Brutus note, the two Tribunes, and others.
Men.
No, I'll not go: you hear what he hath said
Which was note sometime his general, who loved him
In a most dear particular. He call'd me father:
But what o' that? Go, you that banish'd him;
A mile before his tent note fall down, and knee note
The way into his mercy: nay, if he coy'd
To hear Cominius speak, I'll keep at home.
Com.
He would not seem to know me.
Men.
Do you hear?
Com.
Yet one time he did call me by my name:
I urged our old acquaintance, and the drops
That we have bled together. Coriolanus
He would not answer to: forbad all names;
He was a kind of nothing, titleless,
Till he had forged himself a name o' the note fire
-- 396 --
Of burning Rome.
Men.
Why, so: you have note made good work!
A pair of tribunes that have rack'd for note Rome, note
To make coals cheap: note a noble memory!
Com.
I minded him how royal 'twas to pardon
When it was less note expected: he replied,
It was a bare note petition of a state note
To one whom they had punish'd.
Men.
Very well:
Could he say less? note
Com.
I offer'd to awaken his regard
For 's note private friends: his answer to me was,
He could not stay to pick them in a pile
Of noisome musty chaff, he said 'twas folly,
For one poor grain or two, to leave unburnt,
And still to nose the offence.
Men.
For one poor grain or two!
I am note one of those; his mother, wife, his child,
And this brave fellow too, we are note the grains:
You are the musty chaff, and you are smelt
Above the moon: we must be burnt for you.
Sic.
Nay, pray, be patient: if you refuse your aid
In this so never-needed note help, yet do not
Upbraid's note with our distress. But, sure, if you
Would be your country's pleader, your good tongue,
More than the instant army we can make,
Might stop our countryman.
Men.
No, I'll not meddle.
-- 397 --
Sic.
Pray you note, go to him.
Men.
What note should I do? note
Bru.
Only make trial what your love can do
For Rome, towards Marcius.
Men.
Well, and say that Marcius
Return me, as Cominius is return'd note,
Unheard note; what then? note note
But as note a discontented friend note, grief-shot
With his unkindness? say 't be so?
Sic.
Yet your good will note
Must have that thanks from note Rome, after the measure
As you intended well.
Men.
I'll undertake 't note:
I think he'll hear me. Yet, to bite his lip
And hum at good Cominius, much unhearts me.
He was not taken well; he had not dined:
The veins unfill'd, our blood is cold, and then
We pout upon the morning, are unapt
To give or to forgive; but when we have note stuff'd
These pipes and these conveyances of our note blood
With wine and feeding, we have suppler souls
Than in our priest-like fasts: therefore I'll watch him
Till he be dieted to my request,
And then I'll set upon him.
Bru.
You know the very road into his kindness,
-- 398 --
And cannot lose your way.
Men.
Good faith, I'll prove him,
Speed how it will. note I shall ere long have knowledge
Of my success.
[Exit.
Com.
He'll never hear him.
Sec.
Not? note
Com.
I tell you, he does sit note in gold note, his eye
Red as 'twould burn Rome; and his injury
The gaoler to his pity. I kneel'd before him;
'Twas very faintly he said ‘Rise;’ dismiss'd me
Thus, with his speechless hand: what he would do,
He sent in writing after me note; what he would not, note
Bound with an oath to yield to his conditions: note
So that note all note hope is vain,
Unless his noble mother, and his wife note;
Who, as I hear, note mean to solicit him note
For note mercy to his country note. Therefore, let's note hence,
And with our fair entreaties haste them on.
[Exeunt.
-- 399 --
note
Scene II. [Footnote:
Entrance of the Volscian camp before Rome note. Two Sentinels on guard. note
Enter note to them, Menenius.
First Sen. note
Stay: whence are you? note
Sec. Sen. note
Stand, and go note back note.
Men.
You guard like men; 'tis well: but, by your leave,
I am an officer of state, and come
To speak with Coriolanus. note
First Sen.
From whence? note
Men.
From Rome.
First Sen.
You may not pass, you must return: our general
Will no more hear from thence note. note
Sec. Sen.
You'll see your Rome embraced with fire, before
You'll speak with Coriolanus.
Men.
Good my friends,
If you have heard your general talk of Rome
And of his friends there, it is lots to blanks note
My name hath touch'd your ears: it is Menenius.
First Sen.
