which now we'll fhew 'em in Deeds: they fay, poor Suiters have ftrong Breaths, they fhall know we have strong Arms too. Men. Why Mafters, my good Friends, mine honest Neighbours, will you undo your felves? Wants, 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-honfes cramm'd with Grain: Make Edicts for Ufury, to fupport Ufurers; repeal daily any wholfom Act 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 pleafe 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' I'th' midft o'th' Body, idle and unactive, Like Labour with the reft; where th' other Inftruments 2 Cit. Well, Sir, what anfwer made the Belly? To the difcontented 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? What then? what then? For me this Fellow fpeaks. 2 Cit. Should by the Cormorant Belly be reftrain'd; Who is the fink o'th' Body 2 Cit. The former Agents, if they did complain, What could the Belly anfwer? Men.. I will tell you, If you'll beftov a fmall (of what you have little) Patience, a while, you'll hear the Belly's answer. 2 Cit. Y'are long about it. Men Note me this, good Friend; Not rafh, like his Accufers, and thus answer'd; of Of the whole Body. But if you do remember, Even to the Court, the Heart, to th' feat o'th' Brain, Men. Though all at once, cannot think? 2 Cit. I 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 Beneath abhorring. What would you have, ye Curs, That like not Peace, nor War? The one affrights you, The ་ The other makes you proud. He that trusts to you, Or Hailftone in the Sun. Your Virtue is, To make him worthy, whofe Offence fubdues him, Who deferves Greatnefs, Deferves your Hate; and your Affections are A fick Man's Appetite, who defires most that, Which would encrease his Evil. He that depends And hews down Oaks with Rushes. Hang ye----truft ye! And call him noble, that was now your Hate, Him Vile, that was your Garland. What's the Matter, You cry against the Noble Senate, who (Under the Gods) keep you in awe, which elfe Mar. Hang 'em: Thy fay! They'll fit by th' Fire, and prefume to know What's done i'th' Capitol; who's like to rife, Who thrives, and who declines: Side Factions, and give out And feebling fuch as ftand not in their liking, Below their cobled Shooes. They fay, there's Grain enough! And let me ufe a Sword, I'd make a Quarry As I could pitch my Lance. Men. Nay, thefe are almoft thoroughly perfuaded: For though abundantly they lack Difcretion, Mar. They are diffolv'd; hang 'em, They faid they were an hungry, figh'd forth Proverbs; That Meat was made for mouths- that the Gods fent not Corn Corn for the Rich Men only -With thefe fhreds To break the Heart of Generosity, And make bold Power look pale; they threw their Caps As they would bang them on the Horns o'th' Moon, Suiting 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 knew not----S'death, Win upon Power, and throw forth greater Themes Men. This is ftrange. Mar. Go get you home, you Fragments. Enter a Messenger. Mef. Where's Caius Martius? Mar. Here---what's the Matter? Mef. The News is, Sir, the Volfcies are in Arms. Mar. I am glad on't, then we fhall have means to vent Our mufty fuperfluity. See, our best Elders---Enter Sicinius Velutus, Junius Brutus, Cominius, Titus Lartius, with other Senators. 1 Sen. Martius, 'tis true, that you have lately told us, The Volfcies are in Arms. Mar. They have a Leader, Tullius Aufidius, that will put you to't. And were I any thing but what I am, I could wish me only he. Com. You have fought together? Mar. Were half to half the World by th' 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. I Sen. Then worthy Martius, Attend upon Cominius to thefe Wars. Mar |