moon, were she earthly, no nobler), whither do you follow your eyes so fast? Vol. Honourable Menenius, my boy Marcius approaches; for the love of Juno, let's go. Men. Ha! Marcius coming home! Vol. Ay, worthy Menenius; and with most prosperous approbation. Men. Take my cap, Jupiter, and I thank thee: Vol. Look, here's a letter from him; the state hath another, his wife another: and, I think, there's one at home for you. Men. I will make my very house reel to-night: -A letter for me? [saw it. Vir. Yes, certain, there's a letter for you; I Men. A letter for me? It gives me an estate of seven years' health; in which time I will make a lip at the physician: the most sovereign prescription in Galen is but empiricutick, and, to this preservative, of no better report than a horse-drench. Is he not wounded? he was wont to come home wounded. Vir. O, no, no, no. Vol. O, he is wounded, I thank the gods for't. Men. So do I too, if it be not too much :Brings 'a victory in his pocket?—The wounds become him. Vol. On's brows, Menenius: he comes the third time home with the oaken garland. Men. Has he disciplined Aufidius soundly? Vol. Titus Lartius writes,-they fought together, but Aufidius got off. Men. And 'twas time for him too, I'll warrant him that: an he had staid by him, I would not have been so fidiused for all the chests in Corioli, and the gold that's in them. Is the senate possessed of this? Vol. Good ladies, let's go:-Yes, yes, yes: the senate has letters from the general, wherein he gives my son the whole name of the war: he hath in this action outdone his former deeds doubly. [of him. Val. In troth, there's wondrous things spoke Men. Wondrous? ay, I warrant you, and not without his true purchasing. Vir. The gods grant them true! Men. True? I'll be sworn they are true:Where is he wounded? God save your good worships! [To the Tribunes, who come forward.] Marcius is coming home: he has more cause to be proud. Where is he wounded? Vol. I' the shoulder, and i' the left arm: There will be large cicatrices to show the people, when he shall stand for his place. He received in the repulse of Tarquin, seven hurts 'i the body. Men. One in the neck, and two in the thigh, -there's nine that I know. Vol. He had, before this last expedition, twenty-five wounds upon him. Men. Now it's twenty-seven: every gash was an enemy's grave: [A Shout and Flourish.] Hark! the trumpets. [him Vol. These are the ushers of Marcius: before He carries noise, and behind him he leaves tears; Death, that dark spirit, in's nervy arm doth lie; Which being advanc'd, declines; and then men die. A Senet. Trumpets sound. Enter COMINIUS and TITUS LARTIUS; between them, CORIOLANUS, crowned with an oaken garland; with Captains, Soldiers, and a Herald. Her. Know, Rome, that all alone Marcius did fight [Kneels. You have, I know, petition'd all the gods That weep'st to see me triumph? Ah, my dear, Men. And welcome, general;-And you are welcome all. [weep, Men. A hundred thousand welcomes: I could And I could laugh: I am light, and heavy: Welcome: A curse begin at very root of his heart, Ever right. Your hand, and yours: [To his Wife and Mother. Ere in our own house I do shade my head, The good patricians must be visited; From whom I have receiv'd not only greetings, But with them change of honours. Vol. I have lived To see inherited my very wishes, Cor. Know, good mother, I had rather be their servant in my way, Than sway with them in theirs. Com. On to the Capitol. [Flourish. Cornets. Exeunt in state as before. The Tribunes remain. Bru. All tongues speak of him, and the bleared sights Are spectacled to see him: Your prattling nurse Are smother'd up, leads fill'd, and ridges hors'd 616 SCENE II. The same. Their nicely gawded cheeks, to the wanton spoil I warrant him consul. On the sudden, Then our office may, Lose those that he hath won. Bru. In that there's comfort. Sic. Doubt not, the commoners, for whom we stand, But they, upon their ancient malice, will nours; Bru. Nor, showing (as the manner is) his wounds Than carry it, but by the suit o' the gentry to him, And the desire of the nobles. Sic. I wish no better, Than have him hold that purpose, and to put it 'Tis most like, he will. In execution. Bru. Sic. It shall be to him then, as our good wills; So it must fall out To him, or our authorities. For an end, Have made them mules, silenc'd their pleaders, Of no more soul, nor fitness for the world, Sic. This, as you say, suggested If he be put upon 't; and that's as easy, Enter a Messenger. Bru. That Marcius shall be consul: I have seen Ladies and maids their scarfs and handkerchiefs, Let's to the Capitol; The Capitol. Enter two Officers, to lay Cushions. 1 Off. Come, come, they are almost here: How many stand for consulships? 2 Of Three, they say: but 'tis thought of every one, Coriolanus will carry it. 1 Of. That's a brave fellow: but he's vengeance proud, and loves not the common people. 2 Off. 