Semp. This smooth discourse, and mild behaviour, oft Cato. Let us appear nor rash nor diffident: Are grown thus desperate we have bulwarks round us; Is worth a whole eternity in bondage. Enter MARCUS. Marc. Fathers, this moment, as I watched the gate, Lodged on my post, a herald is arrived From Cæsar's camp, and with him comes old Decius, Cato. By your permission, fathers, bid him enter. Enter DECIUS. Dec. Cæsar sends health to Cato. Cato. Could he send it To Cato's slaughtered friends, it would be welcome. Dec. My business is with Cato; Cæsar sees Cato. My life is grafted on the fate of Rome. Dec. Rome and her senators submit to Cæsar; Cato. Those very reasons thou hast urged forbid it. And reason with you, as from friend to friend. Still may you stand high in your country's honours, Cato. No more : I must not think of life on such conditions. Dec. Cæsar is well acquainted with your virtues, Cato. Bid him disband his legions, Restore the commonwealth to liberty, And stand the judgment of a Roman senate. Bid him do this, and Cato is his friend. Dec. Cato, the world talks loudly of your wisdom— Cato. Nay, more, though Cato's voice was ne'er employed To clear the guilty, and to varnish crimes, Myself will mount the rostrum in his favour, Dec. Consider, Cato, you're in Utica, Cato. Let him consider that, who drives us hither. Dec. Does Cato send this answer back to Cæsar, Dec. Your high, unconquered heart makes you forget The tale of this unhappy embassy, All Rome will be in tears. ADDISON. CORIOLANUS, MENENIUS, ETC.-CORIOLANUS. Cor. Tullus Aufidius then had made new head. Men. He had, my lord; and that it was which caused Our swifter composition. Cor. So then the Volsces stand but as at first; Ready, when time shall prompt them, to make road Upon us again. Men. They are worn, lord consul, so That we shall hardly in our ages see Their banners wave again. Cor. Saw you Aufidius? Men. On safeguard he came to me; and did curse Yielded the town: he is retired to Antium. Men. How often he had met you sword to sword : Your person most: that he would pawn his fortunes Be called your vanquisher. Cor. At Antium lives he? Men. At Antium. Cor. I wish I had a cause to seek him there, To oppose his hatred fully. Welcome home. (To Menenius). Enter SICINIUS and BRUTUS. Behold! these are the tribunes of the people; The tongues o' the common mouth. I do despise them; For they do prank them in authority, Against all noble sufferance. Sic. Pass no further. Cor. Ha! what is that? Bru. It will be dangerous to go on: no further. Cor. What makes this change? Men. The matter? Hath he not passed the nobles and the commons? Or all will fall in broil. Cor. Are these your herd? Must these have voices, that can yield them now, And straight disclaim their tongues? offices? What are your You being their mouths, why rule you not their teeth? Have you not set them on? Men. Be calm, be calm. Cor. It is a purposed thing, and grows by plot, To curb the will of the nobility: Suffer it, and live with such as cannot rule, Nor ever will be ruled. Bru. Call 't not a plot: The people cry you mocked them; and, of late, Cor. Why, this was known before. Bru. Not to them all. Cor. Have you informed them since ? Bru. How! I inform them! Cor. You are like to do such business. Bru. Not unlike, Each way, to better yours. Cor. Why then should I be consul? By yon clouds, Let me deserve so ill as you, and make me Your fellow tribune. Sic. You show too much of that For which the people stir: If you will pass Nor yoke with him for tribune. Men. Let's be calm. Cor. Tell me of corn! This was my speech, and I will speak 't again Men. Not now, not now. Cor. Now, as I live, I will. My nobler friends, I crave their pardons: For the mutable, rank-scented many, Let them regard me as I do not flatter, And therein behold themselves: I say again, In soothing them, we nourish 'gainst our senate The cockle of rebellion, insolence, sedition, Which we ourselves have ploughed for, sowed, and scat tered, By mingling them with us, the honoured number; Who lack not virtue, no, nor power, but that |