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I'll hear it, sir: yet you must not think

To fob off our disgraces with a tale;

But, an't please you, deliver.

Men. There was a time, when all the body's members
Rebell'd against the belly; thus accus'd it:-
That only like a gulf it did remain

I' the midst o' the body, idle and unactive,
Still cupboarding the viand, never bearing

Like labour with the rest; where th' other instruments
Did see, and hear, devise, instruct, walk, feel,
And, mutually participate, did minister
Unto the appetite, and affection common
Of the whole body. The belly answered.-

2 Cit. Well, sir, what answer made the belly? Men. Sir, I shall tell you.-With a kind of smile, Which ne'er came from the lungs, but even thus, (For, look you, I may make the belly smile, As well as speak) it tauntingly replied

T' the discontented members, the mutinous parts
That envied his receipt; even so most fitly
As you malign our senators, for that

They are not such as you.

2 Cit.
Your belly's answer?
The kingly crowned head, the vigilant eye,
The counsellor heart, the arm our soldier,
Our steed the leg, the tongue our trumpeter,
With other muniments and petty helps
In this our fabric, if that they-

Men.

What then?

And leave me but the bran." What say you to'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 counsels, and their cares; digest things rightly,
Touching the weal o' the common, you shall 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 assembly?—

2 Cit. I the great toe? Why the great toe?
Men. For that being one o' the lowest, basest, poorest,
Of this most wise rebellion, thou go'st foremost:
Thou rascal, that art worst in blood to run,
Lead'st first to win some vantage.-

But make you ready your stiff bats and clubs,
Rome and her rats are at the point of battle;
The one side must have bale.-Hail, noble Marcius!
Enter CAIUS MARCIUS.

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

rogues,

That rubbing the poor itch of your opinion,
Make yourselves scabs?
2 Cit.

We have ever your good word.
Mar. He that will give good words to ye, will flatter
Beneath abhorring.-What would you have, you curs,
That like nor peace, nor war? the one affrights you;
The other makes you proud. He that trusts to you,
Where he should find you lions, finds you hares;
Where foxes, geese: you are no surer, no,
Than is the coal of fire upon the ice,

Or hailstone in the sun. Your virtue is

To make him worthy, whose offence subdues him, What! And curse that justice did it. Who deserves greatness, Deserves your hate; and your affections are

'Fore me, this fellow speaks!-what then? what then? 2 Cit. Should by the cormorant belly be restrain'd, Who is the sink o' the body,

Men.

Well, what then? 2 Cit. The former agents, if they did complain, What could the belly answer?

:

Men. I will tell you, If you'll bestow a small (of what you have little) Patience a while, you'll hear the belly's answer. 2 Cit. Y'are long about it. Men. Note me this, good friend; Your most grave belly was deliberate, Not rash like his accusers, and thus answer'd :"True is it, my incorporate friends," quoth he, "That I receive the general food at first, Which you do live upon; 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 rivers of your blood, Even to the court, the heart, the senate, brain; And through the ranks and offices of man The strongest nerves, and small inferior veins, From me receive that natural competency Whereby they live. And though that all at once, You, my good friends," this says the belly, mark me,2 Cit. Ay, sir; 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 flour of all,

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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 ye! Trust ye?
With every minute you do change your mind,
And call him noble, that was now your hate,
Him vile, that was your garland.
What's the matter,
That in these several places of the city
You cry against the noble senate, who,
Under the gods, keep you in awe, which else
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.

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

[To the Citizens. Mar. Nay, let them follow. 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.

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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? "Tis not four days gone,
Since I heard thence; these are the words: I think,
I have the letter here; yes, here it is :- [Reads.
"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 'tis bent: most likely, 'tis for you.

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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 seek 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 man-child, than now in first seeing he had proved himself a man.

Vir. But had he died in the business, madam? how

then?

