Enter SICINIUS and BRUTUS. Supplied with worthy men! plant love among us 1 1 Sen. Amen, amen! Men. A noble wish. Re-enter EDILE, with CITIZENS. Sic. Draw near, ye people. Ed. List to your tribunes: audience: Peace, I say. Cor. First, hear me speak. Both Tri. Well, say.-Peace, ho. Cor. Shall I be charg'd no further than this present? Must all determine? Sic. I do demand here, If you subinit you to the people's voices, To suffer lawful censure for such faults Cor. I am content. Men. Lo, citizens, he says, he is content: Cor. Scratches with briers. Men, Consider further, Bru. In this point charge him home-that he That when he speaks not like a citizen, affects Tyrannical power: if he evade us there, Euforce him with his envy + to the people; And that the spoil, got on the Antiates, Was ne'er distributed. Enter an EDILE. What, will he come! Ed. He's coming. Bru. How accompanied? Ed. With old Menenius, and those senators That always favour'd him. Sic. Have you a catalogue Of all the voices that we have procur'd Set down by the poll? Ed. I have: 'tis ready, here. Sic. Have you collected them by tribes? Sic. Assemble presently the people hither: And when they hear me say, It shall be so I'the right and strength o'the commons, be it either For death, for fine, or banishment, then let them, If I say fine, cry fine; if death, cry death; Insisting on the old prerogative And power i'the truth o'the cause. Ed. I shall inform them. Bru. And when such time they have begun to cry, Let them not cease, but with a din confus'd Enforce the present execution Of what we chance to sentence. Ed. Very well. You find him like a soldier: Do not take Com. Well, well, no more. Cor. What is the matter, That being pass'd for consul with full voice, I am so dishonour'd, that the very hour Sic. Answer to us. Cor. Say then: 'tis true, I ought so. Sic. We charge you, that you have contriv'd to Sic. Peace. We need not put new matter to his charge: Sic. Make them be strong, and ready for this Opposing laws with strokes, and here defying bint, When we shall hap to give't them. Enter CORIOLANUS, MENENIUS, COMINIUS, Sic. Well, here he comes. Cor. Ay, as an ostler, that for the poorest Will bear the knavet by the volume.-The honour'd gods Keep Rome in safety, and the chairs of justice Those whose great power must try him; even Bru. But since be hath Serv'd well for Rome,- Cor. What! do you prate of service? (As much as in him lies) from time to time From off the rock Tarpeian, never more To enter our Rome gates: l'the people's name, Cit. It shall be so, It shall be so; let hun away: he's banish'd; Com. Hear me, my masters, and my common Sic. He's sentenc'd no more hearing Rome, I have been consul, and can show from Sic. We know your drift: Speak what? A noble cunning: you were ns'd to load me Vir. O heavens! O heavens ! Vol. Now the red pestilence strike all trades in Rome, And occupations perish! Cor. What, what, what! I shall be lov'd when I am lack'd. Nay, mother, Six of his labours you'd have done, and sav'd I'll do well yet.-Thou old and true Menenius, I have seen thee stern, and thou hast oft beheld Bru. There's no more to be said, but he is Makes fear'd) and talk'd of more than seen your banish'd, As enemy to the people and his country: It shall be so. Cit. It shall be so, it shall be so. Cor. You common cry of curs! whose breath I hate As reok o'the rotten fens, whose love I prize [The people shout and throw up their Caps. Cit. Come, come, let us see him out at gates; ACT IV. Enter CORIOLANUS, VOLUMNIA, VIRGILIA, Cor. Come, leave your tears; a brief farewell: With many heads butts me away.-Nay, mother, As any ear can hear.-Come, let's not weep.- Cor. Give me thy hand :- [Exeunt. SCENE II.-The same.-A Street near the Enter SICINIUS, BRUTUS, and an EDILE. The nobility are vex'd, who, we see, have sided Bru. Now we have shown our power, Sic. Bid them home: Say their great enemy is gone, and they Bru. Dismiss them home. [Exit EDILE. Enter VOLUMNIA, VIRGILIA, and MENENIUS Sic. Let's not meet her. ⚫ Foolish. Requite your love! Men. Peace, peace: be not so loud. Vol. If that I could for weeping, you should hear, Nay, and you shall hear sonie.-Will you be gone? [To BRUTUS. Vir. You shall stay too; [To SICIN.] I would I had the power To say so to my husband. Sic. Are you mankind? Vol. Ay, fool; is that a shame ?-Note but this fool. Was not a inan my father? Hadst thou foxship To banish him that struck more blows for Rome, Than thou hast spoken words? Sic. O blessed heavens ! Vol. More noble blows, than ever thou wise words; And for Rome's good.