SICINIUS.
This is a happier and more comely time
Than when these fellows ran about the streets
Crying confusion.
BRUTUS.
Caius Martius was
A worthy officer i’ th’ war, but insolent,
O’ercome with pride, ambitious, past all thinking
Self-loving.
SICINIUS.
And affecting one sole throne, without assistance.
MENENIUS.
I think not so.
SICINIUS.
We should by this, to all our lamentation,
If he had gone forth consul, found it so.
BRUTUS.
The gods have well prevented it, and Rome
Sits safe and still without him.
Enter an Aedile.
AEDILE.
Worthy tribunes,
There is a slave, whom we have put in prison,
Reports the Volsces with two several powers
Are entered in the Roman territories,
And with the deepest malice of the war
Destroy what lies before ’em.
MENENIUS.
’Tis Aufidius,
Who, hearing of our Martius’ banishment,
Thrusts forth his horns again into the world,
Which were inshelled when Martius stood for Rome,
And durst not once peep out.
SICINIUS.
Come, what talk you of Martius?