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Sic. Assemble presently the people hither:
And when they hear me say, It shall be so

I' the right and strength o' the commons, be it either
For death, for fine, or banishment, then let them,
If I say, fine, cry fine; if death, cry death;
Insisting on the old prerogative
And power i'the truth o'the cause.
Ed.
I shall inform them.
Bru. And when such time they have begun to cry,
Let them not cease, but with a din confus'd
Enforce the present execution

Of what we chance to sentence.
Ed.

Very well.

Sic. Make them be strong, and ready for this hint, When we shall hap to give't them.

Bru. Go about it.

[Exit Edile.
Put him to choler straight: He hath been us'd
Ever to conquer, and to have his worth

Of contradiction: Being once chaf'd, he cannot
Be rein'd again to temperance: then he speaks
What's in his heart: and that is there, which looks
With us to break his neck.

Enter CORIOLANUS, MENENIUS, COMINIUS, Senators,
and Patricians.
Sic. Well, here he comes.
Men.
Calmly, I do beseech you.
Cor. Ay, as an ostler, that for the poorest piece
Will bear the knave by the volume. The honour'd
Keep Rome in safety, and the chairs of justice [gods
Supplied with worthy men! plant love amongst us!
Throng our large temples with the shows of peace,
And not our streets with war!
1 Sen.

Men. A noble wish.

Amen, amen!

Re-enter Edile, with Citizens.

Sic. Draw near, ye people.

Cor. Say then; 'tis true, I ought so.

Sic. We charge you, that you have contriv'd to take
From Rome all season'd office, and to wind
Yourself into a power tyrannical;

For which you are a traitor to the people,
Cor. How! traitor?

Men.

Nay; temperately your promise.
Cor. The fires i' the lowest hell fold in the people!
Call me their traitor!-Thou injurious tribune!
Within thine eyes sat twenty thousand deaths,
In thy hands clutch'd as many millions, in
Thy lying tongue both numbers, I would say,
Thou liest, unto thee with a voice as free
As I do pray the gods.

Sic.
Mark you this, people?
Cit. To the rock with him; to the rock with him!
Sic. Peace.

We need not put new matter to his charge:
What you have seen him do, and heard him speak,
Beating your officers, cursing yourselves,
Opposing laws with strokes, and here defying
Those whose great power must try him; even this,
So criminal, and in such capital kind,
Deserves the extremest death.

Bru.

Serv'd well for Rome,

Cor.

But since he hath

Cor.

What, do you prate of service? Bru. I talk of that, that know it.

You?

Is this Know,

Let them pronounce the steep Tarpeian death,
Vagabond exile, flaying; Pent to linger
But with a grain a day, I would not buy
Their mercy at the price of one fair word,
Nor check my courage for what they can give,
To have 't with saying, Good morrow.

Sic.
For that he has
(As much as in him lies) from time to time
Envied against the people, seeking means

Ed. List to your tribunes; audience: Peace, I say. To pluck away their power; as now at last

It shall be so; let him away: he's banish'd, And so it shall be.

Com. Hear me, my masters, and my common friends;

Sic. He's sentenc'd; no more hearing. Com. Let me speak: I have been consul, and can shew from Rome, Her enemies' marks upon me. I do love My country's good with a respect more tender, More holy and profound, thar mine own life, My dear wife's estimate, her womb's increase, And treasure of my loins, then if I would Speak that

Sic.

We know your drift: Speak what? Bru. There's no more to be said, but he is banish'd, As enemy to the people, and his country: It shall be so. Cit.

It shall be so, it shall be so.

Cor. You common cry of curs! whose breath I hate As reek o' the rotten fens, whose loves I prize As the dead carcases of unburied men That do corrupt my air, I banish you ; And here remain with your uncertainty! Let every feeble rumour shake your hearts! Your enemies, with nodding of their plumes, Fan you into despair! Have the power still To banish your defenders; till, at length, Your ignorance, (which finds not, till it feels,) Making not reservation of yourselves, (Still your own foes,) deliver you as most Abated captives, to some nation That won you without blows! Despising, For you, the city, thus I turn my back: There is a world elsewhere.

[Exeunt CORICEANUS, COMINIUS, MENENIUS, Senators, and Patricians.

