elieve to be the reason
why you, a veteran general, most valiant in war, sit down with hands
folded, as they say. But however it may be, it is fitter that you should
seem to doubt of our courage than we of yours. If however this plan of
proceeding be not your own, but a public one, if some concerted scheme
of the patricians, and not the Gallic war, keeps us exiled from the
city, from our homes, I beg that you consider what I may say here, as
addressed not by soldiers to their general, but to the patricians by the
commons, who tell you that as ye have your separate plans, so will they
have theirs. Who in the name of goodness can be angry that we (consider
ourselves) your soldiers, not your slaves? as men who have been sent to
war, not into exile? as men who, if any one give the signal, and lead
them out into the field, will fight as becomes men and Romans? as men
who, if there be no need of arms, would spend their idle time in Rome
rather than in a camp? Consider these observations as addressed to the
patricians. As your soldiers, we entreat you, general, to afford us an
opportunity of fighting. We both desire to conquer, and also to conquer
with you for our leader; to confer on you the distinguished laurel, with
you to enter the city in triumph; following your car with
congratulations and rejoicings, to approach the temple of Jupiter
supremely great and good." The entreaties of the multitude followed the
speech of Tullius; and from every side they cried out, that he would
give the signal, that he would order them to take arms.

14. The dictator, though he saw that a good result was brought about by
a precedent not to be approved of, yet took on himself to do what the
soldiers wished, and inquires of Tullius privately, what the nature of
this transaction was, or on what precedent it was done? Tullius
earnestly entreated the dictator "not to believe him forgetful of
military discipline, of himself, nor of the respect due to his general;
that he had not declined to put himself at the head of the excited
multitude, who generally were like to their instigators, lest any other
person might step forward, such an excited multitude were wont to elect.
That for his own part he would do nothing without the orders of his
general; that he also however must carefully see, that he keep the army
in obedience. That minds so excited could not be put off: that they
would choose for themselves time and place, if they were not granted by
th