ACTISCENEI。Rome。Astreet。EnteracompanyofmutinousCitizens,withstaves,clubs,andotherweaponsFirstCitizenBeforeweproceedanyfurther,hearmespeak。AllSpeak,speak。FirstCitizenYouareallresolvedrathertodiethantofamish?AllResolved。resolved。FirstCitizenFirst,youknowCaiusMarciusischiefenemytothepeople。AllWeknow’t,weknow’t。FirstCitizenLetuskillhim,andwe’llhavecornatourownprice。
Is’taverdict?AllNomoretalkingon’t;letitbedone:away,away!SecondCitizenOneword,goodcitizens。FirstCitizenWeareaccountedpoorcitizens,thepatriciansgood。
Whatauthoritysurfeitsonwouldrelieveus:iftheywouldyieldusbutthesuperfluity,whileitwerewholesome,wemightguesstheyrelievedushumanely;
buttheythinkwearetoodear:theleannessthatafflictsus,theobjectofourmisery,isasaninventorytoparticularisetheirabundance;oursufferanceisagaintothemLetusrevengethiswithourpikes,erewebecomerakes:forthegodsknowI
speakthisinhungerforbread,notinthirstforrevenge。SecondCitizenWouldyouproceedespeciallyagainstCaiusMarcius?AllAgainsthimfirst:he’saverydogtothecommonalty。SecondCitizenConsideryouwhatserviceshehasdoneforhiscountry?FirstCitizenVerywell;andcouldbecontenttogivehimgoodreportfort,butthathepayshimselfwithbeingproud。SecondCitizenNay,butspeaknotmaliciously。FirstCitizenIsayuntoyou,whathehathdonefamously,hedidittothatend:thoughsoft—consciencedmencanbecontenttosayitwasforhiscountryhedidittopleasehismotherandtobepartlyproud;whichheis,eventillthealtitudeofhisvirtue。SecondCitizenWhathecannothelpinhisnature,youaccountaviceinhim。Youmustinnowaysayheiscovetous。FirstCitizenIfImustnot,Ineednotbebarrenofaccusations;
hehathfaults,withsurplus,totireinrepetition。
ShoutswithinWhatshoutsarethese?Theothersideo’thecityisrisen:whystaywepratinghere?totheCapitol!AllCome,come。FirstCitizenSoft!whocomeshere?
EnterMENENIUSAGRIPPASecondCitizenWorthyMeneniusAgrippa;onethathathalwayslovedthepeople。FirstCitizenHe’sonehonestenough:wouldalltherestwereso!MENENIUSWhatwork’s,mycountrymen,inhand?wheregoyouWithbatsandclubs?Thematter?speak,Iprayyou。FirstCitizenOurbusinessisnotunknowntothesenate;
theyhavehadinklingthisfortnightwhatweintendtodo,whichnowwe’llshow’emindeeds。Theysaypoorsuitorshavestrongbreaths:theyshallknowwehavestrongarmstoo。MENENIUSWhy,masters,mygoodfriends,minehonestneighbours,Willyouundoyourselves?FirstCitizenWecannot,sir,weareundonealready。MENENIUSItellyou,friends,mostcharitablecareHavethepatriciansofyou。Foryourwants,Yoursufferinginthisdearth,youmayaswellStrikeattheheavenwithyourstavesasliftthemAgainsttheRomanstate,whosecoursewillonThewayittakes,crackingtenthousandcurbsOfmorestronglinkasunderthancaneverAppearinyourimpediment。Forthedearth,Thegods,notthepatricians,makeit,andYourkneestothem,notarms,musthelp。Alack,YouaretransportedbycalamityThitherwheremoreattendsyou,andyouslanderThehelmso’thestate,whocareforyoulikefathers,Whenyoucursethemasenemies。FirstCitizenCareforus!True,indeed!Theyne’ercaredforusyet:sufferustofamish,andtheirstore—housescrammedwithgrain;makeedictsforusury,tosupportusurers;repealdailyanywholesomeactestablishedagainsttherich,andprovidemorepiercingstatutesdaily,tochainupandrestrainthepoor。Ifthewarseatusnotup,theywill;
andthere’sallthelovetheybearus。MENENIUSEitheryoumustConfessyourselveswondrousmalicious,Orbeaccusedoffolly。IshalltellyouAprettytale:itmaybeyouhaveheardit;
But,sinceitservesmypurpose,IwillventureTostale’talittlemore。FirstCitizenWell,I’llhearit,sir:yetyoumustnotthinktofoboffourdisgracewithatale:but,an’tpleaseyou,deliver。MENENIUSTherewasatimewhenallthebody’smembersRebell’dagainstthebelly,thusaccusedit:
ThatonlylikeagulfitdidremainI’themidsto’thebody,idleandunactive,Stillcupboardingtheviand,neverbearingLikelabourwiththerest,wheretheotherinstrumentsDidseeandhear,devise,instruct,walk,feel,And,mutuallyparticipate,didministerUntotheappetiteandaffectioncommonOfthewholebody。Thebellyanswer’d——FirstCitizenWell,sir,whatanswermadethebelly?MENENIUSSir,Ishalltellyou。Withakindofsmile,Whichne’ercamefromthelungs,buteventhus——
For,lookyou,ImaymakethebellysmileAswellasspeak——ittauntinglyrepliedTothediscontentedmembers,themutinouspartsThatenviedhisreceipt;evensomostfitlyAsyoumalignoursenatorsforthatTheyarenotsuchasyou。FirstCitizenYourbelly’sanswer?What!
Thekingly—crownedhead,thevigilanteye,Thecounsellorheart,thearmoursoldier,Oursteedtheleg,thetongueourtrumpeter。
WithothermunimentsandpettyhelpsInthisourfabric,ifthatthey——MENENIUSWhatthen?
