5BEfore we proceed any further, heare me speake.

6All. Speake, speake.

71. Cit. You are all resolu'd rather to dy then

8to famish?

9All. Resolu'd, resolu'd.

101. Cit. First you know, Caius Martius is chiefe enemy

11to the people.

12All. We know't, we know't.

131. Cit. Let vs kill him, and wee'l haue Corne at our own

14price. Is't a Verdict?

15All. No more talking on't; Let it be done, away, away

162. Cit. One word, good Citizens.

171. Cit. We are accounted poore Citizens, the Patri-

18cians good: what Authority surfets one, would releeue

19vs. If they would yeelde vs but the superfluitie while it

20were wholsome, wee might guesse they releeued vs hu-

21manely: But they thinke we are too deere, the leannesse

22that afflicts vs, the obiect of our misery, is as an inuento-

23ry to particularize their abundance, our sufferance is a

24gaine to them. Let vs reuenge this with our Pikes, ere

25we become Rakes. For the Gods know, I speake this in

26hunger for Bread, not in thirst for Reuenge.

272. Cit. Would you proceede especially against Caius

28Martius.

29All. Against him first: He's a very dog to the Com-

30monalty.

312. Cit. Consider you what Seruices he ha's done for his

32Country?

331. Cit. Very well, and could bee content to giue him

34good report for't, but that hee payes himselfe with bee-

35ing proud.

36All. Nay, but speak not maliciously.

371. Cit. I say vnto you, what he hath done Famouslie,

38he did it to that end: though soft conscienc'd men can be

39content to say it was for his Countrey, he did it to please

40his Mother, and to be partly proud, which he is, euen to

41the altitude of his vertue.

422. Cit. What he cannot helpe in his Nature, you ac-

43count a Vice in him: You must in no way say he is co-

44uetous.

451. Cit. If I must not, I neede not be barren of Accusa-

46tions he hath faults (with surplus) to tyre in repetition.

48What showts are these? The other side a'th City is risen:

49why stay we prating heere? To th' Capitoll.

50All. Come, come.

511 Cit. Soft, who comes heere?

532 Cit. Worthy Menenius Agrippa, one that hath al-

54wayes lou'd the people.

551 Cit. He's one honest enough, wold al the rest wer so.

56Men. What work's my Countrimen in hand?

57Where go you with Bats and Clubs? The matter

58Speake I pray you.

592 Cit. Our busines is not vnknowne to th' Senat, they

60haue had inkling this fortnight what we intend to do, w^t

61now wee'l shew em in deeds: they say poore Suters haue

62strong breaths, they shal know we haue strong arms too.

63Menen. Why Masters, my good Friends, mine honest

64Neighbours, will you vndo your selues?

652 Cit. We cannot Sir, we are vndone already.

66Men. I tell you Friends, most charitable care

67Haue the Patricians of you for your wants.

68Your suffering in this dearth, you may as well

69Strike at the Heauen with your staues, as lift them

70Against the Roman State, whose course will on

71The way it takes: cracking ten thousand Curbes

72Of more strong linke assunder, then can euer

73Appeare in your impediment. For the Dearth,

74The Gods, not the Patricians make it, and

75Your knees to them (not armes) must helpe. Alacke,

76You are transported by Calamity

77Thether, where more attends you, and you slander

78The Helmes o'th State; who care for you like Fathers,

79When you curse them, as Enemies.

802 Cit. Care for vs? True indeed, they nere car'd for vs

81yet. Suffer vs to famish, and their Store-houses cramm'd

82with Graine: Make Edicts for Vsurie, to support Vsu-

83rers; repeale daily any wholsome Act established against

84the rich, and prouide more piercing Statutes daily, to

85chaine vp and restraine the poore. If the Warres eate vs

86not vppe, they will; and there's all the loue they beare

87vs.

88Menen. Either you must

89Confesse your selues wondrous Malicious,

90Or be accus'd of Folly. I shall tell you

91A pretty Tale, it may be you haue heard it,

92But since it serues my purpose, I will venture

93To scale't a little more.

942 Citizen. Well,

95Ile heare it Sir: yet you must not thinke

96To fobbe off our disgrace with a tale:

97But and't please you deliuer.

98Men. There was a time, when all the bodies members

99Rebell'd against the Belly; thus accus'd it:

100That onely like a Gulfe it did remaine