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Subject: Re: [docbook-publishers] slight problem with publishers.rnc
//Folks, here's an update on the publishers.rnc. I figured out the error message (forgot the element decl for linegroup!). In my example content, there are some stage directions within the dialogue. As such, I think we should allow para in dialogue. Are there others that should be allowed? Is there a better pattern that we should allow (db.all.blocks or db.para.blocks, perhaps?) Best regards, --Scott Scott Hudson wrote: > Folks, > > still running into some issues with the RNC. Please find the RNC and > content sample attached. I'm getting the following errors: > Location: 709:24 > Description: unfinished element "dialogue": "((mediaobject | (line)+ | > line))+" required to finish the element > > Location: 711:36 > Description: unknown element "linegroup" from namespace > "http://docbook.org/ns/docbook" > > --Scott > > * Scott Hudson* > / Senior XML Architect/ > > scott.hudson@FlatironsSolutions.com > <mailto:scott.hudson@FlatironsSolutions.com> > > > > O: 303.542.2146 > > C: 303.332.1883 > > F: 303.544.0522 > > > > www.FlatironsSolutions.com <http://www.flatironssolutions.com/> > > / An Inc. 500 Company/ > > / / > > > > Dave Pawson wrote: > >> 2008/5/22 Scott Hudson <scott.hudson@flatironssolutions.com>: >> >> >>> Ahem. Looks like we forgot to define where dialogue and poetry should be >>> allowed! Try to validate the attached sample and you get: >>> unknown element "dialogue" from namespace "http://docbook.org/ns/docbook" >>> >>> Suggestions? >>> >>> >> Anywhere where a 'major' block can go. Should be as a sibling to the >> list elements? >> Para won't do, since I can put a para in a list, table cell etc. >> >> db.nopara.blocks would be right... except it's included in db.para (yuk) >> db.all.blocks perhaps >> or db.formal.blocks (are they the same class as the 'formal' set? Both >> can have titles) >> >> regards >> >> >> -- >> Dave Pawson >> XSLT XSL-FO FAQ. >> http://www.dpawson.co.uk >> >>
# This file is a customization of DocBook V5.0 created by the # OASIS DocBook Publishers Subcommittee. # # Copyright 1992-2007 HaL Computer Systems, Inc., # O'Reilly & Associates, Inc., ArborText, Inc., Fujitsu Software # Corporation, Norman Walsh, Sun Microsystems, Inc., and the # Organization for the Advancement of Structured Information # Standards (OASIS). # # Release: $Id: publishers.rnc 7466 2007-09-27 14:03:55Z shudson310 $ # # Permission to use, copy, modify and distribute the DocBook schema # and its accompanying documentation for any purpose and without fee # is hereby granted in perpetuity, provided that the above copyright # notice and this paragraph appear in all copies. The copyright # holders make no representation about the suitability of the schema # for any purpose. It is provided "as is" without expressed or implied # warranty. # # If you modify the DocBook schema in any way, label your schema as a # variant of DocBook. See the reference documentation # (http://docbook.org/tdg5/en/html/ch05.html#s-notdocbook) # for more information. # # Please direct all questions, bug reports, or suggestions for changes # to the docbook@lists.oasis-open.org mailing list. For more # information, see http://www.oasis-open.org/docbook/. # # ====================================================================== namespace ctrl = "http://nwalsh.com/xmlns/schema-control/" namespace rng = "http://relaxng.org/ns/structure/1.0" namespace s = "http://www.ascc.net/xml/schematron" namespace db = "http://docbook.org/ns/docbook" default namespace = "http://docbook.org/ns/docbook" start = db.set | db.book | db.divisions | db.components | db.navigation.components | db.section | db.para include "core.rnc" { start |= notAllowed db.sidebar |= notAllowed db.person |= notAllowed db.org |= notAllowed db.parameter = notAllowed db.info.extension |= notAllowed db.extension.blocks |= notAllowed } include "dc.rnc" {start |= notAllowed} include "dcterms.rnc" {start |= notAllowed} include "dcmitype.rnc" db.info.extension = db._any | dc.title | dc.creator | dc.subject | dc.description | dc.publisher | dc.contributor | dc.date | dc.type | dc.format | dc.identifier | dc.source | dc.language | dc.relation | dc.coverage | dc.rights | dcterms.alternative | dcterms.tableOfContents | dcterms.abstract | dcterms.created | dcterms.valid | dcterms.available | dcterms.issued | dcterms.modified | dcterms.dateAccepted | dcterms.dateCopyrighted | dcterms.dateSubmitted | dcterms.extent | dcterms.medium | dcterms.isVersionOf | dcterms.hasVersion | dcterms.isReplacedBy | dcterms.replaces | dcterms.isRequiredBy | dcterms.requires | dcterms.isPartOf | dcterms.hasPart | dcterms.isReferencedBy | dcterms.references | dcterms.isFormatOf | dcterms.hasFormat | dcterms.conformsTo | dcterms.spatial | dcterms.temporal | dcterms.audience | dcterms.accrualMethod | dcterms.accrualPeriodicity | dcterms.accrualPolicy | dcterms.instructionalMethod | dcterms.provenance | dcterms.rightsHolder | dcterms.mediator | dcterms.educationLevel | dcterms.accessRights | dcterms.license | dcterms.bibliographicCitation db.extension.blocks = db.dialogue | db.poetry db.sidebar = element sidebar { db.sidebar.attlist, db.sidebar.info, db.all.blocks+, db.recursive.sections* } db.person = element person { db.person.attlist, db.personname, (db.address|db.affiliation|db.email|db.uri|db.personblurb|db.mediaobject)* } db.org = element org { db.org.attlist, db.orgname, (db.address|db.affiliation|db.email|db.uri|db.orgdiv|db.mediaobject)* } db.speaker.role.attribute = attribute role { text } db.speaker = element speaker { (db.speaker.role.attribute? | db.person | text)* } db.line = element line { db.all.inlines } db.linegroup = element linegroup { db.speaker? & db.line+ } db.poetry = element poetry { db.poetry.attlist, db.poetry.info?, (db.mediaobject|db.linegroup|db.line)+ } db.dialogue = element dialogue { db.dialogue.attlist, db.dialogue.info?, (db.mediaobject|db.linegroup|db.line)+ } db.dialogue.info = db._info.title.only db.dialogue.role.attribute = attribute role { text } db.dialogue.attlist = db.dialogue.role.attribute? & db.common.attributes & db.common.linking.attributes db.poetry.info = db._info.title.only db.poetry.role.attribute = attribute role { text } db.poetry.attlist = db.poetry.role.attribute? & db.common.attributes & db.common.linking.attributes
<?xml version="1.0"?> <?oxygen RNGSchema="../../../../../../../../standards/DocBook/sourceforge/src/publishers.rnc" type="compact"?> <book xmlns="http://docbook.org/ns/docbook" version="5.0" role="play"> <title>The Tragedy of Coriolanus</title> <info> <author><personname><firstname>William</firstname><surname>Shakespeare</surname></personname></author> <legalnotice> <para>ASCII text placed in the public domain by Moby Lexical Tools, 1992.</para> <para>source SGML markup by Jon Bosak, 1992-1994.</para> <para>source XML version by Jon Bosak, 1996-1999.</para> <para>The XML markup in this version is derived from coriolan.xml Copyright © 1999 Jon Bosak. This work may freely be distributed on condition that it not be modified or altered in any way.</para> </legalnotice> <copyright><year>2008</year><holder>Scott Hudson</holder></copyright> </info> <preface> <title>Dramatis Personae</title> <para><personname role="persona">CAIUS MARCIUS</personname>, Afterwards <personname role="persona">CAIUS MARCIUS CORIOLANUS</personname>.</para> <simplelist columns="2"><member> <personname role="persona">TITUS LARTIUS</personname> <personname role="persona">COMINIUS</personname> </member> <member>generals against the Volscians.</member> </simplelist> <para><personname role="persona">MENENIUS AGRIPPA</personname>, friend to Coriolanus.</para> <simplelist columns="2"> <member><personname role="persona">SICINIUS VELUTUS</personname> <personname role="persona">JUNIUS BRUTUS</personname></member> <member>tribunes of the people.</member> </simplelist> <para>Young <personname role="persona">MARCUS</personname>, son to Coriolanus.</para> <para><personname role="persona">A Roman Herald. </personname></para> <para><personname role="persona">TULLUS AUFIDIUS, general of the Volscians. </personname></para> <para><personname role="persona">Lieutenant to Aufidius. </personname></para> <para><personname role="persona">Conspirators with Aufidius.</personname></para> <para><personname role="persona">A Citizen of Antium.</personname></para> <para><personname role="persona">Two Volscian Guards.</personname></para> <para><personname role="persona">VOLUMNIA, mother to Coriolanus.</personname></para> <para><personname role="persona">VIRGILIA, wife to Coriolanus.</personname></para> <para><personname role="persona">VALERIA, friend to Virgilia.</personname></para> <para><personname role="persona">Gentlewoman, attending on Virgilia. </personname></para> <para><personname role="persona">Roman and Volscian Senators, Patricians, Aediles, Lictors, Soldiers, Citizens, Messengers, Servants to Aufidius, and other Attendants.</personname></para> <para role="SCNDESCR">SCENE Rome and the neighbourhood; Corioli and the neighbourhood; Antium.</para> </preface> <chapter role="act"><title>ACT I</title> <section role="scene"><title>SCENE I. Rome. A street.</title> <para role="stagedir">Enter a company of mutinous Citizens, with staves, clubs, and other weapons</para> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup> <speaker role="speaker">First Citizen</speaker> <line>Before we proceed any further, hear me speak.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup> <speaker role="speaker">All</speaker> <line>Speak, speak.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">First Citizen</speaker> <line>You are all resolved rather to die than to famish?</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">All</speaker> <line>Resolved. resolved.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">First Citizen</speaker> <line>First, you know Caius Marcius is chief enemy to the people.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">All</speaker> <line>We know't, we know't.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">First Citizen</speaker> <line>Let us kill him, and we'll have corn at our own price.</line> <line>Is't a verdict?</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">All</speaker> <line>No more talking on't; let it be done: away, away!</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">Second Citizen</speaker> <line>One word, good citizens.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">First Citizen</speaker> <line>We are accounted poor citizens, the patricians good.</line> <line>What authority surfeits on would relieve us: if they</line> <line>would yield us but the superfluity, while it were</line> <line>wholesome, we might guess they relieved us humanely;</line> <line>but they think we are too dear: the leanness that</line> <line>afflicts us, the object of our misery, is as an</line> <line>inventory to particularise their abundance; our</line> <line>sufferance is a gain to them Let us revenge this with</line> <line>our pikes, ere we become rakes: for the gods know I</line> <line>speak this in hunger for bread, not in thirst for revenge.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">Second Citizen</speaker> <line>Would you proceed especially against Caius Marcius?</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">All</speaker> <line>Against him first: he's a very dog to the commonalty.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">Second Citizen</speaker> <line>Consider you what services he has done for his country?</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">First Citizen</speaker> <line>Very well; and could be content to give him good</line> <line>report fort, but that he pays himself with being proud.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">Second Citizen</speaker> <line>Nay, but speak not maliciously.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">First Citizen</speaker> <line>I say unto you, what he hath done famously, he did</line> <line>it to that end: though soft-conscienced men can be</line> <line>content to say it was for his country he did it to</line> <line>please his mother and to be partly proud; which he</line> <line>is, even till the altitude of his virtue.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">Second Citizen</speaker> <line>What he cannot help in his nature, you account a</line> <line>vice in him. You must in no way say he is covetous.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">First Citizen</speaker> <line>If I must not, I need not be barren of accusations;</line> <line>he hath faults, with surplus, to tire in repetition.</line> <para role="stagedir">Shouts within</para> <line>What shouts are these? The other side o' the city</line> <line>is risen: why stay we prating here? to the Capitol!</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">All</speaker> <line>Come, come.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">First Citizen</speaker> <line>Soft! who comes here?</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <para role="stagedir">Enter MENENIUS AGRIPPA</para> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">Second Citizen</speaker> <line>Worthy Menenius Agrippa; one that hath always loved</line> <line>the people.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">First Citizen</speaker> <line>He's one honest enough: would all the rest were so!</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MENENIUS</speaker> <line>What work's, my countrymen, in hand? where go you</line> <line>With bats and clubs? The matter? speak, I pray you.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">First Citizen</speaker> <line>Our business is not unknown to the senate; they have</line> <line>had inkling this fortnight what we intend to do,</line> <line>which now we'll show 'em in deeds. They say poor</line> <line>suitors have strong breaths: they shall know we</line> <line>have strong arms too.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MENENIUS</speaker> <line>Why, masters, my good friends, mine honest neighbours,</line> <line>Will you undo yourselves?</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">First Citizen</speaker> <line>We cannot, sir, we are undone already.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MENENIUS</speaker> <line>I tell you, friends, most charitable care</line> <line>Have the patricians of you. For your wants,</line> <line>Your suffering in this dearth, you may as well</line> <line>Strike at the heaven with your staves as lift them</line> <line>Against the Roman state, whose course will on</line> <line>The way it takes, cracking ten thousand curbs</line> <line>Of more strong link asunder than can ever</line> <line>Appear in your impediment. For the dearth,</line> <line>The gods, not the patricians, make it, and</line> <line>Your knees to them, not arms, must help. Alack,</line> <line>You are transported by calamity</line> <line>Thither where more attends you, and you slander</line> <line>The helms o' the state, who care for you like fathers,</line> <line>When you curse them as enemies.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">First Citizen</speaker> <line>Care for us! True, indeed! They ne'er cared for us</line> <line>yet: suffer us to famish, and their store-houses</line> <line>crammed with grain; make edicts for usury, to</line> <line>support usurers; repeal daily any wholesome act</line> <line>established against the rich, and provide more</line> <line>piercing statutes daily, to chain up and restrain</line> <line>the poor. If the wars eat us not up, they will; and</line> <line>there's all the love they bear us.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MENENIUS</speaker> <line>Either you must</line> <line>Confess yourselves wondrous malicious,</line> <line>Or be accused of folly. I shall tell you</line> <line>A pretty tale: it may be you have heard it;</line> <line>But, since it serves my purpose, I will venture</line> <line>To stale 't a little more.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">First Citizen</speaker> <line>Well, I'll hear it, sir: yet you must not think to</line> <line>fob off our disgrace with a tale: but, an 't please</line> <line>you, deliver.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MENENIUS</speaker> <line>There was a time when all the body's members</line> <line>Rebell'd against the belly, thus accused it:</line> <line>That only like a gulf it did remain</line> <line>I' the midst o' the body, idle and unactive,</line> <line>Still cupboarding the viand, never bearing</line> <line>Like labour with the rest, where the other instruments</line> <line>Did see and hear, devise, instruct, walk, feel,</line> <line>And, mutually participate, did minister</line> <line>Unto the appetite and affection common</line> <line>Of the whole body. The belly answer'd--</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">First Citizen</speaker> <line>Well, sir, what answer made the belly?</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MENENIUS</speaker> <line>Sir, I shall tell you. With a kind of smile,</line> <line>Which ne'er came from the lungs, but even thus--</line> <line>For, look you, I may make the belly smile</line> <line>As well as speak--it tauntingly replied</line> <line>To the discontented members, the mutinous parts</line> <line>That envied his receipt; even so most fitly</line> <line>As you malign our senators for that</line> <line>They are not such as you.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">First Citizen</speaker> <line>Your belly's answer? What!</line> <line>The kingly-crowned head, the vigilant eye,</line> <line>The counsellor heart, the arm our soldier,</line> <line>Our steed the leg, the tongue our trumpeter.</line> <line>With other muniments and petty helps</line> <line>In this our fabric, if that they--</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MENENIUS</speaker> <line>What then?</line> <line>'Fore me, this fellow speaks! What then? what then?</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">First Citizen</speaker> <line>Should by the cormorant belly be restrain'd,</line> <line>Who is the sink o' the body,--</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MENENIUS</speaker> <line>Well, what then?</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">First Citizen</speaker> <line>The former agents, if they did complain,</line> <line>What could the belly answer?</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MENENIUS</speaker> <line>I will tell you</line> <line>If you'll bestow a small--of what you have little--</line> <line>Patience awhile, you'll hear the belly's answer.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">First Citizen</speaker> <line>Ye're long about it.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MENENIUS</speaker> <line>Note me this, good friend;</line> <line>Your most grave belly was deliberate,</line> <line>Not rash like his accusers, and thus answer'd:</line> <line>'True is it, my incorporate friends,' quoth he,</line> <line>'That I receive the general food at first,</line> <line>Which you do live upon; and fit it is,</line> <line>Because I am the store-house and the shop</line> <line>Of the whole body: but, if you do remember,</line> <line>I send it through the rivers of your blood,</line> <line>Even to the court, the heart, to the seat o' the brain;</line> <line>And, through the cranks and offices of man,</line> <line>The strongest nerves and small inferior veins</line> <line>From me receive that natural competency</line> <line>Whereby they live: and though that all at once,</line> <line>You, my good friends,'--this says the belly, mark me,--</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">First Citizen</speaker> <line>Ay, sir; well, well.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MENENIUS</speaker> <line>'Though all at once cannot</line> <line>See what I do deliver out to each,</line> <line>Yet I can make my audit up, that all</line> <line>From me do back receive the flour of all,</line> <line>And leave me but the bran.' What say you to't?</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">First Citizen</speaker> <line>It was an answer: how apply you this?</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MENENIUS</speaker> <line>The senators of Rome are this good belly,</line> <line>And you the mutinous members; for examine</line> <line>Their counsels and their cares, digest things rightly</line> <line>Touching the weal o' the common, you shall find</line> <line>No public benefit which you receive</line> <line>But it proceeds or comes from them to you</line> <line>And no way from yourselves. What do you think,</line> <line>You, the great toe of this assembly?</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">First Citizen</speaker> <line>I the great toe! why the great toe?</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MENENIUS</speaker> <line>For that, being one o' the lowest, basest, poorest,</line> <line>Of this most wise rebellion, thou go'st foremost:</line> <line>Thou rascal, that art worst in blood to run,</line> <line>Lead'st first to win some vantage.</line> <line>But make you ready your stiff bats and clubs:</line> <line>Rome and her rats are at the point of battle;</line> <line>The one side must have bale.</line> <para role="stagedir">Enter CAIUS MARCIUS</para> <line>Hail, noble Marcius!</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MARCIUS</speaker> <line>Thanks. What's the matter, you dissentious rogues,</line> <line>That, rubbing the poor itch of your opinion,</line> <line>Make yourselves scabs?</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">First Citizen</speaker> <line>We have ever your good word.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MARCIUS</speaker> <line>He that will give good words to thee will flatter</line> <line>Beneath abhorring. What would you have, you curs,</line> <line>That like nor peace nor war? the one affrights you,</line> <line>The other makes you proud. He that trusts to you,</line> <line>Where he should find you lions, finds you hares;</line> <line>Where foxes, geese: you are no surer, no,</line> <line>Than is the coal of fire upon the ice,</line> <line>Or hailstone in the sun. Your virtue is</line> <line>To make him worthy whose offence subdues him</line> <line>And curse that justice did it.</line> <line>Who deserves greatness</line> <line>Deserves your hate; and your affections are</line> <line>A sick man's appetite, who desires most that</line> <line>Which would increase his evil. He that depends</line> <line>Upon your favours swims with fins of lead</line> <line>And hews down oaks with rushes. Hang ye! Trust Ye?</line> <line>With every minute you do change a mind,</line> <line>And call him noble that was now your hate,</line> <line>Him vile that was your garland. What's the matter,</line> <line>That in these several places of the city</line> <line>You cry against the noble senate, who,</line> <line>Under the gods, keep you in awe, which else</line> <line>Would feed on one another? What's their seeking?</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MENENIUS</speaker> <line>For corn at their own rates; whereof, they say,</line> <line>The city is well stored.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MARCIUS</speaker> <line>Hang 'em! They say!</line> <line>They'll sit by the fire, and presume to know</line> <line>What's done i' the Capitol; who's like to rise,</line> <line>Who thrives and who declines; side factions</line> <line>and give out</line> <line>Conjectural marriages; making parties strong</line> <line>And feebling such as stand not in their liking</line> <line>Below their cobbled shoes. They say there's</line> <line>grain enough!</line> <line>Would the nobility lay aside their ruth,</line> <line>And let me use my sword, I'll make a quarry</line> <line>With thousands of these quarter'd slaves, as high</line> <line>As I could pick my lance.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MENENIUS</speaker> <line>Nay, these are almost thoroughly persuaded;</line> <line>For though abundantly they lack discretion,</line> <line>Yet are they passing cowardly. But, I beseech you,</line> <line>What says the other troop?</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MARCIUS</speaker> <line>They are dissolved: hang 'em!</line> <line>They said they were an-hungry; sigh'd forth proverbs,</line> <line>That hunger broke stone walls, that dogs must eat,</line> <line>That meat was made for mouths, that the gods sent not</line> <line>Corn for the rich men only: with these shreds</line> <line>They vented their complainings; which being answer'd,</line> <line>And a petition granted them, a strange one--</line> <line>To break the heart of generosity,</line> <line>And make bold power look pale--they threw their caps</line> <line>As they would hang them on the horns o' the moon,</line> <line>Shouting their emulation.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MENENIUS</speaker> <line>What is granted them?</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MARCIUS</speaker> <line>Five tribunes to defend their vulgar wisdoms,</line> <line>Of their own choice: one's Junius Brutus,</line> <line>Sicinius Velutus, and I know not--'Sdeath!</line> <line>The rabble should have first unroof'd the city,</line> <line>Ere so prevail'd with me: it will in time</line> <line>Win upon power and throw forth greater themes</line> <line>For insurrection's arguing.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MENENIUS</speaker> <line>This is strange.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MARCIUS</speaker> <line>Go, get you home, you fragments!</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <para role="stagedir">Enter a Messenger, hastily</para> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">Messenger</speaker> <line>Where's Caius Marcius?</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MARCIUS</speaker> <line>Here: what's the matter?</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">Messenger</speaker> <line>The news is, sir, the Volsces are in arms.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MARCIUS</speaker> <line>I am glad on 't: then we shall ha' means to vent</line> <line>Our musty superfluity. See, our best elders.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <para role="stagedir">Enter COMINIUS, TITUS LARTIUS, and other Senators; JUNIUS BRUTUS and SICINIUS VELUTUS</para> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">First Senator</speaker> <line>Marcius, 'tis true that you have lately told us;</line> <line>The Volsces are in arms.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MARCIUS</speaker> <line>They have a leader,</line> <line>Tullus Aufidius, that will put you to 't.</line> <line>I sin in envying his nobility,</line> <line>And were I any thing but what I am,</line> <line>I would wish me only he.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">COMINIUS</speaker> <line>You have fought together.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MARCIUS</speaker> <line>Were half to half the world by the ears and he.</line> <line>Upon my party, I'ld revolt to make</line> <line>Only my wars with him: he is a lion</line> <line>That I am proud to hunt.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">First Senator</speaker> <line>Then, worthy Marcius,</line> <line>Attend upon Cominius to these wars.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">COMINIUS</speaker> <line>It is your former promise.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MARCIUS</speaker> <line>Sir, it is;</line> <line>And I am constant. Titus Lartius, thou</line> <line>Shalt see me once more strike at Tullus' face.</line> <line>What, art thou stiff? stand'st out?</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">TITUS</speaker> <line>No, Caius Marcius;</line> <line>I'll lean upon one crutch and fight with t'other,</line> <line>Ere stay behind this business.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MENENIUS</speaker> <line>O, true-bred!</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">First Senator</speaker> <line>Your company to the Capitol; where, I know,</line> <line>Our greatest friends attend us.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">TITUS</speaker> <line><para role="stagedir">To COMINIUS</para> Lead you on.</line> <line><para role="stagedir">To MARCIUS</para> Follow Cominius; we must follow you;</line> <line>Right worthy you priority.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">COMINIUS</speaker> <line>Noble Marcius!</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">First Senator</speaker> <line><para role="stagedir">To the Citizens</para> Hence to your homes; be gone!</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MARCIUS</speaker> <line>Nay, let them follow:</line> <line>The Volsces have much corn; take these rats thither</line> <line>To gnaw their garners. Worshipful mutiners,</line> <line>Your valour puts well forth: pray, follow.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <para role="stagedir">Citizens steal away. Exeunt all but SICINIUS and BRUTUS</para> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">SICINIUS</speaker> <line>Was ever man so proud as is this Marcius?</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">BRUTUS</speaker> <line>He has no equal.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">SICINIUS</speaker> <line>When we were chosen tribunes for the people,--</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">BRUTUS</speaker> <line>Mark'd you his lip and eyes?</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">SICINIUS</speaker> <line>Nay. but his taunts.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">BRUTUS</speaker> <line>Being moved, he will not spare to gird the gods.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">SICINIUS</speaker> <line>Be-mock the modest moon.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">BRUTUS</speaker> <line>The present wars devour him: he is grown</line> <line>Too proud to be so valiant.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">SICINIUS</speaker> <line>Such a nature,</line> <line>Tickled with good success, disdains the shadow</line> <line>Which he treads on at noon: but I do wonder</line> <line>His insolence can brook to be commanded</line> <line>Under Cominius.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">BRUTUS</speaker> <line>Fame, at the which he aims,</line> <line>In whom already he's well graced, can not</line> <line>Better be held nor more attain'd than by</line> <line>A place below the first: for what miscarries</line> <line>Shall be the general's fault, though he perform</line> <line>To the utmost of a man, and giddy censure</line> <line>Will then cry out of Marcius 'O if he</line> <line>Had borne the business!'</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">SICINIUS</speaker> <line>Besides, if things go well,</line> <line>Opinion that so sticks on Marcius shall</line> <line>Of his demerits rob Cominius.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">BRUTUS</speaker> <line>Come:</line> <line>Half all Cominius' honours are to Marcius.</line> <line>Though Marcius earned them not, and all his faults</line> <line>To Marcius shall be honours, though indeed</line> <line>In aught he merit not.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">SICINIUS</speaker> <line>Let's hence, and hear</line> <line>How the dispatch is made, and in what fashion,</line> <line>More than his singularity, he goes</line> <line>Upon this present action.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">BRUTUS</speaker> <line>Lets along.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <para role="stagedir">Exeunt</para> </section> <section role="scene"><title>SCENE II. Corioli. The Senate-house.</title> <para role="stagedir">Enter TULLUS AUFIDIUS and certain Senators</para> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">First Senator</speaker> <line>So, your opinion is, Aufidius,</line> <line>That they of Rome are entered in our counsels</line> <line>And know how we proceed.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">AUFIDIUS</speaker> <line>Is it not yours?</line> <line>What ever have been thought on in this state,</line> <line>That could be brought to bodily act ere Rome</line> <line>Had circumvention? 'Tis not four days gone</line> <line>Since I heard thence; these are the words: I think</line> <line>I have the letter here; yes, here it is.</line> <para role="stagedir">Reads</para> <line>'They have press'd a power, but it is not known</line> <line>Whether for east or west: the dearth is great;</line> <line>The people mutinous; and it is rumour'd,</line> <line>Cominius, Marcius your old enemy,</line> <line>Who is of Rome worse hated than of you,</line> <line>And Titus Lartius, a most valiant Roman,</line> <line>These three lead on this preparation</line> <line>Whither 'tis bent: most likely 'tis for you:</line> <line>Consider of it.'</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">First Senator</speaker> <line>Our army's in the field</line> <line>We never yet made doubt but Rome was ready</line> <line>To answer us.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">AUFIDIUS</speaker> <line>Nor did you think it folly</line> <line>To keep your great pretences veil'd till when</line> <line>They needs must show themselves; which</line> <line>in the hatching,</line> <line>It seem'd, appear'd to Rome. By the discovery.</line> <line>We shall be shorten'd in our aim, which was</line> <line>To take in many towns ere almost Rome</line> <line>Should know we were afoot.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">Second Senator</speaker> <line>Noble Aufidius,</line> <line>Take your commission; hie you to your bands:</line> <line>Let us alone to guard Corioli:</line> <line>If they set down before 's, for the remove</line> <line>Bring your army; but, I think, you'll find</line> <line>They've not prepared for us.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">AUFIDIUS</speaker> <line>O, doubt not that;</line> <line>I speak from certainties. Nay, more,</line> <line>Some parcels of their power are forth already,</line> <line>And only hitherward. I leave your honours.</line> <line>If we and Caius Marcius chance to meet,</line> <line>'Tis sworn between us we shall ever strike</line> <line>Till one can do no more.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">All</speaker> <line>The gods assist you!</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">AUFIDIUS</speaker> <line>And keep your honours safe!</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">First Senator</speaker> <line>Farewell.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">Second Senator</speaker> <line>Farewell.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">All</speaker> <line>Farewell.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <para role="stagedir">Exeunt</para> </section> <section role="scene"><title>SCENE III. Rome. A room in Marcius' house.</title> <para role="stagedir">Enter VOLUMNIA and VIRGILIA they set them down on two low stools, and sew</para> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">VOLUMNIA</speaker> <line>I pray you, daughter, sing; or express yourself in a</line> <line>more comfortable sort: if my son were my husband, I</line> <line>should freelier rejoice in that absence wherein he</line> <line>won honour than in the embracements of his bed where</line> <line>he would show most love. When yet he was but</line> <line>tender-bodied and the only son of my womb, when</line> <line>youth with comeliness plucked all gaze his way, when</line> <line>for a day of kings' entreaties a mother should not</line> <line>sell him an hour from her beholding, I, considering</line> <line>how honour would become such a person. that it was</line> <line>no better than picture-like to hang by the wall, if</line> <line>renown made it not stir, was pleased to let him seek</line> <line>danger where he was like to find fame. To a cruel</line> <line>war I sent him; from whence he returned, his brows</line> <line>bound with oak. I tell thee, daughter, I sprang not</line> <line>more in joy at first hearing he was a man-child</line> <line>than now in first seeing he had proved himself a</line> <line>man.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">VIRGILIA</speaker> <line>But had he died in the business, madam; how then?