 | The Tragedy of Coriolanus |  |
Actus Tertius.
Cornets. Enter Coriolanus, Menenius, all the Gentry, Cominius, Titus Latius, and other Senators.Corio.
Tullus Auffidius then had made new head.
Latius.
He had my Lord, and that it was which caus'd
Our swifter Composition.
Corio.
So then the Volces stand but as at first,
Readie when time shall prompt them, to make roade
Vpon's againe.
Com.
They are worne (Lord Consull) so,
That we shall hardly in our ages see
Their Banners waue againe.
Corio.
Saw you Auffidius?
Latius.
On safegard he came to me, and did curse
Against the Volces, for they had so vildly
Yeelded the Towne: he is retyred to Antium.
Corio.
Spoke he of me?
Latius.
He did, my Lord.
Corio.
How? what?
Latius.
How often he had met you Sword to Sword:
That of all things vpon the Earth, he hated
Your person most: That he would pawne his fortunes
To hopelesse restitution, so he might
Be call'd your Vanquisher.
Corio.
At Antium liues he?
Latius.
At Antium.
Corio.
I wish I had a cause to seeke him there,
To oppose his hatred fully. Welcome home.
Enter Scicinius and Brutus.
Behold, these are the Tribunes of the People,
The Tongues o'th' Common Mouth. I do despise them:
For they doe pranke them in Authoritie,
Against all Noble sufferance.
Scicin.
Passe no further.
Cor.
Hah? what is that?
Brut.
It will be dangerous to goe on—No further.
Corio.
What makes this change?
Mene.
The matter?
Com.
Hath he not pass'd the Noble, and the Common?
Brut.
Cominius, no.
Corio.
Haue I had Childrens Voyces?
Senat.
Tribunes giue way, he shall toth' Market place.
Brut.
The People are incens'd against him.
Scicin.
Stop, or all will fall in broyle.
Corio.
Are these your Heard?
Must these haue Voyces, that can yeeld them now,
And straight disclaim their toungs? what are your Offices?
You being their Mouthes, why rule you not their Teeth?
Haue you not set them on?
Mene.
Be calme, be calme.
Corio.
It is a purpos'd thing, and growes by Plot,
To curbe the will of the Nobilitie:
Suffer't, and liue with such as cannot rule,
Nor euer will be ruled.
Brut.
Call't not a Plot:
The People cry you mockt them: and of late,
When Corne was giuen them gratis, you repin'd,
Scandal'd the Suppliants: for the People, call'd them
Time-pleasers, flatterers, foes to Noblenesse.
Corio.
Why this was knowne before.
Brut.
Not to them all.
Corio.
Haue you inform'd them sithence?
Brut.
How? I informe them?
Com.
You are like to doe such businesse.
Brut.
Not vnlike each way to better yours.
Corio.
Why then should I be Consull? by yond Clouds
Let me deserue so ill as you, and make me
Your fellow Tribune.
Scicin.
You shew too much of that,
For which the People stirre: if you will passe
To where you are bound, you must enquire your way,
Which you are out of, with a gentler spirit,
Or neuer be so Noble as a Consull,
Nor yoake with him for Tribune.
Mene.
Let's be calme.
Com.
The People are abus'd: set on, this paltring
Becomes not Rome: nor ha's Coriolanus
Deseru'd this so dishonor'd Rub, layd falsely
I'th' plaine Way of his Merit.
Corio.
Tell me of Corne: this was my speech,
And I will speak't againe.
Mene.
Not now, not now.
Senat.
Not in this heat, Sir, now.
Corio.
Now as I liue, I will.
My Nobler friends, I craue their pardons:
For the mutable ranke-sented Meynie,
Let them regard me, as I doe not flatter,
And therein behold themselues: I say againe,
In soothing them, we nourish 'gainst our Senate
The Cockle of Rebellion, Insolence, Sedition,
Which we our selues haue plowed for, sow'd, & scatter'd,
By mingling them with vs, the honor'd Number,
Who lack not Vertue, no, nor Power, but that
Which they haue giuen to Beggers.
