§2.37.1ludi quam amplissimi ut fierent, senatus decrevit.
The senate decreed that the games should be celebrated as grandly as possible.
ad eos ludos auctore Attio Tullio vis magna Volscorum venit.
To these games, at the instigation of Attius Tullius, a great multitude of the Volscians came.
§2.37.2priusquam committerentur ludi, Tullius, ut domi compositum cum Marcio fuerat, ad consules venit; dicit esse, quae secreto agere de re publica velit.
Before the games were commenced, Tullius, as had been agreed upon at home with Marcius, came to the consuls; he said that there were matters concerning the state which he wished to treat of in private.
arbitris remotis “invitus” inquit, §2.37.3“quod sequius sit, de meis civibus loquor, non tamen admissum quicquam ab iis criminatum venio, sed cautum, ne admittant.
When witnesses were removed, "Unwillingly," he said, "do I speak of my fellow citizens, as it is rather unfavorable; yet I do not come to accuse them of anything already committed, but to warn you, lest they should commit it.
§2.37.4nimio plus quam vellem nostrorum ingenia sunt mobilia.
By far too much more than I could wish, the dispositions of our people are fickle.
§2.37.5multis id cladibus sensimus, quippe qui non nostro merito, sed vestra patientia incolumes simus.
We have felt this in many disasters, since indeed we remain safe not by our own merit, but by your forbearance.
magna hic nunc Volscorum multitudo est; ludi sunt; spectaculo intenta civitas erit.
There is now a great multitude of Volscians here; there are games; the state will be intent on the spectacle.
§2.37.6memini, quid per eandem occasionem ab Sabinorum iuventute in hac urbe commissum sit; horret animus, ne quid inconsulte ac temere fiat.
I remember what was committed in this city by the Sabine youth on a similar occasion; my mind dreads lest anything should be done rashly and thoughtlessly.
haec nostra vestraque causa prius dicenda vobis, consules, ratus sum.
I thought, consuls, that these things ought to be told to you beforehand, for our sake and yours.
§2.37.7quod ad me attinet, extemplo hinc domum abire in animo est, ne cuius facti dictive contagione praesens violer. ” haec locutus abiit.
As far as concerns myself, it is my intention to depart home from here immediately, lest by being present I should be contaminated by the contagion of any deed or word." Having spoken thus, he departed.
§2.37.8consules cum ad patres rem dubiam sub auctore certo detulissent, auctor magis, ut fit, quam res ad praecavendum vel ex supervacuo movit; factoque senatus consulto, ut urbe excederent Volsci, praecones dimittuntur, qui omnes eos proficisci ante noctem iuberent.
When the consuls laid this uncertain matter from a reliable source before the senators, the author, as usually happens, rather than the matter itself, moved them to take precautions, even if superfluous; and a decree of the senate being made that the Volscians should leave the city, heralds were sent out to order them all to depart before night.
§2.37.9ingens pavor primo discurrentis ad suas res tollendas in hospitia perculit; proficiscentibus deinde indignatio oborta, se ut consceleratos contaminatosque ab ludis, festis diebus, coetu quodam modo hominum deorumque abactos esse.
At first, a great panic seized them as they ran about to their lodgings to take away their things; then, as they departed, indignation arose that they had been driven away like criminals and polluted persons from the games, from the festival, and, so to speak, from the gathering of men and gods.