ACT SECOND
Scene One
[Rome. A Public Place]
Enter Menenius, with the two Tribunes of the people,
Sicinius & Brutus.
Men. The augurer tells me we shall have news
to-night.
Bru. Good or bad?
Men. Not according to the prayer of the people, 4
for they love not Martius.
Sic. Nature teaches beasts to know their
friends.
Men. Pray you, who does the wolf love? 8
Sic. The lamb.
Men. Ay, to devour him; as the hungry ple-
beians would the noble Martius.
Bru. He's a lamb indeed, that baes like a 12
bear.
Men. He's a bear indeed, that lives like a
lamb. You two are old men; tell me one thing
that I shall ask you. 16
Both. Well, sir.
Men. In what enormity is Martius poor in,
that you two have not in abundance?
Bru. He's poor in no one fault, but stored 20
with all.
Sic. Especially in pride.
Bru. And topping all others in boasting.
Men. This is strange now: do you two know 24
18 In . . . poor in: what fault has Martius in small degree
23 topping: surpassing