Mene.
Well, no more.
Senat.
No more words, we beseech you.
Corio.
How? no more?
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Not fearing outward force: So shall my Lungs
Coine words till their decay, against those Meazels
Which we disdaine should Tetter vs, yet sought
The very way to catch them.
Bru.
You speake a'th' people, as if you were a God,
To punish; Not a man, of their Infirmity.
Sicin.
'Twere well we let the people know't.
Mene.
What, what? His Choller?
Cor.
Choller? Were I as patient as the midnight sleep,
By Ioue, 'twould be my minde.
Sicin.
It is a minde that shall remain a poison
Where it is: not poyson any further.
Corio.
Shall remaine?
Heare you this Triton of the Minnoues? Marke you
His absolute Shall?
Com.
'Twas from the Cannon.
Cor.
Shall? O God! but most vnwise Patricians: why
You graue, but wreaklesse Senators, haue you thus
Giuen Hidra heere to choose an Officer,
That with his peremptory Shall, being but
The horne, and noise o'th' Monsters, wants not spirit
To say, hee'l turne your Current in a ditch,
And make your Channell his? If he haue power,
Then vale your Ignorance: If none, awake
Your dangerous Lenity: If you are Learn'd,
Be not as common Fooles; if you are not,
Let them haue Cushions by you. You are Plebeians,
If they be Senators: and they are no lesse,
When both your voices blended, the great'st taste
Most pallates theirs. They choose their Magistrate,
And such a one as he, who puts his Shall,
His popular Shall, against a grauer Bench
Then euer frown'd in Greece. By Ioue himselfe,
It makes the Consuls base; and my Soule akes
To know, when two Authorities are vp,
Neither Supreame; How soone Confusion
May enter 'twixt the gap of Both, and take
The one by th'other.
Com.
Well, on to'th' Market place.
Corio.
Who euer gaue that Counsell, to giue forth
The Corne a'th' Store-house gratis, as 'twas vs'd
Sometime in Greece.
Mene.
Well, well, no more of that.
Cor.
Thogh there the people had more absolute powre
I say they norisht disobedience: fed, the ruin of the State.
Bru.
Why shall the people giue
One that speakes thus, their voyce?
Corio.
Ile giue my Reasons,
More worthier then their Voyces. They know the Corne
Was not our recompence, resting well assur'd
They ne're did seruice for't; being prest to'th' Warre,
Euen when the Nauell of the State was touch'd,
They would not thred the Gates: This kinde of Seruice
Did not deserue Corne gratis. Being i'th' Warre,
There Mutinies and Reuolts, wherein they shew'd
Most Valour spoke not for them. Th'Accusation
Which they haue often made against the Senate,
All cause vnborne, could neuer be the Natiue
Of our so franke Donation. Well, what then?
How shall this Bosome-multiplied, digest
The Senates Courtesie? Let deeds expresse
What's like to be their words, We did request it,
We are the greater pole, and in true feare
They gaue vs our demands. Thus we debase
The Nature of our Seats, and make the Rabble
Call our Cares, Feares; which will in time
Breake ope the Lockes a'th' Senate, and bring in
The Crowes to pecke the Eagles.
Mene.
Come enough.
Bru.
Enough, with ouer measure.
Corio.
No, take more.
What may be sworne by, both Diuine and Humane,
Scale what I end withall. This double worship,
Whereon part do's disdaine with cause, the other
Insult without all reason: where Gentry, Title, wisedom
Cannot conclude, but by the yea and no
Of generall Ignorance, it must omit
Reall Necessities, and giue way the while
To vnstable Slightnesse. Purpose so barr'd, it followes,
Nothing is done to purpose. Therefore beseech you,
You that will be lesse fearefull, then discreet,
That loue the fundamentall part of State
More then you doubt the change on't: That preferre
A Noble life, before a Long, and Wish,
To iumpe a Body with a dangerous Physicke,
That's sure of death without it: at once plucke out
The Multitudinous Tongue, let them not licke
The sweet which is their poyson. Your dishonor
Mangles true iudgement, and boreaues the State
Of that Integrity which should becom't:
Not hauing the power to do the good it would
For th'ill which doth controul't.
