SCENE VII.
Changes to the Forum.
Enter seven or eight Citizens.
1 Cit.
4 noteOnce; if he do require our voices, we
ought not to deny him.
2 Cit.
We may, Sir, if we will.
3 Cit.
5 note
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
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
-- 539 --
being Members, should bring our selves to be monstrous
Members.
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 6 notemany-headed
multitude.
3 Cit.
We have been call'd so of many; not that our
heads are some brown, some black, some auburn, some
bald; but that our wits are so diversly colour'd; and
truly, I think, 7 note
if all our wits were to issue out of one
scull, they would fly East, West, North, South; and
their consent of one direct way would be at once to all
Points o'th' Compass.
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 wedg'd up in a blockhead;
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, 8 notethe 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—
-- 540 --
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 in a Gown, with Menenius.
Here he comes, and in the Gown of Humility; mark
his behaviour. We are not to stay altogether, 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.
Oh, Sir, you are not right; have you not
known the worthiest Men have done't?
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 noise of our own drums.
Men.
Oh 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 'em.
Men.
You'll mar all.
I'll leave you. Pray you, speak to 'em, I pray you,
In wholsom manner.
[Exit.
Citizens approach.
Cor.
Bid them wash their faces,
And keep their teeth clean.—So, here comes a brace.
You know the cause, Sirs, of my standing here.
-- 541 --
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.
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' th' Consulship?
1 Cit.
The price is, to ask it kindly.
Cor.
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?
Both Cit.
You shall ha't, worthy Sir.
Cor.
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.
[Exeunt.
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.
1 Cit.
You have deserved nobly of your Country,
and you have not deserved nobly.
Cor.
Your ænigma.—
1 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
-- 542 --
have my cap than my heart, I will practice 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 Consul.
2 Cit.
We hope to find you our Friend; and therefore
give you our voices heartily.
1 Cit.
You have received many wounds for your
Country.
Cor.
9 noteI will not seal your knowledge with shewing
them. I will make much of your voices, and so
trouble you no further.
Both.
The Gods give you joy, Sir, heartily!
[Exeunt.
Cor.
Most sweet voices—
Better it is to die, better to starve,
Than crave the hire, which first we do deserve.
1 note
Why in this woolvish Gown should I stand here,
To beg of Hob and Dick, that do appear,
Their needless Voucher? Custom calls me to't—
What Custom wills in all things, should we do't,
The dust on antique time would lie unswept,
And mountainous error be too highly heapt.
For truth to o'er-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.
-- 543 --
Three Citizens more.
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 and odd; battles thrice six
I've seen, and heard of; for your voices, have
Done many things, some less, some more; your voices.
Indeed, I would be Consul.
1 Cit.
He has done nobly, and cannot go without
any honest man's voice.
2 Cit.
Therefore let him be Consul, the Gods give
him joy, and make him a good friend to the People.
All.
Amen, amen. God save thee, noble Consul.
[Exeunt.
Cor.
Worthy voices!
Enter Menenius, with 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.
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 change these garments?
Sic.
You may, Sir.
Cor.
That I'll straight do; and, knowing my self again,
Repair to th' Senate-house.
Men.
I'll keep you company. Will you along?
-- 544 --
Bru.
We stay here for the people.
Sic.
Fare you well.
[Exeunt Coriol. and Men.
Samuel Johnson [1765], The plays of William Shakespeare, in eight volumes, with the corrections and illustrations of Various Commentators; To which are added notes by Sam. Johnson (Printed for J. and R. Tonson [and] C. Corbet [etc.], London) [word count] [S11001].
