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Title: Coriolanus (published 1608)
Author: William Shakespeare (died 1616)
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Summary
The Roman military leader Caius Martius, after leading Rome to several victories against the Volscians, returns home as a war hero with a new last name, Coriolanus, given for the city of Corioles which he conquered. However, after an attempt at political office turns sour, he is banished from Rome as a traitor. Hungry for revenge, Coriolanus becomes leader of the Volscian army and marches to the gates of Rome. His mother, his wife, and his son, however, beg him to stop his attack. He agrees and makes peace between Romans and Volscians, but is assassinated by enemy Volscians.
Source: Wikipedia
Dramatis Personæ
Dramatis Personæ
Caius Martius, later Caius Martius Coriolanus
Volumnia, his mother
Virgilia, his wife
Young Martius, their son
Valeria, friend to Volumnia and Virgilia
A Gentlewoman, Volumnia’s attendant
Menenius Agrippa, patrician
Cominius, patrician and general
Titus Lartius, patrician and military officer
Sicinius Velutus, tribune
Junius Brutus, tribune
Roman Senators, Patricians, Nobles
Roman Lieutenant
Roman Officers
Roman Aediles
Roman Herald
Roman Soldiers
Roman Citizens or Plebeians
Roman Messengers
A Roman defector, Nicanor
Tullus Aufidius, general of the Volscians
Volscian Conspirators of his faction
Three of his Servingmen
Volscian Senators, Lords
Volscian Lieutenant
Volscian Soldiers
Two of the Volscian Watch
Volscian People
A Volscian spy, Adrian
Citizen of Antium
Roman Lords, Gentry, Captains, Lictors, Trumpeters, Drummers, Musicians, Attendants, and Usher
ACT 1
Scene 1
Enter a company of mutinous Citizens with staves, clubs, and other weapons.
line 0001FIRST CITIZENBefore we proceed any further, hear me
line 0002speak.
line 0003ALLSpeak, speak!
line 0004FIRST CITIZENYou are all resolved rather to die than to
5line 0005famish?
line 0006ALLResolved, resolved!
line 0007FIRST CITIZENFirst, you know Caius Martius is chief
line 0008enemy to the people.
line 0009ALLWe know ’t, we know ’t!
10line 0010FIRST CITIZENLet us kill him, and we’ll have corn at
line 0011our own price. Is ’t a verdict?
line 0012ALLNo more talking on ’t; let it be done. Away, away!
line 0013SECOND CITIZENOne word, good citizens.
line 0014FIRST CITIZENWe are accounted poor citizens, the patricians
15line 0015good. What authority surfeits on would
line 0016relieve us. If they would yield us but the superfluity
line 0017while it were wholesome, we might guess they
line 0018relieved us humanely. But they think we are too
line 0019dear. The leanness that afflicts us, the object of our
20line 0020misery, is as an inventory to particularize their
line 0021abundance; our sufferance is a gain to them. Let
line 0022us revenge this with our pikes ere we become
Act 1 Scene 1 - Pg 9
line 0023rakes; for the gods know I speak this in hunger for
line 0024bread, not in thirst for revenge.
25line 0025SECOND CITIZENWould you proceed especially against
line 0026Caius Martius?
line 0027ALLAgainst him first. He’s a very dog to the
line 0028commonalty.
line 0029SECOND CITIZENConsider you what services he has
30line 0030done for his country?
line 0031FIRST CITIZENVery well, and could be content to give
line 0032him good report for ’t, but that he pays himself
line 0033with being proud.
line 0034SECOND CITIZENNay, but speak not maliciously.
35line 0035FIRST CITIZENI say unto you, what he hath done
line 0036famously he did it to that end. Though soft-conscienced
line 0037men can be content to say it was for
line 0038his country, he did it to please his mother and to be
line 0039partly proud, which he is, even to the altitude of
40line 0040his virtue.
line 0041SECOND CITIZENWhat he cannot help in his nature you
line 0042account a vice in him. You must in no way say he
line 0043is covetous.
line 0044FIRST CITIZENIf I must not, I need not be barren of accusations.
45line 0045He hath faults, with surplus, to tire in
line 0046repetition. Shouts within. What shouts are these?
line 0047The other side o’ th’ city is risen. Why stay we prating
line 0048here? To th’ Capitol!
line 0049ALLCome, come!
Enter Menenius Agrippa.
50line 0050FIRST CITIZENSoft, who comes here?
line 0051SECOND CITIZENWorthy Menenius Agrippa, one that
line 0052hath always loved the people.
line 0053FIRST CITIZENHe’s one honest enough. Would all the
line 0054rest were so!
Act 1 Scene 1 - Pg 11
MENENIUS
55line 0055What work ’s, my countrymen, in hand? Where go
line 0056you
line 0057With bats and clubs? The matter? Speak, I pray you.
line 0058SECOND CITIZENOur business is not unknown to th’
line 0059Senate. They have had inkling this fortnight what
60line 0060we intend to do, which now we’ll show ’em in
line 0061deeds. They say poor suitors have strong breaths;
line 0062they shall know we have strong arms too.
MENENIUS
line 0063Why, masters, my good friends, mine honest
line 0064neighbors,
65line 0065Will you undo yourselves?
SECOND CITIZEN
line 0066We cannot, sir; we are undone already.
MENENIUS
line 0067I tell you, friends, most charitable care
line 0068Have the patricians of you. For your wants,
line 0069Your suffering in this dearth, you may as well
70line 0070Strike at the heaven with your staves as lift them
line 0071Against the Roman state, whose course will on
line 0072The way it takes, cracking ten thousand curbs
line 0073Of more strong link asunder than can ever
line 0074Appear in your impediment. For the dearth,
75line 0075The gods, not the patricians, make it, and
line 0076Your knees to them, not arms, must help. Alack,
line 0077You are transported by calamity
line 0078Thither where more attends you, and you slander
line 0079The helms o’ th’ state, who care for you like fathers,
80line 0080When you curse them as enemies.
line 0081SECOND CITIZENCare for us? True, indeed! They ne’er
line 0082cared for us yet. Suffer us to famish, and their
line 0083storehouses crammed with grain; make edicts for
line 0084usury to support usurers; repeal daily any wholesome
85line 0085act established against the rich, and provide
line 0086more piercing statutes daily to chain up and restrain
Act 1 Scene 1 - Pg 13
line 0087the poor. If the wars eat us not up, they will;
line 0088and there’s all the love they bear us.
MENENIUS
line 0089Either you must confess yourselves wondrous
90line 0090malicious
line 0091Or be accused of folly. I shall tell you
line 0092A pretty tale. It may be you have heard it,
line 0093But since it serves my purpose, I will venture
line 0094To stale ’t a little more.
95line 0095SECOND CITIZENWell, I’ll hear it, sir; yet you must not
line 0096think to fob off our disgrace with a tale. But, an ’t
line 0097please you, deliver.
MENENIUS
line 0098There was a time when all the body’s members
line 0099Rebelled against the belly, thus accused it:
100line 0100That only like a gulf it did remain
line 0101I’ th’ midst o’ th’ body, idle and unactive,
line 0102Still cupboarding the viand, never bearing
line 0103Like labor with the rest, where th’ other instruments
line 0104Did see and hear, devise, instruct, walk, feel,
105line 0105And, mutually participate, did minister
line 0106Unto the appetite and affection common
line 0107Of the whole body. The belly answered—
line 0108SECOND CITIZENWell, sir, what answer made the belly?
MENENIUS
line 0109Sir, I shall tell you. With a kind of smile,
110line 0110Which ne’er came from the lungs, but even thus—
line 0111For, look you, I may make the belly smile
line 0112As well as speak—it tauntingly replied
line 0113To th’ discontented members, the mutinous parts
line 0114That envied his receipt; even so most fitly
115line 0115As you malign our senators for that
line 0116They are not such as you.
line 0117SECOND CITIZENYour belly’s answer—what?
line 0118The kingly crownèd head, the vigilant eye,
line 0119The counselor heart, the arm our soldier,
Act 1 Scene 1 - Pg 15
120line 0120Our steed the leg, the tongue our trumpeter,
line 0121With other muniments and petty helps
line 0122In this our fabric, if that they—
line 0123MENENIUSWhat then?
line 0124’Fore me, this fellow speaks. What then? What then?
SECOND CITIZEN
125line 0125Should by the cormorant belly be restrained,
line 0126Who is the sink o’ th’ body—
line 0127MENENIUSWell, what then?
SECOND CITIZEN
line 0128The former agents, if they did complain,
line 0129What could the belly answer?
130line 0130MENENIUSI will tell you,
line 0131If you’ll bestow a small—of what you have little—
line 0132Patience awhile, you’st hear the belly’s answer.
SECOND CITIZEN
line 0133You’re long about it.
line 0134MENENIUSNote me this, good friend;
135line 0135Your most grave belly was deliberate,
line 0136Not rash like his accusers, and thus answered:
line 0137“True is it, my incorporate friends,” quoth he,
line 0138“That I receive the general food at first
line 0139Which you do live upon; and fit it is,
140line 0140Because I am the storehouse and the shop
line 0141Of the whole body. But, if you do remember,
line 0142I send it through the rivers of your blood
line 0143Even to the court, the heart, to th’ seat o’ th’ brain;
line 0144And, through the cranks and offices of man,
145line 0145The strongest nerves and small inferior veins
line 0146From me receive that natural competency
line 0147Whereby they live. And though that all at once,
line 0148You, my good friends”—this says the belly, mark
line 0149me—
SECOND CITIZEN
150line 0150Ay, sir, well, well.
Act 1 Scene 1 - Pg 17
line 0151MENENIUS“Though all at once cannot
line 0152See what I do deliver out to each,
line 0153Yet I can make my audit up, that all
line 0154From me do back receive the flour of all,
155line 0155And leave me but the bran.” What say you to ’t?
SECOND CITIZEN
line 0156It was an answer. How apply you this?
MENENIUS
line 0157The senators of Rome are this good belly,
line 0158And you the mutinous members. For examine
line 0159Their counsels and their cares, digest things rightly
160line 0160Touching the weal o’ th’ common, you shall find
line 0161No public benefit which you receive
line 0162But it proceeds or comes from them to you
line 0163And no way from yourselves. What do you think,
line 0164You, the great toe of this assembly?
165line 0165SECOND CITIZENI the great toe? Why the great toe?
MENENIUS
line 0166For that, being one o’ th’ lowest, basest, poorest,
line 0167Of this most wise rebellion, thou goest foremost.
line 0168Thou rascal, that art worst in blood to run,
line 0169Lead’st first to win some vantage.
170line 0170But make you ready your stiff bats and clubs.
line 0171Rome and her rats are at the point of battle;
line 0172The one side must have bale.
Enter Caius Martius.
line 0173Hail, noble Martius.
MARTIUS
line 0174Thanks.—What’s the matter, you dissentious rogues,
175line 0175That, rubbing the poor itch of your opinion,
line 0176Make yourselves scabs?
line 0177SECOND CITIZENWe have ever your good word.
MARTIUS
line 0178He that will give good words to thee will flatter
line 0179Beneath abhorring. What would you have, you curs,
Act 1 Scene 1 - Pg 19
180line 0180That like nor peace nor war? The one affrights you;
line 0181The other makes you proud. He that trusts to you,
line 0182Where he should find you lions, finds you hares;
line 0183Where foxes, geese. You are no surer, no,
line 0184Than is the coal of fire upon the ice
185line 0185Or hailstone in the sun. Your virtue is
line 0186To make him worthy whose offense subdues him,
line 0187And curse that justice did it. Who deserves greatness
line 0188Deserves your hate; and your affections are
line 0189A sick man’s appetite, who desires most that
190line 0190Which would increase his evil. He that depends
line 0191Upon your favors swims with fins of lead,
line 0192And hews down oaks with rushes. Hang you! Trust
line 0193you?
line 0194With every minute you do change a mind
195line 0195And call him noble that was now your hate,
line 0196Him vile that was your garland. What’s the matter,
line 0197That in these several places of the city
line 0198You cry against the noble senate, who,
line 0199Under the gods, keep you in awe, which else
200line 0200Would feed on one another?—What’s their seeking?
MENENIUS
line 0201For corn at their own rates, whereof they say
line 0202The city is well stored.
line 0203MARTIUSHang ’em! They say?
line 0204They’ll sit by th’ fire and presume to know
205line 0205What’s done i’ th’ Capitol, who’s like to rise,
line 0206Who thrives, and who declines; side factions and
line 0207give out
line 0208Conjectural marriages, making parties strong
line 0209And feebling such as stand not in their liking
210line 0210Below their cobbled shoes. They say there’s grain
line 0211enough?
line 0212Would the nobility lay aside their ruth
line 0213And let me use my sword, I’d make a quarry
Act 1 Scene 1 - Pg 21
line 0214With thousands of these quartered slaves as high
215line 0215As I could pick my lance.
MENENIUS
line 0216Nay, these are almost thoroughly persuaded;
line 0217For though abundantly they lack discretion,
line 0218Yet are they passing cowardly. But I beseech you,
line 0219What says the other troop?
220line 0220MARTIUSThey are dissolved. Hang
line 0221’em!
line 0222They said they were an-hungry, sighed forth
line 0223proverbs
line 0224That hunger broke stone walls, that dogs must eat,
225line 0225That meat was made for mouths, that the gods sent
line 0226not
line 0227Corn for the rich men only. With these shreds
line 0228They vented their complainings, which being
line 0229answered
230line 0230And a petition granted them—a strange one,
line 0231To break the heart of generosity
line 0232And make bold power look pale—they threw their
line 0233caps
line 0234As they would hang them on the horns o’ th’ moon,
235line 0235Shouting their emulation.
line 0236MENENIUSWhat is granted them?
MARTIUS
line 0237Five tribunes to defend their vulgar wisdoms,
line 0238Of their own choice. One’s Junius Brutus,
line 0239Sicinius Velutus, and I know not. ’Sdeath!
240line 0240The rabble should have first unroofed the city
line 0241Ere so prevailed with me. It will in time
line 0242Win upon power and throw forth greater themes
line 0243For insurrection’s arguing.
line 0244MENENIUSThis is strange.
245line 0245MARTIUSGo get you home, you fragments.
Enter a Messenger hastily.
Act 1 Scene 1 - Pg 23
MESSENGER
line 0246Where’s Caius Martius?
line 0247MARTIUSHere. What’s the matter?
MESSENGER
line 0248The news is, sir, the Volsces are in arms.
MARTIUS
line 0249I am glad on ’t. Then we shall ha’ means to vent
250line 0250Our musty superfluity.
Enter Sicinius Velutus, Junius Brutus, (two Tribunes); Cominius, Titus Lartius, with other Senators.
line 0251See our best elders.
FIRST SENATOR
line 0252Martius, ’tis true that you have lately told us:
line 0253The Volsces are in arms.
line 0254MARTIUSThey have a leader,
255line 0255Tullus Aufidius, that will put you to ’t.
line 0256I sin in envying his nobility,
line 0257And, were I anything but what I am,
line 0258I would wish me only he.
line 0259COMINIUSYou have fought together?
MARTIUS
260line 0260Were half to half the world by th’ ears and he
line 0261Upon my party, I’d revolt, to make
line 0262Only my wars with him. He is a lion
line 0263That I am proud to hunt.
line 0264FIRST SENATORThen, worthy Martius,
265line 0265Attend upon Cominius to these wars.
COMINIUS
line 0266It is your former promise.
line 0267MARTIUSSir, it is,
line 0268And I am constant.—Titus Lartius, thou
line 0269Shalt see me once more strike at Tullus’ face.
270line 0270What, art thou stiff? Stand’st out?
Act 1 Scene 1 - Pg 25
line 0271LARTIUSNo, Caius Martius,
line 0272I’ll lean upon one crutch and fight with t’ other
line 0273Ere stay behind this business.
line 0274MENENIUSO, true bred!
FIRST SENATOR
275line 0275Your company to th’ Capitol, where I know
line 0276Our greatest friends attend us.
line 0277LARTIUSto Cominius Lead you on.—
line 0278To Martius. Follow Cominius. We must follow you;
line 0279Right worthy you priority.
280line 0280COMINIUSNoble Martius.
FIRST SENATORto the Citizens
line 0281Hence to your homes, begone.
line 0282MARTIUSNay, let them follow.
line 0283The Volsces have much corn; take these rats thither
line 0284To gnaw their garners.
Citizens steal away.
285line 0285Worshipful mutineers,
line 0286Your valor puts well forth.—Pray follow.
They exit. Sicinius and Brutus remain.
SICINIUS
line 0287Was ever man so proud as is this Martius?
line 0288BRUTUSHe has no equal.
SICINIUS
line 0289When we were chosen tribunes for the people—
BRUTUS
290line 0290Marked you his lip and eyes?
line 0291SICINIUSNay, but his taunts.
BRUTUS
line 0292Being moved, he will not spare to gird the gods—
line 0293SICINIUSBemock the modest moon.
BRUTUS
line 0294The present wars devour him! He is grown
295line 0295Too proud to be so valiant.
Act 1 Scene 2 - Pg 27
line 0296SICINIUSSuch a nature,
line 0297Tickled with good success, disdains the shadow
line 0298Which he treads on at noon. But I do wonder
line 0299His insolence can brook to be commanded
300line 0300Under Cominius.
line 0301BRUTUSFame, at the which he aims,
line 0302In whom already he’s well graced, cannot
line 0303Better be held nor more attained than by
line 0304A place below the first; for what miscarries
305line 0305Shall be the General’s fault, though he perform
line 0306To th’ utmost of a man, and giddy censure
line 0307Will then cry out of Martius “O, if he
line 0308Had borne the business!”
line 0309SICINIUSBesides, if things go well,
310line 0310Opinion that so sticks on Martius shall
line 0311Of his demerits rob Cominius.
line 0312BRUTUSCome.
line 0313Half all Cominius’ honors are to Martius,
line 0314Though Martius earned them not, and all his faults
315line 0315To Martius shall be honors, though indeed
line 0316In aught he merit not.
line 0317SICINIUSLet’s hence and hear
line 0318How the dispatch is made, and in what fashion,
line 0319More than his singularity, he goes
320line 0320Upon this present action.
line 0321BRUTUSLet’s along.
They exit.
Scene 2
Enter Tullus Aufidius with Senators of Corioles.
FIRST SENATOR
line 0322So, your opinion is, Aufidius,
line 0323That they of Rome are entered in our counsels
line 0324And know how we proceed.
Act 1 Scene 2 - Pg 29
line 0325AUFIDIUSIs it not yours?
5line 0326Whatever have been thought on in this state
line 0327That could be brought to bodily act ere Rome
line 0328Had circumvention? ’Tis not four days gone
line 0329Since I heard thence. These are the words—I think
line 0330I have the letter here. Yes, here it is.
10line 0331He reads. They have pressed a power, but it is not
line 0332known
line 0333Whether for east or west. The dearth is great.
line 0334The people mutinous; and, it is rumored,
line 0335Cominius, Martius your old enemy,
15line 0336Who is of Rome worse hated than of you,
line 0337And Titus Lartius, a most valiant Roman,
line 0338These three lead on this preparation
line 0339Whither ’tis bent. Most likely ’tis for you.
line 0340Consider of it.
20line 0341FIRST SENATOROur army’s in the field.
line 0342We never yet made doubt but Rome was ready
line 0343To answer us.
line 0344AUFIDIUSNor did you think it folly
line 0345To keep your great pretenses veiled till when
25line 0346They needs must show themselves, which, in the
line 0347hatching,
line 0348It seemed, appeared to Rome. By the discovery
line 0349We shall be shortened in our aim, which was
line 0350To take in many towns ere almost Rome
30line 0351Should know we were afoot.
line 0352SECOND SENATORNoble Aufidius,
line 0353Take your commission; hie you to your bands.
line 0354Let us alone to guard Corioles.
line 0355If they set down before ’s, for the remove
35line 0356Bring up your army. But I think you’ll find
line 0357They’ve not prepared for us.
line 0358AUFIDIUSO, doubt not that;
line 0359I speak from certainties. Nay, more,
Act 1 Scene 3 - Pg 31
line 0360Some parcels of their power are forth already,
40line 0361And only hitherward. I leave your Honors.
line 0362If we and Caius Martius chance to meet,
line 0363’Tis sworn between us we shall ever strike
line 0364Till one can do no more.
line 0365ALLThe gods assist you!
45line 0366AUFIDIUSAnd keep your Honors safe!
line 0367FIRST SENATORFarewell.
line 0368SECOND SENATORFarewell.
line 0369ALLFarewell.
All exit.
Scene 3
Enter Volumnia and Virgilia, mother and wife to Martius. They set them down on two low stools and sew.
line 0370VOLUMNIAI pray you, daughter, sing, or express yourself
line 0371in a more comfortable sort. If my son were my
line 0372husband, I should freelier rejoice in that absence
line 0373wherein he won honor than in the embracements
5line 0374of his bed where he would show most love. When
line 0375yet he was but tender-bodied and the only son of
line 0376my womb, when youth with comeliness plucked
line 0377all gaze his way, when for a day of kings’ entreaties
line 0378a mother should not sell him an hour from her beholding,
10line 0379I, considering how honor would become
line 0380such a person—that it was no better than picture-like
line 0381to hang by th’ wall, if renown made it not
line 0382stir—was pleased to let him seek danger where he
line 0383was like to find fame. To a cruel war I sent him,
15line 0384from whence he returned, his brows bound with
line 0385oak. I tell thee, daughter, I sprang not more in joy
line 0386at first hearing he was a man-child than now in
line 0387first seeing he had proved himself a man.
Act 1 Scene 3 - Pg 33
line 0388VIRGILIABut had he died in the business, madam, how
20line 0389then?
line 0390VOLUMNIAThen his good report should have been my
line 0391son; I therein would have found issue. Hear me
line 0392profess sincerely: had I a dozen sons, each in my
line 0393love alike and none less dear than thine and my
25line 0394good Martius, I had rather had eleven die nobly
line 0395for their country than one voluptuously surfeit out
line 0396of action.
Enter a Gentlewoman.
line 0397GENTLEWOMANMadam, the Lady Valeria is come to
line 0398visit you.
VIRGILIA
30line 0399Beseech you, give me leave to retire myself.
line 0400VOLUMNIAIndeed you shall not.
line 0401Methinks I hear hither your husband’s drum,
line 0402See him pluck Aufidius down by th’ hair;
line 0403As children from a bear, the Volsces shunning him.
35line 0404Methinks I see him stamp thus and call thus:
line 0405“Come on, you cowards! You were got in fear,
line 0406Though you were born in Rome.” His bloody brow
line 0407With his mailed hand then wiping, forth he goes
line 0408Like to a harvestman that’s tasked to mow
40line 0409Or all or lose his hire.
VIRGILIA
line 0410His bloody brow? O Jupiter, no blood!
VOLUMNIA
line 0411Away, you fool! It more becomes a man
line 0412Than gilt his trophy. The breasts of Hecuba,
line 0413When she did suckle Hector, looked not lovelier
45line 0414Than Hector’s forehead when it spit forth blood
line 0415At Grecian sword, contemning.—Tell Valeria
line 0416We are fit to bid her welcome.Gentlewoman exits.
Act 1 Scene 3 - Pg 35
VIRGILIA
line 0417Heavens bless my lord from fell Aufidius!
VOLUMNIA
line 0418He’ll beat Aufidius’ head below his knee
50line 0419And tread upon his neck.
Enter Valeria with an Usher and a Gentlewoman.
line 0420VALERIAMy ladies both, good day to you.
line 0421VOLUMNIASweet madam.
line 0422VIRGILIAI am glad to see your Ladyship.
line 0423VALERIAHow do you both? You are manifest housekeepers.
55line 0424What are you sewing here? A fine spot, in
line 0425good faith. How does your little son?
line 0426VIRGILIAI thank your Ladyship; well, good madam.
line 0427VOLUMNIAHe had rather see the swords and hear a
line 0428drum than look upon his schoolmaster.
60line 0429VALERIAO’ my word, the father’s son! I’ll swear ’tis a
line 0430very pretty boy. O’ my troth, I looked upon him o’
line 0431Wednesday half an hour together. H’as such a confirmed
line 0432countenance. I saw him run after a gilded
line 0433butterfly, and when he caught it, he let it go again,
65line 0434and after it again, and over and over he comes,
line 0435and up again, catched it again. Or whether his fall
line 0436enraged him or how ’twas, he did so set his teeth
line 0437and tear it. O, I warrant how he mammocked it!
line 0438VOLUMNIAOne on ’s father’s moods.
70line 0439VALERIAIndeed, la, ’tis a noble child.
line 0440VIRGILIAA crack, madam.
line 0441VALERIACome, lay aside your stitchery. I must have
line 0442you play the idle huswife with me this afternoon.
line 0443VIRGILIANo, good madam, I will not out of doors.
75line 0444VALERIANot out of doors?
line 0445VOLUMNIAShe shall, she shall.
line 0446VIRGILIAIndeed, no, by your patience. I’ll not over the
line 0447threshold till my lord return from the wars.
Act 1 Scene 3 - Pg 37
line 0448VALERIAFie, you confine yourself most unreasonably.
80line 0449Come, you must go visit the good lady that lies in.
line 0450VIRGILIAI will wish her speedy strength and visit her
line 0451with my prayers, but I cannot go thither.
line 0452VOLUMNIAWhy, I pray you?
line 0453VIRGILIA’Tis not to save labor, nor that I want love.
85line 0454VALERIAYou would be another Penelope. Yet they say
line 0455all the yarn she spun in Ulysses’ absence did but fill
line 0456Ithaca full of moths. Come, I would your cambric
line 0457were sensible as your finger, that you might leave
line 0458pricking it for pity. Come, you shall go with us.
90line 0459VIRGILIANo, good madam, pardon me; indeed, I will
line 0460not forth.
line 0461VALERIAIn truth, la, go with me, and I’ll tell you excellent
line 0462news of your husband.
line 0463VIRGILIAO, good madam, there can be none yet.
