out of his noble carelessness, lets them plainly see’t.
FIRST OFFICER.
If he did not care whether he had their love or no, he waved indifferently ‘twixt doing them neither good nor harm; but he seeks their hate with greater devotion than they can render it him; and leaves nothing undone that may fully discover him their opposite. Now to seem to affect the malice and displeasure of the people is as bad as that which he dislikes,–to flatter them for their love.
SECOND OFFICER.
He hath deserved worthily of his country: and his ascent is not by such easy degrees as those who, having been supple and courteous to the people, bonnetted, without any further deed to have them at all, into their estimation and report: but he hath so planted his honours in their eyes, and his actions in their hearts, that for their tongues to be silent, and not confess so much, were a kind of ingrateful injury; to report otherwise were a malice that, giving itself the lie, would pluck reproof and rebuke from every ear that heard it.
FIRST OFFICER.
No more of him; he is a worthy man.: make way, they are coming.
[A sennet. Enter, with Lictors before them, COMINIUS the Consul, MENENIUS, CORIOLANUS, Senators, SICINIUS and BRUTUS. The Senators
take their places; the Tribunes take theirs also by themselves.]
MENENIUS.
Having determined of the Volsces, and To send for Titus Lartius, it remains,
As the main point of this our after-meeting, To gratify his noble service that
Hath thus stood for his country: therefore please you, Most reverend and grave elders, to desire The present consul, and last general
In our well-found successes, to report A little of that worthy work perform’d
By Caius Marcius Coriolanus; whom
We met here both to thank and to remember With honours like himself.
FIRST SENATOR.
Speak, good Cominius:
Leave nothing out for length, and make us think Rather our state’s defective for requital Than we to stretch it out.–Masters o’ the people, We do request your kindest ears; and, after, Your loving motion toward the common body, To yield what passes here.
SICINIUS.
We are convented
Upon a pleasing treaty; and have hearts Inclinable to honour and advance
The theme of our assembly.
BRUTUS.
Which the rather
We shall be bless’d to do, if he remember A kinder value of the people than
He hath hereto priz’d them at.
MENENIUS.
That’s off, that’s off;
I would you rather had been silent. Please you To hear Cominius speak?
BRUTUS.
Most willingly.
But yet my caution was more pertinent Than the rebuke you give it.
MENENIUS.
He loves your people;
But tie him not to be their bedfellow.– Worthy Cominius, speak.
[CORIOLANUS rises, and offers to go away.]
Nay, keep your place.
FIRST SENATOR.
Sit, Coriolanus; never shame to hear What you have nobly done.
CORIOLANUS.
Your Honours’ pardon:
I had rather have my wounds to heal again Than hear say how I got them.
BRUTUS.
Sir, I hope
My words disbench’d you not.
CORIOLANUS.
No, sir; yet oft,
When blows have made me stay, I fled from words. You sooth’d not, therefore hurt not: but your people, I love them as they weigh.
MENENIUS.
Pray now, sit down.
CORIOLANUS.
I had rather have one scratch my head i’ the sun When the alarum were struck, than idly sit To hear my nothings monster’d.
[Exit.]
MENENIUS.
Masters o’ the people,
Your multiplying spawn how can he flatter,– That’s thousand to one good one,–when you now see He had rather venture all his limbs for honour Than one on’s ears to hear it?–Proceed, Cominius.
COMINIUS.
I shall lack voice: the deeds of Coriolanus Should not be utter’d feebly.–It is held That valour is the chiefest virtue, and
Most dignifies the haver: if it be, The man I speak of cannot in the world
Be singly counterpois’d. At sixteen years, When Tarquin made a head for Rome, he fought Beyond the mark of others; our then dictator, Whom with all praise I point at, saw him fight, When with his Amazonian chin he drove
The bristled lips before him: he bestrid An o’erpress’d Roman and i’ the consul’s view Slew three opposers: Tarquin’s self he met, And struck him on his knee: in that day’s feats, When he might act the woman in the scene, He proved best man i’ the field, and for his meed Was brow-bound with the oak. His pupil age Man-enter’d thus, he waxed like a sea;
And in the brunt of seventeen battles since He lurch’d all swords of the garland. For this last, Before and in Corioli, let me say,
I cannot speak him home: he stopp’d the fliers; And by his rare example made the coward
Turn terror into sport: as weeds before A vessel under sail, so men obey’d,
And fell below his stem: his sword,–death’s stamp,– Where it did mark, it took; from face to foot He was a thing of blood, whose every motion Was timed with dying cries: alone he enter’d The mortal gate of the city, which he painted With shunless destiny; aidless came off, And with a sudden re-enforcement struck
Corioli like a planet. Now all’s his: When, by and by, the din of war ‘gan pierce His ready sense; then straight his doubled spirit Re-quick’ned what in flesh was fatigate, And to the battle came he; where he did
Run reeking o’er the lives of men, as if ‘Twere a perpetual spoil: and till we call’d Both field and city ours he never stood
To ease his breast with panting.
MENENIUS.
Worthy man!
FIRST SENATOR.
He cannot but with measure fit the honours Which we devise him.
COMINIUS.
Our spoils he kick’d at;
And looked upon things precious as they were The common muck of the world: he covets less Than misery itself would give; rewards
His deeds with doing them; and is content To spend the time to end it.
MENENIUS.
He’s right noble:
Let him be call’d for.
FIRST SENATOR.
Call Coriolanus.
OFFICER.
He doth appear.
[Re-enter CORIOLANUS.]
MENENIUS.
The Senate, Coriolanus, are well pleas’d To make thee consul.
CORIOLANUS.
I do owe them still
My life and services.
MENENIUS.
It then remains
That you do speak to the people.
CORIOLANUS.
I do beseech you
Let me o’erleap that custom; for I cannot Put on the gown, stand naked, and entreat them, For my wounds’ sake to give their suffrage: please you That I may pass this doing.
SICINIUS.
Sir, the people
Must have their voices; neither will they bate One jot of ceremony.
MENENIUS.
Put them not to’t:–
Pray you, go fit you to the custom; and Take to you, as your predecessors have,
Your honour with your form.
CORIOLANUS.
