 | The Tragedy of Coriolanus |  |
Actus Secundus.
Enter Menenius with the two Tribunes of the people, Sicinius & Brutus.Men.
The Agurer tels me, wee shall haue Newes to
night.
Bru.
Good or bad?
Men.
Not according to the prayer of the people, for
they loue not Martius.
Sicin.
Nature teaches Beasts to know their Friends.
Men.
Pray you, who does the Wolfe loue?
Sicin.
The Lambe.
Men.
I, to deuour him, as the hungry Plebeians would
the Noble Martius.
Bru.
He's a Lambe indeed, that baes like a Beare.
Men.
Hee's a Beare indeede, that liues like a Lambe.
You two are old men, tell me one thing that I shall aske
you.
Both.
Well sir.
Men.
In what enormity is Martius poore in, that you
two haue not in abundance?
Bru.
He's poore in no one fault, but stor'd withall.
Sicin.
Especially in Pride.
Bru.
And topping all others in boasting.
Men.
This is strange now: Do you two know, how
you are censured heere in the City, I mean of vs a'th'right
hand File, do you?
Both.
Why? how are we censur'd?
Men.
Because you talke of Pride now, will you not
be angry.
Both.
Well, well sir, well.
Men.
Why 'tis no great matter: for a very little theefe
of Occasion, will rob you of a great deale of Patience:
Giue your dispositions the reines, and bee angry at your
pleasures (at the least) if you take it as a pleasure to you, in
being so: you blame Martius for being proud.
Brut.
We do it not alone, sir.
Men.
I know you can doe very little alone, for your
helpes are many, or else your actions would growe wondrous
single: your abilities are to Infant-like, for dooing
much alone. You talke of Pride: Oh, that you could turn
your eyes toward the Napes of your neckes, and make
but an Interiour suruey of your good selues. Oh that you
could.
Both.
What then sir?
Men.
Why then you should discouer a brace of vnmeriting,
proud, violent, testie Magistrates (alias Fooles)
as any in Rome.
Sicin.
Menenius, you are knowne well enough too.
Men.
I am knowne to be a humorous Patritian, and
one that loues a cup of hot Wine, with not a drop of alaying
Tiber in't: Said, to be something imperfect in fauouring
the first complaint, hasty and Tinder-like vppon, to
triuiall motion: One, that conuerses more with the Buttocke
of the night, then with the forhead of the morning.
What I think, I vtter, and spend my malice in my breath.
Meeting two such Weales men as you are (I cannot call
you Licurgusses,) if the drinke you giue me, touch my Palat
aduersly, I make a crooked face at it, I can say, your
Worshippes haue deliuer'd the matter well, when I finde
the Asse in compound, with the Maior part of your syllables.
And though I must be content to beare with those,
that say you are reuerend graue men, yet they lye deadly,
that tell you haue good faces, if you see this in the Map
of my Microcosme, followes it that I am knowne well enough
too? What harme can your beesome Conspectuities
gleane out of this Charracter, if I be knowne well enough
too.
Bru.
Come sir come, we know you well enough.
Menen.
You know neither mee, your selues, nor any
thing: you are ambitious, for poore knaues cappes and
legges: you weare out a good wholesome Forenoone, in
hearing a cause betweene an Orendge wife, and a Forset-seller,
and then reiourne the Controuersie of three-pence
to a second day of Audience. When you are hearing a
matter betweene party and party, if you chaunce to bee
pinch'd with the Collicke, you make faces like Mummers,
set vp the bloodie Flagge against all Patience, and
in roaring for a Chamber-pot, dismisse the Controuersie
bleeding, the more intangled by your hearing: All the
peace you make in their Cause, is calling both the parties
Knaues. You are a payre of strange ones.
Bru.
Come, come, you are well vnderstood to bee a
perfecter gyber for the Table, then a necessary Bencher in
the Capitoll.
Men.
Our very Priests must become Mockers, if they
shall encounter such ridiculous Subiects as you are, when
you speake best vnto the purpose. It is not woorth the
wagging of your Beards, and your Beards deserue not so
honourable a graue, as to stuffe a Botchers Cushion, or to
be intomb'd in an Asses Packe-saddle; yet you must bee
saying, Martius is proud: who in a cheape estimation, is
worth all your predecessors, since Deucalion, though peraduenture
some of the best of 'em were hereditarie hangmen.
