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The helms o'the state, who care for you like fathers, | Whereby they live: And though that all at once,
When you curse them as enemies.
You, my good friends, (this says the belly,) mark

1 Cil. Care for us!-True, indeed!-They ne'er cared for us yet. Suffer us to famish, and their store-houses crammed with grain; make edicts for usury, to support usurers: repeal daily and wholesome act established against the rich; and provide more piercing statutes daily, to chain up and restrain the poor. If the wars eat us not up, they will; and there's all the love they bear us.

Men. Either you must

Confess yourselves wondrous malicious,
Or be accus'd of folly. I shall tell you

A pretty tale; it may be, you have heard it;
But, since it serves my purpose, I will venture
To scale't' a little more.

1 Cit. Well, I'll hear it, sir; yet you must not think to fob off our disgrace2 with a tale: but, an't please you, deliver.

Men. There was a time, when all the body's members

Rebell'd against the belly; thus accus'd it :-
That only like a gulf it did remain
I'the midst o'the body, idle and inactive,
Still cupboarding the viand, never bearing
Like labour with the rest; where the other instru-

ments

Did see, and hear, devise, instruct, walk, feel,
And, mutually participate, did minister
Unto the appetite and affection common
Of the whole body. The belly answered,-

1 Cit. Well, sir, what answer made the belly?
Men. Sir, I shall tell you.-With a kind of smile,
Which ne'er came from the lungs, but even thus
(For, look you, I may make the belly smile,
As well as speak,) it tauntingly replied
To the discontented members, the mutinous parts
That envied his receipt: even so most fitly4
As you malign our senators, for that
They are not such as you.
1 Cit.
Your belly's answer: What!
The kingly crowned head, the vigilant eye,
The counsellor heart, the arm our soldier,
Our steed the leg, the tongue our trumpeter,
With other muniments and pretty helps
In this our fabric, if that they-

Men.

What then?

'Fore me, this fellow speaks!-what then? what then?

1 Cit. Should by the cormorant belly be restrain'd Who is the sink o'the body

Men.

Well, what then? 1 Cit. The former agents, if they did complain, What could the belly answer?

Men. I will tell you; If you'll bestow a small (of what you have little,) Patience a while, you'll hear the belly's answer. 1 Cit. You are long about it. Men.

Note me this, good friend; Your most grave belly was deliberate, Not rash like his accusers, and thus answer'd: True is it, my incorporate friends, quoth he, That I receive the general food at first, Which you do live upon and fit it is; Because I am the store-house, and the shop Of the whole body: But if you do remember, I send it through the rivers of your blood, Even to the court, the heart,-to the seat

brain;

And, through the cranks and offices of man, The strongest nerves, and small inferior veins, From me receive that natural competency

o'the

(1) Spread it. (2) Hardship. (3) Whereas.

me,

1 Cit. Ay, sir; well, well. Men.

Though all at once cannot See what I do deliver out to each; Yet I can make my audit up, that all From me do back receive the flower of all, And leave me but the bran. What say you to't? 1 Cit. It was an answer: How apply you this? Men. The senators of Rome are this good belly, And you the mutinous members: For examine Their counsels, and their cares; digest things rightly,

Touching the weal o'the common; you shall find,
No public benefit which you receive,

But it proceeds, or comes, from them to you,
And no way from yourselves.-What do you think?
You the great toe of this assembly ?-

1 Cit. I the great toe? Why the great toe?
Men. For that being one o'the lowest, basest,

poorest,

Of this most wise rebellion, thou go'st foremost:
Thou rascal, that are worst in blood, to run
Lead'st first to win some vantage.-
But make you ready your stiff bats and clubs;
Rome and her rats are at the point of battle,
The one side must have bale. Hail, noble Marcius!
Enter Caius Marcius.

6

Mar. Thanks.-What's the matter, you dissentious rogues,

That, rubbing the poor itch of your opinion,
Make yourselves scabs?
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,
The other makes you proud. He that trusts you,
Where he should find you lions, finds you hares;
Where foxes, geese: You are no surer, no,
Than is the coal of fire upon the ice,

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,

Deserves your hate: and your affections are
A sick man's appetite, who desires most that
Which would increase his evil. He that depends
Upon your favours, swims with fins of lead,
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

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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 arguing."

Men.

This is strange. Mar. Go, get you home, you fragments! Enter a Messenger.

Mess. Where's Caius Marcius?

Mar.
Here: What's the matter?
Mess. The news is, sir, the Volces are in arms.
Mar. I am glad on't; then we shall have means
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.

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,

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1 Sen. Hence! To your homes, be gone.

