Men. Well, no more. 1 Sen. No more words, we beseech you. Cor. How! No more? As for my country I have shed my blood, Not fearing outward force, so shall my lungs Bru. You speak o' the people, Sic. 'Twere well, We let the people know't. Men. What, what? His choler? Cor. Choler! Were I as patient as the midnight sleep, Sic. It is a mind," That shall remain a poison where it is, Not poison any further. Cor. Shall remain ! Hear you this Triton of the minnows? Cor. Shall! Mark O good, but most unwise patricians, why, That with his peremptory shall, being but The horn and noise o' the monsters, wants not spirit To say, he'll turn your current in a ditch, Let them have cushions by you. You are plebeians, When both your voices blended, the greatest taste + Scab. Lepers. Small fish. Careless. To know, when two authorities are up, Com. Weli-on to the market-place. Cor. Whoever gave that counsel, to give forth The corn o' the store-house gratis, as 'twas used Sometime in Greece,- Men. Well, well, no more of that. Cor. (Though there the people had more absolute power), I say, they nourish'd disobedience, fed The ruin of the state. Bru. Why, shall the people give One, that speaks thus, their voice? Cor. I'll give my reasons, More worthier than their voices. They know, the corn Was not our recompense; resting well assured They ne'er did service for't: being press'd to the war, Even when the navel of the state was touch'd, They would not thread the gates: this kind of service Did not deserve corn gratis: being i' the war, The senate's courtesy? Let deeds express ope The locks o' the senate, and bring in the crows To peck the eagles. Men. Come, enough. Bru. Enough, with over-measure. Cor. No, take more: What may be sworn by, both divine and human, Pass through. + Motive, no doubt, was Shakspeare's word. + Number, Seal what I end withal -This double worship,Where one part does disdain with cause, the other, Insult without all reason; where gentry, title, wis dom, Cannot conclude, but by the yea and no you, You that will be less fearful than discreet; More than you doubt the change of 't; that prefer Bru. He has said enough. Sic. He has spoken like a traitor, and shall answer As traitors do. Cor. Thou wretch! Despite o'erwhelm thee!What should the people do with these bald tri bunes? On whom depending, their obedience fails. When what's not meet, but what must be, was law, Bru. Manifest treason. Sic. This a consul? No. Bru. The Ediles, ho!-Let him be apprehended. Sic. Go, call the people; [Exit Brutus.] in whose name, myself Attach thee, as a traitorous innovator, A foe to the public weal: Obey, I charge thee, Cor. Hence, old goat! Sen, and Pat. We'll surety him. Fear. + Risk. Cor. Hence, rotten thing, or I shall shake thy bones Out of thy garments. Re-enter BRUTUS, with the EDILES, and a Rabble of CITIZENS. Men. On both sides more respect. Cit. Down with him, down with him! [Several speak. 2 Sen. Weapons, weapons, weapons! They all bustle about Coriolanus. Tribunes, patricians, citizens !-What, ho!Sicinius, Brutus, Coriolanus, citizens! Cit. Peace, peace, peace; stay, hold, peace! Men. What is about to be ?-I am out of breath; Confusion's near: I cannot speak :-You, tribunes To the people,-Coriolanus, patience :Speak, good Sicinius. Sic. Hear me, people ;-Peace. Cit. Let's hear our tribune :-Peace. Speak, speak, speak. Sic. You are at point to lose your liberties: Marcius would have all from you; Marcius, Whom late you have named for consul. Men. Fie, fie, fie! This is the way to kindle, not to quench. 1 Sen. To unbuild the city, and to lay all flat. Sic. What is the city, but the people? Cit. True, The people are the city. Bru. By the consent of all, we were establish'd The people's magistrates. Cit. You so remain. Men. And so are like to do. Cor. That is the way to lay the city flat; To bring the roof to the foundation; And bury all, which yet distinctly ranges, Sic. This deserves death. Bru. Or let us stand to our authority, 1 Sic. Therefore, lay hold of him; Bear him to the rock Tarpeian*, and from thence Bru. Ædiles, seize him. Cit. Yield, Marcius, yield. Beseech you, tribunes, hear me but a word. Edi. Peace, peace. Men. Be that you seem, truly your country's And temperately proceed to what you would Bru. Sir, those cold ways, That seem like prudent helps, are very poisonbus Where the disease is violent:-Lay hands upon him, And bear him to the rock. Cor. No; I'll die here. [Drawing his Sword. There's some among you have beheld me fighting; Come, try upon yourselves what you have seen me. Men. Down with that sword;-Tribunes, withdraw a while. Bru. Lay hands upon him. Men. Help, Marcius! Help, You that be noble; help him, young, and old! [In this Mutiny, the Tribunes, the Ediles, and the People, are all beat in. Men. Go, get you to your house; be gone away, All will be naught else. 2 Sen. Get you gone. Cor. Stand fast; We have as many friends as enemies. Men. Shall it be put to that? 1 Sen. The gods forbid ! I pr'ythee, noble friend, home to thy house; Men. For 'tis a sore upon us, You cannot tent yourself: Begone, 'beseech you. Cor. I would they were barbarians (as they are, not, Though calved i' the porch o' the Capitol),— * From whence criminals were thrown, and dashed to pieces. |