Men. The senators of Rome are this good belly, But it proceeds, or comes, from them to you, 1 Cit. I the great toe? Why the great toe? Of this most wise rebellion, thou go'st foremost : But make you ready your stiff bats and clubs; The one side must have bale. Hail, noble Marcius! Enter Caius Marcius. Mar. Thanks.-What's the matter, you dissentious rogues, That, rubbing the poor itch of your opinion, 1 Cit. We have ever your good word. Mar. He that will give good words to thee, will flatter Beneath abhorring.-What would you have, you curs, That like nor peace, nor war? the one affrights you, Or hailstone in the sun. Your virtue is, To make him worthy, whose offence subdues him, And curse that justice did it. Who deserves great ness, • Bane. Deserves your hate: and your affections are With every minute you do change a mind; Him vile, that was your garland. What's the mat ter, That in these several places of the city You cry against the noble senate, who, Under the gods, keep you in awe, which else Would feed on one another?-What's their seeking? Men. For corn at their own rates; whereof, they say, The city is well stor❜d. Mar. Hang 'em! They say? They'll sit by the fire, and presume to know What's done i'the Capitol: who's like to rise, Who thrives, and who declines: side factions, and give out Conjectural marriages; making parties strong, Would the nobility lay aside their ruth", And let me use my sword, I'd make a quarry+ Men. Nay, these are almost thoroughly per. suaded; For though abundantly they lack discretion, Yet are they passing cowardly. But I beseech you, What say the other troop? Mar. They are dissolved: Hang 'em! They said, they were an hungry; sigh'd forth pro verbs ; Pity, compassion. + Heap of dead. Pitch. Act I. That hunger broke stone walls; that, dogs must eat; That meat was made for mouths; that, the gods sent not Corn for the rich men only:-With these shreds They vented their complainings; which being answer'd, And a petition granted them, a strange one (To break the heart of generosity, And make bold power look pale), they threw their caps As they would hang them on the horns o'the moon, Shouting their emulation. Men. What is granted them? Mar. Five tribunes to defend their vulgar wisdoms, Of their own choice: One's Junius Brutus, Sicinius Velutus, and I know not-'Sdeath! The rabble should have first unroof'd the city; Ere so prevail'd with me: it will in time Win upon power, and throw forth greater themes For insurrection's arguingt. Men. This is strange. Mar. Go, get you home, you fragments! Enter a Messenger. Mes. Where's Caius Marcius? Mar. Here: What's the matter? Mes. The news is, sir, the Volces are in arms. to vent Our musty superfluity:-See, our best elders. Enter Cominius, Titus Lartius, and other Senators; Junius Brutus, and Sicinius Velutus. 1 Sen. Marcius, 'tis true, that you have lately told us; The Volces are in arms. Faction. + For insurgents to debate upon. Mar. They have a leader, Tullus Aufidius, that will put you to't.. I sin in envying his nobility: And were I any thing out what I am, I would wish me only he. Com. You have fought together. Mar. Were half to half the world by the ears, and he Upon my party, I'd revolt, to make Only my wars with him: he is a lion. That I am proud to hunt. 1 Sen. Then, worthy Marcius, Sir, it is; Attend upon Cominius to these wars. Mar. And I am constant.-Titus Lartius, thou Tit. Men. O, true bred! 1 Sen. Your company to the Capitol; where I know, Our greatest friends attend us. Tit. Lead you on: Follow, Cominius; we must follow you; Com. Noble Lartius! 1 Sen. Hence! To your homes, be gone. Mar. [To the Citizens. Nay, let them follow: The Volces have much corn; take these rats thither, To gnaw their garnerst:-Worshipful mutineers, Your valour puts well forth: pray follow. [Exeunt Senators, Com. Mar. Tit. and Menen. Citizens steal away. Sic. Was ever man so proud as is this Marcius? * Right worthy of precedence. Shows itself. + Granaries. Bru. He has no equal. Sic. When we were chosen tribunes for the peo ple, Bru. Mark'd you his lip, and eyes? Sic. Nay, but his taunts. Bru. Being mov'd, he will not spare to gird the gods. Sic. Be-mock the modest moon. Bru. The present wars devour him: he is grown Too proud to be so valiant. Sic. Such a nature, Tickled with good success, disdains the shadow Under Cominius. Bru. Fame, at the which he aims,In whom already he is well graced,--cannot Better be held, nor more attain'd, than by A place below the first; for what miscarries Shall be the general's fault, though he perform To the utmost of a man; and giddy censure Will then cry out of Marcius, O, if he Had borne the business! Sic. Besides, if things go well, Opinion, that so sticks on Marcius, shall Bru. Come: Half all Cominius' honours are to Marcius, Though Marcius earn'd them not; and all his faults To Marcius shall be honours, though, indeed, In aught he merit not. Sic. Let's hence, and hear How the despatch is made; and in what fashion, Upon his present action. Bru. Sneer. Let's along. [Exeunt. + Demerits and merits had anciently the same meaning. |