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.

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