the power With many leads butts me away -Nay, mother, In his behalf. Bru Now we have shown our power, Let us seem humbler after it is done, Sic. Bid them home: Bru. Dismiss them home. [Exit Edile. With precepts, that would make invincible Enter Volumnia, Virgilia, and Menenius. The heart that conn'd them. Here comes his mother. lol. O heavens! O heavens ! Sic. Let's not meet her. Cer. Nay, I pr’ythee, woman, Bru. Why? Vol. Now the red pestilence strike all trades in Rome, Sic. They say, she's mad. And occupations perish! Bru. They have ta’en note of us; Cor. What, what, what! Keep on your way. I shall be lov'd, when I am lack'd. Nay, mother, Vol. 0, you're well met. Resume that spirit, when you were wont to say, The hoarded plague o'the gods requite your love! If you had been the wife of Hercules, Men. Peace, peace; be not so lond. Six of his labours you'd have done, and sav'd Vol. If that I could for werping, you should hear,Your husband so much sveat.-Cominius, Nay, and you shall bear some.-Will you be gone! Droop not; a lieu :-Farewell, my wife! my mother ! (Ta Brutus. I'll do well yet.– Thou old and true Menenius, Vir. You shall stay too: [To Sicin.] I would, I had Thy tears are salter than a young man's, And venomous to thine eyes.-My sometime general, To say so to my husband. I have seen thee stern, and thou hast oft beheld Sic. Are you mankind? Heart-hard'ning spectacles; tell these sad women, Vol. Ay, fool; is that a shame - Note but this for 'Tis fond to wail inevitable strokes, -Was not a man my father? Hadst thou foxship As 'uis to laugh at them.-My mother, you wot well, To banish him that struck more blows for Ronne, My bazards still have been your solace: and Than thou hast spoken words ? O blessed heavens! Like to a lonely dragon, that his fen Vol. More noble blows, than ever thou wise words; Makes feard and talk'd of more than seen ) your son And for Rome's good.-I'll tell thee what ;-Yet yo:Will, or exced the common, or be caught Nay, but thou shalt stay too: I would my son With cautelous baits and practice. Were in Arabia, and thy tribe before him, Vol. My first son, His good sword in his band. Whither wilt thou go? Take good Cominius Sic. What then? He'd make an end of thy posterity. Vol. Bastards, and all• Cor. O the gods ! Good man, the wounds that he does bcar for Rone! Com. I'll follow thee a month, devise with thee Men. Come, come, peace. Where thou shalt rest, that thou inay'st hear of us, Sic. I would he had continu'd to his country, And we of thee: so, if the tiine thrust forth As he began; and not unknit himself A cause for thy repeal, we shall not send The noble knot he made. O'er the vast world, to seek a single man; Bru. I would be had. And lose advantage, which doth ever cool Vol. I would he had ? 'Twas you ineens'd the rabáke: I'the absence of the needler. Cats, that can judge as fitly of his worth, As I can of those mysteries which heaven 'Thou hast years upon thee; and thou art too full Will not bave earth to know. of the wars' surfeits, to go love with one Bru. Pray, let us go That's yet unbruis'd: bring me but out at gate.- Vol. Now, pray, sir, get you gone: Come, my sweet wife, my dearest another, and You have done a brave deed. Ere you go, hear this; My friends of noble touch, when I am forth, As far as doth the capitol exceed Bid me farewell, and smile. I pray you, come. The meanest bouse in Rome; so far my son, While I remain above the ground, you shall (This lady's husband here, this, do you see.) Hear from me sull; and uever of me aught Whom you have banish'd, dues exceed you all. But what is like ine formerly. Bru. Well, well, we'll leave you. Sic. Why stay we to be buited As any ear can hear.-Come, let's not weep. With one that wants her wits? If I could shake off but one seven years Vol. Take my prayers with you. From these old arms and legs, by the good gods, I would the gods had nothing else to do, I'd with thee every foot. But to confirm my curses ! Could I meet thema But once a day, it would unclog my heart You have told them home, SCENE 11.