Godden to your Worships, more of your conuersation
would infect my Braine, being the Heardsmen of
the Beastly Plebeans. I will be bold to take my leaue of
you.
How now (my as faire as Noble) Ladyes, and the Moone
were shee Earthly, no Nobler; whither doe you follow
your Eyes so fast?
Volum.
Honorable Menenius, my Boy Martius approches:
for the loue of Iuno let's goe.
Menen.
Ha? Martius comming home?
Volum.
I, worthy Menenius, and with most prosperous
approbation.
Menen.
Take my Cappe Iupiter, and I thanke thee:
hoo, Martius comming home?
2. Ladies.
Nay, 'tis true.
Volum.
Looke, here's a Letter from him, the State hath
another, his Wife another, and (I thinke) there's one at
home for you.
Menen.
I will make my very house reele to night:
A Letter for me?
Virgil.
Yes certaine, there's a Letter for you, I saw't.
Menen.
A Letter for me? it giues me an Estate of seuen
yeeres health; in which time, I will make a Lippe at
the Physician: The most soueraigne Prescription in Galen,
is but Emperickqutique; and to this Preseruatiue, of no
better report then a Horse-drench. Is he not wounded?
he was wont to come home wounded?
Virgil.
Oh no, no, no.
Volum.
Oh, he is wounded, I thanke the Gods for't.
Menen.
So doe I too, if it be not too much: brings a
Victorie in his Pocket? the wounds become him.
Volum.
On's Browes: Menenius, hee comes the third
time home with the Oaken Garland.
Menen.
Ha's he disciplin'd Auffidius soundly?
Volum.
Titus Lartius writes, they fought together, but
Auffidius got off.
Menen.
And 'twas time for him too, Ile warrant him
that: and he had stay'd by him, I would not haue been so
fiddious'd, for all the Chests in Carioles, and the Gold
that's in them. Is the Senate possest of this?
Uolum.
Good Ladies let's goe. Yes, yes, yes: The
Senate ha's Letters from the Generall, wherein hee giues
my Sonne the whole Name of the Warre: he hath in this
action out-done his former deeds doubly.
Valer.
In troth, there's wondrous things spoke of him.
Menen.
Wondrous: I, I warrant you, and not without
his true purchasing.
Virgil.
The Gods graunt them true.
Volum.
True? pow waw.
Mene.
True? Ile be sworne they are true: where is
hee wounded, God saue your good Worships? Martius
is comming home: hee ha's more cause to be prowd:
where is he wounded?
Volum.
Ith' Shoulder, and ith' left Arme: there will be
large Cicatrices to shew the People, when hee shall stand
for his place: he receiued in the repulse of Tarquin seuen
hurts ith' Body.
Mene.
One ith' Neck, and two ith' Thigh, there's nine
that I know.
Volum.
Hee had, before this last Expedition, twentie
fiue Wounds vpon him.
Mene.
Now it's twentie seuen; euery gash was an
Enemies Graue. Hearke, the Trumpets.
A showt, and flourish.
Uolum.
These are the Vshers of Martius:
Before him, hee carryes Noyse;
And behinde him, hee leaues Teares:
Death, that darke Spirit, in's neruie Arme doth lye,
Which being aduanc'd, declines, and then men dye.
A Sennet. Trumpets sound.
Enter Cominius the Generall, and Titus Latius: betweene them Coriolanus, crown'd with an Oaken Garland, with Captaines and Souldiers, and a Herauld.
Herauld.
Know Rome, that all alone Martius did fight
Within Corioles Gates: where he hath wonne,
With Fame, a Name to Martius Caius:
These in honor followes Martius Caius Coriolanus.
Welcome to Rome, renowned Coriolanus.
Sound. Flourish.
All.
Welcome to Rome, renowned Coriolanus.
Coriol.
No more, of this, it does offend my heart: pray
now no more.
Com.
Looke, Sir, your Mother.
Coriol.
Oh! you haue, I know, petition'd all the Gods
for my prosperitie.
Kneeles.
Uolum.
Nay, my good Souldier, vp:
My gentle Martius, worthy Caius,
And by deed-atchieuing Honor newly nam'd,
What is it (Coriolanus) must I call thee?
