And let me use my sword, I'd make a quarry 4
With thousands of these quarter'd slaves, as high
As I could pick 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?

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 an

swer'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 Volces 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, and other Senators; JUNIUS BRUTUS, and SICINIUS VELUTUS.

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

us;

The Volces 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'd revolt, to make
Only my wars with him: he is a lion
That I am proud to hunt.

1 Sen.

Then, worthy Marcius,

Attend upon Cominius to these wars.

Com. It is your former promise.
Mar.

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?

Tit.

No, Caius Marcius;

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

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

Mar.

[To the Citizens.

Nay, let them follow:

The Volces 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 Mene.
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 peo

Bru. Mark'd you his lip, and eyes?

Sic.

Nay, but his taunts.

Bru. Being mov'd, he will not spare to gird the

gods5.

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
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.

Besides, if things go well,

Opinion, that so sticks on Marcius, shall

Of his demerits rob Cominius 6.

Bru.

Come;

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 this present action.
Bru.

Let's along.

[Exeunt.

SCENE II.

Corioli. The Senate-House.

Enter TULLUS AUFIDIUS, and certain 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 hath 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:

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.

1 Sen.

Our army's in the field:

[reads.

We never yet made doubt but Rome was ready.

: