You are the musty chaff; and you are smelt In this so never-heeded help, yet do not More than the instant army we can make, Men. No; I'll not meddle. Bru. Only make trial what your love can do For Rome towards Marcius. Men. Well, and say that Marcius But as a discontented friend, grief-shot Sic. Yet your good will Must have that thanks from Rome, after the measure, As you intended well. Men. I'll undertake it: I think he'll hear me. Yet to bite his lip, To give or to forgive; but when we have stuff'd Till he be dieted to my request, And then I'll set upon him. 1 G. Be it so; go back: the virtue of your naine Is not here passable. Men. I tell thee, fellow, Thy general is my lover: I have been The book of his good acts, whence men have read (Of whom he's chief,) with all the size that Would without lapsing suffer: nay, sometimes, I have tumbled past the throw; and, in his Have almost stamp'd the leasing: fellow, I must have leave to pass. Therefore 1 G. 'Faith, Sir, if you had told as many lies in his behalf, as you have uttered words in your own, you should not pass here: no, though it were as virtuous to lie, as to live chastely. Therefore, go back. Men. Pr'ythee, fellow, remember my name is Menenius, always factionary on the party of your general. 2 G. Howsoever you have been his liar, (as you say you have) I am one that, telling true under him, must say, you cannot pass. Therefore, go back. Men. Has he dined, can'st thou tell? for I would not speak with him till after dinner. 1 G. You are a Roman, are you? Men. I am as thy general is. 1 G. Then you should hate Rome, as he does. Can you, when you have pushed out your gates the very defender of them, and, in a violent popular ignorance, given your enemy your shield, think to front his revenges with the easy groans Bru. You know the very road into his kindness, of old women, the virginal palms of your daughAnd cannot lose your way. Men. Good faith, I'll prove him, Speed how it will. I shall ere long have knowledge Of my success. Com. He'll never hear him. "Exit. Com. I tell you; he does sit in gold his eye Unless his noble mother, and his wife, [Exeunt. SCENE II-An advanced Post of the Volscian Camp, before Rome. The GUARD at their Stations. Enter to them, MENENIUS. I G. Stay Whence are you? 2 G. Stand, and go back. ters, or with the palsied intercession of such a decayed dotant ¶ as you seem to be? Can you think to blow out the intended fire your city is ready to flame in, with such weak breath as this? No, you are deceived; therefore back to Rome, and prepare for your execution: you are condemned, our general has sworn you out of reprieve and pardon. Men. Sirrah, if thy captain knew I were here, he would use me with estimation. 2 G. Come, my captain knows you not. 1 G. My general cares not for you. Back, 1 say, go, lest I let forth your half pint of blood; -back, that's the utmost of your having :back. Men. Nay, but fellow, fellow,——— Enter CORIOLANUS and AUFidius. Men. Now you companion, ** I'll say an errand for you; you shall know now that I am in estimation; you shall perceive that a Jack ++ guardant cannot office me from my son Coriolauus: guess, but by my entertainment with him, if thou stand'st not i'the state of hanging, er of some death more long in spectatorship, and crueller in suffering: behold now presently, and Men. You guard like men; 'tis well: But, by swoon for what's to come upon thee.-The glo your leave, I am an officer of state, and come To speak with Coriolanus. 1 G. From whence? Men. From Rome. rious gods sit in hourly synod about thy particular prosperity, and love thee no worse than ty old father Menenius does! O my son! my son'! thou art preparing fire for us; look thee, here's water to quench it. I was hardly moved to come 1 G. You may not pass, you must return: our to thee; but being assured none but myself general Will no more hear from thence. could move thee, I have been blown out of your gates with sighs and conjure thee to pardon The 2 G. You'll see your Rome embrac'd with fire, Rome, and thy petitionary countrymen. before good gods assuage thy wrath, and turn the dregs Men. How! Away ? • Prizes. Cor. Wife, mother, child, I know not. affairs Are servanted to others: Though I owe My In supplication nod: and my young boy Great nature cries, Deny not.-Let the Volsces fa- Be such a gosling to obey instinct; but stand Ingrate forgetfulness shall poison, rather Take this along: I writ it for thy sake, [Gives a Letter. And would have sent it. Another word, nenius, 1 will not hear thee speak.-This man, Aufidius, Was my beloved in Rome: yet thou behold'stAuf. You keep a constant temper. Vir. My lord and husband! Cor. These eyes are not the same I wore E Vir. The sorrow, that delivers us thus chang'd Cor. Like a dull actor now, Me-I have forgot my part, and I am out, [Exeunt CORIOLANUS and AUFID. 