Thou rascal, that art worst in blood, to run But make you ready your stiff bats and clubs; 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 haye, you curs, Or hailstone in the sun. Your virtue is, To make him worthy, whose offence subdues him, A sick man's appetite, who desires most that Which would increase his evil. He that depends And hews down oaks with rushes. Hang ye! Trust ye? With every minute you do change a mind; And call him noble, that was now your hate, Him vile, that was your garland. What's the matter, 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, And feebling such as stand not in their liking, Below their cobbled shoes. They say, there's grain enough? Would the nobility lay aside their ruth, And let me use my sword, I'd make a quarry Men. Nay, these are almost thoroughly persuaded ; For though abundantly they lack discretion, Yet are they passing cowardly. But, I beseech you, What says the other troop? Mar. They are dissolved: Hang 'em! They said, they were an-hungry; sigh'd forth prov erbs; 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 an swer'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 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. 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. Mar. They have a leader, Tullus Aufidius, that will put you to't. I sin in envying his nobility: And were I any thing but 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. Attend upon Cominius to these wars. Then, worthy Marcius, Sir, it is; Com. It is your former promise. Mar. And I am constant.-Titus Lartius, thou Shalt see me once more strike at Tullus' face: Tit. No, Caius Marcius; I'll lean upon one crutch, and fight with the other, Ere stay behind this business. Men. O, true bred! 1 Sen. Your company to the capitol; where, I know, Our greatest friends attend us. Lead you on: Tit. 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 garners :-Worshipful mutineers, Your valour puts well forth: pray, follow. [Exeunt Senators, Cominius, Marcius, Titus and Sic. Was ever man so proud as is this Marcius? Sic. When we were chosen tribunes for the people,- Sic. Nay, but his taunts. Bru. Being mov'd, he will not spare to gird the gods. 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 which he aims,- 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. Let's along. [Exeunt SCENE II-Corioli. The Senate-house. Enter Tullus Aufidius, and certain Senators. 1 Sen. So, your opinion is, Aufidius, That they of Rome are enter'd in our counsels, Is it not yours? Auf. What ever hath been thought on in this state, That could be brought to bodily aet ere Rome Had circumvention? 'Tis not four days gone, Since I heard thence; these are the words: I think, I have the letter here; yes, here it is: [Reads They have press'd a power, but it is not known (Who is of Rome worse hated than of you,) 1 Sen. Our army's in the field: We never yet made doubt but Rome was ready Auf. Nor did you think it folly, |