That pages blush'd at him and men of heart

Look'd wondering each at other.

Cor.

Hear'st thou, Mars?

100

Ha!

Auf Name not the god, thou boy of tears!
Cor.

Auf. No more.

Cor. Measureless liar, thou hast made my heart
Too great for what contains it. 'Boy!' O slave!
Pardon me, lords, 'tis the first time that ever

I was forced to scold. Your judgements, my grave lords,
Must give this cur the lie: and his own notion—
Who wears my stripes impress'd upon him; that
Must bear my beating to his grave-shall join
To thrust the lie unto him.

First Lord. Peace, both, and hear me speak.
Cor. Cut me to pieces, Volsces; men and lads,
Stain all your edges on me. 'Boy!' false hound!
If you have writ your annals true, 'tis there,
That, like an eagle in a dove-cote, I

Flutter'd your Volscians in Corioli;

Alone I did it. 'Boy!'

Will you be put in mind of his blind fortune, Which was your shame, by this unholy braggart, 'Fore your own eyes and ears?

All Consp.

Let him die for't.

All the People. 'Tear him to pieces.' 'Do it presently.' 'He killed my son.' 'My daughter.' 'He killed my cousin Marcus.' 'He killed my father.'

Sec. Lord. Peace, ho! no outrage: peace!
The man is noble, and his fame folds-in
This orb o' the earth. His last offences to us
Shall have judicious hearing. Stand, Aufidius,
And trouble not the peace.

Cor.

O that I had him,

With six Aufidiuses, or more, his tribe,

To use my lawful sword!

Auf.

Insolent villain!

All Consp. Kill, kill, kill, kill, kill him!

Lords.

[The Conspirators draw, and kill Coriolanus:
Aufidius stands on his body.

Hold, hold, hold, hold!

O Tullus,

Auf. My noble masters, hear me speak.
First Lord.

Sec. Lord. Thou hast done a deed whereat valour will

weep.

Third Lord. Tread not upon him. Masters all, be quiet; Put up your swords.

125

130

135

Auf. My lords, when you shall know-as in this rage

Provoked by him, you cannot-the great danger

Which this man's life did owe you, you'll rejoice

That he is thus cut off. Please it your honours
To call me to your senate, I'll deliver

Myself your loyal servant, or endure

Your heaviest censure.

First Lord.

Bear from hence his body;

And mourn you for him: let him be regarded
As the most noble corse that ever herald

124. ho] om. Pope.

128-130. O that...sword] As in Pope. Two lines, the first ending more, in Ff.

131. [The Conspirators...] Draw both the Conspirators, and kils Martius, who falles, Auffidius stands on him. Ff. (and kills... F3. and kill... and Aufidius... F4).

132. masters] lords Rowe.

Tullus,- Tullus- Rowe.

Tullus. Ff.

133.
Thou...weep] As in Steevens
(1793). Two lines, the first ending
whereat, in Ff.

134. him. Masters all,] him

Masters all, Rowe. him Masters, all
FF2F3. him, Masters, all F4.

136. My...rage] As in Pope. Two
lines in Ff.

137. you] I Hanmer.

140

Did follow to his urn.

Sec. Lord.

His own impatience

Takes from Aufidius a great part of blame.
Let's make the best of it.

My rage is gone,

Auf.
And I am struck with sorrow. Take him up:
Help, three o' the chiefest soldiers; I'll be one.
Beat thou the drum, that it speak mournfully:
Trail your steel pikes. Though in this city he
Hath widow'd and unchilded many a one,
Which to this hour bewail the injury,
Yet he shall have a noble memory.

Assist.

145

150

[Exeunt, bearing the body of Coriolanus. 155 A dead march sounded.

154, 155. pell. One line in Ff. 155. Assist] om. Pope.

Yet...Assist] As in Ca

[Exeunt...Coriolanus...] Ma

lone. Exeunt... Martius... Ff.

NOTES.

NOTE I.

I. I. 108-117. In Singer's edition of 1826 these speeches were distributed in the following manner:

In his edition of 1856 the ordinary arrangement is silently given.

'At Grecian sword. Contenning, tell Valeria' &c.

as if 'Contenning' were the name of the gentlewoman in attendance.

The second has:

'At Grecian swordes Contending: tell Valeria' &c.

The third :

'At Grecian swords Contending: tell Valeria' &c. The fourth:

'At Grecian swords contending: tell Valeria' &c. which is followed substantially by all editors before Capell. Capell reads:

'At Grecian swords' contending.-Tell Valeria' &c.