§2.3.1cum haud cuiquam in dubio esset bellum ab Tarquiniis inminere, id quidem spe omnium serius fuit; ceterum, id quod non timebant, per dolum ac proditionem prope libertas amissa est.
Although no one was in doubt that war was imminent from the Tarquinii, that indeed happened later than everyone had expected; but, what they did not fear, liberty was almost lost through treachery and betrayal.
erant in Romana iuventute adulescentes aliquot, §2.3.2nec ii tenui loco orti, quorum in regno libido solutior fuerat, aequales sodalesque adulescentium Tarquiniorum, adsueti more regio vivere.
There were among the Roman youth several young men, and these not born of low station, whose passions had been more unrestrained during the kingship, who were companions and equals of the young Tarquinii, accustomed to living in the royal fashion.
§2.3.3eam tum aequato iure omnium licentiam quaerentes libertatem aliorum in suam vertisse servitutem inter se conquerebantur: regem hominem esse, a quo inpetres, ubi ius, ubi iniuria opus sit; esse gratiae locum, esse beneficio, et irasci et ignoscere posse, inter amicum atque inimicum discrimen nosse; §2.3.4leges rem surdam, inexorabilem esse, salubriorem melioremque inopi quam potenti, nihil laxamenti nec veniae habere, si modum excesseris; periculosum esse in tot humanis erroribus sola innocentia vivere.
Seeking that license of theirs now that the rights of all had been equalized, they complained among themselves that the liberty of others had turned into their own servitude: [they said] that a king was a man, from whom you might obtain what you ask, whether there was need of right or of wrong; that there was room for favor, room for benefit; that he could both be angry and forgive, and knew the difference between a friend and an enemy; but that the laws were a deaf, inexorable thing, more salutary and better for the poor than for the powerful, having no relaxation nor indulgence if you should exceed the limit; that it was dangerous to live by innocence alone amid so many human failings.
§2.3.5ita iam sua sponte aegris animis legati ab regibus superveniunt sine mentione reditus bona tantum repetentes.
Thus, when their minds were already discontented of their own accord, envoys from the kings arrived, making no mention of return but only demanding back their property.
eorum verba postquam in senatu audita sunt, per aliquot dies ea consultatio tenuit, ne non reddita belli causa, reddita belli materia et adiumentum essent.
After their words were heard in the senate, the deliberation occupied them for several days, lest, if the property were not returned, it might be a cause for war, and if returned, it might be the material and support for war.
§2.3.6interim legati alia moliri, aperte bona repetentes clam recuperandi regni consilia struere et tamquam ad id, quod agi videbatur, ambientes nobilium adulescentium animos pertemptant.
Meanwhile, the envoys were busy with other schemes; while openly demanding the property, they secretly laid plans for recovering the kingdom, and, as if canvassing for the matter that seemed to be under discussion, they sounded the minds of the young nobles.
§2.3.7a quibus placide oratio accepta est, iis litteras ab Tarquiniis reddunt et de accipiendis clam nocte in urbem regibus conloquuntur.
By whom their speech was favorably received; to them they delivered letters from the Tarquinii, and conferred with them about admitting the kings into the city secretly by night.