Which I can scarcely bear.
Cor. What must I do?
Men. Return to the tribunes.
Cor. Well, what then? what then? 36
Men. Repent what you have spoke.
Cor. For them! I cannot do it to the gods;
Must I then do 't to them?
Vol. You are too absolute;
Though therein you can never be too noble, 40
But when extremities speak. I have heard you say,
Honour and policy, like unsever'd friends,
I' the war do grow together: grant that, and tell me,
In peace what each of them by th' other lose, 44
That they combine not there.
Cor. Tush, tush!
Men. A good demand.
Vol. If it be honour in your wars to seem
The same you are not,—which, for your best ends,
You adopt your policy,—how is it less or worse, 48
That it shall hold companionship in peace
With honour, as in war, since that to both
It stands in like request?
Cor. Why force you this?
Vol. Because that now it lies you on to speak 52
To the people; not by your own instruction,
Nor by the matter which your heart prompts you,
But with such words that are but rooted in
Your tongue, though but bastards and syllables 56
Of no allowance to your bosom's truth.
39 absolute: positive, peremptory
41 But . . . speak: except under the command of necessity
42 policy: craft
45 combine: join
48 adopt: adopt as
51 stands . . . request: is equally valuable
force: urge
52 lies . . . on: is incumbent upon you
53 by . . . instruction: as your nature teaches you
55, 56 are . . . tongue: have their roots no deeper than your tongue; cf. n.
57 of . . . to: unapproved by
