Coriolanus-

From BluWiki

The Tragedy of Coriolanus | Coriolanus | Entire play

ACT I SCENE I. Rome. A street.

   Enter a company of mutinous Citizens, with staves, clubs, and other weapons 

First Citizen

   Before we proceed any further, hear me speak.

All

   Speak, speak.

First Citizen

   You are all resolved rather to die than to famish?

All

   Resolved. resolved.

First Citizen

   First, you know Caius Marcius is chief enemy to the people.

All

   We know't, we know't.

First Citizen

   Let us kill him, and we'll have corn at our own price.
   Is't a verdict?

All

   No more talking on't; let it be done: away, away!

Second Citizen

   One word, good citizens.

First Citizen

   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 particularise 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.

Second Citizen

   Would you proceed especially against Caius Marcius?

All

   Against him first: he's a very dog to the commonalty.

Second Citizen

   Consider you what services he has done for his country?

First Citizen

   Very well; and could be content to give him good
   report fort, but that he pays himself with being proud.

Second Citizen

   Nay, but speak not maliciously.

First Citizen

   I say unto you, what he hath done famously, he did
   it to that end: though soft-conscienced 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 till the altitude of his virtue.

Second Citizen

   What he cannot help in his nature, you account a
   vice in him. You must in no way say he is covetous.

First Citizen

   If I must not, I need not be barren of accusations;
   he hath faults, with surplus, to tire in repetition.

   Shouts within
   What shouts are these? The other side o' the city
   is risen: why stay we prating here? to the Capitol!

All

   Come, come.

First Citizen

   Soft! who comes here?

   Enter MENENIUS AGRIPPA

Second Citizen

   Worthy Menenius Agrippa; one that hath always loved
   the people.

First Citizen

   He's one honest enough: would all the rest were so!

MENENIUS

   What work's, my countrymen, in hand? where go you
   With bats and clubs? The matter? speak, I pray you.

First Citizen

   Our business is not unknown to the senate; they have
   had inkling this fortnight what we intend to do,
   which now we'll show 'em in deeds. They say poor
   suitors have strong breaths: they shall know we
   have strong arms too.

MENENIUS

   Why, masters, my good friends, mine honest neighbours,
   Will you undo yourselves?

First Citizen

   We cannot, sir, we are undone already.

MENENIUS

   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 heaven with your staves as lift them
   Against the Roman state, whose course will on
   The way it takes, cracking ten thousand curbs
   Of more strong link asunder than can ever
   Appear in your impediment. For the dearth,
   The gods, not the patricians, make it, and
   Your knees to them, not arms, must help. Alack,
   You are transported by calamity
   Thither where more attends you, and you slander
   The helms o' the state, who care for you like fathers,
   When you curse them as enemies.

First Citizen

   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.

MENENIUS

   Either you must
   Confess yourselves wondrous malicious,
   Or be accused of folly. I shall tell you
   A pretty tale: it may be you have heard it;
   But, since it serves my purpose, I will venture
   To stale 't a little more.

First Citizen

   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.

MENENIUS

   There was a time when all the body's members
   Rebell'd against the belly, thus accused it:
   That only like a gulf it did remain
   I' the midst o' the body, idle and unactive,
   Still cupboarding the viand, never bearing
   Like labour with the rest, where the other instruments
   Did see and hear, devise, instruct, walk, feel,
   And, mutually participate, did minister
   Unto the appetite and affection common
   Of the whole body. The belly answer'd--

First Citizen

   Well, sir, what answer made the belly?

MENENIUS

   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
   That envied his receipt; even so most fitly
   As you malign our senators for that
   They are not such as you.

First Citizen

   Your belly's answer? What!
   The kingly-crowned head, the vigilant eye,
   The counsellor heart, the arm our soldier,
   Our steed the leg, the tongue our trumpeter.
   With other muniments and petty helps
   In this our fabric, if that they--

MENENIUS

   What then?
   'Fore me, this fellow speaks! What then? what then?

First Citizen

   Should by the cormorant belly be restrain'd,
   Who is the sink o' the body,--

MENENIUS

   Well, what then?

First Citizen

   The former agents, if they did complain,
   What could the belly answer?

MENENIUS

   I will tell you
   If you'll bestow a small--of what you have little--
   Patience awhile, you'll hear the belly's answer.

First Citizen

   Ye're long about it.

MENENIUS

   Note me this, good friend;
   Your most grave belly was deliberate,
   Not rash like his accusers, and thus answer'd:
   'True is it, my incorporate friends,' quoth he,
   'That I receive the general food at first,
   Which you do live upon; and fit it is,
   Because I am the store-house and the shop
   Of the whole body: but, if you do remember,
   I send it through the rivers of your blood,
   Even to the court, the heart, to the seat o' the brain;
   And, through the cranks and offices of man,
   The strongest nerves and small inferior veins
   From me receive that natural competency
   Whereby they live: and though that all at once,
   You, my good friends,'--this says the belly, mark me,--

First Citizen

   Ay, sir; well, well.

MENENIUS

   'Though all at once cannot
   See what I do deliver out to each,
   Yet I can make my audit up, that all
   From me do back receive the flour of all,
   And leave me but the bran.' What say you to't?

First Citizen

   It was an answer: how apply you this?

MENENIUS

   The senators of Rome are this good belly,
   And you the mutinous members; for examine
   Their counsels and their cares, digest things rightly
   Touching the weal o' the common, you shall find
   No public benefit which you receive
   But it proceeds or comes from them to you
   And no way from yourselves. What do you think,
   You, the great toe of this assembly?

First Citizen

   I the great toe! why the great toe?

MENENIUS

   For that, being one o' the lowest, basest, poorest,
   Of this most wise rebellion, thou go'st foremost:
   Thou rascal, that art worst in blood to run,
   Lead'st first to win some vantage.
   But make you ready your stiff bats and clubs:
   Rome and her rats are at the point of battle;
   The one side must have bale.

   Enter CAIUS MARCIUS
   Hail, noble Marcius!

MARCIUS

   Thanks. What's the matter, you dissentious rogues,
   That, rubbing the poor itch of your opinion,
   Make yourselves scabs?

First Citizen

   We have ever your good word.

MARCIUS

   He that will give good words to thee will flatter
   Beneath abhorring. What would you have, you curs,
   That like nor peace nor war? the one affrights you,
   The other makes you proud. He that trusts to you,
   Where he should find you lions, finds you hares;
   Where foxes, geese: you are no surer, no,
   Than is the coal of fire upon the ice,
   Or hailstone in the sun. Your virtue is
   To make him worthy whose offence subdues him
   And curse that justice did it.
   Who deserves greatness
   Deserves your hate; and your affections are
   A sick man's appetite, who desires most that
   Which would increase his evil. He that depends
   Upon your favours swims with fins of lead
   And hews down oaks with rushes. Hang ye! Trust Ye?
   With every minute you do change a mind,
   And call him noble that was now your hate,
   Him vile that was your garland. What's the matter,
   That in these several places of the city
   You cry against the noble senate, who,
   Under the gods, keep you in awe, which else
   Would feed on one another? What's their seeking?

MENENIUS

   For corn at their own rates; whereof, they say,
   The city is well stored.

MARCIUS

   Hang 'em! They say!
   They'll sit by the fire, and presume to know
   What's done i' the Capitol; who's like to rise,
   Who thrives and who declines; side factions
   and give out
   Conjectural marriages; making parties strong
   And feebling such as stand not in their liking
   Below their cobbled shoes. They say there's
   grain enough!
   Would the nobility lay aside their ruth,
   And let me use my sword, I'll make a quarry
   With thousands of these quarter'd slaves, as high
   As I could pick my lance.

MENENIUS

   Nay, these are almost thoroughly persuaded;
   For though abundantly they lack discretion,
   Yet are they passing cowardly. But, I beseech you,
   What says the other troop?

MARCIUS

   They are dissolved: hang 'em!
   They said they were an-hungry; sigh'd forth proverbs,
   That hunger broke stone walls, that dogs must eat,
   That meat was made for mouths, that the gods sent not
   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--
   To break the heart of generosity,
   And make bold power look pale--they threw their caps
   As they would hang them on the horns o' the moon,
   Shouting their emulation.

MENENIUS

   What is granted them?

MARCIUS

   Five tribunes to defend their vulgar wisdoms,
   Of 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.

MENENIUS

   This is strange.

MARCIUS

   Go, get you home, you fragments!

   Enter a Messenger, hastily

Messenger

   Where's Caius Marcius?

MARCIUS

   Here: what's the matter?

Messenger

   The news is, sir, the Volsces are in arms.

MARCIUS

   I am glad on 't: then we shall ha' means to vent
   Our musty superfluity. See, our best elders.

   Enter COMINIUS, TITUS LARTIUS, and other Senators; JUNIUS BRUTUS and SICINIUS VELUTUS

First Senator

   Marcius, 'tis true that you have lately told us;
   The Volsces are in arms.

MARCIUS

   They have a leader,
   Tullus Aufidius, that will put you to 't.
   I sin in envying his nobility,
   And were I any thing but what I am,
   I would wish me only he.

COMINIUS

   You have fought together.

MARCIUS

   Were half to half the world by the ears and he.
   Upon my party, I'ld revolt to make
   Only my wars with him: he is a lion
   That I am proud to hunt.

First Senator

   Then, worthy Marcius,
   Attend upon Cominius to these wars.

COMINIUS

   It is your former promise.

MARCIUS

   Sir, it is;
   And I am constant. Titus Lartius, thou
   Shalt see me once more strike at Tullus' face.
   What, art thou stiff? stand'st out?

TITUS

   No, Caius Marcius;
   I'll lean upon one crutch and fight with t'other,
   Ere stay behind this business.

MENENIUS

   O, true-bred!

First Senator

   Your company to the Capitol; where, I know,
   Our greatest friends attend us.

TITUS

   [To COMINIUS] Lead you on.

   To MARCIUS
   Right worthy you priority.

COMINIUS

   Noble Marcius!

First Senator

   [To the Citizens] Hence to your homes; be gone!

MARCIUS

   Nay, let them follow:
   The Volsces have much corn; take these rats thither
   To gnaw their garners. Worshipful mutiners,
   Your valour puts well forth: pray, follow.

   Citizens steal away. Exeunt all but SICINIUS and BRUTUS

SICINIUS

   Was ever man so proud as is this Marcius?

BRUTUS

   He has no equal.

SICINIUS

   When we were chosen tribunes for the people,--

BRUTUS

   Mark'd you his lip and eyes?

SICINIUS

   Nay. but his taunts.

BRUTUS

   Being moved, he will not spare to gird the gods.

SICINIUS

   Be-mock the modest moon.

BRUTUS

   The present wars devour him: he is grown
   Too proud to be so valiant.

SICINIUS

   Such a nature,
   Tickled with good success, disdains the shadow
   Which he treads on at noon: but I do wonder
   His insolence can brook to be commanded
   Under Cominius.

BRUTUS

   Fame, at the which he aims,
   In whom already he's well graced, can not
   Better be held nor more attain'd than by
   A place below the first: for what miscarries
   Shall be the general's fault, though he perform
   To the utmost of a man, and giddy censure
   Will then cry out of Marcius 'O if he
   Had borne the business!'

SICINIUS

   Besides, if things go well,
   Opinion that so sticks on Marcius shall
   Of his demerits rob Cominius.

BRUTUS

   Come:
   Half all Cominius' honours are to Marcius.
   Though Marcius earned them not, and all his faults
   To Marcius shall be honours, though indeed
   In aught he merit not.

SICINIUS

   Let's hence, and hear
   How the dispatch is made, and in what fashion,
   More than his singularity, he goes
   Upon this present action.

BRUTUS

   Lets along.

   Exeunt

SCENE II. Corioli. The Senate-house.

   Enter TULLUS AUFIDIUS and certain Senators 

First Senator

   So, your opinion is, Aufidius,
   That they of Rome are entered in our counsels
   And know how we proceed.

AUFIDIUS

   Is it not yours?
   What ever have been thought on in this state,
   That could be brought to bodily act ere Rome
   Had circumvention? 'Tis not four days gone
   Since I heard thence; these are the words: I think
   I have the letter here; yes, here it is.

   Reads
   'They have press'd a power, but it is not known
   Whether for east or west: the dearth is great;
   The people mutinous; and it is rumour'd,
   Cominius, Marcius your old enemy,
   Who is of Rome worse hated than of you,
   And Titus Lartius, a most valiant Roman,
   These three lead on this preparation
   Whither 'tis bent: most likely 'tis for you:
   Consider of it.'

First Senator

   Our army's in the field
   We never yet made doubt but Rome was ready
   To answer us.

AUFIDIUS

   Nor did you think it folly
   To keep your great pretences veil'd till when
   They needs must show themselves; which
   in the hatching,
   It seem'd, appear'd to Rome. By the discovery.
   We shall be shorten'd in our aim, which was
   To take in many towns ere almost Rome
   Should know we were afoot.

Second Senator

   Noble Aufidius,
   Take your commission; hie you to your bands:
   Let us alone to guard Corioli:
   If they set down before 's, for the remove
   Bring your army; but, I think, you'll find
   They've not prepared for us.

AUFIDIUS

   O, doubt not that;
   I speak from certainties. Nay, more,
   Some parcels of their power are forth already,
   And only hitherward. I leave your honours.
   If we and Caius Marcius chance to meet,
   'Tis sworn between us we shall ever strike
   Till one can do no more.

All

   The gods assist you!

AUFIDIUS

   And keep your honours safe!

First Senator

   Farewell.

Second Senator

   Farewell.

All

   Farewell.

   Exeunt

SCENE III. Rome. A room in Marcius' house.

   Enter VOLUMNIA and VIRGILIA they set them down on two low stools, and sew 

VOLUMNIA

   I pray you, daughter, sing; or express yourself 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 show 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.

VIRGILIA

   But had he died in the business, madam; how then?

VOLUMNIA

   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.

   Enter a Gentlewoman

Gentlewoman

   Madam, the Lady Valeria is come to visit you.

VIRGILIA

   Beseech you, give me leave to retire myself.

VOLUMNIA

   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 Volsces 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.

VIRGILIA

   His bloody brow! O Jupiter, no blood!

VOLUMNIA

   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 sword, contemning. Tell Valeria,
   We are fit to bid her welcome.

   Exit Gentlewoman

VIRGILIA

   Heavens bless my lord from fell Aufidius!

VOLUMNIA

   He'll beat Aufidius 'head below his knee
   And tread upon his neck.

   Enter VALERIA, with an Usher and Gentlewoman

VALERIA

   My ladies both, good day to you.

VOLUMNIA

   Sweet madam.

VIRGILIA

   I am glad to see your ladyship.

VALERIA

   How do you both? you are manifest house-keepers.
   What are you sewing here? A fine spot, in good
   faith. How does your little son?

VIRGILIA

   I thank your ladyship; well, good madam.

VOLUMNIA

   He had rather see the swords, and hear a drum, than
   look upon his school-master.

VALERIA

   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: 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 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 it, how he mammocked
   it!

VOLUMNIA

   One on 's father's moods.

VALERIA

   Indeed, la, 'tis a noble child.

VIRGILIA

   A crack, madam.

VALERIA

   Come, lay aside your stitchery; I must have you play
   the idle husewife with me this afternoon.

VIRGILIA

   No, good madam; I will not out of doors.

VALERIA

   Not out of doors!

VOLUMNIA

   She shall, she shall.

VIRGILIA

   Indeed, no, by your patience; I'll not over the
   threshold till my lord return from the wars.

VALERIA

   Fie, you confine yourself most unreasonably: come,
   you must go visit the good lady that lies in.

VIRGILIA

   I will wish her speedy strength, and visit her with
   my prayers; but I cannot go thither.

VOLUMNIA

   Why, I pray you?

VIRGILIA

   'Tis not to save labour, nor that I want love.

VALERIA

   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 us.

VIRGILIA

   No, good madam, pardon me; indeed, I will not forth.

VALERIA

   In truth, la, go with me; and I'll tell you
   excellent news of your husband.

VIRGILIA

   O, good madam, there can be none yet.

VALERIA

   Verily, I do not jest with you; there came news from
   him last night.

VIRGILIA

   Indeed, madam?

VALERIA

   In earnest, it's true; I heard a senator speak it.
   Thus it is: the Volsces 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 us.

VIRGILIA

   Give me excuse, good madam; I will obey you in every
   thing hereafter.

VOLUMNIA

   Let her alone, lady: as she is now, she will but
   disease our better mirth.

VALERIA

   In troth, I think she would. Fare you well, then.
   Come, good sweet lady. Prithee, Virgilia, turn thy
   solemness out o' door. and go along with us.

VIRGILIA

   No, at a word, madam; indeed, I must not. I wish
   you much mirth.

VALERIA

   Well, then, farewell.

   Exeunt

SCENE IV. Before Corioli.

   Enter, with drum and colours, MARCIUS, TITUS LARTIUS, Captains and Soldiers. To them a Messenger 

MARCIUS

   Yonder comes news. A wager they have met.

LARTIUS

   My horse to yours, no.

MARCIUS

   'Tis done.

LARTIUS

   Agreed.

MARCIUS

   Say, has our general met the enemy?

Messenger

   They lie in view; but have not spoke as yet.

LARTIUS

   So, the good horse is mine.

MARCIUS

   I'll buy him of you.

LARTIUS

   No, I'll nor sell nor give him: lend you him I will
   For half a hundred years. Summon the town.

MARCIUS

   How far off lie these armies?

Messenger

   Within this mile and half.

MARCIUS

   Then shall we hear their 'larum, and they ours.
   Now, Mars, I prithee, 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 two Senators with others on the walls
   Tutus Aufidius, is he within your walls?

First Senator

   No, nor a man that fears you less than he,
   That's lesser than a little.

   Drums afar off
   Hark! our drums
   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.

   Alarum afar off
   Hark you. far off!
   There is Aufidius; list, what work he makes
   Amongst your cloven army.

MARCIUS

   O, they are at it!

LARTIUS

   Their noise be our instruction. Ladders, ho!

   Enter the army of the Volsces

MARCIUS

   They fear us not, but issue forth their city.
   Now put your shields before your hearts, and fight
   With hearts more proof than shields. Advance,
   brave Titus:
   They do disdain us much beyond our thoughts,
   Which makes me sweat with wrath. Come on, my fellows:
   He that retires I'll take him for a Volsce,
   And he shall feel mine edge.

