London. Published by F. C&J Rivington and Partners Feb 1923

Men.

O me, the gods!

You must not speak of that; you must desire them

To think upon you.

Cor.
Think upon me? Hang 'em!
I would they would forget me, like the virtues
Which our divines lose by them. 4

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,
Which shall be yours in private. - Your good voice,
sir:
What say 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:
I have your alms; adieu.

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.
Why in this wolvish gown should I stand here,
To beg of Hob and Dick, that do appear,
Their needless vouches? Custom calls me to't:
What custom wills, in all things should we do't,
The dust on antique time would lie unswept,
And mountainous error be too highly heap'd
For truth to over-peer,
Rather than fool it so,

Let the high office and the honour go

To one that would do thus. - I am half through;
The one part suffer'd, the other will I do.

Enter Three other Citizens.

Here come more voices,

Your voices for your voices I have fought;
Watch'd for your voices; for your voices, bear
Of wounds two dozen odd; battles thrice six
I have seen, and heard of; for your voices, have
Done many things, some less, some more: your voices:
Indeed, I would be consul.

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