Sicinius.
Men.
The augurer note tells me, we shall have news tonight.
Bru.
Good, or bad?
Men.
Not according to the prayer of the people, for
they love not Marcius.
Sic.
Nature teaches beasts to know their friends.
Men.
Pray you, who does the wolf love?
Sic.
The lamb.
Men.
Ay, to devour him; as the hungry plebeians
would the noble Marcius.
Bru.
He's a lamb, indeed, that baes like a bear.
Men.
He's a bear, indeed, that lives like a lamb. You
two are old men; tell me one thing that I shall ask you.
Tri.
Well, sir.
-- 33 --
Men.
In what enormity is Marcius poor, note that you two
have not in abundance?
Bru.
He's poor in no one fault, but stor'd with all.
Sic.
Especially, in pride.
Bru.
And topping all others in boast. note
Men.
This is strange now: Do you two know how
you are censured here in the city, I mean of us o' the
right hand file, do you?
Tri.
Why, how are we censur'd?
Men.
Because you talk of pride now,—Will you not
be angry?
Tri.
Well, well, sir, well.
Men.
Why, 'tis no great matter; for a very little thief
of occasion will rob you of a great deal of patience:
give your dispositions the reins, and be angry at your
pleasures; at the least, if you take it as a pleasure to you,
in being so. You blame Marcius for being proud?
Bru.
We do it not alone, sir.
Men.
I know, you can do very little alone; for your
helps are many; or else your actions would grow wondrous
single: your abilities are too infant-like, for doing
much alone. You talk of pride: O, that you could turn
your eyes toward the napes of your necks, and make
but an interior survey of your good selves! o, that you
could!
Tri.
What then, sir?
Men.
Why, then you should discover a brace of as unmeriting,
proud, violent, testy magistrates, (alias, fools)
as any in Rome.
Sic.
Menenius, you are known well enough too.
Men.
I am known to be a humorous patrician, and
one that loves a cup of hot wine with not a drop of allaying
-- 34 --
Tiber in't: said to be something imperfect, in favouring
the first complaint; hasty, and tinder-like, upon
too trivial motion: one that converses more with the buttock
of the night, than with the forehead of the morning.
What I think, I utter; and spend my malice in my
breath: Meeting two such weal's-men as you are, (I cannot
call you Lycurgusses note) if the drink you give me touch
my palate adversly, I make a crooked face at it. I cannot
say,14Q0969 your worships have deliver'd the matter well,
when I find the ass in compound with the major part of
your syllables: and though I must be content to bear with
those, that say, you are reverend grave men; yet note they
lie deadly, that tell you, you have good faces: If you see
this in the map of my microcosm, follows it that I am
known well enough too? What harm can your bisson note conspectuities
glean out of this character, if I be known well
enough too?
Bru.
Come, sir, come, we know you well enough.
Men.
You know neither me, yourselves, nor any
thing. You are ambitious for poor knaves' caps and legs:
you wear out a good wholesome forenoon, in hearing a
cause between an orange-wife and a fosset-seller; and
then rejourn the controversy of three-pence to a second
day of audience. When you are hearing a matter between
party and party, if you chance to be pinch'd with the
cholick, you make faces like mummers; set up the bloody
flag against all patience, and, in roaring for a chamberpot,
dismiss the controversy bleeding, the more entangl'd
by your hearing: all the peace you make in their cause,
is, calling both the parties knaves: You are a pair of
strange ones.
Bru.
Come, come, you are well understood to be a
-- 35 --
perfecter giber for the table, than a necessary bencher in
the capitol.
Men.
Our very priests must become mockers, if
they shall encounter such ridiculous subjects as you are.