-Tie same. A Street ncar the Gate. E12ter Sicinius, Brutus, and an Edile. And, by my troth, you have cause. You'll sup with me ? Sic. Bid them all home; He's gone, and we'll no Vol. Anger's my meat; I sup upon myself, further. And so shall starve with feeding --Cowe, let's go The nobility are vex’d, who, we see, have sided Leave this faint puling, and lawent as I do, What then? a (Ex. Ti um. canor. In anger, Juno-like. Come, come, come. Where great Aufidius lies: is he in Antium? Men. Fie, fie, fie! (Exeunt. Cit. He is, and feasts the nobles of the state, At his house this night. SCENE II.- A Highway between Rome and Anti- Cor. Which is his house, 'beseech you? Enter a Roman and a Volce, meeting, Cit. This, here, before you. Rom. I know you well, sir, and you know me: your Cor. Thank you, sir; farewell. name, I think, is Adrian. [Exit Citizen. Vol. It is so, sir: truly, I have forgot you. O, world, thy slippery turns! Friends now fast sworn, Rom. I am a Roman; and my services are, as you Whose double bosoms seem to wear one heart, are, against them : Know you me yet? Whose hours, whose bed, whose meal, and exercise, Vol. Nicanor? No. Are still together, who twin, as 'twere, in love Ron. The same, sir. Unseparable, shall within this bour, Vo? You had more beard, when I last saw you ; but On a dissension of a doit, break out your favour is well appeared by your tongue. What's To bitterest enmity: So, fellest foes, the news in Rome? I have a note from the Volcian Whose passions and whose plots have broke their sleep state, to find you out there : you have well saved me To take the one the other, by some chance, a day's journey. Soine triek not worth an egg, shall grow dear friends, Rom. There hath been in Rome strange insurrec And interjoin their issues. So with me :tion: the people against the senators, patricians, and | My birth-place hate 1, and my love's upon nobles. This enemy town.-I'll enter: if he slay me, Vol. Hath been! Is it ended then? Our state thinks He does fair justice ; if he give me way, not so: they are in a most warlike preparation, and I'll do his country service. [Exit. bope to come upon them in the heat of Uleir division. Rom. The main blaze of it is past, but a small thing SCENE V.–The same. A Hall in Aufidius's Housca would make it flame again. For the nobles receive so Music within. Enter a Scrvant. to heart the banishment of that worthy Coriolanus, 1 Serv. Wine, wine, wine! What service is here! that they are in a ripe aptness, to take all power from I think our fellows are asleep. [Exit. the people, and to pluck from them their tribunes for Enter another Servant. ever. This livs glowing, I ean tell you, and is almost mature for the violent breaking out. 2 Serv. Where's Cotus! my master calls for him. Vol. Coriolanus banished ? Cotus! [Exit. Rom. Banished, sir. Enter Coriolanus. Vol. You will be welcome with this intelligence, Ni- Cor. A goodly house : The feast smells well: but I Appear not like a guest. Rom. The day serves well for them now. I have Roenter the first Servant. heard it said, The fittest time to corrupt a man's wife, is when she has fallen out with her husband. Your 1 Serv. What would you have, friend? Whence are noble Tullus Aufidius will appear well in these wars, you? Here's no place for you. Pray, go to the doot. his great opposer, Coriolanus, being now in no request Cor. I have deserv'd no better entertainment. of his country. In being Coriolanus. Vol. He cannot choose. I am most fortunate, thus Roenter second Servant. aecidentally to encounter you: You have ended my 2 Serv. Whence are you, sir? Has the porter his eyes business, and I will merrily accompany you home. in his head, that he gives entrance to such companions? Rom. I shall, between this and supper, tell you most Pray, get you out. Vol. A most royal one: The centurions, and their Cor. Now thou art troublesome. Rom. I am joyful to hear of their readiness, and am Enter a third Servant. The first meets him. the man, I think, that shall set them in present action. So, sir, heartily well met, and most glad of your com 3 Sero. What fellow's this? 1 Serv. A strange one as ever I looked on: I cannot Vol You take my part from me, sir ; I have the get him out o'the house. Pr‘ytbee, call my master to him. most cause to be glad of yours. Rom. Well, let us go together. (Exeunt. 