2 Cit.

Worthy Menenius Agrippa; one that hath always lov'd the people.

1 Cit.

He's one honest enough, would all the rest were so.

Men.

What work's, my countrymen, in hand? where go

you with your bats and clubs? the matter—speak, I pray you.

2 Cit.

Our business is not unknown to the senate, they have had inkling, this fortnight, what we intend to do, which now we'll shew 'em in deeds: they say, poor suiters have strong breaths, they shall know we have strong arms too.

Men.

Why masters, my good friends, mine honest neighbours, will you undo your selves?

2 Cit.
We cannot, Sir, we are undone already.

Men.
I tell you, friends, most charitable care
Have the Patricians of you: For your wants,
Your sufferings in this dearth, you may as well
Strike at the heaven with your staves, as lift them
Against the Roman state; whose course will on
The way it takes, cracking ten thousand curbs
Of more strong links asunder, than can ever
Appear in your impediment. For the dearth;
The Gods, not the Patricians, make it; and
Your knees to them, not arms must help. Alack,
You are transported by calamity
Thither, where more attends you; and you slander
The helms o'th' state, who care for you, like fathers,
When you curse them as enemies.

2 Cit.

Care for us!—true indeed, they ne'er car'd for us yet. Suffer us to famish, and their store-houses cramm'd with grain: make edicts for usury, to support usurers; repeal daily any wholsome act established against the rich, and provide more piercing statutes daily to chain up and restrain the poor. If the wars eat us not up, they will, and there's all the love they bear us.

Men.
Either you must
Confess your selves wondrous malicious,
Or be accus'd of folly. I shall tell you

A pretty tale, it may be you have heard it,
But since it serves my purpose, I will venture
To scale't a little more.

2 Cit.
Well,
I'll hear it, Sir—yet you must not think
To fob off our disgrace with a tale:
But, and't please you, deliver.

Men.
There was a time when all the bodies members
Rebell'd against the belly; thus accus'd it—
That only like a gulf it did remain
I'th' midst o'th' body, idle and unactive,
Still cupboarding the viand, never bearing
Like labour with the rest; where th'other instruments
Did see, and hear, devise, instruct, walk, feel,
And mutually participate, did minister
Unto the appetite, and affection common
Of the whole body. The belly answer'd—

2 Cit.
Well, Sir, what answer made the belly?

Men.
Sir, I shall tell you with a kind of smile,
Which ne'er came from the lungs, but even thus—
(For look you, I may make the belly smile,
As well as speak) it tauntingly reply'd
To the discontented members, the mutinous parts
That envied his receit; even so most fitly,
As you malign our senators, for that
They are not such as you—

2 Cit.
Your belly's answer—what
The kingly crowned head, the vigilant eye,
The counsellor heart, the arm our soldier,
Our steed the leg, the tongue our trumpeter;
With other muniments and petty helps
In this our fabrick, if that they—

Men.
What then?—for me this fellow speaks.

What then? what then?

2 Cit.
Should by the cormorant belly be restrain'd;
Who is the sink o'th' body—

Men.
Well,—what then?

2 Cit.
The former agents, if they did complain,
What could the belly answer?

Men.
I will tell you,
If you'll bestow a small (of what you have little)
Patience, a while; you'll hear the belly's answer.

2 Cit.
Y'are long about it.

Men.
Note me this, good friend;
Your most grave belly was deliberate,
Not rash, like his accusers, and thus answer'd;
True is it, my incorporate friends, quoth he,
That I receive the general food at first
Which you do live upon; and fit it is,
Because I am the store-house, and the shop
Of the whole body. But if you do remember,
I send it through the rivers of your blood
Even to the court, the heart, to th' seat o'th' brain,
And through the cranks and offices of man;
The strongest nerves, and small inferior veins
From me receive that natural competency
Whereby they live. And though that all at once,
You, my good friends, (this says the belly) mark me—

2 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 flow'r of all,
And leave me but the bran. What say you to't?

2 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'th' common, you shall find
No publick benefit which you receive,
But it proceeds or comes from them to you,
And no way from your selves. What do you think?
You, the great toe of this assembly?

2 Cit.
I the great toe! why the great toe?

Men.
For that being one o'th' lowest, basest, poorest
Of this most wise rebellion, thou goest formost:
Thou rascal, that are worst in blood to run,
Lead'st first to win some vantage.
But make you ready your stiff bats and clubs,
Rome and her rats are at the point of battel:
The one side must have bail. SCENE III. Enter Caius Martius.

Hail, noble Martius!

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

2 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 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. Who deserves greatness,
Deserves your hate; and your affections are
A sick man's appetite, who desires most that
Which would encrease 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 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; who's like to rise,
Who thrives, and who declines: side factions, and give out
Conjectural marriages; making parties strong,
And feebling such as stand not in their liking,
Below their cobbled shooes. 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 pitch 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 dissolv'd; 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,
And make bold power look pale; they threw their caps
As they would hang them on the horns o'th' moon,
^{a note}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—s'death,
The rabble should have first unroost the city
Ere so prevail'd with me! it will in time
Win upon power, and throw forth greater themes
For insurrections arguing.

Men.
This is strange.

Mar.
Go get you home, you fragments. Enter a Messenger.

Mes.
Where's Caius Martius?

Mar.
Here—what's the matter?

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

Mar.
I am glad on't, then we shall have means to vent
Our musty superfluity. See, our best elders— SCENE IV. Enter Sicinius Velutus, Junius Brutus, Cominius, Titus Lartius, with other Senators.

1 Sen.
Martius, 'tis true, that 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 he.

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.

1 Sen.
Then worthy Martius,
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 Tulliu' face.
What, art thou stiff? stand'st out?

Tit.
No, Caius Martius,
I'll lean upon one crutch and fight with t'other;
Ere stay behind this business.

Men.
O true bred!

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

Tit.
Lead you on;
Follow Cominius, we must follow you,
Right worthy your priority.

Com.
Noble Martius.

1 Sen.
Hence to your homes—be gone. [To the Citizens.

Mar.
Let them follow,
The Volscians have much corn: take these rats thither
To gnaw their garners. Worshipful mutineers,
Your valour puts well forth; pray follow. [Exeunt. [Citizens steal away. Manent Sicinius and Brutus.

Sic.
Was ever man so proud as is this Martius?

Bru.
He has no equal.

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
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, tho' he perform
To the utmost of a man; and giddy censure
Will then cry out of Martius: oh, if he
Had born the business—

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

Bru.
Come; half all Cominius' honours are to Martius,
Though Martius earn'd them not; and all his faults
To Martius shall be honours, though indeed
In ought 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. [Exeunt.

SCENE V. Corioli. Enter Tullus Aufidius with Senators of Corioli.

1 Sen.
So, your opinion is, Aufidius,
That they of Rome are entred 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 prest 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, Martius 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:
We never yet made doubt, but Rome was ready
To answer us.

Auf.
Nor did you think it folly
To keep your great pretences veil'd, 'till when
They needs must shew themselves, which in the hatching
It seem'd appear'd to Rome. By the discovery,
We shall be shortned in our aim, which was
To take in many towns, ere (almost) Rome

Should know we were a-foot.

2 Sen.
Noble Aufidius,
Take your commission, hie you to your bands,
Let us alone to guard Corioli,
If they set down before's: for the remove
Bring up your army: but, I think, you'll find
They've not prepar'd for us.

Auf.
O, doubt not that,
I speak from certainties. Nay more,
Some parcels of their power are forth already,
And only hitherward. I leave your honours.
If we and Caius Martius chance to meet,
'Tis sworn between us, we shall ever strike
'Till one can do no more,

All.
The Gods assist you.

Auf.
And keep your honours safe.

1 Sen.
Farewel.

2 Sen.
Farewel.

All.
Farewel. [Exeunt. SCENE VI. Rome. Enter Volumnia and Virgilia, they sit down on two low stools, and sow.

Vol.

I pray you, daughter, sing, or express your self in a more comfortable sort: if my son were my husband, I would freelier rejoice in that absence wherein he won honour, than in the embracements of his bed, where he would shew most love. When yet he was but tender-bodied, and the only son of my womb; when youth with comliness plucked all gaze his way; when for a day of Kings entreaties, a

mother should not sell him an hour from her beholding, I, considering how honour would become such a person, that it was no better than picture-like to hang by th' wall, if renown made it not stir, was pleas'd to let him seek danger where he was like to find fame: to a cruel war I sent him, from whence he return'd, his brows bound with oak. I tell thee, daughter, I sprang no more in joy at first hearing he was a man-child, than now in first seeing he had proved himself a man.

