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Sic. It shall be to him then, as our good wills,

A sure destruction.

Bru. So it must fall out

To him or our authorities. For an end,

We must suggest the people in what hatred

He still hath held them; that to 's power he would

Have made them mules, silenc'd their pleaders, and

Dispropertied their freedoms; holding them,

In human action and capacity,

Of no more soul nor fitness for the world

Than camels in their war; who have their provand

Only for bearing burthens, and sore blows

For sinking under them.

Sic. This, as you say, suggested

At some time when his soaring insolence

Shall teach the people—which time shall not want,

If he be put upon 't; and that's as easy

As to set dogs on sheep—will be his fire

To kindle their dry stubble; and their blaze

Shall darken him for ever.

Bru. What's the matter?

Mess. You are sent for to the Capitol. 'Tis thought

That Martius shall be consul.

I have seen the dumb men throng to see him, and

The blind to hear him speak: matrons flung gloves,

Ladies and maids their scarfs and handkerchers

Upon him as he pass'd; the nobles bended,

As to Jove's statue, and the commons made

 261 as wills: as we would have it

263 For an end: in short

264 suggest: remind by insinuation

265 still: always

266 mules: beasts of burden

267 Dispropertied: annulled

270 provand: food

274 teach; cf. n.

275 put upon 't: provoked

276 will fire: will be in him like a spark

278 darken: tarnish, remove the gloss from