But oh, thy Wife.
Corio.
My gracious silence, hayle:
Would'st thou haue laugh'd, had I come Coffin'd home,
That weep'st to see me triumph? Ah my deare,
Such eyes the Widowes in Carioles were,
And Mothers that lacke Sonnes.
Mene.
Now the Gods Crowne thee.
Com.
And liue you yet? Oh my sweet Lady, pardon.
Volum.
I know not where to turne.
Oh welcome home: and welcome Generall,
And y'are welcome all.
Mene.
A hundred thousand Welcomes:
I could weepe, and I could laugh,
I am light, and heauie; welcome:
A Curse begin at very root on's heart,
That is not glad to see thee.
Yon are three, that Rome should dote on:
Yet by the faith of men, we haue
Some old Crab-trees here at home,
That will not be grafted to your Rallish,
Yet welcome Warriors:
Wee call a Nettle, but a Nettle;
And the faults of fooles, but folly.
Com.
Euer right.
Cor.
Menenius, euer, euer.
Herauld.
Giue way there, and goe on.
Cor.
Your Hand, and yours?
Ere in our owne house I doe shade my Head,
The good Patricians must be visited,
From whom I haue receiu'd not onely greetings,
But with them, change of Honors.
Volum.
I haue liued,
To see inherited my very Wishes,
And the Buildings of my Fancie:
Onely there's one thing wanting,
Which (I doubt not) but our Rome
Will cast vpon thee.
Cor.
Know, good Mother,
I had rather be their seruant in my way,
Then sway with them in theirs.
Com.
On, to the Capitall.
Flourish. Cornets.
Exeunt in State, as before.
Bru.
All tongues speake of him, and the bleared sights
Are spectacled to see him. Your pratling Nurse
Into a rapture lets her Baby crie,
While she chats him: the Kitchin Malkin pinnes
Her richest Lockram 'bout her reechie necke,
Clambring the Walls to eye him:
Stalls, Bulkes, Windowes, are smother'd vp,
Leades fill'd, and Ridges hors'd
With variable Complexions; all agreeing
In earnestnesse to see him: seld-showne Flamins
Doe presse among the popular Throngs, and puffe
To winne a vulgar station: our veyl'd Dames
Commit the Warre of White and Damaske
In their nicely gawded Cheekes, to th'wanton spoyle
Of Phœbus burning Kisses: such a poother,
As if that whatsoeuer God, who leades him,
Were slyly crept into his humane powers,
And gaue him gracefull posture.
Scicin.
On the suddaine, I warrant him Consull.
Brutus.
Then our Office may, during his power, goe
sleepe.
Scicin.
He cannot temp'rately transport his Honors,
From where he should begin, and end, but will
Lose those he hath wonne.
Brutus.
In that there's comfort.
Scici.
Doubt not,
The Commoners, for whom we stand, but they
Vpon their ancient mallice, will forget
With the least cause, these his new Honors,
Which that he will giue them, make I as little question,
As he is prowd to doo't.
Brutus.
I heard him sweare,
Were he to stand for Consull, neuer would he
Appeare i'th' Market place, nor on him put
The Naples Vesture of Humilitie,
Nor shewing (as the manner is) his Wounds
To th' People, begge their stinking Breaths.
Scicin.
'Tis right.
Brutus.
It was his word:
Oh he would misse it, rather then carry it,
But by the suite of the Gentry to him,
And the desire of the Nobles.
Scicin.
I wish no better, then haue him hold that purpose,
and to put it in execution.
Brutus.
'Tis most like he will.
Scicin.
It shall be to him then, as our good wills; a
sure destruction.
Brutus.
So it must fall out
To him, or our Authorities, for an end.
We must suggest the People, in what hatred
He still hath held them: that to's power he would
Haue made them Mules, silenc'd their Pleaders,
And dispropertied their Freedomes; holding them,
In humane Action, and Capacitie,
Of no more Soule nor fitnesse for the World.
Then Cammels in their Warre, who haue their Prouand
Onely for bearing Burthens; and sore blowes
For sinking vnder them.
Scicin.
This (as you say) suggested,
At some time, when his soaring Insolence
Shall teach the People, which time shall not want,
If he be put vpon't, and that's as easie,
As to set Dogges on Sheepe, will be his fire
To kindle their dry Stubble: and their Blaze
Shall darken him for euer.
