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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].
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SCENE II. Enter a Rabble of Plebeians with the Ædiles.

Men.
On both sides more respect.

Sic.
Here's he, that would take from you all your power.

Bru.
Seize him, Ædiles.

All.
Down with him, down with him!

2 Sen.
Weapons, weapons, weapons! [They all bustle about Coriolanus.
Tribunes, patricians, citizens—what hoe—
Sicinius, Brutus, Coriolanus, citizens!

All.
Peace, peace, peace, stay, hold, peace!

Men.
What is about to be?—I am out of breath;
Confusion's near. I cannot speak.—You Tribunes,
Coriolanus; patience; speak, Sicinius.

Sic.
Hear me, people—peace.

All.
Let's hear our Tribune: peace; speak, speak, speak.

Sic.
You are at point to lose your liberties:
Martius would have all from you: Martius,
Whom late you nam'd for Consul.

Men.
Fie, fie, fie,
This is the way to kindle, not to quench.

Sen.
To unbuild the city, and to lay all flat.

-- 152 --

Sic.
What is the city, but the people?

All.
True, the people are the city.

Bru.
By the consent of all, we were establish'd
The peoples magistrates.

All.
You so remain.

Men.
And so are like to do.

Cor.
That is the way to lay the city flat;
To bring the roof to the foundation,
And bury all, which yet distinctly ranges,
In heaps and piles of ruin.

Sic.
This deserves death.

Bru.
Or let us stand to our authority,
Or let us lose it; we do here pronounce,
Upon the part o'th' people, in whose power
We were elected theirs, Martius is worthy
Of present death.

Sic.
Therefore lay hold on him;
Bear him to th' rock Tarpeian, and from thence
Into destruction cast him.

Bru.
Ædiles, seize him.

All Ple.
Yield, Martius, yield.

Men.

Hear me one word, 'beseech you Tribunes, hear me but a word—

Ædiles.

Peace, peace.

Men.
Be that you seem, truly your country's friends,
And temp'rately proceed to what you would
Thus violently redress.

Bru.
Sir, those cold ways,
That seem like prudent helps, are very poysonous,
Where the disease is violent. Lay hands on him,
And bear him to the rock.
[Cor. draws his Sword.

Cor.
No, I'll dye here;
There's some among you have beheld me fighting,

-- 153 --


Come try upon your selves, what you have seen me.

Men.
Down with that sword, Tribunes withdraw a-while.

Bru.
Lay hands upon him.

Men.

Help Martius, help—you that be noble, help him young and old.

All.
Down with him, down with him.
[Exeunt. [In this mutiny, the Tribunes, the Ædiles, and the people are beat in.
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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].
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