It is a part
That I shall blush in acting, and might well Be taken from the people.
BRUTUS.
Mark you that?
CORIOLANUS.
To brag unto them,–thus I did, and thus;– Show them the unaching scars which I should hide, As if I had receiv’d them for the hire
Of their breath only!
MENENIUS.
Do not stand upon’t.–
We recommend to you, tribunes of the people, Our purpose to them;–and to our noble consul Wish we all joy and honour.
SENATORS.
To Coriolanus come all joy and honour!
[Flourish. Exeunt all but SICINIUS and BRUTUS.]
BRUTUS.
You see how he intends to use the people.
SICINIUS.
May they perceive’s intent! He will require them As if he did contemn what he requested
Should be in them to give.
BRUTUS.
Come, we’ll inform them
Of our proceedings here: on the market-place I know they do attend us.
[Exeunt.]
SCENE III. Rome. The Forum.
[Enter several citizens.]
FIRST CITIZEN.
Once, if he do require our voices, we ought not to deny him.
SECOND CITIZEN.
We may, sir, if we will.
THIRD CITIZEN.
We have power in ourselves to do it, but it is a power that we have no power to do: for if he show us his wounds and tell us his deeds, we are to put our tongues into those wounds and speak for them; so, if he tell us his noble deeds, we must also tell him our noble acceptance of them. Ingratitude is monstrous: and for the multitude to be ingrateful were to make a monster of the multitude; of the which we being members, should bring ourselves to be monstrous members.
FIRST CITIZEN.
And to make us no better thought of, a little help will serve; for once we stood up about the corn, he himself stuck not to call us the many-headed multitude.
THIRD CITIZEN.
We have been called so of many; not that our heads are some brown, some black, some auburn, some bald, but that our wits are so diversely coloured; and truly I think if all our wits were to issue out of one skull, they would fly east, west, north, south; and their consent of one direct way should be at once to all the points o’ the compass.
SECOND CITIZEN.
Think you so? Which way do you judge my wit would fly?
THIRD CITIZEN.
Nay, your wit will not so soon out as another man’s will,–’tis strongly wedged up in a block-head; but if it were at liberty ‘twould, sure, southward.
SECOND CITIZEN.
Why that way?
THIRD CITIZEN.
To lose itself in a fog; where being three parts melted away with rotten dews, the fourth would return for conscience’ sake, to help to get thee a wife.
SECOND CITIZEN.
You are never without your tricks:–you may, you may.
THIRD CITIZEN.
Are you all resolved to give your voices? But that’s no matter, the greater part carries it. I say, if he would incline to the people, there was never a worthier man. Here he comes, and in the gown of humility. Mark his behaviour. We are not to stay all together, but to come by him where he stands, by ones, by twos, and by threes. He’s to make his requests by particulars, wherein every one of us has a single honour, in giving him our own voices with our own tongues; therefore follow me, and I’ll direct you how you shall go by him.
ALL.
Content, content.
[Exeunt.]
[Enter CORIOLANUS and MENENIUS.]
MENENIUS.
O sir, you are not right; have you not known The worthiest men have done’t!
CORIOLANUS.
What must I say?–
‘I pray, sir’–Plague upon’t! I cannot bring My tongue to such a pace.–‘Look, sir,–my wounds;– I got them in my country’s service, when Some certain of your brethren roar’d, and ran From the noise of our own drums.’
MENENIUS.
O me, the gods!
You must not speak of that: you must desire them To think upon you.
CORIOLANUS.
Think upon me! Hang ’em!
I would they would forget me, like the virtues Which our divines lose by ’em.
MENENIUS.
You’ll mar all:
I’ll leave you. Pray you speak to ’em, I pray you, In wholesome manner.
CORIOLANUS.
Bid them wash their faces
And keep their teeth clean.
[Exit MENENIUS.]
So, here comes a brace:
[Re-enter two citizens.]
You know the cause, sirs, of my standing here.
FIRST CITIZEN.
We do, sir; tell us what hath brought you to’t.
CORIOLANUS.
Mine own desert.
SECOND CITIZEN.
Your own desert?
CORIOLANUS.
Ay, not mine own desire.
FIRST CITIZEN.
How! not your own desire!
CORIOLANUS.
No, sir, ’twas never my desire yet to trouble the poor with begging.
FIRST CITIZEN.
You must think, if we give you anything, we hope to gain by you.
CORIOLANUS.
Well then, I pray, your price o’ the consulship?
FIRST CITIZEN.
The price is to ask it kindly.
CORIOLANUS.
Kindly! sir, I pray, let me ha’t: I have wounds to show you, which shall be yours in private.–Your good voice, sir; what say you?
SECOND CITIZEN.
You shall ha’ it, worthy sir.
CORIOLANUS.
A match, sir.–There’s in all two worthy voices begg’d.–I have your alms: adieu.
FIRST CITIZEN.
But this is something odd.
SECOND CITIZEN.
An ’twere to give again,– but ’tis no matter.
[Exeunt two citizens.]
[Re-enter other two citizens.]
CORIOLANUS.
Pray you now, if it may stand with the tune of your voices that I may be consul, I have here the customary gown.
THIRD CITIZEN.
You have deserved nobly of your country, and you have not deserved nobly.
CORIOLANUS.
Your enigma?
THIRD CITIZEN.
You have been a scourge to her enemies; you have been a rod to her friends: you have not indeed loved the common people.
CORIOLANUS.
You should account me the more virtuous, that I have not been common in my love. I will, sir, flatter my sworn brother, the people, to earn a dearer estimation of them; ’tis a condition they account gentle: and since the wisdom of their choice is rather to have my hat than my heart, I will practise the insinuating nod and be off to them most counterfeitly: that is, sir, I will counterfeit the bewitchment of some popular man and give it bountifully to the desirers. Therefore, beseech you, I may be consul.
FOURTH CITIZEN.
We hope to find you our friend; and therefore give you our voices heartily.
THIRD CITIZEN.
You have received many wounds for your country.
CORIOLANUS.
I will not seal your knowledge with showing them. I will make much of your voices, and so trouble you no further.
BOTH CITIZENS.
