1 Sen.
Marcius, '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 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 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 you Priority.

Com.
Noble Lartius—

1 Sen.
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; pray, follow.— [Exeunt. [Citizens steal away. Manent Sicinius and Brutus.

Sic.
Was ever man so proud, as is this Marcius?

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.
^{8 note}

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: oh, if he
Had borne the business—

Sic.
Besides, 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. [Exeunt.

Previous section

Next section