ExeuntSCENEII。Thesame。TheCapitol。EntertwoOfficers,tolaycushionsFirstOfficerCome,come,theyarealmosthere。Howmanystandforconsulships?SecondOfficerThree,theysay:but’tisthoughtofeveryoneCoriolanuswillcarryit。FirstOfficerThat’sabravefellow;buthe’svengeanceproud,andlovesnotthecommonpeople。SecondOfficerFaith,therehadbeenmanygreatmenthathaveflatteredthepeople,whone’erlovedthem;andtherebemanythattheyhaveloved,theyknownotwherefore:sothat,iftheylovetheyknownotwhy,theyhateuponnobetteraground:therefore,forCoriolanusneithertocarewhethertheyloveorhatehimmanifeststhetrueknowledgehehasintheirdisposition;andoutofhisnoblecarelessnessletsthemplainlysee’t。FirstOfficerIfhedidnotcarewhetherhehadtheirloveorno,hewavedindifferently’twixtdoingthemneithergoodnorharm:butheseekstheirhatewithgreaterdevotionthancanrenderithim;andleavesnothingundonethatmayfullydiscoverhimtheiropposite。Now,toseemtoaffectthemaliceanddispleasureofthepeopleisasbadasthatwhichhedislikes,toflatterthemfortheirlove。SecondOfficerHehathdeservedworthilyofhiscountry:
andhisascentisnotbysucheasydegreesasthosewho,havingbeensuppleandcourteoustothepeople,bonneted,withoutanyfurtherdeedtohavethematanintotheirestimationandreport:buthehathsoplantedhishonoursintheireyes,andhisactionsintheirhearts,thatfortheirtonguestobesilent,andnotconfesssomuch,wereakindofingratefulinjury;toreportotherwise,wereamalice,that,givingitselfthelie,wouldpluckreproofandrebukefromeveryearthatheardit。FirstOfficerNomoreofhim;heisaworthyman:makeway,theyarecoming。
Asennet。Enter,withactorsbeforethem,COMINIUStheconsul,MENENIUS,CORIOLANUS,Senators,SICINIUSandBRUTUS。TheSenatorstaketheirplaces;
theTribunestaketheirPlacesbythemselves。CORIOLANUSstandsMENENIUSHavingdeterminedoftheVolscesandTosendforTitusLartius,itremains,Asthemainpointofthisourafter—meeting,TogratifyhisnobleservicethatHaththusstoodforhiscountry:therefore,pleaseyou,Mostreverendandgraveelders,todesireThepresentconsul,andlastgeneralInourwell—foundsuccesses,toreportAlittleofthatworthyworkperform’dByCaiusMarciusCoriolanus,whomWemetherebothtothankandtorememberWithhonourslikehimself。FirstSenatorSpeak,goodCominius:
Leavenothingoutforlength,andmakeusthinkRatherourstate’sdefectiveforrequitalThanwetostretchitout。
TotheTribunesMasterso’thepeople,Wedorequestyourkindestears,andafter,Yourlovingmotiontowardthecommonbody,Toyieldwhatpasseshere。SICINIUSWeareconventedUponapleasingtreaty,andhaveheartsInclinabletohonourandadvanceThethemeofourassembly。BRUTUSWhichtheratherWeshallbeblesttodo,ifherememberAkindervalueofthepeoplethanHehathheretoprizedthemat。MENENIUSThat’soff,that’soff;
Iwouldyouratherhadbeensilent。PleaseyouTohearCominiusspeak?BRUTUSMostwillingly;
ButyetmycautionwasmorepertinentThantherebukeyougiveit。MENENIUSHelovesyourpeopleButtiehimnottobetheirbedfellow。
WorthyCominius,speak。
CORIOLANUSofferstogoawayNay,keepyourplace。FirstSenatorSit,Coriolanus;nevershametohearWhatyouhavenoblydone。CORIOLANUSYourhorror’spardon:
IhadratherhavemywoundstohealagainThanhearsayhowIgotthem。BRUTUSSir,IhopeMywordsdisbench’dyounot。CORIOLANUSNo,sir:yetoft,Whenblowshavemademestay,Ifledfromwords。
Yousoothednot,thereforehurtnot:butyourpeople,Ilovethemastheyweigh。MENENIUSPraynow,sitdown。CORIOLANUSIhadratherhaveonescratchmyheadi’thesunWhenthealarumwerestruckthanidlysitTohearmynothingsmonster’d。
ExitMENENIUSMastersofthepeople,Yourmultiplyingspawnhowcanheflatter——
That’sthousandtoonegoodone——whenyounowseeHehadratherventureallhislimbsforhonourThanoneon’searstohearit?Proceed,Cominius。COMINIUSIshalllackvoice:thedeedsofCoriolanusShouldnotbeutter’dfeebly。ItisheldThatvalouristhechiefestvirtue,andMostdignifiesthehaver:ifitbe,ThemanIspeakofcannotintheworldBesinglycounterpoised。Atsixteenyears,WhenTarquinmadeaheadforRome,hefoughtBeyondthemarkofothers:ourthendictator,WhomwithallpraiseIpointat,sawhimfight,WhenwithhisAmazonianchinhedroveThebristledlipsbeforehim:bebestridAno’er—press’dRomanandi’theconsul’sviewSlewthreeopposers:Tarquin’sselfhemet,Andstruckhimonhisknee:inthatday’sfeats,Whenhemightactthewomaninthescene,Heprovedbestmani’thefield,andforhismeedWasbrow—boundwiththeoak。HispupilageMan—enter’dthus,hewaxedlikeasea,AndinthebruntofseventeenbattlessinceHelurch’dallswordsofthegarland。Forthislast,BeforeandinCorioli,letmesay,Icannotspeakhimhome:hestopp’dthefliers;
AndbyhisrareexamplemadethecowardTurnterrorintosport:asweedsbeforeAvesselundersail,somenobey’dAndfellbelowhisstem:hissword,death’sstamp,Whereitdidmark,ittook;fromfacetofootHewasathingofblood,whoseeverymotionWastimedwithdyingcries:aloneheenter’dThemortalgateofthecity,whichhepaintedWithshunlessdestiny;aidlesscameoff,AndwithasuddenreinforcementstruckCoriolilikeaplanet:nowall’shis:
When,byandby,thedinofwarganpierceHisreadysense;thenstraighthisdoubledspiritRe—quicken’dwhatinfleshwasfatigate,Andtothebattlecamehe;wherehedidRunreekingo’erthelivesofmen,asif’Twereaperpetualspoil:andtillwecall’dBothfieldandcityours,heneverstoodToeasehisbreastwithpanting。MENENIUSWorthyman!FirstSenatorHecannotbutwithmeasurefitthehonoursWhichwedevisehim。COMINIUSOurspoilshekick’dat,Andlook’duponthingspreciousastheywereThecommonmuckoftheworld:hecovetslessThanmiseryitselfwouldgive;rewardsHisdeedswithdoingthem,andiscontentTospendthetimetoendit。MENENIUSHe’srightnoble:
Lethimbecall’dfor。FirstSenatorCallCoriolanus。OfficerHedothappear。
Re—enterCORIOLANUSMENENIUSThesenate,Coriolanus,arewellpleasedTomaketheeconsul。CORIOLANUSIdoowethemstillMylifeandservices。MENENIUSItthenremainsThatyoudospeaktothepeople。CORIOLANUSIdobeseechyou,Letmeo’erleapthatcustom,forIcannotPutonthegown,standnakedandentreatthem,Formywounds’sake,togivetheirsuffrage:
pleaseyouThatImaypassthisdoing。SICINIUSSir,thepeopleMusthavetheirvoices;neitherwilltheybateOnejotofceremony。MENENIUSPutthemnotto’t:
Prayyou,gofityoutothecustomandTaketoyou,asyourpredecessorshave,Yourhonourwithyourform。CORIOLANUSItisapartThatIshallblushinacting,andmightwellBetakenfromthepeople。BRUTUSMarkyouthat?CORIOLANUSTobraguntothem,thusIdid,andthus;
ShowthemtheunachingscarswhichIshouldhide,AsifIhadreceivedthemforthehireOftheirbreathonly!MENENIUSDonotstandupon’t。
Werecommendtoyou,tribunesofthepeople,Ourpurposetothem:andtoournobleconsulWishwealljoyandhonour。SenatorsToCoriolanuscomealljoyandhonour!