Ed. The people's enemy is gone, is gone! Cit. Our enemy's banish'd! he is gone! Hoo! hoo! [The people shout, and throw up their caps. Sic. Go, see him out at gates, and follow him, As he hath follow'd you, with all despite; Give him deserv'd vexation. Let a guard Attend us through the city.

Cit.Come,come, let us see him out at gates; come:The gods preserve our noble tribunes!-Come.

ACT IV.

[Exeunt.

SCENE I.-The same. Before a Gate of the City.
Enter CORIOLANUS, VOLUMNIA, VIRGILIA, MENE-
NIUS, COMINIUS, and several young Patricians.
Cor. Come, leave your tears; a brief farewell :-
the beast

With many heads butts me away.-Nay, mother,
Where is your ancient courage? you were us'd
To say, extremity was the trier of spirits;
That common chances common men could bear;
That, when the sea was calm, all boats alike
Shew'd mastership in floating: fortune's blows,

Nay, I pr'ythee, woman,--

Vol. Now the red pestilence strike all trades in Rome, And occupations perish!

Cor.

What, what, what!
I shall be lov'd, when I am lack'd. Nay, mother,
Resume that spirit, when you were wont to say,
If you had been the wife of Hercules,
Six of his labours you'd have done, and sav'd
Your hushand so much sweat.-Cominius,
Droop not; adieu :-Farewell, my wife! my mother!
I'll do well yet. -Thou old and true Menenius,
Thy tears are salter than a younger man's,
And venomous to thine eyes.-My sometime general
I have seen thee stern, and thou hast oft beheld
Heart-hard'ning spectacles; tell these sad women,
'Tis fond to wail inevitable strokes,

As 'tis to laugh at them.-My mother, you wot well
My hazards still have been your solace and
Believe't not lightly, (though I go alone,
Like to a lonely dragon, that his fen
Makes fear'd, and talk'd of more than seen,) your son
Will, or exceed the common, or be caught
With cautelous baits and practice.

Vol.
My first son,
Whither wilt thou go? Take good Cominius
With thee a while: Determine on some course,
More than a wild exposture to each chance
That starts i' the way before thee.
Cor.
O the gods!
Com. I'll follow thee a month, devise with thee
Where thou shalt rest, that thou may'st hear of us,
And we of thee: so if the time thrust forth
A cause for thy repeal, we shall not send
O'er the vast world, to seek a single man;
And lose advantage, which doth ever cool
I' the absence of the needer.

Cor. Fare ye well:Thou hast years upon thee; and thou art too full Of the wars' surfeits, to go rove with one That's yet unbruis'd: bring me but out at gate.Come, my sweet wife, my dearest mother, and My friends of noble touch, when I am forth, Bid me farewell, and smile. I pray you, come. While I remain above the ground, you shall Hear from me still; and never of me aught But what is like me formerly.

Men.

That's worthily As any ear can hear.-Come, let's not weep.If I could shake off but one seven years From these old arms and legs, by the good gods, I'd with thee every foot. Cor. Come.

Give me thy hand:

[Exeunt. SCENE II.-The same. A Street near the Gate. Enter SICINIUS, BRUTUS, and an Edile. Sic. Bid them all home; he's gone, and we'll no further.

The nobility are vex'd, who, we see, have sided
In his behalf.

Bru.
Now we have shewn our power,
Let us seem humbler after it is done,
Than when it was a doing.

Sic.

Bid them home:

Sic. Are you mankind? [fool.Vol. Ay, fool; Is that a shame ?—Note but this Was not a man my father. Hadst thou foxship To banish him that struck more blows for Rome, Than thou hast spoken words? Sic. O blessed heavens ! Vol. More noble blows, than ever thou wise words; And for Rome's good.-I'll tell thee what ;-Yet go! Nay, but thou shalt stay too :-I would my son Were in Arabia, and thy tribe before him, His good sword in his hand.

He'd make an end of thy posterity.

Vol. Bastards, and all.

What then!

Vol. It is so, sir: truly, I have forgot you. Rom. I am a Roman; and my services are, as you are, against them Know you me yet?

but

Vol. Nicanor? No.

Rom. The same, sir.

Vol. You had more beard, when I last saw you; your favour is well appeared by your tongue. What's the news in Rome? I have a note from the Volscian state, to find you out there: You have well saved me a day's journey.