95line 0464VALERIAVerily, I do not jest with you. There came
line 0465news from him last night.
line 0466VIRGILIAIndeed, madam!
line 0467VALERIAIn earnest, it’s true. I heard a senator speak it.
line 0468Thus it is: the Volsces have an army forth, against
100line 0469whom Cominius the General is gone with one
line 0470part of our Roman power. Your lord and Titus Lartius
line 0471are set down before their city Corioles. They
line 0472nothing doubt prevailing, and to make it brief
line 0473wars. This is true, on mine honor, and so, I pray, go
105line 0474with us.
line 0475VIRGILIAGive me excuse, good madam. I will obey you
line 0476in everything hereafter.
line 0477VOLUMNIALet her alone, lady. As she is now, she will
line 0478but disease our better mirth.
110line 0479VALERIAIn troth, I think she would.—Fare you well,
line 0480then.—Come, good sweet lady.—Prithee, Virgilia,
line 0481turn thy solemness out o’ door, and go along with
line 0482us.
Act 1 Scene 4 - Pg 39
line 0483VIRGILIANo, at a word, madam. Indeed, I must not. I
115line 0484wish you much mirth.
line 0485VALERIAWell, then, farewell.
Ladies exit.
Scene 4
Enter Martius, Titus Lartius, with Trumpet, Drum, and Colors, with Captains and Soldiers, as before the city of Corioles. To them a Messenger.
MARTIUS
line 0486Yonder comes news. A wager they have met.
LARTIUS
line 0487My horse to yours, no.
line 0488MARTIUS’Tis done.
line 0489LARTIUSAgreed.
MARTIUSto Messenger
5line 0490Say, has our general met the enemy?
MESSENGER
line 0491They lie in view but have not spoke as yet.
LARTIUS
line 0492So the good horse is mine.
line 0493MARTIUSI’ll buy him of you.
LARTIUS
line 0494No, I’ll nor sell nor give him. Lend you him I will
10line 0495For half a hundred years.—Summon the town.
line 0496MARTIUSHow far off lie these armies?
line 0497MESSENGERWithin this mile and half.
MARTIUS
line 0498Then shall we hear their ’larum and they ours.
line 0499Now, Mars, I prithee, make us quick in work,
15line 0500That we with smoking swords may march from
line 0501hence
line 0502To help our fielded friends!—Come, blow thy blast.
They sound a parley.
Act 1 Scene 4 - Pg 41
Enter two Senators with others on the walls of Corioles.
line 0503Tullus Aufidius, is he within your walls?
FIRST SENATOR
line 0504No, nor a man that fears you less than he:
20line 0505That’s lesser than a little.Drum afar off.
line 0506Hark, our drums
line 0507Are bringing forth our youth. We’ll break our walls
line 0508Rather than they shall pound us up. Our gates,
line 0509Which yet seem shut, we have but pinned with
25line 0510rushes.
line 0511They’ll open of themselves.Alarum far off.
line 0512Hark you, far off!
line 0513There is Aufidius. List what work he makes
line 0514Amongst your cloven army.
They exit from the walls.
30line 0515MARTIUSO, they are at it!
LARTIUS
line 0516Their noise be our instruction.—Ladders, ho!
Enter the Army of the Volsces as through the city gates.
MARTIUS
line 0517They fear us not but issue forth their city.—
line 0518Now put your shields before your hearts, and fight
line 0519With hearts more proof than shields.—Advance,
35line 0520brave Titus.
line 0521They do disdain us much beyond our thoughts,
line 0522Which makes me sweat with wrath.—Come on, my
line 0523fellows!
line 0524He that retires, I’ll take him for a Volsce,
40line 0525And he shall feel mine edge.
Alarum. The Romans are beat back to their trenches.
They exit, with the Volsces following.
Enter Martius cursing, with Roman soldiers.
Act 1 Scene 4 - Pg 43
MARTIUS
line 0526All the contagion of the south light on you,
line 0527You shames of Rome! You herd of—Boils and
line 0528plagues
line 0529Plaster you o’er, that you may be abhorred
45line 0530Farther than seen, and one infect another
line 0531Against the wind a mile! You souls of geese,
line 0532That bear the shapes of men, how have you run
line 0533From slaves that apes would beat! Pluto and hell!
line 0534All hurt behind. Backs red, and faces pale
50line 0535With flight and agued fear! Mend, and charge home,
line 0536Or, by the fires of heaven, I’ll leave the foe
line 0537And make my wars on you. Look to ’t. Come on!
line 0538If you’ll stand fast, we’ll beat them to their wives,
line 0539As they us to our trenches. Follow ’s!
Another alarum. The Volsces re-enter and are driven back to the gates of Corioles, which open to admit them.
55line 0540So, now the gates are ope. Now prove good
line 0541seconds!
line 0542’Tis for the followers fortune widens them,
line 0543Not for the fliers. Mark me, and do the like.
Martius follows the fleeing Volsces through the gates, and is shut in.
line 0544FIRST SOLDIERFoolhardiness, not I.
60line 0545SECOND SOLDIERNor I.
line 0546FIRST SOLDIERSee they have shut him in.
Alarum continues.
line 0547ALLTo th’ pot, I warrant him.
Enter Titus Lartius.
LARTIUS
line 0548What is become of Martius?
line 0549ALLSlain, sir, doubtless.
Act 1 Scene 5 - Pg 45
FIRST SOLDIER
65line 0550Following the fliers at the very heels,
line 0551With them he enters, who upon the sudden
line 0552Clapped to their gates. He is himself alone,
line 0553To answer all the city.
line 0554LARTIUSO, noble fellow,
70line 0555Who sensibly outdares his senseless sword,
line 0556And when it bows, stand’st up! Thou art left,
line 0557Martius.
line 0558A carbuncle entire, as big as thou art,
line 0559Were not so rich a jewel. Thou wast a soldier
75line 0560Even to Cato’s wish, not fierce and terrible
line 0561Only in strokes, but with thy grim looks and
line 0562The thunderlike percussion of thy sounds
line 0563Thou mad’st thine enemies shake, as if the world
line 0564Were feverous and did tremble.
Enter Martius, bleeding, as if from Corioles, assaulted by the enemy.
80line 0565FIRST SOLDIERLook, sir.
line 0566LARTIUSO, ’tis Martius!
line 0567Let’s fetch him off or make remain alike.
They fight, and all enter the city, exiting the stage.
Scene 5
Enter certain Romans, with spoils.
line 0568FIRST ROMANThis will I carry to Rome.
line 0569SECOND ROMANAnd I this.
line 0570THIRD ROMANA murrain on ’t! I took this for silver.
Enter Martius, and Titus Lartius with a Trumpet.
MARTIUS
line 0571See here these movers that do prize their hours
5line 0572At a cracked drachma. Cushions, leaden spoons,
Act 1 Scene 5 - Pg 47
line 0573Irons of a doit, doublets that hangmen would
line 0574Bury with those that wore them, these base slaves,
line 0575Ere yet the fight be done, pack up. Down with them!
The Romans with spoils exit.
Alarum continues still afar off.
line 0576And hark, what noise the General makes! To him!
10line 0577There is the man of my soul’s hate, Aufidius,
line 0578Piercing our Romans. Then, valiant Titus, take
line 0579Convenient numbers to make good the city,
line 0580Whilst I, with those that have the spirit, will haste
line 0581To help Cominius.
15line 0582LARTIUSWorthy sir, thou bleed’st.
line 0583Thy exercise hath been too violent
line 0584For a second course of fight.
line 0585MARTIUSSir, praise me not.
line 0586My work hath yet not warmed me. Fare you well.
20line 0587The blood I drop is rather physical
line 0588Than dangerous to me. To Aufidius thus
line 0589I will appear and fight.
line 0590LARTIUSNow the fair goddess Fortune
line 0591Fall deep in love with thee, and her great charms
25line 0592Misguide thy opposers’ swords! Bold gentleman,
line 0593Prosperity be thy page!
line 0594MARTIUSThy friend no less
line 0595Than those she placeth highest! So farewell.
line 0596LARTIUSThou worthiest Martius!Martius exits.
30line 0597Go sound thy trumpet in the marketplace.
line 0598Call thither all the officers o’ th’ town,
line 0599Where they shall know our mind. Away!
They exit.
Act 1 Scene 6 - Pg 49
Scene 6
Enter Cominius as it were in retire, with Soldiers.
COMINIUS
line 0600Breathe you, my friends. Well fought! We are come
line 0601off
line 0602Like Romans, neither foolish in our stands
line 0603Nor cowardly in retire. Believe me, sirs,
5line 0604We shall be charged again. Whiles we have struck,
line 0605By interims and conveying gusts we have heard
line 0606The charges of our friends. The Roman gods
line 0607Lead their successes as we wish our own,
line 0608That both our powers, with smiling fronts
10line 0609encount’ring,
line 0610May give you thankful sacrifice!
Enter a Messenger.
line 0611Thy news?
MESSENGER
line 0612The citizens of Corioles have issued
line 0613And given to Lartius and to Martius battle.
15line 0614I saw our party to their trenches driven,
line 0615And then I came away.
line 0616COMINIUSThough thou speakest truth,
line 0617Methinks thou speak’st not well. How long is ’t
line 0618since?
20line 0619MESSENGERAbove an hour, my lord.
COMINIUS
line 0620’Tis not a mile; briefly we heard their drums.
line 0621How couldst thou in a mile confound an hour
line 0622And bring thy news so late?
line 0623MESSENGERSpies of the Volsces
25line 0624Held me in chase, that I was forced to wheel
Act 1 Scene 6 - Pg 51
line 0625Three or four miles about; else had I, sir,
line 0626Half an hour since brought my report.He exits.
Enter Martius, bloody.
line 0627COMINIUSWho’s yonder,
line 0628That does appear as he were flayed? O gods,
30line 0629He has the stamp of Martius, and I have
line 0630Before-time seen him thus.
line 0631MARTIUSCome I too late?
COMINIUS
line 0632The shepherd knows not thunder from a tabor
line 0633More than I know the sound of Martius’ tongue
35line 0634From every meaner man.
line 0635MARTIUSCome I too late?
COMINIUS
line 0636Ay, if you come not in the blood of others,
line 0637But mantled in your own.
line 0638MARTIUSO, let me clip you
40line 0639In arms as sound as when I wooed, in heart
line 0640As merry as when our nuptial day was done
line 0641And tapers burnt to bedward!They embrace.
COMINIUS
line 0642Flower of warriors, how is ’t with Titus Lartius?
MARTIUS
line 0643As with a man busied about decrees,
45line 0644Condemning some to death and some to exile;
line 0645Ransoming him or pitying, threat’ning th’ other;
line 0646Holding Corioles in the name of Rome
line 0647Even like a fawning greyhound in the leash,
line 0648To let him slip at will.
50line 0649COMINIUSWhere is that slave
line 0650Which told me they had beat you to your trenches?
line 0651Where is he? Call him hither.
line 0652MARTIUSLet him alone.
line 0653He did inform the truth. But for our gentlemen,
Act 1 Scene 6 - Pg 53
55line 0654The common file—a plague! Tribunes for them!—
line 0655The mouse ne’er shunned the cat as they did budge
line 0656From rascals worse than they.
line 0657COMINIUSBut how prevailed you?
MARTIUS
line 0658Will the time serve to tell? I do not think.
60line 0659Where is the enemy? Are you lords o’ th’ field?
line 0660If not, why cease you till you are so?
COMINIUS
line 0661Martius, we have at disadvantage fought
line 0662And did retire to win our purpose.
MARTIUS
line 0663How lies their battle? Know you on which side
65line 0664They have placed their men of trust?
line 0665COMINIUSAs I guess,
line 0666Martius,
line 0667Their bands i’ th’ vaward are the Antiates,
line 0668Of their best trust; o’er them Aufidius,
70line 0669Their very heart of hope.
line 0670MARTIUSI do beseech you,
line 0671By all the battles wherein we have fought,
line 0672By th’ blood we have shed together, by th’ vows we
line 0673have made
75line 0674To endure friends, that you directly set me
line 0675Against Aufidius and his Antiates,
line 0676And that you not delay the present, but,
line 0677Filling the air with swords advanced and darts,
line 0678We prove this very hour.
80line 0679COMINIUSThough I could wish
line 0680You were conducted to a gentle bath
line 0681And balms applied to you, yet dare I never
line 0682Deny your asking. Take your choice of those
line 0683That best can aid your action.
85line 0684MARTIUSThose are they
line 0685That most are willing. If any such be here—
Act 1 Scene 7 - Pg 55
line 0686As it were sin to doubt—that love this painting
line 0687Wherein you see me smeared; if any fear
line 0688Lesser his person than an ill report;
90line 0689If any think brave death outweighs bad life,
line 0690And that his country’s dearer than himself;
line 0691Let him alone, or so many so minded,
line 0692Wave thus to express his disposition
line 0693And follow Martius.He waves his sword.
They all shout and wave their swords, take him up in their arms, and cast up their caps.
95line 0694O, me alone! Make you a sword of me?
line 0695If these shows be not outward, which of you
line 0696But is four Volsces? None of you but is
line 0697Able to bear against the great Aufidius
line 0698A shield as hard as his. A certain number,
100line 0699Though thanks to all, must I select from all.
line 0700The rest shall bear the business in some other fight,
line 0701As cause will be obeyed. Please you to march,
line 0702And I shall quickly draw out my command,
line 0703Which men are best inclined.
105line 0704COMINIUSMarch on, my fellows.
line 0705Make good this ostentation, and you shall
line 0706Divide in all with us.
They exit.
Scene 7
Titus Lartius, having set a guard upon Corioles, going with Drum and Trumpet toward Cominius and Caius Martius, enters with a Lieutenant, other Soldiers, and a Scout.
LARTIUS
line 0707So, let the ports be guarded. Keep your duties
line 0708As I have set them down. If I do send, dispatch
line 0709Those centuries to our aid; the rest will serve
Act 1 Scene 8 - Pg 57
line 0710For a short holding. If we lose the field,
5line 0711We cannot keep the town.
line 0712LIEUTENANTFear not our care, sir.
line 0713LARTIUSHence, and shut your gates upon ’s.
line 0714To the Scout. Our guider, come. To th’ Roman
line 0715camp conduct us.
They exit, the Lieutenant one way, Lartius another.
Scene 8
Alarum, as in battle. Enter Martius and Aufidius at several doors.
MARTIUS
line 0716I’ll fight with none but thee, for I do hate thee
line 0717Worse than a promise-breaker.
line 0718AUFIDIUSWe hate alike.
line 0719Not Afric owns a serpent I abhor
5line 0720More than thy fame and envy. Fix thy foot.
MARTIUS
line 0721Let the first budger die the other’s slave,
line 0722And the gods doom him after!
line 0723AUFIDIUSIf I fly, Martius,
line 0724Hollo me like a hare.
10line 0725MARTIUSWithin these three hours,
line 0726Tullus,
line 0727Alone I fought in your Corioles’ walls
line 0728And made what work I pleased. ’Tis not my blood
line 0729Wherein thou seest me masked. For thy revenge,
15line 0730Wrench up thy power to th’ highest.
line 0731AUFIDIUSWert thou the
line 0732Hector
line 0733That was the whip of your bragged progeny,
line 0734Thou shouldst not scape me here.
Here they fight, and certain Volsces come in the aid of Aufidius.
Act 1 Scene 9 - Pg 59
20line 0735To the Volsces. Officious and not valiant, you have
line 0736shamed me
line 0737In your condemnèd seconds.
Martius fights till they be driven in breathless. Aufidius and Martius exit, separately.
Scene 9
Alarum. A retreat is sounded. Flourish. Enter, at one door, Cominius with the Romans; at another door Martius, with his arm in a scarf.
COMINIUSto Martius
line 0738If I should tell thee o’er this thy day’s work,
line 0739Thou ’t not believe thy deeds. But I’ll report it
line 0740Where senators shall mingle tears with smiles;
line 0741Where great patricians shall attend and shrug,
5line 0742I’ th’ end admire; where ladies shall be frighted
line 0743And, gladly quaked, hear more; where the dull
line 0744tribunes,
line 0745That with the fusty plebeians hate thine honors,
line 0746Shall say against their hearts “We thank the gods
10line 0747Our Rome hath such a soldier.”
line 0748Yet cam’st thou to a morsel of this feast,
line 0749Having fully dined before.
Enter Titus Lartius with his power, from the pursuit.
line 0750LARTIUSO general,
line 0751Here is the steed, we the caparison.
15line 0752Hadst thou beheld—
line 0753MARTIUSPray now, no more. My mother,
line 0754Who has a charter to extol her blood,
line 0755When she does praise me grieves me. I have done
line 0756As you have done—that’s what I can;
20line 0757Induced as you have been—that’s for my country.
line 0758He that has but effected his good will
line 0759Hath overta’en mine act.
Act 1 Scene 9 - Pg 61
line 0760COMINIUSYou shall not be
line 0761The grave of your deserving. Rome must know
25line 0762The value of her own. ’Twere a concealment
line 0763Worse than a theft, no less than a traducement,
line 0764To hide your doings and to silence that
line 0765Which, to the spire and top of praises vouched,
line 0766Would seem but modest. Therefore, I beseech you—
30line 0767In sign of what you are, not to reward
line 0768What you have done—before our army hear me.
MARTIUS
line 0769I have some wounds upon me, and they smart
line 0770To hear themselves remembered.
line 0771COMINIUSShould they not,
35line 0772Well might they fester ’gainst ingratitude
line 0773And tent themselves with death. Of all the horses—
line 0774Whereof we have ta’en good and good store—of all
line 0775The treasure in this field achieved and city,
line 0776We render you the tenth, to be ta’en forth
40line 0777Before the common distribution
line 0778At your only choice.
line 0779MARTIUSI thank you, general,
line 0780But cannot make my heart consent to take
line 0781A bribe to pay my sword. I do refuse it
45line 0782And stand upon my common part with those
line 0783That have beheld the doing.
A long flourish. They all cry “Martius, Martius!” and cast up their caps and lances. Cominius and Lartius stand bare.
line 0784May these same instruments, which you profane,
line 0785Never sound more! When drums and trumpets shall
line 0786I’ th’ field prove flatterers, let courts and cities be
50line 0787Made all of false-faced soothing! When steel grows
line 0788Soft as the parasite’s silk, let him be made
line 0789An ovator for th’ wars! No more, I say.
line 0790For that I have not washed my nose that bled,
line 0791Or foiled some debile wretch—which, without note,
Act 1 Scene 9 - Pg 63
55line 0792Here’s many else have done—you shout me forth
line 0793In acclamations hyperbolical,
line 0794As if I loved my little should be dieted
line 0795In praises sauced with lies.
line 0796COMINIUSToo modest are you,
60line 0797More cruel to your good report than grateful
line 0798To us that give you truly. By your patience,
line 0799If ’gainst yourself you be incensed, we’ll put you,
line 0800Like one that means his proper harm, in manacles,
line 0801Then reason safely with you. Therefore be it known,
65line 0802As to us to all the world, that Caius Martius
line 0803Wears this war’s garland, in token of the which
line 0804My noble steed, known to the camp, I give him,
line 0805With all his trim belonging. And from this time,
line 0806For what he did before Corioles, call him,
70line 0807With all th’ applause and clamor of the host,
line 0808Martius Caius Coriolanus! Bear
line 0809Th’ addition nobly ever!
Flourish. Trumpets sound, and drums.
ALL
line 0810Martius Caius Coriolanus!
line 0811CORIOLANUSI will go wash;
75line 0812And when my face is fair, you shall perceive
line 0813Whether I blush or no. Howbeit, I thank you.
line 0814I mean to stride your steed and at all times
line 0815To undercrest your good addition
line 0816To th’ fairness of my power.
80line 0817COMINIUSSo, to our tent,
line 0818Where, ere we do repose us, we will write
line 0819To Rome of our success.—You, Titus Lartius,
line 0820Must to Corioles back. Send us to Rome
line 0821The best, with whom we may articulate
85line 0822For their own good and ours.
line 0823LARTIUSI shall, my lord.
Act 1 Scene 10 - Pg 65
CORIOLANUS
line 0824The gods begin to mock me. I, that now
line 0825Refused most princely gifts, am bound to beg
line 0826Of my lord general.
90line 0827COMINIUSTake ’t, ’tis yours. What is ’t?
CORIOLANUS
line 0828I sometime lay here in Corioles
line 0829At a poor man’s house; he used me kindly.
line 0830He cried to me; I saw him prisoner;
line 0831But then Aufidius was within my view,
95line 0832And wrath o’erwhelmed my pity. I request you
line 0833To give my poor host freedom.
line 0834COMINIUSO, well begged!
line 0835Were he the butcher of my son, he should
line 0836Be free as is the wind.—Deliver him, Titus.
LARTIUS
100line 0837Martius, his name?
line 0838CORIOLANUSBy Jupiter, forgot!
line 0839I am weary; yea, my memory is tired.
line 0840Have we no wine here?
line 0841COMINIUSGo we to our tent.
105line 0842The blood upon your visage dries; ’tis time
line 0843It should be looked to. Come.
A flourish of cornets. They exit.
Scene 10
Enter Tullus Aufidius bloody, with two or three Soldiers.
line 0844AUFIDIUSThe town is ta’en.
SOLDIER
line 0845’Twill be delivered back on good condition.
line 0846AUFIDIUSCondition?
line 0847I would I were a Roman, for I cannot,
5line 0848Being a Volsce, be that I am. Condition?
line 0849What good condition can a treaty find
Act 1 Scene 10 - Pg 67
line 0850I’ th’ part that is at mercy? Five times, Martius,
line 0851I have fought with thee; so often hast thou beat me
line 0852And wouldst do so, I think, should we encounter
10line 0853As often as we eat. By th’ elements,
line 0854If e’er again I meet him beard to beard,
line 0855He’s mine, or I am his. Mine emulation
line 0856Hath not that honor in ’t it had; for where
line 0857I thought to crush him in an equal force,
15line 0858True sword to sword, I’ll potch at him some way
line 0859Or wrath or craft may get him.
line 0860SOLDIERHe’s the devil.
AUFIDIUS
line 0861Bolder, though not so subtle. My valor’s poisoned
line 0862With only suff’ring stain by him; for him
20line 0863Shall fly out of itself. Nor sleep nor sanctuary,
line 0864Being naked, sick, nor fane nor Capitol,
line 0865The prayers of priests nor times of sacrifice,
line 0866Embarquements all of fury, shall lift up
line 0867Their rotten privilege and custom ’gainst
25line 0868My hate to Martius. Where I find him, were it
line 0869At home, upon my brother’s guard, even there,
line 0870Against the hospitable canon, would I
line 0871Wash my fierce hand in ’s heart. Go you to th’ city;
line 0872Learn how ’tis held and what they are that must
30line 0873Be hostages for Rome.
line 0874SOLDIERWill not you go?
AUFIDIUS
line 0875I am attended at the cypress grove. I pray you—
line 0876’Tis south the city mills—bring me word thither
line 0877How the world goes, that to the pace of it
35line 0878I may spur on my journey.
line 0879SOLDIERI shall, sir.
They exit, Aufidius through one door, Soldiers through another.
ACT 2
Scene 1
Enter Menenius with the two Tribunes of the people, Sicinius and Brutus.
line 0880MENENIUSThe augurer tells me we shall have news
line 0881tonight.
line 0882BRUTUSGood or bad?
line 0883MENENIUSNot according to the prayer of the people,
5line 0884for they love not Martius.
line 0885SICINIUSNature teaches beasts to know their friends.
line 0886MENENIUSPray you, who does the wolf love?
line 0887SICINIUSThe lamb.
line 0888MENENIUSAy, to devour him, as the hungry plebeians
10line 0889would the noble Martius.
line 0890BRUTUSHe’s a lamb indeed, that baas like a bear.
line 0891MENENIUSHe’s a bear indeed, that lives like a lamb.
line 0892You two are old men; tell me one thing that I shall
line 0893ask you.
15line 0894BOTHWell, sir.
line 0895MENENIUSIn what enormity is Martius poor in, that
line 0896you two have not in abundance?
line 0897BRUTUSHe’s poor in no one fault, but stored with all.
line 0898SICINIUSEspecially in pride.
20line 0899BRUTUSAnd topping all others in boasting.
line 0900MENENIUSThis is strange now. Do you two know how
line 0901you are censured here in the city, I mean of us o’
line 0902th’ right-hand file, do you?
Act 2 Scene 1 - Pg 73
line 0903BOTHWhy, how are we censured?
25line 0904MENENIUSBecause you talk of pride now, will you not
line 0905be angry?
line 0906BOTHWell, well, sir, well?
line 0907MENENIUSWhy, ’tis no great matter; for a very little
line 0908thief of occasion will rob you of a great deal of patience.
30line 0909Give your dispositions the reins, and be
line 0910angry at your pleasures, at the least, if you take it
line 0911as a pleasure to you in being so. You blame Martius
line 0912for being proud.
line 0913BRUTUSWe do it not alone, sir.
