Coriolanus

ACT 1

Scene 1

Enter a company of mutinous Citizens with staves,
clubs, and other weapons.

FIRST CITIZEN

Before we proceed any further, hear me
speak.

ALL

Speak, speak!

FIRST CITIZEN

You are all resolved rather to die than to
55famish?

ALL

Resolved, resolved!

FIRST CITIZEN

First, you know Caius Martius is chief
enemy to the people.

ALL

We know ’t, we know ’t!

FIRST CITIZEN

1010Let us kill him, and we’ll have corn at
our own price. Is ’t a verdict?

ALL

No more talking on ’t; let it be done. Away, away!

SECOND CITIZEN

One word, good citizens.

FIRST CITIZEN

We are accounted poor citizens, the patricians
1515good. What authority surfeits on would
relieve us. If they would yield us but the superfluity
while it were wholesome, we might guess they
relieved us humanely. But they think we are too
dear. The leanness that afflicts us, the object of our
2020misery, is as an inventory to particularize their
abundance; our sufferance is a gain to them. Let
us revenge this with our pikes ere we become
rakes; for the gods know I speak this in hunger for
bread, not in thirst for revenge.

SECOND CITIZEN

2525Would you proceed especially against
Caius Martius?

ALL

Against him first. He’s a very dog to the
commonalty.

SECOND CITIZEN

Consider you what services he has
3030done for his country?

FIRST CITIZEN

Very well, and could be content to give
him good report for ’t, but that he pays himself
with being proud.

SECOND CITIZEN

Nay, but speak not maliciously.

FIRST CITIZEN

3535I say unto you, what he hath done
famously he did it to that end. Though soft-conscienced
men can be content to say it was for
his country, he did it to please his mother and to be
partly proud, which he is, even to the altitude of
4040his virtue.

SECOND CITIZEN

What he cannot help in his nature you
account a vice in him. You must in no way say he
is covetous.

FIRST CITIZEN

If I must not, I need not be barren of accusations.
4545He hath faults, with surplus, to tire in
repetition. (Shouts within.) What shouts are these?
The other side o’ th’ city is risen. Why stay we prating
here? To th’ Capitol!

ALL

Come, come!

Enter Menenius Agrippa.

FIRST CITIZEN

5050Soft, who comes here?

SECOND CITIZEN

Worthy Menenius Agrippa, one that
hath always loved the people.

FIRST CITIZEN

He’s one honest enough. Would all the
rest were so!

MENENIUS

5555What work ’s, my countrymen, in hand? Where go
you
With bats and clubs? The matter? Speak, I pray you.

SECOND CITIZEN

Our business is not unknown to th’
Senate. They have had inkling this fortnight what
6060we intend to do, which now we’ll show ’em in
deeds. They say poor suitors have strong breaths;
they shall know we have strong arms too.

MENENIUS

Why, masters, my good friends, mine honest
neighbors,
6565Will you undo yourselves?

SECOND CITIZEN

We cannot, sir; we are undone already.

MENENIUS

I tell you, friends, most charitable care
Have the patricians of you. For your wants,
Your suffering in this dearth, you may as well
7070Strike at the heaven with your staves as lift them
Against the Roman state, whose course will on
The way it takes, cracking ten thousand curbs
Of more strong link asunder than can ever
Appear in your impediment. For the dearth,
7575The gods, not the patricians, make it, and
Your knees to them, not arms, must help. Alack,
You are transported by calamity
Thither where more attends you, and you slander
The helms o’ th’ state, who care for you like fathers,
8080When you curse them as enemies.

SECOND CITIZEN

Care for us? True, indeed! They ne’er
cared for us yet. Suffer us to famish, and their
storehouses crammed with grain; make edicts for
usury to support usurers; repeal daily any wholesome
8585act established against the rich, and provide
more piercing statutes daily to chain up and restrain
the poor. If the wars eat us not up, they will;
and there’s all the love they bear us.

MENENIUS

Either you must confess yourselves wondrous
9090malicious
Or be accused of folly. I shall tell you
A pretty tale. It may be you have heard it,
But since it serves my purpose, I will venture
To stale ’t a little more.

SECOND CITIZEN

9595Well, I’ll hear it, sir; yet you must not
think to fob off our disgrace with a tale. But, an ’t
please you, deliver.

MENENIUS

There was a time when all the body’s members
Rebelled against the belly, thus accused it:
100100That only like a gulf it did remain
I’ th’ midst o’ th’ body, idle and unactive,
Still cupboarding the viand, never bearing
Like labor with the rest, where th’ other instruments
Did see and hear, devise, instruct, walk, feel,
105105And, mutually participate, did minister
Unto the appetite and affection common
Of the whole body. The belly answered—

SECOND CITIZEN

Well, sir, what answer made the belly?

MENENIUS

Sir, I shall tell you. With a kind of smile,
110110Which ne’er came from the lungs, but even thus—
For, look you, I may make the belly smile
As well as speak—it tauntingly replied
To th’ discontented members, the mutinous parts
That envied his receipt; even so most fitly
115115As you malign our senators for that
They are not such as you.

SECOND CITIZEN

Your belly’s answer—what?
The kingly crownèd head, the vigilant eye,
The counselor heart, the arm our soldier,
120120Our steed the leg, the tongue our trumpeter,
With other muniments and petty helps
In this our fabric, if that they—

MENENIUS

What then?
’Fore me, this fellow speaks. What then? What then?

SECOND CITIZEN

125125Should by the cormorant belly be restrained,
Who is the sink o’ th’ body—

MENENIUS

Well, what then?

SECOND CITIZEN

The former agents, if they did complain,
What could the belly answer?

MENENIUS

130130I will tell you,
If you’ll bestow a small—of what you have little—
Patience awhile, you’st hear the belly’s answer.

SECOND CITIZEN

You’re long about it.

MENENIUS

Note me this, good friend;
135135Your most grave belly was deliberate,
Not rash like his accusers, and thus answered:
“True is it, my incorporate friends,” quoth he,
“That I receive the general food at first
Which you do live upon; and fit it is,
140140Because I am the storehouse and the shop
Of the whole body. But, if you do remember,
I send it through the rivers of your blood
Even to the court, the heart, to th’ seat o’ th’ brain;
And, through the cranks and offices of man,
145145The strongest nerves and small inferior veins
From me receive that natural competency
Whereby they live. And though that all at once,
You, my good friends”—this says the belly, mark
me—

SECOND CITIZEN

150150Ay, sir, well, well.

MENENIUS

“Though all at once cannot
See what I do deliver out to each,
Yet I can make my audit up, that all
From me do back receive the flour of all,
155155And leave me but the bran.” What say you to ’t?

SECOND CITIZEN

It was an answer. How apply you this?

MENENIUS

The senators of Rome are this good belly,
And you the mutinous members. For examine
Their counsels and their cares, digest things rightly
160160Touching the weal o’ th’ common, you shall find
No public benefit which you receive
But it proceeds or comes from them to you
And no way from yourselves. What do you think,
You, the great toe of this assembly?

SECOND CITIZEN

165165I the great toe? Why the great toe?

MENENIUS

For that, being one o’ th’ lowest, basest, poorest,
Of this most wise rebellion, thou goest foremost.
Thou rascal, that art worst in blood to run,
Lead’st first to win some vantage.
170170But make you ready your stiff bats and clubs.
Rome and her rats are at the point of battle;
The one side must have bale.

Enter Caius Martius.

Hail, noble Martius.

MARTIUS

Thanks.—What’s the matter, you dissentious rogues,
175175That, rubbing the poor itch of your opinion,
Make yourselves scabs?

SECOND CITIZEN

We have ever your good word.

MARTIUS

He that will give good words to thee will flatter
Beneath abhorring. What would you have, you curs,
180180That like nor peace nor war? The one affrights you;
The other makes you proud. He that trusts to you,
Where he should find you lions, finds you hares;
Where foxes, geese. You are no surer, no,
Than is the coal of fire upon the ice
185185Or hailstone in the sun. Your virtue is
To make him worthy whose offense subdues him,
And curse that justice did it. Who deserves greatness
Deserves your hate; and your affections are
A sick man’s appetite, who desires most that
190190Which would increase his evil. He that depends
Upon your favors swims with fins of lead,
And hews down oaks with rushes. Hang you! Trust
you?
With every minute you do change a mind
195195And call him noble that was now your hate,
Him vile that was your garland. What’s the matter,
That in these several places of the city
You cry against the noble senate, who,
Under the gods, keep you in awe, which else
200200Would feed on one another?—What’s their seeking?

MENENIUS

For corn at their own rates, whereof they say
The city is well stored.

MARTIUS

Hang ’em! They say?
They’ll sit by th’ fire and presume to know
205205What’s done i’ th’ Capitol, who’s like to rise,
Who thrives, and who declines; side factions and
give out
Conjectural marriages, making parties strong
And feebling such as stand not in their liking
210210Below their cobbled shoes. They say there’s grain
enough?
Would the nobility lay aside their ruth
And let me use my sword, I’d make a quarry
With thousands of these quartered slaves as high
215215As I could pick my lance.

MENENIUS

Nay, these are almost thoroughly persuaded;
For though abundantly they lack discretion,
Yet are they passing cowardly. But I beseech you,
What says the other troop?

MARTIUS

220220They are dissolved. Hang
’em!
They said they were an-hungry, sighed forth
proverbs
That hunger broke stone walls, that dogs must eat,
225225That meat was made for mouths, that the gods sent
not
Corn for the rich men only. With these shreds
They vented their complainings, which being
answered
230230And a petition granted them—a strange one,
To break the heart of generosity
And make bold power look pale—they threw their
caps
As they would hang them on the horns o’ th’ moon,
235235Shouting their emulation.

MENENIUS

What is granted them?

MARTIUS

Five tribunes to defend their vulgar wisdoms,
Of their own choice. One’s Junius Brutus,
Sicinius Velutus, and I know not. ’Sdeath!
240240The rabble should have first unroofed the city
Ere so prevailed with me. It will in time
Win upon power and throw forth greater themes
For insurrection’s arguing.

MENENIUS

This is strange.

MARTIUS

245245Go get you home, you fragments.

Enter a Messenger hastily.

MESSENGER

Where’s Caius Martius?

MARTIUS

Here. What’s the matter?

MESSENGER

The news is, sir, the Volsces are in arms.

MARTIUS

I am glad on ’t. Then we shall ha’ means to vent
250250Our musty superfluity.

Enter Sicinius Velutus, Junius Brutus, (two Tribunes);
Cominius, Titus Lartius, with other Senators.

See our best elders.

FIRST SENATOR

Martius, ’tis true that you have lately told us:
The Volsces are in arms.

MARTIUS

They have a leader,
255255Tullus Aufidius, that will put you to ’t.
I sin in envying his nobility,
And, were I anything but what I am,
I would wish me only he.

COMINIUS

You have fought together?

MARTIUS

260260Were half to half the world by th’ ears and he
Upon my party, I’d revolt, to make
Only my wars with him. He is a lion
That I am proud to hunt.

FIRST SENATOR

Then, worthy Martius,
265265Attend upon Cominius to these wars.

COMINIUS

It is your former promise.

MARTIUS

Sir, it is,
And I am constant.—Titus Lartius, thou
Shalt see me once more strike at Tullus’ face.
270270What, art thou stiff? Stand’st out?

LARTIUS

No, Caius Martius,
I’ll lean upon one crutch and fight with t’ other
Ere stay behind this business.

MENENIUS

O, true bred!

FIRST SENATOR

275275Your company to th’ Capitol, where I know
Our greatest friends attend us.

LARTIUS , to Cominius

Lead you on.—
To Martius. Follow Cominius. We must follow you;
Right worthy you priority.

COMINIUS

280280Noble Martius.

FIRST SENATOR , to the Citizens

Hence to your homes, begone.

MARTIUS

Nay, let them follow.
The Volsces have much corn; take these rats thither
To gnaw their garners.
Citizens steal away.
285285Worshipful mutineers,
Your valor puts well forth.—Pray follow.

They exit. Sicinius and Brutus remain.

SICINIUS

Was ever man so proud as is this Martius?

BRUTUS

He has no equal.

SICINIUS

When we were chosen tribunes for the people—

BRUTUS

290290Marked you his lip and eyes?

SICINIUS

Nay, but his taunts.

BRUTUS

Being moved, he will not spare to gird the gods—

SICINIUS

Bemock the modest moon.

BRUTUS

The present wars devour him! He is grown
295295Too proud to be so valiant.

SICINIUS

Such a nature,
Tickled with good success, disdains the shadow
Which he treads on at noon. But I do wonder
His insolence can brook to be commanded
300300Under Cominius.

BRUTUS

Fame, at the which he aims,
In whom already he’s well graced, cannot
Better be held nor more attained than by
A place below the first; for what miscarries
305305Shall be the General’s fault, though he perform
To th’ utmost of a man, and giddy censure
Will then cry out of Martius “O, if he
Had borne the business!”

SICINIUS

Besides, if things go well,
310310Opinion that so sticks on Martius shall
Of his demerits rob Cominius.

BRUTUS

Come.
Half all Cominius’ honors are to Martius,
Though Martius earned them not, and all his faults
315315To Martius shall be honors, though indeed
In aught he merit not.

SICINIUS

Let’s hence and hear
How the dispatch is made, and in what fashion,
More than his singularity, he goes
320320Upon this present action.

BRUTUS

Let’s along.

They exit.

Scene 2

Enter Tullus Aufidius with Senators of Corioles.

FIRST SENATOR

So, your opinion is, Aufidius,
That they of Rome are entered in our counsels
And know how we proceed.

AUFIDIUS

325Is it not yours?
5Whatever have been thought on in this state
That could be brought to bodily act ere Rome
Had circumvention? ’Tis not four days gone
Since I heard thence. These are the words—I think
330I have the letter here. Yes, here it is.
10(He reads.) They have pressed a power, but it is not
known
Whether for east or west. The dearth is great.
The people mutinous; and, it is rumored,
335Cominius, Martius your old enemy,
15Who is of Rome worse hated than of you,
And Titus Lartius, a most valiant Roman,
These three lead on this preparation
Whither ’tis bent. Most likely ’tis for you.
340Consider of it.

FIRST SENATOR

20Our army’s in the field.
We never yet made doubt but Rome was ready
To answer us.

AUFIDIUS

Nor did you think it folly
345To keep your great pretenses veiled till when
25They needs must show themselves, which, in the
hatching,
It seemed, appeared to Rome. By the discovery
We shall be shortened in our aim, which was
350To take in many towns ere almost Rome
30Should know we were afoot.

SECOND SENATOR

Noble Aufidius,
Take your commission; hie you to your bands.
Let us alone to guard Corioles.
355If they set down before ’s, for the remove
35Bring up your army. But I think you’ll find
They’ve not prepared for us.

AUFIDIUS

O, doubt not that;
I speak from certainties. Nay, more,
360Some parcels of their power are forth already,
40And only hitherward. I leave your Honors.
If we and Caius Martius chance to meet,
’Tis sworn between us we shall ever strike
Till one can do no more.

ALL

365The gods assist you!

AUFIDIUS

45And keep your Honors safe!

FIRST SENATOR

Farewell.

