Moreover, when left to themselves, or when their sleeping manhood is not awakened, these plebeians, otherwise than those of Plutarch, have not even the average of physical courage. They can fight creditably under the competent management of Cominius, or heroically under the stimulus of Marcius’ rousing appeal: but if such influences are lacking, they fail. Menenius says of them:
Though abundantly they lack discretion,
Yet are they passing cowardly.
(I. i. 206.)
Marcius ironically invites them to the wars by indicating what would be, and turns out to be, provision for their needs:
The Volsces have much corn: take these rats thither
To gnaw their garners. Worshipful mutineers,
Your valour puts well forth: pray, follow.
(I. i. 253.)
And the citizens steal away. In truth the low opinion of their mettle seems justified by events. At Corioli the troops under Cominius do well, but those in Marcius’ division, perhaps because his treatment does not call out what is best in them, seem to deserve a part at least of his imprecations: