First Cit. You're long about it.[2504]
Men. Note me this, good friend: 120
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, 125
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;[2505][2506]
And, through the cranks and offices of man,[2506][2507] 130
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,—[2508]
First Cit. Ay, sir; well, well.
Men. 'Though all at once cannot 135
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,[2509]
And leave me but the bran.' What say you to't?
First Cit. It was an answer: how apply you this?[2510] 140
Men. The senators of Rome are this good belly,
And you the mutinous members: for examine[2511]
Their counsels and their cares, digest things rightly[2511]
Touching the weal o' the common, you shall find
No public benefit which you receive 145
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?
First Cit. I the great toe! why the great toe?
Men. For that, being one o' the lowest, basest, poorest, 150
Of this most wise rebellion, thou go'st foremost:[2512]
Thou rascal, that art worst in blood to run,[2513][2514]
Lead'st first to win some vantage.[2513]
But make you ready your stiff bats and clubs:
Rome and her rats are at the point of battle; 155
The one side must have bale.[2515]
Enter Caius Marcius.
Hail, noble Marcius!