were wholesome, we might guess, they relieved 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 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. 2 Cit. Would you proceed especially against Caius Marcius? Cit. Against him first; he's a very dog to the commonalty. 2 Cit. Consider you what services he has done for his country? 1 Cit. Very well; and could be content to give him good report for't, but that he pays himself with being proud. 2 Cit. Nay, but speak not maliciously. 1 Cit. I say unto you, what he hath done famously, he did it to that end; though soft conscienc'd 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. 2 Cit. What he cannot help in his nature, you account a vice in him: You must in no way say, he is covetous. 1 Cit. If I must not, I need not be barren of accusations; he hath faults, with surplus, to tire in repetition. [Shouts within.] What shouts are these? The other 2 but they think, we are too dear:] They think that the charge of maintaining us is more than we are worth. 3 Let us revenge this with our pikes, ere we become rakes:] It is plain that, in our author's time, we had the proverb, as lean as a rake. Of this proverb the original is obscure. Rake now signifies a dissolute man, a man worn out with disease and debauchery. But the signification is, I think, much more modern than the proverb. Rækel, in Islandick, is said to mean a cur-dog, and this was probably the first use among us of the word rake ; as lean as a rake is, therefore, as lean as a dog too worthless to be fed. side o'the city is risen: Why stay we prating here? to the Capitol. Cit. Come, come. 1 Cit. Soft; who comes here? Enter MENENIUS AGRIPPA. 2 Cit. Worthy Menenius Agrippa; one that hath always loved the people. 1 Cit. He's one honest enough; 'Would, all the rest were so ! Men. What work's, my countrymen, in hand? Where go you With bats and clubs? The matter? Speak, I pray you. 1 Cit. Our business is not unknown to the senate; they have had inkling, this fortnight, what we intend to do, which now we'll show 'em in deeds. They say, poor suitors have strong breaths; they shall know, we have strong arms too. Men. Why, masters, my good friends, mine honest neighbours, Will you undo yourselves? 1 Cit. We cannot, sir, we are undone already. Thither where more attends you; and you slander 1 Cit. Care for us! True, indeed! They ne'er cared for us yet. Suffer us to famish, and their storehouses crammed with grain; make edicts for usury, to support usurers: repeal daily any wholesome act established against the rich; and provide more piercing statutes daily, to chain up and restrain the poor. If the wars eat us not up, they will; and there's all the love they bear us. Men. Either you must Confess yourselves wond'rous malicious, Or be accus'd of folly. I shall tell you A pretty tale; it may be, you have heard it; 1 Cit. Well, I'll hear it, sir: yet you must not think to fob off our disgrace with a tale': but, an't please you, deliver. Men. There was a time, when all the body's members Rebell'd against the belly; thus accus'd it :— That only like a gulph it did remain I'the midst o'the body, idle and unactive, Still cupboarding the viand, never bearing Like labour with the rest; where the other instruments 1 Cit. Well, sir, what answer made the belly? 5 6 disgrace with a tale :] Disgraces are hardships, injuries. where the other instruments -] Where for whereas. participate,] Here means participant, or participating. 7 Which ne'er came from the lungs,] With a smile not indicating pleasure, but contempt. 5 To the discontented members, the mutinous parts They are not such as you. Your belly's answer: What! 1 Cit. Men. What then? '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,) 1 Cit. You are long about it. Note me this, good friend; Your most grave belly was deliberate, Not rash like his accusers, and thus answer'd. 1 the cranks and offices of man,] Cranks are windings. Whereby they live: And though that all at once, You, my good friends, (this says the belly,) Mark me,— 1 Cit. Ay, sir; well, well. Men. Though all at once cannot See what I do deliver out to each; Yet I can make my audit up, that all 1 Cit. It was an answer: What say you to't? How apply you this? Men. The senators of Rome are this good belly, And you the mutinous members: For examine Their counsels, and their cares; digest things rightly, Touching the weal o'the common; you shall find, No publick benefit, which you receive, But it proceeds, or comes, from them to you, And no way from yourselves.-What do you think? 1 Cit. I the great toe? Why the great toe? Men. For that being one o'the lowest, basest, poorest, Of this most wise rebellion, thou go'st foremost: Thou rascal, that art worst in blood, to run Lead'st first, to win some vantage. 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 dissentious rogues, That rubbing the poor itch of your opinion, Make yourselves scabs? 1 Cit. We have ever your good word. Mar. He that will give good words to thee, will flatter 2 The one side must have bale.] Bale is an old Saxon word, for misery or calamity. |