Able to bear against the great Aufidius Com. Hadst thou beheld Mar. Pray now, no more: my mother, [Exeunt. Who has a charter to extol her blood, When she does praise me, grieves me. I have done, SCENE VII.-The gates of Corioli. Titus Lar- As you have done; that's what I can; induc'd tius, having set a guard upon Corioli, going As you have been; that's for my country: with a drum and trumpet toward Cominius and He, that has but effected his good will, Caius Marcius, enters with a Lieutenant, a party | Hath overta'en mine act. of Soldiers, and a Scout. Lart. So, let the ports' be guarded: keep your As I have set them down. If I do send, despatch Lieu. ler Marcius and Aufidius. Mar. I'll fight with none but thee; for I do hate thee Not Afric owns a serpent, I abhor Halloo me like a hare. Mar. If I fly, Marcius, Auf They fight, and certain Volces come to the Com. You shall not be I thank you, general; [A long flourish. They all cry, Marcius! Mar- Mar. May these same instruments, which you profane, Never sound more! When drums and trumpets shall I'the field prove flatterers, let courts and cities be Made all of false-fac'd soothing: When steel grows Soft as the parasite's silk. let him be made An overture for the wars! No more, I say; For that I have not wash'd my nose that bled, [Exeunt fighting, driven in by Marcius. Or foil'd some debile' wretch,-which, without note, SCENE IX.-The Roman camp. Alarum. In acclamations hyperbolical; Here's many else have done,-you shout me forth retreat is sounded. Flourish. Enter at one side, Cominius and Romans; at the other side, In praises sauc'd with lies. As if I lov'd my little should be dieted Marcius, with his arm in a scarf, and other Romans. Com. If I should tell thee o'e: this thy day's Thou'lt not believe thy deeds: but I'll report it, That, with the fusty plebeians, hate thine honours, Com. Too modest are you, More cruel to your good report, than grateful To us that give you truly: by your patience, If 'gainst yourself you be incens'd, we'll put you (Like one that means his proper1o harm,) in mane cles, Then reason safely with you.-Therefore, be it As to us, to all the world, that Caius Marcius (6) Thrown into grateful trepidation. -What is't? Of my lord general. And wrath o'erwhelm'd my pity: I request you Com. O, well begg'd! I shall, sir. [Exeuns ACT II. SCENE 1.-Rome. A public place. Enter Menenius, Sicinius, and Brutus. Men. The augurer tells me, we shall have news to-night. Bru. Good, or bad? Men. Not according to the prayer of the people, for they love not Marcius. Sic. Nature teaches beasts to know their friends. Men. Ay, to devour him; as the hungry plebeians would the noble Marcius. Bru. He's a lamb, indeed, that bacs like a bear. Men. He's a bear, indeed, that lives like a lamb. You two are old men; tell me one thing that I shall ask you. Both Trib. Well, sir. Men. In what enormity is Marcius poor, that you two have not in abundance? Bru. He's poor in no one fault, but stored with all. Sic. Especially, in pride. Bru. And topping all others in boasting. Men. This is strange now: Do you two know SCENE X.-The camp of the Volces. A flour-how you are censured here in the city, I mean of ish. Cornets. Enter Tullus Aufidius, bloody, with two or three Soldiers. Auf. The town is ta'en! 1 Sol. Twill be delivered back on good condition. Auf. Condition? I would, I were a Roman; for I cannot, I'the part that is at mercy? Five times, Marcius, If e'er again I meet him beard to beard, He's the devil. Auf. Bolder, though not so subtle: My valour's poison'd, With only suffering stain by him; for him (1) Add more by doing his best. 2) Chief men. (3) Enter into articles. (4) Whereas. (5) Poke, push. VOL. II. us o'the right hand file? Do you? Both Trib. Why, how are we censured? Men. Because you talk of pride now,-Will you not be angry? Both Trib. Well, well, sir, well. Men. Why, 'tis no great matter; for a very little thief of occasion will rob you of a great deal of patience: give your disposition the reins, and be angry at your pleasure; at the least, if you take it as a pleasure to you, in being so. You blame Marcius for being proud? Bru. We do it not alone, sir. Men. I know, you can do very little alone; for your helps are many; or else your actions would grow wondrous single: your abilities are too infant-like, for doing much alone. You talk of pride: 0, that you could turn your eyes towards the napes of your necks, and make but an interior survey of your good selves! O that you could! Brut. What then, sir? Men. Why, then you should discover a brace of unmeriting, proud, violent, testy magistrates (alias, fools,) as any in Rome. Sic. Menenius, you are known well enough too. Men. I am known to be a humorous patrician, and one that loves a cup of hot wine with not a drop of allaying