Enter a Company of Mutinous Citizens, with Staues, Clubs, and other weapons.
1. Citizen. Efore we proceed any further, heare me speake.
All. Speake, speake.
1. Cit. You are all resolu'd rather to dy then to famish?
All. Resolu'd, resolu'd.
1. Cit. First you know, Caius Martius is chiefe enemy to the people.
All. We know't, we know't.
1. Cit. Let vs kill him, and wee'l haue Corne at our own price. Is't a Verdict?
All. No more talking on't; Let it be done, away, away
2. Cit. One word, good Citizens.
1. Cit. We are accounted poore Citizens, the Patricians good: what Authority surfets one, would releeue vs. If they would yeelde vs but the superfluitie while it were wholsome, wee might guesse they releeued vs humanely: But they thinke we are too deere, the leannesse that afflicts vs, the obiect of our misery, is as an inuentory to particularize their abundance, our sufferance is a gaine to them. Let vs reuenge this with our Pikes, ere we become Rakes. For the Gods know, I speake this in hunger for Bread, not in thirst for Reuenge.
2. Cit. Would you proceede especially against Caius Martius.
All. Against him first: He's a very dog to the Commonalty.
2. Cit. Consider you what Seruices he ha's done for his Country?
1. Cit. Very well, and could bee content to giue him good report for't, but that hee payes himselfe with beeing proud.
All. Nay, but speak not maliciously.
1. Cit. I say vnto you, what he hath done Famouslie, he did it to that end: though soft conscienc'd men can be content to say it was for his Countrey, he did it to please his Mother, and to be partly proud, which he is, euen to the altitude of his virtue.
2. Cit. What he cannot helpe in his Nature, you account a Vice in him: You must in no way say he is couetous.
1. Cit. If I must not, I neede not be barren of Accusations he hath faults (with surplus) to tyre in repetition. Showts within. What showts are these? The other side a'th City is risen: why stay we prating heere? To th' Capitoll.
All. Come, come.
1. Cit. Soft, who comes heere?
Enter Menenius Agrippa.
2. Cit. Worthy Menenius Agrippa, one that hath alwayes lou'd the people.
1. Cit. He's one honest enough, wold al the rest wer so.
Men. What work's my Countrimen in hand? Where go you with Bats and Clubs? The matter Speake I pray you.
2. Cit. Our busines is not vnknowne to th'Senat, they haue had inkling this fortnight what we intend to do, which now wee'l shew em in deeds: they say poore Suters haue strong breaths, they shal know we haue strong arms too.
Menen. Why Masters, my good Friends, mine honest Neighbours, will you vndo your selues?
2. Cit. We cannot Sir, we are vndone already.
Men. I tell you Friends, most charitable care Haue the Patricians of you for your wants. Your suffering in this dearth, you may as well Strike at the Heauen with your staues, as lift them Against the Roman State, whose course will on The way it takes: cracking ten thousand Curbes Of more strong linke assunder, then can euer Appeare in your impediment. For the Dearth, The Gods, not the Patricians make it, and Your knees to them (not armes) must helpe. Alacke, You are transported by Calamity Thether, where more attends you, and you slander The Helmes o'th State; who care for you like Fathers, When you curse them, as Enemies.
2. Cit. Care for vs? True indeed, they nere car'd for vs yet. Suffer vs to famish, and their Store-houses cramm'd with Graine: Make Edicts for Vsurie, to support Vsu rers; repeale daily any wholsome Act established against the rich, and prouide more piercing Statutes daily, to chaine vp and restraine the poore. If the Warres eate vs not vppe, they will; and there's all the loue they beare vs.
Menen. Either you must Confesse your selues wondrous Malicious, Or be accus'd of Folly. I shall tell you A pretty Tale, it may be you haue heard it, But since it serues my purpose, I will venture To scale't a little more.
2 Citizen. Well, Ile heare it Sir: yet you must not thinke To fobbe off our disgrace with a tale: But and't please you deliuer.
