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Before we proceed any further, hear me speak.
Before we go any further, let me speak.
Speak, speak.
Speak, speak.
You are all resolved rather to die than to famish?
Are you all sure you’d rather die than starve?
Resolved. resolved.
Sure, sure.
First, you know Caius Marcius is chief enemy to the people.
First of all, you know Caius Marcius is our biggest enemy.
We know’t, we know’t.
We know it, we know it.
Let us kill him, and we’ll have corn at our own price. Is’t a verdict?
Let’s kill him, and then we can get grain at a fair price. Is that a plan?
No more talking on’t; let it be done: away, away!
No more talk about it; let’s do it: let’s go, let’s go!
One word, good citizens.
One word, good citizens.
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 us humanely; but they think we are too dear: the leanness that afflicts us, the object of our misery, is as an inventory to particularise 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.
We are called poor citizens, and the patricians are the rich ones. What they have too much of, they should give us: if they’d just give us the excess, while it’s still good, we could say they helped us kindly; but they think we’re too expensive: the poverty we suffer, which is the cause of our misery, is like a list showing their abundance; our suffering benefits them. Let’s take revenge on them with our weapons, before we end up like beggars. For the gods know, I say this out of hunger for bread, not out of thirst for revenge.
Would you proceed especially against Caius Marcius?
Are you going to specifically target Caius Marcius?
Against him first: he’s a very dog to the commonalty.
Yes, him first: he’s a real enemy to the common people.
Consider you what services he has done for his country?
Have you considered the services he’s done for his country?
Very well; and could be content to give him good report fort, but that he pays himself with being proud.
Yes, very well; and I would be happy to praise him for them, but he ruins it by being so proud.
Nay, but speak not maliciously.
But don’t speak out of hatred.
I say unto you, what he hath done famously, he did it to that end: though soft-conscienced 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 till the altitude of his virtue.
I’m telling you, everything he did that was great, he did it for his own benefit. Soft-hearted people might say he did it for his country, but really, he did it to please his mother and to feed his pride, which is still there, no matter how virtuous he tries to look.
What he cannot help in his nature, you account a vice in him. You must in no way say he is covetous.
You see his natural traits as flaws. Don’t say he’s greedy.
If I must not, I need not be barren of accusations; he hath faults, with surplus, to tire in repetition.
If I can’t say that, I still have plenty of other complaints about him; he has more faults than I could list in a lifetime.
What shouts are these? The other side o’ the city is risen: why stay we prating here? to the Capitol!
What are those shouts? The other side of the city is in an uproar: why are we just standing here talking? Let’s go to the Capitol!
Come, come.
Let’s go, let’s go.
Soft! who comes here?
Wait! Who’s coming here?
Worthy Menenius Agrippa; one that hath always loved the people.
It’s Menenius Agrippa! He’s always been a friend to the people.
He’s one honest enough: would all the rest were so!
He’s decent enough: I wish everyone else were like him!
What work’s, my countrymen, in hand? where go you With bats and clubs? The matter? speak, I pray you.
What’s going on, my fellow citizens? Where are you going with sticks and clubs? What’s the matter? Tell me, please.
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.
Our issue isn’t a secret to the senate; they’ve had an idea for the past two weeks of what we plan to do, and now we’ll show them through action. They say poor petitioners have strong wills: they’ll see we have strong arms too.
Why, masters, my good friends, mine honest neighbours, Will you undo yourselves?
Why, friends, my good people, my honest neighbors, Are you going to destroy yourselves?
We cannot, sir, we are undone already.
We can’t, sir, we’re already ruined.
I tell you, friends, most charitable care Have the patricians of you. For your wants, Your suffering in this dearth, you may as well Strike at the heaven with your staves as lift them Against the Roman state, whose course will on The way it takes, cracking ten thousand curbs Of more strong link asunder than can ever Appear in your impediment. For the dearth, The gods, not the patricians, make it, and Your knees to them, not arms, must help. Alack, You are transported by calamity Thither where more attends you, and you slander The helms o’ the state, who care for you like fathers, When you curse them as enemies.
I tell you, friends, the patricians care for you deeply. For your needs, Your suffering in this famine, you might as well Strike at the sky with your sticks as fight Against the Roman state, whose course will continue On its path, breaking ten thousand barriers Of stronger connections than anything that can ever Stand in your way. For the famine, The gods, not the patricians, are to blame, and You must kneel to them, not fight, to help. Alas, You are carried away by your troubles To a place where more dangers await you, and you insult The leaders of the state, who care for you like fathers, While you curse them as enemies.