3 Serv. What have you to do here, fellow? Pray you, avoid the house. SCENE 1V.- Antium. Before Aufidius's House. En Cor. Let me but stand ; I will not hurt your hearth. 3 Serv. What are you? ter Coriolanus, in mean apparel, disguised and muf fled. Cor. A gentleman. 3 Serv. A marvellous poor one. Cor. A goodly city is this Antium :-City, Cor. True, so I am. "Tis I that made thy widows ; maoy an heir Of these fair edifices 'fore my wars 3 Serv. Pray you, poor gentleman, take up some other station; here's no place for you ; pray you, aHave I heard groan, and drop: then know me not void : come. Lest that thy wives with spits, and boys with stones, Cor. Follow your function, go! Enter a Citizen. And batten on cold bits. (Pushes him away. In puny battle slay me-Save you, sir. 3 Serv. What, will you not? Pr’ythee, tell my masAnd you. ter what a strange guest he has bere. {or. Direct me, if it be your will, 2 Scry. And I shalla [Exit. anon. pany. Cit. 3 Serv. Where dwellest thou? Since I have ever follow'd thee with hate, Cor. Under the canopy. Drawn tuns of blood out of thy country's brease, 3 Serv. Under the canopy? And cannot live but to thy shame, unless Cor. Ay. It be to do thee service. 3 Serv. Where's that? Auf: O Mareius, Marcius, Cor. I'the city of kites and crows. Each word thou hast spoke hath weeded from my heart 3 Serv. I'the city of kites and crows ?-What an ass A root of ancient envy. If Jupiter it is ! -Then thou dwellest with daws too? Should from yon cloud speak divine things, and say, Cor. No, I serve not thy master. 'Tis true; I'd not believe them more than thee, 3 Serv. How, sir! do you meddle with my master ? All noble Marcius.-0, let me twine Cor. Ay; 'tis an honester service than to meddle Mine arms about that body, where against with thy mistress : My grained ash an hundred times hath broke, 'Thou prat'st, and prat'st; serve with thy trencher, || And scar'd the moon with splinters! Here I clip bence! [Beats him away. The anvil of my sword; and do contest Enter Aufidius, and the second Servant. As hotly and as nobly with thy love, Auf. Where is this fellow? As ever in ambitious strength I did 2 Serv. Here, sir: l'a have beaten him like a dog, || Contend against thy valour. Know thou first, but for disturbing the lords within. I lov'd the maid I married ; never man Thou noble thing! more dances my rapt heart, [Unmuffling. Bestride my threshold. Why, thou Mars! I tell thee, Not yet thou know'st me, and seeing me, dost not We have a power on foot; and I had purpose Think me for the man I am, necessity Once more to hew thy target from thy brawn, Commands me name myself. Or lose mine arm fort: Thou hast beat me out Auf. What is thy name? [Servants retire. Twelve several times, and I have nightly since Cor. A name unmusical to the Volcians' ears, Dreamt of encounters 'twixt thyself and me; And harsh in sound to thine. We have been down together in my sleep, Auf: Say, what's thy name? Unbuckling helms, fisting each other's throat, Thou hast a grim appearance, and thy face And wak'd half dead with nothing. Worthy Marcius Bears à command in't ; though thy tackle's torn, Had we no quarrel else to Rome, but that Thou show'st a noble vessel : What's thy name? Thou art thence banishd, we would muster all Cor. Prepare thy brow to frown: Know'st thou me From twelve to seventy; and, pouring war Into the bowels of ungrateful Rome, Auf. I know thee not :-Thy name? Like a bold flood o'er-beat. 0, come, go in, Cor. My name is Caius Marcius, who hath done And take our friendly senators by the hans ; To thee particularly, and to all the Volces, Who now are here, taking their leaves of me, Great hurt and mischief; thereto witness may Who am prepar'd against your territories, My surname, Coriolanus : The painful service, Though not for Rome itself. 