SECOND SENATOR

Farewell.

ALL

Farewell.

All exit.

Scene 3

Enter Volumnia and Virgilia, mother and wife
to Martius. They set them down on two low stools
and sew.

VOLUMNIA

370I pray you, daughter, sing, or express yourself
in a more comfortable sort. If my son were my
husband, I should freelier rejoice in that absence
wherein he won honor than in the embracements
5of his bed where he would show most love. When
375yet he was but tender-bodied and the only son of
my womb, when youth with comeliness plucked
all gaze his way, when for a day of kings’ entreaties
a mother should not sell him an hour from her beholding,
10I, considering how honor would become
380such a person—that it was no better than picture-like
to hang by th’ wall, if renown made it not
stir—was pleased to let him seek danger where he
was like to find fame. To a cruel war I sent him,
15from whence he returned, his brows bound with
385oak. I tell thee, daughter, I sprang not more in joy
at first hearing he was a man-child than now in
first seeing he had proved himself a man.

VIRGILIA

But had he died in the business, madam, how
20then?

VOLUMNIA

390Then his good report should have been my
son; I therein would have found issue. Hear me
profess sincerely: had I a dozen sons, each in my
love alike and none less dear than thine and my
25good Martius, I had rather had eleven die nobly
395for their country than one voluptuously surfeit out
of action.

Enter a Gentlewoman.

GENTLEWOMAN

Madam, the Lady Valeria is come to
visit you.

VIRGILIA

30Beseech you, give me leave to retire myself.

VOLUMNIA

400Indeed you shall not.
Methinks I hear hither your husband’s drum,
See him pluck Aufidius down by th’ hair;
As children from a bear, the Volsces shunning him.
35Methinks I see him stamp thus and call thus:
405“Come on, you cowards! You were got in fear,
Though you were born in Rome.” His bloody brow
With his mailed hand then wiping, forth he goes
Like to a harvestman that’s tasked to mow
40Or all or lose his hire.

VIRGILIA

410His bloody brow? O Jupiter, no blood!

VOLUMNIA

Away, you fool! It more becomes a man
Than gilt his trophy. The breasts of Hecuba,
When she did suckle Hector, looked not lovelier
45Than Hector’s forehead when it spit forth blood
415At Grecian sword, contemning.—Tell Valeria
We are fit to bid her welcome.

Gentlewoman exits.

VIRGILIA

Heavens bless my lord from fell Aufidius!

VOLUMNIA

He’ll beat Aufidius’ head below his knee
50And tread upon his neck.

Enter Valeria with an Usher and a Gentlewoman.

VALERIA

420My ladies both, good day to you.

VOLUMNIA

Sweet madam.

VIRGILIA

I am glad to see your Ladyship.

VALERIA

How do you both? You are manifest housekeepers.
55What are you sewing here? A fine spot, in
425good faith. How does your little son?

VIRGILIA

I thank your Ladyship; well, good madam.

VOLUMNIA

He had rather see the swords and hear a
drum than look upon his schoolmaster.

VALERIA

60O’ my word, the father’s son! I’ll swear ’tis a
430very pretty boy. O’ my troth, I looked upon him o’
Wednesday half an hour together. H’as such a confirmed
countenance. I saw him run after a gilded
butterfly, and when he caught it, he let it go again,
65and after it again, and over and over he comes,
435and up again, catched it again. Or whether his fall
enraged him or how ’twas, he did so set his teeth
and tear it. O, I warrant how he mammocked it!

VOLUMNIA

One on ’s father’s moods.

VALERIA

70Indeed, la, ’tis a noble child.

VIRGILIA

440A crack, madam.

VALERIA

Come, lay aside your stitchery. I must have
you play the idle huswife with me this afternoon.

VIRGILIA

No, good madam, I will not out of doors.

VALERIA

75Not out of doors?

VOLUMNIA

445She shall, she shall.

VIRGILIA

Indeed, no, by your patience. I’ll not over the
threshold till my lord return from the wars.

VALERIA

Fie, you confine yourself most unreasonably.
80Come, you must go visit the good lady that lies in.

VIRGILIA

450I will wish her speedy strength and visit her
with my prayers, but I cannot go thither.

VOLUMNIA

Why, I pray you?

VIRGILIA

’Tis not to save labor, nor that I want love.

VALERIA

85You would be another Penelope. Yet they say
455all the yarn she spun in Ulysses’ absence did but fill
Ithaca full of moths. Come, I would your cambric
were sensible as your finger, that you might leave
pricking it for pity. Come, you shall go with us.

VIRGILIA

90No, good madam, pardon me; indeed, I will
460not forth.

VALERIA

In truth, la, go with me, and I’ll tell you excellent
news of your husband.

VIRGILIA

O, good madam, there can be none yet.

VALERIA

95Verily, I do not jest with you. There came
465news from him last night.

VIRGILIA

Indeed, madam!

VALERIA

In earnest, it’s true. I heard a senator speak it.
Thus it is: the Volsces have an army forth, against
100whom Cominius the General is gone with one
470part of our Roman power. Your lord and Titus Lartius
are set down before their city Corioles. They
nothing doubt prevailing, and to make it brief
wars. This is true, on mine honor, and so, I pray, go
105with us.

VIRGILIA

475Give me excuse, good madam. I will obey you
in everything hereafter.

VOLUMNIA

Let her alone, lady. As she is now, she will
but disease our better mirth.

VALERIA

110In troth, I think she would.—Fare you well,
480then.—Come, good sweet lady.—Prithee, Virgilia,
turn thy solemness out o’ door, and go along with
us.

VIRGILIA

No, at a word, madam. Indeed, I must not. I
115wish you much mirth.

VALERIA

485Well, then, farewell.

Ladies exit.

Scene 4

Enter Martius, Titus Lartius, with Trumpet, Drum,
and Colors, with Captains and Soldiers, as before
the city of Corioles. To them a Messenger.

MARTIUS

Yonder comes news. A wager they have met.

LARTIUS

My horse to yours, no.

MARTIUS

’Tis done.

LARTIUS

Agreed.

MARTIUS , to Messenger

5490Say, has our general met the enemy?

MESSENGER

They lie in view but have not spoke as yet.

LARTIUS

So the good horse is mine.

MARTIUS

I’ll buy him of you.

LARTIUS

No, I’ll nor sell nor give him. Lend you him I will
10495For half a hundred years.—Summon the town.

MARTIUS

How far off lie these armies?

MESSENGER

Within this mile and half.

MARTIUS

Then shall we hear their ’larum and they ours.
Now, Mars, I prithee, make us quick in work,
15500That we with smoking swords may march from
hence
To help our fielded friends!—Come, blow thy blast.
They sound a parley.
Enter two Senators with others on the walls of Corioles.

Tullus Aufidius, is he within your walls?

FIRST SENATOR

No, nor a man that fears you less than he:
20505That’s lesser than a little.Drum afar off.
Hark, our drums
Are bringing forth our youth. We’ll break our walls
Rather than they shall pound us up. Our gates,
Which yet seem shut, we have but pinned with
25510rushes.
They’ll open of themselves.Alarum far off.
Hark you, far off!
There is Aufidius. List what work he makes
Amongst your cloven army.

They exit from the walls.

MARTIUS

30515O, they are at it!

LARTIUS

Their noise be our instruction.—Ladders, ho!

Enter the Army of the Volsces as through the city gates.

MARTIUS

They fear us not but issue forth their city.—
Now put your shields before your hearts, and fight
With hearts more proof than shields.—Advance,
35520brave Titus.
They do disdain us much beyond our thoughts,
Which makes me sweat with wrath.—Come on, my
fellows!
He that retires, I’ll take him for a Volsce,
40525And he shall feel mine edge.

Alarum. The Romans are beat back to their trenches.They exit, with the Volsces following.Enter Martius cursing, with Roman soldiers.

MARTIUS

All the contagion of the south light on you,
You shames of Rome! You herd of—Boils and
plagues
Plaster you o’er, that you may be abhorred
45530Farther than seen, and one infect another
Against the wind a mile! You souls of geese,
That bear the shapes of men, how have you run
From slaves that apes would beat! Pluto and hell!
All hurt behind. Backs red, and faces pale
50535With flight and agued fear! Mend, and charge home,
Or, by the fires of heaven, I’ll leave the foe
And make my wars on you. Look to ’t. Come on!
If you’ll stand fast, we’ll beat them to their wives,
As they us to our trenches. Follow ’s!

Another alarum. The Volsces re-enter and are driven
back to the gates of Corioles, which open to admit
them.

55540So, now the gates are ope. Now prove good
seconds!
’Tis for the followers fortune widens them,
Not for the fliers. Mark me, and do the like.

Martius follows the fleeing Volsces through
the gates, and is shut in.

FIRST SOLDIER

Foolhardiness, not I.

SECOND SOLDIER

60545Nor I.

FIRST SOLDIER

See they have shut him in.

Alarum continues.

ALL

To th’ pot, I warrant him.

Enter Titus Lartius.

LARTIUS

What is become of Martius?

ALL

Slain, sir, doubtless.

FIRST SOLDIER

65550Following the fliers at the very heels,
With them he enters, who upon the sudden
Clapped to their gates. He is himself alone,
To answer all the city.

LARTIUS

O, noble fellow,
70555Who sensibly outdares his senseless sword,
And when it bows, stand’st up! Thou art left,
Martius.
A carbuncle entire, as big as thou art,
Were not so rich a jewel. Thou wast a soldier
75560Even to Cato’s wish, not fierce and terrible
Only in strokes, but with thy grim looks and
The thunderlike percussion of thy sounds
Thou mad’st thine enemies shake, as if the world
Were feverous and did tremble.

Enter Martius, bleeding, as if from Corioles, assaulted
by the enemy.

FIRST SOLDIER

80565Look, sir.

LARTIUS

O, ’tis Martius!
Let’s fetch him off or make remain alike.

They fight, and all enter the city, exiting the stage.

Scene 5

Enter certain Romans, with spoils.

FIRST ROMAN

This will I carry to Rome.

SECOND ROMAN

And I this.

THIRD ROMAN

570A murrain on ’t! I took this for silver.

Enter Martius, and Titus Lartius with a Trumpet.

MARTIUS

See here these movers that do prize their hours
5At a cracked drachma. Cushions, leaden spoons,
Irons of a doit, doublets that hangmen would
Bury with those that wore them, these base slaves,
575Ere yet the fight be done, pack up. Down with them!
The Romans with spoils exit.
Alarum continues still afar off.
And hark, what noise the General makes! To him!
10There is the man of my soul’s hate, Aufidius,
Piercing our Romans. Then, valiant Titus, take
Convenient numbers to make good the city,
580Whilst I, with those that have the spirit, will haste
To help Cominius.

LARTIUS

15Worthy sir, thou bleed’st.
Thy exercise hath been too violent
For a second course of fight.

MARTIUS

585Sir, praise me not.
My work hath yet not warmed me. Fare you well.
20The blood I drop is rather physical
Than dangerous to me. To Aufidius thus
I will appear and fight.

LARTIUS

590Now the fair goddess Fortune
Fall deep in love with thee, and her great charms
25Misguide thy opposers’ swords! Bold gentleman,
Prosperity be thy page!

MARTIUS

Thy friend no less
595Than those she placeth highest! So farewell.

LARTIUS

Thou worthiest Martius!Martius exits.
30Go sound thy trumpet in the marketplace.
Call thither all the officers o’ th’ town,
Where they shall know our mind. Away!

They exit.

Scene 6

Enter Cominius as it were in retire, with Soldiers.

COMINIUS

600Breathe you, my friends. Well fought! We are come
off
Like Romans, neither foolish in our stands
Nor cowardly in retire. Believe me, sirs,
5We shall be charged again. Whiles we have struck,
605By interims and conveying gusts we have heard
The charges of our friends. The Roman gods
Lead their successes as we wish our own,
That both our powers, with smiling fronts
10encount’ring,
610May give you thankful sacrifice!

Enter a Messenger.

Thy news?

MESSENGER

The citizens of Corioles have issued
And given to Lartius and to Martius battle.
15I saw our party to their trenches driven,
615And then I came away.

COMINIUS

Though thou speakest truth,
Methinks thou speak’st not well. How long is ’t
since?

MESSENGER

20Above an hour, my lord.

COMINIUS

620’Tis not a mile; briefly we heard their drums.
How couldst thou in a mile confound an hour
And bring thy news so late?

MESSENGER

Spies of the Volsces
25Held me in chase, that I was forced to wheel
625Three or four miles about; else had I, sir,
Half an hour since brought my report.

He exits.Enter Martius, bloody.

COMINIUS

Who’s yonder,
That does appear as he were flayed? O gods,
30He has the stamp of Martius, and I have
630Before-time seen him thus.

MARTIUS

Come I too late?

COMINIUS

The shepherd knows not thunder from a tabor
More than I know the sound of Martius’ tongue
35From every meaner man.

MARTIUS

635Come I too late?

COMINIUS

Ay, if you come not in the blood of others,
But mantled in your own.

MARTIUS

O, let me clip you
40In arms as sound as when I wooed, in heart
640As merry as when our nuptial day was done
And tapers burnt to bedward!

They embrace.

COMINIUS

Flower of warriors, how is ’t with Titus Lartius?

MARTIUS

As with a man busied about decrees,
45Condemning some to death and some to exile;
645Ransoming him or pitying, threat’ning th’ other;
Holding Corioles in the name of Rome
Even like a fawning greyhound in the leash,
To let him slip at will.

COMINIUS

50Where is that slave
650Which told me they had beat you to your trenches?
Where is he? Call him hither.

MARTIUS

Let him alone.
He did inform the truth. But for our gentlemen,
55The common file—a plague! Tribunes for them!—
655The mouse ne’er shunned the cat as they did budge
From rascals worse than they.

COMINIUS

But how prevailed you?

MARTIUS

Will the time serve to tell? I do not think.
60Where is the enemy? Are you lords o’ th’ field?
660If not, why cease you till you are so?

COMINIUS

Martius, we have at disadvantage fought
And did retire to win our purpose.

MARTIUS

How lies their battle? Know you on which side
65They have placed their men of trust?

COMINIUS

665As I guess,
Martius,
Their bands i’ th’ vaward are the Antiates,
Of their best trust; o’er them Aufidius,
70Their very heart of hope.

MARTIUS

670I do beseech you,
By all the battles wherein we have fought,
By th’ blood we have shed together, by th’ vows we
have made
75To endure friends, that you directly set me
675Against Aufidius and his Antiates,
And that you not delay the present, but,
Filling the air with swords advanced and darts,
We prove this very hour.

COMINIUS

80Though I could wish
680You were conducted to a gentle bath
And balms applied to you, yet dare I never
Deny your asking. Take your choice of those
That best can aid your action.

MARTIUS

85Those are they
685That most are willing. If any such be here—
As it were sin to doubt—that love this painting
Wherein you see me smeared; if any fear
Lesser his person than an ill report;
90If any think brave death outweighs bad life,
690And that his country’s dearer than himself;
Let him alone, or so many so minded,
Wave thus to express his disposition
And follow Martius.He waves his sword.
They all shout and wave their swords,
take him up in their arms, and cast up their caps.
95O, me alone! Make you a sword of me?
695If these shows be not outward, which of you
But is four Volsces? None of you but is
Able to bear against the great Aufidius
A shield as hard as his. A certain number,
100Though thanks to all, must I select from all.
700The rest shall bear the business in some other fight,
As cause will be obeyed. Please you to march,
And I shall quickly draw out my command,
Which men are best inclined.

