Coriolanus | Page 5

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?
MENENIUS.?For corn at their own rates; whereof they say?The city is well stor'd.
MARCIUS.?Hang 'em! They say!?They'll sit by th' 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?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.
MENENIUS.?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?
MARCIUS.?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.
MENENIUS.?What is granted them?
MARCIUS.?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.
MENENIUS.?This is strange.
MARCIUS.?Go get you home, you fragments!
[Enter a MESSENGER, hastily.]
MESSENGER.?Where's Caius Marcius?
MARCIUS.?Here: what's the matter?
MESSENGER.?The news is, sir, the Volsces are in arms.
MARCIUS.?I am glad on't: then we shall ha' means to vent?Our musty superfluity.--See, our best elders.
[Enter COMINIUS, TITUS LARTIUS, and other SENATORS; JUNIUS BRUTUS and SICINIUS VELUTUS.]
FIRST SENATOR.?Marcius, 'tis true that you have lately told us:--?The Volsces are in arms.
MARCIUS.?They have a leader,?Tullus Aufidius, that will put you to't.?I sin in envying his nobility;?And were I anything but what I am,?I would wish me only he.
COMINIUS.?You have fought together.
MARCIUS.?Were half to half the world by the 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.
FIRST SENATOR.?Then, worthy Marcius,?Attend upon Cominius to these wars.
COMINIUS.?It is your former promise.
MARCIUS.?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?
TITUS LARTIUS.?No, Caius Marcius;?I'll lean upon one crutch and fight with the other?Ere stay behind this business.
MENENIUS.?O, true bred!
FIRST SENATOR.?Your company to the Capitol; where, I know,?Our greatest friends attend us.
TITUS LARTIUS.?Lead you on.?Follow, Cominius; we must follow you;?Right worthy your priority.
COMINIUS.?Noble Marcius!
FIRST SENATOR.?Hence to your homes; be gone!?[To the Citizens.]
MARCIUS.?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, COM., MAR, TIT., and MENEN. Citizens steal away.]
SICINIUS.?Was ever man so proud as is this Marcius?
BRUTUS.?He has no equal.
SICINIUS.?When we were chosen tribunes for the people,--
BRUTUS.?Mark'd you his lip and eyes?
SICINIUS.?Nay, but his taunts!
BRUTUS.?Being mov'd, he will not spare to gird the gods.
SICINIUS.?Bemock the modest moon.
BRUTUS.?The present wars devour him: he is grown?Too proud to be so valiant.
SICINIUS.?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.
BRUTUS.?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 th' utmost of a man; and giddy censure?Will then cry out of Marcius 'O, if he?Had borne the business!'
SICINIUS.?Besides, if things go well,?Opinion, that so sticks on Marcius, shall?Of his demerits rob Cominius.
BRUTUS.?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.
SICINIUS.?Let's hence and hear?How the dispatch is made; and in what fashion,?More than in singularity, he goes?Upon this present action.
BRUTUS.?Let's along.
[Exeunt.]
SCENE II. Corioli. The Senate House.
[Enter TULLUS AUFIDIUS and certain SENATORS.]
FIRST SENATOR.?So, your opinion is, Aufidius,?That they of Rome are enter'd in our counsels?And know how we proceed.
AUFIDIUS.?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 pressed 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:?Consider of