'The extreme dangers, and the drops of blood Cor. You bless me, gods! Shed for my thankless country, are requited Auf. Therefore, most absolute sir, if thou wilt hare But with that surname; a good memory, The leading of thine own revenges, take And witness of the malice and displeasure The one half my commission ; and set down,Which thou should'st bear me: only that name re As best thou art experiencd, since thou know'st mains; Thy country's strength and weakness,--thine ova The cruelty and envy of the people, ways: Permitted by our dastard nobles, who Whether to knock agninst the gates of Rome Have all forsook me, hath devour'd the rest; Or rudely visit them in parts remote, And suffered me by the voice of slaves to be To fright them, ere destroy. But come in: Whoop'd out of Rome. Now, this extremity Let me commend thee first to those, that shall Hath brought me to thy hearth; Not out of hope, Say, yea, to thy desires. A thousand welcomes ! Mistake me not, to save my life ; for if And more a friend than e'er an enemy; I had fear'd death, of all the men i'the world Yet, Marcius, that was much. Your hand! most wel I would have 'voided thee: but in mere spite, come! (Exeunt Cor. and Anf. To be full quit of those my banishers, 1 Serv. ( Advancing.] Here's a strange alteration! Stand I before thee here. Then if thou hast 2 Serv. By my hand, I had thought to have struck A heart of wreak in thee, that will revenge on him with a cudgel; and yet my mind gave me, bis Thine own particular wrongs, and stop those maims clothes made a false report of him. of shame seen through thy country, speed thee 1 Sero. What an arm he has ! He turned me about straight, with his finger and his thumb, as one would set up a top. And make my misery serve thy turn; so use it, 2 Serv. Nay, I knew by his face that there was solde That my revengeful services may prove thing in him: He had, sir, a kind of face, methought, As benefits to thee; for I will fight - I cannot tell how to term it. Against my canker'd country with the spleen 1 Serv. He had so; looking as it were, -'Would I of all the under fiends. But if so be were hangud, but I thought there was more in bizn Thou dar'st not this, and that to prove more fortunes than I could think. Thou art tir'd, then, in a word, I also am 2 Serv. So did I, I'll be sworn : He is simply the Longer to live most weary, and present rarest man i'the world. My throat to thee, and to thy ancient nialice: 1 Serv. I think, he is : but a greater soldier than be WVbich not to cut, would show thee but a fool; you wot One. yet? Sic. 2 Sero. Who? my master! Romans as cheap as Volcians. They are rising, they 1 Sero. Nay, it's no matter for that. are rising. 2 Serv. Worth six of him. All. In, in, in, in. [Exeunt. 1 Sero. Nay, not so neither: but I take him to be SCENE VI.-Rome. A public Place. Enter Sicinius the greater soldier. and Brutus. 2 Serv. 'Faith, look you, one cannot tell how to say shat: for the defence of a town, our general is excellent. Sic. We hear not of him, neither need we fear him; 1 Serv. Ay, and for an assault too. His remedies are tame i'the present peace And quietness o‘the people, which before Were in wild hurry. Here do we make his friends 3 Sero. O, slaves, I can tell you news, news, you Blush, that the world goes well; who rather had, raseals. Though they themselves did suffer by't, behold 1,2 Serv. What, wbat, what? let's partake. Dissentious numbers pestering the streets, than see 3 Serv. I would irot be a Roman, of all nations; I Our tradesmen singing in their shops, and going had as lieye be a condemned man. About their functions friendly. 1, 2 Serv. Wherefore? wherefore? Enter Menenius. 3 Sery. Why, here's he that was wont to thwack our Bru. We stood to't in good time. Is this Menenius? general, -Caius Marcius. Sic. 'Tis he, 'tis he: 0, he is grown most kind 1 Serv. Why do you say, thwack our general ? Of late.