Then they returned to Rome, where preparations were being enerzetically -gushed forward for a war with the Rutulians. Lv ii. i he kJtorv o7" Lucretza.- a nxs Deome. wno were at that time in possession of Ardea, were, considering the nature of their country and the age in which they lived, exceptionally wealt冲. This circumstance really originated the war, for the Roman king was anxious to repair his own fortune, which had been exhausted by the magnificent scale of his public works, and also to con.ciliate his subjects by a distribution of the spoils of war. His tyranny had already produced disaffection., but what moved their special resentment was the wav they had been so lonz kept oy the xxng at manuai ana even servne iaoour. An attempt was made to take Ardea by assault;when that failed recourse was had to a regular investment to starve the enemy out. When troops arc stationary, as is the case in a protracted more than in an active campaign, furloughs are easily granted, more so to the men of rank, however, than to the common soldiers.The roval princes sometimes spent their wrsure nours in xeastrnz an以entertainments.an以at a wine party given tar z)extus -l一 arqurnxus at which七onatinus.me son of Egerius, was present, the conversation happened to turn upon their wives, and each began to speak of his own in terms of extraordinarily high, praise. As the dispute became warm, Collatinus said that there was no need of words, it could in a few hours be ascertained how far his Lucretia was superior to all the rest.“Why do we not,'’he exclaimed,“if we have any youthful vigour about us, mount our horses and pay our wives a visit and find out their characters on the spot?what we see of the behaviour of each on the unexpected arrival of her husband, let that be the surest test." They were heated with wine, and all shouted:“Good!Come on!”Setting spur to their [iorses they galloped off to Rome, where they arrived as darkness was begmn吵to， close in. Thence they proceeded to,.,. " "rr . , ,y Collatia. where then tound七ucretia very ainerently employed /_M_.一‘，-.-一“. from the king's daughters-in-law., whom they had seen passing+..2 ., r^ their dine in teasting and luxury with their acquaintances. She was sitting at her wool work in the hall, late at nigh t, with her maids busy round her. The palm in this comp :titi ion of wifely virtue was awarded to Lucretia. She welcomed the arrival of her husband and. the "l arquins, whilst her victorious spouse courteously invited the royal princes to remain as his guests. Sextus Tarquin, inflamed by the beauty and exempt of Lucretia, formed the vile project of effecting her After their vouthful frolic thev returned for the time to camp.