Of our proceedings here: on the market-place, SCENE III The same. The Forum. Enter seven or eight Citizens. [Exeunt. First Cit. Once, if he do require our voices, we ought not to deny him. Sec. Cit. We may, sir, if we will. Third 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. First Cit. And to make us no better thought of, a little help will serve; for once we stood up about the corn, he himself stuck not to call us the many-headed multitude. Third 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 diversely coloured: and truly I think, if all our wits were to issue out of one skull, they would fly east, west, north, south, and their consent of one direct way should be at once to all the points o' the compass. Sec. Cit. Think you so? Which way do you judge my wit would fly? Third Cit. Nay, your wit will not so soon out as another man's will; 'tis strongly wedged up in a blockhead; but if it were at liberty, 'twould, sure, southward. Sec. Cit. Why that way? Third 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. But Sec. Cit. You are never without your tricks: you may, you may. Third Cit. Are you all resolved to give your voices? 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 in a gown of humility, with 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 shall go by him. how you All. Content, content. Men. O sir, you are not right: have you not known The worthiest men have done 't? Cor. [Exeunt Citizens. What must I say ?— 'I pray, sir,'-Plague upon 't! I cannot bring Some certain of your brethren roar'd and ran From the noise of our own drums.' Men. Cor. Think upon me! hang 'em! I would they would forget me, like the virtues Which our divines lose by 'em. Men. You'll mar all: I'll leave you pray you, speak to 'em, I pray you, Cor. Bid them wash their faces, [Exit. And keep their teeth clean. [Re-enter two of the Citizens.] So, here comes a brace. Re-enter a third Citizen. You know the cause, sir, of my standing here. Third Cit. We do, sir; tell us what hath brought you to 't. Cor. Mine own desert. Sec. Cit. Your own desert! Cor. Ay, but not mine own desire. Third Cit. How! not your own desire ! [begging. Cor. No, sir, 'twas never my desire yet to trouble the poor with Third 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? First Cit. The price is, 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? Sec. Cit. You shall ha 't, worthy sir. Cor. A match, sir. There's in all two worthy voices begged. I have your alms: adieu. Third Cit. But this is something odd. Sec. Cit. An 'twere to give again, but 'tis no matter. [Exeunt the three Citizens. Re-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. Fourth Cit. You have deserved nobly of your country, and you have not desired nobly. Cor. Your enigma? Fourth 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 bountiful to the desirers. Therefore, beseech you, I may be consul. Fifth Cit. We hope to find you our friend; and therefore give you our voices heartily. Fourth 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 farther. Both Cit. The gods give you joy, sir, heartily! Cor. Most sweet voices ! Better it is to die, better to starve, Than crave the hire which first we do deserve. To one that would do thus. I am half through : Here come moe voices. [Exeunt. Your voices for your voices I have fought; Indeed, I would be consul. Sixth Cit. He has done nobly, and cannot go without any honest man's voice. Seventh Cit. Therefore let him be consul: the gods give him joy, and make him good friend to the people! God save thee, noble consul! All. Amen, amen. Cor. Worthy voices! Re-enter Menenius, with Brutus and Sicinius. [Exeunt. Men. You have stood your limitation; and the tribunes That in the official marks invested you Anon do meet the senate. Cor. Is this done? Sic. The custom of request you have discharged: Sic. There, Coriolanus. You may, sir. Cor. May I change these garments? Cor. That I'll straight do, and, knowing myself again, Men. I'll keep you company. Will you along? Bru. We stay here for the people. Sic. Fare you well. [Exeunt Coriolanus and Menenius. He has it now; and, by his looks, methinks 'Tis warm at 's 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? Bru. We pray the gods he may deserve your loves. He flouted us downright. Certainly First Cit. No, 'tis his kind of speech; he did not mock us. Sec. Cit. Not one amongst us, save yourself, but says He used us scornfully: he should have show'd us His marks of merit, wounds received for 's country. Sic. Why, so he did, I am sure. Citizens. No, no; no man saw 'em. [private ; Third Cit. He said he had wounds which he could show in And with his hat, thus waving it in scorn, 'I would be consul,' says he: 'aged custom, Or, seeing it, of such childish friendliness Bru. Sic. Could you not have told him, He was your enemy; ever spake against Thus to have said, Tying him to aught: so, putting him to rage, Bru. Sic. Did you perceive He did solicit you in free contempt When he did need your loves; and do you think Have you, Ere now, denied the asker? and now again, |