corn

Deserv'd this so dishonour'd rub, laid falsely I say, they nourish'd disobedience, fed
l'the plain way of his merit.

The ruin of the state.
Cor.
Tell me of corn ! Bru.

Why, shall the people give
This was my speech, and I will speak’t again ;- One, that speaks thus, their voice?
Men. Not now, not now.

Cor.

I'll give my reasons, 1 Sen.

Not in this heat, sir, now. More worthier than their voices. They know, the Cor. Now, as I live, I will.--My nobler friends, I crave their pardons :

Was not our recompense; resting well assur'd For the mutable, rank-scented many, let them They ne'er did service for't: Being press'd to the wat Regard me as I do not Aatter, and

Even when the navel of the state was touch'd, Therein behold themselves: I say again,

They would not thread the gates: this kind of service In soothing them, we nourish 'gainst our senate Did not deserve corn gratis: being i’ the war, The cockle of rebellion, insolence, sedition, Their mutinies and revolts, wherein they show'd Which we ourselves have plough'd for, sow'd, and Most valour, spoke not for them: The accusation scatter'd,

Which they have often made against the senate, By mingling them with us, the honour'd number; All cause unborn, could never be the native Who lack not virtue, no, por power, but that Of our so frank donation. Well, what then ? Which they have given to beggars.

How shall this bosom multiplied digest Men.

Well, no more. The senate's courtesy ? Let deeds express 1 Sen. No more words, we beseech you.

What's like to be their words :-We did request i!; Cor.

How! no more? We are the greater poll, and in true fear As for my country I have shed my blood,

They gave us our demands :- Thus we debase
Not fearing outward force, so shall my lungs The nature of our seats, and make the rabble
Coin words till their decay, against those meazels, Call our cares, fears : which will in time break ope
Which we disdain should tetter us, yet sought The locks o' the senate, and bring in the crows
The very way to catch them.

To peck the eagles.-
Bru.
You speak o'the people, Men.

Come, enough.
As if you were a god to punish, not

Bru. Enough, with over-measure. A man of their infirmity.

Cor.

No, take more. Sic. "Twere well,

What may be sworn by, both divine and human, We let the people know't.

Seal what I end withal !- This double worship, Men.

What, what ? his choler ? Where one part does disdain with cause, the other Cor. Choler!

Insult without all reason; where gentry, title, wisdom Were I as patient as the midnight sleep,

Cannot conclude, but by the yea and no By Jove, 'twould be my mind.

Of general ignorance,-it must omit Sic.

It is a mind, Real necessities, and give way the while That shall remain a poison where it is,

To unstable slightness : purpose so barrod, it follows, Not poison any further.

Nothing is done to purpose : Therefore, beseech Cor. Shall remain !-

you, Hear you this Triton of the minnows? mark you You that will be less fearful than discreet; His absolute shall ?

That love the fundamental part of state, Com.

'Twas from the canon. More than you doubt the change of't; that prefer Cor.

Shall! A noble lilc before a long, and wish O good, but most unwise patricians, why,

To jump a body with a dangerous physick You grave, but reckless senators, have you thus That's sure of death without it,wat once pluck out Given Hydra here to choose an officer,

The multitudinous tongue, let them not lick That with his peremptory shall, being but

The sweet which is their poison : your dishonour The horn and noise o'the monsters, wants not spirit Mangles true judgment, and bereaves the state To say, he'll turn your current in a ditch,

Of that integrity which should become it; And make your channel his ? If he have power, Not having the power to do the good it would, Then veil your ignorance : if none, awake

For the ill which doth control it. Your dangerous lenity. If you are learned,

Bru,

He has said enough. Be not as common fools; if you are not,

Sic. He has spoken like a traitor, and shall answer Let them have cushions by you. You are plebeians, As traitors do. If they be senators : and they are no less,

Cor. Thou wretch! despite o'erwhelm thee! When both your voices blended, the greatest taste What should the people do with these bald tribunes ? Most palates theirs. They choose their magistrate; On whom depending, their obedience fails Aud such a one as he who puts his shal,

To the greater bench: In a rebellion, His popular shall, against a graver bench

When what's not meet, but what must be, was law, Than ever frown'd in Greece! By Jove himself, Then were they chosen; in a better hour, It makes the consuls base: and my soul akes, Let what is meet, be said it must be meet, To know, when two authorities are up,

And throw their power i' the dust. Neither supreme, how soon confusion

Bru. Manifest treason. May enter twixt the gap of both, and take

Sic.