-I'll tell thee what ;— Yet go : Nay but thou shalt stay too :-I would my son Sic. What then? Vir. What then? He'd make an end of thy posterity. Vol. Bastards, and all. you; but your favour is well appeared by your tongue. What's the news in Rome? I have a note from the Volscian state, to find you out there: You have well saved me a day's journey. Rom. There hath been in Rome strange insurrection: the people against the senators, patricians, and nobles. Vol. Hath been! Is it ended then? Our state thinks not so; they are in a most warlike preparation, and hope to come upon them in the heat of their division. Rom. The main blaze of it is past, but a small thing would make it flame again. For the nobles receive so to heart the banishment of that worthy Coriolanus, that they are in a ripe aptness to take all power from the people, and to pluck from them their tribunes for ever. This lies glowing I can tell you, and is almost mature for the violent breaking out. Vol. Coriolanus banished? Vol. You will be welcome with this intelligence, Nicanor. Rom. The day serves well for them now. I have heard it said, the fittest time to corrupt a man's wife, is when she's fallen out with her husband. Your noble Tullus Aufidius will appear well in these wars, his great opposer, Coriolanus, being now in no request of his country. Vol. He cannot choose. I am most fortunate thus accidentally to encounter you: You have ended my business, and I will merrily accom Good man, the wounds that he does bear for pany you home. Men. Come, come, peace. Sic. I would he had continu'd to his country As he began; and not unknit himself The noble knot he made. Bru. I would he had. Rom. I shall, between this and supper, tell you most strange things from Rome; all tending to the good of their adversaries. Have you an army ready, say you? Vol. A most royal one: the centurions and their charges distinctly billeted, already in the Vol. I would he had! 'Twas you incens'd the entertainment, and to be on foot at an hour's rabble: Cats, that can judge as fitly of his worth, As I can of those mysteries which heaveD will not have earth to know. Bru. Pray, let us go. Vol. Now pray, Sir, get you gone: warning. Rom. I am joyful to hear of their readiness, and am the man, I think, that shall set the in present action. So, Sir, heartily well met, and most glad of your company. Vol. You take my part from me, Sir; 1 have You have done a brave deed. Ere you go, hear the most cause to be glad of yours. this: As far as doth the Capitol exceed The meanest house in Rome, so far my son, Vol. Take my prayers with you. I would the gods had nothing else to do, Men. You have told them home, And by my troth, you have cause. with me? You'll sup Rom. Well, let us go together. [Exeunt. SCENE IV-Antium.-Before AUFIDIUS's House. Enter CORIOLANUS, in mean apparel, dis guised and muffled. Cor. A goodly city is this Autium: City, In puny battle slay me.-Save you, Sir. Cor. Direct me, if it be your will, Cor. Which is his house, 'beseech you? Cor. Thank you, Sir: farewell. [Erit CITIZEN. Enter another SERVANT. [Exit. 2 Serv. Here, Sir: I'd have beaten him like a dog, but for disturbing the lords within. Auf. Whence comest thou? what wouldest thou? Thy name? Why speak'st not? Speak, man: What's tay name? Cor. If, Tullus, [Unmuffling. [SERVANTS retire. Cor. A name unmusical to the Volscians' ears, Auf. Say, what's thy name? 2 Ser. Where's Cotus! my master calls for Thou show'st a noble vessel. What's thy name? him. Cotus ! Enter CORIOLANUS. Cor. A goodly house: The feast smells well : but I Appear not like a guest. Re-enter the first SERVANT. 1 Serv. What would you have, friend? Whence are you? Here's no place for you: Pray, go to the door. Cor. I have deserv'd no better entertainment In being Coriolanus.* Re-enter second SERVANT. 2 Serv. Whence are you, Sir? Has the porter his eyes in his head, that he gives entrance to such companions? Pray, get you out. Cor. Away! 2 Serv. Away? Get you away.' Cor. Now thou art troublesome. Cor. Prepare thy brow to frown: Know'st thou me yet? Auf. I know thee not:-Thy name? Cor. My name is Caius Marcius, who hath To thee particularly, and to all the Volsces, The cruelty and envy of the people, 2 Serv. Are you so brave? I'll have you talked I had fear'd death, of all the men i'the world with anon. Enter a third SERVANT. The first meets him. 3 Serv. What fellow's this? 1 Serv. A strange one as ever I looked on: cannot get him out o'the house: Pr'ythee, call my master to him. I would have 'voided thee: but in mere spite, 3 Serv. What have you to do here, fellow ? Pray you, avoid the house Cor. Let me but stand: I will not hurt your hearth. 3 Serv. What are you? Cor. A gentleman. 3 Serv. A marvellous poor one. Cor. True, so I am. 3 Serv. Pray you, poor gentleman, take up some other station; here's no place for you; pray you, avoid come. Cor. Follow your function, go! And batten + on cold bits. [Pushes him away. 3 Serv. What, will you not? Pr'ythee tell my master what a strange guest he has here. 3 Serv. Where's that? Cor. I' the city of kites and crows. [Exit. 3 Serv. P'the city of kites and crows ?