Poplicola   

Such was Solon. To him we compare Poplicola, who received this later
title from the Roman people for his merit, as a noble accession to
his former name, Publius Valerius. He descended from Valerius, a man
amongst the early citizens, reputed the principal reconciler of the
differences betwixt the Romans and Sabines, and one that was most
instrumental in persuading their kings to assent to peace and union.
Thus descended, Publius Valerius, as it is said, whilst Rome remained
under its kingly government, obtained as great a name from his eloquence
as from his riches, charitably employing the one in liberal aid to
the poor, the other with integrity and freedom in the service of justice
thereby giving assurance, that, should the government fall into a
republic, he would become a chief man in the community. The illegal
and wicked accession of Tarquinius Superbus to the crown, with his
making it, instead of kingly rule, the instrument of insolence and
tyranny, having inspired the people with a hatred to his reign, upon
the death of Lucretia (she killing herself after violence had been
done to her), they took an occasion of revolt; and Lucius Brutus,
engaging in the change, came to Valerius before all others, and, with
his zealous assistance, deposed the kings. And whilst the people inclined
towards the electing one leader instead of their king, Valerius acquiesced,
that to rule was rather Brutus's due, as the author of the democracy.
But when the name of monarchy was odious to the people, and a divided
power appeared more grateful in the prospect, and two were chosen
to hold it, Valerius, entertaining hopes that he might be elected
consul with Brutus, was disappointed; for, instead of Valerius, notwithstanding
the endeavours of Brutus, Tarquinius Collatinus was chosen, the husband
of Lucretia, a man noways his superior in merit. But the nobles dreading
the return of their kings, who still used all endeavours abroad and
solicitations at home, were resolved upon a chieftain of an intense
hatred to them, and noways likely to yield.
Now Valerius was troubled that his desire to serve his country should
be doubted, because he had sustained no private injury from the insolence
of the tyrants. He withdrew from the senate and practice of the bar,
quitting all public concerns; which gave an occasion of discourse,
and fear, too, lest his anger should reconcile him to the king's side,
and he should prove the ruin of the state, tottering as yet under
the uncertainties of a change. But Brutus being doubtful of some others,
and determined to give the test to the senate upon the altars, upon
the day appointed Valerius came with cheerfulness into the forum,
and was the first man that took the oath, in no way to submit or yield
to Tarquin's propositions, but rigorously to maintain liberty; which
gave great satisfaction to the senate and assurance to the consuls,
his action soon after showing the sincerity of his oath. For ambassadors
came from Tarquin, with popular and specious proposals, whereby they
thought to seduce the people, as though the king had cast off all
insolence, and made moderation the only measure of his desires. To
this embassy the consuls thought fit to give public audience, but
Valerius opposed it, and would not permit that the poorer people,
who entertained more fear of war than of tyranny, should have any
occasion offered them, or any temptations to new designs. Afterwards
other ambassadors arrived, who declared their king would recede from
his crown, and lay down his arms, only capitulating for a restitution
to himself, his friends, and allies, of their moneys and estates to
support them in their banishment. Now, several inclining to the request,
and Collatinus in particular favouring it, Brutus, a man of vehement
and unbending nature, rushed into the forum, there proclaiming his
fellow-consul to be a traitor, in granting subsidies to tyranny, and
supplies for a war to those to whom it was monstrous to allow so much
as subsistence in exile. This caused an assembly of the citizens,
amongst whom the first that spake was Caius Minucius, a private man,
who advised Brutus, and urged the Romans to keep the property, and
employ it against the tyrants, rather than to remit it to the tyrants,
to be used against themselves. The Romans, however, decided that whilst