The gods give you joy, sir, heartily!
[Exeunt citizens.]
CORIOLANUS.
Most sweet voices!–
Better it is to die, better to starve, Than crave the hire which first we do deserve. Why in this wolvish toge should I stand here, To beg of Hob and Dick that do appear,
Their needless vouches? custom calls me to’t:– What custom wills, in all things should we do’t, The dust on antique time would lie unswept, And mountainous error be too highly heap’d For truth to o’erpeer. Rather than fool it so, Let the high office and the honour go
To one that would do thus.–I am half through; The one part suffer’d, the other will I do. Here come more voices.
[Re-enter other three citizens.]
Your voices: for your voices I have fought; Watch’d for your voices; for your voices bear Of wounds two dozen odd; battles thrice six I have seen and heard of; for your voices have Done many things, some less, some more: your voices: Indeed, I would be consul.
FIFTH CITIZEN.
He has done nobly, and cannot go without any honest man’s voice.
SIXTH CITIZEN.
Therefore let him be consul: the gods give him joy, and make him good friend to the people!
ALL THREE CITIZENS.
Amen, amen.–God save thee, noble consul!
[Exeunt.]
CORIOLANUS.
Worthy voices!
[Re-enter MENENIUS, with BRUTUS and SICINIUS.]
MENENIUS.
You have stood your limitation; and the tribunes Endue you with the people’s voice:–remains That, in the official marks invested, you Anon do meet the senate.
CORIOLANUS.
Is this done?
SICINIUS.
The custom of request you have discharg’d: The people do admit you; and are summon’d To meet anon, upon your approbation.
CORIOLANUS.
Where? at the senate-house?
SICINIUS.
There, Coriolanus.
CORIOLANUS.
May I change these garments?
SICINIUS.
You may, sir.
CORIOLANUS.
That I’ll straight do; and, knowing myself again, Repair to the senate-house.
MENENIUS.
I’ll keep you company.–Will you along?
BRUTUS.
We stay here for the people.
SICINIUS.
Fare you well.
[Exeunt CORIOLANUS and MENENIUS.]
He has it now; and by his looks methinks ‘Tis warm at his heart.
BRUTUS.
With a proud heart he wore his humble weeds. Will you dismiss the people?
[Re-enter citizens.]
SICINIUS.
How now, my masters! have you chose this man?
FIRST CITIZEN.
He has our voices, sir.
BRUTUS.
We pray the gods he may deserve your loves.
SECOND CITIZEN.
Amen, sir:–to my poor unworthy notice, He mocked us when he begg’d our voices.
THIRD CITIZEN.
Certainly;
He flouted us downright.
FIRST CITIZEN.
No, ’tis his kind of speech,–he did not mock us.
SECOND CITIZEN.
Not one amongst us, save yourself, but says He us’d us scornfully: he should have show’d us His marks of merit, wounds received for’s country.
SICINIUS.
Why, so he did, I am sure.
CITIZENS.
No, no; no man saw ’em.
THIRD CITIZEN.
He said he had wounds, which he could show in private; And with his hat, thus waving it in scorn, ‘I would be consul,’ says he; ‘aged custom But by your voices, will not so permit me; Your voices therefore:’ when we granted that, Here was, ‘I thank you for your voices,–thank you,– Your most sweet voices:–now you have left your voices I have no further with you:’–was not this mockery?
SICINIUS.
Why either were you ignorant to see’t? Or, seeing it, of such childish friendliness To yield your voices?
BRUTUS.
Could you not have told him,
As you were lesson’d,–when he had no power, But was a petty servant to the state,
He was your enemy; ever spake against Your liberties, and the charters that you bear I’ the body of the weal: and now, arriving A place of potency and sway o’ the state, If he should still malignantly remain
Fast foe to the plebeii, your voices might Be curses to yourselves? You should have said, That as his worthy deeds did claim no less Than what he stood for, so his gracious nature Would think upon you for your voices, and Translate his malice towards you into love, Standing your friendly lord.
SICINIUS.
Thus to have said,
As you were fore-advis’d, had touch’d his spirit And tried his inclination; from him pluck’d Either his gracious promise, which you might, As cause had call’d you up, have held him to; Or else it would have gall’d his surly nature, Which easily endures not article
Tying him to aught; so, putting him to rage, You should have ta’en the advantage of his choler And pass’d him unelected.
BRUTUS.
Did you perceive
He did solicit you in free contempt When he did need your loves; and do you think That his contempt shall not be bruising to you When he hath power to crush? Why, had your bodies No heart among you? Or had you tongues to cry Against the rectorship of judgment?
SICINIUS.
Have you
Ere now denied the asker, and now again, Of him that did not ask but mock, bestow Your su’d-for tongues?
THIRD CITIZEN.
He’s not confirm’d: we may deny him yet.
SECOND CITIZEN.
And will deny him:
I’ll have five hundred voices of that sound.
FIRST CITIZEN.
I twice five hundred, and their friends to piece ’em.
BRUTUS.
Get you hence instantly; and tell those friends They have chose a consul that will from them take Their liberties, make them of no more voice Than dogs, that are as often beat for barking As therefore kept to do so.
SICINIUS.
Let them assemble;
And, on a safer judgment, all revoke Your ignorant election: enforce his pride And his old hate unto you: besides, forget not With what contempt he wore the humble weed; How in his suit he scorn’d you: but your loves, Thinking upon his services, took from you Th’ apprehension of his present portance, Which, most gibingly, ungravely, he did fashion After the inveterate hate he bears you.
BRUTUS.
Lay
A fault on us, your tribunes; that we labour’d,– No impediment between,–but that you must Cast your election on him.
SICINIUS.
Say you chose him
More after our commandment than as guided By your own true affections; and that your minds, Pre-occupied with what you rather must do Than what you should, made you against the grain To voice him consul. Lay the fault on us.
BRUTUS.
Ay, spare us not. Say we read lectures to you, How youngly he began to serve his country, How long continued: and what stock he springs of– The noble house o’ the Marcians; from whence came That Ancus Marcius, Numa’s daughter’s son, Who, after great Hostilius, here was king; Of the same house Publius and Quintus were, That our best water brought by conduits hither; And Censorinus, darling of the people,
And nobly nam’d so, twice being censor, Was his great ancestor.