COMINIUS

105March on, my fellows.
705Make good this ostentation, and you shall
Divide in all with us.

They exit.

Scene 7

Titus Lartius, having set a guard upon Corioles, going
with Drum and Trumpet toward Cominius and Caius
Martius, enters with a Lieutenant, other Soldiers,
and a Scout.

LARTIUS

So, let the ports be guarded. Keep your duties
As I have set them down. If I do send, dispatch
Those centuries to our aid; the rest will serve
710For a short holding. If we lose the field,
5We cannot keep the town.

LIEUTENANT

Fear not our care, sir.

LARTIUS

Hence, and shut your gates upon ’s.
(To the Scout.) Our guider, come. To th’ Roman
715camp conduct us.

They exit, the Lieutenant one way, Lartius another.

Scene 8

Alarum, as in battle.
Enter Martius and Aufidius at several doors.

MARTIUS

I’ll fight with none but thee, for I do hate thee
Worse than a promise-breaker.

AUFIDIUS

We hate alike.
Not Afric owns a serpent I abhor
5720More than thy fame and envy. Fix thy foot.

MARTIUS

Let the first budger die the other’s slave,
And the gods doom him after!

AUFIDIUS

If I fly, Martius,
Hollo me like a hare.

MARTIUS

10725Within these three hours,
Tullus,
Alone I fought in your Corioles’ walls
And made what work I pleased. ’Tis not my blood
Wherein thou seest me masked. For thy revenge,
15730Wrench up thy power to th’ highest.

AUFIDIUS

Wert thou the
Hector
That was the whip of your bragged progeny,
Thou shouldst not scape me here.

Here they fight, and certain Volsces come in
the aid of Aufidius.
20735(To the Volsces.) Officious and not valiant, you have
shamed me
In your condemnèd seconds.

Martius fights till they be driven in breathless.
Aufidius and Martius exit, separately.

Scene 9

Alarum. A retreat is sounded. Flourish. Enter, at one
door, Cominius with the Romans; at another door
Martius, with his arm in a scarf.

COMINIUS , to Martius

If I should tell thee o’er this thy day’s work,
Thou ’t not believe thy deeds. But I’ll report it
740Where senators shall mingle tears with smiles;
Where great patricians shall attend and shrug,
5I’ th’ end admire; where ladies shall be frighted
And, gladly quaked, hear more; where the dull
tribunes,
745That with the fusty plebeians hate thine honors,
Shall say against their hearts “We thank the gods
10Our Rome hath such a soldier.”
Yet cam’st thou to a morsel of this feast,
Having fully dined before.

Enter Titus Lartius with his power, from the pursuit.

LARTIUS

750O general,
Here is the steed, we the caparison.
15Hadst thou beheld—

MARTIUS

Pray now, no more. My mother,
Who has a charter to extol her blood,
755When she does praise me grieves me. I have done
As you have done—that’s what I can;
20Induced as you have been—that’s for my country.
He that has but effected his good will
Hath overta’en mine act.

COMINIUS

760You shall not be
The grave of your deserving. Rome must know
25The value of her own. ’Twere a concealment
Worse than a theft, no less than a traducement,
To hide your doings and to silence that
765Which, to the spire and top of praises vouched,
Would seem but modest. Therefore, I beseech you—
30In sign of what you are, not to reward
What you have done—before our army hear me.

MARTIUS

I have some wounds upon me, and they smart
770To hear themselves remembered.

COMINIUS

Should they not,
35Well might they fester ’gainst ingratitude
And tent themselves with death. Of all the horses—
Whereof we have ta’en good and good store—of all
775The treasure in this field achieved and city,
We render you the tenth, to be ta’en forth
40Before the common distribution
At your only choice.

MARTIUS

I thank you, general,
780But cannot make my heart consent to take
A bribe to pay my sword. I do refuse it
45And stand upon my common part with those
That have beheld the doing.
A long flourish. They all cry “Martius, Martius!”
and cast up their caps and lances.
Cominius and Lartius stand bare.
May these same instruments, which you profane,
785Never sound more! When drums and trumpets shall
I’ th’ field prove flatterers, let courts and cities be
50Made all of false-faced soothing! When steel grows
Soft as the parasite’s silk, let him be made
An ovator for th’ wars! No more, I say.
790For that I have not washed my nose that bled,
Or foiled some debile wretch—which, without note,
55Here’s many else have done—you shout me forth
In acclamations hyperbolical,
As if I loved my little should be dieted
795In praises sauced with lies.

COMINIUS

Too modest are you,
60More cruel to your good report than grateful
To us that give you truly. By your patience,
If ’gainst yourself you be incensed, we’ll put you,
800Like one that means his proper harm, in manacles,
Then reason safely with you. Therefore be it known,
65As to us to all the world, that Caius Martius
Wears this war’s garland, in token of the which
My noble steed, known to the camp, I give him,
805With all his trim belonging. And from this time,
For what he did before Corioles, call him,
70With all th’ applause and clamor of the host,
Martius Caius Coriolanus! Bear
Th’ addition nobly ever!

Flourish. Trumpets sound, and drums.

ALL

810Martius Caius Coriolanus!

CORIOLANUS

I will go wash;
75And when my face is fair, you shall perceive
Whether I blush or no. Howbeit, I thank you.
I mean to stride your steed and at all times
815To undercrest your good addition
To th’ fairness of my power.

COMINIUS

80So, to our tent,
Where, ere we do repose us, we will write
To Rome of our success.—You, Titus Lartius,
820Must to Corioles back. Send us to Rome
The best, with whom we may articulate
85For their own good and ours.

LARTIUS

I shall, my lord.

CORIOLANUS

The gods begin to mock me. I, that now
825Refused most princely gifts, am bound to beg
Of my lord general.

COMINIUS

90Take ’t, ’tis yours. What is ’t?

CORIOLANUS

I sometime lay here in Corioles
At a poor man’s house; he used me kindly.
830He cried to me; I saw him prisoner;
But then Aufidius was within my view,
95And wrath o’erwhelmed my pity. I request you
To give my poor host freedom.

COMINIUS

O, well begged!
835Were he the butcher of my son, he should
Be free as is the wind.—Deliver him, Titus.

LARTIUS

100Martius, his name?

CORIOLANUS

By Jupiter, forgot!
I am weary; yea, my memory is tired.
840Have we no wine here?

COMINIUS

Go we to our tent.
105The blood upon your visage dries; ’tis time
It should be looked to. Come.

A flourish of cornets. They exit.

Scene 10

Enter Tullus Aufidius bloody, with two or three Soldiers.

AUFIDIUS

The town is ta’en.

SOLDIER

845’Twill be delivered back on good condition.

AUFIDIUS

Condition?
I would I were a Roman, for I cannot,
5Being a Volsce, be that I am. Condition?
What good condition can a treaty find
850I’ th’ part that is at mercy? Five times, Martius,
I have fought with thee; so often hast thou beat me
And wouldst do so, I think, should we encounter
10As often as we eat. By th’ elements,
If e’er again I meet him beard to beard,
855He’s mine, or I am his. Mine emulation
Hath not that honor in ’t it had; for where
I thought to crush him in an equal force,
15True sword to sword, I’ll potch at him some way
Or wrath or craft may get him.

SOLDIER

860He’s the devil.

AUFIDIUS

Bolder, though not so subtle. My valor’s poisoned
With only suff’ring stain by him; for him
20Shall fly out of itself. Nor sleep nor sanctuary,
Being naked, sick, nor fane nor Capitol,
865The prayers of priests nor times of sacrifice,
Embarquements all of fury, shall lift up
Their rotten privilege and custom ’gainst
25My hate to Martius. Where I find him, were it
At home, upon my brother’s guard, even there,
870Against the hospitable canon, would I
Wash my fierce hand in ’s heart. Go you to th’ city;
Learn how ’tis held and what they are that must
30Be hostages for Rome.

SOLDIER

Will not you go?

AUFIDIUS

875I am attended at the cypress grove. I pray you—
’Tis south the city mills—bring me word thither
How the world goes, that to the pace of it
35I may spur on my journey.

SOLDIER

I shall, sir.

They exit, Aufidius through one door,
Soldiers through another.

ACT 2

Scene 1

Enter Menenius with the two Tribunes of the people,
Sicinius and Brutus.

MENENIUS

880The augurer tells me we shall have news
tonight.

BRUTUS

Good or bad?

MENENIUS

Not according to the prayer of the people,
5for they love not Martius.

SICINIUS

885Nature teaches beasts to know their friends.

MENENIUS

Pray you, who does the wolf love?

SICINIUS

The lamb.

MENENIUS

Ay, to devour him, as the hungry plebeians
10would the noble Martius.

BRUTUS

890He’s a lamb indeed, that baas like a bear.

MENENIUS

He’s a bear indeed, that lives like a lamb.
You two are old men; tell me one thing that I shall
ask you.

BOTH

15Well, sir.

MENENIUS

895In what enormity is Martius poor in, that
you two have not in abundance?

BRUTUS

He’s poor in no one fault, but stored with all.

SICINIUS

Especially in pride.

BRUTUS

20And topping all others in boasting.

MENENIUS

900This is strange now. Do you two know how
you are censured here in the city, I mean of us o’
th’ right-hand file, do you?

BOTH

Why, how are we censured?

MENENIUS

25Because you talk of pride now, will you not
905be angry?

BOTH

Well, well, sir, well?

MENENIUS

Why, ’tis no great matter; for a very little
thief of occasion will rob you of a great deal of patience.
30Give your dispositions the reins, and be
910angry at your pleasures, at the least, if you take it
as a pleasure to you in being so. You blame Martius
for being proud.

BRUTUS

We do it not alone, sir.

MENENIUS

35I know you can do very little alone, for
915your helps are many, or else your actions would
grow wondrous single. Your abilities are too infantlike
for doing much alone. You talk of pride. O,
that you could turn your eyes toward the napes
40of your necks and make but an interior survey of
920your good selves! O, that you could!

BOTH

What then, sir?

MENENIUS

Why, then you should discover a brace of
unmeriting, proud, violent, testy magistrates, alias
45fools, as any in Rome.

SICINIUS

925Menenius, you are known well enough, too.

MENENIUS

I am known to be a humorous patrician and
one that loves a cup of hot wine with not a drop of
allaying Tiber in ’t; said to be something imperfect
50in favoring the first complaint, hasty and tinder-like
930upon too trivial motion; one that converses
more with the buttock of the night than with the
forehead of the morning. What I think I utter,
and spend my malice in my breath. Meeting two
55such wealsmen as you are—I cannot call you
935Lycurguses—if the drink you give me touch my
palate adversely, I make a crooked face at it. I cannot
say your Worships have delivered the matter
well when I find the ass in compound with the
60major part of your syllables. And though I must
940be content to bear with those that say you are reverend
grave men, yet they lie deadly that tell you
have good faces. If you see this in the map of my
microcosm, follows it that I am known well enough
65too? What harm can your bisson conspectuities
945glean out of this character, if I be known well
enough, too?

BRUTUS

Come, sir, come; we know you well enough.

MENENIUS

You know neither me, yourselves, nor anything.
70You are ambitious for poor knaves’ caps
950and legs. You wear out a good wholesome forenoon
in hearing a cause between an orange-wife
and a faucet-seller, and then rejourn the controversy
of threepence to a second day of audience.
75When you are hearing a matter between party and
955party, if you chance to be pinched with the colic,
you make faces like mummers, set up the bloody
flag against all patience, and, in roaring for a
chamber pot, dismiss the controversy bleeding,
80the more entangled by your hearing. All the peace
960you make in their cause is calling both the parties
knaves. You are a pair of strange ones.

BRUTUS

Come, come. You are well understood to be a
perfecter giber for the table than a necessary
85bencher in the Capitol.

MENENIUS

965Our very priests must become mockers if
they shall encounter such ridiculous subjects as
you are. When you speak best unto the purpose, it
is not worth the wagging of your beards, and your
90beards deserve not so honorable a grave as to
970stuff a botcher’s cushion or to be entombed in an
ass’s packsaddle. Yet you must be saying Martius is
proud, who, in a cheap estimation, is worth all
your predecessors since Deucalion, though peradventure
95some of the best of ’em were hereditary
975hangmen. Good e’en to your Worships. More of
your conversation would infect my brain, being
the herdsmen of the beastly plebeians. I will be
bold to take my leave of you.
He begins to exit. Brutus and Sicinius stand aside.

Enter Volumnia, Virgilia, and Valeria.

100How now, my as fair as noble ladies—and the
980moon, were she earthly, no nobler—whither do
you follow your eyes so fast?

VOLUMNIA

Honorable Menenius, my boy Martius approaches.
For the love of Juno, let’s go!

MENENIUS

105Ha? Martius coming home?

VOLUMNIA

985Ay, worthy Menenius, and with most prosperous
approbation.

MENENIUS

Take my cap, Jupiter, and I thank thee! (He
throws his cap in the air.) Hoo! Martius coming
110home?

VALERIA, VIRGILIA

990Nay, ’tis true.

VOLUMNIA

Look, here’s a letter from him. She produces
a paper. The state hath another, his wife another,
and I think there’s one at home for you.

MENENIUS

115I will make my very house reel tonight. A
995letter for me?

VIRGILIA

Yes, certain, there’s a letter for you; I saw ’t.

MENENIUS

A letter for me? It gives me an estate of
seven years’ health, in which time I will make a lip
120at the physician. The most sovereign prescription
1000in Galen is but empiricutic and, to this preservative,
of no better report than a horse drench. Is he not
wounded? He was wont to come home wounded.

VIRGILIA

O no, no, no!

VOLUMNIA

125O, he is wounded, I thank the gods for ’t.

MENENIUS

1005So do I too, if it be not too much. Brings he
victory in his pocket, the wounds become him.

VOLUMNIA

On ’s brows, Menenius. He comes the third
time home with the oaken garland.

MENENIUS

130Has he disciplined Aufidius soundly?

VOLUMNIA

1010Titus Lartius writes they fought together,
but Aufidius got off.

MENENIUS

And ’twas time for him too, I’ll warrant him
that. An he had stayed by him, I would not have
135been so ’fidiused for all the chests in Corioles and
1015the gold that’s in them. Is the Senate possessed of
this?

VOLUMNIA

Good ladies, let’s go.—Yes, yes, yes. The
Senate has letters from the General, wherein he
140gives my son the whole name of the war. He hath
1020in this action outdone his former deeds doubly.

VALERIA

In troth, there’s wondrous things spoke of
him.

MENENIUS

Wondrous? Ay, I warrant you, and not without
145his true purchasing.

VIRGILIA

1025The gods grant them true.

VOLUMNIA

True? Pow waw!

MENENIUS

True? I’ll be sworn they are true. Where is
he wounded? (To the Tribunes.) God save your
150good Worships! Martius is coming home; he has
1030more cause to be proud.—Where is he wounded?

