Dramatis Personae
CAIUS MARCIUS, afterwards CAIUS MARCIUS CORIOLANUS Generals against the
Volscians
TITUS LARTIUS
COMINIUS
MENENIUS AGRIPPA, friend to Coriolanus
Tribunes of the People
SICINIUS VELUTUS
JUNIUS BRUTUS
YOUNG MARCIUS, son to Coriolanus
A ROMAN HERALD
NICANOR, a Roman
TULLUS AUFIDIUS, General of the Volscians
LIEUTENANT, to Aufidius
CONSPIRATORS, With Aufidius
ADRIAN, a Volscian
A CITIZEN of Antium
TWO VOLSCIAN GUARDS
VOLUMNIA, mother to Coriolanus
VIRGILIA, wife to Coriolanus
VALERIA, friend to Virgilia
GENTLEWOMAN attending on Virgilia
Roman and Volscian Senators, Patricians, Aediles, Lictors, Soldiers,
Citizens, Messengers, Servants to Aufidius, and other Attendants
SCENE: Rome and the neighbourhood; Corioli and the
neighbourhood; Antium ACT I. SCENE I. Rome. A street
Enter a company of mutinous citizens, with staves, clubs, and other weapons
FIRST CITIZEN. Before we proceed any further, hear me speak.
ALL. Speak, speak.
FIRST CITIZEN. YOU are all resolv'd rather to die than to famish?
ALL. Resolv'd, resolv'd.
FIRST CITIZEN. First, you know Caius Marcius is chief enemy to the people.
ALL. We know't, we know't.
FIRST CITIZEN. Let us kill him, and we'll have corn at our own price. Is't a
verdict?
ALL. No more talking on't; let it be done. Away, away!
SECOND CITIZEN. One word, good citizens.
FIRST CITIZEN. We are accounted poor citizens, the patricians good. What
authority surfeits on would relieve us; if they would yield us but the
superfluity while it were wholesome, we might guess they relieved us humanely;
but they think we are too dear. The leanness that afflicts us, the object of our
misery, is as an inventory to particularize their abundance; our sufferance is a
gain to them. Let us revenge this with our pikes ere we become rakes; for the
gods know I speak this in hunger for bread, not in thirst for revenge.
SECOND CITIZEN. Would you proceed especially against Caius Marcius?
FIRST CITIZEN. Against him first; he's a very dog to the commonalty.
SECOND CITIZEN. Consider you what services he has done for his country?
FIRST CITIZEN. Very well, and could be content to give him good report for't
but that he pays himself with being proud.
SECOND CITIZEN. Nay, but speak not maliciously.
FIRST CITIZEN. I say unto you, what he hath done famously he did it to that
end; though soft-conscienc'd men can be content to say it was for his country,
he did it to please his mother and to be partly proud, which he is, even to the
altitude of his virtue.
SECOND CITIZEN. What he cannot help in his nature you account a vice in him.
You must in no way say he is covetous.
FIRST CITIZEN. If I must not, I need not be barren of accusations; he hath
faults, with surplus, to tire in repetition. [Shouts within] What shouts are
these? The other side o' th' city is risen. Why stay we prating here? To th'
Capitol!
ALL. Come, come.
FIRST CITIZEN. Soft! who comes here?
Enter MENENIUS AGRIPPA
SECOND CITIZEN. Worthy Menenius Agrippa; one that hath always lov'd the
people.
FIRST CITIZEN. He's one honest enough; would all the rest were so!
MENENIUS. What work's, my countrymen, in hand? Where go you With bats and
clubs? The matter? Speak, I pray you.
FIRST CITIZEN. Our business is not unknown to th' Senate; they have had
inkling this fortnight what we intend to do, which now we'll show 'em in deeds.
They say poor suitors have strong breaths; they shall know we have strong arms
too.
MENENIUS. Why, masters, my good friends, mine honest neighbours, Will you
undo yourselves?
FIRST CITIZEN. We cannot, sir; we are undone already.
MENENIUS. I tell you, friends, most charitable care Have the patricians of
you. For your wants, Your suffering in this dearth, you may as well Strike at
the heaven with your staves as lift them Against the Roman state; whose course
will on The way it takes, cracking ten thousand curbs Of more strong link
asunder than can ever Appear in your impediment. For the dearth, The gods, not
the patricians, make it, and Your knees to them, not arms, must help. Alack, You
are transported by calamity Thither where more attends you; and you slander The
helms o' th' state, who care for you like fathers, When you curse them as
enemies.
FIRST CITIZEN. Care for us! True, indeed! They ne'er car'd for us yet. Suffer
us to famish, and their storehouses cramm'd with grain; make edicts for usury,
to support usurers; repeal daily any wholesome act established against the rich,
and provide more piercing statutes daily to chain up and restrain the poor. If
the wars eat us not up, they will; and there's all the love they bear us.
MENENIUS. Either you must Confess yourselves wondrous malicious, Or be
accus'd of folly. I shall tell you A pretty tale. It may be you have heard it;
But, since it serves my purpose, I will venture To stale't a little more.
FIRST CITIZEN. Well, I'll hear it, sir; yet you must not think to fob off our
disgrace with a tale. But, an't please you, deliver.
MENENIUS. There was a time when all the body's members Rebell'd against the
belly; thus accus'd it: That only like a gulf it did remain I' th' midst o' th'
body, idle and unactive, Still cupboarding the viand, never bearing Like labour
with the rest; where th' other instruments Did see and hear, devise, instruct,
walk, feel, And, mutually participate, did minister Unto the appetite and
affection common Of the whole body. The belly answer'd-
FIRST CITIZEN. Well, sir, what answer made the belly?
MENENIUS. Sir, I shall tell you. With a kind of smile, Which ne'er came from
the lungs, but even thus- For look you, I may make the belly smile As well as
speak- it tauntingly replied To th' discontented members, the mutinous parts
That envied his receipt; even so most fitly As you malign our senators for that
They are not such as you.
FIRST CITIZEN. Your belly's answer- What? The kingly crowned head, the
vigilant eye, The counsellor heart, the arm our soldier, Our steed the leg, the
tongue our trumpeter, With other muniments and petty helps Is this our fabric,
if that they-
MENENIUS. What then? Fore me, this fellow speaks! What then? What then?
FIRST CITIZEN. Should by the cormorant belly be restrain'd, Who is the sink
o' th' body-
MENENIUS. Well, what then?
FIRST CITIZEN. The former agents, if they did complain, What could the belly
answer?
MENENIUS. I will tell you; If you'll bestow a small- of what you have little-
Patience awhile, you'st hear the belly's answer.
FIRST CITIZEN. Y'are long about it.
MENENIUS. Note me this, good friend: Your most grave belly was deliberate,
Not rash like his accusers, and thus answered. 'True is it, my incorporate
friends,' quoth he 'That I receive the general food at first Which you do live
upon; and fit it is, Because I am the storehouse and the shop Of the whole body.
But, if you do remember, I send it through the rivers of your blood, Even to the
court, the heart, to th' seat o' th' brain; And, through the cranks and offices
of man, The strongest nerves and small inferior veins From me receive that
natural competency Whereby they live. And though that all at once You, my good
friends'- this says the belly; mark me.
FIRST CITIZEN. Ay, sir; well, well.
MENENIUS. 'Though all at once cannot See what I do deliver out to each, Yet I
can make my audit up, that all From me do back receive the flour of all, And
leave me but the bran.' What say you to' t?
FIRST CITIZEN. It was an answer. How apply you this?
MENENIUS. The senators of Rome are this good belly, And you the mutinous
members; for, examine Their counsels and their cares, digest things rightly
Touching the weal o' th' common, you shall find No public benefit which you
receive But it proceeds or comes from them to you, And no way from yourselves.
What do you think, You, the great toe of this assembly?
FIRST CITIZEN. I the great toe? Why the great toe?
MENENIUS. For that, being one o' th' lowest, basest, poorest, Of this most
wise rebellion, thou goest foremost. Thou rascal, that art worst in blood to
run, Lead'st first to win some vantage. But make you ready your stiff bats and
clubs. Rome and her rats are at the point of battle; The one side must have
bale.
Enter CAIUS MARCIUS
Hail, noble Marcius!
MARCIUS. Thanks. What's the matter, you dissentious rogues That, rubbing the
poor itch of your opinion, Make yourselves scabs?
FIRST CITIZEN. We have ever your good word.
MARCIUS. He that will give good words to thee will flatter Beneath abhorring.
What would you have, you curs, That like nor peace nor war? The one affrights
you, The other makes you proud. He that trusts to you, Where he should find you
lions, finds you hares; Where foxes, geese; you are no surer, no, Than is the
coal of fire upon the ice Or hailstone in the sun. Your virtue is To make him
worthy whose offence subdues him, And curse that justice did it. Who deserves
greatness Deserves your hate; and your affections are A sick man's appetite, who
desires most that Which would increase his evil. He that depends Upon your
favours swims with fins of lead, And hews down oaks with rushes. Hang ye! Trust
ye? With every minute you do change a mind And call him noble that was now your
hate, Him vile that was your garland. What's the matter That in these several
places of the city You cry against the noble Senate, who, Under the gods, keep
you in awe, which else Would feed on one another? What's their seeking?
MENENIUS. For corn at their own rates, whereof they say The city is well
stor'd.
MARCIUS. Hang 'em! They say! They'll sit by th' fire and presume to know
What's done i' th' Capitol, who's like to rise, Who thrives and who declines;
side factions, and give out Conjectural marriages, making parties strong, And
feebling such as stand not in their liking Below their cobbled shoes. They say
there's grain enough! Would the nobility lay aside their ruth And let me use my
sword, I'd make a quarry With thousands of these quarter'd slaves, as high As I
could pick my lance.
MENENIUS. Nay, these are almost thoroughly persuaded; For though abundantly
they lack discretion, Yet are they passing cowardly. But, I beseech you, What
says the other troop?
MARCIUS. They are dissolv'd. Hang 'em! They said they were an-hungry; sigh'd
forth proverbs- That hunger broke stone walls, that dogs must eat, That meat was
made for mouths, that the gods sent not Corn for the rich men only. With these
shreds They vented their complainings; which being answer'd, And a petition
granted them- a strange one, To break the heart of generosity And make bold
power look pale- they threw their caps As they would hang them on the horns o'
th' moon, Shouting their emulation.
MENENIUS. What is granted them?
MARCIUS. Five tribunes, to defend their vulgar wisdoms, Of their own choice.
One's Junius Brutus- Sicinius Velutus, and I know not. 'Sdeath! The rabble
should have first unroof'd the city Ere so prevail'd with me; it will in time
Win upon power and throw forth greater themes For insurrection's arguing.
MENENIUS. This is strange.
MARCIUS. Go get you home, you fragments.
Enter a MESSENGER, hastily
MESSENGER. Where's Caius Marcius?
MARCIUS. Here. What's the matter?
MESSENGER. The news is, sir, the Volsces are in arms.
MARCIUS. I am glad on't; then we shall ha' means to vent Our musty
superfluity. See, our best elders.
Enter COMINIUS, TITUS LARTIUS, with other SENATORS;
JUNIUS BRUTUS and SICINIUS VELUTUS
FIRST SENATOR. Marcius, 'tis true that you have lately told us: The Volsces
are in arms.
MARCIUS. They have a leader, Tullus Aufidius, that will put you to't. I sin
in envying his nobility; And were I anything but what I am, I would wish me only
he.
COMINIUS. You have fought together?
MARCIUS. Were half to half the world by th' ears, and he Upon my party, I'd
revolt, to make Only my wars with him. He is a lion That I am proud to hunt.
FIRST SENATOR. Then, worthy Marcius, Attend upon Cominius to these wars.
COMINIUS. It is your former promise.
MARCIUS. Sir, it is; And I am constant. Titus Lartius, thou Shalt see me once
more strike at Tullus' face. What, art thou stiff? Stand'st out?
LARTIUS. No, Caius Marcius; I'll lean upon one crutch and fight with t'other
Ere stay behind this business.
MENENIUS. O, true bred!
FIRST SENATOR. Your company to th' Capitol; where, I know, Our greatest
friends attend us.
LARTIUS. [To COMINIUS] Lead you on. [To MARCIUS] Follow Cominius; we must
follow you; Right worthy you priority.
COMINIUS. Noble Marcius!
FIRST SENATOR. [To the Citizens] Hence to your homes; be gone.
MARCIUS. Nay, let them follow. The Volsces have much corn: take these rats
thither To gnaw their garners. Worshipful mutineers, Your valour puts well
forth; pray follow. Ciitzens steal away. Exeunt all but SICINIUS and BRUTUS
SICINIUS. Was ever man so proud as is this Marcius?
BRUTUS. He has no equal.
SICINIUS. When we were chosen tribunes for the people-
BRUTUS. Mark'd you his lip and eyes?
SICINIUS. Nay, but his taunts!
BRUTUS. Being mov'd, he will not spare to gird the gods.
SICINIUS. Bemock the modest moon.
BRUTUS. The present wars devour him! He is grown Too proud to be so valiant.
SICINIUS. Such a nature, Tickled with good success, disdains the shadow Which
he treads on at noon. But I do wonder His insolence can brook to be commanded
Under Cominius.
BRUTUS. Fame, at the which he aims- In whom already he is well grac'd- cannot
Better be held nor more attain'd than by A place below the first; for what
miscarries Shall be the general's fault, though he perform To th' utmost of a
man, and giddy censure Will then cry out of Marcius 'O, if he Had borne the
business!'
SICINIUS. Besides, if things go well, Opinion, that so sticks on Marcius,
shall Of his demerits rob Cominius.
BRUTUS. Come. Half all Cominius' honours are to Marcius, Though Marcius
earn'd them not; and all his faults To Marcius shall be honours, though indeed
In aught he merit not.
SICINIUS. Let's hence and hear How the dispatch is made, and in what fashion,
More than his singularity, he goes Upon this present action.
BRUTUS. Let's along.Exeunt SCENE II. Corioli. The Senate House.
Enter TULLUS AUFIDIUS with SENATORS of Corioli
FIRST SENATOR. So, your opinion is, Aufidius, That they of Rome are ent'red
in our counsels And know how we proceed.
AUFIDIUS. Is it not yours? What ever have been thought on in this state That
could be brought to bodily act ere Rome Had circumvention? 'Tis not four days
gone Since I heard thence; these are the words- I think I have the letter
here;.yes, here it is: [Reads] 'They have press'd a power, but it is not known
Whether for east or west. The dearth is great; The people mutinous; and it is
rumour'd, Cominius, Marcius your old enemy, Who is of Rome worse hated than of
you, And Titus Lartius, a most valiant Roman, These three lead on this
preparation Whither 'tis bent. Most likely 'tis for you; Consider of it.'
FIRST SENATOR. Our army's in the field; We never yet made doubt but Rome was
ready To answer us.
AUFIDIUS. Nor did you think it folly To keep your great pretences veil'd till
when They needs must show themselves; which in the hatching, It seem'd, appear'd
to Rome. By the discovery We shall be short'ned in our aim, which was To take in
many towns ere almost Rome Should know we were afoot.
SECOND SENATOR. Noble Aufidius, Take your commission; hie you to your bands;
Let us alone to guard Corioli. If they set down before's, for the remove Bring
up your army; but I think you'll find Th' have not prepar'd for us.
AUFIDIUS. O, doubt not that! I speak from certainties. Nay more, Some parcels
of their power are forth already, And only hitherward. I leave your honours. If
we and Caius Marcius chance to meet, 'Tis sworn between us we shall ever strike
Till one can do no more.
ALL. The gods assist you!
AUFIDIUS. And keep your honours safe!
FIRST SENATOR. Farewell.
SECOND SENATOR. Farewell.
ALL. Farewell. Exeunt SCENE III.
Rome. MARCIUS' house
Enter VOLUMNIA and VIRGILIA, mother and wife to
MARCIUS; they set them down on two low stools and sew
VOLUMNIA. I pray you, daughter, sing, or express yourself in a more
comfortable sort. If my son were my husband, I should freelier rejoice in that
absence wherein he won honour than in the embracements of his bed where he would
show most love. When yet he was but tender-bodied, and the only son of my womb;
when youth with comeliness pluck'd all gaze his way; when, for a day of kings'
entreaties, a mother should not sell him an hour from her beholding; I,
considering how honour would become such a person- that it was no better than
picture-like to hang by th' wall, if renown made it not stir- was pleas'd to let
him seek danger where he was to find fame. To a cruel war I sent him, from
whence he return'd his brows bound with oak. I tell thee, daughter, I sprang not
more in joy at first hearing he was a man-child than now in first seeing he had
proved himself a man.
