For the popular magistracy, as it represents the ignorance, and stupidity, and capricious tyranny of the multitude, and their unfitness for rule, is subjected to the criticism of the true consulship, on the one hand, while the military usurpation of the chair of state, and the law of Conquest, is not less severely criticized by the true Tribune--the Tribune, whose Tribe is the Kind--on the other; and it was not necessary to produce, in any _more_ prominent manner, just then, the fact, that _both these offices_ and _relations_ were combined in that tottering estate of the realm,--that 'old riotous form of military government,' which held then only by the virtual election of the stupidity and ignorance of the people, and which, this Poet and his friends were about to put on its trial, for its _innovations_ in the government, and suppressions of the ancient estates of this realm,--for its suppression of the dignities and privileges of the Nobility, and its suppression of the chartered dignities and rights of the Commons.

_Scene_.--A Street. Cornets. Enter CORIOLANUS with his two military
friends, who have shared with him the conduct of the Volscian wars,
and have but just returned from their campaign, COMINIUS and TITUS
LARTIUS,--and with them the old civilian MENENIUS, who, patrician
as he is, on account of his _honesty_,--a truly patrician
virtue,--is in favour with the people. '_He's_ an honest one. Would
they were _all so_.'

The military element predominates in this group of citizens, and of course, they are talking of the wars,--the foreign wars: but the principle of _inroad_ and _aggression_ on the one hand, and _defence_ on the other, the arts of _subjugation_, and _reconciliation_, the arts of WAR and GOVERNMENT in their most general forms are always cleared and identified, and tracked, under the specifications of the scene.

_Cor_. Tullus Aufidius then _had made_ NEW HEAD._Lart_. He had, my lord, and _that_ it was, which caused
Our swifter COMPOSITION._Cor_. So then, the _Volsces_ stand but as at first,
Ready, when _time_ shall _prompt_ them, to make _road_
Upon _us_ again._Com_. _They_ [Volsces?] _are worn_, lord consul, so
That we shall hardly in _our ages_ see
_Their_ banners wave again.

* * * * *

[_Enter Sicinius and Brutus._]_Cor_. Behold! these are the tribunes of the people,
The _tongues_ o' the _common mouth_. I do despise them;
For they do prank them in authority,
Against all _noble_ sufferance._Sic_. Pass no further._Cor_. Ha! what is that?_Bru_. It will be dangerous to
Go on: No further._Cor_. What makes this CHANGE?_Men_. _The matter_?_Com_. Hath he not passed the NOBLES and the COMMONS?_Bru_. Cominius.--No._Cor_. Have I had _children's voices_? [ _Yes._]_Sen_. Tribunes, give way:--he shall to the market-place._Bru_. The people are incensed against him._Sic_. Stop.
Or _all will fall in broil_._Cor_. Are these _your herd_?
Must _these_ have voices that can yield them now,
And straight disclaim their tongues?
_You, being their mouths_, why rule you not their teeth?
_Have you not set them on?__Men_. Be calm, be calm._Cor._ It is a purposed thing, and grows by plot,
To curb the will of the _nobility_:--
_Suffer it, and live with such as cannot rule,
Nor_ ever will be _ruled_.