'Faith, there have been many great men that have flatter'd the people, who ne'er loved them; and there be many that they have loved, they know not wherefore: so that if they love they know not why, they hate upon no better a ground: Therefore, for Coriolanus neither to care whether they love or hate him, manifests the true knowledge he has in their disposition: and, out of his noble carelessness, lets them plainly see't. 1 Of. If he did not care whether he had their love, or no, he waved indifferently 'twixt doing them neither good, nor harm; but he seeks their hate with greater devotion than they can render it him and leaves nothing undone, that may fully discover him their opposite. Now to seem to affect the malice and displeasre of the people, is as bad as that which he dislikes, to flatter them for their love. 2 Off. He hath deserved worthily of his country: And his ascent is not by such easy degrees as those, who having been supple and courteous to the people, bonneted, withont any further deed to have them at all into their estimation and report: but he hath so planted his honours in their eyes, and his actions in their hearts, that for their tongues to be silent, and not confess so much, were a kind of ingrateful injury; to report otherwise were a malice, that, giving itself the lie, would pluck reproof and rebuke from every ear that heard it. 1 Off. No more of him; he is a worthy man : Make way, they are coming. A Senet. Enter, with Lictors before them, Coxi- Men. Having determin'd of the Volces, and Most reverend and grave elders, to desire Sic. Bru. When the alarum were struck, than idly sit now see He had rather venture all his limbs for honour, Worthy man! 1 Sen. He cannot but with measure fit the Which we devise him. [honours Com. Our spoils he kick'd at; And look'd upon things precious, as they were The common muck o' the world; he covets less Than misery itself would give; rewards His deeds with doing them; and is content To spend the time, to end it. Men. He's right noble ; Let him be call'd for. 1 Sen. Off. He doth appear. Call for Coriolanns. Re-enter COBIOLANUS. Men. The senate, Coriolanus, are well pleas'd To make thee consul. Cor. My life, and services. Men. I do owe them still It then remains, I do beseech you, Must have their voices: neither will they bate One jot of ceremony. Men. Cor. Put them not to't: Pray you go fit you to the custom: and Take to you, as your predecessors have, Your honour with your form. It is a part That I shall blush in acting, and might well Be taken from the people. Bru. Mark you that? Cor. To brag unto them,-Thus I did, and thus; Show them the unaking scars which I should hide, As if I had receiv'd them for the hire Men. Sen. To Coriolanus come all joy and honour! [Flourish. Then exeunt Senators. Bru. You see how he intends to use the people. Sic. May they perceive his intent! He will require them, As if he did contemn what he requested SCENE III. The same. 1 Cit. Once, if he do require our voices, we ought not to deny him. 2 Cit. We may, sir, if we will 3 Cit. We have power in ourselves to do it, but it is a power that we have no power to do; for if he show us his wounds, and tell us his deeds, we are to put our tongues into those wounds, and speak for them! so, if he tell us his noble deeds, we must also tell him our noble acceptance of them. Ingratitude is monstrous: and for the multitude to be ingrateful, were to make a monster of the multitude; of the which, we being members, should bring ourselves to be monstrous members. 1 Cit. And to make us no better thought of, a little help will serve: for once we stoop up about the corn, he himself stuck not to call us Sir, I pray, let me ha't: I have wounds to show the many-headed multitude. 3 Cit. We have been called so of many; not that our heads are some brown, some black, some auburn, some bald, but that our wits are so diversely coloured: and truly I think, if all our wits were to issue out of one scull, they would fly cast, west, north, south; and their consent of one direct way should be at once to all points| o' the compass. 2 Cit. Think you so? Which way, do you judge, my wit would fly? 3 Cit. Nay, your wit will not so soon out as another man's will, 'tis strongly wedged up in a blockhead: but if it were at liberty, 'twould, sure, southward. 2 Cit. Why that way? 3 Cit. To lose itself in a fog; where being three parts melted away with rotten dews, the fourth would return for conscience sake, to help to get thee a wife. 2 Cit. You are never without your tricks :You may, you may. 3 Cit. Are you all resolved to give your voices? But that's no matter, the greater part carries it. I say, if he would incline to the people, there was never a worthier man. Enter CORIOLANUS and MENENIUS, Here he comes, and in the gown of humility; mark his behaviour. We are not to stay altogether, but to come by him where he stands, by ones, by twos, and by threes. He's to make his requests by particulars: wherein every one of us has a single honour, in giving him our own voices with our own tongues: therefore follow me, and I'll direct you how you shall go by him. All. Content, content. [Exeunt. Men. O sir, you are not right: have you not The worthiest men have done it? [known Cor. you, [voice, sir. Which shall be yours in private.-Your good What say you? 2 Cit. You shall have it, worthy sir. There is in all two worthy voices begg'd: I But this is something odd. 2 Cit. An 'twere to give again,-But 'tis no Enter two other Citizens. Cor. 'Pray you now, if it may stand with the tune of your voices, that I may be consul, I have here the customary gown, 3 Cit. You have deserved nobly of your country, and you have not deserved nobly. Cor. Your enigma? 