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Men. Return to the tribunes.

Cor. Well, what then? what then?
Men. Repent what you have spoke.

Cor. For them? I cannot do it for the Gods,. Muft I then do't to them?

Vol. You are too abfolute,

Though therein you can never be too noble,
But when extremities fpeak. I've heard you fay,
Honour and policy, like unfevered friends,

I' th' war do grow together; grant that, and tell me
In peace, what each of them by th' other lofes,
That they combine not there?

Gor. Tufh, tufh------
Men. A good demand.

Vol. If it be honour in your wars, to feem The fame you are not, which for your best ends. You call your policy; how is't lefs, or worse, That it, fhall hold companionship in peace With honour, as in war; fince that to both. It stands in like request?

Cor. Why force you this?

Val. Because it lyes on you to fpeak to the people: Not by your own inftruction, nor by th' matter Which your heart prompts you to, but with such words

But roted in your tongue; baftards, and fyllables
Of no allowance to your bofom's truth.
Now, this no more difhonours you at all,
Than to take in a town with gentle words,
Which elfe would put you to your fortune, and
The hazard of much blood.-----

I would diflemble with my nature, where
My fortunes, and my friends at fake, required
I should do fo in honour. (27) I'm in this

(az)

-I'm in this

Your wife, your fon: the fenators, the nobles,

Your wife, your fon, these fenators, the nobles.----
And you will rather fhew our general lowts
How you can frown, than fpend a fawn upon 'em,
For the inheritance of their loves, and fafeguard
Of what that want might ruin!

Men. Noble Lady!

Come, go with us, fpeak fair: you may falve fo
Not what is dangerous prefent, but the lofs
Of what is past.

Vol. I pr'ythee now, my fon,

Go to them, with this bonnet in thy hand, And thus far having stretched it (here be with them)

Thy knee buffing the ftones; (for in fuch bufinefs Action is eloquence, and the eyes of the ignorant More learned than the ears;) waving thy head, Which often, thus correcting thy ftout heart, (28)

And you, &c.] The pointing of the printed copies makes ftark nonienfe of this paffage. Volumnia is perfuading Coriolanus that he ought to flatter the people, as the general fortune was at ftake; and fays, that, in this advice, fhe fpeaks as his wife, as his fon, as the Senate and body of the patricians, who were in fome measure linked to his conduct. Mr Warburton.

(28)

waving thy head,

Which often, thus, correcting thy flout heart,] But do any of the ancient or modern mafters of elocution prescribe the waving the head, when they treat of action? or how does the waving the head correct the ftoutnefs of the heart, or evidence humility? or laftly, where is the fense or grammar of thefe words, Which often thus, &c. Thefe queftions" are fufficient to fhew the abfurd corruption of these lines. I would read therefore;

-waving thy hand,

Which often thus, correcting thy frout heart; This is a very proper precept of action fuiting the occafion; Wave thy hand, fays the, and soften the action of it thus then ftrike upon thy breaft, and by that action fhew the people thou haft corrected thy ftout heart. All here is fine and proper. Mr Warburton.

Now humble as the ripeft mulberry,

That will not hold the handling: or fay to them,
Thou art their foldier, and being bred in broils,
Haft not the foft way, which thou doft confefs
Were fit for thee to ufe, as they to claim,
In alking their good loves; but thou wilt frame
Thyfelf, forfooth, hereafter theirs so far,

As thou haft power and perfon.

Men. This but done,

Even as the fpeaks, why, all their hearts were yours::
For they have pardons, being afked, as free,
As words to little purpofe..

Vol. Pr'ythee now,

Go and be ruled: although I know thou'dft rather Follow thine enemy in a fiery gulf.

Than flatter him in a bower.

Here is Cominius.

Enter COMINIUS.

Com. I've been i' th' market-place, and, Sir, 'tis fit You have ftrong party, or defend yourself By calmness or by abfence; all's in anger. Men. Only fair speech.

Com. I think 'twill ferve, if he Can thereto frame his fpirit.

Vol. He muft and will:

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

Cor. Must I go fhew them my unbarbed fconce?TM Muft my bafe tongue give to my noble heart A lie that it muft bear? well, I will do't: (29) Yet were there but this fingle plot to lofe,

(29) Yet were there but this fingle plot, to lofe

Tors mould of Marcius,] The pointing of all the impreffrons fhews the editors did not understand this paffage. What plot is this they are dreaming of, to lofe the mould of Marcius but plot and mould are but one and the fame

This mould of Marcius, they to duft should grind it, And throw't against the wind. To th' marketplace!

You've put me now to fuch a part, which never I fhall discharge to the life.

Com. Come, come, we'll prompt you.

Vol. Ay, pr'ythee now, fweet fon; as thou haft My praises made thee first a soldier, so,

To have my praise for this, perform a part
Thou hast not done before.

Cor. Well, I must do't:

Away, my difpofition, and poffefs me

[faid

Some harlot's fpirit! my throat of war be turned,
Which quired with my drum, into a pipe
Small as an eunuch, or the virgin voice

That babies lulls afleep! the fmiles of knaves
Tent in my cheeks, and fchool-boy's tears take up
The glafles of my fight! a beggar's tongue
Make motion through my lips, and my armed knees,
Which bowed but in my firrup, bend like his
That hath received an alms !---I will not do't,
Left I furcease to honour mine own truth,
And by my body's action teach my mind
A moit inherent bafenefs..

Vol. At thy choice then:

To beg of thee, it is my more difhonour,

Than thou of them.

Come all to ruin, let

Thy mother rather feel thy přide, than fear
Thy dangerous ftoutnefs: for I mock at death

With as big heart as thou.

Do as thou lift:

Thy valiantnefs was mine, thou fuckedeft it from But own thy pride thyself.

[me:

thing, and mean no more than the flesh and fubftance of Marcius's body. Were there no other consequence annexed (fays he) than the deftruction of my body, they should grind it to powder, &c.

Cor. Pray, be content:

Mother, I'm going to the market-place:

Cde me no more. I'll mountebank their loves,
Ceg their hearts from them, and come home beloved
Of all the trades in Rome. Look, I am going:
Commend me to my wife, I'll return conful,
Or never truft to what my tongue can do
I' th' way of flattery further..

Vol. Do your will.

[Exit Volumnia.

Com. Away, the tribunes do attend you: arm
Yourfelf to anfwer mildly: for they're prepared
With accufations, as I hear, more strong
Than are upon you yet.

Cor. The word is, mildly.-Pray you, let us go.. Let them accufe me by invention; I

Will anfwer in mine honour.

Men. Ay, but mildly.

Gor. Well, mildly be it then, mildly.--- [Exeunt.

SCENE changes to the Forum.

Enter SICINIUS and BRUTUS.

Bru. In this point charge him home, that he affects Tyrannic power: if he evade us there, Inforce him with his envy to the people, And that the spoil, got on the Antiates, Was ne'er diftributed. What, will he come?

Enter an Edile.

Ed. He's coming.

Bru. How accompanied?

Ed. With old Menenius, and thofe fenators

That always favoured him.

Sic. Have you a catalogue

Of all the voices that we have procured,
Set down by th' poll?

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