Be it so; go back: the virtue of your name
Is not here passable.
Men.
I tell thee, fellow note,
-- 400 --
Thy general is my lover: I have been
The book of his good acts, whence men have read
His fame unparallel'd haply note amplified;
For I have ever verified note my friends,
Of whom he's chief, with note all the size that verity
Would without lapsing suffer: nay, sometimes,
Like to a bowl upon a subtle ground,
I have note tumbled past the throw, and in his praise
Have almost stamp'd the leasing: therefore, fellow,
I must have leave to pass.
First Sen.
Faith, sir, if you had told as many lies in
his behalf as you have uttered words in your own, you
should not pass here; no, though it were as virtuous to lie
as to live chastely. Therefore go back.
Men.
Prithee, fellow, remember my name is Menenius,
always factionary on note the party of your general.
Sec. Sen.
Howsoever you have been his liar, as you say
you have, I am one that, telling true under him, must say,
you cannot pass. Therefore go back.
Men.
Has he dined, canst thou tell? for I would not
speak with him till after dinner.
First Sen.
You are a Roman, are you?
Men.
I am, as note thy general is.
First Sen.
Then you should hate Rome, as he does. Can
you, when you have pushed out note your gates the very defender
of them, and, in a violent popular ignorance, given your
enemy your shield, think to front his revenges with the easy note
groans of old women, the virginal palms note of your daughters,
or with the palsied intercession of such a decayed dotant note as
you seem to be? Can you think to blow out the intended
fire your city is ready to flame in, with such weak breath as
-- 401 --
this? No, you are deceived; therefore, back to Rome,
and prepare for your execution: you are condemned; our
general has sworn you out of reprieve and pardon.
Men.
Sirrah, if thy note captain knew note I were here, he would
use me with estimation note.
Sec. Sen. note
Come, my captain knows you not.
Men.
I mean, thy general.
First Sen.
My general cares not for you. Back, I say,
go; lest I let forth your half-pint of blood;—back,—that's
the utmost of your having:—back. note
Men.
Nay, but, fellow, fellow,—
Enter Coriolanus and note Aufidius.
Cor.
What's the matter?
Men.
Now, you companion note, I'll say an errand note for you:
you shall know now that I am in estimation; you shall perceive
that a Jack guardant cannot office me from my son
Coriolanus: guess, but by my entertainment with him, note if
thou standest not i' the state of hanging, or of some death
more long in spectatorship and crueller in suffering; behold
now presently, and swoon note for what's to come upon thee.
The glorious gods sit in hourly synod about thy particular
prosperity, and love thee no worse than thy old father
Menenius does! O my son, my son! thou art preparing
fire for us; look thee, here's water to quench it. I was
hardly moved to come to thee; but being assured none
but myself could move thee, I have been blown out of
your note gates with sighs; and conjure thee to pardon Rome
and thy petitionary countrymen. The good gods assuage
-- 402 --
thy wrath, and turn the dregs of it upon this varlet here,—
this, who, like a block, hath denied my access to thee. note
Cor.
Away!
Men.
How! away!
Cor.
Wife, mother, child, I know not. My affairs
Are servanted to others: though I owe
My revenge properly, my remission note lies
In Volscian breasts. That we have been familiar,
Ingrate forgetfulness shall poison note rather
Than pity note how much. note Therefore be gone.
Mine ears against your suits are stronger than
Your gates against my force. Yet, for I loved thee,
Take this along; I writ it for thy sake,
And would have sent it. [Gives him a letter. note] Another word, Menenius,
I will not hear thee speak. This man, Aufidius,
Was my beloved in Rome: yet thou behold'st. note
Auf.
You keep a constant temper.
[Exeunt note Coriolanus and Aufidius.
First Sen.
Now, sir, is your name Menenius?
Sec. Sen.
'Tis a spell, you see, of much power: you
know the way home again. note
First Sen.
Do you hear how we are shent for keeping
your greatness back?
Sec. Sen.
What cause, do you think, I have to swoon note?
Men.
I neither care for the world nor your general: for
such things as you, I can scarce think there's any, ye're note so
slight. He that hath a will to die by himself fears it not
from another: let your general do his worst. For you, be
that you are, long; and your misery increase with your
age! I say to you, as I was said to, Away!
[Exit.
-- 403 --
First Sen.
A noble fellow, I warrant him.
Sec. Sen.