Enter a Messenger.
Brutus.
What's the matter?
Mess.
You are sent for to the Capitoll:
'Tis thought, that Martius shall be Consull:
I haue seene the dumbe men throng to see him,
And the blind to heare him speak: Matrons flong Gloues,
Ladies and Maids their Scarffes, and Handkerchers,
Vpon him as he pass'd: the Nobles bended
As to Ioues Statue, and the Commons made
A Shower, and Thunder, with their Caps, and Showts:
I neuer saw the like.
Brutus.
Let's to the Capitoll,
And carry with vs Eares and Eyes for th'time,
But Hearts for the euent.
Scicin.
Haue with you.
Exeunt.
Enter two Officers, to lay Cushions, as it were, in the Capitoll.
1. Off.
Come, come, they are almost here: how many
stand for Consulships?
2. Off.
Three, they say: but 'tis thought of euery one,
Coriolanus will carry it.
1. Off.
That's a braue fellow: but hee's vengeance
prowd, and loues not the common people.
2. Off.
'Faith, there hath beene many great men that
haue flatter'd the people, who ne're loued them; and there
be many that they haue loued, they know not wherefore:
so that if they loue they know not why, they hate vpon
no better a ground. Therefore, for Coriolanus neyther to
care whether they loue, or hate him, manifests the true
knowledge he ha's in their disposition and out of his Noble
carelesnesse lets them plainely see't.
1. Off.
If he did not care whether he had their loue, or
no, hee waued indifferently, 'twixt doing them neyther
good, nor harme: but hee seekes their hate with greater
deuotion, then they can render it him; and leaues nothing
vndone, that may fully discouer him their opposite. Now
to seeme to affect the mallice and displeasure of the People,
is as bad, as that which he dislikes, to flatter them for
their loue.
2. Off.
Hee hath deserued worthily of his Countrey,
and his assent is not by such easie degrees as those, who
hauing beene supple and courteous to the People, Bonnetted,
without any further deed, to haue them at all into
their estimation, and report: but hee hath so planted his
Honors in their Eyes, and his actions in their Hearts, that
for their Tongues to be silent, and not confesse so much,
were a kinde of ingratefull Iniurie: to report otherwise,
were a Mallice, that giuing it selfe the Lye, would plucke
reproofe and rebuke from euery Eare that heard it.
1. Off.
No more of him, hee's a worthy man: make
way, they are comming.
A Sennet. Enter the Patricians, and the Tribunes of the People, Lictors before them: Coriolanus, Menenius, Cominius the Consul: Scicinius and Brutus take their places by themselues: Coriolanus stands.
Menen.
Hauing determin'd of the Volces,
And to send for Titus Lartius: it remaines,
As the maine Point of this our after-meeting,
Thus stood for his Countrey. Therefore please you,
Most reuerend and graue Elders, to desire
The present Consull, and last Generall,
In our well-found Successes, to report
A little of that worthy Worke, perform'd
By Martius Caius Coriolanus: whom
We met here, both to thanke, and to remember,
With Honors like himselfe.
1. Sen.
Speake, good Cominius:
Leaue nothing out for length, and make vs thinke
Rather our states defectiue for requitall,
Then we to stretch it out. Masters a'th' People,
We doe request your kindest eares: and after
Your louing motion toward the common Body,
To yeeld what passes here.
Scicin.
We are conuented vpon a pleasing Treatie, and
haue hearts inclinable to honor and aduance the Theame
of our Assembly.
Brutus.
Which the rather wee shall be blest to doe, if
he remember a kinder value of the People, then he hath
hereto priz'd them at.
Menen.
That's off, that's off: I would you rather had
been silent: Please you to heare Cominius speake?
Brutus.
Most willingly: but yet my Caution was
more pertinent then the rebuke you giue it.
Menen.
He loues your People, but tye him not to be
their Bed-fellow: Worthie Cominius speake.
Nay, keepe your place.
Senat.
Sit Coriolanus: neuer shame to heare
What you haue Nobly done.
Coriol.
Your Honors pardon:
I had rather haue my Wounds to heale againe,
Then heare say how I got them.
Brutus.
Sir, I hope my words dis-bench'd you not?
Coriol.
