And call him noble that was now your hate,
Him vile that was your garland.

matter,

That in these several places of the city
You cry against the noble senate, who,

What's the

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 stored.

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,

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

Men. Nay, these are almost thoroughly per-
suaded;

For though abundantly they lack discretion,

Yet are they passing cowardly.

you,

But, I beseech

They are dissolved: hang 'em!

What says the other troop?

Mar.

They said they were an-hungry; sigh'd forth

proverbs,

197. side factions, take sides

in factions.

202. quarry (a sporting term:

190

200

That hunger broke stone walls, that dogs must eat, 210 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!

220

Enter a Messenger, hastily.

Here: what's the matter?

Mess. Where's Caius Marcius?

Mar.
Mess. The news is, sir, the Volsces are in arms.
Mar. I am glad on 't: then we shall ha' means

to vent

Our musty superfluity. See, our best elders.

230

215. break the heart of generosity, give the death-blow to the power of the nobles.

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

First Sen. Marcius, 'tis true that you have

lately told us;

The Volsces are in arms.

Mar.

They have a leader,

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 the ears,

and he

Upon my party, I'ld revolt, to make

Only my wars with him: he is a lion

That I am proud to hunt.

First Sen.

Then, worthy Marcius, 240

Sir, it is ;

Attend upon Cominius to these wars.
Com. It is your former promise.
Mar.

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

First Sen. Your company to the Capitol; where,

[To Com.] Lead you on.

[To Mar.] Follow Cominius; we must follow you ; 250

Right worthy you priority.

Com.

Noble Marcius !

245. stiff, stubborn,

First Sen. [To the Citizens] Hence to your

homes; be gone!

Your valour puts well forth: pray, follow.

[Citizens steal away. Exeunt all but Sicinius and Brutus.

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 moved, he will not spare to gird the gods.

Sic. Be-mock the modest moon.

Bru. The present wars devour him: he is grown Too proud to be so valiant.

Such a nature,

Sic.
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's well graced, can not
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

263. to be, of being.

260

270

Come:

Of his demerits rob Cominius.

Bru.

.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

280

How the dispatch is made, and in what fashion,
More than his singularity, he goes

Upon this present action.

Bru.

Let's along. [Exeunt.

SCENE II. Corioli.

The Senate-house.

Enter TULLUS AUFIDIUS and certain Senators.

First 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

276. demerits, desert (in a

good sense).

282. More than his singu

larity, apart from his individual temperament.

2. enter'd in, privy to.