Page 2859 - Shakespeare - Vol. 3

That our renowned Rome, whose gratitude
Towards her deservèd children is enrolled [290]
In Jove’s own book, like an unnatural dam
Should now eat up her own!

SICINIUS
He’s a disease that must be cut away.

MENENIUS
O, he’s a limb that has but a disease −
Mortal, to cut it off; to cure it, easy. [295]
What has he done to Rome that’s worthy death?
Killing our enemies, the blood he hath lost −

Which I dare vouch is more than that he hath
By many an ounce − he dropped it for his country;
And what is left, to lose it by his country [300]
Were to us all that do’t and suffer it

A brand to th’end o’th’world.

SICINIUS
This is clean kam.

BRUTUS
Merely awry. When he did love his country,
It honoured him.

SICINIUS
The service of the foot,

Being once gangrened, is not then respected [305]
For what before it was.

BRUTUS
We’ll hear no more.
Pursue him to his house and pluck him thence,
Lest his infection, being of catching nature,

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