35line 0914MENENIUSI know you can do very little alone, for
line 0915your helps are many, or else your actions would
line 0916grow wondrous single. Your abilities are too infantlike
line 0917for doing much alone. You talk of pride. O,
line 0918that you could turn your eyes toward the napes
40line 0919of your necks and make but an interior survey of
line 0920your good selves! O, that you could!
line 0921BOTHWhat then, sir?
line 0922MENENIUSWhy, then you should discover a brace of
line 0923unmeriting, proud, violent, testy magistrates, alias
45line 0924fools, as any in Rome.
line 0925SICINIUSMenenius, you are known well enough, too.
line 0926MENENIUSI am known to be a humorous patrician and
line 0927one that loves a cup of hot wine with not a drop of
line 0928allaying Tiber in ’t; said to be something imperfect
50line 0929in favoring the first complaint, hasty and tinder-like
line 0930upon too trivial motion; one that converses
line 0931more with the buttock of the night than with the
line 0932forehead of the morning. What I think I utter,
line 0933and spend my malice in my breath. Meeting two
55line 0934such wealsmen as you are—I cannot call you
line 0935Lycurguses—if the drink you give me touch my
line 0936palate adversely, I make a crooked face at it. I cannot
line 0937say your Worships have delivered the matter
line 0938well when I find the ass in compound with the
Act 2 Scene 1 - Pg 75
60line 0939major part of your syllables. And though I must
line 0940be content to bear with those that say you are reverend
line 0941grave men, yet they lie deadly that tell you
line 0942have good faces. If you see this in the map of my
line 0943microcosm, follows it that I am known well enough
65line 0944too? What harm can your bisson conspectuities
line 0945glean out of this character, if I be known well
line 0946enough, too?
line 0947BRUTUSCome, sir, come; we know you well enough.
line 0948MENENIUSYou know neither me, yourselves, nor anything.
70line 0949You are ambitious for poor knaves’ caps
line 0950and legs. You wear out a good wholesome forenoon
line 0951in hearing a cause between an orange-wife
line 0952and a faucet-seller, and then rejourn the controversy
line 0953of threepence to a second day of audience.
75line 0954When you are hearing a matter between party and
line 0955party, if you chance to be pinched with the colic,
line 0956you make faces like mummers, set up the bloody
line 0957flag against all patience, and, in roaring for a
line 0958chamber pot, dismiss the controversy bleeding,
80line 0959the more entangled by your hearing. All the peace
line 0960you make in their cause is calling both the parties
line 0961knaves. You are a pair of strange ones.
line 0962BRUTUSCome, come. You are well understood to be a
line 0963perfecter giber for the table than a necessary
85line 0964bencher in the Capitol.
line 0965MENENIUSOur very priests must become mockers if
line 0966they shall encounter such ridiculous subjects as
line 0967you are. When you speak best unto the purpose, it
line 0968is not worth the wagging of your beards, and your
90line 0969beards deserve not so honorable a grave as to
line 0970stuff a botcher’s cushion or to be entombed in an
line 0971ass’s packsaddle. Yet you must be saying Martius is
line 0972proud, who, in a cheap estimation, is worth all
line 0973your predecessors since Deucalion, though peradventure
95line 0974some of the best of ’em were hereditary
Act 2 Scene 1 - Pg 77
line 0975hangmen. Good e’en to your Worships. More of
line 0976your conversation would infect my brain, being
line 0977the herdsmen of the beastly plebeians. I will be
line 0978bold to take my leave of you.
He begins to exit. Brutus and Sicinius stand aside.
Enter Volumnia, Virgilia, and Valeria.
100line 0979How now, my as fair as noble ladies—and the
line 0980moon, were she earthly, no nobler—whither do
line 0981you follow your eyes so fast?
line 0982VOLUMNIAHonorable Menenius, my boy Martius approaches.
line 0983For the love of Juno, let’s go!
105line 0984MENENIUSHa? Martius coming home?
line 0985VOLUMNIAAy, worthy Menenius, and with most prosperous
line 0986approbation.
line 0987MENENIUSTake my cap, Jupiter, and I thank thee!
line 0988He throws his cap in the air. Hoo! Martius coming
110line 0989home?
line 0990VALERIA, VIRGILIANay, ’tis true.
line 0991VOLUMNIALook, here’s a letter from him.
She produces a paper.
line 0992The state hath another, his wife another,
line 0993and I think there’s one at home for you.
115line 0994MENENIUSI will make my very house reel tonight. A
line 0995letter for me?
line 0996VIRGILIAYes, certain, there’s a letter for you; I saw ’t.
line 0997MENENIUSA letter for me? It gives me an estate of
line 0998seven years’ health, in which time I will make a lip
120line 0999at the physician. The most sovereign prescription
line 1000in Galen is but empiricutic and, to this preservative,
line 1001of no better report than a horse drench. Is he not
line 1002wounded? He was wont to come home wounded.
line 1003VIRGILIAO no, no, no!
125line 1004VOLUMNIAO, he is wounded, I thank the gods for ’t.
line 1005MENENIUSSo do I too, if it be not too much. Brings he
line 1006victory in his pocket, the wounds become him.
Act 2 Scene 1 - Pg 79
line 1007VOLUMNIAOn ’s brows, Menenius. He comes the third
line 1008time home with the oaken garland.
130line 1009MENENIUSHas he disciplined Aufidius soundly?
line 1010VOLUMNIATitus Lartius writes they fought together,
line 1011but Aufidius got off.
line 1012MENENIUSAnd ’twas time for him too, I’ll warrant him
line 1013that. An he had stayed by him, I would not have
135line 1014been so ’fidiused for all the chests in Corioles and
line 1015the gold that’s in them. Is the Senate possessed of
line 1016this?
line 1017VOLUMNIAGood ladies, let’s go.—Yes, yes, yes. The
line 1018Senate has letters from the General, wherein he
140line 1019gives my son the whole name of the war. He hath
line 1020in this action outdone his former deeds doubly.
line 1021VALERIAIn troth, there’s wondrous things spoke of
line 1022him.
line 1023MENENIUSWondrous? Ay, I warrant you, and not without
145line 1024his true purchasing.
line 1025VIRGILIAThe gods grant them true.
line 1026VOLUMNIATrue? Pow waw!
line 1027MENENIUSTrue? I’ll be sworn they are true. Where is
line 1028he wounded? To the Tribunes. God save your
150line 1029good Worships! Martius is coming home; he has
line 1030more cause to be proud.—Where is he wounded?
line 1031VOLUMNIAI’ th’ shoulder and i’ th’ left arm. There will
line 1032be large cicatrices to show the people when he
line 1033shall stand for his place. He received in the repulse
155line 1034of Tarquin seven hurts i’ th’ body.
line 1035MENENIUSOne i’ th’ neck and two i’ th’ thigh—there’s
line 1036nine that I know.
line 1037VOLUMNIAHe had, before this last expedition, twenty-five
line 1038wounds upon him.
160line 1039MENENIUSNow it’s twenty-seven. Every gash was an
line 1040enemy’s grave. A shout and flourish. Hark, the
line 1041trumpets!
Act 2 Scene 1 - Pg 81
line 1042VOLUMNIAThese are the ushers of Martius: before him
line 1043he carries noise, and behind him he leaves tears.
165line 1044Death, that dark spirit, in ’s nervy arm doth lie,
line 1045Which, being advanced, declines, and then men die.
A sennet.
Enter Cominius the General and Titus Lartius, between them Coriolanus crowned with an oaken garland, with Captains and Soldiers and a Herald. Trumpets sound.
HERALD
line 1046Know, Rome, that all alone Martius did fight
line 1047Within Corioles’ gates, where he hath won,
line 1048With fame, a name to Martius Caius; these
170line 1049In honor follows “Coriolanus.”
line 1050Welcome to Rome, renownèd Coriolanus.
Sound flourish.
ALL
line 1051Welcome to Rome, renownèd Coriolanus!
CORIOLANUS
line 1052No more of this. It does offend my heart.
line 1053Pray now, no more.
175line 1054COMINIUSLook, sir, your mother.
line 1055CORIOLANUSO,
line 1056You have, I know, petitioned all the gods
line 1057For my prosperity.Kneels.
line 1058VOLUMNIANay, my good soldier, up.
He stands.
180line 1059My gentle Martius, worthy Caius, and
line 1060By deed-achieving honor newly named—
line 1061What is it? Coriolanus must I call thee?
line 1062But, O, thy wife—
line 1063CORIOLANUSMy gracious silence, hail.
185line 1064Wouldst thou have laughed had I come coffined
line 1065home,
line 1066That weep’st to see me triumph? Ah, my dear,
Act 2 Scene 1 - Pg 83
line 1067Such eyes the widows in Corioles wear
line 1068And mothers that lack sons.
190line 1069MENENIUSNow the gods crown
line 1070thee!
CORIOLANUS
line 1071And live you yet? To Valeria. O, my sweet lady,
line 1072pardon.
VOLUMNIA
line 1073I know not where to turn. O, welcome home!—
195line 1074And, welcome, general.—And you’re welcome all.
MENENIUS
line 1075A hundred thousand welcomes! I could weep,
line 1076And I could laugh; I am light and heavy. Welcome.
line 1077A curse begin at very root on ’s heart
line 1078That is not glad to see thee! You are three
200line 1079That Rome should dote on; yet, by the faith of men,
line 1080We have some old crab trees here at home that will
line 1081not
line 1082Be grafted to your relish. Yet welcome, warriors!
line 1083We call a nettle but a nettle, and
205line 1084The faults of fools but folly.
line 1085COMINIUSEver right.
line 1086CORIOLANUSMenenius ever, ever.
HERALD
line 1087Give way there, and go on!
line 1088CORIOLANUSto Volumnia and Virgilia Your hand
210line 1089and yours.
line 1090Ere in our own house I do shade my head,
line 1091The good patricians must be visited,
line 1092From whom I have received not only greetings,
line 1093But with them change of honors.
215line 1094VOLUMNIAI have lived
line 1095To see inherited my very wishes
line 1096And the buildings of my fancy. Only
line 1097There’s one thing wanting, which I doubt not but
line 1098Our Rome will cast upon thee.
Act 2 Scene 1 - Pg 85
220line 1099CORIOLANUSKnow, good mother,
line 1100I had rather be their servant in my way
line 1101Than sway with them in theirs.
line 1102COMINIUSOn, to the Capitol.
Flourish of cornets. They exit in state, as before.
Brutus and Sicinius come forward.
BRUTUS
line 1103All tongues speak of him, and the blearèd sights
225line 1104Are spectacled to see him. Your prattling nurse
line 1105Into a rapture lets her baby cry
line 1106While she chats him. The kitchen malkin pins
line 1107Her richest lockram ’bout her reechy neck,
line 1108Clamb’ring the walls to eye him. Stalls, bulks,
230line 1109windows
line 1110Are smothered up, leads filled, and ridges horsed
line 1111With variable complexions, all agreeing
line 1112In earnestness to see him. Seld-shown flamens
line 1113Do press among the popular throngs and puff
235line 1114To win a vulgar station. Our veiled dames
line 1115Commit the war of white and damask in
line 1116Their nicely-gauded cheeks to th’ wanton spoil
line 1117Of Phoebus’ burning kisses. Such a pother,
line 1118As if that whatsoever god who leads him
240line 1119Were slyly crept into his human powers
line 1120And gave him graceful posture.
line 1121SICINIUSOn the sudden
line 1122I warrant him consul.
line 1123BRUTUSThen our office may,
245line 1124During his power, go sleep.
SICINIUS
line 1125He cannot temp’rately transport his honors
line 1126From where he should begin and end, but will
line 1127Lose those he hath won.
line 1128BRUTUSIn that there’s comfort.
Act 2 Scene 1 - Pg 87
250line 1129SICINIUSDoubt
line 1130not
line 1131The commoners, for whom we stand, but they
line 1132Upon their ancient malice will forget
line 1133With the least cause these his new honors—which
255line 1134That he will give them make I as little question
line 1135As he is proud to do ’t.
line 1136BRUTUSI heard him swear,
line 1137Were he to stand for consul, never would he
line 1138Appear i’ th’ marketplace nor on him put
260line 1139The napless vesture of humility,
line 1140Nor showing, as the manner is, his wounds
line 1141To th’ people, beg their stinking breaths.
line 1142SICINIUS’Tis right.
BRUTUS
line 1143It was his word. O, he would miss it rather
265line 1144Than carry it but by the suit of the gentry to him
line 1145And the desire of the nobles.
line 1146SICINIUSI wish no better
line 1147Than have him hold that purpose and to put it
line 1148In execution.
270line 1149BRUTUS’Tis most like he will.
SICINIUS
line 1150It shall be to him then as our good wills,
line 1151A sure destruction.
line 1152BRUTUSSo it must fall out
line 1153To him, or our authority’s for an end.
275line 1154We must suggest the people in what hatred
line 1155He still hath held them; that to ’s power he would
line 1156Have made them mules, silenced their pleaders, and
line 1157Dispropertied their freedoms; holding them
line 1158In human action and capacity
280line 1159Of no more soul nor fitness for the world
line 1160Than camels in their war, who have their provand
line 1161Only for bearing burdens, and sore blows
line 1162For sinking under them.
Act 2 Scene 2 - Pg 89
line 1163SICINIUSThis, as you say, suggested
285line 1164At some time when his soaring insolence
line 1165Shall touch the people—which time shall not want
line 1166If he be put upon ’t, and that’s as easy
line 1167As to set dogs on sheep—will be his fire
line 1168To kindle their dry stubble, and their blaze
290line 1169Shall darken him forever.
Enter a Messenger.
line 1170BRUTUSWhat’s the matter?
MESSENGER
line 1171You are sent for to the Capitol. ’Tis thought
line 1172That Martius shall be consul. I have seen
line 1173The dumb men throng to see him, and the blind
295line 1174To hear him speak; matrons flung gloves,
line 1175Ladies and maids their scarves and handkerchiefs,
line 1176Upon him as he passed; the nobles bended
line 1177As to Jove’s statue, and the Commons made
line 1178A shower and thunder with their caps and shouts.
300line 1179I never saw the like.
line 1180BRUTUSLet’s to the Capitol,
line 1181And carry with us ears and eyes for th’ time,
line 1182But hearts for the event.
line 1183SICINIUSHave with you.
They exit.
Scene 2
Enter two Officers, to lay cushions, as it were in the Capitol.
line 1184FIRST OFFICERCome, come. They are almost here. How
line 1185many stand for consulships?
line 1186SECOND OFFICERThree, they say; but ’tis thought of
line 1187everyone Coriolanus will carry it.
Act 2 Scene 2 - Pg 91
5line 1188FIRST OFFICERThat’s a brave fellow, but he’s vengeance
line 1189proud and loves not the common people.
line 1190SECOND OFFICER’Faith, there hath been many great
line 1191men that have flattered the people who ne’er loved
line 1192them; and there be many that they have loved they
10line 1193know not wherefore; so that, if they love they
line 1194know not why, they hate upon no better a ground.
line 1195Therefore, for Coriolanus neither to care whether
line 1196they love or hate him manifests the true knowledge
line 1197he has in their disposition and, out of his noble
15line 1198carelessness, lets them plainly see ’t.
line 1199FIRST OFFICERIf he did not care whether he had their
line 1200love or no, he waved indifferently ’twixt doing them
line 1201neither good nor harm; but he seeks their hate with
line 1202greater devotion than they can render it him and
20line 1203leaves nothing undone that may fully discover him
line 1204their opposite. Now, to seem to affect the malice
line 1205and displeasure of the people is as bad as that
line 1206which he dislikes, to flatter them for their love.
line 1207SECOND OFFICERHe hath deserved worthily of his
25line 1208country, and his ascent is not by such easy degrees
line 1209as those who, having been supple and courteous to
line 1210the people, bonneted, without any further deed to
line 1211have them at all into their estimation and report;
line 1212but he hath so planted his honors in their eyes and
30line 1213his actions in their hearts that for their tongues to
line 1214be silent and not confess so much were a kind of
line 1215ingrateful injury. To report otherwise were a malice
line 1216that, giving itself the lie, would pluck reproof
line 1217and rebuke from every ear that heard it.
35line 1218FIRST OFFICERNo more of him; he’s a worthy man.
line 1219Make way. They are coming.
A sennet. Enter the Patricians and the Tribunes of the people, Lictors before them; Coriolanus, Menenius, Cominius the consul. The Patricians sit. Sicinius (cont’d)
Act 2 Scene 2 - Pg 93
(cont’d) and Brutus take their places by themselves. Coriolanus stands.
MENENIUS
line 1220Having determined of the Volsces and
line 1221To send for Titus Lartius, it remains,
line 1222As the main point of this our after-meeting,
40line 1223To gratify his noble service that
line 1224Hath thus stood for his country. Therefore please
line 1225you,
line 1226Most reverend and grave elders, to desire
line 1227The present consul and last general
45line 1228In our well-found successes to report
line 1229A little of that worthy work performed
line 1230By Martius Caius Coriolanus, whom
line 1231We met here both to thank and to remember
line 1232With honors like himself.Coriolanus sits.
50line 1233FIRST SENATORSpeak, good Cominius.
line 1234Leave nothing out for length, and make us think
line 1235Rather our state’s defective for requital,
line 1236Than we to stretch it out. To the Tribunes.
line 1237Masters o’ th’ people,
55line 1238We do request your kindest ears and, after,
line 1239Your loving motion toward the common body
line 1240To yield what passes here.
line 1241SICINIUSWe are convented
line 1242Upon a pleasing treaty and have hearts
60line 1243Inclinable to honor and advance
line 1244The theme of our assembly.
line 1245BRUTUSWhich the rather
line 1246We shall be blest to do if he remember
line 1247A kinder value of the people than
65line 1248He hath hereto prized them at.
line 1249MENENIUSThat’s off, that’s off!
line 1250I would you rather had been silent. Please you
line 1251To hear Cominius speak?
Act 2 Scene 2 - Pg 95
line 1252BRUTUSMost willingly,
70line 1253But yet my caution was more pertinent
line 1254Than the rebuke you give it.
line 1255MENENIUSHe loves your people,
line 1256But tie him not to be their bedfellow.—
line 1257Worthy Cominius, speak.
Coriolanus rises and offers to go away.
75line 1258Nay, keep your place.
FIRST SENATOR
line 1259Sit, Coriolanus. Never shame to hear
line 1260What you have nobly done.
line 1261CORIOLANUSYour Honors, pardon.
line 1262I had rather have my wounds to heal again
80line 1263Than hear say how I got them.
line 1264BRUTUSSir, I hope
line 1265My words disbenched you not?
line 1266CORIOLANUSNo, sir. Yet oft,
line 1267When blows have made me stay, I fled from words.
85line 1268You soothed not, therefore hurt not; but your
line 1269people,
line 1270I love them as they weigh.
line 1271MENENIUSPray now, sit down.
CORIOLANUS
line 1272I had rather have one scratch my head i’ th’ sun
90line 1273When the alarum were struck than idly sit
line 1274To hear my nothings monstered.Coriolanus exits.
line 1275MENENIUSMasters of the people,
line 1276Your multiplying spawn how can he flatter—
line 1277That’s thousand to one good one—when you now
95line 1278see
line 1279He had rather venture all his limbs for honor
line 1280Than one on ’s ears to hear it.—Proceed, Cominius.
COMINIUS
line 1281I shall lack voice. The deeds of Coriolanus
line 1282Should not be uttered feebly. It is held
100line 1283That valor is the chiefest virtue and
Act 2 Scene 2 - Pg 97
line 1284Most dignifies the haver; if it be,
line 1285The man I speak of cannot in the world
line 1286Be singly counterpoised. At sixteen years,
line 1287When Tarquin made a head for Rome, he fought
105line 1288Beyond the mark of others. Our then dictator,
line 1289Whom with all praise I point at, saw him fight
line 1290When with his Amazonian chin he drove
line 1291The bristled lips before him. He bestrid
line 1292An o’erpressed Roman and i’ th’ Consul’s view
110line 1293Slew three opposers. Tarquin’s self he met
line 1294And struck him on his knee. In that day’s feats,
line 1295When he might act the woman in the scene,
line 1296He proved best man i’ th’ field and for his meed
line 1297Was brow-bound with the oak. His pupil age
115line 1298Man-entered thus, he waxèd like a sea,
line 1299And in the brunt of seventeen battles since
line 1300He lurched all swords of the garland. For this last,
line 1301Before and in Corioles, let me say,
line 1302I cannot speak him home. He stopped the flyers
120line 1303And by his rare example made the coward
line 1304Turn terror into sport. As weeds before
line 1305A vessel under sail, so men obeyed
line 1306And fell below his stem. His sword, Death’s stamp,
line 1307Where it did mark, it took; from face to foot
125line 1308He was a thing of blood, whose every motion
line 1309Was timed with dying cries. Alone he entered
line 1310The mortal gate o’ th’ city, which he painted
line 1311With shunless destiny; aidless came off
line 1312And with a sudden reinforcement struck
130line 1313Corioles like a planet. Now all’s his,
line 1314When by and by the din of war gan pierce
line 1315His ready sense; then straight his doubled spirit
line 1316Requickened what in flesh was fatigate,
line 1317And to the battle came he, where he did
135line 1318Run reeking o’er the lives of men as if
line 1319’Twere a perpetual spoil; and till we called
Act 2 Scene 2 - Pg 99
line 1320Both field and city ours, he never stood
line 1321To ease his breast with panting.
line 1322MENENIUSWorthy man!
FIRST SENATOR
140line 1323He cannot but with measure fit the honors
line 1324Which we devise him.
line 1325COMINIUSOur spoils he kicked at
line 1326And looked upon things precious as they were
line 1327The common muck of the world. He covets less
145line 1328Than misery itself would give, rewards
line 1329His deeds with doing them, and is content
line 1330To spend the time to end it.
line 1331MENENIUSHe’s right noble.
line 1332Let him be called for.
150line 1333FIRST SENATORCall Coriolanus.
line 1334OFFICERHe doth appear.
Enter Coriolanus.
MENENIUS
line 1335The Senate, Coriolanus, are well pleased
line 1336To make thee consul.
line 1337CORIOLANUSI do owe them still
155line 1338My life and services.
line 1339MENENIUSIt then remains
line 1340That you do speak to the people.
line 1341CORIOLANUSI do beseech you,
line 1342Let me o’erleap that custom, for I cannot
160line 1343Put on the gown, stand naked, and entreat them
line 1344For my wounds’ sake to give their suffrage. Please
line 1345you
line 1346That I may pass this doing.
line 1347SICINIUSSir, the people
165line 1348Must have their voices; neither will they bate
line 1349One jot of ceremony.
line 1350MENENIUSto Coriolanus Put them not to ’t.
line 1351Pray you, go fit you to the custom, and
Act 2 Scene 3 - Pg 101
line 1352Take to you, as your predecessors have,
170line 1353Your honor with your form.
line 1354CORIOLANUSIt is a part
line 1355That I shall blush in acting, and might well
line 1356Be taken from the people.
line 1357BRUTUSto Sicinius Mark you that?
CORIOLANUS
175line 1358To brag unto them “Thus I did, and thus!”
line 1359Show them th’ unaching scars, which I should hide,
line 1360As if I had received them for the hire
line 1361Of their breath only!
line 1362MENENIUSDo not stand upon ’t.—
180line 1363We recommend to you, tribunes of the people,
line 1364Our purpose to them, and to our noble consul
line 1365Wish we all joy and honor.
SENATORS
line 1366To Coriolanus come all joy and honor!
Flourish cornets. Then they exit. Sicinius and Brutus remain.
BRUTUS
line 1367You see how he intends to use the people.
SICINIUS
185line 1368May they perceive ’s intent! He will require them
line 1369As if he did contemn what he requested
line 1370Should be in them to give.
line 1371BRUTUSCome, we’ll inform them
line 1372Of our proceedings here. On th’ marketplace
190line 1373I know they do attend us.
They exit.
Scene 3
Enter seven or eight Citizens.
line 1374FIRST CITIZENOnce, if he do require our voices, we
line 1375ought not to deny him.
Act 2 Scene 3 - Pg 103
line 1376SECOND CITIZENWe may, sir, if we will.
line 1377THIRD CITIZENWe have power in ourselves to do it, but
5line 1378it is a power that we have no power to do; for, if
line 1379he show us his wounds and tell us his deeds, we
line 1380are to put our tongues into those wounds and
line 1381speak for them. So, if he tell us his noble deeds, we
line 1382must also tell him our noble acceptance of them.
10line 1383Ingratitude is monstrous, and for the multitude to
line 1384be ingrateful were to make a monster of the multitude,
line 1385of the which, we being members, should
line 1386bring ourselves to be monstrous members.
line 1387FIRST CITIZENAnd to make us no better thought of, a
15line 1388little help will serve; for once we stood up about
line 1389the corn, he himself stuck not to call us the many-headed
line 1390multitude.
line 1391THIRD CITIZENWe have been called so of many; not that
line 1392our heads are some brown, some black, some
20line 1393abram, some bald, but that our wits are so diversely
line 1394colored; and truly I think if all our wits were to
line 1395issue out of one skull, they would fly east, west,
line 1396north, south, and their consent of one direct way
line 1397should be at once to all the points o’ th’ compass.
25line 1398SECOND CITIZENThink you so? Which way do you
line 1399judge my wit would fly?
line 1400THIRD CITIZENNay, your wit will not so soon out as another
line 1401man’s will; ’tis strongly wedged up in a blockhead.
line 1402But if it were at liberty, ’twould sure
30line 1403southward.
line 1404SECOND CITIZENWhy that way?
line 1405THIRD CITIZENTo lose itself in a fog, where, being three
line 1406parts melted away with rotten dews, the fourth
line 1407would return for conscience’ sake, to help to get
35line 1408thee a wife.
line 1409SECOND CITIZENYou are never without your tricks. You
line 1410may, you may.
Act 2 Scene 3 - Pg 105
line 1411THIRD CITIZENAre you all resolved to give your voices?
line 1412But that’s no matter; the greater part carries it. I
40line 1413say, if he would incline to the people, there was
line 1414never a worthier man.
Enter Coriolanus in a gown of humility, with Menenius.
line 1415Here he comes, and in the gown of humility. Mark
line 1416his behavior. We are not to stay all together, but to
line 1417come by him where he stands, by ones, by twos,
45line 1418and by threes. He’s to make his requests by particulars,
line 1419wherein every one of us has a single honor
line 1420in giving him our own voices with our own tongues.
line 1421Therefore follow me, and I’ll direct you how you
line 1422shall go by him.
50line 1423ALLContent, content.Citizens exit.
