1With the Volscian nation, during the Latin war, there had been neither peace nor war; 1for the Volsci had got auxiliaries ready to send to the Latins, had the Roman dictator not made haste, and the Roman had made haste so as not to fight the Latin and the Volscian in one battle. 2Angry at this, the consuls led the legions into Volscian territory. 2The Volsci, who did not fear punishment for their intentions, were stunned by the unexpected stroke; 2forgetting their arms, they give as hostages three hundred children of their leading men from Cora and Pometia: so the legions were led away from there without a fight. 3Not very long afterwards, when the Volsci were relieved of fear, their old nature returned; 3again they prepare war in secret, taking the Hernici into an armed alliance.
4They also send envoys in all directions to stir up Latium; 4but the disaster lately suffered at Lake Regillus did not keep the Latins, in their anger and hatred towards anyone who urged them to arms, even from laying hands on envoys: they seized the Volsci and brought them to Rome. 4There they were handed over to the consuls, and it was revealed that the Volsci and Hernici were preparing war on the Romans. 5When the matter was referred to the senate, it was so welcome to the senators that they both sent back six thousand captives to the Latins and referred the question of a treaty, which had been refused almost for good, to the new magistrates.
5Then indeed the Latins rejoiced at what had been done; 6the advocates of peace were held in great glory. 6They send a golden crown to the Capitol as a gift for Jupiter. 6With the envoys and the gift came a great crowd of those captives who had been sent back to their families, thronging round them. 7They go to the houses of the men with whom each of them had been a slave; 7they give thanks for having been treated generously and kindly in their misfortune; 7then they form ties of hospitality. 7Never at any time before had the Latin name been more closely joined to the Roman state, both publicly and privately.