Bru.
Has said enough.
Sicin.
Ha's spoken like a Traitor, and shall answer
As Traitors do.
Corio.
Thou wretch, despight ore-whelme thee:
What should the people do with these bald Tribunes?
On whom depending, their obedience failes
To'th' greater Bench, in a Rebellion:
When what's not meet, but what must be, was Law,
Then were they chosen: in a better houre,
Let what is meet, be saide it must be meet,
And throw their power i'th' dust.
Bru.
Manifest Treason.
Sicin.
This a Consull? No.
Enter an Ædile.
Bru.
The Ediles hoe: Let him be apprehended:
Sicin.
Go call the people, in whose name thy Selfe
Attach thee as a Traitorous Innouator:
A Foe to'th' publike Weale. Obey I charge thee,
And follow to thine answer.
Corio.
Hence old Goat.
All.
Wee'l Surety him.
Com.
Ag'd sir, hands off.
Corio.
Hence rotten thing, or I shall shake thy bones
Out of thy Garments.
Sicin.
Helpe ye Citizens.
Enter a rabble of Plebeians with the Ædiles.
Mene.
On both sides more respect.
Sicin.
Heere's hee, that would take from you all your
power.
Bru.
Seize him Ædiles.
All.
Downe with him, downe with him.
2 Sen.
Weapons, weapons, weapons:
They all bustle about Coriolanus.
Tribunes, Patricians, Citizens: what ho:
Sicinius, Brutus, Coriolanus, Citizens.
All.
Peace, peace, peace, stay, hold, peace.
Mene.
What is about to be? I am out of Breath,
Confusions neere, I cannot speake. You, Tribunes
To'th' people: Coriolanus, patience: Speak good Sicinius.
16
Heare me, People peace.
All.
Let's here our Tribune: peace, speake, speake,
speake.
Scici.
You are at point to lose your Liberties:
Martius would haue all from you; Martius,
Whom late you haue nam'd for Consull.
Mene.
Fie, fie, fie, this is the way to kindle, not to
quench.
Sena.
To vnbuild the Citie, and to lay all flat.
Scici.
What is the Citie, but the People?
All.
True, the People are the Citie.
Brut.
By the consent of all, we were establish'd the
Peoples Magistrates.
All.
You so remaine.
Mene.
And so are like to doe.
Com.
That is the way to lay the Citie flat,
To bring the Roofe to the Foundation,
And burie all, which yet distinctly raunges
In heapes, and piles of Ruine.
Scici.
This deserues Death.
Brut.
Or let vs stand to our Authoritie,
Or let vs lose it: we doe here pronounce,
Vpon the part o'th' People, in whose power
We were elected theirs, Martius is worthy
Of present Death.
Scici.
Therefore lay hold of him:
Beare him toth' Rock Tarpeian, and from thence
Into destruction cast him.
Brut.
Ædiles seize him.
All Ple.
Yeeld Martius, yeeld.
Mene.
Heare me one word, 'beseech you Tribunes,
heare me but a word.
Ædiles.
Peace, peace.
Mene.
Be that you seeme, truly your Countries friend,
And temp'rately proceed to what you would
Thus violently redresse.
Brut.
Sir, those cold wayes,
That seeme like prudent helpes, are very poysonous,
Where the Disease is violent. Lay hands vpon him,
And beare him to the Rock.
Corio. drawes his Sword.
Corio.
No, Ile die here:
There's some among you haue beheld me fighting,
Come trie vpon your selues, what you haue seene me.
Mene.
Downe with that Sword, Tribunes withdraw
a while.
Brut.
Lay hands vpon him.
Mene.