Vir.

But had he died in the business, Madam, how then?

Vol.

Then his good report should have been my son; I therein would have found issue. Hear me profess sincerely: had I a dozen sons each in my love alike, and none less dear than thine and my good Martius, I had rather eleven die nobly for their country than one voluptuously surfeit out of action.

Gent.

Madam, the lady Valeria is come to visit you.

Vir.
Beseech you give me leave to retire my self.

Vol.
Indeed thou shalt not:
Methinks I hither hear your husband's drum:
I see him pluck Aufidius down by th' hair:
(As children from a bear) the Volsci shunning him:
Methinks I see him stamp thus—and call thus—
Come on, ye cowards, ye were got in fear
Though you were born in Rome; his bloody brow
With his mail'd hand then wiping, forth he goes
Like to a harvest-man, that's task'd to mow,
Or all, or lose his hire.

Vir.
His bloody brow! oh Jupiter, no blood.

Vol.
Away, you fool; it more becomes a man
Than gilt his trophy. The breast of Hecuba,
When she did suckle Hector, look'd not lovelier

Than Hector's forehead, when it spit forth blood
At Grecian swords contending; tell Valeria
We are fit to bid her welcome. [Exit Gent.

Vir.
Heav'ns bless my lord from fell Aufidius.

Vol.
He'll beat Aufidius' head below his knee,
And tread upon his neck. Enter Valeria with an usher, and a gentlewoman.

Val.
My ladies both, good day to you.

Vol.
Sweet Madam—

Vir.
I am glad to see your ladyship—

Val.

How do you both? you are manifest house-keepers. What are you sowing here? a fine spot in good faith. How does your little son?

Vir.

I thank your ladyship: well, good Madam.

Vol.

He had rather see the swords, and hear a drum, than look upon his schoolmaster.

Val.

A my word, the father's son: I'll swear 'tis a very pretty boy. A my troth I look'd on him o' Wednesday half an hour together—h'as such a confirm'd countenance. I saw him run after a gilded butterfly, and when he caught it, he let it go again, and after it again; and over and over he comes, and up again, and caught it again; or whether his fall enrag'd him, or how 'twas, he did so set his teeth and did tear it, oh, I warrant how he mammockt it!

Vol.

One o's father's moods.

Val.

Indeed la, 'tis a noble child.

Vir.

A crack, Madam.

Val.

Come, lay aside your stitchery, I must have you play the idle huswife with me this afternoon.

Vir.

No, good Madam, I will not out of doors.

Val.

Not out of doors!

Vol.

She shall, she shall.

Vir.

Indeed no, by your patience; I'll not over the threshold, 'till my lord return from the wars.

Val.

Fie, you confine your self unreasonably: Come, you must go visit the good lady that lyes in.

Vir.

I will wish her speedy strength, and visit her with my prayers, but I cannot go thither.

Vol.

Why, I pray you?

Vir.

'Tis not to save labour, nor that I want love.

Val.

You would be another Penelope; yet they say, all the yarn she spun in Ulysses's absence, did but fill Ithaca full of moths. Come, I would your cambrick were sensible as your finger, that you might leave pricking it for pity. Come, you shall go with us.

Vir.

No, good Madam, pardon me, indeed I will not forth.

Val.

In truth la, go with me, and I'll tell you excellent news of your husband.

Vir.

Oh, good Madam, there can be none yet.

Val.

Verily I do not jest with you; there came news from him last night.

Vir.

Indeed Madam—

Val.

In earnest it's true, I heard a senator speak it. Thus it is—the Volscians have an army forth, against whom Cominius the General is gone, with one part of our Roman power. Your lord and Titus Lartius are set down before their city Corioli, they nothing doubt prevailing, and to make it brief wars. This is true, on my honour; and so, I pray, go with us.

Vir.

Give me excuse, good Madam, I will obey you in every thing hereafter.

Vol.

Let her alone, lady; as she is now, she will but disease our better mirth.

Val.

In troth, I think she would: fare you well then.

Come, good sweet lady. Pr'ythee, Virgilia, turn thy solemness out a door, and go along with us.

Vir.

No: at a word, Madam; indeed I must not. I wish you much mirth.

Val.

Well, then farewel.