Men.
Having determin'd of the Volces, and

To send for Titus Lartius, it remains,
As the main point of this our after-meeting,
To gratify his noble service, that
Hath thus stood for his country: Therefore, please you,
Most reverend and grave elders, to desire
The present consul, and last general
In our well-found successes, to report
A little of that worthy work perform'd
By Caius Marcius Coriolanus; whom
We meet here, both to thank^{4 note}
, and to remember
With honours like himself.

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^{5 note}

Sic.
We are convented
Upon a pleasing treaty; and have hearts

Inclinable to honour and advance
The theme of our assembly^{7 note}

Bru.
Which the rather
We shall be bless'd to do, if he remember
A kinder value of the people, than
He hath hereto priz'd them at.

Men.
That's off, that's off^{8 note};
I would you rather had been silent: Please you
To hear Cominius speak?

Bru.
Most willingly:
But yet my caution was more pertinent,
Than the rebuke you give it.

Men.
He loves your people;
But tie him not to be their bedfellow.—
Worthy Cominius, speak.—Nay, keep your place, [Coriolanus rises, and offers to go away.

1 Sen.
Sit, Coriolanus; never shame to hear
What you have nobly done.

Cor.
Your honours' pardon;
I had rather have my wounds to heal again,
Than hear say how I got them.

Bru.
Sir, I hope,
My words dis-bench'd you not.

Cor.
No, sir: yet oft,
When blows have made me stay, I fled from words.
You sooth'd not, therefore hurt not^{9 note}: But, your people,
I love them as they weigh.

Men.
Pray now, sit down.

Cor.
I had rather have one scratch my head i' the sun^{1 note},
When the alarum were struck, than idly sit
To hear my nothings monster'd. [Exit Coriolanus.

Men.
Masters o' the people,
Your multiplying spawn how can he flatter^{2 note},
(That's thousand to one good one,) when you now see,
He had rather venture all his limbs for honour,
Than one of his ears to hear it?—Proceed, Cominius.

Com.
I shall lack voice: the deeds of Coriolanus
Should not be utter'd feebly.—It is held,
That valour is the chiefest virtue, and
Most dignifies the haver: if it be,
The man I speak of cannot in the world
Be singly counterpois'd. At sixteen years,
When Tarquin made a head for Rome^{3 note}

Beyond the mark of others: our then dictator
Whom with all praise I point at, saw him fight,
When with his Amazonian chin^{4 note} he drove
The bristled lips before him: he bestrid
An o'er press'd Roman^{5 note}

He prov'd best man i' the field, and for his meed
Was brow-bound with the oak. His pupil age
Man-enter'd thus, he waxed like a sea;
And, in the brunt of seventeen battles since^{8 note},
He lurch'd all swords o' the garland^{9 note}

And fell below his stem^{1 note}

He was a thing of blood, whose every motion
Was timed with dying cries^{2 note}

Men.
Worthy man!

1 Sen.
He cannot but with measure fit the honours^{6 note}
Which we devise him.

Com.
Our spoils he kick'd at;
And look'd upon things precious, as they were
The common muck o' the world: he covets less
Than misery itself would give^{7 note}; rewards
His deeds with doing them; and is content
To spend the time, to end it^{8 note}

Men.
He's right noble;
Let him be call'd for.

1 Sen.
Call Coriolanus^{9 note}.

Off.
He doth appear. Re-enter Coriolanus.

Men.
The senate, Coriolanus, are well pleas'd
To make thee consul.

Cor.
I do owe them still
My life, and services.

Men.
It then remains,
That you do speak to the people^{1 note}

Cor.
I do beseech you,
Let me o'erleap that custom; for I cannot
Put on the gown, stand naked, and entreat them,
For my wounds' sake, to give their suffrage: please you,
That I may pass this doing.

Sic.
Sir, the people
Must have their voices; neither will they bate
One jot of ceremony.