Rom. There hath been in Rome strange insurrection: the people against the senators, patricians, and nobles.

Vol. Hath been! Is it ended then? Our state thinks not so; they are in a most warlike preparation, and hope to come upon them in the heat of their division.

Rom. The main blaze of it is past, but a small thing would make it flame again. For the nobles receive so to heart the banishment of that worthy Coriolanus, that they are in a ripe aptness, to take all power from the people, and to pluck from them their tribunes for ever. This lies glowing, I can tell you, and is almost mature for the violent breaking out. Vol. Coriolanus banished?

Vol. You will be welcome with this intelligence, Rom. The day serves well for them now. I have heard it said, The fittest time to corrupt a man's wife, is when she's fallen out with her husband. noble Tullus Aufidius will appear well in these wars, his great opposer, Coriolanus, being now in no re

Good man, the wounds that he does bear for Rome! quest of his country.
Men. Come, come, peace.

Sic. I would he had continu'd to his country,
As he began; and not unknit himself
The noble knot he made.

Bru.

I would he had.

Vol. I would he had! 'Twas you incens'd the Cats, that can judge as fitly of his worth, [rabble: As I can of those mysteries which heaven Will not have earth to know.

Bru.

Pray, let us go.
Vol. Now, pray, sir, get you gone :
You have done a brave deed. Ere you go, hear this;
As far as doth the Capitol exceed

The meanest house in Rome: so far, my son,
(This lady's husband here, this, do you see,)
Whom you have banish'd, does exceed you all.
Bru. Well, well, we'll leave you.
Sic.
Why stay we to be baited
With one that wants her wits?
Vol.
Take my prayers with you.-
I would the gods had nothing else to do,
[Er. Tribunes.
But to confirm my curses! Could I meet them
But once a day, it would unclog my heart
Of what lies heavy to't.
Men.

You have told them home,
And, by my troth, you have cause. You'll sup with
Vol. Anger's my meat; I sup upon myself, [me?
And so shall starve with feeding.-Come, let's go :
Leave this faint puling, and lament as I do,
In anger, Juno-like. Come, come, come.
Men. Fye, fye, fye!

SCENE III.

[Exeunt.

A Highway between Rome and Antium.

Enter a Roman and a Volce, meeting.

Your

Vol. He cannot choose. I am most fortunate, thus accidentally to encounter you: You have ended my business, and I will merrily accompany you home.

Rom. I shall, between this and supper, tell you most strange things from Rome; all tending to the good of their adversaries. Have you an army ready, say you?

Vol. A most royal one: the centurions, and their charges, distinctly billeted, already in the entertainment, and to be on foot at an hour's warning.

Rom. I am joyful to hear of their readiness, and action. So, sir, heartily well met, and most glad of am the man, I think, that shall set them in present

your company.

Vol. You take my part from me, sir; I have the most cause to be glad of yours.

Rom. Well, let us go together.

[Exeunt.

Rom. I know you well, sir, and you know me: O, world, thy slippery turns! Friends now fast sworn,

your name, I think, is Adrian.

Whose double bosoms seem to wear oue heart,

Whose hours, whose bed, whose meal, and exercise,
Are still together, who twin, as 'twere, in love
Unseparable, shall within this hour,
On a dissention of a doit, break out
To bitterest enmity: So, fellest foes,

Whose passions and whose plots have broke their sleep
To take the one the other, by some chance,

Some trick not worth an egg, shall grow dear friends,
And interjoin their issues. So with me :-
My birth-place hate 1, and my love's upon
This enemy town.-I'll enter: if he slay me,
He does fair justice; if he give me way,
I'll do his country service.

[Exit.

SCENE V.-The same. A Hail in Aufidius's House.
Music within. Enter a Servant.

1 Serv. Wine, wine, wine! What service is here! I think our fellows are asleep.

Enter another Servant.

[Exit.

2 Serv. Where's Cotus! my master calls for him. Cotus! [Exit.

Enter CORIOLANUS.

Cor. A goodly house: The feast smells well: but I Appear not like a guest.

Re-enter the first Servant.

1 Serv. What would you have, friend? Whence are you? Here's no place for you: Pray, go to the door. Cor. I have deserv'd no better entertainment, In being Coriolanus.