SICINIUS.
One thus descended,
That hath beside well in his person wrought To be set high in place, we did commend
To your remembrances: but you have found, Scaling his present bearing with his past, That he’s your fixed enemy, and revoke
Your sudden approbation.
BRUTUS.
Say you ne’er had done’t,–
Harp on that still,–but by our putting on: And presently when you have drawn your number, Repair to the Capitol.
CITIZENS.
We will so; almost all
Repent in their election.
[Exeunt.]
BRUTUS.
Let them go on;
This mutiny were better put in hazard Than stay, past doubt, for greater:
If, as his nature is, he fall in rage With their refusal, both observe and answer The vantage of his anger.
SICINIUS.
To the Capitol,
Come: we will be there before the stream o’ the people; And this shall seem, as partly ’tis, their own, Which we have goaded onward.
[Exeunt.]
ACT III.
SCENE I. Rome. A street
[Cornets. Enter CORIOLANUS, MENENIUS, COMINIUS, TITUS LARTIUS, Senators, and Patricians.]
CORIOLANUS.
Tullus Aufidius, then, had made new head?
LARTIUS.
He had, my lord; and that it was which caus’d Our swifter composition.
CORIOLANUS.
So then the Volsces stand but as at first; Ready, when time shall prompt them, to make road Upon’s again.
COMINIUS.
They are worn, lord consul, so
That we shall hardly in our ages see Their banners wave again.
CORIOLANUS.
Saw you Aufidius?
LARTIUS.
On safeguard he came to me; and did curse Against the Volsces, for they had so vilely Yielded the town; he is retir’d to Antium.
CORIOLANUS.
Spoke he of me?
LARTIUS.
He did, my lord.
CORIOLANUS.
How? What?
LARTIUS.
How often he had met you, sword to sword; That of all things upon the earth he hated Your person most; that he would pawn his fortunes To hopeless restitution, so he might
Be call’d your vanquisher.
CORIOLANUS.
At Antium lives he?
LARTIUS.
At Antium.
CORIOLANUS.
I wish I had a cause to seek him there, To oppose his hatred fully.–Welcome home. [To Laertes.]
[Enter SICINIUS and BRUTUS.]
Behold! these are the tribunes of the people; The tongues o’ the common mouth. I do despise them, For they do prank them in authority,
Against all noble sufferance.
SICINIUS.
Pass no further.
CORIOLANUS.
Ha! what is that?
BRUTUS.
It will be dangerous to go on: no further.
CORIOLANUS.
What makes this change?
MENENIUS.
The matter?
COMINIUS.
Hath he not pass’d the noble and the commons?
BRUTUS.
Cominius, no.
CORIOLANUS.
Have I had children’s voices?
FIRST SENATOR.
Tribunes, give way; he shall to the market-place.
BRUTUS.
The people are incens’d against him.
SICINIUS.
Stop,
Or all will fall in broil.
CORIOLANUS.
Are these your herd?–
Must these have voices, that can yield them now, And straight disclaim their tongues?–What are your offices? You being their mouths, why rule you not their teeth? Have you not set them on?
MENENIUS.
Be calm, be calm.
CORIOLANUS.
It is a purpos’d thing, and grows by plot, To curb the will of the nobility:
Suffer’t, and live with such as cannot rule, Nor ever will be rul’d.
BRUTUS.
Call’t not a plot:
The people cry you mock’d them; and of late, When corn was given them gratis, you repin’d; Scandal’d the suppliants for the people,–call’d them Time-pleasers, flatterers, foes to nobleness.
CORIOLANUS.
Why, this was known before.
BRUTUS.
Not to them all.
CORIOLANUS.
Have you inform’d them sithence?
BRUTUS.
How! I inform them!
COMINIUS.
You are like to do such business.
BRUTUS.
Not unlike,
Each way, to better yours.
CORIOLANUS.
Why, then, should I be consul? By yond clouds, Let me deserve so ill as you, and make me Your fellow tribune.
SICINIUS.
You show too much of that
For which the people stir: if you will pass To where you are bound, you must inquire your way, Which you are out of, with a gentler spirit; Or never be so noble as a consul,
Nor yoke with him for tribune.
MENENIUS.
Let’s be calm.
COMINIUS.
The people are abus’d; set on. This palt’ring Becomes not Rome; nor has Coriolanus
Deserv’d this so dishonour’d rub, laid falsely I’ the plain way of his merit.
CORIOLANUS.
Tell me of corn!
This was my speech, and I will speak’t again,–
MENENIUS.
Not now, not now.
FIRST SENATOR.
Not in this heat, sir, now.
CORIOLANUS.
Now, as I live, I will.–My nobler friends, I crave their pardons:
For the mutable, rank-scented many, let them Regard me as I do not flatter, and
Therein behold themselves: I say again, In soothing them we nourish ‘gainst our senate The cockle of rebellion, insolence, sedition, Which we ourselves have plough’d for, sow’d, and scatter’d, By mingling them with us, the honour’d number, Who lack not virtue, no, nor power, but that Which they have given to beggars.
MENENIUS.
Well, no more.
FIRST SENATOR.
No more words, we beseech you.
CORIOLANUS.
How! no more!
As for my country I have shed my blood, Not fearing outward force, so shall my lungs Coin words till their decay against those measles Which we disdain should tetter us, yet sought The very way to catch them.
BRUTUS.
You speak o’ the people
As if you were a god, to punish, not A man of their infirmity.
SICINIUS.
‘Twere well
We let the people know’t.
MENENIUS.
What, what? his choler?
CORIOLANUS.
Choler!
Were I as patient as the midnight sleep, By Jove, ‘twould be my mind!
SICINIUS.
It is a mind
That shall remain a poison where it is, Not poison any further.
CORIOLANUS.
Shall remain!–
Hear you this Triton of the minnows? mark you His absolute ‘shall’?
COMINIUS.
‘Twas from the canon.
CORIOLANUS.
‘Shall’!
