1 Citizen.

Before we proceed any further, here me speak.

All.

Speak, speak.

1 Cit.

You are all resolved rather to die, than to famish?

All.

Resolv'd, resolv'd.

1 Cit.

First, you know, Caius Marcius is the chief enemy to the people.

All.

We know't.

1 Cit.

Let us kill him, and we'll have corn at our own price. Is't a verdict?

All.

Let't be done; away, away!

2 Cit.

One word, good citizens. Would you proceed especially against Caius Marcius?

1 Cit.

Against him first: he's a very dog to the commonalty.

2 Cit.

Consider you what services he has done for his country.

1 Cit.

Very well;—and could be content to give him good report for't, but that he pays himself with being proud

2 Cit.

Nay, but speak not maliciously.

1 Cit.

I say unto you, what he hath done famously, he did it to please his mother, and partly to be proud; which he is, even to the altitude of his virtue.

2 Cit.

What he cannot help in his nature, you account a vice in him: you must in no way say he is covetous.

1 Cit.

If I must not, I need not be barren of accusations; he hath faults, with surplus, to tire in repetition.

What shouts are those? the other side o'th' city is risen! why stay we prating here? to th' Capitol—

All.

Come, come.

Enter Caius Marcius and Menenius.

Mar.
What's the matter, you dissentious rogues.

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, ye curs,
That like not peace, nor war? The one affrights you,
The other makes you proud. He that trusts to you,
Where he should find you lions, finds you hares;
Where foxes, geese. 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 the 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?

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 th' fire, and presume to know

What's done i'th' Capitol;
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, and let me use my sword, I'd make
A quarry of thousands of these quarter'd slaves,
As high as I could pitch my lance.

Men.
I beseech you, What says the other troop?

Mar.
They are dissolv'd
They said they were an hungry, sigh'd forth proverbs;
That hunger broke stone walls—that dogs must eat—
With these shreds, that meat was made for mouths
That the God's sent not corn for the rich men only,
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 pow'r 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 wisdoms,
Of their own choice. One Junius Brutus,
Sicinius Velutus, and I know not &wblank;'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,
For insurrection's arguing.

Men.
This is strange.

Mar.
Go, get you home, you fragments! Enter a Roman Officer.

Officer.
Where's Caius Marcius?

Mar.
Here—what is the matter?

Officer.
The news Sir, is, the Volscians are in arms.

Mar.
I am glad on't, then we shall have means to vent
Our musty superfluity. Enter Cominius, Sicinius and Brutus.

Com.
Martius, 'tis true what you have lately told us,
The Volscians 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'd wish me only him.

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. He is a lion
That I am proud to hunt.

Men.
Then, worthy Marcius,
Attend upon Cominius to these wars.

Com.
It is your former promise.

Mar.
Sir, it is;
  And I am constant: thou
Shalt see me once more strike at Tullus' face.

Men.
O true bred!

Com.
Your company to th' Capitol; where I know
Our greatest friends attend us.

Mar.
Lead you on;

Men.
Hence to your homes—be gone. (To the Citizens.

Mar.
Nay, let them follow;
The Volscians have much corn: take these rats thither,
To gnaw their garners. Worshipful mutineers,
Your valour puts well forth; I pray you follow. [Exeunt. Cominius, Marcius and Menenius, Citizens steal away.

Sic.
Was ever man so proud
As is this Marcius?

Bru.
He has no equal.

Sic.
When we were chosen tribunes of 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—
The present war devour him! he is grown
Too proud of being 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 which he aims,
In which 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, tho' he perform
To the utmost of a man; and giddy censure
Will then cry out of Marcius; oh, if he
Had borne the business—

Sic.
And if things go well,
Opinion, that so sticks on Marcius, shall
Of his demerits rob Cominius.

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 dispatch is made; and in what fashion,
More than his singularity, he goes
Upon this present action.

Bru.

Let's along.