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 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, Shouting their emulation.

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,
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 Volsces are in arms.

Mar. I am glad on't: then, we shall have means to

vent

Our musty superfluity.-See, our best elders.

the heart of GENEROSITY,] To give the final blow (says Johnson) to the "Generosity" is high birth.

Enter COMINIUS, TITUS LARTIUS, and other Senators; JUNIUS BRUTUS, and SICINIUS VELUTUS.

1 Sen. Marcius, 'tis true, that you have lately told

us;

The Volsces are in arms.

They have a leader,

Mar.
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 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.

And I am constant.-Titus Lartius, thou
Shalt see me once more strike at Tullus' face.
What! art thou stiff? stand'st out?

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.

Com.

Noble Marcius!

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

Mar.

[To the Citizens. Nay, let them follow.

The Volsces 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 1o.

Sic. Bemock 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 grac'd, 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.

66

Besides, if things go well,

Opinion, that so sticks on Marcius, shall

Of his demerits rob Cominius'.

Bru.

Come:

10 - he will not spare to GIRD the gods.] i. e. to reproach, taunt, or gibe. See, for the substantive, Vol. v. p. 52. The words "the bishop hath a kindly gird," in that place may mean that the king has just given Beaufort a gentle reproof.

1 Of his DEMERITS rob Cominius.] Merits and " demerits " had anciently the same meaning.

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 his singularity', he goes

Upon his present action.

Bru.

Let's along.

[Exeunt.

SCENE II.

Corioli. The Senate-House.

Enter TULLUS AUFIDIUS, and 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 have 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,
I have the letter here; yes, here it is :- [Reads.
"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."

2 More than HIS singularity,] Modern editors read "in singularity," contrary to all the old authorities.

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 towns3, ere, almost, Rome

Should know we were afoot.

2 Sen.

Noble Aufidius,

Take your commission; hie you to your bands.
Let us alone to guard Corioli:

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

Auf.

O! doubt not that;

I speak from certainties. Nay, more;
Some parcels of their power are forth already,
And only hitherward. I leave your honours.
If we and Caius Marcius chance to meet,
"Tis sworn between us, we shall ever strike
Till one can do no more*.

3 TO TAKE IN many towns,] To "take in" is to subdue. It was used in this sense by many writers of the time of Shakespeare; and it occurs again in A. iii. sc. 2, of this tragedy.

Till one can do no more.] So the folio, 1623: Malone (Shakespeare by Boswell) gives a directly contrary sense by reading-"we shall never strike." "We shall ever strike" is, of course," We shall continue to strike."