   Alarum. The Romans are beat back to their trenches. Re-enter MARCIUS cursing

MARCIUS

   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
   Further than seen and one infect another
   Against the wind a mile! You souls of geese,
   That bear the shapes of men, how have you run
   From slaves that apes would beat! Pluto and hell!
   All hurt behind; backs red, and faces pale
   With flight and agued fear! Mend and charge home,
   Or, by the fires of heaven, I'll leave the foe
   And make my wars on you: look to't: come on;
   If you'll stand fast, we'll beat them to their wives,
   As they us to our trenches followed.

   Another alarum. The Volsces fly, and MARCIUS follows them to the gates
   So, now the gates are ope: now prove good seconds:
   'Tis for the followers fortune widens them,
   Not for the fliers: mark me, and do the like.

   Enters the gates

First Soldier

   Fool-hardiness; not I.

Second Soldier

   Nor I.

   MARCIUS is shut in

First Soldier

   See, they have shut him in.

All

   To the pot, I warrant him.

   Alarum continues

   Re-enter TITUS LARTIUS

LARTIUS

   What is become of Marcius?

All

   Slain, sir, doubtless.

First Soldier

   Following the fliers at the very heels,
   With them he enters; who, upon the sudden,
   Clapp'd to their gates: he is himself alone,
   To answer all the city.

LARTIUS

   O noble fellow!
   Who sensibly outdares his senseless sword,
   And, when it bows, stands up. Thou art left, Marcius:
   A carbuncle entire, as big as thou art,
   Were not so rich a jewel. Thou wast a soldier
   Even to Cato's wish, not fierce and terrible
   Only in strokes; but, with thy grim looks and
   The thunder-like percussion of thy sounds,
   Thou madst thine enemies shake, as if the world
   Were feverous and did tremble.

   Re-enter MARCIUS, bleeding, assaulted by the enemy

First Soldier

   Look, sir.

LARTIUS

   O,'tis Marcius!
   Let's fetch him off, or make remain alike.

   They fight, and all enter the city

SCENE V. Corioli. A street.

   Enter certain Romans, with spoils 

First Roman

   This will I carry to Rome.

Second Roman

   And I this.

Third Roman

   A murrain on't! I took this for silver.

   Alarum continues still afar off

   Enter MARCIUS and TITUS LARTIUS with a trumpet

MARCIUS

   See here these movers that do prize their hours
   At a crack'd drachm! Cushions, leaden spoons,
   Irons of a doit, doublets that hangmen would
   Bury with those that wore them, these base slaves,
   Ere yet the fight be done, pack up: down with them!
   And hark, what noise the general makes! To him!
   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.

LARTIUS

   Worthy sir, thou bleed'st;
   Thy exercise hath been too violent for
   A second course of fight.

MARCIUS

   Sir, praise me not;
   My work hath yet not warm'd me: fare you well:
   The blood I drop is rather physical
   Than dangerous to me: to Aufidius thus
   I will appear, and fight.

LARTIUS

   Now the fair goddess, Fortune,
   Fall deep in love with thee; and her great charms
   Misguide thy opposers' swords! Bold gentleman,
   Prosperity be thy page!

MARCIUS

   Thy friend no less
   Than those she placeth highest! So, farewell.

LARTIUS

   Thou worthiest Marcius!

   Exit MARCIUS
   Go, sound thy trumpet in the market-place;
   Call thither all the officers o' the town,
   Where they shall know our mind: away!

   Exeunt

SCENE VI. Near the camp of Cominius.

   Enter COMINIUS, as it were in retire, with soldiers 

COMINIUS

   Breathe you, my friends: well fought;
   we are come off
   Like Romans, neither foolish in our stands,
   Nor cowardly in retire: believe me, sirs,
   We shall be charged again. Whiles we have struck,
   By interims and conveying gusts we have heard
   The charges of our friends. Ye Roman gods!
   Lead their successes as we wish our own,
   That both our powers, with smiling
   fronts encountering,
   May give you thankful sacrifice.

   Enter a Messenger
   Thy news?

Messenger

   The citizens of Corioli have issued,
   And given to Lartius and to Marcius battle:
   I saw our party to their trenches driven,
   And then I came away.

COMINIUS

   Though thou speak'st truth,
   Methinks thou speak'st not well.
   How long is't since?

Messenger

   Above an hour, my lord.

COMINIUS

   'Tis not a mile; briefly we heard their drums:
   How couldst thou in a mile confound an hour,
   And bring thy news so late?

Messenger

   Spies of the Volsces
   Held me in chase, that I was forced to wheel
   Three or four miles about, else had I, sir,
   Half an hour since brought my report.

COMINIUS

   Who's yonder,
   That does appear as he were flay'd? O gods
   He has the stamp of Marcius; and I have
   Before-time seen him thus.

MARCIUS

   [Within] Come I too late?

COMINIUS

   The shepherd knows not thunder from a tabour
   More than I know the sound of Marcius' tongue
   From every meaner man.

   Enter MARCIUS

MARCIUS

   Come I too late?

COMINIUS

   Ay, if you come not in the blood of others,
   But mantled in your own.

MARCIUS

   O, let me clip ye
   In arms as sound as when I woo'd, in heart
   As merry as when our nuptial day was done,
   And tapers burn'd to bedward!

COMINIUS

   Flower of warriors,
   How is it with Titus Lartius?

MARCIUS

   As with a man busied about decrees:
   Condemning some to death, and some to exile;
   Ransoming him, or pitying, threatening the other;
   Holding Corioli in the name of Rome,
   Even like a fawning greyhound in the leash,
   To let him slip at will.

COMINIUS

   Where is that slave
   Which told me they had beat you to your trenches?
   Where is he? call him hither.

MARCIUS

   Let him alone;
   He did inform the truth: but for our gentlemen,
   The common file--a plague! tribunes for them!--
   The mouse ne'er shunn'd the cat as they did budge
   From rascals worse than they.

COMINIUS

   But how prevail'd you?

MARCIUS

   Will the time serve to tell? I do not think.
   Where is the enemy? are you lords o' the field?
   If not, why cease you till you are so?

COMINIUS

   Marcius,
   We have at disadvantage fought and did
   Retire to win our purpose.

MARCIUS

   How lies their battle? know you on which side
   They have placed their men of trust?

COMINIUS

   As I guess, Marcius,
   Their bands i' the vaward are the Antiates,
   Of their best trust; o'er them Aufidius,
   Their very heart of hope.

MARCIUS

   I do beseech you,
   By all the battles wherein we have fought,
   By the blood we have shed together, by the vows
   We have made to endure friends, that you directly
   Set me against Aufidius and his Antiates;
   And that you not delay the present, but,
   Filling the air with swords advanced and darts,
   We prove this very hour.

COMINIUS

   Though I could wish
   You were conducted to a gentle bath
   And balms applied to, you, yet dare I never
   Deny your asking: take your choice of those
   That best can aid your action.

MARCIUS

   Those are they
   That most are willing. If any such be here--
   As it were sin to doubt--that love this painting
   Wherein you see me smear'd; if any fear
   Lesser his person than an ill report;
   If any think brave death outweighs bad life
   And that his country's dearer than himself;
   Let him alone, or so many so minded,
   Wave thus, to express his disposition,
   And follow Marcius.

   They all shout and wave their swords, take him up in their arms, and cast up their caps
   O, me alone! make you a sword of me?
   If these shows be not outward, which of you
   But is four Volsces? none of you but is
   Able to bear against the great Aufidius
   A shield as hard as his. A certain number,
   Though thanks to all, must I select
   from all: the rest
   Shall bear the business in some other fight,
   As cause will be obey'd. Please you to march;
   And four shall quickly draw out my command,
   Which men are best inclined.

COMINIUS

   March on, my fellows:
   Make good this ostentation, and you shall
   Divide in all with us.

   Exeunt

SCENE VII. The gates of Corioli.

   TITUS LARTIUS, having set a guard upon Corioli, going with drum and trumpet toward COMINIUS and CAIUS MARCIUS, enters with Lieutenant, other Soldiers, and a Scout 

LARTIUS

   So, let the ports be guarded: keep your duties,
   As I have set them down. If I do send, dispatch
   Those centuries to our aid: the rest will serve
   For a short holding: if we lose the field,
   We cannot keep the town.

Lieutenant

   Fear not our care, sir.

LARTIUS

   Hence, and shut your gates upon's.
   Our guider, come; to the Roman camp conduct us.

   Exeunt

SCENE VIII. A field of battle.

   Alarum as in battle. Enter, from opposite sides, MARCIUS and AUFIDIUS 

MARCIUS

   I'll fight with none but thee; for I do hate thee
   Worse than a promise-breaker.

AUFIDIUS

   We hate alike:
   Not Afric owns a serpent I abhor
   More than thy fame and envy. Fix thy foot.

MARCIUS

   Let the first budger die the other's slave,
   And the gods doom him after!

AUFIDIUS

   If I fly, Marcius,
   Holloa me like a hare.

MARCIUS

   Within these three hours, Tullus,
   Alone I fought in your Corioli walls,
   And made what work I pleased: 'tis not my blood
   Wherein thou seest me mask'd; for thy revenge
   Wrench up thy power to the highest.

AUFIDIUS

   Wert thou the Hector
   That was the whip of your bragg'd progeny,
   Thou shouldst not scape me here.

   They fight, and certain Volsces come to the aid of AUFIDIUS. MARCIUS fights till they be driven in breathless
   Officious, and not valiant, you have shamed me
   In your condemned seconds.

   Exeunt

SCENE IX. The Roman camp.

   Flourish. Alarum. A retreat is sounded. Flourish. Enter, from one side, COMINIUS with the Romans; from the other side, MARCIUS, with his arm in a scarf 

COMINIUS

   If I should tell thee o'er this thy day's work,
   Thou'ldst not believe thy deeds: but I'll report it
   Where senators shall mingle tears with smiles,
   Where great patricians shall attend and shrug,
   I' the end admire, where ladies shall be frighted,
   And, gladly quaked, hear more; where the
   dull tribunes,
   That, with the fusty plebeians, hate thine honours,
   Shall say against their hearts 'We thank the gods
   Our Rome hath such a soldier.'
   Yet camest thou to a morsel of this feast,
   Having fully dined before.

   Enter TITUS LARTIUS, with his power, from the pursuit

LARTIUS

   O general,
   Here is the steed, we the caparison:
   Hadst thou beheld--

MARCIUS

   Pray now, no more: my mother,
   Who has a charter to extol her blood,
   When she does praise me grieves me. I have done
   As you have done; that's what I can; induced
   As you have been; that's for my country:
   He that has but effected his good will
   Hath overta'en mine act.

COMINIUS

   You shall not be
   The grave of your deserving; Rome must know
   The value of her own: 'twere a concealment
   Worse than a theft, no less than a traducement,
   To hide your doings; and to silence that,
   Which, to the spire and top of praises vouch'd,
   Would seem but modest: therefore, I beseech you
   In sign of what you are, not to reward
   What you have done--before our army hear me.

MARCIUS

   I have some wounds upon me, and they smart
   To hear themselves remember'd.

COMINIUS

   Should they not,
   Well might they fester 'gainst ingratitude,
   And tent themselves with death. Of all the horses,
   Whereof we have ta'en good and good store, of all
   The treasure in this field achieved and city,
   We render you the tenth, to be ta'en forth,
   Before the common distribution, at
   Your only choice.

MARCIUS

   I thank you, general;
   But cannot make my heart consent to take
   A bribe to pay my sword: I do refuse it;
   And stand upon my common part with those
   That have beheld the doing.

   A long flourish. They all cry 'Marcius! Marcius!' cast up their caps and lances: COMINIUS and LARTIUS stand bare

MARCIUS

   May these same instruments, which you profane,
   Never sound more! when drums and trumpets shall
   I' the field prove flatterers, let courts and cities be
   Made all of false-faced soothing!
   When steel grows soft as the parasite's silk,
   Let him be made a coverture for the wars!
   No more, I say! For that I have not wash'd
   My nose that bled, or foil'd some debile wretch.--
   Which, without note, here's many else have done,--
   You shout me forth
   In acclamations hyperbolical;
   As if I loved my little should be dieted
   In praises sauced with lies.

COMINIUS

   Too modest are you;
   More cruel to your good report than grateful
   To us that give you truly: by your patience,
   If 'gainst yourself you be incensed, we'll put you,
   Like one that means his proper harm, in manacles,
   Then reason safely with you. Therefore, be it known,
   As to us, to all the world, that Caius Marcius
   Wears this war's garland: in token of the which,
   My noble steed, known to the camp, I give him,
   With all his trim belonging; and from this time,
   For what he did before Corioli, call him,
   With all the applause and clamour of the host,
   CAIUS MARCIUS CORIOLANUS! Bear
   The addition nobly ever!

   Flourish. Trumpets sound, and drums

All

   Caius Marcius Coriolanus!

CORIOLANUS

   I will go wash;
   And when my face is fair, you shall perceive
   Whether I blush or no: howbeit, I thank you.
   I mean to stride your steed, and at all times
   To undercrest your good addition
   To the fairness of my power.

COMINIUS

   So, to our tent;
   Where, ere we do repose us, we will write
   To Rome of our success. You, Titus Lartius,
   Must to Corioli back: send us to Rome
   The best, with whom we may articulate,
   For their own good and ours.

LARTIUS

   I shall, my lord.

CORIOLANUS

   The gods begin to mock me. I, that now
   Refused most princely gifts, am bound to beg
   Of my lord general.

COMINIUS

   Take't; 'tis yours. What is't?

CORIOLANUS

   I sometime lay here in Corioli
   At a poor man's house; he used me kindly:
   He cried to me; I saw him prisoner;
   But then Aufidius was with in my view,
   And wrath o'erwhelm'd my pity: I request you
   To give my poor host freedom.

COMINIUS

   O, well begg'd!
   Were he the butcher of my son, he should
   Be free as is the wind. Deliver him, Titus.

LARTIUS

   Marcius, his name?

CORIOLANUS

   By Jupiter! forgot.
   I am weary; yea, my memory is tired.
   Have we no wine here?

COMINIUS

   Go we to our tent:
   The blood upon your visage dries; 'tis time
   It should be look'd to: come.

   Exeunt

SCENE X. The camp of the Volsces.

   A flourish. Cornets. Enter TULLUS AUFIDIUS, bloody, with two or three Soldiers 

AUFIDIUS

   The town is ta'en!

First Soldier

   'Twill be deliver'd back on good condition.

AUFIDIUS

   Condition!
   I would I were a Roman; for I cannot,
   Being a Volsce, be that I am. Condition!
   What good condition can a treaty find
   I' the part that is at mercy? Five times, Marcius,
   I have fought with thee: so often hast thou beat me,
   And wouldst do so, I think, should we encounter
   As often as we eat. By the elements,
   If e'er again I meet him beard to beard,
   He's mine, or I am his: mine emulation
   Hath not that honour in't it had; for where
   I thought to crush him in an equal force,
   True sword to sword, I'll potch at him some way
   Or wrath or craft may get him.

First Soldier

   He's the devil.

AUFIDIUS

   Bolder, though not so subtle. My valour's poison'd
   With only suffering stain by him; for him
   Shall fly out of itself: nor sleep nor sanctuary,
   Being naked, sick, nor fane nor Capitol,
   The prayers of priests nor times of sacrifice,
   Embarquements all of fury, shall lift up
   Their rotten privilege and custom 'gainst
   My hate to Marcius: where I find him, were it
   At home, upon my brother's guard, even there,
   Against the hospitable canon, would I
   Wash my fierce hand in's heart. Go you to the city;
   Learn how 'tis held; and what they are that must
   Be hostages for Rome.

First Soldier

   Will not you go?

AUFIDIUS

   I am attended at the cypress grove: I pray you--
   'Tis south the city mills--bring me word thither
   How the world goes, that to the pace of it
   I may spur on my journey.

First Soldier

   I shall, sir.

   Exeunt

ACT II SCENE I. Rome. A public place.

   Enter MENENIUS with the two Tribunes of the people, SICINIUS and BRUTUS. 

MENENIUS

   The augurer tells me we shall have news to-night.

BRUTUS

   Good or bad?

MENENIUS

   Not according to the prayer of the people, for they
   love not Marcius.

SICINIUS

   Nature teaches beasts to know their friends.

MENENIUS

   Pray you, who does the wolf love?

SICINIUS

   The lamb.

MENENIUS

   Ay, to devour him; as the hungry plebeians would the
   noble Marcius.

BRUTUS

   He's a lamb indeed, that baes like a bear.

MENENIUS

   He's a bear indeed, that lives like a lamb. You two
   are old men: tell me one thing that I shall ask you.

Both

   Well, sir.

MENENIUS

   In what enormity is Marcius poor in, that you two
   have not in abundance?

BRUTUS

   He's poor in no one fault, but stored with all.

SICINIUS

   Especially in pride.

BRUTUS

   And topping all others in boasting.

MENENIUS

   This is strange now: do you two know how you are
   censured here in the city, I mean of us o' the
   right-hand file? do you?

Both

   Why, how are we censured?

MENENIUS

   Because you talk of pride now,--will you not be angry?

Both

   Well, well, sir, well.

MENENIUS

   Why, 'tis no great matter; for a very little thief of
   occasion will rob you of a great deal of patience:
   give your dispositions the reins, and be angry at
   your pleasures; at the least if you take it as a
   pleasure to you in being so. You blame Marcius for
   being proud?

BRUTUS

   We do it not alone, sir.

MENENIUS

   I know you can do very little alone; for your helps
   are many, or else your actions would grow wondrous
   single: your abilities are too infant-like for
   doing much alone. You talk of pride: O that you
   could turn your eyes toward the napes of your necks,
   and make but an interior survey of your good selves!
   O that you could!

BRUTUS

   What then, sir?

MENENIUS

   Why, then you should discover a brace of unmeriting,
   proud, violent, testy magistrates, alias fools, as
   any in Rome.

SICINIUS

   Menenius, you are known well enough too.

MENENIUS

   I am known to be a humorous patrician, and one that
   loves a cup of hot wine with not a drop of allaying
   Tiber in't; said to be something imperfect in
   favouring the first complaint; hasty and tinder-like
   upon too trivial motion; one that converses more
   with the buttock of the night than with the forehead
   of the morning: what I think I utter, and spend my
   malice in my breath. Meeting two such wealsmen as
   you are--I cannot call you Lycurguses--if the drink
   you give me touch my palate adversely, I make a
   crooked face at it. I can't say your worships have
   delivered the matter well, when I find the ass in
   compound with the major part of your syllables: and
   though I must be content to bear with those that say
   you are reverend grave men, yet they lie deadly that
   tell you you have good faces. If you see this in
   the map of my microcosm, follows it that I am known
   well enough too? what barm can your bisson
   conspectuities glean out of this character, if I be
   known well enough too?

