The Dramatic Works of William Shakespeare

While she chats him: the kitchen malkin pins
Her richest lockram + 'bout her reechy‡ neck,
Clambering the walls to eye him: stalls, bulks,
windows,

Upon him as be pass'd: the nobles bended,
As to Jove's statue; and the commons made
A shower, and thunder, with their caps and
I never saw the like.
[shouts :

Bru. Let's to the Capitol;

And carry with us ears and eyes for the time, fla-But hearts for the event.

Are smother'd up, leads fill'd, and ridges hors'd
With variable complexions; all agreeing
In earnestness to see him seld-shown
mens ||

Do press among the popular throngs, and puff
To win a vulgar station: ¶ our veil'd dames
Commit the war of white and damask, in
Their nicely-gawded ** cheeks, to the wanton
spoil

Of Phoebus' burning kisses: such a pother,
As if that whatsoever god who leads him,
Were slyly crept into his human powers,
And gave him graceful posture.

Sic. On the sudden,

I warrant bim consul.

Bru. Then our office may, During his power, go sleep.

Sic. He cannot temperately transport his ho

nours

From where he should begin, and end; but will
Lose those that he hath won.

Bru. In that there's comfort.

Sic. Doubt not the commoners, for whom we stand,

nours;

Which that he'll give them, make as little
As he is proud to do't.

SCENE II.-The same.-The Capitol.

Enter two OFFICERS, to lay Cushions.

1 Off. Come, come, they are almost here: How many stand for consulships?

2 Off. Three, they say: but 'tis thought of every one Coriolanus will carry it.

1 Off. That's a brave fellow; but he's vengeance proud, and loves not the common people.

2 Off. 'Faith, there have been many great men that have flatter'd the people, who ne'er loved them; and there be many that they have loved, they know not wherefore: so that if they love they know not why, they hate upon no better a ground: Therefore, for Coriolanus neither to care whether they love or hate him, manifests the true knowledge he has in their disposition; and, out of his noble carelessness, lets them plainly see't.

But they, upon their ancient malice, will 1 Off. If he did not care whether he had their Forget with the least cause these his new ho- love, or no, he waved indifferently 'twixt doing [tion them neither good nor harm; but he seeks their ques-hate with greater devotion than they can render it him; and leaves nothing undone, that may fully discover him their opposite. Now, to seem to affect the malice and displeasure of the people, is as bad as that which he dislikes, to flatter them for their love.

Bru. I heard him swear,

Were be to stand for consul, never would he
Appear i'the market-place, nor on him put
The napless + vesture of humility;
Nor, showing (as the manner is) his wounds
To the people, beg their stinking breaths.
Sic. 'Tis right.

Bru. It was his word: Oh! he would miss it,

rather

Only for bearing burdens, and sore blows
For sinking under them.

Sie. This, as you say, suggested

At some time when his soaring insolence

2 Off. He hath deserved worthily of his country: And his ascent is not by such easy degrees as those, who, having been supple and courteous to the people, bonnetted, without any further deed to heave them at all into their estimation and report: but he hath so planted his honours in their eyes, and his actions in their hearts, that for their tongues to be silent, and not confess so much, were a kind of ingrateful injury: to report otherwise were a malice, that, giving itself the lie, would pluck reproof and rebuke from every ear that heard it.

1 Off. No more of him; he is a worthy man : Make way, they are coming.

A Sennet. Enter, with LICTORS, before them,
COMINIUS the Consul, MENENIUS, CORIO-
LANUS, many other SENATORS, SICINIUS,
and BRUTUS. The SENATORS take their
places; the TRIBUNES take theirs also by
themselves.

Men. Having determin'd of the Volsces, and
To send for Titus Lartius, it remains,
As the main point of this our after-meeting,
To gratify his noble service, that

Hath thus stood for his country: Therefore, please

you,

Most reverend and grave elders, to desire

Shall teach the people, (which time shall not The present consul, and last general

want,

If he be put upon't and that's as easy,
As to set dogs on sheep,) will be his fire
To kindle their dry stubble; and their blaze
Shall darken him for ever.

Enter a MESSENGER.

Bru. What's the matter?

Mess. You are sent for to the Capitol. thought,

That Marcius shall be consul: I have seen

blind

In our well-found successes, to report

A little of that worthy work perform'd
By Caius Marcius Coriolanus; whom
We meet here, both to thank, and to remember
With honours like himself.

1 Sen. Speak, good Cominius:

Leave nothing out for length, and make us think,
Rather our state's defective for requital,

"Tis Than we to stretch it out. Masters o'the people
We do request your kindest ears: and, after,
Your loving motion toward the cominon body,

The dumb men throng to see him, and the [gloves, To hear him speak: The matrons flung their Ladies and maids their scarfs and handkerchiefs, • Maid. A kind of cheap linen. Soiled with

sweat and smoke. mon standing-place. 11

Seldom. Priests. Com Adorned. tt Thread-bare As our safety demands." § Provender.