When you speak best unto the purpose, it is not worth
the waging of your beards; and your beards deserve not
so honourable a grave, as to stuff a botcher's cushion, or
to be entomb'd in an ass's pack-saddle. Yet you must be
saying, Marcius is proud; who, in a cheap estimation,
is worth all your predecessors, since Deucalion; though,
peradventure, some of the best of them were hereditary
hangmen. Good e'en note to your worships: more of your
conversation would infect my brain, being the herdsmen
of the beastly plebeians note: I will be bold to take my leave
of you.
Enter, hastily, Volumnia, Virgilia note,
Valeria, and a great Crowd of People: Tribunes join the Crowd.
How now, my as fair as noble ladies, (and the moon,
were she earthly, no nobler) whither do you follow your
eyes so fast?
Vol.
Honourable Menenius, my boy Marcius approaches;
for the love of Juno, let's go.
Men.
Ha! Marcius coming home?
Vol.
Ay, worthy Menenius; and with most prosperous
approbation.
Men.
Take my cap, Jupiter, and I thank thee:—Ho,
Marcius coming home!
Vir. Val.
Nay, 'tis true.
Vol.
Look, here's † a letter from him; the state hath
another, his wife another, and, I think, there's one at
home for you.
-- 36 --
Men.
I will make my very house reel to-night:—A
letter for me?
Vir.
Yes, certain, there's a letter for you; I saw it.
Men.
A letter for me?—It gives me an estate of seven
years' health; in which time, I will make a lip at the
physician: the most sovereign prescription in Galen is
but emperic, and, to this preservative, of no better report
than a horse-drench:—Is he not wounded? he was
wont to come home wounded.
Vir.
O, no, no, no.
Vol.
O, he is wounded, I thank the gods for't.
Men.
So do I too, if it be not too much:—Brings a'
victory in his pocket?14Q0970—The wounds become him.
Vol.
On's brows, Menenius; he comes the third time
home with the oaken garland.
Men.
Has he disciplin'd Aufidius soundly?
Vol.
Titus Lartius writes,—they fought together, but
Aufidius got off.
Men.
And 'twas time for him too, I warrant him that:
an' he had stay'd by him, I would not have been so fidius'd,
for all the chests in Corioli, and the gold that's in them.—
Is the senate possess'd of this?
Vol.
Good ladies, let's go:—Yes, yes, yes: the senate
has letters from the general, wherein he gives my
son the whole name of the war: he hath in this action
outdone his former deeds doubly.
Val.
In troth, there's wondrous things spoke of him.
Men.
Wondrous? ay, I warrant you, and not without
his true purchasing.
Vir.
The gods grant them true!
Vol.
True? pow, wow.
Men.
True? I'll be sworn they are true:—Where is he
-- 37 --
wounded? note God save your good worships! [to the Tribunes]
Marcius is coming home: he has more cause to be proud:
—Where is he wounded?
Vol.
I'the shoulder, and i'the left arm: There will
be large cicatrices to shew the people, when he shall stand
for his place: He received, in the repulse of Tarquin,
seven hurts i'the body.
Men.
One i'the neck, and two i'the thigh,—There's
nine that I know.
Vol.
He had, before this last expedition, twenty five
wounds upon him.
Men.
Now it's twenty seven: every gash was an enemy's
grave: [Shout, and Flourish, within.] Hark, the
trumpets.
Vol.
These are the ushers of Marcius: before him he
carries noise, and behind him he leaves tears:
Death, that dark spirit, in's nervy arm doth lye;
Which being advanc'd, declines, and then men die.
A Sennet. Trumpets.
Enter Cominius the General, and T. Lartius;
between them, Coriolanus, crown'd with an oaken
Garland; with Captains, and Soldiers, and a
Herald.
Her.
Know, Rome,14Q0971 that all alone Marcius did fight
Within Corioli' gates: where he hath won,
With fame, a name to Caius Marcius; these
In honour follows now, Coriolanus:—
Welcome to Rome, renown'd Coriolanus!
Shout.
Flourish.
all.
Welcome to Rome, renown'd Coriolanus!
Cor.
No more of this, it does offend my heart;
Pray now, no more.