’Foreme,thisfellowspeaks!Whatthen?whatthen?FirstCitizenShouldbythecormorantbellyberestrain’d,Whoisthesinko’thebody,——MENENIUSWell,whatthen?FirstCitizenTheformeragents,iftheydidcomplain,Whatcouldthebellyanswer?MENENIUSIwilltellyouIfyou’llbestowasmall——ofwhatyouhavelittle——
Patienceawhile,you’llhearthebelly’sanswer。FirstCitizenYe’relongaboutit。MENENIUSNotemethis,goodfriend;
Yourmostgravebellywasdeliberate,Notrashlikehisaccusers,andthusanswer’d:
’Trueisit,myincorporatefriends,’quothhe,’ThatIreceivethegeneralfoodatfirst,Whichyoudoliveupon;andfititis,BecauseIamthestore—houseandtheshopOfthewholebody:but,ifyoudoremember,Isenditthroughtheriversofyourblood,Eventothecourt,theheart,totheseato’
thebrain;
And,throughthecranksandofficesofman,ThestrongestnervesandsmallinferiorveinsFrommereceivethatnaturalcompetencyWherebytheylive:andthoughthatallatonce,You,mygoodfriends,’——thissaysthebelly,markme,——FirstCitizenAy,sir;well,well。MENENIUS’ThoughallatoncecannotSeewhatIdodeliverouttoeach,YetIcanmakemyauditup,thatallFrommedobackreceivetheflourofall,Andleavemebutthebran。’Whatsayyouto’t?FirstCitizenItwasananswer:howapplyyouthis?MENENIUSThesenatorsofRomearethisgoodbelly,Andyouthemutinousmembers;forexamineTheircounselsandtheircares,digestthingsrightlyTouchingthewealo’thecommon,youshallfindNopublicbenefitwhichyoureceiveButitproceedsorcomesfromthemtoyouAndnowayfromyourselves。Whatdoyouthink,You,thegreattoeofthisassembly?FirstCitizenIthegreattoe!whythegreattoe?MENENIUSForthat,beingoneo’thelowest,basest,poorest,Ofthismostwiserebellion,thougo’stforemost:
Thourascal,thatartworstinbloodtorun,Lead’stfirsttowinsomevantage。
Butmakeyoureadyyourstiffbatsandclubs:
Romeandherratsareatthepointofbattle;
Theonesidemusthavebale。
EnterCAIUSMARCIUS
Hail,nobleMarcius!MARCIUSThanks。What’sthematter,youdissentiousrogues,That,rubbingthepooritchofyouropinion,Makeyourselvesscabs?FirstCitizenWehaveeveryourgoodword。MARCIUSHethatwillgivegoodwordstotheewillflatterBeneathabhorring。Whatwouldyouhave,youcurs,Thatlikenorpeacenorwar?theoneaffrightsyou,Theothermakesyouproud。Hethattruststoyou,Whereheshouldfindyoulions,findsyouhares;
Wherefoxes,geese:youarenosurer,no,Thanisthecoaloffireupontheice,Orhailstoneinthesun。YourvirtueisTomakehimworthywhoseoffencesubdueshimAndcursethatjusticedidit。
WhodeservesgreatnessDeservesyourhate;andyouraffectionsareAsickman’sappetite,whodesiresmostthatWhichwouldincreasehisevil。HethatdependsUponyourfavoursswimswithfinsofleadAndhewsdownoakswithrushes。Hangye!TrustYe?
Witheveryminuteyoudochangeamind,Andcallhimnoblethatwasnowyourhate,Himvilethatwasyourgarland。What’sthematter,ThatintheseseveralplacesofthecityYoucryagainstthenoblesenate,who,Underthegods,keepyouinawe,whichelseWouldfeedononeanother?What’stheirseeking?MENENIUSForcornattheirownrates;whereof,theysay,Thecityiswellstored。MARCIUSHang’em!Theysay!
They’llsitbythefire,andpresumetoknowWhat’sdonei’theCapitol;who’sliketorise,Whothrivesandwhodeclines;sidefactionsandgiveoutConjecturalmarriages;makingpartiesstrongAndfeeblingsuchasstandnotintheirlikingBelowtheircobbledshoes。Theysaythere’sgrainenough!
Wouldthenobilitylayasidetheirruth,Andletmeusemysword,I’llmakeaquarryWiththousandsofthesequarter’dslaves,ashighAsIcouldpickmylance。MENENIUSNay,thesearealmostthoroughlypersuaded;
Forthoughabundantlytheylackdiscretion,Yetaretheypassingcowardly。But,Ibeseechyou,Whatsaystheothertroop?MARCIUSTheyaredissolved:hang’em!
Theysaidtheywerean—hungry;sigh’dforthproverbs,Thathungerbrokestonewalls,thatdogsmusteat,Thatmeatwasmadeformouths,thatthegodssentnotCornfortherichmenonly:withtheseshredsTheyventedtheircomplainings;whichbeinganswer’d,Andapetitiongrantedthem,astrangeone——
Tobreaktheheartofgenerosity,Andmakeboldpowerlookpale——theythrewtheircapsAstheywouldhangthemonthehornso’themoon,Shoutingtheiremulation。MENENIUSWhatisgrantedthem?MARCIUSFivetribunestodefendtheirvulgarwisdoms,Oftheirownchoice:one’sJuniusBrutus,SiciniusVelutus,andIknownot——’Sdeath!
Therabbleshouldhavefirstunroof’dthecity,Eresoprevail’dwithme:itwillintimeWinuponpowerandthrowforthgreaterthemesForinsurrection’sarguing。MENENIUSThisisstrange。MARCIUSGo,getyouhome,youfragments!
EnteraMessenger,hastilyMessengerWhere’sCaiusMarcius?MARCIUSHere:what’sthematter?MessengerThenewsis,sir,theVolscesareinarms。MARCIUSIamgladon’t:thenweshallha’meanstoventOurmustysuperfluity。See,ourbestelders。
EnterCOMINIUS,TITUSLARTIUS,andotherSenators;JUNIUSBRUTUS
andSICINIUSVELUTUSFirstSenatorMarcius,’tistruethatyouhavelatelytoldus;
TheVolscesareinarms。MARCIUSTheyhavealeader,TullusAufidius,thatwillputyouto’t。
Isininenvyinghisnobility,AndwereIanythingbutwhatIam,Iwouldwishmeonlyhe。COMINIUSYouhavefoughttogether。MARCIUSWerehalftohalftheworldbytheearsandhe。
Uponmyparty,I’ldrevolttomakeOnlymywarswithhim:heisalionThatIamproudtohunt。FirstSenatorThen,worthyMarcius,AttenduponCominiustothesewars。COMINIUSItisyourformerpromise。MARCIUSSir,itis;
AndIamconstant。TitusLartius,thouShaltseemeoncemorestrikeatTullus’face。
What,artthoustiff?stand’stout?TITUSNo,CaiusMarcius;
I’llleanupononecrutchandfightwitht’other,Erestaybehindthisbusiness。MENENIUSO,true—bred!FirstSenatorYourcompanytotheCapitol;where,I
know,Ourgreatestfriendsattendus。TITUS[ToCOMINIUS]Leadyouon。
ToMARCIUS
Rightworthyyoupriority。COMINIUSNobleMarcius!FirstSenator[TotheCitizens]Hencetoyourhomes;
begone!MARCIUSNay,letthemfollow:
TheVolsceshavemuchcorn;taketheseratsthitherTognawtheirgarners。Worshipfulmutiners,Yourvalourputswellforth:pray,follow。
Citizensstealaway。ExeuntallbutSICINIUSandBRUTUSSICINIUSWasevermansoproudasisthisMarcius?BRUTUSHehasnoequal。SICINIUSWhenwewerechosentribunesforthepeople,——BRUTUSMark’dyouhislipandeyes?SICINIUSNay。buthistaunts。BRUTUSBeingmoved,hewillnotsparetogirdthegods。SICINIUSBe—mockthemodestmoon。BRUTUSThepresentwarsdevourhim:heisgrownTooproudtobesovaliant。SICINIUSSuchanature,Tickledwithgoodsuccess,disdainstheshadowWhichhetreadsonatnoon:butIdowonderHisinsolencecanbrooktobecommandedUnderCominius。BRUTUSFame,atthewhichheaims,Inwhomalreadyhe’swellgraced,cannotBetterbeheldnormoreattain’dthanbyAplacebelowthefirst:forwhatmiscarriesShallbethegeneral’sfault,thoughheperformTotheutmostofaman,andgiddycensureWillthencryoutofMarcius’OifheHadbornethebusiness!’SICINIUSBesides,ifthingsgowell,OpinionthatsosticksonMarciusshallOfhisdemeritsrobCominius。BRUTUSCome:
HalfallCominius’honoursaretoMarcius。
ThoughMarciusearnedthemnot,andallhisfaultsToMarciusshallbehonours,thoughindeedInaughthemeritnot。SICINIUSLet’shence,andhearHowthedispatchismade,andinwhatfashion,Morethanhissingularity,hegoesUponthispresentaction。BRUTUSLetsalong。
ExeuntSCENEII。Corioli。TheSenate—house。EnterTULLUSAUFIDIUSandcertainSenatorsFirstSenatorSo,youropinionis,Aufidius,ThattheyofRomeareenteredinourcounselsAndknowhowweproceed。AUFIDIUSIsitnotyours?
