tious rogues, That rubbing the poor itch of your opinion, Make yourselves scabs ? 1 Cit. We have ever your good word, Mar. He that will give good words to thee, will fiatter Beneath abhorring. What would you have, you curs, [you, That like nor peace, nor war? the one affrights The other makes you proud. He that trusts you, Where he should find you lions, finds you hares; Where foxes, geese: You are no surer, no, Than is the coal of fire upon the ice, Or hailstone in the sun. Your virtue is, To make him worthy whose offence subdues him, And curse that justice did it. Who deserves greatness, Deserves your hate and your affections are Which would increase his evil. He that depends Trust ye? With every minute you do change a mind; And call him noble, that was now your hate, Him vile, that was your garland. What's the matter, That in these several places of the city You cry against the noble senate, who, Under the gods, keep you in awe, which else Would feed on one another?-What's their Men. For corn at their own rates; whereof, seeking ? they say, The city is well stor'd. Mar. Hang 'em! They say ? They'll sit by the fire, and presume to know What's done i'the Capitol who's like to rise, The rabble should have first unroof'd the city, Win upon power, and throw forth greater themes Men. This is strange. Mar. Go, get you home, you fragments! Enter a MESSENGER. Mes. Where's Caius Marcius? Mes. The news, is, Sir, the Volsces are in arms. means to vent Our musty superfluity: -See, our best elders. Enter COMINIUS, TITUS LARTIUS, and other SENATORS; JUNIUS BRUTUS and SICINIUS VELUTUS. 1 Sen. Marcius, 'tis true that you have lately told us: The Volsces are in arms. Mar. They have a leader, Tullus Aufidius, that will put you to't. Com. You have fought together. Mar. Were half to half the world by the ears, and he Upon my party, I'd revolt, to make Only my wars with him: he is a lion That I am proud to hunt. 1 Sen. Then, worthy Marcius, Attend upon Cominius to these wars. Com. It is your former promise. Mar. Sir, it is; And I am constant.-Titus Lartius, thou Shalt see me once more strike at Tullus' face What, art thou stiff? stand'st out? Tit. No, Caius Marcius; [other, I'll lean upon one crutch, and fight with the Ere stay behind this business. 1 Sen. Your company to the Capitol; where Men. Oh! true bred! I know, Our greatest friends attend us. Tit. Lead you on: Who thrives, and who declines: side factions, Follow, Cominius; we must follow you; And let me use my sword, I'd make a quarry ‡ The Volsces have much corn; take these rats thither, Worshipful mutineers, To guaw their garners: [Exeunt SENATORS, COM. MAR. TIT. and Men. Nay, these are almost thoroughly per suaded: For though abundantly they lack discretion, Sic. Was ever man so proud as is this Marcius ? [you, Bru. He has no equal. proverbs Mar. They are dissolved: Hang 'em! They said they were an hungry: sigh'd forth [eat; Sic. When we were chosen tribunes for the people, That hunger broke stone walls; that dogs must That meat was made for mouths; that the gods sent not Bru. Mark'd you his lip, and eyes? Sic. Nay, but his taunts. Bru. Being mov'd, he will not spare to gird the gods. Sic. Be-mock the modest moon. Corn for the rich men only :-With these shreds They vented their complainings; which, being answer'd, And a petition granted them, a strange one, (To break the heart of generosity, And make bold power look pale) they threw their Bru. The present wars devour him he is Too proud to be so valiant. Sic. Such a nature [grown Tickled with good success, disdains the shadow Which he treads on at noon: But I do wonder His insolence can brook to be commanded Under Cominius. Bru. Fame, at the which he aims,- For insurgents to debate upon. † Shows itself Will then cry out of Marcius, Oh! if he Had borne the business ! Sic. Besides, if things go well, Opinion, that so sticks on Marcius, shall Of his demerits rob Cominius. Bru. Come: Half all Cominius' honours are to Marcius, Though Marcius earn'd them not; and all his was pleased to let him seek danger where he was faults bodied, and the only son of my womb: when youth with comeliness pluck'd all gaze his way;" When, for a day of kings' entreaties, a mother should not sell him an hour from her beholding; I, considering how honour would become such a person; that it was no better than picture-like to hang by the wall, if renown made it not stir, To Marcius shall be honours, though, indeed, In aught he merit not. like to find fame. To a cruel war I sent hiin; from whence he returned, his brows bound with oak. I tell thee, daughter, I sprang not more in joy at first hearing he was a man-child, than Sic. Let's hence, and hear How the dispatch is made; and in what fashion, now in first seeing he had proved himself a More than in singularity, he goes Upon his present action. Bru. Let's along. man. [Exeunt. how then? SCENE II.