Care for us! True, indeed! They ne’er cared for us yet: suffer us to famish, and their store-houses 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.
Care for us! Really! They never cared for us before: they let us starve while their granaries are full of grain; they pass laws allowing usury, to help money-lenders; they cancel every law that could help the poor, and create new laws every day to chain and control the poor. If the wars don’t destroy us, they will; and that’s all the love they have for us.
Either you must Confess yourselves wondrous malicious, Or be accused of folly. I shall tell you A pretty tale: it may be you have heard it; But, since it serves my purpose, I will venture To stale ’t a little more.
Either you must Admit you’re extremely spiteful, Or be accused of stupidity. Let me tell you A little story: maybe you’ve heard it; But, since it fits my point, I’ll tell it again And stretch it out a bit.
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.
Fine, I’ll listen, sir: but you mustn’t think you can dismiss our disgrace with a story: but, if you please, go ahead.
There was a time when all the body’s members Rebell’d against the belly, thus accused it: That only like a gulf 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 Did see and hear, devise, instruct, walk, feel, And, mutually participate, did minister Unto the appetite and affection common Of the whole body. The belly answer’d--
There was a time when all the body’s parts Rebelled against the belly, accusing it: That it only sat like a pit in the middle Of the body, idle and inactive, Always storing up food, never doing The work the other parts did, while they saw, heard, thought, planned, worked, felt, And, together, contributed to the body’s needs. The belly responded--
Well, sir, what answer made the belly?
Well, sir, what did the belly say?
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 That envied his receipt; even so most fitly As you malign our senators for that They are not such as you.
Sir, I’ll tell you. With a kind of smile, Which never came from the lungs, but just like this-- For, look, I can make the belly smile As easily as I can make it speak--it mockingly answered The dissatisfied parts, the rebellious members Who envied its nourishment; in the same way As you criticize our senators for not being Like you.
Your belly’s answer? What! The kingly-crowned head, the vigilant eye, The counsellor heart, the arm our soldier, Our steed the leg, the tongue our trumpeter. With other muniments and petty helps In this our fabric, if that they--
The belly’s response? What! The kingly head, the watchful eye, The wise heart, the soldier’s arm, Our steed the leg, the tongue our herald. With other tools and little helpers In this our body, if they--
What then? ’Fore me, this fellow speaks! What then? what then?
What then? By all means, this fellow speaks! What then? What then?
Should by the cormorant belly be restrain’d, Who is the sink o’ the body,--
Should the greedy belly be restricted, Who is the dump of the body,--
Well, what then?
Well, what then?
The former agents, if they did complain, What could the belly answer?
If the other parts complained, What could the belly say in response?
I will tell you If you’ll bestow a small--of what you have little-- Patience awhile, you’ll hear the belly’s answer.
I’ll tell you If you’ll be patient for a moment, You’ll hear the belly’s answer.
Ye’re long about it.
You’re taking too long.
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, ’That I receive the general food at first, Which you do live upon; and fit it is, Because I am the store-house and the shop Of the whole body: but, if you do remember, I send it through the rivers of your blood, Even to the court, the heart, to the seat o’ the brain; And, through the cranks and offices of man, The strongest nerves and small inferior veins From me receive that natural competency Whereby they live: and though that all at once, You, my good friends,’--this says the belly, mark me,--
Listen to this, my friend; Your serious belly thought things over carefully, Not hastily like his accusers, and answered like this: ’It’s true, my dear friends,’ he said, ’That I first receive the food that you all live on; And it’s right that I do, because I am the warehouse and the place For the whole body: but if you remember, I send it through your bloodstream, Even to the heart and brain; And through all parts of the body, The strongest nerves and smaller veins Take what they need from me To survive: and though not all at once, You, my good friends,’--this says the belly, pay attention,--
Ay, sir; well, well.
Yes, sir; okay, okay.
’Though all at once cannot See what I do deliver out to each, Yet I can make my audit up, that all From me do back receive the flour of all, And leave me but the bran.’ What say you to’t?
’Though not all at once can See what I give to each, Yet I can still keep track, and know that all Get the best from me, And leave me with the leftovers.’ What do you think of that?
It was an answer: how apply you this?
That was an answer: how do you interpret it?
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 public benefit which you receive But it proceeds or comes from them to you And no way from yourselves. What do you think, You, the great toe of this assembly?
The senators of Rome are like the belly, And you are like the rebellious members; if you examine Their advice and actions, digest them properly Concerning the public good, you’ll find That all the benefits you receive Come from them, not from yourselves. What do you think, You, the big toe of this assembly?
