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Sec. Sen. Get you gone.
Men. Shall it be put to that?
First Sen. The gods forbid![3217]
I prithee, noble friend, home to thy house;
Leave us to cure this cause.
I prithee, noble friend, home to thy house;
Leave us to cure this cause.
Men. For 'tis a sore upon us[3218] 235
You cannot tent yourself: be gone, beseech you.
You cannot tent yourself: be gone, beseech you.
Com. Come, sir, along with us.[3219]
Cor. I would they were barbarians—as they are,[3220]
Though in Rome litter'd—not Romans—as they are not,[3220]
Though calved i' the porch o' the Capitol,—[3220]
Though in Rome litter'd—not Romans—as they are not,[3220]
Though calved i' the porch o' the Capitol,—[3220]
Men. Be gone:[3220][3221][3222] 240
Put not your worthy rage into your tongue:[3220][3222]
One time will owe another.[3220][3223]
Put not your worthy rage into your tongue:[3220][3222]
One time will owe another.[3220][3223]
Com. But now 'tis odds beyond arithmetic; 245
And manhood is call'd foolery, when it stands
Against a falling fabric. Will you hence
Before the tag return? whose rage doth rend
Like interrupted waters, and o'erbear
What they are used to bear.
And manhood is call'd foolery, when it stands
Against a falling fabric. Will you hence
Before the tag return? whose rage doth rend
Like interrupted waters, and o'erbear
What they are used to bear.
Men. Pray you, be gone: 250
I'll try whether my old wit be in request[3227]
With those that have but little: this must be patch'd
With cloth of any colour.
I'll try whether my old wit be in request[3227]
With those that have but little: this must be patch'd
With cloth of any colour.
Com. Nay, come away.
[Exeunt Coriolanus, Cominius, and others.[3228]
First Patrician. This man has marr'd his fortune.[3229]
Men. His nature is too noble for the world: 255
He would not flatter Neptune for his trident,
Or Jove for 's power to thunder. His heart's his mouth:[3230]
What his breast forges, that his tongue must vent;
And, being angry, does forget that ever
He heard the name of death. [A noise within. 260
Here's goodly work!
He would not flatter Neptune for his trident,
Or Jove for 's power to thunder. His heart's his mouth:[3230]
What his breast forges, that his tongue must vent;
And, being angry, does forget that ever
He heard the name of death. [A noise within. 260
Here's goodly work!
Sec. Pat. I would they were a-bed![3231]
Re-enter Brutus and Sicinius, with the rabble.[3233]
Sic. Where is this viper,
That would depopulate the city, and[3234][3235]
Be every man himself?[3234]
That would depopulate the city, and[3234][3235]
Be every man himself?[3234]
Men. You worthy tribunes—[3236] 265
Sic. He shall be thrown down the Tarpeian rock
With rigorous hands: he hath resisted law,
And therefore law shall scorn him further trial
Than the severity of the public power,[3237]
Which he so sets at nought.
With rigorous hands: he hath resisted law,
And therefore law shall scorn him further trial
Than the severity of the public power,[3237]
Which he so sets at nought.
First Cit. He shall well know[3238] 270
The noble tribunes are the people's mouths,[3238]
And we their hands.[3238]
The noble tribunes are the people's mouths,[3238]
And we their hands.[3238]
Citizens. He shall, sure on't.[3239]
Men. Sir, sir,—[3240]
Sic. Peace!
Men. Do not cry havoc, where you should but hunt[3241] 275
With modest warrant.
With modest warrant.
Men. Hear me speak:[3244]
As I do know the consul's worthiness,[3244]
So can I name his faults,—[3244]
As I do know the consul's worthiness,[3244]
So can I name his faults,—[3244]
Sic. Consul! what consul?
Men. The consul Coriolanus.
Bru. He consul![3245] 280
Citizens. No, no, no, no, no.[3239]
Men. If, by the tribunes' leave, and yours, good people,[3246]
I may be heard, I would crave a word or two;[3247]
The which shall turn you to no further harm
Than so much loss of time.
I may be heard, I would crave a word or two;[3247]
The which shall turn you to no further harm
Than so much loss of time.