Flourishofcornets。ExeuntallbutSICINIUSandBRUTUSBRUTUSYouseehowheintendstousethepeople。SICINIUSMaytheyperceive’sintent!Hewillrequirethem,AsifhedidcontemnwhatherequestedShouldbeinthemtogive。BRUTUSCome,we’llinformthemOfourproceedingshere:onthemarketplace,Iknow,theydoattendus。
ExeuntSCENEIII。Thesame。TheForum。EntersevenoreightCitizensFirstCitizenOnce,ifhedorequireourvoices,weoughtnottodenyhim。SecondCitizenWemay,sir,ifwewill。ThirdCitizenWehavepowerinourselvestodoit,butitisapowerthatwehavenopowertodo;forifheshowushiswoundsandtellushisdeeds,wearetoputourtonguesintothosewoundsandspeakforthem;so,ifhetellushisnobledeeds,wemustalsotellhimournobleacceptanceofthem。Ingratitudeismonstrous,andforthemultitudetobeingrateful,weretomakeamonsterofthemultitude:ofthewhichwebeingmembers,shouldbringourselvestobemonstrousmembers。FirstCitizenAndtomakeusnobetterthoughtof,alittlehelpwillserve;foroncewestoodupaboutthecorn,hehimselfstucknottocallusthemany—headedmultitude。ThirdCitizenWehavebeencalledsoofmany;notthatourheadsaresomebrown,someblack,someauburn,somebald,butthatourwitsaresodiverselycoloured:andtrulyIthinkifallourwitsweretoissueoutofoneskull,theywouldflyeast,west,north,south,andtheirconsentofonedirectwayshouldbeatoncetoallthepointso’thecompass。SecondCitizenThinkyouso?Whichwaydoyoujudgemywitwouldfly?ThirdCitizenNay,yourwitwillnotsosoonoutasanotherman’swill;’tisstronglywedgedupinablock—head,butifitwereatliberty,’twould,sure,southward。SecondCitizenWhythatway?ThirdCitizenToloseitselfinafog,wherebeingthreepartsmeltedawaywithrottendews,thefourthwouldreturnforconsciencesake,tohelptogettheeawife。SecondCitizenYouareneverwithoutyourtricks:youmay,youmay。ThirdCitizenAreyouallresolvedtogiveyourvoices?
Butthat’snomatter,thegreaterpartcarriesit。
I
say,ifhewouldinclinetothepeople,therewasneveraworthierman。
EnterCORIOLANUSinagownofhumility,withMENENIUS
Herehecomes,andinthegownofhumility:markhisbehavior。Wearenottostayalltogether,buttocomebyhimwherehestands,byones,bytwos,andbythrees。He’stomakehisrequestsbyparticulars;whereineveryoneofushasasinglehonour,ingivinghimourownvoiceswithourowntongues:thereforefollowme,andIdirectyouhowyoushallgobyhim。AllContent,content。
ExeuntCitizensMENENIUSOsir,youarenotright:haveyounotknownTheworthiestmenhavedone’t?CORIOLANUSWhatmustIsay?
’IPray,sir’——Plagueupon’t!IcannotbringMytonguetosuchapace:——’Look,sir,mywounds!
Igottheminmycountry’sservice,whenSomecertainofyourbrethrenroar’dandranFromthenoiseofourowndrums。’MENENIUSOme,thegods!
Youmustnotspeakofthat:youmustdesirethemTothinkuponyou。CORIOLANUSThinkuponme!hang’em!
Iwouldtheywouldforgetme,likethevirtuesWhichourdivinesloseby’em。MENENIUSYou’llmarall:
I’llleaveyou:prayyou,speakto’em,Iprayyou,Inwholesomemanner。
ExitCORIOLANUSBidthemwashtheirfacesAndkeeptheirteethclean。
Re—entertwooftheCitizensSo,herecomesabrace。
Re—enterathirdCitizenYouknowthecause,air,ofmystandinghere。ThirdCitizenWedo,sir;telluswhathathbroughtyouto’t。CORIOLANUSMineowndesert。SecondCitizenYourowndesert!CORIOLANUSAy,butnotmineowndesire。ThirdCitizenHownotyourowndesire?CORIOLANUSNo,sir,’twasnevermydesireyettotroublethepoorwithbegging。ThirdCitizenYoumustthink,ifwegiveyouanything,wehopetogainbyyou。CORIOLANUSWellthen,Ipray,yourpriceo’theconsulship?FirstCitizenThepriceistoaskitkindly。CORIOLANUSKindly!Sir,Ipray,letmeha’t:Ihavewoundstoshowyou,whichshallbeyoursinprivate。Yourgoodvoice,sir;whatsayyou?SecondCitizenYoushallha’it,worthysir。CORIOLANUSAmatch,sir。There’sinalltwoworthyvoicesbegged。Ihaveyouralms:adieu。ThirdCitizenButthisissomethingodd。SecondCitizenAn’tweretogiveagain,——but’tisnomatter。
ExeuntthethreeCitizensRe—entertwootherCitizensCORIOLANUSPrayyounow,ifitmaystandwiththetuneofyourvoicesthatImaybeconsul,Ihaveherethecustomarygown。FourthCitizenYouhavedeservednoblyofyourcountry,andyouhavenotdeservednobly。CORIOLANUSYourenigma?FourthCitizenYouhavebeenascourgetoherenemies,youhavebeenarodtoherfriends;youhavenotindeedlovedthecommonpeople。CORIOLANUSYoushouldaccountmethemorevirtuousthatIhavenotbeencommoninmylove。Iwill,sir,flattermyswornbrother,thepeople,toearnadearerestimationofthem;’tisaconditiontheyaccountgentle:andsincethewisdomoftheirchoiceisrathertohavemyhatthanmyheart,Iwillpractisetheinsinuatingnodandbeofftothemmostcounterfeitly;thatis,sir,Iwillcounterfeitthebewitchmentofsomepopularmanandgiveitbountifultothedesirers。Therefore,beseechyou,Imaybeconsul。FifthCitizenWehopetofindyouourfriend;andthereforegiveyouourvoicesheartily。FourthCitizenYouhavereceivedmanywoundsforyourcountry。CORIOLANUSIwillnotsealyourknowledgewithshowingthem。I
willmakemuchofyourvoices,andsotroubleyounofurther。BothCitizensThegodsgiveyoujoy,sir,heartily!
ExeuntCORIOLANUSMostsweetvoices!
Betteritistodie,bettertostarve,Thancravethehirewhichfirstwedodeserve。
WhyinthiswoolvishtogeshouldIstandhere,TobegofHobandDick,thatdoappear,Theirneedlessvouches?Customcallsmeto’t:
Whatcustomwills,inallthingsshouldwedo’t,Thedustonantiquetimewouldlieunswept,AndmountainouserrorbetoohighlyheaptFortruthtoo’er—peer。Ratherthanfoolitso,LetthehighofficeandthehonourgoToonethatwoulddothus。Iamhalfthrough;
Theonepartsuffer’d,theotherwillIdo。
Re—enterthreeCitizensmoreHerecomemorevoices。
Yourvoices:foryourvoicesIhavefought;
Watch’dforyourvoices;forYourvoicesbearOfwoundstwodozenodd;battlesthricesixIhaveseenandheardof;foryourvoiceshaveDonemanythings,someless,somemoreyourvoices:
IndeedIwouldbeconsul。SixthCitizenHehasdonenobly,andcannotgowithoutanyhonestman’svoice。SeventhCitizenThereforelethimbeconsul:thegodsgivehimjoy,andmakehimgoodfriendtothepeople!AllCitizensAmen,amen。Godsavethee,nobleconsul!
ExeuntCORIOLANUSWorthyvoices!
Re—enterMENENIUS,withBRUTUSandSICINIUSMENENIUSYouhavestoodyourlimitation;andthetribunesEndueyouwiththepeople’svoice:remainsThat,intheofficialmarksinvested,youAnondomeetthesenate。CORIOLANUSIsthisdone?SICINIUSThecustomofrequestyouhavedischarged:
Thepeopledoadmityou,andaresummon’dTomeetanon,uponyourapprobation。CORIOLANUSWhere?atthesenate—house?SICINIUSThere,Coriolanus。CORIOLANUSMayIchangethesegarments?SICINIUSYoumay,sir。CORIOLANUSThatI’llstraightdo;and,knowingmyselfagain,Repairtothesenate—house。MENENIUSI’llkeepyoucompany。Willyoualong?BRUTUSWestayhereforthepeople。SICINIUSFareyouwell。
ExeuntCORIOLANUSandMENENIUS
Hehasitnow,andbyhislooksmethink’Tiswarmat’sheart。BRUTUSWithaproudheartheworehishumbleweeds。
willyoudismissthepeople?
