Brutus.
All tongues speak of him, and the bleared sights
Are spectacled to see him.

Sicinius.
On the sudden,
I warrant him Consul.

Brutus.
Then our office may,
During his power, go sleep.

Sicinius.
He cannot temp'rately transport his honours
From where he should begin and end; but will
Lose those he hath won.

Brutus.
In that there's comfort.

Sicinius.
Doubt not,
The commoners, for whom we stand, but they,
Upon their ancient malice, will forget,
With the least cause, these his new honours; which
That he will give, make I as little question
As he is proud to do't.

Brutus.
I heard him swear,
Were he to stand for Consul, never would he
Appear i' th' market-place, nor on him put
The napless vesture of humility;
Nor shewing, as the manner is, his wounds
To the people, beg their stinking breaths.

Sicinius.
'Tis right.

Brutus.
It was his word: Oh, he would miss it, rather
Than carry it; but by the suit o' th' gentry,
And the desire o' th' nobles.

Sicinius.
I wish no better,
Than have him hold that purpose, and to put it
In execution.

Brutus.
'Tis most like he will.

Sicinius.
It shall be to him then
A sure destruction.

Brutus.
So it must fall out
To him, or to our authorities. For which 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
Disproperty'd 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 provender
Only for bearing burthens, and sore blows
For sinking under them.

Sicinius.
This, as you say, suggested
At some time, when his soaring insolence
Shall reach the people, (which time shall not be wanting,
If he be put upon't; and that's as easy,
As to set dogs on sheep) will be the fire
To kindle their dry stubble; and their blaze
Shall darken him for ever. Enter Ædile.

Brutus.
What's the matter?

Ædile.
You're sent for to the Capitol: 'tis thought,
That Marcius shall be Consul: I have seen
The deaf men throng to see him, and the blind
To hear him speak; the matrons flung their gloves,
Ladies and maids their scarfs and handkerchiefs,
Upon him as he pass'd; their nobles bended,
As to Jove's statue; and the commons made
A shower and thunder with their caps and shouts:
I never saw the like.

Brutus.
Let's to the Capitol,
And carry with us eyes and ears for th' time,
But hearts for the event.

Sicinius.
Have with you. [Exeunt.

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