Men. There was a time, when all the bodies members Rebell'd against the Belly; thus accus'd it: That onely like a Gulfe it did remaine I'th midd'st a th'body, idle and vnactiue, Still cubbording the Viand, neuer bearing Like labour with the rest, where th'other Instruments Did see, and heare, deuise, instruct, walke, feele, And mutually participate, did minister Vnto 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 kinde of Smile, Which ne're came from the Lungs, but euen thus: For looke you I may make the belly Smile, As well as speake, it taintingly replyed To'th'discontented Members, the mutinous parts That enuied his receite: euen so most fitly, As you maligne our Senators, for that They are not such as you.
2. Cit. Your Bellies answer: What The Kingly crown'd head, the vigilant eye, The Counsailor Heart, the Arme our Souldier, Our Steed the Legge, the Tongue our Trumpeter, With other Muniments and petty helps In this our Fabricke, if that they———
Men. What then? Fore me, this Fellow speakes. What then? What then?
2. Cit. Should by the Cormorant belly be restrain'd, Who is the sinke a th'body.
Men. Well, what then?
2. Cit. The former Agents, if they did complaine, What could the Belly answer?
Men. I will tell you, If you'l bestow a small (of what you haue little) Patience awhile; you'st heare the Bellies answer.
2. Cit. Y'are long about it.
Men. Note me this good Friend; Your most graue Belly was deliberate, Not rash like his Accusers, and thus answered. True is it my Incorporate Friends (quoth he) That I receiue the generall Food at first Which you do liue vpon: 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 Riuers of your blood Euen to the Court, the Heart, to th'seate o'th'Braine, And through the Crankes and Offices of man, The strongest Nerues, and small inferiour Veines From me receiue that naturall competencie Whereby they liue. And though that all at once (You my good Friends, this sayes the Belly) marke me.
2. Cit. I sir, well, well.
Men. Though all at once, cannot See what I do deliuer out to each, Yet I can make my Awdit vp, that all From me do backe receiue the Flowre of all, And leaue me but the Bran. What say you too'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 Counsailes, and their Cares; disgest things rightly, Touching the Weale a'th Common, you shall finde No publique benefit which you receiue But it proceeds, or comes from them to you, And no way from your selues. What do you thinke? 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 Rascall, that art worst in blood to run, Lead'st first to win some vantage. But make you ready your stiffe bats and clubs, Rome, and her Rats, are at the point of battell, The one side must haue baile. Enter Caius Martius. Hayle, Noble Martius.
Mar. Thanks. What's the matter you dissentious rogues That rubbing the poore Itch of your Opinion, Make your selues Scabs.
2. Cit. We haue euer your good word.
Mar. He that will giue good words to thee, wil flatter Beneath abhorring. What would you haue, you Curres, That like nor Peace, nor Warre? The one affrights you, The other makes you proud. He that trusts to you, Where he should finde you Lyons, findes you Hares: Where Foxes, Geese you are: No surer, no, Then is the coale of fire vpon the Ice, Or Hailstone in the Sun. Your Vertue is, To make him worthy, whose offence subdues him, And curse that Iustice did it. Who deserues Greatnes, Deserues your Hate: and your Affections are A sickmans Appetite; who desires most that Which would encrease his euill. He that depends Vpon your fauours, swimmes with finnes of Leade, And hewes downe Oakes, with rushes. Hang ye: trust ye? With euery Minute you do change a Minde, And call him Noble, that was now your Hate: Him vilde, that was your Garland. What's the matter, That in these seuerall places of the Citie, You cry against the Noble Senate, who (Vnder the Gods) keepe you in awe, which else Would feede on one another? What's their seeking?
Men. For Corne at their owne rates, wherof they say The Citie is well stor'd.
Mar. Hang 'em: They say? They'l sit by th'fire, and presume to know What's done i'th Capitoll: Who's like to rise, Who thriues, & who declines: Side factions, & giue out Coniecturall Marriages, making parties strong, And feebling such as stand not in their liking, Below their cobled Shooes. They say ther's grain enough? Would the Nobility lay aside their ruth, And let me vse my Sword, I'de make a Quarrie With thousands of these quarter'd slaues, as high As I could picke my Lance.