-- 38 --
Com.
Look, sir, your mother:—
Cor.
O,
You have, I know, petition'd all the gods
For my prosperity.
[kneels.
Vol.
Nay, my good soldier, up;
My gentle Marcius, worthy Caius, and
By deed-atchieving note honour newly nam'd,
What is't, Coriolanus, must I call thee?
But, o, thy wife—
Cor.
My gracious silence, hail!
Would'st thou have laugh'd, had I come coffin'd home,
That weep'st to see me triumph? Ah, my dear,
Such eyes the widows in Corioli wear, note
And mothers that lack sons.
Men.
Now the gods crown thee!
Cor.
And live you yet?—O, my sweet lady, [to Val.] pardon.
Vol.
I know not where to turn:—O, welcome home;—
And welcome, general;—And your note welcome all.
Men.
A hundred thousand welcomes: I could weep,
And I could laugh; I am light, and heavy: Welcome:
A curse begin at very root of's heart,
That is not glad to see thee! You are three,
That Rome should dote on: yet, by the faith of men,
We have some old crab-trees here at home, that will not
Be grafted to your relish. Yet welcome, warriors:
We call a nettle, but a nettle; and
The faults of fools, but folly.
Com.
Ever right.
Cor.
Menenius, ever, ever.
Her.
Give way there, and go on.
Cor.
Your hand, and yours:
[to his Wife, and Mother.
-- 39 --
Ere in our own house I do shade my head,
The good patricians must be visited;
From whom I have receiv'd not only greetings,
But with them change of honours.14Q0972
Vol.
I have liv'd
To see inherited my very wishes,
And the buildings of my fancy:
Only there's one thing wanting, which, I doubt not,
But our Rome will cast upon thee.
Cor.
Know, good mother,
I had rather be their servant in my way,
Than sway note with them in theirs.
Com.
On, to the capitol.
[Flourish. Ex. in State, as before. Tribunes come forward.
Bru.
All tongues speak of him, and the bleared sights
Are spectacl'd to see him: Your pratling nurse
Into a rapture lets her baby cry,
While she chats him: the kitchen malkin pins
Her richest lockram 'bout her reechy neck,
Clamb'ring the walls to eye him: stalks note, bulks, windows
Are smother'd up, leads fill'd, and ridges hors'd
With variable complexions; all agreeing
In earnestness to see him: seld-shown flamens
Do press among the popular throngs, and puff
To win a vulgar station: our veil'd dames
Commit the war of white and damask, in
Their nicely-gawded cheeks, to the wanton spoil
Of Phœbus' burning kisses: such a pother,
As if that whatsoever god, who leads him,
Were slily crept into his human powers,
And gave him graceful action.
Sic.
On the sudden,
-- 40 --
I warrant him consul.
Bru.
Then our office may,
During his power, go sleep.
Sic.
He cannot temperately14Q0973 transport his honours
From where he should begin, and end; but will
Lose those he hath won.
Bru.
In that there's comfort.
Sic.
Doubt not,
The commoners, for whom we stand, but they,
Upon their ancient malice, will forget,
With the least cause, these his new honours; which
That he will give them, make I as little question
As he is proud to do't.
Bru.
I heard him swear,
Were he to stand for consul, never would he
Appear i'the market-place, nor on him put
The napless vesture of humility;
Nor, shewing (as the manner is) his wounds
To the people, beg their stinking breaths.
Sic.
'Tis right.
Bru.
It was his word: O, he would miss it, rather
Than carry it, but by the suit of the gentry, note
And the desire of the nobles.
Sic.
I wish no better,
Than have him hold that purpose, and to put it
In execution.
Bru.
'Tis most like, he will.
Sic.
It shall be to him then, as our good wills,
A sure destruction.
Bru.