1 G. Now, Sir, is your name Menenius? 2 G. 'Tis a spell, you see, of much power: You know the way home again. 1 G. Do you hear how we are shent + for keeping your greatness back? 2 G. What cause, do you think, I have to swoon? Men. I neither care for the world, nor your general for such things as you, I can scarce think there's any, you are so slight. He that hath a will to die by himself, fears it not from another. Let your general do his worst. For you, be that you are long; and your misery increase with your age! I say to you, as I was said to, Away! [Exit. 1 G. A noble fellow, I warrant him. 2 G. The worthy fellow is our general: He is the rook, the oak not to be wind-shaken. The first conditions, which they did refuse, Enter in mourning habits, VIRGILIA, Vo and ATTENDANTS. Of thy deep duty more impression show Vol. Oh! stand up bless'd! Cor. What is this? [Kneels Your knees to me? to your corrected son Vol. Thou art my warrior: I holp to frame thee. Do you know this lady? Cor. The god of soldiers, With the consent of supreme Jove, inform prove To shame unvulnerable, and stick i'the wars Vol. Your knee, Sirrah. Cor. That's my brave boy. Vol. Even he, your wife, this lady, and myself, Are suitors to you. Cor. I beseech you, peace : Or, if you'd ask, remember this before: Vol. Oh! no more, no more! Make your eyes flow with joy, hearts dance with comfort, Constrains them weep, and shake with fear and sorrow; Making the mother, wife, and child, to see Our wish, which side should win for either thou Vir. Ay, and on mine, demu us, As poisonous of your honour: No; our suit This we receiv'd; and each in either side The end of war's uncertain; but this certain, son: Thou hast affected the fine strains of honour, To tear with thunder the wide cheeks o'the air, Think'st thou it honourable for a noble man That thou restrain'st from me the duty, which To his surname Coriolanus 'longs more pride, Cor. O mother, mother! [Holding VOLUMNIA by the Hands, silent. What have you done? Behold, the heavens do ope, The gods look down, and this unnatural scene Were you in my stead, say, would you have heard Cor. I dare be sworn you were: you, Stand to me in this cause. O mother! wife! Auj. I am glad thou hast set thy mercy and thy honour At difference in thee: out of that I'll work Myself a former fortune. [Aside. [The ladies make signs to CORIOLANUS. Cor. Ay, by and by: [To VOLUMNIA, VIRGILIA, &c. But we will drink together; and you shall bear A better witness back than words, which we, On like conditions, will have counter-seal'd. Come, enter with us. Ladies, you deserve To have a temple built you all the swords In Italy, and her confederate arms, Could not have made this peace. [Exeunt. SCENE IV.-Rome.-A public Place. Enter MENENIUS and SICINIUS. Men. See you yond' coign o'the Capitol : yond' corner stone? Sic. Why, what of that? Men. If it be possible for you to displace it with your little finger, there is some hope the ladies of Rome, especially his mother, may prevail with him. But I say, there is no hope in't; our throats are sentenced, and stay upon execution. Sic. Is't possible that so short a time can alter the condition of a man? Men. There is differency between a grub and a butterfly; yet your butterfly was a grub. This Marcius is grown from man to dragon: he has wings! he's more than a creeping thing. Sic. He loved his mother dearly. Men. So did he me: and he no more remembers his mother now, than an eight year old horse. The tartness of his face sours ripe grapes. When he walks, he moves like an engine, and the ground shrinks before his treading. He is able to pierce a corslet with his eye; talks like a knell and his hum is a battery. He sits in his state, as a thing made for Alexander. What he bids be done, is finished with his bidding. He wants nothing of a god but eternity, and a heaven to throne in. Sic. Yes, mercy, if you report him truly. • Angle. + Stay but for it. To resemble. 1 Chair of state. Men. I paint him in the character. Mark what | Enter Three or Four CONSPIRATORS of Atvi mercy his mother shall bring from him: There is no more mercy in him, than there is milk in a Most welcome! Sic. The gods be good unto us! Men. No, in such a case the gods will not be good unto us. When we banished him, we respected not them: and, he returning to break our necks, they respect not us. Enter a MESSENGER. Mess. Sir, if you'd save your life, fly to your house : The plebeians have got your fellow-tribune, Enter another MESSENGER. Sic. What's the news? Mess. Good news, good news :-The ladies have prevail'd, The Volsces are dislodg'd, and Marcius gone: Art thou certain this is true? is it most certain ? [Trumpets and Hautboys sounded, and Drums beaten, all together. Shouting also within. The trumpets, sackbuts, psalteries, and fifes, Tabors, and cymbals, and the shouting Romans, Make the sun dance. Hark you! [Shouting again. Men. This is good news: A sea and land full: You have pray'd well to-day; Mess. Sir, we have al Great cause to give great thanks, Sic. They are near the city? Mess. Almost at point to enter. Sic. We will meet them, And help the joy. [Going. Enter the Ladies, accompanied by SENATORS, PATRICIANS, and People. They pass over the Stage. 