We must suggest the people, in what hatred He still hath held them; that, to his power, he would [and Have made them mules, silenced their pleaders, Dispropertied their freedoms: holding them, In hunian action and capacity, Of no more soul, nor fitness for the world, Than camels in their war; who have their provandt Only for bearing burdens, and sore blows Sic. This, as you say, suggested If he be put upon't; and that's as easy, SCENE II.-The same.-The Capitol, 1 Of. Come, come, they are almost here: How many stand for consulships? 2 Qff. Three, they say: but 'tis thought of every one, Coriolanus will carry it. his honours in their eyes, and his actions in their hearts, that for their tongues to be silent, and not confess so much, were a kind of ingrateful injury; to report otherwise were a malice, that, giving itself the lie, would pluck reproof and rebuke from every ear that heard it. 1 Of. No more of him; he is a worthy man: Make way, they are coming. A Sennet. Enter, with LICTORS before them, CoMINIUS, the Consul, MENENIUS, CORIOLANUS, many other SENATORS, SICINIUS, and BRUTUS. The SENATORS take their places; the TRIBUNES take theirs also by themselves. Men. Having determin'd of the Volces, and The present consul, and last general 1 Sen. Speak, good Cominius: Leave nothing out for length, and make us think, Than we to stretch it out. people, Your loving motion toward the common body, We do request your kindest ears: and, after, To yield what passes here. Sic. We are convented Upon a pleasing treaty; and have hearts Bru. Which the rather We shall be bless'd to do, if he remember I 1 Off. That's a brave fellow; but he's ven- would you rather had been silent: Please you Men. That's off, that's off,* geance proud, and loves not the common peo-To hear Cominius speak? ple. 2 Off. 'Faith, there have been many great men that have flatter'd the people, who ne'er loved them; and there be many that they have loved, they know not wherefore: so that, if they love they know not why, they hate upon no better a ground: Therefore, for Coriolanus neither to care whether they love or hate him, manifests the true knowledge he has in their disposition; and, out of his noble carelessness, let's them plainly see't. 1 Of. If he did not care whether he had their love, or no, he waved indifferently 'twixt doing them neither good, nor harm; but he seeks their hate with greater devotion than they can render it him; and leaves nothing undone, that may fully discover him their opposite. Now, to seem to affect the malice and displeasure of the people, is as bad as that which he dislikes, to flatter them for their love. 2 Off. He hath deserved worthily of his country: And his ascent is not by such easy degrees as those, who, having been supple and courteous to the people, bonnetted, without any further deed to heave them at all into their estimation and report: but he hath so planted But yet my caution was more pertinent, But tie him not to be their bedfellow.- [CORIOLANUS rises, and offers to go away. What you have nobly done. I had rather have my wounds to heal again, [words. When blows have made me stay, I filed from Men. Pray now, sit down. [Exit CORIOLANUS. Men. Masters o'the people, Nothing to the purpose. + Summons to battle. 1 (That's thousand to one good one,) when you | now see, -He had rather venture all his limbs for honour, minius. Com. I shall lack voice: the deeds of Corio- Should not be utter'd feebly.-It is held, Be singly counterpois'd. At sixteen years, Beyond the mark of others: our then dictator, When he might act the woman in the scene, Was brow-bound with the oak. His pupil age flast, I cannot speak him home: He stopp'd the And, by his rare example, made the coward The mortal gate o'the city, which he painted Re-quicken'd what in flesh was fatigate,‡‡ Men. Worthy man! 1 Sen. He cannot but with measure fit the Com. Our spoils he kick'd at; Men. He's right noble ; Let him be call'd for. 1 Sen. Call for Coriolanus. Off. He doth appear. Re-enter CORIOLANUS. Cor. It is a part That I shall blush in acting, and might well Cor. To brag unto them,-Thus I did, and Show them the unaking scars which I should Men. Do not stand upon't. We recommend to you, tribunes of the people, Sen. To Coriolanus come all joy and honour! Sic. May they perceive his intent! He that As if he did contemn what he requested Bru. Come, we'll inform them SCENE III.-The same.-The Forum. Enter several CITIZENS. 