No Sir: yet oft,
When blowes haue made me stay, I fled from words.
You sooth'd not, therefore hurt not: but your People,
I loue them as they weigh.
Menen.
Pray now sit downe.
Corio.
I had rather haue one scratch my Head i'th' Sun,
When the Alarum were stroake, then idly sit
To heare my Nothings monster'd.
Exit Coriolanus
Menen.
Masters of the People,
Your multiplying Spawne, how can he flatter?
That's thousand to one good one, when you now see
He had rather venture all his Limbes for Honor,
Then on ones Eares to heare it. Proceed Cominius.
Com.
I shall lacke voyce: the deeds of Coriolanus
Should not be vtter'd feebly: it is held,
That Valour is the chiefest Vertue,
And most dignifies the hauer: if it be,
The man I speake of, cannot in the World
Be singly counter-poys'd. At sixteene yeeres,
When Tarquin made a Head for Rome, he fought
Beyond the marke of others: our then Dictator,
Whom with all prayse I point at, saw him fight,
When with his Amazonian Shinne he droue
The brizled Lippes before him: he bestrid
An o're-prest Roman, and i'th' Consuls view
Slew three Opposers: Tarquins selfe he met.
And struoke him on his Knee: in that dayes feates,
When he might act the Woman in the Scene,
He prou'd best man i'th' field, and for his meed
Was Brow-bound with the Oake. His Pupill age
Man-entred thus, he waxed like a Sea,
And in the brunt of seuenteene Battailes since,
He lurcht all Swords of the Garland: for this last,
Before, and in Corioles, let me say.
I cannot speake him home: he stopt the flyers,
And by his rare example made the Coward
Turne terror into sport: as Weeds before
A Vessell vnder sayle, so men obey'd,
And fell below his Stem: his Sword, Deaths stampe,
Where it did marke, it tooke from face to foot:
He was a thing of Blood, whose euery motion
Was tim'd with dying Cryes: alone he entred
The mortall Gate of th'Citie, which he painted
With shunlesse destinie: aydelesse came off,
And with a sudden re-inforcement strucke
Carioles like a Planet: now all's his,
When by and by the dinne of Warre gan pierce
His readie sence: then straight his doubled spirit
Requickned what in flesh was fatigate,
And to the Battaile came he, where he did
Runne reeking o're the liues of men, as if 'twere
A perpetuall spoyle: and till we call'd
Both Field and Citie ours, he neuer stood
To ease his Brest with panting.
Menen.
Worthy man.
Senat.
He cannot but with measure fit the Honors
which we deuise him.
Com.
Our spoyles he kickt at,
And look'd vpon things precious, as they were
The common Muck of the World: he couets lesse
Then Miserie it selfe would giue, rewards his deeds
With doing them, and is content
To spend the time, to end it.
Menen.
Hee's right Noble, let him be call'd for.
Senat.
Call Coriolanus.
Off.
He doth appeare.
Enter Coriolanus.
Menen.
The Senate, Coriolanus, are well pleas'd to make
thee Consull.
Corio.
I doe owe them still my Life, and Seruices.
Menen.
It then remaines, that you doe speake to the
People.
Corio.
I doe beseech you,
Let me o're-leape that custome: for I cannot
Put on the Gowne, stand naked, and entreat them
For my Wounds sake, to giue their sufferage:
Please you that I may passe this doing.
Scicin.
Sir, the People must haue their Voyces,
Neyther will they bate one iot of Ceremonie.
Menen.
Put them not too't:
Pray you goe fit you to the Custome,
And take to you, as your Predecessors haue,
Your Honor with your forme.
Corio.
It is a part that I shall blush in acting,
And might well be taken from the People.
Brutus.
Marke you that.
Corio.
To brag vnto them, thus I did, and thus
Shew them th'vnaking Skarres, which I should hide,
As if I had receiu'd them for the hyre
Of their breath onely.
Menen.
Doe not stand vpon't:
We recommend to you Tribunes of the People
Our purpose to them, and to our Noble Consull
Wish we all Ioy, and Honor.
To Coriolanus come all ioy and Honor.
Flourish Cornets.
Then Exeunt. Manet Sicinius and Brutus.
Bru.
You see how he intends to vse the people.
Scicin.
May they perceiue's intent: he will require them
As if he did contemne what he requested,
Should be in them to giue.