The worthy fellow is our general: he's note the
rock, the oak not to be wind-shaken. note
[Exeunt. note
note
Scene III. [Footnote:
The tent note of Coriolanus.
Enter note Coriolanus, Aufidius, and others. note
Cor.
We will before the walls of Rome to-morrow
Set down our host. My partner in this action,
You must report to the Volscian lords how plainly
I have note borne this business.
Auf.
Only their ends note
You have respected; stopp'd your ears against
The general suit of Rome; never admitted
A private note whisper, no, not with such friends note
That thought them sure of you.
Cor.
This last old note man,
Whom with a crack'd heart I have sent to Rome,
Loved me above the measure of a father,
Nay, godded me indeed. Their latest refuge
Was to send him; for whose old love I have,
Though I show'd sourly to him, once more offer'd
The first conditions, which they did refuse note
And cannot now accept; to grace him only
-- 404 --
That thought he could do more, note a very little
I have note yielded to note: fresh embassies note and suits,
Nor from note the state nor private friends, hereafter
Will I lend ear to. [Shout within. note] Ha! what shout note is this?
Shall I be tempted to infringe my vow
In the same time 'tis made? I will not. note
Enter note, in mourning habits, Virgilia, Volumnia, leading young Marcius, Valeria, and Attendants.
My wife comes foremost; then the honour'd mould
Wherein this trunk was framed, and in her hand
The grandchild to her blood. But out, affection!
All bond and privilege of nature, break note!
Let it be virtuous to be obstinate.
What is that curtsy worth? or those doves' note eyes,
Which can make gods forsworn? I melt, and am not
Of stronger earth than others. My mother bows;
As if Olympus to a molehill should
In supplication nod: and my young boy
Hath an aspect of intercession, which
Great nature cries ‘Deny not.’ Let the Volsces
Plough Rome, and harrow Italy: I'll never
Be such a gosling to obey instinct; but stand,
As if note a man were author of himself
And knew no other kin note.
Vir.
My lord and husband!
Cor.
These eyes are not the same I wore in Rome.
Vir.
The sorrow that delivers us thus changed
-- 405 --
Makes you think so.
Cor.
Like a dull actor now
I have forgot my part and I am out,
Even to a full disgrace. Best of my flesh, note
Forgive my tyranny; but do not say,
For that ‘Forgive our Romans.’ O, a kiss
Long as my exile, sweet as my revenge!
Now, by the jealous queen of heaven, that kiss
I carried from thee, dear, and my true lip
Hath virgin'd it e'er since. You gods! I prate note,
And the most noble mother of the world
Leave unsaluted: sink, my knee, i' the earth;
[Kneels.
Of thy note deep duty more impression show
Than that of common sons.
Vol.
O, stand up blest!
Whilst, with no softer cushion than the flint,
I kneel before thee, and unproperly
Show duty, as mistaken note all this note while
Between the child and parent.
[Kneels. note
Cor.
What is note this?
Your knees to me? to your corrected son? note
Then let the pebbles on the hungry note beach
Fillip note the stars; then let the mutinous winds
Strike the proud cedars 'gainst the fiery sun,
Murdering impossibility, to make
What cannot be, slight work.
Vol.
Thou art my warrior;
I holp note to frame thee. Do you know this lady? note
Cor.
The noble sister of Publicola note,
-- 406 --
The moon of Rome; chaste as the icicle
That's curdied note by the frost from purest snow
And hangs on Dian's temple: dear Valeria!
Vol. note
note
This is a poor epitome of yours note,
Which by the interpretation of full time
May show like all yourself.
Cor.
The god of soldiers, note
With the consent of supreme Jove, inform
Thy thoughts with nobleness, that thou mayst prove
To shame unvulnerable, and stick note i' the wars
Like a great sea-mark, standing every flaw
note
And saving those that eye thee!
Vol.
Your knee, sirrah.
Cor.
That's my brave boy!
Vol.
Even he, your wife, this lady and myself
Are suitors to you.
Cor.
I beseech you, peace:
Or, if you'ld ask, remember this before:
The thing I have forsworn to grant may never
Be held by you denials note. Do not bid me
Dismiss my soldiers, or capitulate
Again with Rome's mechanics: tell me not
Wherein I seem unnatural: desire not
To allay my rages and revenges with
Your colder reasons. note
Vol.
O, no more, no more!