</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">VOLUMNIA</speaker> <line>Then his good report should have been my son; I</line> <line>therein would have found issue. Hear me profess</line> <line>sincerely: had I a dozen sons, each in my love</line> <line>alike and none less dear than thine and my good</line> <line>Marcius, I had rather had eleven die nobly for their</line> <line>country than one voluptuously surfeit out of action.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <para role="stagedir">Enter a Gentlewoman</para> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">Gentlewoman</speaker> <line>Madam, the Lady Valeria is come to visit you.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">VIRGILIA</speaker> <line>Beseech you, give me leave to retire myself.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">VOLUMNIA</speaker> <line>Indeed, you shall not.</line> <line>Methinks I hear hither your husband's drum,</line> <line>See him pluck Aufidius down by the hair,</line> <line>As children from a bear, the Volsces shunning him:</line> <line>Methinks I see him stamp thus, and call thus:</line> <line>'Come on, you cowards! you were got in fear,</line> <line>Though you were born in Rome:' his bloody brow</line> <line>With his mail'd hand then wiping, forth he goes,</line> <line>Like to a harvest-man that's task'd to mow</line> <line>Or all or lose his hire.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">VIRGILIA</speaker> <line>His bloody brow! O Jupiter, no blood!</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">VOLUMNIA</speaker> <line>Away, you fool! it more becomes a man</line> <line>Than gilt his trophy: the breasts of Hecuba,</line> <line>When she did suckle Hector, look'd not lovelier</line> <line>Than Hector's forehead when it spit forth blood</line> <line>At Grecian sword, contemning. Tell Valeria,</line> <line>We are fit to bid her welcome.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <para role="stagedir">Exit Gentlewoman</para> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">VIRGILIA</speaker> <line>Heavens bless my lord from fell Aufidius!</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">VOLUMNIA</speaker> <line>He'll beat Aufidius 'head below his knee</line> <line>And tread upon his neck.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <para role="stagedir">Enter VALERIA, with an Usher and Gentlewoman</para> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">VALERIA</speaker> <line>My ladies both, good day to you.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">VOLUMNIA</speaker> <line>Sweet madam.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">VIRGILIA</speaker> <line>I am glad to see your ladyship.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">VALERIA</speaker> <line>How do you both? you are manifest house-keepers.</line> <line>What are you sewing here? A fine spot, in good</line> <line>faith. How does your little son?</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">VIRGILIA</speaker> <line>I thank your ladyship; well, good madam.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">VOLUMNIA</speaker> <line>He had rather see the swords, and hear a drum, than</line> <line>look upon his school-master.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">VALERIA</speaker> <line>O' my word, the father's son: I'll swear,'tis a</line> <line>very pretty boy. O' my troth, I looked upon him o'</line> <line>Wednesday half an hour together: has such a</line> <line>confirmed countenance. I saw him run after a gilded</line> <line>butterfly: and when he caught it, he let it go</line> <line>again; and after it again; and over and over he</line> <line>comes, and again; catched it again; or whether his</line> <line>fall enraged him, or how 'twas, he did so set his</line> <line>teeth and tear it; O, I warrant it, how he mammocked</line> <line>it!</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">VOLUMNIA</speaker> <line>One on 's father's moods.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">VALERIA</speaker> <line>Indeed, la, 'tis a noble child.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">VIRGILIA</speaker> <line>A crack, madam.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">VALERIA</speaker> <line>Come, lay aside your stitchery; I must have you play</line> <line>the idle husewife with me this afternoon.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">VIRGILIA</speaker> <line>No, good madam; I will not out of doors.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">VALERIA</speaker> <line>Not out of doors!</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">VOLUMNIA</speaker> <line>She shall, she shall.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">VIRGILIA</speaker> <line>Indeed, no, by your patience; I'll not over the</line> <line>threshold till my lord return from the wars.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">VALERIA</speaker> <line>Fie, you confine yourself most unreasonably: come,</line> <line>you must go visit the good lady that lies in.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">VIRGILIA</speaker> <line>I will wish her speedy strength, and visit her with</line> <line>my prayers; but I cannot go thither.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">VOLUMNIA</speaker> <line>Why, I pray you?</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">VIRGILIA</speaker> <line>'Tis not to save labour, nor that I want love.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">VALERIA</speaker> <line>You would be another Penelope: yet, they say, all</line> <line>the yarn she spun in Ulysses' absence did but fill</line> <line>Ithaca full of moths. Come; I would your cambric</line> <line>were sensible as your finger, that you might leave</line> <line>pricking it for pity. Come, you shall go with us.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">VIRGILIA</speaker> <line>No, good madam, pardon me; indeed, I will not forth.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">VALERIA</speaker> <line>In truth, la, go with me; and I'll tell you</line> <line>excellent news of your husband.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">VIRGILIA</speaker> <line>O, good madam, there can be none yet.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">VALERIA</speaker> <line>Verily, I do not jest with you; there came news from</line> <line>him last night.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">VIRGILIA</speaker> <line>Indeed, madam?</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">VALERIA</speaker> <line>In earnest, it's true; I heard a senator speak it.</line> <line>Thus it is: the Volsces have an army forth; against</line> <line>whom Cominius the general is gone, with one part of</line> <line>our Roman power: your lord and Titus Lartius are set</line> <line>down before their city Corioli; they nothing doubt</line> <line>prevailing and to make it brief wars. This is true,</line> <line>on mine honour; and so, I pray, go with us.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">VIRGILIA</speaker> <line>Give me excuse, good madam; I will obey you in every</line> <line>thing hereafter.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">VOLUMNIA</speaker> <line>Let her alone, lady: as she is now, she will but</line> <line>disease our better mirth.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">VALERIA</speaker> <line>In troth, I think she would. Fare you well, then.</line> <line>Come, good sweet lady. Prithee, Virgilia, turn thy</line> <line>solemness out o' door. and go along with us.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">VIRGILIA</speaker> <line>No, at a word, madam; indeed, I must not. I wish</line> <line>you much mirth.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">VALERIA</speaker> <line>Well, then, farewell.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <para role="stagedir">Exeunt</para> </section> <section role="scene"><title>SCENE IV. Before Corioli.</title> <para role="stagedir">Enter, with drum and colours, MARCIUS, TITUS LARTIUS, Captains and Soldiers. To them a Messenger</para> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MARCIUS</speaker> <line>Yonder comes news. A wager they have met.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">LARTIUS</speaker> <line>My horse to yours, no.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MARCIUS</speaker> <line>'Tis done.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">LARTIUS</speaker> <line>Agreed.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MARCIUS</speaker> <line>Say, has our general met the enemy?</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">Messenger</speaker> <line>They lie in view; but have not spoke as yet.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">LARTIUS</speaker> <line>So, the good horse is mine.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MARCIUS</speaker> <line>I'll buy him of you.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">LARTIUS</speaker> <line>No, I'll nor sell nor give him: lend you him I will</line> <line>For half a hundred years. Summon the town.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MARCIUS</speaker> <line>How far off lie these armies?</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">Messenger</speaker> <line>Within this mile and half.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MARCIUS</speaker> <line>Then shall we hear their 'larum, and they ours.</line> <line>Now, Mars, I prithee, make us quick in work,</line> <line>That we with smoking swords may march from hence,</line> <line>To help our fielded friends! Come, blow thy blast.</line> <para role="stagedir">They sound a parley. Enter two Senators with others on the walls</para> <line>Tutus Aufidius, is he within your walls?</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">First Senator</speaker> <line>No, nor a man that fears you less than he,</line> <line>That's lesser than a little.</line> <para role="stagedir">Drums afar off</para> <line>Hark! our drums</line> <line>Are bringing forth our youth. We'll break our walls,</line> <line>Rather than they shall pound us up: our gates,</line> <line>Which yet seem shut, we, have but pinn'd with rushes;</line> <line>They'll open of themselves.</line> <para role="stagedir">Alarum afar off</para> <line>Hark you. far off!</line> <line>There is Aufidius; list, what work he makes</line> <line>Amongst your cloven army.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MARCIUS</speaker> <line>O, they are at it!</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">LARTIUS</speaker> <line>Their noise be our instruction. Ladders, ho!</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <para role="stagedir">Enter the army of the Volsces</para> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MARCIUS</speaker> <line>They fear us not, but issue forth their city.</line> <line>Now put your shields before your hearts, and fight</line> <line>With hearts more proof than shields. Advance,</line> <line>brave Titus:</line> <line>They do disdain us much beyond our thoughts,</line> <line>Which makes me sweat with wrath. Come on, my fellows:</line> <line>He that retires I'll take him for a Volsce,</line> <line>And he shall feel mine edge.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <para role="stagedir">Alarum. The Romans are beat back to their trenches. Re-enter MARCIUS cursing</para> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MARCIUS</speaker> <line>All the contagion of the south light on you,</line> <line>You shames of Rome! you herd of--Boils and plagues</line> <line>Plaster you o'er, that you may be abhorr'd</line> <line>Further than seen and one infect another</line> <line>Against the wind a mile! You souls of geese,</line> <line>That bear the shapes of men, how have you run</line> <line>From slaves that apes would beat! Pluto and hell!</line> <line>All hurt behind; backs red, and faces pale</line> <line>With flight and agued fear! Mend and charge home,</line> <line>Or, by the fires of heaven, I'll leave the foe</line> <line>And make my wars on you: look to't: come on;</line> <line>If you'll stand fast, we'll beat them to their wives,</line> <line>As they us to our trenches followed.</line> <para role="stagedir">Another alarum. The Volsces fly, and MARCIUS follows them to the gates</para> <line>So, now the gates are ope: now prove good seconds:</line> <line>'Tis for the followers fortune widens them,</line> <line>Not for the fliers: mark me, and do the like.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <para role="stagedir">Enters the gates</para> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">First Soldier</speaker> <line>Fool-hardiness; not I.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">Second Soldier</speaker> <line>Nor I.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <para role="stagedir">MARCIUS is shut in</para> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">First Soldier</speaker> <line>See, they have shut him in.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">All</speaker> <line>To the pot, I warrant him.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <para role="stagedir">Alarum continues</para> <para role="stagedir">Re-enter TITUS LARTIUS</para> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">LARTIUS</speaker> <line>What is become of Marcius?</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">All</speaker> <line>Slain, sir, doubtless.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">First Soldier</speaker> <line>Following the fliers at the very heels,</line> <line>With them he enters; who, upon the sudden,</line> <line>Clapp'd to their gates: he is himself alone,</line> <line>To answer all the city.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">LARTIUS</speaker> <line>O noble fellow!</line> <line>Who sensibly outdares his senseless sword,</line> <line>And, when it bows, stands up. Thou art left, Marcius:</line> <line>A carbuncle entire, as big as thou art,</line> <line>Were not so rich a jewel. Thou wast a soldier</line> <line>Even to Cato's wish, not fierce and terrible</line> <line>Only in strokes; but, with thy grim looks and</line> <line>The thunder-like percussion of thy sounds,</line> <line>Thou madst thine enemies shake, as if the world</line> <line>Were feverous and did tremble.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <para role="stagedir">Re-enter MARCIUS, bleeding, assaulted by the enemy</para> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">First Soldier</speaker> <line>Look, sir.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">LARTIUS</speaker> <line>O,'tis Marcius!</line> <line>Let's fetch him off, or make remain alike.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <para role="stagedir">They fight, and all enter the city</para> </section> <section role="scene"><title>SCENE V. Corioli. A street.</title> <para role="stagedir">Enter certain Romans, with spoils</para> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">First Roman</speaker> <line>This will I carry to Rome.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">Second Roman</speaker> <line>And I this.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">Third Roman</speaker> <line>A murrain on't! I took this for silver.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <para role="stagedir">Alarum continues still afar off</para> <para role="stagedir">Enter MARCIUS and TITUS LARTIUS with a trumpet</para> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MARCIUS</speaker> <line>See here these movers that do prize their hours</line> <line>At a crack'd drachm! Cushions, leaden spoons,</line> <line>Irons of a doit, doublets that hangmen would</line> <line>Bury with those that wore them, these base slaves,</line> <line>Ere yet the fight be done, pack up: down with them!</line> <line>And hark, what noise the general makes! To him!</line> <line>There is the man of my soul's hate, Aufidius,</line> <line>Piercing our Romans: then, valiant Titus, take</line> <line>Convenient numbers to make good the city;</line> <line>Whilst I, with those that have the spirit, will haste</line> <line>To help Cominius.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">LARTIUS</speaker> <line>Worthy sir, thou bleed'st;</line> <line>Thy exercise hath been too violent for</line> <line>A second course of fight.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MARCIUS</speaker> <line>Sir, praise me not;</line> <line>My work hath yet not warm'd me: fare you well:</line> <line>The blood I drop is rather physical</line> <line>Than dangerous to me: to Aufidius thus</line> <line>I will appear, and fight.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">LARTIUS</speaker> <line>Now the fair goddess, Fortune,</line> <line>Fall deep in love with thee; and her great charms</line> <line>Misguide thy opposers' swords! Bold gentleman,</line> <line>Prosperity be thy page!</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MARCIUS</speaker> <line>Thy friend no less</line> <line>Than those she placeth highest! So, farewell.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">LARTIUS</speaker> <line>Thou worthiest Marcius!</line> <para role="stagedir">Exit MARCIUS</para> <line>Go, sound thy trumpet in the market-place;</line> <line>Call thither all the officers o' the town,</line> <line>Where they shall know our mind: away!</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <para role="stagedir">Exeunt</para> </section> <section role="scene"><title>SCENE VI. Near the camp of Cominius.</title> <para role="stagedir">Enter COMINIUS, as it were in retire, with soldiers</para> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">COMINIUS</speaker> <line>Breathe you, my friends: well fought;</line> <line>we are come off</line> <line>Like Romans, neither foolish in our stands,</line> <line>Nor cowardly in retire: believe me, sirs,</line> <line>We shall be charged again. Whiles we have struck,</line> <line>By interims and conveying gusts we have heard</line> <line>The charges of our friends. Ye Roman gods!</line> <line>Lead their successes as we wish our own,</line> <line>That both our powers, with smiling</line> <line>fronts encountering,</line> <line>May give you thankful sacrifice.</line> <para role="stagedir">Enter a Messenger</para> <line>Thy news?</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">Messenger</speaker> <line>The citizens of Corioli have issued,</line> <line>And given to Lartius and to Marcius battle:</line> <line>I saw our party to their trenches driven,</line> <line>And then I came away.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">COMINIUS</speaker> <line>Though thou speak'st truth,</line> <line>Methinks thou speak'st not well.</line> <line>How long is't since?</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">Messenger</speaker> <line>Above an hour, my lord.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">COMINIUS</speaker> <line>'Tis not a mile; briefly we heard their drums:</line> <line>How couldst thou in a mile confound an hour,</line> <line>And bring thy news so late?</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">Messenger</speaker> <line>Spies of the Volsces</line> <line>Held me in chase, that I was forced to wheel</line> <line>Three or four miles about, else had I, sir,</line> <line>Half an hour since brought my report.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">COMINIUS</speaker> <line>Who's yonder,</line> <line>That does appear as he were flay'd? O gods</line> <line>He has the stamp of Marcius; and I have</line> <line>Before-time seen him thus.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MARCIUS</speaker> <line><para role="stagedir">Within</para> Come I too late?</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">COMINIUS</speaker> <line>The shepherd knows not thunder from a tabour</line> <line>More than I know the sound of Marcius' tongue</line> <line>From every meaner man.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <para role="stagedir">Enter MARCIUS</para> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MARCIUS</speaker> <line>Come I too late?</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">COMINIUS</speaker> <line>Ay, if you come not in the blood of others,</line> <line>But mantled in your own.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MARCIUS</speaker> <line>O, let me clip ye</line> <line>In arms as sound as when I woo'd, in heart</line> <line>As merry as when our nuptial day was done,</line> <line>And tapers burn'd to bedward!</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">COMINIUS</speaker> <line>Flower of warriors,</line> <line>How is it with Titus Lartius?</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MARCIUS</speaker> <line>As with a man busied about decrees:</line> <line>Condemning some to death, and some to exile;</line> <line>Ransoming him, or pitying, threatening the other;</line> <line>Holding Corioli in the name of Rome,</line> <line>Even like a fawning greyhound in the leash,</line> <line>To let him slip at will.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">COMINIUS</speaker> <line>Where is that slave</line> <line>Which told me they had beat you to your trenches?</line> <line>Where is he? call him hither.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MARCIUS</speaker> <line>Let him alone;</line> <line>He did inform the truth: but for our gentlemen,</line> <line>The common file--a plague! tribunes for them!--</line> <line>The mouse ne'er shunn'd the cat as they did budge</line> <line>From rascals worse than they.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">COMINIUS</speaker> <line>But how prevail'd you?</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MARCIUS</speaker> <line>Will the time serve to tell? I do not think.</line> <line>Where is the enemy? are you lords o' the field?</line> <line>If not, why cease you till you are so?</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">COMINIUS</speaker> <line>Marcius,</line> <line>We have at disadvantage fought and did</line> <line>Retire to win our purpose.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MARCIUS</speaker> <line>How lies their battle? know you on which side</line> <line>They have placed their men of trust?</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">COMINIUS</speaker> <line>As I guess, Marcius,</line> <line>Their bands i' the vaward are the Antiates,</line> <line>Of their best trust; o'er them Aufidius,</line> <line>Their very heart of hope.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MARCIUS</speaker> <line>I do beseech you,</line> <line>By all the battles wherein we have fought,</line> <line>By the blood we have shed together, by the vows</line> <line>We have made to endure friends, that you directly</line> <line>Set me against Aufidius and his Antiates;</line> <line>And that you not delay the present, but,</line> <line>Filling the air with swords advanced and darts,</line> <line>We prove this very hour.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">COMINIUS</speaker> <line>Though I could wish</line> <line>You were conducted to a gentle bath</line> <line>And balms applied to, you, yet dare I never</line> <line>Deny your asking: take your choice of those</line> <line>That best can aid your action.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MARCIUS</speaker> <line>Those are they</line> <line>That most are willing. If any such be here--</line> <line>As it were sin to doubt--that love this painting</line> <line>Wherein you see me smear'd; if any fear</line> <line>Lesser his person than an ill report;</line> <line>If any think brave death outweighs bad life</line> <line>And that his country's dearer than himself;</line> <line>Let him alone, or so many so minded,</line> <line>Wave thus, to express his disposition,</line> <line>And follow Marcius.</line> <para role="stagedir">They all shout and wave their swords, take him up in their arms, and cast up their caps</para> <line>O, me alone! make you a sword of me?</line> <line>If these shows be not outward, which of you</line> <line>But is four Volsces? none of you but is</line> <line>Able to bear against the great Aufidius</line> <line>A shield as hard as his. A certain number,</line> <line>Though thanks to all, must I select</line> <line>from all: the rest</line> <line>Shall bear the business in some other fight,</line> <line>As cause will be obey'd. Please you to march;</line> <line>And four shall quickly draw out my command,</line> <line>Which men are best inclined.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">COMINIUS</speaker> <line>March on, my fellows:</line> <line>Make good this ostentation, and you shall</line> <line>Divide in all with us.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <para role="stagedir">Exeunt</para> </section> <section role="scene"><title>SCENE VII. The gates of Corioli.</title> <para role="stagedir">TITUS LARTIUS, having set a guard upon Corioli, going with drum and trumpet toward COMINIUS and CAIUS MARCIUS, enters with Lieutenant, other Soldiers, and a Scout</para> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">LARTIUS</speaker> <line>So, let the ports be guarded: keep your duties,</line> <line>As I have set them down. If I do send, dispatch</line> <line>Those centuries to our aid: the rest will serve</line> <line>For a short holding: if we lose the field,</line> <line>We cannot keep the town.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">Lieutenant</speaker> <line>Fear not our care, sir.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">LARTIUS</speaker> <line>Hence, and shut your gates upon's.</line> <line>Our guider, come; to the Roman camp conduct us.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <para role="stagedir">Exeunt</para> </section> <section role="scene"><title>SCENE VIII. A field of battle.</title> <para role="stagedir">Alarum as in battle. Enter, from opposite sides, MARCIUS and AUFIDIUS</para> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MARCIUS</speaker> <line>I'll fight with none but thee; for I do hate thee</line> <line>Worse than a promise-breaker.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">AUFIDIUS</speaker> <line>We hate alike:</line> <line>Not Afric owns a serpent I abhor</line> <line>More than thy fame and envy. Fix thy foot.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MARCIUS</speaker> <line>Let the first budger die the other's slave,</line> <line>And the gods doom him after!</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">AUFIDIUS</speaker> <line>If I fly, Marcius,</line> <line>Holloa me like a hare.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MARCIUS</speaker> <line>Within these three hours, Tullus,</line> <line>Alone I fought in your Corioli walls,</line> <line>And made what work I pleased: 'tis not my blood</line> <line>Wherein thou seest me mask'd; for thy revenge</line> <line>Wrench up thy power to the highest.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">AUFIDIUS</speaker> <line>Wert thou the Hector</line> <line>That was the whip of your bragg'd progeny,</line> <line>Thou shouldst not scape me here.</line> <para role="stagedir">They fight, and certain Volsces come to the aid of AUFIDIUS. MARCIUS fights till they be driven in breathless</para> <line>Officious, and not valiant, you have shamed me</line> <line>In your condemned seconds.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <para role="stagedir">Exeunt</para> </section> <section role="scene"><title>SCENE IX. The Roman camp.</title> <para role="stagedir">Flourish. Alarum. A retreat is sounded. Flourish. Enter, from one side, COMINIUS with the Romans; from the other side, MARCIUS, with his arm in a scarf</para> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">COMINIUS</speaker> <line>If I should tell thee o'er this thy day's work,</line> <line>Thou'ldst not believe thy deeds: but I'll report it</line> <line>Where senators shall mingle tears with smiles,</line> <line>Where great patricians shall attend and shrug,</line> <line>I' the end admire, where ladies shall be frighted,</line> <line>And, gladly quaked, hear more; where the</line> <line>dull tribunes,</line> <line>That, with the fusty plebeians, hate thine honours,</line> <line>Shall say against their hearts 'We thank the gods</line> <line>Our Rome hath such a soldier.'</line> <line>Yet camest thou to a morsel of this feast,</line> <line>Having fully dined before.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <para role="stagedir">Enter TITUS LARTIUS, with his power, from the pursuit</para> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">LARTIUS</speaker> <line>O general,</line> <line>Here is the steed, we the caparison:</line> <line>Hadst thou beheld--</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MARCIUS</speaker> <line>Pray now, no more: my mother,</line> <line>Who has a charter to extol her blood,</line> <line>When she does praise me grieves me. I have done</line> <line>As you have done; that's what I can; induced</line> <line>As you have been; that's for my country:</line> <line>He that has but effected his good will</line> <line>Hath overta'en mine act.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">COMINIUS</speaker> <line>You shall not be</line> <line>The grave of your deserving; Rome must know</line> <line>The value of her own: 'twere a concealment</line> <line>Worse than a theft, no less than a traducement,</line> <line>To hide your doings; and to silence that,</line> <line>Which, to the spire and top of praises vouch'd,</line> <line>Would seem but modest: therefore, I beseech you</line> <line>In sign of what you are, not to reward</line> <line>What you have done--before our army hear me.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MARCIUS</speaker> <line>I have some wounds upon me, and they smart</line> <line>To hear themselves remember'd.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">COMINIUS</speaker> <line>Should they not,</line> <line>Well might they fester 'gainst ingratitude,</line> <line>And tent themselves with death. Of all the horses,</line> <line>Whereof we have ta'en good and good store, of all</line> <line>The treasure in this field achieved and city,</line> <line>We render you the tenth, to be ta'en forth,</line> <line>Before the common distribution, at</line> <line>Your only choice.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MARCIUS</speaker> <line>I thank you, general;</line> <line>But cannot make my heart consent to take</line> <line>A bribe to pay my sword: I do refuse it;</line> <line>And stand upon my common part with those</line> <line>That have beheld the doing.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <para role="stagedir">A long flourish. They all cry 'Marcius! Marcius!' cast up their caps and lances: COMINIUS and LARTIUS stand bare</para> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MARCIUS</speaker> <line>May these same instruments, which you profane,</line> <line>Never sound more! when drums and trumpets shall</line> <line>I' the field prove flatterers, let courts and cities be</line> <line>Made all of false-faced soothing!</line> <line>When steel grows soft as the parasite's silk,</line> <line>Let him be made a coverture for the wars!</line> <line>No more, I say! For that I have not wash'd</line> <line>My nose that bled, or foil'd some debile wretch.--</line> <line>Which, without note, here's many else have done,--</line> <line>You shout me forth</line> <line>In acclamations hyperbolical;</line> <line>As if I loved my little should be dieted</line> <line>In praises sauced with lies.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">COMINIUS</speaker> <line>Too modest are you;</line> <line>More cruel to your good report than grateful</line> <line>To us that give you truly: by your patience,</line> <line>If 'gainst yourself you be incensed, we'll put you,</line> <line>Like one that means his proper harm, in manacles,</line> <line>Then reason safely with you. Therefore, be it known,</line> <line>As to us, to all the world, that Caius Marcius</line> <line>Wears this war's garland: in token of the which,</line> <line>My noble steed, known to the camp, I give him,</line> <line>With all his trim belonging; and from this time,</line> <line>For what he did before Corioli, call him,</line> <line>With all the applause and clamour of the host,</line> <line>CAIUS MARCIUS CORIOLANUS! Bear</line> <line>The addition nobly ever!</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <para role="stagedir">Flourish. Trumpets sound, and drums</para> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">All</speaker> <line>Caius Marcius Coriolanus!</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">CORIOLANUS</speaker> <line>I will go wash;</line> <line>And when my face is fair, you shall perceive</line> <line>Whether I blush or no: howbeit, I thank you.</line> <line>I mean to stride your steed, and at all times</line> <line>To undercrest your good addition</line> <line>To the fairness of my power.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">COMINIUS</speaker> <line>So, to our tent;</line> <line>Where, ere we do repose us, we will write</line> <line>To Rome of our success. You, Titus Lartius,</line> <line>Must to Corioli back: send us to Rome</line> <line>The best, with whom we may articulate,</line> <line>For their own good and ours.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">LARTIUS</speaker> <line>I shall, my lord.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">CORIOLANUS</speaker> <line>The gods begin to mock me. I, that now</line> <line>Refused most princely gifts, am bound to beg</line> <line>Of my lord general.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">COMINIUS</speaker> <line>Take't; 'tis yours. What is't?</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">CORIOLANUS</speaker> <line>I sometime lay here in Corioli</line> <line>At a poor man's house; he used me kindly:</line> <line>He cried to me; I saw him prisoner;</line> <line>But then Aufidius was within my view,</line> <line>And wrath o'erwhelm'd my pity: I request you</line> <line>To give my poor host freedom.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">COMINIUS</speaker> <line>O, well begg'd!</line> <line>Were he the butcher of my son, he should</line> <line>Be free as is the wind. Deliver him, Titus.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">LARTIUS</speaker> <line>Marcius, his name?</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">CORIOLANUS</speaker> <line>By Jupiter! forgot.</line> <line>I am weary; yea, my memory is tired.</line> <line>Have we no wine here?</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">COMINIUS</speaker> <line>Go we to our tent:</line> <line>The blood upon your visage dries; 'tis time</line> <line>It should be look'd to: come.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <para role="stagedir">Exeunt</para> </section> <section role="scene"><title>SCENE X. The camp of the Volsces.</title> <para role="stagedir">A flourish. Cornets. Enter TULLUS AUFIDIUS, bloody, with two or three Soldiers</para> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">AUFIDIUS</speaker> <line>The town is ta'en!</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">First Soldier</speaker> <line>'Twill be deliver'd back on good condition.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">AUFIDIUS</speaker> <line>Condition!</line> <line>I would I were a Roman; for I cannot,</line> <line>Being a Volsce, be that I am. Condition!</line> <line>What good condition can a treaty find</line> <line>I' the part that is at mercy? Five times, Marcius,</line> <line>I have fought with thee: so often hast thou beat me,</line> <line>And wouldst do so, I think, should we encounter</line> <line>As often as we eat. By the elements,</line> <line>If e'er again I meet him beard to beard,</line> <line>He's mine, or I am his: mine emulation</line> <line>Hath not that honour in't it had; for where</line> <line>I thought to crush him in an equal force,</line> <line>True sword to sword, I'll potch at him some way</line> <line>Or wrath or craft may get him.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">First Soldier</speaker> <line>He's the devil.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">AUFIDIUS</speaker> <line>Bolder, though not so subtle. My valour's poison'd</line> <line>With only suffering stain by him; for him</line> <line>Shall fly out of itself: nor sleep nor sanctuary,</line> <line>Being naked, sick, nor fane nor Capitol,</line> <line>The prayers of priests nor times of sacrifice,</line> <line>Embarquements all of fury, shall lift up</line> <line>Their rotten privilege and custom 'gainst</line> <line>My hate to Marcius: where I find him, were it</line> <line>At home, upon my brother's guard, even there,</line> <line>Against the hospitable canon, would I</line> <line>Wash my fierce hand in's heart. Go you to the city;</line> <line>Learn how 'tis held; and what they are that must</line> <line>Be hostages for Rome.