Helpe Martius, helpe: you that be noble, helpe
him young and old.
All.
Downe with him, downe with him.
Exeunt.
In this Mutinie, the Tribunes, the Ædiles, and the People are beat in.
Mene.
Goe, get you to our House: be gone, away,
All will be naught else.
2. Sena.
Get you gone.
Com.
Stand fast, we haue as many friends as enemies.
Mene.
Shall it be put to that?
Sena.
The Gods forbid:
I prythee noble friend, home to thy House.
Leaue vs to cure this Cause.
Mene.
For 'tis a Sore vpon vs,
You cannot Tent your selfe: be gone, 'beseech you.
Corio.
Come Sir, along with vs.
Mene.
I would they were Barbarians, as they are,
Though in Rome litter'd: not Romans, as they are not,
Though calued i'th' Porch o'th' Capitoll:
Be gone, put not your worthy Rage into your Tongue,
One time will owe another.
Corio.
On faire ground, I could beat fortie of them.
Mene.
I could my selfe take vp a Brace o'th' best of
them, yea, the two Tribunes.
Com.
But now 'tis oddes beyond Arithmetick,
And Manhood is call'd Foolerie, when it stands
Against a falling Fabrick. Will you hence,
Before the Tagge returne? whose Rage doth rend
Like interrupted Waters, and o're-beare
What they are vs'd to beare.
Mene.
Pray you be gone:
Ile trie whether my old Wit be in request
With those that haue but little: this must be patcht
With Cloth of any Colour.
Com.
Nay, come away.
Exeunt Coriolanus and Cominius.
Patri.
This man ha's marr'd his fortune.
Mene.
His nature is too noble for the World:
He would not flatter Neptune for his Trident,
Or Ioue, for's power to Thunder: his Heart's his Mouth:
What his Brest forges, that his Tongue must vent,
And being angry, does forget that euer
He heard the Name of Death.
A Noise within.
Here's goodly worke.
Patri.
I would they were a bed.
Mene.
I would they were in Tyber.
What the vengeance, could he not speake 'em faire?
Enter Brutus and Sicinius with the rabble againe.
Sicin.
Where is this Viper,
That would depopulate the city, & be euery man himself
Mene.
You worthy Tribunes.
Sicin.
He shall be throwne downe the Tarpeian rock
With rigorous hands: he hath resisted Law,
And therefore Law shall scorne him further Triall
Then the seuerity of the publike Power,
Which he so sets at naught.
1 Cit.
He shall well know the Noble Tribunes are
The peoples mouths, and we their hands.
All.
He shall sure ont.
Mene.
Sir, sir.
Sicin.
Peace.
Me.
Do not cry hauocke, where you shold but hunt
With modest warrant.
Sicin.
Sir, how com'st that you haue holpe
To make this rescue?
Mene.
Heere me speake? As I do know
The Consuls worthinesse, so can I name his Faults.
Sicin.
Consull? what Consull?
Mene.
The Consull Coriolanus.
Bru.
He Consull.
All.
No, no, no, no, no.
Mene.
If by the Tribunes leaue,
And yours good people,
I may be heard, I would craue a word or two,
The which shall turne you to no further harme,
Then so much losse of time.
Sic.
Speake breefely then,
For we are peremptory to dispatch
This Viporous Traitor: to eiect him hence
Were but one danger, and to keepe him heere
Our certaine death: therefore it is decreed,
He dyes to night.
Menen.
Now the good Gods forbid,
That our renowned Rome whose gratitude
Towards her deserued Children, is enroll'd
In Ioues owne Booke, like an vnnaturall Dam
Should now eate vp her owne.
17
He's a Disease that must be cut away.
Mene.
Oh he's a Limbe, that ha's but a Disease
Mortall, to cut it off: to cure it, easie.
What ha's he done to Rome, that's worthy death?
Killing our Enemies, the blood he hath lost
(Which I dare vouch, is more then that he hath
By many an Ounce) he dropp'd it for his Country:
And what is left, to loose it by his Countrey,
Were to vs all that doo't, and suffer it
A brand to th'end a'th World.
