Vol. Ay, worthy Menenius; and with most prosperous approbation.

Men. Take my cap, Jupiter, and I thank thee: -Hoo! Marcius coming home!

Both. Nay, 'tis true.

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?

Vir. Yes, certain, there's a letter for you; I saw it.

10

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.

54 Senate. Trumpets sound. Enter Cominius the
General, and Titus Lartius; between them, Co-
riolanus, crown'd with an oaken garland; with
Captains and Soldiers, and a Herald.
Her.Know, Rome, that all alone Marcius did fight
Within Corioli' gates: where he hath won,
With fame, a name to Caius Marcius; these
In honour follows, Coriolanus:—
Welcome to Rome, renown'd Coriolanus !
[Sound. Flourish.
All. Welcome to Rome, renown'd Coriolanus!
Cor. No more of this, it does offend my heart;
Pray now, no more.

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 pre-15 scription in Galen is but empyric qutique, 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.

20

Vol. On's brows, Menenius; he comes the 25 third time home with the oaken garland.

Men. Has he disciplin'd Aufidius soundly? Vol. Titus Lartius writes,-they fought together, but Aufidius got off.

Men. And it was time for him too, I'll warrant 30 hi that: an' he had staid by him, I would not have been so fidius'd for all the chests in Corioli, and the gold that's in them. Is the senate possess'd' of this?

Vol. Good ladies, let's go :-Yes, yes, yes: the 35 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.

Val. In troth, there's wondrous things spoke of him.

Men. Wondrous? ay, I warrant you, and not without his true purchasing.

Vir. The gods grant them true!
Vol. True? pow, wow.

40

Men. True? I'll be sworn they are true;-45 Where is he wounded?-God save your good worships! [To the Tribunes.] 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 50 will be large cicatrices to shew the people, when he shall stand for his place. He receiv'd, in the repulse of Tarquin, seven hurts i' the body.

Men. One i' the neck, and one too i' the thigh: -There's nine that I know.

Vol. He had, before this last expedition,twentyfive wounds upon him.

Men. Now 'tis twenty-seven: every gash was an enemy's grave: Hark, the trumpets.

Com. Look, sir, your mother,

Cor. O!

That weep'st to see me triumph? Ah, my dear,
Such eyes the widows in Corioli wear,
And mothers that lack sons.

Men, Now the gods crown thee!
Cor. And live you yet? O my sweet lady, par-
don,
[To Valeria.
Vol. I know not where to turn:-D, welcome

home:

[all. And welcome, general;-And you are welcome Men, A hundred thousand welcomes: I could weep, [come: And I could laugh; I am light and heavy. WelA curse begin at very root of's heart, That is not glad to see thee!- -You are three, That Rome should dote on: yet by the faith of [will not We have some old crab-trees here at home, that Be gra ted to your relish. Yet welcome, warriors: We call a nettle, but a nettle; and The faults of fools but folly.

men,

Com. Ever right.

Cor. Menenius, ever, ever.
Her. Give way there, and go on.
Cor. Your hand, and yours:

[To his Wife and Mother.
55 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.

[A shout, and flourish, 60

Vol.These are th' ushers of Marcius: before him

Vol. I have liy'd

To see inherited my very wishes,
And the buildings of my fancy:

1i. e. informed. 2 i. e. according to Mr. Steevens, "Thou whose silent tears are more eloquent and grateful to me, than the clamorous applause of the rest,"

Only

thee.

would

Only there's one thing wanting, which I doubt] [He still hath held them; that, to his power, he
But our Rome will cast upon
Cor. Know, good mother,

[not,

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.
Brutus and Sicinius come forward.
Bru. All tongues speak of him, and the bleared
sights
Are spectacled to see him: Your prattling nurse
Into a rapture' lets her baby cry,

[and Have made them mules, silenc'd their pleaders, Disproperty'd their freedoms: holding them, 5 In human action and capacity,

10

While she chats him: the kitchen-malkin2 pins
Her richest lockram 3 'bout her reeky neck,
Clambering the walls to eye him: Stalls, bulks, 15
windows,

Are smother'd up, leads fill'd, and ridges hors'd
With variable complexions; all agreeing
In earnestness to see him: seld-shown flamens"
Do press among the popular throngs, and puff
To win a vulgar station: our veil'd danes
Commit the war of white and damask, in
Their nicely gawded cheeks, to the wanton spoil
Of Phoebus' burning kisses: such a pother,
As if that whatsoever god, who leads him",
Were slily crept into his human powers,
And gave him graceful posture.

