_Bru._ You speak o' the people,[3129][3130] 80 As if you were a god to punish, not[3129][3131] A man of their infirmity.[3129][3132] _Sic._ 'Twere well[3129] We let the people know't.[3129] _Men._ What, what? his choler?[3129] _Cor._ Choler![3129] Were I as patient as the midnight sleep,[3129] 85 By Jove, 'twould be my mind![3133] _Sic._ It is a mind[3133] That shall remain a poison where it is,[3133] Not poison any further.[3133] _Cor._ Shall remain![3133] Hear you this Triton of the minnows? mark you[3134] His absolute 'shall'? _Com._ 'Twas from the canon.[3135] _Cor._ 'Shall'![3136] 90 O good, but most unwise patricians! why,[3136][3137] You grave but reckless senators, have you thus[3138] Given Hydra here to choose an officer,[3139] That with his peremptory 'shall,' being but The horn and noise o' the monster's, wants not spirit[3140] 95 To say he'll turn your current in a ditch, And make your channel his? If he have power,[3141] Then vail your ignorance; if none, awake[3141][3142][3143][3144] Your dangerous lenity. If you are learn'd,[3141][3143][3145] Be not as common fools; if you are not,[3141][3146] 100 Let them have cushions by you. You are plebeians,[3141][3147] If they be senators: and they are no less, When, both your voices blended, the great'st taste[3148] Most palates theirs. They choose their magistrate;[3149] And such a one as he, who puts his 'shall,' 105 His popular 'shall,' against a graver bench Than ever frown'd in Greece. By Jove himself, It makes the consuls base! and my soul aches To know, when two authorities are up, Neither supreme, how soon confusion 110 May enter 'twixt the gap of both and take The one by the other. _Com._ Well, on to the market-place. _Cor._ Whoever gave that counsel, to give forth[3150] The corn o' the storehouse gratis, as 'twas used[3151] Sometime in Greece,--[3152] _Men._ Well, well, no more of that. 115 _Cor._ Though there the people had more absolute power, I say, they nourish'd disobedience, fed[3153][3154] The ruin of the state.[3153] _Bru._ Why, shall the people give[3155] One that speaks thus their voice?