VOLUMNIA

I’ th’ shoulder and i’ th’ left arm. There will
be large cicatrices to show the people when he
shall stand for his place. He received in the repulse
155of Tarquin seven hurts i’ th’ body.

MENENIUS

1035One i’ th’ neck and two i’ th’ thigh—there’s
nine that I know.

VOLUMNIA

He had, before this last expedition, twenty-five
wounds upon him.

MENENIUS

160Now it’s twenty-seven. Every gash was an
1040enemy’s grave. (A shout and flourish.) Hark, the
trumpets!

VOLUMNIA

These are the ushers of Martius: before him
he carries noise, and behind him he leaves tears.
165Death, that dark spirit, in ’s nervy arm doth lie,
1045Which, being advanced, declines, and then men die.

A sennet.Enter Cominius the General and Titus Lartius, between
them Coriolanus crowned with an oaken garland, with
Captains and Soldiers and a Herald. Trumpets sound.

HERALD

Know, Rome, that all alone Martius did fight
Within Corioles’ gates, where he hath won,
With fame, a name to Martius Caius; these
170In honor follows “Coriolanus.”
1050Welcome to Rome, renownèd Coriolanus.

Sound flourish.

ALL

Welcome to Rome, renownèd Coriolanus!

CORIOLANUS

No more of this. It does offend my heart.
Pray now, no more.

COMINIUS

175Look, sir, your mother.

CORIOLANUS

1055O,
You have, I know, petitioned all the gods
For my prosperity.

Kneels.

VOLUMNIA

Nay, my good soldier, up.
He stands.
180My gentle Martius, worthy Caius, and
1060By deed-achieving honor newly named—
What is it? Coriolanus must I call thee?
But, O, thy wife—

CORIOLANUS

My gracious silence, hail.
185Wouldst thou have laughed had I come coffined
1065home,
That weep’st to see me triumph? Ah, my dear,
Such eyes the widows in Corioles wear
And mothers that lack sons.

MENENIUS

190Now the gods crown
1070thee!

CORIOLANUS

And live you yet? (To Valeria.) O, my sweet lady,
pardon.

VOLUMNIA

I know not where to turn. O, welcome home!—
195And, welcome, general.—And you’re welcome all.

MENENIUS

1075A hundred thousand welcomes! I could weep,
And I could laugh; I am light and heavy. Welcome.
A curse begin at very root on ’s heart
That is not glad to see thee! You are three
200That Rome should dote on; yet, by the faith of men,
1080We have some old crab trees here at home that will
not
Be grafted to your relish. Yet welcome, warriors!
We call a nettle but a nettle, and
205The faults of fools but folly.

COMINIUS

1085Ever right.

CORIOLANUS

Menenius ever, ever.

HERALD

Give way there, and go on!

CORIOLANUS , to Volumnia and Virgilia

Your hand
210and yours.
1090Ere in our own house I do shade my head,
The good patricians must be visited,
From whom I have received not only greetings,
But with them change of honors.

VOLUMNIA

215I have lived
1095To see inherited my very wishes
And the buildings of my fancy. Only
There’s one thing wanting, which I doubt not but
Our Rome will cast upon thee.

CORIOLANUS

220Know, good mother,
1100I had rather be their servant in my way
Than sway with them in theirs.

COMINIUS

On, to the Capitol.

Flourish of cornets. They exit in state, as before.Brutus and Sicinius come forward.

BRUTUS

All tongues speak of him, and the blearèd sights
225Are spectacled to see him. Your prattling nurse
1105Into a rapture lets her baby cry
While she chats him. The kitchen malkin pins
Her richest lockram ’bout her reechy neck,
Clamb’ring the walls to eye him. Stalls, bulks,
230windows
1110Are smothered up, leads filled, and ridges horsed
With variable complexions, all agreeing
In earnestness to see him. Seld-shown flamens
Do press among the popular throngs and puff
235To win a vulgar station. Our veiled dames
1115Commit the war of white and damask in
Their nicely-gauded cheeks to th’ wanton spoil
Of Phoebus’ burning kisses. Such a pother,
As if that whatsoever god who leads him
240Were slyly crept into his human powers
1120And gave him graceful posture.

SICINIUS

On the sudden
I warrant him consul.

BRUTUS

Then our office may,
245During his power, go sleep.

SICINIUS

1125He cannot temp’rately transport his honors
From where he should begin and end, but will
Lose those he hath won.

BRUTUS

In that there’s comfort.

SICINIUS

250Doubt
1130not
The commoners, for whom we stand, but they
Upon their ancient malice will forget
With the least cause these his new honors—which
255That he will give them make I as little question
1135As he is proud to do ’t.

BRUTUS

I heard him swear,
Were he to stand for consul, never would he
Appear i’ th’ marketplace nor on him put
260The napless vesture of humility,
1140Nor showing, as the manner is, his wounds
To th’ people, beg their stinking breaths.

SICINIUS

’Tis right.

BRUTUS

It was his word. O, he would miss it rather
265Than carry it but by the suit of the gentry to him
1145And the desire of the nobles.

SICINIUS

I wish no better
Than have him hold that purpose and to put it
In execution.

BRUTUS

270’Tis most like he will.

SICINIUS

1150It shall be to him then as our good wills,
A sure destruction.

BRUTUS

So it must fall out
To him, or our authority’s for an end.
275We must suggest the people in what hatred
1155He still hath held them; that to ’s power he would
Have made them mules, silenced their pleaders, and
Dispropertied their freedoms; holding them
In human action and capacity
280Of no more soul nor fitness for the world
1160Than camels in their war, who have their provand
Only for bearing burdens, and sore blows
For sinking under them.

SICINIUS

This, as you say, suggested
285At some time when his soaring insolence
1165Shall touch 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 his fire
To kindle their dry stubble, and their blaze
290Shall darken him forever.

Enter a Messenger.

BRUTUS

1170What’s the matter?

MESSENGER

You are sent for to the Capitol. ’Tis thought
That Martius shall be consul. I have seen
The dumb men throng to see him, and the blind
295To hear him speak; matrons flung gloves,
1175Ladies and maids their scarves and handkerchiefs,
Upon him as he passed; the nobles bended
As to Jove’s statue, and the Commons made
A shower and thunder with their caps and shouts.
300I never saw the like.

BRUTUS

1180Let’s to the Capitol,
And carry with us ears and eyes for th’ time,
But hearts for the event.

SICINIUS

Have with you.

They exit.

Scene 2

Enter two Officers, to lay cushions, as it were
in the Capitol.

FIRST OFFICER

Come, come. They are almost here. How
1185many stand for consulships?

SECOND OFFICER

Three, they say; but ’tis thought of
everyone Coriolanus will carry it.

FIRST OFFICER

5That’s a brave fellow, but he’s vengeance
proud and loves not the common people.

SECOND OFFICER

1190’Faith, there hath been many great
men that have flattered the people who ne’er loved
them; and there be many that they have loved they
10know not wherefore; so that, if they love they
know not why, they hate upon no better a ground.
1195Therefore, 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
15carelessness, lets them plainly see ’t.

FIRST OFFICER

If he did not care whether he had their
1200love 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
20leaves nothing undone that may fully discover him
their opposite. Now, to seem to affect the malice
1205and displeasure of the people is as bad as that
which he dislikes, to flatter them for their love.

SECOND OFFICER

He hath deserved worthily of his
25country, and his ascent is not by such easy degrees
as those who, having been supple and courteous to
1210the people, bonneted, without any further deed to
have them at all into their estimation and report;
but he hath so planted his honors in their eyes and
30his actions in their hearts that for their tongues to
be silent and not confess so much were a kind of
1215ingrateful injury. To report otherwise were a malice
that, giving itself the lie, would pluck reproof
and rebuke from every ear that heard it.

FIRST OFFICER

35No more of him; he’s a worthy man.
Make way. They are coming.

A sennet. Enter the Patricians and the Tribunes of the
people, Lictors before them; Coriolanus, Menenius,
Cominius the consul. The Patricians sit. Sicinius
and Brutus take their places by themselves.
Coriolanus stands.

MENENIUS

1220Having determined of the Volsces and
To send for Titus Lartius, it remains,
As the main point of this our after-meeting,
40To gratify his noble service that
Hath thus stood for his country. Therefore please
1225you,
Most reverend and grave elders, to desire
The present consul and last general
45In our well-found successes to report
A little of that worthy work performed
1230By Martius Caius Coriolanus, whom
We met here both to thank and to remember
With honors like himself.

Coriolanus sits.

FIRST SENATOR

50Speak, good Cominius.
Leave nothing out for length, and make us think
1235Rather our state’s defective for requital,
Than we to stretch it out. (To the Tribunes.)
Masters o’ th’ people,
55We do request your kindest ears and, after,
Your loving motion toward the common body
1240To yield what passes here.

SICINIUS

We are convented
Upon a pleasing treaty and have hearts
60Inclinable to honor and advance
The theme of our assembly.

BRUTUS

1245Which the rather
We shall be blest to do if he remember
A kinder value of the people than
65He hath hereto prized them at.

MENENIUS

That’s off, that’s off!
1250I would you rather had been silent. Please you
To hear Cominius speak?

BRUTUS

Most willingly,
70But yet my caution was more pertinent
Than the rebuke you give it.

MENENIUS

1255He loves your people,
But tie him not to be their bedfellow.—
Worthy Cominius, speak.
Coriolanus rises and offers to go away.
75Nay, keep your place.

FIRST SENATOR

Sit, Coriolanus. Never shame to hear
1260What you have nobly done.

CORIOLANUS

Your Honors, pardon.
I had rather have my wounds to heal again
80Than hear say how I got them.

BRUTUS

Sir, I hope
1265My words disbenched you not?

CORIOLANUS

No, sir. Yet oft,
When blows have made me stay, I fled from words.
85You soothed not, therefore hurt not; but your
people,
1270I love them as they weigh.

MENENIUS

Pray now, sit down.

CORIOLANUS

I had rather have one scratch my head i’ th’ sun
90When the alarum were struck than idly sit
To hear my nothings monstered.

Coriolanus exits.

MENENIUS

1275Masters of the people,
Your multiplying spawn how can he flatter—
That’s thousand to one good one—when you now
95see
He had rather venture all his limbs for honor
1280Than one on ’s ears to hear it.—Proceed, Cominius.

COMINIUS

I shall lack voice. The deeds of Coriolanus
Should not be uttered feebly. It is held
100That valor is the chiefest virtue and
Most dignifies the haver; if it be,
1285The man I speak of cannot in the world
Be singly counterpoised. At sixteen years,
When Tarquin made a head for Rome, he fought
105Beyond the mark of others. Our then dictator,
Whom with all praise I point at, saw him fight
1290When with his Amazonian chin he drove
The bristled lips before him. He bestrid
An o’erpressed Roman and i’ th’ Consul’s view
110Slew three opposers. Tarquin’s self he met
And struck him on his knee. In that day’s feats,
1295When he might act the woman in the scene,
He proved best man i’ th’ field and for his meed
Was brow-bound with the oak. His pupil age
115Man-entered thus, he waxèd like a sea,
And in the brunt of seventeen battles since
1300He lurched all swords of the garland. For this last,
Before and in Corioles, let me say,
I cannot speak him home. He stopped the flyers
120And by his rare example made the coward
Turn terror into sport. As weeds before
1305A vessel under sail, so men obeyed
And fell below his stem. His sword, Death’s stamp,
Where it did mark, it took; from face to foot
125He was a thing of blood, whose every motion
Was timed with dying cries. Alone he entered
1310The mortal gate o’ th’ city, which he painted
With shunless destiny; aidless came off
And with a sudden reinforcement struck
130Corioles like a planet. Now all’s his,
When by and by the din of war gan pierce
1315His ready sense; then straight his doubled spirit
Requickened what in flesh was fatigate,
And to the battle came he, where he did
135Run reeking o’er the lives of men as if
’Twere a perpetual spoil; and till we called
1320Both field and city ours, he never stood
To ease his breast with panting.

MENENIUS

Worthy man!

FIRST SENATOR

140He cannot but with measure fit the honors
Which we devise him.

COMINIUS

1325Our spoils he kicked at
And looked upon things precious as they were
The common muck of the world. He covets less
145Than misery itself would give, rewards
His deeds with doing them, and is content
1330To spend the time to end it.

MENENIUS

He’s right noble.
Let him be called for.

FIRST SENATOR

150Call Coriolanus.

OFFICER

He doth appear.

Enter Coriolanus.

MENENIUS

1335The Senate, Coriolanus, are well pleased
To make thee consul.

CORIOLANUS

I do owe them still
155My life and services.

MENENIUS

It then remains
1340That you do speak to the people.

CORIOLANUS

I do beseech you,
Let me o’erleap that custom, for I cannot
160Put on the gown, stand naked, and entreat them
For my wounds’ sake to give their suffrage. Please
1345you
That I may pass this doing.

SICINIUS

Sir, the people
165Must have their voices; neither will they bate
One jot of ceremony.

MENENIUS , to Coriolanus

1350Put them not to ’t.
Pray you, go fit you to the custom, and
Take to you, as your predecessors have,
170Your honor with your form.

CORIOLANUS

It is a part
1355That I shall blush in acting, and might well
Be taken from the people.

BRUTUS , to Sicinius

Mark you that?

CORIOLANUS

175To brag unto them “Thus I did, and thus!”
Show them th’ unaching scars, which I should hide,
1360As if I had received them for the hire
Of their breath only!

MENENIUS

Do not stand upon ’t.—
180We recommend to you, tribunes of the people,
Our purpose to them, and to our noble consul
1365Wish we all joy and honor.

SENATORS

To Coriolanus come all joy and honor!

Flourish cornets. Then they exit. Sicinius and
Brutus remain.

BRUTUS

You see how he intends to use the people.

SICINIUS

185May they perceive ’s intent! He will require them
As if he did contemn what he requested
1370Should be in them to give.

BRUTUS

Come, we’ll inform them
Of our proceedings here. On th’ marketplace
190I know they do attend us.

They exit.

Scene 3

Enter seven or eight Citizens.

FIRST CITIZEN

Once, if he do require our voices, we
1375ought not to deny him.

SECOND CITIZEN

We may, sir, if we will.

THIRD CITIZEN

We have power in ourselves to do it, but
5it is a power that we have no power to do; for, if
he show us his wounds and tell us his deeds, we
1380are 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.
10Ingratitude is monstrous, and for the multitude to
be ingrateful were to make a monster of the multitude,
1385of the which, we being members, should
bring ourselves to be monstrous members.

FIRST CITIZEN

And to make us no better thought of, a
15little help will serve; for once we stood up about
the corn, he himself stuck not to call us the many-headed
1390multitude.

THIRD CITIZEN

We have been called so of many; not that
our heads are some brown, some black, some
20abram, some bald, but that our wits are so diversely
colored; and truly I think if all our wits were to
1395issue out of one skull, they would fly east, west,
north, south, and their consent of one direct way
should be at once to all the points o’ th’ compass.

SECOND CITIZEN

25Think you so? Which way do you
judge my wit would fly?

THIRD CITIZEN

1400Nay, 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
30southward.

