2.3
Though no one doubted that
war with the Tarquins was imminent, it did not come
as soon as was universally expected. What was not
expected, however, was that through intrigue and
treachery the new-won liberty was almost lost. There
were some young men of high birth in Rome who during
the late reign had done pretty much what they
pleased, and being boon companions of the young
Tarquins were accustomed to live in royal fashion.
Now that all were equal before the law, they missed
their former licence and complained that the liberty
which others enjoyed had become slavery for them; as
long as there was a king, there was a person from
whom they could get what they wanted, whether lawful
or not, there was room for personal influence and
kindness, he could show severity or indulgence,
could discriminate between his friends and his
enemies. But the law was a thing, deaf and
inexorable, more favourable to the weak than to the
powerful, showing no indulgence or forgiveness to
those who transgressed; human nature being what it
was, it was a dangerous plan to trust solely to
one's innocence. When they had worked themselves
into a state of disaffection, envoys from the royal
family arrived, bringing a demand for the
restoration of their property without any allusion
to their possible return. An audience was granted
them by the senate, and the matter was discussed for
some days; fears were expressed that the
non-surrender would be taken as a pretext for war,
while if surrendered it might provide the means of
war. The envoys, meantime, were engaged on another
task: whilst ostensibly seeking only the surrender
of the property they were secretly hatching schemes
for regaining the crown. Whilst canvassing the young
nobility in favour of their apparent object, they
sounded them as to their other proposals, and
meeting with a favourable reception, they brought
letters addressed to them by the Tarquins and
discussed plans for admitting them secretly at night
into the City.