Sic. On the sudden,

I warrant him consul.

Bru. Then our office may,

During his power, go sleep.

Sic. He cannot temperately transport his honours From where he should begin, and end; but will Lose those he hath won.

Bru. In that there's comfort.

Sic. Doubt not,

Of no more soul, nor fitness for the world,
Than camels in their war: whohavetheirprovender
Only for bearing burdens, and sore blows
For sinking under them.

Sic. This, as you say, suggested

At some time when his soaring insolence
Shall reach the people, (which time shall not want,
If he be put upon't; and that's as easy,
As to set dogs on sheep) will be the fire
To kindle their dry stubble; and their blaze
Shall darken him for ever.

[thought, Tis

Enter a Messenger.
Bru. What's the matter?
Mess. You are sent for to the Capitol.
20 That Marcius shall be consul: I have seen
The dumb men throng to see him, and the blind
To hear him speak: Matrons flung gloves,
Ladies and maids their scarfs and handkerchiefs,
Upon him as he pass'd: the nobles bended,

25 As to Jove's statue; and the commons made
A shower, and thunder, with their caps, and
I never saw the like.
[shouts :

Bru. Let's to the Capitol;

And carry with us ears and eyes for the time, 30 But hearts for the event.

35

The commoners, for whom we stand, but they,
Upon their ancient malice, will forget,
With the least cause, these his new honours; which
That he will give them, make I as little question 40
As he is proud to do't.

Bru. I heard him swear,

Were he to stand for consul, never would he
Appear i' the market-place, nor on him put
The napless vesture of humility:

Nor shewing (as the manner is) his wounds
To the people, beg their stinking breaths.
Sic. "Tis right.

Bru. It was his word: O, he would miss it, rather
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
In execution.

Bru. 'Tis most like, he will.

Sic. It shall be to him then, as our good will's, A sure destruction.

Bru. So it must fall out

To him, or our authorities. For an end,
We must suggest the people, in what hatred

Sic. Have with you.

SCENE II.

The Capitol.

[Exeunt.

Enter two Officers, to lay cushions.

1 Off. Come, come, they are almost here: How many stand for consulships?

2 Off. Three, they say: but'tis thought of every one, Coriolanus will carry it..

1 Off. 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 lov'd them; and there be many that they have lov'd, 45 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; 50 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 wav'd indifferently 'twixt doing them neither good, nor harm; but he seeks their 55 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 displeasure of the people, is as bad as that which he dislikes, to flatter them (60 for their love.

Rapture was a common term at that time used for a fit simply. 2 A kind of mop made of clouts for the use of sweeping ovens: thence a dirty wench.-Maukin in some parts of England signifies a figure of clouts set up to fright birds in gardens; a scarecrow. 'Lockram was some kind of cheap linen. 4 i. e. priests who seldom exhibit themselves to public view.-Seld is often used by ancient writers for seldom, i. e, as if that god who leads him, whatsoever god he be,

2 Off. He hath deserved worthily of his country: And his ascent is not by such easy degrees as those, who have been supple and courteous to the people; bonneted', without any further deed to heave them at all into their estimation and report: but 5 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 lye, 10 would pluck reproof and rebuke from every ear that heard it.

10ff. No more of him; he is a worthy man: Make way, they are coming.

20

A Senate. Enter the Patricians, and the Tribunes of 15
the people, Lictors before them; Coriolanus, Me-
nenius, Cominus the Consul: Sicinius and Bru-
tus, as Tribunes, take their places by themselves.
Men, Having determin'd of the Volces, and
To send for Titus Lartius, it remains,
As the main point of this our after-meeting,
To gratify his noble service, that
Hath thus stood for his country: Therefore, please
Most reverend and grave elders, to desire
The present consul, and last general
In our well-found successes, to report
A little of that worthy work perform'd
By Caius Marcius Coriolanus; whom

[you,

We meet here, both to thank, and to remember
With honours like himself.

1 Sen. Speak, good Cominius:
Leave nothing out for length; and make us think,
Rather our state's defective for requital,

Than we to stretch it out.Masters o' the people,
We do request your kindest ear; and, after,
Your loving motion toward the common body,
To yield what passes here.

Sic. We are convented

Upon a pleasing treaty; and have hearts
Inclinable to honour and advance
The theme of our assembly.