SECOND CITIZEN

Why that way?

THIRD CITIZEN

1405To 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
35thee a wife.

SECOND CITIZEN

You are never without your tricks. You
1410may, you may.

THIRD CITIZEN

Are you all resolved to give your voices?
But that’s no matter; the greater part carries it. I
40say, if he would incline to the people, there was
never a worthier man.

Enter Coriolanus in a gown of humility, with Menenius.

1415Here he comes, and in the gown of humility. Mark
his behavior. We are not to stay all together, but to
come by him where he stands, by ones, by twos,
45and by threes. He’s to make his requests by particulars,
wherein every one of us has a single honor
1420in giving him our own voices with our own tongues.
Therefore follow me, and I’ll direct you how you
shall go by him.

ALL

50Content, content.

Citizens exit.

MENENIUS

O sir, you are not right. Have you not known
1425The worthiest men have done ’t?

CORIOLANUS

What must I say?
“I pray, sir?”—plague upon ’t! I cannot bring
55My tongue to such a pace. “Look, sir, my wounds!
I got them in my country’s service when
1430Some certain of your brethren roared and ran
From th’ noise of our own drums.”

MENENIUS

O me, the gods!
60You must not speak of that. You must desire them
To think upon you.

CORIOLANUS

1435Think upon me? Hang ’em!
I would they would forget me, like the virtues
Which our divines lose by ’em.

MENENIUS

65You’ll mar all.
I’ll leave you. Pray you, speak to ’em, I pray you,
1440In wholesome manner.

He exits.

CORIOLANUS

Bid them wash their faces
And keep their teeth clean.
Enter three of the Citizens.

70So, here comes a brace.—
You know the cause, sir, of my standing here.

THIRD CITIZEN

1445We do, sir. Tell us what hath brought you to ’t.

CORIOLANUS

Mine own desert.

SECOND CITIZEN

Your own desert?

CORIOLANUS

75Ay, but not mine own desire.

THIRD CITIZEN

How, not your own desire?

CORIOLANUS

1450No, sir, ’twas never my desire yet to trouble
the poor with begging.

THIRD CITIZEN

You must think if we give you anything,
80we hope to gain by you.

CORIOLANUS

Well then, I pray, your price o’ th’
1455consulship?

FIRST CITIZEN

The price is to ask it kindly.

CORIOLANUS

Kindly, sir, I pray, let me ha ’t. I have
85wounds to show you, which shall be yours in
private.—Your good voice, sir. What say you?

SECOND CITIZEN

1460You shall ha ’t, worthy sir.

CORIOLANUS

A match, sir. There’s in all two worthy
voices begged. I have your alms. Adieu.

THIRD CITIZEN , to the other Citizens

90But this is something
odd.

SECOND CITIZEN

1465An ’twere to give again—but ’tis no
matter.

These citizens exit.Enter two other Citizens.

CORIOLANUS

Pray you now, if it may stand with the
95tune of your voices that I may be consul, I have
here the customary gown.

FOURTH CITIZEN

1470You have deserved nobly of your
country, and you have not deserved nobly.

CORIOLANUS

Your enigma?

FOURTH CITIZEN

100You have been a scourge to her enemies;
you have been a rod to her friends. You have
1475not indeed loved the common people.

CORIOLANUS

You should account me the more virtuous
that I have not been common in my love. I will, sir,
105flatter my sworn brother, the people, to earn a
dearer estimation of them; ’tis a condition they account
1480gentle. And since the wisdom of their choice
is rather to have my hat than my heart, I will practice
the insinuating nod and be off to them most
110counterfeitly. That is, sir, I will counterfeit the bewitchment
of some popular man and give it bountiful
1485to the desirers. Therefore, beseech you, I may
be consul.

FIFTH CITIZEN

We hope to find you our friend, and
115therefore give you our voices heartily.

FOURTH CITIZEN

You have received many wounds for
1490your country.

CORIOLANUS

I will not seal your knowledge with showing
them. I will make much of your voices and so
120trouble you no farther.

BOTH

The gods give you joy, sir, heartily.

Citizens exit.

CORIOLANUS

1495Most sweet voices!
Better it is to die, better to starve,
Than crave the hire which first we do deserve.
125Why in this woolvish toge should I stand here
To beg of Hob and Dick that does appear
1500Their needless vouches? Custom calls me to ’t.
What custom wills, in all things should we do ’t?
The dust on antique time would lie unswept
130And mountainous error be too highly heaped
For truth to o’erpeer. Rather than fool it so,
1505Let the high office and the honor go
To one that would do thus. I am half through;
The one part suffered, the other will I do.
Enter three Citizens more.

135Here come more voices.—
Your voices! For your voices I have fought;
1510Watched 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
140Done many things, some less, some more. Your
voices!
1515Indeed, I would be consul.

SIXTH CITIZEN

He has done nobly, and cannot go
without any honest man’s voice.

SEVENTH CITIZEN

145Therefore let him be consul. The
gods give him joy, and make him good friend to
1520the people!

ALL

Amen, amen. God save thee, noble consul.

Citizens exit.

CORIOLANUS

Worthy voices!

Enter Menenius, with Brutus and Sicinius.

MENENIUS

150You have stood your limitation, and the Tribunes
Endue you with the people’s voice. Remains
1525That in th’ official marks invested, you
Anon do meet the Senate.

CORIOLANUS

Is this done?

SICINIUS

155The custom of request you have discharged.
The people do admit you, and are summoned
1530To meet anon upon your approbation.

CORIOLANUS

Where? At the Senate House?

SICINIUS

There, Coriolanus.

CORIOLANUS

160May I change these garments?

SICINIUS

You may, sir.

CORIOLANUS

1535That I’ll straight do and, knowing myself again,
Repair to th’ Senate House.

MENENIUS

I’ll keep you company.—Will you along?

BRUTUS

165We stay here for the people.

SICINIUS

Fare you well.
Coriolanus and Menenius exit.
1540He has it now; and by his looks, methinks,
’Tis warm at ’s heart.

BRUTUS

With a proud heart he wore
170His humble weeds. Will you dismiss the people?

Enter the Plebeians.

SICINIUS

How now, my masters, have you chose this man?

FIRST CITIZEN

1545He has our voices, sir.

BRUTUS

We pray the gods he may deserve your loves.

SECOND CITIZEN

Amen, sir. To my poor unworthy notice,
175He mocked us when he begged our voices.

THIRD CITIZEN

Certainly, he flouted us downright.

FIRST CITIZEN

1550No, ’tis his kind of speech. He did not mock us.

SECOND CITIZEN

Not one amongst us, save yourself, but says
He used us scornfully. He should have showed us
180His marks of merit, wounds received for ’s country.

SICINIUS

Why, so he did, I am sure.

ALL

1555No, no. No man saw ’em.

THIRD CITIZEN

He said he had wounds, which he could show in
private,
185And with his hat, thus waving it in scorn,
“I would be consul,” says he. “Agèd custom,
1560But by your voices, will not so permit me;
Your voices therefore.” When we granted that,
Here was “I thank you for your voices. Thank you.
190Your most sweet voices! Now you have left your
voices,
1565I have no further with you.” Was not this mockery?

SICINIUS

Why either were you ignorant to see ’t
Or, seeing it, of such childish friendliness
195To yield your voices?

BRUTUS

Could you not have told him
1570As you were lessoned? When he had no power,
But was a petty servant to the state,
He was your enemy, ever spake against
200Your liberties and the charters that you bear
I’ th’ body of the weal; and, now arriving
1575A place of potency and sway o’ th’ state,
If he should still malignantly remain
Fast foe to th’ plebeii, your voices might
205Be curses to yourselves. You should have said
That as his worthy deeds did claim no less
1580Than what he stood for, so his gracious nature
Would think upon you for your voices, and
Translate his malice towards you into love,
210Standing your friendly lord.

SICINIUS

Thus to have said,
1585As you were fore-advised, had touched his spirit
And tried his inclination; from him plucked
Either his gracious promise, which you might,
215As cause had called you up, have held him to;
Or else it would have galled his surly nature,
1590Which easily endures not article
Tying him to aught. So putting him to rage,
You should have ta’en th’ advantage of his choler
220And passed him unelected.

BRUTUS

Did you perceive
1595He did solicit you in free contempt
When he did need your loves, and do you think
That his contempt shall not be bruising to you
225When he hath power to crush? Why, had your
bodies
1600No heart among you? Or had you tongues to cry
Against the rectorship of judgment?

SICINIUS

Have you ere now denied the asker? And now
230Again, of him that did not ask but mock,
Bestow your sued-for tongues?

THIRD CITIZEN

1605He’s not confirmed.
We may deny him yet.

SECOND CITIZEN

And will deny him.
235I’ll have five hundred voices of that sound.

FIRST CITIZEN

I twice five hundred, and their friends to piece ’em.

BRUTUS

1610Get you hence instantly, and tell those friends
They have chose a consul that will from them take
Their liberties, make them of no more voice
240Than dogs that are as often beat for barking
As therefor kept to do so.

SICINIUS

1615Let them assemble
And, on a safer judgment, all revoke
Your ignorant election. Enforce his pride
245And his old hate unto you. Besides, forget not
With what contempt he wore the humble weed,
1620How in his suit he scorned you; but your loves,
Thinking upon his services, took from you
Th’ apprehension of his present portance,
250Which most gibingly, ungravely, he did fashion
After the inveterate hate he bears you.

BRUTUS

1625Lay
A fault on us, your tribunes, that we labored,
No impediment between, but that you must
255Cast your election on him.

SICINIUS

Say you chose him
1630More after our commandment than as guided
By your own true affections, and that your minds,
Preoccupied with what you rather must do
260Than what you should, made you against the grain
To voice him consul. Lay the fault on us.

BRUTUS

1635Ay, spare us not. Say we read lectures to you,
How youngly he began to serve his country,
How long continued, and what stock he springs of,
265The noble house o’ th’ Martians, from whence came
That Ancus Martius, Numa’s daughter’s son,
1640Who after great Hostilius here was king,
Of the same house Publius and Quintus were,
That our best water brought by conduits hither;
270And Censorinus, that was so surnamed,
And nobly namèd so, twice being censor,
1645Was his great ancestor.

SICINIUS

One thus descended,
That hath besides well in his person wrought
275To be set high in place, we did commend
To your remembrances; but you have found,
1650Scaling his present bearing with his past,
That he’s your fixèd enemy, and revoke
Your sudden approbation.

BRUTUS

280Say you ne’er had done ’t—
Harp on that still—but by our putting on.
1655And presently, when you have drawn your number,
Repair to th’ Capitol.

ALL

We will so. Almost all
285Repent in their election.

Plebeians exit.

BRUTUS

Let them go on.
1660This mutiny were better put in hazard
Than stay, past doubt, for greater.
If, as his nature is, he fall in rage
290With their refusal, both observe and answer
The vantage of his anger.

SICINIUS

1665To th’ Capitol, come.
We will be there before the stream o’ th’ people,
And this shall seem, as partly ’tis, their own,
295Which we have goaded onward.

They exit.

ACT 3

Scene 1

Cornets. Enter Coriolanus, Menenius, all the Gentry,
Cominius, Titus Lartius, and other Senators.

CORIOLANUS

Tullus Aufidius then had made new head?

LARTIUS

1670He had, my lord, and that it was which caused
Our swifter composition.

CORIOLANUS

So then the Volsces stand but as at first,
5Ready, when time shall prompt them, to make road
Upon ’s again.

COMINIUS

1675They are worn, lord consul, so,
That we shall hardly in our ages see
Their banners wave again.

CORIOLANUS

10Saw you Aufidius?

LARTIUS

On safeguard he came to me, and did curse
1680Against the Volsces, for they had so vilely
Yielded the town. He is retired to Antium.

CORIOLANUS

Spoke he of me?

LARTIUS

15He did, my lord.

CORIOLANUS

How? What?

LARTIUS

1685How often he had met you sword to sword;
That of all things upon the earth he hated
Your person most; that he would pawn his fortunes
20To hopeless restitution, so he might
Be called your vanquisher.

CORIOLANUS

1690At Antium lives he?

LARTIUS

At Antium.

CORIOLANUS

I wish I had a cause to seek him there,
25To oppose his hatred fully. Welcome home.

Enter Sicinius and Brutus.

Behold, these are the tribunes of the people,
1695The tongues o’ th’ common mouth. I do despise
them,
For they do prank them in authority
30Against all noble sufferance.

SICINIUS

Pass no further.

CORIOLANUS

1700Ha? What is that?

BRUTUS

It will be dangerous to go on. No further.

CORIOLANUS

What makes this change?

MENENIUS

35The matter?

COMINIUS

Hath he not passed the noble and the common?

BRUTUS

1705Cominius, no.

CORIOLANUS

Have I had children’s voices?

FIRST SENATOR

Tribunes, give way. He shall to th’ marketplace.

BRUTUS

40The people are incensed against him.

SICINIUS

Stop,
1710Or all will fall in broil.

CORIOLANUS

Are these your herd?
Must these have voices, that can yield them now
45And straight disclaim their tongues? What are your
offices?
1715You being their mouths, why rule you not their
teeth?
Have you not set them on?

MENENIUS

50Be calm, be calm.

CORIOLANUS

It is a purposed thing, and grows by plot,
1720To curb the will of the nobility.
Suffer ’t, and live with such as cannot rule
Nor ever will be ruled.

BRUTUS

55Call ’t not a plot.
The people cry you mocked them; and, of late,
1725When corn was given them gratis, you repined,
Scandaled the suppliants for the people, called them
Timepleasers, flatterers, foes to nobleness.

CORIOLANUS

60Why, this was known before.

BRUTUS

Not to them all.

CORIOLANUS

1730Have you informed them sithence?

BRUTUS

How? I inform
them?

COMINIUS

65You are like to do such business.

BRUTUS

Not unlike, each way, to better yours.

CORIOLANUS

1735Why then should I be consul? By yond clouds,
Let me deserve so ill as you, and make me
Your fellow tribune.

SICINIUS

70You show too much of that
For which the people stir. If you will pass
1740To where you are bound, you must inquire your
way,
Which you are out of, with a gentler spirit,
75Or never be so noble as a consul,
Nor yoke with him for tribune.

MENENIUS

1745Let’s be calm.

COMINIUS

The people are abused, set on. This palt’ring
Becomes not Rome, nor has Coriolanus
80Deserved this so dishonored rub, laid falsely
I’ th’ plain way of his merit.

CORIOLANUS

1750Tell me of corn?
This was my speech, and I will speak ’t again.

MENENIUS

Not now, not now.

FIRST SENATOR

85Not in this heat, sir, now.

CORIOLANUS

Now, as I live, I will.
1755My nobler friends, I crave their pardons. For
The mutable, rank-scented meiny, let them
Regard me, as I do not flatter, and
90Therein behold themselves. I say again,
In soothing them, we nourish ’gainst our senate
1760The cockle of rebellion, insolence, sedition,
Which we ourselves have plowed for, sowed, and
scattered
95By mingling them with us, the honored number,
Who lack not virtue, no, nor power, but that
1765Which they have given to beggars.

MENENIUS

Well, no more.