BRUTUS

   Come, sir, come, we know you well enough.

MENENIUS

   You know neither me, yourselves nor any thing. You
   are ambitious for poor knaves' caps and legs: you
   wear out a good wholesome forenoon in hearing a
   cause between an orange wife and a fosset-seller;
   and then rejourn the controversy of three pence to a
   second day of audience. When you are hearing a
   matter between party and party, if you chance to be
   pinched with the colic, you make faces like
   mummers; set up the bloody flag against all
   patience; and, in roaring for a chamber-pot,
   dismiss the controversy bleeding the more entangled
   by your hearing: all the peace you make in their
   cause is, calling both the parties knaves. You are
   a pair of strange ones.

BRUTUS

   Come, come, you are well understood to be a
   perfecter giber for the table than a necessary
   bencher in the Capitol.

MENENIUS

   Our very priests must become mockers, if they shall
   encounter such ridiculous subjects as you are. When
   you speak best unto the purpose, it is not worth the
   wagging of your beards; and your beards deserve not
   so honourable a grave as to stuff a botcher's
   cushion, or to be entombed in an ass's pack-
   saddle. Yet you must be saying, Marcius is proud;
   who in a cheap estimation, is worth predecessors
   since Deucalion, though peradventure some of the
   best of 'em were hereditary hangmen. God-den to
   your worships: more of your conversation would
   infect my brain, being the herdsmen of the beastly
   plebeians: I will be bold to take my leave of you.

   BRUTUS and SICINIUS go aside

   Enter VOLUMNIA, VIRGILIA, and VALERIA
   How now, my as fair as noble ladies,--and the moon,
   were she earthly, no nobler,--whither do you follow
   your eyes so fast?

VOLUMNIA

   Honourable Menenius, my boy Marcius approaches; for
   the love of Juno, let's go.

MENENIUS

   Ha! Marcius coming home!

VOLUMNIA

   Ay, worthy Menenius; and with most prosperous
   approbation.

MENENIUS

   Take my cap, Jupiter, and I thank thee. Hoo!
   Marcius coming home!

VOLUMNIA VIRGILIA

   Nay,'tis true.

VOLUMNIA

   Look, here's a letter from him: the state hath
   another, his wife another; and, I think, there's one
   at home for you.

MENENIUS

   I will make my very house reel tonight: a letter for
   me!

VIRGILIA

   Yes, certain, there's a letter for you; I saw't.

MENENIUS

   A letter for me! it gives me an estate of seven
   years' health; in which time I will make a lip at
   the physician: the most sovereign prescription in
   Galen is but empiricutic, and, to this preservative,
   of no better report than a horse-drench. Is he
   not wounded? he was wont to come home wounded.

VIRGILIA

   O, no, no, no.

VOLUMNIA

   O, he is wounded; I thank the gods for't.

MENENIUS

   So do I too, if it be not too much: brings a'
   victory in his pocket? the wounds become him.

VOLUMNIA

   On's brows: Menenius, he comes the third time home
   with the oaken garland.

MENENIUS

   Has he disciplined Aufidius soundly?

VOLUMNIA

   Titus Lartius writes, they fought together, but
   Aufidius got off.

MENENIUS

   And 'twas time for him too, I'll warrant him that:
   an he had stayed by him, I would not have been so
   fidiused for all the chests in Corioli, and the gold
   that's in them. Is the senate possessed of this?

VOLUMNIA

   Good ladies, let's go. Yes, yes, yes; the senate
   has letters from the general, wherein he gives my
   son the whole name of the war: he hath in this
   action outdone his former deeds doubly

VALERIA

   In troth, there's wondrous things spoke of him.

MENENIUS

   Wondrous! ay, I warrant you, and not without his
   true purchasing.

VIRGILIA

   The gods grant them true!

VOLUMNIA

   True! pow, wow.

MENENIUS

   True! I'll be sworn they are true.
   Where is he wounded?

   To the Tribunes
   God save your good worships! Marcius is coming
   home: he has more cause to be proud. Where is he wounded?

VOLUMNIA

   I' the shoulder and i' the left arm there will be
   large cicatrices to show the people, when he shall
   stand for his place. He received in the repulse of
   Tarquin seven hurts i' the body.

MENENIUS

   One i' the neck, and two i' the thigh,--there's
   nine that I know.

VOLUMNIA

   He had, before this last expedition, twenty-five
   wounds upon him.

MENENIUS

   Now it's twenty-seven: every gash was an enemy's grave.

   A shout and flourish
   Hark! the trumpets.

VOLUMNIA

   These are the ushers of Marcius: before him he
   carries noise, and behind him he leaves tears:
   Death, that dark spirit, in 's nervy arm doth lie;
   Which, being advanced, declines, and then men die.

   A sennet. Trumpets sound. Enter COMINIUS the general, and TITUS LARTIUS; between them, CORIOLANUS, crowned with an oaken garland; with Captains and Soldiers, and a Herald

Herald

   Know, Rome, that all alone Marcius did fight
   Within Corioli gates: where he hath won,
   With fame, a name to Caius Marcius; these
   In honour follows Coriolanus.
   Welcome to Rome, renowned Coriolanus!

   Flourish

All

   Welcome to Rome, renowned Coriolanus!

CORIOLANUS

   No more of this; it does offend my heart:
   Pray now, no more.

COMINIUS

   Look, sir, your mother!

CORIOLANUS

   O,
   You have, I know, petition'd all the gods
   For my prosperity!

   Kneels

VOLUMNIA

   Nay, my good soldier, up;
   My gentle Marcius, worthy Caius, and
   By deed-achieving honour newly named,--
   What is it?--Coriolanus must I call thee?--
   But O, thy wife!

CORIOLANUS

   My gracious silence, hail!
   Wouldst thou have laugh'd had I come coffin'd home,
   That weep'st to see me triumph? Ay, my dear,
   Such eyes the widows in Corioli wear,
   And mothers that lack sons.

MENENIUS

   Now, the gods crown thee!

CORIOLANUS

   And live you yet?

   To VALERIA
   O my sweet lady, pardon.

VOLUMNIA

   I know not where to turn: O, welcome home:
   And welcome, general: and ye're welcome all.

MENENIUS

   A hundred thousand welcomes. I could weep
   And I could laugh, I am light and heavy. Welcome.
   A curse begin at very root on's heart,
   That is not glad to see thee! You are three
   That Rome should dote on: yet, by the faith of men,
   We have some old crab-trees here
   at home that will not
   Be grafted to your relish. Yet welcome, warriors:
   We call a nettle but a nettle and
   The faults of fools but folly.

COMINIUS

   Ever right.

CORIOLANUS

   Menenius ever, ever.

Herald

   Give way there, and go on!

CORIOLANUS

   [To VOLUMNIA and VIRGILIA] Your hand, and yours:
   Ere in our own house I do shade my head,
   The good patricians must be visited;
   From whom I have received not only greetings,
   But with them change of honours.

VOLUMNIA

   I have lived
   To see inherited my very wishes
   And the buildings of my fancy: only
   There's one thing wanting, which I doubt not but
   Our Rome will cast upon thee.

CORIOLANUS

   Know, good mother,
   I had rather be their servant in my way,
   Than sway with them in theirs.

COMINIUS

   On, to the Capitol!

   Flourish. Cornets. Exeunt in state, as before. BRUTUS and SICINIUS come forward

BRUTUS

   All tongues speak of him, and the bleared sights
   Are spectacled to see him: your prattling nurse
   Into a rapture lets her baby cry
   While she chats him: the kitchen malkin pins
   Her richest lockram 'bout her reechy neck,
   Clambering the walls to eye him: stalls, bulks, windows,
   Are smother'd up, leads fill'd, and ridges horsed
   With variable complexions, all agreeing
   In earnestness to see him: seld-shown flamens
   Do press among the popular throngs and puff
   To win a vulgar station: or veil'd dames
   Commit the war of white and damask in
   Their nicely-gawded cheeks to the wanton spoil
   Of Phoebus' burning kisses: such a pother
   As if that whatsoever god who leads him
   Were slily crept into his human powers
   And gave him graceful posture.

SICINIUS

   On the sudden,
   I warrant him consul.

BRUTUS

   Then our office may,
   During his power, go sleep.

SICINIUS

   He cannot temperately transport his honours
   From where he should begin and end, but will
   Lose those he hath won.

BRUTUS

   In that there's comfort.

SICINIUS

   Doubt not
   The commoners, for whom we stand, but they
   Upon their ancient malice will forget
   With the least cause these his new honours, which
   That he will give them make I as little question
   As he is proud to do't.

BRUTUS

   I heard him swear,
   Were he to stand for consul, never would he
   Appear i' the market-place nor on him put
   The napless vesture of humility;
   Nor showing, as the manner is, his wounds
   To the people, beg their stinking breaths.

SICINIUS

   'Tis right.

BRUTUS

   It was his word: O, he would miss it rather
   Than carry it but by the suit of the gentry to him,
   And the desire of the nobles.

SICINIUS

   I wish no better
   Than have him hold that purpose and to put it
   In execution.

BRUTUS

   'Tis most like he will.

SICINIUS

   It shall be to him then as our good wills,
   A sure destruction.

BRUTUS

   So it must fall out
   To him or our authorities. For an end,
   We must suggest the people in what hatred
   He still hath held them; that to's power he would
   Have made them mules, silenced their pleaders and
   Dispropertied their freedoms, holding them,
   In human action and capacity,
   Of no more soul nor fitness for the world
   Than camels in the war, who have their provand
   Only for bearing burdens, and sore blows
   For sinking under them.

SICINIUS

   This, as you say, suggested
   At some time when his soaring insolence
   Shall touch the people--which time shall not want,
   If he be put upon 't; and that's as easy
   As to set dogs on sheep--will be his fire
   To kindle their dry stubble; and their blaze
   Shall darken him for ever.

   Enter a Messenger

BRUTUS

   What's the matter?

Messenger

   You are sent for to the Capitol. 'Tis thought
   That Marcius shall be consul:
   I have seen the dumb men throng to see him and
   The blind to bear him speak: matrons flung gloves,
   Ladies and maids their scarfs and handkerchers,
   Upon him as he pass'd: the nobles bended,
   As to Jove's statue, and the commons made
   A shower and thunder with their caps and shouts:
   I never saw the like.

BRUTUS

   Let's to the Capitol;
   And carry with us ears and eyes for the time,
   But hearts for the event.

SICINIUS

   Have with you.

   Exeunt

SCENE II. The same. The Capitol.

   Enter two Officers, to lay cushions 

First Officer

   Come, come, they are almost here. How many stand
   for consulships?

Second Officer

   Three, they say: but 'tis thought of every one
   Coriolanus will carry it.

First Officer

   That's a brave fellow; but he's vengeance proud, and
   loves not the common people.

Second Officer

   Faith, there had been many great men that have
   flattered the people, who ne'er loved them; and there
   be many that they have loved, they know not
   wherefore: so that, if they love they know not why,
   they hate upon no better a ground: therefore, for
   Coriolanus neither to care whether they love or hate
   him manifests the true knowledge he has in their
   disposition; and out of his noble carelessness lets
   them plainly see't.

First Officer

   If he did not care whether he had their love or no,
   he waved indifferently 'twixt doing them neither
   good nor harm: but he seeks their hate with greater
   devotion than can render it him; and leaves
   nothing undone that may fully discover him their
   opposite. Now, to seem to affect the malice and
   displeasure of the people is as bad as that which he
   dislikes, to flatter them for their love.

Second Officer

   He hath deserved worthily of his country: and his
   ascent is not by such easy degrees as those who,
   having been supple and courteous to the people,
   bonneted, without any further deed to have them at
   an into their estimation and report: but he hath so
   planted his honours in their eyes, and his actions
   in their hearts, that for their tongues to be
   silent, and not confess so much, were a kind of
   ingrateful injury; to report otherwise, were a
   malice, that, giving itself the lie, would pluck
   reproof and rebuke from every ear that heard it.

First Officer

   No more of him; he is a worthy man: make way, they
   are coming.

   A sennet. Enter, with actors before them, COMINIUS the consul, MENENIUS, CORIOLANUS, Senators, SICINIUS and BRUTUS. The Senators take their places; the Tribunes take their Places by themselves. CORIOLANUS stands

MENENIUS

   Having determined of the Volsces 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 you,
   Most reverend and grave elders, to desire
   The present consul, and last general
   In our well-found successes, to report
   A little of that worthy work perform'd
   By Caius Marcius Coriolanus, whom
   We met here both to thank and to remember
   With honours like himself.

First Senator

   Speak, good Cominius:
   Leave nothing out for length, and make us think
   Rather our state's defective for requital
   Than we to stretch it out.

   To the Tribunes
   Masters o' the people,
   We do request your kindest ears, and after,
   Your loving motion toward the common body,
   To yield what passes here.

SICINIUS

   We are convented
   Upon a pleasing treaty, and have hearts
   Inclinable to honour and advance
   The theme of our assembly.

BRUTUS

   Which the rather
   We shall be blest to do, if he remember
   A kinder value of the people than
   He hath hereto prized them at.

MENENIUS

   That's off, that's off;
   I would you rather had been silent. Please you
   To hear Cominius speak?

BRUTUS

   Most willingly;
   But yet my caution was more pertinent
   Than the rebuke you give it.

MENENIUS

   He loves your people
   But tie him not to be their bedfellow.
   Worthy Cominius, speak.

   CORIOLANUS offers to go away
   Nay, keep your place.

First Senator

   Sit, Coriolanus; never shame to hear
   What you have nobly done.

CORIOLANUS

   Your horror's pardon:
   I had rather have my wounds to heal again
   Than hear say how I got them.

BRUTUS

   Sir, I hope
   My words disbench'd you not.

CORIOLANUS

   No, sir: yet oft,
   When blows have made me stay, I fled from words.
   You soothed not, therefore hurt not: but
   your people,
   I love them as they weigh.

MENENIUS

   Pray now, sit down.

CORIOLANUS

   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

MENENIUS

   Masters of the people,
   Your multiplying spawn how can he flatter--
   That's thousand to one good one--when you now see
   He had rather venture all his limbs for honour
   Than one on's ears to hear it? Proceed, Cominius.

COMINIUS

   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 counterpoised. At sixteen years,
   When Tarquin made a head for Rome, he fought
   Beyond the mark of others: our then dictator,
   Whom with all praise I point at, saw him fight,
   When with his Amazonian chin he drove
   The bristled lips before him: be bestrid
   An o'er-press'd Roman and i' the consul's view
   Slew three opposers: Tarquin's self he met,
   And struck him on his knee: in that day's feats,
   When he might act the woman in the scene,
   He proved best man i' the field, and for his meed
   Was brow-bound with the oak. His pupil age
   Man-enter'd thus, he waxed like a sea,
   And in the brunt of seventeen battles since
   He lurch'd all swords of the garland. For this last,
   Before and in Corioli, let me say,
   I cannot speak him home: he stopp'd the fliers;
   And by his rare example made the coward
   Turn terror into sport: as weeds before
   A vessel under sail, so men obey'd
   And fell below his stem: his sword, death's stamp,
   Where it did mark, it took; from face to foot
   He was a thing of blood, whose every motion
   Was timed with dying cries: alone he enter'd
   The mortal gate of the city, which he painted
   With shunless destiny; aidless came off,
   And with a sudden reinforcement struck
   Corioli like a planet: now all's his:
   When, by and by, the din of war gan pierce
   His ready sense; then straight his doubled spirit
   Re-quicken'd what in flesh was fatigate,
   And to the battle came he; where he did
   Run reeking o'er the lives of men, as if
   'Twere a perpetual spoil: and till we call'd
   Both field and city ours, he never stood
   To ease his breast with panting.

MENENIUS

   Worthy man!

First Senator

   He cannot but with measure fit the honours
   Which we devise him.

COMINIUS

   Our spoils he kick'd at,
   And look'd upon things precious as they were
   The common muck of the world: he covets less
   Than misery itself would give; rewards
   His deeds with doing them, and is content
   To spend the time to end it.

MENENIUS

   He's right noble:
   Let him be call'd for.

First Senator

   Call Coriolanus.

Officer

   He doth appear.

   Re-enter CORIOLANUS

MENENIUS

   The senate, Coriolanus, are well pleased
   To make thee consul.

CORIOLANUS

   I do owe them still
   My life and services.

MENENIUS

   It then remains
   That you do speak to the people.

CORIOLANUS

   I do beseech you,
   Let me o'erleap that custom, for I cannot
   Put on the gown, stand naked and entreat them,
   For my wounds' sake, to give their suffrage: please you
   That I may pass this doing.

SICINIUS

   Sir, the people
   Must have their voices; neither will they bate
   One jot of ceremony.

MENENIUS

   Put them not to't:
   Pray you, go fit you to the custom and
   Take to you, as your predecessors have,
   Your honour with your form.

CORIOLANUS

   It is apart
   That I shall blush in acting, and might well
   Be taken from the people.

BRUTUS

   Mark you that?

CORIOLANUS

   To brag unto them, thus I did, and thus;
   Show them the unaching scars which I should hide,
   As if I had received them for the hire
   Of their breath only!

MENENIUS

   Do not stand upon't.
   We recommend to you, tribunes of the people,
   Our purpose to them: and to our noble consul
   Wish we all joy and honour.

Senators

   To Coriolanus come all joy and honour!

   Flourish of cornets. Exeunt all but SICINIUS and BRUTUS

BRUTUS

   You see how he intends to use the people.

SICINIUS

   May they perceive's intent! He will require them,
   As if he did contemn what he requested
   Should be in them to give.

BRUTUS

   Come, we'll inform them
   Of our proceedings here: on the marketplace,
   I know, they do attend us.

   Exeunt

SCENE III. The same. The Forum.

   Enter seven or eight Citizens 

First Citizen

   Once, if he do require our voices, we ought not to deny him.

Second Citizen

   We may, sir, if we will.

Third Citizen

   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.

First Citizen

   And to make us no better thought of, a little help
   will serve; for once we stood up about the corn, he
   himself stuck not to call us the many-headed multitude.

Third Citizen

   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.

Second Citizen

   Think you so? Which way do you judge my wit would
   fly?

Third Citizen

   Nay, your wit will not so soon out as another man's
   will;'tis strongly wedged up in a block-head, but
   if it were at liberty, 'twould, sure, southward.