Whateverhavebeenthoughtoninthisstate,ThatcouldbebroughttobodilyactereRomeHadcircumvention?’TisnotfourdaysgoneSinceIheardthence;thesearethewords:IthinkIhavetheletterhere;yes,hereitis。
Reads’Theyhavepress’dapower,butitisnotknownWhetherforeastorwest:thedearthisgreat;
Thepeoplemutinous;anditisrumour’d,Cominius,Marciusyouroldenemy,WhoisofRomeworsehatedthanofyou,AndTitusLartius,amostvaliantRoman,ThesethreeleadonthispreparationWhither’tisbent:mostlikely’tisforyou:
Considerofit。’FirstSenatorOurarmy’sinthefieldWeneveryetmadedoubtbutRomewasreadyToanswerus。AUFIDIUSNordidyouthinkitfollyTokeepyourgreatpretencesveil’dtillwhenTheyneedsmustshowthemselves;whichinthehatching,Itseem’d,appear’dtoRome。Bythediscovery。
Weshallbeshorten’dinouraim,whichwasTotakeinmanytownserealmostRomeShouldknowwewereafoot。SecondSenatorNobleAufidius,Takeyourcommission;hieyoutoyourbands:
LetusalonetoguardCorioli:
Iftheysetdownbefore’s,fortheremoveBringyourarmy;but,Ithink,you’llfindThey’venotpreparedforus。AUFIDIUSO,doubtnotthat;
Ispeakfromcertainties。Nay,more,Someparcelsoftheirpowerareforthalready,Andonlyhitherward。Ileaveyourhonours。
IfweandCaiusMarciuschancetomeet,’TisswornbetweenusweshalleverstrikeTillonecandonomore。AllThegodsassistyou!AUFIDIUSAndkeepyourhonourssafe!FirstSenatorFarewell。SecondSenatorFarewell。AllFarewell。
ExeuntSCENEIII。Rome。AroominMarcius’house。EnterVOLUMNIAandVIRGILIAtheysetthemdownontwolowstools,andsewVOLUMNIAIprayyou,daughter,sing;orexpressyourselfinamorecomfortablesort:ifmysonweremyhusband,I
shouldfreelierrejoiceinthatabsencewhereinhewonhonourthanintheembracementsofhisbedwherehewouldshowmostlove。Whenyethewasbuttender—bodiedandtheonlysonofmywomb,whenyouthwithcomelinesspluckedallgazehisway,whenforadayofkings’entreatiesamothershouldnotsellhimanhourfromherbeholding,I,consideringhowhonourwouldbecomesuchaperson。thatitwasnobetterthanpicture—liketohangbythewall,ifrenownmadeitnotstir,waspleasedtolethimseekdangerwherehewasliketofindfame。ToacruelwarIsenthim;fromwhencehereturned,hisbrowsboundwithoak。Itellthee,daughter,Isprangnotmoreinjoyatfirsthearinghewasaman—childthannowinfirstseeinghehadprovedhimselfaman。VIRGILIAButhadhediedinthebusiness,madam;
howthen?VOLUMNIAThenhisgoodreportshouldhavebeenmyson;I
thereinwouldhavefoundissue。Hearmeprofesssincerely:hadIadozensons,eachinmylovealikeandnonelessdearthanthineandmygoodMarcius,Ihadratherhadelevendienoblyfortheircountrythanonevoluptuouslysurfeitoutofaction。
EnteraGentlewomanGentlewomanMadam,theLadyValeriaiscometovisityou。VIRGILIABeseechyou,givemeleavetoretiremyself。VOLUMNIAIndeed,youshallnot。
MethinksIhearhitheryourhusband’sdrum,SeehimpluckAufidiusdownbythehair,Aschildrenfromabear,theVolscesshunninghim:
MethinksIseehimstampthus,andcallthus:
’Comeon,youcowards!youweregotinfear,ThoughyouwereborninRome:’hisbloodybrowWithhismail’dhandthenwiping,forthhegoes,Liketoaharvest—manthat’stask’dtomowOrallorlosehishire。VIRGILIAHisbloodybrow!OJupiter,noblood!VOLUMNIAAway,youfool!itmorebecomesamanThangilthistrophy:thebreastsofHecuba,WhenshedidsuckleHector,look’dnotlovelierThanHector’sforeheadwhenitspitforthbloodAtGreciansword,contemning。TellValeria,Wearefittobidherwelcome。
ExitGentlewomanVIRGILIAHeavensblessmylordfromfellAufidius!VOLUMNIAHe’llbeatAufidius’headbelowhiskneeAndtreaduponhisneck。
EnterVALERIA,withanUsherandGentlewomanVALERIAMyladiesboth,gooddaytoyou。VOLUMNIASweetmadam。VIRGILIAIamgladtoseeyourladyship。VALERIAHowdoyouboth?youaremanifesthouse—keepers。
Whatareyousewinghere?Afinespot,ingoodfaith。Howdoesyourlittleson?VIRGILIAIthankyourladyship;well,goodmadam。VOLUMNIAHehadratherseetheswords,andhearadrum,thanlookuponhisschool—master。VALERIAO’myword,thefather’sson:I’llswear,’tisaveryprettyboy。O’mytroth,Ilookeduponhimo’
Wednesdayhalfanhourtogether:hassuchaconfirmedcountenance。Isawhimrunafteragildedbutterfly:andwhenhecaughtit,heletitgoagain;andafteritagain;andoverandoverhecomes,andagain;catcheditagain;orwhetherhisfallenragedhim,orhow’twas,hedidsosethisteethandtearit;O,Iwarrantit,howhemammockedit!VOLUMNIAOneon’sfather’smoods。VALERIAIndeed,la,’tisanoblechild。VIRGILIAAcrack,madam。VALERIACome,layasideyourstitchery;Imusthaveyouplaytheidlehusewifewithmethisafternoon。VIRGILIANo,goodmadam;Iwillnotoutofdoors。VALERIANotoutofdoors!VOLUMNIASheshall,sheshall。VIRGILIAIndeed,no,byyourpatience;I’llnotoverthethresholdtillmylordreturnfromthewars。VALERIAFie,youconfineyourselfmostunreasonably:
come,youmustgovisitthegoodladythatliesin。VIRGILIAIwillwishherspeedystrength,andvisitherwithmyprayers;butIcannotgothither。VOLUMNIAWhy,Iprayyou?VIRGILIA’Tisnottosavelabour,northatIwantlove。VALERIAYouwouldbeanotherPenelope:yet,theysay,alltheyarnshespuninUlysses’absencedidbutfillIthacafullofmoths。Come;Iwouldyourcambricweresensibleasyourfinger,thatyoumightleaveprickingitforpity。Come,youshallgowithus。VIRGILIANo,goodmadam,pardonme;indeed,Iwillnotforth。VALERIAIntruth,la,gowithme;andI’lltellyouexcellentnewsofyourhusband。VIRGILIAO,goodmadam,therecanbenoneyet。VALERIAVerily,Idonotjestwithyou;therecamenewsfromhimlastnight。VIRGILIAIndeed,madam?VALERIAInearnest,it’strue;Iheardasenatorspeakit。
