1Then Valerius and Horatius are sent to bring back the plebs on whatever terms seemed good and to settle matters, and are instructed also to safeguard the decemvirs from the anger and violence of the multitude. 2Setting out, they are received into the camp with the immense joy of the plebs, as being beyond doubt their liberators, both at the beginning of the upheaval and at the end of the affair. 3For this, thanks were given to them on their arrival. 3Icilius speaks for the multitude. 3The same man, when terms were being discussed and the envoys asked what the demands of the plebs were, following a plan agreed before the envoys arrived, made such demands as to make it clear that more hope was placed in the justice of their cause than in arms.
4For they were seeking back the tribunes' power and the right of appeal, which had been the plebs' protections before the decemvirs were appointed, and that it should not be held against anyone that he had stirred up the soldiers or the plebs to regain their liberty by secession. 5Only about the punishment of the decemvirs was their demand savage: for they thought it fair that these should be handed over, and they threatened to burn them alive. 5The envoys replied: 'The demands that came from deliberation are so fair that they ought to have been offered to you unasked; 6for you are seeking them as defences for liberty, not as licence to attack others.
7Your anger is to be pardoned rather than indulged, since from hatred of cruelty you are rushing into cruelty, and almost before you are free yourselves you already want to lord it over your opponents. 8Will our state never rest from punishments, either of the fathers against the Roman plebs or of the plebs against the fathers? 9You need a shield more than a sword. 9Humble enough, and more than enough, is the man who lives in the state on equal terms, neither inflicting injury nor suffering it. 10Even if at some time you mean to make yourselves feared, when you have recovered your magistrates and your laws and judgements on our lives and fortunes are in your hands, then you will decide as each case requires; 10for now it is enough that liberty is regained.'