Their loyalty binds them, the interest of the Republic demands it, the honor of their homeland requires it, their own interest compels them and, in the end, nothing can absolve them from it. For they well know that those same girls, who scorned the fury of the Tiber out of mere fear of harm to their persons, would again scorn their lives rather than commit anything unworthy of Roman pride. Thus, they keep their word without compromising their honor or that of their homeland.
        Here, Porsenna, are the sentiments of our forebears and ours. It is now for you to consider whether you wish to treat us as fugitives, as enemies or as Romans. I hope,
nevertheless, you will choose the most just and favorable path. For know that if, in violating the law of nations, you treat us unworthily and break the peace you have concluded, your ambitions would gain no further ground. What Mucius and Coclès dared against you, a thousand
Romans would dare again. They are all born for great deeds, they all possess a reckless will that recoils from nothing, despair only fortifies their courage, the fear of death is alien to them, they seek to live with glory rather than to live long, personal interest can do nothing against their soul, they do everything for honor and never do anything that might tarnish it. Here, Porsenna, are the Romans, these are the sentiments they have taught us, and this, in the end, is what motivated our flight and return.
         It is true that at first, I was greatly reluctant to return to the power of a prince whom I had hitherto considered the protector of the Tarquins and the enemy of Rome. But on considering it with a cooler mind, this latter quality started to give me a better impression of you, Porsenna.
         Yes, I realized it took great audacity and recklessness to declare war on Rome. I then understood that you are worthy of the rank you hold, for the Romans would have neither concluded peace with you nor accepted your alliance were you not. Thus, after convincing my companions to leave your camp, I also persuaded them to return. "Come on," I told them, "let us fulfill the promise made by our forebears, affirm the peace they have concluded, and no longer regard Porsenna as the protector of the Tarquins, but rather as their greatest enemy, since he abandons them. My companions must believe that if this prince were not worthy, the Romans would not have surrendered us into his hands. And even if he lacks enough merit to treat us as we deserve, we always have enough to choose death rather than to keep a life unworthy of our rank. So come on, my companions, let us ask this prince for the reward of our flight. He has been in Rome territory long enough to have learned that one must love and reward virtue, even in his enemies. He forgave Mucius who attempted his life. It will therefore be even easier for him to forget our flight and grant us the blessing of sending us back to our parents.”
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