[To the Citizens. Nay, let them follow:

Mar. The Volces have much corn; take these rats thither, To gnaw their garners :-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? Bru. He has no equal.

Sic. When we were chosen tribunes for the people,

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 Which he treads on at noon: But I do wonder, His insolence can brook to be commanded 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 Of his demerits10 rob Cominius.

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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,
And know how we proceed.

Auf.
Is it not yours?
What ever hath been thought on in this state,
That could be brought to bodily act ere Rome
Had circumvention ? "Tis not four days gone,
Since I heard thence; these are the words: I think,
have the letter here; yes, here it is: [Reads.
They have press'd a power, but it is not known

(8) Shows itself. (9) Sneer.

(10) Demerits and merits had anciently the same meaning.

(11) Pre-occupation.

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Auf. And keep your honours safe!

1 Sen.

2 Sen.

All. Farewell.

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Vol. Indeed, you shall not.

Methinks, I hear hither your husband's drum;
See him pluck Aufidius down by the hair;

As children from a bear, the Volces shunning him:
Methinks, I see him stamp thus, and call thus,-
Come on, you cowards, you were got in fear,
Though you were born in Rome: His bloody brow
With his mail'd hand then wiping, forth he goes;
Like to a harvest-man, that's task'd to mow
Or all, or lose his hire.

Vir. His bloody brow! O, Jupiter, no blood!
Vol. Away, you fool! it more becomes a man,
Than gilt his trophy: The breasts of Hecuba,
When she did suckle Hector, look'd not lovelier
Than Hector's forehead, when it spit forth blood
At Grecian swords' contending.-Tell Valeria,
We are fit to bid her welcome.

[Exit Gent.
Vir. Heavens bless my lord from fell Aufidius.
Vol. He'll beat Aufidius' head below his knee,
And tread upon his neck.
Re-enter Gentlewoman, with Valeria and her
Usher.

Val. My ladies both, good day to you.
Vol. Sweet madam,-

Vir. I am glad to see your ladyship.

Val. How do you both? you are manifest housekeepers. What, are you sewing here? A fine spot,* in good faith.-How does your little son?

Vir. I thank your ladyship; well, good madam. Vol. He had rather see the swords, and hear a drum, that look upon his school-master.

Vol. One of his father's moods.
Val. Indeed, la, 'tis a noble child.
Vir. A crack, madam.

Farewell. Val. O'my word, the father's son: I'll swear, 'tis Farewell. a very pretty boy. O'my troth, I look'd upon him [Exeunt. o'Wednesday half an hour together: he has such a confirmed countenance. I saw him run after a SCENE III.—Rome. An apartment in Marcius' gilded butterfly; and when he caught it, he let it house. Enter Volumnia, and Virgilia: They go again; and after it again; and over and over sit down on two low stools, and sew. he comes, and up again; catched it again: or Vol. I pray you, daughter, sing; or express your-whether his fall enraged him, or how 'twas, he did self in a more comfortable sort: If my son were so set his teeth, and tear it; O, I warrant, how he my husband, I should freelier rejoice in that ab- mammocked' it! sence wherein he won honour, that in the embracements of his bed, where he would show most love. When yet he was but tender-bodied, and the only son of my womb; when youth with comeliness plucked all gaze his way;2 when, for a day of king's entreaties, a mother should not sell him an hour from her beholding; I,-considering how honour would become such a person; that it was no better than picture-like to hang by the wall, if renown made it not stir,-was pleased to let him seek danger where he was like to find fame. To a cruel war I sent him; from whence he returned, his brows bound with oak. I tell thee, daughter,—I sprang not more in joy at first hearing he was a man-child, than now in first seeing he had proved himself á

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Val. Come, lay aside your stitchery; I must have you play the idle huswife with me this afternoon.

Vir. No, good madam; I will not out of doors.
Val. Not out of doors?

Vol. She shall, she shall.

Vir. Indeed, no, by your patience: I will not over the threshold, till my lord return from the wars. Val. Fie, you confine yourself most unreasonably; come, you must go visit the good lady that lies in.

Vir. I will wish her speedy strength, and visit her with my prayers; but I cannot go thither. Vol. Why, I pray you?

Vir. 'Tis not to save labour, nor that I want love. Val. You would be another Penelope: yet, they say, all the yarn she spun, in Ulysses' absence, did but fill Ithaca full of moths. Come; I would, your cambric were sensible as your finger, that you might leave pricking it for pity. Come, you shall go with us.

Vir. No, good madam, pardon me; indeed, I will not forth.