This a consul ? no. The one by the other.

Bru. The Ædiles, ho!-Let him be apprehende. Com.

Well-on to the market-place. Sic. Go, call the people; [Erit Brutus. in Cor. Whoever gave that counsel to give forth

whose name, myself The corn o’the store-house gratis, as 'twas us'd Attach thee, as a traitorous innovator, Sometime in Greece,

A foe to the public weal: Obey, I charge thee Men,

Well, well, no more of that. And follow to thine answer. Cor. (Though there the people had more absolute Cor.

Hence, old goat power.)

Sen. & Pat. We'l surety him.

Be gone;

Com.

Aged sir, hands off. You that be noble: help him, young and old ! Cor. llence, rotten thing, or I shall shake thy Cit. Down with him, down with him ! bones

[In this mutiny, the Tribunes, the Ædiles, Out of thy garments.

and the people, are all beat in. Src. Help, ye citizens.

Men. Go, get you to your house ; be gone, away,

All will be naught else. Re-enter BRUTUS, with the Ædiles, and a rabble of

2 Sen.

Get you gune.
Citizens.
Cor.

Stand fast; Men. On both sides more respect.

We have as many friends as enemies. Sic.

Here's he, that would Men Shall it be put to that ? Take from you all your power.

1 Sen.

The gods forbid ! Bru.

Seize bim, Ædiles. I pr’ythee, noble friend, home to thy house; Cit. Down with him, down with him!

Leave us to cure this cause. (Several speak. Men.

For 'tis a sure upon us, 2 Sen.

Weapons, weapons, weapons! You cannot tent yourself: Begone, 'beseech you.

[ They all bustle about CORIOLANUS. Com. Come, sir, along with us. Tribunes, patricians, citizens !—what ho!

Cor. I would they were barbarians, (as they are, Sicinius, Brutus, Coriolanus, citizens !

Though in Rome litter'd,) not Romans, (as they aro Cit. Peace, peace, peace; stay, hold, peace !

not,
Men. What is about to be ?-I'm out of breath ; Though calv'd i’ the porch o' the Capitol,)
Confusion's near: I cannot speak :-You, tribunes Men.
To the people,-Coriolanus, patience :-

Put not your worthy rage into your tongue;
Speak, good Sicinius.

One time will owe another.
Sic.
Hear me, people ;-Peace. Cor.

On fair ground,
Cit. Let's hear our tribune :-Peace. Speak, I could beat forty of them.
speak, speak.

Men.

I could myself Sic. You are at point to lose your liberties : Take up a brace of the best of them; yea, the two Marcius would have all from you; Marcius,

tribunes. Whom late you've nan’d for consul.

Com. But now 'tis odds beyond arithmetick; Men.

Fy'', fye, fye! And manhood is call'd foolery, when it stands This is the way to kinile, not to quenc...

Against a falling fabrick.-Will you nence, 1 Sen. To unbuild the city, and to lay all fiat. Before the tag return ? whose rage doth rend Sic. What is the city : but the people.,

Like interrupted waters, and o'erbear Cit.

True, What they are used to bear. The people are the city.

Men.

Pray you, be gone : Bru. By the consent of all, we were establish'd I'll try whether my old wit be in request The people's magistrates.

With those that have but little; this must be patch'd Cit. You so remain.

With cloth of any colour. Men. And so are like to do.

Com.

Nay, come away, Cor. That is the way to lay the city flat;

[Ereunt CORIOLANUS, COMInius, and others. To bring the roof to the foundation;

1 Pat. This man has marr'd his fortune. And bury all, which yet distinctly ranges,

Men. His pature is too noble for the world : In heaps and piles of ruin.

Ile would not flatter Neptune for his trident, Sic.

