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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.

1 Cit. And to make us no better thought of, a little help will serve: for once, when we stood up about the corn, he himself struck not to call us-the many-headed multitude.

3 Cit. We have been call'd so of many; not that our heads are some brown, some black, some auburn, some bald, but that our wits are so diversly colour'd: 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.

2 Cit. Think you so? Which way, do you judge, my wit would fly?

3 Cit. Nay, your wit will not so soon out as another man's will, 'tis strongly wedg'd up in a block-head: but if it were at liberty, 'twould, sure, southward. 2 Cit. Why that way?

3 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.

2 Cit. You are never without your tricks :-You may, you may.

3 Cit. Are you all resolved to give your voices? But 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 and 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 how

go by him.

All. Content, content.

you shall

[Exeunt.

Men. O sir, you are not right: have you not known The worthiest men have done't?

Cor.

What must I say?—

I pray, sir,- Plague upon't! I cannot bring

My tongue to such a pace:-Look, sir;-my wounds;

I got them in my country's service, when

Some certain of your brethren roar'd, and ran

From the noise of our own drums.

Men.

O me, the gods!

You must not speak of that; you must desire them

To think upon you.

Cor.

Think upon me? Hang 'em!

I would they would forget me, like the virtues
Which our divines lose by them.

Men.

You'll mar all;

I'll leave you: Pray you, speak to them, I pray you,

In wholesome manner.

Cor.

[Exit,

Enter two Citizens.

Bid them wash their faces,

And keep their teeth clean.-So, here comes a brace. You know the cause, sir, of my standing here.

1 Cit. We do, sir; tell us what hath brought you

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'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.

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