And, through the cranks and offices of man^{9 note}

1 Cit.
Ay, sir; well, well.

Men.
Though all at once cannot
See what I do deliver out to each;
Yet I can make my audit up, that all
From me do back receive the flower of all,
And leave me but the bran. What say you to't?

1 Cit.
It was an answer: How apply you this?

Men.
The senators of Rome are this good belly,
And you the mutinous members: For examine
Their counsels, and their cares; digest things rightly,
Touching the weal o' the common; you shall find,
No publick benefit which you receive,
But it proceeds, or comes, from them to you,

And no way from yourselves.—What do you think?
You, the great toe of this assembly?—

1 Cit.
I the great toe? Why the great toe?

Men.
For that being one o' the lowest, basest, poorest,
Of this most wise rebellion, thou go'st foremost:
Thou rascal, that art worst in blood, to run
Lead'st first, to win some vantage^{1 note}

But make you ready your stiff bats and clubs;
Rome and her rats are at the point of battle,
The one side must have bale^{2 note}

Mar.
Thanks.—What's the matter, you dissentious rogues,
That rubbing the poor itch of your opinion,
Make yourselves scabs?

1 Cit.
We have ever your good word.

Mar.
He that will give good words to thee, will flatter
Beneath abhorring.—What would you have, you curs,
That like nor peace, nor war? the one affrights you,
The other makes you proud^{3 note}
. He that trusts you,
Where he should find you lions, finds you hares;
Where foxes, geese: You are no surer, no,
Than is the coal of fire upon the ice,
Or hailstone in the sun. Your virtue is,

To make him worthy, whose offence subdues him,
And curse that justice did it^{4 note}

. Who deserves greatness,
Deserves your hate: and your affections are
A sick man's appetite, who desires most that
Which would increase his evil. He that depends
Upon your favours, swims with fins of lead,
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 matter,
That in these several places of the city
You cry against the noble senate, who,
Under the gods, keep you in awe, which else
Would feed on one another?—What's their seeking^{5 note}?

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^{6 note}
: 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^{7 note},
And let me use my sword, I'd make a quarry
With thousands^{8 note}

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 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^{1 note}

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^{4 note},
Ere so prevail'd with me: it will in time
Win upon power, and throw forth greater themes
For insurrection's arguing^{5 note}.

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^{6 note}
.

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^{7 note}
.—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 know,
Our greatest friends attend us.

Tit.
Lead you on:
Follow, Cominius; we must follow you;
Right worthy you priority^{8 note}

Com.
Noble Lartius^{9 note}!

1 Sen.
Hence! To your homes, be gone. [To the Citizens.

Mar.
Nay, let them follow:
The Volces have much corn; take these rats thither,
To gnaw their garners:—Worshipful mutineers,
Your valour puts well forth^{1 note}