Cit. Now the gods keep you! Both Tri. Farewel, farewel. [Exeunt Citizens. Sic. This is a happier and more comely time, Than when these fellows ran about the streets, Crying, Confusion. Bru. Caius Marcius was A worthy officer i' the war; but insolent, O'ercome with pride, ambitious past all thinking, Self-loving, Sic. And affecting one sole throne, Without assistance. Men. I think not so. Sic. We should by this, to all our lamentation, If he had gone forth consul, found it so. Bru. The gods have well prevented it, and Rome Sits safe and still without him. Ed. Enter Edile. Worthy tribunes, There is a slave, whom we have put in prison, And with the deepest malice of the war Men. 'Tis Aufidius, Who, hearing of our Marcius' banishment, Thrusts forth his horns again into the world; Which were inshell'd, when Marcius stood for Rome, And durst not once peep out. Sic. Of Marcius? Come, what talk you Bru. Go see this rumourer whipp'd.—It cannot be, The Volces dare break with us. Men. Cannot be! We have record, that very well it can; And three examples of the like have been Within my age. But reason with the fellow, Before you punish him, where he heard this; Lest you shall chance to whip your information, And beat the messenger who bids beware Of what is to be dreaded. Mes. The nobles, in great earnestness, are going All to the senate house: some news is come, That turns their countenances. Sic. 'Tis this slave; Go whip him 'fore the people's eyes:-his raising! Nothing but his report! Mes. Yes, worthy sir, The slave's report is seconded; and more, More fearful, is deliver❜d. Sic. What more fearful? Mes. It is spoke freely out of many mouths, (How probable, I do not know,) that Marcius, Join'd with Aufidius, leads a power 'gainst Rome; And vows revenge as spacious, as between The young'st and oldest thing. Sic. This is most likely! Bru. Rais'd only, that the weaker sort may wish Good Marcius home again. Sic. Men. This is unlikely: The very trick on't. He and Aufidius can no more atone, Than violentest contrariety. Enter another Messenger. Mes. You are sent for to the senate: Upon our territories; and have already Enter Cominius. Com. O, you have made good work! Men. What news? what news? Com. You have holp to ravish your own daugh ters, and To melt the city leads upon your pates; To see your wives dishonour'd to your noses;- Com. Your temples burned in their cement; and Men. Pray now, your news? You have made fair work, I fear me:-Pray, your news? If Marcius should be join'd with Volcians, Com. He is their god; he leads them like a thing If! Made by some other deity than nature, That shapes man better: and they follow him, Men. You have made good work, You, and your apron-men; you that stood so much Upon the voice of occupation, and The breath of garlick-eaters! Com. Your Rome about your ears. Men. He will shake As Hercules Did shake down mellow fruit: You have made fair Do smilingly revolt; and, who resist, Are only mock'd for valiant ignorance, And perish constant fools. Who is't can blame him? Your enemies, and his, find something in him. Men. We are all undone, unless The noble man have mercy. Who shall ask it? Com. Does of the shepherds: for his best friends, if they even As those should do that had deserv'd his hate, Men. 'Tis true: If he were putting to my house the brand A trembling upon Rome, such as was never Tri. Say not, we brought it. Men. How! Was it we? We lov'd him; but, like beasts, And cowardly nobles, gave way to your clusters, Com. Men. Enter a troop of Citizens. Here come the clusters. And is Aufidius with him?-You are they That made the air unwholesome, when you cast And not a hair upon a soldier's head, |