Page 2838 - Shakespeare - Vol. 3

Or else it would have galled his surly nature,
Which easily endures not article [195]
Tying him to aught. So putting him to rage,
You should have ta’en th’advantage of his choler

And passed him unelected.

BRUTUS
Did you perceive
He did solicit you in free contempt
When he did need your loves, and do you think [200]

That his contempt shall not be bruising to you
When he hath power to crush? Why, had your bodies
No heart among you? Or had you tongues to cry
Against the rectorship of judgement?

SICINIUS
Have you

Ere now denied the asker, and now again, [205]
Of him that did not ask but mock, bestow
Your sued-for tongues?

THIRD CITIZEN
He’s not confirmed; we may deny him yet.

SECOND CITIZEN
And will deny him.

I’ll have five hundred voices of that sound. [210]

FIRST CITIZEN
I twice five hundred, and their friends to piece ’em.

BRUTUS
Get you hence instantly, and tell those friends
They have chose a consul that will from them take
Their liberties, make them of no more voice

Than dogs that are as often beat for barking [215]
As therefore kept to do so.