1 Cit. Once, if he do require our voices, we ought not to deny him. 2 Cit. We may, Sir, if we will. 3 Cit. We have power in ourselves to do it, but it is a power that we have no power to do: for if he show us his wounds, and tell us his deeds, we are to put our tongues into those wounds, and speak for them; so, if he tell us his noble deeds, we must also tell him our noble acceptance of them. Ingratitude is monstrous: and for the multitude to be ingrateful, were to make a monster of the multitude; of the which, we, being members, should bring ourselves to be monstrous members. 1 Cit. And to make us no better thought of, a little help will serve: for once, when we stood up about the corn, he himself stuck not to call us the many-headed multitude. 3 Cit. We have been called so of many; not that our heads are some brown, some black, some auburn, some bald, but that our wits are so diversly coloured: and truly I think, if all our wits were to issue out of one scull, they would fly east, west, north, south; and their consent of one direct way should be at once Men. The senate, Coriolanus, are well pleas'd to all the points o'the compass. To make thee consul. 2 Cit. Think you so? Which way, do you judge, my wit would fly? 3 Cit. Nay, your wit will not so soon out as another man's will, 'tis strongly wedged up in a block-head: but if it were at liberty, 'twould, sure, southward. 2 Cit. Why that way? 3 Cit. To lose itself in a fog; where being | three parts melted away with rotten dews, the fourth would return for conscience sake, to help to get thee a wife. 2 Cit. You are never without your tricks :You may, you may. 3 Cit. Are you all resolved to give your voices? But that's no matter, the greater part carries it. I say, if he would incline to the people, there was never a worthier man. Enter CORIOLANUS und MENENIUS. Enter two other CITIZENS. Cor. Pray you now, if it may stand with the tune of your voices, that I may be consul, I have here the customary gown. 3 Cit. You have deserved nobly of your country, and you have not deserved nobly. Cor. Your enigma? 3 Cit. You have been a scourge to her enemies, you have been a rod to her friends; you have not, indeed, loved the common people. Cor. You should account me the more virtuous, that I have not been common in my love. Here he comes, and in the gown of humility; I will, Sir, flatter my sworn brother the peomark his behaviour. We are not to stay alto-ple, to earn a dearer estimation of them; 'tis gether, but to come by him where he stands, a condition they account gentle and since by ones, by twos, and by threes. He's to the wisdom of their choice is rather to have make his requests by particulars: wherein every one of us has a single honour, in giving him our own voices with our own tongues: therefore follow me, and I'll direct you how you shall go by him. All. Content, content. [Exeunt. Men. O, Sir, you are not right: have you not known The worthiest men have done it? Cor. What must I say?— I pray, Sir,-Plague upon't! I cannot bring My tongue to such a pace:-Look, Sir;my wounds; - I got them in my country's service, when Men. O me, the gods! [them You must not speak of that; you must desire Cor. Think upon me? Hang 'em! my hat than my heart, I will practise the insinuating nod, and be off to them most counterfeitly; that is, Sir, I will counterfeit the bewitchment of some popular man, and give bountifully to the desirers. Therefore, beseech you, I may be consul. 4 Cit. We hope to find you our friend; and therefore give you our voices heartily. 3 Cit. You have received many wounds for your country. Cor. I will not seal your knowledge with showing them. I will make much of your voices, and so trouble you no further. Both Cit. The gods give you joy, Sir, Cor. Most sweet voices!- I would they would forget me, like the virtues To beg of Hob and Dick, that do appear, Men. You'll mar all; I'll leave you: Pray you, speak to them, I you to't. Cor. Mine own desert. 2 Cit. Your own desert? Cor. Ay, not Mine own desire. Cit. How! not your own desire? "Twas never my desire yet, 1 Cit. You must think, if we give you any We hope to gain by you. [thing, Cor. Well then, I pray, your price o'the consulship? 1 Cit. The price is, Sir, to ask it kindly. Cor. Kindly? Sir, I pray let me ha't: I have wounds to show you, Which shall be yours in private.-Your good voice, Sir; What say you? 2 Cit. You shall have it, worthy Sir. Cor. A match, Sir: There is in all two worthy voices begg'd:have your alms; adieu. 1 Cit. But this is something odd. 2 Cit. An 'twere to give again,-But 'tis no matter. [Exeunt two CITIZENS Your voices for your voices I have fought; 5 Cit. He has done nobly, and cannot go without any honest man's voice. 6 Cit. Therefore let him be consul: The gods give him joy, and make him good friend to the people! All. Amen, Amen.