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68

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,

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

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;

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

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,

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

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