Vol. Then, his good report should have been my son: I therein would have found issue. Hear me profess sincerely-had I a dozen sons,-each in my love alike, and none less dear than thine and my good Marcius, I had rather had eleven die nobly for their country, than one voluptuously surfeit out of action. Enter a Gentlewoman.

Gent. Madam, the lady Valeria is come to visit you.
Vir. 'Beseech you, give me leave to retire myself.
Vol. Indeed, you shall not.

Methinks, I hear hither your husband's drum,
See him pluck Aufidius down by the hair;
As children from a bear the Volsces shunning him:
Methinks, I see him stamp thus, and call thus,—
"Come on, you cowards! you were got in fear,
Though you were born in Rome." His bloody brow
With his mail'd hand then wiping, forth he goes,
Like to a harvest-man, that's task'd to mow
Or all, or lose his hire.

Vir. His bloody brow? O, Jupiter! no blood.
Vol. Away, you fool! it more becomes a man,
Than gilt his trophy: the breasts of Hecuba,
When she did suckle Hector, look'd not lovelier
Than Hector's forehead, when it spit forth blood,
At Grecian swords contemning.-Tell Valeria,
We are fit to bid her welcome.

[Exit Gent.

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Vol. He had rather see swords, and hear a drum, than look upon his school-master.

Val. O' my word, the father's son: I'll swear, 'tis a very pretty boy. O' my troth, I looked upon him o' Wednesday half an hour together: he has such a confirmed countenance. I saw him run after a gilded butterfly; and when he caught it, he let it go again; and after it again; and over and over he comes, and up again; catched it again or whether his fall enraged him, or how 'twas, he did so set his teeth, and tear it; O! I warrant, how he mammocked it!

:

Vol. One of his father's moods.
Val. Indeed la, 'tis a noble child.
Vir. A crack, madam.

Val. Come, lay aside your stitchery; I must have
you play the idle huswife with me this afternoon.
Vir. No, good madam; I will not out of doors.
Val. Not out of doors?

Vol. She shall, she shall.

Vir. Indeed, no, by your patience: I will not over the threshold, till my lord return from the wars. Vol. Fie! you confine yourself most unreasonably. Come; you must go visit the good lady that lies in.¦ Vir. I will wish her speedy strength, and visit her with my prayers; but I cannot go thither. Vol. Why, I pray you?

Vir. 'Tis not to save labour, nor that I want love. Val. You would be another Penelope; yet, they say, all the yarn she spun in Ulysses' absence did but till Ithaca full of moths. Come: I would, your cambric were sensible as your finger, that you might leave pricking it for pity. Come, you shall go with us.

Vir. No, good madam, pardon me; indeed, I will not forth.

Val. In truth, la, go with me; and I'll tell you excellent news of your husband.

Vir. O! good madam, there can be none yet. Val. Verily, I do not jest with you, there came news from him last night.

Vir. Indeed, madam?

Val. In earnest, it's true; I heard a senator speak it. Thus it is:-The Volsces have an army forth, against whom Cominius the general is gone, with one part of our Roman power: your lord, and Titus Lartius, are set down before their city Corioli; they nothing doubt prevailing, and to make it brief wars. This is true on mine honour; and so, I pray, go with us.

Vir. Give me excuse, good madam; I will obey you in every thing hereafter.

Vol. Let her alone, lady as she is now, she will but disease our better mirth.

Val. In troth, I think, she would.-Fare you well then.-Come, good sweet lady.-Pr'ythee, Virgilia, turn thy solemnness out o' door, and go along with us. Vir. No, at a word, madam; indeed, I must not. I wish you much mirth.

Val. Well then, farewell.

[Exeunt.

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Lart. No, I'll nor sell, nor give him: lend you him And, when it bows, stands up. Thou art left, Marcius:
I will,

For half a hundred years.-Summon the town.
Mar. How far off lie these armies?
Mess.
Within this mile and half.
Mar. Then shall we hear their 'larum, and they ours.
Now, Mars, I pr'ythee, make us quick in work,
That we with smoking swords may march from hence,
To help our fielded friends!-Come, blow thy blast.
A Parley sounded. Enter, on the Walls, two Senators,
and others.