This deserves death. Or Jove for his power to thunder. His heart's his Bru. Or let us stand to our authority,

mouth: Or let us lose it :-We do here pronounce,

What his breast forges, that his tongue must vent; Upon the part o' the people, in whose power And, being angry, does forget that ever We were elected their's, Marcius is worthy

He heard the name of death. (A noise within. Of present death.

Here's goodly work!
Sic.
Therefore, lay hold of him; 2 Pat,

I would they were a-bed ! Bear him to the rock Tarpeian, and from thence Men. I would they were in Tyber!—What, the Into destruction cast him.

vengeance, Bru.

Ædiles, seize him. Could he not speak them fair ?
Cit. Yield, Marcius, yield.
Men.

Hear me, one word.

Re-enter BRUTUS and SICINIUS, with the rabble. Beseech you, tribunes, hear me but a word. Ædi. Peace, peace.

Sic.

Where is this viper, Men. Be that you seem, truly your country's friend, That would depopulate the city, and And temperately proceed to what you would Be every man himself? Thus violently redress.

Men.

You worthy tribunes,Bru.

Sir, those cold ways, Sic. He shall be thrown down the Tarpeian rock That seem like prudent helps, are very poisonous With rigorous hands; he hath resisted law, Where the disease is violent :-Lay hands upon him, and therefore law shall scorn him further trial And bear him to the rock.

Than the severity of the publick power,
Cor.

No; I'll die here. Which he so sets at nought.
(Drawing his sword.
1 Cit.

He shall well know,
There's some among you have bebeld me fighting; The noble tribunes are the people's mouths,
Come, try upon yourselves what you have seen me. And we their hands.
Men. Down with that sword; -Tribunes, with- Cit.

He shall, sure on't. draw a while.

(Several speak together Bru. Lay hands upon him.

Mon.

Sir,--
Men,
Help, help, Marcius! help, Sia

Peaco

you there;

me

Men. Do not cry, havock, where you should but Bru.

Go not horne, hunt

Sic. Meet on the market-place :-We'll attend With modest warrant. Sic.

Sir, how comes it, that you Where, if you bring not Marcius, we'll proceed Have holp to make this rescue ?

In our first way.
Men.
Hear me speak: Men.

I'll bring him to you:
As I do know the consul's worthiness,

Let me desire your company. (To the Senators.1 So can I name his faults :

He must come, Sic.

Consul !-what consul? Or what is worst will follow. Men. The consul Coriolanus.

1 Sen.

Pray you, let's to him. Bru. He a consul!

[Ereunt. Cit. No, no, no, no, no.

[people, Men. If, by the tribunes' leave, and yours, good SCENE II.-A Room in Coriolanus's House. I may be heard, I'd crave a word or two; The which shall turn you to no further harm,

Enter CORIOLANUS and Patricians. Than so much loss of time.

Cor. Let them pull all about mine ears; present Sic.

Speak briefly then; For we are peremptory, to despatch

Death on the wheel, or at wild horses' heels; This viperous traitor : to eject him hence,

Or pile ten hills on the Tarpeian rock, Were but one danger; and, to keep him here, That the precipitation might down stretch Our certain death; therefore it is decreed,

Below the beam of sight, yet will I suill He dies to-night.

Be thus to them. Men,

Now the good gods forbid, That our renowned Rome, whose gratitude

Enter VOLUMNIA. Towards her deserved children is enrollid

1 Pat.

You do the nobler. In Jove's own book, like an unnatural dam

Cor. I muse, my mother Should now eat up her own!

Does not approve me further, who was wont Sic. He's a disease, that must be cut away. To call them woollen vassals, things created

Men. O, he's a limb, that has but a discase; To buy and sell with groats; to show bare heads Mortal, to cut it off; to cure it, casy.

In congregations, to yawn, be still, and wonder, What has he done to Rome, that's worthy death ? When one but of my ordinance stood up Killing our enemies? The blood he hath lost,

To speak of peace, or war.

I talk of you ; (Which, I dare vouch, is more than that he hath,

(TO VOLUMNIA. By many an ounce,) he dropp'd it for his country: Why did you wish me milder? Would you bare me And, what is left, to lose it by his country: False to my nature ? Rather say, I play Were to us all, that do't, and suffer it,

The man I am. A brand to the end o' the world.

