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 and MENENIUS.

Here he comes, and in the gown of humility; mark his behaviour. We are not to stay all together, but to come by him where he stands, by ones, by twos, and by threes. He's to make his requests by particulars: wherein every one of us has a single honour, in giving him our own voices with our own tongues: therefore follow me, and I'll direct you how you shall go by him.

All. Content, content.

[Exeunt. 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

Some certain of your brethren roar'd, and ran
From the noise of our own drums.

Men.

O me, the gods!

You must not speak of that; you must desire them

To think upon you.

Cor.
I would they would forget me, like the virtues

Think upon me? Hang 'em!

You'll mar all;

Which our divines lose by them.

Men.

I'll leave you: Pray you, speak to them, I pray you, In wholesome manner.

Cor.

[Exit.

Enter Two Citizens.

Bid them wash their faces,

And keep their teeth clean.-So, here comes a brace, You know the cause, sir, of my standing here.

1 Cit. We do, sir; tell us what hath brought you to't.

'Twas never my desire yet,

To trouble the poor with begging.

1 Cit. You must think, if we give you any thing,

We hope to gain by you.

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,

2 Cit. You shall have it, worthy sir, Cor. A match, sir :

There is in all two worthy voices begg❜d :

I have your alms; adieu.

1 Cit.

But this is something odd.

[Exeunt two Citizens,

2 Cit, An 'twere to give again,-But 'tis no

matter.

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. I will, sir, flatter my sworn brother the people, to earn a dearer estimation of them; 'tis a condition they account gentle and since the wisdom of their choice is rather to have my hat than my heart, I will practise the insinuating nod, and be off to them most counterfeitly; that is, sir, I will counterfeit the bewitch

ment of some popular man, and give it 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, heartily!

Cor. Most sweet voices!

Better it is to die, better to starve,

[Exeunt.

Than crave the hire which first we do deserve.
Why in this woolvish gown should I stand here,
To beg of Hob and Dick, that do appear,
Their needless vouches? Custom calls me to't :-
What custom wills, in all things should we do't,
The dust on antique time would lie unswept,
And mountainous error be too highly heap'd
For truth to over-peer.2-Rather than fool it so,
Let the high office and the honour go

To one that would do thus.-I am half through;
The one part suffer'd, the other will I do.

Enter three other Citizens.

Here come more voices,

:

Your voices for your voices I have fought;
Watch'd for your voices; for your voices, bear
Of wounds two dozen odd; battles thrice six
I have seen and heard of; for your voices, have

2 Over-look.

Done many things, some less, some more: your

voices :

Indeed, I would be consul.

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.-
God save thee, noble consul!

Cor.

[Exeunt Citizens. Worthy voices !

Re-enter MENENIUS, with BRUTUS, and SICINIUS.

Men. You have stood your limitation; and the

tribunes

Endue you with the people's voice: Remains,

That, in the official marks invested, you

Anon do meet the senate.

Cor.

Is this done?,

Sid. The custom of request you have discharg'd: The people do admit you; and are summon'd

To meet anon, upon your approbation.

Cor. Where? at the senate-house?

Sic.

There, Coriolanus.

You may, sir.

Cor. May I then change these garments ?

Sic.

Cor. That I'll straight do; and, knowing my

self again,

Repair to the senate-house.

Men. I'll keep you company.-Will you along?

Bru. We stay here for the people.

Sic.

Fare you

well.

[Exeunt CORIOL. and MENEN.