MENENIUS
line 1424O sir, you are not right. Have you not known
line 1425The worthiest men have done ’t?
line 1426CORIOLANUSWhat must I say?
line 1427“I pray, sir?”—plague upon ’t! I cannot bring
55line 1428My tongue to such a pace. “Look, sir, my wounds!
line 1429I got them in my country’s service when
line 1430Some certain of your brethren roared and ran
line 1431From th’ noise of our own drums.”
line 1432MENENIUSO me, the gods!
60line 1433You must not speak of that. You must desire them
line 1434To think upon you.
line 1435CORIOLANUSThink upon me? Hang ’em!
line 1436I would they would forget me, like the virtues
line 1437Which our divines lose by ’em.
65line 1438MENENIUSYou’ll mar all.
line 1439I’ll leave you. Pray you, speak to ’em, I pray you,
line 1440In wholesome manner.He exits.
line 1441CORIOLANUSBid them wash their faces
line 1442And keep their teeth clean.
Act 2 Scene 3 - Pg 107
Enter three of the Citizens.
70line 1443So, here comes a brace.—
line 1444You know the cause, sir, of my standing here.
THIRD CITIZEN
line 1445We do, sir. Tell us what hath brought you to ’t.
line 1446CORIOLANUSMine own desert.
line 1447SECOND CITIZENYour own desert?
75line 1448CORIOLANUSAy, but not mine own desire.
line 1449THIRD CITIZENHow, not your own desire?
line 1450CORIOLANUSNo, sir, ’twas never my desire yet to trouble
line 1451the poor with begging.
line 1452THIRD CITIZENYou must think if we give you anything,
80line 1453we hope to gain by you.
line 1454CORIOLANUSWell then, I pray, your price o’ th’
line 1455consulship?
line 1456FIRST CITIZENThe price is to ask it kindly.
line 1457CORIOLANUSKindly, sir, I pray, let me ha ’t. I have
85line 1458wounds to show you, which shall be yours in
line 1459private.—Your good voice, sir. What say you?
line 1460SECOND CITIZENYou shall ha ’t, worthy sir.
line 1461CORIOLANUSA match, sir. There’s in all two worthy
line 1462voices begged. I have your alms. Adieu.
90line 1463THIRD CITIZENto the other Citizens But this is something
line 1464odd.
line 1465SECOND CITIZENAn ’twere to give again—but ’tis no
line 1466matter.These citizens exit.
Enter two other Citizens.
line 1467CORIOLANUSPray you now, if it may stand with the
95line 1468tune of your voices that I may be consul, I have
line 1469here the customary gown.
line 1470FOURTH CITIZENYou have deserved nobly of your
line 1471country, and you have not deserved nobly.
line 1472CORIOLANUSYour enigma?
Act 2 Scene 3 - Pg 109
100line 1473FOURTH CITIZENYou have been a scourge to her enemies;
line 1474you have been a rod to her friends. You have
line 1475not indeed loved the common people.
line 1476CORIOLANUSYou should account me the more virtuous
line 1477that I have not been common in my love. I will, sir,
105line 1478flatter my sworn brother, the people, to earn a
line 1479dearer estimation of them; ’tis a condition they account
line 1480gentle. And since the wisdom of their choice
line 1481is rather to have my hat than my heart, I will practice
line 1482the insinuating nod and be off to them most
110line 1483counterfeitly. That is, sir, I will counterfeit the bewitchment
line 1484of some popular man and give it bountiful
line 1485to the desirers. Therefore, beseech you, I may
line 1486be consul.
line 1487FIFTH CITIZENWe hope to find you our friend, and
115line 1488therefore give you our voices heartily.
line 1489FOURTH CITIZENYou have received many wounds for
line 1490your country.
line 1491CORIOLANUSI will not seal your knowledge with showing
line 1492them. I will make much of your voices and so
120line 1493trouble you no farther.
line 1494BOTHThe gods give you joy, sir, heartily.
Citizens exit.
line 1495CORIOLANUSMost sweet voices!
line 1496Better it is to die, better to starve,
line 1497Than crave the hire which first we do deserve.
125line 1498Why in this woolvish toge should I stand here
line 1499To beg of Hob and Dick that does appear
line 1500Their needless vouches? Custom calls me to ’t.
line 1501What custom wills, in all things should we do ’t?
line 1502The dust on antique time would lie unswept
130line 1503And mountainous error be too highly heaped
line 1504For truth to o’erpeer. Rather than fool it so,
line 1505Let the high office and the honor go
line 1506To one that would do thus. I am half through;
line 1507The one part suffered, the other will I do.
Act 2 Scene 3 - Pg 111
Enter three Citizens more.
135line 1508Here come more voices.—
line 1509Your voices! For your voices I have fought;
line 1510Watched for your voices; for your voices bear
line 1511Of wounds two dozen odd. Battles thrice six
line 1512I have seen and heard of; for your voices have
140line 1513Done many things, some less, some more. Your
line 1514voices!
line 1515Indeed, I would be consul.
line 1516SIXTH CITIZENHe has done nobly, and cannot go
line 1517without any honest man’s voice.
145line 1518SEVENTH CITIZENTherefore let him be consul. The
line 1519gods give him joy, and make him good friend to
line 1520the people!
line 1521ALLAmen, amen. God save thee, noble consul.
Citizens exit.
line 1522CORIOLANUSWorthy voices!
Enter Menenius, with Brutus and Sicinius.
MENENIUS
150line 1523You have stood your limitation, and the Tribunes
line 1524Endue you with the people’s voice. Remains
line 1525That in th’ official marks invested, you
line 1526Anon do meet the Senate.
line 1527CORIOLANUSIs this done?
SICINIUS
155line 1528The custom of request you have discharged.
line 1529The people do admit you, and are summoned
line 1530To meet anon upon your approbation.
CORIOLANUS
line 1531Where? At the Senate House?
line 1532SICINIUSThere, Coriolanus.
CORIOLANUS
160line 1533May I change these garments?
line 1534SICINIUSYou may, sir.
Act 2 Scene 3 - Pg 113
CORIOLANUS
line 1535That I’ll straight do and, knowing myself again,
line 1536Repair to th’ Senate House.
MENENIUS
line 1537I’ll keep you company.—Will you along?
BRUTUS
165line 1538We stay here for the people.
line 1539SICINIUSFare you well.
Coriolanus and Menenius exit.
line 1540He has it now; and by his looks, methinks,
line 1541’Tis warm at ’s heart.
line 1542BRUTUSWith a proud heart he wore
170line 1543His humble weeds. Will you dismiss the people?
Enter the Plebeians.
SICINIUS
line 1544How now, my masters, have you chose this man?
line 1545FIRST CITIZENHe has our voices, sir.
BRUTUS
line 1546We pray the gods he may deserve your loves.
SECOND CITIZEN
line 1547Amen, sir. To my poor unworthy notice,
175line 1548He mocked us when he begged our voices.
THIRD CITIZEN
line 1549Certainly, he flouted us downright.
FIRST CITIZEN
line 1550No, ’tis his kind of speech. He did not mock us.
SECOND CITIZEN
line 1551Not one amongst us, save yourself, but says
line 1552He used us scornfully. He should have showed us
180line 1553His marks of merit, wounds received for ’s country.
line 1554SICINIUSWhy, so he did, I am sure.
line 1555ALLNo, no. No man saw ’em.
THIRD CITIZEN
line 1556He said he had wounds, which he could show in
line 1557private,
Act 2 Scene 3 - Pg 115
185line 1558And with his hat, thus waving it in scorn,
line 1559“I would be consul,” says he. “Agèd custom,
line 1560But by your voices, will not so permit me;
line 1561Your voices therefore.” When we granted that,
line 1562Here was “I thank you for your voices. Thank you.
190line 1563Your most sweet voices! Now you have left your
line 1564voices,
line 1565I have no further with you.” Was not this mockery?
SICINIUS
line 1566Why either were you ignorant to see ’t
line 1567Or, seeing it, of such childish friendliness
195line 1568To yield your voices?
line 1569BRUTUSCould you not have told him
line 1570As you were lessoned? When he had no power,
line 1571But was a petty servant to the state,
line 1572He was your enemy, ever spake against
200line 1573Your liberties and the charters that you bear
line 1574I’ th’ body of the weal; and, now arriving
line 1575A place of potency and sway o’ th’ state,
line 1576If he should still malignantly remain
line 1577Fast foe to th’ plebeii, your voices might
205line 1578Be curses to yourselves. You should have said
line 1579That as his worthy deeds did claim no less
line 1580Than what he stood for, so his gracious nature
line 1581Would think upon you for your voices, and
line 1582Translate his malice towards you into love,
210line 1583Standing your friendly lord.
line 1584SICINIUSThus to have said,
line 1585As you were fore-advised, had touched his spirit
line 1586And tried his inclination; from him plucked
line 1587Either his gracious promise, which you might,
215line 1588As cause had called you up, have held him to;
line 1589Or else it would have galled his surly nature,
line 1590Which easily endures not article
line 1591Tying him to aught. So putting him to rage,
Act 2 Scene 3 - Pg 117
line 1592You should have ta’en th’ advantage of his choler
220line 1593And passed him unelected.
line 1594BRUTUSDid you perceive
line 1595He did solicit you in free contempt
line 1596When he did need your loves, and do you think
line 1597That his contempt shall not be bruising to you
225line 1598When he hath power to crush? Why, had your
line 1599bodies
line 1600No heart among you? Or had you tongues to cry
line 1601Against the rectorship of judgment?
SICINIUS
line 1602Have you ere now denied the asker? And now
230line 1603Again, of him that did not ask but mock,
line 1604Bestow your sued-for tongues?
line 1605THIRD CITIZENHe’s not confirmed.
line 1606We may deny him yet.
line 1607SECOND CITIZENAnd will deny him.
235line 1608I’ll have five hundred voices of that sound.
FIRST CITIZEN
line 1609I twice five hundred, and their friends to piece ’em.
BRUTUS
line 1610Get you hence instantly, and tell those friends
line 1611They have chose a consul that will from them take
line 1612Their liberties, make them of no more voice
240line 1613Than dogs that are as often beat for barking
line 1614As therefor kept to do so.
line 1615SICINIUSLet them assemble
line 1616And, on a safer judgment, all revoke
line 1617Your ignorant election. Enforce his pride
245line 1618And his old hate unto you. Besides, forget not
line 1619With what contempt he wore the humble weed,
line 1620How in his suit he scorned you; but your loves,
line 1621Thinking upon his services, took from you
line 1622Th’ apprehension of his present portance,
250line 1623Which most gibingly, ungravely, he did fashion
line 1624After the inveterate hate he bears you.
Act 2 Scene 3 - Pg 119
line 1625BRUTUSLay
line 1626A fault on us, your tribunes, that we labored,
line 1627No impediment between, but that you must
255line 1628Cast your election on him.
line 1629SICINIUSSay you chose him
line 1630More after our commandment than as guided
line 1631By your own true affections, and that your minds,
line 1632Preoccupied with what you rather must do
260line 1633Than what you should, made you against the grain
line 1634To voice him consul. Lay the fault on us.
BRUTUS
line 1635Ay, spare us not. Say we read lectures to you,
line 1636How youngly he began to serve his country,
line 1637How long continued, and what stock he springs of,
265line 1638The noble house o’ th’ Martians, from whence came
line 1639That Ancus Martius, Numa’s daughter’s son,
line 1640Who after great Hostilius here was king,
line 1641Of the same house Publius and Quintus were,
line 1642That our best water brought by conduits hither;
270line 1643And Censorinus, that was so surnamed,
line 1644And nobly namèd so, twice being censor,
line 1645Was his great ancestor.
line 1646SICINIUSOne thus descended,
line 1647That hath besides well in his person wrought
275line 1648To be set high in place, we did commend
line 1649To your remembrances; but you have found,
line 1650Scaling his present bearing with his past,
line 1651That he’s your fixèd enemy, and revoke
line 1652Your sudden approbation.
280line 1653BRUTUSSay you ne’er had done ’t—
line 1654Harp on that still—but by our putting on.
line 1655And presently, when you have drawn your number,
line 1656Repair to th’ Capitol.
line 1657ALLWe will so. Almost all
285line 1658Repent in their election.Plebeians exit.
line 1659BRUTUSLet them go on.
Act 2 Scene 3 - Pg 121
line 1660This mutiny were better put in hazard
line 1661Than stay, past doubt, for greater.
line 1662If, as his nature is, he fall in rage
290line 1663With their refusal, both observe and answer
line 1664The vantage of his anger.
line 1665SICINIUSTo th’ Capitol, come.
line 1666We will be there before the stream o’ th’ people,
line 1667And this shall seem, as partly ’tis, their own,
295line 1668Which we have goaded onward.
They exit.
ACT 3
Scene 1
Cornets. Enter Coriolanus, Menenius, all the Gentry, Cominius, Titus Lartius, and other Senators.
CORIOLANUS
line 1669Tullus Aufidius then had made new head?
LARTIUS
line 1670He had, my lord, and that it was which caused
line 1671Our swifter composition.
CORIOLANUS
line 1672So then the Volsces stand but as at first,
5line 1673Ready, when time shall prompt them, to make road
line 1674Upon ’s again.
line 1675COMINIUSThey are worn, lord consul, so,
line 1676That we shall hardly in our ages see
line 1677Their banners wave again.
10line 1678CORIOLANUSSaw you Aufidius?
LARTIUS
line 1679On safeguard he came to me, and did curse
line 1680Against the Volsces, for they had so vilely
line 1681Yielded the town. He is retired to Antium.
CORIOLANUS
line 1682Spoke he of me?
15line 1683LARTIUSHe did, my lord.
line 1684CORIOLANUSHow? What?
LARTIUS
line 1685How often he had met you sword to sword;
Act 3 Scene 1 - Pg 127
line 1686That of all things upon the earth he hated
line 1687Your person most; that he would pawn his fortunes
20line 1688To hopeless restitution, so he might
line 1689Be called your vanquisher.
line 1690CORIOLANUSAt Antium lives he?
line 1691LARTIUSAt Antium.
CORIOLANUS
line 1692I wish I had a cause to seek him there,
25line 1693To oppose his hatred fully. Welcome home.
Enter Sicinius and Brutus.
line 1694Behold, these are the tribunes of the people,
line 1695The tongues o’ th’ common mouth. I do despise
line 1696them,
line 1697For they do prank them in authority
30line 1698Against all noble sufferance.
line 1699SICINIUSPass no further.
line 1700CORIOLANUSHa? What is that?
BRUTUS
line 1701It will be dangerous to go on. No further.
line 1702CORIOLANUSWhat makes this change?
35line 1703MENENIUSThe matter?
COMINIUS
line 1704Hath he not passed the noble and the common?
BRUTUS
line 1705Cominius, no.
line 1706CORIOLANUSHave I had children’s voices?
FIRST SENATOR
line 1707Tribunes, give way. He shall to th’ marketplace.
BRUTUS
40line 1708The people are incensed against him.
line 1709SICINIUSStop,
line 1710Or all will fall in broil.
line 1711CORIOLANUSAre these your herd?
line 1712Must these have voices, that can yield them now
Act 3 Scene 1 - Pg 129
45line 1713And straight disclaim their tongues? What are your
line 1714offices?
line 1715You being their mouths, why rule you not their
line 1716teeth?
line 1717Have you not set them on?
50line 1718MENENIUSBe calm, be calm.
CORIOLANUS
line 1719It is a purposed thing, and grows by plot,
line 1720To curb the will of the nobility.
line 1721Suffer ’t, and live with such as cannot rule
line 1722Nor ever will be ruled.
55line 1723BRUTUSCall ’t not a plot.
line 1724The people cry you mocked them; and, of late,
line 1725When corn was given them gratis, you repined,
line 1726Scandaled the suppliants for the people, called them
line 1727Timepleasers, flatterers, foes to nobleness.
CORIOLANUS
60line 1728Why, this was known before.
line 1729BRUTUSNot to them all.
CORIOLANUS
line 1730Have you informed them sithence?
line 1731BRUTUSHow? I inform
line 1732them?
65line 1733COMINIUSYou are like to do such business.
BRUTUS
line 1734Not unlike, each way, to better yours.
CORIOLANUS
line 1735Why then should I be consul? By yond clouds,
line 1736Let me deserve so ill as you, and make me
line 1737Your fellow tribune.
70line 1738SICINIUSYou show too much of that
line 1739For which the people stir. If you will pass
line 1740To where you are bound, you must inquire your
line 1741way,
Act 3 Scene 1 - Pg 131
line 1742Which you are out of, with a gentler spirit,
75line 1743Or never be so noble as a consul,
line 1744Nor yoke with him for tribune.
line 1745MENENIUSLet’s be calm.
COMINIUS
line 1746The people are abused, set on. This palt’ring
line 1747Becomes not Rome, nor has Coriolanus
80line 1748Deserved this so dishonored rub, laid falsely
line 1749I’ th’ plain way of his merit.
line 1750CORIOLANUSTell me of corn?
line 1751This was my speech, and I will speak ’t again.
MENENIUS
line 1752Not now, not now.
85line 1753FIRST SENATORNot in this heat, sir, now.
line 1754CORIOLANUSNow, as I live, I will.
line 1755My nobler friends, I crave their pardons. For
line 1756The mutable, rank-scented meiny, let them
line 1757Regard me, as I do not flatter, and
90line 1758Therein behold themselves. I say again,
line 1759In soothing them, we nourish ’gainst our senate
line 1760The cockle of rebellion, insolence, sedition,
line 1761Which we ourselves have plowed for, sowed, and
line 1762scattered
95line 1763By mingling them with us, the honored number,
line 1764Who lack not virtue, no, nor power, but that
line 1765Which they have given to beggars.
line 1766MENENIUSWell, no more.
FIRST SENATOR
line 1767No more words, we beseech you.
100line 1768CORIOLANUSHow? No more?
line 1769As for my country I have shed my blood,
line 1770Not fearing outward force, so shall my lungs
line 1771Coin words till their decay against those measles
line 1772Which we disdain should tetter us, yet sought
105line 1773The very way to catch them.
Act 3 Scene 1 - Pg 133
line 1774BRUTUSYou speak o’ th’ people
line 1775As if you were a god to punish, not
line 1776A man of their infirmity.
line 1777SICINIUS’Twere well
110line 1778We let the people know ’t.
line 1779MENENIUSWhat, what? His choler?
line 1780CORIOLANUSCholer?
line 1781Were I as patient as the midnight sleep,
line 1782By Jove, ’twould be my mind.
115line 1783SICINIUSIt is a mind
line 1784That shall remain a poison where it is,
line 1785Not poison any further.
line 1786CORIOLANUS“Shall remain”?
line 1787Hear you this Triton of the minnows? Mark you
120line 1788His absolute “shall”?
line 1789COMINIUS’Twas from the canon.
line 1790CORIOLANUS“Shall”?
line 1791O good but most unwise patricians, why,
line 1792You grave but reckless senators, have you thus
125line 1793Given Hydra here to choose an officer,
line 1794That with his peremptory “shall,” being but
line 1795The horn and noise o’ th’ monster’s, wants not spirit
line 1796To say he’ll turn your current in a ditch
line 1797And make your channel his? If he have power,
130line 1798Then vail your ignorance; if none, awake
line 1799Your dangerous lenity. If you are learned,
line 1800Be not as common fools; if you are not,
line 1801Let them have cushions by you. You are plebeians,
line 1802If they be senators; and they are no less
135line 1803When, both your voices blended, the great’st taste
line 1804Most palates theirs. They choose their magistrate,
line 1805And such a one as he, who puts his “shall,”
line 1806His popular “shall,” against a graver bench
line 1807Than ever frowned in Greece. By Jove himself,
140line 1808It makes the consuls base! And my soul aches
line 1809To know, when two authorities are up,
Act 3 Scene 1 - Pg 135
line 1810Neither supreme, how soon confusion
line 1811May enter ’twixt the gap of both and take
line 1812The one by th’ other.
145line 1813COMINIUSWell, on to th’ marketplace.
CORIOLANUS
line 1814Whoever gave that counsel to give forth
line 1815The corn o’ th’ storehouse gratis, as ’twas used
line 1816Sometime in Greece—
line 1817MENENIUSWell, well, no more of that.
CORIOLANUS
150line 1818Though there the people had more absolute power,
line 1819I say they nourished disobedience, fed
line 1820The ruin of the state.
line 1821BRUTUSWhy shall the people give
line 1822One that speaks thus their voice?
155line 1823CORIOLANUSI’ll give my reasons,
line 1824More worthier than their voices. They know the
line 1825corn
line 1826Was not our recompense, resting well assured
line 1827They ne’er did service for ’t. Being pressed to th’ war,
160line 1828Even when the navel of the state was touched,
line 1829They would not thread the gates. This kind of
line 1830service
line 1831Did not deserve corn gratis. Being i’ th’ war,
line 1832Their mutinies and revolts, wherein they showed
165line 1833Most valor, spoke not for them. Th’ accusation
line 1834Which they have often made against the Senate,
line 1835All cause unborn, could never be the native
line 1836Of our so frank donation. Well, what then?
line 1837How shall this bosom multiplied digest
170line 1838The Senate’s courtesy? Let deeds express
line 1839What’s like to be their words: “We did request it;
line 1840We are the greater poll, and in true fear
line 1841They gave us our demands.” Thus we debase
line 1842The nature of our seats and make the rabble
175line 1843Call our cares fears, which will in time
Act 3 Scene 1 - Pg 137
line 1844Break ope the locks o’ th’ Senate and bring in
line 1845The crows to peck the eagles.
line 1846MENENIUSCome, enough.
BRUTUS
line 1847Enough, with over-measure.
180line 1848CORIOLANUSNo, take more!
line 1849What may be sworn by, both divine and human,
line 1850Seal what I end withal! This double worship—
line 1851Where one part does disdain with cause, the other
line 1852Insult without all reason, where gentry, title,
185line 1853wisdom
line 1854Cannot conclude but by the yea and no
line 1855Of general ignorance—it must omit
line 1856Real necessities and give way the while
line 1857To unstable slightness. Purpose so barred, it follows
190line 1858Nothing is done to purpose. Therefore, beseech
line 1859you—
line 1860You that will be less fearful than discreet,
line 1861That love the fundamental part of state
line 1862More than you doubt the change on ’t, that prefer
195line 1863A noble life before a long, and wish
line 1864To jump a body with a dangerous physic
line 1865That’s sure of death without it—at once pluck out
line 1866The multitudinous tongue; let them not lick
line 1867The sweet which is their poison. Your dishonor
200line 1868Mangles true judgment and bereaves the state
line 1869Of that integrity which should become ’t,
line 1870Not having the power to do the good it would
line 1871For th’ ill which doth control ’t.
line 1872BRUTUS’Has said enough.
SICINIUS
205line 1873’Has spoken like a traitor and shall answer
line 1874As traitors do.
line 1875CORIOLANUSThou wretch, despite o’erwhelm thee!
line 1876What should the people do with these bald tribunes,
line 1877On whom depending, their obedience fails
Act 3 Scene 1 - Pg 139
210line 1878To th’ greater bench? In a rebellion,
line 1879When what’s not meet but what must be was law,
line 1880Then were they chosen. In a better hour,
line 1881Let what is meet be said it must be meet,
line 1882And throw their power i’ th’ dust.
215line 1883BRUTUSManifest treason.
line 1884SICINIUSThis a consul? No.
line 1885BRUTUSThe aediles, ho! Let him be apprehended.
Enter an Aedile.
SICINIUS
line 1886Go, call the people; Aedile exits. in whose name
line 1887myself
220line 1888Attach thee as a traitorous innovator,
line 1889A foe to th’ public weal. Obey, I charge thee,
line 1890And follow to thine answer.
line 1891CORIOLANUSHence, old goat.
ALL PATRICIANS
line 1892We’ll surety him.
225line 1893COMINIUSto Sicinius Agèd sir, hands off.
CORIOLANUSto Sicinius
line 1894Hence, rotten thing, or I shall shake thy bones
line 1895Out of thy garments.
line 1896SICINIUSHelp, you citizens!
Enter a rabble of Plebeians with the Aediles.
line 1897MENENIUSOn both sides more respect!
SICINIUS
230line 1898Here’s he that would take from you all your power.
line 1899BRUTUSSeize him, aediles.
line 1900ALL PLEBEIANSDown with him, down with him!
line 1901SECOND SENATORWeapons, weapons, weapons!
They all bustle about Coriolanus.
line 1902Tribunes, patricians, citizens, what ho!
235line 1903Sicinius, Brutus, Coriolanus, citizens!
Act 3 Scene 1 - Pg 141
line 1904ALLPeace, peace, peace! Stay, hold, peace!
MENENIUS
line 1905What is about to be? I am out of breath.
line 1906Confusion’s near. I cannot speak. You, tribunes
line 1907To th’ people!—Coriolanus, patience!—
240line 1908Speak, good Sicinius.
line 1909SICINIUSHear me, people! Peace!
ALL PLEBEIANS
line 1910Let’s hear our tribune. Peace! Speak, speak, speak.
SICINIUS
line 1911You are at point to lose your liberties.
line 1912Martius would have all from you, Martius,
245line 1913Whom late you have named for consul.
line 1914MENENIUSFie, fie, fie!
line 1915This is the way to kindle, not to quench.
FIRST SENATOR
line 1916To unbuild the city and to lay all flat.
SICINIUS
line 1917What is the city but the people?
250line 1918ALL PLEBEIANSTrue,
line 1919The people are the city.
BRUTUS
line 1920By the consent of all, we were established
line 1921The people’s magistrates.
line 1922ALL PLEBEIANSYou so remain.
255line 1923MENENIUSAnd so are like to do.
CORIOLANUS
line 1924That is the way to lay the city flat,
line 1925To bring the roof to the foundation
line 1926And bury all which yet distinctly ranges
line 1927In heaps and piles of ruin.
260line 1928SICINIUSThis deserves death.
