CHAPTER XX
THE INDUSTRY OF LUCRETIA
As the years passed, Tarquin was disturbed by terrible
dreams. The evil deeds he had done came back to his
memory, and haunted him by day and by night. Even in
the temples of the gods he could find no rest from his fears.
One day, as sacrifices were being offered, the king saw a serpent stealing down a wooden pillar. Fascinated, he watched as it dropped slowly on to the altar and devoured the sacrifice. His fear told him that this was a bad omen, and, thoroughly alarmed, Tarquin determined to consult the Greek oracle at Delphi, for this oracle was famous not only in Greece, but throughout the world.
So he sent his two sons, Titus and Aruns, to Delphi. With them went the king's nephew, named Junius, but called Brutus because he was believed to be stupid. But Brutus only pretended to be stupid so that his uncle would not trouble to do him harm.
When the princes reached the dwelling of the priestess, the king's sons offered her valuable gifts, while Brutus gave to her only a simple staff. His cousins mocked at Brutus as they were used to do, for a priestess would not care for so poor a gift, they were sure. But Brutus was wiser than they deemed, for the staff had been made hollow, and then had been filled with gold.
As the king had bidden, the young princes asked the oracle the meaning of the serpent that had devoured the sacrifice on the altar.
It was indeed an evil omen. 'The fall of Tarquin is at hand,' was the sinister answer they received.