So it must fall out
To him, or our authorities. For an end,—
We must suggest the people, in what hatred
-- 41 --
He still hath held them; that, to his power, he would
Have made them mules, silenc'd their pleaders, and
Disproperty'd note their freedoms: holding them,
In human action and capacity,
Of no more soul, nor fitness for the world,
Than camels in their war; note who have their provender note
Only for bearing burthens, and sore blows
For sinking under them.
Sic.
This, as you say, suggested
At some time when his soaring insolence
Shall reach note the note people, (which time shall not want,
If he be put upon't; and that's as easy,
As to set dogs on sheep) will be as fire note
To kindle their dry stubble; and their blaze
Shall darken him for ever.
Enter a Messenger.
Bru.
What's the matter?
Mes.
You are sent for to the capitol; note 'tis thought,
That Marcius shall be consul: I have seen
The dumb men throng to see him, and the blind
To hear him speak: The matrons flung their gloves,
Ladies and maids their scarfs and handkerchiefs,
Upon him as he pass'd: the nobles bended,
As to Jove's statue; and the commons made
A shower, and thunder, with their caps, and shouts:
I never saw the like.
Bru.
Let's to the capitol;
And carry with us ears and eyes for the time,
But hearts for the event.
Sic.
Have with you.
[Exeunt.
SCENE II.
The same. The Senate-House.
-- 42 --
Enter two Officers, laying Cushions.
1. O.
Come, come, they are almost here: How many
stand for consulships?
2. O.
Three, they say: but 'tis thought of every one,
Coriolanus will carry it.
1. O.
That's a brave fellow; but he's vengeance
proud, and loves not the common people.
2. O.
'Faith, there have been many great men, that
have flatter'd the people, who ne'er loved them; and
there be many that they have loved, they know not
wherefore: so that, if they love they know not why,
they hate upon no better a ground: Therefore, for Coriolanus
neither to care whether they love or hate him,
manifests the true knowledge he has in their disposition;
and, out of his noble carelessness, he lets them plainly
see't.
1. O.
If he did not care whether he had their love,
or no, he waved indifferently 'twixt doing them neither
good, nor harm: but he seeks their hate with greater
devotion than they can render it him; and leaves nothing
undone, that may fully discover him their opposite:
Now, to seem to affect the malice and displeasure
of the people, is as bad as that which he dislikes, to flatter
them for their love.
2. O.
He hath deserved worthily of his country: And
his ascent note14Q0974 is not by such easy degrees as theirs note, who
have been note supple and courteous to the people, bonnetted,
without any further deed to heave them note at all into
their estimation and report: but he hath so planted his
honours in their eyes, and his actions in their hearts,
that for their tongues to be silent, and not confess so
much, were a kind of ingrateful injury; to report otherwise,
-- 43 --
were a malice, that, giving itself the lie, would
pluck reproof and rebuke from every ear that heard it.
1. O.
No more of him; he's a worthy man: Make way,
they are coming.
Sennet. Enter, with Lictors before them,
Coriolanus, Menenius, Cominius, divers other
Senators, Brutus, and Sicinius: Senators take their
Seats; Tribunes theirs by themselves.
Men.
Having determin'd of the Volcians, 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 note
In our well-found sucesses, to report
A little of that worthy work perform'd
By Caius Marcius Coriolanus; whom
We are met here, both to thank, and to remember
With honours like himself.
1. S.
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.—Masters o'the people,
We do request your kindest ear; note and, after,
Your loving motion toward the common body,
To yield what passes here.
Sic.
We are convented
Upon a pleasing treaty; and have hearts
Inclinable to honour and advance
The theme of our assembly.
Bru.
Which the rather
-- 44 --
We shall be blest 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;
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 tye him not to be their bedfellow.—
Worthy Cominius, speak:—Nay, keep your place.
[to Cor. who rises, and is going out.
1. S.
Sit, Coriolanus note; 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, note
When blows have made me stay, I fled from words.