BRUTUS
line 1929Or let us stand to our authority
line 1930Or let us lose it. We do here pronounce,
line 1931Upon the part o’ th’ people, in whose power
Act 3 Scene 1 - Pg 143
line 1932We were elected theirs, Martius is worthy
265line 1933Of present death.
line 1934SICINIUSTherefore lay hold of him,
line 1935Bear him to th’ rock Tarpeian, and from thence
line 1936Into destruction cast him.
line 1937BRUTUSAediles, seize him!
ALL PLEBEIANS
270line 1938Yield, Martius, yield!
line 1939MENENIUSHear me one word.
line 1940Beseech you, tribunes, hear me but a word.
line 1941AEDILESPeace, peace!
MENENIUS
line 1942Be that you seem, truly your country’s friend,
275line 1943And temp’rately proceed to what you would
line 1944Thus violently redress.
line 1945BRUTUSSir, those cold ways,
line 1946That seem like prudent helps, are very poisonous
line 1947Where the disease is violent.—Lay hands upon him,
280line 1948And bear him to the rock.
Coriolanus draws his sword.
line 1949CORIOLANUSNo, I’ll die here.
line 1950There’s some among you have beheld me fighting.
line 1951Come, try upon yourselves what you have seen me.
MENENIUS
line 1952Down with that sword!—Tribunes, withdraw awhile.
BRUTUS
285line 1953Lay hands upon him!
line 1954MENENIUSHelp Martius, help!
line 1955You that be noble, help him, young and old!
line 1956ALL PLEBEIANSDown with him, down with him!
In this mutiny, the Tribunes, the Aediles, and the People are beat in.
MENENIUSto Coriolanus
line 1957Go, get you to your house. Begone, away.
290line 1958All will be naught else.
Act 3 Scene 1 - Pg 145
line 1959SECOND SENATORGet you gone.
line 1960CORIOLANUSStand fast!
line 1961We have as many friends as enemies.
MENENIUS
line 1962Shall it be put to that?
295line 1963FIRST SENATORThe gods forbid!—
line 1964I prithee, noble friend, home to thy house;
line 1965Leave us to cure this cause.
line 1966MENENIUSFor ’tis a sore upon us
line 1967You cannot tent yourself. Begone, beseech you.
300line 1968COMINIUSCome, sir, along with us.
CORIOLANUS
line 1969I would they were barbarians, as they are,
line 1970Though in Rome littered; not Romans, as they are
line 1971not,
line 1972Though calved i’ th’ porch o’ th’ Capitol.
305line 1973MENENIUSBegone!
line 1974Put not your worthy rage into your tongue.
line 1975One time will owe another.
line 1976CORIOLANUSOn fair ground
line 1977I could beat forty of them.
310line 1978MENENIUSI could myself
line 1979Take up a brace o’ th’ best of them, yea, the two
line 1980tribunes.
COMINIUS
line 1981But now ’tis odds beyond arithmetic,
line 1982And manhood is called foolery when it stands
315line 1983Against a falling fabric. To Coriolanus. Will you
line 1984hence,
line 1985Before the tag return, whose rage doth rend
line 1986Like interrupted waters and o’erbear
line 1987What they are used to bear?
320line 1988MENENIUSto Coriolanus Pray you, begone.
line 1989I’ll try whether my old wit be in request
line 1990With those that have but little. This must be patched
line 1991With cloth of any color.
Act 3 Scene 1 - Pg 147
line 1992COMINIUSNay, come away.
Coriolanus and Cominius exit.
325line 1993PATRICIANThis man has marred his fortune.
MENENIUS
line 1994His nature is too noble for the world.
line 1995He would not flatter Neptune for his trident
line 1996Or Jove for ’s power to thunder. His heart’s his
line 1997mouth;
330line 1998What his breast forges, that his tongue must vent,
line 1999And, being angry, does forget that ever
line 2000He heard the name of death.A noise within.
line 2001Here’s goodly work.
line 2002PATRICIANI would they were abed!
MENENIUS
335line 2003I would they were in Tiber. What the vengeance,
line 2004Could he not speak ’em fair?
Enter Brutus and Sicinius with the rabble again.
line 2005SICINIUSWhere is this viper
line 2006That would depopulate the city and
line 2007Be every man himself?
340line 2008MENENIUSYou worthy tribunes—
SICINIUS
line 2009He shall be thrown down the Tarpeian rock
line 2010With rigorous hands. He hath resisted law,
line 2011And therefore law shall scorn him further trial
line 2012Than the severity of the public power
345line 2013Which he so sets at naught.
line 2014FIRST CITIZENHe shall well know
line 2015The noble tribunes are the people’s mouths
line 2016And we their hands.
line 2017ALL PLEBEIANSHe shall, sure on ’t.
350line 2018MENENIUSSir, sir—
line 2019SICINIUSPeace!
Act 3 Scene 1 - Pg 149
MENENIUS
line 2020Do not cry havoc where you should but hunt
line 2021With modest warrant.
line 2022SICINIUSSir, how comes ’t that you
355line 2023Have holp to make this rescue?
line 2024MENENIUSHear me speak.
line 2025As I do know the Consul’s worthiness,
line 2026So can I name his faults.
line 2027SICINIUSConsul? What consul?
360line 2028MENENIUSThe consul Coriolanus.
line 2029BRUTUSHe consul?
line 2030ALL PLEBEIANSNo, no, no, no, no!
MENENIUS
line 2031If, by the Tribunes’ leave, and yours, good people,
line 2032I may be heard, I would crave a word or two,
365line 2033The which shall turn you to no further harm
line 2034Than so much loss of time.
line 2035SICINIUSSpeak briefly then,
line 2036For we are peremptory to dispatch
line 2037This viperous traitor. To eject him hence
370line 2038Were but one danger, and to keep him here
line 2039Our certain death. Therefore it is decreed
line 2040He dies tonight.
line 2041MENENIUSNow the good gods forbid
line 2042That our renownèd Rome, whose gratitude
375line 2043Towards her deservèd children is enrolled
line 2044In Jove’s own book, like an unnatural dam
line 2045Should now eat up her own.
SICINIUS
line 2046He’s a disease that must be cut away.
MENENIUS
line 2047O, he’s a limb that has but a disease—
380line 2048Mortal to cut it off; to cure it easy.
line 2049What has he done to Rome that’s worthy death?
line 2050Killing our enemies, the blood he hath lost—
line 2051Which I dare vouch is more than that he hath
Act 3 Scene 1 - Pg 151
line 2052By many an ounce—he dropped it for his country;
385line 2053And what is left, to lose it by his country
line 2054Were to us all that do ’t and suffer it
line 2055A brand to th’ end o’ th’ world.
line 2056SICINIUSThis is clean cam.
BRUTUS
line 2057Merely awry. When he did love his country,
390line 2058It honored him.
line 2059SICINIUSThe service of the foot,
line 2060Being once gangrened, is not then respected
line 2061For what before it was.
line 2062BRUTUSWe’ll hear no more.
395line 2063Pursue him to his house, and pluck him thence,
line 2064Lest his infection, being of catching nature,
line 2065Spread further.
line 2066MENENIUSOne word more, one word!
line 2067This tiger-footed rage, when it shall find
400line 2068The harm of unscanned swiftness, will too late
line 2069Tie leaden pounds to ’s heels. Proceed by process,
line 2070Lest parties—as he is beloved—break out
line 2071And sack great Rome with Romans.
line 2072BRUTUSIf it were so—
405line 2073SICINIUSWhat do you talk?
line 2074Have we not had a taste of his obedience?
line 2075Our aediles smote! Ourselves resisted! Come.
MENENIUS
line 2076Consider this: he has been bred i’ th’ wars
line 2077Since he could draw a sword, and is ill schooled
410line 2078In bolted language; meal and bran together
line 2079He throws without distinction. Give me leave,
line 2080I’ll go to him and undertake to bring him
line 2081Where he shall answer by a lawful form,
line 2082In peace, to his utmost peril.
415line 2083FIRST SENATORNoble tribunes,
line 2084It is the humane way: the other course
Act 3 Scene 2 - Pg 153
line 2085Will prove too bloody, and the end of it
line 2086Unknown to the beginning.
line 2087SICINIUSNoble Menenius,
420line 2088Be you then as the people’s officer.—
line 2089Masters, lay down your weapons.
line 2090BRUTUSGo not home.
SICINIUS
line 2091Meet on the marketplace. To Menenius. We’ll
line 2092attend you there,
425line 2093Where if you bring not Martius, we’ll proceed
line 2094In our first way.
line 2095MENENIUSI’ll bring him to you.
line 2096To Senators. Let me desire your company. He must
line 2097come,
430line 2098Or what is worst will follow.
line 2099FIRST SENATORPray you, let’s to him.
All exit.
Scene 2
Enter Coriolanus with Nobles.
CORIOLANUS
line 2100Let them pull all about mine ears, present me
line 2101Death on the wheel or at wild horses’ heels,
line 2102Or pile ten hills on the Tarpeian rock,
line 2103That the precipitation might down stretch
5line 2104Below the beam of sight, yet will I still
line 2105Be thus to them.
line 2106NOBLEYou do the nobler.
line 2107CORIOLANUSI muse my mother
line 2108Does not approve me further, who was wont
10line 2109To call them woolen vassals, things created
line 2110To buy and sell with groats, to show bare heads
line 2111In congregations, to yawn, be still, and wonder
Act 3 Scene 2 - Pg 155
line 2112When one but of my ordinance stood up
line 2113To speak of peace or war.
Enter Volumnia.
15line 2114I talk of you.
line 2115Why did you wish me milder? Would you have me
line 2116False to my nature? Rather say I play
line 2117The man I am.
line 2118VOLUMNIAO sir, sir, sir,
20line 2119I would have had you put your power well on
line 2120Before you had worn it out.
line 2121CORIOLANUSLet go.
VOLUMNIA
line 2122You might have been enough the man you are
line 2123With striving less to be so. Lesser had been
25line 2124The thwartings of your dispositions if
line 2125You had not showed them how you were disposed
line 2126Ere they lacked power to cross you.
line 2127CORIOLANUSLet them hang!
line 2128VOLUMNIAAy, and burn too.
Enter Menenius with the Senators.
MENENIUSto Coriolanus
30line 2129Come, come, you have been too rough, something
line 2130too rough.
line 2131You must return and mend it.
line 2132FIRST SENATORThere’s no remedy,
line 2133Unless, by not so doing, our good city
35line 2134Cleave in the midst and perish.
line 2135VOLUMNIAPray be counseled.
line 2136I have a heart as little apt as yours,
line 2137But yet a brain that leads my use of anger
line 2138To better vantage.
40line 2139MENENIUSWell said, noble woman.
line 2140Before he should thus stoop to th’ herd—but that
line 2141The violent fit o’ th’ time craves it as physic
Act 3 Scene 2 - Pg 157
line 2142For the whole state—I would put mine armor on,
line 2143Which I can scarcely bear.
45line 2144CORIOLANUSWhat must I do?
MENENIUS
line 2145Return to th’ Tribunes.
line 2146CORIOLANUSWell, what then? What then?
line 2147MENENIUSRepent what you have spoke.
CORIOLANUS
line 2148For them? I cannot do it to the gods.
50line 2149Must I then do ’t to them?
line 2150VOLUMNIAYou are too absolute,
line 2151Though therein you can never be too noble
line 2152But when extremities speak. I have heard you say
line 2153Honor and policy, like unsevered friends,
55line 2154I’ th’ war do grow together. Grant that, and tell me
line 2155In peace what each of them by th’ other lose
line 2156That they combine not there?
line 2157CORIOLANUSTush, tush!
line 2158MENENIUSA good
60line 2159demand.
VOLUMNIA
line 2160If it be honor in your wars to seem
line 2161The same you are not, which for your best ends
line 2162You adopt your policy, how is it less or worse
line 2163That it shall hold companionship in peace
65line 2164With honor as in war, since that to both
line 2165It stands in like request?
line 2166CORIOLANUSWhy force you this?
VOLUMNIA
line 2167Because that now it lies you on to speak
line 2168To th’ people, not by your own instruction,
70line 2169Nor by th’ matter which your heart prompts you,
line 2170But with such words that are but roted in
line 2171Your tongue, though but bastards and syllables
line 2172Of no allowance to your bosom’s truth.
Act 3 Scene 2 - Pg 159
line 2173Now, this no more dishonors you at all
75line 2174Than to take in a town with gentle words,
line 2175Which else would put you to your fortune and
line 2176The hazard of much blood.
line 2177I would dissemble with my nature where
line 2178My fortunes and my friends at stake required
80line 2179I should do so in honor. I am in this
line 2180Your wife, your son, these senators, the nobles;
line 2181And you will rather show our general louts
line 2182How you can frown than spend a fawn upon ’em
line 2183For the inheritance of their loves and safeguard
85line 2184Of what that want might ruin.
line 2185MENENIUSNoble lady!—
line 2186Come, go with us; speak fair. You may salve so,
line 2187Not what is dangerous present, but the loss
line 2188Of what is past.
90line 2189VOLUMNIAI prithee now, my son,
line 2190Go to them with this bonnet in thy hand,
line 2191And thus far having stretched it—here be with
line 2192them—
line 2193Thy knee bussing the stones—for in such business
95line 2194Action is eloquence, and the eyes of th’ ignorant
line 2195More learnèd than the ears—waving thy head,
line 2196Which often thus correcting thy stout heart,
line 2197Now humble as the ripest mulberry
line 2198That will not hold the handling. Or say to them
100line 2199Thou art their soldier and, being bred in broils,
line 2200Hast not the soft way, which thou dost confess
line 2201Were fit for thee to use as they to claim,
line 2202In asking their good loves; but thou wilt frame
line 2203Thyself, forsooth, hereafter theirs, so far
105line 2204As thou hast power and person.
line 2205MENENIUSThis but done
line 2206Even as she speaks, why, their hearts were yours;
line 2207For they have pardons, being asked, as free
line 2208As words to little purpose.
Act 3 Scene 2 - Pg 161
110line 2209VOLUMNIAPrithee now,
line 2210Go, and be ruled; although I know thou hadst rather
line 2211Follow thine enemy in a fiery gulf
line 2212Than flatter him in a bower.
Enter Cominius.
line 2213Here is Cominius.
COMINIUS
115line 2214I have been i’ th’ marketplace; and, sir, ’tis fit
line 2215You make strong party or defend yourself
line 2216By calmness or by absence. All’s in anger.
MENENIUS
line 2217Only fair speech.
line 2218COMINIUSI think ’twill serve, if he
120line 2219Can thereto frame his spirit.
line 2220VOLUMNIAHe must, and will.—
line 2221Prithee, now, say you will, and go about it.
CORIOLANUS
line 2222Must I go show them my unbarbèd sconce? Must I
line 2223With my base tongue give to my noble heart
125line 2224A lie that it must bear? Well, I will do ’t.
line 2225Yet, were there but this single plot to lose,
line 2226This mold of Martius, they to dust should grind it
line 2227And throw ’t against the wind. To th’ marketplace!
line 2228You have put me now to such a part which never
130line 2229I shall discharge to th’ life.
line 2230COMINIUSCome, come, we’ll prompt
line 2231you.
VOLUMNIA
line 2232I prithee now, sweet son, as thou hast said
line 2233My praises made thee first a soldier, so,
135line 2234To have my praise for this, perform a part
line 2235Thou hast not done before.
line 2236CORIOLANUSWell, I must do ’t.
line 2237Away, my disposition, and possess me
line 2238Some harlot’s spirit! My throat of war be turned,
Act 3 Scene 2 - Pg 163
140line 2239Which choirèd with my drum, into a pipe
line 2240Small as an eunuch or the virgin voice
line 2241That babies lull asleep! The smiles of knaves
line 2242Tent in my cheeks, and schoolboys’ tears take up
line 2243The glasses of my sight! A beggar’s tongue
145line 2244Make motion through my lips, and my armed knees,
line 2245Who bowed but in my stirrup, bend like his
line 2246That hath received an alms. I will not do ’t,
line 2247Lest I surcease to honor mine own truth
line 2248And, by my body’s action, teach my mind
150line 2249A most inherent baseness.
line 2250VOLUMNIAAt thy choice, then.
line 2251To beg of thee, it is my more dishonor
line 2252Than thou of them. Come all to ruin. Let
line 2253Thy mother rather feel thy pride than fear
155line 2254Thy dangerous stoutness, for I mock at death
line 2255With as big heart as thou. Do as thou list.
line 2256Thy valiantness was mine; thou suck’st it from me,
line 2257But owe thy pride thyself.
line 2258CORIOLANUSPray be content.
160line 2259Mother, I am going to the marketplace.
line 2260Chide me no more. I’ll mountebank their loves,
line 2261Cog their hearts from them, and come home
line 2262beloved
line 2263Of all the trades in Rome. Look, I am going.
165line 2264Commend me to my wife. I’ll return consul,
line 2265Or never trust to what my tongue can do
line 2266I’ th’ way of flattery further.
line 2267VOLUMNIADo your will.
Volumnia exits.
COMINIUS
line 2268Away! The Tribunes do attend you. Arm yourself
170line 2269To answer mildly, for they are prepared
line 2270With accusations, as I hear, more strong
line 2271Than are upon you yet.
Act 3 Scene 3 - Pg 165
CORIOLANUS
line 2272The word is “mildly.” Pray you, let us go.
line 2273Let them accuse me by invention, I
175line 2274Will answer in mine honor.
line 2275MENENIUSAy, but mildly.
line 2276CORIOLANUSWell, mildly be it, then. Mildly.
They exit.
Scene 3
Enter Sicinius and Brutus.
BRUTUS
line 2277In this point charge him home, that he affects
line 2278Tyrannical power. If he evade us there,
line 2279Enforce him with his envy to the people,
line 2280And that the spoil got on the Antiates
5line 2281Was ne’er distributed.
Enter an Aedile.
line 2282What, will he come?
line 2283AEDILEHe’s coming.
line 2284BRUTUSHow accompanied?
AEDILE
line 2285With old Menenius, and those senators
10line 2286That always favored him.
line 2287SICINIUSHave you a catalogue
line 2288Of all the voices that we have procured,
line 2289Set down by th’ poll?
line 2290AEDILEI have. ’Tis ready.
SICINIUS
15line 2291Have you collected them by tribes?
line 2292AEDILEI have.
SICINIUS
line 2293Assemble presently the people hither;
line 2294And when they hear me say “It shall be so
Act 3 Scene 3 - Pg 167
line 2295I’ th’ right and strength o’ th’ commons,” be it either
20line 2296For death, for fine, or banishment, then let them
line 2297If I say “Fine,” cry “Fine,” if “Death,” cry “Death,”
line 2298Insisting on the old prerogative
line 2299And power i’ th’ truth o’ th’ cause.
line 2300AEDILEI shall inform them.
BRUTUS
25line 2301And when such time they have begun to cry,
line 2302Let them not cease, but with a din confused
line 2303Enforce the present execution
line 2304Of what we chance to sentence.
line 2305AEDILEVery well.
SICINIUS
30line 2306Make them be strong and ready for this hint
line 2307When we shall hap to give ’t them.
line 2308BRUTUSGo about it.
Aedile exits.
line 2309Put him to choler straight. He hath been used
line 2310Ever to conquer and to have his worth
35line 2311Of contradiction. Being once chafed, he cannot
line 2312Be reined again to temperance; then he speaks
line 2313What’s in his heart, and that is there which looks
line 2314With us to break his neck.
Enter Coriolanus, Menenius, and Cominius, with others (Senators).
line 2315SICINIUSWell, here he comes.
40line 2316MENENIUSaside to Coriolanus Calmly, I do beseech
line 2317you.
CORIOLANUSaside to Menenius
line 2318Ay, as an hostler that for th’ poorest piece
line 2319Will bear the knave by th’ volume.—Th’ honored
line 2320gods
45line 2321Keep Rome in safety and the chairs of justice
line 2322Supplied with worthy men! Plant love among ’s!
Act 3 Scene 3 - Pg 169
line 2323Throng our large temples with the shows of peace
line 2324And not our streets with war!
line 2325FIRST SENATORAmen, amen.
50line 2326MENENIUSA noble wish.
Enter the Aedile with the Plebeians.
line 2327SICINIUSDraw near, you people.
AEDILE
line 2328List to your tribunes. Audience! Peace, I say!
line 2329CORIOLANUSFirst, hear me speak.
line 2330BOTH TRIBUNESWell, say.—Peace, ho!
CORIOLANUS
55line 2331Shall I be charged no further than this present?
line 2332Must all determine here?
line 2333SICINIUSI do demand
line 2334If you submit you to the people’s voices,
line 2335Allow their officers, and are content
60line 2336To suffer lawful censure for such faults
line 2337As shall be proved upon you.
line 2338CORIOLANUSI am content.
MENENIUS
line 2339Lo, citizens, he says he is content.
line 2340The warlike service he has done, consider. Think
65line 2341Upon the wounds his body bears, which show
line 2342Like graves i’ th’ holy churchyard.
line 2343CORIOLANUSScratches with
line 2344briars,
line 2345Scars to move laughter only.
70line 2346MENENIUSConsider further,
line 2347That when he speaks not like a citizen,
line 2348You find him like a soldier. Do not take
line 2349His rougher accents for malicious sounds,
line 2350But, as I say, such as become a soldier
75line 2351Rather than envy you.
line 2352COMINIUSWell, well, no more.
Act 3 Scene 3 - Pg 171
line 2353CORIOLANUSWhat is the matter,
line 2354That, being passed for consul with full voice,
line 2355I am so dishonored that the very hour
80line 2356You take it off again?
line 2357SICINIUSAnswer to us.
line 2358CORIOLANUSSay then. ’Tis true, I ought so.
SICINIUS
line 2359We charge you that you have contrived to take
line 2360From Rome all seasoned office and to wind
85line 2361Yourself into a power tyrannical,
line 2362For which you are a traitor to the people.
CORIOLANUS
line 2363How? Traitor?
line 2364MENENIUSNay, temperately! Your promise.
CORIOLANUS
line 2365The fires i’ th’ lowest hell fold in the people!
90line 2366Call me their traitor? Thou injurious tribune!
line 2367Within thine eyes sat twenty thousand deaths,
line 2368In thy hands clutched as many millions, in
line 2369Thy lying tongue both numbers, I would say
line 2370“Thou liest” unto thee with a voice as free
95line 2371As I do pray the gods.
line 2372SICINIUSMark you this, people?
line 2373ALL PLEBEIANSTo th’ rock, to th’ rock with him!
line 2374SICINIUSPeace!
line 2375We need not put new matter to his charge.
100line 2376What you have seen him do and heard him speak,
line 2377Beating your officers, cursing yourselves,
line 2378Opposing laws with strokes, and here defying
line 2379Those whose great power must try him—even this,
line 2380So criminal and in such capital kind,
105line 2381Deserves th’ extremest death.
line 2382BRUTUSBut since he hath
line 2383Served well for Rome—
line 2384CORIOLANUSWhat do you prate of service?
line 2385BRUTUSI talk of that that know it.
Act 3 Scene 3 - Pg 173
110line 2386CORIOLANUSYou?
MENENIUS
line 2387Is this the promise that you made your mother?
line 2388COMINIUSKnow, I pray you—
line 2389CORIOLANUSI’ll know no further.
line 2390Let them pronounce the steep Tarpeian death,
115line 2391Vagabond exile, flaying, pent to linger
line 2392But with a grain a day, I would not buy
line 2393Their mercy at the price of one fair word,
line 2394Nor check my courage for what they can give,
line 2395To have ’t with saying “Good morrow.”
120line 2396SICINIUSFor that he has,
line 2397As much as in him lies, from time to time
line 2398Envied against the people, seeking means
line 2399To pluck away their power, as now at last
line 2400Given hostile strokes, and that not in the presence
125line 2401Of dreaded justice, but on the ministers
line 2402That doth distribute it, in the name o’ th’ people
line 2403And in the power of us the Tribunes, we,
line 2404Even from this instant, banish him our city
line 2405In peril of precipitation
130line 2406From off the rock Tarpeian, never more
line 2407To enter our Rome gates. I’ th’ people’s name,
line 2408I say it shall be so.
ALL PLEBEIANS
line 2409It shall be so, it shall be so! Let him away!
line 2410He’s banished, and it shall be so.
COMINIUS
135line 2411Hear me, my masters and my common friends—
SICINIUS
line 2412He’s sentenced. No more hearing.
line 2413COMINIUSLet me speak.
line 2414I have been consul and can show for Rome
line 2415Her enemies’ marks upon me. I do love
140line 2416My country’s good with a respect more tender,
line 2417More holy and profound, than mine own life,
Act 3 Scene 3 - Pg 175
line 2418My dear wife’s estimate, her womb’s increase,
line 2419And treasure of my loins. Then if I would
line 2420Speak that—
145line 2421SICINIUSWe know your drift. Speak what?
BRUTUS
line 2422There’s no more to be said, but he is banished
line 2423As enemy to the people and his country.
line 2424It shall be so.
line 2425ALL PLEBEIANSIt shall be so, it shall be so!
CORIOLANUS
150line 2426You common cry of curs, whose breath I hate
line 2427As reek o’ th’ rotten fens, whose loves I prize
line 2428As the dead carcasses of unburied men
line 2429That do corrupt my air, I banish you!
line 2430And here remain with your uncertainty;
155line 2431Let every feeble rumor shake your hearts;
line 2432Your enemies, with nodding of their plumes,
line 2433Fan you into despair! Have the power still
line 2434To banish your defenders, till at length
line 2435Your ignorance—which finds not till it feels,
160line 2436Making but reservation of yourselves,
line 2437Still your own foes—deliver you
line 2438As most abated captives to some nation
line 2439That won you without blows! Despising
line 2440For you the city, thus I turn my back.
165line 2441There is a world elsewhere.
Coriolanus, Cominius, with others (Senators) exit.
AEDILE
line 2442The people’s enemy is gone, is gone.