FIRST SENATOR

No more words, we beseech you.

CORIOLANUS

100How? No more?
As for my country I have shed my blood,
1770Not fearing outward force, so shall my lungs
Coin words till their decay against those measles
Which we disdain should tetter us, yet sought
105The very way to catch them.

BRUTUS

You speak o’ th’ people
1775As if you were a god to punish, not
A man of their infirmity.

SICINIUS

’Twere well
110We let the people know ’t.

MENENIUS

What, what? His choler?

CORIOLANUS

1780Choler?
Were I as patient as the midnight sleep,
By Jove, ’twould be my mind.

SICINIUS

115It is a mind
That shall remain a poison where it is,
1785Not poison any further.

CORIOLANUS

“Shall remain”?
Hear you this Triton of the minnows? Mark you
120His absolute “shall”?

COMINIUS

’Twas from the canon.

CORIOLANUS

1790“Shall”?
O good but most unwise patricians, why,
You grave but reckless senators, have you thus
125Given Hydra here to choose an officer,
That with his peremptory “shall,” being but
1795The horn and noise o’ th’ monster’s, wants not spirit
To say he’ll turn your current in a ditch
And make your channel his? If he have power,
130Then vail your ignorance; if none, awake
Your dangerous lenity. If you are learned,
1800Be not as common fools; if you are not,
Let them have cushions by you. You are plebeians,
If they be senators; and they are no less
135When, both your voices blended, the great’st taste
Most palates theirs. They choose their magistrate,
1805And such a one as he, who puts his “shall,”
His popular “shall,” against a graver bench
Than ever frowned in Greece. By Jove himself,
140It makes the consuls base! And my soul aches
To know, when two authorities are up,
1810Neither supreme, how soon confusion
May enter ’twixt the gap of both and take
The one by th’ other.

COMINIUS

145Well, on to th’ marketplace.

CORIOLANUS

Whoever gave that counsel to give forth
1815The corn o’ th’ storehouse gratis, as ’twas used
Sometime in Greece—

MENENIUS

Well, well, no more of that.

CORIOLANUS

150Though there the people had more absolute power,
I say they nourished disobedience, fed
1820The ruin of the state.

BRUTUS

Why shall the people give
One that speaks thus their voice?

CORIOLANUS

155I’ll give my reasons,
More worthier than their voices. They know the
1825corn
Was not our recompense, resting well assured
They ne’er did service for ’t. Being pressed to th’ war,
160Even when the navel of the state was touched,
They would not thread the gates. This kind of
1830service
Did not deserve corn gratis. Being i’ th’ war,
Their mutinies and revolts, wherein they showed
165Most valor, spoke not for them. Th’ accusation
Which they have often made against the Senate,
1835All cause unborn, could never be the native
Of our so frank donation. Well, what then?
How shall this bosom multiplied digest
170The Senate’s courtesy? Let deeds express
What’s like to be their words: “We did request it;
1840We are the greater poll, and in true fear
They gave us our demands.” Thus we debase
The nature of our seats and make the rabble
175Call our cares fears, which will in time
Break ope the locks o’ th’ Senate and bring in
1845The crows to peck the eagles.

MENENIUS

Come, enough.

BRUTUS

Enough, with over-measure.

CORIOLANUS

180No, take more!
What may be sworn by, both divine and human,
1850Seal what I end withal! This double worship—
Where one part does disdain with cause, the other
Insult without all reason, where gentry, title,
185wisdom
Cannot conclude but by the yea and no
1855Of general ignorance—it must omit
Real necessities and give way the while
To unstable slightness. Purpose so barred, it follows
190Nothing is done to purpose. Therefore, beseech
you—
1860You that will be less fearful than discreet,
That love the fundamental part of state
More than you doubt the change on ’t, that prefer
195A noble life before a long, and wish
To jump a body with a dangerous physic
1865That’s sure of death without it—at once pluck out
The multitudinous tongue; let them not lick
The sweet which is their poison. Your dishonor
200Mangles true judgment and bereaves the state
Of that integrity which should become ’t,
1870Not having the power to do the good it would
For th’ ill which doth control ’t.

BRUTUS

’Has said enough.

SICINIUS

205’Has spoken like a traitor and shall answer
As traitors do.

CORIOLANUS

1875Thou wretch, despite o’erwhelm thee!
What should the people do with these bald tribunes,
On whom depending, their obedience fails
210To th’ greater bench? In a rebellion,
When what’s not meet but what must be was law,
1880Then were they chosen. In a better hour,
Let what is meet be said it must be meet,
And throw their power i’ th’ dust.

BRUTUS

215Manifest treason.

SICINIUS

This a consul? No.

BRUTUS

1885The aediles, ho! Let him be apprehended.

Enter an Aedile.

SICINIUS

Go, call the people; Aedile exits. in whose name
myself
220Attach thee as a traitorous innovator,
A foe to th’ public weal. Obey, I charge thee,
1890And follow to thine answer.

CORIOLANUS

Hence, old goat.

ALL PATRICIANS

We’ll surety him.

COMINIUS , to Sicinius

225Agèd sir, hands off.

CORIOLANUS , to Sicinius

Hence, rotten thing, or I shall shake thy bones
1895Out of thy garments.

SICINIUS

Help, you citizens!

Enter a rabble of Plebeians with the Aediles.

MENENIUS

On both sides more respect!

SICINIUS

230Here’s he that would take from you all your power.

BRUTUS

Seize him, aediles.

ALL PLEBEIANS

1900Down with him, down with him!

SECOND SENATOR

Weapons, weapons, weapons!
They all bustle about Coriolanus.
Tribunes, patricians, citizens, what ho!
235Sicinius, Brutus, Coriolanus, citizens!

ALL

Peace, peace, peace! Stay, hold, peace!

MENENIUS

1905What is about to be? I am out of breath.
Confusion’s near. I cannot speak. You, tribunes
To th’ people!—Coriolanus, patience!—
240Speak, good Sicinius.

SICINIUS

Hear me, people! Peace!

ALL PLEBEIANS

1910Let’s hear our tribune. Peace! Speak, speak, speak.

SICINIUS

You are at point to lose your liberties.
Martius would have all from you, Martius,
245Whom late you have named for consul.

MENENIUS

Fie, fie, fie!
1915This is the way to kindle, not to quench.

FIRST SENATOR

To unbuild the city and to lay all flat.

SICINIUS

What is the city but the people?

ALL PLEBEIANS

250True,
The people are the city.

BRUTUS

1920By the consent of all, we were established
The people’s magistrates.

ALL PLEBEIANS

You so remain.

MENENIUS

255And so are like to do.

CORIOLANUS

That is the way to lay the city flat,
1925To bring the roof to the foundation
And bury all which yet distinctly ranges
In heaps and piles of ruin.

SICINIUS

260This deserves death.

BRUTUS

Or let us stand to our authority
1930Or let us lose it. We do here pronounce,
Upon the part o’ th’ people, in whose power
We were elected theirs, Martius is worthy
265Of present death.

SICINIUS

Therefore lay hold of him,
1935Bear him to th’ rock Tarpeian, and from thence
Into destruction cast him.

BRUTUS

Aediles, seize him!

ALL PLEBEIANS

270Yield, Martius, yield!

MENENIUS

Hear me one word.
1940Beseech you, tribunes, hear me but a word.

AEDILES

Peace, peace!

MENENIUS

Be that you seem, truly your country’s friend,
275And temp’rately proceed to what you would
Thus violently redress.

BRUTUS

1945Sir, those cold ways,
That seem like prudent helps, are very poisonous
Where the disease is violent.—Lay hands upon him,
280And bear him to the rock.

Coriolanus draws his sword.

CORIOLANUS

No, I’ll die here.
1950There’s some among you have beheld me fighting.
Come, try upon yourselves what you have seen me.

MENENIUS

Down with that sword!—Tribunes, withdraw awhile.

BRUTUS

285Lay hands upon him!

MENENIUS

Help Martius, help!
1955You that be noble, help him, young and old!

ALL PLEBEIANS

Down with him, down with him!

In this mutiny, the Tribunes, the Aediles, and the People
are beat in.

MENENIUS , to Coriolanus

Go, get you to your house. Begone, away.
290All will be naught else.

SECOND SENATOR

Get you gone.

CORIOLANUS

1960Stand fast!
We have as many friends as enemies.

MENENIUS

Shall it be put to that?

FIRST SENATOR

295The gods forbid!—
I prithee, noble friend, home to thy house;
1965Leave us to cure this cause.

MENENIUS

For ’tis a sore upon us
You cannot tent yourself. Begone, beseech you.

COMINIUS

300Come, sir, along with us.

CORIOLANUS

I would they were barbarians, as they are,
1970Though in Rome littered; not Romans, as they are
not,
Though calved i’ th’ porch o’ th’ Capitol.

MENENIUS

305Begone!
Put not your worthy rage into your tongue.
1975One time will owe another.

CORIOLANUS

On fair ground
I could beat forty of them.

MENENIUS

310I could myself
Take up a brace o’ th’ best of them, yea, the two
1980tribunes.

COMINIUS

But now ’tis odds beyond arithmetic,
And manhood is called foolery when it stands
315Against a falling fabric. To Coriolanus. Will you
hence,
1985Before the tag return, whose rage doth rend
Like interrupted waters and o’erbear
What they are used to bear?

MENENIUS , to Coriolanus

320Pray you, begone.
I’ll try whether my old wit be in request
1990With those that have but little. This must be patched
With cloth of any color.

COMINIUS

Nay, come away.

Coriolanus and Cominius exit.

PATRICIAN

325This man has marred his fortune.

MENENIUS

His nature is too noble for the world.
1995He would not flatter Neptune for his trident
Or Jove for ’s power to thunder. His heart’s his
mouth;
330What his breast forges, that his tongue must vent,
And, being angry, does forget that ever
2000He heard the name of death.A noise within.
Here’s goodly work.

PATRICIAN

I would they were abed!

MENENIUS

335I would they were in Tiber. What the vengeance,
Could he not speak ’em fair?

Enter Brutus and Sicinius with the rabble again.

SICINIUS

2005Where is this viper
That would depopulate the city and
Be every man himself?

MENENIUS

340You worthy tribunes—

SICINIUS

He shall be thrown down the Tarpeian rock
2010With rigorous hands. He hath resisted law,
And therefore law shall scorn him further trial
Than the severity of the public power
345Which he so sets at naught.

FIRST CITIZEN

He shall well know
2015The noble tribunes are the people’s mouths
And we their hands.

ALL PLEBEIANS

He shall, sure on ’t.

MENENIUS

350Sir, sir—

SICINIUS

Peace!

MENENIUS

2020Do not cry havoc where you should but hunt
With modest warrant.

SICINIUS

Sir, how comes ’t that you
355Have holp to make this rescue?

MENENIUS

Hear me speak.
2025As I do know the Consul’s worthiness,
So can I name his faults.

SICINIUS

Consul? What consul?

MENENIUS

360The consul Coriolanus.

BRUTUS

He consul?

ALL PLEBEIANS

2030No, no, no, no, no!

MENENIUS

If, by the Tribunes’ leave, and yours, good people,
I may be heard, I would crave a word or two,
365The which shall turn you to no further harm
Than so much loss of time.

SICINIUS

2035Speak briefly then,
For we are peremptory to dispatch
This viperous traitor. To eject him hence
370Were but one danger, and to keep him here
Our certain death. Therefore it is decreed
2040He dies tonight.

MENENIUS

Now the good gods forbid
That our renownèd Rome, whose gratitude
375Towards her deservèd children is enrolled
In Jove’s own book, like an unnatural dam
2045Should now eat up her own.

SICINIUS

He’s a disease that must be cut away.

MENENIUS

O, he’s a limb that has but a disease—
380Mortal to cut it off; to cure it easy.
What has he done to Rome that’s worthy death?
2050Killing our enemies, the blood he hath lost—
Which I dare vouch is more than that he hath
By many an ounce—he dropped it for his country;
385And what is left, to lose it by his country
Were to us all that do ’t and suffer it
2055A brand to th’ end o’ th’ world.

SICINIUS

This is clean cam.

BRUTUS

Merely awry. When he did love his country,
390It honored him.

SICINIUS

The service of the foot,
2060Being once gangrened, is not then respected
For what before it was.

BRUTUS

We’ll hear no more.
395Pursue him to his house, and pluck him thence,
Lest his infection, being of catching nature,
2065Spread further.

MENENIUS

One word more, one word!
This tiger-footed rage, when it shall find
400The harm of unscanned swiftness, will too late
Tie leaden pounds to ’s heels. Proceed by process,
2070Lest parties—as he is beloved—break out
And sack great Rome with Romans.

BRUTUS

If it were so—

SICINIUS

405What do you talk?
Have we not had a taste of his obedience?
2075Our aediles smote! Ourselves resisted! Come.

MENENIUS

Consider this: he has been bred i’ th’ wars
Since he could draw a sword, and is ill schooled
410In bolted language; meal and bran together
He throws without distinction. Give me leave,
2080I’ll go to him and undertake to bring him
Where he shall answer by a lawful form,
In peace, to his utmost peril.

FIRST SENATOR

415Noble tribunes,
It is the humane way: the other course
2085Will prove too bloody, and the end of it
Unknown to the beginning.

SICINIUS

Noble Menenius,
420Be you then as the people’s officer.—
Masters, lay down your weapons.

BRUTUS

2090Go not home.

SICINIUS

Meet on the marketplace. To Menenius. We’ll
attend you there,
425Where if you bring not Martius, we’ll proceed
In our first way.

MENENIUS

2095I’ll bring him to you.
To Senators. Let me desire your company. He must
come,
430Or what is worst will follow.

FIRST SENATOR

Pray you, let’s to him.

All exit.

Scene 2

Enter Coriolanus with Nobles.

CORIOLANUS

2100Let them pull all about mine ears, present me
Death on the wheel or at wild horses’ heels,
Or pile ten hills on the Tarpeian rock,
That the precipitation might down stretch
5Below the beam of sight, yet will I still
2105Be thus to them.

NOBLE

You do the nobler.

CORIOLANUS

I muse my mother
Does not approve me further, who was wont
10To call them woolen vassals, things created
2110To buy and sell with groats, to show bare heads
In congregations, to yawn, be still, and wonder
When one but of my ordinance stood up
To speak of peace or war.

Enter Volumnia.

15I talk of you.
2115Why did you wish me milder? Would you have me
False to my nature? Rather say I play
The man I am.

VOLUMNIA

O sir, sir, sir,
20I would have had you put your power well on
2120Before you had worn it out.

CORIOLANUS

Let go.

VOLUMNIA

You might have been enough the man you are
With striving less to be so. Lesser had been
25The thwartings of your dispositions if
2125You had not showed them how you were disposed
Ere they lacked power to cross you.

CORIOLANUS

Let them hang!

VOLUMNIA

Ay, and burn too.

Enter Menenius with the Senators.

MENENIUS , to Coriolanus

30Come, come, you have been too rough, something
2130too rough.
You must return and mend it.

FIRST SENATOR

There’s no remedy,
Unless, by not so doing, our good city
35Cleave in the midst and perish.

VOLUMNIA

2135Pray be counseled.
I have a heart as little apt as yours,
But yet a brain that leads my use of anger
To better vantage.

