CHAPTER VI.
THE WAR WITH PORSENA.
From the time of the flight of the Tarquins, Rome was governed by two consuls, who wore all the tokens of royalty except the crown.

Tarquin fled into Etruria, whence his grandfather had come, and thence tried to obtain admission into Rome.

The two young sons of Brutus and the nephews of Collatinus were drawn into a plot for bringing them back again, and on its discovery were brought before the two consuls.

Their guilt was proved, and their father sternly asked what they had to say in their defence.

They only wept, and so did Collatinus and many of the senators, crying out, "Banish them, banish them." Brutus, however, as if unmoved, bade the executioners do their office.