Re—enterCitizensSICINIUSHownow,mymasters!haveyouchosethisman?FirstCitizenHehasourvoices,sir。BRUTUSWepraythegodshemaydeserveyourloves。SecondCitizenAmen,sir:tomypoorunworthynotice,Hemock’duswhenhebegg’dourvoices。ThirdCitizenCertainlyHefloutedusdownright。FirstCitizenNo,’tishiskindofspeech:hedidnotmockus。SecondCitizenNotoneamongstus,saveyourself,butsaysHeusedusscornfully:heshouldhaveshow’dusHismarksofmerit,woundsreceivedfor’scountry。SICINIUSWhy,sohedid,Iamsure。CitizensNo,no;nomansaw’em。ThirdCitizenHesaidhehadwounds,whichhecouldshowinprivate;
Andwithhishat,thuswavingitinscorn,’Iwouldbeconsul,’sayshe:’agedcustom,Butbyyourvoices,willnotsopermitme;
Yourvoicestherefore。’Whenwegrantedthat,Herewas’Ithankyouforyourvoices:thankyou:
Yourmostsweetvoices:nowyouhaveleftyourvoices,Ihavenofurtherwithyou。’Wasnotthismockery?SICINIUSWhyeitherwereyouignoranttosee’t,Or,seeingit,ofsuchchildishfriendlinessToyieldyourvoices?BRUTUSCouldyounothavetoldhimAsyouwerelesson’d,whenhehadnopower,Butwasapettyservanttothestate,Hewasyourenemy,everspakeagainstYourlibertiesandthechartersthatyoubearI’thebodyoftheweal;andnow,arrivingAplaceofpotencyandswayo’thestate,IfheshouldstillmalignantlyremainFastfoetotheplebeii,yourvoicesmightBecursestoyourselves?YoushouldhavesaidThatashisworthydeedsdidclaimnolessThanwhathestoodfor,sohisgraciousnatureWouldthinkuponyouforyourvoicesandTranslatehismalicetowardsyouintolove,Standingyourfriendlylord。SICINIUSThustohavesaid,Asyouwerefore—advised,hadtouch’dhisspiritAndtriedhisinclination;fromhimpluck’dEitherhisgraciouspromise,whichyoumight,Ascausehadcall’dyouup,haveheldhimtoOrelseitwouldhavegall’dhissurlynature,WhicheasilyenduresnotarticleTyinghimtoaught;soputtinghimtorage,Youshouldhaveta’entheadvantageofhischolerAndpass’dhimunelected。BRUTUSDidyouperceiveHedidsolicityouinfreecontemptWhenhedidneedyourloves,anddoyouthinkThathiscontemptshallnotbebruisingtoyou,Whenhehathpowertocrush?Why,hadyourbodiesNoheartamongyou?orhadyoutonguestocryAgainsttherectorshipofjudgment?SICINIUSHaveyouErenowdeniedtheasker?andnowagainOfhimthatdidnotask,butmock,bestowYoursued—fortongues?ThirdCitizenHe’snotconfirm’d;wemaydenyhimyet。SecondCitizenAndwilldenyhim:
I’llhavefivehundredvoicesofthatsound。FirstCitizenItwicefivehundredandtheirfriendstopiece’em。BRUTUSGetyouhenceinstantly,andtellthosefriends,TheyhavechoseaconsulthatwillfromthemtakeTheirliberties;makethemofnomorevoiceThandogsthatareasoftenbeatforbarkingAsthereforekepttodoso。SICINIUSLetthemassemble,AndonasaferjudgmentallrevokeYourignorantelection;enforcehispride,Andhisoldhateuntoyou;besides,forgetnotWithwhatcontemptheworethehumbleweed,Howinhissuithescorn’dyou;butyourloves,Thinkinguponhisservices,tookfromyouTheapprehensionofhispresentportance,Whichmostgibingly,ungravely,hedidfashionAftertheinveteratehatehebearsyou。BRUTUSLayAfaultonus,yourtribunes;thatwelaboured,Noimpedimentbetween,butthatyoumustCastyourelectiononhim。SICINIUSSay,youchosehimMoreafterourcommandmentthanasguidedByyourowntrueaffections,andthatyourminds,PreoccupiedwithwhatyourathermustdoThanwhatyoushould,madeyouagainstthegrainTovoicehimconsul:laythefaultonus。BRUTUSAy,spareusnot。Saywereadlecturestoyou。
Howyounglyhebegantoservehiscountry,Howlongcontinued,andwhatstockhespringsof,Thenoblehouseo’theMarcians,fromwhencecameThatAncusMarcius,Numa’sdaughter’sson,Who,aftergreatHostilius,herewasking;
OfthesamehousePubliusandQuintuswere,Thatourbeatwaterbroughtbyconduitshither;
And[Censorinus,]noblynamedso,Twicebeing[bythepeoplechosen]censor,Washisgreatancestor。SICINIUSOnethusdescended,ThathathbesidewellinhispersonwroughtTobesethighinplace,wedidcommendToyourremembrances:butyouhavefound,Scalinghispresentbearingwithhispast,Thathe’syourfixedenemy,andrevokeYoursuddenapprobation。BRUTUSSay,youne’erhaddone’t——
Harponthatstill——butbyourputtingon;
Andpresently,whenyouhavedrawnyournumber,RepairtotheCapitol。AllWewillso:almostallRepentintheirelection。
ExeuntCitizensBRUTUSLetthemgoon;
Thismutinywerebetterputinhazard,Thanstay,pastdoubt,forgreater:
If,ashisnatureis,hefallinrageWiththeirrefusal,bothobserveandanswerThevantageofhisanger。SICINIUSTotheCapitol,come:
Wewillbetherebeforethestreamo’thepeople;
Andthisshallseem,aspartly’tis,theirown,Whichwehavegoadedonward。
ExeuntACTIIISCENEI。Rome。Astreet。Cornets。EnterCORIOLANUS,MENENIUS,alltheGentry,COMINIUS,TITUSLARTIUS,andotherSenatorsCORIOLANUSTullusAufidiusthenhadmadenewhead?LARTIUSHehad,mylord;andthatitwaswhichcausedOurswiftercomposition。CORIOLANUSSothentheVolscesstandbutasatfirst,Ready,whentimeshallpromptthem,tomakeroad。
Upon’sagain。COMINIUSTheyareworn,lordconsul,so,ThatweshallhardlyinouragesseeTheirbannerswaveagain。CORIOLANUSSawyouAufidius?LARTIUSOnsafe—guardhecametome;anddidcurseAgainsttheVolsces,fortheyhadsovilelyYieldedthetown:heisretiredtoAntium。CORIOLANUSSpokeheofme?LARTIUSHedid,mylord。CORIOLANUSHow?what?LARTIUSHowoftenhehadmetyou,swordtosword;
ThatofallthingsupontheearthhehatedYourpersonmost,thathewouldpawnhisfortunesTohopelessrestitution,sohemightBecall’dyourvanquisher。CORIOLANUSAtAntiumliveshe?LARTIUSAtAntium。CORIOLANUSIwishIhadacausetoseekhimthere,Toopposehishatredfully。Welcomehome。
EnterSICINIUSandBRUTUS
Behold,thesearethetribunesofthepeople,Thetongueso’thecommonmouth:Idodespisethem;
Fortheydopranktheminauthority,Againstallnoblesufferance。SICINIUSPassnofurther。CORIOLANUSHa!whatisthat?BRUTUSItwillbedangeroustogoon:nofurther。CORIOLANUSWhatmakesthischange?MENENIUSThematter?COMINIUSHathhenotpass’dthenobleandthecommon?BRUTUSCominius,no。CORIOLANUSHaveIhadchildren’svoices?FirstSenatorTribunes,giveway;heshalltothemarket—place。BRUTUSThepeopleareincensedagainsthim。SICINIUSStop,Orallwillfallinbroil。CORIOLANUSAretheseyourherd?
Mustthesehavevoices,thatcanyieldthemnowAndstraightdisclaimtheirtongues?Whatareyouroffices?