VIRGILIA. But had he died in the business, madam, how then?
VOLUMNIA. Then his good report should have been my son; I therein would have
found issue. Hear me profess sincerely: had I a dozen sons, each in my love
alike, and none less dear than thine and my good Marcius, I had rather had
eleven die nobly for their country than one voluptuously surfeit out of action.
Enter a GENTLEWOMAN
GENTLEWOMAN. Madam, the Lady Valeria is come to visit you.
VIRGILIA. Beseech you give me leave to retire myself.
VOLUMNIA. Indeed you shall not. Methinks I hear hither your husband's drum;
See him pluck Aufidius down by th' hair; As children from a bear, the Volsces
shunning him. Methinks I see him stamp thus, and call thus: 'Come on, you
cowards! You were got in fear, Though you were born in Rome.' His bloody brow
With his mail'd hand then wiping, forth he goes, Like to a harvest-man that's
task'd to mow Or all or lose his hire.
VIRGILIA. His bloody brow? O Jupiter, no blood!
VOLUMNIA. Away, you fool! It more becomes a man Than gilt his trophy. The
breasts of Hecuba, When she did suckle Hector, look'd not lovelier Than Hector's
forehead when it spit forth blood At Grecian sword, contemning. Tell Valeria We
are fit to bid her welcome. Exit GENTLEWOMAN
VIRGILIA. Heavens bless my lord from fell Aufidius!
VOLUMNIA. He'll beat Aufidius' head below his knee And tread upon his neck.
Re-enter GENTLEWOMAN, With VALERIA and an usher
VALERIA. My ladies both, good day to you.
VOLUMNIA. Sweet madam!
VIRGILIA. I am glad to see your ladyship.
VALERIA. How do you both? You are manifest housekeepers. What are you sewing
here? A fine spot, in good faith. How does your little son?
VIRGILIA. I thank your ladyship; well, good madam.
VOLUMNIA. He had rather see the swords and hear a drum than look upon his
schoolmaster.
VALERIA. O' my word, the father's son! I'll swear 'tis a very pretty boy. O'
my troth, I look'd upon him a Wednesday half an hour together; has such a
confirm'd countenance! I saw him run after a gilded butterfly; and when he
caught it he let it go again, and after it again, and over and over he comes,
and up again, catch'd it again; or whether his fall enrag'd him, or how 'twas,
he did so set his teeth and tear it. O, I warrant, how he mammock'd it!
VOLUMNIA. One on's father's moods.
VALERIA. Indeed, la, 'tis a noble child.
VIRGILIA. A crack, madam.
VALERIA. Come, lay aside your stitchery; I must have you play the idle
huswife with me this afternoon.
VIRGILIA. No, good madam; I will not out of doors.
VALERIA. Not out of doors!
VOLUMNIA. She shall, she shall.
VIRGILIA. Indeed, no, by your patience; I'll not over the threshold till my
lord return from the wars.
VALERIA. Fie, you confine yourself most unreasonably; come, you must go visit
the good lady that lies in.
VIRGILIA. I will wish her speedy strength, and visit her with my prayers; but
I cannot go thither.
VOLUMNIA. Why, I pray you?
VIRGILIA. 'Tis not to save labour, nor that I want love.
VALERIA. You would be another Penelope; yet they say all the yarn she spun in
Ulysses' absence did but fill Ithaca full of moths. Come, I would your cambric
were sensible as your finger, that you might leave pricking it for pity. Come,
you shall go with us.
VIRGILIA. No, good madam, pardon me; indeed I will not forth.
VALERIA. In truth, la, go with me; and I'll tell you excellent news of your
husband.
VIRGILIA. O, good madam, there can be none yet.
VALERIA. Verily, I do not jest with you; there came news from him last night.
VIRGILIA. Indeed, madam?
VALERIA. In earnest, it's true; I heard a senator speak it. Thus it is: the
Volsces have an army forth; against whom Cominius the general is gone, with one
part of our Roman power. Your lord and Titus Lartius are set down before their
city Corioli; they nothing doubt prevailing and to make it brief wars. This is
true, on mine honour; and so, I pray, go with us.
VIRGILIA. Give me excuse, good madam; I will obey you in everything
hereafter.
VOLUMNIA. Let her alone, lady; as she is now, she will but disease our better
mirth.
VALERIA. In troth, I think she would. Fare you well, then. Come, good sweet
lady. Prithee, Virgilia, turn thy solemness out o' door and go along with us.
VIRGILIA. No, at a word, madam; indeed I must not. I wish you much mirth.
VALERIA. Well then, farewell. Exeunt
SCENE IV. Before Corioli
Enter MARCIUS, TITUS LARTIUS, with drum and colours, with CAPTAINS and
soldiers. To them a MESSENGER
MARCIUS. Yonder comes news; a wager- they have met.
LARTIUS. My horse to yours- no.
MARCIUS. 'Tis done.
LARTIUS. Agreed.
MARCIUS. Say, has our general met the enemy?
MESSENGER. They lie in view, but have not spoke as yet.
LARTIUS. So, the good horse is mine.
MARCIUS. I'll buy him of you.
LARTIUS. No, I'll nor sell nor give him; lend you him I will For half a
hundred years. Summon the town.
MARCIUS. How far off lie these armies?
MESSENGER. Within this mile and half.
MARCIUS. Then shall we hear their 'larum, and they ours. Now, Mars, I
prithee, make us quick in work, That we with smoking swords may march from hence
To help our fielded friends! Come, blow thy blast.
They sound a parley. Enter two SENATORS with others,
on the walls of Corioli
Tullus Aufidius, is he within your walls?
FIRST SENATOR. No, nor a man that fears you less than he: That's lesser than
a little. [Drum afar off] Hark, our drums Are bringing forth our youth. We'll
break our walls Rather than they shall pound us up; our gates, Which yet seem
shut, we have but pinn'd with rushes; They'll open of themselves. [Alarum far
off] Hark you far off! There is Aufidius. List what work he makes Amongst your
cloven army.
MARCIUS. O, they are at it!
LARTIUS. Their noise be our instruction. Ladders, ho!
Enter the army of the Volsces
MARCIUS. They fear us not, but issue forth their city. Now put your shields
before your hearts, and fight With hearts more proof than shields. Advance,
brave Titus. They do disdain us much beyond our thoughts, Which makes me sweat
with wrath. Come on, my fellows. He that retires, I'll take him for a Volsce,
And he shall feel mine edge.
Alarum. The Romans are beat back to their trenches.
Re-enter MARCIUS, cursing
MARCIUS. All the contagion of the south light on you, You shames of Rome! you
herd of- Boils and plagues Plaster you o'er, that you may be abhorr'd Farther
than seen, and one infect another Against the wind a mile! You souls of geese
That bear the shapes of men, how have you run From slaves that apes would beat!
Pluto and hell! All hurt behind! Backs red, and faces pale With flight and agued
fear! Mend and charge home, Or, by the fires of heaven, I'll leave the foe And
make my wars on you. Look to't. Come on; If you'll stand fast we'll beat them to
their wives, As they us to our trenches. Follow me.
Another alarum. The Volsces fly, and MARCIUS follows
them to the gates
So, now the gates are ope; now prove good seconds; 'Tis for the followers
fortune widens them, Not for the fliers. Mark me, and do the like.
[MARCIUS enters the gates]
FIRST SOLDIER. Fool-hardiness; not I.
SECOND SOLDIER. Not I.[MARCIUS is shut in]
FIRST SOLDIER. See, they have shut him in.
ALL. To th' pot, I warrant him. [Alarum continues]
Re-enter TITUS LARTIUS
LARTIUS. What is become of Marcius?
ALL. Slain, sir, doubtless.
FIRST SOLDIER. Following the fliers at the very heels, With them he enters;
who, upon the sudden, Clapp'd to their gates. He is himself alone, To answer all
the city.
LARTIUS. O noble fellow! Who sensibly outdares his senseless sword, And when
it bows stand'st up. Thou art left, Marcius; A carbuncle entire, as big as thou
art, Were not so rich a jewel. Thou wast a soldier Even to Cato's wish, not
fierce and terrible Only in strokes; but with thy grim looks and The
thunder-like percussion of thy sounds Thou mad'st thine enemies shake, as if the
world Were feverous and did tremble.
Re-enter MARCIUS, bleeding, assaulted by the enemy
FIRST SOLDIER. Look, sir.
LARTIUS. O, 'tis Marcius! Let's fetch him off, or make remain alike. [They
fight, and all enter the city]
SCENE V.
Within Corioli. A street
Enter certain Romans, with spoils
FIRST ROMAN. This will I carry to Rome.
SECOND ROMAN. And I this.
THIRD ROMAN. A murrain on 't! I took this for silver.
[Alarum continues still afar off]
Enter MARCIUS and TITUS LARTIUS With a trumpeter
MARCIUS. See here these movers that do prize their hours At a crack'd
drachma! Cushions, leaden spoons, Irons of a doit, doublets that hangmen would
Bury with those that wore them, these base slaves, Ere yet the fight be done,
pack up. Down with them! Exeunt pillagers And hark, what noise the general
makes! To him! There is the man of my soul's hate, Aufidius, Piercing our
Romans; then, valiant Titus, take Convenient numbers to make good the city;
Whilst I, with those that have the spirit, will haste To help Cominius.
LARTIUS. Worthy sir, thou bleed'st; Thy exercise hath been too violent For a
second course of fight.
MARCIUS. Sir, praise me not; My work hath yet not warm'd me. Fare you well;
The blood I drop is rather physical Than dangerous to me. To Aufidius thus I
will appear, and fight.
LARTIUS. Now the fair goddess, Fortune, Fall deep in love with thee, and her
great charms Misguide thy opposers' swords! Bold gentleman, Prosperity be thy
page!
MARCIUS. Thy friend no less Than those she placeth highest! So farewell.
LARTIUS. Thou worthiest Marcius! Exit MARCIUS Go sound thy trumpet in the
market-place; Call thither all the officers o' th' town, Where they shall know
our mind. Away! Exeunt
SCENE VI.
Near the camp of COMINIUS
Enter COMINIUS, as it were in retire, with soldiers
COMINIUS. Breathe you, my friends. Well fought; we are come off Like Romans,
neither foolish in our stands Nor cowardly in retire. Believe me, sirs, We shall
be charg'd again. Whiles we have struck, By interims and conveying gusts we have
heard The charges of our friends. The Roman gods, Lead their successes as we
wish our own, That both our powers, with smiling fronts encount'ring, May give
you thankful sacrifice!
Enter A MESSENGER
Thy news?
MESSENGER. The citizens of Corioli have issued And given to Lartius and to
Marcius battle; I saw our party to their trenches driven, And then I came away.
COMINIUS. Though thou speak'st truth, Methinks thou speak'st not well. How
long is't since?
MESSENGER. Above an hour, my lord.
COMINIUS. 'Tis not a mile; briefly we heard their drums. How couldst thou in
a mile confound an hour, And bring thy news so late?
MESSENGER. Spies of the Volsces Held me in chase, that I was forc'd to wheel
Three or four miles about; else had I, sir, Half an hour since brought my
report.
Enter MARCIUS
COMINIUS. Who's yonder That does appear as he were flay'd? O gods! He has the
stamp of Marcius, and I have Before-time seen him thus.
MARCIUS. Come I too late?
COMINIUS. The shepherd knows not thunder from a tabor More than I know the
sound of Marcius' tongue From every meaner man.
MARCIUS. Come I too late?
COMINIUS. Ay, if you come not in the blood of others, But mantled in your
own.
MARCIUS. O! let me clip ye In arms as sound as when I woo'd, in heart As
merry as when our nuptial day was done, And tapers burn'd to bedward.
COMINIUS. Flower of warriors, How is't with Titus Lartius?
MARCIUS. As with a man busied about decrees: Condemning some to death and
some to exile; Ransoming him or pitying, threat'ning th' other; Holding Corioli
in the name of Rome Even like a fawning greyhound in the leash, To let him slip
at will.
COMINIUS. Where is that slave Which told me they had beat you to your
trenches? Where is he? Call him hither.
MARCIUS. Let him alone; He did inform the truth. But for our gentlemen, The
common file- a plague! tribunes for them! The mouse ne'er shunn'd the cat as
they did budge From rascals worse than they.
COMINIUS. But how prevail'd you?
MARCIUS. Will the time serve to tell? I do not think. Where is the enemy? Are
you lords o' th' field? If not, why cease you till you are so?
COMINIUS. Marcius, We have at disadvantage fought, and did Retire to win our
purpose.
MARCIUS. How lies their battle? Know you on which side They have plac'd their
men of trust?
COMINIUS. As I guess, Marcius, Their bands i' th' vaward are the Antiates, Of
their best trust; o'er them Aufidius, Their very heart of hope.
MARCIUS. I do beseech you, By all the battles wherein we have fought, By th'
blood we have shed together, by th' vows We have made to endure friends, that
you directly Set me against Aufidius and his Antiates; And that you not delay
the present, but, Filling the air with swords advanc'd and darts, We prove this
very hour.
COMINIUS. Though I could wish You were conducted to a gentle bath And balms
applied to you, yet dare I never Deny your asking: take your choice of those
That best can aid your action.
MARCIUS. Those are they That most are willing. If any such be here- As it
were sin to doubt- that love this painting Wherein you see me smear'd; if any
fear Lesser his person than an ill report; If any think brave death outweighs
bad life And that his country's dearer than himself; Let him alone, or so many
so minded, Wave thus to express his disposition, And follow Marcius. [They all
shout and wave their
swords, take him up in their arms and cast up their caps] O, me alone! Make
you a sword of me? If these shows be not outward, which of you But is four
Volsces? None of you but is Able to bear against the great Aufidius A shield as
hard as his. A certain number, Though thanks to all, must I select from all; the
rest Shall bear the business in some other fight, As cause will be obey'd.
Please you to march; And four shall quickly draw out my command, Which men are
best inclin'd.
COMINIUS. March on, my fellows; Make good this ostentation, and you shall
Divide in all with us.Exeunt SCENE VII.
The gates of Corioli
TITUS LARTIUS, having set a guard upon Corioli, going with drum and trumpet
toward COMINIUS and CAIUS MARCIUS, enters with a LIEUTENANT,
other soldiers, and a scout
LARTIUS. So, let the ports be guarded; keep your duties As I have set them
down. If I do send, dispatch Those centuries to our aid; the rest will serve For
a short holding. If we lose the field We cannot keep the town.
LIEUTENANT. Fear not our care, sir.
LARTIUS. Hence, and shut your gates upon's. Our guider, come; to th' Roman
camp conduct us. Exeunt SCENE VIII.
A field of battle between the Roman and the Volscian camps
Alarum, as in battle. Enter MARCIUS and AUFIDIUS
at several doors
MARCIUS. I'll fight with none but thee, for I do hate thee Worse than a
promise-breaker.
AUFIDIUS. We hate alike: Not Afric owns a serpent I abhor More than thy fame
and envy. Fix thy foot.
MARCIUS. Let the first budger die the other's slave, And the gods doom him
after!
AUFIDIUS. If I fly, Marcius, Halloa me like a hare.
MARCIUS. Within these three hours, Tullus, Alone I fought in your Corioli
walls, And made what work I pleas'd. 'Tis not my blood Wherein thou seest me
mask'd. For thy revenge Wrench up thy power to th' highest.
AUFIDIUS. Wert thou the Hector That was the whip of your bragg'd progeny,
Thou shouldst not scape me here.
Here they fight, and certain Volsces come in the aid of AUFIDIUS. MARCIUS
fights till they be driven in breathless
Officious, and not valiant, you have sham'd me In your condemned
seconds.Exeunt
SCENE IX.