MENENIUS

40Well said, noble woman.
2140Before he should thus stoop to th’ herd—but that
The violent fit o’ th’ time craves it as physic
For the whole state—I would put mine armor on,
Which I can scarcely bear.

CORIOLANUS

45What must I do?

MENENIUS

2145Return to th’ Tribunes.

CORIOLANUS

Well, what then? What then?

MENENIUS

Repent what you have spoke.

CORIOLANUS

For them? I cannot do it to the gods.
50Must I then do ’t to them?

VOLUMNIA

2150You are too absolute,
Though therein you can never be too noble
But when extremities speak. I have heard you say
Honor and policy, like unsevered friends,
55I’ th’ war do grow together. Grant that, and tell me
2155In peace what each of them by th’ other lose
That they combine not there?

CORIOLANUS

Tush, tush!

MENENIUS

A good
60demand.

VOLUMNIA

2160If it be honor in your wars to seem
The same you are not, which for your best ends
You adopt your policy, how is it less or worse
That it shall hold companionship in peace
65With honor as in war, since that to both
2165It stands in like request?

CORIOLANUS

Why force you this?

VOLUMNIA

Because that now it lies you on to speak
To th’ people, not by your own instruction,
70Nor by th’ matter which your heart prompts you,
2170But with such words that are but roted in
Your tongue, though but bastards and syllables
Of no allowance to your bosom’s truth.
Now, this no more dishonors you at all
75Than to take in a town with gentle words,
2175Which 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 required
80I should do so in honor. I am in this
2180Your wife, your son, these senators, the nobles;
And you will rather show our general louts
How you can frown than spend a fawn upon ’em
For the inheritance of their loves and safeguard
85Of what that want might ruin.

MENENIUS

2185Noble lady!—
Come, go with us; speak fair. You may salve so,
Not what is dangerous present, but the loss
Of what is past.

VOLUMNIA

90I prithee now, my son,
2190Go to them with this bonnet in thy hand,
And thus far having stretched it—here be with
them—
Thy knee bussing the stones—for in such business
95Action is eloquence, and the eyes of th’ ignorant
2195More learnèd than the ears—waving 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
100Thou art their soldier and, being bred in broils,
2200Hast not the soft way, which thou dost confess
Were fit for thee to use as they to claim,
In asking their good loves; but thou wilt frame
Thyself, forsooth, hereafter theirs, so far
105As thou hast power and person.

MENENIUS

2205This but done
Even as she speaks, why, their hearts were yours;
For they have pardons, being asked, as free
As words to little purpose.

VOLUMNIA

110Prithee now,
2210Go, and be ruled; although I know thou hadst rather
Follow thine enemy in a fiery gulf
Than flatter him in a bower.

Enter Cominius.

Here is Cominius.

COMINIUS

115I have been i’ th’ marketplace; and, sir, ’tis fit
2215You make strong party or defend yourself
By calmness or by absence. All’s in anger.

MENENIUS

Only fair speech.

COMINIUS

I think ’twill serve, if he
120Can thereto frame his spirit.

VOLUMNIA

2220He must, and will.—
Prithee, now, say you will, and go about it.

CORIOLANUS

Must I go show them my unbarbèd sconce? Must I
With my base tongue give to my noble heart
125A lie that it must bear? Well, I will do ’t.
2225Yet, were there but this single plot to lose,
This mold of Martius, they to dust should grind it
And throw ’t against the wind. To th’ marketplace!
You have put me now to such a part which never
130I shall discharge to th’ life.

COMINIUS

2230Come, come, we’ll prompt
you.

VOLUMNIA

I prithee now, sweet son, as thou hast said
My praises made thee first a soldier, so,
135To have my praise for this, perform a part
2235Thou hast not done before.

CORIOLANUS

Well, I must do ’t.
Away, my disposition, and possess me
Some harlot’s spirit! My throat of war be turned,
140Which choirèd with my drum, into a pipe
2240Small as an eunuch or the virgin voice
That babies lull asleep! The smiles of knaves
Tent in my cheeks, and schoolboys’ tears take up
The glasses of my sight! A beggar’s tongue
145Make motion through my lips, and my armed knees,
2245Who bowed but in my stirrup, bend like his
That hath received an alms. I will not do ’t,
Lest I surcease to honor mine own truth
And, by my body’s action, teach my mind
150A most inherent baseness.

VOLUMNIA

2250At thy choice, then.
To beg of thee, it is my more dishonor
Than thou of them. Come all to ruin. Let
Thy mother rather feel thy pride than fear
155Thy dangerous stoutness, for I mock at death
2255With as big heart as thou. Do as thou list.
Thy valiantness was mine; thou suck’st it from me,
But owe thy pride thyself.

CORIOLANUS

Pray be content.
160Mother, I am going to the marketplace.
2260Chide me no more. I’ll mountebank their loves,
Cog their hearts from them, and come home
beloved
Of all the trades in Rome. Look, I am going.
165Commend me to my wife. I’ll return consul,
2265Or never trust to what my tongue can do
I’ th’ way of flattery further.

VOLUMNIA

Do your will.

Volumnia exits.

COMINIUS

Away! The Tribunes do attend you. Arm yourself
170To answer mildly, for they are prepared
2270With accusations, as I hear, more strong
Than are upon you yet.

CORIOLANUS

The word is “mildly.” Pray you, let us go.
Let them accuse me by invention, I
175Will answer in mine honor.

MENENIUS

2275Ay, but mildly.

CORIOLANUS

Well, mildly be it, then. Mildly.

They exit.

Scene 3

Enter Sicinius and Brutus.

BRUTUS

In this point charge him home, that he affects
Tyrannical power. If he evade us there,
Enforce him with his envy to the people,
2280And that the spoil got on the Antiates
5Was ne’er distributed.

Enter an Aedile.

What, will he come?

AEDILE

He’s coming.

BRUTUS

How accompanied?

AEDILE

2285With old Menenius, and those senators
10That always favored him.

SICINIUS

Have you a catalogue
Of all the voices that we have procured,
Set down by th’ poll?

AEDILE

2290I have. ’Tis ready.

SICINIUS

15Have you collected them by tribes?

AEDILE

I have.

SICINIUS

Assemble presently the people hither;
And when they hear me say “It shall be so
2295I’ th’ right and strength o’ th’ commons,” be it either
20For death, for fine, or banishment, then let them
If I say “Fine,” cry “Fine,” if “Death,” cry “Death,”
Insisting on the old prerogative
And power i’ th’ truth o’ th’ cause.

AEDILE

2300I shall inform them.

BRUTUS

25And when such time they have begun to cry,
Let them not cease, but with a din confused
Enforce the present execution
Of what we chance to sentence.

AEDILE

2305Very well.

SICINIUS

30Make them be strong and ready for this hint
When we shall hap to give ’t them.

BRUTUS

Go about it.
Aedile exits.
Put him to choler straight. He hath been used
2310Ever to conquer and to have his worth
35Of contradiction. Being once chafed, he cannot
Be reined again to temperance; then he speaks
What’s in his heart, and that is there which looks
With us to break his neck.

Enter Coriolanus, Menenius, and Cominius, with
others (Senators).

SICINIUS

2315Well, here he comes.

MENENIUS , aside to Coriolanus

40Calmly, I do beseech
you.

CORIOLANUS , aside to Menenius

Ay, as an hostler that for th’ poorest piece
Will bear the knave by th’ volume.—Th’ honored
2320gods
45Keep Rome in safety and the chairs of justice
Supplied with worthy men! Plant love among ’s!
Throng our large temples with the shows of peace
And not our streets with war!

FIRST SENATOR

2325Amen, amen.

MENENIUS

50A noble wish.

Enter the Aedile with the Plebeians.

SICINIUS

Draw near, you people.

AEDILE

List to your tribunes. Audience! Peace, I say!

CORIOLANUS

First, hear me speak.

BOTH TRIBUNES

2330Well, say.—Peace, ho!

CORIOLANUS

55Shall I be charged no further than this present?
Must all determine here?

SICINIUS

I do demand
If you submit you to the people’s voices,
2335Allow their officers, and are content
60To suffer lawful censure for such faults
As shall be proved upon you.

CORIOLANUS

I am content.

MENENIUS

Lo, citizens, he says he is content.
2340The warlike service he has done, consider. Think
65Upon the wounds his body bears, which show
Like graves i’ th’ holy churchyard.

CORIOLANUS

Scratches with
briars,
2345Scars to move laughter only.

MENENIUS

70Consider further,
That when he speaks not like a citizen,
You find him like a soldier. Do not take
His rougher accents for malicious sounds,
2350But, as I say, such as become a soldier
75Rather than envy you.

COMINIUS

Well, well, no more.

CORIOLANUS

What is the matter,
That, being passed for consul with full voice,
2355I am so dishonored that the very hour
80You take it off again?

SICINIUS

Answer to us.

CORIOLANUS

Say then. ’Tis true, I ought so.

SICINIUS

We charge you that you have contrived to take
2360From Rome all seasoned office and to wind
85Yourself into a power tyrannical,
For which you are a traitor to the people.

CORIOLANUS

How? Traitor?

MENENIUS

Nay, temperately! Your promise.

CORIOLANUS

2365The fires i’ th’ lowest hell fold in the people!
90Call me their traitor? Thou injurious tribune!
Within thine eyes sat twenty thousand deaths,
In thy hands clutched as many millions, in
Thy lying tongue both numbers, I would say
2370“Thou liest” unto thee with a voice as free
95As I do pray the gods.

SICINIUS

Mark you this, people?

ALL PLEBEIANS

To th’ rock, to th’ rock with him!

SICINIUS

Peace!
2375We need not put new matter to his charge.
100What you have seen him do and heard him speak,
Beating your officers, cursing yourselves,
Opposing laws with strokes, and here defying
Those whose great power must try him—even this,
2380So criminal and in such capital kind,
105Deserves th’ extremest death.

BRUTUS

But since he hath
Served well for Rome—

CORIOLANUS

What do you prate of service?

BRUTUS

2385I talk of that that know it.

CORIOLANUS

110You?

MENENIUS

Is this the promise that you made your mother?

COMINIUS

Know, I pray you—

CORIOLANUS

I’ll know no further.
2390Let them pronounce the steep Tarpeian death,
115Vagabond exile, flaying, pent to linger
But with a grain a day, I would not buy
Their mercy at the price of one fair word,
Nor check my courage for what they can give,
2395To have ’t with saying “Good morrow.”

SICINIUS

120For that he has,
As much as in him lies, from time to time
Envied against the people, seeking means
To pluck away their power, as now at last
2400Given hostile strokes, and that not in the presence
125Of dreaded justice, but on the ministers
That doth distribute it, in the name o’ th’ people
And in the power of us the Tribunes, we,
Even from this instant, banish him our city
2405In peril of precipitation
130From off the rock Tarpeian, never more
To enter our Rome gates. I’ th’ people’s name,
I say it shall be so.

ALL PLEBEIANS

It shall be so, it shall be so! Let him away!
2410He’s banished, and it shall be so.

COMINIUS

135Hear me, my masters and my common friends—

SICINIUS

He’s sentenced. No more hearing.

COMINIUS

Let me speak.
I have been consul and can show for Rome
2415Her enemies’ marks upon me. I do love
140My country’s good with a respect more tender,
More holy and profound, than mine own life,
My dear wife’s estimate, her womb’s increase,
And treasure of my loins. Then if I would
2420Speak that—

SICINIUS

145We know your drift. Speak what?

BRUTUS

There’s no more to be said, but he is banished
As enemy to the people and his country.
It shall be so.

ALL PLEBEIANS

2425It shall be so, it shall be so!

CORIOLANUS

150You common cry of curs, whose breath I hate
As reek o’ th’ rotten fens, whose loves I prize
As the dead carcasses of unburied men
That do corrupt my air, I banish you!
2430And here remain with your uncertainty;
155Let every feeble rumor shake your hearts;
Your enemies, with nodding of their plumes,
Fan you into despair! Have the power still
To banish your defenders, till at length
2435Your ignorance—which finds not till it feels,
160Making but reservation of yourselves,
Still your own foes—deliver you
As most abated captives to some nation
That won you without blows! Despising
2440For you the city, thus I turn my back.
165There is a world elsewhere.

Coriolanus, Cominius, with others (Senators) exit.

AEDILE

The people’s enemy is gone, is gone.

ALL PLEBEIANS

Our enemy is banished; he is gone. Hoo, hoo!

They all shout and throw up their caps.

SICINIUS

Go see him out at gates, and follow him,
2445As he hath followed you, with all despite.
170Give him deserved vexation. Let a guard
Attend us through the city.

ALL PLEBEIANS

Come, come, let’s see him out at gates! Come!
The gods preserve our noble tribunes! Come!

They exit.

ACT 4

Scene 1

Enter Coriolanus, Volumnia, Virgilia, Menenius,
Cominius, with the young nobility of Rome.

CORIOLANUS

2450Come, leave your tears. A brief farewell. The beast
With many heads butts me away. Nay, mother,
Where is your ancient courage? You were used
To say extremities was the trier of spirits;
5That common chances common men could bear;
2455That when the sea was calm, all boats alike
Showed mastership in floating; fortune’s blows
When most struck home, being gentle wounded
craves
10A noble cunning. You were used to load me
2460With precepts that would make invincible
The heart that conned them.

VIRGILIA

O heavens! O heavens!

CORIOLANUS

Nay, I prithee,
15woman—

VOLUMNIA

2465Now the red pestilence strike all trades in Rome,
And occupations perish!

CORIOLANUS

What, what, what!
I shall be loved when I am lacked. Nay, mother,
20Resume that spirit when you were wont to say
2470If you had been the wife of Hercules,
Six of his labors you’d have done and saved
Your husband so much sweat.—Cominius,
Droop not. Adieu.—Farewell, my wife, my mother.
25I’ll do well yet.—Thou old and true Menenius,
2475Thy tears are salter than a younger man’s
And venomous to thine eyes.—My sometime
general,
I have seen thee stern, and thou hast oft beheld
30Heart-hard’ning spectacles. Tell these sad women
2480’Tis fond to wail inevitable strokes
As ’tis to laugh at ’em.—My mother, you wot well
My hazards still have been your solace, and—
Believe ’t not lightly—though I go alone,
35Like to a lonely dragon that his fen
2485Makes feared and talked of more than seen, your
son
Will or exceed the common or be caught
With cautelous baits and practice.

VOLUMNIA

40My first son,
2490Whither wilt thou go? Take good Cominius
With thee awhile. Determine on some course
More than a wild exposure to each chance
That starts i’ th’ way before thee.

VIRGILIA

45O the gods!

COMINIUS

2495I’ll follow thee a month, devise with thee
Where thou shalt rest, that thou mayst hear of us
And we of thee; so if the time thrust forth
A cause for thy repeal, we shall not send
50O’er the vast world to seek a single man
2500And lose advantage, which doth ever cool
I’ th’ absence of the needer.