Sicin.
This is cleane kamme.
Brut.
Meerely awry:
When he did loue his Country, it honour'd him.
Menen.
The seruice of the foote
Being once gangren'd, is not then respected
For what before it was.
Bru.
Wee'l heare no more:
Pursue him to his house, and plucke him thence,
Least his infection being of catching nature,
Spred further.
Menen.
One word more, one word:
This Tiger-footed-rage, when it shall find
The harme of vnskan'd swiftnesse, will (too late)
Tye Leaden pounds too's heeles. Proceed by Processe,
Least parties (as he is belou'd) breake out,
And sacke great Rome with Romanes.
Brut.
If it were so?
Sicin.
What do ye talke?
Haue we not had a taste of his Obedience?
Our Ediles smot: our selues resisted: come.
Mene.
Consider this: He ha's bin bred i'th' Warres
Since a could draw a Sword, and is ill-school'd
In boulted Language: Meale and Bran together
He throwes without distinction. Giue me leaue,
Ile go to him, and vndertake to bring him in peace,
Where he shall answer by a lawfull Forme
(In peace) to his vtmost perill.
1. Sen.
Noble Tribunes,
It is the humane way: the other course
Will proue to bloody: and the end of it,
Vnknowne to the Beginning.
Sic.
Noble Menenius, be you then as the peoples officer:
Masters, lay downe your Weapons.
Bru.
Go not home.
Sic.
Meet on the Market place: wee'l attend you there:
Where if you bring not Martius, wee'l proceede
In our first way.
Menen.
Ile bring him to you.
Let me desire your company: he must come,
Or what is worst will follow.
Sena.
Pray you let's to him.
Exeunt Omnes.
Enter Coriolanus with Nobles.
Corio.
Let them pull all about mine eares, present me
Death on the Wheele, or at wilde Horses heeles,
Or pile ten hilles on the Tarpeian Rocke,
That the precipitation might downe stretch
Below the beame of sight; yet will I still
Be thus to them.
Enter Volumnia.
Noble.
You do the Nobler.
Corio.
I muse my Mother
Do's not approue me further, who was wont
To call them Wollen Vassailes, things created
To buy and sell with Groats, to shew bare heads
In Congregations, to yawne, be still, and wonder,
When one but of my ordinance stood vp
To speake of Peace, or Warre. I talke of you,
Why did you wish me milder? Would you haue me
False to my Nature? Rather say, I play
The man I am.
Uolum.
Oh sir, sir, sir,
I would haue had you put your power well on
Before you had worne it out.
Corio.
Let go.
Vol.
You might haue beene enough the man you are,
With striuing lesse to be so: Lesser had bin
The things of your dispositions, if
You had not shew'd them how ye were dispos'd
Ere they lack'd power to crosse you.
Corio.
Let them hang.
Volum.
I, and burne too.
Enter Menenius with the Senators.
Men.
Come, come, you haue bin too rough, somthing
too rough: you must returne, and mend it.
Sen.
There's no remedy,
Vnlesse by not so doing, our good Citie
Cleaue in the midd'st, and perish.
Volum.
Pray be counsail'd;
I haue a heart as little apt as yours,
But yet a braine, that leades my vse of Anger
To better vantage.
Mene.
Well said, Noble woman:
Before he should thus stoope to'th' heart, but that
The violent fit a'th' time craues it as Physicke
For the whole State; I would put mine Armour on,
Which I can scarsely beare.
Corio.
What must I do?
Mene.
Returne to th'Tribunes.
Corio.
Well, what then? what then?
Mene.
Repent, what you haue spoke.
Corio.
For them, I cannot do it to the Gods,
Must I then doo't to them?
Volum.
You are too absolute,
Though therein you can neuer be too Noble,
But when extremities speake. I haue heard you say,
Honor and Policy, like vnseuer'd Friends,
I'th' Warre do grow together: Grant that, and tell me
In Peace, what each of them by th'other loose,
That they combine not there?
