Act IV. Scene 5. CAIUS MARCIUS CORIOLANUS, a noble Roman. COMINIUS, MENENIUS AGRIPPA; Friend to Coriolanus. Generals against the Volscians. SICINIUS VELUTUS, JUNIUS BRUTUS, Tribunes of the People. Young MARCIUS, Son to Coriolanus. A Roman Herald. TULLUS AUFIDIUS, General of the Volscians. Lieutenant to Aufidius. Conspirators with Aufidius. A Citizen of Antium. Two Volscian Guards. VOLUMNIA, Mother to Coriolanus. Gentlewoman, attending Virgilia. Roman and Volscian Senators, Patricians, Ediles, SCENE,-Partly in Rome; and partly in the Territories of the Volscians and Antiates. (Several speaking at once.) 1 Cit. Yon are all resolved rather to die, than to famish? Cit. Resolved, resolved. 2 Cit. Nay, but speak not maliciously. 1 Cit. I say unto you, what he hath done famously, he did it to that end: though soft conscienc'd men can be content to say, it was for his country, he did it to please his mother, and to be partly proud; which he is, even to the altitude of his virtue. 2 Cit. What he cannot help in his nature, you account a vice in him: You must in no way say, he is covetous. 1 Cit. If I must not, I need not be barren of ac 1 Cit. First you know, Caius Marcius is chief casations; he hath faults, with surplus, to tire in enemy to the people. Cit. We know't, we know't. 1 Cit. Let us kill him, and we'll have corn at our own price. Is't a verdict? [away. Cit. No more talking on't; let it be done: away, 2 Cit. One word, good citizens. 1 Cit. We are accounted poor citizens; the patricians, good: What authority surfeits on, would relieve us; If they would yield us but the superfluity, while it were wholesome, we might guess, they relieved us humanely; but they think, we are too dear: the leanness that afflicts us, the object of our misery, is as an inventory to particularize their abundance; our sufferance is a gain to them.-Let us revenge this with our pikes, ere we become rakes: for the gods know, I speak this in hunger for bread, not in thirst for revenge. 2 Cit. Would you proceed especially against [commonalty. Caius Marcius? Cit. Against him first; he's a very dog to the 2 Cit. Consider you what services he has done for his country? 1 Cit. Very well; and could be content to give bim good report for't, but that he pays himself with being proud. repetition. (Shouts within.) What shouts are these? The other side o'the city is risen: Why stay we prating here? to the Capitol. Cit. Come, come. 1 Cit. Soft; who comes here? Enter MENENIUS AGRIPPA. 2 Cit. Worthy Menenius Agrippa; one that hath always loved the people. 1 Čit. He's one honest enough; 'Would, all the rest were so! Men. What work's, my countrymen, in hand? [you. Where go you 1 Cit. Our business is not unknown to the senate; With bats and clubs? The matter? Speak, I pray they have had inkling, this fortnight, what we intend to do, which now we'll shew 'em in deeds. They say, poor suitors have strong breaths; they shall know, we have strong arms too. Men. Why, masters, my good friends, mine ho[nest neighbours, Will you undo yourselves? 1 Cit. We cannot, sir, we are undone already. Men. I tell you, friends, most charitable care Have the patricians of you. For your wants, Your suffering in this dearth, you may as well Strike at the beaven with your staves, as lift them Alack, 1 Cit. Care for us!-True, indeed!-They ne'er cared for us yet. Suffer us to famish, and their store-houses crammed with grain; make edicts for usury, to support usurers; repeal daily any wholesome act established against the rich; and provide more piercing statutes daily, to chain up and restrain the poor. If the wars eat us not up, they will; and there's all the love they bear us. Men. Either you must Confess yourselves wondrous malicious, 1 Cit. Well, I'll hear it, sir: yet you must not think to fob off our disgrace with a tale: but, an't please you, deliver. [members Men. There was a time, when all the body's Rebell'd against the belly; thus accus'd it :That only like a gulf it did remain I'the midst o'the body, idle and inactive, Still cupboarding the viand, never bearing Like labour with the rest; where the other instru ments Did see, and hear, devise, instruct, walk, feel, 1 Cit. Well, sir, what answer made the belly? Men. Sir, I shall tell you. With a kind of smile, Which ne'er came from the lungs, but even thus, (For, look you, I may make the belly smile, As well as speak,) it tauntingly replied! To the discontented members, the mutinous parts 1 Cit. In this our fabric, if that they Men. What then? Well, what then? 1 Cit. The former agents, if they did complain, What could the belly answer? Men. I will tell you; Even to the court, the heart,-to the seat o'the brain; Whereby they live: And though that all at once, [me,Though all at once cannot See what I do deliver out to each; 1 Cit. I the great toe? Why the great toe? Of this most wise rebellion, thou go'st foremost: But make you ready your stiff bats and clubs; Mar. Thanks.