So,sir,heartilywellmet,andmostgladofyourcompany。VolsceYoutakemypartfromme,sir;Ihavethemostcausetobegladofyours。RomanWell,letusgotogether。
ExeuntSCENEIV。Antium。BeforeAufidius’shouse。EnterCORIOLANUSinmeanapparel,disguisedandmuffledCORIOLANUSAgoodlycityisthisAntium。City,’TisIthatmadethywidows:manyanheirOfthesefairedifices’foremywarsHaveIheardgroananddrop:thenknowmenot,LestthatthywiveswithspitsandboyswithstonesInpunybattleslayme。
EnteraCitizenSaveyou,sir。CitizenAndyou。CORIOLANUSDirectme,ifitbeyourwill,WheregreatAufidiuslies:isheinAntium?CitizenHeis,andfeaststhenoblesofthestateAthishousethisnight。CORIOLANUSWhichishishouse,beseechyou?CitizenThis,herebeforeyou。CORIOLANUSThankyou,sir:farewell。
ExitCitizenOworld,thyslipperyturns!Friendsnowfastsworn,Whosedoublebosomsseemtowearoneheart,Whosehouse,whosebed,whosemeal,andexercise,Arestilltogether,whotwin,as’twere,inloveUnseparable,shallwithinthishour,Onadissensionofadoit,breakoutTobitterestenmity:so,fellestfoes,Whosepassionsandwhoseplotshavebroketheirsleep,Totaketheonetheother,bysomechance,Sometricknotworthanegg,shallgrowdearfriendsAndinterjointheirissues。Sowithme:
Mybirth—placehateI,andmylove’suponThisenemytown。I’llenter:ifheslayme,Hedoesfairjustice;ifhegivemeway,I’lldohiscountryservice。
ExitSCENEV。Thesame。AhallinAufidius’shouse。Musicwithin。EnteraServingmanFirstServingmanWine,wine,wine!Whatserviceishere!Ithinkourfellowsareasleep。
ExitEnterasecondServingmanSecondServingmanWhere’sCotus?mymastercallsforhim。Cotus!
ExitEnterCORIOLANUSCORIOLANUSAgoodlyhouse:thefeastsmellswell;
butI
Appearnotlikeaguest。
Re—enterthefirstServingmanFirstServingmanWhatwouldyouhave,friend?whenceareyou?
Here’snoplaceforyou:pray,gotothedoor。
ExitCORIOLANUSIhavedeservednobetterentertainment,InbeingCoriolanus。
Re—entersecondServingmanSecondServingmanWhenceareyou,sir?Hastheporterhiseyesinhishead;thathegivesentrancetosuchcompanions?
Pray,getyouout。CORIOLANUSAway!SecondServingmanAway!getyouaway。CORIOLANUSNowthou’rttroublesome。SecondServingmanAreyousobrave?I’llhaveyoutalkedwithanon。
EnterathirdServingman。ThefirstmeetshimThirdServingmanWhatfellow’sthis?FirstServingmanAstrangeoneaseverIlookedon:Icannotgethimoutofthehouse:prithee,callmymastertohim。
RetiresThirdServingmanWhathaveyoutodohere,fellow?Prayyou,avoidthehouse。CORIOLANUSLetmebutstand;Iwillnothurtyourhearth。ThirdServingmanWhatareyou?CORIOLANUSAgentleman。ThirdServingmanAmarvellouspoorone。CORIOLANUSTrue,soIam。ThirdServingmanPrayyou,poorgentleman,takeupsomeotherstation;here’snoplaceforyou;prayyou,avoid:
come。CORIOLANUSFollowyourfunction,go,andbattenoncoldbits。
PusheshimawayThirdServingmanWhat,youwillnot?Prithee,tellmymasterwhatastrangeguesthehashere。SecondServingmanAndIshall。
ExitThirdServingmanWheredwellestthou?CORIOLANUSUnderthecanopy。ThirdServingmanUnderthecanopy!CORIOLANUSAy。ThirdServingmanWhere’sthat?CORIOLANUSI’thecityofkitesandcrows。ThirdServingmanI’thecityofkitesandcrows!Whatanassitis!
Thenthoudwellestwithdawstoo?CORIOLANUSNo,Iservenotthymaster。ThirdServingmanHow,sir!doyoumeddlewithmymaster?CORIOLANUSAy;’tisanhonesterservicethantomeddlewiththymistress。Thoupratest,andpratest;servewiththytrencher,hence!
Beatshimaway。ExitthirdServingmanEnterAUFIDIUSwiththesecondServingmanAUFIDIUSWhereisthisfellow?SecondServingmanHere,sir:I’ldhavebeatenhimlikeadog,butfordisturbingthelordswithin。
RetiresAUFIDIUSWhencecomestthou?whatwouldstthou?
thyname?
Whyspeak’stnot?speak,man:what’sthyname?CORIOLANUSIf,Tullus,UnmufflingNotyetthouknowestme,and,seeingme,dostnotThinkmeforthemanIam,necessityCommandsmenamemyself。AUFIDIUSWhatisthyname?CORIOLANUSAnameunmusicaltotheVolscians’ears,Andharshinsoundtothine。AUFIDIUSSay,what’sthyname?
Thouhastagrimappearance,andthyfaceBearsacommandin’t;thoughthytackle’storn。
Thoushow’stanoblevessel:what’sthyname?CORIOLANUSPreparethybrowtofrown:know’stthoumeyet?AUFIDIUSIknowtheenot:thyname?CORIOLANUSMynameisCaiusMarcius,whohathdoneTotheeparticularlyandtoalltheVolscesGreathurtandmischief;theretowitnessmayMysurname,Coriolanus:thepainfulservice,TheextremedangersandthedropsofbloodShedformythanklesscountryarerequitedButwiththatsurname;agoodmemory,AndwitnessofthemaliceanddispleasureWhichthoushouldstbearme:onlythatnameremains;
Thecrueltyandenvyofthepeople,Permittedbyourdastardnobles,whoHaveallforsookme,hathdevour’dtherest;
Andsuffer’dmebythevoiceofslavestobeWhoop’doutofRome。NowthisextremityHathbroughtmetothyhearth;notoutofhope——
Mistakemenot——tosavemylife,forifIhadfear’ddeath,ofallthemeni’theworldIwouldhave’voidedthee,butinmerespite,Tobefullquitofthosemybanishers,StandIbeforetheehere。ThenifthouhastAheartofwreakinthee,thatwiltrevengeThineownparticularwrongsandstopthosemaimsOfshameseenthroughthycountry,speedtheestraight,Andmakemymiseryservethyturn:souseitThatmyrevengefulservicesmayproveAsbenefitstothee,forIwillfightAgainstmycanker’dcountrywiththespleenOfalltheunderfiends。ButifsobeThoudarestnotthisandthattoprovemorefortunesThou’rttired,then,inaword,IalsoamLongertolivemostweary,andpresentMythroattotheeandtothyancientmalice;
Whichnottocutwouldshowtheebutafool,SinceIhaveeverfollow’dtheewithhate,Drawntunsofbloodoutofthycountry’sbreast,Andcannotlivebuttothyshame,unlessItbetodotheeservice。AUFIDIUSOMarcius,Marcius!