ALL PLEBEIANS
line 2443Our enemy is banished; he is gone. Hoo, hoo!
They all shout and throw up their caps.
SICINIUS
line 2444Go see him out at gates, and follow him,
line 2445As he hath followed you, with all despite.
Act 3 Scene 3 - Pg 177
170line 2446Give him deserved vexation. Let a guard
line 2447Attend us through the city.
ALL PLEBEIANS
line 2448Come, come, let’s see him out at gates! Come!
line 2449The gods preserve our noble tribunes! Come!
They exit.
ACT 4
Scene 1
Enter Coriolanus, Volumnia, Virgilia, Menenius, Cominius, with the young nobility of Rome.
CORIOLANUS
line 2450Come, leave your tears. A brief farewell. The beast
line 2451With many heads butts me away. Nay, mother,
line 2452Where is your ancient courage? You were used
line 2453To say extremities was the trier of spirits;
5line 2454That common chances common men could bear;
line 2455That when the sea was calm, all boats alike
line 2456Showed mastership in floating; fortune’s blows
line 2457When most struck home, being gentle wounded
line 2458craves
10line 2459A noble cunning. You were used to load me
line 2460With precepts that would make invincible
line 2461The heart that conned them.
VIRGILIA
line 2462O heavens! O heavens!
line 2463CORIOLANUSNay, I prithee,
15line 2464woman—
VOLUMNIA
line 2465Now the red pestilence strike all trades in Rome,
line 2466And occupations perish!
line 2467CORIOLANUSWhat, what, what!
line 2468I shall be loved when I am lacked. Nay, mother,
20line 2469Resume that spirit when you were wont to say
line 2470If you had been the wife of Hercules,
Act 4 Scene 1 - Pg 183
line 2471Six of his labors you’d have done and saved
line 2472Your husband so much sweat.—Cominius,
line 2473Droop not. Adieu.—Farewell, my wife, my mother.
25line 2474I’ll do well yet.—Thou old and true Menenius,
line 2475Thy tears are salter than a younger man’s
line 2476And venomous to thine eyes.—My sometime
line 2477general,
line 2478I have seen thee stern, and thou hast oft beheld
30line 2479Heart-hard’ning spectacles. Tell these sad women
line 2480’Tis fond to wail inevitable strokes
line 2481As ’tis to laugh at ’em.—My mother, you wot well
line 2482My hazards still have been your solace, and—
line 2483Believe ’t not lightly—though I go alone,
35line 2484Like to a lonely dragon that his fen
line 2485Makes feared and talked of more than seen, your
line 2486son
line 2487Will or exceed the common or be caught
line 2488With cautelous baits and practice.
40line 2489VOLUMNIAMy first son,
line 2490Whither wilt thou go? Take good Cominius
line 2491With thee awhile. Determine on some course
line 2492More than a wild exposure to each chance
line 2493That starts i’ th’ way before thee.
45line 2494VIRGILIAO the gods!
COMINIUS
line 2495I’ll follow thee a month, devise with thee
line 2496Where thou shalt rest, that thou mayst hear of us
line 2497And we of thee; so if the time thrust forth
line 2498A cause for thy repeal, we shall not send
50line 2499O’er the vast world to seek a single man
line 2500And lose advantage, which doth ever cool
line 2501I’ th’ absence of the needer.
line 2502CORIOLANUSFare you well.
line 2503Thou hast years upon thee, and thou art too full
55line 2504Of the wars’ surfeits to go rove with one
line 2505That’s yet unbruised. Bring me but out at gate.—
Act 4 Scene 2 - Pg 185
line 2506Come, my sweet wife, my dearest mother, and
line 2507My friends of noble touch. When I am forth,
line 2508Bid me farewell, and smile. I pray you, come.
60line 2509While I remain above the ground, you shall
line 2510Hear from me still, and never of me aught
line 2511But what is like me formerly.
line 2512MENENIUSThat’s worthily
line 2513As any ear can hear. Come, let’s not weep.
65line 2514If I could shake off but one seven years
line 2515From these old arms and legs, by the good gods,
line 2516I’d with thee every foot.
line 2517CORIOLANUSGive me thy hand.
line 2518Come.
They exit.
Scene 2
Enter the two Tribunes, Sicinius, and Brutus, with the Aedile.
SICINIUS
line 2519Bid them all home. He’s gone, and we’ll no further.
line 2520The nobility are vexed, whom we see have sided
line 2521In his behalf.
line 2522BRUTUSNow we have shown our power,
5line 2523Let us seem humbler after it is done
line 2524Than when it was a-doing.
line 2525SICINIUSBid them home.
line 2526Say their great enemy is gone, and they
line 2527Stand in their ancient strength.
10line 2528BRUTUSDismiss them home.
Aedile exits.
line 2529Here comes his mother.
Enter Volumnia, Virgilia, and Menenius.
line 2530SICINIUSLet’s not meet her.
line 2531BRUTUSWhy?
Act 4 Scene 2 - Pg 187
line 2532SICINIUSThey say she’s mad.
BRUTUS
15line 2533They have ta’en note of us. Keep on your way.
VOLUMNIA
line 2534O, you’re well met. The hoarded plague o’ th’ gods
line 2535Requite your love!
line 2536MENENIUSPeace, peace! Be not so loud.
VOLUMNIAto the Tribunes
line 2537If that I could for weeping, you should hear—
20line 2538Nay, and you shall hear some. To Sicinius. Will
line 2539you be gone?
VIRGILIAto Brutus
line 2540You shall stay too. I would I had the power
line 2541To say so to my husband.
line 2542SICINIUSto Volumnia Are you mankind?
VOLUMNIA
25line 2543Ay, fool, is that a shame? Note but this, fool.
line 2544Was not a man my father? Hadst thou foxship
line 2545To banish him that struck more blows for Rome
line 2546Than thou hast spoken words?
line 2547SICINIUSO blessèd heavens!
VOLUMNIA
30line 2548More noble blows than ever thou wise words,
line 2549And for Rome’s good. I’ll tell thee what—yet go.
line 2550Nay, but thou shalt stay too. I would my son
line 2551Were in Arabia and thy tribe before him,
line 2552His good sword in his hand.
35line 2553SICINIUSWhat then?
line 2554VIRGILIAWhat then?
line 2555He’d make an end of thy posterity.
line 2556VOLUMNIABastards and all.
line 2557Good man, the wounds that he does bear for Rome!
40line 2558MENENIUSCome, come, peace.
SICINIUS
line 2559I would he had continued to his country
Act 4 Scene 2 - Pg 189
line 2560As he began, and not unknit himself
line 2561The noble knot he made.
line 2562BRUTUSI would he had.
VOLUMNIA
45line 2563“I would he had”? ’Twas you incensed the rabble.
line 2564Cats, that can judge as fitly of his worth
line 2565As I can of those mysteries which heaven
line 2566Will not have Earth to know.
line 2567BRUTUSto Sicinius Pray, let’s go.
50line 2568VOLUMNIANow, pray, sir, get you gone.
line 2569You have done a brave deed. Ere you go, hear this:
line 2570As far as doth the Capitol exceed
line 2571The meanest house in Rome, so far my son—
line 2572This lady’s husband here, this, do you see?—
55line 2573Whom you have banished, does exceed you all.
BRUTUS
line 2574Well, well, we’ll leave you.
line 2575SICINIUSWhy stay we to be baited
line 2576With one that wants her wits?Tribunes exit.
line 2577VOLUMNIATake my prayers with
60line 2578you.
line 2579I would the gods had nothing else to do
line 2580But to confirm my curses. Could I meet ’em
line 2581But once a day, it would unclog my heart
line 2582Of what lies heavy to ’t.
65line 2583MENENIUSYou have told them home,
line 2584And, by my troth, you have cause. You’ll sup with
line 2585me?
VOLUMNIA
line 2586Anger’s my meat. I sup upon myself
line 2587And so shall starve with feeding.
70line 2588To Virgilia. Come, let’s go.
line 2589Leave this faint puling, and lament as I do,
line 2590In anger, Juno-like. Come, come, come.They exit.
line 2591MENENIUSFie, fie, fie!
He exits.
Act 4 Scene 3 - Pg 191
Scene 3
Enter a Roman (Nicanor) and a Volsce (Adrian).
line 2592ROMANI know you well, sir, and you know me. Your
line 2593name I think is Adrian.
line 2594VOLSCEIt is so, sir. Truly, I have forgot you.
line 2595ROMANI am a Roman, and my services are, as you are,
5line 2596against ’em. Know you me yet?
line 2597VOLSCENicanor, no?
line 2598ROMANThe same, sir.
line 2599VOLSCEYou had more beard when I last saw you, but
line 2600your favor is well approved by your tongue.
10line 2601What’s the news in Rome? I have a note from the
line 2602Volscian state to find you out there. You have well
line 2603saved me a day’s journey.
line 2604ROMANThere hath been in Rome strange insurrections,
line 2605the people against the senators, patricians,
15line 2606and nobles.
line 2607VOLSCEHath been? Is it ended, then? Our state thinks
line 2608not so. They are in a most warlike preparation and
line 2609hope to come upon them in the heat of their
line 2610division.
20line 2611ROMANThe main blaze of it is past, but a small thing
line 2612would make it flame again; for the nobles receive
line 2613so to heart the banishment of that worthy Coriolanus
line 2614that they are in a ripe aptness to take all power
line 2615from the people and to pluck from them their tribunes
25line 2616forever. This lies glowing, I can tell you, and
line 2617is almost mature for the violent breaking out.
line 2618VOLSCECoriolanus banished?
line 2619ROMANBanished, sir.
line 2620VOLSCEYou will be welcome with this intelligence,
30line 2621Nicanor.
line 2622ROMANThe day serves well for them now. I have heard
Act 4 Scene 4 - Pg 193
line 2623it said the fittest time to corrupt a man’s wife is
line 2624when she’s fall’n out with her husband. Your noble
line 2625Tullus Aufidius will appear well in these wars, his
35line 2626great opposer Coriolanus being now in no request
line 2627of his country.
line 2628VOLSCEHe cannot choose. I am most fortunate thus
line 2629accidentally to encounter you. You have ended my
line 2630business, and I will merrily accompany you home.
40line 2631ROMANI shall between this and supper tell you most
line 2632strange things from Rome, all tending to the good
line 2633of their adversaries. Have you an army ready, say
line 2634you?
line 2635VOLSCEA most royal one. The centurions and their
45line 2636charges, distinctly billeted, already in th’ entertainment,
line 2637and to be on foot at an hour’s warning.
line 2638ROMANI am joyful to hear of their readiness and am
line 2639the man, I think, that shall set them in present action.
line 2640So, sir, heartily well met, and most glad of
50line 2641your company.
line 2642VOLSCEYou take my part from me, sir. I have the most
line 2643cause to be glad of yours.
line 2644ROMANWell, let us go together.
They exit.
Scene 4
Enter Coriolanus in mean apparel, disguised, and muffled.
CORIOLANUS
line 2645A goodly city is this Antium. City,
line 2646’Tis I that made thy widows. Many an heir
line 2647Of these fair edifices ’fore my wars
line 2648Have I heard groan and drop. Then, know me not,
Act 4 Scene 4 - Pg 195
5line 2649Lest that thy wives with spits and boys with stones
line 2650In puny battle slay me.
Enter a Citizen.
line 2651Save you, sir.
CITIZEN
line 2652And you.
line 2653CORIOLANUSDirect me, if it be your will,
10line 2654Where great Aufidius lies. Is he in Antium?
CITIZEN
line 2655He is, and feasts the nobles of the state
line 2656At his house this night.
line 2657CORIOLANUSWhich is his house, beseech
line 2658you?
CITIZEN
15line 2659This here before you.
line 2660CORIOLANUSThank you, sir. Farewell.
Citizen exits.
line 2661O world, thy slippery turns! Friends now fast sworn,
line 2662Whose double bosoms seems to wear one heart,
line 2663Whose hours, whose bed, whose meal and exercise
20line 2664Are still together, who twin, as ’twere, in love
line 2665Unseparable, shall within this hour,
line 2666On a dissension of a doit, break out
line 2667To bitterest enmity; so fellest foes,
line 2668Whose passions and whose plots have broke their
25line 2669sleep
line 2670To take the one the other, by some chance,
line 2671Some trick not worth an egg, shall grow dear friends
line 2672And interjoin their issues. So with me:
line 2673My birthplace hate I, and my love’s upon
30line 2674This enemy town. I’ll enter. If he slay me,
line 2675He does fair justice; if he give me way,
line 2676I’ll do his country service.
He exits.
Act 4 Scene 5 - Pg 197
Scene 5
Music plays. Enter a Servingman.
line 2677FIRST SERVINGMANWine, wine, wine! What service is
line 2678here? I think our fellows are asleep.He exits.
Enter another Servingman.
line 2679SECOND SERVINGMANWhere’s Cotus? My master calls
line 2680for him. Cotus!He exits.
Enter Coriolanus.
CORIOLANUS
5line 2681A goodly house. The feast smells well, but I
line 2682Appear not like a guest.
Enter the First Servingman.
line 2683FIRST SERVINGMANWhat would you have, friend?
line 2684Whence are you? Here’s no place for you. Pray, go
line 2685to the door.He exits.
CORIOLANUS
10line 2686I have deserved no better entertainment
line 2687In being Coriolanus.
Enter Second Servingman.
line 2688SECOND SERVINGMANWhence are you, sir?—Has the
line 2689porter his eyes in his head, that he gives entrance
line 2690to such companions?—Pray, get you out.
15line 2691CORIOLANUSAway!
line 2692SECOND SERVINGMANAway? Get you away.
line 2693CORIOLANUSNow th’ art troublesome.
line 2694SECOND SERVINGMANAre you so brave? I’ll have you
line 2695talked with anon.
Enter Third Servingman; the First, entering, meets him.
20line 2696THIRD SERVINGMANWhat fellow’s this?
Act 4 Scene 5 - Pg 199
line 2697FIRST SERVINGMANA strange one as ever I looked on. I
line 2698cannot get him out o’ th’ house. Prithee, call my
line 2699master to him.He steps aside.
line 2700THIRD SERVINGMANWhat have you to do here, fellow?
25line 2701Pray you, avoid the house.
line 2702CORIOLANUSLet me but stand. I will not hurt your
line 2703hearth.
line 2704THIRD SERVINGMANWhat are you?
line 2705CORIOLANUSA gentleman.
30line 2706THIRD SERVINGMANA marv’llous poor one.
line 2707CORIOLANUSTrue, so I am.
line 2708THIRD SERVINGMANPray you, poor gentleman, take up
line 2709some other station. Here’s no place for you. Pray
line 2710you, avoid. Come.
35line 2711CORIOLANUSFollow your function, go, and batten on
line 2712cold bits.Pushes him away from him.
line 2713THIRD SERVINGMANWhat, you will not?—Prithee, tell
line 2714my master what a strange guest he has here.
line 2715SECOND SERVINGMANAnd I shall.
Second Servingman exits.
40line 2716THIRD SERVINGMANWhere dwell’st thou?
line 2717CORIOLANUSUnder the canopy.
line 2718THIRD SERVINGMANUnder the canopy?
line 2719CORIOLANUSAy.
line 2720THIRD SERVINGMANWhere’s that?
45line 2721CORIOLANUSI’ th’ city of kites and crows.
line 2722THIRD SERVINGMANI’ th’ city of kites and crows? What
line 2723an ass it is! Then thou dwell’st with daws too?
line 2724CORIOLANUSNo, I serve not thy master.
line 2725THIRD SERVINGMANHow, sir? Do you meddle with my
50line 2726master?
line 2727CORIOLANUSAy, ’tis an honester service than to meddle
line 2728with thy mistress. Thou prat’st and prat’st. Serve
line 2729with thy trencher. Hence!Beats him away.
Third Servingman exits.
Act 4 Scene 5 - Pg 201
Enter Aufidius with the Second Servingman.
line 2730AUFIDIUSWhere is this fellow?
55line 2731SECOND SERVINGMANHere, sir. I’d have beaten him like
line 2732a dog, but for disturbing the lords within.
He steps aside.
line 2733AUFIDIUSWhence com’st thou? What wouldst thou?
line 2734Thy name? Why speak’st not? Speak, man. What’s
line 2735thy name?
60line 2736CORIOLANUSremoving his muffler If, Tullus,
line 2737Not yet thou know’st me, and seeing me, dost not
line 2738Think me for the man I am, necessity
line 2739Commands me name myself.
line 2740AUFIDIUSWhat is thy name?
CORIOLANUS
65line 2741A name unmusical to the Volscians’ ears
line 2742And harsh in sound to thine.
line 2743AUFIDIUSSay, what’s thy name?
line 2744Thou hast a grim appearance, and thy face
line 2745Bears a command in ’t. Though thy tackle’s torn,
70line 2746Thou show’st a noble vessel. What’s thy name?
CORIOLANUS
line 2747Prepare thy brow to frown. Know’st thou me yet?
line 2748AUFIDIUSI know thee not. Thy name?
CORIOLANUS
line 2749My name is Caius Martius, who hath done
line 2750To thee particularly and to all the Volsces
75line 2751Great hurt and mischief; thereto witness may
line 2752My surname Coriolanus. The painful service,
line 2753The extreme dangers, and the drops of blood
line 2754Shed for my thankless country are requited
line 2755But with that surname, a good memory
80line 2756And witness of the malice and displeasure
line 2757Which thou shouldst bear me. Only that name
line 2758remains.
line 2759The cruelty and envy of the people,
Act 4 Scene 5 - Pg 203
line 2760Permitted by our dastard nobles, who
85line 2761Have all forsook me, hath devoured the rest,
line 2762And suffered me by th’ voice of slaves to be
line 2763Whooped out of Rome. Now this extremity
line 2764Hath brought me to thy hearth, not out of hope—
line 2765Mistake me not—to save my life; for if
90line 2766I had feared death, of all the men i’ th’ world
line 2767I would have ’voided thee, but in mere spite,
line 2768To be full quit of those my banishers,
line 2769Stand I before thee here. Then if thou hast
line 2770A heart of wreak in thee, that wilt revenge
95line 2771Thine own particular wrongs and stop those maims
line 2772Of shame seen through thy country, speed thee
line 2773straight
line 2774And make my misery serve thy turn. So use it
line 2775That my revengeful services may prove
100line 2776As benefits to thee, for I will fight
line 2777Against my cankered country with the spleen
line 2778Of all the under fiends. But if so be
line 2779Thou dar’st not this, and that to prove more fortunes
line 2780Thou ’rt tired, then, in a word, I also am
105line 2781Longer to live most weary, and present
line 2782My throat to thee and to thy ancient malice,
line 2783Which not to cut would show thee but a fool,
line 2784Since I have ever followed thee with hate,
line 2785Drawn tuns of blood out of thy country’s breast,
110line 2786And cannot live but to thy shame, unless
line 2787It be to do thee service.
line 2788AUFIDIUSO Martius, Martius,
line 2789Each word thou hast spoke hath weeded from my
line 2790heart
115line 2791A root of ancient envy. If Jupiter
line 2792Should from yond cloud speak divine things
line 2793And say ’tis true, I’d not believe them more
line 2794Than thee, all-noble Martius. Let me twine
Act 4 Scene 5 - Pg 205
line 2795Mine arms about that body, whereagainst
120line 2796My grainèd ash an hundred times hath broke
line 2797And scarred the moon with splinters.
They embrace.
line 2798Here I clip
line 2799The anvil of my sword and do contest
line 2800As hotly and as nobly with thy love
125line 2801As ever in ambitious strength I did
line 2802Contend against thy valor. Know thou first,
line 2803I loved the maid I married; never man
line 2804Sighed truer breath. But that I see thee here,
line 2805Thou noble thing, more dances my rapt heart
130line 2806Than when I first my wedded mistress saw
line 2807Bestride my threshold. Why, thou Mars, I tell thee
line 2808We have a power on foot, and I had purpose
line 2809Once more to hew thy target from thy brawn
line 2810Or lose mine arm for ’t. Thou hast beat me out
135line 2811Twelve several times, and I have nightly since
line 2812Dreamt of encounters ’twixt thyself and me;
line 2813We have been down together in my sleep,
line 2814Unbuckling helms, fisting each other’s throat,
line 2815And waked half dead with nothing. Worthy Martius,
140line 2816Had we no other quarrel else to Rome but that
line 2817Thou art thence banished, we would muster all
line 2818From twelve to seventy and, pouring war
line 2819Into the bowels of ungrateful Rome,
line 2820Like a bold flood o’erbear ’t. O, come, go in,
145line 2821And take our friendly senators by th’ hands,
line 2822Who now are here, taking their leaves of me,
line 2823Who am prepared against your territories,
line 2824Though not for Rome itself.
line 2825CORIOLANUSYou bless me, gods!
AUFIDIUS
150line 2826Therefore, most absolute sir, if thou wilt have
line 2827The leading of thine own revenges, take
Act 4 Scene 5 - Pg 207
line 2828Th’ one half of my commission and set down—
line 2829As best thou art experienced, since thou know’st
line 2830Thy country’s strength and weakness—thine own
155line 2831ways,
line 2832Whether to knock against the gates of Rome,
line 2833Or rudely visit them in parts remote
line 2834To fright them ere destroy. But come in.
line 2835Let me commend thee first to those that shall
160line 2836Say yea to thy desires. A thousand welcomes!
line 2837And more a friend than ere an enemy—
line 2838Yet, Martius, that was much. Your hand. Most
line 2839welcome!Coriolanus and Aufidius exit.
Two of the Servingmen come forward.
line 2840FIRST SERVINGMANHere’s a strange alteration!
165line 2841SECOND SERVINGMANBy my hand, I had thought to
line 2842have strucken him with a cudgel, and yet my mind
line 2843gave me his clothes made a false report of him.
line 2844FIRST SERVINGMANWhat an arm he has! He turned me
line 2845about with his finger and his thumb as one would
170line 2846set up a top.
line 2847SECOND SERVINGMANNay, I knew by his face that there
line 2848was something in him. He had, sir, a kind of face,
line 2849methought—I cannot tell how to term it.
line 2850FIRST SERVINGMANHe had so, looking as it were—
175line 2851Would I were hanged but I thought there was
line 2852more in him than I could think.
line 2853SECOND SERVINGMANSo did I, I’ll be sworn. He is simply
line 2854the rarest man i’ th’ world.
line 2855FIRST SERVINGMANI think he is. But a greater soldier
180line 2856than he you wot one.
line 2857SECOND SERVINGMANWho, my master?
line 2858FIRST SERVINGMANNay, it’s no matter for that.
line 2859SECOND SERVINGMANWorth six on him.
line 2860FIRST SERVINGMANNay, not so neither. But I take him
185line 2861to be the greater soldier.
Act 4 Scene 5 - Pg 209
line 2862SECOND SERVINGMANFaith, look you, one cannot tell
line 2863how to say that. For the defense of a town our general
line 2864is excellent.
line 2865FIRST SERVINGMANAy, and for an assault too.
Enter the Third Servingman.
190line 2866THIRD SERVINGMANO slaves, I can tell you news, news,
line 2867you rascals!
line 2868BOTHWhat, what, what? Let’s partake!
line 2869THIRD SERVINGMANI would not be a Roman, of all nations;
line 2870I had as lief be a condemned man.
195line 2871BOTHWherefore? Wherefore?
line 2872THIRD SERVINGMANWhy, here’s he that was wont to
line 2873thwack our general, Caius Martius.
line 2874FIRST SERVINGMANWhy do you say “thwack our
line 2875general”?
200line 2876THIRD SERVINGMANI do not say “thwack our general,”
line 2877but he was always good enough for him.
line 2878SECOND SERVINGMANCome, we are fellows and friends.
line 2879He was ever too hard for him; I have heard him
line 2880say so himself.
205line 2881FIRST SERVINGMANHe was too hard for him directly, to
line 2882say the truth on ’t, before Corioles; he scotched
line 2883him and notched him like a carbonado.
line 2884SECOND SERVINGMANAn he had been cannibally given,
line 2885he might have boiled and eaten him too.
210line 2886FIRST SERVINGMANBut, more of thy news.
line 2887THIRD SERVINGMANWhy, he is so made on here within
line 2888as if he were son and heir to Mars; set at upper end
line 2889o’ th’ table; no question asked him by any of the
line 2890senators but they stand bald before him. Our general
215line 2891himself makes a mistress of him, sanctifies
line 2892himself with ’s hand, and turns up the white o’ th’
line 2893eye to his discourse. But the bottom of the news is,
line 2894our general is cut i’ th’ middle and but one half of
Act 4 Scene 5 - Pg 211
line 2895what he was yesterday, for the other has half, by
220line 2896the entreaty and grant of the whole table. He’ll go,
line 2897he says, and sowl the porter of Rome gates by th’
line 2898ears. He will mow all down before him and leave
line 2899his passage polled.
line 2900SECOND SERVINGMANAnd he’s as like to do ’t as any
225line 2901man I can imagine.
line 2902THIRD SERVINGMANDo ’t? He will do ’t! For, look you,
line 2903sir, he has as many friends as enemies, which
line 2904friends, sir, as it were, durst not, look you, sir, show
line 2905themselves, as we term it, his friends whilest he’s
230line 2906in directitude.
line 2907FIRST SERVINGMANDirectitude? What’s that?
line 2908THIRD SERVINGMANBut when they shall see, sir, his
line 2909crest up again, and the man in blood, they will out
line 2910of their burrows like coneys after rain, and revel
235line 2911all with him.
line 2912FIRST SERVINGMANBut when goes this forward?
line 2913THIRD SERVINGMANTomorrow, today, presently. You
line 2914shall have the drum struck up this afternoon. ’Tis,
line 2915as it were, a parcel of their feast, and to be executed
240line 2916ere they wipe their lips.
line 2917SECOND SERVINGMANWhy then, we shall have a stirring
line 2918world again. This peace is nothing but to rust iron,
line 2919increase tailors, and breed ballad-makers.
line 2920FIRST SERVINGMANLet me have war, say I. It exceeds
245line 2921peace as far as day does night. It’s sprightly walking,
line 2922audible, and full of vent. Peace is a very apoplexy,
line 2923lethargy; mulled, deaf, sleepy, insensible; a getter
line 2924of more bastard children than war’s a destroyer of
line 2925men.
