Menenius.Cannot be!
We have record that very well it can,
And three examples of the like have been
Within my age.
(IV. vi. 47.)
Besides, the Volscians were not the only jealous neighbours the young republic had to guard herself against.
But their reception of the unwelcome tidings is a new instance of the ignoble strain in the tribunes’ nature. The first effect they have on Brutus is to enrage him against the informant: “Go see this rumourer whipp’d”; and Sicinius seconds the humane direction, but improves on it that the public may be duly cautioned against telling unpalatable truths: “Go whip him ’fore the people’s eyes.” Menenius may well remonstrate:
Reason with the fellow,
Before you punish him, where he heard this,
Lest you shall chance to whip your information,