I'the midst o'the body, idle and inactive, Still cupboarding the viand, never bearing Like labour with the rest; where* the other in struments Did see, and hear, devise, instruct, walk, feel, 1 Cit. Well, sir, what answer made the belly? Men. Sir, I shall tell you.-With a kind of smile, Which ne'er came from the lungs, but even thus (For, look you, I may make the belly smile, As well as speak,) it tauntingly replied To the discontented members, the mutinous parts They are not such as you. 1 Cit. Your belly's answer: What! What then?— Men. 'Fore me, this fellow speaks!-what then? what then? 1 Cit. Should by the cormorant belly be restrain'd, Who is the sink o'the body, Men. Well, what then? 1 Cit. The former agents, if they did complain, What could the belly answer? Men. I will tell you; If you'll bestow a small (of what you have little,) Patience, a while, you'll hear the belly's answer. 1 Cit. You are long about it. Men. Note me this, good friend; Your most grave belly was deliberate, Not rash like his accusers, and thus answer'd : True is it, my incorporate friends, quoth he, * Whereas. + Exactly. That I receive the general food at first, Even to the court, the heart,—to the seat o'the brain ; Men. Though all at once cannot See what I do deliver out to each; Yet I can make my audit ир, 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; The one side must have bale †. Hail, noble Marcius! Enter Caius Marcius. Mar. Thanks.-What's the matter, you dissen tious rogues, 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. Who deserves great ness, Deserves your hate: and your affections are A sick man's appetite, who desires most that Which would increase his evil. He that depends Upon your favours, swims with fins of lead, And hews down oaks with rushes. Hang ye! Trust ye? With every minute you do change a mind; matter, That in these several places of the city What's the Under the gods, keep you in awe, which else Would feed on one another?-What's their seeking? Men. For corn at their own rates; whereof, they say, The city is well stor❜d. Hang 'em! They say? Mar. Who thrives, and who declines: side factions, and give out Conjectural marriages; making parties strong, Would the nobility lay aside their ruth*, Men. Nay, these are almost thoroughly persuaded; For though abundantly they lack discretion, Mar. 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 (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 wisdoms, Of their own choice: One's Junius Brutus, Sicinius Velutus, and I know not-'Sdeath! Win upon power, and throw forth greater themes Pity, compassion. + Heap of dead. Pitch. § Faction. For insurgents to debate upon. Men. This is strange. Mar. Go, get you home, you fragments! Enter a Messenger. Here: What's the matter? Mes. Where's Caius Marcius? Mar. Mes. The news is, sir, the Volces are in arms. 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; The Volces are in arms. Mar. They have a leader, Tullus Aufidius, that will put you to't. I sin in envying his nobility: 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 Only my wars with him: he is a lion 1 Sen. Attend upon Cominius to these wars. Mar. Then, worthy Marcius, Sir, it is :; And I am constant.-Titus Lartius, thou No, Caius Marcius; Tit. I'll lean upon one crutch, and fight with the other, Ere stay behind this business. Men. O, true bred! 1 Sen. Your company to the Capitol; where I know, |