vain, and were carried off wounded from the field; while the Romans, flying in great consternation, were pursued by the enemy to the bridge, over which both victors and vanquished were about to enter the city in the confusion. 17.  All now appeared lost, when Hora’tius Co’cles, who had been placed there as sentinel to defend it, opposed himself to the torrent of the enemy, and, assisted only by two more, for some time sustained the whole fury of the assault, till the bridge was broken down behind him.  When he found the communication thus cut off, plunging with his arms into the torrent of the Tiber, he swam back victorious to his fellow-soldiers, and was received with just applause.[2]

18.  Still, however, Porsen’na was determined upon taking the city; and though five hundred of his men were slain in a sally of the Romans, he reduced it to the greatest straits, and turning the siege into a blockade, resolved to take it by famine. 19.  The distress of the besieged soon began to be insufferable, and all things seemed to threaten a speedy surrender, when another act of fierce bravery, still superior to that which had saved the city before again brought about its safety and freedom.