Sic. Consul! what consul?
Men. The consul Coriolanus.
Bru. He consul![3245] 280
Citizens. No, no, no, no, no.[3239]
Men. If, by the tribunes' leave, and yours, good people,[3246]
I may be heard, I would crave a word or two;[3247]
The which shall turn you to no further harm
Than so much loss of time.
Sic. Speak briefly then; 285
For we are peremptory to dispatch
This viperous traitor: to eject him hence[3248]
Were but one danger, and to keep him here[3249]
Our certain death: therefore it is decreed
He dies to-night.
Men. Now the good gods forbid 290
That our renowned Rome, whose gratitude
Towards her deserved children is enroll'd[3250]
In Jove's own book, like an unnatural dam
Should now eat up her own!
Sic. He's a disease that must be cut away. 295
Men. O, he's a limb that has but a disease;
Mortal, to cut it off; to cure it, easy.
What has he done to Rome that's worthy death?
Killing our enemies, the blood he hath lost—[3251]
Which, I dare vouch, is more than that he hath 300
By many an ounce—he dropp'd it for his country;
And what is left, to lose it by his country
Were to us all that do 't and suffer it[3252]
A brand to the end o' the world.
Sic. This is clean kam.[3253]