Page 2779 - Shakespeare - Vol. 3

What’s done i’th’Capitol, who’s like to rise, [190]
Who thrives and who declines; side factions and give out
Conjectural marriages, making parties strong
And feebling such as stand not in their liking

Below their cobbled shoes. They say there’s grain enough!
Would the nobility lay aside their ruth [195]
And let me use my sword, I’d make a quarry
With thousands of these quartered slaves as high

As I could pick my lance.

MENENIUS
Nay, these are almost thoroughly persuaded,
For though abundantly they lack discretion, [200]
Yet are they passing cowardly. But, I beseech you,
What says the other troop?

MARTIUS
They are dissolved. Hang’em!
They said they were an-hungry, sighed forth proverbs −
That hunger broke stone walls, that dogs must eat,
That meat was made for mouths, that the gods sent not [205]

Corn for the rich men only. With these shreds
They vented their complainings; which being answered
And a petition granted them − a strange one,
To break the heart of generosity

And make bold power look pale − they threw their caps [210]
As they would hang them on the horns o’th’moon,
Shouting their emulation.

MENENIUS
What is granted them?

MARTIUS
Five tribunes to defend their vulgar wisdoms,

Of their own choice. One’s Junius Brutus, one
Sicinius Velutus, and − I know not. ‘Sdeath! [215]
The rabble should have first unroofed the city
Ere so prevailed with me. It will in time