The tribunes adjourned the day of trial.

Meanwhile, ambassadors from the Hernicans and Latins came to Rome to offer their congratulations on the harmony existing between the patricians and commons, and as an offering on that account to Jupiter, best and greatest, they brought into the Capitol a golden crown, of small weight, as money at that time was not plentiful, and the duties of religion were performed rather with piety than splendour.  On the same authority it was ascertained that the Aequans and Volscians were preparing for war with the utmost energy.  The consuls were therefore ordered to divide the provinces between them.  The Sabines fell to the lot of Horatius, the AEquans to Valerius.  After they had proclaimed a levy for these wars, through the good offices of the commons, not only the younger men, but a large number, consisting of volunteers from among those who had served their time,[64] attended to give in their names:  and hence the army was stronger not only in the number but also in the quality of its soldiers, owing to the admixture of veterans.  Before they marched out of the city, they engraved on brass, and fixed up in public view, the decemviral laws, which are named “the twelve tables.”  There are some who state that the aediles discharged that office by order of the tribunes.

Gaius Claudius, who, detesting the crimes of the decemvirs and, above all, incensed at the arrogant conduct of his brother-in-law, had retired to Regillum, his ancestral home.  Though advanced in years, he now returned to the City, to deprecate the dangers threatening the man whose vicious practices had driven him into retirement.  Going down to the Forum in mourning garb, accompanied by the members of his house and by his clients, he appealed to the citizens individually, and implored them not to stain the house of the Claudii with such an indelible disgrace as to deem them worthy of bonds and imprisonment.  To think that a man whose image would be held in highest honour by posterity, the framer of their laws and the founder of Roman jurisprudence, should be lying manacled amongst nocturnal thieves and robbers!  Let them turn their thoughts for a moment from feelings of exasperation to calm examination and reflection, and forgive one man at the intercession of so many of the Claudii, rather than through their hatred of one man despise the prayers of many.  So far he himself would go for the honour of his family and his name, but he was not reconciled to the man whose distressed condition he was anxious to relieve.  By courage their liberties had been recovered, by clemency the harmony of the orders in the State could be strengthened.  Some were moved, but it was more by the affection he showed for his nephew than by any regard for the man for whom he was pleading.  But Verginius begged them with tears to keep their compassion for him and his daughter, and not to listen to the prayers of the Claudii, who had assumed sovereign power over the plebs, but to the three tribunes, kinsmen of Verginia, who, after being elected to protect the plebeians, were now seeking their protection.  This appeal was felt to have more justice in it.  All hope being now cut off, Appius put an end to his life before the day of trial came.