2 Cit. Y' 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: Even to the court, the heart, to the seat o' the brain; The strongest nerves, and small inferior veins, Whereby they live. And though that all at once, 2 Cit. See what I do deliver out to each, "Though all at once cannot that all 2 Cit. It was an answer. But it proceeds, or comes, from them to you, What do you think? You, the great toe of this assembly? – 2 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 art 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. Mar. Thanks. Hail, noble Marcius! Enter CAIUS MARCIUS. What's the matter, you dissentious rogues, That rubbing the poor itch of your opinion, 2 Cit We have ever your good word. Mar. He that will give good words to thee, will flatter 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? 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, Below their cobbled shoes. They say, there's grain enough? And let me use my sword, I'd make a quarry With thousands of these quarter'd slaves, as high Men. Nay, these are almost thoroughly persuaded; Yet are they passing cowardly. But, I beseech you, Mar. They vented their complainings; which being answer'd (To break the heart of generosity, And make bold power look pale) they threw their caps 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, Win upon power, and throw forth greater themes Mar. Go; get you home, you fragments! Enter a Messenger. Here. Mess. Where 's Caius Marcius? Mae. What 's the matter? Mess. The news is, Sir, the Volsces 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, 't is true, that you have lately told us; The Volsces are in arms. They have a leader, Mar. 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 th' 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. And I am constant. Titus Lartius, thou Tit. No, Caius Marcius; I'll lean upon one crutch, and fight with the other, 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 Marcius! [To the Citizens. Nay, let them follow 1 Sen. Hence! To your homes! be gone. Mar. The Volsces have much corn: take these rats thither, To gnaw their garners. Worshipful mutineers, Your valour puts well forth: pray, follow. [Exeunt Senators, Coм. 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, — 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 But I do wonder, Tickled with good success, disdains the shadow His insolence can brook to be commanded Under Cominius. Bru. Fame, at the which he aims, In whom already he is well grac'd, cannot 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 In aught he merit not. Sic. Let's hence, and hear How the despatch is made; and in what fashion, |