EachwordthouhastspokehathweededfrommyheartArootofancientenvy。IfJupiterShouldfromyondcloudspeakdivinethings,Andsay’Tistrue,’I’ldnotbelievethemmoreThanthee,allnobleMarcius。LetmetwineMinearmsaboutthatbody,whereagainstMygrainedashanhundredtimeshathbrokeAndscarr’dthemoonwithsplinters:hereIclipTheanvilofmysword,anddocontestAshotlyandasnoblywiththyloveAseverinambitiousstrengthIdidContendagainstthyvalour。Knowthoufirst,IlovedthemaidImarried;nevermanSigh’dtruerbreath;butthatIseetheehere,Thounoblething!moredancesmyraptheartThanwhenIfirstmyweddedmistresssawBestridemythreshold。Why,thouMars!Itellthee,Wehaveapoweronfoot;andIhadpurposeOncemoretohewthytargetfromthybrawn,Orloseminearmfort:thouhastbeatmeoutTwelveseveraltimes,andIhavenightlysinceDreamtofencounters’twixtthyselfandme;
Wehavebeendowntogetherinmysleep,Unbucklinghelms,fistingeachother’sthroat,Andwakedhalfdeadwithnothing。WorthyMarcius,HadwenoquarrelelsetoRome,butthatThouartthencebanish’d,wewouldmusterallFromtwelvetoseventy,andpouringwarIntothebowelsofungratefulRome,Likeaboldfloodo’er—bear。O,come,goin,Andtakeourfriendlysenatorsbythehands;
Whonowarehere,takingtheirleavesofme,Whoampreparedagainstyourterritories,ThoughnotforRomeitself。CORIOLANUSYoublessme,gods!AUFIDIUSTherefore,mostabsolutesir,ifthouwilthaveTheleadingofthineownrevenges,takeTheonehalfofmycommission;andsetdown——
Asbestthouartexperienced,sincethouknow’stThycountry’sstrengthandweakness,——thineownways;
WhethertoknockagainstthegatesofRome,Orrudelyvisittheminpartsremote,Tofrightthem,eredestroy。Butcomein:
LetmecommendtheefirsttothosethatshallSayyeatothydesires。Athousandwelcomes!
Andmoreafriendthane’eranenemy;
Yet,Marcius,thatwasmuch。Yourhand:mostwelcome!
ExeuntCORIOLANUSandAUFIDIUS。ThetwoServingmencomeforwardFirstServingmanHere’sastrangealteration!SecondServingmanBymyhand,Ihadthoughttohavestruckenhimwithacudgel;andyetmymindgavemehisclothesmadeafalsereportofhim。FirstServingmanWhatanarmhehas!heturnedmeaboutwithhisfingerandhisthumb,asonewouldsetupatop。SecondServingmanNay,Iknewbyhisfacethattherewassomethinginhim:hehad,sir,akindofface,methought,——I
cannottellhowtotermit。FirstServingmanHehadso;lookingasitwere——wouldIwerehanged,butIthoughttherewasmoreinhimthanIcouldthink。SecondServingmanSodidI,I’llbesworn:heissimplytherarestmani’theworld。FirstServingmanIthinkheis:butagreatersoldierthanheyouwoton。SecondServingmanWho,mymaster?FirstServingmanNay,it’snomatterforthat。SecondServingmanWorthsixonhim。FirstServingmanNay,notsoneither:butItakehimtobethegreatersoldier。SecondServingmanFaith,lookyou,onecannottellhowtosaythat:
forthedefenceofatown,ourgeneralisexcellent。FirstServingmanAy,andforanassaulttoo。
Re—enterthirdServingmanThirdServingmanOslaves,Icantellyounews,——news,yourascals!FirstServingmanSecondServingmanWhat,what,what?let’spartake。ThirdServingmanIwouldnotbeaRoman,ofallnations;
Ihadaslievebeacondemnedman。FirstServingmanSecondServingmanWherefore?wherefore?ThirdServingmanWhy,here’shethatwaswonttothwackourgeneral,CaiusMarcius。FirstServingmanWhydoyousay’thwackourgeneral’?ThirdServingmanIdonotsay’thwackourgeneral;’buthewasalwaysgoodenoughforhim。SecondServingmanCome,wearefellowsandfriends:hewasevertoohardforhim;Ihaveheardhimsaysohimself。FirstServingmanHewastoohardforhimdirectly,tosaythetrothon’t:beforeCoriolihescotchedhimandnotchedhimlikeacarbonado。SecondServingmanAnhehadbeencanniballygiven,hemighthavebroiledandeatenhimtoo。FirstServingmanBut,moreofthynews?ThirdServingmanWhy,heissomadeonherewithin,asifheweresonandheirtoMars;setatupperendo’thetable;
noquestionaskedhimbyanyofthesenators,buttheystandbaldbeforehim:ourgeneralhimselfmakesamistressofhim:sanctifieshimselfwith’shandandturnsupthewhiteo’theeyetohisdiscourse。
Butthebottomofthenewsisthatourgeneraliscuti’
themiddleandbutonehalfofwhathewasyesterday;fortheotherhashalf,bytheentreatyandgrantofthewholetable。He’llgo,hesays,andsowltheporterofRomegatesbytheears:
hewillmowalldownbeforehim,andleavehispassagepolled。SecondServingmanAndhe’sasliketodo’tasanymanI
canimagine。ThirdServingmanDo’t!hewilldo’t;for,lookyou,sir,hehasasmanyfriendsasenemies;whichfriends,sir,asitwere,durstnot,lookyou,sir,showthemselves,aswetermit,hisfriendswhilsthe’sindirectitude。FirstServingmanDirectitude!what’sthat?ThirdServingmanButwhentheyshallsee,sir,hiscrestupagain,andthemaninblood,theywilloutoftheirburrows,likeconiesafterrain,andrevelallwithhim。FirstServingmanButwhengoesthisforward?ThirdServingmanTo—morrow;to—day;presently;youshallhavethedrumstruckupthisafternoon:’tis,asitwere,aparceloftheirfeast,andtobeexecutederetheywipetheirlips。SecondServingmanWhy,thenweshallhaveastirringworldagain。
Thispeaceisnothing,buttorustiron,increasetailors,andbreedballad—makers。FirstServingmanLetmehavewar,sayI;itexceedspeaceasfarasdaydoesnight;it’sspritely,waking,audible,andfullofvent。Peaceisaveryapoplexy,lethargy;
mulled,deaf,sleepy,insensible;agetterofmorebastardchildrenthanwar’sadestroyerofmen。SecondServingman’Tisso:andaswar,insomesort,maybesaidtobearavisher,soitcannotbedeniedbutpeaceisagreatmakerofcuckolds。FirstServingmanAy,anditmakesmenhateoneanother。ThirdServingmanReason;becausetheythenlessneedoneanother。
Thewarsformymoney。IhopetoseeRomansascheapasVolscians。Theyarerising,theyarerising。AllIn,in,in,in!