Second Citizen

   Why that way?

Third Citizen

   To lose itself 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.

Second Citizen

   You are never without your tricks: you may, you may.

Third Citizen

   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 of humility, with MENENIUS
   Here he comes, and in the gown of humility: mark his
   behavior. We are not to stay all together, but to
   come by him where he stands, by ones, by twos, and
   by threes. He's to make his requests by
   particulars; wherein every one of us has a single
   honour, in giving him our own voices with our own
   tongues: therefore follow me, and I direct you how
   you shall go by him.

All

   Content, content.

   Exeunt Citizens

MENENIUS

   O sir, you are not right: have you not known
   The worthiest men have done't?

CORIOLANUS

   What must I say?
   'I Pray, sir'--Plague upon't! I cannot bring
   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 the noise of our own drums.'

MENENIUS

   O me, the gods!
   You must not speak of that: you must desire them
   To think upon you.

CORIOLANUS

   Think upon me! hang 'em!
   I would they would forget me, like the virtues
   Which our divines lose by 'em.

MENENIUS

   You'll mar all:
   I'll leave you: pray you, speak to 'em, I pray you,
   In wholesome manner.

   Exit

CORIOLANUS

   Bid them wash their faces
   And keep their teeth clean.

   Re-enter two of the Citizens
   So, here comes a brace.

   Re-enter a third Citizen
   You know the cause, air, of my standing here.

Third Citizen

   We do, sir; tell us what hath brought you to't.

CORIOLANUS

   Mine own desert.

Second Citizen

   Your own desert!

CORIOLANUS

   Ay, but not mine own desire.

Third Citizen

   How not your own desire?

CORIOLANUS

   No, sir,'twas never my desire yet to trouble the
   poor with begging.

Third Citizen

   You must think, if we give you any thing, we hope to
   gain by you.

CORIOLANUS

   Well then, I pray, your price o' the consulship?

First Citizen

   The price is to ask it kindly.

CORIOLANUS

   Kindly! Sir, I pray, let me ha't: I have wounds to
   show you, which shall be yours in private. Your
   good voice, sir; what say you?

Second Citizen

   You shall ha' it, worthy sir.

CORIOLANUS

   A match, sir. There's in all two worthy voices
   begged. I have your alms: adieu.

Third Citizen

   But this is something odd.

Second Citizen

   An 'twere to give again,--but 'tis no matter.

   Exeunt the three Citizens

   Re-enter two other Citizens

CORIOLANUS

   Pray you now, if it may stand with the tune of your
   voices that I may be consul, I have here the
   customary gown.

Fourth Citizen

   You have deserved nobly of your country, and you
   have not deserved nobly.

CORIOLANUS

   Your enigma?

Fourth Citizen

   You have been a scourge to her enemies, you have
   been a rod to her friends; you have not indeed loved
   the common people.

CORIOLANUS

   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 hat 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
   bountiful to the desirers. Therefore, beseech you,
   I may be consul.

Fifth Citizen

   We hope to find you our friend; and therefore give
   you our voices heartily.

Fourth Citizen

   You have received many wounds for your country.

CORIOLANUS

   I will not seal your knowledge with showing them. I
   will make much of your voices, and so trouble you no further.

Both Citizens

   The gods give you joy, sir, heartily!

   Exeunt

CORIOLANUS

   Most sweet voices!
   Better it is to die, better to starve,
   Than crave the hire which first we do deserve.
   Why in this woolvish toge 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 heapt
   For truth to o'er-peer. Rather than fool it so,
   Let the high office and the honour go
   To one that would do thus. I am half through;
   The one part suffer'd, the other will I do.

   Re-enter 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 odd; battles thrice six
   I have seen and heard of; for your voices have
   Done many things, some less, some more your voices:
   Indeed I would be consul.

Sixth Citizen

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

Seventh Citizen

   Therefore let him be consul: the gods give him joy,
   and make him good friend to the people!

All Citizens

   Amen, amen. God save thee, noble consul!

   Exeunt

CORIOLANUS

   Worthy voices!

   Re-enter MENENIUS, with BRUTUS and SICINIUS

MENENIUS

   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.

CORIOLANUS

   Is this done?

SICINIUS

   The custom of request you have discharged:
   The people do admit you, and are summon'd
   To meet anon, upon your approbation.

CORIOLANUS

   Where? at the senate-house?

SICINIUS

   There, Coriolanus.

CORIOLANUS

   May I change these garments?

SICINIUS

   You may, sir.

CORIOLANUS

   That I'll straight do; and, knowing myself again,
   Repair to the senate-house.

MENENIUS

   I'll keep you company. Will you along?

BRUTUS

   We stay here for the people.

SICINIUS

   Fare you well.

   Exeunt CORIOLANUS and MENENIUS
   He has it now, and by his looks methink
   'Tis warm at 's heart.

BRUTUS

   With a proud heart he wore his humble weeds.
   will you dismiss the people?

   Re-enter Citizens

SICINIUS

   How now, my masters! have you chose this man?

First Citizen

   He has our voices, sir.

BRUTUS

   We pray the gods he may deserve your loves.

Second Citizen

   Amen, sir: to my poor unworthy notice,
   He mock'd us when he begg'd our voices.

Third Citizen

   Certainly
   He flouted us downright.

First Citizen

   No,'tis his kind of speech: he did not mock us.

Second Citizen

   Not one amongst us, save yourself, but says
   He used us scornfully: he should have show'd us
   His marks of merit, wounds received for's country.

SICINIUS

   Why, so he did, I am sure.

Citizens

   No, no; no man saw 'em.

Third Citizen

   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: thank you:
   Your most sweet voices: now you have left
   your voices,
   I have no further with you.' Was not this mockery?

SICINIUS

   Why either were you ignorant to see't,
   Or, seeing it, of such childish friendliness
   To yield your voices?

BRUTUS

   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 bear
   I' the body of the weal; and 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 worthy 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.

SICINIUS

   Thus to have said,
   As you were fore-advised, had touch'd his spirit
   And tried 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
   And pass'd him unelected.

BRUTUS

   Did you perceive
   He did solicit you in free contempt
   When he did need your loves, and do you think
   That his contempt shall not be bruising to you,
   When he hath power to crush? Why, had your bodies
   No heart among you? or had you tongues to cry
   Against the rectorship of judgment?

SICINIUS

   Have you
   Ere now denied the asker? and now again
   Of him that did not ask, but mock, bestow
   Your sued-for tongues?

Third Citizen

   He's not confirm'd; we may deny him yet.

Second Citizen

   And will deny him:
   I'll have five hundred voices of that sound.

First Citizen

   I twice five hundred and their friends to piece 'em.

BRUTUS

   Get you hence instantly, and tell those friends,
   They have chose a consul that will from them take
   Their liberties; make them of no more voice
   Than dogs that are as often beat for barking
   As therefore kept to do so.

SICINIUS

   Let them assemble,
   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 most gibingly, ungravely, he did fashion
   After the inveterate hate he bears you.

BRUTUS

   Lay
   A fault on us, your tribunes; that we laboured,
   No impediment between, but that you must
   Cast your election on him.

SICINIUS

   Say, you chose him
   More after our commandment than as guided
   By your own true affections, and that your minds,
   Preoccupied with what you rather must do
   Than what you should, made you against the grain
   To voice him consul: lay the fault on us.

BRUTUS

   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 beat water brought by conduits hither;
   And [Censorinus,] nobly named so,
   Twice being [by the people chosen] censor,
   Was his great ancestor.

SICINIUS

   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.

BRUTUS

   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.

All

   We will so: almost all
   Repent in their election.

   Exeunt Citizens

BRUTUS

   Let them go on;
   This mutiny were better put in hazard,
   Than stay, past doubt, for greater:
   If, as his nature is, he fall in rage
   With their refusal, both observe and answer
   The vantage of his anger.

SICINIUS

   To the Capitol, come:
   We will be there before the stream o' the people;
   And this shall seem, as partly 'tis, their own,
   Which we have goaded onward.

   Exeunt

ACT III SCENE I. Rome. A street.

   Cornets. Enter CORIOLANUS, MENENIUS, all the Gentry, COMINIUS, TITUS LARTIUS, and other Senators 

CORIOLANUS

   Tullus Aufidius then had made new head?

LARTIUS

   He had, my lord; and that it was which caused
   Our swifter composition.

CORIOLANUS

   So then the Volsces stand but as at first,
   Ready, when time shall prompt them, to make road.
   Upon's again.

COMINIUS

   They are worn, lord consul, so,
   That we shall hardly in our ages see
   Their banners wave again.

CORIOLANUS

   Saw you Aufidius?

LARTIUS

   On safe-guard he came to me; and did curse
   Against the Volsces, for they had so vilely
   Yielded the town: he is retired to Antium.

CORIOLANUS

   Spoke he of me?

LARTIUS

   He did, my lord.

CORIOLANUS

   How? what?

LARTIUS

   How often he had met you, sword to sword;
   That of all things upon the earth he hated
   Your person most, that he would pawn his fortunes
   To hopeless restitution, so he might
   Be call'd your vanquisher.

CORIOLANUS

   At Antium lives he?

LARTIUS

   At Antium.

CORIOLANUS

   I wish I had a cause to seek him there,
   To oppose his hatred fully. Welcome home.

   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.

SICINIUS

   Pass no further.

CORIOLANUS

   Ha! what is that?

BRUTUS

   It will be dangerous to go on: no further.

CORIOLANUS

   What makes this change?

MENENIUS

   The matter?

COMINIUS

   Hath he not pass'd the noble and the common?

BRUTUS

   Cominius, no.

CORIOLANUS

   Have I had children's voices?

First Senator

   Tribunes, give way; he shall to the market-place.

BRUTUS

   The people are incensed against him.

SICINIUS

   Stop,
   Or all will fall in broil.

CORIOLANUS

   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?

MENENIUS

   Be calm, be calm.

CORIOLANUS

   It is a purposed thing, and grows by plot,
   To curb the will of the nobility:
   Suffer't, and live with such as cannot rule
   Nor ever will be ruled.

BRUTUS

   Call't not a plot:
   The people cry you mock'd them, and of late,
   When corn was given them gratis, you repined;
   Scandal'd the suppliants for the people, call'd them
   Time-pleasers, flatterers, foes to nobleness.

CORIOLANUS

   Why, this was known before.

BRUTUS

   Not to them all.

CORIOLANUS

   Have you inform'd them sithence?

BRUTUS

   How! I inform them!

CORIOLANUS

   You are like to do such business.

BRUTUS

   Not unlike,
   Each way, to better yours.

CORIOLANUS

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

SICINIUS

   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.

MENENIUS

   Let's be calm.

COMINIUS

   The people are abused; set on. This paltering
   Becomes not Rome, nor has Coriolanus
   Deserved this so dishonour'd rub, laid falsely
   I' the plain way of his merit.

CORIOLANUS

   Tell me of corn!
   This was my speech, and I will speak't again--

MENENIUS

   Not now, not now.

First Senator

   Not in this heat, sir, now.

CORIOLANUS

   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.

MENENIUS

   Well, no more.

First Senator

   No more words, we beseech you.

CORIOLANUS

   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 measles,
   Which we disdain should tatter us, yet sought
   The very way to catch them.

BRUTUS

   You speak o' the people,
   As if you were a god to punish, not
   A man of their infirmity.

SICINIUS

   'Twere well
   We let the people know't.

MENENIUS

   What, what? his choler?

CORIOLANUS

   Choler!
   Were I as patient as the midnight sleep,
   By Jove, 'twould be my mind!

SICINIUS

   It is a mind
   That shall remain a poison where it is,
   Not poison any further.

CORIOLANUS

   Shall remain!
   Hear you this Triton of the minnows? mark you
   His absolute 'shall'?

COMINIUS

   'Twas from the canon.

CORIOLANUS

   'Shall'!
   O good but most unwise patricians! why,
   You grave but reckless senators, have you thus
   Given Hydra here to choose an officer,
   That with his peremptory 'shall,' being but
   The horn and noise o' the monster's, 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 learn'd,
   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 great'st 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 in Greece. By Jove himself!
   It makes the consuls base: and my soul aches
   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.

COMINIUS

   Well, on to the market-place.

CORIOLANUS

   Whoever gave that counsel, to give forth
   The corn o' the storehouse gratis, as 'twas used
   Sometime in Greece,--

MENENIUS

   Well, well, no more of that.

CORIOLANUS

   Though there the people had more absolute power,
   I say, they nourish'd disobedience, fed
   The ruin of the state.

BRUTUS

   Why, shall the people give
   One that speaks thus their voice?

CORIOLANUS

   I'll give my reasons,
   More worthier than their voices. They know the corn
   Was not our recompense, resting well assured
   That 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 motive
   Of our so frank donation. Well, what then?
   How shall this bisson multitude digest
   The senate's courtesy? Let deeds express
   What's like to be their words: 'we did request it;
   We are the greater poll, and in true fear
   They gave us our demands.' Thus we debase
   The nature of our seats and make the rabble
   Call our cares fears; which will in time
   Break ope the locks o' the senate and bring in
   The crows to peck the eagles.

MENENIUS

   Come, enough.

BRUTUS

   Enough, with over-measure.

CORIOLANUS

   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 on'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't,
   Not having the power to do the good it would,
   For the in which doth control't.

BRUTUS

   Has said enough.

SICINIUS

   Has spoken like a traitor, and shall answer
   As traitors do.

CORIOLANUS

   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.

BRUTUS

   Manifest treason!

SICINIUS

   This a consul? no.

BRUTUS

   The aediles, ho!

   Enter an AEdile
   Let him be apprehended.

SICINIUS

   Go, call the people:

   Exit AEdile
   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.

CORIOLANUS

   Hence, old goat!
   Senators, & C We'll surety him.

COMINIUS

   Aged sir, hands off.

CORIOLANUS

   Hence, rotten thing! or I shall shake thy bones
   Out of thy garments.

SICINIUS

   Help, ye citizens!

   Enter a rabble of Citizens (Plebeians), with the AEdiles

MENENIUS

   On both sides more respect.

SICINIUS

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

BRUTUS

   Seize him, AEdiles!

Citizens

   Down with him! down with him!
   Senators, & C Weapons, weapons, weapons!

   They all bustle about CORIOLANUS, crying
   'Tribunes!' 'Patricians!' 'Citizens!' 'What, ho!'
   'Sicinius!' 'Brutus!' 'Coriolanus!' 'Citizens!'
   'Peace, peace, peace!' 'Stay, hold, peace!'

MENENIUS

   What is about to be? I am out of breath;
   Confusion's near; I cannot speak. You, tribunes
   To the people! Coriolanus, patience!
   Speak, good Sicinius.

SICINIUS

   Hear me, people; peace!

Citizens

   Let's hear our tribune: peace Speak, speak, speak.

SICINIUS

   You are at point to lose your liberties:
   Marcius would have all from you; Marcius,
   Whom late you have named for consul.

MENENIUS

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

First Senator

   To unbuild the city and to lay all flat.

SICINIUS

   What is the city but the people?

Citizens

   True,
   The people are the city.

BRUTUS

   By the consent of all, we were establish'd
   The people's magistrates.

Citizens

   You so remain.

MENENIUS

   And so are like to do.

COMINIUS

   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.

SICINIUS

   This deserves death.

BRUTUS

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

SICINIUS

   Therefore lay hold of him;
   Bear him to the rock Tarpeian, and from thence
   Into destruction cast him.

BRUTUS

   AEdiles, seize him!

Citizens

   Yield, Marcius, yield!

MENENIUS

   Hear me one word;
   Beseech you, tribunes, hear me but a word.

AEdile

   Peace, peace!

MENENIUS

   [To BRUTUS] Be that you seem, truly your
   country's friend,
   And temperately proceed to what you would
   Thus violently redress.

BRUTUS

   Sir, those cold ways,
   That seem like prudent helps, are very poisonous
   Where the disease is violent. Lay hands upon him,
   And bear him to the rock.

CORIOLANUS

   No, I'll die here.

   Drawing his sword
   There's some among you have beheld me fighting:
   Come, try upon yourselves what you have seen me.

MENENIUS

   Down with that sword! Tribunes, withdraw awhile.

BRUTUS

   Lay hands upon him.

COMINIUS

   Help Marcius, help,
   You that be noble; help him, young and old!

Citizens

   Down with him, down with him!

   In this mutiny, the Tribunes, the AEdiles, and the People, are beat in

MENENIUS

   Go, get you to your house; be gone, away!
   All will be naught else.

Second Senator

   Get you gone.

COMINIUS

   Stand fast;
   We have as many friends as enemies.

MENENIUS

   Sham it be put to that?

First Senator

   The gods forbid!
   I prithee, noble friend, home to thy house;
   Leave us to cure this cause.

MENENIUS

   For 'tis a sore upon us,
   You cannot tent yourself: be gone, beseech you.

COMINIUS

   Come, sir, along with us.

CORIOLANUS

   I would they were barbarians--as they are,
   Though in Rome litter'd--not Romans--as they are not,
   Though calved i' the porch o' the Capitol--

MENENIUS

   Be gone;
   Put not your worthy rage into your tongue;
   One time will owe another.

CORIOLANUS

   On fair ground
   I could beat forty of them.

COMINIUS

   I could myself
   Take up a brace o' the best of them; yea, the
   two tribunes:
   But now 'tis odds beyond arithmetic;
   And manhood is call'd foolery, when it stands
   Against a falling fabric. Will you hence,
   Before the tag return? whose rage doth rend
   Like interrupted waters and o'erbear
   What they are used to bear.

MENENIUS

   Pray you, be gone:
   I'll try whether my old wit be in request
   With those that have but little: this must be patch'd
   With cloth of any colour.

COMINIUS

   Nay, come away.

   Exeunt CORIOLANUS, COMINIUS, and others

A Patrician

   This man has marr'd his fortune.

MENENIUS

   His nature is too noble for the world:
   He would not flatter Neptune for his trident,
   Or Jove for's power to thunder. His heart's his mouth:
   What his breast forges, that his tongue must vent;
   And, being angry, does forget that ever
   He heard the name of death.

   A noise within
   Here's goodly work!

Second Patrician

   I would they were abed!

MENENIUS

   I would they were in Tiber! What the vengeance!
   Could he not speak 'em fair?

   Re-enter BRUTUS and SICINIUS, with the rabble

SICINIUS

   Where is this viper
   That would depopulate the city and
   Be every man himself?