Sic. Speak briefly then; 285
For we are peremptory to dispatch
This viperous traitor: to eject him hence[3248]
Were but one danger, and to keep him here[3249]
Our certain death: therefore it is decreed
He dies to-night.
For we are peremptory to dispatch
This viperous traitor: to eject him hence[3248]
Were but one danger, and to keep him here[3249]
Our certain death: therefore it is decreed
He dies to-night.
Men. Now the good gods forbid 290
That our renowned Rome, whose gratitude
Towards her deserved children is enroll'd[3250]
In Jove's own book, like an unnatural dam
Should now eat up her own!
That our renowned Rome, whose gratitude
Towards her deserved children is enroll'd[3250]
In Jove's own book, like an unnatural dam
Should now eat up her own!
Sic. He's a disease that must be cut away. 295
Men. O, he's a limb that has but a disease;
Mortal, to cut it off; to cure it, easy.
What has he done to Rome that's worthy death?
Killing our enemies, the blood he hath lost—[3251]
Which, I dare vouch, is more than that he hath 300
By many an ounce—he dropp'd it for his country;
And what is left, to lose it by his country
Were to us all that do 't and suffer it[3252]
A brand to the end o' the world.
Mortal, to cut it off; to cure it, easy.
What has he done to Rome that's worthy death?
Killing our enemies, the blood he hath lost—[3251]
Which, I dare vouch, is more than that he hath 300
By many an ounce—he dropp'd it for his country;
And what is left, to lose it by his country
Were to us all that do 't and suffer it[3252]
A brand to the end o' the world.
Sic. This is clean kam.[3253]
Men. The service of the foot[3255][3256]
Being once gangrened, is not then respected[3256][3257]
For what before it was.[3258]
Being once gangrened, is not then respected[3256][3257]
For what before it was.[3258]
Bru. We'll hear no more.
Pursue him to his house, and pluck him thence;
Lest his infection, being of catching nature,[3259] 310
Spread further.
Pursue him to his house, and pluck him thence;
Lest his infection, being of catching nature,[3259] 310
Spread further.
Men. One word more, one word.[3260]
This tiger-footed rage, when it shall find
The harm of unscann'd swiftness, will, too late,
Tie leaden pounds to 's heels. Proceed by process;[3261]
Lest parties, as he is beloved, break out, 315
And sack great Rome with Romans.
This tiger-footed rage, when it shall find
The harm of unscann'd swiftness, will, too late,
Tie leaden pounds to 's heels. Proceed by process;[3261]
Lest parties, as he is beloved, break out, 315
And sack great Rome with Romans.
Bru. If it were so—[3262]
Sic. What do ye talk?
Have we not had a taste of his obedience?
Our ædiles smote? ourselves resisted? Come.[3263]
Have we not had a taste of his obedience?
Our ædiles smote? ourselves resisted? Come.[3263]
Men. Consider this: he has been bred i' the wars[3264] 320
Since he could draw a sword, and is ill school'd[3265]
In bolted language; meal and bran together
He throws without distinction. Give me leave,
I'll go to him, and undertake to bring him[3266][3267]
Where he shall answer, by a lawful form,[3267] 325
In peace, to his utmost peril.[3267]
Since he could draw a sword, and is ill school'd[3265]
In bolted language; meal and bran together
He throws without distinction. Give me leave,
I'll go to him, and undertake to bring him[3266][3267]
Where he shall answer, by a lawful form,[3267] 325
In peace, to his utmost peril.[3267]
First Sen. Noble tribunes,
It is the humane way: the other course[3268]
Will prove too bloody; and the end of it
Unknown to the beginning.
It is the humane way: the other course[3268]
Will prove too bloody; and the end of it
Unknown to the beginning.
Sic. Noble Menenius,[3269]
Be you then as the people's officer.[3269] 330
Masters, lay down your weapons.
Be you then as the people's officer.[3269] 330
Masters, lay down your weapons.
Bru. Go not home.
Sic. Meet on the market-place. We'll attend you there:[3270]
Where, if you bring not Marcius, we'll proceed
In our first way.
Where, if you bring not Marcius, we'll proceed
In our first way.
Men. I'll bring him to you.[3271][3272]
[To the Senators] Let me desire your company: he must come,[3272][3273] 335
Or what is worst will follow.