Val. In truth, la, go with me; and I'll tell you excellent news of your husband.

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Vir. O, good madam, there can be none yet. Val. Verily, I do not jest with you; there came news from him last night. Vir. Indeed, madam? Val. In earnest, it's true; heard a senator speak it. Thus it is:-The Volces have an arany forth; against whom Co-uinius the general is gone, with one part of our Roman power: your lord, and Titus Lartius, are set down before their city Corioli; they nothing doubt prevailing, and to make it brief1 wars. This is true, on mine honour; and so, I pray, go with us.

Vir. Give me excuse, good madam; I will obey you in every thing hereafter.

Vol. Let her alone, lady; as she is now, she will

but disease our better mirth.

Val. In troth, I think, she would:-Fare you well then.-Come, good sweet lady.-Pr'ythee, Virgilia, turn thy solemness out o'door and go along

with us.

They do disdain us much beyond our thoughts,
Which makes me sweat with wrath.-Come on, my
fellows;
He that retires, I'll take him for a Volce,
And he shall feel mine edge.

Alarum, and exeunt Romans and Volces, fighting.

The Romans are beaten back to their trenches.
Re-enter Marcius.

Mar. All the contagion of the south light on you,
You shames of Rome! you herd of-Boils and
Plaster you o'er; that you may be abhorr'd
plagues
Further than seen, and one infect another
Against the wind a mile! You souls of geese,
From slaves that apes would beat? Pluto and hell!
That bear the shapes of men, how have you run
i hurt behind; backs red, and faces pale
with flight and agued fear! Mend, and charge
home,

Vir. No: at a word, madam; indeed, I must Or, by the fires of heaven, I'll leave the foe, not. I wish you much mirth. Val. Well, then farewell. And make my wars on you: look to't: Come on; [Exeunt. If you'll stand fast, we'll beat them to their wives, SCENE IV.-Before Corioli. Enter, with drum As they us to our trenches followed. and colours, Marcius, Titus Lartíus, Officers and Soldiers. To them a Messenger.

Mar. Yonder comes news:-A wager, they have met.

Lart. My horse to yours, no.

Mar.

Lart.

'Tis done.

Agreed.
Mar. Say, has our general met the enemy?
Mess. They lie in view; but have not spoke as yet.
Lart. So, the good horse is mine.
Mar.
I'll buy him of you.
Lart. No, I'll nor sell, nor give him: lend you
him, I will,

For half a hundred years.-Summon the town.
Mar. How far off lie the armies?
Mess.
Within this mile and half.
Mar. Then shall we hear their 'larum, and they

ours.

Now, Mars, I pr'ythee, make us quick in work;
That we with smoking swords may march from
hence,

To help our fielded friends!-Come, blow thy blast.
They sound a parley. Enter, on the walls, some
Senators, and others.

Tullus Aufidius, is he within your walls?
1 Sen. No, nor a man that fears you less than he,
That's lesser than a little. Hark, our drums
[Alarums afar off.
Are bringing forth our youth: We'll break our
walls,

Rather than they shall pound us up: our gates,
Which yet seem shut, we have but pinn'd with
rushes;

They'll open of themselves. Hark you, far off;
[Other alarums.
There is Aufidius; list what work he makes
Amongst your cloven army.
Mar.
O, they are at it!
Lart. Their noise be our instruction.-Ladders,
ho!

The Volces enter, and pass over the stage.
Mar. They fear as not, but issue forth their city.
Now put your shields before your hearts, and fight
With hearts more proof than shields.-Advance,
brave Titus:

(1) Short.
(2) In the field of battle.
(3) Having sensation, feeling.

Another alarum. The Volces and Romans reenter, and the fight is renewed. The Volces retire into Corioli, and Marcius follows them to the gates.

So, now the gates are ope:-Now prove good
seconds:

'Tis for the followers fortune widens them,
Not for the fliers: mark me, and do the like.
[He enters the gates, and is shut in.
1 Sol. Fool-hardiness; not I.
2 Sol.
3 Sol.

Have shut him in.
Ail.

Nor I.

See, they [Alarum continues.

To the pot, I warrant him.
Enter Titus Lartius.
Lart. What is become of Marcius?
Al.

Slain, sir, doubtless.
1 Sol. Following the fliers at the very heels,
With them he enters: who, upon the sudden,
Clapp'd to their gates; he is himself alone,
To answer all the city.

