CORIOLANUS.

N the midst of an uprising of the people of

cians because they suffered from hunger, there was, on a sudden, news brought to the elders that the Volces were in arms, and Cominius, the consul, with Titus Lartius and Caius Marcius, were chosen to lead the Roman forces against these rebels.

This Caius Marcius was of noble birth, being the descendant of Numa, an early king of Rome; but he was in no wise dependent on this for his fame, but rather upon his great valour, for at sixteen years he had fought beyond the mark of others against the tyrant Tarquin, and made him kneel under his warlike blows, and since that time he had won the garland in seventeen battles against the enemies of Rome.

He had, however, gained the reputation among the common people of Rome of being overbearing and proud; but this was not from vanity, but rather the expression of a noble spirit which would not condescend to advance his interests by flatteries and craft. Love for good men he always showed,

and help and kindliness; but he could not bring himself to pander to the wishes of the multitude, as politicians and' leaders are often wont to do, and this made him unpopular with the turbulent citizens.

But with the soldiers, Caius Marcius was ever a favourite, though he led them into desperate ventures and ruled them with unbending discipline; and this was because of his invincible courage and success, for he had never yet lost a battle.

Among the Volcians there was a valiant leader called Tullus Aufidius, and these two were mortal foes, though so great was the prowess of Aufidius that Marcius said, were half to half of the world by the ears and this soldier upon his party, he would revolt to make only his wars with him, for he was a lion he would be proud to hunt.

Now, it fell out that these two warriors presently met before the Volcian city of Corioli in this wise: Marcius had led his soldiers against that city and they had been driven back, whereupon he scored them with bitter words, which brought them speedily to the attack once more. This time they forced the Volces to fly within their gates; but Marcius, who himself led his men, followed too closely upon the enemy's heels, and still fighting single-handed, he was shut in with his foes. When his fellowleader, Titus Lartius, asked where he was and found he was imprisoned behind the gates, he gave him up for lost; but Marcius proved his valor by appearing in a little space from the gates, still as

saulted by the enemy and sadly wounded. This sight moved all the courage in the Roman breasts, and they flew in haste to their captain's assistance, and presently brought him safely off.

Marcius, all stained with blood from his many wounds, none of which happily were fatal, would not permit his friends to detain him with idle praise, but asked at once for Tullus Aufidius, saying he would seek him out and fight with him. This warrior was not among the Volci who defended Corioli; but, as it proved, he led the ranks which opposed the Roman general Cominius on the ground without the town. Marcius therefore hastened away to join Cominius, whom he soon found a mile away, but retreating before the Volci. When he came up with his fellow-leader, he was welcomed gladly, and Cominius told him that he was retiring rather to win his purpose than because of defeat. He then asked on which flank of the Volcian army Aufidius led, and learned that he was in command of the Antiates of their best trust. Marcius besought Cominius by all the battles in which they had fought together, by the vows of friendship they had sworn, that he directly set him in the field over against Aufidius and his Antiates, and that without delay he should open the battle

anew.

Cominius said that though he could wish his friend were conducted to a gentle bath and balms applied to his wounds, yet he dared never deny his asking, and he bid him take his choice of such

soldiers as best could aid him, and pick the place he would in the front of the battle.

When Marcius asked what men were most willing to bear him company in the action, the whole force shouted and waved their swords, cast up their caps, and strove to take him in their arms; but he said none should go save such as were able to bear against the great Aufidius a shield as hard as his own, and he selected the number he wanted, and with them marched on.

In the midst of the fight which followed Marcius and Aufidius, after seeking each other for some time, finally met and gave defiance. "I'll fight with none but thee, for I do hate thee worse than a promise-breaker," said Marcius; and Aufidius returned that they hated alike, for Africa owned no serpent he abhorred more than Marcius's fame. "Fix thy foot!" he shouted, and they set to, resolved to die rather than yield; but in this they were thwarted by some Volcians, who flew to Aufidius's rescue and shamed him by their officious conduct. The fight between the champions was thus for the time postponed, and again, as more than thrice before, neither was certain victor, notwithstanding that Marcius seemed to have the advantage.

But in the contest of the armies the Romans were undoubted conquerors. The city of Corioli had been taken by Lartius and Marcius, and Cominius and Marcius had triumphed in the field. His fellow-leaders were therefore fain to acknowledge