Chronicles : The Historie of England | Page 4

Clusi.] besieged the citie of Clusium, the citizens
whereof being in great danger, sent to Rome for aid against their
enimies. Wherevpon the Romanes, considering with themselues that
although they were not in anie league of societie with the Clusians, yet
if they were ouercome the danger of the next brunt were like to be
theirs: with all [Sidenote: Ambassadours sent from Rome. Brennus
answere.] spéed they sent ambassadours to intreat betwixt the parties
for some peace to be had.
They that were sent, required the capteines of the Galles, in the name of
the senat and citizens of Rome, not to molest the friends of the Romans.
Wherevnto answere was made by Brennus, that for his part he could be
content to haue peace, if it were so that the Clusians would be
agréeable that the Galles might haue part of the countrie which they
held, being more than they did alreadie well occupie, for otherwise
(said he) there could be no peace granted.
The Romane ambassadours being offended with these wordes,
demanded what the Galles had to doo in Tuscan, by reason of which
and other the like ouerthwart wordes, the parties began to kindle in
displeasure [Sidenote: The treatie of peace breaketh off.] so farre, that
their communication brake off, and so they from treating fell againe to
trie the matter by dint of sword.
The Romane ambassadours also to shew of what prowesse the Romans
were, contrarie to the law of nations (forbidding such as came in
ambassage about anie treatie of peace to take either one part or other)
tooke weapon in hand, and ioined themselues with the Clusians,
wherewith the Galles were so much displeased, that incontinentlie with
one voice, they required to haue the siege raised from Clusium, that

they might go to Rome. But Brennus thought good first to send
messengers thither, to require the deliuerie of such as had broken the
law, that punishment might be done on them accordinglie as they had
deserued. This was done, and knowledge brought againe, that the
ambassadors were not onelie not punished, but also chosen to be
tribunes for the next yeare.
The Galles then became in such a rage (because they saw there was
nothing to be looked for at the hands of the Romans, but warre,
injurious wrongs, and deceitfull traines) that they turned all their
[Sidenote: The Galles make towards Rome. The Romans incountring
with the Galles are overthrown.] force against them, marching streight
towardes Rome, and by the waie destroied all that stood before them.
The Romans aduertised thereof, assembled themselues togither to the
number of 40. thousand, and encountring with Beline and Brenne,
neare to the riuer Allia, about 11. miles on this side Rome, were slaine
and quite discomfited.
The Galles could scarse beléeue that they had got the victorie with so
small resistance: but when they perceiued that the Romans were quite
ouerthrowne and that the field was clearelie rid of them, they got
togither the spoile, and made towards Rome it selfe, where such feare
and terror was striken into the heartes of the people, that all [Sidenote:
The Romans in despaire withdraw into the capitoll.] men were in
despaire to defend the citie: and therefore the senate with all the
warlike youth of the citizens got them into the capitoll, which they
furnished with victuals and all things necessarie for the maintenance of
the same against a long siege. The honorable fathers and all the
multitude of other people not apt for warres, remained still in the citie,
as it were to perish with their countrie if hap so befell.
[Sidenote: The Galles enter into Rome.] In the meane time came the
Galles to the citie, and entring by the gate Collina, they passed forth the
right way vnto the market place, maruelling to sée the houses of the
poorer sort to be shut against them, and those of the richer to remaine
wide open; wherefore being doubtfull of some deceitfull traines, they
were not ouer rash to enter the same; but [Sidenote: The Reuerend

aspect of the senators.] after they had espied the ancient fathers sit in
their chaires apparelled in their rich robes, as if they had bin in the
senat, they reuerenced them as gods, so honorable was their port,
grauenesse in countenance, and shew of apparell.
[Sidenote: _Marcus Papirius_] In the meane time it chanced, that
Marcus Papirius stroke one of the Galles on the head with his staffe,
because he presumed to stroke his beard: with which iniurie the Gall
being prouoked, slue Papirius (as he sat) with his sword, and therewith
the slaughter being begun with one, all the residue of those ancient
fatherlie men as they sat in their chaires were slaine and cruellie
murthered. After this all the people