3

Lart.
O noble fellow!
Who, sensible, outdares his senseless sword,
And, when it bows, stands up! Thou art left,
A carbuncle entire, as big as thou art,
Marcius:

Were not so rich a jewel. Thou wast a soldier
only in strokes; but, with thy grim looks, and
Even to Cato's wish, not fierce and terrible
The thunder-like percussion of thy sounds,
hou mad'st thine enemies shake, as if the world
Were feverous and did tremble.

Re-enter Marcius bleeding, assaulted by the enemy.
1 Sol.
Look, sir.
Lart.
'Tis Marcius:
Let's fetch him off, or make remain alike.
[They fight, and all enter the city,
SCENE V.-Within the town. A street. En-
ter certain Romans, with spoils.

1 Rom. This I will carry to Rome.

2 Rom. And I this.

3 Rom. A murrain on't! I took this for silver.

[Alarum continues still afar off.

(4) When it is bent.

Enter Marcius, and Titus Lartius, with a trumpet.
Mar. See here these movers, that do prize their
hours

At a crack'd drachm!' Cushions, leaden spoons,
Irons of a doit, doublets that hangmen would
Bury with those that wore them, these base slaves,
Ere yet the fight be done, pack up :-Down with
them.-

And hark, what noise the general makes!-To
him :-

There is the man of my soul's hate, Aufidius,
Piercing our Romans: Then, valiant Titus, take
Convenient numbers to make good the city;
Whilst I, with those that have the spirit, will haste
To help Cominius.

Lart.

Worthy sir, thou bleed'st;

Thy exercise hath been too violent for
A second course of fight.
Mar.

Sir, praise me not:

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Mar. As with a man busied about decrees:
Condemning some to death, and some to exile;
Ransoming him, or pitying, threat'ning the other;
Holding Corioli in the name of Rome,
Even like a fawning greyhound in the leash,

My work hath vet not warm'd me: Fare you well. To let him slip at will.
The blood I drop is rather physical

Than dangerous to me: To Aufidius thus
I will appear, and fight.
Lart.
Now the fair goddess, Fortune,
Fall deep in love with thee; and her great charms
Misguide thy opposers' swords! Bold gentleman,
Prosperity be thy page!
Mar.
Thy friend no less
Than those she placeth highest! So farewell.
Lart. Thou worthiest Marcius!- [Ex. Mar.
Go, sound thy trumpet in the market-place;
Call thither all the officers of the town,
Where they shall know our mind. Away. [Exe.
SCENE VI.-Near the camp of Cominius.

Com.
Where is that slave,
Which told me they had beat you to your trenches?
Where is he? Call him hither.

Mar.

Let him alone,

He did inform the truth: But for our gentlemen,
The common file, (A plague!-Tribunes for them!)
The mouse ne'er shunn'd the cat, as they did budge
From rascals worse than they.

Com.

But how prevail'd you?
Mar. Will the time serve to tell? I do not
think-
Where is the enemy? Are you lords of the field?
If not, why cease you till you are so?
Com.

Marcius,
En-We have at disadvantage fought, and did
Retire to win our purpose.

ter Cominius and forces, retreating.
Com. Breathe you, my friends; well fought, we
are come off

Like Romans, neither foolish in our stands,
Nor cowardly in retire: believe me, sirs,
We shall be charg'd again. Whiles we have struck,
By interims, and conveying gusts, we have heard
The charges of our friends:-The Roman gods
Lead their successes as we wish our own;

That both our powers, with smiling fronts encoun-
tering,

Enter a Messenger.

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Mar How lies their battle? Know you on which
side

They have plac'd their men of trust?
Com.
As I guess, Marcius,
Of their best trust: o'er them Aufidius,
Their bands in the vaward' are the Antiates,*
Their very heart of hope.
Mar.

I do beseech you,
By the blood we have shed together, by the vows
By all the battles wherein we have fought,
We have made to endure friends, that you directly
Set me agains! Aufidius, and his Antiates:
And that you not delay the present; but,
Filling the air with swords advanc'd, and darts,
We prove this very hour.

Com.

Though I could wish
You were conducted to a gentle bath,
And balms applied to you, yet dare I never
Deny your asking; take your choice of those
That best can aid your action.

Mar.

Those are they
That most are willing:-If any such be here
(As it were sin to doubt,) that love this painting
Wherein you see me smear'd; if any fear
Lesser his person than an ill report;
If any think, brave death outweighs bad life,
And that his country's dearer than himself;
Let him, alone, or so many, so minded,
Wave thus, [Waving his hand.] to express his dis-
position,

And follow Marcius.

[They all shout, md wave their swords; take him up in their arms, and cast up their caps. O me, alone! Make you a sword of me? If these shows be not outward, which of you But is four Volces? None of you but is

(5) Present time.

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