Of the whole body: But, if you do remember,

I fend it through the rivers of your blood,

1

Even to the court, the heart, to the feat, the brain;
And, through the cranks and offices of man,

m

The strongest nerves, and fmall inferior veins,
From me receive that natural competency

Whereby they live: And though that all at once,

You, my good friends (this fays the belly), mark me 1 Cit. Ay, fir; well, well.

Men. Though all at once cannot

See what I do deliver out to each;
Yet I can make my audit up, that all

From me do back receive the flower of all,

And leave me but the bran. What fay you to't?

Cit. It was an answer: How apply you this?
Men. The fenators of Rome are this good belly,
And you the mutinous members: For examine
Their counfels, and their cares; digeft things rightly,
Touching the weal o' the common; you fhall find,
No public benefit, which you receive,

But it proceeds, or comes, from them to you,
And no way from yourselves.-What do you think?
You, the great toe of this affembly?—

1 Cit. I the great toe? Why the great toe?

Men. For that, being one o' the loweft, bafeft, pooreft, Of this most wife rebellion, thou go'st foremost:

"Thou rascal, that art worft in blood, to run,

Lead'ft first, to win fome vantage.—

But make you ready your

you ready your ftiff bats and clubs;

1 to the feat,]-the royal feat, the throne-to the feat o' the brain. cranks]-windings.

TO

Thou rafcal, &c.]-Thou forry wretch, that art leaft qualified, in the worst condition for ruaning, takeft the lead, in order to avail thyself by getting the ftart.

Rome

Rome and her rats are at the point of battle,

The one fide must have bale.-Hail, noble Marcius!

Enter Caius Marcius.

Mar. Thanks.-What's the matter, you diffentious

rogues,

That, rubbing the poor itch of your opinion,

Make yourselves fcabs?

1 Cit. We have ever your good word,

Mar. He that will give good words to thee, will flatter Beneath abhorring.-What would have, you curs, That like nor peace, nor war? the one affrights you, The other makes you proud. He that trufts to you, Where he should find you lions, finds you hares; Where foxes, geefe: You are no furer, no, Than is the coal of fire upon the ice,

P

Or hailftone in the fun. Your virtue is,
To make him worthy, whofe offence

subdues him, And curfe that juftice did it. Who deferves greatnefs, Deferves your hate and your affections are

A fick man's appetite, who defires most that

Which would increase his evil. He that depends
Upon your favours, swims with fins of lead,

And hews down oaks with rufhes. Hang ye! Truft ye?

you do change a mind;

With every minute you

And call him noble, that was now your hate,

Him vile, that was your garland. What's the matter,

That in thefe feveral places of the city

You

cry against the noble fenate, who,

Under the gods, keep you in awe, which elfe

Would feed on one another?-What's their feeking?

have bale.]-be worsted.

P no furer,]-of no more stability. a fubdues bim, and curfe that juftice did it.]-fubjects him to condign punishment, and rail at the laws for inflicting it.

Men.

Men. For corn at their own rates; whereof, they say, The city is well stor❜d.

Mar. Hang 'em! They say?

They'll fit by the fire, and prefume to know

What's done i' the Capitol: who's like to rife,

Who thrives, and who declines: ' fide factions, and give

out

S

Conjectural marriages; making parties ftrong,

And feebling fuch, as stand not in their liking,

Below their cobled fhoes. They fay, there's grain enough? Would the nobility lay afide their ruth,

t

And let me use my sword, " I'd make a quarry
With thousands of these quarter'd slaves, as high
As I could picke my lance.

Men. Nay, thefe are almoft thoroughly perfuaded;
For though abundantly they lack discretion,

Yet are they paffing cowardly. But, I beseech you,
What fays the other troop?

Mar. They are diffolv'd: Hang 'em!

They said, they were an hungry figh'd forth proverbs;
That, hunger broke stone walls; that, dogs muft eat ;
That, meat was made for mouths; that, the gods fent not
Corn for the rich men only :-With these shreds
They vented their complainings; which being anfwer'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

.

fide factions,]-forge factions.

making parties ftrong, &c.]-afcribing imaginary ftrength to their own, and depreciating the adverfe party.

their ruth, 1-their tender regard for you.

"I'd make a quarry]—I'd quarter fome thousands of these slaves, and pile them upon one another as high as I could pitch my lance.

W

(To break the heart of generofity,]-to give the finishing stroke to the parricians.

As

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 wifdoms,
Of their own choice: One's Junius Brutus,
Sicinius Velutus, and I know not-s'death!
The rabble fhould have first unroof'd the city,
Ere fo prevail'd with me: it will in time

Win upon power, and throw forth greater themes For infurrection's arguing.

Men. This is ftrange.

Mar. Go, get you home, you fragments!

Enter a Meffenger.

Mef. Where's Caius Marcius?

Mar. Here: What's the matter?

Mef. The news is, fir, the Volces are in arms. Mar. I am glad on't; then we shall have means to vent Our musty fuperfluity :-See, our best elders.

Enter Cominius, Titus Lartius, with other Senators; Junius Brutus, and Sicinius Velutus.

* Shouting their emulation.]—Striving which should fhout loudest. Win upon power,]-Gain ground from fuch conceffions, which will be improved into fresh occafions of infurrection.

'tis true, that you have lately told us; the Volces are in arms.]-your fentiments, the fufpicions you lately threw out, relative to the defigns of the Volces, are confirmed; they are in arms.

Com.

Com. You have fought together.

Mar. Were half to half the world by the ears, and hẹ 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 thefe wars. Com. It is your former promise.

Mar. Sir, it is ;

And I am conftant.--Titus Lartius, thou

Shalt fee me once more ftrike at Tullus' face:

What, art thou ftiff? ftand'st out?

Tit. No, Caius Marcius;

I'll lean upon one crutch, and fight with the other,
Ere ftay 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 muft follow you;

a

Right worthy you priority.

Com. Noble Lartius !

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

Mar. Nay, let them follow :

[To the Citizens.

The Volces have much corn; take thefe rats thither,
To gnaw their garners:-Worshipful mutineers,
Your valour 'puts well forth: pray, follow.-

b

[Exeunt,

Right worthy you priority.]-You being right worthy of precedence. puts well forth :-you have exhibited a goodly fpecimen, fair bloffoms of it, on a recent occafion.

Citizens