[To the Senators] Let me desire your company: he must come,[3272][3273] 335
Or what is worst will follow.
First Sen. Pray you, let's to him. [Exeunt.[3274]
Scene II. A room in Coriolanus's house.
Enter Coriolanus with Patricians.[3275]
Cor. Let them pull all about mine ears; present me
Death on the wheel, or at wild horses' heels;
Or pile ten hills on the Tarpeian rock,
That the precipitation might down stretch
Below the beam of sight; yet will I still 5
Be thus to them.
Death on the wheel, or at wild horses' heels;
Or pile ten hills on the Tarpeian rock,
That the precipitation might down stretch
Below the beam of sight; yet will I still 5
Be thus to them.
A Patrician. You do the nobler.[3276]
Enter Volumnia.
I talk of you:[3281]
Why did you wish me milder? would you have me
False to my nature? Rather say, I play[3282] 15
The man I am.[3282]
Why did you wish me milder? would you have me
False to my nature? Rather say, I play[3282] 15
The man I am.[3282]
Vol. O, sir, sir, sir,[3283]
I would have had you put your power well on,
Before you had worn it out.
I would have had you put your power well on,
Before you had worn it out.
Cor. Let go.[3284]
Vol. You might have been enough the man you are,
With striving less to be so: lesser had been[3285] 20
The thwartings of your dispositions, if[3286]
You had not show'd them how ye were disposed[3287]
Ere they lack'd power to cross you.
With striving less to be so: lesser had been[3285] 20
The thwartings of your dispositions, if[3286]
You had not show'd them how ye were disposed[3287]
Ere they lack'd power to cross you.
Cor. Let them hang.
Vol. Ay, and burn too.
Enter Menenius with the Senators.
Men. Come, come, you have been too rough, something too rough;[3288][3289]25
You must return and mend it.[3288]
You must return and mend it.[3288]
First Sen. There's no remedy;[3290]
Unless, by not so doing, our good city
Cleave in the midst, and perish.
Unless, by not so doing, our good city
Cleave in the midst, and perish.
Vol. Pray, be counsell'd:
I have a heart as little apt as yours,[3291]
But yet a brain that leads my use of anger 30
To better vantage.
I have a heart as little apt as yours,[3291]
But yet a brain that leads my use of anger 30
To better vantage.
Men. Well said, noble woman!
Before he should thus stoop to the herd, but that[3292]
The violent fit o' the time craves it as physic[3293]
For the whole state, I would put mine armour on,[3294]
Which I can scarcely bear.
Before he should thus stoop to the herd, but that[3292]
The violent fit o' the time craves it as physic[3293]
For the whole state, I would put mine armour on,[3294]
Which I can scarcely bear.
Cor. What must I do?[3295] 35
Men. Return to the tribunes.[3295]
Cor. Well, what then? what then?[3295]
Men. Repent what you have spoke.[3295]
Cor. For them! I cannot do it to the gods;[3296]
Must I then do't to them?
Must I then do't to them?
Vol. You are too absolute;
Though therein you can never be too noble, 40
But when extremities speak. I have heard you say,[3297]
Honour and policy, like unsever'd friends,
I' the war do grow together: grant that, and tell me,
In peace what each of them by the other lose,[3298]
That they combine not there.
Though therein you can never be too noble, 40
But when extremities speak. I have heard you say,[3297]
Honour and policy, like unsever'd friends,
I' the war do grow together: grant that, and tell me,
In peace what each of them by the other lose,[3298]
That they combine not there.
Cor. Tush, tush!
Men. A good demand. 45
Vol. If it be honour in your wars to seem
The same you are not, which, for your best ends,
You adopt your policy, how is it less or worse,[3299]
That it shall hold companionship in peace
With honour, as in war, since that to both[3300] 50
It stands in like request?
The same you are not, which, for your best ends,
You adopt your policy, how is it less or worse,[3299]
That it shall hold companionship in peace
With honour, as in war, since that to both[3300] 50
It stands in like request?
Cor. Why force you this?