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">First Soldier</speaker> <line>Will not you go?</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">AUFIDIUS</speaker> <line>I am attended at the cypress grove: I pray you--</line> <line>'Tis south the city mills--bring me word thither</line> <line>How the world goes, that to the pace of it</line> <line>I may spur on my journey.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">First Soldier</speaker> <line>I shall, sir.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <para role="stagedir">Exeunt</para> </section> </chapter> <chapter role="act"><title>ACT II</title> <section role="scene"><title>SCENE I. Rome. A public place.</title> <para role="stagedir">Enter MENENIUS with the two Tribunes of the people, SICINIUS and BRUTUS.</para> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MENENIUS</speaker> <line>The augurer tells me we shall have news to-night.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">BRUTUS</speaker> <line>Good or bad?</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MENENIUS</speaker> <line>Not according to the prayer of the people, for they</line> <line>love not Marcius.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">SICINIUS</speaker> <line>Nature teaches beasts to know their friends.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MENENIUS</speaker> <line>Pray you, who does the wolf love?</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">SICINIUS</speaker> <line>The lamb.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MENENIUS</speaker> <line>Ay, to devour him; as the hungry plebeians would the</line> <line>noble Marcius.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">BRUTUS</speaker> <line>He's a lamb indeed, that baes like a bear.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MENENIUS</speaker> <line>He's a bear indeed, that lives like a lamb. You two</line> <line>are old men: tell me one thing that I shall ask you.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">Both</speaker> <line>Well, sir.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MENENIUS</speaker> <line>In what enormity is Marcius poor in, that you two</line> <line>have not in abundance?</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">BRUTUS</speaker> <line>He's poor in no one fault, but stored with all.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">SICINIUS</speaker> <line>Especially in pride.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">BRUTUS</speaker> <line>And topping all others in boasting.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MENENIUS</speaker> <line>This is strange now: do you two know how you are</line> <line>censured here in the city, I mean of us o' the</line> <line>right-hand file? do you?</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">Both</speaker> <line>Why, how are we censured?</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MENENIUS</speaker> <line>Because you talk of pride now,--will you not be angry?</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">Both</speaker> <line>Well, well, sir, well.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MENENIUS</speaker> <line>Why, 'tis no great matter; for a very little thief of</line> <line>occasion will rob you of a great deal of patience:</line> <line>give your dispositions the reins, and be angry at</line> <line>your pleasures; at the least if you take it as a</line> <line>pleasure to you in being so. You blame Marcius for</line> <line>being proud?</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">BRUTUS</speaker> <line>We do it not alone, sir.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MENENIUS</speaker> <line>I know you can do very little alone; for your helps</line> <line>are many, or else your actions would grow wondrous</line> <line>single: your abilities are too infant-like for</line> <line>doing much alone. You talk of pride: O that you</line> <line>could turn your eyes toward the napes of your necks,</line> <line>and make but an interior survey of your good selves!</line> <line>O that you could!</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">BRUTUS</speaker> <line>What then, sir?</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MENENIUS</speaker> <line>Why, then you should discover a brace of unmeriting,</line> <line>proud, violent, testy magistrates, alias fools, as</line> <line>any in Rome.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">SICINIUS</speaker> <line>Menenius, you are known well enough too.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MENENIUS</speaker> <line>I am known to be a humorous patrician, and one that</line> <line>loves a cup of hot wine with not a drop of allaying</line> <line>Tiber in't; said to be something imperfect in</line> <line>favouring the first complaint; hasty and tinder-like</line> <line>upon too trivial motion; one that converses more</line> <line>with the buttock of the night than with the forehead</line> <line>of the morning: what I think I utter, and spend my</line> <line>malice in my breath. Meeting two such wealsmen as</line> <line>you are--I cannot call you Lycurguses--if the drink</line> <line>you give me touch my palate adversely, I make a</line> <line>crooked face at it. I can't say your worships have</line> <line>delivered the matter well, when I find the ass in</line> <line>compound with the major part of your syllables: and</line> <line>though I must be content to bear with those that say</line> <line>you are reverend grave men, yet they lie deadly that</line> <line>tell you you have good faces. If you see this in</line> <line>the map of my microcosm, follows it that I am known</line> <line>well enough too? what barm can your bisson</line> <line>conspectuities glean out of this character, if I be</line> <line>known well enough too?</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">BRUTUS</speaker> <line>Come, sir, come, we know you well enough.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MENENIUS</speaker> <line>You know neither me, yourselves nor any thing. You</line> <line>are ambitious for poor knaves' caps and legs: you</line> <line>wear out a good wholesome forenoon in hearing a</line> <line>cause between an orange wife and a fosset-seller;</line> <line>and then rejourn the controversy of three pence to a</line> <line>second day of audience. When you are hearing a</line> <line>matter between party and party, if you chance to be</line> <line>pinched with the colic, you make faces like</line> <line>mummers; set up the bloody flag against all</line> <line>patience; and, in roaring for a chamber-pot,</line> <line>dismiss the controversy bleeding the more entangled</line> <line>by your hearing: all the peace you make in their</line> <line>cause is, calling both the parties knaves. You are</line> <line>a pair of strange ones.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">BRUTUS</speaker> <line>Come, come, you are well understood to be a</line> <line>perfecter giber for the table than a necessary</line> <line>bencher in the Capitol.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MENENIUS</speaker> <line>Our very priests must become mockers, if they shall</line> <line>encounter such ridiculous subjects as you are. When</line> <line>you speak best unto the purpose, it is not worth the</line> <line>wagging of your beards; and your beards deserve not</line> <line>so honourable a grave as to stuff a botcher's</line> <line>cushion, or to be entombed in an ass's pack-</line> <line>saddle. Yet you must be saying, Marcius is proud;</line> <line>who in a cheap estimation, is worth predecessors</line> <line>since Deucalion, though peradventure some of the</line> <line>best of 'em were hereditary hangmen. God-den to</line> <line>your worships: more of your conversation would</line> <line>infect my brain, being the herdsmen of the beastly</line> <line>plebeians: I will be bold to take my leave of you.</line> <para role="stagedir">BRUTUS and SICINIUS go aside</para> <para role="stagedir">Enter VOLUMNIA, VIRGILIA, and VALERIA</para> <line>How now, my as fair as noble ladies,--and the moon,</line> <line>were she earthly, no nobler,--whither do you follow</line> <line>your eyes so fast?</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">VOLUMNIA</speaker> <line>Honourable Menenius, my boy Marcius approaches; for</line> <line>the love of Juno, let's go.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MENENIUS</speaker> <line>Ha! Marcius coming home!</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">VOLUMNIA</speaker> <line>Ay, worthy Menenius; and with most prosperous</line> <line>approbation.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MENENIUS</speaker> <line>Take my cap, Jupiter, and I thank thee. Hoo!</line> <line>Marcius coming home!</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">VOLUMNIA</speaker> <speaker role="speaker">VIRGILIA</speaker> <line>Nay,'tis true.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">VOLUMNIA</speaker> <line>Look, here's a letter from him: the state hath</line> <line>another, his wife another; and, I think, there's one</line> <line>at home for you.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MENENIUS</speaker> <line>I will make my very house reel tonight: a letter for</line> <line>me!</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">VIRGILIA</speaker> <line>Yes, certain, there's a letter for you; I saw't.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MENENIUS</speaker> <line>A letter for me! it gives me an estate of seven</line> <line>years' health; in which time I will make a lip at</line> <line>the physician: the most sovereign prescription in</line> <line>Galen is but empiricutic, and, to this preservative,</line> <line>of no better report than a horse-drench. Is he</line> <line>not wounded? he was wont to come home wounded.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">VIRGILIA</speaker> <line>O, no, no, no.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">VOLUMNIA</speaker> <line>O, he is wounded; I thank the gods for't.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MENENIUS</speaker> <line>So do I too, if it be not too much: brings a'</line> <line>victory in his pocket? the wounds become him.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">VOLUMNIA</speaker> <line>On's brows: Menenius, he comes the third time home</line> <line>with the oaken garland.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MENENIUS</speaker> <line>Has he disciplined Aufidius soundly?</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">VOLUMNIA</speaker> <line>Titus Lartius writes, they fought together, but</line> <line>Aufidius got off.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MENENIUS</speaker> <line>And 'twas time for him too, I'll warrant him that:</line> <line>an he had stayed by him, I would not have been so</line> <line>fidiused for all the chests in Corioli, and the gold</line> <line>that's in them. Is the senate possessed of this?</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">VOLUMNIA</speaker> <line>Good ladies, let's go. Yes, yes, yes; the senate</line> <line>has letters from the general, wherein he gives my</line> <line>son the whole name of the war: he hath in this</line> <line>action outdone his former deeds doubly</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">VALERIA</speaker> <line>In troth, there's wondrous things spoke of him.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MENENIUS</speaker> <line>Wondrous! ay, I warrant you, and not without his</line> <line>true purchasing.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">VIRGILIA</speaker> <line>The gods grant them true!</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">VOLUMNIA</speaker> <line>True! pow, wow.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MENENIUS</speaker> <line>True! I'll be sworn they are true.</line> <line>Where is he wounded?</line> <para role="stagedir">To the Tribunes</para> <line>God save your good worships! Marcius is coming</line> <line>home: he has more cause to be proud. Where is he wounded?</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">VOLUMNIA</speaker> <line>I' the shoulder and i' the left arm there will be</line> <line>large cicatrices to show the people, when he shall</line> <line>stand for his place. He received in the repulse of</line> <line>Tarquin seven hurts i' the body.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MENENIUS</speaker> <line>One i' the neck, and two i' the thigh,--there's</line> <line>nine that I know.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">VOLUMNIA</speaker> <line>He had, before this last expedition, twenty-five</line> <line>wounds upon him.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MENENIUS</speaker> <line>Now it's twenty-seven: every gash was an enemy's grave.</line> <para role="stagedir">A shout and flourish</para> <line>Hark! the trumpets.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">VOLUMNIA</speaker> <line>These are the ushers of Marcius: before him he</line> <line>carries noise, and behind him he leaves tears:</line> <line>Death, that dark spirit, in 's nervy arm doth lie;</line> <line>Which, being advanced, declines, and then men die.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <para role="stagedir">A sennet. Trumpets sound. Enter COMINIUS the general, and TITUS LARTIUS; between them, CORIOLANUS, crowned with an oaken garland; with Captains and Soldiers, and a Herald</para> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">Herald</speaker> <line>Know, Rome, that all alone Marcius did fight</line> <line>Within Corioli gates: where he hath won,</line> <line>With fame, a name to Caius Marcius; these</line> <line>In honour follows Coriolanus.</line> <line>Welcome to Rome, renowned Coriolanus!</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <para role="stagedir">Flourish</para> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">All</speaker> <line>Welcome to Rome, renowned Coriolanus!</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">CORIOLANUS</speaker> <line>No more of this; it does offend my heart:</line> <line>Pray now, no more.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">COMINIUS</speaker> <line>Look, sir, your mother!</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">CORIOLANUS</speaker> <line>O,</line> <line>You have, I know, petition'd all the gods</line> <line>For my prosperity!</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <para role="stagedir">Kneels</para> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">VOLUMNIA</speaker> <line>Nay, my good soldier, up;</line> <line>My gentle Marcius, worthy Caius, and</line> <line>By deed-achieving honour newly named,--</line> <line>What is it?--Coriolanus must I call thee?--</line> <line>But O, thy wife!</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">CORIOLANUS</speaker> <line>My gracious silence, hail!</line> <line>Wouldst thou have laugh'd had I come coffin'd home,</line> <line>That weep'st to see me triumph? Ay, my dear,</line> <line>Such eyes the widows in Corioli wear,</line> <line>And mothers that lack sons.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MENENIUS</speaker> <line>Now, the gods crown thee!</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">CORIOLANUS</speaker> <line>And live you yet?</line> <para role="stagedir">To VALERIA</para> <line>O my sweet lady, pardon.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">VOLUMNIA</speaker> <line>I know not where to turn: O, welcome home:</line> <line>And welcome, general: and ye're welcome all.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MENENIUS</speaker> <line>A hundred thousand welcomes. I could weep</line> <line>And I could laugh, I am light and heavy. Welcome.</line> <line>A curse begin at very root on's heart,</line> <line>That is not glad to see thee! You are three</line> <line>That Rome should dote on: yet, by the faith of men,</line> <line>We have some old crab-trees here</line> <line>at home that will not</line> <line>Be grafted to your relish. Yet welcome, warriors:</line> <line>We call a nettle but a nettle and</line> <line>The faults of fools but folly.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">COMINIUS</speaker> <line>Ever right.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">CORIOLANUS</speaker> <line>Menenius ever, ever.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">Herald</speaker> <line>Give way there, and go on!</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">CORIOLANUS</speaker> <line><para role="stagedir">To VOLUMNIA and VIRGILIA</para> Your hand, and yours:</line> <line>Ere in our own house I do shade my head,</line> <line>The good patricians must be visited;</line> <line>From whom I have received not only greetings,</line> <line>But with them change of honours.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">VOLUMNIA</speaker> <line>I have lived</line> <line>To see inherited my very wishes</line> <line>And the buildings of my fancy: only</line> <line>There's one thing wanting, which I doubt not but</line> <line>Our Rome will cast upon thee.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">CORIOLANUS</speaker> <line>Know, good mother,</line> <line>I had rather be their servant in my way,</line> <line>Than sway with them in theirs.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">COMINIUS</speaker> <line>On, to the Capitol!</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <para role="stagedir">Flourish. Cornets. Exeunt in state, as before. BRUTUS and SICINIUS come forward</para> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">BRUTUS</speaker> <line>All tongues speak of him, and the bleared sights</line> <line>Are spectacled to see him: your prattling nurse</line> <line>Into a rapture lets her baby cry</line> <line>While she chats him: the kitchen malkin pins</line> <line>Her richest lockram 'bout her reechy neck,</line> <line>Clambering the walls to eye him: stalls, bulks, windows,</line> <line>Are smother'd up, leads fill'd, and ridges horsed</line> <line>With variable complexions, all agreeing</line> <line>In earnestness to see him: seld-shown flamens</line> <line>Do press among the popular throngs and puff</line> <line>To win a vulgar station: or veil'd dames</line> <line>Commit the war of white and damask in</line> <line>Their nicely-gawded cheeks to the wanton spoil</line> <line>Of Phoebus' burning kisses: such a pother</line> <line>As if that whatsoever god who leads him</line> <line>Were slily crept into his human powers</line> <line>And gave him graceful posture.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">SICINIUS</speaker> <line>On the sudden,</line> <line>I warrant him consul.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">BRUTUS</speaker> <line>Then our office may,</line> <line>During his power, go sleep.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">SICINIUS</speaker> <line>He cannot temperately transport his honours</line> <line>From where he should begin and end, but will</line> <line>Lose those he hath won.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">BRUTUS</speaker> <line>In that there's comfort.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">SICINIUS</speaker> <line>Doubt not</line> <line>The commoners, for whom we stand, but they</line> <line>Upon their ancient malice will forget</line> <line>With the least cause these his new honours, which</line> <line>That he will give them make I as little question</line> <line>As he is proud to do't.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">BRUTUS</speaker> <line>I heard him swear,</line> <line>Were he to stand for consul, never would he</line> <line>Appear i' the market-place nor on him put</line> <line>The napless vesture of humility;</line> <line>Nor showing, as the manner is, his wounds</line> <line>To the people, beg their stinking breaths.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">SICINIUS</speaker> <line>'Tis right.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">BRUTUS</speaker> <line>It was his word: O, he would miss it rather</line> <line>Than carry it but by the suit of the gentry to him,</line> <line>And the desire of the nobles.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">SICINIUS</speaker> <line>I wish no better</line> <line>Than have him hold that purpose and to put it</line> <line>In execution.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">BRUTUS</speaker> <line>'Tis most like he will.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">SICINIUS</speaker> <line>It shall be to him then as our good wills,</line> <line>A sure destruction.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">BRUTUS</speaker> <line>So it must fall out</line> <line>To him or our authorities. For an end,</line> <line>We must suggest the people in what hatred</line> <line>He still hath held them; that to's power he would</line> <line>Have made them mules, silenced their pleaders and</line> <line>Dispropertied their freedoms, holding them,</line> <line>In human action and capacity,</line> <line>Of no more soul nor fitness for the world</line> <line>Than camels in the war, who have their provand</line> <line>Only for bearing burdens, and sore blows</line> <line>For sinking under them.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">SICINIUS</speaker> <line>This, as you say, suggested</line> <line>At some time when his soaring insolence</line> <line>Shall touch the people--which time shall not want,</line> <line>If he be put upon 't; and that's as easy</line> <line>As to set dogs on sheep--will be his fire</line> <line>To kindle their dry stubble; and their blaze</line> <line>Shall darken him for ever.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <para role="stagedir">Enter a Messenger</para> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">BRUTUS</speaker> <line>What's the matter?</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">Messenger</speaker> <line>You are sent for to the Capitol. 'Tis thought</line> <line>That Marcius shall be consul:</line> <line>I have seen the dumb men throng to see him and</line> <line>The blind to bear him speak: matrons flung gloves,</line> <line>Ladies and maids their scarfs and handkerchers,</line> <line>Upon him as he pass'd: the nobles bended,</line> <line>As to Jove's statue, and the commons made</line> <line>A shower and thunder with their caps and shouts:</line> <line>I never saw the like.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">BRUTUS</speaker> <line>Let's to the Capitol;</line> <line>And carry with us ears and eyes for the time,</line> <line>But hearts for the event.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">SICINIUS</speaker> <line>Have with you.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <para role="stagedir">Exeunt</para> </section> <section role="scene"><title>SCENE II. The same. The Capitol.</title> <para role="stagedir">Enter two Officers, to lay cushions</para> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">First Officer</speaker> <line>Come, come, they are almost here. How many stand</line> <line>for consulships?</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">Second Officer</speaker> <line>Three, they say: but 'tis thought of every one</line> <line>Coriolanus will carry it.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">First Officer</speaker> <line>That's a brave fellow; but he's vengeance proud, and</line> <line>loves not the common people.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">Second Officer</speaker> <line>Faith, there had been many great men that have</line> <line>flattered the people, who ne'er loved them; and there</line> <line>be many that they have loved, they know not</line> <line>wherefore: so that, if they love they know not why,</line> <line>they hate upon no better a ground: therefore, for</line> <line>Coriolanus neither to care whether they love or hate</line> <line>him manifests the true knowledge he has in their</line> <line>disposition; and out of his noble carelessness lets</line> <line>them plainly see't.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">First Officer</speaker> <line>If he did not care whether he had their love or no,</line> <line>he waved indifferently 'twixt doing them neither</line> <line>good nor harm: but he seeks their hate with greater</line> <line>devotion than can render it him; and leaves</line> <line>nothing undone that may fully discover him their</line> <line>opposite. Now, to seem to affect the malice and</line> <line>displeasure of the people is as bad as that which he</line> <line>dislikes, to flatter them for their love.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">Second Officer</speaker> <line>He hath deserved worthily of his country: and his</line> <line>ascent is not by such easy degrees as those who,</line> <line>having been supple and courteous to the people,</line> <line>bonneted, without any further deed to have them at</line> <line>an into their estimation and report: but he hath so</line> <line>planted his honours in their eyes, and his actions</line> <line>in their hearts, that for their tongues to be</line> <line>silent, and not confess so much, were a kind of</line> <line>ingrateful injury; to report otherwise, were a</line> <line>malice, that, giving itself the lie, would pluck</line> <line>reproof and rebuke from every ear that heard it.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">First Officer</speaker> <line>No more of him; he is a worthy man: make way, they</line> <line>are coming.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <para role="stagedir">A sennet. Enter, with actors before them, COMINIUS the consul, MENENIUS, CORIOLANUS, Senators, SICINIUS and BRUTUS. The Senators take their places; the Tribunes take their Places by themselves. CORIOLANUS stands</para> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MENENIUS</speaker> <line>Having determined of the Volsces and</line> <line>To send for Titus Lartius, it remains,</line> <line>As the main point of this our after-meeting,</line> <line>To gratify his noble service that</line> <line>Hath thus stood for his country: therefore,</line> <line>please you,</line> <line>Most reverend and grave elders, to desire</line> <line>The present consul, and last general</line> <line>In our well-found successes, to report</line> <line>A little of that worthy work perform'd</line> <line>By Caius Marcius Coriolanus, whom</line> <line>We met here both to thank and to remember</line> <line>With honours like himself.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">First Senator</speaker> <line>Speak, good Cominius:</line> <line>Leave nothing out for length, and make us think</line> <line>Rather our state's defective for requital</line> <line>Than we to stretch it out.</line> <para role="stagedir">To the Tribunes</para> <line>Masters o' the people,</line> <line>We do request your kindest ears, and after,</line> <line>Your loving motion toward the common body,</line> <line>To yield what passes here.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">SICINIUS</speaker> <line>We are convented</line> <line>Upon a pleasing treaty, and have hearts</line> <line>Inclinable to honour and advance</line> <line>The theme of our assembly.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">BRUTUS</speaker> <line>Which the rather</line> <line>We shall be blest to do, if he remember</line> <line>A kinder value of the people than</line> <line>He hath hereto prized them at.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MENENIUS</speaker> <line>That's off, that's off;</line> <line>I would you rather had been silent. Please you</line> <line>To hear Cominius speak?</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">BRUTUS</speaker> <line>Most willingly;</line> <line>But yet my caution was more pertinent</line> <line>Than the rebuke you give it.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MENENIUS</speaker> <line>He loves your people</line> <line>But tie him not to be their bedfellow.</line> <line>Worthy Cominius, speak.</line> <para role="stagedir">CORIOLANUS offers to go away</para> <line>Nay, keep your place.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">First Senator</speaker> <line>Sit, Coriolanus; never shame to hear</line> <line>What you have nobly done.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">CORIOLANUS</speaker> <line>Your horror's pardon:</line> <line>I had rather have my wounds to heal again</line> <line>Than hear say how I got them.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">BRUTUS</speaker> <line>Sir, I hope</line> <line>My words disbench'd you not.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">CORIOLANUS</speaker> <line>No, sir: yet oft,</line> <line>When blows have made me stay, I fled from words.</line> <line>You soothed not, therefore hurt not: but</line> <line>your people,</line> <line>I love them as they weigh.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MENENIUS</speaker> <line>Pray now, sit down.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">CORIOLANUS</speaker> <line>I had rather have one scratch my head i' the sun</line> <line>When the alarum were struck than idly sit</line> <line>To hear my nothings monster'd.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <para role="stagedir">Exit</para> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MENENIUS</speaker> <line>Masters of the people,</line> <line>Your multiplying spawn how can he flatter--</line> <line>That's thousand to one good one--when you now see</line> <line>He had rather venture all his limbs for honour</line> <line>Than one on's ears to hear it? Proceed, Cominius.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">COMINIUS</speaker> <line>I shall lack voice: the deeds of Coriolanus</line> <line>Should not be utter'd feebly. It is held</line> <line>That valour is the chiefest virtue, and</line> <line>Most dignifies the haver: if it be,</line> <line>The man I speak of cannot in the world</line> <line>Be singly counterpoised. At sixteen years,</line> <line>When Tarquin made a head for Rome, he fought</line> <line>Beyond the mark of others: our then dictator,</line> <line>Whom with all praise I point at, saw him fight,</line> <line>When with his Amazonian chin he drove</line> <line>The bristled lips before him: be bestrid</line> <line>An o'er-press'd Roman and i' the consul's view</line> <line>Slew three opposers: Tarquin's self he met,</line> <line>And struck him on his knee: in that day's feats,</line> <line>When he might act the woman in the scene,</line> <line>He proved best man i' the field, and for his meed</line> <line>Was brow-bound with the oak. His pupil age</line> <line>Man-enter'd thus, he waxed like a sea,</line> <line>And in the brunt of seventeen battles since</line> <line>He lurch'd all swords of the garland. For this last,</line> <line>Before and in Corioli, let me say,</line> <line>I cannot speak him home: he stopp'd the fliers;</line> <line>And by his rare example made the coward</line> <line>Turn terror into sport: as weeds before</line> <line>A vessel under sail, so men obey'd</line> <line>And fell below his stem: his sword, death's stamp,</line> <line>Where it did mark, it took; from face to foot</line> <line>He was a thing of blood, whose every motion</line> <line>Was timed with dying cries: alone he enter'd</line> <line>The mortal gate of the city, which he painted</line> <line>With shunless destiny; aidless came off,</line> <line>And with a sudden reinforcement struck</line> <line>Corioli like a planet: now all's his:</line> <line>When, by and by, the din of war gan pierce</line> <line>His ready sense; then straight his doubled spirit</line> <line>Re-quicken'd what in flesh was fatigate,</line> <line>And to the battle came he; where he did</line> <line>Run reeking o'er the lives of men, as if</line> <line>'Twere a perpetual spoil: and till we call'd</line> <line>Both field and city ours, he never stood</line> <line>To ease his breast with panting.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MENENIUS</speaker> <line>Worthy man!</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">First Senator</speaker> <line>He cannot but with measure fit the honours</line> <line>Which we devise him.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">COMINIUS</speaker> <line>Our spoils he kick'd at,</line> <line>And look'd upon things precious as they were</line> <line>The common muck of the world: he covets less</line> <line>Than misery itself would give; rewards</line> <line>His deeds with doing them, and is content</line> <line>To spend the time to end it.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MENENIUS</speaker> <line>He's right noble:</line> <line>Let him be call'd for.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">First Senator</speaker> <line>Call Coriolanus.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">Officer</speaker> <line>He doth appear.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <para role="stagedir">Re-enter CORIOLANUS</para> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MENENIUS</speaker> <line>The senate, Coriolanus, are well pleased</line> <line>To make thee consul.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">CORIOLANUS</speaker> <line>I do owe them still</line> <line>My life and services.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MENENIUS</speaker> <line>It then remains</line> <line>That you do speak to the people.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">CORIOLANUS</speaker> <line>I do beseech you,</line> <line>Let me o'erleap that custom, for I cannot</line> <line>Put on the gown, stand naked and entreat them,</line> <line>For my wounds' sake, to give their suffrage: please you</line> <line>That I may pass this doing.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">SICINIUS</speaker> <line>Sir, the people</line> <line>Must have their voices; neither will they bate</line> <line>One jot of ceremony.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MENENIUS</speaker> <line>Put them not to't:</line> <line>Pray you, go fit you to the custom and</line> <line>Take to you, as your predecessors have,</line> <line>Your honour with your form.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">CORIOLANUS</speaker> <line>It is apart</line> <line>That I shall blush in acting, and might well</line> <line>Be taken from the people.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">BRUTUS</speaker> <line>Mark you that?</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">CORIOLANUS</speaker> <line>To brag unto them, thus I did, and thus;</line> <line>Show them the unaching scars which I should hide,</line> <line>As if I had received them for the hire</line> <line>Of their breath only!</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MENENIUS</speaker> <line>Do not stand upon't.</line> <line>We recommend to you, tribunes of the people,</line> <line>Our purpose to them: and to our noble consul</line> <line>Wish we all joy and honour.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">Senators</speaker> <line>To Coriolanus come all joy and honour!</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <para role="stagedir">Flourish of cornets. Exeunt all but SICINIUS and BRUTUS</para> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">BRUTUS</speaker> <line>You see how he intends to use the people.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">SICINIUS</speaker> <line>May they perceive's intent! He will require them,</line> <line>As if he did contemn what he requested</line> <line>Should be in them to give.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">BRUTUS</speaker> <line>Come, we'll inform them</line> <line>Of our proceedings here: on the marketplace,</line> <line>I know, they do attend us.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <para role="stagedir">Exeunt</para> </section> <section role="scene"><title>SCENE III. The same. The Forum.</title> <para role="stagedir">Enter seven or eight Citizens</para> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">First Citizen</speaker> <line>Once, if he do require our voices, we ought not to deny him.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">Second Citizen</speaker> <line>We may, sir, if we will.