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,1

And let me use my sword, I'd make a quarry2 With thousands of these quarter'd slaves, as high As I could pick3 my lance.

Men. Nay, these are almost thoroughly persuaded;

For though abundantly they lack discretion,
Yet are they passing cowardly. But, I beseech you,
What say the other troop?

Mar.

They are dissolved: Hang 'em! They said, they were a 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 answer'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,

(1) Pity, compassion.

(3) Pitch.

(2) Heap of dead.

Shouting their emulation.I

Men.

What is granted them? Mar. Five tribunes to defend their vulgar wis

doms,

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.2

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. 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.

They have a leader,

Mar.
Tullus Aufidius, that will put you to't.
I sin in envying his nobility:

And were Í 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.

Then, worthy Marcius,

1) Faction. (2) For insurgents to debate upon.

Cominius to these wars.

your former promise.

Sir, it is;

n constant.-Titus Lartius, thou

see me once more strike at Tullus' face: at, art thou stiff? stand'st out?

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.

Tit.
Follow, Cominius; we must follow you;
Right worthy your priority.1

Com.

Lead you on:

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:2-Worshipful mutineers, Your valour puts3 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 gird4 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,

(1) Right worthy of precedence. (2) Granaries.

(3) Shows itself.

VOL. VI.

(4) Sneer.

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 demerits2 rob Cominius.

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, More than in singularity, he goes

Upon his present action.

Bru.

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 ?2 "Tis not four days gone,
Since I heard thence; these are the words: I think,

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

(2) Pre-occupation.

[Reads.

I have the letter here; yes, here it is:
They have press'd a power, but it is not known
Whether for east, or west: The dearth is great;
The people mutinous: and it is rumour'd,
Cominius, Marcius your old enemy,

(Who is of Rome worse hated than of you,)
And Titus Lartius, a most valiant Roman,
These three lead on this preparation

Whither 'tis bent: most likely, 'tis for you:
Consider of it.

1. Sen.

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

Auf.

Nor did you think it folly, To keep your great pretences veil'd, till when They needs must show themselves; which in the hatching,

It seem'd, appear'd to Rome. By the discovery, We shall be shorten'd in our aim; which was, To take in many towns, ere, almost, Rome Should know we were afoot.

Noble Aufidius,

your bands:

you to

2 Sen.
Take your commission; hie
Let us alone to guard Corioli:

If they set down before us, for the remove
Bring up your army; but, I think, you'll find
They have not prepared for us.

Auf. O, doubt not that; 1 speak from certainties. Nay, more.

Some parcels of their powers are forth already,
And only hitherward. I leave your honours.
If we and Caius Marcius chance to meet,
'Tis sworn between us, we shall never strike
Till one can do no more.

Au.

The gods assist you! Auf. And keep your honours safe!

1 Sen.

2 Sen.

(1) To subdue.

Farewell.

Farewell.