O good, but most unwise patricians! why, You grave but reckless senators, have you thus Given Hydra leave to choose an officer,
That with his peremptory ‘shall,’ being but The horn and noise o’ the monster, wants not spirit To say he’ll turn your current in a ditch, And make your channel his? If he have power, Then vail your ignorance: if none, awake Your dangerous lenity. If you are learn’d, Be not as common fools; if you are not,
Let them have cushions by you. You are plebeians, If they be senators: and they are no less When, both your voices blended, the great’st taste Most palates theirs. They choose their magistrate; And such a one as he, who puts his ‘shall,’ His popular ‘shall,’ against a graver bench Than ever frown’d in Greece. By Jove himself, It makes the consuls base: and my soul aches To know, when two authorities are up,
Neither supreme, how soon confusion May enter ‘twixt the gap of both and take The one by the other.
COMINIUS.
Well, on to the market-place.
CORIOLANUS.
Whoever gave that counsel, to give forth The corn o’ the storehouse gratis, as ’twas us’d Sometime in Greece,–
MENENIUS.
Well, well, no more of that.
CORIOLANUS.
Though there the people had more absolute power,– I say they nourish’d disobedience, fed
The ruin of the state.
BRUTUS.
Why shall the people give
One that speaks thus their voice?
CORIOLANUS.
I’ll give my reasons,
More worthier than their voices. They know the corn Was not our recompense, resting well assur’d They ne’er did service for’t; being press’d to the war, Even when the navel of the state was touch’d, They would not thread the gates,–this kind of service Did not deserve corn gratis: being i’ the war, Their mutinies and revolts, wherein they show’d Most valour, spoke not for them. The accusation Which they have often made against the senate, All cause unborn, could never be the motive Of our so frank donation. Well, what then? How shall this bisson multitude digest
The senate’s courtesy? Let deeds express What’s like to be their words:–‘We did request it; We are the greater poll, and in true fear They gave us our demands:’– Thus we debase The nature of our seats, and make the rabble Call our cares fears; which will in time Break ope the locks o’ the senate and bring in The crows to peck the eagles.–
MENENIUS.
Come, enough.
BRUTUS.
Enough, with over-measure.
CORIOLANUS.
No, take more:
What may be sworn by, both divine and human, Seal what I end withal!–This double worship,– Where one part does disdain with cause, the other Insult without all reason; where gentry, title, wisdom, Cannot conclude but by the yea and no
Of general ignorance–it must omit
Real necessities, and give way the while To unstable slightness: purpose so barr’d, it follows, Nothing is done to purpose. Therefore, beseech you,– You that will be less fearful than discreet; That love the fundamental part of state
More than you doubt the change on’t; that prefer A noble life before a long, and wish
To jump a body with a dangerous physic That’s sure of death without it,–at once pluck out The multitudinous tongue; let them not lick The sweet which is their poison: your dishonour Mangles true judgment, and bereaves the state Of that integrity which should become’t; Not having the power to do the good it would, For the ill which doth control’t.
BRUTUS.
Has said enough.
SICINIUS.
Has spoken like a traitor, and shall answer As traitors do.
CORIOLANUS.
Thou wretch, despite o’erwhelm thee!– What should the people do with these bald tribunes? On whom depending, their obedience fails To the greater bench: in a rebellion,
When what’s not meet, but what must be, was law, Then were they chosen; in a better hour
Let what is meet be said it must be meet, And throw their power i’ the dust.
BRUTUS.
Manifest treason!
SICINIUS.
This a consul? no.
BRUTUS.
The aediles, ho!–Let him be apprehended.
SICINIUS.
Go call the people [Exit BRUTUS.]; in whose name myself Attach thee as a traitorous innovator,
A foe to the public weal. Obey, I charge thee, And follow to thine answer.
CORIOLANUS.
Hence, old goat!
SENATORS and PATRICIANS.
We’ll surety him.
COMINIUS.
Aged sir, hands off.
CORIOLANUS.
Hence, rotten thing! or I shall shake thy bones Out of thy garments.
SICINIUS.
Help, ye citizens!
[Re-enter Brutus, with the AEDILES and a rabble of Citizens.]
MENENIUS.
On both sides more respect.
SICINIUS.
Here’s he that would take from you all your power.
BRUTUS.
Seize him, aediles.
PLEBEIANS.
Down with him! down with him!
SECOND SENATOR.
Weapons, weapons, weapons!
[They all bustle about CORIOLANUS.]
Tribunes! patricians! citizens!–What, ho!– Sicinius, Brutus, Coriolanus, Citizens!
CITIZENS.
Peace, peace, peace; stay, hold, peace!
MENENIUS.
What is about to be?–I am out of breath; Confusion’s near: I cannot speak.–You tribunes To the people,–Coriolanus, patience:–
Speak, good Sicinius.
SICINIUS.
Hear me, people: peace!
CITIZENS.
Let’s hear our tribune: peace!–
Speak, speak, speak.
SICINIUS.
You are at point to lose your liberties; Marcius would have all from you; Marcius, Whom late you have nam’d for consul.
MENENIUS.
Fie, fie, fie!
This is the way to kindle, not to quench.
FIRST SENATOR.
To unbuild the city, and to lay all flat.
SICINIUS.
What is the city but the people?
CITIZENS.
True,
The people are the city.
BRUTUS.
By the consent of all, we were establish’d The people’s magistrates.
CITIZENS.
You so remain.
MENENIUS.
And so are like to do.
COMINIUS.
That is the way to lay the city flat; To bring the roof to the foundation,
And bury all which yet distinctly ranges, In heaps and piles of ruin.
SICINIUS.
This deserves death.
BRUTUS.
Or let us stand to our authority,
Or let us lose it.–We do here pronounce, Upon the part o’ the people, in whose power We were elected theirs, Marcius is worthy Of present death.
SICINIUS.
Therefore lay hold of him;
Bear him to the rock Tarpeian, and from thence Into destruction cast him.
BRUTUS.
Aediles, seize him!
CITIZENS.
Yield, Marcius, yield!
MENENIUS.
Hear me one word;
Beseech you, tribunes, hear me but a word.
AEDILES.
Peace, peace!
MENENIUS.
