Thou rafcal, that art 5 'first from blows to run,
Lead'ft firft to win fome vantage.

But make you ready your stiff bats and clubs,
Rome and her rats are at the point of battel:
The one fide must have 'bane.

SCEN E III.

Enter Caius Martius.

Hail, noble Martius!

[rogues,

Mar. Thanks. What's the matter, you diffentious That, rubbing the poor itch of your opinion, Make your felves fcabs?

2 Cit. We have ever your good word.

Mar. He that will give good words to thee, will flatter Beneath abhorring. What would you have, ye curs, That like not peace, nor war? The one affrights you, The other makes you proud. He that trufts to you, Where he should find you lions, finds you hares: Where foxes, geese you are: no furer, no, Than is the coal of fire upon the ice,

Or hailstone in the fun. Your virtue is,

To make him worthy, whofe offence fubdues him,
And curfe that juftice did it. Who deferves greatness,
Deserves your hate; and your affections are

A fick man's appetite, who defires most that

Which would encrease his evil. He that depends
Upon your favours, fwims with fins of lead,

And hews down oaks with rushes. Hang ye-truft 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 the feveral places of the city

You cry againft the noble Senate, who
(Under the Gods) keep you in awe, which elfe

Would feed on one another?-What's their feeking?

5 worst in blood

Men.

6 Bail or Bale... old edit. Warb, emend.

Men. For corn at their own rates, whereof, they fay, The city is well ftor'd.

Mar. Hang 'em: they fay!

They'll fit by th' fire, and prefume to know
What's done i'th' Capitol; who's like to rife,
And who declines: fide factions, and give out
Conjectural marriages; making parties strong,
And feebling fuch as ftand not in their liking,
Below their cobbled fhoes. They fay there's grain
Enough! would the Nobility lay afide

Their ruth, and let me ufe my fword, I'd make
A quarry with thousands of these quarter'd slaves,
As high as I could pitch my lance.

Men. Nay, these

Are almost thoroughly perfuaded: for
"'Although abundantly they lack difcretion,
Yet are they paffing cowardly. I befeech you,
What fays the other troop?

Mar. They are 9 'diffolv'd ;`

They faid they were an hungry, figh'd forth proverbs;
That bunger broke ftone walls-that dogs must eat-
That meat was made for mouths-that the Gods fent not
Corn for the rich men only-
With thefe fhreds

They vented their complainings; which being answer'd,
And a petition granted them, a ftrange one,

To break the heart of generofity,

And make bold power look pale; they threw their caps As they would hang them on the horns o'th' moon, Shouting their emulation.

Men. What is granted?

Mar. Five tribunes to defend their vulgar wifdoms,

Of their own choice.

One of them's Junius Brutus,

Sicinius Velutus, and I know not-s'death!

The rabble fhould have first unroof'd the city
Ere fo prevail'd with me: it will in time

Win upon power, and throw forth greater themes.
For infurrection's arguing.

7 Though 8 But, I 9 diffolv'd; hang 'em

Men. 1 One's

Men. This is ftrange.

Mar. Go, get you home, you fragments!
Enter a Meffenger.

Mef. Where's Caius Martius?

Mar. Here

what is the matter?

Mef. The news is, Sir, the Volfcians are in arms.

Mar. I am glad on't, then we shall have means to vent Our musty fuperfluity. See! our beft elders

SCEN E IV.

Enter Sicinius Velutus, Junius Brutus, Cominius, Titus Lartius, with other Senators.

1 Sen. Martius, 'tis true, that you have lately told us, The Volfcians are in arms.

Mar. They have a leader,

Tullus Aufidius, that will put you to't.

I fin in envying his nobility:.

And were I any thing but what I am,

I'd with me only him.

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.

I Sen. Then, worthy Martius,

Attend upon Cominius to thefe wars.
Com. It is your former promise.
Mar. Sir, it is;

And I am conftant: Titus Lartius, thou
Shalt fee me once more ftrike at Tullus' face.

What, art thou ftiff? ftand'ft out?

Lar. No, Caius Martius;

I'll lean upon one crutch and fight with t'other,

Ere stay behind this business.

Men. O true bred!

1 Sen. Your company to th' Capitol; where I know

Our

Our greatest friends attend us.

Lar. Lead you on;

Follow, Cominius! we muft follow you,

Right worthy your priority.

Com. Noble Lartius!

1 Sen. Hence to your homes-be gone. [To the Citizens. Mar. Nay, let them follow;

The Volfcians have much corn: take thefe rats thither
To gnaw their garners. Worfhipful mutineers,
Your valour puts well forth; I pray you, follow. [Exe.
[Citizens fteal away. Manent Sicinius and Brutus.
Sic. Was ever man fo proud as is this Martius?
Bru. He has no equal.

Sic. When we were chofen tribunes for the people—
Bru. Mark'd you his lip and eyes?

Sic. Nay, but his taunts.

Bru. Being mov'd, he will not fpare to gird the GodsSic. Be-mock the modeft moon.

Bru. The prefent wars devour him! he is grown Too proud of being fo` valiant.

3

Sic. Such a nature,

Tickled with good fuccefs, difdains the fhadow
Which he treads on at noon; but I do wonder
His infolence can brook to be commanded
Under Cominius.

Bru. Fame, 4'at which he aims,

In 'which already he is well grac'd, cannot
Better be held, nor more attain'd, than by
A place below the firft; for what mifcarries
Shall be the General's fault, tho' he perform
To the utmost of a man; and giddy cenfure
Will then cry out of Martius; oh, if be
Had born the business-

Sic.

And if things go well,
Opinion, that fo fticks on Martius, fhall
Of his demerits rob Cominius.

Bru. Come;

Half all Cominius' honours are to Martius,
Though Martius earn them not; and all his faults
To Martius fhall be honours, though indeed
In ought he merit not.

Sic. Let's hence, and hear

How the dispatch is made; and in what fashion,
More than 7 'this' fingularity, he goes
Upon this present action.

I

Bra. Let's along.

SCENE V.

CORIOL I.

[Exeunt.

Enter Tullus Aufidius with Senators of Corioli. Sen. So, your opinion is, Aufidius,

That they of Rome are entred in our counfels, 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-thefe are the words-I think
I have the letter here, yes-here it is;

They have preft a power, but it is not known
Whether for Eaft or Weft; the dearth is great,
The people mutinous; and it is rumour'd
Cominius, Martius your old enemy,
(Who is of Rome worfe hated than of you)
And Titus Lartius, a most valiant Roman,
These three lead on this preparation

Whither 'tis bent-moft likely, 'tis for you:
Confider of it.

I Sen. Our army's in the field:
We never yet made doubt but Rome was ready
To answer us.

Auf.