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, 124
Their mutinies and revolts, wherein they show'd
Most valour, spoke not for them. Th' accusation
Which they have often made against the senate,
All cause unborn, could never be the motive 128
Of our so frank donation. Well, what then?
How shall this bosom multiplied digest
The senate's courtesy? Let deeds express
What's like to be their words: 'We did request it; 132
We are the greater poll, and in true fear
They gave us our demands.' Thus we debase
The nature of our seats, and make the rabble
Call our cares fears; which will in time break ope 136
The locks o' the senate, and bring in the crows
To peck the eagles.
Men. Come, enough.
Bru. Enough, with over-measure.
Cor. No, take more:
What may be sworn by, both divine and human, 140
Seal what I end withal! This double worship,
Where one part does disdain with cause, the other
Insult without all reason; where gentry, title, wisdom,
Cannot conclude, but by the yea and no 144
Of general ignorance,—it must omit
Real necessities, and give way the while
To unstable slightness: purpose so barr'd, it follows
122 navel: vital center
123 thread: pass through
128 All . . . unborn: causelessly
motive: occasion; cf. n.
130 bosom multiplied; cf. n.
131, 132 Let . . . words: let their actions explain what they are likely to say
133 poll: number
139 over-measure: excess
140, 141 What . . . withal: may all divine and human sanctities attest my final assertion
144 conclude: come to a decision
147 unstable slightness: petty whims
purpose so barr'd: where rational action is thus obstructed