You have note said you will not grant us any thing;
For we have nothing else to ask, but that
Which you deny already: yet we will ask;
That, if you note fail in our request, the blame
May hang upon your hardness: therefore hear us.
-- 407 --
Cor.
Aufidius, and you Volsces, mark; for we'll
Hear nought from Rome in private. Your request?
Vol.
Should we be silent and not speak, our raiment
And state of bodies would bewray what life
We have note led since thy exile. Think with thyself
How more unfortunate than all note living women
Are we come hither: since that note thy sight, which should
Make our eyes note flow with joy, hearts dance with comforts,
Constrains them weep and shake with fear and sorrow;
Making the mother, wife and child, to see
The son, the husband and the father, tearing
His country's note bowels out. And to poor we
Thine enmity's note note most capital: thou barr'st us
Our prayers to the gods, which is a comfort
That all but we enjoy; for how can we,
Alas, how can we for our country pray,
Whereto we are note bound, together with thy victory,
Whereto we are note bound? alack, or we must lose
The country, our dear nurse, or else thy person,
Our comfort in the country. We must find
An evident note calamity, though we had
Our wish, which side should win; for either thou
Must, as a foreign recreant, be led
With manacles thorough note our streets note, or else
Triumphantly tread on thy country's ruin
And bear the palm for having bravely shed
Thy wife and children's blood. For myself, son,
I purpose not to wait on fortune till
These wars determine: if I cannot note persuade thee
Rather to show a noble grace to both parts note
-- 408 --
Than seek the end of one, thou shalt no sooner note
March to assault thy country than to tread—
Trust to't, thou shalt not—on thy mother's womb,
That brought thee to note this world.
Vir.
Ay, and mine note,
That brought you forth this boy, to keep your name
Living to time.
Boy.
A' note shall not tread on me;
I'll run away till I am bigger, but then I'll fight. note
Cor.
Not of a woman's tenderness to be,
Requires nor child note nor woman's face to see.
I have note sat too long.
[Rising. note
Vol.
Nay, go not from us thus.
If it were so that our request did tend
To save the Romans, thereby to note destroy
The Volsces whom you serve, you might condemn us,
As poisonous note of your honour: no; our suit
Is, that you reconcile them: while the Volsces
May say ‘This mercy we have show'd,’ the Romans,
‘This we received;’ and each in either side
Give the all-hail to thee and cry ‘Be blest
For making up this peace!’ Thou know'st, great son,
The end of war's note uncertain, but this certain,
That if thou conquer Rome, the benefit
Which thou shalt thereby reap is such a name
Whose repetition will be dogg'd with curses;
Whose chronicle thus writ: ‘The man was noble,
But with his last attempt he wiped it out,
Destroy'd his country, and his name remains
To the ensuing age abhorr'd.’ Speak to me, son:
Thou hast affected the fine note strains of honour,
-- 409 --
To imitate the graces of the gods;
To tear with thunder the wide cheeks o' the air,
And yet to charge thy note sulphur with a bolt
That should note but rive an oak. Why dost not speak?
Think'st thou it honourable for a noble man note
Still to remember wrongs? Daughter, speak you:
He cares not for your weeping. Speak thou, boy:
Perhaps thy childishness will move him more
Than can our reasons. There's note no man in the world
More bound to 's note mother, yet here he lets me prate
Like one i' the stocks. Thou hast note never in thy life
Show'd thy dear mother any courtesy;
When she, poor hen, fond of no second brood,
Has cluck'd note thee to the wars, and safely home,
Loaden with honour. Say my request's unjust,
And spurn me back: but if it be not so,
Thou art not honest, and the gods will plague thee,
That thou restrain'st from me the duty which
To a mother's part belongs. He turns away:
Down, ladies; let us shame him with note our knees.
To his note surname Coriolanus 'longs note more pride
Than pity to our prayers. Down: an end; note
This is the last: so we will home to Rome,
And die among our neighbours. Nay, behold's note:
This boy, that cannot tell what he would have,
But kneels and holds up hands for fellowship,
Does reason our petition with more strength
Than thou hast to deny't. Come, let us go:
This fellow had a Volscian to his mother;
-- 410 --
His wife is in Corioli, and his child note
Like him by chance. Yet give us our dispatch:
I am note hush'd until our city be a-fire,
And then I'll speak a little. note
Cor. [After holding her by the hand, silent note note]
O note mother, mother!
