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ACT III.
Scene I. Rome. A street.
Cornets. Enter Coriolanus, Menenius, all the Gentry, Cominius, Titus Lartius, and other Senators.[3103]
Cor. Tullus Aufidius then had made new head?
Lart. He had, my lord; and that it was which caused
Our swifter composition.
Our swifter composition.
Cor. So then the Volsces stand but as at first;
Ready, when time shall prompt them, to make road[3104] 5
Upon's again.
Ready, when time shall prompt them, to make road[3104] 5
Upon's again.
Com. They are worn, lord consul, so,[3105]
That we shall hardly in our ages see
Their banners wave again.
That we shall hardly in our ages see
Their banners wave again.
Cor. Saw you Aufidius?
Lart. On safe-guard he came to me; and did curse
Against the Volsces, for they had so vilely 10
Yielded the town: he is retired to Antium.
Against the Volsces, for they had so vilely 10
Yielded the town: he is retired to Antium.
Cor. Spoke he of me?
Lart. He did, my lord.
Cor. How? what?
Lart. How often he had met you, sword to sword;
That of all things upon the earth he hated
Your person most; that he would pawn his fortunes 15
To hopeless restitution, so he might
Be call'd your vanquisher.
That of all things upon the earth he hated
Your person most; that he would pawn his fortunes 15
To hopeless restitution, so he might
Be call'd your vanquisher.
Cor. At Antium lives he?
Lart. At Antium.
Cor. I wish I had a cause to seek him there,
To oppose his hatred fully. Welcome home.[3106] 20
To oppose his hatred fully. Welcome home.[3106] 20
Enter Sicinius and Brutus.
Behold, these are the tribunes of the people,
The tongues o' the common mouth: I do despise them;
For they do prank them in authority,
Against all noble sufferance.
The tongues o' the common mouth: I do despise them;
For they do prank them in authority,
Against all noble sufferance.
Sic. Pass no further.
Cor. Ha! what is that? 25
Bru. It will be dangerous to go on: no further.
Cor. What makes this change?
Men. The matter?
Com. Hath he not pass'd the noble and the common?[3107]
Bru. Cominius, no.
Cor. Have I had children's voices? 30
First Sen. Tribunes, give way; he shall to the market-place.[3108]
Cor. Are these your herd?[3110]
Must these have voices, that can yield them now,
And straight disclaim their tongues? What are your offices?[3111] 35
You being their mouths, why rule you not their teeth?
Have you not set them on?
Must these have voices, that can yield them now,
And straight disclaim their tongues? What are your offices?[3111] 35
You being their mouths, why rule you not their teeth?
Have you not set them on?
Men. Be calm, be calm.
Cor. It is a purposed thing, and grows by plot,
To curb the will of the nobility:
Suffer 't, and live with such as cannot rule, 40
Nor ever will be ruled.
To curb the will of the nobility:
Suffer 't, and live with such as cannot rule, 40
Nor ever will be ruled.
Bru. Call't not a plot:
The people cry you mock'd them; and of late,
When corn was given them gratis, you repined,
Scandal'd the suppliants for the people, call'd them[3112]
Time-pleasers, flatterers, foes to nobleness. 45
The people cry you mock'd them; and of late,
When corn was given them gratis, you repined,
Scandal'd the suppliants for the people, call'd them[3112]
Time-pleasers, flatterers, foes to nobleness. 45
Cor. Why, this was known before.
Bru. Not to them all.
Cor. Have you inform'd them sithence?[3113]
Bru. How! I inform them!
Com. You are like to do such business.[3114]
Cor. Why then should I be consul? By yond clouds, 50
Let me deserve so ill as you, and make me
Your fellow tribune.
Let me deserve so ill as you, and make me
Your fellow tribune.
Sic. You show too much of that
For which the people stir: if you will pass
To where you are bound, you must inquire your way,[3117]
Which you are out of, with a gentler spirit; 55
Or never be so noble as a consul,[3118]
Nor yoke with him for tribune.
For which the people stir: if you will pass
To where you are bound, you must inquire your way,[3117]
Which you are out of, with a gentler spirit; 55
Or never be so noble as a consul,[3118]
Nor yoke with him for tribune.
Men. Let's be calm.
Com. The people are abused; set on. This paltering[3119]
Becomes not Rome; nor has Coriolanus[3120]
Deserved this so dishonour'd rub, laid falsely 60
I' the plain way of his merit.
Becomes not Rome; nor has Coriolanus[3120]
Deserved this so dishonour'd rub, laid falsely 60
I' the plain way of his merit.
Men. Not now, not now.
First Sen. Not in this heat, sir, now.