I the great toe! why the great toe?
I’m the big toe! Why the big toe?
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: Rome and her rats are at the point of battle; The one side must have bale.
Because, being one of the lowest, poorest, and least Of this foolish rebellion, you lead the way: You rascal, who’s the worst at running, You go first to gain some advantage. But get your clubs and bats ready: Rome and her rats are about to fight; One side is going to suffer.
Hail, noble Marcius!
Hail, noble Marcius!
Thanks. What’s the matter, you dissentious rogues, That, rubbing the poor itch of your opinion, Make yourselves scabs?
Thanks. What’s the matter, you rebellious fools, That, scratching the itch of your own opinions, Make yourselves into scabs?
We have ever your good word.
We always have your good word.
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, The other makes you proud. He that trusts to you, Where he should find you lions, finds you hares; Where foxes, geese: you are no surer, no, Than is the coal of fire upon the ice, Or hailstone in the sun. Your virtue is To make him worthy whose offence subdues him And curse that justice did it. Who deserves greatness 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, And call him noble that was now your hate, Him vile that was your garland. What’s the matter, That in these several places of the city You cry against the noble senate, who, Under the gods, keep you in awe, which else Would feed on one another? What’s their seeking?
He who gives you good words will flatter Beneath disgust. What do you want, you dogs, Who like neither peace nor war? One scares you, The other makes you proud. He who trusts you, Where he expects lions, finds hares; Where foxes, geese: you are no more reliable, Than coal on ice, Or hail in the sun. Your virtue is To make a man deserving whose crime overpowers him And curse the justice that punished him. Those who deserve greatness Deserve your hatred; and your affections are Like a sick man’s appetite, wanting what Will only make him worse. He who depends On your favours swims with leaden fins And tries to cut down oak trees with twigs. Hang you! Trust you? Every minute, you change your mind, Calling someone noble who was once your enemy, And calling him vile who was once your hero. What’s going on, That in these different parts of the city You protest against the noble senate, who, Under the gods, keep you in check, or else You’d tear each other apart? What’s their goal?
For corn at their own rates; whereof, they say, The city is well stored.
They want corn at their own prices; and they say, The city has plenty of it.
Hang ’em! They say! They’ll sit by the fire, and presume to know What’s done i’ the Capitol; who’s like to rise, 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, And let me use my sword, I’ll make a quarry With thousands of these quarter’d slaves, as high As I could pick my lance.
Hang them! They say! They’ll sit by the fire, and pretend to know What’s happening in the Capitol; who’s likely to rise, Who prospers and who falls; making factions And spreading rumors about marriages; strengthening their allies And weakening those they don’t like, All while they’re below their patched-up shoes. They say there’s enough grain! If the nobles would set aside their pity, And let me use my sword, I’d make a slaughter Of thousands of these quartered slaves, as high As I could raise my spear.
Nay, these are almost thoroughly persuaded; For though abundantly they lack discretion, Yet are they passing cowardly. But, I beseech you, What says the other troop?
No, they’re almost convinced; For though they lack sense, They’re still incredibly cowardly. But, I beg you, What’s the other group saying?
They are dissolved: hang ’em! They said they were an-hungry; sigh’d forth proverbs, 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.
They’re finished: forget them! They said they were hungry; spouted old sayings, That hunger breaks down walls, that dogs need food, That meat is for mouths, and that the gods didn’t send Grain just for the rich: with these scraps They expressed their complaints; which, once answered, And a request granted to them, a strange one-- To destroy generosity, And make strong power look weak--they threw their hats Like they were trying to hang them on the moon, Shouting in rivalry.
What is granted them?
What was granted to them?
Five tribunes to defend their vulgar wisdoms, Of their own choice: one’s Junius Brutus, Sicinius Velutus, and I know not--’Sdeath! The rabble should have first unroof’d the city, Ere so prevail’d with me: it will in time Win upon power and throw forth greater themes For insurrection’s arguing.
Five tribunes to protect their foolish ideas, Of their own choosing: one’s Junius Brutus, Sicinius Velutus, and I don’t know--damn it! The mob should have torn down the city first, Before they had any influence on me: in time They’ll gain more power and come up with bigger ideas To argue for rebellion.
This is strange.
This is unbelievable.
Go, get you home, you fragments!
Go, get lost, you pieces of trash!
Where’s Caius Marcius?
Where’s Caius Marcius?
Here: what’s the matter?
Here: what’s going on?
The news is, sir, the Volsces are in arms.