Tyber' in't; said to be something im perfect, in favouring the first complaint: hasty, and tinder-like, upon too trivial motion; one that converses more with the buttock of the night, than (6) My brother posted to protect him. 2 Q wounded. Vir. O, no, no, no. Vol. 0, he is wounded, I thank the gods for't. with the forehead of the morning. What I think, tion in Galen is but empiricutic, and to this preI utter; and spend my malice in my breath: Meet-servative, of no better report than a horse-drench ing two such weals'-men as you are (I cannot call Is he not wounded? he was wont to come home you Lycurguses) if the drink you gave me, touch my pafate adversely, I make a crooked face at it. I cannot say, your worships have delivered the matter well, when I find the ass in compound with the major part of your syllables: and though I'a victory in his pocket?-The wounds become must be content to bear with those that say you are reverend grave men; yet they lie deadly, that tell, you have good faces. If you see this in the map of my microcosm,2 follows it, that I am known well enough too? What harm can your bisson3 conspectuities glean out of this character, if I be known well enough too? him. Vol. On's brows, Menenius: he comes the third time home with the oaken garland. Men. Has he disciplined Aufidius soundly? Vol. Titus Lartius writes,-they fought together, but Aufidius got off. Men. And 'twas time for him too, I'll warrant him that: an he had staid by him, I would not have been so fidiused for all the chests in Corioli, and the gold that's in them. Is the senate possessed' of this? Bru. Come, sir, come, we know you well enough. Men. You know neither me, yourselves, nor any thing. You are ambitious for poor knaves' caps and legs; you wear out a good wholesome forenoon, in hearing a cause between an orange-wife and a Vol. Good ladies, let's go :-yes, yes, yes: the fosset-seller; and then rejcurn the controversy of senate has letters from the general, wherein he gives three-pence to a second day of audience.-When my son the whole name of the war: he hath in you are hearing a matter between party and party, this action outdone his former deeds doubly. if you chance to be pinched with the colic, you Val. In troth, there's wondrous things spoke of make faces like mummers; set up the bloody flag him. against all patience; and, in roaring for a chamber- Men. Wondrous? ay, I warrant you, and not pot, dismiss the controversy bleeding, the more en-without his truc purchasing. tangled by your hearing; all the peace you make in their cause, is calling both the parties knaves: You are a pair of strange ones. Bru. Come, come, you are well understood to be a perfecter giber for the table, than a necessary bencher in the Capitol. Men. Our very priests must become mockers, if they shall encounter such ridiculous subjects as you are. When you speak best unto the purpose, it is not worth the wagging of your beards; and your beards deserve not so honourable a grave, as to stuff a botcher's cushion, or to be entombed in an ass's pack-saddle. Yet you must be saving, Marcius is proud; who, in a cheap estimation, is worth all your predecessors, since Deucalion; though, peradventure, some of the best of them were hereditary hangmen. Good e'en to your worships; more of your conversation would infect my brain, being the herdsmen of the beastly plebeians: I will be bold to take my leave of you. [Bru. and Sic. retire to the back of the scene. Enter Volumnia, Virgilia, and Valeria, &c. How now, my fair as noble ladies, (and the moon, were she earthly, no nobler,) whither do you follow your eyes so fast? Vol. Honourable Menenius, my boy Marcius approaches; for the love of Juno, let's go. Men. Ha! Marcius coming home! Vir. The gods grant them true! Men. True? I'll be sworn they are true :Where is he wounded?-God save your good wor ships! [To the Tribunes, who come forward.] Marcius is coming home; he has more cause to be proud.-Where is he wounded? Vol. I'the shoulder, and i'the left arm: There will be large cicatrices to show the people, when he shall stand for his place. He received in the repulse of Tarquin, seven hurts i'the body. Men. One in the neck, and two in the thigh,there's nine that I know. Vol. He had, before this last expedition, twentyfive wounds upon him. Men. Now it's twenty-seven: every gash was an enemy's grave: [A shout, and flourish.] Hark! the trumpets. Vol. These are the ushers of Marcius: before him He carries noise, and behind him he leaves tears; Death, that dark spirit, in's nervy arm doth lie; Which, being advanc'd, declines; and then men die. A sennet. Trumpets sound. Enter Cominius and Titus Lartius; between them, Coriolanus, crowned with an oaken garland; with Captains, Soldiers, and a Herald. Her. Know, Rome, that all alone Marcius did fight