Thusitis:theVolsceshaveanarmyforth;againstwhomCominiusthegeneralisgone,withonepartofourRomanpower:yourlordandTitusLartiusaresetdownbeforetheircityCorioli;theynothingdoubtprevailingandtomakeitbriefwars。Thisistrue,onminehonour;andso,Ipray,gowithus。VIRGILIAGivemeexcuse,goodmadam;Iwillobeyyouineverythinghereafter。VOLUMNIALetheralone,lady:assheisnow,shewillbutdiseaseourbettermirth。VALERIAIntroth,Ithinkshewould。Fareyouwell,then。
Come,goodsweetlady。Prithee,Virgilia,turnthysolemnessouto’door。andgoalongwithus。VIRGILIANo,ataword,madam;indeed,Imustnot。Iwishyoumuchmirth。VALERIAWell,then,farewell。
ExeuntSCENEIV。BeforeCorioli。Enter,withdrumandcolours,MARCIUS,TITUSLARTIUS,CaptainsandSoldiers。TothemaMessengerMARCIUSYondercomesnews。Awagertheyhavemet。LARTIUSMyhorsetoyours,no。MARCIUS’Tisdone。LARTIUSAgreed。MARCIUSSay,hasourgeneralmettheenemy?MessengerTheylieinview;buthavenotspokeasyet。LARTIUSSo,thegoodhorseismine。MARCIUSI’llbuyhimofyou。LARTIUSNo,I’llnorsellnorgivehim:lendyouhimIwillForhalfahundredyears。Summonthetown。MARCIUSHowfaroffliethesearmies?MessengerWithinthismileandhalf。MARCIUSThenshallweheartheir’larum,andtheyours。
Now,Mars,Iprithee,makeusquickinwork,Thatwewithsmokingswordsmaymarchfromhence,Tohelpourfieldedfriends!Come,blowthyblast。
Theysoundaparley。EntertwoSenatorswithothersonthewallsTutusAufidius,ishewithinyourwalls?FirstSenatorNo,noramanthatfearsyoulessthanhe,That’slesserthanalittle。
DrumsafaroffHark!ourdrumsArebringingforthouryouth。We’llbreakourwalls,Ratherthantheyshallpoundusup:ourgates,Whichyetseemshut,we,havebutpinn’dwithrushes;
They’llopenofthemselves。
AlarumafaroffHarkyou。faroff!
ThereisAufidius;list,whatworkhemakesAmongstyourclovenarmy。MARCIUSO,theyareatit!LARTIUSTheirnoisebeourinstruction。Ladders,ho!
EnterthearmyoftheVolscesMARCIUSTheyfearusnot,butissueforththeircity。
Nowputyourshieldsbeforeyourhearts,andfightWithheartsmoreproofthanshields。Advance,braveTitus:
Theydodisdainusmuchbeyondourthoughts,Whichmakesmesweatwithwrath。Comeon,myfellows:
HethatretiresI’lltakehimforaVolsce,Andheshallfeelmineedge。
Alarum。TheRomansarebeatbacktotheirtrenches。Re—enterMARCIUS
cursingMARCIUSAllthecontagionofthesouthlightonyou,YoushamesofRome!youherdof——BoilsandplaguesPlasteryouo’er,thatyoumaybeabhorr’dFurtherthanseenandoneinfectanotherAgainstthewindamile!Yousoulsofgeese,Thatbeartheshapesofmen,howhaveyourunFromslavesthatapeswouldbeat!Plutoandhell!
Allhurtbehind;backsred,andfacespaleWithflightandaguedfear!Mendandchargehome,Or,bythefiresofheaven,I’llleavethefoeAndmakemywarsonyou:lookto’t:comeon;
Ifyou’llstandfast,we’llbeatthemtotheirwives,Astheyustoourtrenchesfollowed。
Anotheralarum。TheVolscesfly,andMARCIUSfollowsthemtothegatesSo,nowthegatesareope:nowprovegoodseconds:
’Tisforthefollowersfortunewidensthem,Notforthefliers:markme,anddothelike。
EntersthegatesFirstSoldierFool—hardiness;notI。SecondSoldierNorI。
MARCIUSisshutinFirstSoldierSee,theyhaveshuthimin。AllTothepot,Iwarranthim。
AlarumcontinuesRe—enterTITUSLARTIUSLARTIUSWhatisbecomeofMarcius?AllSlain,sir,doubtless。FirstSoldierFollowingthefliersattheveryheels,Withthemheenters;who,uponthesudden,Clapp’dtotheirgates:heishimselfalone,Toanswerallthecity。LARTIUSOnoblefellow!
Whosensiblyoutdareshissenselesssword,And,whenitbows,standsup。Thouartleft,Marcius:
Acarbuncleentire,asbigasthouart,Werenotsorichajewel。ThouwastasoldierEventoCato’swish,notfierceandterribleOnlyinstrokes;but,withthygrimlooksandThethunder—likepercussionofthysounds,Thoumadstthineenemiesshake,asiftheworldWerefeverousanddidtremble。
Re—enterMARCIUS,bleeding,assaultedbytheenemyFirstSoldierLook,sir。LARTIUSO,’tisMarcius!
Let’sfetchhimoff,ormakeremainalike。
Theyfight,andallenterthecitySCENEV。Corioli。Astreet。EntercertainRomans,withspoilsFirstRomanThiswillIcarrytoRome。SecondRomanAndIthis。ThirdRomanAmurrainon’t!Itookthisforsilver。
AlarumcontinuesstillafaroffEnterMARCIUSandTITUSLARTIUSwithatrumpetMARCIUSSeeherethesemoversthatdoprizetheirhoursAtacrack’ddrachm!Cushions,leadenspoons,Ironsofadoit,doubletsthathangmenwouldBurywiththosethatworethem,thesebaseslaves,Ereyetthefightbedone,packup:downwiththem!
Andhark,whatnoisethegeneralmakes!Tohim!
Thereisthemanofmysoul’shate,Aufidius,PiercingourRomans:then,valiantTitus,takeConvenientnumberstomakegoodthecity;
WhilstI,withthosethathavethespirit,willhasteTohelpCominius。LARTIUSWorthysir,thoubleed’st;
ThyexercisehathbeentooviolentforAsecondcourseoffight。MARCIUSSir,praisemenot;
Myworkhathyetnotwarm’dme:fareyouwell:
ThebloodIdropisratherphysicalThandangeroustome:toAufidiusthusIwillappear,andfight。LARTIUSNowthefairgoddess,Fortune,Falldeepinlovewiththee;andhergreatcharmsMisguidethyopposers’swords!Boldgentleman,Prosperitybethypage!MARCIUSThyfriendnolessThanthosesheplacethhighest!So,farewell。LARTIUSThouworthiestMarcius!