Corio.
Tush, tush.
Mene.
A good demand.
Uolum.
If it be Honor in your Warres, to seeme
The same you are not, which for your best ends
You adopt your policy: How is it lesse or worse
That it shall hold Companionship in Peace
With Honour, as in Warre; since that to both
It stands in like request.
Corio.
Why force you this?
Uolum.
Because, that
Now it lyes you on to speake to th'people:
Not by your owne instruction, nor by'th' matter
Which your heart prompts you, but with such words
That are but roated in your Tongue;
Though but Bastards, and Syllables
Of no allowance, to your bosomes truth.
Now, this no more dishonors you at all,
Then to take in a Towne 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 Honor. I am in this
18
And you, will rather shew our generall Lowts,
How you can frowne, then spend a fawne vpon 'em,
For the inheritance of their loues, and safegard
Of what that want might ruine.
Menen.
Noble Lady,
Come goe with vs, speake faire: you may salue so,
Not what is dangerous present, but the losse
Of what is past.
Uolum.
I pry thee now, my Sonne,
Goe to them, with this Bonnet in thy hand,
And thus farre hauing stretcht it (here be with them)
Thy Knee bussing the stones: for in such businesse
Action is eloquence, and the eyes of th'ignorant
More learned then the eares, wauing 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 Souldier, and being bred in broyles,
Hast not the soft way, which thou do'st confesse
Were fit for thee to vse, as they to clayme,
In asking their good loues, but thou wilt frame
Thy selfe (forsooth) hereafter theirs so farre,
As thou hast power and person.
Menen
This but done,
Euen as she speakes, why their hearts were yours:
For they haue Pardons, being ask'd, as free,
As words to little purpose.
Volum.
Prythee now,
Goe, and be rul'd: although I know thou hadst rather
Follow thine Enemie in a fierie Gulfe,
Then flatter him in a Bower.
Enter Cominius.
Here is Cominius.
Com.
I haue beene i'th' Market place: and Sir 'tis fit
You make strong partie, or defend your selfe
By calmenesse, or by absence: all's in anger.
Menen.
Onely faire speech.
Com.
I thinke 'twill serue, if he can thereto frame his
spirit.
Volum.
He must, and will:
Prythee now say you will, and goe about it.
Corio.
Must I goe shew them my vnbarb'd Sconce?
Must I with my base Tongue giue to my Noble Heart
A Lye, that it must beare well? I will doo't:
Yet were there but this single Plot, to loose
This Mould of Martius, they to dust should grinde it,
And throw't against the Winde. Toth' Market place:
You haue put me now to such a part, which neuer
I shall discharge toth' Life.
Com.
Come, come, wee'le prompt you.
Volum.
I prythee now sweet Son, as thou hast said
My praises made thee first a Souldier; so
To haue my praise for this, performe a part
Thou hast not done before.
Corio.
Well, I must doo't:
Away my disposition, and possesse me
Some Harlots spirit: My throat of Warre be turn'd,
Which quiet'd with my Drumme into a Pipe,
Small as an Eunuch, or the Virgin voyce
That Babies lull a-sleepe: The smiles of Knaues
Tent in my cheekes, and Schoole-boyes Teares take vp
The Glasses of my sight: A Beggars Tongue
Make motion through my Lips, and my Arm'd knees
Who bow'd but in my Stirrop, bend like his
That hath receiu'd an Almes. I will not doo't,
Least I surcease to honor mine owne truth,
And by my Bodies action, teach my Minde
A most inherent Basenesse.
Volum.
At thy choice then:
To begge of thee, it is my more dis-honor,
Then thou of them. Come all to ruine, let
Thy Mother rather feele thy Pride, then feare
Thy dangerous Stoutnesse: for I mocke at death
With as bigge heart as thou. Do as thou list,
Thy Valiantnesse was mine, thou suck'st it from me:
But owe thy Pride thy selfe.
