Page 2818 - Shakespeare - Vol. 3

Than sway with them in theirs.

COMINIUS
On, to the Capitol.

Flourish. Cornets. Exeunt in state, as before.
Brutus and Sicinius come forward.

BRUTUS
All tongues speak of him and the blearèd sights

Are spectacled to see him. Your prattling nurse
Into a rapture lets her baby cry
While she chats him. The kitchen malkin pins [200]
Her richest lockram ’bout her reechy neck,
Clambering the walls to eye him. Stalls, bulks, windows

Are smothered up, leads filled, and ridges horsed
With variable complexions, all agreeing
In earnestness to see him. Seld-shown flamens [205]

Do press among the popular throngs and puff
To win a vulgar station. Our veiled dames
Commit the war of white and damask in
Their nicely gawded cheeks to th’wanton spoil
Of Phoebus’ burning kisses. Such a pother [210]

As if that whatsoever god who leads him
Were slily crept into his human powers
And gave him graceful posture.

SICINIUS
On the sudden

I warrant him consul.

BRUTUS
Then our office may
During his power go sleep. [215]

SICINIUS
He cannot temperately transport his honours
From where he should begin and end, but will