Youbeingtheirmouths,whyruleyounottheirteeth?
Haveyounotsetthemon?MENENIUSBecalm,becalm。CORIOLANUSItisapurposedthing,andgrowsbyplot,Tocurbthewillofthenobility:
Suffer’t,andlivewithsuchascannotruleNoreverwillberuled。BRUTUSCall’tnotaplot:
Thepeoplecryyoumock’dthem,andoflate,Whencornwasgiventhemgratis,yourepined;
Scandal’dthesuppliantsforthepeople,call’dthemTime—pleasers,flatterers,foestonobleness。CORIOLANUSWhy,thiswasknownbefore。BRUTUSNottothemall。CORIOLANUSHaveyouinform’dthemsithence?BRUTUSHow!Iinformthem!CORIOLANUSYouareliketodosuchbusiness。BRUTUSNotunlike,Eachway,tobetteryours。CORIOLANUSWhythenshouldIbeconsul?Byyondclouds,Letmedeservesoillasyou,andmakemeYourfellowtribune。SICINIUSYoushowtoomuchofthatForwhichthepeoplestir:ifyouwillpassTowhereyouarebound,youmustinquireyourway,Whichyouareoutof,withagentlerspirit,Orneverbesonobleasaconsul,Noryokewithhimfortribune。MENENIUSLet’sbecalm。COMINIUSThepeopleareabused;seton。ThispalteringBecomesnotRome,norhasCoriolanusDeservedthissodishonour’drub,laidfalselyI’theplainwayofhismerit。CORIOLANUSTellmeofcorn!
Thiswasmyspeech,andIwillspeak’tagain——MENENIUSNotnow,notnow。FirstSenatorNotinthisheat,sir,now。CORIOLANUSNow,asIlive,Iwill。Mynoblerfriends,Icravetheirpardons:
Forthemutable,rank—scentedmany,letthemRegardmeasIdonotflatter,andThereinbeholdthemselves:Isayagain,Insoothingthem,wenourish’gainstoursenateThecockleofrebellion,insolence,sedition,Whichweourselveshaveplough’dfor,sow’d,andscatter’d,Byminglingthemwithus,thehonour’dnumber,Wholacknotvirtue,no,norpower,butthatWhichtheyhavegiventobeggars。MENENIUSWell,nomore。FirstSenatorNomorewords,webeseechyou。CORIOLANUSHow!nomore!
AsformycountryIhaveshedmyblood,Notfearingoutwardforce,soshallmylungsCoinwordstilltheirdecayagainstthosemeasles,Whichwedisdainshouldtatterus,yetsoughtTheverywaytocatchthem。BRUTUSYouspeako’thepeople,Asifyouwereagodtopunish,notAmanoftheirinfirmity。SICINIUS’TwerewellWeletthepeopleknow’t。MENENIUSWhat,what?hischoler?CORIOLANUSCholer!
WereIaspatientasthemidnightsleep,ByJove,’twouldbemymind!SICINIUSItisamindThatshallremainapoisonwhereitis,Notpoisonanyfurther。CORIOLANUSShallremain!
HearyouthisTritonoftheminnows?markyouHisabsolute’shall’?COMINIUS’Twasfromthecanon。CORIOLANUS’Shall’!
Ogoodbutmostunwisepatricians!why,Yougravebutrecklesssenators,haveyouthusGivenHydraheretochooseanofficer,Thatwithhisperemptory’shall,’beingbutThehornandnoiseo’themonster’s,wantsnotspiritTosayhe’llturnyourcurrentinaditch,Andmakeyourchannelhis?IfhehavepowerThenvailyourignorance;ifnone,awakeYourdangerouslenity。Ifyouarelearn’d,Benotascommonfools;ifyouarenot,Letthemhavecushionsbyyou。Youareplebeians,Iftheybesenators:andtheyarenoless,When,bothyourvoicesblended,thegreat’sttasteMostpalatestheirs。Theychoosetheirmagistrate,Andsuchaoneashe,whoputshis’shall,’
Hispopular’shall’againstagraverbenchThaneverfrowninGreece。ByJovehimself!
Itmakestheconsulsbase:andmysoulachesToknow,whentwoauthoritiesareup,Neithersupreme,howsoonconfusionMayenter’twixtthegapofbothandtakeTheonebytheother。COMINIUSWell,ontothemarket—place。CORIOLANUSWhoevergavethatcounsel,togiveforthThecorno’thestorehousegratis,as’twasusedSometimeinGreece,——MENENIUSWell,well,nomoreofthat。CORIOLANUSThoughtherethepeoplehadmoreabsolutepower,Isay,theynourish’ddisobedience,fedTheruinofthestate。BRUTUSWhy,shallthepeoplegiveOnethatspeaksthustheirvoice?CORIOLANUSI’llgivemyreasons,Moreworthierthantheirvoices。TheyknowthecornWasnotourrecompense,restingwellassuredThatne’erdidservicefor’t:beingpress’dtothewar,Evenwhenthenavelofthestatewastouch’d,Theywouldnotthreadthegates。ThiskindofserviceDidnotdeservecorngratis。Beingi’thewarTheirmutiniesandrevolts,whereintheyshow’dMostvalour,spokenotforthem:theaccusationWhichtheyhaveoftenmadeagainstthesenate,Allcauseunborn,couldneverbethemotiveOfoursofrankdonation。Well,whatthen?
HowshallthisbissonmultitudedigestThesenate’scourtesy?LetdeedsexpressWhat’sliketobetheirwords:’wedidrequestit;
Wearethegreaterpoll,andintruefearTheygaveusourdemands。’ThuswedebaseThenatureofourseatsandmaketherabbleCallourcaresfears;whichwillintimeBreakopethelockso’thesenateandbringinThecrowstopecktheeagles。MENENIUSCome,enough。BRUTUSEnough,withover—measure。CORIOLANUSNo,takemore:
Whatmaybeswornby,bothdivineandhuman,SealwhatIendwithal!Thisdoubleworship,Whereonepartdoesdisdainwithcause,theotherInsultwithoutallreason,wheregentry,title,wisdom,CannotconcludebutbytheyeaandnoOfgeneralignorance,——itmustomitRealnecessities,andgivewaythewhileTounstableslightness:purposesobarr’d,itfollows,Nothingisdonetopurpose。Therefore,beseechyou,——
Youthatwillbelessfearfulthandiscreet,ThatlovethefundamentalpartofstateMorethanyoudoubtthechangeon’t,thatpreferAnoblelifebeforealong,andwishTojumpabodywithadangerousphysicThat’ssureofdeathwithoutit,atoncepluckoutThemultitudinoustongue;letthemnotlickThesweetwhichistheirpoison:yourdishonourManglestruejudgmentandbereavesthestateOfthatintegritywhichshouldbecome’t,Nothavingthepowertodothegooditwould,Fortheinwhichdothcontrol’t。BRUTUSHassaidenough。SICINIUSHasspokenlikeatraitor,andshallanswerAstraitorsdo。CORIOLANUSThouwretch,despiteo’erwhelmthee!
Whatshouldthepeopledowiththesebaldtribunes?
Onwhomdepending,theirobediencefailsTothegreaterbench:inarebellion,Whenwhat’snotmeet,butwhatmustbe,waslaw,Thenweretheychosen:inabetterhour,Letwhatismeetbesaiditmustbemeet,Andthrowtheirpoweri’thedust。BRUTUSManifesttreason!SICINIUSThisaconsul?no。BRUTUSTheaediles,ho!
EnteranAEdileLethimbeapprehended。SICINIUSGo,callthepeople:
ExitAEdileinwhosenamemyselfAttachtheeasatraitorousinnovator,Afoetothepublicweal:obey,Ichargethee,Andfollowtothineanswer。CORIOLANUSHence,oldgoat!
Senators,&;CWe’llsuretyhim。COMINIUSAgedsir,handsoff。CORIOLANUSHence,rottenthing!orIshallshakethybonesOutofthygarments。SICINIUSHelp,yecitizens!
EnterarabbleofCitizens(Plebeians),withtheAEdilesMENENIUSOnbothsidesmorerespect。SICINIUSHere’shethatwouldtakefromyouallyourpower。BRUTUSSeizehim,AEdiles!CitizensDownwithhim!downwithhim!
Senators,&;CWeapons,weapons,weapons!
TheyallbustleaboutCORIOLANUS,crying’Tribunes!’’Patricians!’’Citizens!’’What,ho!’