To yield what passes here.

Sic. We are convented
Upon a pleasing treaty; and have hearts
Inclinable to honour and advance
The theme of our assembly.
Bru. Which the rather

Cor. It is a part

He had rather venture all his limbs for honour,
Than one of his ears to hear it?-Proceed, Co-Be taken from the people.

That I shall blush in acting, and might well

minius.

Com. I shall lack voice: the deeds of Corio

lanus

Should not be utter'd feebly.-It is held,
That valour is the chiefest virtue, and
Most dignifies the haver: if it be,
The man I speak of cannot in the world
Be singly counterpois'd. At sixteen years,
When Tarquin made a head for Rome, he fought
Beyond the mark of others; our then dictator,
Whom with all praise I point at, saw him fight,
When with his Amazonian ching he drove
The bristled lips before him he bestred
An o'er press'd Roman, and i'the consul's view
Slew three opposers: Tarquin's self he met
And struck him on his knee: ¶ in that day's feats,
When he might act the woman in the scene, **
He prov'd best man i'the field, and for his meed
Was brow-bound with the oak. His pupil age
Man-entered thus, he waxed like a sea;
And, in the brunt of seventeen battles since,
He lurch'd ++ all swords o'the garland.
Before and in Corioli, let me say,

For this [last

I cannot speak him home: He stopp'd the fliers;
And, by his rare example, made the coward
Turn terror into sport as waves before
A vessel under sail, so men obey'd, [stamp,)
And fell below his stem: his sword (death's
Where it did mark, it took; from face to foot
He was a thing of blood, whose every motion
Was timed with dying cries! alone he enter'd
The mortal gate o'the city, which he painted
With shunless destiny, aidless came off,
And with a sudden re-enforcement struck
Corioli, like a planet: now all's his :
When by and by the din of war 'gan pierce
His ready sense: then straight his doubled spirit
Re-quicken'd what in flesh was fatigate,||||
And to the battle came he; where he did
Run reeking o'er the lives of men, as if
'Twere a perpetual spoil; and, till we call'd
Both field and city ours, he never stood
To ease his breast with panting.
Men. Worthy man!

Bru. Mark you that!

Cor. To brag unto them,-Thus I did, and thus ;

Show them the unaching scars which I should hide,
As if I had received them for the hire
Of their breath only :-

Men. Do not stand upon't.

We recommend to you, tribunes of the people, Our purpose to them;-and to our noble consul Wish we all joy and honour.

Sen. To Coriolanus come all joy and honour ! [Flourish. Then exeunt SENATORS. Bru. You see how he intends to use the people

Sic. May they perceive his intent! He that will require them,

As if he did contemn what he requested
Should be in them to give.

Bru. Come, we'll inform them

Of our proceedings here: on the market-place, I know they do attend us. [Exeunt.

SCENE III.- The same.-The Forum.

Enter several CITIZENS.

1 Cit. Once, if he do require our voices, we ought not to deny him.

2 Cit. We may, Sir, if we will.

3 Cit. We have power in ourselves to do it, but it is a power that we have no power to do: for if he show us his wounds, and tell us his deeds, we are to put our tongues into those wounds, and speak for them; so, if he tell us his noble deeds, we must also tell him our noble acceptance of them. Ingratitude is monstrous and for the multitude to be ingrateful were to make a monster of the multitude; of the which, we, being members, should bring ourselves to be monstrous members.

1 Cit. And to make us no better thought of, a little help will serve for once, when we stood up about the corn, he himself stuck not to call us the many-headed multitude.

3 Cit. We have been called so of many; not that our heads are some brown, some black, some auburn, some bald, but that our wits are so diversly coloured and truly I think, if all cur

• Avarics.

wits were to issue out of one scull, they would fly east, west, north, south; and their consent of one direct way should be at once to all the points o'the compass.

2 Cit. Think you so? Which way, do you judge my wit would fly?

3 Cit. Nay, your wit will not so soon out as another man's will; 'tis strongly wedged up in a block-head: but if it were at liberty, 'twould, sure south ward.

2 Cit. Why that way?

3 Cit. To lose itself in a fog; where, being three parts melted away with rotten dews, the fourth would return for conscience' sake, to help to get thee a wife.

Enter two other CITIZENS.

Cor. Pray you now, if it may stand with the tune of your voices, that I may be consul, I have here the customary gown.

3 Cit. You have deserved nobly of your country, and you have not deserved nobly. Cor. Your enigma ?

3 Cit. You have been a scourge to her enemies, you have been a rod to her friends; you have not, indeed, loved the common people.