-Hail, sir! 3 Serv. I do not say, thwack our general; but he Men. Hail to you both! was always good enough for him. Sic. Your Coriolanus, sir, is not much miss'd, 2 Sero. Come, we are fellows, and friends : He was But with his friends; the commonwealth doth stand; ever too him; I have heard him say so himself. And so would do, were he more angry at it. 1 Serv. He was too hard for him directly, to say the Men. All's well; and might have been much better, if truth on't: before Corioli he scotched him and notched He could have temporiz'd. him like a carbonado. Sic. Where is he, hear you? 2 Scru. An he had been cannibally given, ke might Men. Nay, I bear nothing; his mother and his wife have broiled and eaten him too. Hear nothing from him. 1 Sero. But, more of thy news ? Enter three or four Citizens. 3 Sery. Why, he is so made on bere within, as if he were son and heir to Mars : set at upper end o’the ta Cit. The gods preserve you both! ble: no question asked him by any of the senators, but Good-e'en, our neighbours. they stand bald before him: Our general himself makes Bru. Good-e'en to you all, good-e'en to you all. a mistress of him ; canetifies himself with's hand, and 1 Cit. Ourselves, our wives, and children, on our turns up the white o’the eye to his discourse. But the knees, Are bound to pray for you both. bottom of the news is, our general is cut i'the middle, and but one half of what he was yesterday ; for the Live, and thrive! other has half, by the entreaty and grant of the whole Bru. Farewell, kind neighbours : We wist'd Corio Janus table. He'll go, he says, and sowle the porter of Rome Had lov'd you as we did. gates by the ears: He will mow down all before him, and leave his passage polled. Now the gods keep you ! 2 Serv. And he's as like to do't, as any man I can Both Tri. Farewell, farewell. [Exeunt Citizens. imagine. Sic. This is a happier and more comely time, 3 Serv. Do't? he will do't: For, look you, sir, he has Than when these fellows ran about the streets, as many friends as enemies: which friends, sir, (as it Crying, Confusion. Bru. were.) durst not (look you, sir,) show themselves (as Caius Marcius was we term it,) his friends, whilst he's in directitude. A worthy officer i'the war; but insolent, 1 Serv. Directitude! what's that? O'ercome with pride, ambitious past all thinking, 3 Serv, But when they shall see, sir, his crest up Self-loving,- Sic. again, and the man in blood, they will out of their bur And affecting one sole throne, rows, like conies after rain, and revel all with him. Without assistance. Men. 1 Sero. But when goes this forwardi? I think not so. 3 Sero. Tomorrow; to-day; presently. You shall Sic. We should by this, to all our lamentation, have the drum struck up this afternoon: 'Tis, as it If he had gone forth consul, found it so. were, a parcel of their feast, and to be executed ere Bru. The gods have well prevented it, and Rome they wipe their lips. Sits safe and still without him. 2 Sero. Why, then we shall have a stirring world Enter Ædile. again. This peace is nothing, but to rust iron, in- d. Worthy tribunes, crease tailors, and breed ballad-makers. There is a slave, whom we have put in prison, 1 Serv. Let me have war, say I; it exceeds peace, Reports,-the Volces with two several powers as far as day does night; it's spritely, waking, audible, Are enter'd in the Ronan territories; and full of vent. Peace is a very apoplexy, lethargy; And with the deepest malice of thc war mulled, deaf, sleepy, insensible ; a getter of more bas- Destroy what lies before them. tard children, than wars a destroyer of men. Men. 'Tis Aufidius, 2 Serv. 'Tis so : and as war, in some sort, may be Who, hearing of our Marcius' banishment, said to be a ravisher; so it cannot be denied, but peace Thrusts forth his horns again into the world; is a great maker of cuckolds. Which were inshelld, when Marcins stood for Rome, 1 Serv. Ay, and it makes men hate one another. And durst not once peep out. 3 Serv. Reason ; because they then less need one Sic. Come, what talk you another. The wars, for my money. I hope to see || of Marcius? Sic. : Cit. Sic. Bru. Go, see this rumourer whipp'd.