world Hear nought from Rome in private.-Your request? Than can our reasons.-There is no man in the Vol. Should we be silent and not speak, our raiment, And state of bodies, would bewray' what life Make our eyes flow with joy, hearts dance with comforts, Constrains them weep, and shake with fear and sorrow; Making the mother, wife, and child, to see Our wish, which side should win: for either thou With manacles thorough our streets, or else These wars determine:2 if I cannot persuade thee Boy. He shall not tread on me; [Rising. Nay, go not from us thus. If it were so, that our request did tend To save the Romans, thereby to destroy More bound to his mother; yet here he lets me prate Like him by chance:-Yet give us our despatch: Cor. O mother, mother! [Holding Volumnia by the hands, silent. What have you done? Behold, the heavens do ope, The gods look down, and this unnatural scene They laugh at. O my mother, mother! O! You have won a happy victory to Rome: But, for your son,-believe it, O, believe it, Most dangerously you have with him prevail'd, If not most mortal to him. But, let it come :Aufidius, though I cannot make true wars, I'll frame convenient peace. Now, good Aufidius, Were you in my stead, say, would you have heard' A mother less? or granted less, Aufidius? Auf. I was mov'd withal. Cor. I dare be sworn, you were. And, sir, it is no little thing, to make Mine eyes to sweat compassion. But, good sir, What peace you'll make, advise me: For my part, I'll not to Rome, I'll back with you; and pray you, Stand to me in this cause.-O mother! wife! Auf. I am glad, thou hast set thy mercy and thy honour The Volces whom you serve, you might condemn us, At difference in thee: out of that I'll work As poisonous of your honour: No; our suit To tear with thunder the wide cheeks o'the air, (1) Betray. (2) Conclude. (3) The refinements. [Exeunt. Sic. Is't possible, that so short a time can alter the condition of a man? Mess. Almost at point to enter. Men. There is differency between a grub, and a And help the joy. butterfly; yet your butterfly was a grub. This Marcius is grown from man to dragon: he has wings; he's more than a creeping thing. Sic. He loved his mother dearly. We will meet them, [Going. Enter the Ladies, accompanied by Senators, Patricians, and People. They pass over the stage. 1 Sen. Behold our patroness, the life of Rome : Men. So did he me: and he no more remembers Call all your tribes together, praise the gods, his mother now, than an eight year old horse. The And make triumphant fires; strew flowers before tartness of his face sours ripe grapes. When he them: walks, he moves like an engine, and the ground Unshout the noise that banish'd Marcius, Sic. Yes, mercy, if you report him truly. Sic. The gods be good unto us! Men. No, in such a case the gods will not be good unto us. When we banished him, we respected not them: and, he returning to break our necks, they respect not us. Enter a Messenger. Mess. Sir, if you'd save your life, fly to your The plebeians have got your fellow-tribune, Enter another Messenger. What's the news? Sic. The Volces are dislodg'd, and Marcius gone : Friend, [Trumpets and hautboys sounded, and drums beaten, all together. Shouting also within. The trumpets, sackbuts, psalteries, and fifes, Tabors, and cymbals, and the shouting Romans, Make the sun dance. Hark you! [Shouting again. Accept my thankfulness. Mess. Sir, we have all Great cause to give great thanks. Chair of state. All. Welcome, ladies! [A flourish with drums and trumpets. [Exeunt. SCENE V.-Antium. A public place. Enter Tullus Aufidius, with Attendants. Auf. Go tell the lords of the city, I am here: [Exeunt Attendants. If you do hold the same intent wherein Sir, I cannot tell; We must proceed, as we do find the people. 3 Con. The people will remain uncertain, whilst 'Twixt you there's difference; but the fall of either Makes the survivor heir of all. Auf. Auf G So he did, my lord: They are near the city? The army marvell'd at it. And, in the last, (2) To resemble. (6) Thought me rewarded with good looks. For no less spoil, than glory,Auf (I say, your city,) to his wife and mother: it;-Breaking his oath and resolution, like There was For which my sinews shall be stretch'd upon him. At a few drops of women's rheum,' which are As cheap as lies, he sold the blood and labour Of our great action; Therefore shall he die, And I'll renew me in his fall. But, hark! [Drums and trumpets sound, with great shouts of the people. 