Men. Very well:[3689]
Could he say less?[3689]
Com. I offer'd to awaken his regard
For 's private friends: his answer to me was,[3690]
He could not stay to pick them in a pile 25
Of noisome musty chaff, he said 'twas folly,
For one poor grain or two, to leave unburnt,
And still to nose the offence.
Men. For one poor grain or two!
I am one of those; his mother, wife, his child,[3691]
And this brave fellow too, we are the grains:[3692] 30
You are the musty chaff, and you are smelt
Above the moon: we must be burnt for you.
Sic. Nay, pray, be patient: if you refuse your aid
In this so never-needed help, yet do not[3693]
Upbraid's with our distress. But, sure, if you[3694] 35
Would be your country's pleader, your good tongue,
More than the instant army we can make,
Might stop our countryman.
Sic. Pray you, go to him.
Men. What should I do?[3695]
Bru. Only make trial what your love can do 40
For Rome, towards Marcius.
Men. Well, and say that Marcius[3696]
Return me, as Cominius is return'd,[3697][3696]
Unheard; what then?[3696][3698][3699]
But as a discontented friend, grief-shot[3699][3700]
With his unkindness? say 't be so?[3701]
Sic. Yet your good will 45
Must have that thanks from Rome, after the measure[3702]
As you intended well.