ExitMARCIUS
Go,soundthytrumpetinthemarket—place;
Callthitheralltheofficerso’thetown,Wheretheyshallknowourmind:away!
ExeuntSCENEVI。NearthecampofCominius。EnterCOMINIUS,asitwereinretire,withsoldiersCOMINIUSBreatheyou,myfriends:wellfought;
wearecomeoffLikeRomans,neitherfoolishinourstands,Norcowardlyinretire:believeme,sirs,Weshallbechargedagain。Whileswehavestruck,ByinterimsandconveyinggustswehaveheardThechargesofourfriends。YeRomangods!
Leadtheirsuccessesaswewishourown,Thatbothourpowers,withsmilingfrontsencountering,Maygiveyouthankfulsacrifice。
EnteraMessengerThynews?MessengerThecitizensofCoriolihaveissued,AndgiventoLartiusandtoMarciusbattle:
Isawourpartytotheirtrenchesdriven,AndthenIcameaway。COMINIUSThoughthouspeak’sttruth,Methinksthouspeak’stnotwell。
Howlongis’tsince?MessengerAboveanhour,mylord。COMINIUS’Tisnotamile;brieflyweheardtheirdrums:
Howcouldstthouinamileconfoundanhour,Andbringthynewssolate?MessengerSpiesoftheVolscesHeldmeinchase,thatIwasforcedtowheelThreeorfourmilesabout,elsehadI,sir,Halfanhoursincebroughtmyreport。COMINIUSWho’syonder,Thatdoesappearashewereflay’d?OgodsHehasthestampofMarcius;andIhaveBefore—timeseenhimthus。MARCIUS[Within]ComeItoolate?COMINIUSTheshepherdknowsnotthunderfromatabourMorethanIknowthesoundofMarcius’tongueFromeverymeanerman。
EnterMARCIUSMARCIUSComeItoolate?COMINIUSAy,ifyoucomenotinthebloodofothers,Butmantledinyourown。MARCIUSO,letmeclipyeInarmsassoundaswhenIwoo’d,inheartAsmerryaswhenournuptialdaywasdone,Andtapersburn’dtobedward!COMINIUSFlowerofwarriors,HowisitwithTitusLartius?MARCIUSAswithamanbusiedaboutdecrees:
Condemningsometodeath,andsometoexile;
Ransominghim,orpitying,threateningtheother;
HoldingCorioliinthenameofRome,Evenlikeafawninggreyhoundintheleash,Tolethimslipatwill。COMINIUSWhereisthatslaveWhichtoldmetheyhadbeatyoutoyourtrenches?
Whereishe?callhimhither。MARCIUSLethimalone;
Hedidinformthetruth:butforourgentlemen,Thecommonfile——aplague!tribunesforthem!——
Themousene’ershunn’dthecatastheydidbudgeFromrascalsworsethanthey。COMINIUSButhowprevail’dyou?MARCIUSWillthetimeservetotell?Idonotthink。
Whereistheenemy?areyoulordso’thefield?
Ifnot,whyceaseyoutillyouareso?COMINIUSMarcius,WehaveatdisadvantagefoughtanddidRetiretowinourpurpose。MARCIUSHowliestheirbattle?knowyouonwhichsideTheyhaveplacedtheirmenoftrust?COMINIUSAsIguess,Marcius,Theirbandsi’thevawardaretheAntiates,Oftheirbesttrust;o’erthemAufidius,Theirveryheartofhope。MARCIUSIdobeseechyou,Byallthebattleswhereinwehavefought,Bythebloodwehaveshedtogether,bythevowsWehavemadetoendurefriends,thatyoudirectlySetmeagainstAufidiusandhisAntiates;
Andthatyounotdelaythepresent,but,Fillingtheairwithswordsadvancedanddarts,Weprovethisveryhour。COMINIUSThoughIcouldwishYouwereconductedtoagentlebathAndbalmsappliedto,you,yetdareIneverDenyyourasking:takeyourchoiceofthoseThatbestcanaidyouraction。MARCIUSThosearetheyThatmostarewilling。Ifanysuchbehere——
Asitweresintodoubt——thatlovethispaintingWhereinyouseemesmear’d;ifanyfearLesserhispersonthananillreport;
IfanythinkbravedeathoutweighsbadlifeAndthathiscountry’sdearerthanhimself;
Lethimalone,orsomanysominded,Wavethus,toexpresshisdisposition,AndfollowMarcius。
Theyallshoutandwavetheirswords,takehimupintheirarms,andcastuptheircapsO,mealone!makeyouaswordofme?
Iftheseshowsbenotoutward,whichofyouButisfourVolsces?noneofyoubutisAbletobearagainstthegreatAufidiusAshieldashardashis。Acertainnumber,Thoughthankstoall,mustIselectfromall:therestShallbearthebusinessinsomeotherfight,Ascausewillbeobey’d。Pleaseyoutomarch;
Andfourshallquicklydrawoutmycommand,Whichmenarebestinclined。COMINIUSMarchon,myfellows:
Makegoodthisostentation,andyoushallDivideinallwithus。
ExeuntSCENEVII。ThegatesofCorioli。TITUSLARTIUS,havingsetaguarduponCorioli,goingwithdrumandtrumpettowardCOMINIUSandCAIUSMARCIUS,enterswithLieutenant,otherSoldiers,andaScoutLARTIUSSo,lettheportsbeguarded:keepyourduties,AsIhavesetthemdown。IfIdosend,dispatchThosecenturiestoouraid:therestwillserveForashortholding:ifwelosethefield,Wecannotkeepthetown。LieutenantFearnotourcare,sir。LARTIUSHence,andshutyourgatesupon’s。
Ourguider,come;totheRomancampconductus。
ExeuntSCENEVIII。Afieldofbattle。Alarumasinbattle。Enter,fromoppositesides,MARCIUS
andAUFIDIUSMARCIUSI’llfightwithnonebutthee;forIdohatetheeWorsethanapromise—breaker。AUFIDIUSWehatealike:
NotAfricownsaserpentIabhorMorethanthyfameandenvy。Fixthyfoot。MARCIUSLetthefirstbudgerdietheother’sslave,Andthegodsdoomhimafter!AUFIDIUSIfIfly,Marcius,Holloamelikeahare。MARCIUSWithinthesethreehours,Tullus,AloneIfoughtinyourCorioliwalls,AndmadewhatworkIpleased:’tisnotmybloodWhereinthouseestmemask’d;forthyrevengeWrenchupthypowertothehighest。AUFIDIUSWertthoutheHectorThatwasthewhipofyourbragg’dprogeny,Thoushouldstnotscapemehere。
Theyfight,andcertainVolscescometotheaidofAUFIDIUS。MARCIUS
fightstilltheybedriveninbreathlessOfficious,andnotvaliant,youhaveshamedmeInyourcondemnedseconds。
ExeuntSCENEIX。TheRomancamp。Flourish。Alarum。Aretreatissounded。Flourish。Enter,fromoneside,COMINIUSwiththeRomans;fromtheotherside,MARCIUS,withhisarminascarfCOMINIUSIfIshouldtelltheeo’erthisthyday’swork,Thou’ldstnotbelievethydeeds:butI’llreportitWheresenatorsshallmingletearswithsmiles,Wheregreatpatriciansshallattendandshrug,I’theendadmire,whereladiesshallbefrighted,And,gladlyquaked,hearmore;wherethedulltribunes,That,withthefustyplebeians,hatethinehonours,Shallsayagainsttheirhearts’WethankthegodsOurRomehathsuchasoldier。’
Yetcamestthoutoamorselofthisfeast,Havingfullydinedbefore。
EnterTITUSLARTIUS,withhispower,fromthepursuitLARTIUSOgeneral,Hereisthesteed,wethecaparison:
Hadstthoubeheld——MARCIUSPraynow,nomore:mymother,Whohasachartertoextolherblood,Whenshedoespraisemegrievesme。IhavedoneAsyouhavedone;that’swhatIcan;inducedAsyouhavebeen;that’sformycountry:
HethathasbuteffectedhisgoodwillHathoverta’enmineact。COMINIUSYoushallnotbeThegraveofyourdeserving;RomemustknowThevalueofherown:’twereaconcealmentWorsethanatheft,nolessthanatraducement,Tohideyourdoings;andtosilencethat,Which,tothespireandtopofpraisesvouch’d,Wouldseembutmodest:therefore,IbeseechyouInsignofwhatyouare,nottorewardWhatyouhavedone——beforeourarmyhearme。MARCIUSIhavesomewoundsuponme,andtheysmartTohearthemselvesremember’d。COMINIUSShouldtheynot,Wellmighttheyfester’gainstingratitude,Andtentthemselveswithdeath。Ofallthehorses,Whereofwehaveta’engoodandgoodstore,ofallThetreasureinthisfieldachievedandcity,Werenderyouthetenth,tobeta’enforth,Beforethecommondistribution,atYouronlychoice。MARCIUSIthankyou,general;
ButcannotmakemyheartconsenttotakeAbribetopaymysword:Idorefuseit;
AndstanduponmycommonpartwiththoseThathavebeheldthedoing。
Alongflourish。Theyallcry’Marcius!Marcius!’castuptheircapsandlances:COMINIUSandLARTIUSstandbareMARCIUSMaythesesameinstruments,whichyouprofane,Neversoundmore!whendrumsandtrumpetsshallI’thefieldproveflatterers,letcourtsandcitiesbeMadealloffalse—facedsoothing!
Whensteelgrowssoftastheparasite’ssilk,Lethimbemadeacovertureforthewars!
Nomore,Isay!ForthatIhavenotwash’dMynosethatbled,orfoil’dsomedebilewretch。——
Which,withoutnote,here’smanyelsehavedone,——
YoushoutmeforthInacclamationshyperbolical;
AsifIlovedmylittleshouldbedietedInpraisessaucedwithlies。COMINIUSToomodestareyou;
MorecrueltoyourgoodreportthangratefulTousthatgiveyoutruly:byyourpatience,If’gainstyourselfyoubeincensed,we’llputyou,Likeonethatmeanshisproperharm,inmanacles,Thenreasonsafelywithyou。Therefore,beitknown,Astous,toalltheworld,thatCaiusMarciusWearsthiswar’sgarland:intokenofthewhich,Mynoblesteed,knowntothecamp,Igivehim,Withallhistrimbelonging;andfromthistime,ForwhathedidbeforeCorioli,callhim,Withalltheapplauseandclamourofthehost,CAIUSMARCIUSCORIOLANUS!BearTheadditionnoblyever!
Flourish。Trumpetssound,anddrumsAllCaiusMarciusCoriolanus!CORIOLANUSIwillgowash;
Andwhenmyfaceisfair,youshallperceiveWhetherIblushorno:howbeit,Ithankyou。
Imeantostrideyoursteed,andatalltimesToundercrestyourgoodadditionTothefairnessofmypower。COMINIUSSo,toourtent;
Where,erewedoreposeus,wewillwriteToRomeofoursuccess。You,TitusLartius,MusttoCorioliback:sendustoRomeThebest,withwhomwemayarticulate,Fortheirowngoodandours。LARTIUSIshall,mylord。CORIOLANUSThegodsbegintomockme。I,thatnowRefusedmostprincelygifts,amboundtobegOfmylordgeneral。COMINIUSTake’t;’tisyours。Whatis’t?CORIOLANUSIsometimelayhereinCorioliAtapoorman’shouse;heusedmekindly:
Hecriedtome;Isawhimprisoner;
ButthenAufidiuswaswithinmyview,Andwratho’erwhelm’dmypity:IrequestyouTogivemypoorhostfreedom。COMINIUSO,wellbegg’d!
Werehethebutcherofmyson,heshouldBefreeasisthewind。Deliverhim,Titus。LARTIUSMarcius,hisname?CORIOLANUSByJupiter!forgot。
Iamweary;yea,mymemoryistired。
Havewenowinehere?COMINIUSGowetoourtent:
Theblooduponyourvisagedries;’tistimeItshouldbelook’dto:come。
ExeuntSCENEX。ThecampoftheVolsces。Aflourish。Cornets。EnterTULLUSAUFIDIUS,bloody,withtwoorthreeSoldiersAUFIDIUSThetownista’en!FirstSoldier’Twillbedeliver’dbackongoodcondition。AUFIDIUSCondition!
IwouldIwereaRoman;forIcannot,BeingaVolsce,bethatIam。Condition!
