his the only demand consisteth to make a gaol-delivery of all evils, which delivereth equal benefit and safety both to the one and the other, but most honourable for the Volces. For it shall appear that, having victory in their hands, they have of special favour granted us singular graces, peace, and amity, albeit themselves have no less part of both than we; of which good, if so it come to pass, thyself is the only author, and so hast thou the only honour. But if it fail, and fall out contrary, thyself alone deservedly shalt carry the shameful reproach and burden of either party; so, though the end of war be uncertain, yet, this notwithstanding is most certain -- that, if it be thy chance to conquer, this benefit shalt thou reap of thy goodly conquest, to be chronicled the plague and destroyer of thy country. And if fortune overthrow thee, then the world will say, that through desire to revenge thy private injuries, thou hast for ever undone thy good friends, who did most lovingly and courteously receive thee. - Martius gave good ear unto his mother's words, without interrupting her speech at all, and, after she had said what she would, he held peace a pretty while, and answered not a word. Hereupon she began again to speak unto him, and said, My son, why dost thou not answer me? dost thou think it good altogether to give place unto thy choler and desire of revenge, and thinkest thou it not honesty for thee to grant thy mother's request in so weighty a cause? dost thou take it honourable for a noble man to remember wrongs and injuries done him, and dost not, in like case, think it an honest noble man's part to be thankful for the goodness that parents do show to their children, acknowledging the duty and reverence they ought to bear unto them? No man living is more bound to show himself thankful in all parts and respects than thyself, who so universally showest all ingratitude. Moreover, my son, thou hast sorely taken of thy country, exacting grievous payments upon them in revenge of the injuries offered thee; besides, thou hast not hitherto showed thy poor mother any courtesy, and therefore is it not only honest, but due unto me, that, without compulsion, I should obtain my so just and reasonable request of thee. But since by reason I cannot persuade thee to it, to what purpose do I defer my last hope? And with these words, herself, his wife and children, fell down upon their knees before him. Martius, seing that, could refrain no longer, but went straight and lift her up, crying out, Oh, mother, what have you done to me? And, holding her hard by the right hand, Oh, mother, said he, you have won a happy victory for your country, but mortal and unhappy for your son; for I see myself vanquished by you alone. These words being spoken openly, he spake a little apart with his mother and wife, and then let them return again to Rome, for so they did request him; and so, remaining in camp that night, the next morning he dislodged, and marched homeward into the Volces' country again. Zu A. 5, Sc. 5. Coriolan's Ende wird bei Plutarch so berichtet: Now, when Martius was returned again into the city of Antium from his voyage, Tullus, that hated and could no longer abide him for the fear he had of his authority, sought divers means to make him away, thinking that, if he let slip that present time, he should never recover the like and fit occasion again. Wherefore Tullus, having procured many other of his confederacy, required Martius might be deposed from his estate, to render up account to the Volces of his charge and government. Martius, fearing to become a private man again, under Tullus, being general (whose authority was greater, otherwise, than any other among all the Volces), answered he was willing to give up his charge, and would resign it into the hands of the lords of the Volces if they did all command him, as by all their commandment he received it; and, moreover, that he would not refuse even at that present to give up an account unto the people, if they would tarry the hearing of it. The people hereupon called a common council, in which assembly there were certain orators appointed, that stirred up the common people against him: and when they had told their tales, Martius rode up to make them answer. Now, notwithstanding the mutinous people made a marvellous great noise, yet, when they saw him, for the reverence they bare unto his valiantness they quieted themselves, and gave him audience to allege with leisure what he could for his purgation. Moreover, the honestest men of the Antiates, and who most rejoiced in peace, showed by their countenance that they would hear him willingly, and judge also according to their conscience. Whereupon Tullus, fearing that if he did let him speak he would prove his innocency to the people, because, amongst other things, he had an eloquent tongue; besides that, the first good service he had done to the people of the Volces, did win him more favour than these last accusations could purchase him displeasure; and furthermore, the offence they laid to his charge was a testimony of the good will they ought him; for they would never have thought he had done them wrong for that he took not the city of Rome, if they had not been very near taking of it by means of his approach and conduction; for these causes, Tullus thought he might no longer delay his pretence and enterprise, neither to tarry for the mutining and rising of the common people against him; wherefore those that were conspiracy began to cry out that he was not to be heard, and that they would not suffer a traitor to usurp tyrannical power over the tribe of the Volces, who would not yield up his state and authority. And in saying these words they all fell upon him, and killed him in the market-place, none of the people once offering to rescue him. Howbeit, it is a clear case that this murder was not generally consented unto of the most part of the Volces: for men came out of all parts to honour his body and did honourably bury him, setting up his tomb with great store of armour and spoils, as the tomb of a worthy person and great captain. of the DRAMATIS PERSONÆ. CAIUS MARCIUS CORIOLANUS, a noble Roman. TITUS LARTIUS, } Generals against the Volscians. COMINIUS, Roman and Volscian Senators, Patricians, Ediles, Lictors, Soldiers, Citizens, Messengers, Servants to Aufidius, and other Attendants. 1 SCENE, partly in Rome; and partly in the Territories of the 1) Das Personenverzeichniss fügte, jedoch unvollständig, zuerst Rowe in seiner Ausgabe 1709 hinzu. АСТ 1. SCENE I. Rome. A Street. Enter a company of mutinous Citizens, with staves, clubs, and other weapons. 1 Cit. Before we proceed any further, hear me speak. All.2 Speak, speak. 1 Cit. You are all resolved rather to die than to famish? All. Resolved, resolved. 1 Cit. First, you know, Caius Marcius is chief enemy to the people. All. We know 't, we know 't. 1 Cit. Let us kill him, and we 'll have corn at our own price. Is 't a verdict? 3 All. No more talking on 't; let it be done. Away, away! 2 Cit. One word, good citizens. 6 4 1 Cit. We are accounted poor citizens; the patricians, good. What authority surfeits on would relieve us. 5 If they would yield us but the superfluity, while it were wholesome, we might guess they relieved us humanely; but they think, we are too dear: the leanness that afflicts us, the object of our misery, is as an inventory to particularize their abundance; our sufferance is a gain to them. Let us revenge this with our pikes, ere we 7 2) So die Fol., hier und in den folgenden Reden, insofern sie nicht einem einzelnen Bürger zuertheilt sind. Die Hgg. setzen dafür Citizens und fügen die Bühnenweisung hinzu: Several speaking at once. 3) d. h. ist das so unumstösslich Euer Entschluss, wie der Urtheilspruch eines Geschwor In demselben Sinne erwidert ein „Bürger" darauf: Kein Gerede mehr nengerichts? darüber! - = zahlungs *) good scil. citizens gebraucht der erste Bürger" im kaufmännischen Sinne fähig, wie Shylock das Wort in Merchant of Venice (A. 1, Sc. 3.) erklärt: my meaning, in saying he is a good man, is to have you understand me that he is sufficient. Der zweite Bürger" hatte good als freundliche Anrede gebraucht. 5) authority, collectiv die Leute in Amt und Würden, die Patricier. = 6) solange die den Patriciern überflüssigen Speisen, der Abhub von ihrer Tafel, noch nicht verdorben sind, etwa damit das Volk zu unterstützen, solche Freigebigkeit würde ihnen zu theuer erscheinen. Der Anblick des Elends der Plebejer, wie es sich in jedem Einzelnen spiegelt, zeigt ebenso im Einzelnen, wie in einem Besitzverzeichniss, den Patriciern ihren Reichthum. |