You sooth'd not, therefore hurt not: 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,
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,
(That's thousand to one good one) when you now see,
He had rather venture all his limbs for honour,
-- 45 --
Than one of's ears note 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, he fought
Beyond the mark of others: our then dictator,
Whom with all praise I point at, saw him fight,
When with his Amazonian chin note he drove
The bristl'd lips before him: he bestrid
An o'er-prest Roman, and i'the consul's view
Slew three opposers; Tarquin's self he met,
And struck him on his knee: in that day's feats,
When he might act the woman in the scene,
He prov'd best man i'the field, and for his meed
Was brow-bound with the oak. His pupil age note
Man-enter'd thus, he waxed note like a sea;
And, in the brunt of seventeen battles since,
He lurch'd all swords o'the garland. For this last,
Before and in Corioli, let me say,
I cannot speak him home: He stopt the fliers;
And, by his rare example, made the coward
Turn terror into sport: as waves before note
A vessel under sail, so men obey'd,
And fell below his stern: note his sword, death's stamp,
Where it did mark, it took from face to foot:
He was a thing of blood, whose every motion
Was tim'd with note dying cries: alone he enter'd14Q0975
The mortal gate o'the city, which he painted
With shunless destiny note; aidless came off,
-- 46 --
And with a sudden re-inforcement struck
Corioli, like a planet: Now all's his: note14Q0976
When by and by the din of war 'gan pierce
His ready sense: then straight his doubl'd spirit
Re-quicken'd what in flesh was fatigate,
And to the battle came he; where he did
Run reeking note o'er the lives of men, as if
'Twere a perpetual spoil: and, 'till we call'd
Both field and city ours, he never stood
To ease his breast with panting note.
Men.
Worthy man!
1. S.
He cannot but with measure fit the note honours
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; rewards
His deeds with doing them; and is content
To spend the time, to end it.
Men.
He's right noble;
Let him be call'd for.
1. S.
Call Coriolanus.
1. O.
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.
Cor.
I do beseech you,
Let me o'er-leap that custom; for I cannot
-- 47 --
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.
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;
Shew 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;—and to our noble consul
Wish we all joy and honour.
Sen.
To Coriolanus come all joy and honour!
[Flourish. 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.
-- 48 --
SCENE III.
The same. The Forum.
Enter a Number of Citizens.
1. C.
Once, if he do require our voices, we ought not
to deny him.
2. C.
We may, sir, if we will.
3. C.
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 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. C.
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 many-headed
multitude.
3. C.
We have been call'd so of many; not that our
heads are some brown, some black, some auburn, some note
bald, but that our wits are so diversly colour'd: and
truly, I think, 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 should be at once to all the
points o'the compass.
2. C.
Think you so? Which way do you judge my
wit would fly?
3. C.
Nay, your wit will not so soon out as another
man's will, 'tis strongly wedg'd up in a block-head: but
if it were at liberty, 'twould, sure, southward.
2. C.
Why that way?
-- 49 --
3. C.
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. C.
You are never without your tricks: you may,
you may.
3. C.
Are you all resolv'd 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. Here he comes, and in the gown of humility;
Enter Coriolanus, and Menenius.
mark his behaviour: We are not to stay all together note, but
to come by him where he stands, by one's, by two's,
and by three's note: 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.
Men.
O, sir, you are not right; Have you not known,
The worthiest men have don'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 the noise note 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 virtues14Q0977
Which our divines lose by them.
Men.
You'll mar all;
-- 50 --
I'll leave you: Pray you, speak to 'em, I pray you,
In wholsome manner.
[Exit Menenius.
Enter two of the 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. C.
We do, sir; tell us what hath brought you to't.
Cor.
Mine own desert.
2. C.
Your own desert?
Cor.
Ay, not note
Mine note own desire.
1. C.
How! not your own desire?
Cor.
No, sir; 'twas never my desire yet
To trouble the poor with begging.
1. C.
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. C.
The price is, sir, 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?
2. C.
You shall have it, worthy sir.