Bru.
Come, wee'l informe them
Of our proceedings heere on th'Market place,
I know they do attend vs.
Enter seuen or eight Citizens.
1. Cit.
Once if he do require our voyces, wee ought
not to deny him.
2. Cit.
We may Sir if we will.
3. Cit.
We haue power in our selues to do it, but it is
a power that we haue no power to do: For, if hee shew vs
his wounds, and tell vs his deeds, we are to put our tongues
into those wounds, and speake for them: So if he tel
vs his Noble deeds, we must also tell him our Noble acceptance
of them. Ingratitude is monstrous, and for the
multitude to be ingratefull, were to make a Monster of
the multitude; of the which, we being members, should
bring our selues to be monstrous members.
1. Cit.
And to make vs no better thought of a little
helpe will serue: for once we stood vp about the Corne,
he himselfe stucke not to call vs the many-headed Multitude.
3. Cit.
We haue beene call'd so of many, not that our
heads are some browne, some blacke, some Abram, some
bald; but that our wits are so diuersly Coulord; and truely
I thinke, if all our wittes were to issue out of one Scull,
they would flye East, West, North, South, and their consent
of one direct way, should be at once to all the points
a'th Compasse.
2. Cit.
Thinke you so? Which way do you iudge my
wit would flye.
3. Cit.
Nay your wit will not so soone out as another
mans will, 'tis strongly wadg'd vp in a blocke-head: but
if it were at liberty, 'twould sure Southward.
2 Cit.
Why that way?
3 Cit.
To loose it selfe in a Fogge, where being three
parts melted away with rotten Dewes, the fourth would
returne for Conscience sake, to helpe to get thee a Wife.
2 Cit.
You are neuer without your trickes, you may,
you may.
3 Cit.
Are you all resolu'd to giue your voyces? But
that's no matter, the greater part carries it, I say. If hee
would incline to the people, there was neuer a worthier
man.
Heere he comes, and in the Gowne of humility, marke
his behauiour: we are not to stay altogether, but to come
by him where he stands, by ones, by twoes, & by threes.
He's to make his requests by particulars, wherein euerie
one of vs ha's a single Honor, in giuing him our own voices
with our owne tongues, therefore follow me, and Ile
direct you how you shall go by him.
All.
Content, content.
Men.
Oh Sir, you are not right: haue you not knowne
The worthiest men haue done't?
Corio.
What must I say, I pray Sir?
Plague vpon't, I cannot bring
My tougne to suth a pace. Looke Sir, my wounds,
I got them in my Countries Seruice, when
Some certaine of your Brethren roar'd, and ranne
From th'noise of our owne Drummes.
Menen.
Oh me the Gods, you must not speak of that,
You must desire them to thinke vpon you.
Coriol.
Thinke vpon me? Hang 'em,
I would they would forget me, like the Vertues
Which our Diuines lose by em.
Men.
You'l marre all,
Ile leaue you: Pray you speake to em, I pray you
In wholsome manner.
Exit
Enter three of the Citizens.
Corio.
Bid them wash their Faces,
And keepe their teeth cleane: So, heere comes a brace,
You know the cause (Sir) of my standing heere.
3 Cit.
We do Sir, tell vs what hath brought you too't.
Corio.
Mine owne desert.
2 Cit.
Your owne desert.
Corio.
I, but mine owne desire.
3 Cit.
How not your owne desire?
Corio.
No Sir, 'twas neuer my desire yet to trouble the
poore with begging.
3 Cit.
You must thinke if we giue you any thing, we
hope to gaine by you.
Corio.
Well then I pray, your price a'th' Consulship.
1 Cit.
The price is, to aske it kindly.
Corio.
Kindly sir, I pray let me ha't: I haue wounds to
shew you, which shall bee yours in priuate: your good
voice Sir, what say you?
2 Cit.
You shall ha't worthy Sir.
Corio.
A match Sir, there's in all two worthie voyces
begg'd: I haue your Almes, Adieu.
3 Cit.
But this is something odde.
2 Cit.
And 'twere to giue againe: but 'tis no matter.
Exeunt. Enter two other Citizens.
Coriol.
Pray you now, if it may stand with the tune
of your voices, that I may bee Consull, I haue heere the
Customarie Gowne.