1 Con. Your native town you enter'd like a post, And had no welcomes home; but he returns, Splitting the air with noise. 2 Con. And patient fools, Whose children he hath slain, their base throats tear, With giving him glory. Here come the lords. Say no more; A twist of rotten silk; never admitting Auf. No more." Ha! .Cor. Measureless liar, thou hast made my heart Too great for what contains it. Boy! O slave!— Pardon me, lords, 'tis the first time that ever I was forc'd to scold. Your judgments, my grave lords, Must give this cur the lie: and his own notion My beating to his grave;) shall join to thrust 1 Lord. Auf. Why, noble lords, Will you be put in mind of his blind fortune, Which was your shame, by this unholy braggart, Fore your own eyes and ears? Con. Let him die for't. [Several speak at once. Cit. Speaking promiscuously.] Tear him to pieces, do it presently. He killed my son;-my daughter;-He killed my cousin Marcus;-He killed my father. 2 Lord. Peace, ho;-no outrage-peace. This orb o'the earth. His last offence to us The man is noble, and his fame folds in Shall have judicious" hearing.-Stand, Aufidius, Cor. O, that I had him, Insolent villain! With six Aufidiuses, or more, his tribe, To use my lawful sword! Auf. Con. Kill, kill, kill, kill, kill him. [Aufidius and the Conspirators draw, and Lords. 1 Lord. O Tullus,2 Lord. Thou hast done a deed whereat valour will weep. S Lord. Tread not upon him.-Masters all, be quiet; Put up your swords. Auf. My lords, when you shall know (as in this rage, Provok'd by him, you cannot,) the great danger 1 Lord. Bear from hence his body, And mourn you for him: let him be regarded As the most noble corse, that ever herald Did follow to his urn. (5) No more than a boy of tears. (6) His fame overspreads the world. (7) Judicial. 2 Lord. His own impatience Takes from Aufidius a great part of blame. Let's make the best of it. Auf. My rage is gone, And I am struck with sorrow. -Take him up: Help, three of the chiefest soldiers; I'll be one.Beat thou the drum, than it speak mournfully: Trail your steel pikes.-Though in this city he Hath widow'd and unchilded many a one, Which to this hour bewail the injury, Yet he shall have a noble memory. Assist. [Exeunt, bearing the body of Coriolanus. A dead march sounded. VOL. II. (1) Memorial. The tragedy of Coriolanus is one of the most amusing of our author's performances. The old man's merriment in Menenius; the lofty lady's dignity in Volumnia; the bridal modesty in Virgilia; the patrician and military haughtiness in Coriolanus; the plebeian malignity and tribunitian inso lence in Brutus and Sicinius, make a very pleasing and interesting variety; and the various revolutions of the hero's fortune, fill the mind with anxious curiosity. There is, perhaps, too much bustle in the first act, and too little in the last. 2 T JOHNSON. 2 Cit. Truly, sir, to wear out their shoes, to get myself into more work. But, indeed, sir, we make holiday, to see Cæsar, and to rejoice in his triumph. Mar. Wherefore rejoice? What conquest brings he home! What tributaries follow him to Rome, HENCE; home, you idle creatures, get you To grace in captive bonds his chariot wheels? home; Is this a holiday? What! know you not, Of your profession ?-Speak, what trade art thou? 1 Cit. Why, sir, a carpenter. Mar. Where is thy leather apron, and thy rule? What dost thou with thy best apparel on ?— You, sir; what trade are you? 2 Cit. Truly, sir, in respect of a fine workman, I am but, as you would say, a cobbler. Mar. But what trade art thou? Answer me directly. 2 Cil. A trade, sir, that, I hope, I may use with a safe conscience; which is, indeed, sir, a mender of bad soals. Mar. What trade, thou knave? thou naughty knave, what trade? 2 Cit. Nay, I beseech you, sir, be not out with me: yet, if you be out, I can mend you. Mar. What meanest thou by that? Mend me, thou saucy fellow ? 2 Cit. Why, sir, cobble you. Flav. Thou art a cobbler, art thou? 2 Cit. Truly, sir, all that I live by is, with the awl: I meddle with no tradesmen's matters, nor women's matters, but with awl. I am, indeed, sir, a surgeon to old shoes; when they are in great danger, I re-cover them. As proper men as ever trod upon neat's-leather, have gone upon my handywork. Flav. But wherefore art not in thy shop to-day? Why dost thou lead these men about the streets? (1) Bank. (2) Whether. You blocks, you stones, you worse than senseless things! O, you hard.hearts, you cruel men of Rome, Run to your houses, fall upon your knees, [Exe. Cit. (3) Honorary ornaments; tokens of respect. |