The Roman camp
Flourish. Alarum. A retreat is sounded. Enter, at
one door, COMINIUS with the Romans; at another
door, MARCIUS, with his arm in a scarf
COMINIUS. If I should tell thee o'er this thy day's work, Thou't not believe
thy deeds; but I'll report it Where senators shall mingle tears with smiles;
Where great patricians shall attend, and shrug, I' th' end admire; where ladies
shall be frighted And, gladly quak'd, hear more; where the dull tribunes, That
with the fusty plebeians hate thine honours, Shall say against their hearts 'We
thank the gods Our Rome hath such a soldier.' Yet cam'st thou to a morsel of
this feast, Having fully din'd before.
Enter TITUS LARTIUS, with his power, from the pursuit
LARTIUS. O General, Here is the steed, we the caparison. Hadst thou beheld-
MARCIUS. Pray now, no more; my mother, Who has a charter to extol her blood,
When she does praise me grieves me. I have done As you have done- that's what I
can; induc'd As you have been- that's for my country. He that has but effected
his good will Hath overta'en mine act.
COMINIUS. You shall not be The grave of your deserving; Rome must know The
value of her own. 'Twere a concealment Worse than a theft, no less than a
traducement, To hide your doings and to silence that Which, to the spire and top
of praises vouch'd, Would seem but modest. Therefore, I beseech you, In sign of
what you are, not to reward What you have done, before our army hear me.
MARCIUS. I have some wounds upon me, and they smart To hear themselves
rememb'red.
COMINIUS. Should they not, Well might they fester 'gainst ingratitude And
tent themselves with death. Of all the horses- Whereof we have ta'en good, and
good store- of all The treasure in this field achiev'd and city, We render you
the tenth; to be ta'en forth Before the common distribution at Your only choice.
MARCIUS. I thank you, General, But cannot make my heart consent to take A
bribe to pay my sword. I do refuse it, And stand upon my common part with those
That have beheld the doing.
A long flourish. They all cry 'Marcius, Marcius!'
cast up their caps and lances. COMINIUS and LARTIUS stand bare
May these same instruments which you profane Never sound more! When drums and
trumpets shall I' th' field prove flatterers, let courts and cities be Made all
of false-fac'd soothing. When steel grows Soft as the parasite's silk, let him
be made An overture for th' wars. No more, I say. For that I have not wash'd my
nose that bled, Or foil'd some debile wretch, which without note Here's many
else have done, you shout me forth In acclamations hyperbolical, As if I lov'd
my little should be dieted In praises sauc'd with lies.
COMINIUS. Too modest are you; More cruel to your good report than grateful To
us that give you truly. By your patience, If 'gainst yourself you be incens'd,
we'll put you- Like one that means his proper harm- in manacles, Then reason
safely with you. Therefore be it known, As to us, to all the world, that Caius
Marcius Wears this war's garland; in token of the which, My noble steed, known
to the camp, I give him, With all his trim belonging; and from this time, For
what he did before Corioli, can him With all th' applause-and clamour of the
host, Caius Marcius Coriolanus. Bear th' addition nobly ever!
[Flourish. Trumpets sound, and drums]
ALL. Caius Marcius Coriolanus!
CORIOLANUS. I will go wash; And when my face is fair you shall perceive
Whether I blush or no. Howbeit, I thank you; I mean to stride your steed, and at
all times To undercrest your good addition To th' fairness of my power.
COMINIUS. So, to our tent; Where, ere we do repose us, we will write To Rome
of our success. You, Titus Lartius, Must to Corioli back. Send us to Rome The
best, with whom we may articulate For their own good and ours.
LARTIUS. I shall, my lord.
CORIOLANUS. The gods begin to mock me. I, that now Refus'd most princely
gifts, am bound to beg Of my Lord General.
COMINIUS. Take't- 'tis yours; what is't?
CORIOLANUS. I sometime lay here in Corioli At a poor man's house; he us'd me
kindly. He cried to me; I saw him prisoner; But then Aufidius was within my
view, And wrath o'erwhelm'd my pity. I request you To give my poor host freedom.
COMINIUS. O, well begg'd! Were he the butcher of my son, he should Be free as
is the wind. Deliver him, Titus.
LARTIUS. Marcius, his name?
CORIOLANUS. By Jupiter, forgot! I am weary; yea, my memory is tir'd. Have we
no wine here?
COMINIUS. Go we to our tent. The blood upon your visage dries; 'tis time It
should be look'd to. Come. Exeunt
SCENE X.
The camp of the Volsces
A flourish. Cornets. Enter TULLUS AUFIDIUS bloody, with two or three soldiers
AUFIDIUS. The town is ta'en.
FIRST SOLDIER. 'Twill be deliver'd back on good condition.
AUFIDIUS. Condition! I would I were a Roman; for I cannot, Being a Volsce, be
that I am. Condition? What good condition can a treaty find I' th' part that is
at mercy? Five times, Marcius, I have fought with thee; so often hast thou beat
me; And wouldst do so, I think, should we encounter As often as we eat. By th'
elements, If e'er again I meet him beard to beard, He's mine or I am his. Mine
emulation Hath not that honour in't it had; for where I thought to crush him in
an equal force, True sword to sword, I'll potch at him some way, Or wrath or
craft may get him.
FIRST SOLDIER. He's the devil.
AUFIDIUS. Bolder, though not so subtle. My valour's poison'd With only
suff'ring stain by him; for him Shall fly out of itself. Nor sleep nor
sanctuary, Being naked, sick, nor fane nor Capitol, The prayers of priests nor
times of sacrifice, Embarquements all of fury, shall lift up Their rotten
privilege and custom 'gainst My hate to Marcius. Where I find him, were it At
home, upon my brother's guard, even there, Against the hospitable canon, would I
Wash my fierce hand in's heart. Go you to th' city; Learn how 'tis held, and
what they are that must Be hostages for Rome.
FIRST SOLDIER. Will not you go?
AUFIDIUS. I am attended at the cypress grove; I pray you- 'Tis south the city
mills- bring me word thither How the world goes, that to the pace of it I may
spur on my journey.
FIRST SOLDIER. I shall, sir.Exeunt
ACT II. SCENE I. Rome. A public place
Enter MENENIUS, with the two Tribunes of the people, SICINIUS and BRUTUS
MENENIUS. The augurer tells me we shall have news tonight.
BRUTUS. Good or bad?
MENENIUS. Not according to the prayer of the people, for they love not
Marcius.
SICINIUS. Nature teaches beasts to know their friends.
MENENIUS. Pray you, who does the wolf love?
SICINIUS. The lamb.
MENENIUS. Ay, to devour him, as the hungry plebeians would the noble Marcius.
BRUTUS. He's a lamb indeed, that baes like a bear.
MENENIUS. He's a bear indeed, that lives fike a lamb. You two are old men;
tell me one thing that I shall ask you.
BOTH TRIBUNES. Well, sir.
MENENIUS. In what enormity is Marcius poor in that you two have not in
abundance?
BRUTUS. He's poor in no one fault, but stor'd with all.
SICINIUS. Especially in pride.
BRUTUS. And topping all others in boasting.
MENENIUS. This is strange now. Do you two know how you are censured here in
the city- I mean of us o' th' right-hand file? Do you?
BOTH TRIBUNES. Why, how are we censur'd?
MENENIUS. Because you talk of pride now- will you not be angry?
BOTH TRIBUNES. Well, well, sir, well.
MENENIUS. Why, 'tis no great matter; for a very little thief of occasion will
rob you of a great deal of patience. Give your dispositions the reins, and be
angry at your pleasures- at the least, if you take it as a pleasure to you in
being so. You blame Marcius for being proud?
BRUTUS. We do it not alone, sir.
MENENIUS. I know you can do very little alone; for your helps are many, or
else your actions would grow wondrous single: your abilities are too infant-like
for doing much alone. You talk of pride. O that you could turn your eyes toward
the napes of your necks, and make but an interior survey of your good selves! O
that you could!
BOTH TRIBUNES. What then, sir?
MENENIUS. Why, then you should discover a brace of unmeriting, proud,
violent, testy magistrates-alias fools- as any in Rome.
SICINIUS. Menenius, you are known well enough too.
MENENIUS. I am known to be a humorous patrician, and one that loves a cup of
hot wine with not a drop of allaying Tiber in't; said to be something imperfect
in favouring the first complaint, hasty and tinder-like upon too trivial motion;
one that converses more with the buttock of the night than with the forehead of
the morning. What I think I utter, and spend my malice in my breath. Meeting two
such wealsmen as you are- I cannot call you Lycurguses- if the drink you give me
touch my palate adversely, I make a crooked face at it. I cannot say your
worships have deliver'd the matter well, when I find the ass in compound with
the major part of your syllables; and though I must be content to bear with
those that say you are reverend grave men, yet they lie deadly that tell you you
have good faces. If you see this in the map of my microcosm, follows it that I
am known well enough too? What harm can your bisson conspectuities glean out of
this character, if I be known well enough too?
BRUTUS. Come, sir, come, we know you well enough.
MENENIUS. You know neither me, yourselves, nor any thing. You are ambitious
for poor knaves' caps and legs; you wear out a good wholesome forenoon in
hearing a cause between an orange-wife and a fosset-seller, and then rejourn the
controversy of threepence to a second day of audience. When you are hearing a
matter between party and party, if you chance to be pinch'd with the colic, you
make faces like mummers, set up the bloody flag against all patience, and, in
roaring for a chamber-pot, dismiss the controversy bleeding, the more entangled
by your hearing. All the peace you make in their cause is calling both the
parties knaves. You are a pair of strange ones.
BRUTUS. Come, come, you are well understood to be a perfecter giber for the
table than a necessary bencher in the Capitol.
MENENIUS. Our very priests must become mockers, if they shall encounter such
ridiculous subjects as you are. When you speak best unto the purpose, it is not
worth the wagging of your beards; and your beards deserve not so honourable a
grave as to stuff a botcher's cushion or to be entomb'd in an ass's pack-saddle.
Yet you must be saying Marcius is proud; who, in a cheap estimation, is worth
all your predecessors since Deucalion; though peradventure some of the best of
'em were hereditary hangmen. God-den to your worships. More of your conversation
would infect my brain, being the herdsmen of the beastly plebeians. I will be
bold to take my leave of you.
[BRUTUS and SICINIUS go aside]
Enter VOLUMNIA, VIRGILIA, and VALERIA
How now, my as fair as noble ladies- and the moon, were she earthly, no
nobler- whither do you follow your eyes so fast?
VOLUMNIA. Honourable Menenius, my boy Marcius approaches; for the love of
Juno, let's go.
MENENIUS. Ha! Marcius coming home?
VOLUMNIA. Ay, worthy Menenius, and with most prosperous approbation.
MENENIUS. Take my cap, Jupiter, and I thank thee. Hoo! Marcius coming home!
VOLUMNIA, VIRGILIA. Nay, 'tis true.
VOLUMNIA. Look, here's a letter from him; the state hath another, his wife
another; and I think there's one at home for you.
MENENIUS. I will make my very house reel to-night. A letter for me?
VIRGILIA. Yes, certain, there's a letter for you; I saw't.
MENENIUS. A letter for me! It gives me an estate of seven years' health; in
which time I will make a lip at the physician. The most sovereign prescription
in Galen is but empiricutic and, to this preservative, of no better report than
a horse-drench. Is he not wounded? He was wont to come home wounded.
VIRGILIA. O, no, no, no.
VOLUMNIA. O, he is wounded, I thank the gods for't.
MENENIUS. So do I too, if it be not too much. Brings a victory in his pocket?
The wounds become him.
VOLUMNIA. On's brows, Menenius, he comes the third time home with the oaken
garland.
MENENIUS. Has he disciplin'd Aufidius soundly?
VOLUMNIA. Titus Lartius writes they fought together, but Aufidius got off.
MENENIUS. And 'twas time for him too, I'll warrant him that; an he had stay'd
by him, I would not have been so fidius'd for all the chests in Corioli and the
gold that's in them. Is the Senate possess'd of this?
VOLUMNIA. Good ladies, let's go. Yes, yes, yes: the Senate has letters from
the general, wherein he gives my son the whole name of the war; he hath in this
action outdone his former deeds doubly.
VALERIA. In troth, there's wondrous things spoke of him.
MENENIUS. Wondrous! Ay, I warrant you, and not without his true purchasing.
VIRGILIA. The gods grant them true!
VOLUMNIA. True! pow, waw.
MENENIUS. True! I'll be sworn they are true. Where is he wounded? [To the
TRIBUNES] God save your good worships! Marcius is coming home; he has more cause
to be proud. Where is he wounded?
VOLUMNIA. I' th' shoulder and i' th' left arm; there will be large cicatrices
to show the people when he shall stand for his place. He received in the repulse
of Tarquin seven hurts i' th' body.
MENENIUS. One i' th' neck and two i' th' thigh- there's nine that I know.
VOLUMNIA. He had before this last expedition twenty-five wounds upon him.
MENENIUS. Now it's twenty-seven; every gash was an enemy's grave. [A shout
and flourish] Hark! the trumpets.
VOLUMNIA. These are the ushers of Marcius. Before him he carries
noise, and behind him he leaves tears; Death, that dark spirit, in's nervy
arm doth lie, Which, being advanc'd, declines, and then men die.
A sennet. Trumpets sound. Enter COMINIUS the
GENERAL, and TITUS LARTIUS; between them,
CORIOLANUS, crown'd with an oaken garland; with
CAPTAINS and soldiers and a HERALD
HERALD. Know, Rome, that all alone Marcius did fight Within Corioli gates,
where he hath won, With fame, a name to Caius Marcius; these In honour follows
Coriolanus. Welcome to Rome, renowned Coriolanus! [Flourish]
ALL. Welcome to Rome, renowned Coriolanus!
CORIOLANUS. No more of this, it does offend my heart. Pray now, no more.
COMINIUS. Look, sir, your mother!
CORIOLANUS. O, You have, I know, petition'd all the gods For my prosperity!
[Kneels]
VOLUMNIA. Nay, my good soldier, up; My gentle Marcius, worthy Caius, and By
deed-achieving honour newly nam'd- What is it? Coriolanus must I can thee? But,
O, thy wife!
CORIOLANUS. My gracious silence, hail! Wouldst thou have laugh'd had I come
coffin'd home, That weep'st to see me triumph? Ah, my dear, Such eyes the widows
in Corioli wear, And mothers that lack sons.
MENENIUS. Now the gods crown thee!
CORIOLANUS. And live you yet? [To VALERIA] O my sweet lady, pardon.
VOLUMNIA. I know not where to turn. O, welcome home! And welcome, General.
And y'are welcome all.
MENENIUS. A hundred thousand welcomes. I could weep And I could laugh; I am
light and heavy. Welcome! A curse begin at very root on's heart That is not glad
to see thee! You are three That Rome should dote on; yet, by the faith of men,
We have some old crab trees here at home that will not Be grafted to your
relish. Yet welcome, warriors. We call a nettle but a nettle, and The faults of
fools but folly.
COMINIUS. Ever right.
CORIOLANUS. Menenius ever, ever.
HERALD. Give way there, and go on.
CORIOLANUS. [To his wife and mother] Your hand, and yours. Ere in our own
house I do shade my head, The good patricians must be visited; From whom I have
receiv'd not only greetings, But with them change of honours.
VOLUMNIA. I have lived To see inherited my very wishes, And the buildings of
my fancy; only There's one thing wanting, which I doubt not but Our Rome will
cast upon thee.
CORIOLANUS. Know, good mother, I had rather be their servant in my way Than
sway with them in theirs.
COMINIUS. On, to the Capitol. [Flourish. Cornets. Exeunt in state, as before]
BRUTUS and SICINIUS come forward
BRUTUS. All tongues speak of him and the bleared sights Are spectacled to see
him. Your prattling nurse Into a rapture lets her baby cry While she chats him;
the kitchen malkin pins Her richest lockram 'bout her reechy neck, Clamb'ring
the walls to eye him; stalls, bulks, windows, Are smother'd up, leads fill'd and
ridges hors'd With variable complexions, all agreeing In earnestness to see him.
Seld-shown flamens Do press among the popular throngs and puff To win a vulgar
station; our veil'd dames Commit the war of white and damask in Their nicely
gawded cheeks to th' wanton spoil Of Phoebus' burning kisses. Such a pother, As
if that whatsoever god who leads him Were slily crept into his human powers, And
gave him graceful posture.