ExeuntSCENEVI。Rome。Apublicplace。EnterSICINIUSandBRUTUSSICINIUSWehearnotofhim,neitherneedwefearhim;
Hisremediesaretamei’thepresentpeaceAndquietnessofthepeople,whichbeforeWereinwildhurry。HeredowemakehisfriendsBlushthattheworldgoeswell,whoratherhad,Thoughtheythemselvesdidsufferby’t,beholdDissentiousnumberspesteringstreetsthanseeOurtradesmenwithintheirshopsandgoingAbouttheirfunctionsfriendly。BRUTUSWestoodto’tingoodtime。
EnterMENENIUS
IsthisMenenius?SICINIUS’Tishe,’tishe:O,heisgrownmostkindoflate。BothTribunesHailsir!MENENIUSHailtoyouboth!SICINIUSYourCoriolanusIsnotmuchmiss’d,butwithhisfriends:
Thecommonwealthdothstand,andsowoulddo,Werehemoreangryatit。MENENIUSAll’swell;andmighthavebeenmuchbetter,ifHecouldhavetemporized。SICINIUSWhereishe,hearyou?MENENIUSNay,Ihearnothing:hismotherandhiswifeHearnothingfromhim。
EnterthreeorfourCitizensCitizensThegodspreserveyouboth!SICINIUSGod—den,ourneighbours。BRUTUSGod—dentoyouall,god—dentoyouall。FirstCitizenOurselves,ourwives,andchildren,onourknees,Areboundtoprayforyouboth。SICINIUSLive,andthrive!BRUTUSFarewell,kindneighbours:wewish’dCoriolanusHadlovedyouaswedid。CitizensNowthegodskeepyou!BothTribunesFarewell,farewell。
ExeuntCitizensSICINIUSThisisahappierandmorecomelytimeThanwhenthesefellowsranaboutthestreets,Cryingconfusion。BRUTUSCaiusMarciuswasAworthyofficeri’thewar;butinsolent,O’ercomewithpride,ambitiouspastallthinking,Self—loving,——SICINIUSAndaffectingonesolethrone,Withoutassistance。MENENIUSIthinknotso。SICINIUSWeshouldbythis,toallourlamentation,Ifhehadgoneforthconsul,founditso。BRUTUSThegodshavewellpreventedit,andRomeSitssafeandstillwithouthim。
EnteranAEdileAEdileWorthytribunes,Thereisaslave,whomwehaveputinprison,Reports,theVolsceswithtwoseveralpowersAreenter’dintheRomanterritories,AndwiththedeepestmaliceofthewarDestroywhatliesbefore’em。MENENIUS’TisAufidius,Who,hearingofourMarcius’banishment,Thrustsforthhishornsagainintotheworld;
Whichwereinshell’dwhenMarciusstoodforRome,Anddurstnotoncepeepout。SICINIUSCome,whattalkyouOfMarcius?BRUTUSGoseethisrumourerwhipp’d。ItcannotbeTheVolscesdarebreakwithus。MENENIUSCannotbe!
Wehaverecordthatverywellitcan,AndthreeexamplesofthelikehavebeenWithinmyage。Butreasonwiththefellow,Beforeyoupunishhim,whereheheardthis,LestyoushallchancetowhipyourinformationAndbeatthemessengerwhobidsbewareOfwhatistobedreaded。SICINIUSTellnotme:
Iknowthiscannotbe。BRUTUSNotpossible。
EnteraMessengerMessengerThenoblesingreatearnestnessaregoingAlltothesenate—house:somenewsiscomeThatturnstheircountenances。SICINIUS’Tisthisslave;——
Gowhiphim,’forethepeople’seyes:——hisraising;
Nothingbuthisreport。MessengerYes,worthysir,Theslave’sreportisseconded;andmore,Morefearful,isdeliver’d。SICINIUSWhatmorefearful?MessengerItisspokefreelyoutofmanymouths——
HowprobableIdonotknow——thatMarcius,Join’dwithAufidius,leadsapower’gainstRome,AndvowsrevengeasspaciousasbetweenTheyoung’standoldestthing。SICINIUSThisismostlikely!BRUTUSRaisedonly,thattheweakersortmaywishGoodMarciushomeagain。SICINIUSTheverytrickon’t。MENENIUSThisisunlikely:
HeandAufidiuscannomoreatoneThanviolentestcontrariety。
EnterasecondMessengerSecondMessengerYouaresentfortothesenate:
Afearfularmy,ledbyCaiusMarciusAssociatedwithAufidius,ragesUponourterritories;andhavealreadyO’erbornetheirway,consumedwithfire,andtookWhatlaybeforethem。
EnterCOMINIUSCOMINIUSO,youhavemadegoodwork!MENENIUSWhatnews?whatnews?COMINIUSYouhaveholptoravishyourowndaughtersandTomeltthecityleadsuponyourpates,Toseeyourwivesdishonour’dtoyournoses,——MENENIUSWhat’sthenews?what’sthenews?COMINIUSYourtemplesburnedintheircement,andYourfranchises,whereonyoustood,confinedIntoanauger’sbore。MENENIUSPraynow,yournews?
Youhavemadefairwork,Ifearme。——Pray,yournews?——
IfMarciusshouldbejoin’dwithVolscians,——COMINIUSIf!
Heistheirgod:heleadsthemlikeathingMadebysomeotherdeitythannature,Thatshapesmanbetter;andtheyfollowhim,Againstusbrats,withnolessconfidenceThanboyspursuingsummerbutterflies,Orbutcherskillingflies。MENENIUSYouhavemadegoodwork,Youandyourapron—men;youthatstoodsoupmuchonthevoiceofoccupationandThebreathofgarlic—eaters!COMINIUSHewillshakeYourRomeaboutyourears。MENENIUSAsHerculesDidshakedownmellowfruit。
Youhavemadefairwork!BRUTUSButisthistrue,sir?COMINIUSAy;andyou’lllookpaleBeforeyoufinditother。AlltheregionsDosmilinglyrevolt;andwhoresistAremock’dforvaliantignorance,Andperishconstantfools。Whois’tcanblamehim?
Yourenemiesandhisfindsomethinginhim。MENENIUSWeareallundone,unlessThenoblemanhavemercy。COMINIUSWhoshallaskit?
Thetribunescannotdo’tforshame;thepeopleDeservesuchpityofhimasthewolfDoesoftheshepherds:forhisbestfriends,iftheyShouldsay’BegoodtoRome,’theychargedhimevenAsthoseshoulddothathaddeservedhishate,Andthereinshow’dlikeenemies。MENENIUS’Tistrue:
IfhewereputtingtomyhousethebrandThatshouldconsumeit,IhavenotthefaceTosay’Beseechyou,cease。’Youhavemadefairhands,Youandyourcrafts!youhavecraftedfair!COMINIUSYouhavebroughtAtremblinguponRome,suchaswasneverSoincapableofhelp。BothTribunesSaynotwebroughtit。MENENIUSHow!Wasitwe?welovedhimbut,likebeastsAndcowardlynobles,gavewayuntoyourclusters,Whodidhoothimouto’thecity。COMINIUSButIfearThey’llroarhiminagain。TullusAufidius,Thesecondnameofmen,obeyshispointsAsifhewerehisofficer:desperationIsallthepolicy,strengthanddefence,ThatRomecanmakeagainstthem。
EnteratroopofCitizensMENENIUSHerecometheclusters。
AndisAufidiuswithhim?YouaretheyThatmadetheairunwholesome,whenyoucastYourstinkinggreasycapsinhootingatCoriolanus’exile。Nowhe’scoming;
Andnotahairuponasoldier’sheadWhichwillnotproveawhip:asmanycoxcombsAsyouthrewcapsupwillhetumbledown,Andpayyouforyourvoices。’Tisnomatter;
ifhecouldburnusallintoonecoal,Wehavedeservedit。CitizensFaith,wehearfearfulnews。FirstCitizenFormineownpart,WhenIsaid,banishhim,Isaid’twaspity。SecondCitizenAndsodidI。ThirdCitizenAndsodidI;and,tosaythetruth,sodidverymanyofus:thatwedid,wedidforthebest;
andthoughwewillinglyconsentedtohisbanishment,yetitwasagainstourwill。COMINIUSYeregoodlythings,youvoices!MENENIUSYouhavemadeGoodwork,youandyourcry!Shall’stotheCapitol?COMINIUSO,ay,whatelse?
