SCENE VII.
Enter seven or eight Citizens.
1 Cit.
Oons! if he do require our voices, we ought not to
deny him.
2 Cit.
We may, Sir, if we will.
3 Cit.
We have power in our selves 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 ingrateful,
were to make a monster of the multitude; of the which, we
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 many-headed multitude.
3 Cit.
We have been call'd so of many, not that our heads are
-- 136 --
some brown, some black, some auburn, some 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, 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 it self 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 Cit.
You are never without your tricks—you may, you
may—
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 all together, but to come by him
where he stands, by one's, by two's, and by threes. He's to
make his requests by particulars, where 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
-- 137 --
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 to speak to 'em, I pray you,
In wholsome 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.
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?
-- 138 --
2 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.
[Exe.
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 have my cap 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: 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.
I 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,
-- 139 --
Than crave the hire, which first we do deserve.* note
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: battels 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 peoples 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:
-- 140 --
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?
Bru.
We stay here for the people.
Sic.
Fare you well.
[Exeunt Coriol. and Men.
George Sewell [1723–5], The works of Shakespear in six [seven] volumes. Collated and Corrected by the former Editions, By Mr. Pope ([Vol. 7] Printed by J. Darby, for A. Bettesworth [and] F. Fayram [etc.], London) [word count] [S11101].
