2. Cit.

Once for all, if he do require our voices, we ought not to deny him.

1. Cit.

We may, Sir, if we will.

2. Cit.

We have power in ourselves to do it, but it is a power that we have no power to do; for if he shew us his wounds, and tell us his deeds, we are to put our tongues into those wounds, and speak for them: so, if he tells us his noble deeds, we must also tell him of our noble acceptance of them. Ingratitude is monstrous, and for the multitude to be ungrateful, were to make a monster of the multitude; of the which we being members, should bring ourselves to be monstrous members.

1 Cit.

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 one's, by two's, and by three's. 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. [Exeunt Citizens. Enter Marcius in a gown, with Menenius.

Men.
Oh Sir, you are not right; have you not known

The worthiest men have done't?

Mar.
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 noise of our own drums.

Men.
Oh me, the Gods!
You must not speak of that, you must desire them
To think upon you.

Mar.
Think upon me? hang 'em.
I would they would forget me,

Men.
You'll mar all.
I'll leave you: pray you speak to 'em, I pray you,
In wholsome manners. [Exit. Enter 1 and 2 Citizens.

Mar.
So here come a brace:
You know the cause, Sirs, of my standing here.

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

Mar.
Mine own desert.

2 Cit.
Your own desert?

Mar.
Ay, not mine own desire?

1 Cit.
How, not your own desire?

Mar.

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.

Mar.

Well then, I pray, your price o'th' consulship?

1 Cit.

The price is, to ask it kindly.

Mar.

Kindly, Sir, I pray let me ha't: I have wounds to shew you, which shall be yours in private: your good voice, Sir; what say you?

2 Cit.

You shall ha't, worthy Sir.

Mar.

A match, Sir; there's in all two worthy voices begg'd: I have your alms, adieu.

1 Cit.

But this is something odd.

2 Cit.

An 'twere to give again:—but 'tis no matter.

Mar.
Most sweet voices—
Better it is to die, better to starve,
Than crave the hire, which first we do deserve.
Here come more voices. Enter the other Citizens.
Your voices—for your voices I have fought,
Watch'd for your voices; for your voices, bear
Of wounds two dozen and odd: battles thrice six
I've seen and heard of:—your voices:
Indeed I would be consul.

3 Cit.

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

4 Cit.

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

All.
Amen, amen. Save thee, noble consul! [Exeunt Citizens

Mar.
Worthy voices!

Enter Menenius, Brutus, and Sicinius.

Men.
You've stood your limitation: and the tribunes
Endue you with the people's voice: Remains,
That in th' official marks invested, you
Anon do meet the senate.

Mar.
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.

Mar.
Where? at the senate-house?

Sic.
There, Coriolanus.

Mar.
May I then change these garments?

Sic.
Sir, you may.

Mar.
That I'll straight do: and knowing myself again,
Repair to th' senate-house. [Exit Mar.

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

Bru.
We stay here for the people.

Sic.
Fare you well. [Exit Men.
He has it now, and by his looks, methinks
'Tis warm at's heart.

Bru.
With a proud heart he wore
His humble weeds: will you dismiss the people? Enter all the Citizens.

Sic.

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

2 Cit.
He has our voices, Sir.

Bru.
We pray the Gods he may deserve your loves.

1 Cit.
Amen, Sir: to my poor unworthy notice,
He mock'd us, when he begg'd our voices.

3 Cit.
Certainly he flouted us, downright

2 Cit.

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

1 Cit.
Not one amongst us, save yourself, but says
He us'd us scornfully: he should have shew'd us
His marks of merit, wounds received for's country.

Sic.
Why so he did, I am sure.

1 Cit.
No man saw 'em.
He said he'd wounds which he could shew in private:
I would be consul, says he; aged custom,
But by your voices, will not so permit me;
Your voices, theresore: when we granted that,
Here was—I thank you for your voices—thank you—
Your most sweet voices—now you have left your voices,
I have nothing further with you. Wa'n't this mockery?

Sic.
Why either were you ignorant to see't?
Or seeing it, of such childish friendliness,
To yield your voices?

Bru.
Did you perceive,
He did solicit you in free contempt,
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?

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

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

2 Cit.
Ay, and we will deny him.

Bru.
Get you hence instantly, and tell your friends,
They've 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.
Enforce his pride, and his old hate to you.
Say, you chose him more after our commandment,
Than guided by your own affections.
Lay the fault on us.

Bru.
Ay, spare us not.
Say, you ne'er had done't,
(Harp on that still) but by our putting on;
And presently, when you have drawn your number,
Repair to th' Capitol,

All.
We will; we will. Huzza! [Exeunt. End of the Second Act.

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