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">Third Citizen</speaker> <line>We have power in ourselves to do it, but it is a</line> <line>power that we have no power to do; for if he show us</line> <line>his wounds and tell us his deeds, we are to put our</line> <line>tongues into those wounds and speak for them; so, if</line> <line>he tell us his noble deeds, we must also tell him</line> <line>our noble acceptance of them. Ingratitude is</line> <line>monstrous, and for the multitude to be ingrateful,</line> <line>were to make a monster of the multitude: of the</line> <line>which we being members, should bring ourselves to be</line> <line>monstrous members.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">First Citizen</speaker> <line>And to make us no better thought of, a little help</line> <line>will serve; for once we stood up about the corn, he</line> <line>himself stuck not to call us the many-headed multitude.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">Third Citizen</speaker> <line>We have been called so of many; not that our heads</line> <line>are some brown, some black, some auburn, some bald,</line> <line>but that our wits are so diversely coloured: and</line> <line>truly I think if all our wits were to issue out of</line> <line>one skull, they would fly east, west, north, south,</line> <line>and their consent of one direct way should be at</line> <line>once to all the points o' the compass.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">Second Citizen</speaker> <line>Think you so? Which way do you judge my wit would</line> <line>fly?</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">Third Citizen</speaker> <line>Nay, your wit will not so soon out as another man's</line> <line>will;'tis strongly wedged up in a block-head, but</line> <line>if it were at liberty, 'twould, sure, southward.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">Second Citizen</speaker> <line>Why that way?</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">Third Citizen</speaker> <line>To lose itself in a fog, where being three parts</line> <line>melted away with rotten dews, the fourth would return</line> <line>for conscience sake, to help to get thee a wife.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">Second Citizen</speaker> <line>You are never without your tricks: you may, you may.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">Third Citizen</speaker> <line>Are you all resolved to give your voices? But</line> <line>that's no matter, the greater part carries it. I</line> <line>say, if he would incline to the people, there was</line> <line>never a worthier man.</line> <para role="stagedir">Enter CORIOLANUS in a gown of humility, with MENENIUS</para> <line>Here he comes, and in the gown of humility: mark his</line> <line>behavior. We are not to stay all together, but to</line> <line>come by him where he stands, by ones, by twos, and</line> <line>by threes. He's to make his requests by</line> <line>particulars; wherein every one of us has a single</line> <line>honour, in giving him our own voices with our own</line> <line>tongues: therefore follow me, and I direct you how</line> <line>you shall go by him.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">All</speaker> <line>Content, content.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <para role="stagedir">Exeunt Citizens</para> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MENENIUS</speaker> <line>O sir, you are not right: have you not known</line> <line>The worthiest men have done't?</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">CORIOLANUS</speaker> <line>What must I say?</line> <line>'I Pray, sir'--Plague upon't! I cannot bring</line> <line>My tongue to such a pace:--'Look, sir, my wounds!</line> <line>I got them in my country's service, when</line> <line>Some certain of your brethren roar'd and ran</line> <line>From the noise of our own drums.'</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MENENIUS</speaker> <line>O me, the gods!</line> <line>You must not speak of that: you must desire them</line> <line>To think upon you.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">CORIOLANUS</speaker> <line>Think upon me! hang 'em!</line> <line>I would they would forget me, like the virtues</line> <line>Which our divines lose by 'em.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MENENIUS</speaker> <line>You'll mar all:</line> <line>I'll leave you: pray you, speak to 'em, I pray you,</line> <line>In wholesome manner.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <para role="stagedir">Exit</para> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">CORIOLANUS</speaker> <line>Bid them wash their faces</line> <line>And keep their teeth clean.</line> <para role="stagedir">Re-enter two of the Citizens</para> <line>So, here comes a brace.</line> <para role="stagedir">Re-enter a third Citizen</para> <line>You know the cause, air, of my standing here.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">Third Citizen</speaker> <line>We do, sir; tell us what hath brought you to't.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">CORIOLANUS</speaker> <line>Mine own desert.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">Second Citizen</speaker> <line>Your own desert!</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">CORIOLANUS</speaker> <line>Ay, but not mine own desire.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">Third Citizen</speaker> <line>How not your own desire?</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">CORIOLANUS</speaker> <line>No, sir,'twas never my desire yet to trouble the</line> <line>poor with begging.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">Third Citizen</speaker> <line>You must think, if we give you any thing, we hope to</line> <line>gain by you.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">CORIOLANUS</speaker> <line>Well then, I pray, your price o' the consulship?</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">First Citizen</speaker> <line>The price is to ask it kindly.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">CORIOLANUS</speaker> <line>Kindly! Sir, I pray, let me ha't: I have wounds to</line> <line>show you, which shall be yours in private. Your</line> <line>good voice, sir; what say you?</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">Second Citizen</speaker> <line>You shall ha' it, worthy sir.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">CORIOLANUS</speaker> <line>A match, sir. There's in all two worthy voices</line> <line>begged. I have your alms: adieu.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">Third Citizen</speaker> <line>But this is something odd.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">Second Citizen</speaker> <line>An 'twere to give again,--but 'tis no matter.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <para role="stagedir">Exeunt the three Citizens</para> <para role="stagedir">Re-enter two other Citizens</para> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">CORIOLANUS</speaker> <line>Pray you now, if it may stand with the tune of your</line> <line>voices that I may be consul, I have here the</line> <line>customary gown.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">Fourth Citizen</speaker> <line>You have deserved nobly of your country, and you</line> <line>have not deserved nobly.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">CORIOLANUS</speaker> <line>Your enigma?</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">Fourth Citizen</speaker> <line>You have been a scourge to her enemies, you have</line> <line>been a rod to her friends; you have not indeed loved</line> <line>the common people.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">CORIOLANUS</speaker> <line>You should account me the more virtuous that I have</line> <line>not been common in my love. I will, sir, flatter my</line> <line>sworn brother, the people, to earn a dearer</line> <line>estimation of them; 'tis a condition they account</line> <line>gentle: and since the wisdom of their choice is</line> <line>rather to have my hat than my heart, I will practise</line> <line>the insinuating nod and be off to them most</line> <line>counterfeitly; that is, sir, I will counterfeit the</line> <line>bewitchment of some popular man and give it</line> <line>bountiful to the desirers. Therefore, beseech you,</line> <line>I may be consul.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">Fifth Citizen</speaker> <line>We hope to find you our friend; and therefore give</line> <line>you our voices heartily.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">Fourth Citizen</speaker> <line>You have received many wounds for your country.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">CORIOLANUS</speaker> <line>I will not seal your knowledge with showing them. I</line> <line>will make much of your voices, and so trouble you no further.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">Both Citizens</speaker> <line>The gods give you joy, sir, heartily!</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <para role="stagedir">Exeunt</para> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">CORIOLANUS</speaker> <line>Most sweet voices!</line> <line>Better it is to die, better to starve,</line> <line>Than crave the hire which first we do deserve.</line> <line>Why in this woolvish toge should I stand here,</line> <line>To beg of Hob and Dick, that do appear,</line> <line>Their needless vouches? Custom calls me to't:</line> <line>What custom wills, in all things should we do't,</line> <line>The dust on antique time would lie unswept,</line> <line>And mountainous error be too highly heapt</line> <line>For truth to o'er-peer. Rather than fool it so,</line> <line>Let the high office and the honour go</line> <line>To one that would do thus. I am half through;</line> <line>The one part suffer'd, the other will I do.</line> <para role="stagedir">Re-enter three Citizens more</para> <line>Here come more voices.</line> <line>Your voices: for your voices I have fought;</line> <line>Watch'd for your voices; for Your voices bear</line> <line>Of wounds two dozen odd; battles thrice six</line> <line>I have seen and heard of; for your voices have</line> <line>Done many things, some less, some more your voices:</line> <line>Indeed I would be consul.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">Sixth Citizen</speaker> <line>He has done nobly, and cannot go without any honest</line> <line>man's voice.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">Seventh Citizen</speaker> <line>Therefore let him be consul: the gods give him joy,</line> <line>and make him good friend to the people!</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">All Citizens</speaker> <line>Amen, amen. God save thee, noble consul!</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <para role="stagedir">Exeunt</para> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">CORIOLANUS</speaker> <line>Worthy voices!</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <para role="stagedir">Re-enter MENENIUS, with BRUTUS and SICINIUS</para> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MENENIUS</speaker> <line>You have stood your limitation; and the tribunes</line> <line>Endue you with the people's voice: remains</line> <line>That, in the official marks invested, you</line> <line>Anon do meet the senate.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">CORIOLANUS</speaker> <line>Is this done?</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">SICINIUS</speaker> <line>The custom of request you have discharged:</line> <line>The people do admit you, and are summon'd</line> <line>To meet anon, upon your approbation.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">CORIOLANUS</speaker> <line>Where? at the senate-house?</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">SICINIUS</speaker> <line>There, Coriolanus.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">CORIOLANUS</speaker> <line>May I change these garments?</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">SICINIUS</speaker> <line>You may, sir.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">CORIOLANUS</speaker> <line>That I'll straight do; and, knowing myself again,</line> <line>Repair to the senate-house.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MENENIUS</speaker> <line>I'll keep you company. Will you along?</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">BRUTUS</speaker> <line>We stay here for the people.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">SICINIUS</speaker> <line>Fare you well.</line> <para role="stagedir">Exeunt CORIOLANUS and MENENIUS</para> <line>He has it now, and by his looks methink</line> <line>'Tis warm at 's heart.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">BRUTUS</speaker> <line>With a proud heart he wore his humble weeds.</line> <line>will you dismiss the people?</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <para role="stagedir">Re-enter Citizens</para> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">SICINIUS</speaker> <line>How now, my masters! have you chose this man?</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">First Citizen</speaker> <line>He has our voices, sir.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">BRUTUS</speaker> <line>We pray the gods he may deserve your loves.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">Second Citizen</speaker> <line>Amen, sir: to my poor unworthy notice,</line> <line>He mock'd us when he begg'd our voices.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">Third Citizen</speaker> <line>Certainly</line> <line>He flouted us downright.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">First Citizen</speaker> <line>No,'tis his kind of speech: he did not mock us.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">Second Citizen</speaker> <line>Not one amongst us, save yourself, but says</line> <line>He used us scornfully: he should have show'd us</line> <line>His marks of merit, wounds received for's country.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">SICINIUS</speaker> <line>Why, so he did, I am sure.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">Citizens</speaker> <line>No, no; no man saw 'em.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">Third Citizen</speaker> <line>He said he had wounds, which he could show</line> <line>in private;</line> <line>And with his hat, thus waving it in scorn,</line> <line>'I would be consul,' says he: 'aged custom,</line> <line>But by your voices, will not so permit me;</line> <line>Your voices therefore.' When we granted that,</line> <line>Here was 'I thank you for your voices: thank you:</line> <line>Your most sweet voices: now you have left</line> <line>your voices,</line> <line>I have no further with you.' Was not this mockery?</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">SICINIUS</speaker> <line>Why either were you ignorant to see't,</line> <line>Or, seeing it, of such childish friendliness</line> <line>To yield your voices?</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">BRUTUS</speaker> <line>Could you not have told him</line> <line>As you were lesson'd, when he had no power,</line> <line>But was a petty servant to the state,</line> <line>He was your enemy, ever spake against</line> <line>Your liberties and the charters that you bear</line> <line>I' the body of the weal; and now, arriving</line> <line>A place of potency and sway o' the state,</line> <line>If he should still malignantly remain</line> <line>Fast foe to the plebeii, your voices might</line> <line>Be curses to yourselves? You should have said</line> <line>That as his worthy deeds did claim no less</line> <line>Than what he stood for, so his gracious nature</line> <line>Would think upon you for your voices and</line> <line>Translate his malice towards you into love,</line> <line>Standing your friendly lord.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">SICINIUS</speaker> <line>Thus to have said,</line> <line>As you were fore-advised, had touch'd his spirit</line> <line>And tried his inclination; from him pluck'd</line> <line>Either his gracious promise, which you might,</line> <line>As cause had call'd you up, have held him to</line> <line>Or else it would have gall'd his surly nature,</line> <line>Which easily endures not article</line> <line>Tying him to aught; so putting him to rage,</line> <line>You should have ta'en the advantage of his choler</line> <line>And pass'd him unelected.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">BRUTUS</speaker> <line>Did you perceive</line> <line>He did solicit you in free contempt</line> <line>When he did need your loves, and do you think</line> <line>That his contempt shall not be bruising to you,</line> <line>When he hath power to crush? Why, had your bodies</line> <line>No heart among you? or had you tongues to cry</line> <line>Against the rectorship of judgment?</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">SICINIUS</speaker> <line>Have you</line> <line>Ere now denied the asker? and now again</line> <line>Of him that did not ask, but mock, bestow</line> <line>Your sued-for tongues?</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">Third Citizen</speaker> <line>He's not confirm'd; we may deny him yet.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">Second Citizen</speaker> <line>And will deny him:</line> <line>I'll have five hundred voices of that sound.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">First Citizen</speaker> <line>I twice five hundred and their friends to piece 'em.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">BRUTUS</speaker> <line>Get you hence instantly, and tell those friends,</line> <line>They have chose a consul that will from them take</line> <line>Their liberties; make them of no more voice</line> <line>Than dogs that are as often beat for barking</line> <line>As therefore kept to do so.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">SICINIUS</speaker> <line>Let them assemble,</line> <line>And on a safer judgment all revoke</line> <line>Your ignorant election; enforce his pride,</line> <line>And his old hate unto you; besides, forget not</line> <line>With what contempt he wore the humble weed,</line> <line>How in his suit he scorn'd you; but your loves,</line> <line>Thinking upon his services, took from you</line> <line>The apprehension of his present portance,</line> <line>Which most gibingly, ungravely, he did fashion</line> <line>After the inveterate hate he bears you.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">BRUTUS</speaker> <line>Lay</line> <line>A fault on us, your tribunes; that we laboured,</line> <line>No impediment between, but that you must</line> <line>Cast your election on him.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">SICINIUS</speaker> <line>Say, you chose him</line> <line>More after our commandment than as guided</line> <line>By your own true affections, and that your minds,</line> <line>Preoccupied with what you rather must do</line> <line>Than what you should, made you against the grain</line> <line>To voice him consul: lay the fault on us.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">BRUTUS</speaker> <line>Ay, spare us not. Say we read lectures to you.</line> <line>How youngly he began to serve his country,</line> <line>How long continued, and what stock he springs of,</line> <line>The noble house o' the Marcians, from whence came</line> <line>That Ancus Marcius, Numa's daughter's son,</line> <line>Who, after great Hostilius, here was king;</line> <line>Of the same house Publius and Quintus were,</line> <line>That our beat water brought by conduits hither;</line> <line>And <para role="stagedir">Censorinus,</para> nobly named so,</line> <line>Twice being <para role="stagedir">by the people chosen</para> censor,</line> <line>Was his great ancestor.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">SICINIUS</speaker> <line>One thus descended,</line> <line>That hath beside well in his person wrought</line> <line>To be set high in place, we did commend</line> <line>To your remembrances: but you have found,</line> <line>Scaling his present bearing with his past,</line> <line>That he's your fixed enemy, and revoke</line> <line>Your sudden approbation.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">BRUTUS</speaker> <line>Say, you ne'er had done't--</line> <line>Harp on that still--but by our putting on;</line> <line>And presently, when you have drawn your number,</line> <line>Repair to the Capitol.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">All</speaker> <line>We will so: almost all</line> <line>Repent in their election.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <para role="stagedir">Exeunt Citizens</para> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">BRUTUS</speaker> <line>Let them go on;</line> <line>This mutiny were better put in hazard,</line> <line>Than stay, past doubt, for greater:</line> <line>If, as his nature is, he fall in rage</line> <line>With their refusal, both observe and answer</line> <line>The vantage of his anger.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">SICINIUS</speaker> <line>To the Capitol, come:</line> <line>We will be there before the stream o' the people;</line> <line>And this shall seem, as partly 'tis, their own,</line> <line>Which we have goaded onward.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <para role="stagedir">Exeunt</para> </section> </chapter> <chapter role="act"><title>ACT III</title> <section role="scene"><title>SCENE I. Rome. A street.</title> <para role="stagedir">Cornets. Enter CORIOLANUS, MENENIUS, all the Gentry, COMINIUS, TITUS LARTIUS, and other Senators</para> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">CORIOLANUS</speaker> <line>Tullus Aufidius then had made new head?</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">LARTIUS</speaker> <line>He had, my lord; and that it was which caused</line> <line>Our swifter composition.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">CORIOLANUS</speaker> <line>So then the Volsces stand but as at first,</line> <line>Ready, when time shall prompt them, to make road.</line> <line>Upon's again.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">COMINIUS</speaker> <line>They are worn, lord consul, so,</line> <line>That we shall hardly in our ages see</line> <line>Their banners wave again.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">CORIOLANUS</speaker> <line>Saw you Aufidius?</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">LARTIUS</speaker> <line>On safe-guard he came to me; and did curse</line> <line>Against the Volsces, for they had so vilely</line> <line>Yielded the town: he is retired to Antium.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">CORIOLANUS</speaker> <line>Spoke he of me?</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">LARTIUS</speaker> <line>He did, my lord.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">CORIOLANUS</speaker> <line>How? what?</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">LARTIUS</speaker> <line>How often he had met you, sword to sword;</line> <line>That of all things upon the earth he hated</line> <line>Your person most, that he would pawn his fortunes</line> <line>To hopeless restitution, so he might</line> <line>Be call'd your vanquisher.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">CORIOLANUS</speaker> <line>At Antium lives he?</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">LARTIUS</speaker> <line>At Antium.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">CORIOLANUS</speaker> <line>I wish I had a cause to seek him there,</line> <line>To oppose his hatred fully. Welcome home.</line> <para role="stagedir">Enter SICINIUS and BRUTUS</para> <line>Behold, these are the tribunes of the people,</line> <line>The tongues o' the common mouth: I do despise them;</line> <line>For they do prank them in authority,</line> <line>Against all noble sufferance.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">SICINIUS</speaker> <line>Pass no further.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">CORIOLANUS</speaker> <line>Ha! what is that?</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">BRUTUS</speaker> <line>It will be dangerous to go on: no further.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">CORIOLANUS</speaker> <line>What makes this change?</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MENENIUS</speaker> <line>The matter?</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">COMINIUS</speaker> <line>Hath he not pass'd the noble and the common?</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">BRUTUS</speaker> <line>Cominius, no.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">CORIOLANUS</speaker> <line>Have I had children's voices?</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">First Senator</speaker> <line>Tribunes, give way; he shall to the market-place.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">BRUTUS</speaker> <line>The people are incensed against him.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">SICINIUS</speaker> <line>Stop,</line> <line>Or all will fall in broil.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">CORIOLANUS</speaker> <line>Are these your herd?</line> <line>Must these have voices, that can yield them now</line> <line>And straight disclaim their tongues? What are</line> <line>your offices?</line> <line>You being their mouths, why rule you not their teeth?</line> <line>Have you not set them on?</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MENENIUS</speaker> <line>Be calm, be calm.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">CORIOLANUS</speaker> <line>It is a purposed thing, and grows by plot,</line> <line>To curb the will of the nobility:</line> <line>Suffer't, and live with such as cannot rule</line> <line>Nor ever will be ruled.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">BRUTUS</speaker> <line>Call't not a plot:</line> <line>The people cry you mock'd them, and of late,</line> <line>When corn was given them gratis, you repined;</line> <line>Scandal'd the suppliants for the people, call'd them</line> <line>Time-pleasers, flatterers, foes to nobleness.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">CORIOLANUS</speaker> <line>Why, this was known before.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">BRUTUS</speaker> <line>Not to them all.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">CORIOLANUS</speaker> <line>Have you inform'd them sithence?</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">BRUTUS</speaker> <line>How! I inform them!</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">CORIOLANUS</speaker> <line>You are like to do such business.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">BRUTUS</speaker> <line>Not unlike,</line> <line>Each way, to better yours.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">CORIOLANUS</speaker> <line>Why then should I be consul? By yond clouds,</line> <line>Let me deserve so ill as you, and make me</line> <line>Your fellow tribune.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">SICINIUS</speaker> <line>You show too much of that</line> <line>For which the people stir: if you will pass</line> <line>To where you are bound, you must inquire your way,</line> <line>Which you are out of, with a gentler spirit,</line> <line>Or never be so noble as a consul,</line> <line>Nor yoke with him for tribune.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MENENIUS</speaker> <line>Let's be calm.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">COMINIUS</speaker> <line>The people are abused; set on. This paltering</line> <line>Becomes not Rome, nor has Coriolanus</line> <line>Deserved this so dishonour'd rub, laid falsely</line> <line>I' the plain way of his merit.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">CORIOLANUS</speaker> <line>Tell me of corn!</line> <line>This was my speech, and I will speak't again--</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MENENIUS</speaker> <line>Not now, not now.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">First Senator</speaker> <line>Not in this heat, sir, now.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">CORIOLANUS</speaker> <line>Now, as I live, I will. My nobler friends,</line> <line>I crave their pardons:</line> <line>For the mutable, rank-scented many, let them</line> <line>Regard me as I do not flatter, and</line> <line>Therein behold themselves: I say again,</line> <line>In soothing them, we nourish 'gainst our senate</line> <line>The cockle of rebellion, insolence, sedition,</line> <line>Which we ourselves have plough'd for, sow'd,</line> <line>and scatter'd,</line> <line>By mingling them with us, the honour'd number,</line> <line>Who lack not virtue, no, nor power, but that</line> <line>Which they have given to beggars.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MENENIUS</speaker> <line>Well, no more.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">First Senator</speaker> <line>No more words, we beseech you.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">CORIOLANUS</speaker> <line>How! no more!</line> <line>As for my country I have shed my blood,</line> <line>Not fearing outward force, so shall my lungs</line> <line>Coin words till their decay against those measles,</line> <line>Which we disdain should tatter us, yet sought</line> <line>The very way to catch them.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">BRUTUS</speaker> <line>You speak o' the people,</line> <line>As if you were a god to punish, not</line> <line>A man of their infirmity.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">SICINIUS</speaker> <line>'Twere well</line> <line>We let the people know't.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MENENIUS</speaker> <line>What, what? his choler?</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">CORIOLANUS</speaker> <line>Choler!</line> <line>Were I as patient as the midnight sleep,</line> <line>By Jove, 'twould be my mind!</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">SICINIUS</speaker> <line>It is a mind</line> <line>That shall remain a poison where it is,</line> <line>Not poison any further.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">CORIOLANUS</speaker> <line>Shall remain!</line> <line>Hear you this Triton of the minnows? mark you</line> <line>His absolute 'shall'?</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">COMINIUS</speaker> <line>'Twas from the canon.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">CORIOLANUS</speaker> <line>'Shall'!</line> <line>O good but most unwise patricians! why,</line> <line>You grave but reckless senators, have you thus</line> <line>Given Hydra here to choose an officer,</line> <line>That with his peremptory 'shall,' being but</line> <line>The horn and noise o' the monster's, wants not spirit</line> <line>To say he'll turn your current in a ditch,</line> <line>And make your channel his? If he have power</line> <line>Then vail your ignorance; if none, awake</line> <line>Your dangerous lenity. If you are learn'd,</line> <line>Be not as common fools; if you are not,</line> <line>Let them have cushions by you. You are plebeians,</line> <line>If they be senators: and they are no less,</line> <line>When, both your voices blended, the great'st taste</line> <line>Most palates theirs. They choose their magistrate,</line> <line>And such a one as he, who puts his 'shall,'</line> <line>His popular 'shall' against a graver bench</line> <line>Than ever frown in Greece. By Jove himself!</line> <line>It makes the consuls base: and my soul aches</line> <line>To know, when two authorities are up,</line> <line>Neither supreme, how soon confusion</line> <line>May enter 'twixt the gap of both and take</line> <line>The one by the other.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">COMINIUS</speaker> <line>Well, on to the market-place.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">CORIOLANUS</speaker> <line>Whoever gave that counsel, to give forth</line> <line>The corn o' the storehouse gratis, as 'twas used</line> <line>Sometime in Greece,--</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MENENIUS</speaker> <line>Well, well, no more of that.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">CORIOLANUS</speaker> <line>Though there the people had more absolute power,</line> <line>I say, they nourish'd disobedience, fed</line> <line>The ruin of the state.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">BRUTUS</speaker> <line>Why, shall the people give</line> <line>One that speaks thus their voice?</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">CORIOLANUS</speaker> <line>I'll give my reasons,</line> <line>More worthier than their voices. They know the corn</line> <line>Was not our recompense, resting well assured</line> <line>That ne'er did service for't: being press'd to the war,</line> <line>Even when the navel of the state was touch'd,</line> <line>They would not thread the gates. This kind of service</line> <line>Did not deserve corn gratis. Being i' the war</line> <line>Their mutinies and revolts, wherein they show'd</line> <line>Most valour, spoke not for them: the accusation</line> <line>Which they have often made against the senate,</line> <line>All cause unborn, could never be the motive</line> <line>Of our so frank donation. Well, what then?</line> <line>How shall this bisson multitude digest</line> <line>The senate's courtesy? Let deeds express</line> <line>What's like to be their words: 'we did request it;</line> <line>We are the greater poll, and in true fear</line> <line>They gave us our demands.' Thus we debase</line> <line>The nature of our seats and make the rabble</line> <line>Call our cares fears; which will in time</line> <line>Break ope the locks o' the senate and bring in</line> <line>The crows to peck the eagles.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MENENIUS</speaker> <line>Come, enough.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">BRUTUS</speaker> <line>Enough, with over-measure.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">CORIOLANUS</speaker> <line>No, take more:</line> <line>What may be sworn by, both divine and human,</line> <line>Seal what I end withal! This double worship,</line> <line>Where one part does disdain with cause, the other</line> <line>Insult without all reason, where gentry, title, wisdom,</line> <line>Cannot conclude but by the yea and no</line> <line>Of general ignorance,--it must omit</line> <line>Real necessities, and give way the while</line> <line>To unstable slightness: purpose so barr'd,</line> <line>it follows,</line> <line>Nothing is done to purpose. Therefore, beseech you,--</line> <line>You that will be less fearful than discreet,</line> <line>That love the fundamental part of state</line> <line>More than you doubt the change on't, that prefer</line> <line>A noble life before a long, and wish</line> <line>To jump a body with a dangerous physic</line> <line>That's sure of death without it, at once pluck out</line> <line>The multitudinous tongue; let them not lick</line> <line>The sweet which is their poison: your dishonour</line> <line>Mangles true judgment and bereaves the state</line> <line>Of that integrity which should become't,</line> <line>Not having the power to do the good it would,</line> <line>For the in which doth control't.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">BRUTUS</speaker> <line>Has said enough.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">SICINIUS</speaker> <line>Has spoken like a traitor, and shall answer</line> <line>As traitors do.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">CORIOLANUS</speaker> <line>Thou wretch, despite o'erwhelm thee!</line> <line>What should the people do with these bald tribunes?</line> <line>On whom depending, their obedience fails</line> <line>To the greater bench: in a rebellion,</line> <line>When what's not meet, but what must be, was law,</line> <line>Then were they chosen: in a better hour,</line> <line>Let what is meet be said it must be meet,</line> <line>And throw their power i' the dust.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">BRUTUS</speaker> <line>Manifest treason!</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">SICINIUS</speaker> <line>This a consul? no.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">BRUTUS</speaker> <line>The aediles, ho!</line> <para role="stagedir">Enter an AEdile</para> <line>Let him be apprehended.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">SICINIUS</speaker> <line>Go, call the people:</line> <para role="stagedir">Exit AEdile</para> <line>in whose name myself</line> <line>Attach thee as a traitorous innovator,</line> <line>A foe to the public weal: obey, I charge thee,</line> <line>And follow to thine answer.