Men.
Put them not to't:—
Pray you, go fit you to the custom: and
Take to you, as your predecessors have,
Your honour with your form^{2 note}

Cor.
It is a part
That I shall blush in acting, and might well
Be taken from the people.

Bru.
Mark you that?

Cor.
To brag unto them,—Thus I did, and thus;—
Show them the unaking scars which I should hide,
As if I had receiv'd them for the hire
Of their breath only:—

Men.
Do not stand upon't.—
We recommend to you, tribunes of the people,
Our purpose to them^{3 note}

Sen.
To Coriolanus come all joy and honour! [Flourish. Then exeunt Senators.

Bru.
You see how he intends to use the people.

Sic.
May they perceive his intent! He will require them,
As if he did contemn what he requested
Should be in them to give.

Bru.
Come, we'll inform them
Of our proceedings here: on the market-place,
I know they do attend us. [Exeunt.

SCENE III. The Same. The Forum. Enter several Citizens.

1 Cit.

Once^{4 note}

2 Cit.

We may, sir, if we will.

3 Cit.

We have power in ourselves to do it, but it is a power that we have no power to do^{5 note}

: for if he show us his wounds, and tell us his deeds, we are to put our tongues into those wounds, and speak for them; so, if he tell us his noble deeds, we must also tell him our noble acceptance of them. Ingratitude is monstrous: and for the multitude to be ingrateful, were to make a monster of the multitude; of the which, we being members, should bring ourselves to be monstrous members.

1 Cit.

And to make us no better thought of, a little help will serve: for once we stood up about the corn^{6 note}

3 Cit.

We have been called so of many; not that our heads are some brown, some black, some auburn^{8 note}

2 Cit.

Think you so? Which way, do you judge, my wit would fly?

3 Cit.

Nay, your wit will not so soon out as another man's will, 'tis strongly wedged up in a block-head: but if it were at liberty, 'twould, sure, southward.

2 Cit.

Why that way?

3 Cit.

To lose itself in a fog; where being three parts melted away with rotten dews, the fourth

would return for conscience sake, to help to get thee a wife.

2 Cit.

You are never without your tricks:—You may, you may^{2 note}

.

3 Cit.

Are you all resolved to give your voices? But that's no matter, the greater part carries it. I say, if he would incline to the people, there was never a worthier man. Enter Coriolanus and Menenius. Here he comes, and in the gown of humility; mark his behaviour. We are not to stay all together, but to come by him where he stands, by ones, by twos, and by threes. He's to make his requests by particulars: wherein every one of us has a single honour, in giving him our own voices with our own tongues: therefore follow me, and I'll direct you how you shall go by him.

All.

Content, content.

Men.
O sir, you are not right: have you not known
The worthiest men have done it?

Cor.
What must I say?—
I pray, sir,—Plague upon't! I cannot bring
My tongue to such a pace:—Look, sir;—my wounds;—
I got them in my country's service, when
Some certain of your brethren roar'd, and ran
From the noise of our own drums.

Men.
O me, the gods!
You must not speak of that; you must desire them
To think upon you.

Cor.
Think upon me? Hang 'em!
I would they would forget me, like the virtues
Which our divines lose by them^{3 note}
.

Men.
You'll mar all;
I'll leave you: Pray you, speak to them, I pray you,
In wholesome manner^{4 note}. Exit. Enter Two Citizens.

Cor.
Bid them wash their faces,
And keep their teeth clean.—So, here comes a brace,
You know the cause, sir, of my standing here.

1 Cit.
We do, sir; tell us what hath brought you to't.

Cor.
Mine own desert.

2 Cit.
Your own desert?

Cor.
Ay, not
Mine own desire^{5 note}

1 Cit.
How! not your own desire?

Cor.
No, sir:
'Twas never my desire yet,
To trouble the poor with begging.

1 Cit.
You must think, if we give you any thing,
We hope to gain by you.

Cor.
Well then, I pray, your price o' the consulship?