Cor.
A match, sir:—There's in all two worthy voices beg'd:—
I have your alms; Adieu.
1. C.
But this is something odd.
2. C.
An 'twere to give again,—But 'tis no matter.
[Exeunt these:
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.
-- 51 --
1. C.
You have deserv'd nobly of your country, and
you have not deserv'd nobly.
Cor.
Your ænigma?
1. C.
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: note Therefore, beseech you, I
may be consul.
2. C.
We hope to find you our friend; and therefore
give you our voices heartily.
1. C.
You have received many wounds for your country.
Cor.
I will not seal your knowledge with shewing
them. I will make much of your voices, and so trouble
you no further.
1. 2.
The gods give you joy, sir, heartily!
[Exeunt.
Cor.
Most sweet voices!
Better it is to die, better to starve,
Than crave the hire note which first we do deserve.
Why in this wolfish gown note should I stand here,
To beg of Hob, and Dick, that does appear note,
Their needless voices note?14Q0978 Custom calls me to't:
What custom wills, in all things should we do't,
The dust on antique time would lye unswept,
-- 52 --
And mountainous error be too highly heapt
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 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 and odd; battles thrice six
I have seen, and heard of; for your voices, have
Done many things, some less, some more: your voices:
Indeed, I would be consul.
1. C.
He has done nobly, and cannot go without any
honest man's voice.
2. C.
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!
Cor.
Worthy voices!
[Exeunt Citizens.
Enter Menenius, 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 then change these garments?
-- 53 --
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 Coriolanus, and Menenius.
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. C.
He has our voices, sir.
Bru.
We pray the gods, he may deserve your loves.
2. C.
Amen, sir: To my poor unworthy notice,
He mock'd us, when he beg'd our voices.
3. C.
Certainly,
He flouted us down-right.
1. C.
No, 'tis his kind of speech, he did not mock us.
2. C.
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 his country.
Sic.
Why, so he did, I am sure.
all.
No, no man saw them.
3. C.
He said, he had wounds, which he could shew in private;
And with his hat, thus waving it in scorn,
I would be consul, says he: aged custom,
But by your voices, will not so permit me;
-- 54 --
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 no further with you:—Was not this mockery?
Sic.
Why, either, were you ignorant to see't?
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 note of potency, 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 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 ought; so, putting him to rage,
You should have ta'en the advantage of his choler,
And pass'd him unelected.
-- 55 --
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? 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 note, that did not ask, but mock, bestow
Your tongues unsu'd-for note?14Q0979
3. C.
He is not confirm'd,
We may deny him yet.
2. C.
And will deny him:
I'll have five hundred voices of that sound.
1. C.
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,
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,
Which gibingly note, ungravely, he did fashion
After the inveterate hate he bears you.
-- 56 --
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 continu'd: and what stock he springs of,
The noble house o'the Marcii note; from whence came
That Ancus Marcius, Numa's daughter's son,
Who, after great Hostilius, here was king:
Of the same house14Q0980 Publius and Quintus were,
That our best water brought by conduits hither;
And Censorinus, darling of the people,
And nobly nam'd so for twice being censor,
Was his great ancestor.
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,
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:
And presently, when you have drawn your number,
Repair to the capitol.
-- 57 --
all.
We will so: almost all
Repent in their electon. note
[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.
Sic.
To the capitol, come;
We will be there before the stream o'the people;
And this shall seem, as partly 'tis, their own,
Which we have goaded onward.
[Exeunt.
Edward Capell [1767], Mr William Shakespeare his comedies, histories, and tragedies, set out by himself in quarto, or by the Players his Fellows in folio, and now faithfully republish'd from those Editions in ten Volumes octavo; with an introduction: Whereunto will be added, in some other Volumes, notes, critical and explanatory, and a Body of Various Readings entire (Printed by Dryden Leach, for J. and R. Tonson [etc.], London) [word count] [S10601].