Bru. Which the rather

We shall be blest to do, if he remember
A kinder value of the people, than
He hath hereto priz'd them at.

Men, That's off, that's off';

I would you rather had been silent: Please you
To hear Cominius speak?

Bru. Most willingly;

But yet my caution was more pertinent,
Than the rebuke you give it.

Men. He loves your people;
But tye him not to be their bed-fellow.—
Worthy Cominius, speak.-Nay, keep your place.
[Coriolanus rises, and opers to go away.

1 Sen, Sit, Coriolanus: never shame to hear What you have nobly done,

Cor. Your honours' pardon;

I had rather have my wounds to heal again,

2

1 Bonneter, Fr. is, to pull off one's cap.

power to recover Rome,

Com. I shall lack voice: the deeds of Coriolanus
Should not be utter'd feebly.-It is held,
That valour is the chiefest virtue, and
Most dignifies the haver; if it be,

The man I speak of cannot in the world
25 Be singly counterpois'd. At sixteen years,
When Tarquin made a head for Rome, he fought
Beyond the mark of others: our then dictator,
Whom with all praise I point at, saw him fight,
When with his Amazonian chin he drove
30 The bristled lips before him: he bestrid
An o'er-prest Roman, and i' the consul's view
Slew three opposers; Tarquin's self he met,
And struck him on his knee: in that day's feats,
When he might act the woman in the scene,
35 He prov'd best man i' the field, and for his meed
Was brow-bound with the oak. His pupil age
Man enter'd thus, he waxed like a sea;
And, in the brunt of seventeen battles since,
He lurch'd all swords o' the garland. For this last,
40 Before and in Corioli, let me say,

I cannot speak him home: He stopt the fliers;
And, by his rare example, made the coward
Turn terror into sport: as waves before

A vessel under sail, so men obey'd, [stamp)
45 And fell below his stem: his sword (death's
Where it did mark, it took; from face to foot
He was a thing of blood, whose every motion
Was tim'd with dying cries: alone he enter'd
The mortal gate o' the city, which he painted
50 With shunless destiny; aidless came off,
And with a sudden re-inforcement struck
Corioli, like a planet: Now all's his:
When by-and-by the din of war 'gan pierce
His ready sense: then straight his doubled spirit
Re-quicken'd what in flesh was fatigate,

55

And to the battle came he; where he did

Run reeking o'er the lives of men, as if

Twere a perpetual spoil: and, 'till we call'd

Both field and city ours, he never stood

2 i. e. that is nothing to the purpose. 3i. e. raised a

i.e. his chin on which there was no beard.

The parts of women

were, in Shakspeare's time, represented by the most smooth-faced young men to be found among the players. i, e, the gate was made the scene of death,

Το

5

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 The shew 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 10 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, when we stood up about the corn, he himself stuck not to call us 15 the many-headed multitude.

3 Cit. We have been call'd so of many; not that our heads are some brown, some black, some auburn, some bald, but that our wits are so diversely colour'd: and truly, I think, if all our 20 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 the points o' the compass.

Put on the gown, stand naked, and entreat them
For my wounds' sake, to give their suffrage:25
please you,

That I may pass this doing.

Sic. Sir, the people

Must have their voices; neither will they bate
One jot of ceremony.

Men. 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.

Cor. It is a part

That I shall blush in acting, and might well
Be taken from the people.

Bru. Mark you that?

30

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 wedg'd up in a block-head: 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.

35 2 Cit. You are never without your tricks:You may, you may

Cor. To brag unto them,-Thus I did, and thus; Shew them the unaking scars, which I should hide, 40 As if I had receiv'd them for the hire

Of their breath only :

:

Men. Do not stand upon 't.-
We recommend to you, tribunes of the people,
Our purpose to them; and to our noble consul 45
Wish we all joy and honour.

Sen. To Coriolanus come all joy and honour!
[Flourish. Cornets. Then Exeunt.
Manent Sicinius, and Brutus,

Bru. You see how he intends to use the 50
people.
[quire them,

Sic. May they perceive his intent! He will re-
As if he did contemn what he requested
Should be in them to give.

Bru. Come, we'll inform them

Of our proceedings here: on the market place,
I know they do attend us.

SCENE III.

The Forum.

Enter seven or eight Citizens,

[Exeunt.

1 Cit. Once, if he do require our voices, we

ought not to deny him.