1 Cit.
The price is, sir^{6 note}, to ask it kindly.

Cor.
Kindly?
Sir, I pray, let me ha't: I have wounds to show you,
Which shall be yours in private.—Your good voice, sir;
What say you?

2 Cit.
You shall have it, worthy sir.

Cor.
A match, sir:—
There is in all two worthy voices begg'd:—
I have your alms; adieu.

1 Cit.
But this is something odd^{7 note}

2 Cit.
An 'twere to give again,—But 'tis no matter. [Exeunt Two Citizens. Enter Two other Citizens.

Cor.

Pray you now, if it may stand with the tune of your voices, that I may be consul, I have here the customary gown.

3 Cit.

You have deserved nobly of your country, and you have not deserved nobly.

Cor.

Your enigma?

3 Cit.

You have been a scourge to her enemies, you have been a rod to her friends; you have not, indeed, loved the common people.

Cor.

You should account me the more virtuous, that I have not been common in my love. I will, sir, flatter my sworn brother the people, to earn a dearer estimation of them; 'tis a condition they account gentle: and since the wisdom of their choice is rather to have my hat than my heart, I will practise the insinuating nod, and be off to them most counterfeitly; that is, sir, I will counterfeit the bewitchment of some popular man, and give it bountifully to the desirers. Therefore, beseech you, I may be cousul.

4 Cit.

We hope to find you our friend; and therefore give you our voices heartily.

3 Cit.

You have received many wounds for your country.

Cor.

I will not seal your knowledge^{8 note} with showing them. I will make much of your voices, and so trouble you no further.

Both Cit.
The gods give you joy, sir, heartily! [Exeunt.

Cor.
Most sweet voices!—
Better it is to die, better to starve,
Than crave the hire^{9 note} which first we do deserve.
Why in this woolvish gown^{1 note}

Their needless vouches^{2 note}

The dust on antique time would lie unswept,
And mountainous error be too highly heap'd

For truth to over-peer.—Rather than fool it so,
Let the high office and the honour go
To one that would do thus.—I am half through;
The one part suffer'd, the other will I do. Enter Three other Citizens.
Here come more voices,—
Your voices: for your voices I have fought;
Watch'd for your voices; for your voices, bear
Of wounds two dozen odd; battles thrice six^{3 note}



I have seen, and heard of; for your voices, have
Done many things, some less, some more: your voices:
Indeed, I would be consul.

5 Cit.

He has done nobly, and cannot go without any honest man's voice.

6 Cit.

Therefore let him be consul: The gods give him joy, and make him good friend to the people!

All.
Amen, amen.—
God save thee, noble consul! [Exeunt Citizens.

Cor.
Worthy voices! Re-enter Menenius, with Brutus, and Sicinius.

Men.
You have stood your limitation; and the tribunes

Endue you with the people's voice: Remains,
That, in the official marks invested, you
Anon do meet the senate.

Cor.
Is this done?

Sic.
The custom of request you have discharg'd:
The people do admit you; and are summon'd
To meet anon, upon your approbation.

Cor.
Where? at the senate-house?

Sic.
There, Coriolanus.

Cor.
May I^{4 note} change these garments?

Sic.
You may, sir.

Cor.
That I'll straight do; and, knowing myself again,
Repair to the senate-house.

Men.
I'll keep you company.—Will you along?

Bru.
We stay here for the people.

Sic.
Fare you well. [Exeunt Coriol. and Menen.
He has it now; and by his looks, methinks,
'Tis warm at his heart.

Bru.
With a proud heart he wore
His humble weeds: Will you dismiss the people? Re-enter Citizens.

Sic.
How now, my masters? have you chose this man?

1 Cit.
He has our voices, sir.

Bru.
We pray the gods, he may deserve your loves.