’Sicinius!’’Brutus!’’Coriolanus!’’Citizens!’
’Peace,peace,peace!’’Stay,hold,peace!’MENENIUSWhatisabouttobe?Iamoutofbreath;
Confusion’snear;Icannotspeak。You,tribunesTothepeople!Coriolanus,patience!
Speak,goodSicinius。SICINIUSHearme,people;peace!CitizensLet’shearourtribune:peaceSpeak,speak,speak。SICINIUSYouareatpointtoloseyourliberties:
Marciuswouldhaveallfromyou;Marcius,Whomlateyouhavenamedforconsul。MENENIUSFie,fie,fie!
Thisisthewaytokindle,nottoquench。FirstSenatorTounbuildthecityandtolayallflat。SICINIUSWhatisthecitybutthepeople?CitizensTrue,Thepeoplearethecity。BRUTUSBytheconsentofall,wewereestablish’dThepeople’smagistrates。CitizensYousoremain。MENENIUSAndsoareliketodo。COMINIUSThatisthewaytolaythecityflat;
Tobringtherooftothefoundation,Andburyall,whichyetdistinctlyranges,Inheapsandpilesofruin。SICINIUSThisdeservesdeath。BRUTUSOrletusstandtoourauthority,Orletusloseit。Wedoherepronounce,Upontheparto’thepeople,inwhosepowerWewereelectedtheirs,MarciusisworthyOfpresentdeath。SICINIUSThereforelayholdofhim;
BearhimtotherockTarpeian,andfromthenceIntodestructioncasthim。BRUTUSAEdiles,seizehim!CitizensYield,Marcius,yield!MENENIUSHearmeoneword;
Beseechyou,tribunes,hearmebutaword。AEdilePeace,peace!MENENIUS[ToBRUTUS]Bethatyouseem,trulyyourcountry’sfriend,AndtemperatelyproceedtowhatyouwouldThusviolentlyredress。BRUTUSSir,thosecoldways,Thatseemlikeprudenthelps,areverypoisonousWherethediseaseisviolent。Layhandsuponhim,Andbearhimtotherock。CORIOLANUSNo,I’lldiehere。
DrawinghisswordThere’ssomeamongyouhavebeheldmefighting:
Come,tryuponyourselveswhatyouhaveseenme。MENENIUSDownwiththatsword!Tribunes,withdrawawhile。BRUTUSLayhandsuponhim。COMINIUSHelpMarcius,help,Youthatbenoble;helphim,youngandold!CitizensDownwithhim,downwithhim!
Inthismutiny,theTribunes,theAEdiles,andthePeople,arebeatinMENENIUSGo,getyoutoyourhouse;begone,away!
Allwillbenaughtelse。SecondSenatorGetyougone。COMINIUSStandfast;
Wehaveasmanyfriendsasenemies。MENENIUSShamitbeputtothat?FirstSenatorThegodsforbid!
Iprithee,noblefriend,hometothyhouse;
Leaveustocurethiscause。MENENIUSFor’tisasoreuponus,Youcannottentyourself:begone,beseechyou。COMINIUSCome,sir,alongwithus。CORIOLANUSIwouldtheywerebarbarians——astheyare,ThoughinRomelitter’d——notRomans——astheyarenot,Thoughcalvedi’theporcho’theCapitol——MENENIUSBegone;
Putnotyourworthyrageintoyourtongue;
Onetimewilloweanother。CORIOLANUSOnfairgroundIcouldbeatfortyofthem。COMINIUSIcouldmyselfTakeupabraceo’thebestofthem;yea,thetwotribunes:
Butnow’tisoddsbeyondarithmetic;
Andmanhoodiscall’dfoolery,whenitstandsAgainstafallingfabric。Willyouhence,Beforethetagreturn?whoseragedothrendLikeinterruptedwatersando’erbearWhattheyareusedtobear。MENENIUSPrayyou,begone:
I’lltrywhethermyoldwitbeinrequestWiththosethathavebutlittle:thismustbepatch’dWithclothofanycolour。COMINIUSNay,comeaway。
ExeuntCORIOLANUS,COMINIUS,andothersAPatricianThismanhasmarr’dhisfortune。MENENIUSHisnatureistoonoblefortheworld:
HewouldnotflatterNeptuneforhistrident,OrJovefor’spowertothunder。Hisheart’shismouth:
Whathisbreastforges,thathistonguemustvent;
And,beingangry,doesforgetthateverHeheardthenameofdeath。
AnoisewithinHere’sgoodlywork!SecondPatricianIwouldtheywereabed!MENENIUSIwouldtheywereinTiber!Whatthevengeance!
Couldhenotspeak’emfair?
Re—enterBRUTUSandSICINIUS,withtherabbleSICINIUSWhereisthisviperThatwoulddepopulatethecityandBeeverymanhimself?MENENIUSYouworthytribunes,——SICINIUSHeshallbethrowndowntheTarpeianrockWithrigoroushands:hehathresistedlaw,AndthereforelawshallscornhimfurthertrialThantheseverityofthepublicpowerWhichhesosetsatnought。FirstCitizenHeshallwellknowThenobletribunesarethepeople’smouths,Andwetheirhands。CitizensHeshall,sureon’t。MENENIUSSir,sir,——SICINIUSPeace!MENENIUSDonotcryhavoc,whereyoushouldbuthuntWithmodestwarrant。SICINIUSSir,howcomes’tthatyouHaveholptomakethisrescue?MENENIUSHearmespeak:
AsIdoknowtheconsul’sworthiness,SocanInamehisfaults,——SICINIUSConsul!whatconsul?MENENIUSTheconsulCoriolanus。BRUTUSHeconsul!CitizensNo,no,no,no,no。MENENIUSIf,bythetribunes’leave,andyours,goodpeople,Imaybeheard,Iwouldcraveawordortwo;
ThewhichshallturnyoutonofurtherharmThansomuchlossoftime。SICINIUSSpeakbrieflythen;
ForweareperemptorytodispatchThisviperoustraitor:toejecthimhenceWerebutonedanger,andtokeephimhereOurcertaindeath:thereforeitisdecreedHediesto—night。MENENIUSNowthegoodgodsforbidThatourrenownedRome,whosegratitudeTowardsherdeservedchildrenisenroll’dInJove’sownbook,likeanunnaturaldamShouldnoweatupherown!SICINIUSHe’sadiseasethatmustbecutaway。MENENIUSO,he’salimbthathasbutadisease;
Mortal,tocutitoff;tocureit,easy。
WhathashedonetoRomethat’sworthydeath?
Killingourenemies,thebloodhehathlost——
Which,Idarevouch,ismorethanthathehath,Bymanyanounce——hedropp’ditforhiscountry;
Andwhatisleft,toloseitbyhiscountry,Weretousall,thatdo’tandsufferit,Abrandtotheendo’theworld。SICINIUSThisiscleankam。BRUTUSMerelyawry:whenhedidlovehiscountry,Ithonour’dhim。MENENIUSTheserviceofthefootBeingoncegangrened,isnotthenrespectedForwhatbeforeitwas。BRUTUSWe’llhearnomore。
Pursuehimtohishouse,andpluckhimthence:
Lesthisinfection,beingofcatchingnature,Spreadfurther。MENENIUSOnewordmore,oneword。
Thistiger—footedrage,whenitshallfindTheharmofunscann’dswiftness,willtoolateTieleadenpoundsto’sheels。Proceedbyprocess;
Lestparties,asheisbeloved,breakout,AndsackgreatRomewithRomans。BRUTUSIfitwereso,——SICINIUSWhatdoyetalk?
Havewenothadatasteofhisobedience?