-Corioli. -The Senate-House. Vir. But had he died in the business, madam, Vol. Then his good report should have been my son: I therein would have found issue. Hear me profess sincerely: Had I a dozen sons, Enter TULLUS AUFIDIUS, and certain SENA- each in my love alike, and none less dear than TORS. 1 Sen. So, your opinion is, Aufidins, That they of Rome are enter'd in our counsels, And know how we proceed. Auf. Is it not yours?. What ever hath been thought on in this state, That could be brought to bodily act ere Rome Had circumvention! 'Tis not four days gone, Since I heard thence these are the words: I think I have the letter here; yes, here it is [Reads. They have press'd a power, but it is not known Whether for east or west: The dearth is great; The people mutinous: and it is rumour'd, Cominius, Marcius your old enemy, (Who is of Rome worse hated than of you,) And Titus Lartius, a most valiant Roman, These three lead on this preparation Whither 'tis bent: most likely, 'tis for you: Consider of it. 1 Sen. Our army's in the field: We never yet made doubt but Rome was ready To answer us. Auf. Nor did you think it folly, To keep your great pretences veil'd, till when They needs must shew themselves; which in the hatching, It seem'd, appear'd to Rome. By the discovery, We shall be shorten'd in our aim, which was, To take in many towns, ere, almost, Rome Should know we were afoot. 2 Sen. Noble Aufidius, Take your commission; hie you to your bands: If they set down before us, for the remove Auf. Oh! doubt not that: I speak from certainties. Nay, more- 'Tis sworn between us, we shall never strike All. The gods assist you! Auf. And keep your honours safe ! 1 Sen. Farewell. 2 Sen. Farewell. All. Farewell. Exeunt. Enter VOLUMNIA and VIRGILIA: They sit down on two low stools, and sew. Vol. 1 pray you, daughter, sing; or express yourself in a more comfortable sort: If my son were my husband, I should freelier rejoice in that absence wherein he won honour, than in the embracements of his bed, where he would show most love. When yet he was but tender • Detmerits and merits had anciently the same meaning. † Let us also learn what are his powers, &c. fuformation of it. To subdue, thine and my good Marcius, I had rather had eleven die nobly for their country, than one voluptuously surfeit out of action. Enter a GENTLEWOMAN. Gent. Madam, the lady Valeria is come to visit you. Vir. 'Beseech you, give me leave to retire myself. Vol. Indeed, you shall not. Methinks, I hear hither your husband's drum ; See him pluck Autidius down by the hair; As children from a bear the Volsces shunning him; Methinks, I see him stamp thus, and call thus, Come on, you cowards, you were got in fear, Though you were born in Rome: His bloody brow With his mail'd hand then wiping, forth he goes, Vir. His bloody brow! O Jupiter, no blood! Vol. Away, you fool! it more becomes a man, Than gilt his trophy: The breasts of Hecuba, When she did suckle Hector, look'd not lovelier Than Hector's forehead, when it spit forth blood At Grecian swords' contending.-Tell Valeria We are fit to bid her welcome. [Erit GENT. Vir. Heavens bless my lord from fell Aufidius! Vol. He'll beat Aufidius' head below his knee, And tread upon his neck. Re-enter GENTLEWOMAN, with VALERIA and her USHER. Val. My ladies both, good day to you. Vir. I am glad to see your ladyship. Val. How do you both? you are manifest house-keepers. What, are you sewing here! A fine spot, in good faith.-How does your little son ? Vir. I thank your ladyship; well, good madam. Vol. He had rather see the swords, and hear a drum, than look upon his school-master. Val. O' my word, the father's son: I'll swear, 'tis a very pretty boy. O' my troth, I looked upon him o'Wednesday half an hour together: he has such a confirmed countenance. I saw him run after a gilded butterfly; and when he caught it, he let it go again; and after it again; and over and over he comes, and up again; catched it again: or whether his fall enraged him, or how 'twas, he did so set his teeth, and tear it: Oh! I warrant how he mammocked it! Vol. One of his father's moods. Val. Indeed la, 'tis a noble child. Val. Come, lay aside your stichery; I must have you play the idle huswife with me this afternoon. Vir. No, good madam; I will not out of doors. • Attracted universal attention. + The most hon ourable crown of all---given to him who saved the life of a citizen. ‡ Tore it. Boy. love. Val. You would be another Penelope: yet, they say, all the yarn she spun in Ulysses' absence did but fill Ithaca full of moths. Come; I would your cambric were sensible as your tinger, that you might leave pricking it for