2 Cit.
Amen, sir: To my poor unworthy notice,
He mock'd us, when he begg'd our voices.

3 Cit.
Certainly,
He flouted us down-right.

1 Cit.
No, 'tis his kind of speech, he did not mock us.

2 Cit.
Not one amongst us, save yourself, but says,
He us'd us scornfully: he should have show'd us
His marks of merit, wounds receiv'd for his country.

Sic.
Why, so he did, I am sure.

Cit.
No; no man saw 'em. [Several speak.

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^{5 note}

Sic.
Why, either, you were ignorant to see't^{6 note}?

Or, seeing it, of such childish friendliness
To yield your voices?

Bru.
Could you not have told him,
As you were lesson'd,—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' the body of the weal: and now, arriving
A place of potency^{7 note}


, and sway o' the state,
If he should still malignantly remain
Fast foe to the 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^{8 note} for your voices, and
Translate his malice towards you into love,
Standing your friendly lord.

Sic.
Thus to have said,
As you were fore-advis'd, had touch'd his spirit,
And try'd his inclination; from him pluck'd
Either his gracious promise, which you might,
As cause had call'd you up, have held him to;
Or else it would have gall'd his surly nature,
Which easily endures not article
Tying him to aught; so, putting him to rage,
You should have ta'en the advantage of his choler,
And pass'd him unelected.

Bru.
Did you perceive,
He did solicit you in free contempt^{9 note},

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 judgment?

Sic.
Have you,
Ere now, deny'd the asker? and, now again,
On him^{1 note}, that did not ask, but mock, bestow
Your su'd-for tongues^{2 note}

3 Cit.
He's not confirm'd, we may deny him yet.

2 Cit.
And will deny him:
I'll have five hundred voices of that sound.

1 Cit.
I twice five hundred, and their friends to piece 'em.

Bru.
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 therefore kept to do so.

Sic.
Let them assemble;
And, on a safer judgment, all revoke
Your ignorant election: Enforce his pride^{3 note}

And his old hate unto you: besides, forget not
With what contempt he wore the humble weed;
How in his suit he scorn'd you: but your loves,
Thinking upon his services, took from you
The apprehension of his present portance^{4 note}
,
Which most gibingly^{5 note}
, ungravely he did fashion
After the inveterate hate he bears you.

Bru.
Lay
A fault on us, your tribunes; that we labour'd
(No impediment between) but that you must
Cast your election on him.

Sic.
Say, you chose him
More after our commandment, than as guided
By your own true affections: and that, your minds
Pre-occupy'd with what you rather must do
Than what you should, made you against the grain
To voice him consul: Lay the fault on us.

Bru.
Ay, spare us not. Say, we read lectures to you,
How youngly he began to serve his country,
How long continued: and what stock he springs of,
The noble house o' the Marcians; from whence came
That Ancus Marcius, Numa's daughter's son,
Who, after great Hostilius, here was king:
Of the same house Publius and Quintus were,
That our best water brought by conduits hither;
And Censorinus, darling of the people^{6 note}

And nobly nam'd so, being twice censor^{7 note},
Was his great ancestor^{8 note}

Sic.
One thus descended,
That hath beside well in his person wrought
To be set high in place, we did commend

To your remembrances: but you have found,
Scaling his present bearing with his past^{9 note},
That he's your fixed enemy, and revoke
Your sudden approbation.

Bru.
Say, you ne'er had don't,
(Harp on that still,) but by our putting on^{1 note}

Cit.
We will so: almost all [Several speak.
Repent in their election. [Exeunt Citizens.

Bru.
Let them go on;
This mutiny were better put in hazard,
Than stay, past doubt, for greater:
If, as his nature is, he fall in rage
With their refusal, both observe and answer
The vantage of his anger^{2 note}
.

Sic.
To the Capitol:
Come; we'll be there before the stream o' the people^{3 note}


;
And this shall seem, as partly 'tis, their own,
Which we have goaded onward. [Exeunt.

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