Consistent humanity, however, can produce an effect quite the opposite of that just now mentioned.  Through the influence of a seasonable pardon the criminals frequently change their ways, especially when they have acted from brave and not from wicked motives, from ambition and not from baseness.  For it should be noted that a reasonable humanity is a mighty force for subduing and correcting a noble soul.  As for the rest, they are, without resistance, brought [Sidenote:  B.C. 325 (a.u. 429)] into a proper frame of mind by the sight of the rescue.  Every one would rather obey than be forced, and prefers voluntary to compulsory observance of the law.  He who submits to a measure works for it as if it were his own invention, but what is imposed upon him he rejects as unfitting for a freeman.  Furthermore it is the part of the highest virtue and power alike not to kill a man,—­this is often done by the wickedest and weakest men,—­but to spare him and to preserve him; yet no one of us is at liberty to do that without your consent.

It is my wish at length to cease from speaking.  What little spirit I have is weary, my voice is giving way, tears check my utterance and fear closes my mouth.  But I am at a loss how to close.  For my suffering, appearing to me in no doubtful light, does not allow me (unless you decide otherwise) [Footnote:  A clause that in the MS. has faded out is represented here by Boissevian’s conjecture.] to be silent, but compels me, as if the safety of my child were going to be in accord with whatever I say last, to speak even further as it were in prayers. (Mai, p.159.)

[Sidenote:  B.C. 325 (a.u. 429)] 2.  The name and form of the office with which he was invested he shrank from changing, and when he was intending to spare Rullus,—­for he observed the zeal of the populace,—­he wished to resist him somewhat before granting the favor and to alter the attitude of the young men, so as to have his pardon come unexpectedly.  Therefore he contracted his face, and darting a harsh frowning look at the populace, he raised his voice and spoke.  The talking ceased, but still they were not quiet:  instead, as generally happens in such a case, what with groaning over his fate and whispering one to another, in spite of their not uttering a single word they gave the impression that they desired the rescue of the cavalry commander.  Papirius seeing this, in fear of their possibly taking hostile action, relaxed the extremely domineering manner which he had assumed (for purposes of their correction) in an unusual degree, and by showing moderation in the rest of his actions brought them once more to friendship and enthusiasm for him, so that they proved themselves men when they met their opponents.  (Mai, p.160.  Zonaras, 7, 26.)