As I could pitch my lance. Men. Nay, thefe are almoft thoroughly perfuaded : For though abundantly they lack diferetion, Yet are they paffing cowardly. But, I befeech you, Mar. They are diffolv'd; hang 'em, They said they were an hungry, figh'd forth proverbs; That hunger broke flone 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 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' th' moon, Shouting their emulation. Men. What is granted them? Mar. Five Tribunes to defend their vulgar wifdoms, Of their own choice. One's Junius Brutus, Sicinius Velutus, and I know not -s' death, The rabble fhould have firft unroof'd the city Ere fo prevail'd with me! it will in time Win upon Power, and throw forth greater themes Men. This is range. Mar. Go, get you home, you fragments! Me. Where's Caius Marcius? Mar. Here-what's the matter? Me. The news is, Sir, the Volfcians are in arms. Mar. I'm glad on't; then we fhall have means to vent Our mufty fuperfluity. See our best elders SCENE IV. Enter Sicinius Velutus, Junius Brutus, Cominius, Titus Lartius, with other Senators. I Sen. Marcius, 'tis true that The Volscians are in arms. Mar. They have a leader, Cc 2 you have lately told us, Tullus 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 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. That I am proud to hunt. He is a lion 1 Sen. Then, worthy Marcius, Attend upon Cominius to thefe wars. Mar. Sir, it is; And I am conftant. Titus Lartius, thou Shalt fee me once more strike at Tullus' face. What, art thou stiff? ftand'ft out? Lart. No, Caius Marcius, I'll lean upon one crutch, and fight with t'other, Men. O true bred! 1 Sen. Your company to th' Capitol, where I know Our greatest friends attend us. Lart. Lead you on; Follow, Cominius; we muft follow Right worthy your priority.' Com. Noble Lartius 1 Sen. Hence to you you; homes. Mar. Nay, let them follow; The Volfcians have much corn: take thefe rats thither, [Exeunt. [Citizens feal away. Manent Sicinius and Brutus. Sic. Was ever man fo proud as is this Marcius? Bru. He has no equal. Sic. When we were chofen Tribunes for the peopleBru. Mark'd you his lip and eyes? Sic. Nay, but his taunts. Bru. Being mov'd, he will not fpare to gird the godsSi. Be-mock the modeft moon, Bru. 1 Bru. The prefent wars devour him! He is Too proud to be so valiant. Sic. Such a nature, Tickled with good fuccefs, difdains the fhadow grown Bru. Fame, at the which he aims, Sic. Befides, if things go well, Opinion, that fo fticks on Marcius, fhall Bru. Come; Half all Cominius' honours are to Marcius, Though Marcius earn'd them not; and all his faults In aught he merit not. Sic. Let's hence, and hear How the dispatch is made; and in what fashion,, Upon this prefent action. Bru. Let's along.. SCENE V. Changes to Corioli. [Exeunt. Enter Tullus Aufidius, with Senators of Corioli.. That they of Rome are entred in our counfels, Auf. Is it not your's? Whatever hath been thought on in this state, That could be brought to bodily act, ere Rome Since I heard thence-thefe are the words-I think I have the letter here; yes-here it is: They have prefs'd a power, but it is not known Cc 3 [Reading. Whether Whether for east or weft; the dearth is great, (Who is of Rome worse hated than of you), Whither 'tis bent—most likely 'tis for you: 1 Sen. Our army's in the field : We never yet made doubt, but Rome was ready Auf. Nor did you think it folly, To keep your great pretences veil'd, till when To take in many towns, ere (almost) Rome 2 Sen. Noble Aufidius, Take your commiffion, hie you to your bands; If they fet down before's, 'fore they remove, Anf. O, doubt not that, I fpeak from certainties. Nay more, All. The gods affift you! Auf. And keep your Honours fafe! I Sen. Farewel. 2 Sen. Farewel. All. Farewel. SCENE VI. [Exeunt. Changes to Caius Marcius's houfe in Rome. Enter Volumnia and Virgilia; they fit down on two low fools, and fow. Vol. I pray you, daughter, fing, or exprefs yourself in in a more comfortable fort. If my fon were my hufband, I would freelier rejoice in that absence wherein he won honour, than in the embracements of his bed, where he would fhew moft love. When yet he was but tender-bodied, and the only fon of my womb; when youth with comeliness plucked all gaze his way; when, for a day of kings' intreaties, a mother should not fell him an hour from her beholding; I confidering how Honour would become fuch a perfon, that it was no better than picture-like to hang by th' wall, if Renown made it not ftir, was pleas'd to let him feek Danger where he was like to find Fame: to a cruel war I fent him, from whence he return'd, his brows bound with oak. I tell thee, daughter, I sprang not more in joy at first hearing he was a man-child, than now in first feeing he had proved himself a man. Vir. But had he died in the business, madam; how then? Vol. Then his good report fhould have been my fon; I therein would have found iffue. Hear me profefs fincerely: Had I a dozen fons each in my love alike, and none lefs dear than thine and my good Marcius, I had rather eleven die nobly for their country, than one voluptuously furfeit out of action. Enter a Gentlewoman. Gent. Madam, the Lady Valeria is come to vifit you. Vol. Indeed thou shalt not. "Methinks I hither hear your husband's drum : "I fee him pluck Aufidius down by th' hair; 66 Though ye were born in Rome; his bloody brow "With his mail'd hand then wiping, forth he goes "Like to a harvest-man, that's task'd to mow "Or all, or lose his hire. Vir. "His bloody brow! oh, Jupiter, no blood!Vol. "Away, you fool; it more becomes a man, "Than gilt his trophy. The breaft of Hecuba, "When he did fuckle Hector, look'd not lovelier "Than 1 |