SICINIUS. On the sudden I warrant him consul.
BRUTUS. Then our office may During his power go sleep.
SICINIUS. He cannot temp'rately transport his honours From where he should
begin and end, but will Lose those he hath won.
BRUTUS. In that there's comfort.
SICINIUS. Doubt not The commoners, for whom we stand, but they Upon their
ancient malice will forget With the least cause these his new honours; which
That he will give them make I as little question As he is proud to do't.
BRUTUS. I heard him swear, Were he to stand for consul, never would he Appear
i' th' market-place, nor on him put The napless vesture of humility; Nor,
showing, as the manner is, his wounds To th' people, beg their stinking breaths.
SICINIUS. 'Tis right.
BRUTUS. It was his word. O, he would miss it rather Than carry it but by the
suit of the gentry to him And the desire of the nobles.
SICINIUS. I wish no better Than have him hold that purpose, and to put it In
execution.
BRUTUS. 'Tis most like he will.
SICINIUS. It shall be to him then as our good wills: A sure destruction.
BRUTUS. So it must fall out To him or our authorities. For an end, We must
suggest the people in what hatred He still hath held them; that to's power he
would Have made them mules, silenc'd their pleaders, and Dispropertied their
freedoms; holding them In human action and capacity Of no more soul nor fitness
for the world Than camels in their war, who have their provand Only for bearing
burdens, and sore blows For sinking under them.
SICINIUS. This, as you say, suggested At some time when his soaring insolence
Shall touch the people- which time shall not want, If he be put upon't, and
that's as easy As to set dogs on sheep- will be his fire To kindle their dry
stubble; and their blaze Shall darken him for ever.
Enter A MESSENGER
BRUTUS. What's the matter?
MESSENGER. You are sent for to the Capitol. 'Tis thought That Marcius shall
be consul. I have seen the dumb men throng to see him and The blind to hear him
speak; matrons flung gloves, Ladies and maids their scarfs and handkerchers,
Upon him as he pass'd; the nobles bended As to Jove's statue, and the commons
made A shower and thunder with their caps and shouts. I never saw the like.
BRUTUS. Let's to the Capitol, And carry with us ears and eyes for th' time,
But hearts for the event.
SICINIUS. Have with you.Exeunt SCENE II. Rome. The Capitol
Enter two OFFICERS, to lay cushions, as it were in the Capitol
FIRST OFFICER. Come, come, they are almost here. How many stand for
consulships?
SECOND OFFICER. Three, they say; but 'tis thought of every one Coriolanus
will carry it.
FIRST OFFICER. That's a brave fellow; but he's vengeance proud and loves not
the common people.
SECOND OFFICER. Faith, there have been many great men that have flatter'd the
people, who ne'er loved them; and there be many that they have loved, they know
not wherefore; so that, if they love they know not why, they hate upon no better
a ground. Therefore, for Coriolanus neither to care whether they love or hate
him manifests the true knowledge he has in their disposition, and out of his
noble carelessness lets them plainly see't.
FIRST OFFICER. If he did not care whether he had their love or no, he waved
indifferently 'twixt doing them neither good nor harm; but he seeks their hate
with greater devotion than 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, bonneted, 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 car that heard
it.
FIRST OFFICER. No more of him; he's a worthy man. Make way, they are coming.
A sennet. Enter the PATRICIANS and the TRIBUNES OF THE PEOPLE, LICTORS before
them; CORIOLANUS, MENENIUS, COMINIUS the Consul. SICINIUS and
BRUTUS take their places by themselves. CORIOLANUS stands
MENENIUS. Having determin'd 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. [CORIOLANUS sits]
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' th' 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' th' sun When the alarum
were struck than idly sit To hear my nothings monster'd. Exit
MENENIUS. Masters of the people, Your multiplying spawn how can he flatter-
That's thousand to one good one- when you now see He had rather venture all his
limbs for honour Than one on's ears to hear it? Proceed, Cominius.
COMINIUS. I shall lack voice; the deeds of Coriolanus Should not be utter'd
feebly. It is held That valour is the chiefest virtue and Most dignifies the
haver. If it be, The man I speak of cannot in the world Be singly 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' th' 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 prov'd best man i' th' field, and for his meed Was
brow-bound with the oak. His pupil age Man-ent'red 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 tim'd with dying cries.
Alone he ent'red The mortal gate of th' 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 look'd upon things precious as they
were The common muck of the world. He covets less Than misery itself would give,
rewards His deeds with doing them, and is content To spend the time to end it.
MENENIUS. He's right noble; Let him be call'd for.
FIRST SENATOR. Call Coriolanus. OFFICER. He doth appear.
Re-enter CORIOLANUS
MENENIUS. The Senate, Coriolanus, are well 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 th' 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. Cornets. Then
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 th' market-place
I know they do attend us. Exeunt SCENE III.
Rome. The Forum
Enter seven or eight citizens
FIRST CITIZEN. Once, if he do require our voices, we ought not to deny him.
SECOND CITIZEN. We may, sir, if we will.
THIRD CITIZEN. We have power in ourselves to do it, but it is a power that we
have no power to do; for if he show us his wounds and tell us his deeds, we are
to put our tongues into those wounds and speak for them; so, if he tell us his
noble deeds, we must also tell him our noble acceptance of them. Ingratitude is
monstrous, and for the multitude to be ingrateful were to make a monster of the
multitude; of the which we being members should bring ourselves to be monstrous
members.
FIRST CITIZEN. And to make us no better thought of, a little help will serve;
for once we stood up about the corn, he himself stuck not to call us the
many-headed multitude.
THIRD CITIZEN. We have been call'd so of many; not that our heads are some
brown, some black, some abram, some bald, but that our wits are so diversely
colour'd; 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' th' 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 wedg'd 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 resolv'd to give your voices? But that's no
matter, the greater part carries it. I say, if he would incline to the people,
there was never a worthier man.
Enter CORIOLANUS, in a gown of humility,
with MENENIUS
Here he comes, and in the gown of humility. Mark his 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 citizens
MENENIUS. O sir, you are not right; have you not known The worthiest men have
done't?
CORIOLANUS. What must I say? 'I pray, sir'- Plague upon't! I cannot bring My
tongue to such a pace. 'Look, sir, my wounds I got them in my country's service,
when Some certain of your brethren roar'd and ran From th' noise of our own
drums.'
MENENIUS. O me, the gods! You must not speak of that. You must desire them To
think upon you.
CORIOLANUS. Think upon me? Hang 'em! I would they would forget me, like the
virtues Which our divines lose by 'em.
MENENIUS. You'll mar all. I'll leave you. Pray you speak to 'em, I pray you,
In wholesome manner.Exit
Re-enter three of the citizens
CORIOLANUS. Bid them wash their faces And keep their teeth clean. So, here
comes a brace. You know the cause, sir, of my standing here.
THIRD CITIZEN. We do, sir; tell us what hath brought you to't.
CORIOLANUS. Mine own desert.
SECOND CITIZEN. Your own desert?
CORIOLANUS. Ay, not mine own desire.
THIRD CITIZEN. How, not your own desire?
CORIOLANUS. No, sir, 'twas never my desire yet to trouble the poor with
begging.
THIRD CITIZEN. YOU MUST think, if we give you anything, we hope to gain by
you.
CORIOLANUS. Well then, I pray, your price o' th' 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.
THIRD CITIZEN. But this is something odd.
SECOND CITIZEN. An 'twere to give again- but 'tis no matter.
Exeunt the three citizens
Re-enter two other citizens
CORIOLANUS. Pray you now, if it may stand with the tune of your voices that I
may be consul, I have here the customary gown.
FOURTH CITIZEN. You have deserved nobly of your country, and you have not
deserved nobly.
CORIOLANUS. Your enigma?
FOURTH CITIZEN. You have been a scourge to her enemies; you have been a rod
to her friends. You have not indeed loved the common people.
CORIOLANUS. You should account me the more virtuous, that I have not been
common in my love. I will, sir, flatter my sworn brother, the people, to earn a
dearer estimation of them; 'tis a condition they account gentle; and since the
wisdom of their choice is rather to have my hat than my heart, I will practise
the insinuating nod and be off to them most counterfeitly. That is, sir, I will
counterfeit the bewitchment of some popular man and give it bountiful to the
desirers. Therefore, beseech you I may be consul.
FIFTH CITIZEN. We hope to find you our friend; and therefore give you our
voices heartily.
FOURTH CITIZEN. You have received many wounds for your country.
CORIOLANUS. I will not seal your knowledge with showing them. I will make
much of your voices, and so trouble you no farther.
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 suffered, the other
will I do.
Re-enter three citizens more
Here come moe voices. Your voices. For your voices I have fought; Watch'd for
your voices; for your voices bear Of wounds two dozen odd; battles thrice six I
have seen and heard of; for your voices have Done many things, some less, some
more. Your voices? Indeed, I would be consul.
SIXTH CITIZEN. He has done nobly, and cannot go without any honest man's
voice.
SEVENTH CITIZEN. Therefore let him be consul. The gods give him joy, and make
him good friend to the people!
ALL. Amen, amen. God save thee, noble consul! Exeunt citizens
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 th' 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 th'
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's heart.
BRUTUS. With a proud heart he wore His humble weeds. Will you dismiss the
people?
Re-enter citizens
SICINIUS. How now, my masters! Have you chose this man?
FIRST CITIZEN. He has our voices, sir.
BRUTUS. We pray the gods he may deserve your loves.
SECOND CITIZEN. Amen, sir. To my poor unworthy notice, He mock'd us when he
begg'd our voices.
THIRD CITIZEN. Certainly; He flouted us downright.
FIRST CITIZEN. No, 'tis his kind of speech- he did not mock us.
SECOND CITIZEN. Not one amongst us, save yourself, but says He us'd us
scornfully. He should have show'd us His marks of merit, wounds receiv'd for's
country.
SICINIUS. Why, so he did, I am sure.
ALL. 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' th' body of the weal;
and now, arriving A place of potency and sway o' th' state, If he should still
malignantly remain Fast foe to th' 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 th' 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 CITIZENS. 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' th' 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, nobly named so, Twice being by the people chosen censor, Was his
great ancestor.
SICINIUS. One thus descended, That hath beside well in his person wrought To
be set high in place, we did commend To your remembrances; but you have found,
Scaling his present bearing with his past, That he's your fixed enemy, and
revoke Your sudden approbation.
BRUTUS. Say you ne'er had done't- Harp on that still- but by our putting on;
And presently, when you have drawn your number, Repair to th' Capitol.
CITIZENS. will will so; almost all Repent in their election. Exeunt plebeians
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 th' Capitol, come. We will be there before the stream o' th'
people; And this shall seem, as partly 'tis, their own, Which we have goaded
onward. Exeunt ACT III. SCENE I.
Rome. A street
Cornets. Enter CORIOLANUS, MENENIUS, all the GENTRY, COMINIUS, TITUS LARTIUS,
and other SENATORS
CORIOLANUS. Tullus Aufidius, then, had made new head?
LARTIUS. He had, my lord; and that it was which 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.
Enter SICINIUS and BRUTUS
Behold, these are the tribunes of the people, The tongues o' th' common
mouth. I do despise them, For they do prank them in authority, Against all noble
sufferance.
SICINIUS. Pass no further.
CORIOLANUS. Ha! What is that?
BRUTUS. It will be dangerous to go on- no further.
CORIOLANUS. What makes this change?
MENENIUS. The matter?
COMINIUS. Hath he not pass'd the noble and the common?
BRUTUS. Cominius, no.
CORIOLANUS. Have I had children's voices?
FIRST SENATOR. Tribunes, give way: he shall to th' 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 enquire 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 Deserved this so dishonour'd rub, laid falsely I' th' 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 meiny, 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' th' people As if you were a god, to punish; not A man of
their infirmity.
SICINIUS. 'Twere well We let the people know't.
MENENIUS. What, what? his choler?
CORIOLANUS. Choler! Were I as patient as the midnight sleep, By Jove, 'twould
be my mind!
SICINIUS. It is a mind That shall remain a poison where it is, Not poison any
further.
CORIOLANUS. Shall remain! Hear you this Triton of the minnows? Mark you His
absolute 'shall'?
COMINIUS. 'Twas from the canon.
CORIOLANUS. 'Shall'! O good but most unwise patricians! Why, You grave but
reckless senators, have you thus Given Hydra here to choose an officer That with
his peremptory 'shall,' being but The horn and noise o' th' monster's, wants not
spirit To say he'll turn your current in a ditch, And make your channel his? If
he have power, Then vail your ignorance; if none, awake Your dangerous lenity.
If you are learn'd, Be not as common fools; if you are not, Let them have
cushions by you. You are plebeians, If they be senators; and they are no less,
When, both your voices blended, the great'st taste Most palates theirs. They
choose their magistrate; And such a one as he, who puts his 'shall,' His popular
'shall,' against a graver bench Than ever frown'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 th' other.
COMINIUS. Well, on to th' market-place.
CORIOLANUS. Whoever gave that counsel to give forth The corn o' th'
storehouse gratis, as 'twas us'd Sometime in Greece-
MENENIUS. Well, well, no more of that.
CORIOLANUS. Though there the people had more absolute pow'r- 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 th' 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' th' war, Their mutinies and revolts, wherein they show'd Most
valour, spoke not for them. Th' accusation Which they have often made against
the Senate, All cause unborn, could never be the native Of our so frank
donation. Well, what then? How shall this bosom multiplied 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' th' 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 th' 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' th' dust.
BRUTUS. Manifest treason!
SICINIUS. This a consul? No.
BRUTUS. The aediles, ho!
Enter an AEDILE
Let him be apprehended.
SICINIUS. Go call the people, [Exit AEDILE] in whose name myself Attach thee
as a traitorous innovator, A foe to th' public weal. Obey, I charge thee, And
follow to thine answer.
CORIOLANUS. Hence, old goat!
PATRICIANS. We'll surety him.
COMINIUS. Ag'd sir, hands off.
CORIOLANUS. Hence, rotten thing! or I shall shake thy bones Out of thy
garments.
SICINIUS. Help, ye citizens!
Enter a rabble of plebeians, with the AEDILES
MENENIUS. On both sides more respect.
SICINIUS. Here's he that would take from you all your power.
BRUTUS. Seize him, aediles. PLEBEIANS. Down with him! down with him!
SECOND SENATOR. Weapons, weapons, weapons!
[They all bustle about CORIOLANUS]
ALL. Tribunes! patricians! citizens! What, ho! Sicinius! Brutus! Coriolanus!
Citizens!
PATRICIANS. 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 th' people- Coriolanus, patience! Speak, good Sicinius.
SICINIUS. Hear me, people; peace!
PLEBEIANS. 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?
PLEBEIANS. True, The people are the city.
BRUTUS. By the consent of all we were establish'd The people's magistrates.
PLEBEIANS. 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' th' people, in whose power We were elected theirs:
Marcius is worthy Of present death.
SICINIUS. Therefore lay hold of him; Bear him to th' rock Tarpeian, and from
thence Into destruction cast him.
BRUTUS. AEdiles, seize him.
PLEBEIANS. 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 friend, And temp'rately
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 draws his sword]
CORIOLANUS. No: I'll die here. 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.
PLEBEIANS. 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 prithee, noble friend, home to thy house;
Leave us to cure this cause.
MENENIUS. For 'tis a sore upon us You cannot tent yourself; be gone, beseech
you.
COMINIUS. Come, sir, along with us.
CORIOLANUS. I would they were barbarians, as they are, Though in Rome
litter'd; not Romans, as they are not, Though calved i' th' porch o' th'
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' th' 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 us'd 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 and COMINIUS, with others
PATRICIANS. 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!
PATRICIANS. 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, the rabble again
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.
PLEBEIANS. 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!
PLEBEIANS. 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 th' end o' th' world.
SICINIUS. This is clean kam.
BRUTUS. Merely awry. When he did love his country, It honour'd him.
SICINIUS. 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' th' 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. The house of CORIOLANUS
Enter CORIOLANUS with NOBLES
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: 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 th' herd,
but that The violent fit o' th' 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 th' 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' th' 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 th' people, not by your
own instruction, Nor by th' matter which your heart prompts you, But with such
words that are but roted 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 los Of what is past.