Cor. Now, as I live, I will. My nobler friends,[3122][3123]
I crave their pardons:[3122] 65
For the mutable, rank-scented many, let them[3122][3124]
Regard me as I do not flatter, and[3122]
Therein behold themselves: I say again,[3122][3125]
In soothing them, we nourish 'gainst our senate
The cockle of rebellion, insolence, sedition, 70
Which we ourselves have plough'd for, sow'd and scatter'd,[3126]
By mingling them with us, the honour'd number;
Who lack not virtue, no, nor power, but that
Which they have given to beggars.[3127]
I crave their pardons:[3122] 65
For the mutable, rank-scented many, let them[3122][3124]
Regard me as I do not flatter, and[3122]
Therein behold themselves: I say again,[3122][3125]
In soothing them, we nourish 'gainst our senate
The cockle of rebellion, insolence, sedition, 70
Which we ourselves have plough'd for, sow'd and scatter'd,[3126]
By mingling them with us, the honour'd number;
Who lack not virtue, no, nor power, but that
Which they have given to beggars.[3127]
Men. Well, no more.
First Sen. No more words, we beseech you.
Cor. How! no more! 75
As for my country I have shed my blood,
Not fearing outward force, so shall my lungs
Coin words till their decay against those measles,
Which we disdain should tetter us, yet sought[3128]
The very way to catch them.
As for my country I have shed my blood,
Not fearing outward force, so shall my lungs
Coin words till their decay against those measles,
Which we disdain should tetter us, yet sought[3128]
The very way to catch them.
Bru. You speak o' the people,[3129][3130] 80
As if you were a god to punish, not[3129][3131]
A man of their infirmity.[3129][3132]
As if you were a god to punish, not[3129][3131]
A man of their infirmity.[3129][3132]
Men. What, what? his choler?[3129]
Cor. Choler![3129]
Were I as patient as the midnight sleep,[3129] 85
By Jove, 'twould be my mind![3133]
Were I as patient as the midnight sleep,[3129] 85
By Jove, 'twould be my mind![3133]
Com. 'Twas from the canon.[3135]
Cor. 'Shall'![3136] 90
O good, but most unwise patricians! why,[3136][3137]
You grave but reckless senators, have you thus[3138]
Given Hydra here to choose an officer,[3139]
That with his peremptory 'shall,' being but
The horn and noise o' the monster's, wants not spirit[3140] 95
To say he'll turn your current in a ditch,
And make your channel his? If he have power,[3141]
Then vail your ignorance; if none, awake[3141][3142][3143][3144]
Your dangerous lenity. If you are learn'd,[3141][3143][3145]
Be not as common fools; if you are not,[3141][3146] 100
Let them have cushions by you. You are plebeians,[3141][3147]
If they be senators: and they are no less,
When, both your voices blended, the great'st taste[3148]
Most palates theirs. They choose their magistrate;[3149]
And such a one as he, who puts his 'shall,' 105
His popular 'shall,' against a graver bench
Than ever frown'd in Greece. By Jove himself,
It makes the consuls base! and my soul aches
To know, when two authorities are up,
Neither supreme, how soon confusion 110
May enter 'twixt the gap of both and take
The one by the other.
O good, but most unwise patricians! why,[3136][3137]
You grave but reckless senators, have you thus[3138]
Given Hydra here to choose an officer,[3139]
That with his peremptory 'shall,' being but
The horn and noise o' the monster's, wants not spirit[3140] 95
To say he'll turn your current in a ditch,
And make your channel his? If he have power,[3141]
Then vail your ignorance; if none, awake[3141][3142][3143][3144]
Your dangerous lenity. If you are learn'd,[3141][3143][3145]
Be not as common fools; if you are not,[3141][3146] 100
Let them have cushions by you. You are plebeians,[3141][3147]
If they be senators: and they are no less,
When, both your voices blended, the great'st taste[3148]
Most palates theirs. They choose their magistrate;[3149]
And such a one as he, who puts his 'shall,' 105
His popular 'shall,' against a graver bench
Than ever frown'd in Greece. By Jove himself,
It makes the consuls base! and my soul aches
To know, when two authorities are up,
Neither supreme, how soon confusion 110
May enter 'twixt the gap of both and take
The one by the other.
Com. Well, on to the market-place.
Cor. Whoever gave that counsel, to give forth[3150]
The corn o' the storehouse gratis, as 'twas used[3151]
Sometime in Greece,—[3152]
The corn o' the storehouse gratis, as 'twas used[3151]
Sometime in Greece,—[3152]
Men. Well, well, no more of that. 115
Cor. Though there the people had more absolute power,
I say, they nourish'd disobedience, fed[3153][3154]
The ruin of the state.[3153]
I say, they nourish'd disobedience, fed[3153][3154]
The ruin of the state.[3153]
Bru. Why, shall the people give[3155]
One that speaks thus their voice?
