The smug SICINIUSES. But what I wonder If once again the Volscians make new head! Who, "like an eagle in a dovecote," then Will flutter them and discipline AUFIDIUS? An eagle! Shall I spurn my shadow, then Trample my own projection? So they babble Who'd silence me, make this my mouthpiece[1] mute; Who prate of prosecution--banishment, Perchance, anon, for me, as for the Roman, Because "I cannot brook to be commanded Under COMINIUS." What said VOLUMNIA To her imperious son? "_The man was noble,_ _But with his last attempt he wiped it out;_ _Destroy'd his country; and his name remains_ _To the ensuing age abhorr'd._" I would not have My own VIRGILIA say so--she who frets, At my colossal chafing. ARNIM's shade Would mock my fall; but silent Friedrichsruh Irks me, whilst lesser spirits so misshape My vast designs, whose shadow, dwarfed, distorted, I trample in my anger, thus--thus--thus! [Footnote 1: The _Hamburger Nachrichten_, in whose columns (says the _Times_) Prince BISMARCK, according to the friends of the Government, "inspires incessant attacks upon the Imperial Policy, domestic, foreign, and colonial, and especially upon the proceedings of his successor, General CAPRIVI."] * * * * * [Illustration: CORIOLANUS. "SUCH A NATURE, TICKLED WITH GOOD SUCCESS, DISDAINS THE SHADOW WHICH HE TREADS ON AT NOON."--_Coriolanus_, Act I., Sc. 1.] * * * * * DUMAS UP TO ARMY ESTIMATES' DATE. PART I.--_THE THREE VOLUNTEERS._ LIEUTENANT PORTHOS, Captain ATHOS, and Major ARAMIS were delighted with the progress discernible in every detail of the battalion to which it was their honour to belong. Not a man that did not appear on parade conscious of the fact that he had made himself proficient--the privates were contented, the non-commissioned officers happy. It was, indeed, a model Regiment. On the occasion of their inspection by Colonel D'ARTAGNAN, a man marched from the ranks, and demanded a hearing. "And what do _you_ want?" asked the inspecting officer. "We wish the unjust to be made just," returned the discontented one. "We ask for a reform." PORTHOS, ATHOS, and ARAMIS would have protested, but Colonel D'ARTAGNAN motioned them to be silent. "I am here," he murmured, "to listen to complaints. I must listen to his." "Sir," said the complainant, "we have admirable officers--the Lieutenant, the Captain, and the Major. They are always at work." "Yes," returned Colonel D'ARTAGNAN; "and so are you." "But we have merely to obey orders, and not to command. We feel that although we pay for everything connected with the battalion, we should do something more. We ought to subscribe a sum to pay our excellent officers for commanding us!" And PORTHOS, ATHOS, and ARAMIS refused the suggestion, to the great disappointment of their subordinates. PART II.--_TWENTY YEARS AFTERWARDS._