Men. Repent what you have spoke.

Cor. For them? - I cannot do it to the gods,

Must I then do 't to them?
Vol.

You are too absolute;
Though therein you can never be too noble,
But when extremities speak. I have heard you say,
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 th' other lose,

That they combine not there?

Cor.

Men.

Tush, tush!

A good demand.

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,
That it shall hold companionship in peace
With honour, as in war, since that to both
It stands in like request!

Cor.

Why force you this?

Vol. Because that now it lies you on to speak

To the people; not by your own instruction,
Nor by the matter which your heart prompts you,
But with such words that are but roted in
Your tongue, though but bastards, and syllables
Of no allowance to your bosom's truth.
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
The hazard of much blood. -

I would dissemble with my nature, where,
My fortunes and my friends at stake, requir'd
I should do so in honour: I am in this,
Your wife, your son, these senators, the nobles;
And you will rather show our general lowts
How you can frown, than spend a fawn upon 'em,
For the inheritance of their loves, and safeguard
Of what that want might ruin.

Go to them, with this bonnet in thy hand;
And thus far having stretch'd it, (here be with them)
Thy knee bussing the stones, (for in such business
Action is eloquence, and the eyes of the ignorant
More learned than the ears) waving thy head,
Which often, thus, correcting thy stout heart,
Now humble as the ripest mulberry

That will not hold the handling: or say to them,
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,
In asking their good-loves; but thou wilt frame

Thyself, forsooth, hereafter theirs, so far

As thou hast power, and person.

Men.

Even as she speaks, why, their hearts were yours;

This but done,

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For they have pardons, being ask'd, as free

As words to little purpose.

Go, and be rul'd; although, I know, thou hadst rather

Follow thine enemy in a fiery gulf,

Than flatter him in a bower.

Here is Cominius.

Enter COMINIUS.

Com. I have been i' the market-place; and, Sir, 't is fit

You make strong party, or defend yourself

By calmness, or by absence: all's in anger.

Men. Only fair speech.
Com.

Can thereto frame his spirit.
Vol.

I think, 't will serve; if he

He must, and will.

62

Pr'ythee now, say you will, and go about it.

Cor. Must I go show them my unbarbed sconce?
Must I with my base tongue give to my noble heart
A lie, that it must bear? Well, I will do 't:
Yet were there but this single plot to lose,

This mould of Marcius, they to dust should grind it,
And throw 't against the wind. To the market-place!
You have put me now to such a part, which never

I shall discharge to the life.
Com.

Come, come, we'll prompt you.

Vol. I pr'ythee now, sweet son: as thou hast said,

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.

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
Small as an eunuch, or the virgin voice

That babies lulls asleep! The smiles of knaves
Tent in my cheeks; and school-boys' tears take up
The glasses of my sight! A beggar's tongue
Make motion through my lips; and my arm'd knees,
Who bow'd but in my stirrup, bend like his
That hath receiv'd an alms! I will not do 't,
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

Thy mother rather feel thy pride, than fear

Thy dangerous stoutness; for I mock at death

With as big heart as thou.

Thy valiantness was mine',

But owe thy pride thyself.

Cor.

Do as thou list.

thou suck'dst it from me,

Pray, be content:

Mother, I am going to the market-place;

Chide me no more. I 'll mountebank their loves,
Cog their hearts from them, and come home belov'd
Look, I am going.
I'll return consul,

Of all the trades in Rome.

Commend me to my wife.

Com. Away! the tribunes do attend you: arm yourself

To answer mildly; for they are prepar'd

With accusations, as I hear, more strong

[Exit.

The Same. The Forum.

Enter SICINIUS and BRUTUS.

Bru. In this point charge him home; that he affects

Tyrannical power: if he evade us there,

Enforce him with his envy to the people;

And that the spoil got on the Antiates

Was ne'er distributed.

Æd.

I have.

Sic. Assemble presently the people hither.

And when they hear me say, "It shall be so,

I' the right and strength o' the commons," be it either
For death, for fine, or banishment, then let them,
If I say, fine, cry "fine;" if death, cry "death;"

Insisting on the old prerogative

And power i' the truth o' the cause.

Æd.

I shall inform them.

Bru. And when such time they have begun to cry,

Let them not cease, but with a din confus'd

Enforce the present execution

Of what we chance to sentence.

Sic. Make them be strong, and ready for this hint,

When we shall hap to give 't them.

Bru.

Go; about it.

Put him to choler straight. He hath been us'd
Ever to conquer, and to have his worth

Of contradiction: being once chaf'd, he cannot
Be rein'd again to temperance; then he speaks
What's in his heart; and that is there, which looks
With us to break his neck.

[Exit Edile.

Enter CORIOLANUS, MENENIUS, COMINIUS, Senators, and Patricians.

Sic. Well, here he comes.

Men.

Calmly, I do beseech you.

Cor. Ay, as an ostler, that for the poorest piece

Will bear the knave by the volume. The honour'd gods

Keep Rome in safety, and the chairs of justice

Supplied with worthy men! plant love among us!

Throng our large temples with the shows of peace,

And not our streets with war!

Amen, amen.