POPLICOLA. 219

by a mispronunciation they called him Codes. This Codes kept the bridge, and held back the enemy, till his own party broke it clown behind, and then with his armor dropped into the river, and swam to the hither side, with a wound in his hip from a Tuscan spear. Poplicola, ad- miring his courage, proposed at once that the Romans should every one make him a present of a day's provi- sions, and afterwards gave him as much land as he could plough round in one day, and besides erected a brazen statue to his honor in the temple of Vulcan, as a requital for the lameness caused by his wound. But Porsenna laying close siege to the city, and a fam- ine raging amongst the Romans, also a new army of the Tuscans making incursions into the country, Poplicola, a third time chosen consul, designed to make, without sally- ing out, his defence against Porsenna, but, privately steal- ing forth against the new army of the Tuscans, put them to flight, and slew five thousand. The story of Mucius is variously given; we, like others, must follow the com- monly received statement. He was a man endowed with every virtue, but most eminent in war ; and, resolving to kill Porsenna, attired himself in the Tuscan habit, and, using the Tuscan language, came to the camp, and ap- proaching the seat where the king sat amongst his nobles, but not certainly knowing the king, and fearful to inquire, drew out his sword, and stabbed one who he thought had most the appearance of king. Mucius was taken in the act, and whilst he was under examination, a pan of fire was brought to the king, who intended to sacrifice ; Mu- cius thrust his right hand into the flame, and whilst it burnt stood looking at Porsenna with a steadfast and un- daunted countenance ; Porsenna at last in admiration dismissed him, and returned his sword, reaching it from his seat ; Mucius received it in his left hand, which occa-

sioned the name of Scasvola, left>handed, and said, " I have