!

A Sennet. Enter, with Lictors before them, COMI-When Tarquin made a head for Rome, he fought NIUS the Consul, MENENIUS, CORIOLANUS, many other Beyond the mark of others: our then dictator, Senators, SICINIUS, and BRUTUS. The Senators take Whom with all praise I point at, saw him fight, their places; the Tribunes take theirs also by When with his Amazonian chin he drove

Men. Having determin'd of the Volces, 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

But tie him not to be their bedfellow. -
Worthy Cominius, speak!- Nay, keep your place!
[Coriolanus rises, and offers to go away.
1 Sen. Sit, Coriolanus; 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,

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

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,

Show them the unaking scars, which I should hide, Cor. What must I say?

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,

I pray, sir, plague upon't! I cannot bring
My tongue to such a pace:

wounds;

look, sir;

I got them in my country's service, when
Some certain of your brethren roar'd, and ran
From the noise of our own drums.

Men. O me, the gods!

And keep their teeth clean. - So, here comes a brace.
You know the cause, sir, of my standing here.

1 Cit. Once, if he do require our voices, we ought 1 Cit. We do, sir; tell us what hath brought not to deny him.

2 Cit. We may, sir, if we will.

8 Cit. We have power in ourselves to do it, but it is a power that we have no power to do: for if he show 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 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 use the many-headed multitude.

8 Cit. We have been called so of many; not that our heads are some brown, some black, some auburn, some bald, but that our wits are so diversely coloured and truly I think, if all our wits were to issue out of one skull, 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 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 wedged up in a blockhead: but if it were at liberty, 'twould, sure,

southward.

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.

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'the consulship?
1 Cit. The price is, sir, to ask it kindly.
Cor. Kindly?

Sir, I pray let me ha't: I have wounds to show you,
Which shall be yours in private. Your good voice,

2 Cit. An 'twere to give again, but 'tis no matter. [Exeunt two Citizens.

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.

3 Cit. You have deserved nobly of your country, and you have not deserved nobly. Cor. Your enigma?

3 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 acEnter CORIOLANUS and MENenius. count gentle and since the wisdom of their choice Here he comes, and in the gown of humility; mark is rather to have my hat than my heart, I will his behaviour. We are not to stay all together, but practise the insinuating nod, and be off to them most to come by him where he stands, by ones, by twos, counterfeitly; that is, sir, I will counterfeit the beand by threes. He's to make his requests by parti- witchment of some popular man, and give it bounticulars: wherein every one of us has a single honour, fully to the desirers. Therefore, beseech you, I in giving him our own voices with our own ton- may be consul.

gues therefore follow me, and I'll direct you how 4 Cit. We hope to find you our friend; and thereyou shall go by him. fore give you our voices heartily. [Exeunt. 3 Cit. You have received many wounds for your

Cor. I will not seal your knowledge with showing

Than crave the hire which first we do deserve.
Why in this woolvish gown should I stand here,
To beg of Hob and Dick, that do appear,
Their needless vouches? Custom calls me to't:-
What custom wills, in all things should we do't,
The dust on antique time would lie unswept,
And mountainous error be too highly heap'd
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 anı half through;
The one part suffer'd, the other will I do.
Enter three other Citizens.

3 Cit. He said, he had wounds, which he could
show 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;
Your voices therefore. When we granted that,
Here was,
I thank you for your voices,

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

6 Cit. Therefore let him be consul. The gods give him joy, and make him good friend to the people! All. Amen, amen!

God save thee, noble consul!
Cor. Worthy voices!

[Exeunt Citizens.

you,

-

thank

Your most sweet voices: -now you have left your

voices,

I have no further with you:

Re-enter MENENIUS, with 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?

;-- was not this mockery?
Sic. Why, either, you were ignorant to see't;
Or, seeing it, of such childish friendliness
To yield your voices?

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?

Sic. You may, sir.

bear

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
I'the body of the weal: aud now, arriving
A place 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 worthly 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 aught; so, putting him to rage,
You should have ta'en the advantage of his choler,
As pass'd him unelected.

Cor. That I'll straight do; and, knowing myself Sic. Have you, 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 Cit. He has our voices, sir.

Bru. We pray the gods, he may deserve your loves.
2 Cit. Amen, sir! To my poor unworthy notice,
He mock'd us, when he begg'd our voices.
3 Cit. Certainly,

He flouted us downright.