Corio.
Pray be content:
Mother, I am going to the Market place:
Chide me no more. Ile Mountebanke their Loues,
Cogge their Hearts from them, and come home belou'd
Of all the Trades in Rome. Looke, I am going:
Commend me to my Wife, Ile returne Consull,
Or neuer trust to what my Tongue can do
I'th way of Flattery further.
Volum.
Do your will.
Exit Volumnia.
Com.
Away, the Tribunes do attend you: arm your self
To answer mildely: for they are prepar'd
With Accusations, as I heare more strong
Then are vpon you yet.
Corio.
The word is, Mildely. Pray you let vs go,
Let them accuse me by inuention: I
Will answer in mine Honor.
Menen.
I, but mildely.
Corio.
Well mildely be it then, Mildely.
Exeunt
Enter Sicinius and Brutus.
Brn.
In this point charge him home, that he affects
Tyrannicall power: If he euade vs there,
Inforce him with his enuy to the people,
And that the Spoile got on the Antiats
Was ne're distributed. What, will he come?
Enter an Edile.
Edile.
Hee's comming.
Bru.
How accompanied?
Edile.
With old Menenius, and those Senators
That alwayes fauour'd him.
Sicin.
Haue you a Catalogue
Of all the Voices that we haue procur'd, set downe by'th Pole?
Edile.
I haue: 'tis ready.
Sicin.
Haue you collected them by Tribes?
Edile.
I haue.
Sicin.
Assemble presently the people hither:
And when they heare me say, it shall be so,
I'th'right and strength a'th'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 olde prerogatiue
And power i'th Truth a'th Cause.
Edile.
I shall informe them.
Bru.
And when such time they haue begun to cry,
Let them not cease, but with a dinne confus'd
Inforce the present Execution
Of what we chance to Sentence.
Edi.
Very well.
Sicin.
Make them be strong, and ready for this hint
When we shall hap to giu't them.
Bru.
Go about it,
Put him to Choller straite, he hath bene vs'd
Euer to conquer, and to haue his worth
Of contradiction. Being once chaft, he cannot
Be rein'd againe to Temperance, then he speakes
19
With vs to breake his necke.
Enter Coriolanus, Menenius, and Cominius, with others.
Sicin.
Well, heere he comes.
Mene.
Calmely, I do beseech you.
Corio.
I, as an Hostler, that fourth poorest peece
Will beare the Knaue by'th Volume:
Th'honor'd Goddes
Keepe Rome in safety, and the Chaires of Iustice
Supplied with worthy men, plant loue amongs
Through our large Temples with ye shewes of peace
And not our streets with Warre.
1 Sen.
Amen, Amen.
Mene.
A Noble wish.
Enter the Edile with the Plebeians.
Sicin.
Draw neere ye people.
Edile.
List to your Tribunes. Audience:
Peace I say.
Corio.
First heare me speake.
Both Tri.
Well, say: Peace hoe.
Corio.
Shall I be charg'd no further then this present?
Must all determine heere?
Sicin.
I do demand,
If you submit you to the peoples voices,
Allow their Officers, and are content
To suffer lawfull Censure for such faults
As shall be prou'd vpon you.
Corio.
I am Content.
Mene.
Lo Citizens, he sayes he is Content.
The warlike Seruice he ha's done, consider: Thinke
Vpon the wounds his body beares, which shew
Like Graues i'th holy Church-yard.
Corio.
Scratches with Briars, scarres to moue
Laughter onely.
Mene.
Consider further:
That when he speakes not like a Citizen,
You finde him like a Soldier: do not take
His rougher Actions for malicious sounds:
But as I say, such as become a Soldier,
Rather then enuy you.
Com.
Well, well, no more.
Corio.
What is the matter,
That being past for Consull with full voyce:
I am so dishonour'd, that the very houre
You take it off againe.
Sicin.
Answer to vs.
Corio.
Say then: 'tis true, I ought so
Sicin.