VOLUMNIA. I prithee now, My son, Go to them with this bonnet in thy hand; And
thus far having stretch'd it- here be with them- Thy knee bussing the stones-
for in such busines Action is eloquence, and the eyes of th' ignorant More
learned than the ears- waving thy head, Which often thus correcting thy-stout
heart, Now humble as the ripest mulberry That will not hold the handling. Or say
to them Thou art their soldier and, being bred in broils, Hast not the soft way
which, thou dost confess, Were fit for thee to use, as they to claim, In asking
their good loves; but thou wilt frame Thyself, forsooth, hereafter theirs, so
far As thou hast power and person.
MENENIUS. This but done Even as she speaks, why, their hearts were yours; For
they have pardons, being ask'd, as free As words to little purpose.
VOLUMNIA. Prithee now, Go, and be rul'd; although I know thou hadst rather
Follow thine enemy in a fiery gulf Than flatter him in a bower.
Enter COMINIUS
Here is Cominius.
COMINIUS. I have been i' th' market-place; and, sir, 'tis fit You make strong
party, or defend yourself By calmness or by absence; all's in anger.
MENENIUS. Only fair speech.
COMINIUS. I think 'twill serve, if he Can thereto frame his spirit.
VOLUMNIA. He must and will. Prithee now, say you will, and go about it.
CORIOLANUS. Must I go show them my 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 th' market-place! You have put
me now to such a part which never I shall discharge to th' life.
COMINIUS. Come, come, we'll prompt you.
VOLUMNIA. I prithee now, sweet son, as thou hast said My praises made thee
first a soldier, so, To have my praise for this, perform a part Thou hast not
done before.
CORIOLANUS. Well, I must do't. Away, my disposition, and possess me Some
harlot's spirit! My throat of war be turn'd, Which quier'd with my drum, into a
pipe Small as an eunuch or the virgin voice That babies lulls asleep! The smiles
of knaves Tent in my cheeks, and schoolboys' tears take up The glasses of my
sight! A beggar's tongue Make motion through my lips, and my arm'd knees, Who
bow'd but in my stirrup, bend like his That hath 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' th' 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 th' poll?
AEDILE. I have; 'tis ready.
SICINIUS. Have you corrected them by tribes?
AEDILE. I have.
SICINIUS. Assemble presently the people hither; And when they hear me say 'It
shall be so I' th' right and strength o' th' 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' th' truth o' th'
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.
Enter CORIOLANUS, MENENIUS and COMINIUS, with others
SICINIUS. Well, here he comes.
MENENIUS. Calmly, I do beseech you.
CORIOLANUS. Ay, as an ostler, that for th' poorest piece Will bear the knave
by th' volume. Th' honour'd gods Keep Rome in safety, and the chairs of justice
Supplied with worthy men! plant love among's! Throng our large temples with the
shows of peace, And not our streets with war!
FIRST SENATOR. Amen, amen!
MENENIUS. A noble wish.
Re-enter the.AEDILE,with the plebeians
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
prov'd 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'
th' 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' th' 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?
PLEBEIANS. To th' rock, to th' 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 th' 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 Envied
against the people, seeking means To pluck away their power; as now at last
Given hostile strokes, and that not in the presence Of dreaded justice, but on
the ministers That do distribute it- in the name o' th' people, And in the power
of us the tribunes, we, Ev'n from this instant, banish him our city, In peril of
precipitation From off the rock Tarpeian, never more To enter our Rome gates. I'
th' people's name, I say it shall be so.
PLEBEIANS. It shall be so, it shall be so! Let him away! He's banish'd, and
it shall be so.
COMINIUS. Hear me, my masters and my common friends-
SICINIUS. He's sentenc'd; no more hearing.
COMINIUS. Let me speak. I have been consul, and can show for Rome Her
enemies' marks upon me. I do love My country's good with a respect more tender,
More holy and profound, than mine own life, My dear wife's estimate, her womb's
increase And treasure of my loins. Then if I would Speak that-
SICINIUS. We know your drift. Speak what?
BRUTUS. There's no more to be said, but he is banish'd, As enemy to the
people and his country. It shall be so.
PLEBEIANS. It shall be so, it shall be so.
CORIOLANUS. YOU common cry of curs, whose breath I hate As reek o' th' rotten
fens, whose loves I prize As the dead carcasses of unburied men That do corrupt
my air- I banish you. And here remain with your uncertainty! Let every feeble
rumour shake your hearts; Your enemies, with nodding of their plumes, Fan you
into despair! Have the power still To banish your defenders, till at length Your
ignorance- which finds not till it feels, Making but reservation of yourselves
Still your own foes- deliver you As most abated captives to some nation That won
you without blows! Despising For you the city, thus I turn my back; There is a
world elsewhere.
Exeunt CORIOLANUS,
COMINIUS, MENENIUS, with the other PATRICIANS
AEDILE. The people's enemy is gone, is gone! [They all shout and throw up
their caps]
PLEBEIANS. Our enemy is banish'd, he is gone! Hoo-oo!
SICINIUS. Go see him out at gates, and follow him, As he hath follow'd you,
with all despite; Give him deserv'd vexation. Let a guard Attend us through the
city.
PLEBEIANS. Come, come, let's see him out at gates; come! The gods preserve
our noble tribunes! Come. Exeunt ACT IV. SCENE I. Rome. Before a gate of the
city
Enter CORIOLANUS, VOLUMNIA, VIRGILIA, MENENIUS, COMINIUS, with the young
NOBILITY of Rome
CORIOLANUS. Come, leave your tears; a brief farewell. The beast With many
heads butts me away. Nay, mother, Where is your ancient courage? You were us'd
To say extremities was the trier of spirits; That common chances common men
could bear; That when the sea was calm all boats alike Show'd mastership in
floating; fortune's blows, When most struck home, being gentle wounded craves A
noble cunning. You were us'd to load me With precepts that would make invincible
The heart that conn'd them.
VIRGILIA. O heavens! O heavens!
CORIOLANUS. Nay, I prithee, woman-
VOLUMNIA. Now the red pestilence strike all trades in Rome, And occupations
perish!
CORIOLANUS. What, what, what! I shall be lov'd when I am lack'd. Nay, mother,
Resume that spirit when you were wont to say, If you had been the wife of
Hercules, Six of his labours you'd have done, and sav'd Your husband so much
sweat. Cominius, Droop not; adieu. Farewell, my wife, my mother. I'll do well
yet. Thou old and true Menenius, Thy tears are salter than a younger man's And
venomous to thine eyes. My sometime General, I have seen thee stern, and thou
hast oft beheld Heart-hard'ning spectacles; tell these sad women 'Tis fond to
wail inevitable strokes, As 'tis to laugh at 'em. My mother, you wot well My
hazards still have been your solace; and Believe't not lightly- though I go
alone, Like to a lonely dragon, that his fen Makes fear'd and talk'd of more
than seen- your son Will or exceed the common or be caught With cautelous baits
and practice.
VOLUMNIA. My first son, Whither wilt thou go? Take good Cominius With thee
awhile; determine on some course More than a wild exposture to each chance That
starts i' th' way before thee.
VIRGILIA. O the gods!
COMINIUS. I'll follow thee a month, devise with the Where thou shalt rest,
that thou mayst hear of us, And we of thee; so, if the time thrust forth A cause
for thy repeal, we shall not send O'er the vast world to seek a single man, And
lose advantage, which doth ever cool I' th' absence of the needer.
CORIOLANUS. Fare ye well; Thou hast years upon thee, and thou art too full Of
the wars' surfeits to go rove with one That's yet unbruis'd; bring me but out at
gate. Come, my sweet wife, my dearest mother, and My friends of noble touch;
when I am forth, Bid me farewell, and smile. I pray you come. While I remain
above the ground you shall Hear from me still, and never of me aught But what is
like me formerly.
MENENIUS. That's worthily As any ear can hear. Come, let's not weep. If I
could shake off but one seven years From these old arms and legs, by the good
gods, I'd with thee every foot.
CORIOLANUS. Give me thy hand. Come. Exeunt
SCENE II.
Rome. A street near the gate
Enter the two Tribunes, SICINIUS and BRUTUS
with the AEDILE
SICINIUS. Bid them all home; he's gone, and we'll no further. The nobility
are vex'd, whom we see have sided In his behalf.
BRUTUS. Now we have shown our power, Let us seem humbler after it is done
Than when it was a-doing.
SICINIUS. Bid them home. Say their great enemy is gone, and they Stand in
their ancient strength.
BRUTUS. Dismiss them home. Exit AEDILE Here comes his mother.
Enter VOLUMNIA, VIRGILIA, and MENENIUS
SICINIUS. Let's not meet her.
BRUTUS. Why?
SICINIUS. They say she's mad.
BRUTUS. They have ta'en note of us; keep on your way.
VOLUMNIA. O, Y'are well met; th' hoarded plague o' th' gods Requite your
love!
MENENIUS. Peace, peace, be not so loud.
VOLUMNIA. If that I could for weeping, you should hear- Nay, and you shall
hear some. [To BRUTUS] Will you be gone?
VIRGILIA. [To SICINIUS] You shall stay too. I would I had the
power To say so to my husband.
SICINIUS. Are you mankind?
VOLUMNIA. Ay, fool; is that a shame? Note but this, fool: Was not a man my
father? Hadst thou foxship To banish him that struck more blows for Rome Than
thou hast spoken words?
SICINIUS. O blessed heavens!
VOLUMNIA. Moe noble blows than ever thou wise words; And for Rome's good.
I'll tell thee what- yet go! Nay, but thou shalt stay too. I would my son Were
in Arabia, and thy tribe before him, His good sword in his hand.
SICINIUS. What then?
VIRGILIA. What then! He'd make an end of thy posterity.
VOLUMNIA. Bastards and all. Good man, the wounds that he does bear for Rome!
MENENIUS. Come, come, peace.
SICINIUS. I would he had continued to his country As he began, and not unknit
himself The noble knot he made.
BRUTUS. I would he had.
VOLUMNIA. 'I would he had!' 'Twas you incens'd the rabble- Cats that can
judge as fitly of his worth As I can of those mysteries which heaven Will not
have earth to know.
BRUTUS. Pray, let's go.
VOLUMNIA. Now, pray, sir, get you gone; You have done a brave deed. Ere you
go, hear this: As far as doth the Capitol exceed The meanest house in Rome, so
far my son- This lady's husband here, this, do you see?- Whom you have banish'd
does exceed you an.
BRUTUS. Well, well, we'll leave you.
SICINIUS. Why stay we to be baited With one that wants her wits?Exeunt
TRIBUNES
VOLUMNIA. Take my prayers with you. I would the gods had nothing else to do
But to confirm my curses. Could I meet 'em But once a day, it would unclog my
heart Of what lies heavy to't.
MENENIUS. You have told them home, And, by my troth, you have cause. You'll
sup with me?
VOLUMNIA. Anger's my meat; I sup upon myself, And so shall starve with
feeding. Come, let's go. Leave this faint puling and lament as I do, In anger,
Juno-like. Come, come, come. Exeunt VOLUMNIA and VIRGILIA
MENENIUS. Fie, fie, fie! Exit SCENE III. A highway between Rome and Antium
Enter a ROMAN and a VOLSCE, meeting
ROMAN. I know you well, sir, and you know me; your name, I think, is Adrian.
VOLSCE. It is so, sir. Truly, I have forgot you.
ROMAN. I am a Roman; and my services are, as you are, against 'em. Know you
me yet?
VOLSCE. Nicanor? No!
ROMAN. The same, sir.
VOLSCE. YOU had more beard when I last saw you, but your favour is well
appear'd by your tongue. What's the news in Rome? I have a note from the
Volscian state, to find you out there. You have well saved me a day's journey.
ROMAN. There hath been in Rome strange insurrections: the people against the
senators, patricians, and nobles.
VOLSCE. Hath been! Is it ended, then? Our state thinks not so; they are in a
most warlike preparation, and hope to come upon them in the heat of their
division.
ROMAN. The main blaze of it is past, but a small thing would make it flame
again; for the nobles receive so to heart the banishment of that worthy
Coriolanus that they are in a ripe aptness to take all power from the people,
and to pluck from them their tribunes for ever. This lies glowing, I can tell
you, and is almost mature for the violent breaking out.
VOLSCE. Coriolanus banish'd!
ROMAN. Banish'd, sir.
VOLSCE. You will be welcome with this intelligence, Nicanor.
ROMAN. The day serves well for them now. I have heard it said the fittest
time to corrupt a man's wife is when she's fall'n out with her husband. Your
noble Tullus Aufidius will appear well in these wars, his great opposer,
Coriolanus, being now in no request of his country.
VOLSCE. He cannot choose. I am most fortunate thus accidentally to encounter
you; you have ended my business, and I will merrily accompany you home.
ROMAN. I shall between this and supper tell you most strange things from
Rome, all tending to the good of their adversaries. Have you an army ready, say
you?
VOLSCE. A most royal one: the centurions and their charges, distinctly
billeted, already in th' entertainment, and to be on foot at an hour's warning.
ROMAN. I am joyful to hear of their readiness, and am the man, I think, that
shall set them in present action. So, sir, heartily well met, and most glad of
your company.
VOLSCE. You take my part from me, sir. I have the most cause to be glad of
yours.
ROMAN. Well, let us go together.
SCENE IV.
Antium. Before AUFIDIUS' house
Enter CORIOLANUS, in mean apparel, disguis'd and muffled
CORIOLANUS. A goodly city is this Antium. City, 'Tis I that made thy widows:
many an heir Of these fair edifices fore my wars Have I heard groan and drop.
Then know me not. Lest that thy wives with spits and boys with stones, In puny
battle slay me.
Enter A CITIZEN
Save you, sir.
CITIZEN. And you.
CORIOLANUS. Direct me, if it be your will, Where great Aufidius lies. Is he
in Antium?
CITIZEN. He is, and feasts the nobles of the state At his house this night.
CORIOLANUS. Which is his house, beseech you?
CITIZEN. This here before you.
CORIOLANUS. Thank you, sir; farewell. Exit CITIZEN O world, thy slippery
turns! Friends now fast sworn, Whose double bosoms seems to wear one heart,
Whose hours, whose bed, whose meal and exercise Are still together, who twin, as
'twere, in love, Unseparable, shall within this hour, On a dissension of a doit,
break out To bitterest enmity; so fellest foes, Whose passions and whose plots
have broke their sleep To take the one the other, by some chance, Some trick not
worth an egg, shall grow dear friends And interjoin their issues. So with me: My
birthplace hate I, and my love's upon This enemy town. I'll enter. If he slay
me, He does fair justice: if he give me way, I'll do his country service. SCENE
V. Antium. AUFIDIUS' house
Music plays. Enter A SERVINGMAN
FIRST SERVANT. Wine, wine, wine! What service is here! I think our fellows
are asleep. Exit
Enter another SERVINGMAN
SECOND SERVANT.Where's Cotus? My master calls for him. Cotus! Exit
Enter CORIOLANUS
CORIOLANUS. A goodly house. The feast smells well, but I Appear not like a
guest.
Re-enter the first SERVINGMAN
FIRST SERVANT. What would you have, friend? Whence are you? Here's no place
for you: pray go to the door. Exit
CORIOLANUS. I have deserv'd no better entertainment In being Coriolanus.
Re-enter second SERVINGMAN
SECOND SERVANT. Whence are you, sir? Has the porter his eyes in his head that
he gives entrance to such companions? Pray get you out.
CORIOLANUS. Away!
SECOND SERVANT. Away? Get you away.
CORIOLANUS. Now th' art troublesome.
SECOND SERVANT. Are you so brave? I'll have you talk'd with anon.
Enter a third SERVINGMAN. The first meets him
THIRD SERVANT. What fellow's this?
FIRST SERVANT. A strange one as ever I look'd on. I cannot get him out o' th'
house. Prithee call my master to him.
THIRD SERVANT. What have you to do here, fellow? Pray you avoid the house.
CORIOLANUS. Let me but stand- I will not hurt your hearth.
THIRD SERVANT. What are you?
CORIOLANUS. A gentleman.
THIRD SERVANT. A marv'llous poor one.
CORIOLANUS. True, so I am.