ExeuntCOMINIUSandMENENIUSSICINIUSGo,masters,getyouhome;benotdismay’d:
TheseareasidethatwouldbegladtohaveThistruewhichtheysoseemtofear。Gohome,Andshownosignoffear。FirstCitizenThegodsbegoodtous!Come,masters,let’shome。
Ieversaidwewerei’thewrongwhenwebanishedhim。SecondCitizenSodidweall。But,come,let’shome。
ExeuntCitizensBRUTUSIdonotlikethisnews。SICINIUSNorI。BRUTUSLet’stotheCapitol。WouldhalfmywealthWouldbuythisforalie!SICINIUSPray,letusgo。
ExeuntSCENEVII。Acamp,atasmalldistancefromRome。EnterAUFIDIUSandhisLieutenantAUFIDIUSDotheystillflytotheRoman?LieutenantIdonotknowwhatwitchcraft’sinhim,butYoursoldiersusehimasthegrace’foremeat,Theirtalkattable,andtheirthanksatend;
Andyouaredarken’dinthisaction,sir,Evenbyyourown。AUFIDIUSIcannothelpitnow,Unless,byusingmeans,IlamethefootOfourdesign。Hebearshimselfmoreproudlier,Eventomyperson,thanIthoughthewouldWhenfirstIdidembracehim:yethisnatureInthat’snochangeling;andImustexcuseWhatcannotbeamended。LieutenantYetIwish,sir,——
Imeanforyourparticular,——youhadnotJoin’dincommissionwithhim;buteitherHadbornetheactionofyourself,orelseTohimhadleftitsolely。AUFIDIUSIunderstandtheewell;andbethousure,whenheshallcometohisaccount,heknowsnotWhatIcanurgeagainsthim。Althoughitseems,Andsohethinks,andisnolessapparentTothevulgareye,thathebearsallthingsfairly。
AndshowsgoodhusbandryfortheVolscianstate,Fightsdragon—like,anddoesachieveassoonAsdrawhissword;yethehathleftundoneThatwhichshallbreakhisneckorhazardmine,Whene’erwecometoouraccount。LieutenantSir,Ibeseechyou,thinkyouhe’llcarryRome?AUFIDIUSAllplacesyieldtohimerehesitsdown;
AndthenobilityofRomearehis:
Thesenatorsandpatricianslovehimtoo:
Thetribunesarenosoldiers;andtheirpeopleWillbeasrashintherepeal,ashastyToexpelhimthence。Ithinkhe’llbetoRomeAsistheospreytothefish,whotakesitBysovereigntyofnature。FirsthewasAnobleservanttothem;buthecouldnotCarryhishonourseven:whether’twaspride,WhichoutofdailyfortuneevertaintsThehappyman;whetherdefectofjudgment,TofailinthedisposingofthosechancesWhichhewaslordof;orwhethernature,Nottobeotherthanonething,notmovingFromthecasquetothecushion,butcommandingpeaceEvenwiththesameausterityandgarbAshecontroll’dthewar;butoneofthese——
Ashehathspicesofthemall,notall,ForIdaresofarfreehim——madehimfear’d,Sohated,andsobanish’d:buthehasamerit,Tochokeitintheutterance。SoourvirtuesLieintheinterpretationofthetime:
Andpower,untoitselfmostcommendable,HathnotatombsoevidentasachairToextolwhatithathdone。
Onefiredrivesoutonefire;onenail,onenail;
Rightsbyrightsfalter,strengthsbystrengthsdofail。
Come,let’saway。When,Caius,Romeisthine,Thouartpoor’stofall;thenshortlyartthoumine。
ExeuntACTVSCENEI。Rome。Apublicplace。EnterMENENIUS,COMINIUS,SICINIUS,BRUTUS,andothersMENENIUSNo,I’llnotgo:youhearwhathehathsaidWhichwassometimehisgeneral;wholovedhimInamostdearparticular。Hecall’dmefather:
Butwhato’that?Go,youthatbanish’dhim;
Amilebeforehistentfalldown,andkneeThewayintohismercy:nay,ifhecoy’dTohearCominiusspeak,I’llkeepathome。COMINIUSHewouldnotseemtoknowme。MENENIUSDoyouhear?COMINIUSYetonetimehedidcallmebymyname:
Iurgedouroldacquaintance,andthedropsThatwehavebledtogether。CoriolanusHewouldnotanswerto:forbadallnames;
Hewasakindofnothing,titleless,Tillhehadforgedhimselfanameo’thefireOfburningRome。MENENIUSWhy,so:youhavemadegoodwork!
Apairoftribunesthathaverack’dforRome,Tomakecoalscheap,——anoblememory!COMINIUSImindedhimhowroyal’twastopardonWhenitwaslessexpected:hereplied,ItwasabarepetitionofastateToonewhomtheyhadpunish’d。MENENIUSVerywell:
Couldhesayless?COMINIUSIoffer’dtoawakenhisregardFor’sprivatefriends:hisanswertomewas,HecouldnotstaytopicktheminapileOfnoisomemustychaff:hesaid’twasfolly,Foronepoorgrainortwo,toleaveunburnt,Andstilltonosetheoffence。MENENIUSForonepoorgrainortwo!
Iamoneofthose;hismother,wife,hischild,Andthisbravefellowtoo,wearethegrains:
Youarethemustychaff;andyouaresmeltAbovethemoon:wemustbeburntforyou。SICINIUSNay,pray,bepatient:ifyourefuseyouraidInthissonever—neededhelp,yetdonotUpbraid’swithourdistress。But,sure,ifyouWouldbeyourcountry’spleader,yourgoodtongue,Morethantheinstantarmywecanmake,Mightstopourcountryman。MENENIUSNo,I’llnotmeddle。SICINIUSPrayyou,gotohim。MENENIUSWhatshouldIdo?BRUTUSOnlymaketrialwhatyourlovecandoForRome,towardsMarcius。MENENIUSWell,andsaythatMarciusReturnme,asCominiusisreturn’d,Unheard;whatthen?
