First Citizen.
Once, if he do require our voices,
We ought not to deny him.

Second Citizen.

We may, Sir, if we will.

Third Citizen.

We have power in ourselves to do it; but it is a power that we have no power to do: for if he shews 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 being members, should bring ourselves to be monstrous members.

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.

Menenius.
Oh, Sir, you are not right; have you not known,
The worthiest men have done't?

Coriolanus.
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.

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

Coriolanus.
Think upon me? Hang them.
I would, they would forget me.

Menenius.
You'll mar all.
I'll leave you: pray you, speak to them, I pray you,
In wholesome manner. [Exit. Citizens approach.

Coriolanus.
So, here comes a brace:
You know the cause, Sirs, of my standing here.

First Citizen.
We do, Sir; tell us what has brought you to't.

Coriolanus.
Mine own desert.

Second Citizen.
Your own desert?

Coriolanus.
Ay, not mine own desire.

First Citizen.
How! not your own desire?

Coriolanus.
No, Sir, 'twas never yet my desire to trouble
The poor with begging.

First Citizen.

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

Coriolanus.

Well then, I pray, you're price o'th' consulship?

First Citizen.

The price is, to ask it kindly.

Coriolanus.

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?

Second Citizen.

You shall ha't, worthy Sir.

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

First Citizen.
But, this is something odd.

Second Citizen.
An 'twere to give again:—but 'tis no matter. [Exeunt. Enter three Citizens more.

Coriolanus.
Here comes 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:—

Third Citizen.

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

Fourth Citizen.

Therefore, let him be consul, the gods give him joy, and make him a good friend to the people.

All.
Amen, amen, heav'n save thee, noble consul. [Exeunt.

Coriolanus.
Worthy voices! Enter Menenius, Brutus, and Sicinius.

Menenius.
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.

Coriolanus.
Is this done?

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

Coriolanus.
Where? at the senate-house?

Sicinius.
There, Coriolanus.

Coriolanus.
May I change these garments?

Sicinius.
You may, Sir.

Coriolanus.
That I'll straight do: and, knowing myself again,
Repair to the Senate-house. [Exeunt.

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

Brutus.
We stay here for the people.

Sicinius.
Fare you well. [Exeunt Coriolanus and Menenius.
He has it now, and by his looks, methinks,
'Tis warm at's heart.

Brutus.
With a proud heart he wore
His humble weeds: Will you dismiss the people? Enter Plebeians.

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

First Citizen.
He has our voices, Sir.

Brutus.
We pray the Gods, he may deserve your loves.

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

Third Citizen.
Certainly, he flouted us downright.

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

Second Citizen.
Not one amongst us, save yourself, but says
He us'd us scornfully: He should have shew'd us
His marks of merit, wounds receiv'd for's country.

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

All.
No, no man saw 'em.

Third Citizen.
He said he'd wounds, which he could shew in private;
And with his cap, thus waving it in scorn,
I would be consul, says he: Aged custom,
But by your voices, will not so permit me;
Your voices therefore: 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'nt this mockery?

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

Brutus.
Did you perceive,
He did sollicit 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? Why, had your bodies
No heart among you? Or had your tongues, to cry
Against the rectorship of judgment?

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

Third Citizen.
He's not confirm'd, we may deny him yet.

Second Citizen.
And, will deny him:
I'll have five hundred voices of that sound.

First Citizen.
I, twice five hundred, and their friends to piece 'em.

Brutus.
Get you hence, instantly, and tell those 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.

Sicinius.
Let them assemble;
And on a safer judgment all revoke
Your ignorant election: Enforce his pride,
And his old hate to you.
When you have drawn your number,
Repair to th' Capitol.

All.
We will so; almost all repent in their election.

Brutus.
Let them go on: [Exeunt Plebeians
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.

Sicinius.
To th' Capitol, come;
We will be there before the stream o'th' people
And this shall seem, as partly 'tis, their own,
Which we have goaded onward. End of the FIRST ACT.

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