Act III. Men. Consider this ;-He has been bred i'the wars Since he could draw a sword, and is ill school'd In boulted* language; meal and bran together He throws without distinction. Give me leave, I'll go to him, and undertake to bring him Where he shall answer, by a lawful form, (In peace) to his utmost peril. 1 Sen. Noble tribunes, Sic. Noble Menenius, Be you then as the people's officer: Bru. Go not home. Sic. Meet on the market-place:-We'll attend you there: Where, if you bring not Marcius, we'll proceed Men. I'll bring him to you : Let me desire your company. [To the Senators.] He Cor. Let them pull all about mine ears; present me Death on the wheel, or at wild horses' heels; * Finely sifted. Or pile ten hills on the Tarpeian rock, 1 Pat. Enter Volumnia. You do the nobler. Cor. I muse*, my mother Does not approve me further, who was wont To speak of peace, or war. I talk of you; [To Volumnia, Why did you wish me milder? Would you have me False to my nature? Rather say, I play The man I am. Vol. O, sir, sir, sir, I would have had you put your power well on, Cor. Let go. Vol. You might have been enough the man you are, With striving less to be so: Lesser had been You had not show'd them how you were dispos'd Cor. Vol. Ay, and burn too. Let them hang. Enter Menenius, and Senators. Men. Come, come, you have been too rough, Unless, by not so doing, our good city Vol. Pray be counsel'd: I have a heart as little apt as yours, Men. Well said, noble woman: Before he should thus stoop to the herd, but that Cor. What must I do? Cor. For them?-I cannot do it to the gods; Must I then do't to them? Vol. You are too absolute; Though therein you can never be too noble, But when extremities speak. I have heard you say, I' the war do grow together: Grant that, and tell me, Cor. Men. Tush, tush! A good demand. Vol. If it be honour, in your wars, to seem The same you are not (which, for your best ends, You adopt your policy), how is it less, or worse, That it shall hold companionship in peace With honour, as in war; since that to both Cor. Why force you this? Vol. Because that now it lies you on to speak To the people; not by your own instruction, Nor by the matter which your heart prompts you to, • Urge. But with such words that are but roted in I would dissemble with my nature, where Your wife, your son, these senators, the nobles; Men. Noble lady! Come, go with us; speak fair: you may salve so, Vol. And thus far having stretch'd it (here be with them), Now will not hold the handling: Or, say to them, As thou hast power, and person. Men. This but done, Even as she speaks, why, all their hearts were yours: For they have pardons, being ask'd, as free As words to little purpose. • Subdue. + Common clowns. Vol. Pr'ythee now, Go, and be rul'd: although, I know, thou hadst ra ther Follow thine enemy in a fiery gulf, Than flatter him in a bower. Here is Cominius. Enter Cominius. Com. I have been i'the market-place: and, sir, 'tis fit You make strong party, or defend yourself Com. I think, 'twill serve, if he He must, and will: Can thereto frame his spirit. Vol. Pr'ythee now, say, you will, and go about it. Cor. Must I go show them my unbarb'd sconce*? With my base tongue, give to my noble heart Yet were there but this single plot to lose, This mould of Marcius, they to dust should grind it, And throw it against the wind. To, the market place: You have put me now to such a part, which never I shall discharge to the life. Com. Come, come, we'll prompt you. Vol. I pr'ythee now, sweet son; as thou hast said, My praises made thee first a soldier, so, To have my praise for this, perform a part, Thou hast not done before. Cor. Well, I must do't: Away, my disposition, and possess me Some harlot's spirit! My throat of war be turn'd, Which quired with my drum, into a pipe Small as an eunuch, or the virgin voice That babies lulls asleep! The smiles of knaves * Unshaven head. |