WhatgoodconditioncanatreatyfindI’thepartthatisatmercy?Fivetimes,Marcius,Ihavefoughtwiththee:sooftenhastthoubeatme,Andwouldstdoso,Ithink,shouldweencounterAsoftenasweeat。Bytheelements,Ife’eragainImeethimbeardtobeard,He’smine,orIamhis:mineemulationHathnotthathonourin’tithad;forwhereIthoughttocrushhiminanequalforce,Trueswordtosword,I’llpotchathimsomewayOrwrathorcraftmaygethim。FirstSoldierHe’sthedevil。AUFIDIUSBolder,thoughnotsosubtle。Myvalour’spoison’dWithonlysufferingstainbyhim;forhimShallflyoutofitself:norsleepnorsanctuary,Beingnaked,sick,norfanenorCapitol,Theprayersofpriestsnortimesofsacrifice,Embarquementsalloffury,shallliftupTheirrottenprivilegeandcustom’gainstMyhatetoMarcius:whereIfindhim,wereitAthome,uponmybrother’sguard,eventhere,Againstthehospitablecanon,wouldI
Washmyfiercehandin’sheart。Goyoutothecity;
Learnhow’tisheld;andwhattheyarethatmustBehostagesforRome。FirstSoldierWillnotyougo?AUFIDIUSIamattendedatthecypressgrove:I
prayyou——
’Tissouththecitymills——bringmewordthitherHowtheworldgoes,thattothepaceofitImayspuronmyjourney。FirstSoldierIshall,sir。
ExeuntACTIISCENEI。Rome。Apublicplace。EnterMENENIUSwiththetwoTribunesofthepeople,SICINIUS
andBRUTUS。MENENIUSTheaugurertellsmeweshallhavenewsto—night。BRUTUSGoodorbad?MENENIUSNotaccordingtotheprayerofthepeople,fortheylovenotMarcius。SICINIUSNatureteachesbeaststoknowtheirfriends。MENENIUSPrayyou,whodoesthewolflove?SICINIUSThelamb。MENENIUSAy,todevourhim;asthehungryplebeianswouldthenobleMarcius。BRUTUSHe’salambindeed,thatbaeslikeabear。MENENIUSHe’sabearindeed,thatliveslikealamb。Youtwoareoldmen:tellmeonethingthatIshallaskyou。BothWell,sir。MENENIUSInwhatenormityisMarciuspoorin,thatyoutwohavenotinabundance?BRUTUSHe’spoorinnoonefault,butstoredwithall。SICINIUSEspeciallyinpride。BRUTUSAndtoppingallothersinboasting。MENENIUSThisisstrangenow:doyoutwoknowhowyouarecensuredhereinthecity,Imeanofuso’theright—handfile?doyou?BothWhy,howarewecensured?MENENIUSBecauseyoutalkofpridenow,——willyounotbeangry?BothWell,well,sir,well。MENENIUSWhy,’tisnogreatmatter;foraverylittlethiefofoccasionwillrobyouofagreatdealofpatience:
giveyourdispositionsthereins,andbeangryatyourpleasures;attheleastifyoutakeitasapleasuretoyouinbeingso。YoublameMarciusforbeingproud?BRUTUSWedoitnotalone,sir。MENENIUSIknowyoucandoverylittlealone;foryourhelpsaremany,orelseyouractionswouldgrowwondroussingle:yourabilitiesaretooinfant—likefordoingmuchalone。Youtalkofpride:Othatyoucouldturnyoureyestowardthenapesofyournecks,andmakebutaninteriorsurveyofyourgoodselves!
Othatyoucould!BRUTUSWhatthen,sir?MENENIUSWhy,thenyoushoulddiscoverabraceofunmeriting,proud,violent,testymagistrates,aliasfools,asanyinRome。SICINIUSMenenius,youareknownwellenoughtoo。MENENIUSIamknowntobeahumorouspatrician,andonethatlovesacupofhotwinewithnotadropofallayingTiberin’t;saidtobesomethingimperfectinfavouringthefirstcomplaint;hastyandtinder—likeupontootrivialmotion;onethatconversesmorewiththebuttockofthenightthanwiththeforeheadofthemorning:whatIthinkIutter,andspendmymaliceinmybreath。Meetingtwosuchwealsmenasyouare——IcannotcallyouLycurguses——ifthedrinkyougivemetouchmypalateadversely,Imakeacrookedfaceatit。Ican’tsayyourworshipshavedeliveredthematterwell,whenIfindtheassincompoundwiththemajorpartofyoursyllables:
andthoughImustbecontenttobearwiththosethatsayyouarereverendgravemen,yettheyliedeadlythattellyouyouhavegoodfaces。Ifyouseethisinthemapofmymicrocosm,followsitthatIamknownwellenoughtoo?whatbarmcanyourbissonconspectuitiesgleanoutofthischaracter,ifIbeknownwellenoughtoo?BRUTUSCome,sir,come,weknowyouwellenough。MENENIUSYouknowneitherme,yourselvesnoranything。Youareambitiousforpoorknaves’capsandlegs:
youwearoutagoodwholesomeforenooninhearingacausebetweenanorangewifeandafosset—seller;
andthenrejournthecontroversyofthreepencetoaseconddayofaudience。Whenyouarehearingamatterbetweenpartyandparty,ifyouchancetobepinchedwiththecolic,youmakefaceslikemummers;setupthebloodyflagagainstallpatience;and,inroaringforachamber—pot,dismissthecontroversybleedingthemoreentangledbyyourhearing:allthepeaceyoumakeintheircauseis,callingboththepartiesknaves。Youareapairofstrangeones。BRUTUSCome,come,youarewellunderstoodtobeaperfectergiberforthetablethananecessarybencherintheCapitol。MENENIUSOurverypriestsmustbecomemockers,iftheyshallencountersuchridiculoussubjectsasyouare。
Whenyouspeakbestuntothepurpose,itisnotworththewaggingofyourbeards;andyourbeardsdeservenotsohonourableagraveastostuffabotcher’scushion,ortobeentombedinanass’spack—
saddle。Yetyoumustbesaying,Marciusisproud;
whoinacheapestimation,isworthpredecessorssinceDeucalion,thoughperadventuresomeofthebestof’emwerehereditaryhangmen。God—dentoyourworships:moreofyourconversationwouldinfectmybrain,beingtheherdsmenofthebeastlyplebeians:Iwillbeboldtotakemyleaveofyou。
BRUTUSandSICINIUSgoasideEnterVOLUMNIA,VIRGILIA,andVALERIA
Hownow,myasfairasnobleladies,——andthemoon,weresheearthly,nonobler,——whitherdoyoufollowyoureyessofast?VOLUMNIAHonourableMenenius,myboyMarciusapproaches;
fortheloveofJuno,let’sgo。MENENIUSHa!Marciuscominghome!VOLUMNIAAy,worthyMenenius;andwithmostprosperousapprobation。MENENIUSTakemycap,Jupiter,andIthankthee。
Hoo!
Marciuscominghome!VOLUMNIAVIRGILIANay,’tistrue。VOLUMNIALook,here’saletterfromhim:thestatehathanother,hiswifeanother;and,Ithink,there’soneathomeforyou。MENENIUSIwillmakemyveryhousereeltonight:
aletterforme!VIRGILIAYes,certain,there’saletterforyou;
Isaw’t。MENENIUSAletterforme!itgivesmeanestateofsevenyears’health;inwhichtimeIwillmakealipatthephysician:themostsovereignprescriptioninGalenisbutempiricutic,and,tothispreservative,ofnobetterreportthanahorse—drench。Ishenotwounded?hewaswonttocomehomewounded。VIRGILIAO,no,no,no。VOLUMNIAO,heiswounded;Ithankthegodsfor’t。MENENIUSSodoItoo,ifitbenottoomuch:bringsa’
victoryinhispocket?thewoundsbecomehim。VOLUMNIAOn’sbrows:Menenius,hecomesthethirdtimehomewiththeoakengarland。MENENIUSHashedisciplinedAufidiussoundly?VOLUMNIATitusLartiuswrites,theyfoughttogether,butAufidiusgotoff。MENENIUSAnd’twastimeforhimtoo,I’llwarranthimthat:
anhehadstayedbyhim,IwouldnothavebeensofidiusedforallthechestsinCorioli,andthegoldthat’sinthem。Isthesenatepossessedofthis?VOLUMNIAGoodladies,let’sgo。Yes,yes,yes;
thesenatehaslettersfromthegeneral,whereinhegivesmysonthewholenameofthewar:hehathinthisactionoutdonehisformerdeedsdoublyVALERIAIntroth,there’swondrousthingsspokeofhim。MENENIUSWondrous!ay,Iwarrantyou,andnotwithouthistruepurchasing。VIRGILIAThegodsgrantthemtrue!VOLUMNIATrue!pow,wow。MENENIUSTrue!I’llbesworntheyaretrue。
Whereishewounded?
