Than is the coal of fire upon the ice,

Or hailstone in the sun. Your virtue is,

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To make him worthy, whose offence subdues him, And curse that justice did it. Who deserves great

ness,

Deserves your hate: and your affections are
A sick man's appetite, who desires most that
Which would increase his evil. He that depends
Upon your favours, swims with fins of lead,

And hews down oaks with rushes. Hang yet 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 mat

ter,

That in these several places of the city

You cry against the noble senate, who,

Under the gods, keep you in awe, which else

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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 the fire, and presume to know
What's done i' the 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,

200

Below

Below their cobled 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 pike 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 ?

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Mar. They are dissolv'd: Hang 'em ! They said, they were an-hungry; sigh'd forth pro

verbs;

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 an

swer'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

220

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 wis

doms,

Of their own choice: One's Junius Brutus,

B

Sicinius

Sicinius Velutus, and I know not's death!
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..

Mes. Where's Caius Marcius ?

Mar. Here: What's the matter?

Mes. The news is, sir, the Volsces are in arms.

230

Mar. I am glad on't; then we shall have means to

vent

Our musty superfluity: -See, our best elders.

Enter COMINIUS, TITUS LARTIUS, with other Senators; JUNIUS BRUTUS, and SICINIUS VE.

LUTUS.

:

1 Sen. Marcius, 'tis true, that you have lately

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 the ears,

and he

:

:

Upon

:

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;

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I'll lean upon one crutch, and fight with the other,

Ere stay behind this business.

Men. O, true bred !

260

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 Lartius !

1 Sen. Hence! To your homes, be gone!

Mar. Nay, let them follow:

[To the Citizens.

The Volsces have much corn; take these rats thither, To gnaw their garners :-Worshipful mutineers, 270

Your valour puts well forth: pray, follow.

Citizens steal away. Manent SICINIUS, aud BRUTUS.

Sic. Was ever man so proud as is this Marcius? Bru. He has no equal.

Sic. When we were chosen tribunes for the peo

ple

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.

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Bru. Fame, at the which he aimsIn 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 290 To the utmost of a man; and giddy censure Will then cry out on 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.