Menen. Nay these are almost thoroughly perswaded: For though abundantly they lacke discretion Yet are they passing Cowardly. But I beseech you, What sayes the other Troope?
Mar. They are dissolu'd: Hang em; They said they were an hungry, sigh'd forth Prouerbes That Hunger-broke stone wals: that dogges must eate That meate was made for mouths. That the gods sent not Corne for the Richmen onely: With these shreds They vented their Complainings, which being answer'd And a petition granted them, a strange one, To breake the heart of generosity, And make bold power looke pale, they threw their caps As they would hang them on the hornes a'th Moone, Shooting their Emulation.
Menen. What is graunted them?
Mar. Fiue Tribunes to defend their vulgar wisdoms Of their owne choice. One's Iunius Brutus, Sicinius Velutus, and I know not. Sdeath,
The rabble should haue first vnroo'st the City Ere so preuayl'd with me; it will in time Win vpon power, and throw forth greater Theames For Insurrections arguing.
Menen. This is strange.
Mar. Go get you home you Fragments.
Enter a Messenger hastily.
Mess. Where's Caius Martius?
Mar. Heere: what's the matter?
Mes. The newes is sir, the Volcies are in Armes.
Mar. I am glad on't, then we shall ha meanes to vent Our mustie superfluity. See our best Elders.
Enter Sicinius Velutus, Annius Brutus Cominius, Titus Lartius, with other Senatours.
1. Sen. Martius 'tis true, that you haue lately told vs, The Volces are in Armes.
Mar. They haue a Leader, Tullus Auffidius that will put you too't: I sinne in enuying his Nobility: And were I any thing but what I am, I would wish me onely he.
Com. You haue fought together?
Mar. Were halfe to halfe the world by th'eares, & he vpon my partie, I'de reuolt to make Onely my warres with him. He is a Lion That I am proud to hunt.
1. Sen. Then worthy Martius, Attend vpon Cominius to these Warres.
Com. It is your former promise.
Mar. Sir it is, And I am constant: Titus Lucius, thou Shalt see me once more strike at Tullus face. What art thou stiffe? Stand'st out?
Tit. No Caius Martius, Ile leane vpon one Crutch, and fight with tother, Ere stay behinde this Businesse.
Men. Oh true-bred.
Sen. Your Company to'th'Capitoll, where I know Our greatest Friends attend vs.
Tit. Lead you on: Follow Cominius, we must followe you, right worthy your Priority.
Com. Noble Martius.
Sen. Hence to your homes, be gone.
Mar. Nay let them follow, The Volces haue much Corne: take these Rats thither, To gnaw their Garners. Worshipfull Mutiners, Exeunt.Your valour puts well forth: Pray follow.
Citizens steale away. Manet Sicin. & Brutus.
Sicin. Was euer man so proud as is this Martius?
Bru. He has no equall.
Sicin. When we were chosen Tribunes for the people.
Bru. Mark'd you his lip and eyes.
Sicin. Nay, but his taunts.
Bru. Being mou'd, he will not spare to gird the Gods.
Sicin. Bemocke the modest Moone.
Bru. The present Warres deuoure him, he is growne Too proud to be so valiant.
Sicin. Such a Nature, tickled with good successe, disdaines the shadow which he treads on at noone, but I do wonder, his insolence can brooke to be commanded vnder Cominius?
Bru. Fame, at the which he aymes, In whom already he's well grac'd, cannot Better be held, nor more attain'd then by A place below the first: for what miscarries Shall be the Generals fault, though he performe To th'vtmost of a man, and giddy censure Will then cry out of Martius: Oh, if he Had borne the businesse.
Sicin. Besides, if things go well, Opinion that so stickes on Martius, shall Of his demerits rob Cominius.
Bru. Come: halfe all Cominius Honors are to Martius Though Martius earn'd them not: and all his faults To Martius shall be Honors, though indeed In ought he merit not.
Sicin. Let's hence, and heare How the dispatch is made, and in what fashion More then his singularity, he goes Vpon this present Action.
Efore we proceed any further, heare me speake.
Efore we proceed any further, heare me speake.