LIV. Whether they may make their escape.
But whether it be lawful for an Hostage to make his escape, would be likewise enquired. Certainly it is not, if either at his first entrance, or at any time after, to the end that he might live under a more gentle restraint, he engaged his word, That he would not. Otherwise it was not the purpose of the City or State in sending their Citizen to oblige him not to flye; but to empower the Enemy to keep him in such a strict custody, that though he would, yet he could not fly. And thus may that Fact of Claelia be defended, who made her escape from Porsenna, to whom She was sent, with other Ladies, as Hostages. But admit that Claelia had not at all offended in ma∣king her escape, yet could not the City of Rome justifie her reception and detension. Which made Porsenna declare plainly, That unless they sent back his Hostage,* 1.1 he would take it to be a breach of their League. Whereupon the Romans immediately restored her, as a Pledge of their Peace.