Page 2837 - Shakespeare - Vol. 3

THIRD CITIZEN

He said he had wounds which he could show in private, [165]
And with his hat, thus waving it in scorn,
‘I would be consul’, says he. ‘Aged custom

But by your voices will not so permit me;
Your voices therefore.’ When we granted that,
Here was ‘I thank you for your voices. Thank you, [170]
Your most sweet voices. Now you have left your voices,
I have no further with you.’ Was not this mockery?

SICINIUS

Why either were you ignorant to see’t,
Or, seeing it, of such childish friendliness
To yield your voices?

BRUTUS
Could you not have told him − [175]

As you were lessoned − when he had no power,
But was a petty servant to the state,
He was your enemy, ever spake against
Your liberties and the charters that you bear
I’th’body of the weal; and now, arriving [180]

A place of potency and sway o’th’state,
If he should still malignantly remain
Fast foe to th’plebeii, your voices might

Be curses to yourselves? You should have said
That as his worthy deeds did claim no less [185]
Than what he stood for, so his gracious nature
Would think upon you for your voices and
Translate his malice towards you into love,

Standing your friendly lord.

SICINIUS
Thus to have said,
As you were fore-advised, had touched his spirit [190]
And tried his inclination; from him plucked

Either his gracious promise, which you might,
As cause had called you up, have held him to;