THIRD SERVANT. Pray you, poor gentleman, take up some other station; here's
no place for you. Pray you avoid. Come.
CORIOLANUS. Follow your function, go and batten on cold bits.
[Pushes him away from him]
THIRD SERVANT. What, you will not? Prithee tell my master what a strange
guest he has here.
SECOND SERVANT. And I shall. Exit
THIRD SERVANT. Where dwell'st thou?
CORIOLANUS. Under the canopy.
THIRD SERVANT. Under the canopy?
CORIOLANUS. Ay.
THIRD SERVANT. Where's that?
CORIOLANUS. I' th' city of kites and crows.
THIRD SERVANT. I' th' city of kites and crows! What an ass it is! Then thou
dwell'st with daws too?
CORIOLANUS. No, I serve not thy master.
THIRD SERVANT. How, sir! Do you meddle with my master?
CORIOLANUS. Ay; 'tis an honester service than to meddle with thy mistress.
Thou prat'st and prat'st; serve with thy trencher; hence! [Beats him away]
Enter AUFIDIUS with the second SERVINGMAN
AUFIDIUS. Where is this fellow?
SECOND SERVANT. Here, sir; I'd have beaten him like a dog, but for disturbing
the lords within.
AUFIDIUS. Whence com'st thou? What wouldst thou? Thy name? Why speak'st not?
Speak, man. What's thy name?
CORIOLANUS. [Unmuffling] If, Tullus, Not yet thou know'st me, and, seeing me,
dost not Think me for the man I am, necessity Commands me name myself.
AUFIDIUS. What is thy name?
CORIOLANUS. A name unmusical to the Volscians' ears, And harsh in sound to
thine.
AUFIDIUS. Say, what's thy name? Thou has a grim appearance, and thy face
Bears a command in't; though thy tackle's torn, Thou show'st a noble vessel.
What's thy name?
CORIOLANUS. Prepare thy brow to frown- know'st thou me yet?
AUFIDIUS. I know thee not. Thy name?
CORIOLANUS. My name is Caius Marcius, who hath done To thee particularly, and
to all the Volsces, Great hurt and mischief; thereto witness may My surname,
Coriolanus. The painful service, The extreme dangers, and the drops of blood
Shed for my thankless country, are requited But with that surname- a good memory
And witness of the malice and displeasure Which thou shouldst bear me. Only that
name remains; The cruelty and envy of the people, Permitted by our dastard
nobles, who Have all forsook me, hath devour'd the rest, An suffer'd me by th'
voice of slaves to be Whoop'd out of Rome. Now this extremity Hath brought me to
thy hearth; not out of hope, Mistake me not, to save my life; for if I had
fear'd death, of all the men i' th' world I would have 'voided thee; but in mere
spite, To be full quit of those my banishers, Stand I before thee here. Then if
thou hast A heart of wreak in thee, that wilt revenge Thine own particular
wrongs and stop those maims Of shame seen through thy country, speed thee
straight And make my misery serve thy turn. So use it That my revengeful
services may prove As benefits to thee; for I will fight Against my cank'red
country with the spleen Of all the under fiends. But if so be Thou dar'st not
this, and that to prove more fortunes Th'art tir'd, then, in a word, I also am
Longer to live most weary, and present My throat to thee and to thy ancient
malice; Which not to cut would show thee but a fool, Since I have ever followed
thee with hate, Drawn tuns of blood out of thy country's breast, And cannot live
but to thy shame, unless It be to do thee service.
AUFIDIUS. O Marcius, Marcius! Each word thou hast spoke hath weeded from my
heart A root of ancient envy. If Jupiter Should from yond cloud speak divine
things, And say ''Tis true,' I'd not believe them more Than thee, all noble
Marcius. Let me twine Mine arms about that body, where against My grained ash an
hundred times hath broke And scarr'd the moon with splinters; here I clip The
anvil of my sword, and do contest As hotly and as nobly with thy love As ever in
ambitious strength I did Contend against thy valour. Know thou first, I lov'd
the maid I married; never man Sigh'd truer breath; but that I see thee here,
Thou noble thing, more dances my rapt heart Than when I first my wedded mistress
saw Bestride my threshold. Why, thou Mars, I tell the We have a power on foot,
and I had purpose Once more to hew thy target from thy brawn, Or lose mine arm
for't. Thou hast beat me out Twelve several times, and I have nightly since
Dreamt of encounters 'twixt thyself and me- We have been down together in my
sleep, Unbuckling helms, fisting each other's throat- And wak'd half dead with
nothing. Worthy Marcius, Had we no other quarrel else to Rome but that Thou art
thence banish'd, we would muster all From twelve to seventy, and, pouring war
Into the bowels of ungrateful Rome, Like a bold flood o'erbeat. O, come, go in,
And take our friendly senators by th' hands, Who now are here, taking their
leaves of me Who am prepar'd against your territories, Though not for Rome
itself.
CORIOLANUS. You bless me, gods!
AUFIDIUS. Therefore, most. absolute sir, if thou wilt have The leading of
thine own revenges, take Th' one half of my commission, and set down- As best
thou art experienc'd, since thou know'st Thy country's strength and weakness-
thine own ways, Whether to knock against the gates of Rome, Or rudely visit them
in parts remote To fright them ere destroy. But come in; Let me commend thee
first to those that shall Say yea to thy desires. A thousand welcomes! And more
a friend than e'er an enemy; Yet, Marcius, that was much. Your hand; most
welcome!
Exeunt CORIOLANUS and AUFIDIUS
The two SERVINGMEN come forward
FIRST SERVANT. Here's a strange alteration!
SECOND SERVANT. By my hand, I had thought to have strucken him with a cudgel;
and yet my mind gave me his clothes made a false report of him.
FIRST SERVANT. What an arm he has! He turn'd me about with his finger and his
thumb, as one would set up a top.
SECOND SERVANT. Nay, I knew by his face that there was something in him; he
had, sir, a kind of face, methought- I cannot tell how to term it.
FIRST SERVANT. He had so, looking as it were- Would I were hang'd, but I
thought there was more in him than I could think.
SECOND SERVANT. So did I, I'll be sworn. He is simply the rarest man i' th'
world.
FIRST SERVANT. I think he is; but a greater soldier than he you wot on.
SECOND SERVANT. Who, my master?
FIRST SERVANT. Nay, it's no matter for that.
SECOND SERVANT. Worth six on him.
FIRST SERVANT. Nay, not so neither; but I take him to be the greater soldier.
SECOND SERVANT. Faith, look you, one cannot tell how to say that; for the
defence of a town our general is excellent.
FIRST SERVANT. Ay, and for an assault too.
Re-enter the third SERVINGMAN
THIRD SERVANT. O slaves, I can tell you news- news, you rascals!
BOTH. What, what, what? Let's partake.
THIRD SERVANT. I would not be a Roman, of all nations; I had as lief be a
condemn'd man.
BOTH. Wherefore? wherefore?
THIRD SERVANT. Why, here's he that was wont to thwack our general- Caius
Marcius.
FIRST SERVANT. Why do you say 'thwack our general'?
THIRD SERVANT. I do not say 'thwack our general,' but he was always good
enough for him.
SECOND SERVANT. Come, we are fellows and friends. He was ever too hard for
him, I have heard him say so himself.
FIRST SERVANT. He was too hard for him directly, to say the troth on't;
before Corioli he scotch'd him and notch'd him like a carbonado.
SECOND SERVANT. An he had been cannibally given, he might have broil'd and
eaten him too.
FIRST SERVANT. But more of thy news!
THIRD SERVANT. Why, he is so made on here within as if he were son and heir
to Mars; set at upper end o' th' table; no question asked him by any of the
senators but they stand bald before him. Our general himself makes a mistress of
him, sanctifies himself with's hand, and turns up the white o' th' eye to his
discourse. But the bottom of the news is, our general is cut i' th' middle and
but one half of what he was yesterday, for the other has half by the entreaty
and grant of the whole table. He'll go, he says, and sowl the porter of Rome
gates by th' ears; he will mow all down before him, and leave his passage
poll'd.
SECOND SERVANT. And he's as like to do't as any man I can imagine.
THIRD SERVANT. Do't! He will do't; for look you, sir, he has as many friends
as enemies; which friends, sir, as it were, durst not- look you, sir- show
themselves, as we term it, his friends, whilst he's in directitude.
FIRST SERVANT. Directitude? What's that?
THIRD SERVANT. But when they shall see, sir, his crest up again and the man
in blood, they will out of their burrows, like conies after rain, and revel an
with him.
FIRST SERVANT. But when goes this forward?
THIRD SERVANT. To-morrow, to-day, presently. You shall have the drum struck
up this afternoon; 'tis as it were parcel of their feast, and to be executed ere
they wipe their lips.
SECOND SERVANT. Why, then we shall have a stirring world again. This peace is
nothing but to rust iron, increase tailors, and breed ballad-makers.
FIRST SERVANT. Let me have war, say I; it exceeds peace as far as day does
night; it's spritely, waking, audible, and full of vent. Peace is a very
apoplexy, lethargy; mull'd, deaf, sleepy, insensible; a getter of more bastard
children than war's a destroyer of men.
SECOND SERVANT. 'Tis so; and as war in some sort may be said to be a
ravisher, so it cannot be denied but peace is a great maker of cuckolds.
FIRST SERVANT. Ay, and it makes men hate one another.
THIRD SERVANT. Reason: because they then less need one another. The wars for
my money. I hope to see Romans as cheap as Volscians. They are rising, they are
rising.
BOTH. In, in, in, in! Exeunt
SCENE VI. Rome. A public place
Enter the two Tribunes, SICINIUS and BRUTUS
SICINIUS. We hear not of him, neither need we fear him. His remedies are
tame. The present peace And quietness of the people, which before Were in wild
hurry, here do make his friends Blush that the world goes well; who rather had,
Though they themselves did suffer by't, behold Dissentious numbers pest'ring
streets than see Our tradesmen singing in their shops, and going About their
functions friendly.
Enter MENENIUS
BRUTUS. We stood to't in good time. Is this Menenius?
SICINIUS. 'Tis he, 'tis he. O, he is grown most kind Of late. Hail, sir!
MENENIUS. Hail to you both!
SICINIUS. Your Coriolanus is not much miss'd But with his friends. The
commonwealth doth stand, And so would do, were he more angry at it.
MENENIUS. All's well, and might have been much better He could have
temporiz'd.
SICINIUS. Where is he, hear you?
MENENIUS. Nay, I hear nothing; his mother and his wife Hear nothing from him.
Enter three or four citizens
CITIZENS. The gods preserve you both!
SICINIUS. God-den, our neighbours.
BRUTUS. God-den to you all, god-den to you an.
FIRST CITIZEN. Ourselves, our wives, and children, on our knees Are bound to
pray for you both.
SICINIUS. Live and thrive!
BRUTUS. Farewell, kind neighbours; we wish'd Coriolanus Had lov'd you as we
did.
CITIZENS. Now the gods keep you!
BOTH TRIBUNES. Farewell, farewell. Exeunt citizens
SICINIUS. This is a happier and more comely time Than when these fellows ran
about the streets Crying confusion.
BRUTUS. Caius Marcius was A worthy officer i' the war, but insolent, O'ercome
with pride, ambitious past all thinking, Self-loving-
SICINIUS. And affecting one sole throne, Without assistance.
MENENIUS. I think not so.
SICINIUS. We should by this, to all our lamentation, If he had gone forth
consul, found it so.
BRUTUS. The gods have well prevented it, and Rome Sits safe and still without
him.
Enter an AEDILE
AEDILE. Worthy tribunes, There is a slave, whom we have put in prison,
Reports the Volsces with several powers Are ent'red in the Roman territories,
And with the deepest malice of the war Destroy what lies before 'em.
MENENIUS. 'Tis Aufidius, Who, hearing of our Marcius' banishment, Thrusts
forth his horns again into the world, Which were inshell'd when Marcius stood
for Rome, And durst not once peep out.
SICINIUS. Come, what talk you of Marcius?
BRUTUS. Go see this rumourer whipp'd. It cannot be The Volsces dare break
with us.
MENENIUS. Cannot be! We have record that very well it can; And three examples
of the like hath been Within my age. But reason with the fellow Before you
punish him, where he heard this, Lest you shall chance to whip your information
And beat the messenger who bids beware Of what is to be dreaded.
SICINIUS. Tell not me. I know this cannot be.
BRUTUS. Not Possible.
Enter A MESSENGER
MESSENGER. The nobles in great earnestness are going All to the Senate House;
some news is come That turns their countenances.
SICINIUS. 'Tis this slave- Go whip him fore the people's eyes- his raising,
Nothing but his report.
MESSENGER. Yes, worthy sir, The slave's report is seconded, and more, More
fearful, is deliver'd.
SICINIUS. What more fearful?
MESSENGER. It is spoke freely out of many mouths- How probable I do not know-
that Marcius, Join'd with Aufidius, leads a power 'gainst Rome, And vows revenge
as spacious as between The young'st and oldest thing.
SICINIUS. This is most likely!
BRUTUS. Rais'd only that the weaker sort may wish Good Marcius home again.
SICINIUS. The very trick on 't.
MENENIUS. This is unlikely. He and Aufidius can no more atone Than violent'st
contrariety.
Enter a second MESSENGER
SECOND MESSENGER. You are sent for to the Senate. A fearful army, led by
Caius Marcius Associated with Aufidius, rages Upon our territories, and have
already O'erborne their way, consum'd with fire and took What lay before them.
Enter COMINIUS
COMINIUS. O, you have made good work!
MENENIUS. What news? what news?
COMINIUS. You have holp to ravish your own daughters and To melt the city
leads upon your pates, To see your wives dishonour'd to your noses-
MENENIUS. What's the news? What's the news?
COMINIUS. Your temples burned in their cement, and Your franchises, whereon
you stood, confin'd Into an auger's bore.
MENENIUS. Pray now, your news? You have made fair work, I fear me. Pray, your
news. If Marcius should be join'd wi' th' Volscians-
COMINIUS. If! He is their god; he leads them like a thing Made by some other
deity than Nature, That shapes man better; and they follow him Against us brats
with no less confidence Than boys pursuing summer butterflies, Or butchers
killing flies.
MENENIUS. You have made good work, You and your apron men; you that stood so
much Upon the voice of occupation and The breath of garlic-eaters!
COMINIUS. He'll shake Your Rome about your ears.
MENENIUS. As Hercules Did shake down mellow fruit. You have made fair work!
BRUTUS. But is this true, sir?
COMINIUS. Ay; and you'll look pale Before you find it other. All the regions
Do smilingly revolt, and who resists Are mock'd for valiant ignorance, And
perish constant fools. Who is't can blame him? Your enemies and his find
something in him.
MENENIUS. We are all undone unless The noble man have mercy.
COMINIUS. Who shall ask it? The tribunes cannot do't for shame; the people
Deserve such pity of him as the wolf Does of the shepherds; for his best
friends, if they Should say 'Be good to Rome'- they charg'd him even As those
should do that had deserv'd his hate, And therein show'd fike enemies.
MENENIUS. 'Tis true; If he were putting to my house the brand That should
consume it, I have not the face To say 'Beseech you, cease.' You have made fair
hands, You and your crafts! You have crafted fair!
COMINIUS. You have brought A trembling upon Rome, such as was never S'
incapable of help.
BOTH TRIBUNES. Say not we brought it.
MENENIUS. How! Was't we? We lov'd him, but, like beasts And cowardly nobles,
gave way unto your clusters, Who did hoot him out o' th' city.
COMINIUS. But I fear They'll roar him in again. Tullus Aufidius, The second
name of men, obeys his points As if he were his officer. Desperation Is all the
policy, strength, and defence, That Rome can make against them.
Enter a troop of citizens
MENENIUS. Here comes the clusters. And is Aufidius with him? You are they
That made the air unwholesome when you cast Your stinking greasy caps in hooting
at Coriolanus' exile. Now he's coming, And not a hair upon a soldier's head
Which will not prove a whip; as many coxcombs As you threw caps up will he
tumble down, And pay you for your voices. 'Tis no matter; If he could burn us
all into one coal We have deserv'd it.
PLEBEIANS. Faith, we hear fearful news.
FIRST CITIZEN. For mine own part, When I said banish him, I said 'twas pity.
