Men. O me, the gods! You must not speak of that; you must desire them To think upon you. Cor. Men. You'll mar all; I'll leave you: Pray you, speak to them, I pray you, In wholesome manner. [Exit. You know the cause, sir, of my standing here. 1 Cit. We do, sir; tell us what hath brought you to't. Cor. No, sir: How! not your own desire? 'Twas never my desire yet, To trouble the poor with begging. 1 Cit. You must think, if we give you any thing, We hope to gain by you. Cor. Well then, I pray, your price o'the consulship? 1 Cit. The price is, sir, to ask it kindly. Cor. Kindly! Sir, I pray, let me ha't: I have wounds to show you, 4 I would they would forget me, like the virtues Which our divines lose by them.] i. e. I wish they would forget me as they do those virtuous precepts, which the divines preach up to them, and lose by them, as it were, by their neglecting the practice. 2 Cit. You shall have it, worthy sir. Cor. A match, sir: There is in all two worthy voices begg'd: 1 Cit. But this is something odd. 2 Cit. An 'twere to give again,· - But 'tis no matter. [Exeunt Two Citizens. Enter Two other Citizens. Cor. Pray you now, if it may stand with the tune of your voices, that I may be consul, I have here the customary gown. 3 Cit. You have deserved nobly of your country, and you have not deserved nobly. Cor. Your enigma? 3 Cit. You have been a scourge to her enemies, you have been a rod to her friends; you have not, indeed, loved the common people. Cor. You should account me the more virtuous, that I have not been common in my love. I will, sir, flatter my sworn brother the people, to earn a dearer estimation of them; 'tis a condition they account gentle and since the wisdom of their choice is rather to have my hat than my heart, I will practise the insinuating nod, and be off to them most counterfeitly: that is, sir, I will counterfeit the bewitchment of some popular man, and give it bountifully to the desirers. Therefore, beseech you, I may be consul. 4 Cit. We hope to find you our friend; and therefore give you our voices heartily. 3 Cit. You have received many wounds for your country. 5 Cor. I will not seal your knowledge with showing 5 I will not seal your knowledge-] I will not strengthen or complete your knowledge. The seal is that which gives authenticity to a writing. them. I will make much of your voices, and so trouble you no further. Both Cit. The gods give you joy, sir, heartily! Cor. Most sweet voices ! Better it is to die, better to starve, [Exeunt. Than crave the hire which first we do deserve. Let the high office and the honour go To one that would do thus. - I am half through; Enter Three other Citizens. Here come more voices, Your voices for your voices I have fought; 5 Cit. He has done nobly, and cannot go without any honest man's voice. 6 Cit. Therefore let him be consul: The gods give him joy, and make him good friend to the people! All. Amen, amen. God save thee, noble consul! Cor. [Exeunt Citizens. Worthy voices! Re-enter MENENIUS, with BRUTUS, and SICINIUS. Men. You have stood your limitation; and the tribunes |