Now, Porsenna, it is for you to tell me if I was right to convince these girls
to trust in your kindness. For my part, even if I had no personal interest at
stake, I would advise you to act in such a way. Not only is it glorious for you to have been able to be
the enemy of the Romans and to currently be their ally, but it would be even more so if you
dared to compete with their justice. This is where it's truly beautiful to best them, for this form of war has this special privilege that both the defeated and the victors always attain a great dignity. The mere desire to be the victor in this rivalry is more advantageous than a victory in a battle. Therefore, Porsenna, dare to start this noble fight,
have absolute faith in the word of the Romans and send us back to our parents.
They have kept their word faithfully so as not to allow you any doubt. But this will not prevent you from performing a noble deed by granting us our freedom. For to give liberty to Roman girls, to girls who know how to despise death in order to avoid disgrace, is to give them more than kingdoms, more than empires, and more than life itself. This chapter of history will be so beneficial for you, there won't be a more glorious one during your reign. You will win the hearts of every king, you’ll have fewer hostages in your camp, but more influence over Rome. Here, we merely pray to the gods for our homeland, but in Rome, we will daily pour out offerings for your glory. You will become our protector; even if we were not ever slaves, we'll regard you with the same feelings as if you have broken our chains and liberated us from bondage.
Do not deny yourself, Porsenna, this glorious title of liberator, for we are ready to willingly award it to you. You may perhaps say that our flight offended you, because we fled out of fear, thinking you were a cruel, barbaric and tyrannical prince. But remember, Porsenna, a woman's conduct must be cautious and prudent. She almost considers everyone her enemy, and as custom forbids her arms, fear serves as her prudence. It's better that they flee and die a bit too early than wait and live a bit too long. We had a poor opinion of you simply because we knew you only as a protector of tyranny. Now, I declare that I still do not know who you are. So speak, Porsenna, for me to fully understand you. Remember you are in the sight of Rome, with all Romans as your audience, as you address girls who will always know how to live or die with glory. Your fame awaits our initiatives to promulgate it throughout the world, and the gods observing you are already holding crowns, ready to place them on your head if you manage to restrain your resentment and defeat our fathers' integrity as well as ours by placing your trust in them and granting us our freedom.
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