What have you done? Behold, the heavens do ope,
The gods look down, and this unnatural scene
They laugh at. O my mother, mother! O!
You have note won a happy victory to Rome;
But, for your son, believe it, O, believe it,
Most dangerously note you have with him prevail'd,
If not most mortal to him. But note let it come.
Aufidius, though I cannot make true wars,
I'll frame convenient peace. Now note, good Aufidius,
Were you note in my stead note, would note you have heard
A mother less? or granted less, Aufidius note?
Auf.
I was moved withal. note
Cor.
I dare be sworn you were:
And, sir, it is no little thing to make
Mine eyes to sweat compassion. But, good sir,
What peace you'll make, advise me: for my part,
I'll not to Rome, I'll back with you; and pray you,
Stand to me in this cause. O mother! wife!
Auf. [Aside note]
I am glad thou hast note set thy mercy and thy honour
At difference in thee: out of that I'll work
-- 411 --
Myself a former note fortune.
[The Ladies note make signs to Coriolanus.
Cor. [To Volumnia note, Virgilia, &c.]
Ay, by and by:—
But we will drink note together; and you shall bear note
A better witness back than words, which we
On like conditions will have counter-seal'd.
Come, enter with us. Ladies, you deserve
To have a temple built you: all the swords
In Italy, and her confederate arms,
Could not have made this peace. note
[Exeunt.
note
Scene IV. [Footnote:
Rome. A public place. note
Enter Menenius and Sicinius.
Men.
See you yond coign o' the Capitol, yond corner-stone?
Sic.
Why, what of that?
Men.
If it be possible for you to displace it with your
little finger, there is some hope the ladies of Rome, especially
his mother, may prevail with him. But I say there
is no hope in't: our throats are sentenced, and stay upon
execution.
Sic.
Is't possible that so short a time can alter the
condition of a man?
Men.
There is differency note between a grub and a butterfly;
yet your butterfly was a grub. This Marcius is grown
-- 412 --
from man to dragon: he has wings; he's more than a
creeping thing.
Sic.
He loved his mother dearly.
Men.
So did he me: and he no more remembers his
mother now than an eight-year-old note horse. The tartness of
his face sours ripe grapes: when he walks, he moves like
an engine, and the ground shrinks before his treading: he
is able to pierce a corslet with his eye; talks like a knell,
and his hum is a battery. He sits in his state note, as a thing
made for note Alexander. What he bids be done, is finished
with his bidding. He wants nothing of a god but eternity
and a heaven to throne in.
Sic.
Yes, mercy, if you report him truly.
Men.
I paint him in the character. Mark what mercy
his mother shall bring from him: there is no more mercy
in him than there is milk in a male tiger; that shall our
poor city find: and all this is long note of you.
Sic.
The gods be good unto us!
Men.
No, in such a case the gods will not be good
unto us. When we banished him, we respected not them;
and, he returning to break our necks, they respect not us.
Enter a Messenger.
Mess.
Sir, if you'ld save your life, fly to your house:
The plebeians have got your fellow-tribune,
And hale him up and down, all swearing, if
The Roman ladies bring not comfort home,
They'll give him death by inches.
Enter another Messenger.
Sic.
What's the news?
Sec. Mess. note
Good news, good news; the ladies have prevail'd,
-- 413 --
The Volscians are dislodged, and Marcius gone:
A merrier day did never yet greet Rome,
No, not the expulsion of the Tarquins.
Sic.
Friend,
Art thou certain this is true? is it note most certain? note note
Sec. Mess. note
As certain as I know the sun is fire:
Where have you lurk'd, that you make doubt of it?
Ne'er through an arch so hurried the blown tide,
As the recomforted through the gates. Why, hark you!
[Trumpets note; hautboys; drums beat; all together note.
The trumpets, sackbuts, psalteries and fifes,
Tabors and cymbals note and the shouting Romans,
Make the sun dance. Hark you note!
[A shout within. note
Men.
This is good news:
I will go meet the ladies. This Volumnia note
Is worth of consuls, senators, patricians,
A city full; of tribunes, such as you,
A sea and land full. You have note pray'd well to-day:
This morning for ten thousand of your throats
I'ld not have given a doit. Hark, how they joy!
[Music note still, with shouts.
Sic.
First, the gods bless you for your tidings; next,
Accept my thankfulness note.
