Bru. Which the rather We shall be bless'd to do, if he remember A kinder value of the people, than He hath hereto priz'd them at. Men. That's off, that's off; I would you rather had been silent: Please you But tie him not to be their bedfellow.— Worthy Cominius, speak.-Nay, keep your place. [Coriolanus rises, and offers to go away. 1 Sen. Sit, Coriolanus; never shame to hear What you have nobly done. Cor. Your honours' pardon; I had rather have my wounds to heal again, Than hear say how I got them. Bru. My words dis-bench'd you not. Cor. 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, I love them as they weigh. Men. Pray now, sit down. Cor. I had rather have one scratch my head i' the When the alarum were struck, than idly sit To hear my nothings monster'd. [Exit Coriolanus. 26 Masters o' the people, Men. Your multiplying spawn how can he flatter, (That's thousand to one good one,) when you now see, He had rather venture all his limbs for honour, Than one of his ears to hear it?-Proceed, Comi nius. Com. I shall lack voice: the deeds of Coriolanus Should not be utter'd feebly.-It is held, That valour is the chiefest virtue, and Most dignifies the haver: if it be, The man I speak of cannot in the world Be singly counterpois'd. At sixteen years, When Tarquin made a head for Rome, he fought He lurch'd all swords o' the garland. For this last, Before and in Corioli, let me say, I cannot speak him home: He stopp'd the fliers; A vessel under sail, so men obey'd, And fell below his stem: his sword (death's stamp) Men. Worthy man! 1 Sen. He cannot but with measure fit the ho nours Which we devise him. Com. Our spoils he kick'd at; And look'd upon things precious, as they were 7 His deeds with doing them; and is content To spend the time, to end it. Men. The senate, Coriolanus, are well pleas'd Let me o'er-leap that custom; for I cannot Put on the gown, stand naked, and entreat them, For my wounds' sake, to give their suffrage: please you, That I may pass this doing. Pray you, go fit you to the custom; and Take to you, as your predecessors have, Your honour with your form. It is a part Cor. Bru. Mark you that? Cor. To brag unto them,-Thus I did, and thus ;Show them the unaking scars which I should hide, As if I had receiv'd them for the hire Of their breath only: Men. Our We recommend to you, tribunes of the people, purpose to them; and to our noble consul Wish we all joy and honour. Sen. To Coriolanus come all joy and honour! [Flourish. Then Exeunt Senators. Bru. You see how he intends to use the people. Sic. May they perceive 's intent! He will require them, As if he did contemn what he requested Should be in them to give. Bru. Come, we'll inform them [Exeunt. Of our proceedings here: on the market-place, I know, they do attend us. SCENE III. The Same. The Forum. Enter several Citizens. 1 Cit. Once, if he do require our voices, we ought not to deny him. 2 Cit. We may, sir, if we will. 3 Cit. 30 We have power in ourselves to do it, but it is a power that we have no power to do: for if he |