We charge you, that you haue contriu'd to take
From Rome all season'd Office, and to winde
Your selfe into a power tyrannicall,
For which you are a Traitor to the people.
Corio.
How? Traytor?
Mene.
Nay temperately: your promise.
Corio.
The fires i'th' lowest hell. Fould in the people:
Call me their Traitor, thou iniurious Tribune.
Within thine eyes sate twenty thousand deaths
In thy hands clutcht: as many Millions in
Thy lying tongue, both numbers. I would say
Thou lyest vnto thee, with a voice as free,
As I do pray the Gods.
Sicin.
Marke you this people?
All.
To'th' Rocke, to'th' Rocke with him.
Sicin.
Peace:
We neede not put new matter to his charge:
What you haue seene him do, and heard him speake:
Beating your Officers, cursing your selues,
Opposing Lawes with stroakes, and heere defying
Those whose great power must try him.
Euen this so criminall, and in such capitall kinde
Deserues th'extreamest death.
Bru.
But since he hath seru'd well for Rome.
Corio.
What do you prate of Seruice.
Brut.
I talke of that, that know it.
Corio.
You?
Mene.
Is this the promise that you made your mother.
Com.
Know, I pray you.
Corio.
Ile know no further:
Let them pronounce the steepe Tarpeian death,
Vagabond exile, Fleaing, pent to linger
But with a graine a day, I would not buy
Their mercie, at the price of one faire word,
Nor checke my Courage for what they can giue,
To haue't with saying, Good morrow.
Sicin.
For that he ha's
(As much as in him lies) from time to time
Enui'd against the people; seeking meanes
To plucke away their power: as now at last,
Giuen Hostile strokes, and that not in the presence
Of dreaded Iustice, but on the Ministers
That doth distribute it. In the name a'th' people,
And in the power of vs the Tribunes, wee
(Eu'n from this instant) banish him our Citie
In perill of precipitation
From off the Rocke Tarpeian, neuer more
To enter our Rome gates. I'th' Peoples name,
I say it shall bee so.
All.
It shall be so, it shall be so: let him away:
Hee's banish'd, and it shall be so.
Com.
Heare me my Masters, and my common friends.
Sicin.
He's sentenc'd: No more hearing.
Com.
Let me speake:
I haue bene Consull, and can shew from Rome
Her Enemies markes vpon me. I do loue
My Countries good, with a respect more tender,
More holy, and profound, then mine owne life,
My deere Wiues estimate, her wombes encrease,
And treasure of my Loynes: then if I would
Speake that.
Sicin.
We know your drift. Speake what?
Bru.
There's no more to be said, but he is banish'd
As Enemy to the people, and his Countrey.
It shall bee so.
All.
It shall be so, it shall be so.
Corio.
You common cry of Curs, whose breath I hate,
As reeke a'th' rotten Fennes: whose Loues I prize,
As the dead Carkasses of vnburied men,
That do corrupt my Ayre: I banish you,
And heere remaine with your vncertaintie.
Let euery feeble Rumor shake your hearts:
Your Enemies, with nodding of their Plumes
Fan you into dispaire: Haue the power still
To banish your Defenders, till at length
Your ignorance (which findes not till it feeles,
Making but reseruation of your selues,
Still your owne Foes) deliuer you
As most abated Captiues, to some Nation
That wonne you without blowes, despising
For you the City. Thus I turne my backe;
There is a world elsewhere.
Exeunt Coriolanus, Cominius, with Cumalus. They all shout, and throw vp their Caps.
20
The peoples Enemy is gone, is gone.
All.
Our enemy is banish'd, he is gone: Hoo, oo.
Sicin.
Go see him out at Gates, and follow him
As he hath follow'd you, with all despight
Giue him deseru'd vexation. Let a guard
Attend vs through the City.
All.
Come, come, lets see him out at gates, come:
The Gods preserue our Noble Tribunes, come.
Exeunt.
| The Tragedy of Coriolanus | |