Ouraedilessmote?ourselvesresisted?Come。MENENIUSConsiderthis:hehasbeenbredi’thewarsSincehecoulddrawasword,andisillschool’dInboltedlanguage;mealandbrantogetherHethrowswithoutdistinction。Givemeleave,I’llgotohim,andundertaketobringhimWhereheshallanswer,byalawfulform,Inpeace,tohisutmostperil。FirstSenatorNobletribunes,Itisthehumaneway:theothercourseWillprovetoobloody,andtheendofitUnknowntothebeginning。SICINIUSNobleMenenius,Beyouthenasthepeople’sofficer。
Masters,laydownyourweapons。BRUTUSGonothome。SICINIUSMeetonthemarket—place。We’llattendyouthere:
Where,ifyoubringnotMarcius,we’llproceedInourfirstway。MENENIUSI’llbringhimtoyou。
TotheSenatorsLetmedesireyourcompany:hemustcome,Orwhatisworstwillfollow。FirstSenatorPrayyou,let’stohim。
ExeuntSCENEII。AroominCORIOLANUS’Shouse。EnterCORIOLANUSwithPatriciansCORIOLANUSLetthempuffallaboutmineears,presentmeDeathonthewheeloratwildhorses’heels,OrpiletenhillsontheTarpeianrock,ThattheprecipitationmightdownstretchBelowthebeamofsight,yetwillIstillBethustothem。APatricianYoudothenobler。CORIOLANUSImusemymotherDoesnotapprovemefurther,whowaswontTocallthemwoollenvassals,thingscreatedTobuyandsellwithgroats,toshowbareheadsIncongregations,toyawn,bestillandwonder,WhenonebutofmyordinancestoodupTospeakofpeaceorwar。
EnterVOLUMNIA
Italkofyou:
Whydidyouwishmemilder?wouldyouhavemeFalsetomynature?RathersayIplayThemanIam。VOLUMNIAO,sir,sir,sir,Iwouldhavehadyouputyourpowerwellon,Beforeyouhadwornitout。CORIOLANUSLetgo。VOLUMNIAYoumighthavebeenenoughthemanyouare,Withstrivinglesstobeso;lesserhadbeenThethwartingsofyourdispositions,ifYouhadnotshow’dthemhowyeweredisposedEretheylack’dpowertocrossyou。CORIOLANUSLetthemhang。APatricianAy,andburntoo。
EnterMENENIUSandSenatorsMENENIUSCome,come,youhavebeentoorough,somethingtoorough;
Youmustreturnandmendit。FirstSenatorThere’snoremedy;
Unless,bynotsodoing,ourgoodcityCleaveinthemidst,andperish。VOLUMNIAPray,becounsell’d:
Ihaveaheartaslittleaptasyours,ButyetabrainthatleadsmyuseofangerTobettervantage。MENENIUSWellsaid,noblewoman?
Beforeheshouldthusstooptotheherd,butthatTheviolentfito’thetimecravesitasphysicForthewholestate,Iwouldputminearmouron,WhichIcanscarcelybear。CORIOLANUSWhatmustIdo?MENENIUSReturntothetribunes。CORIOLANUSWell,whatthen?whatthen?MENENIUSRepentwhatyouhavespoke。CORIOLANUSForthem!Icannotdoittothegods;
MustIthendo’ttothem?VOLUMNIAYouaretooabsolute;
Thoughthereinyoucanneverbetoonoble,Butwhenextremitiesspeak。Ihaveheardyousay,Honourandpolicy,likeunsever’dfriends,I’thewardogrowtogether:grantthat,andtellme,Inpeacewhateachofthembytheotherlose,Thattheycombinenotthere。CORIOLANUSTush,tush!MENENIUSAgooddemand。VOLUMNIAIfitbehonourinyourwarstoseemThesameyouarenot,which,foryourbestends,Youadoptyourpolicy,howisitlessorworse,ThatitshallholdcompanionshipinpeaceWithhonour,asinwar,sincethattobothItstandsinlikerequest?CORIOLANUSWhyforceyouthis?VOLUMNIABecausethatnowitliesyouontospeakTothepeople;notbyyourowninstruction,Norbythematterwhichyourheartpromptsyou,ButwithsuchwordsthatarebutrootedinYourtongue,thoughbutbastardsandsyllablesOfnoallowancetoyourbosom’struth。
Now,thisnomoredishonoursyouatallThantotakeinatownwithgentlewords,WhichelsewouldputyoutoyourfortuneandThehazardofmuchblood。
IwoulddissemblewithmynaturewhereMyfortunesandmyfriendsatstakerequiredIshoulddosoinhonour:Iaminthis,Yourwife,yourson,thesesenators,thenobles;
AndyouwillrathershowourgeneralloutsHowyoucanfrownthanspendafawnupon’em,FortheinheritanceoftheirlovesandsafeguardOfwhatthatwantmightruin。MENENIUSNoblelady!
Come,gowithus;speakfair:youmaysalveso,Notwhatisdangerouspresent,butthelossOfwhatispast。VOLUMNIAIpritheenow,myson,Gotothem,withthisbonnetinthyhand;
Andthusfarhavingstretch’dit——herebewiththem——
Thykneebussingthestones——forinsuchbusinessActioniseloquence,andtheeyesoftheignorantMorelearnedthantheears——wavingthyhead,Whichoften,thus,correctingthystoutheart,NowhumbleastheripestmulberryThatwillnotholdthehandling:orsaytothem,Thouarttheirsoldier,andbeingbredinbroilsHastnotthesoftwaywhich,thoudostconfess,Werefitfortheetouseastheytoclaim,Inaskingtheirgoodloves,butthouwiltframeThyself,forsooth,hereaftertheirs,sofarAsthouhastpowerandperson。MENENIUSThisbutdone,Evenasshespeaks,why,theirheartswereyours;
Fortheyhavepardons,beingask’d,asfreeAswordstolittlepurpose。VOLUMNIAPritheenow,Go,andberuled:althoughIknowthouhadstratherFollowthineenemyinafierygulfThanflatterhiminabower。HereisCominius。
EnterCOMINIUSCOMINIUSIhavebeeni’themarket—place;and,sir,’tisfitYoumakestrongparty,ordefendyourselfBycalmnessorbyabsence:all’sinanger。MENENIUSOnlyfairspeech。COMINIUSIthink’twillserve,ifheCantheretoframehisspirit。VOLUMNIAHemust,andwillPritheenow,sayyouwill,andgoaboutit。CORIOLANUSMustIgoshowthemmyunbarbedsconce?
MustIwithbasetonguegivemynobleheartAliethatitmustbear?Well,Iwilldo’t:
Yet,weretherebutthissingleplottolose,ThismouldofMarcius,theytodustshouldgrinditAndthrow’tagainstthewind。Tothemarket—place!
YouhaveputmenowtosuchapartwhichneverIshalldischargetothelife。COMINIUSCome,come,we’llpromptyou。VOLUMNIAIpritheenow,sweetson,asthouhastsaidMypraisesmadetheefirstasoldier,so,Tohavemypraiseforthis,performapartThouhastnotdonebefore。CORIOLANUSWell,Imustdo’t:
Away,mydisposition,andpossessmeSomeharlot’sspirit!mythroatofwarbeturn’d,Whichquiredwithmydrum,intoapipeSmallasaneunuch,orthevirginvoiceThatbabieslullsasleep!thesmilesofknavesTentinmycheeks,andschoolboys’tearstakeupTheglassesofmysight!abeggar’stongueMakemotionthroughmylips,andmyarm’dknees,Whobow’dbutinmystirrup,bendlikehisThathathreceivedanalms!Iwillnotdo’t,LestIsurceasetohonourmineowntruthAndbymybody’sactionteachmymindAmostinherentbaseness。VOLUMNIAAtthychoice,then:
Tobegofthee,itismymoredishonourThanthouofthem。Comealltoruin;letThymotherratherfeelthypridethanfearThydangerousstoutness,forImockatdeathWithasbigheartasthou。DoasthoulistThyvaliantnesswasmine,thousuck’dstitfromme,Butowethypridethyself。CORIOLANUSPray,becontent:
Mother,Iamgoingtothemarket—place;
Chidemenomore。I’llmountebanktheirloves,Cogtheirheartsfromthem,andcomehomebelovedOfallthetradesinRome。Look,Iamgoing:
Commendmetomywife。I’llreturnconsul;
OrnevertrusttowhatmytonguecandoI’thewayofflatteryfurther。VOLUMNIADoyourwill。
ExitCOMINIUSAway!thetribunesdoattendyou:armyourselfToanswermildly;fortheyarepreparedWithaccusations,asIhear,morestrongThanareuponyouyet。CORIOLANUSThewordis’mildly。’Prayyou,letusgo:
Letthemaccusemebyinvention,I
Willanswerinminehonour。MENENIUSAy,butmildly。CORIOLANUSWell,mildlybeitthen。Mildly!