One that speaks thus their voice?
Cor. I'll give my reasons,
More worthier than their voices. They know the corn[3156] 120
Was not our recompense, resting well assured[3157]
They ne'er did service for't: being press'd to the war,
Even when the navel of the state was touch'd,
They would not thread the gates. This kind of service
Did not deserve corn gratis: being i' the war, 125
Their mutinies and revolts, wherein they show'd[3158]
Most valour, spoke not for them: the accusation
Which they have often made against the senate,
All cause unborn, could never be the native[3159]
Of our so frank donation. Well, what then?[3160] 130
How shall this bisson multitude digest[3161]
The senate's courtesy? Let deeds express
What's like to be their words: 'We did request it;
We are the greater poll, and in true fear[3162]
They gave us our demands.' Thus we debase[3163] 135
The nature of our seats, and make the rabble
Call our cares fears; which will in time[3164][3165]
Break ope the locks o' the senate, and bring in[3164][3166]
The crows to peck the eagles.[3164]
More worthier than their voices. They know the corn[3156] 120
Was not our recompense, resting well assured[3157]
They ne'er did service for't: being press'd to the war,
Even when the navel of the state was touch'd,
They would not thread the gates. This kind of service
Did not deserve corn gratis: being i' the war, 125
Their mutinies and revolts, wherein they show'd[3158]
Most valour, spoke not for them: the accusation
Which they have often made against the senate,
All cause unborn, could never be the native[3159]
Of our so frank donation. Well, what then?[3160] 130
How shall this bisson multitude digest[3161]
The senate's courtesy? Let deeds express
What's like to be their words: 'We did request it;
We are the greater poll, and in true fear[3162]
They gave us our demands.' Thus we debase[3163] 135
The nature of our seats, and make the rabble
Call our cares fears; which will in time[3164][3165]
Break ope the locks o' the senate, and bring in[3164][3166]
The crows to peck the eagles.[3164]
Men. Come, enough.[3167]
Bru. Enough, with over measure.
Cor. No, take more: 140
What may be sworn by, both divine and human,[3168]
Seal what I end withal! This double worship,
Where one part does disdain with cause, the other[3169]
Insult without all reason; where gentry, title, wisdom,[3170]
Cannot conclude but by the yea and no 145
Of general ignorance,—it must omit[3171]
Real necessities, and give way the while
To unstable slightness: purpose so barr'd, it follows,[3172][3173]
Nothing is done to purpose. Therefore, beseech you,—[3173]
You that will be less fearful than discreet; 150
That love the fundamental part of state
More than you doubt the change on 't; that prefer[3174]
A noble life before a long, and wish
To jump a body with a dangerous physic[3175]
That's sure of death without it,—at once pluck out[3176] 155
The multitudinous tongue; let them not lick
The sweet which is their poison. Your dishonour
Mangles true judgement and bereaves the state
Of that integrity which should become 't;[3177]
Not having the power to do the good it would, 160
For the ill which doth control 't.
What may be sworn by, both divine and human,[3168]
Seal what I end withal! This double worship,
Where one part does disdain with cause, the other[3169]
Insult without all reason; where gentry, title, wisdom,[3170]
Cannot conclude but by the yea and no 145
Of general ignorance,—it must omit[3171]
Real necessities, and give way the while
To unstable slightness: purpose so barr'd, it follows,[3172][3173]
Nothing is done to purpose. Therefore, beseech you,—[3173]
You that will be less fearful than discreet; 150
That love the fundamental part of state
More than you doubt the change on 't; that prefer[3174]
A noble life before a long, and wish
To jump a body with a dangerous physic[3175]
That's sure of death without it,—at once pluck out[3176] 155
The multitudinous tongue; let them not lick
The sweet which is their poison. Your dishonour
Mangles true judgement and bereaves the state
Of that integrity which should become 't;[3177]
Not having the power to do the good it would, 160
For the ill which doth control 't.
Bru. Has said enough.[3178]
Sic. Has spoken like a traitor, and shall answer[3179]
As traitors do.
As traitors do.
Cor. Thou wretch, despite o'erwhelm thee!
What should the people do with these bald tribunes? 165
On whom depending, their obedience fails
To the greater bench: in a rebellion,[3180]
When what's not meet, but what must be, was law,[3181]
Then were they chosen: in a better hour,
Let what is meet be said it must be meet,[3182] 170
And throw their power i' the dust.