Tullus Aufidius, is he within your walls?

1 Sen. No, nor a man that fears you less than he, That's lesser than a little. Hark, our drums

[Drums afar off.
Are bringing forth our youth: we'll break our walls,
Rather than they shall pound us up. Our gates,
Which yet seem shut, we have but pinn'd with rushes;
They'll open of themselves. Hark you, far off;
[Alarum afar off.
There is Aufidius: list, what work he makes
Amongst your cloven army.
Mar.
O! they are at it.
Lart. Their noise be our instruction.-Ladders, ho!
The Volsces enter, and pass over the Stage.
Mar. They fear us not, but issue forth their city.
Now put your shields before your hearts, and fight
With hearts more proof than shields.-Advance, brave
Titus:

They do disdain us much beyond our thoughts,

A carbuncle entire, as big as thou art,
Were not so rich a jewel. Thou wast a soldier
Even to Cato's wish, not fierce and terrible
Only in strokes; but, with thy grim looks, and
The thunder-like percussion of thy sounds,
Thou mad'st thine enemies shake, as if the world
Were feverous, and did tremble.

The Gates open. Re-enter MARCIUS, bleeding, assaulted
by the Enemy.
Look, sir!

1 Sol.
Lart.

O, 'tis Marcius! Let's fetch him off, or make remain alike.

[They fight, and all enter the City."
SCENE V.-Within the Town. A Street.
Enter certain Romans, with Spoils.

1 Rom. This will I carry to Rome.
2 Rom. And I this.

3 Rom. A murrain on't! I took this for silver.
[Alarum continues still afar off.
Enter MARCIUS, and TITUS LARTIUS, with a Trumpet.
Mar. See here these movers, that do prize their hours
At a crack'd drachm! Cushions, leaden spoons,
Irons of a doit, doublets that hangmen would
Bury with those that wore them, these base slaves,
Ere yet the fight be done, pack up.-Down with them!—
And hark, what noise the general makes.—To him!
There is the man of my soul's hate, Aufidius,
Piercing our Romans: then, valiant Titus, take

Which makes me sweat with wrath.-Come on, my Convenient numbers to make good the city,

fellows:

He that retires, I'll take him for a Volsce,
And he shall feel mine edge.

Alarum, and exeunt Romans and Volsces, fighting. The
Romans are beaten back to their Trenches. Re-enter
MARCIUS enraged.

Mar. All the contagion of the south light on you,
You shames of Rome! Unheard-of boils and plagues
Plaster you o'er, that you may be abhorr'd
Farther than seen, and one infect another
Against the wind a mile! You souls of geese,
That bear the shapes of men, how have you run
From slaves that apes would beat! Pluto and hell!
All hurt behind; backs red, and faces pale
With flight and agued fear! Mend, and charge home,
Or, by the fires of heaven, I'll leave the foe,
And make my wars on you. Look to't: come on;
If you'll stand fast, we'll beat them to their wives,
As they us to our trenches follow.

Another Alarum. The Volsces and Romans re-enter, and
the Fight is renewed. The Volsces retire into Corioli,
and MARCIUS follows them to the Gates.

So, now the gates are ope:-now prove good seconds.
'Tis for the followers fortune widens them,
Not for the fliers: mark me, and do the like.

Nor I.

3 Sol. See, they have shut him in. [Alarum continues. To the port I warrant him. Enter TITUS LARTIUS.

All.

Whilst I, with those that have the spirit, will haste
To help Cominius.
Lart.

Worthy sir, thou bleed'st;
Thy exercise hath been too violent
For a second course of fight.
Mar.

Sir, praise me not;
My work hath yet not warm'd me. Fare you well.
The blood I drop is rather physical
Than dangerous to me. To Aufidius thus
I will appear, and fight.