250line 2926SECOND SERVINGMAN’Tis so, and as wars in some sort
line 2927may be said to be a ravisher, so it cannot be denied
line 2928but peace is a great maker of cuckolds.
Act 4 Scene 6 - Pg 213
line 2929FIRST SERVINGMANAy, and it makes men hate one
line 2930another.
255line 2931THIRD SERVINGMANReason: because they then less
line 2932need one another. The wars for my money! I hope
line 2933to see Romans as cheap as Volscians. Noise within.
line 2934They are rising; they are rising.
line 2935FIRST AND SECOND SERVINGMENIn, in, in, in!
They exit.
Scene 6
Enter the two Tribunes. Sicinius and Brutus.
SICINIUS
line 2936We hear not of him, neither need we fear him.
line 2937His remedies are tame—the present peace,
line 2938And quietness of the people, which before
line 2939Were in wild hurry. Here do we make his friends
5line 2940Blush that the world goes well, who rather had,
line 2941Though they themselves did suffer by ’t, behold
line 2942Dissentious numbers pest’ring streets than see
line 2943Our tradesmen singing in their shops and going
line 2944About their functions friendly.
BRUTUS
10line 2945We stood to ’t in good time.
Enter Menenius.
line 2946Is this Menenius?
SICINIUS
line 2947’Tis he, ’tis he. O, he is grown most kind
line 2948Of late.—Hail, sir.
line 2949MENENIUSHail to you both.
SICINIUS
15line 2950Your Coriolanus is not much missed
line 2951But with his friends. The commonwealth doth stand,
line 2952And so would do were he more angry at it.
Act 4 Scene 6 - Pg 215
MENENIUS
line 2953All’s well, and might have been much better if
line 2954He could have temporized.
20line 2955SICINIUSWhere is he, hear you?
line 2956MENENIUSNay, I hear nothing;
line 2957His mother and his wife hear nothing from him.
Enter three or four Citizens.
ALL CITIZENSto the Tribunes
line 2958The gods preserve
line 2959you both!
25line 2960SICINIUSGood e’en, our neighbors.
BRUTUS
line 2961Good e’en to you all, good e’en to you all.
FIRST CITIZEN
line 2962Ourselves, our wives, and children, on our knees
line 2963Are bound to pray for you both.
line 2964SICINIUSLive, and thrive!
BRUTUS
30line 2965Farewell, kind neighbors. We wished Coriolanus
line 2966Had loved you as we did.
line 2967ALL CITIZENSNow the gods keep you!
line 2968BOTH TRIBUNESFarewell, farewell.Citizens exit.
SICINIUS
line 2969This is a happier and more comely time
35line 2970Than when these fellows ran about the streets
line 2971Crying confusion.
line 2972BRUTUSCaius Martius was
line 2973A worthy officer i’ th’ war, but insolent,
line 2974O’ercome with pride, ambitious, past all thinking
40line 2975Self-loving.
SICINIUS
line 2976And affecting one sole throne, without assistance.
line 2977MENENIUSI think not so.
SICINIUS
line 2978We should by this, to all our lamentation,
line 2979If he had gone forth consul, found it so.
Act 4 Scene 6 - Pg 217
BRUTUS
45line 2980The gods have well prevented it, and Rome
line 2981Sits safe and still without him.
Enter an Aedile.
line 2982AEDILEWorthy tribunes,
line 2983There is a slave, whom we have put in prison,
line 2984Reports the Volsces with two several powers
50line 2985Are entered in the Roman territories,
line 2986And with the deepest malice of the war
line 2987Destroy what lies before ’em.
line 2988MENENIUS’Tis Aufidius,
line 2989Who, hearing of our Martius’ banishment,
55line 2990Thrusts forth his horns again into the world,
line 2991Which were inshelled when Martius stood for Rome,
line 2992And durst not once peep out.
line 2993SICINIUSCome, what talk you of Martius?
BRUTUS
line 2994Go see this rumorer whipped. It cannot be
60line 2995The Volsces dare break with us.
line 2996MENENIUSCannot be?
line 2997We have record that very well it can,
line 2998And three examples of the like hath been
line 2999Within my age. But reason with the fellow
65line 3000Before you punish him, where he heard this,
line 3001Lest you shall chance to whip your information
line 3002And beat the messenger who bids beware
line 3003Of what is to be dreaded.
line 3004SICINIUSTell not me.
70line 3005I know this cannot be.
line 3006BRUTUSNot possible.
Enter a Messenger.
MESSENGER
line 3007The nobles in great earnestness are going
Act 4 Scene 6 - Pg 219
line 3008All to the Senate House. Some news is coming
line 3009That turns their countenances.
75line 3010SICINIUS’Tis this slave—
line 3011Go whip him ’fore the people’s eyes—his raising,
line 3012Nothing but his report.
line 3013MESSENGERYes, worthy sir,
line 3014The slave’s report is seconded, and more,
80line 3015More fearful, is delivered.
line 3016SICINIUSWhat more fearful?
MESSENGER
line 3017It is spoke freely out of many mouths—
line 3018How probable I do not know—that Martius,
line 3019Joined with Aufidius, leads a power ’gainst Rome
85line 3020And vows revenge as spacious as between
line 3021The young’st and oldest thing.
line 3022SICINIUSThis is most likely!
BRUTUS
line 3023Raised only that the weaker sort may wish
line 3024Good Martius home again.
90line 3025SICINIUSThe very trick on ’t.
line 3026MENENIUSThis is unlikely;
line 3027He and Aufidius can no more atone
line 3028Than violent’st contrariety.
Enter a Second Messenger.
line 3029SECOND MESSENGERYou are sent for to the Senate.
95line 3030A fearful army, led by Caius Martius
line 3031Associated with Aufidius, rages
line 3032Upon our territories, and have already
line 3033O’erborne their way, consumed with fire and took
line 3034What lay before them.
Enter Cominius.
100line 3035COMINIUSto the Tribunes O, you have made good
line 3036work!
line 3037MENENIUSWhat news? What news?
Act 4 Scene 6 - Pg 221
COMINIUSto the Tribunes
line 3038You have holp to ravish your own daughters and
line 3039To melt the city leads upon your pates,
105line 3040To see your wives dishonored to your noses—
line 3041MENENIUSWhat’s the news? What’s the news?
COMINIUSto the Tribunes
line 3042Your temples burnèd in their cement, and
line 3043Your franchises, whereon you stood, confined
line 3044Into an auger’s bore.
110line 3045MENENIUSPray now, your news?—
line 3046You have made fair work, I fear me.—Pray, your
line 3047news?
line 3048If Martius should be joined with Volscians—
line 3049COMINIUSIf?
115line 3050He is their god; he leads them like a thing
line 3051Made by some other deity than Nature,
line 3052That shapes man better; and they follow him
line 3053Against us brats with no less confidence
line 3054Than boys pursuing summer butterflies
120line 3055Or butchers killing flies.
line 3056MENENIUSto the Tribunes You have made good work,
line 3057You and your apron-men, you that stood so much
line 3058Upon the voice of occupation and
line 3059The breath of garlic eaters!
COMINIUS
125line 3060He’ll shake your Rome about your ears.
MENENIUS
line 3061As Hercules did shake down mellow fruit.
line 3062You have made fair work.
line 3063BRUTUSBut is this true, sir?
line 3064COMINIUSAy, and you’ll look pale
130line 3065Before you find it other. All the regions
line 3066Do smilingly revolt, and who resists
line 3067Are mocked for valiant ignorance
line 3068And perish constant fools. Who is ’t can blame him?
line 3069Your enemies and his find something in him.
Act 4 Scene 6 - Pg 223
135line 3070MENENIUSWe are all undone, unless
line 3071The noble man have mercy.
line 3072COMINIUSWho shall ask it?
line 3073The Tribunes cannot do ’t for shame; the people
line 3074Deserve such pity of him as the wolf
140line 3075Does of the shepherds. For his best friends, if they
line 3076Should say “Be good to Rome,” they charged him
line 3077even
line 3078As those should do that had deserved his hate
line 3079And therein showed like enemies.
145line 3080MENENIUS’Tis true.
line 3081If he were putting to my house the brand
line 3082That should consume it, I have not the face
line 3083To say “Beseech you, cease.”—You have made fair
line 3084hands,
150line 3085You and your crafts! You have crafted fair!
line 3086COMINIUSYou have
line 3087brought
line 3088A trembling upon Rome such as was never
line 3089S’ incapable of help.
155line 3090TRIBUNESSay not we brought it.
MENENIUS
line 3091How? Was ’t we? We loved him, but like beasts
line 3092And cowardly nobles, gave way unto your clusters,
line 3093Who did hoot him out o’ th’ city.
line 3094COMINIUSBut I fear
160line 3095They’ll roar him in again. Tullus Aufidius,
line 3096The second name of men, obeys his points
line 3097As if he were his officer. Desperation
line 3098Is all the policy, strength, and defense
line 3099That Rome can make against them.
Enter a troop of Citizens.
165line 3100MENENIUSHere come the
line 3101clusters.—
line 3102And is Aufidius with him? You are they
Act 4 Scene 6 - Pg 225
line 3103That made the air unwholesome when you cast
line 3104Your stinking, greasy caps in hooting at
170line 3105Coriolanus’ exile. Now he’s coming,
line 3106And not a hair upon a soldier’s head
line 3107Which will not prove a whip. As many coxcombs
line 3108As you threw caps up will he tumble down
line 3109And pay you for your voices. ’Tis no matter.
175line 3110If he could burn us all into one coal,
line 3111We have deserved it.
line 3112ALL CITIZENSFaith, we hear fearful news.
line 3113FIRST CITIZENFor mine own part,
line 3114When I said banish him, I said ’twas pity.
180line 3115SECOND CITIZENAnd so did I.
line 3116THIRD CITIZENAnd so did I. And, to say the truth, so
line 3117did very many of us. That we did we did for the
line 3118best; and though we willingly consented to his
line 3119banishment, yet it was against our will.
185line 3120COMINIUSYou’re goodly things, you voices!
MENENIUS
line 3121You have made good work, you and your cry!—
line 3122Shall ’s to the Capitol?
line 3123COMINIUSO, ay, what else?Both exit.
SICINIUS
line 3124Go, masters, get you home. Be not dismayed.
190line 3125These are a side that would be glad to have
line 3126This true which they so seem to fear. Go home,
line 3127And show no sign of fear.
line 3128FIRST CITIZENThe gods be good to us! Come, masters,
line 3129let’s home. I ever said we were i’ th’ wrong when
195line 3130we banished him.
line 3131SECOND CITIZENSo did we all. But, come, let’s home.
Citizens exit.
line 3132BRUTUSI do not like this news.
line 3133SICINIUSNor I.
Act 4 Scene 7 - Pg 227
BRUTUS
line 3134Let’s to the Capitol. Would half my wealth
200line 3135Would buy this for a lie.
line 3136SICINIUSPray, let’s go.
Tribunes exit.
Scene 7
Enter Aufidius with his Lieutenant.
line 3137AUFIDIUSDo they still fly to th’ Roman?
LIEUTENANT
line 3138I do not know what witchcraft’s in him, but
line 3139Your soldiers use him as the grace ’fore meat,
line 3140Their talk at table, and their thanks at end;
5line 3141And you are dark’ned in this action, sir,
line 3142Even by your own.
line 3143AUFIDIUSI cannot help it now,
line 3144Unless by using means I lame the foot
line 3145Of our design. He bears himself more proudlier,
10line 3146Even to my person, than I thought he would
line 3147When first I did embrace him. Yet his nature
line 3148In that’s no changeling, and I must excuse
line 3149What cannot be amended.
line 3150LIEUTENANTYet I wish, sir—
15line 3151I mean for your particular—you had not
line 3152Joined in commission with him, but either
line 3153Have borne the action of yourself or else
line 3154To him had left it solely.
AUFIDIUS
line 3155I understand thee well, and be thou sure,
20line 3156When he shall come to his account, he knows not
line 3157What I can urge against him, although it seems,
line 3158And so he thinks and is no less apparent
line 3159To th’ vulgar eye, that he bears all things fairly,
line 3160And shows good husbandry for the Volscian state,
Act 4 Scene 7 - Pg 229
25line 3161Fights dragonlike, and does achieve as soon
line 3162As draw his sword; yet he hath left undone
line 3163That which shall break his neck or hazard mine
line 3164Whene’er we come to our account.
LIEUTENANT
line 3165Sir, I beseech you, think you he’ll carry Rome?
AUFIDIUS
30line 3166All places yields to him ere he sits down,
line 3167And the nobility of Rome are his;
line 3168The Senators and Patricians love him too.
line 3169The Tribunes are no soldiers, and their people
line 3170Will be as rash in the repeal as hasty
35line 3171To expel him thence. I think he’ll be to Rome
line 3172As is the osprey to the fish, who takes it
line 3173By sovereignty of nature. First, he was
line 3174A noble servant to them, but he could not
line 3175Carry his honors even. Whether ’twas pride,
40line 3176Which out of daily fortune ever taints
line 3177The happy man; whether defect of judgment,
line 3178To fail in the disposing of those chances
line 3179Which he was lord of; or whether nature,
line 3180Not to be other than one thing, not moving
45line 3181From th’ casque to th’ cushion, but commanding
line 3182peace
line 3183Even with the same austerity and garb
line 3184As he controlled the war; but one of these—
line 3185As he hath spices of them all—not all,
50line 3186For I dare so far free him—made him feared,
line 3187So hated, and so banished. But he has a merit
line 3188To choke it in the utt’rance. So our virtues
line 3189Lie in th’ interpretation of the time,
line 3190And power, unto itself most commendable,
55line 3191Hath not a tomb so evident as a chair
line 3192T’ extol what it hath done.
line 3193One fire drives out one fire, one nail one nail;
Act 4 Scene 7 - Pg 231
line 3194Rights by rights falter; strengths by strengths do
line 3195fail.
60line 3196Come, let’s away. When, Caius, Rome is thine,
line 3197Thou art poor’st of all; then shortly art thou mine.
They exit.
ACT 5
Scene 1
Enter Menenius, Cominius, Sicinius, Brutus (the two Tribunes), with others.
MENENIUS
line 3198No, I’ll not go. You hear what he hath said
line 3199Which was sometime his general, who loved him
line 3200In a most dear particular. He called me father,
line 3201But what o’ that? Go you that banished him;
5line 3202A mile before his tent, fall down, and knee
line 3203The way into his mercy. Nay, if he coyed
line 3204To hear Cominius speak, I’ll keep at home.
COMINIUS
line 3205He would not seem to know me.
line 3206MENENIUSDo you hear?
COMINIUS
10line 3207Yet one time he did call me by my name.
line 3208I urged our old acquaintance, and the drops
line 3209That we have bled together. “Coriolanus”
line 3210He would not answer to, forbade all names.
line 3211He was a kind of nothing, titleless,
15line 3212Till he had forged himself a name o’ th’ fire
line 3213Of burning Rome.
MENENIUSto the Tribunes
line 3214Why, so; you have made good work!
line 3215A pair of tribunes that have wracked Rome
line 3216To make coals cheap! A noble memory!
Act 5 Scene 1 - Pg 237
COMINIUS
20line 3217I minded him how royal ’twas to pardon
line 3218When it was less expected. He replied
line 3219It was a bare petition of a state
line 3220To one whom they had punished.
line 3221MENENIUSVery well.
25line 3222Could he say less?
COMINIUS
line 3223I offered to awaken his regard
line 3224For ’s private friends. His answer to me was
line 3225He could not stay to pick them in a pile
line 3226Of noisome musty chaff. He said ’twas folly
30line 3227For one poor grain or two to leave unburnt
line 3228And still to nose th’ offense.
line 3229MENENIUSFor one poor grain or two!
line 3230I am one of those! His mother, wife, his child,
line 3231And this brave fellow too, we are the grains;
35line 3232You are the musty chaff, and you are smelt
line 3233Above the moon. We must be burnt for you.
SICINIUS
line 3234Nay, pray, be patient. If you refuse your aid
line 3235In this so-never-needed help, yet do not
line 3236Upbraid ’s with our distress. But sure, if you
40line 3237Would be your country’s pleader, your good tongue,
line 3238More than the instant army we can make,
line 3239Might stop our countryman.
line 3240MENENIUSNo, I’ll not meddle.
line 3241SICINIUSPray you, go to him.
45line 3242MENENIUSWhat should I do?
BRUTUS
line 3243Only make trial what your love can do
line 3244For Rome, towards Martius.
line 3245MENENIUSWell, and say that
line 3246Martius
50line 3247Return me, as Cominius is returned, unheard,
Act 5 Scene 1 - Pg 239
line 3248What then? But as a discontented friend,
line 3249Grief-shot with his unkindness? Say ’t be so?
line 3250SICINIUSYet your good will
line 3251Must have that thanks from Rome after the measure
55line 3252As you intended well.
line 3253MENENIUSI’ll undertake ’t.
line 3254I think he’ll hear me. Yet to bite his lip
line 3255And hum at good Cominius much unhearts me.
line 3256He was not taken well; he had not dined.
60line 3257The veins unfilled, our blood is cold, and then
line 3258We pout upon the morning, are unapt
line 3259To give or to forgive; but when we have stuffed
line 3260These pipes and these conveyances of our blood
line 3261With wine and feeding, we have suppler souls
65line 3262Than in our priestlike fasts. Therefore I’ll watch him
line 3263Till he be dieted to my request,
line 3264And then I’ll set upon him.
BRUTUS
line 3265You know the very road into his kindness
line 3266And cannot lose your way.
70line 3267MENENIUSGood faith, I’ll prove him,
line 3268Speed how it will. I shall ere long have knowledge
line 3269Of my success.He exits.
line 3270COMINIUSHe’ll never hear him.
line 3271SICINIUSNot?
COMINIUS
75line 3272I tell you, he does sit in gold, his eye
line 3273Red as ’twould burn Rome; and his injury
line 3274The jailor to his pity. I kneeled before him;
line 3275’Twas very faintly he said “Rise”; dismissed me
line 3276Thus with his speechless hand. What he would do
80line 3277He sent in writing after me; what he
line 3278Would not, bound with an oath to yield to his
line 3279Conditions. So that all hope is vain
line 3280Unless his noble mother and his wife,
line 3281Who, as I hear, mean to solicit him
Act 5 Scene 2 - Pg 241
85line 3282For mercy to his country. Therefore let’s hence
line 3283And with our fair entreaties haste them on.
They exit.
Scene 2
Enter Menenius to the Watch, or Guard.
line 3284FIRST WATCHStay! Whence are you?
line 3285SECOND WATCHStand, and go back.
MENENIUS
line 3286You guard like men; ’tis well. But by your leave,
line 3287I am an officer of state and come
5line 3288To speak with Coriolanus.
line 3289FIRST WATCHFrom whence?
line 3290MENENIUSFrom Rome.
FIRST WATCH
line 3291You may not pass; you must return. Our general
line 3292Will no more hear from thence.
SECOND WATCH
10line 3293You’ll see your Rome embraced with fire before
line 3294You’ll speak with Coriolanus.
line 3295MENENIUSGood my friends,
line 3296If you have heard your general talk of Rome
line 3297And of his friends there, it is lots to blanks
15line 3298My name hath touched your ears. It is Menenius.
FIRST WATCH
line 3299Be it so; go back. The virtue of your name
line 3300Is not here passable.
line 3301MENENIUSI tell thee, fellow,
line 3302Thy general is my lover. I have been
20line 3303The book of his good acts, whence men have read
line 3304His fame unparalleled happily amplified;
line 3305For I have ever verified my friends—
line 3306Of whom he’s chief—with all the size that verity
line 3307Would without lapsing suffer. Nay, sometimes,
Act 5 Scene 2 - Pg 243
25line 3308Like to a bowl upon a subtle ground,
line 3309I have tumbled past the throw, and in his praise
line 3310Have almost stamped the leasing. Therefore, fellow,
line 3311I must have leave to pass.
line 3312FIRST WATCHFaith, sir, if you had told as many lies in
30line 3313his behalf as you have uttered words in your own,
line 3314you should not pass here, no, though it were as virtuous
line 3315to lie as to live chastely. Therefore, go back.
line 3316MENENIUSPrithee, fellow, remember my name is Menenius,
line 3317always factionary on the party of your
35line 3318general.
line 3319SECOND WATCHHowsoever you have been his liar, as
line 3320you say you have, I am one that, telling true under
line 3321him, must say you cannot pass. Therefore, go back.
line 3322MENENIUSHas he dined, can’st thou tell? For I would
40line 3323not speak with him till after dinner.
line 3324FIRST WATCHYou are a Roman, are you?
line 3325MENENIUSI am, as thy general is.
line 3326FIRST WATCHThen you should hate Rome as he does.
line 3327Can you, when you have pushed out your gates the
45line 3328very defender of them, and, in a violent popular
line 3329ignorance given your enemy your shield, think to
line 3330front his revenges with the easy groans of old
line 3331women, the virginal palms of your daughters, or
line 3332with the palsied intercession of such a decayed
50line 3333dotant as you seem to be? Can you think to blow
line 3334out the intended fire your city is ready to flame in
line 3335with such weak breath as this? No, you are deceived.
line 3336Therefore, back to Rome and prepare for
line 3337your execution. You are condemned. Our general
55line 3338has sworn you out of reprieve and pardon.
line 3339MENENIUSSirrah, if thy captain knew I were here, he
line 3340would use me with estimation.
line 3341FIRST WATCHCome, my captain knows you not.
line 3342MENENIUSI mean thy general.
Act 5 Scene 2 - Pg 245
60line 3343FIRST WATCHMy general cares not for you. Back, I say,
line 3344go, lest I let forth your half pint of blood. Back!
line 3345That’s the utmost of your having. Back!
line 3346MENENIUSNay, but fellow, fellow—
Enter Coriolanus with Aufidius.
line 3347CORIOLANUSWhat’s the matter?
65line 3348MENENIUSto First Watch Now, you companion, I’ll
line 3349say an errand for you. You shall know now that I
line 3350am in estimation; you shall perceive that a Jack
line 3351guardant cannot office me from my son Coriolanus.
line 3352Guess but by my entertainment with him
70line 3353if thou stand’st not i’ th’ state of hanging or of some
line 3354death more long in spectatorship and crueler in
line 3355suffering; behold now presently, and swoon for
line 3356what’s to come upon thee. To Coriolanus. The
line 3357glorious gods sit in hourly synod about thy particular
75line 3358prosperity and love thee no worse than thy old
line 3359father Menenius does! O my son, my son! He weeps.
line 3360Thou art preparing fire for us; look thee,
line 3361here’s water to quench it. I was hardly moved to
line 3362come to thee; but being assured none but myself
80line 3363could move thee, I have been blown out of your
line 3364gates with sighs, and conjure thee to pardon Rome
line 3365and thy petitionary countrymen. The good gods
line 3366assuage thy wrath and turn the dregs of it upon
line 3367this varlet here, this, who, like a block, hath denied
85line 3368my access to thee.
line 3369CORIOLANUSAway!
line 3370MENENIUSHow? Away?
CORIOLANUS
line 3371Wife, mother, child, I know not. My affairs
line 3372Are servanted to others. Though I owe
90line 3373My revenge properly, my remission lies
line 3374In Volscian breasts. That we have been familiar,
line 3375Ingrate forgetfulness shall poison rather
Act 5 Scene 3 - Pg 247
line 3376Than pity note how much. Therefore, begone.
line 3377Mine ears against your suits are stronger than
95line 3378Your gates against my force. Yet, for I loved thee,
line 3379Take this along; I writ it for thy sake,
He gives Menenius a paper.
line 3380And would have sent it. Another word, Menenius,
line 3381I will not hear thee speak.—This man, Aufidius,
line 3382Was my beloved in Rome; yet thou behold’st.
100line 3383AUFIDIUSYou keep a constant temper.They exit.
The Guard and Menenius remain.
line 3384FIRST WATCHNow, sir, is your name Menenius?
line 3385SECOND WATCH’Tis a spell, you see, of much power. You
line 3386know the way home again.
line 3387FIRST WATCHDo you hear how we are shent for keeping
105line 3388your Greatness back?
line 3389SECOND WATCHWhat cause do you think I have to
line 3390swoon?
line 3391MENENIUSI neither care for th’ world nor your general.
line 3392For such things as you, I can scarce think
110line 3393there’s any, you’re so slight. He that hath a will to
line 3394die by himself fears it not from another. Let your
line 3395general do his worst. For you, be that you are,
line 3396long; and your misery increase with your age! I say
line 3397to you, as I was said to, away!He exits.
115line 3398FIRST WATCHA noble fellow, I warrant him.
line 3399SECOND WATCHThe worthy fellow is our general. He’s
line 3400the rock, the oak not to be wind-shaken.
Watch exit.
Scene 3
Enter Coriolanus and Aufidius.
CORIOLANUS
line 3401We will before the walls of Rome tomorrow
line 3402Set down our host. My partner in this action,
Act 5 Scene 3 - Pg 249
line 3403You must report to th’ Volscian lords how plainly
line 3404I have borne this business.
5line 3405AUFIDIUSOnly their ends
line 3406You have respected, stopped your ears against
line 3407The general suit of Rome, never admitted
line 3408A private whisper, no, not with such friends
line 3409That thought them sure of you.