Sec. Mess.
Sir, we have all
Great cause to give great thanks.
Sic.
They are note near the city? note
-- 414 --
Sec. Mess.
Almost at point to enter.
Sic.
We will note meet them,
And help the joy note note.
[Exeunt. note
note
Scene V. [Footnote:
The same. A street near the gate.
Enter note two Senators with Volumnia, Virgilia, Valeria, &c. passing over the stage, followed by Patricians and others.
First Sen. note
Behold our patroness, the life of Rome!
Call all your note tribes together, praise the gods,
And make triumphant fires; strew note flowers before them:
Unshout note the noise that banish'd Marcius,
Repeal him with the welcome of his mother;
Cry ‘Welcome, ladies, welcome!’
All.
Welcome, ladies,
Welcome note!
[A flourish with drums and trumpets. Exeunt. note
note
Scene VI. [Footnote:
Antium. note A public place. note
Enter Tullus Aufidius, with Attendants.
Auf.
Go tell the lords o' note the city I am here:
Deliver them this paper: having read it,
Bid them repair to the market-place, where I,
-- 415 --
Even in theirs and in the commons' ears,
Will vouch the truth of it. Him I accuse note
The city ports by this hath enter'd, and
Intends to appear before the people, hoping
To purge himself with words: dispatch.
[Exeunt Attendants. note
Enter three or four Conspirators of Aufidius' faction.
Most welcome!
First Con.
How is it with our general?
Auf.
Even so
As with a man by his own alms empoison'd,
And with his charity slain note.
Sec. Con.
Most noble sir,
If you do hold the same intent wherein
You wish'd us parties, we'll deliver you note
Of your great danger.
Auf.
Sir, I cannot tell:
We must proceed as we do find the people.
Third Con.
The people will remain uncertain whilst
'Twixt you there's difference; but the fall of either
Makes the survivor heir of all.
Auf.
I know it,
And my pretext to strike at him admits
A good construction. I raised him, and I pawn'd note
Mine honour for his truth: who being so heighten'd,
He water'd note his new plants with dews of flattery,
Seducing so my friends; and, to this end,
He bow'd his nature, never known before
But to be rough, unswayable and free note.
-- 416 --
Third Con.
Sir, his stoutness note
When he did stand for consul, which he lost
By lack of stooping,— note
Auf.
That I would have spoke of:
Being banish'd for't, he came unto my hearth;
Presented to my knife his throat: I took him,
Made him joint-servant with me, gave him way
In all his own desires, nay, let him choose
Out of my files, his projects to note accomplish,
My best and freshest men, served his designments
In mine own person, holp note to reap the fame
Which he did end note note all his; and took some pride
To do myself this wrong: till at the last
I seem'd his follower, not partner, and
He waged note me with his countenance, as if
I had been mercenary.
First Con.
So he did, my lord:
The army marvell'd at it, and in the last note,
When he had carried Rome and that we look'd
For no less spoil than glory— note
Auf.
There was it:
For which my sinews shall be stretch'd upon him. note
At a few drops of women's rheum, which are
As cheap as lies, he sold the blood and labour
Of our great action: therefore shall he die,
And I'll renew me in his fall. But hark!
[Drums and trumpets sound, note with great shouts of the people.
First Con.
Your native town you enter'd like a post,
-- 417 --
And had no welcomes home; but he returns,
Splitting the air with noise.
Sec. Con.
And patient fools,
Whose children he hath slain, their base throats tear
With giving note him glory.
Third Con.
Therefore, at your vantage,
Ere he express himself, or move the people
With what he would say, let him feel your sword,
Which we will note second. When he lies along,
After your way his note tale pronounced shall bury
His reasons with his body.
Auf.
Say no more:
Here come the lords. note
Enter the Lords of the city.
All the Lords. note
You are note most welcome home.
Auf.
I have not deserved it.
But, worthy lords, have you with heed perused
What I have written to you note?
Lords.
We have.
First Lord.
And grieve to hear 't note.
What faults he made before the last, I think
Might have found easy fines: but there to end
Where he was to begin, and give away
The benefit of our levies, answering us
With our own charge, making a treaty where
There was a yielding,—this note admits no excuse note.
Auf.
He approaches: you shall hear him.
-- 418 --
noteEnter Coriolanus, marching with drum and colours; the commoners being with him.
Cor.