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">CORIOLANUS</speaker> <line>Hence, old goat!</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">Senators, &C</speaker> <line>We'll surety him.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">COMINIUS</speaker> <line>Aged sir, hands off.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">CORIOLANUS</speaker> <line>Hence, rotten thing! or I shall shake thy bones</line> <line>Out of thy garments.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">SICINIUS</speaker> <line>Help, ye citizens!</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <para role="stagedir">Enter a rabble of Citizens (Plebeians), with the AEdiles</para> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MENENIUS</speaker> <line>On both sides more respect.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">SICINIUS</speaker> <line>Here's he that would take from you all your power.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">BRUTUS</speaker> <line>Seize him, AEdiles!</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">Citizens</speaker> <line>Down with him! down with him!</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">Senators, &C</speaker> <line>Weapons, weapons, weapons!</line> <para role="stagedir">They all bustle about CORIOLANUS, crying</para> <line>'Tribunes!' 'Patricians!' 'Citizens!' 'What, ho!'</line> <line>'Sicinius!' 'Brutus!' 'Coriolanus!' 'Citizens!'</line> <line>'Peace, peace, peace!' 'Stay, hold, peace!'</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MENENIUS</speaker> <line>What is about to be? I am out of breath;</line> <line>Confusion's near; I cannot speak. You, tribunes</line> <line>To the people! Coriolanus, patience!</line> <line>Speak, good Sicinius.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">SICINIUS</speaker> <line>Hear me, people; peace!</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">Citizens</speaker> <line>Let's hear our tribune: peace Speak, speak, speak.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">SICINIUS</speaker> <line>You are at point to lose your liberties:</line> <line>Marcius would have all from you; Marcius,</line> <line>Whom late you have named for consul.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MENENIUS</speaker> <line>Fie, fie, fie!</line> <line>This is the way to kindle, not to quench.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">First Senator</speaker> <line>To unbuild the city and to lay all flat.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">SICINIUS</speaker> <line>What is the city but the people?</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">Citizens</speaker> <line>True,</line> <line>The people are the city.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">BRUTUS</speaker> <line>By the consent of all, we were establish'd</line> <line>The people's magistrates.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">Citizens</speaker> <line>You so remain.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MENENIUS</speaker> <line>And so are like to do.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">COMINIUS</speaker> <line>That is the way to lay the city flat;</line> <line>To bring the roof to the foundation,</line> <line>And bury all, which yet distinctly ranges,</line> <line>In heaps and piles of ruin.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">SICINIUS</speaker> <line>This deserves death.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">BRUTUS</speaker> <line>Or let us stand to our authority,</line> <line>Or let us lose it. We do here pronounce,</line> <line>Upon the part o' the people, in whose power</line> <line>We were elected theirs, Marcius is worthy</line> <line>Of present death.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">SICINIUS</speaker> <line>Therefore lay hold of him;</line> <line>Bear him to the rock Tarpeian, and from thence</line> <line>Into destruction cast him.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">BRUTUS</speaker> <line>AEdiles, seize him!</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">Citizens</speaker> <line>Yield, Marcius, yield!</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MENENIUS</speaker> <line>Hear me one word;</line> <line>Beseech you, tribunes, hear me but a word.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">AEdile</speaker> <line>Peace, peace!</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MENENIUS</speaker> <line><para role="stagedir">To BRUTUS</para> Be that you seem, truly your</line> <line>country's friend,</line> <line>And temperately proceed to what you would</line> <line>Thus violently redress.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">BRUTUS</speaker> <line>Sir, those cold ways,</line> <line>That seem like prudent helps, are very poisonous</line> <line>Where the disease is violent. Lay hands upon him,</line> <line>And bear him to the rock.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">CORIOLANUS</speaker> <line>No, I'll die here.</line> <para role="stagedir">Drawing his sword</para> <line>There's some among you have beheld me fighting:</line> <line>Come, try upon yourselves what you have seen me.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MENENIUS</speaker> <line>Down with that sword! Tribunes, withdraw awhile.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">BRUTUS</speaker> <line>Lay hands upon him.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">COMINIUS</speaker> <line>Help Marcius, help,</line> <line>You that be noble; help him, young and old!</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">Citizens</speaker> <line>Down with him, down with him!</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <para role="stagedir">In this mutiny, the Tribunes, the AEdiles, and the People, are beat in</para> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MENENIUS</speaker> <line>Go, get you to your house; be gone, away!</line> <line>All will be naught else.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">Second Senator</speaker> <line>Get you gone.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">COMINIUS</speaker> <line>Stand fast;</line> <line>We have as many friends as enemies.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MENENIUS</speaker> <line>Sham it be put to that?</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">First Senator</speaker> <line>The gods forbid!</line> <line>I prithee, noble friend, home to thy house;</line> <line>Leave us to cure this cause.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MENENIUS</speaker> <line>For 'tis a sore upon us,</line> <line>You cannot tent yourself: be gone, beseech you.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">COMINIUS</speaker> <line>Come, sir, along with us.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">CORIOLANUS</speaker> <line>I would they were barbarians--as they are,</line> <line>Though in Rome litter'd--not Romans--as they are not,</line> <line>Though calved i' the porch o' the Capitol--</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MENENIUS</speaker> <line>Be gone;</line> <line>Put not your worthy rage into your tongue;</line> <line>One time will owe another.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">CORIOLANUS</speaker> <line>On fair ground</line> <line>I could beat forty of them.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">COMINIUS</speaker> <line>I could myself</line> <line>Take up a brace o' the best of them; yea, the</line> <line>two tribunes:</line> <line>But now 'tis odds beyond arithmetic;</line> <line>And manhood is call'd foolery, when it stands</line> <line>Against a falling fabric. Will you hence,</line> <line>Before the tag return? whose rage doth rend</line> <line>Like interrupted waters and o'erbear</line> <line>What they are used to bear.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MENENIUS</speaker> <line>Pray you, be gone:</line> <line>I'll try whether my old wit be in request</line> <line>With those that have but little: this must be patch'd</line> <line>With cloth of any colour.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">COMINIUS</speaker> <line>Nay, come away.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <para role="stagedir">Exeunt CORIOLANUS, COMINIUS, and others</para> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">A Patrician</speaker> <line>This man has marr'd his fortune.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MENENIUS</speaker> <line>His nature is too noble for the world:</line> <line>He would not flatter Neptune for his trident,</line> <line>Or Jove for's power to thunder. His heart's his mouth:</line> <line>What his breast forges, that his tongue must vent;</line> <line>And, being angry, does forget that ever</line> <line>He heard the name of death.</line> <para role="stagedir">A noise within</para> <line>Here's goodly work!</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">Second Patrician</speaker> <line>I would they were abed!</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MENENIUS</speaker> <line>I would they were in Tiber! What the vengeance!</line> <line>Could he not speak 'em fair?</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <para role="stagedir">Re-enter BRUTUS and SICINIUS, with the rabble</para> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">SICINIUS</speaker> <line>Where is this viper</line> <line>That would depopulate the city and</line> <line>Be every man himself?</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MENENIUS</speaker> <line>You worthy tribunes,--</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">SICINIUS</speaker> <line>He shall be thrown down the Tarpeian rock</line> <line>With rigorous hands: he hath resisted law,</line> <line>And therefore law shall scorn him further trial</line> <line>Than the severity of the public power</line> <line>Which he so sets at nought.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">First Citizen</speaker> <line>He shall well know</line> <line>The noble tribunes are the people's mouths,</line> <line>And we their hands.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">Citizens</speaker> <line>He shall, sure on't.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MENENIUS</speaker> <line>Sir, sir,--</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">SICINIUS</speaker> <line>Peace!</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MENENIUS</speaker> <line>Do not cry havoc, where you should but hunt</line> <line>With modest warrant.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">SICINIUS</speaker> <line>Sir, how comes't that you</line> <line>Have holp to make this rescue?</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MENENIUS</speaker> <line>Hear me speak:</line> <line>As I do know the consul's worthiness,</line> <line>So can I name his faults,--</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">SICINIUS</speaker> <line>Consul! what consul?</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MENENIUS</speaker> <line>The consul Coriolanus.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">BRUTUS</speaker> <line>He consul!</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">Citizens</speaker> <line>No, no, no, no, no.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MENENIUS</speaker> <line>If, by the tribunes' leave, and yours, good people,</line> <line>I may be heard, I would crave a word or two;</line> <line>The which shall turn you to no further harm</line> <line>Than so much loss of time.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">SICINIUS</speaker> <line>Speak briefly then;</line> <line>For we are peremptory to dispatch</line> <line>This viperous traitor: to eject him hence</line> <line>Were but one danger, and to keep him here</line> <line>Our certain death: therefore it is decreed</line> <line>He dies to-night.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MENENIUS</speaker> <line>Now the good gods forbid</line> <line>That our renowned Rome, whose gratitude</line> <line>Towards her deserved children is enroll'd</line> <line>In Jove's own book, like an unnatural dam</line> <line>Should now eat up her own!</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">SICINIUS</speaker> <line>He's a disease that must be cut away.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MENENIUS</speaker> <line>O, he's a limb that has but a disease;</line> <line>Mortal, to cut it off; to cure it, easy.</line> <line>What has he done to Rome that's worthy death?</line> <line>Killing our enemies, the blood he hath lost--</line> <line>Which, I dare vouch, is more than that he hath,</line> <line>By many an ounce--he dropp'd it for his country;</line> <line>And what is left, to lose it by his country,</line> <line>Were to us all, that do't and suffer it,</line> <line>A brand to the end o' the world.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">SICINIUS</speaker> <line>This is clean kam.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">BRUTUS</speaker> <line>Merely awry: when he did love his country,</line> <line>It honour'd him.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MENENIUS</speaker> <line>The service of the foot</line> <line>Being once gangrened, is not then respected</line> <line>For what before it was.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">BRUTUS</speaker> <line>We'll hear no more.</line> <line>Pursue him to his house, and pluck him thence:</line> <line>Lest his infection, being of catching nature,</line> <line>Spread further.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MENENIUS</speaker> <line>One word more, one word.</line> <line>This tiger-footed rage, when it shall find</line> <line>The harm of unscann'd swiftness, will too late</line> <line>Tie leaden pounds to's heels. Proceed by process;</line> <line>Lest parties, as he is beloved, break out,</line> <line>And sack great Rome with Romans.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">BRUTUS</speaker> <line>If it were so,--</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">SICINIUS</speaker> <line>What do ye talk?</line> <line>Have we not had a taste of his obedience?</line> <line>Our aediles smote? ourselves resisted? Come.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MENENIUS</speaker> <line>Consider this: he has been bred i' the wars</line> <line>Since he could draw a sword, and is ill school'd</line> <line>In bolted language; meal and bran together</line> <line>He throws without distinction. Give me leave,</line> <line>I'll go to him, and undertake to bring him</line> <line>Where he shall answer, by a lawful form,</line> <line>In peace, to his utmost peril.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">First Senator</speaker> <line>Noble tribunes,</line> <line>It is the humane way: the other course</line> <line>Will prove too bloody, and the end of it</line> <line>Unknown to the beginning.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">SICINIUS</speaker> <line>Noble Menenius,</line> <line>Be you then as the people's officer.</line> <line>Masters, lay down your weapons.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">BRUTUS</speaker> <line>Go not home.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">SICINIUS</speaker> <line>Meet on the market-place. We'll attend you there:</line> <line>Where, if you bring not Marcius, we'll proceed</line> <line>In our first way.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MENENIUS</speaker> <line>I'll bring him to you.</line> <para role="stagedir">To the Senators</para> <line>Let me desire your company: he must come,</line> <line>Or what is worst will follow.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">First Senator</speaker> <line>Pray you, let's to him.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <para role="stagedir">Exeunt</para> </section> <section role="scene"><title>SCENE II. A room in CORIOLANUS'S house.</title> <para role="stagedir">Enter CORIOLANUS with Patricians</para> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">CORIOLANUS</speaker> <line>Let them puff all about mine ears, present me</line> <line>Death on the wheel or at wild horses' heels,</line> <line>Or pile ten hills on the Tarpeian rock,</line> <line>That the precipitation might down stretch</line> <line>Below the beam of sight, yet will I still</line> <line>Be thus to them.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">A Patrician</speaker> <line>You do the nobler.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">CORIOLANUS</speaker> <line>I muse my mother</line> <line>Does not approve me further, who was wont</line> <line>To call them woollen vassals, things created</line> <line>To buy and sell with groats, to show bare heads</line> <line>In congregations, to yawn, be still and wonder,</line> <line>When one but of my ordinance stood up</line> <line>To speak of peace or war.</line> <para role="stagedir">Enter VOLUMNIA</para> <line>I talk of you:</line> <line>Why did you wish me milder? would you have me</line> <line>False to my nature? Rather say I play</line> <line>The man I am.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">VOLUMNIA</speaker> <line>O, sir, sir, sir,</line> <line>I would have had you put your power well on,</line> <line>Before you had worn it out.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">CORIOLANUS</speaker> <line>Let go.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">VOLUMNIA</speaker> <line>You might have been enough the man you are,</line> <line>With striving less to be so; lesser had been</line> <line>The thwartings of your dispositions, if</line> <line>You had not show'd them how ye were disposed</line> <line>Ere they lack'd power to cross you.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">CORIOLANUS</speaker> <line>Let them hang.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">A Patrician</speaker> <line>Ay, and burn too.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <para role="stagedir">Enter MENENIUS and Senators</para> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MENENIUS</speaker> <line>Come, come, you have been too rough, something</line> <line>too rough;</line> <line>You must return and mend it.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">First Senator</speaker> <line>There's no remedy;</line> <line>Unless, by not so doing, our good city</line> <line>Cleave in the midst, and perish.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">VOLUMNIA</speaker> <line>Pray, be counsell'd:</line> <line>I have a heart as little apt as yours,</line> <line>But yet a brain that leads my use of anger</line> <line>To better vantage.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MENENIUS</speaker> <line>Well said, noble woman?</line> <line>Before he should thus stoop to the herd, but that</line> <line>The violent fit o' the time craves it as physic</line> <line>For the whole state, I would put mine armour on,</line> <line>Which I can scarcely bear.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">CORIOLANUS</speaker> <line>What must I do?</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MENENIUS</speaker> <line>Return to the tribunes.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">CORIOLANUS</speaker> <line>Well, what then? what then?</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MENENIUS</speaker> <line>Repent what you have spoke.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">CORIOLANUS</speaker> <line>For them! I cannot do it to the gods;</line> <line>Must I then do't to them?</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">VOLUMNIA</speaker> <line>You are too absolute;</line> <line>Though therein you can never be too noble,</line> <line>But when extremities speak. I have heard you say,</line> <line>Honour and policy, like unsever'd friends,</line> <line>I' the war do grow together: grant that, and tell me,</line> <line>In peace what each of them by the other lose,</line> <line>That they combine not there.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">CORIOLANUS</speaker> <line>Tush, tush!</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MENENIUS</speaker> <line>A good demand.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">VOLUMNIA</speaker> <line>If it be honour in your wars to seem</line> <line>The same you are not, which, for your best ends,</line> <line>You adopt your policy, how is it less or worse,</line> <line>That it shall hold companionship in peace</line> <line>With honour, as in war, since that to both</line> <line>It stands in like request?</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">CORIOLANUS</speaker> <line>Why force you this?</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">VOLUMNIA</speaker> <line>Because that now it lies you on to speak</line> <line>To the people; not by your own instruction,</line> <line>Nor by the matter which your heart prompts you,</line> <line>But with such words that are but rooted in</line> <line>Your tongue, though but bastards and syllables</line> <line>Of no allowance to your bosom's truth.</line> <line>Now, this no more dishonours you at all</line> <line>Than to take in a town with gentle words,</line> <line>Which else would put you to your fortune and</line> <line>The hazard of much blood.</line> <line>I would dissemble with my nature where</line> <line>My fortunes and my friends at stake required</line> <line>I should do so in honour: I am in this,</line> <line>Your wife, your son, these senators, the nobles;</line> <line>And you will rather show our general louts</line> <line>How you can frown than spend a fawn upon 'em,</line> <line>For the inheritance of their loves and safeguard</line> <line>Of what that want might ruin.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MENENIUS</speaker> <line>Noble lady!</line> <line>Come, go with us; speak fair: you may salve so,</line> <line>Not what is dangerous present, but the loss</line> <line>Of what is past.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">VOLUMNIA</speaker> <line>I prithee now, my son,</line> <line>Go to them, with this bonnet in thy hand;</line> <line>And thus far having stretch'd it--here be with them--</line> <line>Thy knee bussing the stones--for in such business</line> <line>Action is eloquence, and the eyes of the ignorant</line> <line>More learned than the ears--waving thy head,</line> <line>Which often, thus, correcting thy stout heart,</line> <line>Now humble as the ripest mulberry</line> <line>That will not hold the handling: or say to them,</line> <line>Thou art their soldier, and being bred in broils</line> <line>Hast not the soft way which, thou dost confess,</line> <line>Were fit for thee to use as they to claim,</line> <line>In asking their good loves, but thou wilt frame</line> <line>Thyself, forsooth, hereafter theirs, so far</line> <line>As thou hast power and person.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MENENIUS</speaker> <line>This but done,</line> <line>Even as she speaks, why, their hearts were yours;</line> <line>For they have pardons, being ask'd, as free</line> <line>As words to little purpose.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">VOLUMNIA</speaker> <line>Prithee now,</line> <line>Go, and be ruled: although I know thou hadst rather</line> <line>Follow thine enemy in a fiery gulf</line> <line>Than flatter him in a bower. Here is Cominius.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <para role="stagedir">Enter COMINIUS</para> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">COMINIUS</speaker> <line>I have been i' the market-place; and, sir,'tis fit</line> <line>You make strong party, or defend yourself</line> <line>By calmness or by absence: all's in anger.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MENENIUS</speaker> <line>Only fair speech.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">COMINIUS</speaker> <line>I think 'twill serve, if he</line> <line>Can thereto frame his spirit.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">VOLUMNIA</speaker> <line>He must, and will</line> <line>Prithee now, say you will, and go about it.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">CORIOLANUS</speaker> <line>Must I go show them my unbarbed sconce?</line> <line>Must I with base tongue give my noble heart</line> <line>A lie that it must bear? Well, I will do't:</line> <line>Yet, were there but this single plot to lose,</line> <line>This mould of Marcius, they to dust should grind it</line> <line>And throw't against the wind. To the market-place!</line> <line>You have put me now to such a part which never</line> <line>I shall discharge to the life.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">COMINIUS</speaker> <line>Come, come, we'll prompt you.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">VOLUMNIA</speaker> <line>I prithee now, sweet son, as thou hast said</line> <line>My praises made thee first a soldier, so,</line> <line>To have my praise for this, perform a part</line> <line>Thou hast not done before.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">CORIOLANUS</speaker> <line>Well, I must do't:</line> <line>Away, my disposition, and possess me</line> <line>Some harlot's spirit! my throat of war be turn'd,</line> <line>Which quired with my drum, into a pipe</line> <line>Small as an eunuch, or the virgin voice</line> <line>That babies lulls asleep! the smiles of knaves</line> <line>Tent in my cheeks, and schoolboys' tears take up</line> <line>The glasses of my sight! a beggar's tongue</line> <line>Make motion through my lips, and my arm'd knees,</line> <line>Who bow'd but in my stirrup, bend like his</line> <line>That hath received an alms! I will not do't,</line> <line>Lest I surcease to honour mine own truth</line> <line>And by my body's action teach my mind</line> <line>A most inherent baseness.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">VOLUMNIA</speaker> <line>At thy choice, then:</line> <line>To beg of thee, it is my more dishonour</line> <line>Than thou of them. Come all to ruin; let</line> <line>Thy mother rather feel thy pride than fear</line> <line>Thy dangerous stoutness, for I mock at death</line> <line>With as big heart as thou. Do as thou list</line> <line>Thy valiantness was mine, thou suck'dst it from me,</line> <line>But owe thy pride thyself.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">CORIOLANUS</speaker> <line>Pray, be content:</line> <line>Mother, I am going to the market-place;</line> <line>Chide me no more. I'll mountebank their loves,</line> <line>Cog their hearts from them, and come home beloved</line> <line>Of all the trades in Rome. Look, I am going:</line> <line>Commend me to my wife. I'll return consul;</line> <line>Or never trust to what my tongue can do</line> <line>I' the way of flattery further.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">VOLUMNIA</speaker> <line>Do your will.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <para role="stagedir">Exit</para> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">COMINIUS</speaker> <line>Away! the tribunes do attend you: arm yourself</line> <line>To answer mildly; for they are prepared</line> <line>With accusations, as I hear, more strong</line> <line>Than are upon you yet.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">CORIOLANUS</speaker> <line>The word is 'mildly.' Pray you, let us go:</line> <line>Let them accuse me by invention, I</line> <line>Will answer in mine honour.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MENENIUS</speaker> <line>Ay, but mildly.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">CORIOLANUS</speaker> <line>Well, mildly be it then. Mildly!</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <para role="stagedir">Exeunt</para> </section> <section role="scene"><title>SCENE III. The same. The Forum.</title> <para role="stagedir">Enter SICINIUS and BRUTUS</para> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">BRUTUS</speaker> <line>In this point charge him home, that he affects</line> <line>Tyrannical power: if he evade us there,</line> <line>Enforce him with his envy to the people,</line> <line>And that the spoil got on the Antiates</line> <line>Was ne'er distributed.</line> <para role="stagedir">Enter an AEdile</para> <line>What, will he come?</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">AEdile</speaker> <line>He's coming.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">BRUTUS</speaker> <line>How accompanied?</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">AEdile</speaker> <line>With old Menenius, and those senators</line> <line>That always favour'd him.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">SICINIUS</speaker> <line>Have you a catalogue</line> <line>Of all the voices that we have procured</line> <line>Set down by the poll?</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">AEdile</speaker> <line>I have; 'tis ready.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">SICINIUS</speaker> <line>Have you collected them by tribes?</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">AEdile</speaker> <line>I have.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">SICINIUS</speaker> <line>Assemble presently the people hither;</line> <line>And when they bear me say 'It shall be so</line> <line>I' the right and strength o' the commons,' be it either</line> <line>For death, for fine, or banishment, then let them</line> <line>If I say fine, cry 'Fine;' if death, cry 'Death.'</line> <line>Insisting on the old prerogative</line> <line>And power i' the truth o' the cause.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">AEdile</speaker> <line>I shall inform them.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">BRUTUS</speaker> <line>And when such time they have begun to cry,</line> <line>Let them not cease, but with a din confused</line> <line>Enforce the present execution</line> <line>Of what we chance to sentence.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">AEdile</speaker> <line>Very well.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">SICINIUS</speaker> <line>Make them be strong and ready for this hint,</line> <line>When we shall hap to give 't them.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">BRUTUS</speaker> <line>Go about it.</line> <para role="stagedir">Exit AEdile</para> <line>Put him to choler straight: he hath been used</line> <line>Ever to conquer, and to have his worth</line> <line>Of contradiction: being once chafed, he cannot</line> <line>Be rein'd again to temperance; then he speaks</line> <line>What's in his heart; and that is there which looks</line> <line>With us to break his neck.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">SICINIUS</speaker> <line>Well, here he comes.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <para role="stagedir">Enter CORIOLANUS, MENENIUS, and COMINIUS, with Senators and Patricians</para> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MENENIUS</speaker> <line>Calmly, I do beseech you.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">CORIOLANUS</speaker> <line>Ay, as an ostler, that for the poorest piece</line> <line>Will bear the knave by the volume. The honour'd gods</line> <line>Keep Rome in safety, and the chairs of justice</line> <line>Supplied with worthy men! plant love among 's!</line> <line>Throng our large temples with the shows of peace,</line> <line>And not our streets with war!</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">First Senator</speaker> <line>Amen, amen.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MENENIUS</speaker> <line>A noble wish.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <para role="stagedir">Re-enter AEdile, with Citizens</para> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">SICINIUS</speaker> <line>Draw near, ye people.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">AEdile</speaker> <line>List to your tribunes. Audience: peace, I say!</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">CORIOLANUS</speaker> <line>First, hear me speak.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">Both Tribunes</speaker> <line>Well, say. Peace, ho!</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">CORIOLANUS</speaker> <line>Shall I be charged no further than this present?</line> <line>Must all determine here?</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">SICINIUS</speaker> <line>I do demand,</line> <line>If you submit you to the people's voices,</line> <line>Allow their officers and are content</line> <line>To suffer lawful censure for such faults</line> <line>As shall be proved upon you?</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">CORIOLANUS</speaker> <line>I am content.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MENENIUS</speaker> <line>Lo, citizens, he says he is content:</line> <line>The warlike service he has done, consider; think</line> <line>Upon the wounds his body bears, which show</line> <line>Like graves i' the holy churchyard.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">CORIOLANUS</speaker> <line>Scratches with briers,</line> <line>Scars to move laughter only.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MENENIUS</speaker> <line>Consider further,</line> <line>That when he speaks not like a citizen,</line> <line>You find him like a soldier: do not take</line> <line>His rougher accents for malicious sounds,</line> <line>But, as I say, such as become a soldier,</line> <line>Rather than envy you.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">COMINIUS</speaker> <line>Well, well, no more.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">CORIOLANUS</speaker> <line>What is the matter</line> <line>That being pass'd for consul with full voice,</line> <line>I am so dishonour'd that the very hour</line> <line>You take it off again?</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">SICINIUS</speaker> <line>Answer to us.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">CORIOLANUS</speaker> <line>Say, then: 'tis true, I ought so.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">SICINIUS</speaker> <line>We charge you, that you have contrived to take</line> <line>From Rome all season'd office and to wind</line> <line>Yourself into a power tyrannical;</line> <line>For which you are a traitor to the people.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">CORIOLANUS</speaker> <line>How! traitor!</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MENENIUS</speaker> <line>Nay, temperately; your promise.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">CORIOLANUS</speaker> <line>The fires i' the lowest hell fold-in the people!</line> <line>Call me their traitor! Thou injurious tribune!</line> <line>Within thine eyes sat twenty thousand deaths,</line> <line>In thy hand clutch'd as many millions, in</line> <line>Thy lying tongue both numbers, I would say</line> <line>'Thou liest' unto thee with a voice as free</line> <line>As I do pray the gods.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">SICINIUS</speaker> <line>Mark you this, people?</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">Citizens</speaker> <line>To the rock, to the rock with him!</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">SICINIUS</speaker> <line>Peace!</line> <line>We need not put new matter to his charge:</line> <line>What you have seen him do and heard him speak,</line> <line>Beating your officers, cursing yourselves,</line> <line>Opposing laws with strokes and here defying</line> <line>Those whose great power must try him; even this,</line> <line>So criminal and in such capital kind,</line> <line>Deserves the extremest death.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">BRUTUS</speaker> <line>But since he hath</line> <line>Served well for Rome,--</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">CORIOLANUS</speaker> <line>What do you prate of service?</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">BRUTUS</speaker> <line>I talk of that, that know it.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">CORIOLANUS</speaker> <line>You?</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MENENIUS</speaker> <line>Is this the promise that you made your mother?</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">COMINIUS</speaker> <line>Know, I pray you,--</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">CORIOLANUS</speaker> <line>I know no further:</line> <line>Let them pronounce the steep Tarpeian death,</line> <line>Vagabond exile, raying, pent to linger</line> <line>But with a grain a day, I would not buy</line> <line>Their mercy at the price of one fair word;</line> <line>Nor cheque my courage for what they can give,</line> <line>To have't with saying 'Good morrow.'