Who in the name of goodness can be angry that we (consider ourselves) your soldiers, not your slaves?
as men who have been sent to war, not into exile?
as men who, if any one give the signal, and lead them out into the field, will fight as becomes men and Romans?
as men who, if there be no need of arms, would spend their idle time in Rome rather than in a camp?
Consider these observations as addressed to the patricians.

As your soldiers, we entreat you, general, to afford us an opportunity of fighting.

We both desire to conquer, and also to conquer with you for our leader; to confer on you the distinguished laurel, with you to enter the city in triumph; following your car with congratulations and rejoicings, to approach the temple of Jupiter supremely great and good." The entreaties of the multitude followed the speech of Tullius; and from every side they cried out, that he would give the signal, that he would order them to take arms.
14.

The dictator, though he saw that a good result was brought about by a precedent not to be approved of, yet took on himself to do what the soldiers wished, and inquires of Tullius privately, what the nature of this transaction was, or on what precedent it was done?
Tullius earnestly entreated the dictator "not to believe him forgetful of military discipline, of himself, nor of the respect due to his general; that he had not declined to put himself at the head of the excited multitude, who generally were like to their instigators, lest any other person might step forward, such an excited multitude were wont to elect.
That for his own part he would do nothing without the orders of his general; that he also however must carefully see, that he keep the army in obedience.

That minds so excited could not be put off: that they would choose for themselves time and place, if they were not granted by the general." While they are conversing in this way, it so happened, that as a Gaul was driving away some cattle feeding on the outside of the rampart two Roman soldiers took them from him.