Be that you seem, truly your country’s friends, And temperately proceed to what you would Thus violently redress.
BRUTUS.
Sir, those cold ways,
That seem like prudent helps, are very poisonous Where the disease is violent.–Lay hands upon him And bear him to the rock.
CORIOLANUS.
No; I’ll die here. [Draws his sword.] There’s some among you have beheld me fighting; Come, try upon yourselves what you have seen me.
MENENIUS.
Down with that sword!–Tribunes, withdraw awhile.
BRUTUS.
Lay hands upon him.
MENENIUS.
Help Marcius, help,
You that be noble; help him, young and old!
CITIZENS.
Down with him, down with him!
[In this mutiny the TRIBUNES, the AEDILES, and the people are beat in.]
MENENIUS.
Go, get you to your house; be gone, away! All will be nought else.
SECOND SENATOR.
Get you gone.
CORIOLANUS.
Stand fast;
We have as many friends as enemies.
MENENIUS.
Shall it be put to that?
FIRST SENATOR.
The gods forbid:
I pr’ythee, noble friend, home to thy house; Leave us to cure this cause.
MENENIUS.
For ’tis a sore upon us
You cannot tent yourself; be gone, beseech you.
COMINIUS.
Come, sir, along with us.
CORIOLANUS.
I would they were barbarians,–as they are, Though in Rome litter’d,–not Romans,–as they are not, Though calv’d i’ the porch o’ the Capitol.
MENENIUS.
Be gone;
Put not your worthy rage into your tongue; One time will owe another.
CORIOLANUS.
On fair ground
I could beat forty of them.
MENENIUS.
I could myself
Take up a brace o’ the best of them; yea, the two tribunes.
COMINIUS.
But now ’tis odds beyond arithmetic; And manhood is call’d foolery when it stands Against a falling fabric.–Will you hence, Before the tag return? whose rage doth rend Like interrupted waters, and o’erbear
What they are used to bear.
MENENIUS.
Pray you be gone:
I’ll try whether my old wit be in request With those that have but little: this must be patch’d With cloth of any colour.
COMINIUS.
Nay, come away.
[Exeunt CORIOLANUS, COMINIUS, and others.]
FIRST PATRICIAN.
This man has marr’d his fortune.
MENENIUS.
His nature is too noble for the world: He would not flatter Neptune for his trident, Or Jove for’s power to thunder. His heart’s his mouth: What his breast forges, that his tongue must vent; And, being angry, does forget that ever
He heard the name of death.
[A noise within.]
Here’s goodly work!
SECOND PATRICIAN.
I would they were a-bed!
MENENIUS.
I would they were in Tiber!
What the vengeance, could he not speak ’em fair?
[Re-enter BRUTUS and SICINIUS, with the rabble.]
SICINIUS.
Where is this viper
That would depopulate the city and
Be every man himself?
MENENIUS.
You worthy tribunes,–
SICINIUS.
He shall be thrown down the Tarpeian rock With rigorous hands: he hath resisted law, And therefore law shall scorn him further trial Than the severity of the public power,
Which he so sets at nought.
FIRST CITIZEN.
He shall well know
The noble tribunes are the people’s mouths, And we their hands.
CITIZENS.
He shall, sure on’t.
MENENIUS.
Sir, sir,–
SICINIUS.
Peace!
MENENIUS.
Do not cry havoc, where you should but hunt With modest warrant.
SICINIUS.
Sir, how comes’t that you
Have holp to make this rescue?
MENENIUS.
Hear me speak:–
As I do know the consul’s worthiness, So can I name his faults,–
SICINIUS.
Consul!–what consul?
MENENIUS.
The consul Coriolanus.
BRUTUS.
He consul!
CITIZENS.
No, no, no, no, no.
MENENIUS.
If, by the tribunes’ leave, and yours, good people, I may be heard, I would crave a word or two; The which shall turn you to no further harm Than so much loss of time.
SICINIUS.
Speak briefly, then;
For we are peremptory to dispatch
This viperous traitor: to eject him hence Were but one danger; and to keep him here Our certain death: therefore it is decreed He dies to-night.
MENENIUS.
Now the good gods forbid
That our renowned Rome, whose gratitude Towards her deserved children is enroll’d In Jove’s own book, like an unnatural dam Should now eat up her own!
SICINIUS.
He’s a disease that must be cut away.
MENENIUS.
O, he’s a limb that has but a disease; Mortal, to cut it off; to cure it, easy. What has he done to Rome that’s worthy death? Killing our enemies, the blood he hath lost,– Which I dare vouch is more than that he hath By many an ounce,–he dropt it for his country; And what is left, to lose it by his country Were to us all, that do’t and suffer it
A brand to the end o’ the world.
SICINIUS.
This is clean kam.
BRUTUS.
Merely awry: when he did love his country, It honour’d him.
MENENIUS.
The service of the foot,
Being once gangren’d, is not then respected For what before it was.
BRUTUS.
We’ll hear no more.–
Pursue him to his house, and pluck him thence; Lest his infection, being of catching nature, Spread further.
MENENIUS.
One word more, one word.
This tiger-footed rage, when it shall find The harm of unscann’d swiftness, will, too late, Tie leaden pounds to’s heels. Proceed by process; Lest parties,–as he is belov’d,–break out, And sack great Rome with Romans.
BRUTUS.
If it were so,–
SICINIUS.
What do ye talk?
Have we not had a taste of his obedience? Our aediles smote? ourselves resisted?–come,–
MENENIUS.
Consider this:–he has been bred i’ the wars Since ‘a could draw a sword, and is ill school’d In bolted language; meal and bran together He throws without distinction. Give me leave, I’ll go to him and undertake to bring him Where he shall answer, by a lawful form, In peace, to his utmost peril.
FIRST SENATOR.
Noble tribunes,
It is the humane way: the other course Will prove too bloody; and the end of it Unknown to the beginning.
SICINIUS.
Noble Menenius,
Be you then as the people’s officer.– Masters, lay down your weapons.
BRUTUS.
Go not home.
SICINIUS.
Meet on the market-place.–We’ll attend you there: Where, if you bring not Marcius, we’ll proceed In our first way.
