Com. 'Twas from the canon.[3135]
Cor. 'Shall'![3136] 90
O good, but most unwise patricians! why,[3136][3137]
You grave but reckless senators, have you thus[3138]
Given Hydra here to choose an officer,[3139]
That with his peremptory 'shall,' being but
The horn and noise o' the monster's, wants not spirit[3140] 95
To say he'll turn your current in a ditch,
And make your channel his? If he have power,[3141]
Then vail your ignorance; if none, awake[3141][3142][3143][3144]
Your dangerous lenity. If you are learn'd,[3141][3143][3145]
Be not as common fools; if you are not,[3141][3146] 100
Let them have cushions by you. You are plebeians,[3141][3147]
If they be senators: and they are no less,
When, both your voices blended, the great'st taste[3148]
Most palates theirs. They choose their magistrate;[3149]
And such a one as he, who puts his 'shall,' 105
His popular 'shall,' against a graver bench
Than ever frown'd in Greece. By Jove himself,
It makes the consuls base! and my soul aches
To know, when two authorities are up,
Neither supreme, how soon confusion 110
May enter 'twixt the gap of both and take
The one by the other.
Com. Well, on to the market-place.
Cor. Whoever gave that counsel, to give forth[3150]
The corn o' the storehouse gratis, as 'twas used[3151]
Sometime in Greece,—[3152]
Men. Well, well, no more of that. 115
Cor. Though there the people had more absolute power,
I say, they nourish'd disobedience, fed[3153][3154]
The ruin of the state.[3153]
Bru. Why, shall the people give[3155]
One that speaks thus their voice?
Cor. I'll give my reasons,
More worthier than their voices. They know the corn[3156] 120
Was not our recompense, resting well assured[3157]
They ne'er did service for't: being press'd to the war,
Even when the navel of the state was touch'd,
They would not thread the gates. This kind of service
Did not deserve corn gratis: being i' the war, 125
Their mutinies and revolts, wherein they show'd[3158]
Most valour, spoke not for them: the accusation
Which they have often made against the senate,
All cause unborn, could never be the native[3159]
Of our so frank donation. Well, what then?[3160] 130
How shall this bisson multitude digest[3161]
The senate's courtesy? Let deeds express
What's like to be their words: 'We did request it;
We are the greater poll, and in true fear[3162]
They gave us our demands.' Thus we debase[3163] 135
The nature of our seats, and make the rabble
Call our cares fears; which will in time[3164][3165]
Break ope the locks o' the senate, and bring in[3164][3166]
The crows to peck the eagles.[3164]
Men. Come, enough.[3167]
Bru. Enough, with over measure.