MENENIUS

   You worthy tribunes,--

SICINIUS

   He shall be thrown down the Tarpeian rock
   With rigorous hands: he hath resisted law,
   And therefore law shall scorn him further trial
   Than the severity of the public power
   Which he so sets at nought.

First Citizen

   He shall well know
   The noble tribunes are the people's mouths,
   And we their hands.

Citizens

   He shall, sure on't.

MENENIUS

   Sir, sir,--

SICINIUS

   Peace!

MENENIUS

   Do not cry havoc, where you should but hunt
   With modest warrant.

SICINIUS

   Sir, how comes't that you
   Have holp to make this rescue?

MENENIUS

   Hear me speak:
   As I do know the consul's worthiness,
   So can I name his faults,--

SICINIUS

   Consul! what consul?

MENENIUS

   The consul Coriolanus.

BRUTUS

   He consul!

Citizens

   No, no, no, no, no.

MENENIUS

   If, by the tribunes' leave, and yours, good people,
   I may be heard, I would crave a word or two;
   The which shall turn you to no further harm
   Than so much loss of time.

SICINIUS

   Speak briefly then;
   For we are peremptory to dispatch
   This viperous traitor: to eject him hence
   Were but one danger, and to keep him here
   Our certain death: therefore it is decreed
   He dies to-night.

MENENIUS

   Now the good gods forbid
   That our renowned Rome, whose gratitude
   Towards her deserved children is enroll'd
   In Jove's own book, like an unnatural dam
   Should now eat up her own!

SICINIUS

   He's a disease that must be cut away.

MENENIUS

   O, he's a limb that has but a disease;
   Mortal, to cut it off; to cure it, easy.
   What has he done to Rome that's worthy death?
   Killing our enemies, the blood he hath lost--
   Which, I dare vouch, is more than that he hath,
   By many an ounce--he dropp'd it for his country;
   And what is left, to lose it by his country,
   Were to us all, that do't and suffer it,
   A brand to the end o' the world.

SICINIUS

   This is clean kam.

BRUTUS

   Merely awry: when he did love his country,
   It honour'd him.

MENENIUS

   The service of the foot
   Being once gangrened, is not then respected
   For what before it was.

BRUTUS

   We'll hear no more.
   Pursue him to his house, and pluck him thence:
   Lest his infection, being of catching nature,
   Spread further.

MENENIUS

   One word more, one word.
   This tiger-footed rage, when it shall find
   The harm of unscann'd swiftness, will too late
   Tie leaden pounds to's heels. Proceed by process;
   Lest parties, as he is beloved, break out,
   And sack great Rome with Romans.

BRUTUS

   If it were so,--

SICINIUS

   What do ye talk?
   Have we not had a taste of his obedience?
   Our aediles smote? ourselves resisted? Come.

MENENIUS

   Consider this: he has been bred i' the wars
   Since he could draw a sword, and is ill school'd
   In bolted language; meal and bran together
   He throws without distinction. Give me leave,
   I'll go to him, and undertake to bring him
   Where he shall answer, by a lawful form,
   In peace, to his utmost peril.

First Senator

   Noble tribunes,
   It is the humane way: the other course
   Will prove too bloody, and the end of it
   Unknown to the beginning.

SICINIUS

   Noble Menenius,
   Be you then as the people's officer.
   Masters, lay down your weapons.

BRUTUS

   Go not home.

SICINIUS

   Meet on the market-place. We'll attend you there:
   Where, if you bring not Marcius, we'll proceed
   In our first way.

MENENIUS

   I'll bring him to you.

   To the Senators
   Let me desire your company: he must come,
   Or what is worst will follow.

First Senator

   Pray you, let's to him.

   Exeunt

SCENE II. A room in CORIOLANUS'S house.

   Enter CORIOLANUS with Patricians 

CORIOLANUS

   Let them puff all about mine ears, present me
   Death on the wheel or at wild horses' heels,
   Or pile ten hills on the Tarpeian rock,
   That the precipitation might down stretch
   Below the beam of sight, yet will I still
   Be thus to them.

A Patrician

   You do the nobler.

CORIOLANUS

   I muse my mother
   Does not approve me further, who was wont
   To call them woollen vassals, things created
   To buy and sell with groats, to show bare heads
   In congregations, to yawn, be still and wonder,
   When one but of my ordinance stood up
   To speak of peace or war.

   Enter VOLUMNIA
   I talk of you:
   Why did you wish me milder? would you have me
   False to my nature? Rather say I play
   The man I am.

VOLUMNIA

   O, sir, sir, sir,
   I would have had you put your power well on,
   Before you had worn it out.

CORIOLANUS

   Let go.

VOLUMNIA

   You might have been enough the man you are,
   With striving less to be so; lesser had been
   The thwartings of your dispositions, if
   You had not show'd them how ye were disposed
   Ere they lack'd power to cross you.

CORIOLANUS

   Let them hang.

A Patrician

   Ay, and burn too.

   Enter MENENIUS and Senators

MENENIUS

   Come, come, you have been too rough, something
   too rough;
   You must return and mend it.

First Senator

   There's no remedy;
   Unless, by not so doing, our good city
   Cleave in the midst, and perish.

VOLUMNIA

   Pray, be counsell'd:
   I have a heart as little apt as yours,
   But yet a brain that leads my use of anger
   To better vantage.

MENENIUS

   Well said, noble woman?
   Before he should thus stoop to the herd, but that
   The violent fit o' the time craves it as physic
   For the whole state, I would put mine armour on,
   Which I can scarcely bear.

CORIOLANUS

   What must I do?

MENENIUS

   Return to the tribunes.

CORIOLANUS

   Well, what then? what then?

MENENIUS

   Repent what you have spoke.

CORIOLANUS

   For them! I cannot do it to the gods;
   Must I then do't to them?

VOLUMNIA

   You are too absolute;
   Though therein you can never be too noble,
   But when extremities speak. I have heard you say,
   Honour and policy, like unsever'd friends,
   I' the war do grow together: grant that, and tell me,
   In peace what each of them by the other lose,
   That they combine not there.

CORIOLANUS

   Tush, tush!

MENENIUS

   A good demand.

VOLUMNIA

   If it be honour in your wars to seem
   The same you are not, which, for your best ends,
   You adopt your policy, how is it less or worse,
   That it shall hold companionship in peace
   With honour, as in war, since that to both
   It stands in like request?

CORIOLANUS

   Why force you this?

VOLUMNIA

   Because that now it lies you on to speak
   To the people; not by your own instruction,
   Nor by the matter which your heart prompts you,
   But with such words that are but rooted in
   Your tongue, though but bastards and syllables
   Of no allowance to your bosom's truth.
   Now, this no more dishonours you at all
   Than to take in a town with gentle words,
   Which else would put you to your fortune and
   The hazard of much blood.
   I would dissemble with my nature where
   My fortunes and my friends at stake required
   I should do so in honour: I am in this,
   Your wife, your son, these senators, the nobles;
   And you will rather show our general louts
   How you can frown than spend a fawn upon 'em,
   For the inheritance of their loves and safeguard
   Of what that want might ruin.

MENENIUS

   Noble lady!
   Come, go with us; speak fair: you may salve so,
   Not what is dangerous present, but the loss
   Of what is past.

VOLUMNIA

   I prithee now, my son,
   Go to them, with this bonnet in thy hand;
   And thus far having stretch'd it--here be with them--
   Thy knee bussing the stones--for in such business
   Action is eloquence, and the eyes of the ignorant
   More learned than the ears--waving thy head,
   Which often, thus, correcting thy stout heart,
   Now humble as the ripest mulberry
   That will not hold the handling: or say to them,
   Thou art their soldier, and being bred in broils
   Hast not the soft way which, thou dost confess,
   Were fit for thee to use as they to claim,
   In asking their good loves, but thou wilt frame
   Thyself, forsooth, hereafter theirs, so far
   As thou hast power and person.

MENENIUS

   This but done,
   Even as she speaks, why, their hearts were yours;
   For they have pardons, being ask'd, as free
   As words to little purpose.

VOLUMNIA

   Prithee now,
   Go, and be ruled: although I know thou hadst rather
   Follow thine enemy in a fiery gulf
   Than flatter him in a bower. Here is Cominius.

   Enter COMINIUS

COMINIUS

   I have been i' the market-place; and, sir,'tis fit
   You make strong party, or defend yourself
   By calmness or by absence: all's in anger.

MENENIUS

   Only fair speech.

COMINIUS

   I think 'twill serve, if he
   Can thereto frame his spirit.

VOLUMNIA

   He must, and will
   Prithee now, say you will, and go about it.

CORIOLANUS

   Must I go show them my unbarbed sconce?
   Must I with base tongue give my noble heart
   A lie that it must bear? Well, I will do't:
   Yet, were there but this single plot to lose,
   This mould of Marcius, they to dust should grind it
   And throw't against the wind. To the market-place!
   You have put me now to such a part which never
   I shall discharge to the life.

COMINIUS

   Come, come, we'll prompt you.

VOLUMNIA

   I prithee now, sweet son, as thou hast said
   My praises made thee first a soldier, so,
   To have my praise for this, perform a part
   Thou hast not done before.

CORIOLANUS

   Well, I must do't:
   Away, my disposition, and possess me
   Some harlot's spirit! my throat of war be turn'd,
   Which quired with my drum, into a pipe
   Small as an eunuch, or the virgin voice
   That babies lulls asleep! the smiles of knaves
   Tent in my cheeks, and schoolboys' tears take up
   The glasses of my sight! a beggar's tongue
   Make motion through my lips, and my arm'd knees,
   Who bow'd but in my stirrup, bend like his
   That hath received an alms! I will not do't,
   Lest I surcease to honour mine own truth
   And by my body's action teach my mind
   A most inherent baseness.

VOLUMNIA

   At thy choice, then:
   To beg of thee, it is my more dishonour
   Than thou of them. Come all to ruin; let
   Thy mother rather feel thy pride than fear
   Thy dangerous stoutness, for I mock at death
   With as big heart as thou. Do as thou list
   Thy valiantness was mine, thou suck'dst it from me,
   But owe thy pride thyself.

CORIOLANUS

   Pray, be content:
   Mother, I am going to the market-place;
   Chide me no more. I'll mountebank their loves,
   Cog their hearts from them, and come home beloved
   Of all the trades in Rome. Look, I am going:
   Commend me to my wife. I'll return consul;
   Or never trust to what my tongue can do
   I' the way of flattery further.

VOLUMNIA

   Do your will.

   Exit

COMINIUS

   Away! the tribunes do attend you: arm yourself
   To answer mildly; for they are prepared
   With accusations, as I hear, more strong
   Than are upon you yet.

CORIOLANUS

   The word is 'mildly.' Pray you, let us go:
   Let them accuse me by invention, I
   Will answer in mine honour.

MENENIUS

   Ay, but mildly.

CORIOLANUS

   Well, mildly be it then. Mildly!

   Exeunt

SCENE III. The same. The Forum.

   Enter SICINIUS and BRUTUS 

BRUTUS

   In this point charge him home, that he affects
   Tyrannical power: if he evade us there,
   Enforce him with his envy to the people,
   And that the spoil got on the Antiates
   Was ne'er distributed.

   Enter an AEdile
   What, will he come?

AEdile

   He's coming.

BRUTUS

   How accompanied?

AEdile

   With old Menenius, and those senators
   That always favour'd him.

SICINIUS

   Have you a catalogue
   Of all the voices that we have procured
   Set down by the poll?

AEdile

   I have; 'tis ready.

SICINIUS

   Have you collected them by tribes?

AEdile

   I have.

SICINIUS

   Assemble presently the people hither;
   And when they bear 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.

AEdile

   I shall inform them.

BRUTUS

   And when such time they have begun to cry,
   Let them not cease, but with a din confused
   Enforce the present execution
   Of what we chance to sentence.

AEdile

   Very well.

SICINIUS

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

BRUTUS

   Go about it.

   Exit AEdile
   Put him to choler straight: he hath been used
   Ever to conquer, and to have his worth
   Of contradiction: being once chafed, 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.

SICINIUS

   Well, here he comes.

   Enter CORIOLANUS, MENENIUS, and COMINIUS, with Senators and Patricians

MENENIUS

   Calmly, I do beseech you.

CORIOLANUS

   Ay, as an ostler, that for the poorest piece
   Will bear the knave by the volume. The honour'd gods
   Keep Rome in safety, and the chairs of justice
   Supplied with worthy men! plant love among 's!
   Throng our large temples with the shows of peace,
   And not our streets with war!

First Senator

   Amen, amen.

MENENIUS

   A noble wish.

   Re-enter AEdile, with Citizens

SICINIUS

   Draw near, ye people.

AEdile

   List to your tribunes. Audience: peace, I say!

CORIOLANUS

   First, hear me speak.

Both Tribunes

   Well, say. Peace, ho!

CORIOLANUS

   Shall I be charged no further than this present?
   Must all determine here?

SICINIUS

   I do demand,
   If you submit you to the people's voices,
   Allow their officers and are content
   To suffer lawful censure for such faults
   As shall be proved upon you?

CORIOLANUS

   I am content.

MENENIUS

   Lo, citizens, he says he is content:
   The warlike service he has done, consider; think
   Upon the wounds his body bears, which show
   Like graves i' the holy churchyard.

CORIOLANUS

   Scratches with briers,
   Scars to move laughter only.

MENENIUS

   Consider further,
   That when he speaks not like a citizen,
   You find him like a soldier: do not take
   His rougher accents for malicious sounds,
   But, as I say, such as become a soldier,
   Rather than envy you.

COMINIUS

   Well, well, no more.

CORIOLANUS

   What is the matter
   That being pass'd for consul with full voice,
   I am so dishonour'd that the very hour
   You take it off again?

SICINIUS

   Answer to us.

CORIOLANUS

   Say, then: 'tis true, I ought so.

SICINIUS

   We charge you, that you have contrived 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.

CORIOLANUS

   How! traitor!

MENENIUS

   Nay, temperately; your promise.

CORIOLANUS

   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 hand 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.

SICINIUS

   Mark you this, people?

Citizens

   To the rock, to the rock with him!

SICINIUS

   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.

BRUTUS

   But since he hath
   Served well for Rome,--

CORIOLANUS

   What do you prate of service?

BRUTUS

   I talk of that, that know it.

CORIOLANUS

   You?

MENENIUS

   Is this the promise that you made your mother?

COMINIUS

   Know, I pray you,--

CORIOLANUS

   I know no further:
   Let them pronounce the steep Tarpeian death,
   Vagabond exile, raying, pent to linger
   But with a grain a day, I would not buy
   Their mercy at the price of one fair word;
   Nor cheque my courage for what they can give,
   To have't with saying 'Good morrow.'

SICINIUS

   For that he has,
   As much as in him lies, from time to time
   Envied against the people, seeking means
   To pluck away their power, as now at last
   Given hostile strokes, and that not in the presence
   Of dreaded justice, but on the ministers
   That do distribute it; in the name o' the people
   And in the power of us the tribunes, we,
   Even from this instant, banish him our city,
   In peril of precipitation
   From off the rock Tarpeian never more
   To enter our Rome gates: i' the people's name,
   I say it shall be so.

Citizens

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

COMINIUS

   Hear me, my masters, and my common friends,--

SICINIUS

   He's sentenced; no more hearing.

COMINIUS

   Let me speak:
   I have been consul, and can show for Rome
   Her enemies' marks upon me. I do love
   My country's good with a respect more tender,
   More holy and profound, than mine own life,
   My dear wife's estimate, her womb's increase,
   And treasure of my loins; then if I would
   Speak that,--

SICINIUS

   We know your drift: speak what?

BRUTUS

   There's no more to be said, but he is banish'd,
   As enemy to the people and his country:
   It shall be so.

Citizens

   It shall be so, it shall be so.

CORIOLANUS

   You common cry of curs! whose breath I hate
   As reek o' the rotten fens, whose loves I prize
   As the dead carcasses 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 CORIOLANUS, COMINIUS, MENENIUS, Senators, and Patricians

AEdile

   The people's enemy is gone, is gone!

Citizens

   Our enemy is banish'd! he is gone! Hoo! hoo!

   Shouting, and throwing up their caps

SICINIUS

   Go, see him out at gates, and follow him,
   As he hath followed you, with all despite;
   Give him deserved vexation. Let a guard
   Attend us through the city.

Citizens

   Come, come; let's see him out at gates; come.
   The gods preserve our noble tribunes! Come.

   Exeunt

ACT IV SCENE I. Rome. Before a gate of the city.

   Enter CORIOLANUS, VOLUMNIA, VIRGILIA, MENENIUS, COMINIUS, with the young Nobility of Rome 

CORIOLANUS

   Come, leave your tears: a brief farewell: the beast
   With many heads butts me away. Nay, mother,
   Where is your ancient courage? you were used
   To say extremity was the trier of spirits;
   That common chances common men could bear;
   That when the sea was calm all boats alike
   Show'd mastership in floating; fortune's blows,
   When most struck home, being gentle wounded, craves
   A noble cunning: you were used to load me
   With precepts that would make invincible
   The heart that conn'd them.

VIRGILIA

   O heavens! O heavens!

CORIOLANUS

   Nay! prithee, woman,--

VOLUMNIA

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

CORIOLANUS

   What, what, what!
   I shall be loved 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'ld have done, and saved
   Your husband 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 stem, and thou hast oft beheld
   Heart-hardening spectacles; tell these sad women
   'Tis fond to wail inevitable strokes,
   As 'tis to laugh at 'em. 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 practise.

VOLUMNIA

   My first son.
   Whither wilt thou go? Take good Cominius
   With thee awhile: determine on some course,
   More than a wild exposture to each chance
   That starts i' the way before thee.

CORIOLANUS

   O the gods!

COMINIUS

   I'll follow thee a month, devise with thee
   Where thou shalt rest, that thou mayst 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.

CORIOLANUS

   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 unbruised: 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.

MENENIUS

   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'ld with thee every foot.

CORIOLANUS

   Give me thy hand: Come.

   Exeunt

SCENE II. The same. A street near the gate.

   Enter SICINIUS, BRUTUS, and an AEdile 

SICINIUS

   Bid them all home; he's gone, and we'll no further.
   The nobility are vex'd, whom we see have sided
   In his behalf.

BRUTUS

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

SICINIUS

   Bid them home:
   Say their great enemy is gone, and they
   Stand in their ancient strength.

BRUTUS

   Dismiss them home.

   Exit AEdile
   Here comes his mother.

SICINIUS

   Let's not meet her.

BRUTUS

   Why?

SICINIUS

   They say she's mad.

BRUTUS

   They have ta'en note of us: keep on your way.