Butasadiscontentedfriend,grief—shotWithhisunkindness?say’tbeso?SICINIUSYetyourgoodwillmusthavethatthanksfromRome,afterthemeasureAsyouintendedwell。MENENIUSI’llundertake’t:
Ithinkhe’llhearme。Yet,tobitehislipAndhumatgoodCominius,muchunheartsme。
Hewasnottakenwell;hehadnotdined:
Theveinsunfill’d,ourbloodiscold,andthenWepoutuponthemorning,areunaptTogiveortoforgive;butwhenwehavestuff’dTheseandtheseconveyancesofourbloodWithwineandfeeding,wehavesupplersoulsThaninourpriest—likefasts:thereforeI’llwatchhimTillhebedietedtomyrequest,AndthenI’llsetuponhim。BRUTUSYouknowtheveryroadintohiskindness,Andcannotloseyourway。MENENIUSGoodfaith,I’llprovehim,Speedhowitwill。IshallerelonghaveknowledgeOfmysuccess。
ExitCOMINIUSHe’llneverhearhim。SICINIUSNot?COMINIUSItellyou,hedoessitingold,hiseyeRedas’twouldburnRome;andhisinjuryThegaolertohispity。Ikneel’dbeforehim;
’Twasveryfaintlyhesaid’Rise;’dismiss’dmeThus,withhisspeechlesshand:whathewoulddo,Hesentinwritingafterme;whathewouldnot,Boundwithanoathtoyieldtohisconditions:
Sothatallhopeisvain。
Unlesshisnoblemother,andhiswife;
Who,asIhear,meantosolicithimFormercytohiscountry。Therefore,let’shence,Andwithourfairentreatieshastethemon。
ExeuntSCENEII。EntranceoftheVolsciancampbeforeRome。TwoSentinelsonguard。
Entertothem,MENENIUSFirstSenatorStay:whenceareyou?SecondSenatorStand,andgoback。MENENIUSYouguardlikemen;’tiswell:but,byyourleave,Iamanofficerofstate,andcomeTospeakwithCoriolanus。FirstSenatorFromwhence?MENENIUSFromRome。FirstSenatorYoumaynotpass,youmustreturn:ourgeneralWillnomorehearfromthence。SecondSenatorYou’llseeyourRomeembracedwithfirebeforeYou’llspeakwithCoriolanus。MENENIUSGoodmyfriends,IfyouhaveheardyourgeneraltalkofRome,Andofhisfriendsthere,itislotstoblanks,Mynamehathtouch’dyourearsitisMenenius。FirstSenatorBeitso;goback:thevirtueofyournameIsnotherepassable。MENENIUSItellthee,fellow,Thegeneralismylover:IhavebeenThebookofhisgoodacts,whencemenhavereadHisnameunparallel’d,haplyamplified;
ForIhaveeververifiedmyfriends,Ofwhomhe’schief,withallthesizethatverityWouldwithoutlapsingsuffer:nay,sometimes,Liketoabowluponasubtleground,Ihavetumbledpastthethrow;andinhispraiseHavealmoststamp’dtheleasing:therefore,fellow,Imusthaveleavetopass。FirstSenatorFaith,sir,ifyouhadtoldasmanyliesinhisbehalfasyouhaveutteredwordsinyourown,youshouldnotpasshere;no,thoughitwereasvirtuoustolieastolivechastely。Therefore,goback。MENENIUSPrithee,fellow,remembermynameisMenenius,alwaysfactionaryonthepartyofyourgeneral。SecondSenatorHowsoeveryouhavebeenhisliar,asyousayyouhave,Iamonethat,tellingtrueunderhim,mustsay,youcannotpass。Therefore,goback。MENENIUSHashedined,canstthoutell?forIwouldnotspeakwithhimtillafterdinner。FirstSenatorYouareaRoman,areyou?MENENIUSIam,asthygeneralis。FirstSenatorThenyoushouldhateRome,ashedoes。
Canyou,whenyouhavepushedoutyourgatestheverydefenderofthem,and,inaviolentpopularignorance,givenyourenemyyourshield,thinktofronthisrevengeswiththeeasygroansofoldwomen,thevirginalpalmsofyourdaughters,orwiththepalsiedintercessionofsuchadecayeddotantasyouseemtobe?Canyouthinktoblowouttheintendedfireyourcityisreadytoflamein,withsuchweakbreathasthis?No,youaredeceived;
therefore,backtoRome,andprepareforyourexecution:youarecondemned,ourgeneralhasswornyououtofreprieveandpardon。MENENIUSSirrah,ifthycaptainknewIwerehere,hewouldusemewithestimation。SecondSenatorCome,mycaptainknowsyounot。MENENIUSImean,thygeneral。FirstSenatorMygeneralcaresnotforyou。Back,I
say,go;lestIletforthyourhalf—pintofblood;back,——that’stheutmostofyourhaving:back。MENENIUSNay,but,fellow,fellow,——
EnterCORIOLANUSandAUFIDIUSCORIOLANUSWhat’sthematter?MENENIUSNow,youcompanion,I’llsayanerrandforyou:
YoushallknownowthatIaminestimation;youshallperceivethataJackguardantcannotofficemefrommysonCoriolanus:guess,butbymyentertainmentwithhim,ifthoustandestnoti’thestateofhanging,orofsomedeathmorelonginspectatorship,andcruellerinsuffering;beholdnowpresently,andswoonforwhat’stocomeuponthee。
ToCORIOLANUS
Thegloriousgodssitinhourlysynodaboutthyparticularprosperity,andlovetheenoworsethanthyoldfatherMeneniusdoes!Omyson,myson!
thouartpreparingfireforus;lookthee,here’swatertoquenchit。Iwashardlymovedtocometothee;butbeingassurednonebutmyselfcouldmovethee,Ihavebeenblownoutofyourgateswithsighs;andconjuretheetopardonRome,andthypetitionarycountrymen。Thegoodgodsassuagethywrath,andturnthedregsofituponthisvarlethere,——this,who,likeablock,hathdeniedmyaccesstothee。CORIOLANUSAway!MENENIUSHow!away!CORIOLANUSWife,mother,child,Iknownot。MyaffairsAreservantedtoothers:thoughIoweMyrevengeproperly,myremissionliesInVolscianbreasts。Thatwehavebeenfamiliar,Ingrateforgetfulnessshallpoison,ratherThanpitynotehowmuch。Therefore,begone。
MineearsagainstyoursuitsarestrongerthanYourgatesagainstmyforce。Yet,forIlovedthee,Takethisalong;IwrititforthysakeGivesaletterAndwouldhaverentit。Anotherword,Menenius,Iwillnotheartheespeak。Thisman,Aufidius,WasmybelovedinRome:yetthoubehold’st!AUFIDIUSYoukeepaconstanttemper。
ExeuntCORIOLANUSandAUFIDIUSFirstSenatorNow,sir,isyournameMenenius?SecondSenator’Tisaspell,yousee,ofmuchpower:
youknowthewayhomeagain。FirstSenatorDoyouhearhowweareshentforkeepingyourgreatnessback?SecondSenatorWhatcause,doyouthink,Ihavetoswoon?MENENIUSIneithercarefortheworldnoryourgeneral:forsuchthingsasyou,Icanscarcethinkthere’sany,ye’resoslight。Hethathathawilltodiebyhimselffearsitnotfromanother:letyourgeneraldohisworst。Foryou,bethatyouare,long;
andyourmiseryincreasewithyourage!Isaytoyou,asIwassaidto,Away!
ExitFirstSenatorAnoblefellow,Iwarranthim。SecondSenatorTheworthyfellowisourgeneral:he’stherock,theoaknottobewind—shaken。
ExeuntSCENEIII。ThetentofCoriolanus。EnterCORIOLANUS,AUFIDIUS,andothersCORIOLANUSWewillbeforethewallsofRometomorrowSetdownourhost。Mypartnerinthisaction,YoumustreporttotheVolscianlords,howplainlyIhavebornethisbusiness。AUFIDIUSOnlytheirendsYouhaverespected;stopp’dyourearsagainstThegeneralsuitofRome;neveradmittedAprivatewhisper,no,notwithsuchfriendsThatthoughtthemsureofyou。CORIOLANUSThislastoldman,Whomwithacrack’dheartIhavesenttoRome,Lovedmeabovethemeasureofafather;
Nay,goddedme,indeed。TheirlatestrefugeWastosendhim;forwhoseoldloveIhave,ThoughIshow’dsourlytohim,oncemoreoffer’dThefirstconditions,whichtheydidrefuseAndcannotnowaccept;togracehimonlyThatthoughthecoulddomore,averylittleIhaveyieldedto:freshembassiesandsuits,Norfromthestatenorprivatefriends,hereafterWillIlendearto。Ha!whatshoutisthis?
ShoutwithinShallIbetemptedtoinfringemyvowInthesametime’tismade?Iwillnot。
Enterinmourninghabits,VIRGILIA,VOLUMNIA,leadingyoungMARCIUS,VALERIA,andAttendantsMywifecomesforemost;thenthehonour’dmouldWhereinthistrunkwasframed,andinherhandThegrandchildtoherblood。But,out,affection!
Allbondandprivilegeofnature,break!
