Spurius Lucretius and Publius Valerius Publicola were next elected consuls.  In that year ambassadors came from Porsina for the last time, to discuss the restoration of Tarquin to the throne.  And when answer had been given them, that the senate would send deputies to the king, the most distinguished of that order were forthwith despatched to explain that it was not because the answer could not have been given in a few words—­that the royal family would not be received—­that select members of the senate had been deputed to him, rather than an answer given to his ambassadors at Rome, but in order that all mention of the matter might be put an end to forever, and that their minds might not be disturbed amid so many mutual acts of kindness on both sides, by his asking what was adverse to the liberty of the Roman people, and by their refusing him (unless they were willing to promote their own destruction) whom they would willingly refuse nothing.  That the Roman people were not now under a kingly government, but in the enjoyment of freedom, and were accordingly resolved to open their gates to enemies sooner than to kings.  That it was the wish of all, that the end of their city’s freedom might also be the end of the city itself.  Wherefore, if he wished Rome to be safe, they entreated him to suffer it to be free.  The king, overcome by feelings of respect, replied:  “Since that is your firm and fixed resolve, I will neither annoy you by importunities, by urging the same request too often to no purpose, nor will I disappoint the Tarquins by holding out hopes of aid, which it is not in my power to give them; whether they have need of peace, or of war, let them go hence and seek another place of exile, that nothing may hinder the peace between us.”  To kindly words he added deeds still more friendly:  he delivered up the remainder of the hostages, and restored to them the land of the Veientines, which had been taken from them by the treaty concluded at the Janiculum.  Tarquin, now that all hope of return was cut off, went into exile to Tusculum [17] to his son-in-law Octavius Mamilius.  Thus a lasting peace was concluded between Porsina and the Romans.

The next consuls were Marcus Valerius and Publius Postumius.  During that year war was carried on successfully against the Sabines; the consuls received the honour of a triumph.  Upon this the Sabines made preparations for war on a larger scale.  To make head against them, and to prevent any sudden danger arising from Tusculum, from which quarter war, though not openly declared, was suspected, Publius Valerius was created consul a fourth time, and Titus Lucretius a second time.  A disturbance that arose among the Sabines between the advocates of war and of peace transferred considerable strength from them to the Romans.  For Attius Clausus, who was afterward called Appius Claudius at Rome, being himself an advocate of peace, when hard pressed by the agitators for war, and being no match for the party, fled from Regillum