   Enter VOLUMNIA, VIRGILIA, and MENENIUS

VOLUMNIA

   O, ye're well met: the hoarded plague o' the gods
   Requite your love!

MENENIUS

   Peace, peace; be not so loud.

VOLUMNIA

   If that I could for weeping, you should hear,--
   Nay, and you shall hear some.

   To BRUTUS
   Will you be gone?

VIRGILIA

   [To SICINIUS] You shall stay too: I would I had the power
   To say so to my husband.

SICINIUS

   Are you mankind?

VOLUMNIA

   Ay, fool; is that a shame? Note but this fool.
   Was not a man my father? Hadst thou foxship
   To banish him that struck more blows for Rome
   Than thou hast spoken words?

SICINIUS

   O blessed heavens!

VOLUMNIA

   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.

SICINIUS

   What then?

VIRGILIA

   What then!
   He'ld make an end of thy posterity.

VOLUMNIA

   Bastards and all.
   Good man, the wounds that he does bear for Rome!

MENENIUS

   Come, come, peace.

SICINIUS

   I would he had continued to his country
   As he began, and not unknit himself
   The noble knot he made.

BRUTUS

   I would he had.

VOLUMNIA

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

BRUTUS

   Pray, let us go.

VOLUMNIA

   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.

BRUTUS

   Well, well, we'll leave you.

SICINIUS

   Why stay we to be baited
   With one that wants her wits?

VOLUMNIA

   Take my prayers with you.

   Exeunt Tribunes
   I would the gods had nothing else to do
   But to confirm my curses! Could I meet 'em
   But once a-day, it would unclog my heart
   Of what lies heavy to't.

MENENIUS

   You have told them home;
   And, by my troth, you have cause. You'll sup with me?

VOLUMNIA

   Anger's my meat; I sup upon myself,
   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.

MENENIUS

   Fie, fie, fie!

   Exeunt

SCENE III. A highway between Rome and Antium.

   Enter a Roman and a Volsce, meeting 

Roman

   I know you well, sir, and you know
   me: your name, I think, is Adrian.

Volsce

   It is so, sir: truly, I have forgot you.

Roman

   I am a Roman; and my services are,
   as you are, against 'em: know you me yet?

Volsce

   Nicanor? no.

Roman

   The same, sir.

Volsce

   You had more beard when I last saw you; but your
   favour is well approved 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.

Roman

   There hath been in Rome strange insurrections; the
   people against the senators, patricians, and nobles.

Volsce

   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.

Roman

   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.

Volsce

   Coriolanus banished!

Roman

   Banished, sir.

Volsce

   You will be welcome with this intelligence, Nicanor.

Roman

   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. Your noble
   Tullus Aufidius will appear well in these wars, his
   great opposer, Coriolanus, being now in no request
   of his country.

Volsce

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

Roman

   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?

Volsce

   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.

Roman

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

Volsce

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

Roman

   Well, let us go together.

   Exeunt

SCENE IV. Antium. Before Aufidius's house.

   Enter CORIOLANUS in mean apparel, disguised and muffled 

CORIOLANUS

   A goodly city is this Antium. City,
   'Tis I that made thy widows: many an heir
   Of these fair edifices 'fore my wars
   Have I heard groan and drop: then know me not,
   Lest that thy wives with spits and boys with stones
   In puny battle slay me.

   Enter a Citizen
   Save you, sir.

Citizen

   And you.

CORIOLANUS

   Direct me, if it be your will,
   Where great Aufidius lies: is he in Antium?

Citizen

   He is, and feasts the nobles of the state
   At his house this night.

CORIOLANUS

   Which is his house, beseech you?

Citizen

   This, here before you.

CORIOLANUS

   Thank you, sir: farewell.

   Exit Citizen
   O world, thy slippery turns! Friends now fast sworn,
   Whose double bosoms seem to wear one heart,
   Whose house, whose bed, whose meal, and exercise,
   Are still together, who twin, as 'twere, in love
   Unseparable, shall within this hour,
   On a dissension 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 I, 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 hall in Aufidius's house.

   Music within. Enter a Servingman 

First Servingman

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

   Exit

   Enter a second Servingman

Second Servingman

   Where's Cotus? my master calls
   for him. Cotus!

   Exit

   Enter CORIOLANUS

CORIOLANUS

   A goodly house: the feast smells well; but I
   Appear not like a guest.

   Re-enter the first Servingman

First Servingman

   What would you have, friend? whence are you?
   Here's no place for you: pray, go to the door.

   Exit

CORIOLANUS

   I have deserved no better entertainment,
   In being Coriolanus.

   Re-enter second Servingman

Second Servingman

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

CORIOLANUS

   Away!

Second Servingman

   Away! get you away.

CORIOLANUS

   Now thou'rt troublesome.

Second Servingman

   Are you so brave? I'll have you talked with anon.

   Enter a third Servingman. The first meets him

Third Servingman

   What fellow's this?

First Servingman

   A strange one as ever I looked on: I cannot get him
   out of the house: prithee, call my master to him.

   Retires

Third Servingman

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

CORIOLANUS

   Let me but stand; I will not hurt your hearth.

Third Servingman

   What are you?

CORIOLANUS

   A gentleman.

Third Servingman

   A marvellous poor one.

CORIOLANUS

   True, so I am.

Third Servingman

   Pray you, poor gentleman, take up some other
   station; here's no place for you; pray you, avoid: come.

CORIOLANUS

   Follow your function, go, and batten on cold bits.

   Pushes him away

Third Servingman

   What, you will not? Prithee, tell my master what a
   strange guest he has here.

Second Servingman

   And I shall.

   Exit

Third Servingman

   Where dwellest thou?

CORIOLANUS

   Under the canopy.

Third Servingman

   Under the canopy!

CORIOLANUS

   Ay.

Third Servingman

   Where's that?

CORIOLANUS

   I' the city of kites and crows.

Third Servingman

   I' the city of kites and crows! What an ass it is!
   Then thou dwellest with daws too?

CORIOLANUS

   No, I serve not thy master.

Third Servingman

   How, sir! do you meddle with my master?

CORIOLANUS

   Ay; 'tis an honester service than to meddle with thy
   mistress. Thou pratest, and pratest; serve with thy
   trencher, hence!

   Beats him away. Exit third Servingman

   Enter AUFIDIUS with the second Servingman

AUFIDIUS

   Where is this fellow?

Second Servingman

   Here, sir: I'ld have beaten him like a dog, but for
   disturbing the lords within.

   Retires

AUFIDIUS

   Whence comest thou? what wouldst thou? thy name?
   Why speak'st not? speak, man: what's thy name?

CORIOLANUS

   If, Tullus,

   Unmuffling
   Not yet thou knowest me, and, seeing me, dost not
   Think me for the man I am, necessity
   Commands me name myself.

AUFIDIUS

   What is thy name?

CORIOLANUS

   A name unmusical to the Volscians' ears,
   And harsh in sound to thine.

AUFIDIUS

   Say, what's thy name?
   Thou hast a grim appearance, and thy face
   Bears a command in't; though thy tackle's torn.
   Thou show'st a noble vessel: what's thy name?

CORIOLANUS

   Prepare thy brow to frown: know'st
   thou me yet?

AUFIDIUS

   I know thee not: thy name?

CORIOLANUS

   My name is Caius Marcius, who hath done
   To thee particularly and to all the Volsces
   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 shouldst bear me: only that name remains;
   The cruelty and envy of the people,
   Permitted by our dastard nobles, who
   Have all forsook me, hath devour'd the rest;
   And suffer'd 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 wilt 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 darest not this and that to prove more fortunes
   Thou'rt tired, 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 show 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.

AUFIDIUS

   O Marcius, Marcius!
   Each word thou hast spoke hath weeded from my heart
   A root of ancient envy. If Jupiter
   Should from yond cloud speak divine things,
   And say 'Tis true,' I'ld not believe them more
   Than thee, all noble Marcius. Let me twine
   Mine arms about that body, where against
   My grained ash an hundred times hath broke
   And scarr'd the moon with splinters: here I clip
   The anvil of my sword, and do contest
   As hotly and as nobly with thy love
   As ever in ambitious strength I did
   Contend against thy valour. Know thou first,
   I loved the maid I married; never man
   Sigh'd truer breath; but that I see thee here,
   Thou noble thing! more dances my rapt heart
   Than when I first my wedded mistress saw
   Bestride my threshold. Why, thou Mars! I tell thee,
   We have a power on foot; and I had purpose
   Once more to hew thy target from thy brawn,
   Or lose mine arm fort: thou hast beat me out
   Twelve several times, and I have nightly since
   Dreamt of encounters 'twixt thyself and me;
   We have been down together in my sleep,
   Unbuckling helms, fisting each other's throat,
   And waked half dead with nothing. Worthy Marcius,
   Had we no quarrel else to Rome, but that
   Thou art thence banish'd, we would muster all
   From twelve to seventy, and pouring war
   Into the bowels of ungrateful Rome,
   Like a bold flood o'er-bear. O, come, go in,
   And take our friendly senators by the hands;
   Who now are here, taking their leaves of me,
   Who am prepared against your territories,
   Though not for Rome itself.

CORIOLANUS

   You bless me, gods!

AUFIDIUS

   Therefore, most absolute sir, if thou wilt have
   The leading of thine own revenges, take
   The one half of my commission; and set down--
   As best thou art experienced, since thou know'st
   Thy country's strength and weakness,--thine own ways;
   Whether to knock against the gates of Rome,
   Or rudely visit them in parts remote,
   To fright them, ere destroy. But come in:
   Let me commend thee first to those that shall
   Say yea to thy desires. A thousand welcomes!
   And more a friend than e'er an enemy;
   Yet, Marcius, that was much. Your hand: most welcome!

   Exeunt CORIOLANUS and AUFIDIUS. The two Servingmen come forward

First Servingman

   Here's a strange alteration!

Second Servingman

   By my hand, I had thought to have strucken him with
   a cudgel; and yet my mind gave me his clothes made a
   false report of him.

First Servingman

   What an arm he has! he turned me about with his
   finger and his thumb, as one would set up a top.

Second Servingman

   Nay, I knew by his face that there was something in
   him: he had, sir, a kind of face, methought,--I
   cannot tell how to term it.

First Servingman

   He had so; looking as it were--would I were hanged,
   but I thought there was more in him than I could think.

Second Servingman

   So did I, I'll be sworn: he is simply the rarest
   man i' the world.

First Servingman

   I think he is: but a greater soldier than he you wot on.

Second Servingman

   Who, my master?

First Servingman

   Nay, it's no matter for that.

Second Servingman

   Worth six on him.

First Servingman

   Nay, not so neither: but I take him to be the
   greater soldier.

Second Servingman

   Faith, look you, one cannot tell how to say that:
   for the defence of a town, our general is excellent.

First Servingman

   Ay, and for an assault too.

   Re-enter third Servingman

Third Servingman

   O slaves, I can tell you news,-- news, you rascals!

First Servingman Second Servingman

   What, what, what? let's partake.

Third Servingman

   I would not be a Roman, of all nations; I had as
   lieve be a condemned man.

First Servingman Second Servingman

   Wherefore? wherefore?

Third Servingman

   Why, here's he that was wont to thwack our general,
   Caius Marcius.

First Servingman

   Why do you say 'thwack our general '?

Third Servingman

   I do not say 'thwack our general;' but he was always
   good enough for him.

Second Servingman

   Come, we are fellows and friends: he was ever too
   hard for him; I have heard him say so himself.

First Servingman

   He was too hard for him directly, to say the troth
   on't: before Corioli he scotched him and notched
   him like a carbon ado.

Second Servingman

   An he had been cannibally given, he might have
   broiled and eaten him too.

First Servingman

   But, more of thy news?

Third Servingman

   Why, he is so made on here within, as if he were son
   and heir to Mars; set at upper end o' the table; no
   question asked him by any of the senators, but they
   stand bald before him: our general himself makes a
   mistress of him: sanctifies himself with's hand and
   turns up the white o' the eye to his discourse. But
   the bottom of the news is that our general is cut i'
   the middle and but one half of what he was
   yesterday; for the other has half, by the entreaty
   and grant of the whole table. He'll go, he says,
   and sowl the porter of Rome gates by the ears: he
   will mow all down before him, and leave his passage polled.

Second Servingman

   And he's as like to do't as any man I can imagine.

Third Servingman

   Do't! he will do't; for, look you, sir, he has as
   many friends as enemies; which friends, sir, as it
   were, durst not, look you, sir, show themselves, as
   we term it, his friends whilst he's in directitude.

First Servingman

   Directitude! what's that?

Third Servingman

   But when they shall see, sir, his crest up again,
   and the man in blood, they will out of their
   burrows, like conies after rain, and revel all with
   him.

First Servingman

   But when goes this forward?

Third Servingman

   To-morrow; to-day; presently; you shall have the
   drum struck up this afternoon: 'tis, as it were, a
   parcel of their feast, and to be executed ere they
   wipe their lips.

Second Servingman

   Why, then we shall have a stirring world again.
   This peace is nothing, but to rust iron, increase
   tailors, and breed ballad-makers.

First Servingman

   Let me have war, say I; it exceeds peace as far as
   day does night; it's spritely, waking, audible, and
   full of vent. Peace is a very apoplexy, lethargy;
   mulled, deaf, sleepy, insensible; a getter of more
   bastard children than war's a destroyer of men.

Second Servingman

   'Tis so: and as war, in some sort, may be said to
   be a ravisher, so it cannot be denied but peace is a
   great maker of cuckolds.

First Servingman

   Ay, and it makes men hate one another.

Third Servingman

   Reason; because they then less need one another.
   The wars for my money. I hope to see Romans as cheap
   as Volscians. They are rising, they are rising.

All

   In, in, in, in!

   Exeunt

SCENE VI. Rome. A public place.

   Enter SICINIUS and BRUTUS 

SICINIUS

   We hear not of him, neither need we fear him;
   His remedies are tame i' the present peace
   And quietness of the people, which before
   Were in wild hurry. Here do we make his friends
   Blush that the world goes well, who rather had,
   Though they themselves did suffer by't, behold
   Dissentious numbers pestering streets than see
   Our tradesmen with in their shops and going
   About their functions friendly.

BRUTUS

   We stood to't in good time.

   Enter MENENIUS
   Is this Menenius?

SICINIUS

   'Tis he,'tis he: O, he is grown most kind of late.

Both Tribunes

   Hail sir!

MENENIUS

   Hail to you both!

SICINIUS

   Your Coriolanus
   Is not much miss'd, but with his friends:
   The commonwealth doth stand, and so would do,
   Were he more angry at it.

MENENIUS

   All's well; and might have been much better, if
   He could have temporized.

SICINIUS

   Where is he, hear you?

MENENIUS

   Nay, I hear nothing: his mother and his wife
   Hear nothing from him.

   Enter three or four Citizens

Citizens

   The gods preserve you both!

SICINIUS

   God-den, our neighbours.

BRUTUS

   God-den to you all, god-den to you all.

First Citizen

   Ourselves, our wives, and children, on our knees,
   Are bound to pray for you both.

SICINIUS

   Live, and thrive!

BRUTUS

   Farewell, kind neighbours: we wish'd Coriolanus
   Had loved you as we did.

Citizens

   Now the gods keep you!

Both Tribunes

   Farewell, farewell.

   Exeunt Citizens

SICINIUS

   This is a happier and more comely time
   Than when these fellows ran about the streets,
   Crying confusion.

BRUTUS

   Caius Marcius was
   A worthy officer i' the war; but insolent,
   O'ercome with pride, ambitious past all thinking,
   Self-loving,--

SICINIUS

   And affecting one sole throne,
   Without assistance.

MENENIUS

   I think not so.

SICINIUS

   We should by this, to all our lamentation,
   If he had gone forth consul, found it so.

BRUTUS

   The gods have well prevented it, and Rome
   Sits safe and still without him.

   Enter an AEdile

AEdile

   Worthy tribunes,
   There is a slave, whom we have put in prison,
   Reports, the Volsces with two several powers
   Are enter'd in the Roman territories,
   And with the deepest malice of the war
   Destroy what lies before 'em.

MENENIUS

   'Tis Aufidius,
   Who, hearing of our Marcius' banishment,
   Thrusts forth his horns again into the world;
   Which were inshell'd when Marcius stood for Rome,
   And durst not once peep out.

SICINIUS

   Come, what talk you
   Of Marcius?

BRUTUS

   Go see this rumourer whipp'd. It cannot be
   The Volsces dare break with us.

MENENIUS

   Cannot be!
   We have record that very well it can,
   And three examples of the like have been
   Within my age. But reason with the fellow,
   Before you punish him, where he heard this,
   Lest you shall chance to whip your information
   And beat the messenger who bids beware
   Of what is to be dreaded.

SICINIUS

   Tell not me:
   I know this cannot be.

BRUTUS

   Not possible.

   Enter a Messenger

Messenger

   The nobles in great earnestness are going
   All to the senate-house: some news is come
   That turns their countenances.

SICINIUS

   'Tis this slave;--
   Go whip him, 'fore the people's eyes:--his raising;
   Nothing but his report.

Messenger

   Yes, worthy sir,
   The slave's report is seconded; and more,
   More fearful, is deliver'd.

SICINIUS

   What more fearful?

Messenger

   It is spoke freely out of many mouths--
   How probable I do not know--that Marcius,
   Join'd with Aufidius, leads a power 'gainst Rome,
   And vows revenge as spacious as between
   The young'st and oldest thing.

SICINIUS

   This is most likely!

BRUTUS

   Raised only, that the weaker sort may wish
   Good Marcius home again.

SICINIUS

   The very trick on't.

MENENIUS

   This is unlikely:
   He and Aufidius can no more atone
   Than violentest contrariety.

   Enter a second Messenger

Second Messenger

   You are sent for to the senate:
   A fearful army, led by Caius Marcius
   Associated with Aufidius, rages
   Upon our territories; and have already
   O'erborne their way, consumed with fire, and took
   What lay before them.

   Enter COMINIUS

COMINIUS

   O, you have made good work!

MENENIUS

   What news? what news?

COMINIUS

   You have holp to ravish your own daughters and
   To melt the city leads upon your pates,
   To see your wives dishonour'd to your noses,--

MENENIUS

   What's the news? what's the news?

COMINIUS

   Your temples burned in their cement, and
   Your franchises, whereon you stood, confined
   Into an auger's bore.