Vol. Because that now it lies you on to speak[3301][3302]
To the people; not by your own instruction,[3301]
Nor by the matter which your heart prompts you,[3301][3303]
But with such words that are but roted in[3301][3304] 55
Your tongue, though but bastards and syllables[3301][3305]
Of no allowance to your bosom's truth.[3306]
Now, this no more dishonours you at all
Than to take in a town with gentle words,
Which else would put you to your fortune and 60
The hazard of much blood.
I would dissemble with my nature, where
My fortunes and my friends at stake required
I should do so in honour. I am in this,[3307]
Your wife, your son, these senators, the nobles;[3308] 65
And you will rather show our general louts
How you can frown than spend a fawn upon 'em,
For the inheritance of their loves and safeguard
Of what that want might ruin.
To the people; not by your own instruction,[3301]
Nor by the matter which your heart prompts you,[3301][3303]
But with such words that are but roted in[3301][3304] 55
Your tongue, though but bastards and syllables[3301][3305]
Of no allowance to your bosom's truth.[3306]
Now, this no more dishonours you at all
Than to take in a town with gentle words,
Which else would put you to your fortune and 60
The hazard of much blood.
I would dissemble with my nature, where
My fortunes and my friends at stake required
I should do so in honour. I am in this,[3307]
Your wife, your son, these senators, the nobles;[3308] 65
And you will rather show our general louts
How you can frown than spend a fawn upon 'em,
For the inheritance of their loves and safeguard
Of what that want might ruin.
Men. Noble lady![3309]
Come, go with us; speak fair: you may salve so, 70
Not what is dangerous present, but the loss[3310]
Of what is past.
Come, go with us; speak fair: you may salve so, 70
Not what is dangerous present, but the loss[3310]
Of what is past.
Vol. I prithee now, my son,
Go to them, with this bonnet in thy hand;[3311]
And thus far having stretch'd it—here be with them—[3312][3313]
Thy knee bussing the stones—for in such business[3312] 75
Action is eloquence, and the eyes of the ignorant
More learned than the ears—waving thy head,[3314][3315][3316]
Which often, thus, correcting thy stout heart,[3314][3316][3317][3318][3319]
Now humble as the ripest mulberry[3318][3320]
That will not hold the handling: or say to them,[3320][3321] 80
Thou art their soldier, and being bred in broils
Hast not the soft way which, thou dost confess,
Were fit for thee to use, as they to claim,[3322]
In asking their good loves; but thou wilt frame
Thyself, forsooth, hereafter theirs, so far 85
As thou hast power and person.
Go to them, with this bonnet in thy hand;[3311]
And thus far having stretch'd it—here be with them—[3312][3313]
Thy knee bussing the stones—for in such business[3312] 75
Action is eloquence, and the eyes of the ignorant
More learned than the ears—waving thy head,[3314][3315][3316]
Which often, thus, correcting thy stout heart,[3314][3316][3317][3318][3319]
Now humble as the ripest mulberry[3318][3320]
That will not hold the handling: or say to them,[3320][3321] 80
Thou art their soldier, and being bred in broils
Hast not the soft way which, thou dost confess,
Were fit for thee to use, as they to claim,[3322]
In asking their good loves; but thou wilt frame
Thyself, forsooth, hereafter theirs, so far 85
As thou hast power and person.
Men. This but done,
Even as she speaks, why, their hearts were yours;[3323]
For they have pardons, being ask'd, as free
As words to little purpose.
Even as she speaks, why, their hearts were yours;[3323]
For they have pardons, being ask'd, as free
As words to little purpose.
Vol. Prithee now,
Go, and be ruled: although I know thou hadst rather[3324] 90
Follow thine enemy in a fiery gulf
Than flatter him in a bower.
Go, and be ruled: although I know thou hadst rather[3324] 90
Follow thine enemy in a fiery gulf
Than flatter him in a bower.
Enter Cominius.
Here is Cominius.
Com. I have been i' the market-place; and, sir, 'tis fit[3325]
You make strong party, or defend yourself[3326]
By calmness or by absence: all's in anger. 95
You make strong party, or defend yourself[3326]
By calmness or by absence: all's in anger. 95
Men. Only fair speech.
Vol. He must, and will.
Prithee now, say you will, and go about it.
Prithee now, say you will, and go about it.
