Even from this instant, banish him our city,
In peril of precipitation 100
From off the rock Tarpeian, never more
To enter our Rome gates: i' the people’s name,
I say, it shall be so.
All. It shall be so.—It shall be so.—Let him away.— 104
He's banish'd, and it shall be so.
Com. Hear me, my masters, and my common friends,—
Sic. He's sentenc'd; no more hearing.
Com. Let me speak:
I have been consul, and can show for Rome 108
Her enemies' marks upon me. I do love
My country's good with a respect more tender,
More holy, and profound, than mine own life,
My dear wife's estimate, her womb's increase, 112
And treasure of my loins; then if I would
Speak that—
Sic. We know your drift: speak what?
Bru. There's no more to be said but he is banish'd,
As enemy to the people and his country. 116
It shall be so.
All. It shall be so,—it shall be so.
Cor. You common cry of curs! whose breath I hate
As reek o' the rotten fens, whose loves I prize
As the dead carcasses of unburied men 120
That do corrupt my air, I banish you;
And here remain with your uncertainty!
Let every feeble rumour shake your hearts!
Your enemies, with nodding of their plumes, 124
Fan you into despair! Have the power still
112 estimate: reputation
122 remain: do you remain
uncertainty: inconstancy of mind
