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And let me use my sword, I'll 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! |
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. |
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 any thing 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'ld 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: |
No, Caius Marcius; |
I'll lean upon one crutch and fight with t'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: |