en frequent assemblies of the whole senate within a small
compass of time about this difficulty, but without any definite result;
the poor commonality, therefore, perceiving there was likely to be no
redress of their grievances, collected in a body, and, encouraging each
other in their resolution, forsook the city with one accord, and seizing
the hill which is now called the Holy Mount, sat down by the river Anio,
without committing any sort of violence or seditious outrage, but merely
exclaiming, as they went along, that they had this long time past been
expelled from the city by the cruelty of the rich; that Italy would
everywhere afford them the benefit of air and water and a place of
burial, which was all they could expect in the city, unless it were
perhaps, the privilege of being wounded and killed in time of war
for the defence of their creditors. The senate apprehending the
consequences, sent the most moderate and popular men of their own order
to treat with them.

Menenius Agrippa, their chief spokesman, after much entreaty to the
people, concluded, at length, with this celebrated fable: "It once
happened, that all the other members of a man mutinied against the
stomach, which they accused as the only idle, uncontributing part in the
whole body, while the rest were put to hardships and the expense of
much labor to minister to its appetites. The stomach, however, merely
ridiculed the silliness of the members, who appeared not to be aware
that the stomach certainly does receive the general nourishment, but
only to return it again, and redistribute it amongst the rest. Such is
the case," he said, "citizens, between you and the senate. The counsels
and plans that are there duly digested, secure to all of you, your
proper benefit and support."

A reconciliation ensued, the senate acceding to the request of the
people for the annual election of five protectors for those in need of
succor, the same that are now called the tribunes of the people; and the
first two they pitched upon were Junius Brutus and Sicinnius Vellutus,
their leaders in the secession.

The city being thus united, the commons stood presently to their arms,
and followed their commanders.

The Romans were now at war with the Volscian nation, whose principal
city was Corioli; when, therefore, Cominius the consul had invested this
important place, the rest of the Volscians, fearing it would be taken,
mustered up whatever force they could from all pa