Cor. You should account me the more virtuous, that I have not been common in my love.

2 Cit. You are never without your tricks :-I will, Sir, flatter ny sworn brother the people, You may, you may.

to earn a dearer estimation of them; 'tis a con

3 Cit. Are you all resolved to give your voices?dition they account gentle and since the wisdom But that's no matter, the greater part carries it. I say, if he would incline to the people, there was never a worthier man.

of their choice is rather to have my hat than my heart, I will practise the insinuating nod, and be off to them most counterfeitly: that is, Sir, I will counterfeit the bewitchment of some popular man, and give it bountifully to the desirers. Therefore, beseech you, I may be consul.

4 Cit. We hope to find you our friend; and therefore give you our voices heartily. 3 Cit. You have received many wounds for your country.

Cor. I will not seal your knowledge with showing them. I will make much of your voices, and so trouble you no further.

Both Cit. The gods give you joy, Sir, hear[Exeunt.

tily!

Cor. Most sweet voices !Better it is to die, better to starve, Than crave the hire which first we do deserve. Why in this woolvish gown should I stand here, To beg of Hob and Dick, that do appear, Their needless vouches: Custom calls me to't :What custom wills, in all things should we do't; The dust on antique time would lie unswept, And mountainous error be too highly heap'd For truth to over-peer.-Rather than fool it so, Let the high office and the honour go.

You must not speak of that: you must desire them To one that would do thus.-1 am half through ; To think upon you.

Cor. Think upon me? Hang 'em!

I would they would forget me, like the virtues Which our divines lose by them.

Men. You'll mar all;

The one part suffer'd, the other will I do.
Enter three other CITIZENS.

Here come more voices.

Your voices; for your voices I have fought;
Watch'd for your voices; for your voices, bear
Of wounds two dozen odd; battles thrice six,
I have seen and heard of; for your voices, have
Done many things, some less, some more: your

Men. I'll keep you company.--Will you along? Bru. We stay here for the people.

Sic. Fare you well.

[Exeunt CORIOL. and MENEN. He has it now; and by his looks, methinks,

'Tis warm at his heart.

Bru. With a proud heart he wore

They have chose a consul, that will from them take
Their liberties; make them of no more voice
Than dogs, that are as often beat for barking,

His humble weeds: Will you dismiss the people? As therefore kept to do so.

Re-enter CITIZENS.

Sic. Let them assemble;

And, on a safer judginent, all revoke

Sic. How now, my masters? have you chose Your ignorant election: Enforce his pride,

this man?

1 Cit. He has our voices, Sir.

Bru. We pray the gods, he may deserve your loves.

2 Cit. Amen, Sir: To my poor unworthy noHe mock'd us, when he begg'd our voices. [tice, 3 Cit. Certainly,

He flouted us downright.

1 Cit. No, 'tis his kind of speech, he did not

mock us.

2 Cit. Not one amongst us save yourself, but says

He us'd us scornfully: he should have show'd us His marks of merit, wounds receiv'd for his country.

Sic. Why, so he did, I am sure.
Cit. No; no man saw 'em.

[Several speak. 3 Cit. He said he had wounds, which he could show in private ;

And with his hat, thus waving it in scorn,
I would be consul, says he aged custom,
But by your voices, will not so permit me ;
Your voices therefore: When we granted that,
Here was,-I thank you for your voices,-thank
[your voices,
Your most sweet voices :-now you have left
I have no further with you:-Was not this
mockery?

you,

Sic. Why, either you were ignorant to see't? Or, seeing it, of such childish friendliness To yield your voices?

Bru. Could you not have told him,

As you were lesson'd,-When he had no power,
But was a petty servant to the state,
He was your enemy; ever spake against
Your liberties, and the charters that you bear
I'the body of the weal and now, arriving
A place of potency, and sway o'the state,
If he should still malignantly remain
Fast foe to the plebeii,* your voices might
Be curses to yourselves? You should have said,
That, as his worthy deeds did claim no less
Than what he stood for, so his gracious nature
Would think upon you for your voices, and
Translate his malice towards you into love,
Standing your friendly lord.

And his old hate unto you: besides, forget not
With what contempt he wore the humble weed;
How in his suit he scorn'd you: but your loves,
Thinking upon his services, took from you
The apprehension of his present portance, t
Which, gibingly, ungravely he did fashion
After the inveterate hate he bears you.
Bru. Lay

A fault on us, your tribunes; that we labour'd (No impediment between) but that you must Cast your election on him.