-It cannot be, Your Ronie about your ears. The Volees dare break with us. Men. As Hercules Men. Cannot be! Did shake down mellow fruit: You have made fair We have record, that very well it can; work! And three examples of the like have been Bru. But is this true, sir? Within iny age. But reason with the fellow, Com. Ay; and you'll look pale Before yon punish him, where he heard this: Before you find it other. All the regions Lest you shall chance to whip your information, Do smilingly revolt; and, who resist, And beat the messenger who bids beware Are only mock'd for valiant ignorance, Of wbat is to be dreaded. And perish constant fools. Who is't can blame him? Tell not me: Your enemies, and his, find something in him. Men, We are all undone, unless The noble man have mercy. Com. Who shall ask it? Mes. The nobles, in great earnestness, are going The tribunes cannot do't for shame: the people All to the senate-house: some news is come, Deserve such pity of him, as the wolf That turns their countenances. Does of the shephers: for his best friends, if they Sic. 'Tis this slave ;- Should say, Be good to Rome, they charg'd him even Go whip him 'fore the people's eyes:-his raising! As those should do that had deservd bis hate, Nothing but his report! And therein show'd like enemies. Men. "Tis true: The slave's report is seconded; and more, If he were putting to my house the brand That sbould consume it, I have not the face To say, 'Beseech you,cense. You have made fair hands, Mes. It is spoke freely out of many mouths, You, and your crafts! you have crafted fair ! (How probable, I do not know.) that Marcius, Com. You have brought So incapable of help. Țri. Say not, we brought it. Sic. This is most likely! Men. How! Was it we? We lov'd him; but, like Bru. Rais'd only, that the weaker sort may wish beasts, Good Marcius liome again. And cowardy nobles, gave way to your clusters, Sic. The very třick on't. Who did hoot him out o'the city. Men. This is unlikely : Com, But, I fear He and Aufidius can no more atone, They'll roar him in again. 'Tullus Aufidius, Than violentest contrariety. The second wa 'ne of men, obeys his points As if he were his officer :-Desperation Is all the policy, strength, and defence, That Rome can make against them. Enter a troop of Citizens. Men. Here come the clusters. And is Aufidius with him ?- You are they That made the air unwbolesome, when you cast Your stinking, greasy caps, in hooting at Coriolanus' exile. Now he's comiug; And not a hair upon a soldier's head, Men. What news? What news? Which will not prove a whip; as many cotcombs, Com. You have holp to ravish your own daughters, | As you threw caps up, will lie tumble down, and And pay you for your voices. 'Tis no matter; To melt the city leads upon your pates; If he could burn us all into one coal, To see your wives dishonoured to your noses ; We have desTv'd it. Men. What's the news? what's the news? Cit. 'Faith, we hear fearful news. Com. Your temples burned in their cement; and 1 Cit. For mine ont part Your franchises, whereon you stood, confind When I said, banish hiin, I said, 'twas pity: Into an augre's bore. 2 Cit. And so did I, Men. Pray now, your news 3 Cit. And so did I; and, to say the truth, so did You have made fair work, I fear me:--Pray, your news? very many of us: That we did, we did for the best: If Marcius should be joind with Volcians, - and though we willingly consented to his banishmetit, Сот. If! yet it was against our will. He is their god; he leads them like a thing Com. You are goodly things, you voices ! Made by some other deity than nature, Men. That shapes man better: and they follow him, Good work, you and your cry!-Shall us to the capitol? Against us brats, with no less confidence, Com. O, ay; what else ? [Ext. Com. and Mento. Than boys pursuing summer butterflies, Sic. Go, masters, get you bome, be not distay'd ; Or butchers killing flies. These are a side, that would be glad to have Men. You have made good work, This true, which they so seem to fear. Go home, You, and your apron men ; you that stood so much And show no sign of fear. Upon the voice of occupation, and 1 Cit. The gods be good to us! Come, masters, let's The breath of garliceaters ! home. I ever said, we were i'tbe wrong, when we bütre Com. He will shake jshed him You have made |
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