Letitbevirtuoustobeobstinate。
Whatisthatcurt’syworth?orthosedoves’eyes,Whichcanmakegodsforsworn?Imelt,andamnotOfstrongerearththanothers。Mymotherbows;
AsifOlympustoamolehillshouldInsupplicationnod:andmyyoungboyHathanaspectofintercession,whichGreatnaturecries’Denynot。’lettheVolscesPloughRomeandharrowItaly:I’llneverBesuchagoslingtoobeyinstinct,butstand,AsifamanwereauthorofhimselfAndknewnootherkin。VIRGILIAMylordandhusband!CORIOLANUSTheseeyesarenotthesameIworeinRome。VIRGILIAThesorrowthatdeliversusthuschangedMakesyouthinkso。CORIOLANUSLikeadullactornow,Ihaveforgotmypart,andIamout,Eventoafulldisgrace。Bestofmyflesh,Forgivemytyranny;butdonotsayForthat’ForgiveourRomans。’O,akissLongasmyexile,sweetasmyrevenge!
Now,bythejealousqueenofheaven,thatkissIcarriedfromthee,dear;andmytruelipHathvirgin’dite’ersince。Yougods!Iprate,AndthemostnoblemotheroftheworldLeaveunsaluted:sink,myknee,i’theearth;
KneelsOfthydeepdutymoreimpressionshowThanthatofcommonsons。VOLUMNIAO,standupblest!
Whilst,withnosoftercushionthantheflint,Ikneelbeforethee;andunproperlyShowduty,asmistakenallthiswhileBetweenthechildandparent。
KneelsCORIOLANUSWhatisthis?
Yourkneestome?toyourcorrectedson?
ThenletthepebblesonthehungrybeachFillipthestars;thenletthemutinouswindsStriketheproudcedars’gainstthefierysun;
Murderingimpossibility,tomakeWhatcannotbe,slightwork。VOLUMNIAThouartmywarrior;
Iholptoframethee。Doyouknowthislady?CORIOLANUSThenoblesisterofPublicola,ThemoonofRome,chasteastheicicleThat’scurdiedbythefrostfrompurestsnowAndhangsonDian’stemple:dearValeria!VOLUMNIAThisisapoorepitomeofyours,WhichbytheinterpretationoffulltimeMayshowlikeallyourself。CORIOLANUSThegodofsoldiers,WiththeconsentofsupremeJove,informThythoughtswithnobleness;thatthoumaystproveToshameunvulnerable,andsticki’thewarsLikeagreatsea—mark,standingeveryflaw,Andsavingthosethateyethee!VOLUMNIAYourknee,sirrah。CORIOLANUSThat’smybraveboy!VOLUMNIAEvenhe,yourwife,thislady,andmyself,Aresuitorstoyou。CORIOLANUSIbeseechyou,peace:
Or,ifyou’ldask,rememberthisbefore:
ThethingIhaveforsworntograntmayneverBeheldbyyoudenials。DonotbidmeDismissmysoldiers,orcapitulateAgainwithRome’smechanics:tellmenotWhereinIseemunnatural:desirenotToallymyragesandrevengeswithYourcolderreasons。VOLUMNIAO,nomore,nomore!
Youhavesaidyouwillnotgrantusanything;
Forwehavenothingelsetoask,butthatWhichyoudenyalready:yetwewillask;
That,ifyoufailinourrequest,theblameMayhanguponyourhardness:thereforehearus。CORIOLANUSAufidius,andyouVolsces,mark;forwe’llHearnoughtfromRomeinprivate。Yourrequest?VOLUMNIAShouldwebesilentandnotspeak,ourraimentAndstateofbodieswouldbewraywhatlifeWehaveledsincethyexile。ThinkwiththyselfHowmoreunfortunatethanalllivingwomenArewecomehither:sincethatthysight,whichshouldMakeoureyesflowwithjoy,heartsdancewithcomforts,Constrainsthemweepandshakewithfearandsorrow;
Makingthemother,wifeandchildtoseeTheson,thehusbandandthefathertearingHiscountry’sbowelsout。AndtopoorweThineenmity’smostcapital:thoubarr’stusOurprayerstothegods,whichisacomfortThatallbutweenjoy;forhowcanwe,Alas,howcanweforourcountrypray。
Wheretowearebound,togetherwiththyvictory,Wheretowearebound?alack,orwemustloseThecountry,ourdearnurse,orelsethyperson,Ourcomfortinthecountry。WemustfindAnevidentcalamity,thoughwehadOurwish,whichsideshouldwin:foreitherthouMust,asaforeignrecreant,beledWithmanaclesthoroughourstreets,orelsetriumphantlytreadonthycountry’sruin,AndbearthepalmforhavingbravelyshedThywifeandchildren’sblood。Formyself,son,IpurposenottowaitonfortunetillThesewarsdetermine:ifIcannotpersuadetheeRathertoshowanoblegracetobothpartsThanseektheendofone,thoushaltnosoonerMarchtoassaultthycountrythantotread——
Trustto’t,thoushaltnot——onthymother’swomb,Thatbroughttheetothisworld。VIRGILIAAy,andmine,Thatbroughtyouforththisboy,tokeepyournameLivingtotime。YoungMARCIUSA’shallnottreadonme;
I’llrunawaytillIambigger,butthenI’llfight。CORIOLANUSNotofawoman’stendernesstobe,Requiresnorchildnorwoman’sfacetosee。
Ihavesattoolong。
RisingVOLUMNIANay,gonotfromusthus。
IfitweresothatourrequestdidtendTosavetheRomans,therebytodestroyTheVolsceswhomyouserve,youmightcondemnus,Aspoisonousofyourhonour:no;oursuitIsthatyoureconcilethem:whiletheVolscesMaysay’Thismercywehaveshow’d;’theRomans,’Thiswereceived;’andeachineithersideGivetheall—hailtotheeandcry’BeblestFormakingupthispeace!’Thouknow’st,greatson,Theendofwar’suncertain,butthiscertain,That,ifthouconquerRome,thebenefitWhichthoushalttherebyreapissuchaname,Whoserepetitionwillbedogg’dwithcurses;
Whosechroniclethuswrit:’Themanwasnoble,Butwithhislastattempthewipeditout;
Destroy’dhiscountry,andhisnameremainsTotheensuingageabhorr’d。’Speaktome,son:
Thouhastaffectedthefinestrainsofhonour,Toimitatethegracesofthegods;
Totearwiththunderthewidecheekso’theair,AndyettochargethysulphurwithaboltThatshouldbutriveanoak。Whydostnotspeak?
Think’stthouithonourableforanoblemanStilltorememberwrongs?Daughter,speakyou:
Hecaresnotforyourweeping。Speakthou,boy:
PerhapsthychildishnesswillmovehimmoreThancanourreasons。There’snomanintheworldMoreboundto’smother;yethereheletsmeprateLikeonei’thestocks。ThouhastneverinthylifeShow’dthydearmotheranycourtesy,Whenshe,poorhen,fondofnosecondbrood,Hascluck’dtheetothewarsandsafelyhome,Loadenwithhonour。Saymyrequest’sunjust,Andspurnmeback:butifitbenotso,Thouartnothonest;andthegodswillplaguethee,Thatthourestrain’stfrommethedutywhichToamother’spartbelongs。Heturnsaway:
Down,ladies;letusshamehimwithourknees。
TohissurnameCoriolanus’longsmoreprideThanpitytoourprayers。Down:anend;
Thisisthelast:sowewillhometoRome,Anddieamongourneighbours。Nay,behold’s:
Thisboy,thatcannottellwhathewouldhaveButkneelsandholdsupbandsforfellowship,DoesreasonourpetitionwithmorestrengthThanthouhasttodeny’t。Come,letusgo:
ThisfellowhadaVolsciantohismother;
HiswifeisinCorioliandhischildLikehimbychance。Yetgiveusourdispatch:
Iamhush’duntilourcitybea—fire,AndthenI’llspeakalittle。
Heholdsherbythehand,silentCORIOLANUSOmother,mother!