</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">SICINIUS</speaker> <line>For that he has,</line> <line>As much as in him lies, from time to time</line> <line>Envied against the people, seeking means</line> <line>To pluck away their power, as now at last</line> <line>Given hostile strokes, and that not in the presence</line> <line>Of dreaded justice, but on the ministers</line> <line>That do distribute it; in the name o' the people</line> <line>And in the power of us the tribunes, we,</line> <line>Even from this instant, banish him our city,</line> <line>In peril of precipitation</line> <line>From off the rock Tarpeian never more</line> <line>To enter our Rome gates: i' the people's name,</line> <line>I say it shall be so.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">Citizens</speaker> <line>It shall be so, it shall be so; let him away:</line> <line>He's banish'd, and it shall be so.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">COMINIUS</speaker> <line>Hear me, my masters, and my common friends,--</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">SICINIUS</speaker> <line>He's sentenced; no more hearing.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">COMINIUS</speaker> <line>Let me speak:</line> <line>I have been consul, and can show for Rome</line> <line>Her enemies' marks upon me. I do love</line> <line>My country's good with a respect more tender,</line> <line>More holy and profound, than mine own life,</line> <line>My dear wife's estimate, her womb's increase,</line> <line>And treasure of my loins; then if I would</line> <line>Speak that,--</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">SICINIUS</speaker> <line>We know your drift: speak what?</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">BRUTUS</speaker> <line>There's no more to be said, but he is banish'd,</line> <line>As enemy to the people and his country:</line> <line>It shall be so.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">Citizens</speaker> <line>It shall be so, it shall be so.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">CORIOLANUS</speaker> <line>You common cry of curs! whose breath I hate</line> <line>As reek o' the rotten fens, whose loves I prize</line> <line>As the dead carcasses of unburied men</line> <line>That do corrupt my air, I banish you;</line> <line>And here remain with your uncertainty!</line> <line>Let every feeble rumour shake your hearts!</line> <line>Your enemies, with nodding of their plumes,</line> <line>Fan you into despair! Have the power still</line> <line>To banish your defenders; till at length</line> <line>Your ignorance, which finds not till it feels,</line> <line>Making not reservation of yourselves,</line> <line>Still your own foes, deliver you as most</line> <line>Abated captives to some nation</line> <line>That won you without blows! Despising,</line> <line>For you, the city, thus I turn my back:</line> <line>There is a world elsewhere.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <para role="stagedir">Exeunt CORIOLANUS, COMINIUS, MENENIUS, Senators, and Patricians</para> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">AEdile</speaker> <line>The people's enemy is gone, is gone!</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">Citizens</speaker> <line>Our enemy is banish'd! he is gone! Hoo! hoo!</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <para role="stagedir">Shouting, and throwing up their caps</para> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">SICINIUS</speaker> <line>Go, see him out at gates, and follow him,</line> <line>As he hath followed you, with all despite;</line> <line>Give him deserved vexation. Let a guard</line> <line>Attend us through the city.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">Citizens</speaker> <line>Come, come; let's see him out at gates; come.</line> <line>The gods preserve our noble tribunes! Come.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <para role="stagedir">Exeunt</para> </section> </chapter> <chapter role="act"><title>ACT IV</title> <section role="scene"><title>SCENE I. Rome. Before a gate of the city.</title> <para role="stagedir">Enter CORIOLANUS, VOLUMNIA, VIRGILIA, MENENIUS, COMINIUS, with the young Nobility of Rome</para> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">CORIOLANUS</speaker> <line>Come, leave your tears: a brief farewell: the beast</line> <line>With many heads butts me away. Nay, mother,</line> <line>Where is your ancient courage? you were used</line> <line>To say extremity was the trier of spirits;</line> <line>That common chances common men could bear;</line> <line>That when the sea was calm all boats alike</line> <line>Show'd mastership in floating; fortune's blows,</line> <line>When most struck home, being gentle wounded, craves</line> <line>A noble cunning: you were used to load me</line> <line>With precepts that would make invincible</line> <line>The heart that conn'd them.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">VIRGILIA</speaker> <line>O heavens! O heavens!</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">CORIOLANUS</speaker> <line>Nay! prithee, woman,--</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">VOLUMNIA</speaker> <line>Now the red pestilence strike all trades in Rome,</line> <line>And occupations perish!</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">CORIOLANUS</speaker> <line>What, what, what!</line> <line>I shall be loved when I am lack'd. Nay, mother.</line> <line>Resume that spirit, when you were wont to say,</line> <line>If you had been the wife of Hercules,</line> <line>Six of his labours you'ld have done, and saved</line> <line>Your husband so much sweat. Cominius,</line> <line>Droop not; adieu. Farewell, my wife, my mother:</line> <line>I'll do well yet. Thou old and true Menenius,</line> <line>Thy tears are salter than a younger man's,</line> <line>And venomous to thine eyes. My sometime general,</line> <line>I have seen thee stem, and thou hast oft beheld</line> <line>Heart-hardening spectacles; tell these sad women</line> <line>'Tis fond to wail inevitable strokes,</line> <line>As 'tis to laugh at 'em. My mother, you wot well</line> <line>My hazards still have been your solace: and</line> <line>Believe't not lightly--though I go alone,</line> <line>Like to a lonely dragon, that his fen</line> <line>Makes fear'd and talk'd of more than seen--your son</line> <line>Will or exceed the common or be caught</line> <line>With cautelous baits and practise.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">VOLUMNIA</speaker> <line>My first son.</line> <line>Whither wilt thou go? Take good Cominius</line> <line>With thee awhile: determine on some course,</line> <line>More than a wild exposture to each chance</line> <line>That starts i' the way before thee.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">CORIOLANUS</speaker> <line>O the gods!</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">COMINIUS</speaker> <line>I'll follow thee a month, devise with thee</line> <line>Where thou shalt rest, that thou mayst hear of us</line> <line>And we of thee: so if the time thrust forth</line> <line>A cause for thy repeal, we shall not send</line> <line>O'er the vast world to seek a single man,</line> <line>And lose advantage, which doth ever cool</line> <line>I' the absence of the needer.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">CORIOLANUS</speaker> <line>Fare ye well:</line> <line>Thou hast years upon thee; and thou art too full</line> <line>Of the wars' surfeits, to go rove with one</line> <line>That's yet unbruised: bring me but out at gate.</line> <line>Come, my sweet wife, my dearest mother, and</line> <line>My friends of noble touch, when I am forth,</line> <line>Bid me farewell, and smile. I pray you, come.</line> <line>While I remain above the ground, you shall</line> <line>Hear from me still, and never of me aught</line> <line>But what is like me formerly.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MENENIUS</speaker> <line>That's worthily</line> <line>As any ear can hear. Come, let's not weep.</line> <line>If I could shake off but one seven years</line> <line>From these old arms and legs, by the good gods,</line> <line>I'ld with thee every foot.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">CORIOLANUS</speaker> <line>Give me thy hand: Come.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <para role="stagedir">Exeunt</para> </section> <section role="scene"><title>SCENE II. The same. A street near the gate.</title> <para role="stagedir">Enter SICINIUS, BRUTUS, and an AEdile</para> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">SICINIUS</speaker> <line>Bid them all home; he's gone, and we'll no further.</line> <line>The nobility are vex'd, whom we see have sided</line> <line>In his behalf.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">BRUTUS</speaker> <line>Now we have shown our power,</line> <line>Let us seem humbler after it is done</line> <line>Than when it was a-doing.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">SICINIUS</speaker> <line>Bid them home:</line> <line>Say their great enemy is gone, and they</line> <line>Stand in their ancient strength.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">BRUTUS</speaker> <line>Dismiss them home.</line> <para role="stagedir">Exit AEdile</para> <line>Here comes his mother.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">SICINIUS</speaker> <line>Let's not meet her.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">BRUTUS</speaker> <line>Why?</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">SICINIUS</speaker> <line>They say she's mad.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">BRUTUS</speaker> <line>They have ta'en note of us: keep on your way.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <para role="stagedir">Enter VOLUMNIA, VIRGILIA, and MENENIUS</para> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">VOLUMNIA</speaker> <line>O, ye're well met: the hoarded plague o' the gods</line> <line>Requite your love!</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MENENIUS</speaker> <line>Peace, peace; be not so loud.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">VOLUMNIA</speaker> <line>If that I could for weeping, you should hear,--</line> <line>Nay, and you shall hear some.</line> <para role="stagedir">To BRUTUS</para> <line>Will you be gone?</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">VIRGILIA</speaker> <line><para role="stagedir">To SICINIUS</para> You shall stay too: I would I had the power</line> <line>To say so to my husband.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">SICINIUS</speaker> <line>Are you mankind?</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">VOLUMNIA</speaker> <line>Ay, fool; is that a shame? Note but this fool.</line> <line>Was not a man my father? Hadst thou foxship</line> <line>To banish him that struck more blows for Rome</line> <line>Than thou hast spoken words?</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">SICINIUS</speaker> <line>O blessed heavens!</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">VOLUMNIA</speaker> <line>More noble blows than ever thou wise words;</line> <line>And for Rome's good. I'll tell thee what; yet go:</line> <line>Nay, but thou shalt stay too: I would my son</line> <line>Were in Arabia, and thy tribe before him,</line> <line>His good sword in his hand.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">SICINIUS</speaker> <line>What then?</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">VIRGILIA</speaker> <line>What then!</line> <line>He'ld make an end of thy posterity.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">VOLUMNIA</speaker> <line>Bastards and all.</line> <line>Good man, the wounds that he does bear for Rome!</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MENENIUS</speaker> <line>Come, come, peace.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">SICINIUS</speaker> <line>I would he had continued to his country</line> <line>As he began, and not unknit himself</line> <line>The noble knot he made.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">BRUTUS</speaker> <line>I would he had.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">VOLUMNIA</speaker> <line>'I would he had'! 'Twas you incensed the rabble:</line> <line>Cats, that can judge as fitly of his worth</line> <line>As I can of those mysteries which heaven</line> <line>Will not have earth to know.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">BRUTUS</speaker> <line>Pray, let us go.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">VOLUMNIA</speaker> <line>Now, pray, sir, get you gone:</line> <line>You have done a brave deed. Ere you go, hear this:--</line> <line>As far as doth the Capitol exceed</line> <line>The meanest house in Rome, so far my son--</line> <line>This lady's husband here, this, do you see--</line> <line>Whom you have banish'd, does exceed you all.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">BRUTUS</speaker> <line>Well, well, we'll leave you.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">SICINIUS</speaker> <line>Why stay we to be baited</line> <line>With one that wants her wits?</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">VOLUMNIA</speaker> <line>Take my prayers with you.</line> <para role="stagedir">Exeunt Tribunes</para> <line>I would the gods had nothing else to do</line> <line>But to confirm my curses! Could I meet 'em</line> <line>But once a-day, it would unclog my heart</line> <line>Of what lies heavy to't.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MENENIUS</speaker> <line>You have told them home;</line> <line>And, by my troth, you have cause. You'll sup with me?</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">VOLUMNIA</speaker> <line>Anger's my meat; I sup upon myself,</line> <line>And so shall starve with feeding. Come, let's go:</line> <line>Leave this faint puling and lament as I do,</line> <line>In anger, Juno-like. Come, come, come.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MENENIUS</speaker> <line>Fie, fie, fie!</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <para role="stagedir">Exeunt</para> </section> <section role="scene"><title>SCENE III. A highway between Rome and Antium.</title> <para role="stagedir">Enter a Roman and a Volsce, meeting</para> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">Roman</speaker> <line>I know you well, sir, and you know</line> <line>me: your name, I think, is Adrian.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">Volsce</speaker> <line>It is so, sir: truly, I have forgot you.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">Roman</speaker> <line>I am a Roman; and my services are,</line> <line>as you are, against 'em: know you me yet?</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">Volsce</speaker> <line>Nicanor? no.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">Roman</speaker> <line>The same, sir.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">Volsce</speaker> <line>You had more beard when I last saw you; but your</line> <line>favour is well approved by your tongue. What's the</line> <line>news in Rome? I have a note from the Volscian state,</line> <line>to find you out there: you have well saved me a</line> <line>day's journey.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">Roman</speaker> <line>There hath been in Rome strange insurrections; the</line> <line>people against the senators, patricians, and nobles.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">Volsce</speaker> <line>Hath been! is it ended, then? Our state thinks not</line> <line>so: they are in a most warlike preparation, and</line> <line>hope to come upon them in the heat of their division.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">Roman</speaker> <line>The main blaze of it is past, but a small thing</line> <line>would make it flame again: for the nobles receive</line> <line>so to heart the banishment of that worthy</line> <line>Coriolanus, that they are in a ripe aptness to take</line> <line>all power from the people and to pluck from them</line> <line>their tribunes for ever. This lies glowing, I can</line> <line>tell you, and is almost mature for the violent</line> <line>breaking out.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">Volsce</speaker> <line>Coriolanus banished!</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">Roman</speaker> <line>Banished, sir.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">Volsce</speaker> <line>You will be welcome with this intelligence, Nicanor.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">Roman</speaker> <line>The day serves well for them now. I have heard it</line> <line>said, the fittest time to corrupt a man's wife is</line> <line>when she's fallen out with her husband. Your noble</line> <line>Tullus Aufidius will appear well in these wars, his</line> <line>great opposer, Coriolanus, being now in no request</line> <line>of his country.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">Volsce</speaker> <line>He cannot choose. I am most fortunate, thus</line> <line>accidentally to encounter you: you have ended my</line> <line>business, and I will merrily accompany you home.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">Roman</speaker> <line>I shall, between this and supper, tell you most</line> <line>strange things from Rome; all tending to the good of</line> <line>their adversaries. Have you an army ready, say you?</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">Volsce</speaker> <line>A most royal one; the centurions and their charges,</line> <line>distinctly billeted, already in the entertainment,</line> <line>and to be on foot at an hour's warning.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">Roman</speaker> <line>I am joyful to hear of their readiness, and am the</line> <line>man, I think, that shall set them in present action.</line> <line>So, sir, heartily well met, and most glad of your company.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">Volsce</speaker> <line>You take my part from me, sir; I have the most cause</line> <line>to be glad of yours.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">Roman</speaker> <line>Well, let us go together.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <para role="stagedir">Exeunt</para> </section> <section role="scene"><title>SCENE IV. Antium. Before Aufidius's house.</title> <para role="stagedir">Enter CORIOLANUS in mean apparel, disguised and muffled</para> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">CORIOLANUS</speaker> <line>A goodly city is this Antium. City,</line> <line>'Tis I that made thy widows: many an heir</line> <line>Of these fair edifices 'fore my wars</line> <line>Have I heard groan and drop: then know me not,</line> <line>Lest that thy wives with spits and boys with stones</line> <line>In puny battle slay me.</line> <para role="stagedir">Enter a Citizen</para> <line>Save you, sir.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">Citizen</speaker> <line>And you.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">CORIOLANUS</speaker> <line>Direct me, if it be your will,</line> <line>Where great Aufidius lies: is he in Antium?</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">Citizen</speaker> <line>He is, and feasts the nobles of the state</line> <line>At his house this night.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">CORIOLANUS</speaker> <line>Which is his house, beseech you?</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">Citizen</speaker> <line>This, here before you.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">CORIOLANUS</speaker> <line>Thank you, sir: farewell.</line> <para role="stagedir">Exit Citizen</para> <line>O world, thy slippery turns! Friends now fast sworn,</line> <line>Whose double bosoms seem to wear one heart,</line> <line>Whose house, whose bed, whose meal, and exercise,</line> <line>Are still together, who twin, as 'twere, in love</line> <line>Unseparable, shall within this hour,</line> <line>On a dissension of a doit, break out</line> <line>To bitterest enmity: so, fellest foes,</line> <line>Whose passions and whose plots have broke their sleep,</line> <line>To take the one the other, by some chance,</line> <line>Some trick not worth an egg, shall grow dear friends</line> <line>And interjoin their issues. So with me:</line> <line>My birth-place hate I, and my love's upon</line> <line>This enemy town. I'll enter: if he slay me,</line> <line>He does fair justice; if he give me way,</line> <line>I'll do his country service.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <para role="stagedir">Exit</para> </section> <section role="scene"><title>SCENE V. The same. A hall in Aufidius's house.</title> <para role="stagedir">Music within. Enter a Servingman</para> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">First Servingman</speaker> <line>Wine, wine, wine! What service</line> <line>is here! I think our fellows are asleep.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <para role="stagedir">Exit</para> <para role="stagedir">Enter a second Servingman</para> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">Second Servingman</speaker> <line>Where's Cotus? my master calls</line> <line>for him. Cotus!</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <para role="stagedir">Exit</para> <para role="stagedir">Enter CORIOLANUS</para> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">CORIOLANUS</speaker> <line>A goodly house: the feast smells well; but I</line> <line>Appear not like a guest.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <para role="stagedir">Re-enter the first Servingman</para> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">First Servingman</speaker> <line>What would you have, friend? whence are you?</line> <line>Here's no place for you: pray, go to the door.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <para role="stagedir">Exit</para> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">CORIOLANUS</speaker> <line>I have deserved no better entertainment,</line> <line>In being Coriolanus.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <para role="stagedir">Re-enter second Servingman</para> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">Second Servingman</speaker> <line>Whence are you, sir? Has the porter his eyes in his</line> <line>head; that he gives entrance to such companions?</line> <line>Pray, get you out.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">CORIOLANUS</speaker> <line>Away!</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">Second Servingman</speaker> <line>Away! get you away.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">CORIOLANUS</speaker> <line>Now thou'rt troublesome.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">Second Servingman</speaker> <line>Are you so brave? I'll have you talked with anon.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <para role="stagedir">Enter a third Servingman. The first meets him</para> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">Third Servingman</speaker> <line>What fellow's this?</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">First Servingman</speaker> <line>A strange one as ever I looked on: I cannot get him</line> <line>out of the house: prithee, call my master to him.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <para role="stagedir">Retires</para> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">Third Servingman</speaker> <line>What have you to do here, fellow? Pray you, avoid</line> <line>the house.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">CORIOLANUS</speaker> <line>Let me but stand; I will not hurt your hearth.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">Third Servingman</speaker> <line>What are you?</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">CORIOLANUS</speaker> <line>A gentleman.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">Third Servingman</speaker> <line>A marvellous poor one.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">CORIOLANUS</speaker> <line>True, so I am.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">Third Servingman</speaker> <line>Pray you, poor gentleman, take up some other</line> <line>station; here's no place for you; pray you, avoid: come.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">CORIOLANUS</speaker> <line>Follow your function, go, and batten on cold bits.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <para role="stagedir">Pushes him away</para> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">Third Servingman</speaker> <line>What, you will not? Prithee, tell my master what a</line> <line>strange guest he has here.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">Second Servingman</speaker> <line>And I shall.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <para role="stagedir">Exit</para> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">Third Servingman</speaker> <line>Where dwellest thou?</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">CORIOLANUS</speaker> <line>Under the canopy.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">Third Servingman</speaker> <line>Under the canopy!</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">CORIOLANUS</speaker> <line>Ay.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">Third Servingman</speaker> <line>Where's that?</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">CORIOLANUS</speaker> <line>I' the city of kites and crows.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">Third Servingman</speaker> <line>I' the city of kites and crows! What an ass it is!</line> <line>Then thou dwellest with daws too?</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">CORIOLANUS</speaker> <line>No, I serve not thy master.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">Third Servingman</speaker> <line>How, sir! do you meddle with my master?</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">CORIOLANUS</speaker> <line>Ay; 'tis an honester service than to meddle with thy</line> <line>mistress. Thou pratest, and pratest; serve with thy</line> <line>trencher, hence!</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <para role="stagedir">Beats him away. Exit third Servingman</para> <para role="stagedir">Enter AUFIDIUS with the second Servingman</para> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">AUFIDIUS</speaker> <line>Where is this fellow?</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">Second Servingman</speaker> <line>Here, sir: I'ld have beaten him like a dog, but for</line> <line>disturbing the lords within.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <para role="stagedir">Retires</para> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">AUFIDIUS</speaker> <line>Whence comest thou? what wouldst thou? thy name?</line> <line>Why speak'st not? speak, man: what's thy name?</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">CORIOLANUS</speaker> <line>If, Tullus,</line> <para role="stagedir">Unmuffling</para> <line>Not yet thou knowest me, and, seeing me, dost not</line> <line>Think me for the man I am, necessity</line> <line>Commands me name myself.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">AUFIDIUS</speaker> <line>What is thy name?</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">CORIOLANUS</speaker> <line>A name unmusical to the Volscians' ears,</line> <line>And harsh in sound to thine.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">AUFIDIUS</speaker> <line>Say, what's thy name?</line> <line>Thou hast a grim appearance, and thy face</line> <line>Bears a command in't; though thy tackle's torn.</line> <line>Thou show'st a noble vessel: what's thy name?</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">CORIOLANUS</speaker> <line>Prepare thy brow to frown: know'st</line> <line>thou me yet?</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">AUFIDIUS</speaker> <line>I know thee not: thy name?</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">CORIOLANUS</speaker> <line>My name is Caius Marcius, who hath done</line> <line>To thee particularly and to all the Volsces</line> <line>Great hurt and mischief; thereto witness may</line> <line>My surname, Coriolanus: the painful service,</line> <line>The extreme dangers and the drops of blood</line> <line>Shed for my thankless country are requited</line> <line>But with that surname; a good memory,</line> <line>And witness of the malice and displeasure</line> <line>Which thou shouldst bear me: only that name remains;</line> <line>The cruelty and envy of the people,</line> <line>Permitted by our dastard nobles, who</line> <line>Have all forsook me, hath devour'd the rest;</line> <line>And suffer'd me by the voice of slaves to be</line> <line>Whoop'd out of Rome. Now this extremity</line> <line>Hath brought me to thy hearth; not out of hope--</line> <line>Mistake me not--to save my life, for if</line> <line>I had fear'd death, of all the men i' the world</line> <line>I would have 'voided thee, but in mere spite,</line> <line>To be full quit of those my banishers,</line> <line>Stand I before thee here. Then if thou hast</line> <line>A heart of wreak in thee, that wilt revenge</line> <line>Thine own particular wrongs and stop those maims</line> <line>Of shame seen through thy country, speed</line> <line>thee straight,</line> <line>And make my misery serve thy turn: so use it</line> <line>That my revengeful services may prove</line> <line>As benefits to thee, for I will fight</line> <line>Against my canker'd country with the spleen</line> <line>Of all the under fiends. But if so be</line> <line>Thou darest not this and that to prove more fortunes</line> <line>Thou'rt tired, then, in a word, I also am</line> <line>Longer to live most weary, and present</line> <line>My throat to thee and to thy ancient malice;</line> <line>Which not to cut would show thee but a fool,</line> <line>Since I have ever follow'd thee with hate,</line> <line>Drawn tuns of blood out of thy country's breast,</line> <line>And cannot live but to thy shame, unless</line> <line>It be to do thee service.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">AUFIDIUS</speaker> <line>O Marcius, Marcius!</line> <line>Each word thou hast spoke hath weeded from my heart</line> <line>A root of ancient envy. If Jupiter</line> <line>Should from yond cloud speak divine things,</line> <line>And say 'Tis true,' I'ld not believe them more</line> <line>Than thee, all noble Marcius. Let me twine</line> <line>Mine arms about that body, where against</line> <line>My grained ash an hundred times hath broke</line> <line>And scarr'd the moon with splinters: here I clip</line> <line>The anvil of my sword, and do contest</line> <line>As hotly and as nobly with thy love</line> <line>As ever in ambitious strength I did</line> <line>Contend against thy valour. Know thou first,</line> <line>I loved the maid I married; never man</line> <line>Sigh'd truer breath; but that I see thee here,</line> <line>Thou noble thing! more dances my rapt heart</line> <line>Than when I first my wedded mistress saw</line> <line>Bestride my threshold. Why, thou Mars! I tell thee,</line> <line>We have a power on foot; and I had purpose</line> <line>Once more to hew thy target from thy brawn,</line> <line>Or lose mine arm fort: thou hast beat me out</line> <line>Twelve several times, and I have nightly since</line> <line>Dreamt of encounters 'twixt thyself and me;</line> <line>We have been down together in my sleep,</line> <line>Unbuckling helms, fisting each other's throat,</line> <line>And waked half dead with nothing. Worthy Marcius,</line> <line>Had we no quarrel else to Rome, but that</line> <line>Thou art thence banish'd, we would muster all</line> <line>From twelve to seventy, and pouring war</line> <line>Into the bowels of ungrateful Rome,</line> <line>Like a bold flood o'er-bear. O, come, go in,</line> <line>And take our friendly senators by the hands;</line> <line>Who now are here, taking their leaves of me,</line> <line>Who am prepared against your territories,</line> <line>Though not for Rome itself.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">CORIOLANUS</speaker> <line>You bless me, gods!</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">AUFIDIUS</speaker> <line>Therefore, most absolute sir, if thou wilt have</line> <line>The leading of thine own revenges, take</line> <line>The one half of my commission; and set down--</line> <line>As best thou art experienced, since thou know'st</line> <line>Thy country's strength and weakness,--thine own ways;</line> <line>Whether to knock against the gates of Rome,</line> <line>Or rudely visit them in parts remote,</line> <line>To fright them, ere destroy. But come in:</line> <line>Let me commend thee first to those that shall</line> <line>Say yea to thy desires. A thousand welcomes!</line> <line>And more a friend than e'er an enemy;</line> <line>Yet, Marcius, that was much. Your hand: most welcome!</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <para role="stagedir">Exeunt CORIOLANUS and AUFIDIUS. The two Servingmen come forward</para> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">First Servingman</speaker> <line>Here's a strange alteration!</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">Second Servingman</speaker> <line>By my hand, I had thought to have strucken him with</line> <line>a cudgel; and yet my mind gave me his clothes made a</line> <line>false report of him.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">First Servingman</speaker> <line>What an arm he has! he turned me about with his</line> <line>finger and his thumb, as one would set up a top.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">Second Servingman</speaker> <line>Nay, I knew by his face that there was something in</line> <line>him: he had, sir, a kind of face, methought,--I</line> <line>cannot tell how to term it.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">First Servingman</speaker> <line>He had so; looking as it were--would I were hanged,</line> <line>but I thought there was more in him than I could think.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">Second Servingman</speaker> <line>So did I, I'll be sworn: he is simply the rarest</line> <line>man i' the world.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">First Servingman</speaker> <line>I think he is: but a greater soldier than he you wot on.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">Second Servingman</speaker> <line>Who, my master?</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">First Servingman</speaker> <line>Nay, it's no matter for that.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">Second Servingman</speaker> <line>Worth six on him.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">First Servingman</speaker> <line>Nay, not so neither: but I take him to be the</line> <line>greater soldier.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">Second Servingman</speaker> <line>Faith, look you, one cannot tell how to say that:</line> <line>for the defence of a town, our general is excellent.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">First Servingman</speaker> <line>Ay, and for an assault too.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <para role="stagedir">Re-enter third Servingman</para> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">Third Servingman</speaker> <line>O slaves, I can tell you news,-- news, you rascals!</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">First Servingman</speaker> <speaker role="speaker">Second Servingman</speaker> <line>What, what, what? let's partake.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">Third Servingman</speaker> <line>I would not be a Roman, of all nations; I had as</line> <line>lieve be a condemned man.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">First Servingman</speaker> <speaker role="speaker">Second Servingman</speaker> <line>Wherefore? wherefore?</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">Third Servingman</speaker> <line>Why, here's he that was wont to thwack our general,</line> <line>Caius Marcius.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">First Servingman</speaker> <line>Why do you say 'thwack our general '?</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">Third Servingman</speaker> <line>I do not say 'thwack our general;' but he was always</line> <line>good enough for him.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">Second Servingman</speaker> <line>Come, we are fellows and friends: he was ever too</line> <line>hard for him; I have heard him say so himself.