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 't is 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 flattered 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. or no, 1 Off. If he did not care whether he had their love he waved indifferently 'twixt doing them neither good nor harm; but he seeks their 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. 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, bonneted, without any further deed to have them at all a Bonneted. Othello says "My demerits May speak, unbonneted." This is clearly without the bonnet. But in the text before us we are told that bonneted also means without the bonnet. Malone says, They humbly took off their bonnets without any farther deed." The context appears to us to give exactly the contrary meaning: "His ascent is not by such easy degrees as those who, having been supple and courteous to the people," put on their bonnets" without any further deed.", 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, CORIOLANUS, many other Senators, SICINIUS and BRUTUS. The Senators take their places; the Tribunes take theirs also by themselves. Men. Having determin'd of the Volces, And to send for Titus Lartius, it remains, Thus stood for his country: Therefore, please you, 1 Sen. Than we to stretch it out. Masters o' the people, 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 We shall be bless'd to do, if he remember He hath hereto priz'd them at. Men. That 's off, that 's off';a I would you rather had been silent: Please you Bru. Most willingly: But yet my caution was more pertinent Men. He loves your people; But tie him not to be their bedfellow. Worthy Cominius, speak.-Nay, keep your place. [CORIOLANUS rises, and offers to go away. 1 Sen. Sit, Coriolanus; never shame to hear What you have nobly done. Cor. Your honours' pardon ; I had rather have my wounds to heal again, Bru. My words dis-bench'd you not. Sir, I hope Cor. No, sir: yet oft, When blows have made me stay, I fled from words. You sooth'd not, therefore hurt not: But, your people, I love them as they weigh. Men. Pray now, sit down. Cor. I had rather have one scratch my head i' the sun, When the alarum were struck, than idly sit Men. Exit COR. Masters o' the people, Your multiplying spawn how can he flatter, (That 's thousand to one good one,) when you now see He had rather venture all his limbs for honour, Than one of his ears to hear it ?-Proceed, Cominius. Com. I shall lack voice: the deeds of Coriolanus Should not be utter'd feebly.-It is held VOL. X. That's off-that is nothing to the matter. D That valour is the chiefest virtue, And most dignifies the haver: if it be, And, in the brunt of seventeen battles since, He lurch'd ball swords o' the garland. For this last, I cannot speak him home: He stopp'd the fliers; A vessel under sail, so men obey'd, And fell below his stem: his sword (death's stamp), a On his knee-down on his knee. b Lurch'd. The term is, or was, used in some game of cards, in which a complete and easy victory is called a lurch. And to the battle came he; where he did To ease his breast with panting. Men. Worthy man! 1 Sen. He cannot but with measure fit the honours Which we devise him. Com. His deeds with doing them; and is content Men. Let him be call'd for. 1 Sen. He's right noble; Call Coriolanus. Off. He doth appear. Re-enter CORIOLANUS. Men. The senate, Coriolanus, are well pleas'd To make thee consul. Put on the gown, stand naked, and entreat them, you That I may pass this doing. Sic. Sir, the people Must have their voices; neither will they bate One jot of ceremony. Put them not to 't:- Men. |