Our fufferance is a gain to them. Let us revenge this with our Pikes, e'er we become Rakes: For the Gods know, I fpeak this in hunger for Bread, not in thirft for Revenge. 2 Cit. Would you proceed especially againft Caius Mar tius? All. Against him firft: He's a very Dog to the Com. monalty. 2 Cit. Confider you what Services he has done for his Country? 1 Cit. Very well: and could be content to give him good Report for t; but that he pays himself with being proud. All. Nay, but fpeak not maliciously. 1 Cit. I fay unto you, what he hath done famoufly, he did it to that end; though foft confcienc'd Men can be content to fay it was for his Country, he did it to please his Mother, and to be partly proud, which he is, even to the altitude of his Virtue. 2 Cit. What he cannot help in his Nature, you account a Vice in him: You muft in no way fay, he is Covetous. I Cit. If I muft not, I need not be barren of Accufations; he hath Faults, with furplus, to tire in Repetition. [Shouts within. What Shouts are those? The other fide o'th' City is rifen, why stay we prating here? To th'Capitol All Come, come. 1 Cit. Softwho comes here? Enter Menenius Agrippa. 2 Cit. Worthy Menenius Agrippa; one that hath always lov'd the People. 1 Cit. He's one honeft enough, would all the reft were fo. Men. What work's, my Countrymen, in hand? Where go you with your Bats and Clubs? The MatterSpeak, I pray you. 2 Cit. Our Bufinefs is not unknown to the Senate, they have had inkling, this Fortnight, what we intended to do, which now we'll fhew 'em in Deeds: They fay, poor Suiters have ftrong Breaths, they fhall know we have ftrong Arms too. Men. Why Mafters, my good Friends, mine honest Neighbours, will you undo your felves? 2 Cit. We cannot, Sir, we are undone already. Thither, where more attends you; and you flander 2 Cit. Care for us !----True indeed, they ne'er car'd for us yet. Suffer us to famifh, and their Store-houfes cramm'd with Grain: Make Edicts for Ufury, to fupport Ufurers; repeal daily any wholsom A&t established against the Rich, and provide more piercing Statutes daily, to chain up and reftrain the Poor. If the Wars eat us not up, they will, and there's all the love they bear us. Men. Either you must Confefs your felves wond'rous malicious, Or be accus'd of Folly. I fhall tell you 2 Cit. Well, I'll hear it, Sir -yet you must not think To fob off our Difgrace with a Tale: But, and't please you, deliver. Men. There was a time when all the Bodies Members Rebell'd against the Belly; thus accus'd it— That only like a Gulf it did remain I'th' midt o'th' Body, idle and unactive, Still cubbording the Viand, never bearing Like labour with the reft: where th' other Inftruments Unto the Appetite, and Affection common Of the whole Body. The Belly anfwer'd 2 Cit. Well, Sir, what anfwer made the Belly? To the discontented Members, the mutinous Parts 2 Cit. Your Belly's anfwer-What The Kingly crown'd Head, the vigilant Eye, In this our Fabrick, if that they Men. What then?-For me this Fellow fpeaks. What then? what then? 2 Cir. Should by the Cormorant Belly be reftrain'; Who is the fink o'th' 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 beftow a small (of what you have little) Patience, a while; you'ft hear the Belly's answer. 2 Cit. Y'are long about it. Men. Note me this, good Friend; Your moft grave Belly was deliberate, You You, my good Friends, (this fays the Belly) mark me 2 Cit. Ay, Sir, well, well. Men. Though all at once, cannot But it proceeds or comes from them to yo", 2 Cit. the great Toe! Why the great Toe? But make you ready your ftiff Bats and Clubs, Enter Caius Martius. Hail, Noble Martius. Mar. Thanks. What's the Matter, you diffentious Rogues? That rubbing the poor itch of your Opinion, Make your felves Scabs. 2 Cit. We have ever your good Word. Mar. He that will give good Words to thee, will flatter Or Hailftone in the Sun. Your Virtue is, A fick Man's Appetite, who defires most that," And hews down Oaks with Rufhes. Hang ye --- trust ye! And call him Noble, that was now your Hate, Him Vile, that was your Garland. That in the several places of the City What's the Matter, You cry against the Noble Senate, who (Under the Gods) keep you in awe, which elfe Mar. Hang 'em: They fay! They'll fit by th' Fire, and prefume to know Who thrives, and who declines: Side Factions, and give out And let me ufe a Sword, I'd make a Quarry Men. Nay, thefe are almoft throughly perfuaded: Yet are they paffing cowardly. What fays the other Troop? But, I beseech you, Mar. They are diffolv'd; hang 'em, They faid they were an hungry, That Hunger broke Stone Walls figh'd forth Proverbs; 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 ftrange one, To break the Heart of Generofity, And make bold Power look pale; they threw their Caps Men. What is granted them? Mar. |