-What's the matter, you dissentious rogues, That rubbing the poor itch of your opinion, 1 Cit. flatter We have ever your good word. Or hailstone in the sun. Your virtue is, ness, Lye? [ter, Deserves your hate: and your affections are Conjectural marriages: making parties strong, Would the nobility lay aside their ruth, Men. Nay, these are almost thoroughly persuaded; SCENE 3.] CORIOLANUS. That, hunger broke stone walls; that, dogs must eat; [sent not That, meat was made for mouths; that, the gods Corn for the rich men only:-With these shreds They vented their complainings; which being answer'd, And a petition granted them, a strange one, [caps (To break the heart of generosity, And make bold power look pale,) they threw their As they would hang them on the horns o' the moon, Shouting their emulation. [doms, Men. What is granted them? Mar. Five tribunes, to defend their vulgar wisOf their own choice: One's Junius Brutus, Sicinius Velutus, and I know not-'Sdeath! The rabble should have first unroof'd the city, Ere so prevail'd with me: it will in time Win upon power, and throw forth greater themes For insurrection's arguing. Men. This is strange. Mar. Go, get you home, you fragments! Enter a Messenger. Mess. Where's Caius Marcius? Mess. The news is, sir, the Volces are in arms. Our musty superfluity :-See, our best elders. Enter COMINIUS, TITUS LARTIUS, and other Senators; JUNIUS BRUTUS, and SICINIUS VELUTUS. 1 Sen. Marcius, 'tis true, that you have lately [told us; The Volces are in arms. They have a leader, Mar. to't. Tallus Aufidius, that will put you I sin in envying his nobility: And were I any thing but what I am, I would wish me only he. You have fought together. Com. Mar. Were half to half the world by the ears, [and he Upon my party, I'd revolt, to make Only my wars with him: he is a lion That I am proud to hunt. Which he treads on at noon: But I do wonder, Bru. Fame, at the which he aims,— Sic. Besides, if things go well, Bru. Come: Half all Cominius' honours are to Marcius, Upon his present action. Let's along. [Exeunt. SCENE II.-Corioli. The Senate-House. Sen. Attend upon Com. It is Mar. Then, worthy Marcius, Cominius to these wars. former promise. your 1 Sen. Sir, it is ; And I am constant.-Titus Lartins, thou O, true bred! [know, Lead you on: 1 Sen. Your company to the capitol; where, I Our greatest friends attend us. Tit. Čom. Mar. Noble Lartius! 1 Sen. Hence! To your homes, be gone. Our army's in the field: We never yet made doubt but Rome was ready To answer us. Auf. Nor did you think it folly, To keep your great pretences veil'd, till when They needs must shew themselves; which in the hatching, It seem'd, appear'd to Rome. By the discovery Noble Aufidius, If they set down before us, for the remove 'Tis sworn between us, we shall never strike, self in a more comfortable sort: If my son were my husband, I should freelier rejoice in that absence wherein he won honour, than in the embracements of his bed, where he would shew most love. When yet he was but tender-bodied, and the only son of my womb; when youth with comeliness plucked all gaze his way; when, for a day of kings' entreaties, a mother should not sell him an hour from her beholding; I,-considering how honour would become such a person; that it was no better than picture-like to hang by the wall, if renown made it not stir, was pleased to let him seek danger where he was like to find fame. To a cruel war I sent him; from whence he returned, his brows bound with oak. I tell thee, daughter,-I sprang not more in joy at first hearing he was a man-child, than now in first seeing he had proved himself a man. Vir. But had he died in the business, madam? how then? Vol. Then his good report should have been my son; I therein would have found issue. Hear me profess sincerely-Had I a dozen sons,-each in my love alike, and none less dear than thine and my good Marcius, I had rather had eleven die nobly for their country, than one voluptuously surfeit out of action. you. Enter a Gentlewoman. Gent. Madam, the lady Valeria is come to visit [self. Vir. 'Beseech you, give me leave to retire myVol. Indeed, you shall not. Methinks I hear hither your husband's drum; See him pluck Aufidius down by the hair; As children from a bear, the Volces shunning him : Methinks, I see him stamp thus, and call thus,Come on, you cowards, you were got in fear, Though you were born in Rome: His bloody brow With his mail'd hand then wiping, forth he goes; Like to a harvest-man, that's task'd to mow Or all, or lose his hire. Vir. His bloody brow! O, Jupiter, no blood! Vol. Away, you fool! it more becomes a man, Than gilt his trophy: the breasts of Hecuba, When she did suckle Hector, look'd not lovelier Than Hector's forehead, when it spit forth blood At Grecian swords contending.