1Though no one doubted that war from the Tarquins was hanging over them, it came later than everyone expected; 1but liberty was almost lost through treachery and betrayal, a thing they did not fear. 1There were among the Roman youth several young men, and of no humble birth, whose pleasures had been less restrained under the monarchy, companions in age and friends of the young Tarquins, accustomed to living in royal style. 3Missing that licence now that rights were equal for all, they complained among themselves that the liberty of others had turned into slavery for themselves: a king was a man, from whom you could obtain what you needed, whether it was right or wrong; 3there was room for favour and for kindness; he could be angry and could pardon, and knew the difference between friend and enemy; 4the laws were a deaf thing, inexorable, more wholesome and better for the poor than for the powerful, with no leniency or pardon if you overstepped the mark; 4it was dangerous, amid so many human failings, to live by innocence alone.
5While their minds were already unsettled of their own accord, envoys from the royal family arrive, saying nothing of a return and asking back only their property. 5After their words had been heard in the senate, the debate went on for several days, for fear that the property, if not returned, would be a cause for war, and if returned, the means and support for war. 6Meanwhile the envoys were scheming other things: openly asking back the property, they secretly laid plans for recovering the kingdom, and, as if canvassing for what seemed to be the business in hand, they sound out the feelings of the young nobles. 7To those who received their proposal favourably they deliver letters from the Tarquins and discuss admitting the royal family secretly into the city by night.