1 Cit. No, 'tis his kind of speech, he did not

mock us.

Ere now, deny'd the asker? and, now again,
On him, that did not ask, but mock, bestow
Your su'd-for tongues?

3 Cit. He's not confirm'd, we may deny him yet.
2 Cit. And will deny him;

I'll have five hundred voices of that sound.
1 Cit. I twice five hundred, and their friends to piece

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, ungravely he did fashion
After the inveterate hate he bears you.
Bru. Lay
[Several speak. A fault on us, your tribunes; that we labour'd

2 Cit. Not one amongst us, save yourself, but says,
He us'd us scornfully: he should have show'd us
His marks of merit, wounds received for his country.
Sic. Why, so he did, I am sure.
Cit. No; no man saw 'em.

(No impediment between) but that Cast your election on him.

Sic. Say, you chose him

you must

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 continued: and what stock he springs of,
The noble house o'the Marcians; from whence came,
That Ancus Marcius, Numa's daughter's son,
Who, after great Hostilius, here was king:
Of the same house Publius and Quintus were,
That our best water brought by conduits hither;
And Censorinus, darling of the people,
And nobly nam'd so, being censor twice,
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.

Bur. Say, you ne'er had done't,

(Harp on that still,) but by our putting on:

And presently, when you have drawn your number,

Repair to the Capitol.

[Several speak.

Cit. We will so: almost all

Repent in their election.

[Exeunt Citizens.

Bru. Let them go on;

Cor. Soen the Volces stand but as at first; Ready, when time shall prompt them, to make road Upon us again.

Com. They are worn, lord consul, so, That we shall hardly in our ages see

Their banners wave again.

Cor. Saw you Aufidius?

To oppose his hatred full.-Welcome home!
[To Lartius.
Enter SICINIUS and BRUTUS.
Behold! these are the tribunes of the people,
The tongues o'the common mouth. I do despise them;
For they do prank them in authority,
Against all noble sufferance.
Sic. Pass no further.

Cor. Ha! What is that?
Bru. It will be dangerous to
Go on: no further.

Cor. What makes this change?
Men. The matter?

Com. Hath he not pass'd the nobles, and the commons?
Bru. Cominius, no.

Cor. Have I had children's voices?

1 Sen. Tribunes, give way; he shall to the mar-
ket-place.

Bru. The people are incens'd against him.
Sic. Stop,

Or all will fall in broil.

Cor. Are these your herd?

Must these have voices, that can yield them now, And straight disclaim their tongues? What are your offices?

You being their mouths, why rule you not their teeth?

Have you not set them on?

Men. Be calm, be calm!

Cor. It is a purpos'd thing, and grows by plot,
To curb the will of the nobility:
Suffer it, and live with such as cannot rule,
Nor ever will be rul'd.

Bru. Call't not a plot:

The people cry, you mock'd them; and, of late,
When corn was given them gratis, you repin'd;
Scandal'd the suppliants for the people; call'd them
Time-pleasers, flatterers, foes to nobleness.
Cor. Why, this was known before.
Bru. Not to them all.

Cor. Have you inform'd them since?
Bru. How! I inform them!

Cor. You are like to do such business.
Bru. Not unlike,

Each way, to better yours.

Cor. Why then should I be consul? By yon clouds,
Let me deserve so ill as you, and make me
Your fellow-tribune.

Sic. You show too much of that,
For which the people stir. If you will pass
To where you are bound, you must inquire your way,
Which you are out of, with a gentler spirit;
Or never be so noble as a consul,
Nor yoke with him for tribune.

Men. Let's be calm.

Com. The people are abus'd:
palt'ring

Becomes not Rome: nor has Coriolanus
Deserv'd this so dishonour'd rub, laid falsely

Lart. On safeguard he came to me; and did curse I'the plain way of his merit.

Against the Volces, for they had so vilely

Yielded the town: he is retir'd to Antium.
Cor. Spoke he of me?

Lart. He did, my lord.
Cor. How? what?

Cor. Tell me of corn!

This was my speech, and I will speak't again;·
Men. Not now, not now.

1 Sen. Not in this heat, sir, now. Cor. Now, as I live, I will. My nobler friends, I crave their pardons:

For the mutable, rank-scented many, let them
Regard me as I do not flatter, and

Therein behold themselves: I say again,
In soothing them, we nourish 'gainst our senate
The cockle of rebellion, insolence, sedition,
Which we ourselves have plough'd for, sow'd and

scatter'd,

By mingling them with us, the honour'd number;
Who lack not virtue, no, nor power, but that
Which they have given to beggars.
Men. Well, no more.