Vol.

0, sir, sir, sir, Sic.

This is clean kam. I would have had you put your power well on, Bru. Merely awry: When he did love his country, Before you had worn it out. It honour'd him.

Cor.

[are, Men. The service of the foot

Vol. You might have been enough the man you Being once gangren'd, is not then respected

With striving less to be so: Lesser had been For what before it was?

The thwartings of your dispositions, if Bru.

We'll hear no more :- You had not show'd them how you were dispos'd Pursue him to his house, and pluck him thence; Ere they lack'd power to cross you. Lest his infection, being of catching nature,

Cor.

Let them hang. Spread further.

Vol. Ay, and burn too.
Men.
One word more, one word.

Enter MENENIUS and Senators.
This tiger-footed rage, when it shall find
The arm of unscann'd swiftness, will, too late, Men. Come, come, you have been too rough,
Tie leaden pounds to his heels. Proceed by process; something too rough;
Lest parties (as he is belov'd) break out,

You must return, and mend it. And sack great Rome with Romans.

1 Sen,

There's no remedy; Bru.

If it were so,- Unless, by not so doing, our good city Sic. What do ye talk?

Cleave in the midst, and perish. Have we not bad a taste of his obedience ?

Vol.

Pray be counsel'd: Our Ædiles smote? ourselves resisted ?--Come: I have a heart as little apt as yours, Men. Consider this ;-He has been bred i' the But yet a brain, that leads my use of anger,

To better vantage. Since he could draw a sword, and is ill school'd Men.

Well said, noble woman : In boulted language; meal and bran together Before he should thus stoop to the herd, but that He throws without distinction. Give me leave, The violent fit o'the time craves it as physick l'll go to him, and undertake to bring him

For the whole state, I would put mine armour on, Where he shall answer, by a lawful form,

Which I can scarcely bear. In peace) to bis utmost peril.

Cor. What must I do? 1 Sen.

Noble tribunes,
Men.

Return to the tribunes. It is the humane way: the other course

Cor.

Weli, Will prove too bloody; and the end of it

What then? what then ? Unknown to the beginning.

Men.

Repent what you have spoke Sic,

Noble Menenius, Cor. For them ?- I cannot do it to the gods ; Be you then as the people's officer:

Must I then dot to them ? Masters, ay down your weapons.

VoL

You are too absolure

Let go.

wars

Though therein you can never be too noble, Proythee, now, say, you will, and go about it.
But when extremities speak. I have heard you say, Cor. Must I go show them my unbarb'd sconcep
Honour and policy, like unsever'd friends,

Must I
I'the war do grow together: Grant that, and tell me, with my base tongue, give to my noble heart
In peace, what each of them by th' other lose, A lie, that it must bear? Well, I will do't:
That they combine not there.

Yet were there but this single plot to lose, Cor.

Tush, tush!

This mould of Marcius, they to dust should grind it, Men.

A good demand. And throw it 'gainst the wind.--To the marketVol. If it be honour, in your wars, to seem

place:The same you are not, (which, for your best ends, You've put me now to such a part, which never You adopt your policy,) how is it less, or worse, I shall discharge to the life. That it shall hold companionship in peace

Com.

Come, come, we'll prompt you With honour, as in war; since that to both

Vol. I pr’ythee now, sweet son; as thou hast said It stands in like request ?

My praises made thee first a soldier, so,
Cor.

Why force you this ? To have my praise for this, perform a part
Vol. Because that now it lies you on to speak Thou hast not done before.
To the people; not by your own instruction,

Cor.

Well, I must do't: Nor by the matter which your heart prompts you to, Away my disposition, and possess me But with such words that are but roted in

Some harlot's spirit! My throat of war be turn'd, Your tongue, though but bastards, and syllables Which quired with my drum, into a pipe Of no allowance, to your bosom's truth.

Small as an eunuch, or the virgin voice Now, this no more dishonours you at all,

That babies lull asleep! The smiles of knaves Than to take in a town with gentle words,

Tent in my cheeks; and school-boys' tears take up Which else would put you to your fortune, and The glasses of my sight! A beggar's tongue The hazard of much blood.

