And, through the cranks and offices of man,1 Men. Though all at once cannot See what I do deliver out to each; Yet I can make my audit up, that all From me do back receive the flower of all, But it proceeds, or comes, from them to you, 1 Cit. I the great toe? Why the great toe? Of this most wise rebellion, thou go'st foremost: But make you ready your stiff bats and clubs; 1 Enter CAIUS MARCIUS. Mar. Thanks.-What's the matter, you dissentious rogues, the cranks and offices of man,] Cranks are windings. 2 The one side must have bale.] Bale is an old Saxon word, for misery or calamity. That rubbing the poor itch of your opinion, 1 Cit. We have ever your good word. Mar. He that will give good words to thee, will flatter Beneath abhorring.-What would you have, you curs, That like nor peace, nor war? the one affrights you, Or hailstone in the sun. Your virtue is, To make him worthy, whose offence subdues him, And curse that justice did it.3 Who deserves great ness, Deserves your hate: and your affections are And hews down oaks with rushes. Hang ye! Trust ye? With every minute you do change a mind; That in these several places of the city You cry against the noble senate, who, Under the gods, keep you in awe, which else Would feed on one another?-What's their seek→ ing? Your virtue is, To make him worthy, whose offence subdues him, And curse that justice did it.] i. e. Your virtue is to speak well of him whom his own offences have subjected to justice; and to rail at those laws by which he whom you praise was punished. Men. For corn at their own rates; whereof, they say, The city is well stor❜d. Mar. Hang 'em! They say? They'll sit by the fire, and presume to know What's done i'the Capitol: who's like to rise, Conjectural marriages; making parties strong, 5 Would the nobility lay aside their ruth,* Men. Nay, these are almost thoroughly persuaded Mar. you, They are dissolved: Hang 'em! They said, they were an-hungry; sigh'd forth pro verbs; 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, their ruth,] i. e. their pity, compassion. Fairfax and Spenser often use the word. Hence the adjective-ruthless, which is still current. 5 I'd make a quarry-] Mr. Steevens asserts, that quarry means game pursued or killed, and supports that opinion by a passage in Massinger's Guardian: and from thence, perhaps, the word was used to express a heap of slaughtered persons. 6 pick my lance.] i. e. pitch it. (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." Men. What is granted them? Mar. Five tribunes, to defend their vulgar wis doms, Of their own choice: One's Junius Brutus, Win upon power, and throw forth greater themes Men. This is strange. Mar. Go, get you home, you fragments! Enter a Messenger. Mess. Where's Caius Marcius? Mar. Here: What's the matter? Mess. 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; 7 the heart of generosity,] To give the final blow to the nobles. Generosity is high birth. 8 Shouting their emulation.] Emulation, in the present instance, perhaps, signifies faction. Shouting their emulation, may mean, expressing the triumph of their faction by shouts. Emulation, in our author, is sometimes used in an unfavourable sense, and not to imply an honest contest for superior excellence, For insurrection's arguing.] For insurgents to debate upon. The Volces are in arms. Mar. They have a leader, And were I any thing but what I am, 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 1 Sen. Mar. Then, worthy Marcius, Sir, it is; And I am constant.-Titus Lartius, thou Tit. Men. O, true bred! 1 Sen. Your company to the Capitol; where, I know, Our greatest friends attend us. Tit. Lead you on: Noble Lartius! Follow, Cominius; we must follow you; Com. 1 Sen. Hence! To your homes, be gone. [To the Citizens. Nay, let them follow: Mar. The Volces have much corn; take these rats thither, Right worthy you priority.] You being right worthy of precedence. |