MENENIUS.
I’ll bring him to you.–
[To the SENATORS.] Let me desire your company: he must come, Or what is worst will follow.
FIRST SENATOR.
Pray you let’s to him.
[Exeunt.]
SCENE II. Rome. A room in CORIOLANUS’S house.
[Enter CORIOLANUS and Patricians.]
CORIOLANUS.
Let them pull all about mine ears; present me Death on the wheel, or at wild horses’ heels; Or pile ten hills on the Tarpeian rock,
That the precipitation might down stretch Below the beam of sight; yet will I still Be thus to them.
FIRST PATRICIAN.
You do the nobler.
CORIOLANUS.
I muse my mother
Does not approve me further, who was wont To call them woollen vassals, things created To buy and sell with groats; to show bare heads In congregations, to yawn, be still, and wonder, When one but of my ordinance stood up
To speak of peace or war.
[Enter VOLUMNIA.]
I talk of you: [To Volumnia.]
Why did you wish me milder? Would you have me False to my nature? Rather say, I play
The man I am.
VOLUMNIA.
O, sir, sir, sir,
I would have had you put your power well on Before you had worn it out.
CORIOLANUS.
Let go.
VOLUMNIA.
You might have been enough the man you are With striving less to be so: lesser had been The thwartings of your dispositions, if
You had not show’d them how ye were dispos’d, Ere they lack’d power to cross you.
CORIOLANUS.
Let them hang.
VOLUMNIA.
Ay, and burn too.
[Enter MENENIUS with the SENATORS.]
MENENIUS.
Come, come, you have been too rough, something too rough; You must return and mend it.
FIRST SENATOR.
There’s no remedy;
Unless, by not so doing, our good city Cleave in the midst, and perish.
VOLUMNIA.
Pray be counsell’d;
I have a heart as little apt as yours, But yet a brain that leads my use of anger To better vantage.
MENENIUS.
Well said, noble woman!
Before he should thus stoop to the herd, but that The violent fit o’ the time craves it as physic For the whole state, I would put mine armour on, Which I can scarcely bear.
CORIOLANUS.
What must I do?
MENENIUS.
Return to the tribunes.
CORIOLANUS.
Well, what then? what then?
MENENIUS.
Repent what you have spoke.
CORIOLANUS.
For them?–I cannot do it to the gods; Must I then do’t to them?
VOLUMNIA.
You are too absolute;
Though therein you can never be too noble But when extremities speak. I have heard you say Honour and policy, like unsever’d friends, I’ the war do grow together: grant that, and tell me In peace what each of them by th’ other lose That they combine not there.
CORIOLANUS.
Tush, tush!
MENENIUS.
A good demand.
VOLUMNIA.
If it be honour in your wars to seem The same you are not,–which for your best ends You adopt your policy,–how is it less or worse That it shall hold companionship in peace With honour as in war; since that to both It stands in like request?
CORIOLANUS.
Why force you this?
VOLUMNIA.
Because that now it lies you on to speak To the people; not by your own instruction, Nor by the matter which your heart prompts you, But with such words that are but rooted in Your tongue, though but bastards and syllables Of no allowance, to your bosom’s truth. Now, this no more dishonours you at all
Than to take in a town with gentle words, Which else would put you to your fortune and The hazard of much blood.
I would dissemble with my nature where My fortunes and my friends at stake requir’d I should do so in honour: I am in this
Your wife, your son, these senators, the nobles; And you will rather show our general louts How you can frown, than spend a fawn upon ’em For the inheritance of their loves and safeguard Of what that want might ruin.
MENENIUS.
Noble lady!–
Come, go with us; speak fair: you may salve so, Not what is dangerous present, but the loss Of what is past.
VOLUMNIA.
I pr’ythee now, my son,
Go to them with this bonnet in thy hand; And thus far having stretch’d it,–here be with them,– Thy knee bussing the stones,–for in such busines Action is eloquence, and the eyes of the ignorant More learned than the ears,–waving thy head, Which often, thus correcting thy stout heart, Now humble as the ripest mulberry
That will not hold the handling: or say to them Thou art their soldier, and, being bred in broils, Hast not the soft way which, thou dost confess, Were fit for thee to use, as they to claim, In asking their good loves; but thou wilt frame Thyself, forsooth, hereafter theirs, so far As thou hast power and person.
MENENIUS.
This but done
Even as she speaks, why, their hearts were yours: For they have pardons, being ask’d, as free As words to little purpose.
VOLUMNIA.
Pr’ythee now,
Go, and be rul’d; although I know thou had’st rather Follow thine enemy in a fiery gulf
Than flatter him in a bower.
[Enter COMINIUS.]
Here is Cominius.
COMINIUS.
I have been i’ the market-place; and, sir, ’tis fit You make strong party, or defend yourself By calmness or by absence: all’s in anger.
MENENIUS.
Only fair speech.
COMINIUS.
I think ’twill serve, if he
Can thereto frame his spirit.
VOLUMNIA.
He must, and will.–
Pr’ythee now, say you will, and go about it.
CORIOLANUS.
Must I go show them my unbarb’d sconce? must I With my base tongue, give to my noble heart A lie, that it must bear? Well, I will do’t: Yet, were there but this single plot to lose, This mould of Marcius, they to dust should grind it, And throw’t against the wind.–To the market-place:– You have put me now to such a part which never I shall discharge to the life.
COMINIUS.
Come, come, we’ll prompt you.
VOLUMNIA.
I pr’ythee now, sweet son,–as thou hast said My praises made thee first a soldier, so, To have my praise for this, perform a part Thou hast not done before.
CORIOLANUS.
Well, I must do’t:
Away, my disposition, and possess me Some harlot’s spirit! My throat of war be turn’d, Which quired with my drum, into a pipe
Small as an eunuch, or the virgin voice That babies lulls asleep! the smiles of knaves Tent in my cheeks; and school-boys’ tears take up The glasses of my sight! a beggar’s tongue Make motion through my lips; and my arm’d knees, Who bow’d but in my stirrup, bend like his That hath receiv’d an alms!–I will not do’t; Lest I surcease to honour mine own truth, And by my body’s action teach my mind
A most inherent baseness.
