Enter certain Romans, with spoils. 1st Rom. This will I carry to Rome. 2nd Rom. And I this. 3rd Rom. A murrain on 't! I took this for silver. [Alarum still continues afar off. Enter MARCIUS and TITUS LARTIUS, with a trumpet. Mar. See here these movers, that do prize their hours At a cracked 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 SCENE VI.-Near the Camp of COMINIUS. Like Romans, neither foolish in our stands, May give you thankful sacrifice!--Thy news? [They all shout, and wave their swords; take him Alarum. A retreat is 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 Where senators shall mingle tears with smiles : Where great patricians shall attend and shrug; I' the end, admire: where ladies shall be frighted, And, gladly quaked, hear more: where the dull Tribunes, That, with the fusty plebeians, hate thine honours, Shall say, against their hearts,-" We thank the But cannot make my heart consent to take [A long flourish. They all сту, "MARCIUS! MARCIUS!" cast up their caps and lances. COMINIUS and LARTIUS stand bare. Mar. May these same instruments, which you profane, Never sound more!-When drums and trumpets shall I'the field prove flatterers, let courts and cities be As if I loved my little should be dieted Too modest are you; Com. More cruel to your good report than grateful To us that give you truly. By your patience, If 'gainst yourself you be incensed, we 'll put you (Like one that means his proper harm) in ma nacles; Then reason safely with you.-Therefore, be it known, As to us, to all the world, that Caius Marcius Bear the addition nobly ever. [Flourish. Trumpets sound, and drums. 1st Sol. "'T will be delivered back on good condition. Auf. Condition! I would, I were a Roman; for I cannot, And wouldst do so, I think, should we encounter With only suffering stain by him; for him Wash my fierce hand in 's heart.-Go you to the city: Learn how 't is held; and what they are that must Be hostages for Rome. SCENE I.-Rome. A public Place. Enter MENENIUS, SICINIUS, and BRUTUS. Men. The augurer tells me we shall have news to-night. Bru. Good or bad? Men. Not according to the prayer of the people; for they love not Marcius. Sic. Nature teaches beasts to know their friends. Men. Ay, to devour him; as the hungry plebeians would the noble Marcius. Bru. He's a lamb indeed, that baes like a bear. Men. He's a bear, indeed, that lives like a lamb. You two are old men: tell me one thing that I shall ask you. Both Trib. Well, sir. Men. In what enormity is Marcius poor, that you two have not in abundance? Bru. He's poor in no one fault, but stored with all. Sic. Especially in pride. Bru. And topping all others in boasting. Men. This is strange now! Do you two know how you are censured here in the city: I mean of us o' the right-hand file? Do you? Both Trib. Why, how are we censured? Men. Because you talk of pride now,-will you not be angry? Both Trib. Well, well, sir, well. Men. Why, 't is no great matter; for a very little thief of occasion will rob you of a great deal of patience. Give your disposition the reins, and be angry at your pleasures: at the least, if you take it as a pleasure to you in being so. You blame Marcius for being proud? Bru. We do it not alone, sir. Men. I know you can do very little alone; for your helps are many, or else your actions would grow wondrous single: your abilities are too infant-like for doing much alone. You talk of pride: O that you could turn your eyes towards the napes of your necks, and make but an interior survey of your good selves: O that you could! Bru. What then, sir? Men. Why, then you should discover a brace of unmeriting, proud, violent, testy magistrates (alias fools) as any in Rome. Sic. Menenius, you are known well enough too. Men. I am known to be a humorous patrician, and one that loves a cup of hot wine with not a drop of allaying Tyber in 't: said to be something imperfect in favouring the first com |