Rome and her rats are at the point of battle, 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, 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, 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 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, Bane. 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,9 I And let me use my sword, I'd make a quarry 1 2 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 pro verbs 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, 9 Pity, compassion. * Heap of dead. 2 Pitch. (To break the heart of generosity, And make bold powerlook pale,) they threw their caps As they would hang them on the horns o'the moon, Shouting their emulation.3 Men. What is granted them? Mar. Five tribunes to defend their vulgar wisdoms, Win upon power, and throw forth greater themes 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: 3 Faction 4 For insurgents to debate upon. 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 1 Sen. Then, worthy Marcius, Attend upon Cominius to these wars. Com. It is your former promise. Mar. Sir, it is; And I am constant.-Titus Lartius, thou Shalt see me once more strike at Tullus' face: No, Caius Marcius; Tit. 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. Tit. Lead you on: Follow, Cominius; we must follow you; Right worthy you priority.5 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, 5 Right worthy of precedence. 6 Granaries. 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 peo ple, Bru. Mark'd you his lip, and eyes? Sic. Nay, but his taunts. Bru. Being mov'd, he will not spare to gird3 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,- Had borne the business! Sic. Besides, if things go well, Opinion, that so sticks on Marcius, shall Of his demerits9 rob Cominius. 7 Shows itself. 8 Sneer. • Demerits and merits had anciently the same meaning. |