ExeuntSCENEIII。Thesame。TheForum。EnterSICINIUSandBRUTUSBRUTUSInthispointchargehimhome,thatheaffectsTyrannicalpower:ifheevadeusthere,Enforcehimwithhisenvytothepeople,AndthatthespoilgotontheAntiatesWasne’erdistributed。
EnteranAEdileWhat,willhecome?AEdileHe’scoming。BRUTUSHowaccompanied?AEdileWitholdMenenius,andthosesenatorsThatalwaysfavour’dhim。SICINIUSHaveyouacatalogueOfallthevoicesthatwehaveprocuredSetdownbythepoll?AEdileIhave;’tisready。SICINIUSHaveyoucollectedthembytribes?AEdileIhave。SICINIUSAssemblepresentlythepeoplehither;
Andwhentheybearmesay’ItshallbesoI’therightandstrengtho’thecommons,’beiteitherFordeath,forfine,orbanishment,thenletthemIfIsayfine,cry’Fine;’ifdeath,cry’Death。’
InsistingontheoldprerogativeAndpoweri’thetrutho’thecause。AEdileIshallinformthem。BRUTUSAndwhensuchtimetheyhavebeguntocry,Letthemnotcease,butwithadinconfusedEnforcethepresentexecutionOfwhatwechancetosentence。AEdileVerywell。SICINIUSMakethembestrongandreadyforthishint,Whenweshallhaptogive’tthem。BRUTUSGoaboutit。
ExitAEdilePuthimtocholerstraight:hehathbeenusedEvertoconquer,andtohavehisworthOfcontradiction:beingoncechafed,hecannotBerein’dagaintotemperance;thenhespeaksWhat’sinhisheart;andthatistherewhichlooksWithustobreakhisneck。SICINIUSWell,herehecomes。
EnterCORIOLANUS,MENENIUS,andCOMINIUS,withSenatorsandPatriciansMENENIUSCalmly,Idobeseechyou。CORIOLANUSAy,asanostler,thatforthepoorestpieceWillbeartheknavebythevolume。Thehonour’dgodsKeepRomeinsafety,andthechairsofjusticeSuppliedwithworthymen!plantloveamong’s!
Throngourlargetempleswiththeshowsofpeace,Andnotourstreetswithwar!FirstSenatorAmen,amen。MENENIUSAnoblewish。
Re—enterAEdile,withCitizensSICINIUSDrawnear,yepeople。AEdileListtoyourtribunes。Audience:peace,Isay!CORIOLANUSFirst,hearmespeak。BothTribunesWell,say。Peace,ho!CORIOLANUSShallIbechargednofurtherthanthispresent?
Mustalldeterminehere?SICINIUSIdodemand,Ifyousubmityoutothepeople’svoices,AllowtheirofficersandarecontentTosufferlawfulcensureforsuchfaultsAsshallbeproveduponyou?CORIOLANUSIamcontent。MENENIUSLo,citizens,hesaysheiscontent:
Thewarlikeservicehehasdone,consider;thinkUponthewoundshisbodybears,whichshowLikegravesi’theholychurchyard。CORIOLANUSScratcheswithbriers,Scarstomovelaughteronly。MENENIUSConsiderfurther,Thatwhenhespeaksnotlikeacitizen,Youfindhimlikeasoldier:donottakeHisrougheraccentsformalicioussounds,But,asIsay,suchasbecomeasoldier,Ratherthanenvyyou。COMINIUSWell,well,nomore。CORIOLANUSWhatisthematterThatbeingpass’dforconsulwithfullvoice,Iamsodishonour’dthattheveryhourYoutakeitoffagain?SICINIUSAnswertous。CORIOLANUSSay,then:’tistrue,Ioughtso。SICINIUSWechargeyou,thatyouhavecontrivedtotakeFromRomeallseason’dofficeandtowindYourselfintoapowertyrannical;
Forwhichyouareatraitortothepeople。CORIOLANUSHow!traitor!MENENIUSNay,temperately;yourpromise。CORIOLANUSThefiresi’thelowesthellfold—inthepeople!
Callmetheirtraitor!Thouinjurioustribune!
Withinthineeyessattwentythousanddeaths,Inthyhandclutch’dasmanymillions,inThylyingtonguebothnumbers,Iwouldsay’Thouliest’untotheewithavoiceasfreeAsIdopraythegods。SICINIUSMarkyouthis,people?CitizensTotherock,totherockwithhim!SICINIUSPeace!
Weneednotputnewmattertohischarge:
Whatyouhaveseenhimdoandheardhimspeak,Beatingyourofficers,cursingyourselves,OpposinglawswithstrokesandheredefyingThosewhosegreatpowermusttryhim;eventhis,Socriminalandinsuchcapitalkind,Deservestheextremestdeath。BRUTUSButsincehehathServedwellforRome,——CORIOLANUSWhatdoyouprateofservice?BRUTUSItalkofthat,thatknowit。CORIOLANUSYou?MENENIUSIsthisthepromisethatyoumadeyourmother?COMINIUSKnow,Iprayyou,——CORIOLANUSIknownofurther:
LetthempronouncethesteepTarpeiandeath,Vagabondexile,raying,penttolingerButwithagrainaday,IwouldnotbuyTheirmercyatthepriceofonefairword;
Norchequemycourageforwhattheycangive,Tohave’twithsaying’Goodmorrow。’SICINIUSForthathehas,Asmuchasinhimlies,fromtimetotimeEnviedagainstthepeople,seekingmeansTopluckawaytheirpower,asnowatlastGivenhostilestrokes,andthatnotinthepresenceOfdreadedjustice,butontheministersThatdodistributeit;inthenameo’thepeopleAndinthepowerofusthetribunes,we,Evenfromthisinstant,banishhimourcity,InperilofprecipitationFromofftherockTarpeiannevermoreToenterourRomegates:i’thepeople’sname,Isayitshallbeso。CitizensItshallbeso,itshallbeso;lethimaway:
He’sbanish’d,anditshallbeso。COMINIUSHearme,mymasters,andmycommonfriends,——SICINIUSHe’ssentenced;nomorehearing。COMINIUSLetmespeak:
Ihavebeenconsul,andcanshowforRomeHerenemies’marksuponme。IdoloveMycountry’sgoodwitharespectmoretender,Moreholyandprofound,thanmineownlife,Mydearwife’sestimate,herwomb’sincrease,Andtreasureofmyloins;thenifIwouldSpeakthat,——SICINIUSWeknowyourdrift:speakwhat?BRUTUSThere’snomoretobesaid,butheisbanish’d,Asenemytothepeopleandhiscountry:
Itshallbeso。CitizensItshallbeso,itshallbeso。CORIOLANUSYoucommoncryofcurs!whosebreathIhateAsreeko’therottenfens,whoselovesIprizeAsthedeadcarcassesofunburiedmenThatdocorruptmyair,Ibanishyou;
Andhereremainwithyouruncertainty!
Leteveryfeeblerumourshakeyourhearts!
Yourenemies,withnoddingoftheirplumes,Fanyouintodespair!HavethepowerstillTobanishyourdefenders;tillatlengthYourignorance,whichfindsnottillitfeels,Makingnotreservationofyourselves,Stillyourownfoes,deliveryouasmostAbatedcaptivestosomenationThatwonyouwithoutblows!Despising,Foryou,thecity,thusIturnmyback:
Thereisaworldelsewhere。
ExeuntCORIOLANUS,COMINIUS,MENENIUS,Senators,andPatriciansAEdileThepeople’senemyisgone,isgone!CitizensOurenemyisbanish’d!heisgone!Hoo!
hoo!
Shouting,andthrowinguptheircapsSICINIUSGo,seehimoutatgates,andfollowhim,Ashehathfollowedyou,withalldespite;
Givehimdeservedvexation。LetaguardAttendusthroughthecity。CitizensCome,come;let’sseehimoutatgates;
come。
Thegodspreserveournobletribunes!Come。
ExeuntACTIVSCENEI。Rome。Beforeagateofthecity。EnterCORIOLANUS,VOLUMNIA,VIRGILIA,MENENIUS,COMINIUS,withtheyoungNobilityofRomeCORIOLANUSCome,leaveyourtears:abrieffarewell:
thebeastWithmanyheadsbuttsmeaway。Nay,mother,Whereisyourancientcourage?youwereusedTosayextremitywasthetrierofspirits;
Thatcommonchancescommonmencouldbear;
ThatwhentheseawascalmallboatsalikeShow’dmastershipinfloating;fortune’sblows,Whenmoststruckhome,beinggentlewounded,cravesAnoblecunning:youwereusedtoloadmeWithpreceptsthatwouldmakeinvincibleTheheartthatconn’dthem。VIRGILIAOheavens!Oheavens!CORIOLANUSNay!prithee,woman,——VOLUMNIANowtheredpestilencestrikealltradesinRome,Andoccupationsperish!CORIOLANUSWhat,what,what!