pity. Come, you shall go with us. Vir. No, good madam, pardon me; indeed, I will not forth. Val. In truth, la, go with me and I'll tell you excellent news of your husband. Vir. O good madam, there can be none yet. Val. Verily, I do not jest with you; there came news from him last night. Vir. Indeed, madam ? Val. In earnest, it's true; I heard a senator speak it. Thus it is:-The Volsces have an army forth; against whom Cominius the general is gone, with one part of our Roman power: your lord, and Titus Lartins, are set down before their city Corioli; they nothing doubt prevailing, and to make it brief wars. This is true, on mine honour; and so, I pray, go with us. Vir. Give me excuse, good madam; I will obey you in every thing hereafter. Vol. Let her alone, lady; as she is now, she will but disease our better mirth. Val. In troth, I think she would-Fare you well then.-Come, good sweet lady.-Pr'ythee, Virgilia, turn thy solemness out o'door, and go along with us. Vir. No, at a word, madam: indeed, I must not. I wish you much mirth. Val. Well, then, farewell. SCENE IV.-Before Corioli. [Exzunt. they ours. Now, Mars, I pr'ythee make us quick in work: That we, with smoking swords, may march from hence, [blast To help our fielded friends!-Come, blow thy They sound a parley.-Enter on the walls, some SENATORS, and others. Tullus Aufidius, is he within your walls ? 1 Sen. No, nor a man that fears you less than he, That's lesser than a little. Hark, our drums [Alarums afar off. Are bringing forth our youth: We'll break our walls, Rather than they shall pound as up: our gates, Which yet seem shut, we have but pinn'd with rusbes; city. The VOLSCEs enter and pass over the Stage. Mar. They fear us not, but issue forth their [light New put your shields before your hearts, and With hearts more proof than shields.-Advance, brave Titus: They do disdain us much beyond our thoughts, Which makes me sweat with wrath. Come on, my fellows; He that retires, I'll take him for a Volsce. Alarum, and exeunt ROMANS and VOLSCES, fighting. The ROMANS are beaten back to their trenches. Re-enter MARCIUS. home, on: Or, by the fires of heaven, I'll leave the foe, And make my wars on you: look to't: Come [wives, If you'll stand fast, we'll beat them to their As they us to our trenches followed. Another Alarum. The VOLSCES and ROMANS re-enter, and the fight is renewed. The VOLSCES retire into Corioli, and MARCIUS follows them to the gates. So, now the gates are ope:-Now prove good seconds: 'Tis for the followers fortune widens them, Not for the fliers: make me, and do the like. [He enters the gates, and is shut in, 1 Sol. Fool-hardiness! not I. 2 Sol. Nor I. 3 Sol. See, they Have shut him in. [Alarum continues. All. To the pot, I warrant him. Enter TITUS LARTIUS. Lart. What is become of Marcius ? 1 Sol. Following the fliers at the very heels, Lart. O noble fellow! Who, sensible, outdares his senseless sword, And, when it bows, stands up! Thou art left, Marcius: A carbuncle entire, as big as thou art, Re-enter MARCIUS bleeding, assaulted by the enemy. SCENE V-Within the town. A Street. 1 Rom. This I will carry to Rome. 3 Rom. A murrain on't! I took this for silver. [Alarum continues still afar off. Enter MARCIUS, and TITUS LARTIUS, with a trumpet. Mar. See here these movers, that do prize their hours At a crack'd drachm! Cushions, leaden spoons, Irons of doit, doublets that hangmen would Bury with those that wore them, these base slaves, Ere yet the fight be done, pack up:-Down with them. And hark, what noise the general makes! To him: There is the man of my soul's hate, Aufidius, Piercing our Romans: Then, valiant Titus, take Convenient numbers to make good the city; Whilst 1, with those that have the spirit, will To help Cominius. Lart. Worthy Sir, thou bleed'st; Thy exercise hath been too violent for [haste A second course of fight. Mar. Sir, praise me not: [well. My work hath yet not warn'd me: Fare you The blood I drop is rather physical Lart. Now the fair goddess, Fortune, Than dangerous to me: To Aufidius thus I will appear, and fight. Fall deep in lo e with thee and her great charms Misguide thy opposers' swords! Bold gentleman, Mar. Thy friend no less Than those she placeth highest! So farewell.. [Exit MARCIUS. Go, sound thy trumpet in the market-place; Call thither all the officers of the town, Where they shall know our mind. Away. [Exeunt. Enter a MESSENGER. May give you thankful sacrifice!