1.
You haue deserued Nobly of your Countrey, and
you haue not deserued Nobly.
Coriol.
Your Ænigma.
1.
You haue bin a scourge to her enemies, you haue
bin a Rod to her Friends, you haue not indeede loued the
Common people.
Coriol.
You should account mee the more Vertuous,
that I haue not bin common in my Loue, I will sir flatter
my sworne Brother the people to earne a deerer estimation
of them, 'tis a condition they account gentle: & since
the wisedome of their choice, is rather to haue my Hat,
then my Heart, I will practice the insinuating nod, and be
off to them most counterfetly, that is sir, I will counterfet
the bewitchment of some popular man, and giue it
bountifull to the desirers: Therefore beseech you, I may
be Consull.
2.
Wee hope to finde you our friend: and therefore
giue you our voices heartily.
1.
You haue receyued many wounds for your Countrey.
Coriol.
I wil not Seale your knowledge with shewing
them. I will make much of your voyces, and so trouble
you no farther.
Both.
The Gods giue you ioy Sir heartily.
Coriol.
Most sweet Voyces:
Better it is to dye, better to sterue,
Then craue the higher, which first we do deserue.
Why in this Wooluish tongue should I stand heere,
To begge of Hob and Dicke, that does appeere
What Custome wills in all things, should we doo't?
The Dust on antique Time would lye vnswept,
And mountainous Error be too highly heapt,
For Truth to o're-peere. Rather then foole it so,
Let the high Office and the Honor go
To one that would doe thus. I am halfe through,
The one part suffered, the other will I doe.
Enter three Citizens more.
Here come moe Voyces.
Your Voyces? for your Voyces I haue fought,
Watcht for your Voyces: for your Voyces, beare
Of Wounds, two dozen odde: Battailes thrice six
I haue seene, and heard of: for your Voyces,
Haue done many things, some lesse, some more:
Your Voyces? Indeed I would be Consull.
1. Cit.
Hee ha's done Nobly, and cannot goe without
any honest mans Voyce.
2. Cit.
Therefore let him be Consull: the Gods giue
him ioy, and make him good friend to the People.
All.
Amen, Amen. God saue thee, Noble Consull.
Corio.
Worthy Voyces.
Enter Menenius, with Brutus and Scicinius.
Mene.
You haue stood your Limitation:
And the Tribunes endue you with the Peoples Voyce,
Remaines, that in th'Officiall Markes inuested,
You anon doe meet the Senate.
Corio.
Is this done?
Scicin.
The Custome of Request you haue discharg'd:
The People doe admit you and are summon'd
To meet anon, vpon your approbation.
Corio.
Where? at the Senate-house?
Scicin.
There, Coriolanus.
Corio.
May I change these Garments?
Scicin.
You may, Sir.
Cori.
That Ile straight do: and knowing my selfe again,
Repayre toth' Senate-house.
Mene.
Ile keepe you company. Will you along?
Brut.
We stay here for the People.
Scicin.
Fare you well.
Exeunt Coriol. and Mene.
He ha's it now: and by his Lookes, me thinkes,
'Tis warme at's heart.
Brut.
With a prowd heart he wore his humble Weeds:
Will you dismisse the People?
Enter the Plebeians.
Scici.
How now, my Masters, haue you chose this man?
1. Cit.
He ha's our Voyces, Sir.
Brut.
We pray the Gods, he may deserue your loues.
2. Cit.
Amen, Sir: to my poore vnworthy notice,
He mock'd vs, when he begg'd our Voyces.
3. Cit.
Certainely, he slowted vs downe-right.
1. Cit.
No, 'tis his kind of speech, he did not mock vs.
2. Cit.
Not one amongst vs, saue your selfe, but sayes
He vs'd vs scornefully: he should haue shew'd vs
His Marks of Merit, Wounds receiu'd for's Countrey.
Scicin.
Why so he did, I am sure.
All.
No, no: no man saw 'em.
3. Cit.
Hee said hee had Wounds,
Which he could shew in priuate:
And with his Hat, thus wauing it in scorne,
I would be Consull, sayes he: aged Custome,
But by your Voyces, will not so permit me.
Your Voyces therefore: when we graunted that,
Here was, I thanke you for your Voyces, thanke you
Your most sweet Voyces: now you haue left your Voyces,
I haue no further with you. Was not this mockerie?
