'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 con sulship? 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: I have your alms; adieu. of 1 Cit. But this is something odd. 2 Cit. An 'twere to give again,-But 'tis no mat[Exeunt two Citizens. ter. Enter two other Citizens. Cor. Pray you now, if it may stand with the tune your voices, that I may be consul, I have here the customary gown. 1 Cit. You have deserved nobly of your coun have not deserved nobly. try, and you 1 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 bewitchment of some popular man, and give it bountifully to the desirers. Therefore, beseech you, I may be consul. 2 Cit. We hope to find you our friend; and therefore give you our voices heartily. 1 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! [Exeunt. Cor. Most sweet voices! Better it is to die, better to starve, 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, To one that would do thus.—I am half through; Enter three other Citizens. Here come more voices,— Your voices: for your voices I have fought; Indeed, I would be consul. 1 Cit. He has done nobly, and cannot go without any honest man's voice. 2 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? Sic. 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. He has it now; and by his looks, methinks, 'Tis warm at his heart. Bru. Fare you well. [Exeunt Coriol. and Menen. 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. He flouted us down-right. Certainly, 1 Cit. No, 'tis his kind of speech, he did not mock us. 2 Cit. Not one amongst us, save yourself, but says, He us'd us scornfully: he should have show'd us His marks of merit, wounds receiv'd for his coun try. Sic. Why, so he did, I am sure. Cit. No; no man saw 'em. [Several speak. 3 Cit. He said, he had wounds, which he could show in private; And with his hat, thus waving it in scorn, Your voices therefore: When we granted that, Bru. 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 |