—— Cor. Is this done? Sic. The custom of request you have discharg'd: The people do admit you; and are summon'd Cor. Where? at the senate-house? Cor. May I then change these garments? Cor. That I'll straight do; and, knowing myself again, Repair to the senate-house. Men. I'll keep you company.-Will you along? [Exeunt CORIOL. and MENEN. He has it now; and by his looks, methinks, "Tis warm at his heart. Bru. With a proud heart he wore His humble weeds: Will you dismiss the people? Re-enter CITIZENS. Sic. How now, my masters? have you chose this man? 1 Cit. He has our voices, Sir. Bru. We pray the gods, he may deserve your loves. 2 Cit. Amen, Sir: To my poor unworthy notice, He mock'd us, when he begg'd our voices. 3 Cit. Certainly, He flouted us downright. 1 Cit. No, 'tis his kind of speech, he did not mock us. 2 Cit. Not one amongst us save yourself, but says, [us He us'd us scornfully: he should have show'd His marks of merit, wounds receiv'd for his country. Sic. Why, so he did, I am sure. [Several speak. 3 Cit. He said, he had wounds, which he could show in private ; And with his hat, thus waving it in scorn, I would be consul, says he aged custom, But by your voices, will not so permit me ; Your voices therefore: When we granted that, Here was,- thank you for your voices,-thank you,[voices, Your most sweet voices :—now you have left your I have no further with you:-Was not this mockery? Sic. Why, either, you were ignorant to see't? Or, seeing it, of such childish friendliness To yield your voices? Bru. Could you not have told him, As you were lesson'd,-When he had no power, But was a petty servant to the state, He was your enemy; ever spake against Your liberties, and the charters that you bear I'the body of the weal: and now, arriving A place of potency, and sway o'the state, If he should still malignantly remain Fast foe to the plebeii,* your voices might Be curses to yourselves? You should have said, That, as his worthy deeds did claim no less Than what he stood for; so his gracious nature Would think upon you for your voices, and Translate his malice towards you into love, Standing your friendly lord. Sic. Thus to have said, As you were fore-advis'd, had touch'd his spirit, And tried his inclination; from him pluck'd * Picbeians, common people. Either his gracious promise, which you might, Tying him to aught; so, putting him to rage, Bru. Did you perceive, He did solicit you in free contempt, [think, When he did need your loves; and do you That his contempt shall not be bruising to you, When he hath power to crush? Why, had your bodies Ere now, denied the asker? and, now again, On him, that did not ask, but mock, bestow Your su'd-for tongues? 3 Cit. He's not confirm'd, we may deny him yet. 2 Cit. And will deny him: I'll have five hundred voices of that sound. 1 Cit. I twice five hundred, and their friends to piece 'em. Bru. Get you hence instantly; and tell those friends, [take They have chose a consul, that will from then Their liberties; make them of no more voice Than dogs, that are as often beat for barking, As therefore kept to do so. Sic. Let them assemble; And, on a safer judgement, all revoke Bru. Lay A fault on us, your tribunes; that we labour'd (No impediment between) but that you must Cast your election on him. Sic. Say, you chose him More after our commandment, than as guided By your own true affections: and that, your minds Pre-occupied with what you rather must do Sic. One thus descended, That hath beside well in his person wrought Bru. Say, you ne'er had done't, (Harp on that still,) but by our putting on: * Object. 4 Carriage. + Weighing Incitation Cor. Are these your herd ? Must these have voices, that can yield them now, And straight disclaim their tongues?-What are your offices? You being their mouths, why rule you not their teeth? Have you not set them on? Men. Be calm, be calm. Cor. It is a purpos'd thing, and grows by To curb the will of the nobility ::- [plot, Suffer it, and live with such as cannot rule, Nor ever will be rul'd. Bru. Call't not a plot: The people cry, you mock'd them; and, of late, When corn was given them gratis, you repin'd; Scandal'd the suppliants for the people; call'd them Time-pleasers, flatterers, foes to nobleness. Cor. Have you inform'd them since? Cor. You are like to do such business. Each way to better yours. Cor. Why then should I be consul? By yon clouds, Let me deserve so ill as you, and make me Sic. You show too much of that, To where you are bound, you must inquire For which the people stir: If you will pass your way, Which you are out of, with a gentler spirit; Men. Let's be calm. |