Whathaveyoudone?Behold,theheavensdoope,Thegodslookdown,andthisunnaturalsceneTheylaughat。Omymother,mother!O!
YouhavewonahappyvictorytoRome;
But,foryourson,——believeit,O,believeit,Mostdangerouslyyouhavewithhimprevail’d,Ifnotmostmortaltohim。But,letitcome。
Aufidius,thoughIcannotmaketruewars,I’llframeconvenientpeace。Now,goodAufidius,Wereyouinmystead,wouldyouhaveheardAmotherless?orgrantedless,Aufidius?AUFIDIUSIwasmovedwithal。CORIOLANUSIdarebeswornyouwere:
And,sir,itisnolittlethingtomakeMineeyestosweatcompassion。But,goodsir,Whatpeaceyou’llmake,adviseme:formypart,I’llnottoRome,I’llbackwithyou;andprayyou,Standtomeinthiscause。Omother!wife!AUFIDIUS[Aside]IamgladthouhastsetthymercyandthyhonourAtdifferenceinthee:outofthatI’llworkMyselfaformerfortune。
TheLadiesmakesignstoCORIOLANUSCORIOLANUSAy,byandby;
ToVOLUMNIA,VIRGILIA,&;cButwewilldrinktogether;andyoushallbearAbetterwitnessbackthanwords,whichwe,Onlikeconditions,willhavecounter—seal’d。
Come,enterwithus。Ladies,youdeserveTohaveatemplebuiltyou:alltheswordsInItaly,andherconfederatearms,Couldnothavemadethispeace。
ExeuntSCENEIV。Rome。Apublicplace。EnterMENENIUSandSICINIUSMENENIUSSeeyouyondcoigno’theCapitol,yondcorner—stone?SICINIUSWhy,whatofthat?MENENIUSIfitbepossibleforyoutodisplaceitwithyourlittlefinger,thereissomehopetheladiesofRome,especiallyhismother,mayprevailwithhim。
ButIsaythereisnohopein’t:ourthroatsaresentencedandstayuponexecution。SICINIUSIs’tpossiblethatsoshortatimecanaltertheconditionofaman!MENENIUSThereisdifferencybetweenagrubandabutterfly;
yetyourbutterflywasagrub。ThisMarciusisgrownfrommantodragon:hehaswings;he’smorethanacreepingthing。SICINIUSHelovedhismotherdearly。MENENIUSSodidheme:andhenomoreremembershismothernowthananeight—year—oldhorse。Thetartnessofhisfacesoursripegrapes:whenhewalks,hemoveslikeanengine,andthegroundshrinksbeforehistreading:heisabletopierceacorsletwithhiseye;talkslikeaknell,andhishumisabattery。Hesitsinhisstate,asathingmadeforAlexander。Whathebidsbedoneisfinishedwithhisbidding。Hewantsnothingofagodbuteternityandaheaventothronein。SICINIUSYes,mercy,ifyoureporthimtruly。MENENIUSIpainthiminthecharacter。Markwhatmercyhismothershallbringfromhim:thereisnomoremercyinhimthanthereismilkinamaletiger;thatshallourpoorcityfind:andallthisislongofyou。SICINIUSThegodsbegooduntous!MENENIUSNo,insuchacasethegodswillnotbegooduntous。Whenwebanishedhim,werespectednotthem;
and,hereturningtobreakournecks,theyrespectnotus。
EnteraMessengerMessengerSir,ifyou’ldsaveyourlife,flytoyourhouse:
Theplebeianshavegotyourfellow—tribuneAndhalehimupanddown,allswearing,ifTheRomanladiesbringnotcomforthome,They’llgivehimdeathbyinches。
EnterasecondMessengerSICINIUSWhat’sthenews?SecondMessengerGoodnews,goodnews;theladieshaveprevail’d,TheVolsciansaredislodged,andMarciusgone:
AmerrierdaydidneveryetgreetRome,No,nottheexpulsionoftheTarquins。SICINIUSFriend,Artthoucertainthisistrue?isitmostcertain?SecondMessengerAscertainasIknowthesunisfire:
Wherehaveyoulurk’d,thatyoumakedoubtofit?
Ne’erthroughanarchsohurriedtheblowntide,Astherecomfortedthroughthegates。Why,harkyou!
Trumpets;hautboys;drumsbeat;alltogetherThetrumpets,sackbuts,psalteriesandfifes,TaboursandcymbalsandtheshoutingRomans,Makethesundance。Harkyou!
AshoutwithinMENENIUSThisisgoodnews:
Iwillgomeettheladies。ThisVolumniaIsworthofconsuls,senators,patricians,Acityfull;oftribunes,suchasyou,Aseaandlandfull。Youhavepray’dwellto—day:
ThismorningfortenthousandofyourthroatsI’dnothavegivenadoit。Hark,howtheyjoy!
Musicstill,withshoutsSICINIUSFirst,thegodsblessyouforyourtidings;
next,Acceptmythankfulness。SecondMessengerSir,wehaveallGreatcausetogivegreatthanks。SICINIUSTheyarenearthecity?SecondMessengerAlmostatpointtoenter。SICINIUSWewillmeetthem,Andhelpthejoy。
ExeuntSCENEV。Thesame。Astreetnearthegate。EntertwoSenatorswithVOLUMNIA,VIRGILIA,VALERIA,&;
c。passingoverthestage,followedbyPatriciansandothersFirstSenatorBeholdourpatroness,thelifeofRome!
Callallyourtribestogether,praisethegods,Andmaketriumphantfires;strewflowersbeforethem:
Unshoutthenoisethatbanish’dMarcius,Repealhimwiththewelcomeofhismother;
Cry’Welcome,ladies,welcome!’AllWelcome,ladies,Welcome!