3 Cit. Are you all resolv'd to give your voices? But that's no matter, the greater part carries it. say, if he would incline to the people, there was never a worthier man,

I

Enter Coriolanus, and Menenius. Here he comes, and in the gown of humility: mark his behaviour. We are not to stay all together, 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.

[known Men. O sir, you are not right; have you not The worthiest men have done 't?

! Misery for avarice.

Cor. Think upon me? Hang 'em!

I would they would forget me, like the virtues
Which our divines lose by 'em.

Men. You'll mar all;

[you,

I'll leave you: Pray you,

In wholesome manner.

speak to 'em, I pray 5 Citizens approach.

[Ex.

Cor. Bid them wash their faces, And keep their teeth clean.-So, here comes brace.

a

You know the cause, sirs, of my standing here.
1 Cit. We do, sir; tell us what hath brought
you to 't.

Cor. Mine own desert.

2 Cit. Your own desert?

Cor. Ay, not mine own desire.

1 Cit. How! not your own desire?

Cor. No, sir; 'Twas never my desire yet To trouble the poor with begging.

Cor. I will not seal' your knowledge with shewing them. I will make much of your voices, and so trouble you no further.

Both. The gods give you joy, sir, heartily!
[Exeunt.

Cor. Most sweet voices!
Better it is to die, better to starve,

Than crave the hire which first we do deserve.
Why in this woolvish gown should I stand here,
10 To beg of Hob, and Dick, that do appear,
Their needless voucher? Custom calls me to 't:-
What custom wills, in all things should we do't.
The dust on antique time would lie unswept,
And mountainous error be too highly heap'd
15 For truth to over-peer.-Rather than fool it so,
Let the high office and the honour go
To one that would do thus.-I am half through;
The one part suffer'd, the other will I do.
Enter three Citizens more.

1 Cit. You must think, if we give you any 20 Here come more voices.thing, we hope to gain by you.

Cor. Well then, I pray, your price o' the consulship?

1 Cit. The price is, to ask it kindly.

Your voices; for your voices I have fought;
Watch'd for your voices; for your voices bear
Of wounds two dozen odd; battles thrice six

I have seen, and heard of; for your voices, have
25 Done many things, some less, some more: your
Indeed, I would be consul.
[voices:

1 Cit. He has done nobly, and cannot go withlout any honest man's voice.

2 Cit. Therefore let him be consul: The gods 30 give him joy, and make him good friend to the people!

-But 'tis no 35
[Exeunt.

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.

1 Cit. You have deserv'd nobly of your country, and you have not deserv'd nobly.

Cor. Your ænigma?

All. Amen, amen.--God save thee, noble consul! [Exeunt.

Cor. Worthy voices!

Enter Menenius, with Brutus, and Sicinius.
Men. You have stood your limitation; and
the tribunes

Endue you with the people's voice: Remains,
That, in the official marks invested, you

40 Anon do meet the senate.

1 Cit. You have been a scourge to her enemies, you have been a rod to her friends; you have 45 not, indeed, loved the common people.

Cor. You should account me the more virtuous, that I have not been common in my love. I will, sir, flatter my sworn brother the people, to earn a dearer estimation of them; 'tis a condition 50 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 55 man, and give it bountifully to the desirers. Therefore, beseech you, I may be consul.

2 Cit. We hope to find you our friend; and therefore give you our voices heartily.

1 Cit. You have received many wounds for 60 your country.

Cor. Is this done?

Sic. The custom of request you have discharg'd:
The people do admit you; and are summon'd
To meet anon, upon your approbation.

Cor. Where? at the senate-house?
Sic. There, Coriolanus.

Cor. May I change these garments?
Sic. You may, sir.

[again, Cor. That I'll straight do; and, knowing myself Repair to the senate-house.

Men. I'll keep you company.-Will you along?
Bru. We stay here for the people.

Sic. Fare you well. [Exeunt Coriol. and Men.
He has it now; and by his looks, methinks,
Tis warm at his heart.

Bru. With a proud heart he wore
His humble weeds: Will you dismiss the people?
Re-enter Citizens.

Sic. How now, my masters? have you chose 1 Cit. He has our voices, sir. [this man? Bru. We praythe gods, he may deserve your loves.

1 I will not strengthen or complete your knowledge.-The seal is that which gives authenticity to a writing.

i, e. this rough hirsute gown.

2 Cit.