They said they were an-hungry; sigh'd forth proverbs, 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. MENENIUS What is granted them? MARCIUS 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. MENENIUS This is strange. MARCIUS Go, get you home, you fragments!
Enter a Messenger, hastily Messenger Where's Caius Marcius? MARCIUS Here: what's the matter? Messenger The news is, sir, the Volsces are in arms. MARCIUS I am glad on 't: then we shall ha' means to vent Our musty superfluity. See, our best elders.
Enter COMINIUS, TITUS LARTIUS, and other Senators; JUNIUS BRUTUS and SICINIUS VELUTUS First Senator Marcius, 'tis true that you have lately told us;
The Volsces are in arms. MARCIUS 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. COMINIUS You have fought together. MARCIUS 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 Senator Then, worthy Marcius, Attend upon Cominius to these wars. COMINIUS It is your former promise. MARCIUS Sir, it is;
And I am constant. Titus Lartius, thou Shalt see me once more strike at Tullus' face.
What, art thou stiff? stand'st out? TITUS No, Caius Marcius;
I'll lean upon one crutch and fight with t'other, Ere stay behind this business. MENENIUS O, true-bred! First Senator Your company to the Capitol; where, I know, Our greatest friends attend us. TITUS [To COMINIUS] Lead you on.
To MARCIUS Right worthy you priority. COMINIUS Noble Marcius! First Senator [To the Citizens] Hence to your homes; be gone! MARCIUS Nay, let them follow:
The Volsces have much corn; take these rats thither To gnaw their garners. Worshipful mutiners, Your valour puts well forth: pray, follow.
Citizens steal away. Exeunt all but SICINIUS and BRUTUS SICINIUS Was ever man so proud as is this Marcius? BRUTUS He has no equal. SICINIUS When we were chosen tribunes for the people,-- BRUTUS Mark'd you his lip and eyes? SICINIUS Nay. but his taunts. BRUTUS Being moved, he will not spare to gird the gods. SICINIUS Be-mock the modest moon. BRUTUS The present wars devour him: he is grown Too proud to be so valiant. SICINIUS 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. BRUTUS 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!' SICINIUS Besides, if things go well, Opinion that so sticks on Marcius shall Of his demerits rob Cominius. BRUTUS Come:
Half all Cominius' honours are to Marcius.
Though Marcius earned them not, and all his faults To Marcius shall be honours, though indeed In aught he merit not. SICINIUS Let's hence, and hear How the dispatch is made, and in what fashion, More than his singularity, he goes Upon this present action. BRUTUS Lets along.