Lart.
Now the fair goddess, Fortune,
Fall deep in love with thee; and her great charms
Misguide thy opposers' swords! Bold gentleman,
Prosperity be thy page!

Mar.
Thy friend no less
Than those she placeth highest. So, farewell.
Lart. Thou worthiest Marcius! [Exit MARCIUS.
Go, sound thy trumpet in the market-place;
Call thither all the officers of the town,
Where they shall know our mind. Away! [Exeunt.
SCENE VI.-Near the Camp of COMINIUS.
Enter COMINIUS and Forces, as in retreat.
Com. Breathe you, my friends. Well fought: we
are come off

[He enters the Gates, and is shut in. Like Romans, neither foolish in our stands,
1 Sol. Fool-hardiness! not I.
Nor cowardly in retire: believe me, sirs,
2 Sol.
We shall be charg'd again. Whiles we have struck,
By interims and conveying gusts we have heard
The charges of our friends:-ye Roman gods,
Lead their successes as we wish our own,
That both our powers, with smiling fronts encountering
May give you thankful sacrifice!-
Enter a Messenger.
Thy news?
Mess. The citizens of Corioli have issued,
And given to Lartius and to Marcius battle:
I saw our party to their trenches driven,
And then I came away.

Lart. What is become of Marcius?
All.
Slain, sir, doubtless.
1 Sol. Following the fliers at the very heels,
With them he enters; who, upon the sudden,
Clapp'd-to their gates: he is himself alone,
To answer all the city.

O noble fellow!

Lart.
Who sensibly outdares his senseless sword,

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Let him alone,

Mar. He did inform the truth: but for our gentlemen, The common file, (A plague !-Tribunes for them?) The mouse ne'er shunn'd the cat, as they did budge From rascals worse than they.

Com. But how prevail'd you? Mar. Will the time serve to tell? I do not think it. Where is the enemy? Are you lords o' the field? If not, why cease you till you are so?

Com. Marcius, we have at disadvantage fought, And did retire to win our purposes.

Mar. How lies their battle? Know you on which side They have plac'd their men of trust?

Com. As I guess, Marcius, Those bands i' the vayward are the Antiates, Of their best trust: o'er them Aufidius, Their very heart of hope.

Mar.

I do beseech you,

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Wherein you see me smear'd; if any fear
Lesser his person than an ill report;
If any think brave death outweighs bad life,
And that his country's dearer than himself;
Let him, alone, or so many so minded,
Wave thus, to express his disposition,
And follow Marcius.

[They all shout, and wave their Swords; take him up in their arms, and cast up their Caps. O me, alone! Make you a sword of me? If these shows be not outward, which of you But is four Volsces? None of you, but is Able to bear against the great Aufidius

A shield as hard as his. A certain number,
Though thanks to all, must I select from all: the rest
Shall bear the business in some other fight,
As cause will be obey'd. Please you, march before,
And I shall quickly draw out my command,
Which men are best inclin'd.

Com.
March on, my fellows:
Make good this ostentation, and you shall
Divide in all with us.

[Exeunt.

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Mar. Within these three hours, Tullus, Alone I fought in your Corioli walls,

And made what work I pleas'd. 'Tis not my blood, Wherein thou seest me mask'd: for thy revenge, Wrench up thy power to the highest.

Auf.

Were thou the Hector,

That was the whip of your bragg'd progeny,
Thou should'st not scape me here.-

[They fight, and certain Volsces come to the aid of
AUFIDIUS.

Officious, and not valiant-you have sham'd me
In your condemned seconds.

[Exeunt fighting, all driven in by MARCIUS. SCENE IX. The Roman Camp.

Alarum. A Retreat sounded. Flourish. Enter at one side, COMINIUS, and Romans; at the other side, MARCIUS, with his Arm in a Scarf, and other Romans.

Com. If I should tell thee o'er this thy day's work, Thou'lt not believe thy deeds; but I'll report it,

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