1 Sen. No more words, we beseech you.
Cor. How! no more?

As for my country I have shed my blood,
Not fearing outward force, so shall my lungs
Coin words till their decay, against those meazels,
Which we disdain should tetter us, yet sought
The very way to catch them.

Bru. You speak o'the people,

As if you were a god to punish, not
A man of their infirmity.

Sic. "Twere well,

We let the people know't.

Men. What, what? his choler?

Cor. Shall!

thus

Men. Come, enough!

Bru. Enough, with over-measure.
Cor. No, take more:

What may be sworn by, both divine and human,'
Seal what I end withal!-This double worship,-
Where one part does disdain with cause, the other
Insult without all reason; where gentry, title, wisdom,
Cannot conclude, but by the yea and no
Of general ignorance, it must omit
Real necessities, and give way the while
To unstable slightness: purpose so barr'd, it follows,
Nothing is done to purpose: therefore, beseech you,-
You that will be less fearful, than discreet;
That love the fundamental part of state,
More than you doubt the change of't; that prefer
A noble life before a long, and wish
To jump a body with a dangerous physic,
That's sure of death without it, at once pluck out
The multitudinous tongue, let them not lick
The sweet which is their poison: your dishonour
Mangles true judgment, and bereaves the state
Of that integrity which should become it;
Not having the power to do the good it would,
For the ill which doth control it.
Bru. He has said enough.

O good, but most unwise patricians, why,
You grave, but reckless senators, have you
Given Hydra here to choose an officer,
That with his peremptory shall, being but
The horn and noise o'the monsters, wants not spirit
To say, he'll turn your current in a ditch,
And make your channel his? If he have power,
Then vail your ignorance; if none, awake
Your dangerous lenity. If you are learned,
Be not as common fools; if you are not,
Let them have cushions by you. You are plebeians,
If they be senators: and they are no less,
When both your voices blended, the greatest taste
Most palates theirs. They choose their magistrate;
And such a one as he, who puts his shall,
His popular shall, against a graver bench,
Than ever frown'd in Greece! By Jove himself,
It makes the consuls base: and my soul akes,
To know, when two authorities are up,
Neither supreme, how soon confusion
May enter 'twixt the gap of both, and take
The one by the other.

Com. Well-on to the market-place.

Cor. Whoever gave that counsel, to give forth The corn o'the store-house gratis, as 'twas us'd Sometime in Greece,

Men. Well, well, no more of that.

Sic. He has spoken like a traitor, and shall answer
As traitors do.

Cor. Thou wretch! despite o'erwhelm thee!-
What should the people do with these bald tribunes?
On whom depending, their obedience fails
To the greater bench. In a rebellion,
When what's not meet, but what must be, was law,
Then were they chosen; in a better hour,
Let what is meet, be said it must be meet,
And throw their power i'the dust.
Bru. Manifest treason.

Sic. This a consul? no.

Bru. The Aediles, ho!-Let him be apprehended! Sic. Go, call the people; [Exit Brutus.] in whose name, myself

Attach thee, as a traitorous innovator,

A foe to the public weal. Obey, I charge thee,
And follow to thine answer.

Cor. Hence, old goat!

Sen. et Put. We'll surety him.

Com. Aged sir, hands off!

Cor. (Though there the people had more absolute Cor. Hence, rotten thing, or I shall shake thy bones

power,)

I say, they nourish'd disobedience, fed

The ruin of the state.

Bru. Why, shall the people give

One, that speaks thus, their voice?

Cor. I'll give my reasons,

More worthier,than their voices. They know, the corn
Was not our recompense; resting well assur'd
They ne'er did service for't. Being press'd to the war,
Even when the navel of the state was touch'd,
They would not thread the gates: this kind of service
Did not deserve corn gratis: being i'the war,
Their mutinies and revolts, wherein they show'd
Most valour, spoke not for them. The accusation,
Which they have often made against the senate,
All cause unborn, could never be the native
Of our so frank donation. Well, what then?

Out of thy garments!

Sic. Help, ye, citizens!

Re-enter BRUTUS, with the Aediles, and a rabble of

Citizens.

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