-Tell Valeria, We are fit to bid her welcome. [Exit Gent. Vir. Heavens bless my lord from fell Aufidius! Vol. He'll beat Aufidius' head below his knee, And tread upon his neck. Re-enter Gentlewoman, with VALERIA and her Usher. Vir. I am glad to see your ladyship. Val. How do you both? you are manifest housekeepers. What, are you sewing here? A fine spot, in good faith. How does your little son? Vir. I thank your ladyship; well, good madam. Vol. He had rather see the swords, and hear a drum, than look upon his school-master. Val. O' my word, the father's son: I'll swear, 'tis a very pretty boy. O' my troth, I looked upon him o' Wednesday half an hour together: he has such a confirmed countenance. I saw him run after a gilded butterfly; and when he caught it, he let it go again; and after it again; and over and over he comes, and up again; catched it again: or whether his fall enraged him, or how 'twas, he did so set his teeth, and tear it; O, I warrant, how he mammocked it! Vol. One of his father's moods. Val. Come, lay aside your stitchery; I must have Vir. Indeed, no, by your patience: I will not over the threshold, till my lord return from the wars. Val. Fy, you confine yourself most unreasonably; Come, you must go visit the good lady that lies in. Vir. I will wish her speedy strength, and visit her with my prayers; but I cannot go thither. Vol. Why, I pray you? Vir. 'Tis not to save labour, nor that I want love. Val. You would be another Penelope: yet, they say, all the yarn she spun, in Ulysses' absence, did but fill Ithaca full of moths. Come; I would your cambric were sensible as your finger, that you might leave pricking it for pity. Come, you shall go with [will not forth. us. Vir. No, good madam, pardon me; indeed, I Val. In truth, la, go with me; and I'll tell you excellent news of your husband. Vir. O, good madam, there can be none yet. Val. Verily, I do not jest with you; there came news from him last night. Vir. Indeed, madam? Val. In earnest, it's true; I heard a senator speak it. Thus it is :-The Volces have an army forth; against whom Cominius the general is gone, with one part of our Roman power: your lord, and Titus Lartius, are set down before their city Corioli; they nothing doubt prevailing, and to make it brief wars. This is true, on mine honour; and so, I pray, go with ns. Vir. Give me excuse, good madam; I will obey you in every thing hereafter. Vol. Let her alone, lady; as she is now, she will but disease our better mirth. Val. In troth, I think, she would:-Fare you well then.-Come, good sweet lady.-Pr'ythee, Virgilia, turn thy solemness out o'door, and go along with us. Vir. No: at a word, madam; indeed, I must not. I wish you much mirth. Val. Well, then farewell. [Exeunt. Now, Mars, I pr'ythee, make us quick in work; That we with smoking swords may march from hence, To help our fielded friends!—Come, blow thy blast. They sound a parley. Enter, on the walls, some Senators, and others. Tullus Aufidius, is he within your walls? 1 Sen. No, nor a man that fears you less than he ; That's lesser than a little. Hark, our drums (Alarums afar of.) Are bringing forth our youth: We'll break our walls, Rather than they shall pound us up: our gates, Which yet seem shut, we have but pinn'd with rushes; They'll open of themselves. There is Aufidius; list, what Hark you, far off; (Other Alarums.) work he makes CORIOLANUS. SCENE 6.] them. Ere yet the fight be done, pack up :-Down with [him :And hark, what noise the general makes!-To There is the man of my soul's hate, Aufidius, Piercing our Romans: Then, valiant Titus, take Convenient numbers to make good the city; Whilst I, with those that have the spirit, will haste To help Cominius, Lart. Worthy sir, thou bleed'st; Which makes me sweat with wrath.-Come on, Thy exercise hath been too violent for They do disdain as much beyond our thoughts, my fellows; He that retires, I'll take him for a Volce, Alarum, and exeunt Romans and Volces, fighting. Mar. All the contagion of the south light on you, You shames of Rome! you herd of Boils and plagues Plaster you o'er; that you may be abhorr'd Another alarum. The Volces and Romans Re-enter, Nor I. Lart. What is become of Marcius? Slain, sir, doubtless. 1 Sol. Following the fliers at the very heels, Lart. [cius: O noble fellow! Re-enter MARCIUS, bleeding, assaulted by the enemy. SCENE V. Enter certain Romans, with spoils. 1 Rom. This will I carry to Rome. 2 Rom. And I this. 3 Rom. A murrain on't! I took this for silver. Enter MARCIUS and TITUS LARTIUS, with a Mar. See here these movers, that do prize their hours At a crack'd drachm! Cushions, leaden spoons, A second course of fight. Sir, praise me not: Now the fair goddess, Fortune, Where they shall know our mind: Away. [Exeunt. Like Romans, neither foolish in our stands, Com. since? Com. "Tis not a mile; briefly we heard their drums: Mess. Spies of the Volces Enter MARCIUS. Who's yonder, Mar. Come I too late? More than I know the sound of Marcius' tongue Mar. Come I too late? Com. Ay, if you come not in the blood of others, But mantled in your own. Mar. O! let me clip you Com. How is't with Titus Lartius? Flower of warriors, Mar. As with a man busied about decrees: Even like a fawning greyhound in the leash, |