-Thy news? Mess. The citizens of Corioli have issued, And given to Lartius and to Marcius battle: saw our party to their trenches driven, And then I came away. Com. Though thou speak'st truth, More than I know the sound of Marcius' tongue Com. Ay, if you come not in the blood of But mantled in your own. Mar. Oh! let me clip you [others, In arms as sound, as when I woo'd; in heart Com. Flower of warriors, Mar. As with a man busied about decrees : Condemning some to death, and some to exile; Ransoming him, or pitying, threat'ning the other; Holding Corioli in the name of Rome, Even like a fawning greyhound in the leash, To let him slip at will. Com. Where is that slave, Which told me they had beat you to your trenches f Where is he? Call him hither. Of their best trust: o'er them Aufidius, Mar. I do beseech you, By all the battles wherein we have fought, rectly Set me against Aufidius and his Antiates: Com. Though I could wish Mar. Those are they That most are willing:-If any such be here, (As it were sin to doubt,) that love this painting Wherein you see me smear'd; if any fear Lesser his person than an ill report; If any think brave death outweighs bad life, And that his country's dearer than himself; Let him, alone, or so many, so minded, disposition, Methinks, thou speak'st not well. How long is't Wave thus [waving his hand] to express his And follow Marcius, [They all shout and wave their swords; take him up in their arms, and cast up their caps. O me, alone! Make you a sword of me? • Front. + Soldiers of Antium. As I have set them down. If I do send, despatch Those centuries + to our aid the rest will serve For a short holding: If we lose the field, We cannot keep the town. Lieu. Fear not our care, Sir. When she does praise me, grieves me. done, I have As you have done, that's what I can; induc'd Com. You shall not be The grave of your deserving: Rome must know To hear themselves remember'd. Well might they fester 'gainst ingratitude, Lart. Hence, and shut your gates upon us. And tent theniselves with death. Of all the us. Our guider, come to the Roman camp conduct [Exeunt. SCENE VIII.-A field of battle between the Roman and the Volscian Camps. Alarum. Enter MARCIUS and AUFIDIUS. Mar. I'll fight with none but thee; for 1 do hate thee Worse than a promise-breaker Auf. We hate alike: Not Afric owns a serpent, I abhor More than thy faine and envy: Fix thy foot. Mar. Let the first budger ‡ die the other's slave, And the gods doom him after ! Auf. If I fly, Marcius, Halloo me like a hare. Mar. Within these three hours, Tullus, Alone I fought in your Corioli walls, And made what work I pleas'd: 'Tis not my blood, Wherein thou seest me mask'd for thy revenge, Wrench up thy power to the highest. Auf. Wert thou the Hector, That was the whip of your bragg'd progeny, § [They fight and certain Volsces come to Officious, and not valiant-you have sham'd me In your condemned seconds. || [Exeunt fighting, driven in by MARCIUS. SCENE IX.-The Roman Camp. Alarum. A retreat is sounded. Flourish. Enter at one side, COMINIUS and Romans; at the other side, MARCIUS, with his armin a scarf, and other Romans. Com. If I should tell thee o'er this thy day's work, Thou'lt not believe thy deeds: but I'll report it, Where senators shall mingle tears with smiles; Where great patricians shall attend, and shrug, I'the end, adinire; where ladies shall be frighted, And gladly quak'd, I hear more; where the dull Tribunes, That, with the fusty plebeians, hate thine ho[gods, nours, Shall say, against their hearts-We thank the Our Rome hath such a soldier! Yet can'st thou to a morsel of this feast, Having fully dined before. horses, of all (Whereof we have ta'en good, and good store,) Mar. I thank you, general; profane, [A long Aourish. They all cry, Marcius ! Marcius! cast up their caps and lances: COMINIUS and LARTIUs stand bare. Mar. May these same instruments, which you [shall Never sound more! When drums and trumpets I'the field prove flatterers, let courts and cities be [grows Made all of false-fac'd soothing: When steel Soft as the parasite's silk, let him be made An overture for the wars! No more, I say; For that I have not wash'd my nose that bled, Or foil'd some debile wretch, (which, without note, Here's many else have done,) you shout me forth Com. Too modest are you; More cruel to your good report, than grateful To us that give you truly by your patience, If 'gainst yourself you be incens'd, we'll put you (Like one that means his proper + harm,) in manacles, [knowu, Then reason safely with you. Therefore, be it As to us, to all the world, that Caius Marcius Wears this war's garland: in token of the which My noble steed, known to the camp, I give him, with all his trim belonging; and, from this time, For what he did before Corioli, call him, [Flourish. Trumpets sound, and Drums. All. Caius Marcius Coriolanus! Cor. I will go wash; And when my face is fair, you shall perceive Whether I blush, or no: Howbeit, I thank you : I mean to stride your steed; and, at all times, Enter TITUS LARTIUS, with his power,** from To undercrest your good addition, the pursuit. |