Aflourishwithdrumsandtrumpets。ExeuntSCENEVI。Antium。Apublicplace。EnterTULLUSAUFIDIUS,withAttendantsAUFIDIUSGotellthelordso’thecityIamhere:
Deliverthemthispaper:havingreadit,Bidthemrepairtothemarketplace;whereI,Evenintheirsandinthecommons’ears,Willvouchthetruthofit。HimIaccuseThecityportsbythishathenter’dandIntendstoappearbeforethepeople,hopingTopurgeherselfwithwords:dispatch。
ExeuntAttendantsEnterthreeorfourConspiratorsofAUFIDIUS’factionMostwelcome!FirstConspiratorHowisitwithourgeneral?AUFIDIUSEvensoAswithamanbyhisownalmsempoison’d,Andwithhischarityslain。SecondConspiratorMostnoblesir,IfyoudoholdthesameintentwhereinYouwish’dusparties,we’lldeliveryouOfyourgreatdanger。AUFIDIUSSir,Icannottell:
Wemustproceedaswedofindthepeople。ThirdConspiratorThepeoplewillremainuncertainwhilst’Twixtyouthere’sdifference;butthefallofeitherMakesthesurvivorheirofall。AUFIDIUSIknowit;
AndmypretexttostrikeathimadmitsAgoodconstruction。Iraisedhim,andIpawn’dMinehonourforhistruth:whobeingsoheighten’d,Hewater’dhisnewplantswithdewsofflattery,Seducingsomyfriends;and,tothisend,Hebow’dhisnature,neverknownbeforeButtoberough,unswayableandfree。ThirdConspiratorSir,hisstoutnessWhenhedidstandforconsul,whichhelostBylackofstooping,——AUFIDIUSThatIwouldhavespokeof:
Beingbanish’dfor’t,hecameuntomyhearth;
Presentedtomyknifehisthroat:Itookhim;
Madehimjoint—servantwithme;gavehimwayInallhisowndesires;nay,lethimchooseOutofmyfiles,hisprojectstoaccomplish,Mybestandfreshestmen;servedhisdesignmentsInmineownperson;holptoreapthefameWhichhedidendallhis;andtooksomeprideTodomyselfthiswrong:till,atthelast,Iseem’dhisfollower,notpartner,andHewagedmewithhiscountenance,asifIhadbeenmercenary。FirstConspiratorSohedid,mylord:
Thearmymarvell’datit,and,inthelast,WhenhehadcarriedRomeandthatwelook’dFornolessspoilthanglory,——AUFIDIUSTherewasit:
Forwhichmysinewsshallbestretch’duponhim。
Atafewdropsofwomen’srheum,whichareAscheapaslies,hesoldthebloodandlabourOfourgreataction:thereforeshallhedie,AndI’llrenewmeinhisfall。But,hark!
Drumsandtrumpetssound,withgreatshoutsofthePeopleFirstConspiratorYournativetownyouenter’dlikeapost,Andhadnowelcomeshome:buthereturns,Splittingtheairwithnoise。SecondConspiratorAndpatientfools,Whosechildrenhehathslain,theirbasethroatstearWithgivinghimglory。ThirdConspiratorTherefore,atyourvantage,Ereheexpresshimself,ormovethepeopleWithwhathewouldsay,lethimfeelyoursword,Whichwewillsecond。Whenheliesalong,AfteryourwayhistalepronouncedshallburyHisreasonswithhisbody。AUFIDIUSSaynomore:
Herecomethelords。
EntertheLordsofthecityAllTheLordsYouaremostwelcomehome。AUFIDIUSIhavenotdeservedit。
But,worthylords,haveyouwithheedperusedWhatIhavewrittentoyou?LordsWehave。FirstLordAndgrievetohear’t。
Whatfaultshemadebeforethelast,IthinkMighthavefoundeasyfines:buttheretoendWherehewastobeginandgiveawayThebenefitofourlevies,answeringusWithourowncharge,makingatreatywhereTherewasayielding,——thisadmitsnoexcuse。AUFIDIUSHeapproaches:youshallhearhim。
EnterCORIOLANUS,marchingwithdrumandcolours;commonersbeingwithhimCORIOLANUSHail,lords!Iamreturn’dyoursoldier,Nomoreinfectedwithmycountry’sloveThanwhenIpartedhence,butstillsubsistingUnderyourgreatcommand。YouaretoknowThatprosperouslyIhaveattemptedandWithbloodypassageledyourwarseventoThegatesofRome。OurspoilswehavebroughthomeDomorethancounterpoiseafullthirdpartThechargesoftheaction。WehavemadepeaceWithnolesshonourtotheAntiatesThanshametotheRomans:andweheredeliver,Subscribedbytheconsulsandpatricians,Togetherwiththesealo’thesenate,whatWehavecompoundedon。AUFIDIUSReaditnot,noblelords;
Buttellthetraitor,inthehigh’stdegreeHehathabusedyourpowers。CORIOLANUSTraitor!hownow!AUFIDIUSAy,traitor,Marcius!CORIOLANUSMarcius!AUFIDIUSAy,Marcius,CaiusMarcius:dostthouthinkI’llgracetheewiththatrobbery,thystol’nnameCoriolanusinCorioli?
Youlordsandheadso’thestate,perfidiouslyHehasbetray’dyourbusiness,andgivenup,Forcertaindropsofsalt,yourcityRome,Isay’yourcity,’tohiswifeandmother;
BreakinghisoathandresolutionlikeAtwistofrottensilk,neveradmittingCounselo’thewar,butathisnurse’stearsHewhinedandroar’dawayyourvictory,Thatpagesblush’dathimandmenofheartLook’dwonderingeachatother。CORIOLANUSHear’stthou,Mars?AUFIDIUSNamenotthegod,thouboyoftears!CORIOLANUSHa!AUFIDIUSNomore。CORIOLANUSMeasurelessliar,thouhastmademyheartToogreatforwhatcontainsit。Boy!Oslave!
Pardonme,lords,’tisthefirsttimethateverIwasforcedtoscold。Yourjudgments,mygravelords,Mustgivethiscurthelie:andhisownnotion——
Whowearsmystripesimpress’duponhim;thatMustbearmybeatingtohisgrave——shalljoinTothrustthelieuntohim。FirstLordPeace,both,andhearmespeak。CORIOLANUSCutmetopieces,Volsces;menandlads,Stainallyouredgesonme。Boy!falsehound!
Ifyouhavewrityourannalstrue,’tisthere,That,likeaneagleinadove—cote,I
Flutter’dyourVolsciansinCorioli:
AloneIdidit。Boy!AUFIDIUSWhy,noblelords,Willyoubeputinmindofhisblindfortune,Whichwasyourshame,bythisunholybraggart,’Foreyourowneyesandears?AllConspiratorsLethimdiefor’t。AllThePeople’Tearhimtopieces。’’Doitpresently。’
’Hekill’dmyson。’’Mydaughter。’’HekilledmycousinMarcus。’’Hekilledmyfather。’SecondLordPeace,ho!nooutrage:peace!
Themanisnobleandhisfamefolds—inThisorbo’theearth。HislastoffencestousShallhavejudicioushearing。Stand,Aufidius,Andtroublenotthepeace。CORIOLANUSOthatIhadhim,WithsixAufidiuses,ormore,histribe,Tousemylawfulsword!AUFIDIUSInsolentvillain!AllConspiratorsKill,kill,kill,kill,killhim!
TheConspiratorsdraw,andkillCORIOLANUS:AUFIDIUSstandsonhisbodyLordsHold,hold,hold,hold!AUFIDIUSMynoblemasters,hearmespeak。FirstLordOTullus,——SecondLordThouhastdoneadeedwhereatvalourwillweep。ThirdLordTreadnotuponhim。Mastersall,bequiet;
Putupyourswords。AUFIDIUSMylords,whenyoushallknow——asinthisrage,Provokedbyhim,youcannot——thegreatdangerWhichthisman’slifedidoweyou,you’llrejoiceThatheisthuscutoff。PleaseityourhonoursTocallmetoyoursenate,I’lldeliverMyselfyourloyalservant,orendureYourheaviestcensure。FirstLordBearfromhencehisbody;
Andmournyouforhim:lethimberegardedAsthemostnoblecorsethateverheraldDidfollowtohisurn。SecondLordHisownimpatienceTakesfromAufidiusagreatpartofblame。
Let’smakethebestofit。AUFIDIUSMyrageisgone;
AndIamstruckwithsorrow。Takehimup。
Help,threeo’thechiefestsoldiers;I’llbeone。
Beatthouthedrum,thatitspeakmournfully:
Trailyoursteelpikes。ThoughinthiscityheHathwidow’dandunchildedmanyaone,Whichtothishourbewailtheinjury,Yetheshallhaveanoblememory。Assist。
Exeunt,bearingthebodyofCORIOLANUS。Adeadmarchsounded