MENENIUS

   Pray now, your news?
   You have made fair work, I fear me.--Pray, your news?--
   If Marcius should be join'd with Volscians,--

COMINIUS

   If!
   He is their god: he leads them like a thing
   Made by some other deity than nature,
   That shapes man better; and they follow him,
   Against us brats, with no less confidence
   Than boys pursuing summer butterflies,
   Or butchers killing flies.

MENENIUS

   You have made good work,
   You and your apron-men; you that stood so up much
   on the voice of occupation and
   The breath of garlic-eaters!

COMINIUS

   He will shake
   Your Rome about your ears.

MENENIUS

   As Hercules
   Did shake down mellow fruit.
   You have made fair work!

BRUTUS

   But is this true, sir?

COMINIUS

   Ay; and you'll look pale
   Before you find it other. All the regions
   Do smilingly revolt; and who resist
   Are mock'd for valiant ignorance,
   And perish constant fools. Who is't can blame him?
   Your enemies and his find something in him.

MENENIUS

   We are all undone, unless
   The noble man have mercy.

COMINIUS

   Who shall ask it?
   The tribunes cannot do't for shame; the people
   Deserve such pity of him as the wolf
   Does of the shepherds: for his best friends, if they
   Should say 'Be good to Rome,' they charged him even
   As those should do that had deserved his hate,
   And therein show'd like enemies.

MENENIUS

   'Tis true:
   If he were putting to my house the brand
   That should consume it, I have not the face
   To say 'Beseech you, cease.' You have made fair hands,
   You and your crafts! you have crafted fair!

COMINIUS

   You have brought
   A trembling upon Rome, such as was never
   So incapable of help.

Both Tribunes

   Say not we brought it.

MENENIUS

   How! Was it we? we loved him but, like beasts
   And cowardly nobles, gave way unto your clusters,
   Who did hoot him out o' the city.

COMINIUS

   But I fear
   They'll roar him in again. Tullus Aufidius,
   The second name of men, obeys his points
   As if he were his officer: desperation
   Is all the policy, strength and defence,
   That Rome can make against them.

   Enter a troop of Citizens

MENENIUS

   Here come the clusters.
   And is Aufidius with him? You are they
   That made the air unwholesome, when you cast
   Your stinking greasy caps in hooting at
   Coriolanus' exile. Now he's coming;
   And not a hair upon a soldier's head
   Which will not prove a whip: as many coxcombs
   As you threw caps up will he tumble down,
   And pay you for your voices. 'Tis no matter;
   if he could burn us all into one coal,
   We have deserved it.

Citizens

   Faith, we hear fearful news.

First Citizen

   For mine own part,
   When I said, banish him, I said 'twas pity.

Second Citizen

   And so did I.

Third Citizen

   And so did I; and, to say the truth, so did very
   many of us: that we did, we did for the best; and
   though we willingly consented to his banishment, yet
   it was against our will.

COMINIUS

   Ye re goodly things, you voices!

MENENIUS

   You have made
   Good work, you and your cry! Shall's to the Capitol?

COMINIUS

   O, ay, what else?

   Exeunt COMINIUS and MENENIUS

SICINIUS

   Go, masters, get you home; be not dismay'd:
   These are a side that would be glad to have
   This true which they so seem to fear. Go home,
   And show no sign of fear.

First Citizen

   The gods be good to us! Come, masters, let's home.
   I ever said we were i' the wrong when we banished
   him.

Second Citizen

   So did we all. But, come, let's home.

   Exeunt Citizens

BRUTUS

   I do not like this news.

SICINIUS

   Nor I.

BRUTUS

   Let's to the Capitol. Would half my wealth
   Would buy this for a lie!

SICINIUS

   Pray, let us go.

   Exeunt

SCENE VII. A camp, at a small distance from Rome.

   Enter AUFIDIUS and his Lieutenant 

AUFIDIUS

   Do they still fly to the Roman?

Lieutenant

   I do not know what witchcraft's in him, but
   Your soldiers use him as the grace 'fore meat,
   Their talk at table, and their thanks at end;
   And you are darken'd in this action, sir,
   Even by your own.

AUFIDIUS

   I cannot help it now,
   Unless, by using means, I lame the foot
   Of our design. He bears himself more proudlier,
   Even to my person, than I thought he would
   When first I did embrace him: yet his nature
   In that's no changeling; and I must excuse
   What cannot be amended.

Lieutenant

   Yet I wish, sir,--
   I mean for your particular,--you had not
   Join'd in commission with him; but either
   Had borne the action of yourself, or else
   To him had left it solely.

AUFIDIUS

   I understand thee well; and be thou sure,
   when he shall come to his account, he knows not
   What I can urge against him. Although it seems,
   And so he thinks, and is no less apparent
   To the vulgar eye, that he bears all things fairly.
   And shows good husbandry for the Volscian state,
   Fights dragon-like, and does achieve as soon
   As draw his sword; yet he hath left undone
   That which shall break his neck or hazard mine,
   Whene'er we come to our account.

Lieutenant

   Sir, I beseech you, think you he'll carry Rome?

AUFIDIUS

   All places yield to him ere he sits down;
   And the nobility of Rome are his:
   The senators and patricians love him too:
   The tribunes are no soldiers; and their people
   Will be as rash in the repeal, as hasty
   To expel him thence. I think he'll be to Rome
   As is the osprey to the fish, who takes it
   By sovereignty of nature. First he was
   A noble servant to them; but he could not
   Carry his honours even: whether 'twas pride,
   Which out of daily fortune ever taints
   The happy man; whether defect of judgment,
   To fail in the disposing of those chances
   Which he was lord of; or whether nature,
   Not to be other than one thing, not moving
   From the casque to the cushion, but commanding peace
   Even with the same austerity and garb
   As he controll'd the war; but one of these--
   As he hath spices of them all, not all,
   For I dare so far free him--made him fear'd,
   So hated, and so banish'd: but he has a merit,
   To choke it in the utterance. So our virtues
   Lie in the interpretation of the time:
   And power, unto itself most commendable,
   Hath not a tomb so evident as a chair
   To extol what it hath done.
   One fire drives out one fire; one nail, one nail;
   Rights by rights falter, strengths by strengths do fail.
   Come, let's away. When, Caius, Rome is thine,
   Thou art poor'st of all; then shortly art thou mine.

   Exeunt

ACT V SCENE I. Rome. A public place.

   Enter MENENIUS, COMINIUS, SICINIUS, BRUTUS, and others 

MENENIUS

   No, I'll not go: you hear what he hath said
   Which was sometime his general; who loved him
   In a most dear particular. He call'd me father:
   But what o' that? Go, you that banish'd him;
   A mile before his tent fall down, and knee
   The way into his mercy: nay, if he coy'd
   To hear Cominius speak, I'll keep at home.

COMINIUS

   He would not seem to know me.

MENENIUS

   Do you hear?

COMINIUS

   Yet one time he did call me by my name:
   I urged our old acquaintance, and the drops
   That we have bled together. Coriolanus
   He would not answer to: forbad all names;
   He was a kind of nothing, titleless,
   Till he had forged himself a name o' the fire
   Of burning Rome.

MENENIUS

   Why, so: you have made good work!
   A pair of tribunes that have rack'd for Rome,
   To make coals cheap,--a noble memory!

COMINIUS

   I minded him how royal 'twas to pardon
   When it was less expected: he replied,
   It was a bare petition of a state
   To one whom they had punish'd.

MENENIUS

   Very well:
   Could he say less?

COMINIUS

   I offer'd to awaken his regard
   For's private friends: his answer to me was,
   He could not stay to pick them in a pile
   Of noisome musty chaff: he said 'twas folly,
   For one poor grain or two, to leave unburnt,
   And still to nose the offence.

MENENIUS

   For one poor grain or two!
   I am one of those; his mother, wife, his child,
   And this brave fellow too, we are the grains:
   You are the musty chaff; and you are smelt
   Above the moon: we must be burnt for you.

SICINIUS

   Nay, pray, be patient: if you refuse your aid
   In this so never-needed help, yet do not
   Upbraid's with our distress. But, sure, if you
   Would be your country's pleader, your good tongue,
   More than the instant army we can make,
   Might stop our countryman.

MENENIUS

   No, I'll not meddle.

SICINIUS

   Pray you, go to him.

MENENIUS

   What should I do?

BRUTUS

   Only make trial what your love can do
   For Rome, towards Marcius.

MENENIUS

   Well, and say that Marcius
   Return me, as Cominius is return'd,
   Unheard; what then?
   But as a discontented friend, grief-shot
   With his unkindness? say't be so?

SICINIUS

   Yet your good will
   must have that thanks from Rome, after the measure
   As you intended well.

MENENIUS

   I'll undertake 't:
   I think he'll hear me. Yet, to bite his lip
   And hum at good Cominius, much unhearts me.
   He was not taken well; he had not dined:
   The veins unfill'd, our blood is cold, and then
   We pout upon the morning, are unapt
   To give or to forgive; but when we have stuff'd
   These and these conveyances of our blood
   With wine and feeding, we have suppler souls
   Than in our priest-like fasts: therefore I'll watch him
   Till he be dieted to my request,
   And then I'll set upon him.

BRUTUS

   You know the very road into his kindness,
   And cannot lose your way.

MENENIUS

   Good faith, I'll prove him,
   Speed how it will. I shall ere long have knowledge
   Of my success.

   Exit

COMINIUS

   He'll never hear him.

SICINIUS

   Not?

COMINIUS

   I tell you, he does sit in gold, his eye
   Red as 'twould burn Rome; and his injury
   The gaoler to his pity. I kneel'd before him;
   'Twas very faintly he said 'Rise;' dismiss'd me
   Thus, with his speechless hand: what he would do,
   He sent in writing after me; what he would not,
   Bound with an oath to yield to his conditions:
   So that all hope is vain.
   Unless his noble mother, and his wife;
   Who, as I hear, mean to solicit him
   For mercy to his country. Therefore, let's hence,
   And with our fair entreaties haste them on.

   Exeunt

SCENE II. Entrance of the Volscian camp before Rome.

   Two Sentinels on guard.

   Enter to them, MENENIUS

First Senator

   Stay: whence are you?

Second Senator

   Stand, and go back.

MENENIUS

   You guard like men; 'tis well: but, by your leave,
   I am an officer of state, and come
   To speak with Coriolanus.

First Senator

   From whence?

MENENIUS

   From Rome.

First Senator

   You may not pass, you must return: our general
   Will no more hear from thence.

Second Senator

   You'll see your Rome embraced with fire before
   You'll speak with Coriolanus.

MENENIUS

   Good my friends,
   If you have heard your general talk of Rome,
   And of his friends there, it is lots to blanks,
   My name hath touch'd your ears it is Menenius.

First Senator

   Be it so; go back: the virtue of your name
   Is not here passable.

MENENIUS

   I tell thee, fellow,
   The general is my lover: I have been
   The book of his good acts, whence men have read
   His name unparallel'd, haply amplified;
   For I have ever verified my friends,
   Of whom he's chief, with all the size that verity
   Would without lapsing suffer: nay, sometimes,
   Like to a bowl upon a subtle ground,
   I have tumbled past the throw; and in his praise
   Have almost stamp'd the leasing: therefore, fellow,
   I must have leave to pass.

First Senator

   Faith, sir, if you had told as many lies in his
   behalf as you have uttered words in your own, you
   should not pass here; no, though it were as virtuous
   to lie as to live chastely. Therefore, go back.

MENENIUS

   Prithee, fellow, remember my name is Menenius,
   always factionary on the party of your general.

Second Senator

   Howsoever you have been his liar, as you say you
   have, I am one that, telling true under him, must
   say, you cannot pass. Therefore, go back.

MENENIUS

   Has he dined, canst thou tell? for I would not
   speak with him till after dinner.

First Senator

   You are a Roman, are you?

MENENIUS

   I am, as thy general is.

First Senator

   Then you should hate Rome, as he does. Can you,
   when you have pushed out your gates the very
   defender of them, and, in a violent popular
   ignorance, given your enemy your shield, think to
   front his revenges with the easy groans of old
   women, the virginal palms of your daughters, or with
   the palsied intercession of such a decayed dotant as
   you seem to be? Can you think to blow out the
   intended fire your city is ready to flame in, with
   such weak breath as this? No, you are deceived;
   therefore, back to Rome, and prepare for your
   execution: you are condemned, our general has sworn
   you out of reprieve and pardon.

MENENIUS

   Sirrah, if thy captain knew I were here, he would
   use me with estimation.

Second Senator

   Come, my captain knows you not.

MENENIUS

   I mean, thy general.

First Senator

   My general cares not for you. Back, I say, go; lest
   I let forth your half-pint of blood; back,--that's
   the utmost of your having: back.

MENENIUS

   Nay, but, fellow, fellow,--

   Enter CORIOLANUS and AUFIDIUS

CORIOLANUS

   What's the matter?

MENENIUS

   Now, you companion, I'll say an errand for you:
   You shall know now that I am in estimation; you shall
   perceive that a Jack guardant cannot office me from
   my son Coriolanus: guess, but by my entertainment
   with him, if thou standest not i' the state of
   hanging, or of some death more long in
   spectatorship, and crueller in suffering; behold now
   presently, and swoon for what's to come upon thee.

   To CORIOLANUS
   The glorious gods sit in hourly synod about thy
   particular prosperity, and love thee no worse than
   thy old father Menenius does! O my son, my son!
   thou art preparing fire for us; look thee, here's
   water to quench it. I was hardly moved to come to
   thee; but being assured none but myself could move
   thee, I have been blown out of your gates with
   sighs; and conjure thee to pardon Rome, and thy
   petitionary countrymen. The good gods assuage thy
   wrath, and turn the dregs of it upon this varlet
   here,--this, who, like a block, hath denied my
   access to thee.

CORIOLANUS

   Away!

MENENIUS

   How! away!

CORIOLANUS

   Wife, mother, child, I know not. My affairs
   Are servanted to others: though I owe
   My revenge properly, my remission lies
   In Volscian breasts. That we have been familiar,
   Ingrate forgetfulness shall poison, rather
   Than pity note how much. Therefore, be gone.
   Mine ears against your suits are stronger than
   Your gates against my force. Yet, for I loved thee,
   Take this along; I writ it for thy sake

   Gives a letter
   And would have rent it. Another word, Menenius,
   I will not hear thee speak. This man, Aufidius,
   Was my beloved in Rome: yet thou behold'st!

AUFIDIUS

   You keep a constant temper.

   Exeunt CORIOLANUS and AUFIDIUS

First Senator

   Now, sir, is your name Menenius?

Second Senator

   'Tis a spell, you see, of much power: you know the
   way home again.

First Senator

   Do you hear how we are shent for keeping your
   greatness back?

Second Senator

   What cause, do you think, I have to swoon?

MENENIUS

   I neither care for the world nor your general: for
   such things as you, I can scarce think there's any,
   ye're so slight. He that hath a will to die by
   himself fears it not from another: let your general
   do his worst. For you, be that you are, long; and
   your misery increase with your age! I say to you,
   as I was said to, Away!

   Exit

First Senator

   A noble fellow, I warrant him.

Second Senator

   The worthy fellow is our general: he's the rock, the
   oak not to be wind-shaken.

   Exeunt

SCENE III. The tent of Coriolanus.

   Enter CORIOLANUS, AUFIDIUS, and others 

CORIOLANUS

   We will before the walls of Rome tomorrow
   Set down our host. My partner in this action,
   You must report to the Volscian lords, how plainly
   I have borne this business.

AUFIDIUS

   Only their ends
   You have respected; stopp'd your ears against
   The general suit of Rome; never admitted
   A private whisper, no, not with such friends
   That thought them sure of you.

CORIOLANUS

   This last old man,
   Whom with a crack'd heart I have sent to Rome,
   Loved me above the measure of a father;
   Nay, godded me, indeed. Their latest refuge
   Was to send him; for whose old love I have,
   Though I show'd sourly to him, once more offer'd
   The first conditions, which they did refuse
   And cannot now accept; to grace him only
   That thought he could do more, a very little
   I have yielded to: fresh embassies and suits,
   Nor from the state nor private friends, hereafter
   Will I lend ear to. Ha! what shout is this?

   Shout within
   Shall I be tempted to infringe my vow
   In the same time 'tis made? I will not.

   Enter in mourning habits, VIRGILIA, VOLUMNIA, leading young MARCIUS, VALERIA, and Attendants
   My wife comes foremost; then the honour'd mould
   Wherein this trunk was framed, and in her hand
   The grandchild to her blood. But, out, affection!
   All bond and privilege of nature, break!
   Let it be virtuous to be obstinate.
   What is that curt'sy worth? or those doves' eyes,
   Which can make gods forsworn? I melt, and am not
   Of stronger earth than others. My mother bows;
   As if Olympus to a molehill should
   In supplication nod: and my young boy
   Hath an aspect of intercession, which
   Great nature cries 'Deny not.' let the Volsces
   Plough Rome and harrow Italy: I'll never
   Be such a gosling to obey instinct, but stand,
   As if a man were author of himself
   And knew no other kin.

VIRGILIA

   My lord and husband!

CORIOLANUS

   These eyes are not the same I wore in Rome.

VIRGILIA

   The sorrow that delivers us thus changed
   Makes you think so.

CORIOLANUS

   Like a dull actor now,
   I have forgot my part, and I am out,
   Even to a full disgrace. Best of my flesh,
   Forgive my tyranny; but do not say
   For that 'Forgive our Romans.' O, a kiss
   Long as my exile, sweet as my revenge!
   Now, by the jealous queen of heaven, that kiss
   I carried from thee, dear; and my true lip
   Hath virgin'd it e'er since. You gods! I prate,
   And the most noble mother of the world
   Leave unsaluted: sink, my knee, i' the earth;

   Kneels
   Of thy deep duty more impression show
   Than that of common sons.

VOLUMNIA

   O, stand up blest!
   Whilst, with no softer cushion than the flint,
   I kneel before thee; and unproperly
   Show duty, as mistaken all this while
   Between the child and parent.

   Kneels

CORIOLANUS

   What is this?
   Your knees to me? to your corrected son?
   Then let the pebbles on the hungry beach
   Fillip the stars; then let the mutinous winds
   Strike the proud cedars 'gainst the fiery sun;
   Murdering impossibility, to make
   What cannot be, slight work.

VOLUMNIA

   Thou art my warrior;
   I holp to frame thee. Do you know this lady?

CORIOLANUS

   The noble sister of Publicola,
   The moon of Rome, chaste as the icicle
   That's curdied by the frost from purest snow
   And hangs on Dian's temple: dear Valeria!