3 Cit. You have been a scourge to her enemies, you have been a rod to her friends: you have not, indeed, loved the common people. I Cor. You should account me the more virtuous, that I have not been common in my love. will, sir, flatter my sworn brother the people, to earn a dearer estimation of them; 'tis a condition they account gentle: and since the wisdom of their choice is rather to have my hat than my heart, I will practise the insinuating nod, and be off to them most counterfeitly: that is, sir, I will counterfeit the bewitchment of some popular man, and give it bountifully to the desirers. Therefore, beseech you, I may be consul. 4 Cit. We hope to find you our friend; and therefore give you our voices heartily. 3 Cit. You have received many wounds for your country. Cor. I will not seal your knowledge with showing them. I will make much of your What must I say?-voices, and so trouble you no further. I pray, sir,-Plague upon't! I cannot bring I got them in my country's service, when You'll mar all; Both Cit. The gods give you joy, sir, heartily! Cor. Most sweet voices !- Your voices for your voices I have fought; Indeed, I would be consul. [voices; 5 Cit. He has done uobly, and cannot go without any honest man's voice. 6 Cit. Therefore let him be consul: The gods give him joy, and make him good friend to the All. Amen, Amen. [people! God save thee, noble consul! [Exeunt Citizens. Worthy voices! Cor. Re-enter MENENTUS, with BRUTUS, and SICINUS. Men. You have stood your limitation; and the tribunes Kindly? Endue you with the people's voice; Remains, Sic. The custom of request you have discharg'd: The people do admit you; and are summon'd There, Coriolanus. Bru. With a proud heart he wore His humble weeds: Will you dimiss the people? Re-enter Citizens. Sic. How now, my masters? have you chose 1 Cit. He has our voices, sir. [this man? Bru. We pray the gods, he may deserve your loves. [tice, 2 Ct Amen, sir: To my poor unworthy noHe mock'd us, when he begg'd our voices. 8 Cit. He flouted us downright. Certainly 1 Cit. No 'tis his kind of speech, he did not mock us. [says, 2 Cit. Not one amongst us, save yourself, but He us'd us scornfully; he should have show'd us His marks of merit, wounds receiv'd for his Sic. Why, so he did, I am sure. [country. No; no man saw'em. [Several speak. 3 Cit. He said, he had wounds, which he could show in private; Cit. And with his hat, thus waving it in scorn, you, Sic. Why, either, were you ignorant to see't? Or, seeing it, of such childish friendliness To yield your voices? Bru. Could you not have told him, As you were lesson'd,-When he had no power, But was a petty servant to the state, He was your enemy; ever spake against Your liberties, and the charters that you bear I' the body of the weal: and now, arriving A place of potency, and sway o' the state, If he should still malignantly remain Fast foe to the plebeii, your voices might Be curses to yourselves? you should have said, That, as his worthy deeds did claim no less Than what he stood for; so his gracious nature Would think upon you for your voices, and Translate his malice towards you into love, Standing your friendly lord. Sic. Thus to have said, As you were fore-advis'd, had touch'd his spirit, And try'd his inclination, from him pluck'd Either his gracious promise, which you might, As cause had call'd you up, have held him to; Or else it would have gall'd his surly nature, Which easily endures not article Tying him to aught; so, putting him to rage, He did solicit you in free contempt, No heart among you? Or had you tongues, to Ere now, deny'd the asker? and, now again, [yet. 3 Cit. He's not confirm'd, we may deny him 2 Cit. And will deny him: I'll have five hundred voices of that sound. 1 Cit. I twice five hundred, and their friends to piece 'em. Bru. Get you hence instantly; and tell those friends, [tako They have chose a consul, that will from them Their liberties; make them of no more voice Than dogs, that are as often beat for barking, As therefore kept to do so. Sic. Let them assemble; And, on a safer judgment, all revoke Your ignorant election: enforce his pride And his old hate unto you: besides, forget not With what contempt he wore the humble weed: How in his suit he scorn'd you: but your loves, Thinking upon his services, took from you The apprehension of his present portance, Which rost gibingly, ungravely he did fashion After the inveterate hate he bears you. Bru. Lay A fault on us, your tribunes; that we labour'd (No impediment between) but that you must Cast your election on him. Sic. Say you chose him More after our commandment, than as guided By your own true affections: and, that your minds Preoccupy'd with what you rather must do, Than what you should, made you against the grain To voice him consul: Lay the fault on us. to you, How youngly he began to serve his country, How long continued: and what stock he springs of, came The noble house o' the Marcians; from whence One thus descended, Sic. That hath beside well in his person wrought To be set high in place, we did commend To your remembrances: but you have found, Scaling his present bearing with his past, That he's your fixed enemy and revoke Your sudden approbation. Bru. Say, you ne'er had done't (Harp on that still), but by our putting on: And presently, when you have drawn your numRepair to the Capitol. [ber, Cit. We will so: almost all [Several speak. Repent in their election. [Exeunt Citizens. Bru. Let them go on; This mutiny were better put in hazard, |