Page 2772 - Shakespeare - Vol. 3

One word, good citizens.

FIRST CITIZEN
We are accounted poor citizens, the patricians good. What authority surfeits
on would relieve us. If they would yield us but the superfluity while it were
wholesome, we might guess they relieved [15] us humanely. But they think
we are too dear. The leanness that afflicts us, the object of our misery, is as

an inventory to particularize their abundance. Our sufferance is [20] a gain to
them. Let us revenge this with our pikes ere we become rakes. For the gods
know I speak this in hunger for bread, not in thirst for revenge.

SECOND CITIZEN
Would you proceed especially against Caius Martius? [25]

FIRST CITIZEN

Against him first. He’s a very dog to the commonalty.

SECOND CITIZEN

Consider you what services he has done for his country?

FIRST CITIZEN
Very well, and could be content to give [30] him good report for’t, but that he
pays himself with being proud.

SECOND CITIZEN
Nay, but speak not maliciously.

FIRST CITIZEN
I say unto you, what he hath done famously he did it to that end. Though
soft-conscienced [35] men can be content to say it was for his country, he did

it to please his mother and to be partly proud, which he is, even to the
altitude of his virtue.

SECOND CITIZEN
What he cannot help in his nature you account a vice in him. You must in no
way say he is [40] covetous.