IshallbelovedwhenIamlack’d。Nay,mother。
Resumethatspirit,whenyouwerewonttosay,IfyouhadbeenthewifeofHercules,Sixofhislaboursyou’ldhavedone,andsavedYourhusbandsomuchsweat。Cominius,Droopnot;adieu。Farewell,mywife,mymother:
I’lldowellyet。ThouoldandtrueMenenius,Thytearsaresalterthanayoungerman’s,Andvenomoustothineeyes。Mysometimegeneral,Ihaveseentheestem,andthouhastoftbeheldHeart—hardeningspectacles;tellthesesadwomen’Tisfondtowailinevitablestrokes,As’tistolaughat’em。Mymother,youwotwellMyhazardsstillhavebeenyoursolace:andBelieve’tnotlightly——thoughIgoalone,Liketoalonelydragon,thathisfenMakesfear’dandtalk’dofmorethanseen——yoursonWillorexceedthecommonorbecaughtWithcautelousbaitsandpractise。VOLUMNIAMyfirstson。
Whitherwiltthougo?TakegoodCominiusWiththeeawhile:determineonsomecourse,MorethanawildexposturetoeachchanceThatstartsi’thewaybeforethee。CORIOLANUSOthegods!COMINIUSI’llfollowtheeamonth,devisewiththeeWherethoushaltrest,thatthoumaysthearofusAndweofthee:soifthetimethrustforthAcauseforthyrepeal,weshallnotsendO’erthevastworldtoseekasingleman,Andloseadvantage,whichdothevercoolI’theabsenceoftheneeder。CORIOLANUSFareyewell:
Thouhastyearsuponthee;andthouarttoofullOfthewars’surfeits,togorovewithoneThat’syetunbruised:bringmebutoutatgate。
Come,mysweetwife,mydearestmother,andMyfriendsofnobletouch,whenIamforth,Bidmefarewell,andsmile。Iprayyou,come。
WhileIremainabovetheground,youshallHearfrommestill,andneverofmeaughtButwhatislikemeformerly。MENENIUSThat’sworthilyAsanyearcanhear。Come,let’snotweep。
IfIcouldshakeoffbutonesevenyearsFromtheseoldarmsandlegs,bythegoodgods,I’ldwiththeeeveryfoot。CORIOLANUSGivemethyhand:Come。
ExeuntSCENEII。Thesame。Astreetnearthegate。EnterSICINIUS,BRUTUS,andanAEdileSICINIUSBidthemallhome;he’sgone,andwe’llnofurther。
Thenobilityarevex’d,whomweseehavesidedInhisbehalf。BRUTUSNowwehaveshownourpower,LetusseemhumblerafteritisdoneThanwhenitwasa—doing。SICINIUSBidthemhome:
Saytheirgreatenemyisgone,andtheyStandintheirancientstrength。BRUTUSDismissthemhome。
ExitAEdileHerecomeshismother。SICINIUSLet’snotmeether。BRUTUSWhy?SICINIUSTheysayshe’smad。BRUTUSTheyhaveta’ennoteofus:keeponyourway。
EnterVOLUMNIA,VIRGILIA,andMENENIUSVOLUMNIAO,ye’rewellmet:thehoardedplagueo’thegodsRequiteyourlove!MENENIUSPeace,peace;benotsoloud。VOLUMNIAIfthatIcouldforweeping,youshouldhear,——
Nay,andyoushallhearsome。
ToBRUTUS
Willyoubegone?VIRGILIA[ToSICINIUS]Youshallstaytoo:IwouldIhadthepowerTosaysotomyhusband。SICINIUSAreyoumankind?VOLUMNIAAy,fool;isthatashame?Notebutthisfool。
Wasnotamanmyfather?HadstthoufoxshipTobanishhimthatstruckmoreblowsforRomeThanthouhastspokenwords?SICINIUSOblessedheavens!VOLUMNIAMorenobleblowsthaneverthouwisewords;
AndforRome’sgood。I’lltelltheewhat;yetgo:
Nay,butthoushaltstaytoo:IwouldmysonWereinArabia,andthytribebeforehim,Hisgoodswordinhishand。SICINIUSWhatthen?VIRGILIAWhatthen!
He’ldmakeanendofthyposterity。VOLUMNIABastardsandall。
Goodman,thewoundsthathedoesbearforRome!MENENIUSCome,come,peace。SICINIUSIwouldhehadcontinuedtohiscountryAshebegan,andnotunknithimselfThenobleknothemade。BRUTUSIwouldhehad。VOLUMNIA’Iwouldhehad’!’Twasyouincensedtherabble:
Cats,thatcanjudgeasfitlyofhisworthAsIcanofthosemysterieswhichheavenWillnothaveearthtoknow。BRUTUSPray,letusgo。VOLUMNIANow,pray,sir,getyougone:
Youhavedoneabravedeed。Ereyougo,hearthis:——
AsfarasdoththeCapitolexceedThemeanesthouseinRome,sofarmyson——
Thislady’shusbandhere,this,doyousee——
Whomyouhavebanish’d,doesexceedyouall。BRUTUSWell,well,we’llleaveyou。SICINIUSWhystaywetobebaitedWithonethatwantsherwits?VOLUMNIATakemyprayerswithyou。
ExeuntTribunesIwouldthegodshadnothingelsetodoButtoconfirmmycurses!CouldImeet’emButoncea—day,itwouldunclogmyheartOfwhatliesheavyto’t。MENENIUSYouhavetoldthemhome;
And,bymytroth,youhavecause。You’llsupwithme?VOLUMNIAAnger’smymeat;Isupuponmyself,Andsoshallstarvewithfeeding。Come,let’sgo:
LeavethisfaintpulingandlamentasIdo,Inanger,Juno—like。Come,come,come。MENENIUSFie,fie,fie!
ExeuntSCENEIII。AhighwaybetweenRomeandAntium。EnteraRomanandaVolsce,meetingRomanIknowyouwell,sir,andyouknowme:yourname,Ithink,isAdrian。VolsceItisso,sir:truly,Ihaveforgotyou。RomanIamaRoman;andmyservicesare,asyouare,against’em:knowyoumeyet?VolsceNicanor?no。RomanThesame,sir。VolsceYouhadmorebeardwhenIlastsawyou;
butyourfavouriswellapprovedbyyourtongue。What’sthenewsinRome?IhaveanotefromtheVolscianstate,tofindyououtthere:youhavewellsavedmeaday’sjourney。RomanTherehathbeeninRomestrangeinsurrections;
thepeopleagainstthesenators,patricians,andnobles。VolsceHathbeen!isitended,then?Ourstatethinksnotso:theyareinamostwarlikepreparation,andhopetocomeuponthemintheheatoftheirdivision。RomanThemainblazeofitispast,butasmallthingwouldmakeitflameagain:forthenoblesreceivesotoheartthebanishmentofthatworthyCoriolanus,thattheyareinaripeaptnesstotakeallpowerfromthepeopleandtopluckfromthemtheirtribunesforever。Thisliesglowing,I
cantellyou,andisalmostmaturefortheviolentbreakingout。VolsceCoriolanusbanished!RomanBanished,sir。VolsceYouwillbewelcomewiththisintelligence,Nicanor。RomanThedayserveswellforthemnow。Ihavehearditsaid,thefittesttimetocorruptaman’swifeiswhenshe’sfallenoutwithherhusband。YournobleTullusAufidiuswillappearwellinthesewars,hisgreatopposer,Coriolanus,beingnowinnorequestofhiscountry。VolsceHecannotchoose。Iammostfortunate,thusaccidentallytoencounteryou:youhaveendedmybusiness,andIwillmerrilyaccompanyyouhome。RomanIshall,betweenthisandsupper,tellyoumoststrangethingsfromRome;alltendingtothegoodoftheiradversaries。Haveyouanarmyready,sayyou?VolsceAmostroyalone;thecenturionsandtheircharges,distinctlybilleted,alreadyintheentertainment,andtobeonfootatanhour’swarning。RomanIamjoyfultohearoftheirreadiness,andamtheman,Ithink,thatshallsettheminpresentaction。