Cor. Must I go show them my unbarb'd sconce? must I,[3328][3329]
With my base tongue, give to my noble heart[3329] 100
A lie, that it must bear? Well, I will do't:[3330]
Yet, were there but this single plot to lose,[3331]
This mould of Marcius, they to dust should grind it,[3332]
And throw't against the wind. To the market-place!
You have put me now to such a part, which never[3333] 105
I shall discharge to the life.
With my base tongue, give to my noble heart[3329] 100
A lie, that it must bear? Well, I will do't:[3330]
Yet, were there but this single plot to lose,[3331]
This mould of Marcius, they to dust should grind it,[3332]
And throw't against the wind. To the market-place!
You have put me now to such a part, which never[3333] 105
I shall discharge to the life.
Com. Come, come, we'll prompt you.
Vol. I prithee now, sweet son, as thou hast said[3334]
My praises made thee first a soldier, so,
To have my praise for this, perform a part
Thou hast not done before.
My praises made thee first a soldier, so,
To have my praise for this, perform a part
Thou hast not done before.
Cor. Well, I must do't: 110
Away, my disposition, and possess me
Some harlot's spirit! my throat of war be turn'd,
Which quired with my drum, into a pipe[3335]
Small as an eunuch, or the virgin voice[3336]
That babies lulls asleep! the smiles of knaves[3337] 115
Tent in my cheeks, and schoolboys' tears take up
The glasses of my sight! a beggar's tongue[3338]
Make motion through my lips, and my arm'd knees,
Who bow'd but in my stirrup, bend like his[3339]
That hath received an alms! I will not do't; 120
Lest I surcease to honour mine own truth,
And by my body's action teach my mind
A most inherent baseness.
Away, my disposition, and possess me
Some harlot's spirit! my throat of war be turn'd,
Which quired with my drum, into a pipe[3335]
Small as an eunuch, or the virgin voice[3336]
That babies lulls asleep! the smiles of knaves[3337] 115
Tent in my cheeks, and schoolboys' tears take up
The glasses of my sight! a beggar's tongue[3338]
Make motion through my lips, and my arm'd knees,
Who bow'd but in my stirrup, bend like his[3339]
That hath received an alms! I will not do't; 120
Lest I surcease to honour mine own truth,
And by my body's action teach my mind
A most inherent baseness.
Vol. At thy choice then:
To beg of thee, it is my more dishonour
Than thou of them. Come all to ruin: let 125
Thy mother rather feel thy pride than fear
Thy dangerous stoutness, for I mock at death
With as big heart as thou. Do as thou list.
Thy valiantness was mine, thou suck'dst it from me,[3340]
But owe thy pride thyself.[3341]
To beg of thee, it is my more dishonour
Than thou of them. Come all to ruin: let 125
Thy mother rather feel thy pride than fear
Thy dangerous stoutness, for I mock at death
With as big heart as thou. Do as thou list.
Thy valiantness was mine, thou suck'dst it from me,[3340]
But owe thy pride thyself.[3341]
Cor. Pray, be content: 130
Mother, I am going to the market-place;[3342]
Chide me no more. I'll mountebank their loves,
Cog their hearts from them and come home beloved
Of all the trades in Rome. Look, I am going:
Commend me to my wife. I'll return consul; 135
Or never trust to what my tongue can do
I' the way of flattery further.
Mother, I am going to the market-place;[3342]
Chide me no more. I'll mountebank their loves,
Cog their hearts from them and come home beloved
Of all the trades in Rome. Look, I am going:
Commend me to my wife. I'll return consul; 135
Or never trust to what my tongue can do
I' the way of flattery further.
Vol. Do your will. [Exit.[3343]
Com. Away! the tribunes do attend you: arm yourself
To answer mildly; for they are prepared[3344]
With accusations, as I hear, more strong 140
Than are upon you yet.
To answer mildly; for they are prepared[3344]
With accusations, as I hear, more strong 140
Than are upon you yet.
Cor. The word is 'mildly.' Pray you, let us go:
Let them accuse me by invention, I
Will answer in mine honour.
Let them accuse me by invention, I
Will answer in mine honour.
Men. Ay, but mildly.
Cor. Well, mildly be it then. Mildly! [Exeunt.[3345] 145
Scene III. The same. The Forum.[3346]
Enter Sicinius and Brutus.