VOLUMNIA

   This is a poor epitome of yours,
   Which by the interpretation of full time
   May show like all yourself.

CORIOLANUS

   The god of soldiers,
   With the consent of supreme Jove, inform
   Thy thoughts with nobleness; that thou mayst prove
   To shame unvulnerable, and stick i' the wars
   Like a great sea-mark, standing every flaw,
   And saving those that eye thee!

VOLUMNIA

   Your knee, sirrah.

CORIOLANUS

   That's my brave boy!

VOLUMNIA

   Even he, your wife, this lady, and myself,
   Are suitors to you.

CORIOLANUS

   I beseech you, peace:
   Or, if you'ld ask, remember this before:
   The thing I have forsworn to grant may never
   Be held by you denials. Do not bid me
   Dismiss my soldiers, or capitulate
   Again with Rome's mechanics: tell me not
   Wherein I seem unnatural: desire not
   To ally my rages and revenges with
   Your colder reasons.

VOLUMNIA

   O, no more, no more!
   You have said you will not grant us any thing;
   For we have nothing else to ask, but that
   Which you deny already: yet we will ask;
   That, if you fail in our request, the blame
   May hang upon your hardness: therefore hear us.

CORIOLANUS

   Aufidius, and you Volsces, mark; for we'll
   Hear nought from Rome in private. Your request?

VOLUMNIA

   Should we be silent and not speak, our raiment
   And state of bodies would bewray what life
   We have led since thy exile. Think with thyself
   How more unfortunate than all living women
   Are we come hither: since that thy sight,
   which should
   Make our eyes flow with joy, hearts dance
   with comforts,
   Constrains them weep and shake with fear and sorrow;
   Making the mother, wife and child to see
   The son, the husband and the father tearing
   His country's bowels out. And to poor we
   Thine enmity's most capital: thou barr'st us
   Our prayers to the gods, which is a comfort
   That all but we enjoy; for how can we,
   Alas, how can we for our country pray.
   Whereto we are bound, together with thy victory,
   Whereto we are bound? alack, or we must lose
   The country, our dear nurse, or else thy person,
   Our comfort in the country. We must find
   An evident calamity, though we had
   Our wish, which side should win: for either thou
   Must, as a foreign recreant, be led
   With manacles thorough our streets, or else
   triumphantly tread on thy country's ruin,
   And bear the palm for having bravely shed
   Thy wife and children's blood. For myself, son,
   I purpose not to wait on fortune till
   These wars determine: if I cannot persuade thee
   Rather to show a noble grace to both parts
   Than seek the end of one, thou shalt no sooner
   March to assault thy country than to tread--
   Trust to't, thou shalt not--on thy mother's womb,
   That brought thee to this world.

VIRGILIA

   Ay, and mine,
   That brought you forth this boy, to keep your name
   Living to time.

Young MARCIUS

   A' shall not tread on me;
   I'll run away till I am bigger, but then I'll fight.

CORIOLANUS

   Not of a woman's tenderness to be,
   Requires nor child nor woman's face to see.
   I have sat too long.

   Rising

VOLUMNIA

   Nay, go not from us thus.
   If it were so that our request did tend
   To save the Romans, thereby to destroy
   The Volsces whom you serve, you might condemn us,
   As poisonous of your honour: no; our suit
   Is that you reconcile them: while the Volsces
   May say 'This mercy we have show'd;' the Romans,
   'This we received;' and each in either side
   Give the all-hail to thee and cry 'Be blest
   For making up this peace!' Thou know'st, great son,
   The end of war's uncertain, but this certain,
   That, if thou conquer Rome, the benefit
   Which thou shalt thereby reap is such a name,
   Whose repetition will be dogg'd with curses;
   Whose chronicle thus writ: 'The man was noble,
   But with his last attempt he wiped it out;
   Destroy'd his country, and his name remains
   To the ensuing age abhorr'd.' Speak to me, son:
   Thou hast affected the fine strains of honour,
   To imitate the graces of the gods;
   To tear with thunder the wide cheeks o' the air,
   And yet to charge thy sulphur with a bolt
   That should but rive an oak. Why dost not speak?
   Think'st thou it honourable for a noble man
   Still to remember wrongs? Daughter, speak you:
   He cares not for your weeping. Speak thou, boy:
   Perhaps thy childishness will move him more
   Than can our reasons. There's no man in the world
   More bound to 's mother; yet here he lets me prate
   Like one i' the stocks. Thou hast never in thy life
   Show'd thy dear mother any courtesy,
   When she, poor hen, fond of no second brood,
   Has cluck'd thee to the wars and safely home,
   Loaden with honour. Say my request's unjust,
   And spurn me back: but if it be not so,
   Thou art not honest; and the gods will plague thee,
   That thou restrain'st from me the duty which
   To a mother's part belongs. He turns away:
   Down, ladies; let us shame him with our knees.
   To his surname Coriolanus 'longs more pride
   Than pity to our prayers. Down: an end;
   This is the last: so we will home to Rome,
   And die among our neighbours. Nay, behold 's:
   This boy, that cannot tell what he would have
   But kneels and holds up bands for fellowship,
   Does reason our petition with more strength
   Than thou hast to deny 't. Come, let us go:
   This fellow had a Volscian to his mother;
   His wife is in Corioli and his child
   Like him by chance. Yet give us our dispatch:
   I am hush'd until our city be a-fire,
   And then I'll speak a little.

   He holds her by the hand, silent

CORIOLANUS

   O mother, mother!
   What have you done? Behold, the heavens do ope,
   The gods look down, and this unnatural scene
   They laugh at. O my mother, mother! O!
   You have won a happy victory to Rome;
   But, for your son,--believe it, O, believe it,
   Most dangerously you have with him prevail'd,
   If not most mortal to him. But, let it come.
   Aufidius, though I cannot make true wars,
   I'll frame convenient peace. Now, good Aufidius,
   Were you in my stead, would you have heard
   A mother less? or granted less, Aufidius?

AUFIDIUS

   I was moved withal.

CORIOLANUS

   I dare be sworn you were:
   And, sir, it is no little thing to make
   Mine eyes to sweat compassion. But, good sir,
   What peace you'll make, advise me: for my part,
   I'll not to Rome, I'll back with you; and pray you,
   Stand to me in this cause. O mother! wife!

AUFIDIUS

   [Aside] I am glad thou hast set thy mercy and
   thy honour
   At difference in thee: out of that I'll work
   Myself a former fortune.

   The Ladies make signs to CORIOLANUS

CORIOLANUS

   Ay, by and by;

   To VOLUMNIA, VIRGILIA, & c
   But we will drink together; and you shall bear
   A better witness back than words, which we,
   On like conditions, will have counter-seal'd.
   Come, enter with us. Ladies, you deserve
   To have a temple built you: all the swords
   In Italy, and her confederate arms,
   Could not have made this peace.

   Exeunt

SCENE IV. Rome. A public place.

   Enter MENENIUS and SICINIUS 

MENENIUS

   See you yond coign o' the Capitol, yond
   corner-stone?

SICINIUS

   Why, what of that?

MENENIUS

   If it be possible for you to displace it with your
   little finger, there is some hope the ladies of
   Rome, especially his mother, may prevail with him.
   But I say there is no hope in't: our throats are
   sentenced and stay upon execution.

SICINIUS

   Is't possible that so short a time can alter the
   condition of a man!

MENENIUS

   There is differency between a grub and a butterfly;
   yet your butterfly was a grub. This Marcius is grown
   from man to dragon: he has wings; he's more than a
   creeping thing.

SICINIUS

   He loved his mother dearly.

MENENIUS

   So did he me: and he no more remembers his mother
   now than an eight-year-old horse. The tartness
   of his face sours ripe grapes: when he walks, he
   moves like an engine, and the ground shrinks before
   his treading: he is able to pierce a corslet with
   his eye; talks like a knell, and his hum is a
   battery. He sits in his state, as a thing made for
   Alexander. What he bids be done is finished with
   his bidding. He wants nothing of a god but eternity
   and a heaven to throne in.

SICINIUS

   Yes, mercy, if you report him truly.

MENENIUS

   I paint him in the character. Mark what mercy his
   mother shall bring from him: there is no more mercy
   in him than there is milk in a male tiger; that
   shall our poor city find: and all this is long of
   you.

SICINIUS

   The gods be good unto us!

MENENIUS

   No, in such a case the gods will not be good unto
   us. When we banished him, we respected not them;
   and, he returning to break our necks, they respect not us.

   Enter a Messenger

Messenger

   Sir, if you'ld save your life, fly to your house:
   The plebeians have got your fellow-tribune
   And hale him up and down, all swearing, if
   The Roman ladies bring not comfort home,
   They'll give him death by inches.

   Enter a second Messenger

SICINIUS

   What's the news?

Second Messenger

   Good news, good news; the ladies have prevail'd,
   The Volscians are dislodged, and Marcius gone:
   A merrier day did never yet greet Rome,
   No, not the expulsion of the Tarquins.

SICINIUS

   Friend,
   Art thou certain this is true? is it most certain?

Second Messenger

   As certain as I know the sun is fire:
   Where have you lurk'd, that you make doubt of it?
   Ne'er through an arch so hurried the blown tide,
   As the recomforted through the gates. Why, hark you!

   Trumpets; hautboys; drums beat; all together
   The trumpets, sackbuts, psalteries and fifes,
   Tabours and cymbals and the shouting Romans,
   Make the sun dance. Hark you!

   A shout within

MENENIUS

   This is good news:
   I will go meet the ladies. This Volumnia
   Is worth of consuls, senators, patricians,
   A city full; of tribunes, such as you,
   A sea and land full. You have pray'd well to-day:
   This morning for ten thousand of your throats
   I'd not have given a doit. Hark, how they joy!

   Music still, with shouts

SICINIUS

   First, the gods bless you for your tidings; next,
   Accept my thankfulness.

Second Messenger

   Sir, we have all
   Great cause to give great thanks.

SICINIUS

   They are near the city?

Second Messenger

   Almost at point to enter.

SICINIUS

   We will meet them,
   And help the joy.

   Exeunt

SCENE V. The same. A street near the gate.

   Enter two Senators with VOLUMNIA, VIRGILIA, VALERIA, & c. passing over the stage, followed by Patricians and others 

First Senator

   Behold our patroness, the life of Rome!
   Call all your tribes together, praise the gods,
   And make triumphant fires; strew flowers before them:
   Unshout the noise that banish'd Marcius,
   Repeal him with the welcome of his mother;
   Cry 'Welcome, ladies, welcome!'

All

   Welcome, ladies, Welcome!

   A flourish with drums and trumpets. Exeunt

SCENE VI. Antium. A public place.

   Enter TULLUS AUFIDIUS, with Attendants 

AUFIDIUS

   Go tell the lords o' the city I am here:
   Deliver them this paper: having read it,
   Bid them repair to the market place; where I,
   Even in theirs and in the commons' ears,
   Will vouch the truth of it. Him I accuse
   The city ports by this hath enter'd and
   Intends to appear before the people, hoping
   To purge herself with words: dispatch.

   Exeunt Attendants

   Enter three or four Conspirators of AUFIDIUS' faction
   Most welcome!

First Conspirator

   How is it with our general?

AUFIDIUS

   Even so
   As with a man by his own alms empoison'd,
   And with his charity slain.

Second Conspirator

   Most noble sir,
   If you do hold the same intent wherein
   You wish'd us parties, we'll deliver you
   Of your great danger.

AUFIDIUS

   Sir, I cannot tell:
   We must proceed as we do find the people.

Third Conspirator

   The people will remain uncertain whilst
   'Twixt you there's difference; but the fall of either
   Makes the survivor heir of all.

AUFIDIUS

   I know it;
   And my pretext to strike at him admits
   A good construction. I raised him, and I pawn'd
   Mine honour for his truth: who being so heighten'd,
   He water'd his new plants with dews of flattery,
   Seducing so my friends; and, to this end,
   He bow'd his nature, never known before
   But to be rough, unswayable and free.

Third Conspirator

   Sir, his stoutness
   When he did stand for consul, which he lost
   By lack of stooping,--

AUFIDIUS

   That I would have spoke of:
   Being banish'd for't, he came unto my hearth;
   Presented to my knife his throat: I took him;
   Made him joint-servant with me; gave him way
   In all his own desires; nay, let him choose
   Out of my files, his projects to accomplish,
   My best and freshest men; served his designments
   In mine own person; holp to reap the fame
   Which he did end all his; and took some pride
   To do myself this wrong: till, at the last,
   I seem'd his follower, not partner, and
   He waged me with his countenance, as if
   I had been mercenary.

First Conspirator

   So he did, my lord:
   The army marvell'd at it, and, in the last,
   When he had carried Rome and that we look'd
   For no less spoil than glory,--

AUFIDIUS

   There was it:
   For which my sinews shall be stretch'd upon him.
   At a few drops of women's rheum, which are
   As cheap as lies, he sold the blood and labour
   Of our great action: therefore shall he die,
   And I'll renew me in his fall. But, hark!

   Drums and trumpets sound, with great shouts of the People

First Conspirator

   Your native town you enter'd like a post,
   And had no welcomes home: but he returns,
   Splitting the air with noise.

Second Conspirator

   And patient fools,
   Whose children he hath slain, their base throats tear
   With giving him glory.

Third Conspirator

   Therefore, at your vantage,
   Ere he express himself, or move the people
   With what he would say, let him feel your sword,
   Which we will second. When he lies along,
   After your way his tale pronounced shall bury
   His reasons with his body.

AUFIDIUS

   Say no more:
   Here come the lords.

   Enter the Lords of the city

All The Lords

   You are most welcome home.

AUFIDIUS

   I have not deserved it.
   But, worthy lords, have you with heed perused
   What I have written to you?

Lords

   We have.

First Lord

   And grieve to hear't.
   What faults he made before the last, I think
   Might have found easy fines: but there to end
   Where he was to begin and give away
   The benefit of our levies, answering us
   With our own charge, making a treaty where
   There was a yielding,--this admits no excuse.

AUFIDIUS

   He approaches: you shall hear him.

   Enter CORIOLANUS, marching with drum and colours; commoners being with him

CORIOLANUS

   Hail, lords! I am return'd your soldier,
   No more infected with my country's love
   Than when I parted hence, but still subsisting
   Under your great command. You are to know
   That prosperously I have attempted and
   With bloody passage led your wars even to
   The gates of Rome. Our spoils we have brought home
   Do more than counterpoise a full third part
   The charges of the action. We have made peace
   With no less honour to the Antiates
   Than shame to the Romans: and we here deliver,
   Subscribed by the consuls and patricians,
   Together with the seal o' the senate, what
   We have compounded on.

AUFIDIUS

   Read it not, noble lords;
   But tell the traitor, in the high'st degree
   He hath abused your powers.

CORIOLANUS

   Traitor! how now!

AUFIDIUS

   Ay, traitor, Marcius!

CORIOLANUS

   Marcius!

AUFIDIUS

   Ay, Marcius, Caius Marcius: dost thou think
   I'll grace thee with that robbery, thy stol'n name
   Coriolanus in Corioli?
   You lords and heads o' the state, perfidiously
   He has betray'd your business, and given up,
   For certain drops of salt, your city Rome,
   I say 'your city,' to his wife and mother;
   Breaking his oath and resolution like
   A twist of rotten silk, never admitting
   Counsel o' the war, but at his nurse's tears
   He whined and roar'd away your victory,
   That pages blush'd at him and men of heart
   Look'd wondering each at other.

CORIOLANUS

   Hear'st thou, Mars?

AUFIDIUS

   Name not the god, thou boy of tears!

CORIOLANUS

   Ha!

AUFIDIUS

   No more.

CORIOLANUS

   Measureless liar, thou hast made my heart
   Too great for what contains it. Boy! O slave!
   Pardon me, lords, 'tis the first time that ever
   I was forced to scold. Your judgments, my grave lords,
   Must give this cur the lie: and his own notion--
   Who wears my stripes impress'd upon him; that
   Must bear my beating to his grave--shall join
   To thrust the lie unto him.

First Lord

   Peace, both, and hear me speak.

CORIOLANUS

   Cut me to pieces, Volsces; men and lads,
   Stain all your edges on me. Boy! false hound!
   If you have writ your annals true, 'tis there,
   That, like an eagle in a dove-cote, I
   Flutter'd your Volscians in Corioli:
   Alone I did it. Boy!

AUFIDIUS

   Why, noble lords,
   Will you be put in mind of his blind fortune,
   Which was your shame, by this unholy braggart,
   'Fore your own eyes and ears?

All Conspirators

   Let him die for't.

All The People

   'Tear him to pieces.' 'Do it presently.' 'He kill'd
   my son.' 'My daughter.' 'He killed my cousin
   Marcus.' 'He killed my father.'

Second Lord

   Peace, ho! no outrage: peace!
   The man is noble and his fame folds-in
   This orb o' the earth. His last offences to us
   Shall have judicious hearing. Stand, Aufidius,
   And trouble not the peace.

CORIOLANUS

   O that I had him,
   With six Aufidiuses, or more, his tribe,
   To use my lawful sword!

AUFIDIUS

   Insolent villain!

All Conspirators

   Kill, kill, kill, kill, kill him!

   The Conspirators draw, and kill CORIOLANUS: AUFIDIUS stands on his body

Lords

   Hold, hold, hold, hold!

AUFIDIUS

   My noble masters, hear me speak.

First Lord

   O Tullus,--

Second Lord

   Thou hast done a deed whereat valour will weep.

Third Lord

   Tread not upon him. Masters all, be quiet;
   Put up your swords.

AUFIDIUS

   My lords, when you shall know--as in this rage,
   Provoked by him, you cannot--the great danger
   Which this man's life did owe you, you'll rejoice
   That he is thus cut off. Please it your honours
   To call me to your senate, I'll deliver
   Myself your loyal servant, or endure
   Your heaviest censure.

First Lord

   Bear from hence his body;
   And mourn you for him: let him be regarded
   As the most noble corse that ever herald
   Did follow to his urn.

Second Lord

   His own impatience
   Takes from Aufidius a great part of blame.
   Let's make the best of it.

AUFIDIUS

   My rage is gone;
   And I am struck with sorrow. Take him up.
   Help, three o' the chiefest soldiers; I'll be one.
   Beat thou the drum, that it speak mournfully:
   Trail your steel pikes. Though in this city he
   Hath widow'd and unchilded many a one,
   Which to this hour bewail the injury,
   Yet he shall have a noble memory. Assist.

   Exeunt, bearing the body of CORIOLANUS. A dead march sounded