Re-enter second Servant.

2 Serv. Whence are you, sir? Has the porter his eyes in his head, that he gives entrance to such companions? Pray, get you out.

Cor. Away!

2 Serv. Away? Get you away. Cor. Now thou art troublesome.

[with anon.

2 Serv. Are you so brave? I'll have you talked Enter a third Servant. The first meets him.

3 Serv. What fellow's this?

1 Serv. A strange one as ever I looked on: I cannot get him out o'the house: Pr'ythee, call my master to him.

3 Serv. What have you to do here, fellow? Pray you, avoid the house.

Cor. Let me but stand; I will not hurt your hearth. 3 Serv. What are you?

Cor. A gentleman.

3 Serv. A marvellous poor one. Cor. True, so I am.

3 Serv. Pray you, poor gentleman, take up some other station; here's no place for you; pray you, Cor. Follow your function, go! [avoid come. [Pushes him away. 3 Serv. What, will you not? Pr'ythee, tell my master what a strange guest he has here.

And batten on cold bits.

2 Serv. And I shall.

3 Serv. Where dwellest thou?

Cor. Under the canopy.

3 Serv. Under the canopy?

Cor. Ay

3 Serv. Where's that?

Cor. I' the city of kites and crows.

[Exit.

Enter AUFIDIUS and the second Servant.
Auf. Where is this fellow?

2 Serv. Here, sir; I'd have beaten him like a dog, but for disturbing the lords within.

Auf. Whence comest thou? what wouldest thou?
Thy name?

Why speak'st not? Speak, man: What's thy name?
Cor. If, Tullus,
[Unmuffling.
Not yet thou know'st me, and seeing me, dost not
Think me for the man I am, necessity
Commands me name myself.

Auf. What is thy name? [Servants retire.
Cor. A name unmusical to the Volscian's ears,
And harsh in sound to thine.
Auf.

[yet?

Say, what's thy name?
Thou hast a grim appearance, and thy face
Bears a command in't; though thy tackle's torn,
Thou shew'st a noble vessel: What's thy name?
Cor. Prepare thy brow to frown: Know't thou me
Auf. I know thee not:-Thy name?
Cor. My name is Caius Marcius, who hath done
To thee particularly, and to all the Volces,
Great hurt and mischief; thereto witness may
My surname, Coriolanus: The painful service,
The extreme dangers, and the drops of blood
Shed for my thankless country, are requited
But with that surname; a good memory,
And witness of the malice and displeasure
Which thou should'st bear me: only that name re-
The cruelty and envy of the people, [mains;
Permitted by our dastard nobles, who
Have all forsook me, hath devour'd the rest;
And suffered me by the voice of slaves to be
Whoop'd out of Rome. Now, this extremity
Hath brought me to thy hearth; Not out of hope,
Mistake me not, to save my life; for if

I had fear'd death, of all the men i' the world
I would have 'voided thee: but in mere spite,
To be full quit of those my banishers,
Stand I before thee here. Then if thou hast
A heart of wreak in thee, that will revenge
Thine own particular wrongs, and stop those maims
Of shame seen through thy country, speed thee straight,
And make my misery serve thy turn; so use it,
That my revengeful services may prove
As benefits to thee; for I will fight
Against my canker'd country with the spleen
Of all the under fiends. But if so be
Thou dar'st not this, and that to prove more fortunes
Thou art tir'd, then, in a word, I also am
Longer to live most weary, and present
My throat to thee, and to thy ancient malice :
Which not to cut, would shew thee but a fool;
Since I have ever follow'd thee with hate,
Drawn tuns of blood out of thy country's breast,
And cannot live but to thy shame, unless
It be to do thee service.

iuf.
O Marcius, Marcius,
Each word thou hast spoke hath weeded from my heart
A root of ancient envy. If Jupiter

Should from yon cloud speak divine things, and say,
'Tis true; I'd not believe them more than thee,
All noble Marcius.-O, let me twine

3 Serv. I' the city of kites and crows ?-What an Mine arms about that body, where against ass it is Then thou dwellest with daws too?

Cor. No, I serve not thy master.

My grained ash an hundred times hath broke,
And scar'd the moon with splinters! Here I clip

3 Serv. How, sir! Do you meddie with my master? The anvil of my sword; and do contest

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