Make motion through my lips; and my arm'd knees, I would dissemble with my nature, where

Who bow'd but in my stirrop, bend like his My fortunes, and my friends, at stake, requir’d, That hath receiv'd an alms - I will not do't: I should do so in honour: I am in this,

Lest I surcease to honour mine own truth,
Your wife, your son, these senators, the nobles ; And, by my body's action, teach my mind
And you will rather show our general lowts A most inherent baseness
How you can frown, than spend a fawn upon them, Vol.

At thy choice then :
For the inheritance of their loves, and safeguard To beg of thee, it is my more dishonour,
Of what that want might ruin.

Than thou of them. Čome all to ruin ; let Men.

Noble lady! Thy mother rather feel thy pride, than fear Come, go with us; speak fair: you may salve so, Thy dangerous stoutness ; for I mock at death Not what is dangerous present, but the loss With as big heart as thou. Do as thou list. Of what is past.

Thy valiantness was mine, thou suck’dst it from me; Vol. I pr’ythee, now, my son,

But owe thy pride thyself. Go to them, with this bonnet in thy hand;

Cor.

Pray, be content;
And thus far having stretch'd it, (here be with them,) Mother, I'm going to the market-place;
Thy knee bussing the stones, (for in such business Chide me no more. I'll mountebank their loves,
Action is eloquence, and the eyes of the ignorant Cog their hearts from them, and come home belov'd
More learned than the ears,) waving thy head, Of all the trades in Rome. Look, I am going :
Which often, thus, correcting thy stout heart, Commend me to my wife. I'll return consul;
Now humble, as the ripest mulberry,

Or never trust to what my tongue can do
That will not hold the handling : Or, say to them, I'the way of flattery, further.
Thou art their soldier, and being bred in broils, Vol.

Do your will. (Eril. Hast not the soft way, which, thou dost confess, Com. Away, the tribunes do attend you: arm. Were fii for thee to use, as they to claim,

yourself In asking their good loves; but thou wilt frame To answer mildly: for they are prepar'd Thyself, forsooth, hereafter theirs, so far

With accusations, as I hear, more strong As thou hast power, and person.

Than are upon you yet: Men.

This but done, Cor. The word is, mildly :-Pray you let us go: Even as she speaks, why, all their hearts were yours: Let them accuse me by invention, I For they have pardons, being ask'd, as free Will answer in mine honour. As words to little purpose.

Men.

Ay, but mildly. Vol. Pr’ythee now

Cor. Well, mildly be it then; mildly. (Ereunt, Go, and be rul'd: although I know thou had'st rather

SCENE III.- The same The Forum,
Follow thine enemy in a fiery gulf,
Than flatter him in a bower. Here is Cominius.

Enter SICINIUS and BRUTUS.

Bru. In this point charge him home, that he Enter COMINIUS.

affects

Tyrannical power: if he evade us there, Com. I have been i’the market-place : and, sir, Enforce him with his envy to the people ; 'tis fit

And that the spoil, got on the Antiates,
You make strong party, or defeud yourself Was ne'er distributed.-
By calmness, or by absence; all's in anger.

Enter an Ædile.
Men. Only fair speech.
Com.

I think, 'twill serve, if he What, will he come ?
Can thereto frame his spirit.

Æd.

He's coming
Vol.
He must, and will :- Bru.

How accompanied ?

Æd. With old Menenius, and those senators But, as I say, such as become a soldier,

Rather than envy you.
That always favour'd him.
Sic.
Have you a catalogue

Com.

Well, well, no more. Of all the voices that we have procur’d,

Cor. What is the matter, Set down by the poll ?

That being pass'd for consal with full voice, Æd.

I bave ; 'tis ready, here. I'm so dishonour'd, that the very hour Sic. Have you collected them by tribes ?

You take it off again? Æ.

I have. Sic.