Vol. Ay, worthy Menenius; and with most pros- Within Corioli's gates: where he hath won, perous approbation. With fame, a name to Caius Marcius; these Men. Take my cap, Jupiter, and I thank thee:-In honour follows, Coriolanus: Hoo! Marcius coming home? Two Ladies. Nay, 'tis true. Vol. Look, here's a letter from him; the state. hath another, his wife another; and, I think, there's one at home for you. Men. I will make my very house reel to-night :A letter for me? Vir. Yes, certain, there's a letter for you; I saw it. Men. A letter for me? It gives me an estate of seven years' health; in which time I will make a lip at the physician: the most sovereign prescrip Welcome to Rome, renown'd Coriolanus! [Flourish All. Welcome to Rome, renown'd Coriolanus! Cor. No more of this, it does offend my heart; Prav now, no more. Com. Look, sir, your mother, You have, I know, petition'd all the gods 0! Bru. All tongues speak of him, and the bleared sights Are spectacled to see him: Your prattling nurse Into a rapture lets her baby cry, 4 While she chats him: the kitchen malkin' pins Are smother'd up, leads fill'd, and ridges hors'd, Sic. I warrant him consul. Bru. On the sudden, Then our office may, Lose those that he hath won. Bru. But they, upon their ancient malice, will 'Tis right. To him, or our authorities. For an end, Of no more soul, nor fitness for the world, Sic. This, as you say, suggested At some time when his soaring insolence Shall teach the people, (which time shall not want, If he be put upon't; and that's as easy, As to set dogs on sheep,) will be his fire To kindle their dry stubble; and their blaze, Shall darken him for ever. Bru. Enter a Messenger. What's the matter? Mess. You are sent for to the Capitol. 'Tis thought, That Marcius shall be consul: I have seen Have with you. [Exeuns Enter 1 Of. Come, come, they are almost here: How many stand for consulships? 2 Off. Three, they say: but 'tis thought of every Coriolanus will carry it. one, 1 Off. That's a brave fellow; but he's vengeance proud, and loves not the common people. 2 Off. 'Faith, there have been many great men that have flatter'd the people, who ne'er lov'd them. (2) Fit. (4) Best linen. (7) Priests. (9) Adorn'd. (6) Seldom. (5) Soiled with sweat and smoke. 1) Inform. (8) Common standing-place. (10) Thread-bare. (12) Provender. and there be many that they have loved, they know But tie him not to be their bedfellow.not wherefore: so that, if they love they know not Worthy Cominus, speak.-Nay, keep your place. why, they hate upon no better a ground: Therefore [Coriolanus rises, and offers to go away for Coriolanus neither to care whether they 1 Sen. Sit, Coriolanus: never shame to hear hate him, manifests the true knowledge he has in What you have nobly done. their disposition; and out of his noble carelessness, Cor. Your honours' pardon, lets them plainly see't. I had rather have my wounds to heal again, Than hear say how I got them. 1 Off. 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; end 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. Bru. My words disbench'd you not. Sir, I hope, No, sir: yet oft. When blows have made me stay, I fled from words. You sooth'd not, therefore hurt not: But, your people, love them as they weigh. Men. I Pray now, sit down. Cor. I had rather have one scratch my head i'the Men. sun, 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 When the alarum were struck, than idly sit them at all into their estimation and report: but he To hear my nothings monster'd. [Exit Coriolanus. hath so planted his honours in their eyes, and his Masters o'the people, 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. Your multiplying spawn how can he flatter see, He had rather venture all his limbs for honour, That valour is the chiefest virtue, and A sennet. Enter, with Lictors before them, Co-Most dignifies the haver: if it be, minius, the Consul, Menenius, Coriolanus, many The man I speak of cannot in the world other Senators, Sicinius, and Brutus. The Sena-Be singly counterpois'd. At sixteen years, tors take their places; the Tribunes take theirs When Tarquin made a head for Rome, he fought also by themselves. Men. Having determin'd of the Volces, and Hath thus stood for his country: Therefore, please Most reverend and grave elders, to desire In our well-found successes, to report A little of that worthy work perform'd By Caius Marcius Coriolanus; whom We meet here, both to thank, and to remember 1 Sen. We are convented Upon a pleasing treaty; and have hearts The theme of our assembly. Bru. Which the rather Beyond the mark of others: our then dictator, I cannot speak him home: He stopp'd the fliers; Men. Worthy man. 1 Sen. He cannot but with measure fit the honour Which we devise him. (8) Smooth-faced enough to act a woman's part |