For, look you, I may make the belly smile
As well as speak—it taintingly replied 116
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.
2. Cit. Your belly's answer? What! 120
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 124
In this our fabric, if that they—
Men. What then?—
'Fore me, this fellow speaks! what then? what then?
2. Cit. Should by the cormorant belly be restrain'd,
Who is the sink o' the body,—
Men. Well, what then? 128
2. Cit. The former agents, if they did complain,
What could the belly answer?
Men. I will tell you;
If you'll bestow a small, of what you have little,
Patience a while, you'st hear the belly's answer. 132
2. Cit. You're long about it.
Men. 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, 136
'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
116 taintingly: effectively; cf. n.
118 his receipt: what he received
122 counsellor heart; cf. n.
124 muniments: furnishings
126 'Fore me: by my faith!
128 sink: cesspool
132 you'st: you shall
133 Note me: pray note
136 incorporate: joined in one body
139 shop: workshop