Hail, lords! I am return'd your note soldier;
No more infected with my country's love
Than when I parted hence, but still subsisting
Under your great command. You are to know,
That prosperously I have attempted and
With bloody passage led your wars even to
The gates of Rome. Our spoils we have brought home
Do note more than counterpoise a full third part
The note charges of the action. We have note made peace,
With no less honour to the Antiates
Than shame to the Romans: and we here note deliver,
Subscribed note by the consuls and patricians,
Together with the seal o' note the senate, what
We have compounded on.
Auf.
Read it not, noble lords;
But tell the traitor, in the highest degree
He hath abused your powers.
Cor.
Traitor! how now!
Auf.
Ay, traitor, Marcius!
Cor.
Marcius!
Auf.
Ay, Marcius, Caius Marcius: dost thou think
I'll grace thee with that robbery, thy stol'n name
Coriolanus, in Corioli?
You lords and heads note o' note the state, perfidiously
He has betray'd your business, and given up,
For certain drops of salt, your city Rome,
I say ‘your city,’ to his wife and mother;
Breaking his oath and resolution, like
A twist of rotten silk; never admitting
Counsel o' note the war; but at his nurse's tears
He whined and roar'd away your victory;
-- 419 --
That pages blush'd at him and men of heart
Look'd wondering each at other note.
Cor.
Hear'st thou, Mars?
Auf.
Name not the god, thou boy of tears!
Cor.
Ha!
Auf. note
No more.
Cor.
Measureless liar, thou hast made my heart
Too great for what contains it. ‘Boy!’ O slave!
Pardon me, lords, 'tis the first time that ever
I was note forced to scold note. Your judgements, my grave lords,
Must give this cur the lie: and his own notion—
Who wears my stripes impress'd upon him; that
Must bear my beating to his grave—shall join
To thrust the lie unto him.
First Lord.
Peace, both, and hear me speak.
Cor.
Cut me to note pieces, Volsces; men and lads,
Stain all your edges on note me. ‘Boy!’ false hound!
If you have writ your annals true, 'tis there,
That, like an eagle in a dove-cote, I
Flutter'd note your Volscians note in Corioli;
Alone I did it. note ‘Boy!’
Auf.
Why, noble lords,
Will you be put in mind of his blind fortune,
Which was your shame, by this unholy braggart,
'Fore your own eyes and ears?
All Consp.
Let him die for't.
All the People. note
‘Tear him to pieces.’ ‘Do it presently.’
‘He killed my son.’ ‘My daughter.’ ‘He killed my cousin
Marcus.’ note ‘He killed my father.’ note
-- 420 --
Sec. Lord.
Peace, ho note! no outrage: peace!
The man is noble, and his fame folds-in
This orb o' the earth. His last offences to us
Shall have judicious hearing. Stand, Aufidius,
And trouble not the peace.
Cor.
O that I had him,
With six Aufidiuses, or more, his tribe,
To use my lawful sword note!
Auf.
Insolent villain!
All Consp.
Kill, kill, kill, kill, kill him!
[The Conspirators note draw, and kill Coriolanus: Aufidius stands on his body.
Lords.
Hold, hold, hold, hold!
Auf.
My noble masters note, hear me speak.
First Lord.
O Tullus,— note
Sec. Lord.
Thou hast done a deed whereat valour will weep note.
Third Lord.
Tread not upon him. Masters all, note be quiet;
Put up your swords.
Auf.
My lords, when you shall know—as in this rage note
Provoked by him, you note cannot—the great danger
Which this man's life did owe you, you'll rejoice
That he is thus cut off. Please it your honours
To call me to your senate, I'll deliver
Myself your loyal servant, or endure
Your heaviest censure.
First Lord.
Bear from hence his body;
And mourn you for him: let him be regarded
As the most noble corse that ever herald
-- 421 --
Did follow to his urn.
Sec. Lord.
His own impatience
Takes from Aufidius a great part of blame.
Let's make the best of it.
Auf.
My rage is gone,
And I am struck with sorrow. Take him up:
Help, three o' note the chiefest soldiers; I'll be one.
Beat thou the drum, that it speak mournfully:
Trail your steel pikes. Though in this city he
Hath widow'd and unchilded many a one,
Which to this hour bewail the injury,
Yet he shall have a noble memory.
Assist note note.
[Exeunt, bearing the body of Coriolanus note. A dead march sounded.