Sic. Say, you chose him

More after our commandment, than as guided
By your own true affections: and that, your minds
Pre-occupied with what you rather must do
Than what you should, made you against the
grain

To voice him consul: Lay the fault on us.
Bru. Ay, spare us not. Say, we read lectures
to you,

How youngly he began to serve his country,
How long continued: and what stock he
springs of,
[came
The noble house o'the Marcians; from whence
That Ancus Marcius, Numa's daughter's son,
Who, after great Hostilius, here was king:
Of the same house Publius and Quintus were,
That our best water brought by conduits hither;
And Censorinus, darling of the people,
And nobly nam'd so, being Censor twice,
Was his great ancestor.

Sic. One thus descended,

That hath beside well in his person wrought
To be set high in place, we did commend
To your remembrances: but you have found,
Scaling his present bearing with his past,
That he's your fixed enemy, and revoke
Your sudden approbation.

Bru. Say, you ne'er had don't, (Harp on that still,) but by our putting on : § And presently, when you have drawn your num Repair to the Capitol. [ber, Cit. We will so almost all [Several speak. Repent in their election. [Exeunt CITIZENS.

Bru. Let them go on:

This mutiny were better put in hazard,
Than stay, past doubt, for greater :
If, as his nature is, he fall in rage
With their refusal, both observe and answer
The vantage of his anger.

Sic. To the Capitol :

(ple;

Come; we'll be there before the stream o'the peoAnd this shall seem, as partly 'tis, their own Which we have goaded ¶ onward. [Exeunt.

Com. They are worn, lord consul, so, That we shall hardly in our ages see Their banners wave again.

Cor. Saw you Aufidius?

Lart. On safe-guard he came to me; did curse

Against the Volsces, for they had so vilely Yielded the town: he is retir'd to Antium.

Cor. Spoke he of me?

Lart. He did, my lord.

Cor. How? what?

This was my speech, and I will speak't again ;Men. Not now, not now.

1 Sen. Not in this heat, Sir, now.

Cor. Now, as I live, I will.-My noble friends, I crave their pardons :

Lart. How often he had met you, sword to For the mutable, rank-scented many, let them sword:

That, of all things upon the earth, he hated Your person most: that he would pawn his tunes

To hopeless restitution, so he might
Be call'd your vanquisher.

Mar. At Antium lives he?

Lart. At Antium.

for

Cor. I wish I had a cause to seek him there, To oppose his hatred fully.-Welcome home. [To LARTIUS. Enter SICINIUS and BRUTUS. Behold! these are the tribunes of the people, The tongues o'the common mouth. I do despise

them :

Regard me as I do not flatter, and

Therein behold themselves: I say again,

In soothing them, we nourish 'gainst our senate The cockle of rebellion, insolence, sedition, Which we ourselves have plough'd for, sow'd and

scatter'd,

By mingling them with us, the honour'd number; Who lack not virtue, no, nor power, but that Which they have given to beggars.

Men. Well, no more.

1 Sen. No more words, we beseech you.
Cor. How! no more?

As for my country I have shed my blood
Not fearing outward force, so shall my lungs
Coin words till their decay, against those mea-

zels,

Which we disdain should tetter ¶ us, yet sought The very way to catch them.

Bru. You speak o'the people,

As if you were a god to punish, not
A man of their infirmity.

Sic. 'Twere well,

We let the people know't.

Men. What, what? his choler?
Cor. Choler!

Were I as patient as the midnight sleep,
By Jove, 'twould be my mind.

Sic. It is a mind,

That shall remain a poison where it is, Not poison any further.

Cor. Shall remain !

Hear you this Triton of the minnows? ** mark
His absolute shall?

Com. 'Twas from the canon. +
Cor. Shall!

O good but most unwise patricians, why,
You grave, but reckless ‡‡ senators, have you thus
Given Hydra here to choose an officer,
That with his peremptory shall, being but
The horn and noise o'the monsters, wants not
spirit

To say, he'll turn your current in a ditch,
And make your channel his? If he have power,
Then veil your ignorance: if none, awake
Your dangerous lenity. If you are learned,
Be not as common fools; if you are not,
Let them have cushions by you. You are ple-

beians,

taste

If they be senators: and they are no less,
When both your voices blended, the greatest
[trate;
Most palates theirs. They choose their magis-
And such a one as he, who puts his shall,
His popular stall, against a graver bench
Than ever frown'd in Greece! By Jove himself,
It makes the consuls base: and my soul akes

To know, when two authorities are up,
Neither supreme, how soon confusion
May enter 'twixt the gap of both, and take
The one by the other.

Com. Well-on to the market-, lace.

Cor. Whoever gave that counsel, to give forth The corn o'the storehouse gratis, as 'twas us'd Sometime in Greece,

Men. Well, well, no more of that.

Cor. (Though there the people had more ab solute power,)

I say, they nourish'd disobedience, fed
The ruin of the state.

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The Dramatic Works of William Shakespeare, Volume 10