Since you didn't provide the excerpt, I am going to assume that the answer you need is 'hearken'.
When you talk to or about someone in a mocking tone, you're making fun of them in a nasty, mean way. But if you're a comedy writer or political satirist, a mocking attitude is a tool of your trade.
Roman citizens could vote on the senates legislation and some citizens were involved in electing public officals but there was exceptions to that.