What should the people do with these bald tribunes? 165
On whom depending, their obedience fails
To the greater bench: in a rebellion,[3180]
When what's not meet, but what must be, was law,[3181]
Then were they chosen: in a better hour,
Let what is meet be said it must be meet,[3182] 170
And throw their power i' the dust.
Sic. This a consul? no.
Bru. The ædiles, ho!
Enter an Ædile.[3183]
Let him be apprehended.
Sic. Go, call the people: [Exit Ædile] in whose name myself[3184]
Attach thee as a traitorous innovator, 175
A foe to the public weal: obey, I charge thee,
And follow to thine answer.
Attach thee as a traitorous innovator, 175
A foe to the public weal: obey, I charge thee,
And follow to thine answer.
Cor. Hence, old goat!
Senators, &c. We'll surety him.
Com. Aged sir, hands off.[3185]
Cor. Hence, rotten thing! or I shall shake thy bones
Out of thy garments.
Out of thy garments.
Sic. Help, ye citizens! 180
Enter a rabble of Citizens, with the Ædiles.[3186]
Men. On both sides more respect.[3187]
Sic. Here's he that would take from you all your power.
Bru. Seize him, ædiles!
Citizens. Down with him! down with him![3188]
Senators, &c. Weapons, weapons, weapons! 185
[They all bustle about Coriolanus, crying,[3189]
'Tribunes!' 'Patricians!' 'Citizens!' 'What, ho!'
'Sicinius!' 'Brutus!' 'Coriolanus!' 'Citizens!'
'Peace, peace, peace!' 'Stay! hold! peace!'[3190]
'Sicinius!' 'Brutus!' 'Coriolanus!' 'Citizens!'
'Peace, peace, peace!' 'Stay! hold! peace!'[3190]
Men. What is about to be? I am out of breath.
Confusion's near. I cannot speak. You, tribunes[3191] 190
To the people! Coriolanus, patience![3192][3193]
Speak, good Sicinius.[3193][3194]
Confusion's near. I cannot speak. You, tribunes[3191] 190
To the people! Coriolanus, patience![3192][3193]
Speak, good Sicinius.[3193][3194]
Sic. Hear me, people; peace!
Citizens. Let's hear our tribune: peace!—Speak, speak, speak.[3195]
Sic. You are at point to lose your liberties:
Marcius would have all from you; Marcius, 195
Whom late you have named for consul.[3196]
Marcius would have all from you; Marcius, 195
Whom late you have named for consul.[3196]
First Sen. To unbuild the city, and to lay all flat.[3198]
Sic. What is the city but the people?
Citizens. You so remain.
Men. And so are like to do.
Com. That is the way to lay the city flat,[3201]
To bring the roof to the foundation, 205
And bury all which yet distinctly ranges,
In heaps and piles of ruin.
To bring the roof to the foundation, 205
And bury all which yet distinctly ranges,
In heaps and piles of ruin.
Sic. This deserves death.
Bru. Or let us stand to our authority,
Or let us lose it. We do here pronounce,
Upon the part o' the people, in whose power 210
We were elected theirs, Marcius is worthy
Of present death.
Or let us lose it. We do here pronounce,
Upon the part o' the people, in whose power 210
We were elected theirs, Marcius is worthy
Of present death.
Sic. Therefore lay hold of him;[3202]
Bear him to the rock Tarpeian, and from thence
Into destruction cast him.
Bear him to the rock Tarpeian, and from thence
Into destruction cast him.
Bru. Ædiles, seize him!
Citizens. Yield, Marcius, yield![3203]
Ædiles. Peace, peace!
Men. [To Brutus] Be that you seem, truly your country's friend,[3206]
And temperately proceed to what you would
Thus violently redress.
And temperately proceed to what you would
Thus violently redress.
Bru. Sir, those cold ways, 220
That seem like prudent helps, are very poisonous[3207]
Where the disease is violent. Lay hands upon him,[3208]
And bear him to the rock.
That seem like prudent helps, are very poisonous[3207]
Where the disease is violent. Lay hands upon him,[3208]
And bear him to the rock.
Cor. No, I'll die here. [Drawing his sword.[3209]
There's some among you have beheld me fighting:
Come, try upon yourselves what you have seen me.[3210] 225
There's some among you have beheld me fighting:
Come, try upon yourselves what you have seen me.[3210] 225
Men. Down with that sword! Tribunes, withdraw awhile.
Bru. Lay hands upon him.
Citizens. Down with him, down with him!
[In this mutiny, the Tribunes, the Ædiles, and the People, are beat in.[3213]