At what a distance from their homes! how many lands, how many seas distant! We grumble at enduring a siege of a year's duration within twenty miles of us, almost within sight of our own city; because, I suppose, the cause of the war is trifling, nor is there resentment sufficiently just to stimulate us to persevere.

Seven times they have rebelled: in peace they never acted faithfully.

They have laid waste our lands a thousand times: the Fidenatians they forced to revolt from us: they have put to death our colonists there: contrary to the law of nations, they have been the instigators of the impious murder of our ambassadors: they wished to excite all Etruria against us, and are at this day busily employed at it; and they scarcely refrained from violating our ambassadors when demanding restitution.

With such people ought war to be conducted in a remiss and dilatory manner?
5.

"If such just resentment have no influence with us, will not, I entreat you, the following considerations influence you?
Their city has been enclosed with immense works, by which the enemy is confined within their walls.