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 wisdoms,
Of their own choice: One's Junius Brutus,
Sicinius Velutus, and I know not―'s death!
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.

Men. This is strange.

Mar. Go, get you home, you fragments!

Enter a Mefsenger.

Mes. Where's Caius Marcius?

Mar. Here: What's the matter?

Mes. The news is, sir, the Volces are in arms.

Mar. I am glad on't; then we shall have means to

vent

Our musty superfluity:-See, our best elders.

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

1 Sen. Marcius, 'tis true, that you have lately told us; The Volces are in arms.

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.

Com. You have fought together.

Mar. 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.

1 Sen. Then, worthy Marcius,

Attend upon Cominius to these wars.
Com. It is your former promise.

Mar. 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?

Tit. No, Caius Marcius;

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

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 these rats thither,

To gnaw their garners:-Worshipful mutineers,
Your valour puts well forth: pray, follow.

[Exeunt Senators, Cominius, Marcius, Titus, and
Menenius. The 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. Be-mock the modest moon.

Bru. The present wars devour him: he is Too proud to be so valiant.

Sic. Such a nature,

grown

Tickled with good succefs, disdains the shadow
Which he treads on at noon: But I do wonder,

His insolence can brook to be commanded
Under Cominius.

Bru. 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 the utmost of a man; and giddy censure
Will then cry out of Marcius, O, if he
Had borne the business!

Sic. Besides, if things go well,
Opinion, that so sticks on Marcius, shall
Of his demerits rob Cominius.

Bru. 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.

Sic. Let's hence, and hear

How the despatch is made; and in what fashion,
More than his singularity, he goes

Upon this present action.

Bru. Let's along.

[Exeunt.

SCENE II

CORIOLI. THE SENATE HOUSE.

Enter Tullus Aufidius, and certain 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 hath 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:
They have prefs'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,

[reads.

(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 it.

1 Sen. Our army's in the field:

We never yet made doubt but Rome was ready
To answer us.

Auf. Nor did you think it folly,

To keep your great pretences veil'd, till when

They needs must show themselves; which in the hatching,
It seem'd, appear'd to Rome. By the discovery,

We shall be shorten'd in our aim; which was,
To take in many towns, ere, almost, Rome
Should know we were afoot.

2 Sen. Noble Aufidius,

Take your commifsion; hie you to your bands;
Let us alone to guard Corioli:

If they set down before us, for the remove
Bring up your army; but, I think, you'll find
They have not prepar'd for us.

Auf. O, doubt not that;

I speak from certainties. Nay, more,

Some parcels of their powers are forth already,
And only hitherward. I leave your honours.
If we and Caius Marcius chance to meet,
'Tis sworn between us, we shall ever strike
Till one can do no more.

All. The gods assist you!

Auf. And keep your honours safe!