Coriolanus, Act II, Scene 3
BRUTUS (to the citizens):
Could you not have told him
As you were lessoned? When he had no power
But was a petty servant to the state
He was your enemy, ever spake against
Your liberties and the charters that you bear
I'th'body of the weal; and now arriving
A place of potency and sway o'th' state,
If he should still malignantly remain
Fast foe to th' plebeii, your voices might
Be curses to yourselves. You should have said
That as his worthy deeds did claim no less
Than what he stood for, so his gracious nature
Would think upon you for your voices and
Translate his malice towards you into love,
Standing your friendly lord.
SICINIUS (to the citizens):
Thus to have said
As you were foreadvised had touched his spirit
And tried his inclination, from him plucked
Either is gracious promise, which you might,
As cause had called you up, have held him to,
Or else it would have galled his surly nature,
Which easily endures not article
Tying him to aught. So putting him to rage,
You should have ta'en th'advantage of his choler
And passed him unelected.
BRUTUS (to the citizens):
Did you perceive
He did solicit you in free contempt
When he did need your loves, and do you think
That his contempt shall not be bruising to you
When he hath power to crush? Why, had your bodies
No heart among you? Or had you tongues to cry
Against the rectorship of judgement?
SICINIUS (to the citizens):
Have you
Ere now denied the asker, and now again,
Of him that did not ask but mock, bestow
Your sued-for tongues?
THIRD CITIZEN:
He's not confirmed, we may deny him yet.
SECOND CITIZEN:
And will deny him.
I'll have five hundred voices of that sound.
FIRST CITIZEN:
I twice five hundred, and their friends to piece 'em.
BRUTUS:
Get you hence instantly, and tell those friends
They have chose a consul that will from them take
Their liberties, make them of no more voice
Than dogs that are as often beat for barking
As therefor kept to do so.