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">First Servingman</speaker> <line>He was too hard for him directly, to say the troth</line> <line>on't: before Corioli he scotched him and notched</line> <line>him like a carbon ado.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">Second Servingman</speaker> <line>An he had been cannibally given, he might have</line> <line>broiled and eaten him too.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">First Servingman</speaker> <line>But, more of thy news?</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">Third Servingman</speaker> <line>Why, he is so made on here within, as if he were son</line> <line>and heir to Mars; set at upper end o' the table; no</line> <line>question asked him by any of the senators, but they</line> <line>stand bald before him: our general himself makes a</line> <line>mistress of him: sanctifies himself with's hand and</line> <line>turns up the white o' the eye to his discourse. But</line> <line>the bottom of the news is that our general is cut i'</line> <line>the middle and but one half of what he was</line> <line>yesterday; for the other has half, by the entreaty</line> <line>and grant of the whole table. He'll go, he says,</line> <line>and sowl the porter of Rome gates by the ears: he</line> <line>will mow all down before him, and leave his passage polled.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">Second Servingman</speaker> <line>And he's as like to do't as any man I can imagine.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">Third Servingman</speaker> <line>Do't! he will do't; for, look you, sir, he has as</line> <line>many friends as enemies; which friends, sir, as it</line> <line>were, durst not, look you, sir, show themselves, as</line> <line>we term it, his friends whilst he's in directitude.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">First Servingman</speaker> <line>Directitude! what's that?</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">Third Servingman</speaker> <line>But when they shall see, sir, his crest up again,</line> <line>and the man in blood, they will out of their</line> <line>burrows, like conies after rain, and revel all with</line> <line>him.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">First Servingman</speaker> <line>But when goes this forward?</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">Third Servingman</speaker> <line>To-morrow; to-day; presently; you shall have the</line> <line>drum struck up this afternoon: 'tis, as it were, a</line> <line>parcel of their feast, and to be executed ere they</line> <line>wipe their lips.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">Second Servingman</speaker> <line>Why, then we shall have a stirring world again.</line> <line>This peace is nothing, but to rust iron, increase</line> <line>tailors, and breed ballad-makers.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">First Servingman</speaker> <line>Let me have war, say I; it exceeds peace as far as</line> <line>day does night; it's spritely, waking, audible, and</line> <line>full of vent. Peace is a very apoplexy, lethargy;</line> <line>mulled, deaf, sleepy, insensible; a getter of more</line> <line>bastard children than war's a destroyer of men.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">Second Servingman</speaker> <line>'Tis so: and as war, in some sort, may be said to</line> <line>be a ravisher, so it cannot be denied but peace is a</line> <line>great maker of cuckolds.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">First Servingman</speaker> <line>Ay, and it makes men hate one another.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">Third Servingman</speaker> <line>Reason; because they then less need one another.</line> <line>The wars for my money. I hope to see Romans as cheap</line> <line>as Volscians. They are rising, they are rising.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">All</speaker> <line>In, in, in, in!</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <para role="stagedir">Exeunt</para> </section> <section role="scene"><title>SCENE VI. Rome. A public place.</title> <para role="stagedir">Enter SICINIUS and BRUTUS</para> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">SICINIUS</speaker> <line>We hear not of him, neither need we fear him;</line> <line>His remedies are tame i' the present peace</line> <line>And quietness of the people, which before</line> <line>Were in wild hurry. Here do we make his friends</line> <line>Blush that the world goes well, who rather had,</line> <line>Though they themselves did suffer by't, behold</line> <line>Dissentious numbers pestering streets than see</line> <line>Our tradesmen with in their shops and going</line> <line>About their functions friendly.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">BRUTUS</speaker> <line>We stood to't in good time.</line> <para role="stagedir">Enter MENENIUS</para> <line>Is this Menenius?</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">SICINIUS</speaker> <line>'Tis he,'tis he: O, he is grown most kind of late.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">Both Tribunes</speaker> <line>Hail sir!</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MENENIUS</speaker> <line>Hail to you both!</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">SICINIUS</speaker> <line>Your Coriolanus</line> <line>Is not much miss'd, but with his friends:</line> <line>The commonwealth doth stand, and so would do,</line> <line>Were he more angry at it.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MENENIUS</speaker> <line>All's well; and might have been much better, if</line> <line>He could have temporized.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">SICINIUS</speaker> <line>Where is he, hear you?</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MENENIUS</speaker> <line>Nay, I hear nothing: his mother and his wife</line> <line>Hear nothing from him.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <para role="stagedir">Enter three or four Citizens</para> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">Citizens</speaker> <line>The gods preserve you both!</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">SICINIUS</speaker> <line>God-den, our neighbours.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">BRUTUS</speaker> <line>God-den to you all, god-den to you all.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">First Citizen</speaker> <line>Ourselves, our wives, and children, on our knees,</line> <line>Are bound to pray for you both.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">SICINIUS</speaker> <line>Live, and thrive!</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">BRUTUS</speaker> <line>Farewell, kind neighbours: we wish'd Coriolanus</line> <line>Had loved you as we did.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">Citizens</speaker> <line>Now the gods keep you!</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">Both Tribunes</speaker> <line>Farewell, farewell.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <para role="stagedir">Exeunt Citizens</para> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">SICINIUS</speaker> <line>This is a happier and more comely time</line> <line>Than when these fellows ran about the streets,</line> <line>Crying confusion.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">BRUTUS</speaker> <line>Caius Marcius was</line> <line>A worthy officer i' the war; but insolent,</line> <line>O'ercome with pride, ambitious past all thinking,</line> <line>Self-loving,--</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">SICINIUS</speaker> <line>And affecting one sole throne,</line> <line>Without assistance.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MENENIUS</speaker> <line>I think not so.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">SICINIUS</speaker> <line>We should by this, to all our lamentation,</line> <line>If he had gone forth consul, found it so.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">BRUTUS</speaker> <line>The gods have well prevented it, and Rome</line> <line>Sits safe and still without him.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <para role="stagedir">Enter an AEdile</para> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">AEdile</speaker> <line>Worthy tribunes,</line> <line>There is a slave, whom we have put in prison,</line> <line>Reports, the Volsces with two several powers</line> <line>Are enter'd in the Roman territories,</line> <line>And with the deepest malice of the war</line> <line>Destroy what lies before 'em.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MENENIUS</speaker> <line>'Tis Aufidius,</line> <line>Who, hearing of our Marcius' banishment,</line> <line>Thrusts forth his horns again into the world;</line> <line>Which were inshell'd when Marcius stood for Rome,</line> <line>And durst not once peep out.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">SICINIUS</speaker> <line>Come, what talk you</line> <line>Of Marcius?</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">BRUTUS</speaker> <line>Go see this rumourer whipp'd. It cannot be</line> <line>The Volsces dare break with us.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MENENIUS</speaker> <line>Cannot be!</line> <line>We have record that very well it can,</line> <line>And three examples of the like have been</line> <line>Within my age. But reason with the fellow,</line> <line>Before you punish him, where he heard this,</line> <line>Lest you shall chance to whip your information</line> <line>And beat the messenger who bids beware</line> <line>Of what is to be dreaded.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">SICINIUS</speaker> <line>Tell not me:</line> <line>I know this cannot be.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">BRUTUS</speaker> <line>Not possible.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <para role="stagedir">Enter a Messenger</para> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">Messenger</speaker> <line>The nobles in great earnestness are going</line> <line>All to the senate-house: some news is come</line> <line>That turns their countenances.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">SICINIUS</speaker> <line>'Tis this slave;--</line> <line>Go whip him, 'fore the people's eyes:--his raising;</line> <line>Nothing but his report.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">Messenger</speaker> <line>Yes, worthy sir,</line> <line>The slave's report is seconded; and more,</line> <line>More fearful, is deliver'd.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">SICINIUS</speaker> <line>What more fearful?</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">Messenger</speaker> <line>It is spoke freely out of many mouths--</line> <line>How probable I do not know--that Marcius,</line> <line>Join'd with Aufidius, leads a power 'gainst Rome,</line> <line>And vows revenge as spacious as between</line> <line>The young'st and oldest thing.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">SICINIUS</speaker> <line>This is most likely!</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">BRUTUS</speaker> <line>Raised only, that the weaker sort may wish</line> <line>Good Marcius home again.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">SICINIUS</speaker> <line>The very trick on't.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MENENIUS</speaker> <line>This is unlikely:</line> <line>He and Aufidius can no more atone</line> <line>Than violentest contrariety.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <para role="stagedir">Enter a second Messenger</para> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">Second Messenger</speaker> <line>You are sent for to the senate:</line> <line>A fearful army, led by Caius Marcius</line> <line>Associated with Aufidius, rages</line> <line>Upon our territories; and have already</line> <line>O'erborne their way, consumed with fire, and took</line> <line>What lay before them.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <para role="stagedir">Enter COMINIUS</para> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">COMINIUS</speaker> <line>O, you have made good work!</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MENENIUS</speaker> <line>What news? what news?</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">COMINIUS</speaker> <line>You have holp to ravish your own daughters and</line> <line>To melt the city leads upon your pates,</line> <line>To see your wives dishonour'd to your noses,--</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MENENIUS</speaker> <line>What's the news? what's the news?</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">COMINIUS</speaker> <line>Your temples burned in their cement, and</line> <line>Your franchises, whereon you stood, confined</line> <line>Into an auger's bore.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MENENIUS</speaker> <line>Pray now, your news?</line> <line>You have made fair work, I fear me.--Pray, your news?--</line> <line>If Marcius should be join'd with Volscians,--</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">COMINIUS</speaker> <line>If!</line> <line>He is their god: he leads them like a thing</line> <line>Made by some other deity than nature,</line> <line>That shapes man better; and they follow him,</line> <line>Against us brats, with no less confidence</line> <line>Than boys pursuing summer butterflies,</line> <line>Or butchers killing flies.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MENENIUS</speaker> <line>You have made good work,</line> <line>You and your apron-men; you that stood so up much</line> <line>on the voice of occupation and</line> <line>The breath of garlic-eaters!</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">COMINIUS</speaker> <line>He will shake</line> <line>Your Rome about your ears.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MENENIUS</speaker> <line>As Hercules</line> <line>Did shake down mellow fruit.</line> <line>You have made fair work!</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">BRUTUS</speaker> <line>But is this true, sir?</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">COMINIUS</speaker> <line>Ay; and you'll look pale</line> <line>Before you find it other. All the regions</line> <line>Do smilingly revolt; and who resist</line> <line>Are mock'd for valiant ignorance,</line> <line>And perish constant fools. Who is't can blame him?</line> <line>Your enemies and his find something in him.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MENENIUS</speaker> <line>We are all undone, unless</line> <line>The noble man have mercy.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">COMINIUS</speaker> <line>Who shall ask it?</line> <line>The tribunes cannot do't for shame; the people</line> <line>Deserve such pity of him as the wolf</line> <line>Does of the shepherds: for his best friends, if they</line> <line>Should say 'Be good to Rome,' they charged him even</line> <line>As those should do that had deserved his hate,</line> <line>And therein show'd like enemies.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MENENIUS</speaker> <line>'Tis true:</line> <line>If he were putting to my house the brand</line> <line>That should consume it, I have not the face</line> <line>To say 'Beseech you, cease.' You have made fair hands,</line> <line>You and your crafts! you have crafted fair!</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">COMINIUS</speaker> <line>You have brought</line> <line>A trembling upon Rome, such as was never</line> <line>So incapable of help.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">Both Tribunes</speaker> <line>Say not we brought it.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MENENIUS</speaker> <line>How! Was it we? we loved him but, like beasts</line> <line>And cowardly nobles, gave way unto your clusters,</line> <line>Who did hoot him out o' the city.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">COMINIUS</speaker> <line>But I fear</line> <line>They'll roar him in again. Tullus Aufidius,</line> <line>The second name of men, obeys his points</line> <line>As if he were his officer: desperation</line> <line>Is all the policy, strength and defence,</line> <line>That Rome can make against them.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <para role="stagedir">Enter a troop of Citizens</para> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MENENIUS</speaker> <line>Here come the clusters.</line> <line>And is Aufidius with him? You are they</line> <line>That made the air unwholesome, when you cast</line> <line>Your stinking greasy caps in hooting at</line> <line>Coriolanus' exile. Now he's coming;</line> <line>And not a hair upon a soldier's head</line> <line>Which will not prove a whip: as many coxcombs</line> <line>As you threw caps up will he tumble down,</line> <line>And pay you for your voices. 'Tis no matter;</line> <line>if he could burn us all into one coal,</line> <line>We have deserved it.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">Citizens</speaker> <line>Faith, we hear fearful news.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">First Citizen</speaker> <line>For mine own part,</line> <line>When I said, banish him, I said 'twas pity.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">Second Citizen</speaker> <line>And so did I.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">Third Citizen</speaker> <line>And so did I; and, to say the truth, so did very</line> <line>many of us: that we did, we did for the best; and</line> <line>though we willingly consented to his banishment, yet</line> <line>it was against our will.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">COMINIUS</speaker> <line>Ye re goodly things, you voices!</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MENENIUS</speaker> <line>You have made</line> <line>Good work, you and your cry! Shall's to the Capitol?</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">COMINIUS</speaker> <line>O, ay, what else?</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <para role="stagedir">Exeunt COMINIUS and MENENIUS</para> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">SICINIUS</speaker> <line>Go, masters, get you home; be not dismay'd:</line> <line>These are a side that would be glad to have</line> <line>This true which they so seem to fear. Go home,</line> <line>And show no sign of fear.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">First Citizen</speaker> <line>The gods be good to us! Come, masters, let's home.</line> <line>I ever said we were i' the wrong when we banished</line> <line>him.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">Second Citizen</speaker> <line>So did we all. But, come, let's home.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <para role="stagedir">Exeunt Citizens</para> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">BRUTUS</speaker> <line>I do not like this news.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">SICINIUS</speaker> <line>Nor I.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">BRUTUS</speaker> <line>Let's to the Capitol. Would half my wealth</line> <line>Would buy this for a lie!</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">SICINIUS</speaker> <line>Pray, let us go.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <para role="stagedir">Exeunt</para> </section> <section role="scene"><title>SCENE VII. A camp, at a small distance from Rome.</title> <para role="stagedir">Enter AUFIDIUS and his Lieutenant</para> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">AUFIDIUS</speaker> <line>Do they still fly to the Roman?</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">Lieutenant</speaker> <line>I do not know what witchcraft's in him, but</line> <line>Your soldiers use him as the grace 'fore meat,</line> <line>Their talk at table, and their thanks at end;</line> <line>And you are darken'd in this action, sir,</line> <line>Even by your own.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">AUFIDIUS</speaker> <line>I cannot help it now,</line> <line>Unless, by using means, I lame the foot</line> <line>Of our design. He bears himself more proudlier,</line> <line>Even to my person, than I thought he would</line> <line>When first I did embrace him: yet his nature</line> <line>In that's no changeling; and I must excuse</line> <line>What cannot be amended.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">Lieutenant</speaker> <line>Yet I wish, sir,--</line> <line>I mean for your particular,--you had not</line> <line>Join'd in commission with him; but either</line> <line>Had borne the action of yourself, or else</line> <line>To him had left it solely.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">AUFIDIUS</speaker> <line>I understand thee well; and be thou sure,</line> <line>when he shall come to his account, he knows not</line> <line>What I can urge against him. Although it seems,</line> <line>And so he thinks, and is no less apparent</line> <line>To the vulgar eye, that he bears all things fairly.</line> <line>And shows good husbandry for the Volscian state,</line> <line>Fights dragon-like, and does achieve as soon</line> <line>As draw his sword; yet he hath left undone</line> <line>That which shall break his neck or hazard mine,</line> <line>Whene'er we come to our account.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">Lieutenant</speaker> <line>Sir, I beseech you, think you he'll carry Rome?</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">AUFIDIUS</speaker> <line>All places yield to him ere he sits down;</line> <line>And the nobility of Rome are his:</line> <line>The senators and patricians love him too:</line> <line>The tribunes are no soldiers; and their people</line> <line>Will be as rash in the repeal, as hasty</line> <line>To expel him thence. I think he'll be to Rome</line> <line>As is the osprey to the fish, who takes it</line> <line>By sovereignty of nature. First he was</line> <line>A noble servant to them; but he could not</line> <line>Carry his honours even: whether 'twas pride,</line> <line>Which out of daily fortune ever taints</line> <line>The happy man; whether defect of judgment,</line> <line>To fail in the disposing of those chances</line> <line>Which he was lord of; or whether nature,</line> <line>Not to be other than one thing, not moving</line> <line>From the casque to the cushion, but commanding peace</line> <line>Even with the same austerity and garb</line> <line>As he controll'd the war; but one of these--</line> <line>As he hath spices of them all, not all,</line> <line>For I dare so far free him--made him fear'd,</line> <line>So hated, and so banish'd: but he has a merit,</line> <line>To choke it in the utterance. So our virtues</line> <line>Lie in the interpretation of the time:</line> <line>And power, unto itself most commendable,</line> <line>Hath not a tomb so evident as a chair</line> <line>To extol what it hath done.</line> <line>One fire drives out one fire; one nail, one nail;</line> <line>Rights by rights falter, strengths by strengths do fail.</line> <line>Come, let's away. When, Caius, Rome is thine,</line> <line>Thou art poor'st of all; then shortly art thou mine.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <para role="stagedir">Exeunt</para> </section> </chapter> <chapter role="act"><title>ACT V</title> <section role="scene"><title>SCENE I. Rome. A public place.</title> <para role="stagedir">Enter MENENIUS, COMINIUS, SICINIUS, BRUTUS, and others</para> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MENENIUS</speaker> <line>No, I'll not go: you hear what he hath said</line> <line>Which was sometime his general; who loved him</line> <line>In a most dear particular. He call'd me father:</line> <line>But what o' that? Go, you that banish'd him;</line> <line>A mile before his tent fall down, and knee</line> <line>The way into his mercy: nay, if he coy'd</line> <line>To hear Cominius speak, I'll keep at home.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">COMINIUS</speaker> <line>He would not seem to know me.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MENENIUS</speaker> <line>Do you hear?</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">COMINIUS</speaker> <line>Yet one time he did call me by my name:</line> <line>I urged our old acquaintance, and the drops</line> <line>That we have bled together. Coriolanus</line> <line>He would not answer to: forbad all names;</line> <line>He was a kind of nothing, titleless,</line> <line>Till he had forged himself a name o' the fire</line> <line>Of burning Rome.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MENENIUS</speaker> <line>Why, so: you have made good work!</line> <line>A pair of tribunes that have rack'd for Rome,</line> <line>To make coals cheap,--a noble memory!</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">COMINIUS</speaker> <line>I minded him how royal 'twas to pardon</line> <line>When it was less expected: he replied,</line> <line>It was a bare petition of a state</line> <line>To one whom they had punish'd.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MENENIUS</speaker> <line>Very well:</line> <line>Could he say less?</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">COMINIUS</speaker> <line>I offer'd to awaken his regard</line> <line>For's private friends: his answer to me was,</line> <line>He could not stay to pick them in a pile</line> <line>Of noisome musty chaff: he said 'twas folly,</line> <line>For one poor grain or two, to leave unburnt,</line> <line>And still to nose the offence.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MENENIUS</speaker> <line>For one poor grain or two!</line> <line>I am one of those; his mother, wife, his child,</line> <line>And this brave fellow too, we are the grains:</line> <line>You are the musty chaff; and you are smelt</line> <line>Above the moon: we must be burnt for you.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">SICINIUS</speaker> <line>Nay, pray, be patient: if you refuse your aid</line> <line>In this so never-needed help, yet do not</line> <line>Upbraid's with our distress. But, sure, if you</line> <line>Would be your country's pleader, your good tongue,</line> <line>More than the instant army we can make,</line> <line>Might stop our countryman.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MENENIUS</speaker> <line>No, I'll not meddle.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">SICINIUS</speaker> <line>Pray you, go to him.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MENENIUS</speaker> <line>What should I do?</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">BRUTUS</speaker> <line>Only make trial what your love can do</line> <line>For Rome, towards Marcius.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MENENIUS</speaker> <line>Well, and say that Marcius</line> <line>Return me, as Cominius is return'd,</line> <line>Unheard; what then?</line> <line>But as a discontented friend, grief-shot</line> <line>With his unkindness? say't be so?</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">SICINIUS</speaker> <line>Yet your good will</line> <line>must have that thanks from Rome, after the measure</line> <line>As you intended well.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MENENIUS</speaker> <line>I'll undertake 't:</line> <line>I think he'll hear me. Yet, to bite his lip</line> <line>And hum at good Cominius, much unhearts me.</line> <line>He was not taken well; he had not dined:</line> <line>The veins unfill'd, our blood is cold, and then</line> <line>We pout upon the morning, are unapt</line> <line>To give or to forgive; but when we have stuff'd</line> <line>These and these conveyances of our blood</line> <line>With wine and feeding, we have suppler souls</line> <line>Than in our priest-like fasts: therefore I'll watch him</line> <line>Till he be dieted to my request,</line> <line>And then I'll set upon him.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">BRUTUS</speaker> <line>You know the very road into his kindness,</line> <line>And cannot lose your way.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MENENIUS</speaker> <line>Good faith, I'll prove him,</line> <line>Speed how it will. I shall ere long have knowledge</line> <line>Of my success.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <para role="stagedir">Exit</para> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">COMINIUS</speaker> <line>He'll never hear him.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">SICINIUS</speaker> <line>Not?</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">COMINIUS</speaker> <line>I tell you, he does sit in gold, his eye</line> <line>Red as 'twould burn Rome; and his injury</line> <line>The gaoler to his pity. I kneel'd before him;</line> <line>'Twas very faintly he said 'Rise;' dismiss'd me</line> <line>Thus, with his speechless hand: what he would do,</line> <line>He sent in writing after me; what he would not,</line> <line>Bound with an oath to yield to his conditions:</line> <line>So that all hope is vain.</line> <line>Unless his noble mother, and his wife;</line> <line>Who, as I hear, mean to solicit him</line> <line>For mercy to his country. Therefore, let's hence,</line> <line>And with our fair entreaties haste them on.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <para role="stagedir">Exeunt</para> </section> <section role="scene"><title>SCENE II. Entrance of the Volscian camp before Rome. Two Sentinels on guard.</title> <para role="stagedir">Enter to them, MENENIUS</para> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">First Senator</speaker> <line>Stay: whence are you?</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">Second Senator</speaker> <line>Stand, and go back.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MENENIUS</speaker> <line>You guard like men; 'tis well: but, by your leave,</line> <line>I am an officer of state, and come</line> <line>To speak with Coriolanus.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">First Senator</speaker> <line>From whence?</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MENENIUS</speaker> <line>From Rome.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">First Senator</speaker> <line>You may not pass, you must return: our general</line> <line>Will no more hear from thence.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">Second Senator</speaker> <line>You'll see your Rome embraced with fire before</line> <line>You'll speak with Coriolanus.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MENENIUS</speaker> <line>Good my friends,</line> <line>If you have heard your general talk of Rome,</line> <line>And of his friends there, it is lots to blanks,</line> <line>My name hath touch'd your ears it is Menenius.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">First Senator</speaker> <line>Be it so; go back: the virtue of your name</line> <line>Is not here passable.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MENENIUS</speaker> <line>I tell thee, fellow,</line> <line>The general is my lover: I have been</line> <line>The book of his good acts, whence men have read</line> <line>His name unparallel'd, haply amplified;</line> <line>For I have ever verified my friends,</line> <line>Of whom he's chief, with all the size that verity</line> <line>Would without lapsing suffer: nay, sometimes,</line> <line>Like to a bowl upon a subtle ground,</line> <line>I have tumbled past the throw; and in his praise</line> <line>Have almost stamp'd the leasing: therefore, fellow,</line> <line>I must have leave to pass.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">First Senator</speaker> <line>Faith, sir, if you had told as many lies in his</line> <line>behalf as you have uttered words in your own, you</line> <line>should not pass here; no, though it were as virtuous</line> <line>to lie as to live chastely. Therefore, go back.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MENENIUS</speaker> <line>Prithee, fellow, remember my name is Menenius,</line> <line>always factionary on the party of your general.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">Second Senator</speaker> <line>Howsoever you have been his liar, as you say you</line> <line>have, I am one that, telling true under him, must</line> <line>say, you cannot pass. Therefore, go back.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MENENIUS</speaker> <line>Has he dined, canst thou tell? for I would not</line> <line>speak with him till after dinner.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">First Senator</speaker> <line>You are a Roman, are you?</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MENENIUS</speaker> <line>I am, as thy general is.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">First Senator</speaker> <line>Then you should hate Rome, as he does. Can you,</line> <line>when you have pushed out your gates the very</line> <line>defender of them, and, in a violent popular</line> <line>ignorance, given your enemy your shield, think to</line> <line>front his revenges with the easy groans of old</line> <line>women, the virginal palms of your daughters, or with</line> <line>the palsied intercession of such a decayed dotant as</line> <line>you seem to be? Can you think to blow out the</line> <line>intended fire your city is ready to flame in, with</line> <line>such weak breath as this? No, you are deceived;</line> <line>therefore, back to Rome, and prepare for your</line> <line>execution: you are condemned, our general has sworn</line> <line>you out of reprieve and pardon.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MENENIUS</speaker> <line>Sirrah, if thy captain knew I were here, he would</line> <line>use me with estimation.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">Second Senator</speaker> <line>Come, my captain knows you not.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MENENIUS</speaker> <line>I mean, thy general.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">First Senator</speaker> <line>My general cares not for you. Back, I say, go; lest</line> <line>I let forth your half-pint of blood; back,--that's</line> <line>the utmost of your having: back.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MENENIUS</speaker> <line>Nay, but, fellow, fellow,--</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <para role="stagedir">Enter CORIOLANUS and AUFIDIUS</para> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">CORIOLANUS</speaker> <line>What's the matter?</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MENENIUS</speaker> <line>Now, you companion, I'll say an errand for you:</line> <line>You shall know now that I am in estimation; you shall</line> <line>perceive that a Jack guardant cannot office me from</line> <line>my son Coriolanus: guess, but by my entertainment</line> <line>with him, if thou standest not i' the state of</line> <line>hanging, or of some death more long in</line> <line>spectatorship, and crueller in suffering; behold now</line> <line>presently, and swoon for what's to come upon thee.</line> <para role="stagedir">To CORIOLANUS</para> <line>The glorious gods sit in hourly synod about thy</line> <line>particular prosperity, and love thee no worse than</line> <line>thy old father Menenius does! O my son, my son!</line> <line>thou art preparing fire for us; look thee, here's</line> <line>water to quench it. I was hardly moved to come to</line> <line>thee; but being assured none but myself could move</line> <line>thee, I have been blown out of your gates with</line> <line>sighs; and conjure thee to pardon Rome, and thy</line> <line>petitionary countrymen. The good gods assuage thy</line> <line>wrath, and turn the dregs of it upon this varlet</line> <line>here,--this, who, like a block, hath denied my</line> <line>access to thee.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">CORIOLANUS</speaker> <line>Away!</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MENENIUS</speaker> <line>How! away!</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">CORIOLANUS</speaker> <line>Wife, mother, child, I know not. My affairs</line> <line>Are servanted to others: though I owe</line> <line>My revenge properly, my remission lies</line> <line>In Volscian breasts. That we have been familiar,</line> <line>Ingrate forgetfulness shall poison, rather</line> <line>Than pity note how much. Therefore, be gone.</line> <line>Mine ears against your suits are stronger than</line> <line>Your gates against my force. Yet, for I loved thee,</line> <line>Take this along; I writ it for thy sake</line> <para role="stagedir">Gives a letter</para> <line>And would have rent it. Another word, Menenius,</line> <line>I will not hear thee speak. This man, Aufidius,</line> <line>Was my beloved in Rome: yet thou behold'st!