SECOND CITIZEN. And so did I.
THIRD CITIZEN. And so did I; and, to say the truth, so did very many of us.
That we did, we did for the best; and though we willingly consented to his
banishment, yet it was against our will.
COMINIUS. Y'are goodly things, you voices!
MENENIUS. You have made Good work, you and your cry! Shall's to the Capitol?
COMINIUS. O, ay, what else? Exeunt COMINIUS and MENENIUS
SICINIUS. Go, masters, get you be not dismay'd; These are a side that would
be glad to have This true which they so seem to fear. Go home, And show no sign
of fear.
FIRST CITIZEN. The gods be good to us! Come, masters, let's home. I ever said
we were i' th' wrong when we banish'd him.
SECOND CITIZEN. So did we all. But come, let's home. Exeunt citizens
BRUTUS. I do not like this news.
SICINIUS. Nor I.
BRUTUS. Let's to the Capitol. Would half my wealth Would buy this for a lie!
SICINIUS. Pray let's go.Exeunt
SCENE VII. A camp at a short distance from Rome
Enter AUFIDIUS with his LIEUTENANT
AUFIDIUS. Do they still fly to th' Roman?
LIEUTENANT. I do not know what witchcraft's in him, but Your soldiers use him
as the grace fore meat, Their talk at table, and their thanks at end; And you
are dark'ned in this action, sir, Even by your own.
AUFIDIUS. I cannot help it now, Unless by using means I lame the foot Of our
design. He bears himself more proudlier, Even to my person, than I thought he
would When first I did embrace him; yet his nature In that's no changeling, and
I must excuse What cannot be amended.
LIEUTENANT. Yet I wish, sir- I mean, for your particular- you had not Join'd
in commission with him, but either Had borne the action of yourself, or else To
him had left it solely.
AUFIDIUS. I understand thee well; and be thou sure, When he shall come to his
account, he knows not What I can urge against him. Although it seems, And so he
thinks, and is no less apparent To th' vulgar eye, that he bears all things
fairly And shows good husbandry for the Volscian state, Fights dragon-like, and
does achieve as soon As draw his sword; yet he hath left undone That which shall
break his neck or hazard mine Whene'er we come to our account.
LIEUTENANT. Sir, I beseech you, think you he'll carry Rome?
AUFIDIUS. All places yield to him ere he sits down, And the nobility of Rome
are his; The senators and patricians love him too. The tribunes are no soldiers,
and their people Will be as rash in the repeal as hasty To expel him thence. I
think he'll be to Rome As is the osprey to the fish, who takes it By sovereignty
of nature. First he was A noble servant to them, but he could not Carry his
honours even. Whether 'twas pride, Which out of daily fortune ever taints The
happy man; whether defect of judgment, To fail in the disposing of those chances
Which he was lord of; or whether nature, Not to be other than one thing, not
moving From th' casque to th' cushion, but commanding peace Even with the same
austerity and garb As he controll'd the war; but one of these- As he hath spices
of them all- not all, For I dare so far free him- made him fear'd, So hated, and
so banish'd. But he has a merit To choke it in the utt'rance. So our virtues Lie
in th' interpretation of the time; And power, unto itself most commendable, Hath
not a tomb so evident as a chair T' extol what it hath done. One fire drives out
one fire; one nail, one nail; Rights by rights falter, strengths by strengths do
fail. Come, let's away. When, Caius, Rome is thine, Thou art poor'st of all;
then shortly art thou mine.
Exeunt
ACT V. SCENE I. Rome. A public place
Enter MENENIUS, COMINIUS, SICINIUS and BRUTUS, the two Tribunes, with others
MENENIUS. No, I'll not go. You hear what he hath said Which was sometime his
general, who lov'd him In a most dear particular. He call'd me father; But what
o' that? Go, you that banish'd him: A mile before his tent fall down, and knee
The way into his mercy. Nay, if he coy'd To hear Cominius speak, I'll keep at
home.
COMINIUS. He would not seem to know me.
MENENIUS. Do you hear?
COMINIUS. Yet one time he did call me by my name. I urg'd our old
acquaintance, and the drops That we have bled together. 'Coriolanus' He would
not answer to; forbid all names; He was a kind of nothing, titleless, Till he
had forg'd himself a name i' th' fire Of burning Rome.
MENENIUS. Why, so! You have made good work. A pair of tribunes that have
wrack'd for Rome To make coals cheap- a noble memory!
COMINIUS. I minded him how royal 'twas to pardon When it was less expected;
he replied, It was a bare petition of a state To one whom they had punish'd.
MENENIUS. Very well. Could he say less?
COMINIUS. I offer'd to awaken his regard For's private friends; his answer to
me was, He could not stay to pick them in a pile Of noisome musty chaff. He said
'twas folly, For one poor grain or two, to leave unburnt And still to nose th'
offence.
MENENIUS. For one poor grain or two! I am one of those. His mother, wife, his
child, And this brave fellow too- we are the grains: You are the musty chaff,
and you are smelt Above the moon. We must be burnt for you.
SICINIUS. Nay, pray be patient; if you refuse your aid In this so
never-needed help, yet do not Upbraid's with our distress. But sure, if you
Would be your country's pleader, your good tongue, More than the instant army we
can make, Might stop our countryman.
MENENIUS. No; I'll not meddle.
SICINIUS. Pray you go to him.
MENENIUS. What should I do?
BRUTUS. Only make trial what your love can do For Rome, towards Marcius.
MENENIUS. Well, and say that Marcius Return me, as Cominius is return'd,
Unheard- what then? But as a discontented friend, grief-shot With his
unkindness? Say't be so?
SICINIUS. Yet your good will Must have that thanks from Rome after the
measure As you intended well.
MENENIUS. I'll undertake't; I think he'll hear me. Yet to bite his lip And
hum at good Cominius much unhearts me. He was not taken well: he had not din'd;
The veins unfill'd, our blood is cold, and then We pout upon the morning, are
unapt To give or to forgive; but when we have stuff'd These pipes and these
conveyances of our blood With wine and feeding, we have suppler souls Than in
our priest-like fasts. Therefore I'll watch him Till he be dieted to my request,
And then I'll set upon him.
BRUTUS. You know the very road into his kindness And cannot lose your way.
MENENIUS. Good faith, I'll prove him, Speed how it will. I shall ere long
have knowledge Of my success. Exit
COMINIUS. He'll never hear him.
SICINIUS. Not?
COMINIUS. I tell you he does sit in gold, his eye Red as 'twould burn Rome,
and his injury The gaoler to his pity. I kneel'd before him; 'Twas very faintly
he said 'Rise'; dismiss'd me Thus with his speechless hand. What he would do, He
sent in writing after me; what he would not, Bound with an oath to yield to his
conditions; So that all hope is vain, Unless his noble mother and his wife, Who,
as I hear, mean to solicit him For mercy to his country. Therefore let's hence,
And with our fair entreaties haste them on. Exeunt SCENE II.
The Volscian camp before Rome
Enter MENENIUS to the WATCH on guard
FIRST WATCH. Stay. Whence are you?
SECOND WATCH. Stand, and go back.
MENENIUS. You guard like men, 'tis well; but, by your leave, I am an officer
of state and come To speak with Coriolanus.
FIRST WATCH. From whence?
MENENIUS. From Rome.
FIRST WATCH. YOU may not pass; you must return. Our general Will no more hear
from thence.
SECOND WATCH. You'll see your Rome embrac'd with fire before You'll speak
with Coriolanus.
MENENIUS. Good my friends, If you have heard your general talk of Rome And of
his friends there, it is lots to blanks My name hath touch'd your ears: it is
Menenius.
FIRST WATCH. Be it so; go back. The virtue of your name Is not here passable.
MENENIUS. I tell thee, fellow, Thy general is my lover. I have been The book
of his good acts whence men have read His fame unparallel'd haply amplified; For
I have ever verified my friends- Of whom he's chief- with all the size that
verity Would without lapsing suffer. Nay, sometimes, Like to a bowl upon a
subtle ground, I have tumbled past the throw, and in his praise Have almost
stamp'd the leasing; therefore, fellow, I must have leave to pass.
FIRST WATCH. Faith, sir, if you had told as many lies in his behalf as you
have uttered words in your own, you should not pass here; no, though it were as
virtuous to lie as to live chastely. Therefore go back.
MENENIUS. Prithee, fellow, remember my name is Menenius, always factionary on
the party of your general.
SECOND WATCH. Howsoever you have been his liar, as you say you have, I am one
that, telling true under him, must say you cannot pass. Therefore go back.
MENENIUS. Has he din'd, canst thou tell? For I would not speak with him till
after dinner.
FIRST WATCH. You are a Roman, are you?
MENENIUS. I am as thy general is.
FIRST WATCH. Then you should hate Rome, as he does. Can you, when you have
push'd out your gates the very defender of them, and in a violent popular
ignorance given your enemy your shield, think to front his revenges with the
easy groans of old women, the virginal palms of your daughters, or with the
palsied intercession of such a decay'd dotant as you seem to be? Can you think
to blow out the intended fire your city is ready to flame in with such weak
breath as this? No, you are deceiv'd; therefore back to Rome and prepare for
your execution. You are condemn'd; our general has sworn you out of reprieve and
pardon.
MENENIUS. Sirrah, if thy captain knew I were here, he would use me with
estimation.
FIRST WATCH. Come, my captain knows you not.
MENENIUS. I mean thy general.
FIRST WATCH. My general cares not for you. Back, I say; go, lest I let forth
your half pint of blood. Back- that's the utmost of your having. Back.
MENENIUS. Nay, but fellow, fellow-
Enter CORIOLANUS with AUFIDIUS
CORIOLANUS. What's the matter?
MENENIUS. Now, you companion, I'll say an errand for you; you shall know now
that I am in estimation; you shall perceive that a Jack guardant cannot office
me from my son Coriolanus. Guess but by my entertainment with him if thou
stand'st not i' th' state of hanging, or of some death more long in
spectatorship and crueller in suffering; behold now presently, and swoon for
what's to come upon thee. The glorious gods sit in hourly synod about thy
particular prosperity, and love thee no worse than thy old father Menenius does!
O my son! my son! thou art preparing fire for us; look thee, here's water to
quench it. I was hardly moved to come to thee; but being assured none but myself
could move thee, I have been blown out of your gates with sighs, and conjure
thee to pardon Rome and thy petitionary countrymen. The good gods assuage thy
wrath, and turn the dregs of it upon this varlet here; this, who, like a block,
hath denied my access to thee.
CORIOLANUS. Away!
MENENIUS. How! away!
CORIOLANUS. Wife, mother, child, I know not. My affairs Are servanted to
others. Though I owe My revenge properly, my remission lies In Volscian breasts.
That we have been familiar, Ingrate forgetfulness shall poison rather Than pity
note how much. Therefore be gone. Mine ears against your suits are stronger than
Your gates against my force. Yet, for I lov'd thee, Take this along; I writ it
for thy sake [Gives a letter] And would have sent it. Another word, Menenius, I
will not hear thee speak. This man, Aufidius, Was my belov'd in Rome; yet thou
behold'st.
AUFIDIUS. You keep a constant temper.
Exeunt CORIOLANUS and Aufidius
FIRST WATCH. Now, sir, is your name Menenius?
SECOND WATCH. 'Tis a spell, you see, of much power! You know the way home
again.
FIRST WATCH. Do you hear how we are shent for keeping your greatness back?
SECOND WATCH. What cause, do you think, I have to swoon?
MENENIUS. I neither care for th' world nor your general; for such things as
you, I can scarce think there's any, y'are so slight. He that hath a will to die
by himself fears it not from another. Let your general do his worst. For you, be
that you are, long; and your misery increase with your age! I say to you, as I
was said to: Away! Exit
FIRST WATCH. A noble fellow, I warrant him.
SECOND WATCH. The worthy fellow is our general; he's the rock, the oak not to
be wind-shaken.Exeunt SCENE III. The tent of CORIOLANUS
Enter CORIOLANUS, AUFIDIUS, and others
CORIOLANUS. We will before the walls of Rome to-morrow Set down our host. My
partner in this action, You must report to th' Volscian lords how plainly I have
borne this business.
AUFIDIUS. Only their ends You have respected; stopp'd your ears against The
general suit of Rome; never admitted A private whisper- no, not with such
friends That thought them sure of you.
CORIOLANUS. This last old man, Whom with crack'd heart I have sent to Rome,
Lov'd me above the measure of a father; Nay, godded me indeed. Their latest
refuge Was to send him; for whose old love I have- Though I show'd sourly to
him- once more offer'd The first conditions, which they did refuse And cannot
now accept. To grace him only, That thought he could do more, a very little I
have yielded to; fresh embassies and suits, Nor from the state nor private
friends, hereafter Will I lend ear to. [Shout within] Ha! what shout is this?
Shall I be tempted to infringe my vow In the same time 'tis made? I will not.
Enter, in mourning habits, VIRGILIA, VOLUMNIA, VALERIA,
YOUNG MARCIUS, with attendants
My wife comes foremost, then the honour'd mould Wherein this trunk was
fram'd, and in her hand The grandchild to her blood. But out, affection! All
bond and privilege of nature, break! Let it be virtuous to be obstinate. What is
that curtsy worth? or those doves' eyes, Which can make gods forsworn? I melt,
and am not Of stronger earth than others. My mother bows, As if Olympus to a
molehill should In supplication nod; and my young boy Hath an aspect of
intercession which Great nature cries 'Deny not.' Let the Volsces Plough Rome
and harrow Italy; I'll never Be such a gosling to obey instinct, but stand As if
a man were author of himself And knew no other kin.
VIRGILIA. My lord and husband!
CORIOLANUS. These eyes are not the same I wore in Rome.
VIRGILIA. The sorrow that delivers us thus chang'd Makes you think so.
CORIOLANUS. Like a dull actor now I have forgot my part and I am out, Even to
a full disgrace. Best of my flesh, Forgive my tyranny; but do not say, For that,
'Forgive our Romans.' O, a kiss Long as my exile, sweet as my revenge! Now, by
the jealous queen of heaven, that kiss I carried from thee, dear, and my true
lip Hath virgin'd it e'er since. You gods! I prate, And the most noble mother of
the world Leave unsaluted. Sink, my knee, i' th' earth; [Kneels] Of thy deep
duty more impression show Than that of common sons.
VOLUMNIA. O, stand up blest! Whilst with no softer cushion than the flint I
kneel before thee, and unproperly Show duty, as mistaken all this while Between
the child and parent. [Kneels]
CORIOLANUS. What's this? Your knees to me, to your corrected son? Then let
the pebbles on the hungry beach Fillip the stars; then let the mutinous winds
Strike the proud cedars 'gainst the fiery sun, Murd'ring impossibility, to make
What cannot be slight work.
VOLUMNIA. Thou art my warrior; I holp to frame thee. Do you know this lady?
CORIOLANUS. The noble sister of Publicola, The moon of Rome, chaste as the
icicle That's curdied by the frost from purest snow, And hangs on Dian's temple-
dear Valeria!
VOLUMNIA. This is a poor epitome of yours, Which by th' interpretation of
full time May show like all yourself.
CORIOLANUS. The god of soldiers, With the consent of supreme Jove, inform Thy
thoughts with nobleness, that thou mayst prove To shame unvulnerable, and stick
i' th' wars Like a great sea-mark, standing every flaw, And saving those that
eye thee!
VOLUMNIA. Your knee, sirrah.
CORIOLANUS. That's my brave boy.
VOLUMNIA. Even he, your wife, this lady, and myself, Are suitors to you.
CORIOLANUS. I beseech you, peace! Or, if you'd ask, remember this before: The
thing I have forsworn to grant may never Be held by you denials. Do not bid me
Dismiss my soldiers, or capitulate Again with Rome's mechanics. Tell me not
Wherein I seem unnatural; desire not T'allay my rages and revenges with Your
colder reasons.
VOLUMNIA. O, no more, no more! You have said you will not grant us any thing-
For we have nothing else to ask but that Which you deny already; yet we will
ask, That, if you fail in our request, the blame May hang upon your hardness;
therefore hear us.
CORIOLANUS. Aufidius, and you Volsces, mark; for we'll Hear nought from Rome
in private. Your request?
