Brutus. What then, sir?
Menenius. Why, then you should discover a brace of unmeriting, proud, violent, testy magistrates, alias fools, as any in Rome.
(II. i. 41.)
This is the utterance of an enemy; nevertheless it is confirmed by their behaviour, and is moreover a prophecy of their action in regard to Marcius. In the first place their pride has been insulted by his:
Sicinius. Was ever man so proud as is this Marcius?
Brutus. He has no equal.
Sicinius. When we were chosen tribunes of the people,—
Brutus. Mark’d you his lip and eyes?
Sicinius.Nay, but his taunts.
Brutus. Being moved, he will not spare to gird the gods—