TotheTribunesGodsaveyourgoodworships!Marciusiscominghome:hehasmorecausetobeproud。Whereishewounded?VOLUMNIAI’theshoulderandi’theleftarmtherewillbelargecicatricestoshowthepeople,whenheshallstandforhisplace。HereceivedintherepulseofTarquinsevenhurtsi’thebody。MENENIUSOnei’theneck,andtwoi’thethigh,——there’sninethatIknow。VOLUMNIAHehad,beforethislastexpedition,twenty—fivewoundsuponhim。MENENIUSNowit’stwenty—seven:everygashwasanenemy’sgrave。
AshoutandflourishHark!thetrumpets。VOLUMNIAThesearetheushersofMarcius:beforehimhecarriesnoise,andbehindhimheleavestears:
Death,thatdarkspirit,in’snervyarmdothlie;
Which,beingadvanced,declines,andthenmendie。
Asennet。Trumpetssound。EnterCOMINIUSthegeneral,andTITUSLARTIUS;
betweenthem,CORIOLANUS,crownedwithanoakengarland;withCaptainsandSoldiers,andaHeraldHeraldKnow,Rome,thatallaloneMarciusdidfightWithinCorioligates:wherehehathwon,Withfame,anametoCaiusMarcius;theseInhonourfollowsCoriolanus。
WelcometoRome,renownedCoriolanus!
FlourishAllWelcometoRome,renownedCoriolanus!CORIOLANUSNomoreofthis;itdoesoffendmyheart:
Praynow,nomore。COMINIUSLook,sir,yourmother!CORIOLANUSO,Youhave,Iknow,petition’dallthegodsFormyprosperity!
KneelsVOLUMNIANay,mygoodsoldier,up;
MygentleMarcius,worthyCaius,andBydeed—achievinghonournewlynamed,——
Whatisit?——CoriolanusmustIcallthee?——
ButO,thywife!CORIOLANUSMygracioussilence,hail!
Wouldstthouhavelaugh’dhadIcomecoffin’dhome,Thatweep’sttoseemetriumph?Ay,mydear,SucheyesthewidowsinCorioliwear,Andmothersthatlacksons。MENENIUSNow,thegodscrownthee!CORIOLANUSAndliveyouyet?
ToVALERIA
Omysweetlady,pardon。VOLUMNIAIknownotwheretoturn:O,welcomehome:
Andwelcome,general:andye’rewelcomeall。MENENIUSAhundredthousandwelcomes。IcouldweepAndIcouldlaugh,Iamlightandheavy。Welcome。
Acursebeginatveryrooton’sheart,Thatisnotgladtoseethee!YouarethreeThatRomeshoulddoteon:yet,bythefaithofmen,Wehavesomeoldcrab—treeshereathomethatwillnotBegraftedtoyourrelish。Yetwelcome,warriors:
WecallanettlebutanettleandThefaultsoffoolsbutfolly。COMINIUSEverright。CORIOLANUSMeneniusever,ever。HeraldGivewaythere,andgoon!CORIOLANUS[ToVOLUMNIAandVIRGILIA]Yourhand,andyours:
EreinourownhouseIdoshademyhead,Thegoodpatriciansmustbevisited;
FromwhomIhavereceivednotonlygreetings,Butwiththemchangeofhonours。VOLUMNIAIhavelivedToseeinheritedmyverywishesAndthebuildingsofmyfancy:onlyThere’sonethingwanting,whichIdoubtnotbutOurRomewillcastuponthee。CORIOLANUSKnow,goodmother,Ihadratherbetheirservantinmyway,Thanswaywiththemintheirs。COMINIUSOn,totheCapitol!
Flourish。Cornets。Exeuntinstate,asbefore。BRUTUSandSICINIUS
comeforwardBRUTUSAlltonguesspeakofhim,andtheblearedsightsArespectacledtoseehim:yourprattlingnurseIntoaraptureletsherbabycryWhileshechatshim:thekitchenmalkinpinsHerrichestlockram’boutherreechyneck,Clamberingthewallstoeyehim:stalls,bulks,windows,Aresmother’dup,leadsfill’d,andridgeshorsedWithvariablecomplexions,allagreeingInearnestnesstoseehim:seld—shownflamensDopressamongthepopularthrongsandpuffTowinavulgarstation:orveil’ddamesCommitthewarofwhiteanddamaskinTheirnicely—gawdedcheekstothewantonspoilOfPhoebus’burningkisses:suchapotherAsifthatwhatsoevergodwholeadshimWereslilycreptintohishumanpowersAndgavehimgracefulposture。SICINIUSOnthesudden,Iwarranthimconsul。BRUTUSThenourofficemay,Duringhispower,gosleep。SICINIUSHecannottemperatelytransporthishonoursFromwhereheshouldbeginandend,butwillLosethosehehathwon。BRUTUSInthatthere’scomfort。SICINIUSDoubtnotThecommoners,forwhomwestand,buttheyUpontheirancientmalicewillforgetWiththeleastcausethesehisnewhonours,whichThathewillgivethemmakeIaslittlequestionAsheisproudtodo’t。BRUTUSIheardhimswear,Werehetostandforconsul,neverwouldheAppeari’themarket—placenoronhimputThenaplessvestureofhumility;
Norshowing,asthemanneris,hiswoundsTothepeople,begtheirstinkingbreaths。SICINIUS’Tisright。BRUTUSItwashisword:O,hewouldmissitratherThancarryitbutbythesuitofthegentrytohim,Andthedesireofthenobles。SICINIUSIwishnobetterThanhavehimholdthatpurposeandtoputitInexecution。BRUTUS’Tismostlikehewill。SICINIUSItshallbetohimthenasourgoodwills,Asuredestruction。BRUTUSSoitmustfalloutTohimorourauthorities。Foranend,WemustsuggestthepeopleinwhathatredHestillhathheldthem;thatto’spowerhewouldHavemadethemmules,silencedtheirpleadersandDispropertiedtheirfreedoms,holdingthem,Inhumanactionandcapacity,OfnomoresoulnorfitnessfortheworldThancamelsinthewar,whohavetheirprovandOnlyforbearingburdens,andsoreblowsForsinkingunderthem。SICINIUSThis,asyousay,suggestedAtsometimewhenhissoaringinsolenceShalltouchthepeople——whichtimeshallnotwant,Ifhebeputupon’t;andthat’saseasyAstosetdogsonsheep——willbehisfireTokindletheirdrystubble;andtheirblazeShalldarkenhimforever。
EnteraMessengerBRUTUSWhat’sthematter?MessengerYouaresentfortotheCapitol。’TisthoughtThatMarciusshallbeconsul:
IhaveseenthedumbmenthrongtoseehimandTheblindtobearhimspeak:matronsflunggloves,Ladiesandmaidstheirscarfsandhandkerchers,Uponhimashepass’d:thenoblesbended,AstoJove’sstatue,andthecommonsmadeAshowerandthunderwiththeircapsandshouts:
Ineversawthelike。BRUTUSLet’stotheCapitol;
Andcarrywithusearsandeyesforthetime,Butheartsfortheevent。SICINIUSHavewithyou。