</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">AUFIDIUS</speaker> <line>You keep a constant temper.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <para role="stagedir">Exeunt CORIOLANUS and AUFIDIUS</para> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">First Senator</speaker> <line>Now, sir, is your name Menenius?</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">Second Senator</speaker> <line>'Tis a spell, you see, of much power: you know the</line> <line>way home again.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">First Senator</speaker> <line>Do you hear how we are shent for keeping your</line> <line>greatness back?</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">Second Senator</speaker> <line>What cause, do you think, I have to swoon?</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MENENIUS</speaker> <line>I neither care for the world nor your general: for</line> <line>such things as you, I can scarce think there's any,</line> <line>ye're so slight. He that hath a will to die by</line> <line>himself fears it not from another: let your general</line> <line>do his worst. For you, be that you are, long; and</line> <line>your misery increase with your age! I say to you,</line> <line>as I was said to, Away!</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <para role="stagedir">Exit</para> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">First Senator</speaker> <line>A noble fellow, I warrant him.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">Second Senator</speaker> <line>The worthy fellow is our general: he's the rock, the</line> <line>oak not to be wind-shaken.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <para role="stagedir">Exeunt</para> </section> <section role="scene"><title>SCENE III. The tent of Coriolanus.</title> <para role="stagedir">Enter CORIOLANUS, AUFIDIUS, and others</para> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">CORIOLANUS</speaker> <line>We will before the walls of Rome tomorrow</line> <line>Set down our host. My partner in this action,</line> <line>You must report to the Volscian lords, how plainly</line> <line>I have borne this business.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">AUFIDIUS</speaker> <line>Only their ends</line> <line>You have respected; stopp'd your ears against</line> <line>The general suit of Rome; never admitted</line> <line>A private whisper, no, not with such friends</line> <line>That thought them sure of you.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">CORIOLANUS</speaker> <line>This last old man,</line> <line>Whom with a crack'd heart I have sent to Rome,</line> <line>Loved me above the measure of a father;</line> <line>Nay, godded me, indeed. Their latest refuge</line> <line>Was to send him; for whose old love I have,</line> <line>Though I show'd sourly to him, once more offer'd</line> <line>The first conditions, which they did refuse</line> <line>And cannot now accept; to grace him only</line> <line>That thought he could do more, a very little</line> <line>I have yielded to: fresh embassies and suits,</line> <line>Nor from the state nor private friends, hereafter</line> <line>Will I lend ear to. Ha! what shout is this?</line> <para role="stagedir">Shout within</para> <line>Shall I be tempted to infringe my vow</line> <line>In the same time 'tis made? I will not.</line> <para role="stagedir">Enter in mourning habits, VIRGILIA, VOLUMNIA, leading young MARCIUS, VALERIA, and Attendants</para> <line>My wife comes foremost; then the honour'd mould</line> <line>Wherein this trunk was framed, and in her hand</line> <line>The grandchild to her blood. But, out, affection!</line> <line>All bond and privilege of nature, break!</line> <line>Let it be virtuous to be obstinate.</line> <line>What is that curt'sy worth? or those doves' eyes,</line> <line>Which can make gods forsworn? I melt, and am not</line> <line>Of stronger earth than others. My mother bows;</line> <line>As if Olympus to a molehill should</line> <line>In supplication nod: and my young boy</line> <line>Hath an aspect of intercession, which</line> <line>Great nature cries 'Deny not.' let the Volsces</line> <line>Plough Rome and harrow Italy: I'll never</line> <line>Be such a gosling to obey instinct, but stand,</line> <line>As if a man were author of himself</line> <line>And knew no other kin.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">VIRGILIA</speaker> <line>My lord and husband!</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">CORIOLANUS</speaker> <line>These eyes are not the same I wore in Rome.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">VIRGILIA</speaker> <line>The sorrow that delivers us thus changed</line> <line>Makes you think so.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">CORIOLANUS</speaker> <line>Like a dull actor now,</line> <line>I have forgot my part, and I am out,</line> <line>Even to a full disgrace. Best of my flesh,</line> <line>Forgive my tyranny; but do not say</line> <line>For that 'Forgive our Romans.' O, a kiss</line> <line>Long as my exile, sweet as my revenge!</line> <line>Now, by the jealous queen of heaven, that kiss</line> <line>I carried from thee, dear; and my true lip</line> <line>Hath virgin'd it e'er since. You gods! I prate,</line> <line>And the most noble mother of the world</line> <line>Leave unsaluted: sink, my knee, i' the earth;</line> <para role="stagedir">Kneels</para> <line>Of thy deep duty more impression show</line> <line>Than that of common sons.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">VOLUMNIA</speaker> <line>O, stand up blest!</line> <line>Whilst, with no softer cushion than the flint,</line> <line>I kneel before thee; and unproperly</line> <line>Show duty, as mistaken all this while</line> <line>Between the child and parent.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <para role="stagedir">Kneels</para> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">CORIOLANUS</speaker> <line>What is this?</line> <line>Your knees to me? to your corrected son?</line> <line>Then let the pebbles on the hungry beach</line> <line>Fillip the stars; then let the mutinous winds</line> <line>Strike the proud cedars 'gainst the fiery sun;</line> <line>Murdering impossibility, to make</line> <line>What cannot be, slight work.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">VOLUMNIA</speaker> <line>Thou art my warrior;</line> <line>I holp to frame thee. Do you know this lady?</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">CORIOLANUS</speaker> <line>The noble sister of Publicola,</line> <line>The moon of Rome, chaste as the icicle</line> <line>That's curdied by the frost from purest snow</line> <line>And hangs on Dian's temple: dear Valeria!</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">VOLUMNIA</speaker> <line>This is a poor epitome of yours,</line> <line>Which by the interpretation of full time</line> <line>May show like all yourself.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">CORIOLANUS</speaker> <line>The god of soldiers,</line> <line>With the consent of supreme Jove, inform</line> <line>Thy thoughts with nobleness; that thou mayst prove</line> <line>To shame unvulnerable, and stick i' the wars</line> <line>Like a great sea-mark, standing every flaw,</line> <line>And saving those that eye thee!</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">VOLUMNIA</speaker> <line>Your knee, sirrah.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">CORIOLANUS</speaker> <line>That's my brave boy!</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">VOLUMNIA</speaker> <line>Even he, your wife, this lady, and myself,</line> <line>Are suitors to you.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">CORIOLANUS</speaker> <line>I beseech you, peace:</line> <line>Or, if you'ld ask, remember this before:</line> <line>The thing I have forsworn to grant may never</line> <line>Be held by you denials. Do not bid me</line> <line>Dismiss my soldiers, or capitulate</line> <line>Again with Rome's mechanics: tell me not</line> <line>Wherein I seem unnatural: desire not</line> <line>To ally my rages and revenges with</line> <line>Your colder reasons.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">VOLUMNIA</speaker> <line>O, no more, no more!</line> <line>You have said you will not grant us any thing;</line> <line>For we have nothing else to ask, but that</line> <line>Which you deny already: yet we will ask;</line> <line>That, if you fail in our request, the blame</line> <line>May hang upon your hardness: therefore hear us.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">CORIOLANUS</speaker> <line>Aufidius, and you Volsces, mark; for we'll</line> <line>Hear nought from Rome in private. Your request?</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">VOLUMNIA</speaker> <line>Should we be silent and not speak, our raiment</line> <line>And state of bodies would bewray what life</line> <line>We have led since thy exile. Think with thyself</line> <line>How more unfortunate than all living women</line> <line>Are we come hither: since that thy sight,</line> <line>which should</line> <line>Make our eyes flow with joy, hearts dance</line> <line>with comforts,</line> <line>Constrains them weep and shake with fear and sorrow;</line> <line>Making the mother, wife and child to see</line> <line>The son, the husband and the father tearing</line> <line>His country's bowels out. And to poor we</line> <line>Thine enmity's most capital: thou barr'st us</line> <line>Our prayers to the gods, which is a comfort</line> <line>That all but we enjoy; for how can we,</line> <line>Alas, how can we for our country pray.</line> <line>Whereto we are bound, together with thy victory,</line> <line>Whereto we are bound? alack, or we must lose</line> <line>The country, our dear nurse, or else thy person,</line> <line>Our comfort in the country. We must find</line> <line>An evident calamity, though we had</line> <line>Our wish, which side should win: for either thou</line> <line>Must, as a foreign recreant, be led</line> <line>With manacles thorough our streets, or else</line> <line>triumphantly tread on thy country's ruin,</line> <line>And bear the palm for having bravely shed</line> <line>Thy wife and children's blood. For myself, son,</line> <line>I purpose not to wait on fortune till</line> <line>These wars determine: if I cannot persuade thee</line> <line>Rather to show a noble grace to both parts</line> <line>Than seek the end of one, thou shalt no sooner</line> <line>March to assault thy country than to tread--</line> <line>Trust to't, thou shalt not--on thy mother's womb,</line> <line>That brought thee to this world.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">VIRGILIA</speaker> <line>Ay, and mine,</line> <line>That brought you forth this boy, to keep your name</line> <line>Living to time.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">Young MARCIUS</speaker> <line>A' shall not tread on me;</line> <line>I'll run away till I am bigger, but then I'll fight.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">CORIOLANUS</speaker> <line>Not of a woman's tenderness to be,</line> <line>Requires nor child nor woman's face to see.</line> <line>I have sat too long.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <para role="stagedir">Rising</para> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">VOLUMNIA</speaker> <line>Nay, go not from us thus.</line> <line>If it were so that our request did tend</line> <line>To save the Romans, thereby to destroy</line> <line>The Volsces whom you serve, you might condemn us,</line> <line>As poisonous of your honour: no; our suit</line> <line>Is that you reconcile them: while the Volsces</line> <line>May say 'This mercy we have show'd;' the Romans,</line> <line>'This we received;' and each in either side</line> <line>Give the all-hail to thee and cry 'Be blest</line> <line>For making up this peace!' Thou know'st, great son,</line> <line>The end of war's uncertain, but this certain,</line> <line>That, if thou conquer Rome, the benefit</line> <line>Which thou shalt thereby reap is such a name,</line> <line>Whose repetition will be dogg'd with curses;</line> <line>Whose chronicle thus writ: 'The man was noble,</line> <line>But with his last attempt he wiped it out;</line> <line>Destroy'd his country, and his name remains</line> <line>To the ensuing age abhorr'd.' Speak to me, son:</line> <line>Thou hast affected the fine strains of honour,</line> <line>To imitate the graces of the gods;</line> <line>To tear with thunder the wide cheeks o' the air,</line> <line>And yet to charge thy sulphur with a bolt</line> <line>That should but rive an oak. Why dost not speak?</line> <line>Think'st thou it honourable for a noble man</line> <line>Still to remember wrongs? Daughter, speak you:</line> <line>He cares not for your weeping. Speak thou, boy:</line> <line>Perhaps thy childishness will move him more</line> <line>Than can our reasons. There's no man in the world</line> <line>More bound to 's mother; yet here he lets me prate</line> <line>Like one i' the stocks. Thou hast never in thy life</line> <line>Show'd thy dear mother any courtesy,</line> <line>When she, poor hen, fond of no second brood,</line> <line>Has cluck'd thee to the wars and safely home,</line> <line>Loaden with honour. Say my request's unjust,</line> <line>And spurn me back: but if it be not so,</line> <line>Thou art not honest; and the gods will plague thee,</line> <line>That thou restrain'st from me the duty which</line> <line>To a mother's part belongs. He turns away:</line> <line>Down, ladies; let us shame him with our knees.</line> <line>To his surname Coriolanus 'longs more pride</line> <line>Than pity to our prayers. Down: an end;</line> <line>This is the last: so we will home to Rome,</line> <line>And die among our neighbours. Nay, behold 's:</line> <line>This boy, that cannot tell what he would have</line> <line>But kneels and holds up bands for fellowship,</line> <line>Does reason our petition with more strength</line> <line>Than thou hast to deny 't. Come, let us go:</line> <line>This fellow had a Volscian to his mother;</line> <line>His wife is in Corioli and his child</line> <line>Like him by chance. Yet give us our dispatch:</line> <line>I am hush'd until our city be a-fire,</line> <line>And then I'll speak a little.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <para role="stagedir">He holds her by the hand, silent</para> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">CORIOLANUS</speaker> <line>O mother, mother!</line> <line>What have you done? Behold, the heavens do ope,</line> <line>The gods look down, and this unnatural scene</line> <line>They laugh at. O my mother, mother! O!</line> <line>You have won a happy victory to Rome;</line> <line>But, for your son,--believe it, O, believe it,</line> <line>Most dangerously you have with him prevail'd,</line> <line>If not most mortal to him. But, let it come.</line> <line>Aufidius, though I cannot make true wars,</line> <line>I'll frame convenient peace. Now, good Aufidius,</line> <line>Were you in my stead, would you have heard</line> <line>A mother less? or granted less, Aufidius?</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">AUFIDIUS</speaker> <line>I was moved withal.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">CORIOLANUS</speaker> <line>I dare be sworn you were:</line> <line>And, sir, it is no little thing to make</line> <line>Mine eyes to sweat compassion. But, good sir,</line> <line>What peace you'll make, advise me: for my part,</line> <line>I'll not to Rome, I'll back with you; and pray you,</line> <line>Stand to me in this cause. O mother! wife!</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">AUFIDIUS</speaker> <line><para role="stagedir">Aside</para> I am glad thou hast set thy mercy and</line> <line>thy honour</line> <line>At difference in thee: out of that I'll work</line> <line>Myself a former fortune.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <para role="stagedir">The Ladies make signs to CORIOLANUS</para> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">CORIOLANUS</speaker> <line>Ay, by and by;</line> <para role="stagedir">To VOLUMNIA, VIRGILIA, &c</para> <line>But we will drink together; and you shall bear</line> <line>A better witness back than words, which we,</line> <line>On like conditions, will have counter-seal'd.</line> <line>Come, enter with us. Ladies, you deserve</line> <line>To have a temple built you: all the swords</line> <line>In Italy, and her confederate arms,</line> <line>Could not have made this peace.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <para role="stagedir">Exeunt</para> </section> <section role="scene"><title>SCENE IV. Rome. A public place.</title> <para role="stagedir">Enter MENENIUS and SICINIUS</para> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MENENIUS</speaker> <line>See you yond coign o' the Capitol, yond</line> <line>corner-stone?</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">SICINIUS</speaker> <line>Why, what of that?</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MENENIUS</speaker> <line>If it be possible for you to displace it with your</line> <line>little finger, there is some hope the ladies of</line> <line>Rome, especially his mother, may prevail with him.</line> <line>But I say there is no hope in't: our throats are</line> <line>sentenced and stay upon execution.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">SICINIUS</speaker> <line>Is't possible that so short a time can alter the</line> <line>condition of a man!</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MENENIUS</speaker> <line>There is differency between a grub and a butterfly;</line> <line>yet your butterfly was a grub. This Marcius is grown</line> <line>from man to dragon: he has wings; he's more than a</line> <line>creeping thing.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">SICINIUS</speaker> <line>He loved his mother dearly.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MENENIUS</speaker> <line>So did he me: and he no more remembers his mother</line> <line>now than an eight-year-old horse. The tartness</line> <line>of his face sours ripe grapes: when he walks, he</line> <line>moves like an engine, and the ground shrinks before</line> <line>his treading: he is able to pierce a corslet with</line> <line>his eye; talks like a knell, and his hum is a</line> <line>battery. He sits in his state, as a thing made for</line> <line>Alexander. What he bids be done is finished with</line> <line>his bidding. He wants nothing of a god but eternity</line> <line>and a heaven to throne in.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">SICINIUS</speaker> <line>Yes, mercy, if you report him truly.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MENENIUS</speaker> <line>I paint him in the character. Mark what mercy his</line> <line>mother shall bring from him: there is no more mercy</line> <line>in him than there is milk in a male tiger; that</line> <line>shall our poor city find: and all this is long of</line> <line>you.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">SICINIUS</speaker> <line>The gods be good unto us!</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MENENIUS</speaker> <line>No, in such a case the gods will not be good unto</line> <line>us. When we banished him, we respected not them;</line> <line>and, he returning to break our necks, they respect not us.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <para role="stagedir">Enter a Messenger</para> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">Messenger</speaker> <line>Sir, if you'ld save your life, fly to your house:</line> <line>The plebeians have got your fellow-tribune</line> <line>And hale him up and down, all swearing, if</line> <line>The Roman ladies bring not comfort home,</line> <line>They'll give him death by inches.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <para role="stagedir">Enter a second Messenger</para> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">SICINIUS</speaker> <line>What's the news?</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">Second Messenger</speaker> <line>Good news, good news; the ladies have prevail'd,</line> <line>The Volscians are dislodged, and Marcius gone:</line> <line>A merrier day did never yet greet Rome,</line> <line>No, not the expulsion of the Tarquins.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">SICINIUS</speaker> <line>Friend,</line> <line>Art thou certain this is true? is it most certain?</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">Second Messenger</speaker> <line>As certain as I know the sun is fire:</line> <line>Where have you lurk'd, that you make doubt of it?</line> <line>Ne'er through an arch so hurried the blown tide,</line> <line>As the recomforted through the gates. Why, hark you!</line> <para role="stagedir">Trumpets; hautboys; drums beat; all together</para> <line>The trumpets, sackbuts, psalteries and fifes,</line> <line>Tabours and cymbals and the shouting Romans,</line> <line>Make the sun dance. Hark you!</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <para role="stagedir">A shout within</para> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">MENENIUS</speaker> <line>This is good news:</line> <line>I will go meet the ladies. This Volumnia</line> <line>Is worth of consuls, senators, patricians,</line> <line>A city full; of tribunes, such as you,</line> <line>A sea and land full. You have pray'd well to-day:</line> <line>This morning for ten thousand of your throats</line> <line>I'd not have given a doit. Hark, how they joy!</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <para role="stagedir">Music still, with shouts</para> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">SICINIUS</speaker> <line>First, the gods bless you for your tidings; next,</line> <line>Accept my thankfulness.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">Second Messenger</speaker> <line>Sir, we have all</line> <line>Great cause to give great thanks.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">SICINIUS</speaker> <line>They are near the city?</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">Second Messenger</speaker> <line>Almost at point to enter.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">SICINIUS</speaker> <line>We will meet them,</line> <line>And help the joy.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <para role="stagedir">Exeunt</para> </section> <section role="scene"><title>SCENE V. The same. A street near the gate.</title> <para role="stagedir">Enter two Senators with VOLUMNIA, VIRGILIA, VALERIA, &c. passing over the stage, followed by Patricians and others</para> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">First Senator</speaker> <line>Behold our patroness, the life of Rome!</line> <line>Call all your tribes together, praise the gods,</line> <line>And make triumphant fires; strew flowers before them:</line> <line>Unshout the noise that banish'd Marcius,</line> <line>Repeal him with the welcome of his mother;</line> <line>Cry 'Welcome, ladies, welcome!'</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">All</speaker> <line>Welcome, ladies, Welcome!</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <para role="stagedir">A flourish with drums and trumpets. Exeunt</para> </section> <section role="scene"><title>SCENE VI. Antium. A public place.</title> <para role="stagedir">Enter TULLUS AUFIDIUS, with Attendants</para> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">AUFIDIUS</speaker> <line>Go tell the lords o' the city I am here:</line> <line>Deliver them this paper: having read it,</line> <line>Bid them repair to the market place; where I,</line> <line>Even in theirs and in the commons' ears,</line> <line>Will vouch the truth of it. Him I accuse</line> <line>The city ports by this hath enter'd and</line> <line>Intends to appear before the people, hoping</line> <line>To purge herself with words: dispatch.</line> <para role="stagedir">Exeunt Attendants</para> <para role="stagedir">Enter three or four Conspirators of AUFIDIUS' faction</para> <line>Most welcome!</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">First Conspirator</speaker> <line>How is it with our general?</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">AUFIDIUS</speaker> <line>Even so</line> <line>As with a man by his own alms empoison'd,</line> <line>And with his charity slain.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">Second Conspirator</speaker> <line>Most noble sir,</line> <line>If you do hold the same intent wherein</line> <line>You wish'd us parties, we'll deliver you</line> <line>Of your great danger.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">AUFIDIUS</speaker> <line>Sir, I cannot tell:</line> <line>We must proceed as we do find the people.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">Third Conspirator</speaker> <line>The people will remain uncertain whilst</line> <line>'Twixt you there's difference; but the fall of either</line> <line>Makes the survivor heir of all.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">AUFIDIUS</speaker> <line>I know it;</line> <line>And my pretext to strike at him admits</line> <line>A good construction. I raised him, and I pawn'd</line> <line>Mine honour for his truth: who being so heighten'd,</line> <line>He water'd his new plants with dews of flattery,</line> <line>Seducing so my friends; and, to this end,</line> <line>He bow'd his nature, never known before</line> <line>But to be rough, unswayable and free.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">Third Conspirator</speaker> <line>Sir, his stoutness</line> <line>When he did stand for consul, which he lost</line> <line>By lack of stooping,--</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">AUFIDIUS</speaker> <line>That I would have spoke of:</line> <line>Being banish'd for't, he came unto my hearth;</line> <line>Presented to my knife his throat: I took him;</line> <line>Made him joint-servant with me; gave him way</line> <line>In all his own desires; nay, let him choose</line> <line>Out of my files, his projects to accomplish,</line> <line>My best and freshest men; served his designments</line> <line>In mine own person; holp to reap the fame</line> <line>Which he did end all his; and took some pride</line> <line>To do myself this wrong: till, at the last,</line> <line>I seem'd his follower, not partner, and</line> <line>He waged me with his countenance, as if</line> <line>I had been mercenary.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">First Conspirator</speaker> <line>So he did, my lord:</line> <line>The army marvell'd at it, and, in the last,</line> <line>When he had carried Rome and that we look'd</line> <line>For no less spoil than glory,--</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">AUFIDIUS</speaker> <line>There was it:</line> <line>For which my sinews shall be stretch'd upon him.</line> <line>At a few drops of women's rheum, which are</line> <line>As cheap as lies, he sold the blood and labour</line> <line>Of our great action: therefore shall he die,</line> <line>And I'll renew me in his fall. But, hark!</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <para role="stagedir">Drums and trumpets sound, with great shouts of the People</para> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">First Conspirator</speaker> <line>Your native town you enter'd like a post,</line> <line>And had no welcomes home: but he returns,</line> <line>Splitting the air with noise.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">Second Conspirator</speaker> <line>And patient fools,</line> <line>Whose children he hath slain, their base throats tear</line> <line>With giving him glory.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">Third Conspirator</speaker> <line>Therefore, at your vantage,</line> <line>Ere he express himself, or move the people</line> <line>With what he would say, let him feel your sword,</line> <line>Which we will second. When he lies along,</line> <line>After your way his tale pronounced shall bury</line> <line>His reasons with his body.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">AUFIDIUS</speaker> <line>Say no more:</line> <line>Here come the lords.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <para role="stagedir">Enter the Lords of the city</para> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">All The Lords</speaker> <line>You are most welcome home.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">AUFIDIUS</speaker> <line>I have not deserved it.</line> <line>But, worthy lords, have you with heed perused</line> <line>What I have written to you?</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">Lords</speaker> <line>We have.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">First Lord</speaker> <line>And grieve to hear't.</line> <line>What faults he made before the last, I think</line> <line>Might have found easy fines: but there to end</line> <line>Where he was to begin and give away</line> <line>The benefit of our levies, answering us</line> <line>With our own charge, making a treaty where</line> <line>There was a yielding,--this admits no excuse.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">AUFIDIUS</speaker> <line>He approaches: you shall hear him.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <para role="stagedir">Enter CORIOLANUS, marching with drum and colours; commoners being with him</para> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">CORIOLANUS</speaker> <line>Hail, lords! I am return'd your soldier,</line> <line>No more infected with my country's love</line> <line>Than when I parted hence, but still subsisting</line> <line>Under your great command. You are to know</line> <line>That prosperously I have attempted and</line> <line>With bloody passage led your wars even to</line> <line>The gates of Rome. Our spoils we have brought home</line> <line>Do more than counterpoise a full third part</line> <line>The charges of the action. We have made peace</line> <line>With no less honour to the Antiates</line> <line>Than shame to the Romans: and we here deliver,</line> <line>Subscribed by the consuls and patricians,</line> <line>Together with the seal o' the senate, what</line> <line>We have compounded on.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">AUFIDIUS</speaker> <line>Read it not, noble lords;</line> <line>But tell the traitor, in the high'st degree</line> <line>He hath abused your powers.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">CORIOLANUS</speaker> <line>Traitor! how now!</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">AUFIDIUS</speaker> <line>Ay, traitor, Marcius!</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">CORIOLANUS</speaker> <line>Marcius!</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">AUFIDIUS</speaker> <line>Ay, Marcius, Caius Marcius: dost thou think</line> <line>I'll grace thee with that robbery, thy stol'n name</line> <line>Coriolanus in Corioli?</line> <line>You lords and heads o' the state, perfidiously</line> <line>He has betray'd your business, and given up,</line> <line>For certain drops of salt, your city Rome,</line> <line>I say 'your city,' to his wife and mother;</line> <line>Breaking his oath and resolution like</line> <line>A twist of rotten silk, never admitting</line> <line>Counsel o' the war, but at his nurse's tears</line> <line>He whined and roar'd away your victory,</line> <line>That pages blush'd at him and men of heart</line> <line>Look'd wondering each at other.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">CORIOLANUS</speaker> <line>Hear'st thou, Mars?</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">AUFIDIUS</speaker> <line>Name not the god, thou boy of tears!</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">CORIOLANUS</speaker> <line>Ha!</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">AUFIDIUS</speaker> <line>No more.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">CORIOLANUS</speaker> <line>Measureless liar, thou hast made my heart</line> <line>Too great for what contains it. Boy! O slave!</line> <line>Pardon me, lords, 'tis the first time that ever</line> <line>I was forced to scold. Your judgments, my grave lords,</line> <line>Must give this cur the lie: and his own notion--</line> <line>Who wears my stripes impress'd upon him; that</line> <line>Must bear my beating to his grave--shall join</line> <line>To thrust the lie unto him.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">First Lord</speaker> <line>Peace, both, and hear me speak.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">CORIOLANUS</speaker> <line>Cut me to pieces, Volsces; men and lads,</line> <line>Stain all your edges on me. Boy! false hound!</line> <line>If you have writ your annals true, 'tis there,</line> <line>That, like an eagle in a dove-cote, I</line> <line>Flutter'd your Volscians in Corioli:</line> <line>Alone I did it. Boy!</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">AUFIDIUS</speaker> <line>Why, noble lords,</line> <line>Will you be put in mind of his blind fortune,</line> <line>Which was your shame, by this unholy braggart,</line> <line>'Fore your own eyes and ears?</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">All Conspirators</speaker> <line>Let him die for't.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">All The People</speaker> <line>'Tear him to pieces.' 'Do it presently.' 'He kill'd</line> <line>my son.' 'My daughter.' 'He killed my cousin</line> <line>Marcus.' 'He killed my father.'</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">Second Lord</speaker> <line>Peace, ho! no outrage: peace!</line> <line>The man is noble and his fame folds-in</line> <line>This orb o' the earth. His last offences to us</line> <line>Shall have judicious hearing. Stand, Aufidius,</line> <line>And trouble not the peace.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">CORIOLANUS</speaker> <line>O that I had him,</line> <line>With six Aufidiuses, or more, his tribe,</line> <line>To use my lawful sword!</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">AUFIDIUS</speaker> <line>Insolent villain!</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">All Conspirators</speaker> <line>Kill, kill, kill, kill, kill him!</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <para role="stagedir">The Conspirators draw, and kill CORIOLANUS: AUFIDIUS stands on his body</para> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">Lords</speaker> <line>Hold, hold, hold, hold!</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">AUFIDIUS</speaker> <line>My noble masters, hear me speak.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">First Lord</speaker> <line>O Tullus,--</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">Second Lord</speaker> <line>Thou hast done a deed whereat valour will weep.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">Third Lord</speaker> <line>Tread not upon him. Masters all, be quiet;</line> <line>Put up your swords.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">AUFIDIUS</speaker> <line>My lords, when you shall know--as in this rage,</line> <line>Provoked by him, you cannot--the great danger</line> <line>Which this man's life did owe you, you'll rejoice</line> <line>That he is thus cut off. Please it your honours</line> <line>To call me to your senate, I'll deliver</line> <line>Myself your loyal servant, or endure</line> <line>Your heaviest censure.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">First Lord</speaker> <line>Bear from hence his body;</line> <line>And mourn you for him: let him be regarded</line> <line>As the most noble corse that ever herald</line> <line>Did follow to his urn.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">Second Lord</speaker> <line>His own impatience</line> <line>Takes from Aufidius a great part of blame.</line> <line>Let's make the best of it.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <dialogue role="speech"><linegroup><speaker role="speaker">AUFIDIUS</speaker> <line>My rage is gone;</line> <line>And I am struck with sorrow. Take him up.</line> <line>Help, three o' the chiefest soldiers; I'll be one.</line> <line>Beat thou the drum, that it speak mournfully:</line> <line>Trail your steel pikes. Though in this city he</line> <line>Hath widow'd and unchilded many a one,</line> <line>Which to this hour bewail the injury,</line> <line>Yet he shall have a noble memory. Assist.</line> </linegroup></dialogue> <para role="stagedir">Exeunt, bearing the body of CORIOLANUS. A dead march sounded</para> </section> </chapter> </book>
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