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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,

And let me use my sword, I'd make a quarry

With thousands of these quarter'd slaves, as high

As I could pick 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 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,

And make bold power look pale) they threw their caps
As they would hang them on the horns o' the moon,
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 - 'Sdeath!
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 Messenger.

Here.

Mess. Where 's Caius Marcius?

Mag.

What's the matter?

Mess. The news is, Sir, the Volsces 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, 't is true, that you have lately told us; The Volsces are in arms.

They have a leader,

Mar.
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 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.

Attend upon Cominius to these wars.

Then, worthy Marcius,

Sir,

it is;

Com. It is your former promise.
Mar.

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 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.

Com.

Noble Marcius!

[To the Citizens. Nay, let them follow.

1 Sen. Hence! To your homes! be gone. Mar. The Volsces have much corn: take these rats thither,

To gnaw their garners.

Worshipful mutineers,

Your valour puts well forth: pray, follow.

[Exeunt Senators, Coм. MAR. TIT. and MEnen. Citizens steal away.

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. Bemock the modest moon.

Bru. The present wars devour him: he is grown
Too proud to be so valiant.

Sic.

Tickled with good success,
Which he treads on at noon.

Such a nature,

disdains the shadow
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, "O, 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 despatch is made; and in what fashion,

More than his singularity, he goes

Upon his present action.

Bru.

Let's along.

[Exeunt.

SCENE II.

Corioli. The Senate-House.

Enter TULLUS AUFIDIUS, and Senators.

1 Sen. So, your opinion is, Aufidius, That they of Rome are enter'd in our counsels, And know how we proceed.

Auf.

Is it not yours?

What ever have been thought on in this state,
That could be brought to bodily act ere Rome
Had circumvention? 'T is 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 press'd 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, Marcius 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 't is bent: most likely, 't is 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 show themselves; which in the hatching,

It seem'd, appear'd to Rome. By the discovery,

We shall be shorten'd in our aim; which was,

To take in many towns, ere, almost, Rome
Should know we were afoot.

2 Sen.

[Reads.

Noble Aufidius,

Take

your commission; hie you

Let us alone to guard Corioli:

to your bands.

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 Marcius chance to meet,
'T is 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.

2 Sen.

All. Farewell.

Farewell.

Farewell.

[Exeunt.

SCENE III.

Rome. An Apartment in MARCIUS' House.

Enter VOLUMNIA, and VIRGILIA. They sit down on two low Stools, and sew.

Vol. I pray you, daughter, sing; or express yourself in a more comfortable sort. If my son were my husband, I should freelier rejoice in that absence wherein he won honour, than in the embracements of his bed, where he would show most love. When yet he was but tender-bodied, and the only son of my womb; when youth with comeliness plucked all gaze his way; when, for a day of king's 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 the wall, if renown made it not stir, - was pleased to let him seck danger where he was like to find fame. To a cruel war I sent him;

from whence he returned, his brows bound with oak. I tell thee, daughter, I sprang not more in joy at first hearing he was a manchild, than now in first seeing he had proved himself a man.

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