1 Sen. Behold our patroness, the life of Rome: Call all your tribes together, praise the gods, And make triumphant fires; strew flowers before them : Unshout the noise that banish'd Marcius, Repeal him with the welcome of his mother; Cry, Welcome, ladies, Welcome ! All. Welcome, ladies! Welcome! (A flourish with Drums and Trumpets. [Exeunt. SOENE V.-Antium.-A Public Place. Enter TULLUS AUFIDIUS, with Attendants. Auf. Go tell the lords of the city, I am here: Deliver them this paper: having read it, Bid them repair to the market-place; where I, Even in theirs and in the commons' ears, Will vouch the truth of it. Him I accuse, The city ports by this hath enter'd, and Intends to appear before the people, hoping To purge himself with words: Despatch. [Exeunt Attendants. DIUS'S Faction. 1 Con. How is it with our general? As with a man by his own alms empoison'd, 2 Con. Most noble Sir, If you do hold the same intent wherein Auf. Sir, I cannot tell : We must proceed, as we do find the people. 3 Con. The people will remain uncertain, whilst 'Twixt you there's difference; but the fall of either Makes the survivor heir of all. ten'd, | He water'd his new plants with dews of flattery, When he did stand for consul, which he lost Auf. That I would have spoke of : 1 Con. So he did, my lord: The army marvell'd at it. And, in the last, When he had carried Rome, and that we look'd For no less spoil than glory, Auf. There was it ; For which my sinews shall be stretch'd upon him. [Drums and Trumpets sound, with great 1 Con. Your native town you enter'd like a post, And had no welcomes home; but he returns, Splitting the air with noise. 2 Con. And patient fools, whose children he hath slain, their base throats tear, With giving him glory. 3 Con. Therefore, at your vantage, Ere he express himself, or move the people With what he would say, let him feel your sword, Which we will second. When he lies along, After your way his tale pronounc'd shall bury His reasons with his body. Auf. Say no more: Here come the lords. Enter the LORDS of the City. Lords. You are most welcome home. But, worthy lords, have you with heed perus d 1 Lord. And grieve to hear it. Auf. He approaches, you shall hear him. Enter CORIOLANUS, with Drums and Colours; home, Do more than counterpoise, a full third part, Auf. Read it not, noble lords; But tell the traitor in the highest degree Cor. Traitor!-How now? Auf. Ay, Marcius, Caius Marcius: Dost thou think I'll grace thee with that robbery, thy stol'n name You lords and heads of the state, perfidiously Cor. Hear'st thou, Mars? Auf. Name not the god, thou boy of tears,Cor. Ha! Auf. No more. ↑ Cor. Measureless liar, thou hast made my heart Too great for what contains it. Boy! O slave !Pardon me, lords, 'tis the first time that ever I was forc'd to scold. Your judgments, my grave lords, Must give this cur the lie and his own notion My beating to his grave,) shall join to thrust 1 Lord. Peace, both, and hear me speak. That like an eagle in a dove-cote, I Flutter'd your voices in Corioli: Alone I did it.-Boy! Auf. why, noble lords, which was your shame, by this unholy braggart, Will you be put in mind of his blind fortune, 'Fore your own eyes and ears? Con. Let him die for't. [Several speak at once. Cit. [Speaking promiscuously.] Tear him to pieces, do it presently. He killed my son :--my daughter;-He killed my cousin Marcius;--He killed my father. 2 Lord. Peace, ho;-no outrage ;-peace. This orb o'the earth. The man is noble, and his fanie folds in His last offence to us Shall have judicious hearing.-Stand, Aufidius, And trouble not the peace. Cor. Oh! that I had him, With six Aufidiuses, or more, his tribe, Auf. Insolent villain! Con. Kill, kill, kill, kill, kill him! [AUFIDIUS and the CONSPIRATORS draw, and kill CORIOLANUS, who falls, and AUFIDIUS stands on him. Lords. Hold, hold, hold, hold! Auf. My noble masters, hear me speak. 1 Lord. O Tullus! 2 Lord. Thou hast done a deed whereat valour will weep. 3 Lord. Tread not upon him.-Masters, all, be Put up your swords. [quiet: Auf. My lords, when you shall know (as in this rage, Provok'd by him, you cannot,) the great danger 1 Lord. Bear from hence his body, And mourn you for him: let him be regarded As the most noble corse that ever herald 2 Lord. His own impatience Takes from Aufidius a great part of blame. Auf. My rage is gone, And I am struck with sorrow.-Take him up: His fame overspreads the world. |