VOLUMNIA. Should we be silent and not speak, our raiment And state of bodies
would bewray what life We have led since thy exile. Think with thyself How more
unfortunate than all living women Are we come hither; since that thy sight,
which should Make our eyes flow with joy, hearts dance with comforts, Constrains
them weep and shake with fear and sorrow, Making the mother, wife, and child, to
see The son, the husband, and the father, tearing His country's bowels out. And
to poor we Thine enmity's most capital: thou bar'st us Our prayers to the gods,
which is a comfort That all but we enjoy. For how can we, Alas, how can we for
our country pray, Whereto we are bound, together with thy victory, Whereto we
are bound? Alack, or we must lose The country, our dear nurse, or else thy
person, Our comfort in the country. We must find An evident calamity, though we
had Our wish, which side should win; for either thou Must as a foreign recreant
be led With manacles through our streets, or else Triumphantly tread on thy
country's ruin, And bear the palm for having bravely shed Thy wife and
children's blood. For myself, son, I purpose not to wait on fortune till These
wars determine; if I can not persuade thee Rather to show a noble grace to both
parts Than seek the end of one, thou shalt no sooner March to assault thy
country than to tread- Trust to't, thou shalt not- on thy mother's womb That
brought thee to this world.
VIRGILIA. Ay, and mine, That brought you forth this boy to keep your name
Living to time.
BOY. 'A shall not tread on me! I'll run away till I am bigger, but then I'll
fight.
CORIOLANUS. Not of a woman's tenderness to be Requires nor child nor woman's
face to see. I have sat too long.[Rising]
VOLUMNIA. Nay, go not from us thus. If it were so that our request did tend
To save the Romans, thereby to destroy The Volsces whom you serve, you might
condemn us As poisonous of your honour. No, our suit Is that you reconcile them:
while the Volsces May say 'This mercy we have show'd,' the Romans 'This we
receiv'd,' and each in either side Give the all-hail to thee, and cry 'Be blest
For making up this peace!' Thou know'st, great son, The end of war's uncertain;
but this certain, That, if thou conquer Rome, the benefit Which thou shalt
thereby reap is such a name Whose repetition will be dogg'd with curses; Whose
chronicle thus writ: 'The man was noble, But with his last attempt he wip'd it
out, Destroy'd his country, and his name remains To th' ensuing age abhorr'd.'
Speak to me, son. Thou hast affected the fine strains of honour, To imitate the
graces of the gods, To tear with thunder the wide cheeks o' th' air, And yet to
charge thy sulphur with a bolt That should but rive an oak. Why dost not speak?
Think'st thou it honourable for a noble man Still to remember wrongs? Daughter,
speak you: He cares not for your weeping. Speak thou, boy; Perhaps thy
childishness will move him more Than can our reasons. There's no man in the
world More bound to's mother, yet here he lets me prate Like one i' th' stocks.
Thou hast never in thy life Show'd thy dear mother any courtesy, When she, poor
hen, fond of no second brood, Has cluck'd thee to the wars, and safely home
Loaden with honour. Say my request's unjust, And spurn me back; but if it he not
so, Thou art not honest, and the gods will plague thee, That thou restrain'st
from me the duty which To a mother's part belongs. He turns away. Down, ladies;
let us shame him with our knees. To his surname Coriolanus 'longs more pride
Than pity to our prayers. Down. An end; This is the last. So we will home to
Rome, And die among our neighbours. Nay, behold's! This boy, that cannot tell
what he would have But kneels and holds up hands for fellowship, Does reason our
petition with more strength Than thou hast to deny't. Come, let us go. This
fellow had a Volscian to his mother; His wife is in Corioli, and his child Like
him by chance. Yet give us our dispatch. I am hush'd until our city be afire,
And then I'll speak a little.
[He holds her by the hand, silent]
CORIOLANUS. O mother, mother! What have you done? Behold, the heavens do ope,
The gods look down, and this unnatural scene They laugh at. O my mother, mother!
O! You have won a happy victory to Rome; But for your son- believe it, O,
believe it!- Most dangerously you have with him prevail'd, If not most mortal to
him. But let it come. Aufidius, though I cannot make true wars, I'll frame
convenient peace. Now, good Aufidius, Were you in my stead, would you have heard
A mother less, or granted less, Aufidius?
AUFIDIUS. I was mov'd withal.
CORIOLANUS. I dare be sworn you were! And, sir, it is no little thing to make
Mine eyes to sweat compassion. But, good sir, What peace you'fl make, advise me.
For my part, I'll not to Rome, I'll back with you; and pray you Stand to me in
this cause. O mother! wife!
AUFIDIUS. [Aside] I am glad thou hast set thy mercy and thy
honour At difference in thee. Out of that I'll work Myself a former fortune.
CORIOLANUS. [To the ladies] Ay, by and by; But we will drink together; and
you shall bear A better witness back than words, which we, On like conditions,
will have counter-seal'd. Come, enter with us. Ladies, you deserve To have a
temple built you. All the swords In Italy, and her confederate arms, Could not
have made this peace. Exeunt SCENE IV. Rome. A public place
Enter MENENIUS and SICINIUS
MENENIUS. See you yond coign o' th' Capitol, yond cornerstone?
SICINIUS. Why, what of that?
MENENIUS. If it be possible for you to displace it with your little finger,
there is some hope the ladies of Rome, especially his mother, may prevail with
him. But I say there is no hope in't; our throats are sentenc'd, and stay upon
execution.
SICINIUS. Is't possible that so short a time can alter the condition of a
man?
MENENIUS. There is differency between a grub and a butterfly; yet your
butterfly was a grub. This Marcius is grown from man to dragon; he has wings,
he's more than a creeping thing.
SICINIUS. He lov'd his mother dearly.
MENENIUS. So did he me; and he no more remembers his mother now than an
eight-year-old horse. The tartness of his face sours ripe grapes; when he walks,
he moves like an engine and the ground shrinks before his treading. He is able
to pierce a corslet with his eye, talks like a knell, and his hum is a battery.
He sits in his state as a thing made for Alexander. What he bids be done is
finish'd with his bidding. He wants nothing of a god but eternity, and a heaven
to throne in.
SICINIUS. Yes- mercy, if you report him truly.
MENENIUS. I paint him in the character. Mark what mercy his mother shall
bring from him. There is no more mercy in him than there is milk in a male
tiger; that shall our poor city find. And all this is 'long of you.
SICINIUS. The gods be good unto us!
MENENIUS. No, in such a case the gods will not be good unto us. When we
banish'd him we respected not them; and, he returning to break our necks, they
respect not us.
Enter a MESSENGER
MESSENGER. Sir, if you'd save your life, fly to your house. The plebeians
have got your fellow tribune And hale him up and down; all swearing if The Roman
ladies bring not comfort home They'll give him death by inches.
Enter another MESSENGER
SICINIUS. What's the news?
SECOND MESSENGER. Good news, good news! The ladies have prevail'd, The
Volscians are dislodg'd, and Marcius gone. A merrier day did never yet greet
Rome, No, not th' expulsion of the Tarquins.
SICINIUS. Friend, Art thou certain this is true? Is't most certain?
SECOND MESSENGER. As certain as I know the sun is fire. Where have you
lurk'd, that you make doubt of it? Ne'er through an arch so hurried the blown
tide As the recomforted through th' gates. Why, hark you!
[Trumpets, hautboys, drums beat, all together] The trumpets, sackbuts,
psalteries, and fifes, Tabors and cymbals, and the shouting Romans, Make the sun
dance. Hark you! [A shout within]
MENENIUS. This is good news. I will go meet the ladies. This Volumnia Is
worth of consuls, senators, patricians, A city full; of tribunes such as you, A
sea and land full. You have pray'd well to-day: This morning for ten thousand of
your throats I'd not have given a doit. Hark, how they joy!
[Sound still with the shouts]
SICINIUS. First, the gods bless you for your tidings; next, Accept my
thankfulness.
SECOND MESSENGER. Sir, we have all Great cause to give great thanks.
SICINIUS. They are near the city?
MESSENGER. Almost at point to enter.
SICINIUS. We'll meet them, And help the joy. Exeunt
SCENE V.
Rome. A street near the gate
Enter two SENATORS With VOLUMNIA, VIRGILIA, VALERIA, passing over the stage,
'With other LORDS
FIRST SENATOR. Behold our patroness, the life of Rome! Call all your tribes
together, praise the gods, And make triumphant fires; strew flowers before them.
Unshout the noise that banish'd Marcius, Repeal him with the welcome of his
mother;
ALL. Welcome, ladies, welcome! [A flourish with drums and trumpets. Exeunt]
SCENE VI. Corioli. A public place
Enter TULLUS AUFIDIUS with attendents
AUFIDIUS. Go tell the lords o' th' city I am here; Deliver them this paper'
having read it, Bid them repair to th' market-place, where I, Even in theirs and
in the commons' ears, Will vouch the truth of it. Him I accuse The city ports by
this hath enter'd and Intends t' appear before the people, hoping To purge
himself with words. Dispatch.
Exeunt attendants
Enter three or four CONSPIRATORS of AUFIDIUS' faction
Most welcome!
FIRST CONSPIRATOR. How is it with our general?
AUFIDIUS. Even so As with a man by his own alms empoison'd, And with his
charity slain.
SECOND CONSPIRATOR. Most noble sir, If you do hold the same intent wherein
You wish'd us parties, we'll deliver you Of your great danger.
AUFIDIUS. Sir, I cannot tell; We must proceed as we do find the people.
THIRD CONSPIRATOR. The people will remain uncertain whilst 'Twixt you there's
difference; but the fall of either Makes the survivor heir of all.
AUFIDIUS. I know it; And my pretext to strike at him admits A good
construction. I rais'd him, and I pawn'd Mine honour for his truth; who being so
heighten'd, He watered his new plants with dews of flattery, Seducing so my
friends; and to this end He bow'd his nature, never known before But to be
rough, unswayable, and free.
THIRD CONSPIRATOR. Sir, his stoutness When he did stand for consul, which he
lost By lack of stooping-
AUFIDIUS. That I would have spoken of. Being banish'd for't, he came unto my
hearth, Presented to my knife his throat. I took him; Made him joint-servant
with me; gave him way In all his own desires; nay, let him choose Out of my
files, his projects to accomplish, My best and freshest men; serv'd his
designments In mine own person; holp to reap the fame Which he did end all his,
and took some pride To do myself this wrong. Till, at the last, I seem'd his
follower, not partner; and He wag'd me with his countenance as if I had been
mercenary.
FIRST CONSPIRATOR. So he did, my lord. The army marvell'd at it; and, in the
last, When he had carried Rome and that we look'd For no less spoil than glory-
AUFIDIUS. There was it; For which my sinews shall be stretch'd upon him. At a
few drops of women's rheum, which are As cheap as lies, he sold the blood and
labour Of our great action; therefore shall he die, And I'll renew me in his
fall. But, hark!
[Drums and trumpets sound, with great shouts of the people]
FIRST CONSPIRATOR. Your native town you enter'd like a post, And had no
welcomes home; but he returns Splitting the air with noise.
SECOND CONSPIRATOR. And patient fools, Whose children he hath slain, their
base throats tear With giving him glory.
THIRD CONSPIRATOR. Therefore, at your vantage, Ere he express himself or move
the people With what he would say, let him feel your sword, Which we will
second. When he lies along, After your way his tale pronounc'd shall bury His
reasons with his body.
AUFIDIUS. Say no more: Here come the lords.
Enter the LORDS of the city
LORDS. You are most welcome home.
AUFIDIUS. I have not deserv'd it. But, worthy lords, have you with heed
perused What I have written to you?
LORDS. We have.
FIRST LORD. And grieve to hear't. What faults he made before the last, I
think Might have found easy fines; but there to end Where he was to begin, and
give away The benefit of our levies, answering us With our own charge, making a
treaty where There was a yielding- this admits no excuse.
AUFIDIUS. He approaches; you shall hear him.
Enter CORIOLANUS, marching with drum and colours;
the commoners being with him
CORIOLANUS. Hail, lords! I am return'd your soldier; No more infected with my
country's love Than when I parted hence, but still subsisting Under your great
command. You are to know That prosperously I have attempted, and With bloody
passage led your wars even to The gates of Rome. Our spoils we have brought home
Doth more than counterpoise a full third part The charges of the action. We have
made peace With no less honour to the Antiates Than shame to th' Romans; and we
here deliver, Subscrib'd by th' consuls and patricians, Together with the seal
o' th' Senate, what We have compounded on.
AUFIDIUS. Read it not, noble lords; But tell the traitor in the highest
degree He hath abus'd your powers.
CORIOLANUS. Traitor! How now?
AUFIDIUS. Ay, traitor, Marcius.
CORIOLANUS. Marcius!
AUFIDIUS. Ay, Marcius, Caius Marcius! Dost thou think I'll grace thee with
that robbery, thy stol'n name Coriolanus, in Corioli? You lords and heads o' th'
state, perfidiously He has betray'd your business and given up, For certain
drops of salt, your city Rome- I say your city- to his wife and mother; Breaking
his oath and resolution like A twist of rotten silk; never admitting Counsel o'
th' war; but at his nurse's tears He whin'd and roar'd away your victory, That
pages blush'd at him, and men of heart Look'd wond'ring each at others.
CORIOLANUS. Hear'st thou, Mars?
AUFIDIUS. Name not the god, thou boy of tears-
CORIOLANUS. Ha!
AUFIDIUS. -no more.
CORIOLANUS. Measureless liar, thou hast made my heart Too great for what
contains it. 'Boy'! O slave! Pardon me, lords, 'tis the first time that ever I
was forc'd to scold. Your judgments, my grave lords, Must give this cur the lie;
and his own notion- Who wears my stripes impress'd upon him, that Must bear my
beating to his grave- shall join To thrust the lie unto him.
FIRST LORD. Peace, both, and hear me speak.
CORIOLANUS. Cut me to pieces, Volsces; men and lads, Stain all your edges on
me. 'Boy'! False hound! If you have writ your annals true, 'tis there That, like
an eagle in a dove-cote, I Flutter'd your Volscians in Corioli. Alone I did it.
'Boy'!
AUFIDIUS. Why, noble lords, Will you be put in mind of his blind fortune,
Which was your shame, by this unholy braggart, Fore your own eyes and ears?
CONSPIRATORS. Let him die for't.
ALL THE PEOPLE. Tear him to pieces. Do it presently. He kill'd my son. My
daughter. He kill'd my cousin Marcus. He kill'd my father.
SECOND LORD. Peace, ho! No outrage- peace! The man is noble, and his fame
folds in This orb o' th' earth. His last offences to us Shall have judicious
hearing. Stand, Aufidius, And trouble not the peace.
CORIOLANUS. O that I had him, With six Aufidiuses, or more- his tribe, To use
my lawful sword!
AUFIDIUS. Insolent villain!
CONSPIRATORS. Kill, kill, kill, kill, kill him!
[The CONSPIRATORS draw and kill CORIOLANUS,who falls. AUFIDIUS stands on him]
LORDS. Hold, hold, hold, hold!
AUFIDIUS. My noble masters, hear me speak.
FIRST LORD. O Tullus!
SECOND LORD. Thou hast done a deed whereat valour will weep.
THIRD LORD. Tread not upon him. Masters all, be quiet; Put up your swords.
AUFIDIUS. My lords, when you shall know- as in this rage, Provok'd by him,
you cannot- the great danger Which this man's life did owe you, you'll rejoice
That he is thus cut off. Please it your honours To call me to your Senate, I'll
deliver Myself your loyal servant, or endure Your heaviest censure.
FIRST LORD. Bear from hence his body, And mourn you for him. Let him be
regarded As the most noble corse that ever herald Did follow to his um.
SECOND LORD. His own impatience Takes from Aufidius a great part of blame.
Let's make the best of it.
AUFIDIUS. My rage is gone, And I am struck with sorrow. Take him up. Help,
three o' th' chiefest soldiers; I'll be one. Beat thou the drum, that it speak
mournfully; Trail your steel pikes. Though in this city he Hath widowed and
unchilded many a one, Which to this hour bewail the injury, Yet he shall have a
noble memory. Assist. Exeunt, bearing the body of CORIOLANUS
[A dead march sounded]
-THE END-
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