VOLUMNIA.
At thy choice, then:
To beg of thee, it is my more dishonour Than thou of them. Come all to ruin: let Thy mother rather feel thy pride than fear Thy dangerous stoutness; for I mock at death With as big heart as thou. Do as thou list. Thy valiantness was mine, thou suck’dst it from me; But owe thy pride thyself.
CORIOLANUS.
Pray, be content:
Mother, I am going to the market-place; Chide me no more. I’ll mountebank their loves, Cog their hearts from them, and come home belov’d Of all the trades in Rome. Look, I am going. Commend me to my wife. I’ll return consul; Or never trust to what my tongue can do
I’ the way of flattery further.
VOLUMNIA.
Do your will.
[Exit.]
COMINIUS.
Away! The tribunes do attend you: arm yourself To answer mildly; for they are prepar’d
With accusations, as I hear, more strong Than are upon you yet.
CORIOLANUS.
The word is, mildly.–Pray you let us go: Let them accuse me by invention, I
Will answer in mine honour.
MENENIUS.
Ay, but mildly.
CORIOLANUS.
Well, mildly be it then; mildly.
[Exeunt.]
SCENE III. Rome. The Forum.
[Enter SICINIUS and BRUTUS.]
BRUTUS.
In this point charge him home, that he affects Tyrannical power: if he evade us there,
Enforce him with his envy to the people; And that the spoil got on the Antiates
Was ne’er distributed.
[Enter an AEDILE.]
What, will he come?
AEDILE.
He’s coming.
BRUTUS.
How accompanied?
AEDILE.
With old Menenius, and those senators That always favour’d him.
SICINIUS.
Have you a catalogue
Of all the voices that we have procur’d, Set down by the poll?
AEDILE.
I have; ’tis ready.
SICINIUS.
Have you collected them by tribes?
AEDILE.
I have.
SICINIUS.
Assemble presently the people hither: And when they hear me say ‘It shall be so I’ the right and strength o’ the commons,’ be it either For death, for fine, or banishment, then let them, If I say fine, cry ‘Fine!’- if death, cry ‘Death;’ Insisting on the old prerogative
And power i’ the truth o’ the cause.
AEDILE.
I shall inform them.
BRUTUS.
And when such time they have begun to cry, Let them not cease, but with a din confus’d Enforce the present execution
Of what we chance to sentence.
AEDILE.
Very well.
SICINIUS.
Make them be strong, and ready for this hint, When we shall hap to give’t them.
BRUTUS.
Go about it.
[Exit AEDILE.]
Put him to choler straight: he hath been us’d Ever to conquer, and to have his worth
Of contradiction; being once chaf’d, he cannot Be rein’d again to temperance; then he speaks What’s in his heart; and that is there which looks With us to break his neck.
SICINIUS.
Well, here he comes.
[Enter CORIOLANUS, MENENIUS, COMINIUS, Senators, and Patricians.]
MENENIUS.
Calmly, I do beseech you.
CORIOLANUS.
Ay, as an ostler, that for the poorest piece Will bear the knave by the volume.–The honoured gods Keep Rome in safety, and the chairs of justice Supplied with worthy men! plant love among’s! Throng our large temples with the shows of peace, And not our streets with war!
FIRST SENATOR.
Amen, amen!
MENENIUS.
A noble wish.
[Re-enter the AEDILE, with Citizens.]
SICINIUS.
Draw near, ye people.
AEDILE.
List to your tribunes; audience: peace, I say!
CORIOLANUS.
First, hear me speak.
BOTH TRIBUNES.
Well, say.–Peace, ho!
CORIOLANUS.
Shall I be charg’d no further than this present? Must all determine here?
SICINIUS.
I do demand,
If you submit you to the people’s voices, Allow their officers, and are content
To suffer lawful censure for such faults As shall be proved upon you.
CORIOLANUS.
I am content.
MENENIUS.
Lo, citizens, he says he is content: The warlike service he has done, consider; think Upon the wounds his body bears, which show Like graves i’ the holy churchyard.
CORIOLANUS.
Scratches with briers,
Scars to move laughter only.
MENENIUS.
Consider further,
That when he speaks not like a citizen, You find him like a soldier: do not take His rougher accents for malicious sounds, But, as I say, such as become a soldier, Rather than envy you.
COMINIUS.
Well, well, no more.
CORIOLANUS.
What is the matter,
That being pass’d for consul with full voice, I am so dishonour’d that the very hour
You take it off again?
SICINIUS.
Answer to us.
CORIOLANUS.
Say then: ’tis true, I ought so.
SICINIUS.
We charge you that you have contriv’d to take From Rome all season’d office, and to wind Yourself into a power tyrannical;
For which you are a traitor to the people.
CORIOLANUS.
How! traitor!
MENENIUS.
Nay, temperately; your promise.
CORIOLANUS.
The fires i’ the lowest hell fold in the people! Call me their traitor!–Thou injurious tribune! Within thine eyes sat twenty thousand deaths, In thy hands clutch’d as many millions, in Thy lying tongue both numbers, I would say, Thou liest unto thee with a voice as free As I do pray the gods.
SICINIUS.
Mark you this, people?
CITIZENS.
To the rock, to the rock, with him!
SICINIUS.
Peace!
We need not put new matter to his charge: What you have seen him do and heard him speak, Beating your officers, cursing yourselves, Opposing laws with strokes, and here defying Those whose great power must try him; even this, So criminal and in such capital kind,
Deserves the extremest death.
BRUTUS.
But since he hath
Serv’d well for Rome,–
CORIOLANUS.
What do you prate of service?
BRUTUS.
I talk of that that know it.
CORIOLANUS.
You?
MENENIUS.
Is this the promise that you made your mother?
COMINIUS.
Know, I pray you,–
CORIOLANUS.
I’ll know no further:
Let them pronounce the steep Tarpeian death, Vagabond exile, flaying, pent to linger
But with a grain a day, I would not buy Their mercy at the price of one fair word, Nor check my courage for what they can give, To have’t with saying Good-morrow.
SICINIUS.
For that he has,–
As much as in him lies,–from time to time