Scicin.
Why eyther were you ignorant to see't?
Or seeing it, of such Childish friendlinesse,
To yeeld your Voyces?
Brut.
Could you not haue told him,
As you were lesson'd: When he had no Power,
But was a pettie seruant to the State,
He was your Enemie, euer spake against
Your Liberties, and the Charters that you beare
I'th' Body of the Weale: and now arriuing
A place of Potencie, and sway o'th' State,
If he should still malignantly remaine
Fast Foe toth' Plebeij, your Voyces might
Be Curses to your selues. You should haue said,
That as his worthy deeds did clayme no lesse
Then what he stood for: so his gracious nature
Would thinke vpon you, for your Voyces,
And translate his Mallice towards you, into Loue,
Standing your friendly Lord.
Scicin.
Thus to haue said,
As you were fore-aduis'd, had toucht his Spirit,
And try'd his Inclination: from him pluckt
Eyther his gracious Promise, which you might
As cause had call'd you vp, haue held him to;
Or else it would haue gall'd his surly nature,
Which easily endures not Article,
Tying him to ought, so putting him to Rage,
You should haue ta'ne th'aduantage of his Choller,
And pass'd him vnelected.
Brut.
Did you perceiue,
He did sollicite you in free Contempt,
When he did need your Loues: and doe you thinke,
That his Contempt shall not be brusing to you,
When he hath power to crush? Why, had your Bodyes
No Heart among you? Or had you Tongues, to cry
Against the Rectorship of Iudgement?
Scicin.
Haue you, ere now, deny'd the asker:
And now againe, of him that did not aske, but mock,
Bestow your su'd-for Tongues?
3. Cit.
Hee's not confirm'd, we may deny him yet.
2. Cit.
And will deny him:
Ile haue fiue hundred Voyces of that sound.
1. Cit.
I twice fiue hundred & their friends, to piece 'em.
Brut.
Get you hence instantly, and tell those friends,
They haue chose a Consull, that will from them take
Their Liberties, make them of no more Voyce
Then Dogges, that are as often beat for barking,
As therefore kept to doe so.
Scici.
Let them assemble: and on a safer Iudgement,
All reuoke your ignorant election: Enforce his Pride,
And his old Hate vnto you: besides, forget not
With what Contempt he wore the humble Weed,
How in his Suit he scorn'd you: but your Loues,
Thinking vpon his Seruices, tooke from you
Th'apprehension of his present portance,
Which most gibingly, vngrauely, he did fashion
After the inueterate Hate he beares you.
Brut.
Lay a fault on vs, your Tribunes,
That we labour'd (no impediment betweene)
But that you must cast your Election on him.
Scici.
Say you chose him, more after our commandment,
Then as guided by your owne true affections, and that
Your Minds pre-occupy'd with what you rather must do,
Then what you should made you against the graine
To Voyce him Consull. Lay the fault on vs.
I, spare vs not: Say, we read Lectures to you,
How youngly he began to serue his Countrey,
How long continued, and what stock he springs of,
The Noble House, o'th' Martians: from whence came
That Ancus Martius, Numaes Daughters Sonne:
Who after great Hostilius here was King,
Of the same House Publius and Quintus were,
That our best Water, brought by Conduits hither,
And Nobly nam'd, so twice being Censor,
Was his great Ancestor.
Scicin.
One thus-descended,
That hath beside well in his person wrought,
To be set high in place, we did commend
To your remembrances: but you haue found,
Skaling his present bearing with his past,
That hee's your fixed enemie; and reuoke
Your suddaine approbation.
Brut.
Say you ne're had don't,
(Harpe on that still) but by our putting on:
And presently, when you haue drawne your number,
Repaire toth' Capitoll.
All.
We will so: almost all repent in their election.
Exeunt Plebeians.
Brut.
Let them goe on:
This Mutinie were better put in hazard,
Then stay past doubt, for greater:
If, as his nature is, he fall in rage
With their refusall, both obserue and answer
The vantage of his anger.
Scicin.
Toth' Capitoll, come:
We will be there before the streame o'th' People:
And this shall seeme, as partly 'tis, their owne,
Which we haue goaded on-ward.
Exeunt.
| The Tragedy of Coriolanus | |