P. 394.-196.-78.

Bru.
In human action and capacity,

Of no more soul, nor fitness for the world,

Than camels in their war; who have their provand
Only for bearing burdens, and sore blows
For sinking under them.

holding them,

I strongly incline to think with Steevens and Malone that we should read in the war.

P. 395-196.-79.

Sic.
At some time when his soaring insolence

Shall teach the people, (which time shall not want,
If he be put upon't; and that's as easy,

As to set dogs on sheep,) will be his fire

To kindle their dry stubble; and their blaze

Shall darken him for ever.

This, as you say, suggested

I rather incline to retain teach, understanding it as it is explained by Steevens.

P. 396.-198.-81.

1 Off. He hath deserved worthily of his country: and
his ascent is not by such easy degrees as those, who,
having been supple and courteous to the people, bon-
netted, without any further deed to heave them at all
into their estimation and report.

I incline to read to heave them.

P. 397.-199.-83.

1 Sen.
Speak, good Cominius:
Leave nothing out for length; and make us think,
Rather our state's defective for requital,
Than we to stretch it out.

I think Steevens's is the true explanation.

P. 400.-203.-87.

I think with Mr. Steevens that waves is the right word.

P. 403.-205.-92.

Men. We recommend to you, tribunes of the people,
Our purpose to them ;-and to our noble consul
Wish we all joy and honour.

I think this is rightly explained by Malone.

P. 405.-206.-94.

1 Cit. And to make us no better thought of, a little
help will serve for once, when we stood up about the
corn, he himself stuck not to call us the many-
headed multitude.

Mr. Steevens is right.

P. 410.-212.-102.

Cor.

for your voices, bear
Of wounds two dozen odd; battles thrice six
I have seen and heard of; for your voices, have
Done many things, some less, some more.

I think the sense would be much improved by adopting the reading proposed by Dr. Farmer.

P. 412.-213.-104.

3 Cit. He said, he had wounds, which he could show in private; And with his hat, thus waving it in scorn,

I would be consul, says he: aged custom,
But by your voices, will not so permit me.

I cannot think the sense assigned by Malone to aged custom is the true one.

P. 420.-222.-115.

Cor.

Shall remain !—

Hear you this Triton of the minnows? märk you
His absolute shall?

Com.

'Twas from the canon.

I think Dr. Johnson has misunderstood these words.

P. 421.-222.-116.

Cor. O good, but most unwise patricians, why, You grave, but reckless senators, have you, &c. I think Theobald's correction is right.

P. 421.-223.-117.

You are plebeians,

If they be senators: and they are no less,
When, both your voices blended, the greatest taste
Most palates theirs.

Of the meaning of this passage I doubt.

P. 425.-226.-121.

Cor.
Therefore, beseech you,-
You that will be less fearful than discreet;
That love the fundamental part of state,
More than you doubt the change of't; that prefer
A noble life before a long, and wish

To jump a body with a dangerous physick
That's sure of death without it, at once pluck out

The multitudinous tongue, let them not lick
The sweet which is their poison.

I think Mr. Malone's is the true explanation of jump.

P. 429.-230.-126.

1 Sen. I pr'ythee, noble friend, home to thy house;
Leave us to cure this cause.

Men.
For 'tis a sore upon us,
You cannot tent yourself: begone, 'beseech you.
I think Mr. Steevens is right.

Ibid.

Cor. I would they were barbarians, (as they are, Though in Rome litter'd,) not Romans, (as they are not, Though calv'd i'the porch o'the Capitol,)— Men. Begone; Put not your worthy rage into your tongue "Mr. Tyrwhitt is clearly right.

P. 429-230.-126.
One time will owe another.

I rather believe Malone's is the right explanation of this.

P. 431.-231.—128.

He shall well know,

1 Cit.
The noble tribunes are the people's mouths,
And we their hands.

Cit.

He shall, sure on't.

I think the correction proposed by Mr. Steevens ought to be received.

P. 433.-233.-131.

When he did love his country

Bru.

It honour'd him.

Men.
The service of the foot
Being once gangren'd, is not then respected
For what before it was?

This speech certainly belongs to Menenius. It may be understood either according to Steevens's or Malone's explanation. I rather incline to prefer Malone's.

P. 437.-237.-138.

Cor.

Why force you this?
Vol. Because that now it lies you on to speak
To the people;

I think we should read with Theobald, it lies on you.

Ibid.

not by your own instruction, Nor by the matter which your heart prompts you to, But with such words that are but roted in

Your tongue, though but bastards, and syllables
Of no allowance, to your bosom's truth.

I think the reading of the old copy prompts you is right. I cannot perceive that, without some additional syllable the metre is defective.

P. 437.-237.-138.

though but bastards, and syllables Of no allowance, to your bosom's truth.

I believe Malone is right.

P. 437.-238.-139.

I would dissemble with my nature, where
My fortunes, and my friends, at stake, requir'd,
I should do so in honour: I am in this,
Your wife, your son, these senators, the nobles;
And you will rather show our general lowts
How you can frown, than spend a fawn upon them,
For the inheritance of their loves, and safeguard
Of what that want might ruin.

I think Malone is right.

P. 443.-244.-148.

Sic. Assemble presently the people hither:
And when they hear me say, it shall be so
I'the right and strength o'the commons, be it either
For death, for fine, or banishment, then let them,
If I say, Fine, cry fine; if Death, cry death;
Insisting on the old prerogative

And power 'the truth o'the cause.

Ed.

I shall inform them.

I cannot understand this passage as it stands. I cannot think that the regulation proposed by Mr. M. Mason is right.

P. 444.-245.-149.

Bru. Put him to choler straight: he hath been us'd
Ever to conquer, and to have his worth
Of contradiction.

I think Malone is right.

P. 448.-248.-155.

Com.

Let me speak :

I have been consul, and can show from Rome,
Her enemies' marks upon me.

I think Theobald's correction is clearly right.