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 THE VALIAUNCE OF

THE THIRD NOUELL.

The Jiege of Rome ly Porfenna, and the valiaunt deliuerie thereof ly Mutius Scceiwla, with hisjloute aunfwere vnto the kinge.

WHEN P. Valerius and T. Lucretius were created Confuls, Por fenna kinge of Hetruria, vppon the inftigation of the banifhed Tarquinians, came besore the citie with a huge armie. The brute wherof did wonderfully appall the Senate: for the like occafion of terrour, neuer besore that time chaunced to the Romaines, who did not onely feare their enemies, but also their owne fubie&s, fufpecting left they fhould be sorced to retaine the kinges againe. All which afterwards, were through the wifedome and difcretion of the fathers quietlye appeafed, and the citie reduced to such vnitie and courage, as all sorts of people defpifed the name of king. When the enemies were approched, the rurall people aban doning their colonies, fled for refcue into the citie. The citie was diuided into garrisons : some kept the walles, and some the waye ouer Tiber, which was thought very fafe and able to be defended. Althoughe the wodden bridge made ouer the Riuer,had almost been an open way for the enemies entrie, whereof Horacius Codes, as fortune ferued that day, had the charge. Who so manfully be- haued himselfe, as after he had broken vp and burned the bridge, and done other notable exploites, he defended that paflage with such valiance, that the defence therof feemed miraculous, to the great aftonimment of the enemies. In fine Porfenna feing that he coulde litle preuaile in the aflault, retourned to the Campe, deter mining Neuerthelesse to continue his fiege. At which time one Caius Mutius, a yonge gentleman of Rome, purpofed to aduenture some notable enterprife : saying to the Senators these wordes : " I determine to paflethe Riuer, and enter if I can, into the campe of the enemies, not to fetch fpoile, or to reuenge mutuall injuries, but to hazard greater matters, if the Gods be affiftant vnto me." The fenate vnderstanding the effect of his indeuour, allowed his deuife. And then hauinge a fword vnder his garment, went sorth. When

MUTIUS