-What an ass it is!-Then thou dwellest with daws too? Cor. No, I serve not thy master. 3 Serv. How, Sir! do you meddle with my master? Cor. Ay; 'tis an honester service than to meddle with thy mistress: Thou prat'st, and prat'st; serve with thy trencher, Having derived that name from Corioli. Of shame seen through thy country, speed thee And make my misery serve thy turn: so use it, Thou art tir'd, then, in a word, I also am Auf. O Marcius, Marcius, Each word thou hast spoke hath weeded from my heart [say, A root of ancient envy. If Jupiter The anvil of my sword; and do contest, Bestride my threshold. Why, thon Mars! I tell We have a power on foot; and I had purpose Marcius, Worthy Had we no quarrel else to Rome, but that Like a bold flood o'er-beat. O come, go in, Cor. You bless me, gods! 2 Serv. An he had been cannibally given he might have broiled and eaten him too. 1 Serv. But more of thy news? 3 Serv. Why, he is so made on here within, as if he were son and heir to Mars: set at upper end o'the table: no question asked him by any of the senators, but they stand bald before him: Our general himself makes a mistress of him; sanctifies himself with's hand, and turns up the white o'the eye to his discourse. But the bottom of the news is, our general is cut i'the middle, and but one half of what he was yesterday; for the other was half, by the entreaty, and grant of the whole table. He'll go, he says, and sowle the porter of Rome gates by the ears: He will mow down all before him, and leave his passage polled.t 2 Serv. And he's as like to do't as any man I can imagine. 3 Serv. Do't? he will do't: For, look you, Sir, he has as many friends as enemies: which Auf. Therefore, most absolute Sir, if thou friends, Sir, (as it were,) durst not (look you, wilt have The leading of thine own revenges, take Whether to knock against the gates of Rome, Sir,) show themselves (as we term it,) his friends, whilst he's in directitude. 1 Serv. Directitude? what's that? 3 Serv. But when they shall see, Sir, his crest up again, and the man in blood, they will out of their burrows, like conies after rain, and revel all with him. 1 Serv. But when goes this forward? 3 Serv. To-morrow; to-day; presently. You shall have the drum struck up this afternoon : be executed ere they wipe their lips. Say yea to thy desires. A thousand welcomes!tis, as it were, a parcel of their feast, and to 2 Serv. Why then we shall have a stirring world again. This peace is nothing, but to rust iron, increase tailors, and breed ballad [Exeunt CORIOLANUS and AUFIDIUS. 1 Serv. [Advancing.] Here's a strange altera-makers. tion ! 2 Serv. By my hand, I had thought to have strucken him with a cudgel; and yet my mind gave me, his clothes made a false report of him. 1 Serv. What an arm he has ! He turned me about with his finger and his thumb, as one would set up a top. 2 Serv. Nay, I knew by his face that there was something in him: He had, Sir, a kind of face, methought,-I cannot tell how to term it. 1 Serv. He had so looking as it were,'Would I were hanged, but I thought there was more in him than I could think. 2 Serv. So did I, I'll be sworn: He is simply the rarest man i'the world. 1 Serv. I think he is: but a greater soldier than he, you wot one. 2 Serv. Who? my master? Serv. Nay, it's no matter for that. 1 Serv. Nay, not so neither; but I take him to be the greater soldier. 2 Serv. 'Faith, look you, one cannot tell how to say that for the defence of a towu, our general is excellent. 1 Serv. Ay, and for an assault too. Re-enter third SERVANT. 3 Serv. O slaves, I can tell you news: news, you rascals. 1. 2. Serv. What, what, what? let's partake. 3 Serv. I would not be a Roman, of all nations: 1 had as lieve be a condeinned mau. 1. 2. Serv. Wherefore? wherefore? 3 Serv. Why, here's he that was wont to thwack our general,-Caius Marcius. 1 Serv. Why do you say thwack our general? 3 Serv. I do not say, thwack our general; but he was always good enough for him. 2 Serv. Come, we are fellows and friends: he was ever too hard for him; I have heard him say so himself. 1 Serv. He was too hard for him directly, to say the truth on't: before Corioli, he scotched nia and notched him like a carbonado.]] 1 Serv. Let me have war, say I: it exceeds peace, as far as day does night; it's spritely, waking, audible, and full of vent. Peace is a very apoplexy, lethargy: mulled, ¶ deaf, sleepy, insensible: a getter of more bastard children, than war's a destroyer of men. 2 Serv. 'Tis so: and as wars, in some sort, may be said to be a ravisher, so it cannot be denied but peace is a great maker of cuckolds. 1 Serv. Ay, and it makes men bate one another. 3 Serv. Reason; because they then less need one another. The wars for my money. I hope to see Romans as cheap as Volscians. They are rising, they are rising. All. In, in, in, in. [Exeunt. |