Enter Menenius Agrippa.[2472]
Sec. Cit. Worthy Menenius Agrippa; one that hath always[2473] 45
loved the people.
First Cit. He's one honest enough: would all the rest
were so!
Men. What work's, my countrymen, in hand? where go you[2474][2475]
With bats and clubs? the matter? speak, I pray you.[2474][2476] 50
First Cit. Our business is not unknown to the senate;[2477]
they have had inkling, this fortnight, what we intend to do,[2478]
which now we'll show 'em in deeds. They say poor suitors
have strong breaths: they shall know we have strong arms
too. 55
Men. Why, masters, my good friends, mine honest neighbours,[2479]
Will you undo yourselves?[2479]
First Cit. We cannot, sir, we are undone already.
Men. I tell you, friends, most charitable care
Have the patricians of you. For your wants,[2480] 60
Your suffering in this dearth, you may as well[2481]
Strike at the heaven with your staves as lift them[2482]
Against the Roman state; whose course will on
The way it takes, cracking ten thousand curbs
Of more strong link asunder than can ever[2483] 65
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 70
The helms o' the state, who care for you like fathers,
When you curse them as enemies.
First Cit. Care for us! True, indeed! They ne'er[2484]
cared for us yet: suffer us to famish, and their store-houses
crammed with grain; make edicts for usury, to support 75
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 80
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.[2485] 85