Answer to us. Sic, Assemble presently the people hither: Cor. Say then : 'tis true I ought so. (take And when they hear me say, It shall be so

Sic. We charge you, that you have contriv'd to l'the right and strength o' the commons, be it either From Rome all season's office, and to wind For death, for fine, or banishment, then let them, Yourself into a power tyrannical; If I say fine, cry fine ; if death, cry death ; For which you are a traitor to the people. Insisting on the old prerogative

Cor. How! Traitor ? And power i’the truth o'the cause.

Men. Nay; temperately: Your promise Æd.

I shall inform them. Cor. The fires i'the lowest hell fold in the people! Bru. And when such time they have begun to cry, Call me their traitor ! - Thou injurious tribune ! Let them not cease, but with a'din confus’d Within thine eyes sat twenty thousand deaths, Enforce the present execution

In thy hands clutch'd us many millions, in Of what we chance to sentence.

Thy lying tongue both numbers, I would say, Æd.

Very well.

Thou liest, unto thee, with a voice as free
Sic. Make them be strong and ready for this hint, As I do pray the gods
When we shall hap to give't them.

Sic.

Mark you this, people ? Bru.

Go about it. - Cit. To the rock with him; to the rock with him.

(Exit Ædile. Sic. Peace. Put him to choler straight: He hath been us'd We need not put new matter to his charge : Ever to conquer, and to have his worth

What you have seen him do, and heard him speak,
Of contradiction : Being once chafd, he cannot Beating your officeri, cursing yourselves,
Be rein'd again to temperance; then he speaks Opposing laws with strokes, and here defying
What's in his heart: and that is there, which looks Those whose great g'ower must try him; even this,
With us to break his neck.

So criminal, and in such capital kind,
Deserves the extreinest death.

Bru.
Enter CORIOLANUS, MENENICS, Cominius, Senators,

But since he hath and Patricians.

Serv'd well for Roine,
Cor.

What, do you prate of service ? Sic. Well, here he comes.

Bru. I talk of that, that know it.
Men.
Calmly, I do beseech

you.
Cor.

You ?
Cor. Ay, as an ostler, that for the poorest piece

Men,

Is this Will bear the knave by the volume. The honourd The promise that you made your mother? gods

Com.

Know, Keep Rome in safety, and the chairs of justice I pray you, Supplied with worthy men! plant love among us ! Cor.

I'll know no further; Throng our large temples with the shows of peace, Let them pronounce the steep Tarpeian death, And not our streets with war!

Vagabond exile, flaying; Pent to linger 1 Sen.

Amen, amen! But with a grain a day, I would not buy Men. A noble wish.

Their mercy at the price of one fair word ;

Nor check my courage for what they can give,
Re-enter Ædile, with Citizens.

To have't with saying, Good morrow.
Sic.

For that he has Sic. Draw near, ye people.

(say. (As much as in him lies) from time to time Æd. List to your tribunes; audience : Peace, I Envied against the people, seeking means Cor. First, hear me speak.

To pluck away their power; as now at last Both Tri.

Well, say.—Peace, ho. Given hostile strokes, and that not in the presence Cor. Shall I be charg'd no further than this Of dreaded justice, but on the ministers present?

That do distribute it: In the name o'the people, Must all determine here?

And in the power of us the tribunes, we,
Sic.
I do demand,

Even from this instant, banish him our city;
If you submit you to the people's voices,

In peril of precipitation Allow their officers, and are content

From off the rock Tarpeian, never more To suffer lawful censure for such faults

To enter our Rome gates : l'the people's name, As shall be prov'd upon you ?

I say, it shall be so. Cor.

I am content.

Cit.

It shall be so,
Men. Lo, citizens, he says, he is content: It shall be so; let him away: he's banish'd,
The warlike service he has done, consider;

And so it shall be.

(friends ;Think on the wounds his body bears, which show Com. Hear me, my masters, and my common Like graves i'the holy churchyard.

Sic. He's sentenc'd; no more hearing.
Cor.
Scratches with briars, Com

Let me speak: Scars to move laughter only

I have been consul, and can show from Rome, Men.

Consider further, Her enemies' marks upon me. I do love That when he speaks not like a citizen,

My country's good, with a respect more tender, You find him like a soldier: Do not take

More holy and profound, than mine own life, Ulis rougher accepts for malicious sounds

My dear wife's estimate, her womb's incrrase