10line 3410CORIOLANUSThis last old man,
line 3411Whom with a cracked heart I have sent to Rome,
line 3412Loved me above the measure of a father,
line 3413Nay, godded me indeed. Their latest refuge
line 3414Was to send him, for whose old love I have—
15line 3415Though I showed sourly to him—once more offered
line 3416The first conditions, which they did refuse
line 3417And cannot now accept, to grace him only
line 3418That thought he could do more. A very little
line 3419I have yielded to. Fresh embassies and suits,
20line 3420Nor from the state nor private friends, hereafter
line 3421Will I lend ear to.Shout within.
line 3422Ha? What shout is this?
line 3423Shall I be tempted to infringe my vow
line 3424In the same time ’tis made? I will not.
Enter Virgilia, Volumnia, Valeria, young Martius, with Attendants.
25line 3425My wife comes foremost, then the honored mold
line 3426Wherein this trunk was framed, and in her hand
line 3427The grandchild to her blood. But out, affection!
line 3428All bond and privilege of nature, break!
line 3429Let it be virtuous to be obstinate.Virgilia curtsies.
30line 3430What is that curtsy worth? Or those doves’ eyes,
line 3431Which can make gods forsworn? I melt and am not
line 3432Of stronger earth than others.Volumnia bows.
line 3433My mother bows,
line 3434As if Olympus to a molehill should
35line 3435In supplication nod; and my young boy
Act 5 Scene 3 - Pg 251
line 3436Hath an aspect of intercession which
line 3437Great Nature cries “Deny not!” Let the Volsces
line 3438Plow Rome and harrow Italy, I’ll never
line 3439Be such a gosling to obey instinct, but stand
40line 3440As if a man were author of himself,
line 3441And knew no other kin.
line 3442VIRGILIAMy lord and husband.
CORIOLANUS
line 3443These eyes are not the same I wore in Rome.
VIRGILIA
line 3444The sorrow that delivers us thus changed
45line 3445Makes you think so.
line 3446CORIOLANUSLike a dull actor now,
line 3447I have forgot my part, and I am out,
line 3448Even to a full disgrace. Best of my flesh,
line 3449Forgive my tyranny, but do not say
50line 3450For that “Forgive our Romans.”They kiss.
line 3451O, a kiss
line 3452Long as my exile, sweet as my revenge!
line 3453Now, by the jealous queen of heaven, that kiss
line 3454I carried from thee, dear, and my true lip
55line 3455Hath virgined it e’er since. You gods! I prate
line 3456And the most noble mother of the world
line 3457Leave unsaluted. Sink, my knee, i’ th’ earth;Kneels.
line 3458Of thy deep duty more impression show
line 3459Than that of common sons.
60line 3460VOLUMNIAO, stand up blest,
He rises.
line 3461Whilst with no softer cushion than the flint
line 3462I kneel before thee and unproperly
line 3463Show duty, as mistaken all this while
line 3464Between the child and parent.She kneels.
65line 3465CORIOLANUSWhat’s this?
line 3466Your knees to me? To your corrected son?
He raises her up.
line 3467Then let the pebbles on the hungry beach
Act 5 Scene 3 - Pg 253
line 3468Fillip the stars! Then let the mutinous winds
line 3469Strike the proud cedars ’gainst the fiery sun,
70line 3470Murdering impossibility to make
line 3471What cannot be slight work.
line 3472VOLUMNIAThou art my warrior;
line 3473I holp to frame thee. Do you know this lady?
CORIOLANUS
line 3474The noble sister of Publicola,
75line 3475The moon of Rome, chaste as the icicle
line 3476That’s curdied by the frost from purest snow
line 3477And hangs on Dian’s temple!—Dear Valeria.
VOLUMNIApresenting young Martius
line 3478This is a poor epitome of yours,
line 3479Which by th’ interpretation of full time
80line 3480May show like all yourself.
line 3481CORIOLANUSto young Martius The god of soldiers,
line 3482With the consent of supreme Jove, inform
line 3483Thy thoughts with nobleness, that thou mayst prove
line 3484To shame unvulnerable, and stick i’ th’ wars
85line 3485Like a great seamark standing every flaw
line 3486And saving those that eye thee.
line 3487VOLUMNIAto young Martius Your knee, sirrah.
He kneels.
line 3488CORIOLANUSThat’s my brave boy!
VOLUMNIA
line 3489Even he, your wife, this lady, and myself
90line 3490Are suitors to you.Young Martius rises.
line 3491CORIOLANUSI beseech you, peace;
line 3492Or if you’d ask, remember this before:
line 3493The thing I have forsworn to grant may never
line 3494Be held by you denials. Do not bid me
95line 3495Dismiss my soldiers or capitulate
line 3496Again with Rome’s mechanics. Tell me not
line 3497Wherein I seem unnatural; desire not
line 3498T’ allay my rages and revenges with
line 3499Your colder reasons.
Act 5 Scene 3 - Pg 255
100line 3500VOLUMNIAO, no more, no more!
line 3501You have said you will not grant us anything;
line 3502For we have nothing else to ask but that
line 3503Which you deny already. Yet we will ask,
line 3504That if you fail in our request, the blame
105line 3505May hang upon your hardness. Therefore hear us.
CORIOLANUS
line 3506Aufidius, and you Volsces, mark, for we’ll
line 3507Hear naught from Rome in private. He sits. Your
line 3508request?
VOLUMNIA
line 3509Should we be silent and not speak, our raiment
110line 3510And state of bodies would bewray what life
line 3511We have led since thy exile. Think with thyself
line 3512How more unfortunate than all living women
line 3513Are we come hither; since that thy sight, which
line 3514should
115line 3515Make our eyes flow with joy, hearts dance with
line 3516comforts,
line 3517Constrains them weep and shake with fear and
line 3518sorrow,
line 3519Making the mother, wife, and child to see
120line 3520The son, the husband, and the father tearing
line 3521His country’s bowels out. And to poor we
line 3522Thine enmity’s most capital. Thou barr’st us
line 3523Our prayers to the gods, which is a comfort
line 3524That all but we enjoy. For how can we—
125line 3525Alas, how can we—for our country pray,
line 3526Whereto we are bound, together with thy victory,
line 3527Whereto we are bound? Alack, or we must lose
line 3528The country, our dear nurse, or else thy person,
line 3529Our comfort in the country. We must find
130line 3530An evident calamity, though we had
line 3531Our wish, which side should win, for either thou
line 3532Must as a foreign recreant be led
line 3533With manacles through our streets, or else
Act 5 Scene 3 - Pg 257
line 3534Triumphantly tread on thy country’s ruin
135line 3535And bear the palm for having bravely shed
line 3536Thy wife and children’s blood. For myself, son,
line 3537I purpose not to wait on fortune till
line 3538These wars determine. If I cannot persuade thee
line 3539Rather to show a noble grace to both parts
140line 3540Than seek the end of one, thou shalt no sooner
line 3541March to assault thy country than to tread—
line 3542Trust to ’t, thou shalt not—on thy mother’s womb
line 3543That brought thee to this world.
line 3544VIRGILIAAy, and mine,
145line 3545That brought you forth this boy to keep your name
line 3546Living to time.
line 3547YOUNG MARTIUSHe shall not tread on me.
line 3548I’ll run away till I am bigger, but then I’ll fight.
CORIOLANUS
line 3549Not of a woman’s tenderness to be
150line 3550Requires nor child nor woman’s face to see.—
line 3551I have sat too long.He rises.
line 3552VOLUMNIANay, go not from us thus.
line 3553If it were so, that our request did tend
line 3554To save the Romans, thereby to destroy
155line 3555The Volsces whom you serve, you might condemn
line 3556us
line 3557As poisonous of your honor. No, our suit
line 3558Is that you reconcile them, while the Volsces
line 3559May say “This mercy we have showed,” the Romans
160line 3560“This we received,” and each in either side
line 3561Give the all-hail to thee and cry “Be blest
line 3562For making up this peace!” Thou know’st, great son,
line 3563The end of war’s uncertain, but this certain,
line 3564That, if thou conquer Rome, the benefit
165line 3565Which thou shalt thereby reap is such a name
line 3566Whose repetition will be dogged with curses,
line 3567Whose chronicle thus writ: “The man was noble,
line 3568But with his last attempt he wiped it out,
Act 5 Scene 3 - Pg 259
line 3569Destroyed his country, and his name remains
170line 3570To th’ ensuing age abhorred.” Speak to me, son.
line 3571Thou hast affected the fine strains of honor
line 3572To imitate the graces of the gods,
line 3573To tear with thunder the wide cheeks o’ th’ air
line 3574And yet to charge thy sulfur with a bolt
175line 3575That should but rive an oak. Why dost not speak?
line 3576Think’st thou it honorable for a noble man
line 3577Still to remember wrongs?—Daughter, speak you.
line 3578He cares not for your weeping.—Speak thou, boy.
line 3579Perhaps thy childishness will move him more
180line 3580Than can our reasons.—There’s no man in the world
line 3581More bound to ’s mother, yet here he lets me prate
line 3582Like one i’ th’ stocks. Thou hast never in thy life
line 3583Showed thy dear mother any courtesy
line 3584When she, poor hen, fond of no second brood,
185line 3585Has clucked thee to the wars and safely home,
line 3586Loaden with honor. Say my request’s unjust
line 3587And spurn me back; but if it be not so,
line 3588Thou art not honest, and the gods will plague thee
line 3589That thou restrain’st from me the duty which
190line 3590To a mother’s part belongs.—He turns away.—
line 3591Down, ladies! Let us shame him with our knees.
line 3592To his surname Coriolanus ’longs more pride
line 3593Than pity to our prayers. Down! An end.
They kneel.
line 3594This is the last. So, we will home to Rome
195line 3595And die among our neighbors.—Nay, behold ’s.
line 3596This boy that cannot tell what he would have,
line 3597But kneels and holds up hands for fellowship,
line 3598Does reason our petition with more strength
line 3599Than thou hast to deny ’t.—Come, let us go.
They rise.
200line 3600This fellow had a Volscian to his mother,
line 3601His wife is in Corioles, and his child
Act 5 Scene 3 - Pg 261
line 3602Like him by chance.—Yet give us our dispatch.
line 3603I am hushed until our city be afire,
line 3604And then I’ll speak a little.
He holds her by the hand, silent.
205line 3605CORIOLANUSO mother, mother!
line 3606What have you done? Behold, the heavens do ope,
line 3607The gods look down, and this unnatural scene
line 3608They laugh at. O, my mother, mother, O!
line 3609You have won a happy victory to Rome,
210line 3610But, for your son—believe it, O, believe it!—
line 3611Most dangerously you have with him prevailed,
line 3612If not most mortal to him. But let it come.—
line 3613Aufidius, though I cannot make true wars,
line 3614I’ll frame convenient peace. Now, good Aufidius,
215line 3615Were you in my stead, would you have heard
line 3616A mother less? Or granted less, Aufidius?
AUFIDIUS
line 3617I was moved withal.
line 3618CORIOLANUSI dare be sworn you were.
line 3619And, sir, it is no little thing to make
220line 3620Mine eyes to sweat compassion. But, good sir,
line 3621What peace you’ll make advise me. For my part,
line 3622I’ll not to Rome. I’ll back with you; and pray you,
line 3623Stand to me in this cause.—O mother!—Wife!
He speaks with them aside.
AUFIDIUSaside
line 3624I am glad thou hast set thy mercy and thy honor
225line 3625At difference in thee. Out of that I’ll work
line 3626Myself a former fortune.
line 3627CORIOLANUSto the Women Ay, by and by;
line 3628But we will drink together, and you shall bear
line 3629A better witness back than words, which we,
230line 3630On like conditions, will have countersealed.
line 3631Come, enter with us. Ladies, you deserve
line 3632To have a temple built you. All the swords
Act 5 Scene 4 - Pg 263
line 3633In Italy, and her confederate arms,
line 3634Could not have made this peace.
They exit.
Scene 4
Enter Menenius and Sicinius.
line 3635MENENIUSSee you yond coign o’ th’ Capitol, yond
line 3636cornerstone?
line 3637SICINIUSWhy, what of that?
line 3638MENENIUSIf it be possible for you to displace it with
5line 3639your little finger, there is some hope the ladies of
line 3640Rome, especially his mother, may prevail with
line 3641him. But I say there is no hope in ’t. Our throats
line 3642are sentenced and stay upon execution.
line 3643SICINIUSIs ’t possible that so short a time can alter the
10line 3644condition of a man?
line 3645MENENIUSThere is differency between a grub and a
line 3646butterfly, yet your butterfly was a grub. This Martius
line 3647is grown from man to dragon. He has wings;
line 3648he’s more than a creeping thing.
15line 3649SICINIUSHe loved his mother dearly.
line 3650MENENIUSSo did he me; and he no more remembers
line 3651his mother now than an eight-year-old horse. The
line 3652tartness of his face sours ripe grapes. When he
line 3653walks, he moves like an engine, and the ground
20line 3654shrinks before his treading. He is able to pierce a
line 3655corslet with his eye, talks like a knell, and his hum
line 3656is a battery. He sits in his state as a thing made for
line 3657Alexander. What he bids be done is finished with
line 3658his bidding. He wants nothing of a god but eternity
25line 3659and a heaven to throne in.
line 3660SICINIUSYes, mercy, if you report him truly.
line 3661MENENIUSI paint him in the character. Mark what
line 3662mercy his mother shall bring from him. There is
Act 5 Scene 4 - Pg 265
line 3663no more mercy in him than there is milk in a male
30line 3664tiger. That shall our poor city find, and all this is
line 3665long of you.
line 3666SICINIUSThe gods be good unto us.
line 3667MENENIUSNo, in such a case the gods will not be good
line 3668unto us. When we banished him, we respected not
35line 3669them; and he returning to break our necks, they
line 3670respect not us.
Enter a Messenger.
MESSENGERto Sicinius
line 3671Sir, if you’d save your life, fly to your house.
line 3672The plebeians have got your fellow tribune
line 3673And hale him up and down, all swearing if
40line 3674The Roman ladies bring not comfort home,
line 3675They’ll give him death by inches.
Enter another Messenger.
line 3676SICINIUSWhat’s the news?
SECOND MESSENGER
line 3677Good news, good news! The ladies have prevailed.
line 3678The Volscians are dislodged and Martius gone.
45line 3679A merrier day did never yet greet Rome,
line 3680No, not th’ expulsion of the Tarquins.
line 3681SICINIUSFriend,
line 3682Art thou certain this is true? Is ’t most certain?
SECOND MESSENGER
line 3683As certain as I know the sun is fire.
50line 3684Where have you lurked that you make doubt of it?
line 3685Ne’er through an arch so hurried the blown tide
line 3686As the recomforted through th’ gates. Why, hark you!
Trumpets, hautboys, drums beat, all together.
line 3687The trumpets, sackbuts, psalteries, and fifes,
line 3688Tabors and cymbals, and the shouting Romans
55line 3689Make the sun dance. Hark you!A shout within.
Act 5 Scene 5 - Pg 267
line 3690MENENIUSThis is good news.
line 3691I will go meet the ladies. This Volumnia
line 3692Is worth of consuls, senators, patricians
line 3693A city full; of tribunes such as you
60line 3694A sea and land full. You have prayed well today.
line 3695This morning for ten thousand of your throats
line 3696I’d not have given a doit. Hark, how they joy!
Sound still with the shouts.
line 3697SICINIUSto Second Messenger First, the gods bless
line 3698you for your tidings; next, accept my thankfulness.
SECOND MESSENGER
65line 3699Sir, we have all great cause to give great thanks.
line 3700SICINIUSThey are near the city?
line 3701SECOND MESSENGERAlmost at point to enter.
line 3702SICINIUSWe’ll meet them, and help the joy.
They exit.
Scene 5
Enter two Senators, with Ladies (Volumnia, Virgilia, Valeria) passing over the stage, with other Lords.
SENATOR
line 3703Behold our patroness, the life of Rome!
line 3704Call all your tribes together, praise the gods,
line 3705And make triumphant fires. Strew flowers before
line 3706them,
5line 3707Unshout the noise that banished Martius,
line 3708Repeal him with the welcome of his mother.
line 3709Cry “Welcome, ladies, welcome!”
line 3710ALLWelcome, ladies, welcome!
A flourish with drums and trumpets.
They exit.
Act 5 Scene 6 - Pg 269
Scene 6
Enter Tullus Aufidius, with Attendants.
AUFIDIUS
line 3711Go tell the lords o’ th’ city I am here.
line 3712Deliver them this paper.He gives them a paper.
line 3713Having read it,
line 3714Bid them repair to th’ marketplace, where I,
5line 3715Even in theirs and in the commons’ ears,
line 3716Will vouch the truth of it. Him I accuse
line 3717The city ports by this hath entered and
line 3718Intends t’ appear before the people, hoping
line 3719To purge himself with words. Dispatch.
The Attendants exit.
Enter three or four Conspirators of Aufidius’s faction.
10line 3720Most welcome!
FIRST CONSPIRATOR
line 3721How is it with our general?
line 3722AUFIDIUSEven so
line 3723As with a man by his own alms empoisoned
line 3724And with his charity slain.
15line 3725SECOND CONSPIRATORMost noble sir,
line 3726If you do hold the same intent wherein
line 3727You wished us parties, we’ll deliver you
line 3728Of your great danger.
line 3729AUFIDIUSSir, I cannot tell.
20line 3730We must proceed as we do find the people.
THIRD CONSPIRATOR
line 3731The people will remain uncertain whilst
line 3732’Twixt you there’s difference, but the fall of either
line 3733Makes the survivor heir of all.
line 3734AUFIDIUSI know it,
25line 3735And my pretext to strike at him admits
line 3736A good construction. I raised him, and I pawned
line 3737Mine honor for his truth, who, being so heightened,
Act 5 Scene 6 - Pg 271
line 3738He watered his new plants with dews of flattery,
line 3739Seducing so my friends; and to this end,
30line 3740He bowed his nature, never known before
line 3741But to be rough, unswayable, and free.
line 3742THIRD CONSPIRATORSir, his stoutness
line 3743When he did stand for consul, which he lost
line 3744By lack of stooping—
35line 3745AUFIDIUSThat I would have spoke of.
line 3746Being banished for ’t, he came unto my hearth,
line 3747Presented to my knife his throat. I took him,
line 3748Made him joint servant with me, gave him way
line 3749In all his own desires; nay, let him choose
40line 3750Out of my files, his projects to accomplish,
line 3751My best and freshest men; served his designments
line 3752In mine own person; holp to reap the fame
line 3753Which he did end all his; and took some pride
line 3754To do myself this wrong; till at the last
45line 3755I seemed his follower, not partner; and
line 3756He waged me with his countenance as if
line 3757I had been mercenary.
line 3758FIRST CONSPIRATORSo he did, my lord.
line 3759The army marvelled at it, and, in the last,
50line 3760When he had carried Rome and that we looked
line 3761For no less spoil than glory—
line 3762AUFIDIUSThere was it
line 3763For which my sinews shall be stretched upon him.
line 3764At a few drops of women’s rheum, which are
55line 3765As cheap as lies, he sold the blood and labor
line 3766Of our great action. Therefore shall he die,
line 3767And I’ll renew me in his fall. But hark!
Drums and trumpets sounds, with great shouts of the people.
FIRST CONSPIRATOR
line 3768Your native town you entered like a post
Act 5 Scene 6 - Pg 273
line 3769And had no welcomes home, but he returns
60line 3770Splitting the air with noise.
line 3771SECOND CONSPIRATORAnd patient fools,
line 3772Whose children he hath slain, their base throats tear
line 3773With giving him glory.
line 3774THIRD CONSPIRATORTherefore at your vantage,
65line 3775Ere he express himself or move the people
line 3776With what he would say, let him feel your sword,
line 3777Which we will second. When he lies along,
line 3778After your way his tale pronounced shall bury
line 3779His reasons with his body.
70line 3780AUFIDIUSSay no more.
Enter the Lords of the city.
line 3781Here come the lords.
ALL LORDS
line 3782You are most welcome home.
line 3783AUFIDIUSI have not deserved it.
line 3784But, worthy lords, have you with heed perused
75line 3785What I have written to you?
line 3786ALL LORDSWe have.
line 3787FIRST LORDAnd grieve to hear ’t.
line 3788What faults he made before the last, I think
line 3789Might have found easy fines, but there to end
80line 3790Where he was to begin and give away
line 3791The benefit of our levies, answering us
line 3792With our own charge, making a treaty where
line 3793There was a yielding—this admits no excuse.
Enter Coriolanus marching with Drum and Colors, the Commoners being with him.
line 3794AUFIDIUSHe approaches. You shall hear him.
CORIOLANUS
85line 3795Hail, lords! I am returned your soldier,
line 3796No more infected with my country’s love
Act 5 Scene 6 - Pg 275
line 3797Than when I parted hence, but still subsisting
line 3798Under your great command. You are to know
line 3799That prosperously I have attempted, and
90line 3800With bloody passage led your wars even to
line 3801The gates of Rome. Our spoils we have brought
line 3802home
line 3803Doth more than counterpoise a full third part
line 3804The charges of the action. We have made peace
95line 3805With no less honor to the Antiates
line 3806Than shame to th’ Romans, and we here deliver,
line 3807Subscribed by’ th’ Consuls and patricians,
line 3808Together with the seal o’ th’ Senate, what
line 3809We have compounded on.
He offers the lords a paper.
100line 3810AUFIDIUSRead it not, noble lords,
line 3811But tell the traitor in the highest degree
line 3812He hath abused your powers.
line 3813CORIOLANUS“Traitor”? How now?
line 3814AUFIDIUSAy, traitor, Martius.
105line 3815CORIOLANUSMartius?
AUFIDIUS
line 3816Ay, Martius, Caius Martius. Dost thou think
line 3817I’ll grace thee with that robbery, thy stol’n name
line 3818Coriolanus, in Corioles?
line 3819You lords and heads o’ th’ state, perfidiously
110line 3820He has betrayed your business and given up
line 3821For certain drops of salt your city Rome—
line 3822I say your city—to his wife and mother,
line 3823Breaking his oath and resolution like
line 3824A twist of rotten silk, never admitting
115line 3825Counsel o’ th’ war, but at his nurse’s tears
line 3826He whined and roared away your victory,
line 3827That pages blushed at him and men of heart
line 3828Looked wond’ring each at other.
line 3829CORIOLANUSHear’st thou, Mars?
Act 5 Scene 6 - Pg 277
120line 3830AUFIDIUSName not the god, thou boy of tears.
line 3831CORIOLANUSHa?
line 3832AUFIDIUSNo more.
CORIOLANUS
line 3833Measureless liar, thou hast made my heart
line 3834Too great for what contains it. “Boy”? O slave!—
125line 3835Pardon me, lords, ’tis the first time that ever
line 3836I was forced to scold. Your judgments, my grave
line 3837lords,
line 3838Must give this cur the lie; and his own notion—
line 3839Who wears my stripes impressed upon him, that
130line 3840Must bear my beating to his grave—shall join
line 3841To thrust the lie unto him.
line 3842FIRST LORDPeace, both, and hear me speak.
CORIOLANUS
line 3843Cut me to pieces, Volsces. Men and lads,
line 3844Stain all your edges on me. “Boy”? False hound!
135line 3845If you have writ your annals true, ’tis there
line 3846That like an eagle in a dovecote, I
line 3847Fluttered your Volscians in Corioles,
line 3848Alone I did it. “Boy”!
line 3849AUFIDIUSWhy, noble lords,
140line 3850Will you be put in mind of his blind fortune,
line 3851Which was your shame, by this unholy braggart,
line 3852’Fore your own eyes and ears?
line 3853ALL CONSPIRATORSLet him die for ’t.
line 3854ALL PEOPLETear him to pieces! Do it presently! He
145line 3855killed my son! My daughter! He killed my cousin
line 3856Marcus! He killed my father!
line 3857SECOND LORDPeace, ho! No outrage! Peace!
line 3858The man is noble, and his fame folds in
line 3859This orb o’ th’ Earth. His last offenses to us
150line 3860Shall have judicious hearing. Stand, Aufidius,
line 3861And trouble not the peace.
Act 5 Scene 6 - Pg 279
line 3862CORIOLANUSdrawing his sword O, that I had him,
line 3863With six Aufidiuses, or more, his tribe,
line 3864To use my lawful sword.
155line 3865AUFIDIUSInsolent villain!
line 3866ALL CONSPIRATORSKill, kill, kill, kill, kill him!
Draw the Conspirators, and kills Martius, who falls. Aufidius stands on him.
line 3867LORDSHold, hold, hold, hold!
AUFIDIUS
line 3868My noble masters, hear me speak.
line 3869FIRST LORDO Tullus!
SECOND LORD
160line 3870Thou hast done a deed whereat valor will weep.
THIRD LORD
line 3871Tread not upon him.—Masters, all be quiet.—
line 3872Put up your swords.
AUFIDIUS
line 3873My lords, when you shall know—as in this rage,
line 3874Provoked by him, you cannot—the great danger
165line 3875Which this man’s life did owe you, you’ll rejoice
line 3876That he is thus cut off. Please it your Honors
line 3877To call me to your senate, I’ll deliver
line 3878Myself your loyal servant or endure
line 3879Your heaviest censure.
170line 3880FIRST LORDBear from hence his body,
line 3881And mourn you for him. Let him be regarded
line 3882As the most noble corse that ever herald
line 3883Did follow to his urn.
line 3884SECOND LORDHis own impatience
175line 3885Takes from Aufidius a great part of blame.
line 3886Let’s make the best of it.
line 3887AUFIDIUSMy rage is gone,
line 3888And I am struck with sorrow.—Take him up.
line 3889Help, three o’ th’ chiefest soldiers; I’ll be one.—
180line 3890Beat thou the drum that it speak mournfully.—
Act 5 Scene 6 - Pg 281
line 3891Trail your steel pikes. Though in this city he
line 3892Hath widowed and unchilded many a one,
line 3893Which to this hour bewail the injury,
line 3894Yet he shall have a noble memory.
185line 3895Assist.
They exit bearing the body of Martius. A dead march sounded.