The news, sir, is that the Volsces are marching.
I am glad on ’t: then we shall ha’ means to vent Our musty superfluity. See, our best elders.
I’m glad to hear it: now we’ll have a chance to release Our built-up anger. Look, here are our best leaders.
Marcius, ’tis true that you have lately told us; The Volsces are in arms.
Marcius, it’s true, as you’ve just told us; The Volsces are marching.
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, I would wish me only he.
They have a leader, Tullus Aufidius, who will make you fight. I feel guilty for envying his greatness, And if I were anything other than what I am, I’d wish to be just like him.
You have fought together.
You’ve fought alongside him before.
Were half to half the world by the ears and he. Upon my party, I’ld revolt to make Only my wars with him: he is a lion That I am proud to hunt.
If half the world were at war, I’d still fight him. On my side, I’d leave everything just to wage War with him: he’s a lion That I’m proud to chase.
Then, worthy Marcius, Attend upon Cominius to these wars.
Then, noble Marcius, Join Cominius in this battle.
It is your former promise.
It’s your earlier promise.
Sir, it is; And I am constant. Titus Lartius, thou Shalt see me once more strike at Tullus’ face. What, art thou stiff? stand’st out?
Yes, sir, it is; And I’m committed. Titus Lartius, you Will see me strike Tullus in the face again. What, are you stiff? Are you holding back?
No, Caius Marcius; I’ll lean upon one crutch and fight with t’other, Ere stay behind this business.
No, Caius Marcius; I’ll lean on one crutch and fight with the other, Before I let this business go.
O, true-bred!
Oh, true warrior!
Your company to the Capitol; where, I know, Our greatest friends attend us.
To the Capitol, your company; where, I know, Our most important friends are waiting for us.
[To COMINIUS] Lead you on.
[To COMINIUS] Lead the way.
Right worthy you priority.
You truly deserve first place.
Noble Marcius!
Noble Marcius!
[To the Citizens] Hence to your homes; be gone!
[To the Citizens] Go home now; leave!
Nay, let them follow: The Volsces have much corn; take these rats thither To gnaw their garners. Worshipful mutiners, Your valour puts well forth: pray, follow.
No, let them follow: The Volsces have plenty of grain; take these rats over there To gnaw at their stores. Worthy rebels, Your courage is well shown: please, follow.
Was ever man so proud as is this Marcius?
Has any man ever been as proud as Marcius is?
He has no equal.
He has no equal.
When we were chosen tribunes for the people,--
When we were elected tribunes for the people,--
Mark’d you his lip and eyes?
Did you notice his lip and his eyes?
Nay. but his taunts.
No, but his insults.
Being moved, he will not spare to gird the gods.
If he’s provoked, he won’t hesitate to mock the gods.
Be-mock the modest moon.
Ridicule the modest moon.
The present wars devour him: he is grown Too proud to be so valiant.
The current wars are consuming him: he’s become Too arrogant to remain so brave.
Such a nature, Tickled with good success, disdains the shadow Which he treads on at noon: but I do wonder His insolence can brook to be commanded Under Cominius.
A person like that, Pleased by good fortune, ignores the shadow He walks on at noon: but I do wonder How his arrogance can tolerate being commanded By Cominius.
Fame, at the which he aims, In whom already he’s well graced, can not Better be held nor more attain’d than by A place below the first: for what miscarries Shall be the general’s fault, though he perform To the utmost of a man, and giddy censure Will then cry out of Marcius ’O if he Had borne the business!’
Fame, which he’s after, And in which he’s already well regarded, can’t Be better earned or more easily attained than by A position just below the highest: because anything that goes wrong Will be blamed on the general, even if he does his best And reckless criticism Will shout, ’Oh, if only Marcius Had been in charge!’
Besides, if things go well, Opinion that so sticks on Marcius shall Of his demerits rob Cominius.
Besides, if things go well, The reputation that Marcius has earned Will unfairly take credit from Cominius.
Come: Half all Cominius’ honours are to Marcius. Though Marcius earned them not, and all his faults To Marcius shall be honours, though indeed In aught he merit not.
Come on: Half of Cominius’ honors belong to Marcius. Even though Marcius didn’t earn them, and all his flaws Will somehow be turned into honors for him, even if He doesn’t deserve them at all.
Let’s hence, and hear How the dispatch is made, and in what fashion, More than his singularity, he goes Upon this present action.
Let’s go and see How the matter is resolved, and how, beyond his individual actions, He carries out this current mission.
Lets along.
Let’s go.