Than is the coal of fire upon the ice, Or hailstone in the sun. 180 To make him worthy, whose offence subdues him, And curse that justice did it. Who deserves great ness, Deserves your hate: and your affections are And hews down oaks with rushes. Hang ye! Trust 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 mat ter, That in these several places of the city You cry against the noble senate, who, Under the gods, keep you in awe, which else 190 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, 200 Below Below their cobled shoes. They say, there's grain enough? Would the nobility lay aside their ruth, And let me use my sword, I'd make a quarry With thousands of these quarter'd slaves, as high As I could pike 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 says the other troop? 211 Mar. They are dissolv'd: 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 220 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 wis doms, Of their own choice: One's Junius Brutus, B Sicinius Sicinius Velutus, and I know not -'s death! 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 Men. This is strange. Mar. Go, get you home, you fragments I Enter a Messenger. Mes. Where's Caius Marcius? Mar. Here: What's the matter? 230 Mes. 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. Enter COMINIUS, TITUS LARTIUS, with other Senators; JUNIUS BRUTUS, and SICINIUS VE LUTUS. 1 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. 240 Mar. Were half to half the world by the ears, and he Upon Upon my party, 'I'd revolt, to make 1 Sen. Then, worthy Marcius, And I am constant.-Titus Lartius, thou Tit. No, Caius Marcius; 250 I'll lean upon one crutch, and fight with the other, Ere stay behind this business. Men. O, true bred! 260 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 Lartius ! 1 Sen. Hence! To your homes, be gone! Mar. Nay, let them follow: [To the Citizens. The Volsces have much corn; take these rats thither, Το gnaw their garners :-Worshipful mutineers, 270 Your valour puts well forth: pray, follow. Citizens steal away. Manent SICINIUS, aud Brutus. Sic. Was ever man so proud as is this Marcius? 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. 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, Tickled with good success, disdains the shadow Under Cominius. 280 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 290 To the utmost of a man; and giddy censure Will then cry out on Marcius, 0, if he Had borne the business! Sic. Besides, if things go well, Opinion, that so sticks on Marcius, shall Bru. |