CORIOLANUS

Fare you well.
Thou hast years upon thee, and thou art too full
55Of the wars’ surfeits to go rove with one
2505That’s yet unbruised. Bring me but out at gate.—
Come, my sweet wife, my dearest mother, and
My friends of noble touch. When I am forth,
Bid me farewell, and smile. I pray you, come.
60While I remain above the ground, you shall
2510Hear from me still, and never of me aught
But what is like me formerly.

MENENIUS

That’s worthily
As any ear can hear. Come, let’s not weep.
65If I could shake off but one seven years
2515From these old arms and legs, by the good gods,
I’d with thee every foot.

CORIOLANUS

Give me thy hand.
Come.

They exit.

Scene 2

Enter the two Tribunes, Sicinius, and Brutus,
with the Aedile.

SICINIUS

Bid them all home. He’s gone, and we’ll no further.
2520The nobility are vexed, whom we see have sided
In his behalf.

BRUTUS

Now we have shown our power,
5Let us seem humbler after it is done
Than when it was a-doing.

SICINIUS

2525Bid them home.
Say their great enemy is gone, and they
Stand in their ancient strength.

BRUTUS

10Dismiss them home.
Aedile exits.
Here comes his mother.

Enter Volumnia, Virgilia, and Menenius.

SICINIUS

2530Let’s not meet her.

BRUTUS

Why?

SICINIUS

They say she’s mad.

BRUTUS

15They have ta’en note of us. Keep on your way.

VOLUMNIA

O, you’re well met. The hoarded plague o’ th’ gods
2535Requite your love!

MENENIUS

Peace, peace! Be not so loud.

VOLUMNIA , to the Tribunes

If that I could for weeping, you should hear—
20Nay, and you shall hear some. (To Sicinius.) Will
you be gone?

VIRGILIA , to Brutus

2540You shall stay too. I would I had the power
To say so to my husband.

SICINIUS , to Volumnia

Are you mankind?

VOLUMNIA

25Ay, fool, is that a shame? Note but this, fool.
Was not a man my father? Hadst thou foxship
2545To banish him that struck more blows for Rome
Than thou hast spoken words?

SICINIUS

O blessèd heavens!

VOLUMNIA

30More noble blows than ever thou wise words,
And for Rome’s good. I’ll tell thee what—yet go.
2550Nay, but thou shalt stay too. I would my son
Were in Arabia and thy tribe before him,
His good sword in his hand.

SICINIUS

35What then?

VIRGILIA

What then?
2555He’d make an end of thy posterity.

VOLUMNIA

Bastards and all.
Good man, the wounds that he does bear for Rome!

MENENIUS

40Come, come, peace.

SICINIUS

I would he had continued to his country
2560As he began, and not unknit himself
The noble knot he made.

BRUTUS

I would he had.

VOLUMNIA

45“I would he had”? ’Twas you incensed the rabble.
Cats, that can judge as fitly of his worth
2565As I can of those mysteries which heaven
Will not have Earth to know.

BRUTUS , to Sicinius

Pray, let’s go.

VOLUMNIA

50Now, pray, sir, get you gone.
You have done a brave deed. Ere you go, hear this:
2570As far as doth the Capitol exceed
The meanest house in Rome, so far my son—
This lady’s husband here, this, do you see?—
55Whom you have banished, does exceed you all.

BRUTUS

Well, well, we’ll leave you.

SICINIUS

2575Why stay we to be baited
With one that wants her wits?

Tribunes exit.

VOLUMNIA

Take my prayers with
60you.
I would the gods had nothing else to do
2580But to confirm my curses. Could I meet ’em
But once a day, it would unclog my heart
Of what lies heavy to ’t.

MENENIUS

65You have told them home,
And, by my troth, you have cause. You’ll sup with
2585me?

VOLUMNIA

Anger’s my meat. I sup upon myself
And so shall starve with feeding.
70(To Virgilia.) Come, let’s go.
Leave this faint puling, and lament as I do,
2590In anger, Juno-like. Come, come, come.

They exit.

MENENIUS

Fie, fie, fie!

He exits.

Scene 3

Enter a Roman (Nicanor) and a Volsce (Adrian).

ROMAN

I know you well, sir, and you know me. Your
name I think is Adrian.

VOLSCE

It is so, sir. Truly, I have forgot you.

ROMAN

2595I am a Roman, and my services are, as you are,
5against ’em. Know you me yet?

VOLSCE

Nicanor, no?

ROMAN

The same, sir.

VOLSCE

You had more beard when I last saw you, but
2600your favor is well approved by your tongue.
10What’s the news in Rome? I have a note from the
Volscian state to find you out there. You have well
saved me a day’s journey.

ROMAN

There hath been in Rome strange insurrections,
2605the people against the senators, patricians,
15and nobles.

VOLSCE

Hath been? Is it ended, then? Our state thinks
not so. They are in a most warlike preparation and
hope to come upon them in the heat of their
2610division.

ROMAN

20The main blaze of it is past, but a small thing
would make it flame again; for the nobles receive
so to heart the banishment of that worthy Coriolanus
that they are in a ripe aptness to take all power
2615from the people and to pluck from them their tribunes
25forever. This lies glowing, I can tell you, and
is almost mature for the violent breaking out.

VOLSCE

Coriolanus banished?

ROMAN

Banished, sir.

VOLSCE

2620You will be welcome with this intelligence,
30Nicanor.

ROMAN

The day serves well for them now. I have heard
it said the fittest time to corrupt a man’s wife is
when she’s fall’n out with her husband. Your noble
2625Tullus Aufidius will appear well in these wars, his
35great opposer Coriolanus being now in no request
of his country.

VOLSCE

He cannot choose. I am most fortunate thus
accidentally to encounter you. You have ended my
2630business, and I will merrily accompany you home.

ROMAN

40I shall between this and supper tell you most
strange things from Rome, all tending to the good
of their adversaries. Have you an army ready, say
you?

VOLSCE

2635A most royal one. The centurions and their
45charges, distinctly billeted, already in th’ entertainment,
and to be on foot at an hour’s warning.

ROMAN

I am joyful to hear of their readiness and am
the man, I think, that shall set them in present action.
2640So, sir, heartily well met, and most glad of
50your company.

VOLSCE

You take my part from me, sir. I have the most
cause to be glad of yours.

ROMAN

Well, let us go together.

They exit.

Scene 4

Enter Coriolanus in mean apparel, disguised,
and muffled.

CORIOLANUS

2645A goodly city is this Antium. City,
’Tis I that made thy widows. Many an heir
Of these fair edifices ’fore my wars
Have I heard groan and drop. Then, know me not,
5Lest that thy wives with spits and boys with stones
2650In puny battle slay me.

Enter a Citizen.

Save you, sir.

CITIZEN

And you.

CORIOLANUS

Direct me, if it be your will,
10Where great Aufidius lies. Is he in Antium?

CITIZEN

2655He is, and feasts the nobles of the state
At his house this night.

CORIOLANUS

Which is his house, beseech
you?

CITIZEN

15This here before you.

CORIOLANUS

2660Thank you, sir. Farewell.
Citizen exits.
O world, thy slippery turns! Friends now fast sworn,
Whose double bosoms seems to wear one heart,
Whose hours, whose bed, whose meal and exercise
20Are still together, who twin, as ’twere, in love
2665Unseparable, shall within this hour,
On a dissension of a doit, break out
To bitterest enmity; so fellest foes,
Whose passions and whose plots have broke their
25sleep
2670To take the one the other, by some chance,
Some trick not worth an egg, shall grow dear friends
And interjoin their issues. So with me:
My birthplace hate I, and my love’s upon
30This enemy town. I’ll enter. If he slay me,
2675He does fair justice; if he give me way,
I’ll do his country service.

He exits.

Scene 5

Music plays. Enter a Servingman.

FIRST SERVINGMAN

Wine, wine, wine! What service is
here? I think our fellows are asleep.

He exits.Enter another Servingman.

SECOND SERVINGMAN

Where’s Cotus? My master calls
2680for him. Cotus!

He exits.Enter Coriolanus.

CORIOLANUS

5A goodly house. The feast smells well, but I
Appear not like a guest.

Enter the First Servingman.

FIRST SERVINGMAN

What would you have, friend?
Whence are you? Here’s no place for you. Pray, go
2685to the door.

He exits.

CORIOLANUS

10I have deserved no better entertainment
In being Coriolanus.

Enter Second Servingman.

SECOND SERVINGMAN

Whence are you, sir?—Has the
porter his eyes in his head, that he gives entrance
2690to such companions?—Pray, get you out.

CORIOLANUS

15Away!

SECOND SERVINGMAN

Away? Get you away.

CORIOLANUS

Now th’ art troublesome.

SECOND SERVINGMAN

Are you so brave? I’ll have you
2695talked with anon.

Enter Third Servingman; the First, entering,
meets him.

THIRD SERVINGMAN

20What fellow’s this?

FIRST SERVINGMAN

A strange one as ever I looked on. I
cannot get him out o’ th’ house. Prithee, call my
master to him.

He steps aside.

THIRD SERVINGMAN

2700What have you to do here, fellow?
25Pray you, avoid the house.

CORIOLANUS

Let me but stand. I will not hurt your
hearth.

THIRD SERVINGMAN

What are you?

CORIOLANUS

2705A gentleman.

THIRD SERVINGMAN

30A marv’llous poor one.

CORIOLANUS

True, so I am.

THIRD SERVINGMAN

Pray you, poor gentleman, take up
some other station. Here’s no place for you. Pray
2710you, avoid. Come.

CORIOLANUS

35Follow your function, go, and batten on
cold bits.

Pushes him away from him.

THIRD SERVINGMAN

What, you will not?—Prithee, tell
my master what a strange guest he has here.

SECOND SERVINGMAN

2715And I shall.

Second Servingman exits.

THIRD SERVINGMAN

40Where dwell’st thou?

CORIOLANUS

Under the canopy.

THIRD SERVINGMAN

Under the canopy?

CORIOLANUS

Ay.

THIRD SERVINGMAN

2720Where’s that?

CORIOLANUS

45I’ th’ city of kites and crows.

THIRD SERVINGMAN

I’ th’ city of kites and crows? What
an ass it is! Then thou dwell’st with daws too?

CORIOLANUS

No, I serve not thy master.

THIRD SERVINGMAN

2725How, sir? Do you meddle with my
50master?

CORIOLANUS

Ay, ’tis an honester service than to meddle
with thy mistress. Thou prat’st and prat’st. Serve
with thy trencher. Hence!

Beats him away.Third Servingman exits.Enter Aufidius with the Second Servingman.

AUFIDIUS

2730Where is this fellow?

SECOND SERVINGMAN

55Here, sir. I’d have beaten him like
a dog, but for disturbing the lords within.

He steps aside.

AUFIDIUS

Whence com’st thou? What wouldst thou?
Thy name? Why speak’st not? Speak, man. What’s
2735thy name?

CORIOLANUS , removing his muffler

60If, Tullus,
Not yet thou know’st me, and seeing me, dost not
Think me for the man I am, necessity
Commands me name myself.

AUFIDIUS

2740What is thy name?

CORIOLANUS

65A name unmusical to the Volscians’ ears
And harsh in sound to thine.

AUFIDIUS

Say, what’s thy name?
Thou hast a grim appearance, and thy face
2745Bears a command in ’t. Though thy tackle’s torn,
70Thou show’st a noble vessel. What’s thy name?

CORIOLANUS

Prepare thy brow to frown. Know’st thou me yet?

AUFIDIUS

I know thee not. Thy name?

CORIOLANUS

My name is Caius Martius, who hath done
2750To thee particularly and to all the Volsces
75Great hurt and mischief; thereto witness may
My surname Coriolanus. The painful service,
The extreme dangers, and the drops of blood
Shed for my thankless country are requited
2755But with that surname, a good memory
80And witness of the malice and displeasure
Which thou shouldst bear me. Only that name
remains.
The cruelty and envy of the people,
2760Permitted by our dastard nobles, who
85Have all forsook me, hath devoured the rest,
And suffered me by th’ voice of slaves to be
Whooped out of Rome. Now this extremity
Hath brought me to thy hearth, not out of hope—
2765Mistake me not—to save my life; for if
90I had feared death, of all the men i’ th’ world
I would have ’voided thee, but in mere spite,
To be full quit of those my banishers,
Stand I before thee here. Then if thou hast
2770A heart of wreak in thee, that wilt revenge
95Thine own particular wrongs and stop those maims
Of shame seen through thy country, speed thee
straight
And make my misery serve thy turn. So use it
2775That my revengeful services may prove
100As benefits to thee, for I will fight
Against my cankered country with the spleen
Of all the under fiends. But if so be
Thou dar’st not this, and that to prove more fortunes
2780Thou ’rt tired, then, in a word, I also am
105Longer to live most weary, and present
My throat to thee and to thy ancient malice,
Which not to cut would show thee but a fool,
Since I have ever followed thee with hate,
2785Drawn tuns of blood out of thy country’s breast,
110And cannot live but to thy shame, unless
It be to do thee service.

AUFIDIUS

O Martius, Martius,
Each word thou hast spoke hath weeded from my
2790heart
115A root of ancient envy. If Jupiter
Should from yond cloud speak divine things
And say ’tis true, I’d not believe them more
Than thee, all-noble Martius. Let me twine
2795Mine arms about that body, whereagainst
120My grainèd ash an hundred times hath broke
And scarred the moon with splinters.
They embrace.
Here I clip
The anvil of my sword and do contest
2800As hotly and as nobly with thy love
125As ever in ambitious strength I did
Contend against thy valor. Know thou first,
I loved the maid I married; never man
Sighed truer breath. But that I see thee here,
2805Thou noble thing, more dances my rapt heart
130Than when I first my wedded mistress saw
Bestride my threshold. Why, thou Mars, I tell thee
We have a power on foot, and I had purpose
Once more to hew thy target from thy brawn
2810Or lose mine arm for ’t. Thou hast beat me out
135Twelve several times, and I have nightly since
Dreamt of encounters ’twixt thyself and me;
We have been down together in my sleep,
Unbuckling helms, fisting each other’s throat,
2815And waked half dead with nothing. Worthy Martius,
140Had we no other quarrel else to Rome but that
Thou art thence banished, we would muster all
From twelve to seventy and, pouring war
Into the bowels of ungrateful Rome,
2820Like a bold flood o’erbear ’t. O, come, go in,
145And take our friendly senators by th’ hands,
Who now are here, taking their leaves of me,
Who am prepared against your territories,
Though not for Rome itself.

CORIOLANUS

2825You bless me, gods!

AUFIDIUS

150Therefore, most absolute sir, if thou wilt have
The leading of thine own revenges, take
Th’ one half of my commission and set down—
As best thou art experienced, since thou know’st
2830Thy country’s strength and weakness—thine own
155ways,
Whether to knock against the gates of Rome,
Or rudely visit them in parts remote
To fright them ere destroy. But come in.
2835Let me commend thee first to those that shall
160Say yea to thy desires. A thousand welcomes!
And more a friend than ere an enemy—
Yet, Martius, that was much. Your hand. Most
welcome!

Coriolanus and Aufidius exit.Two of the Servingmen come forward.

FIRST SERVINGMAN

2840Here’s a strange alteration!

SECOND SERVINGMAN

165By my hand, I had thought to
have strucken him with a cudgel, and yet my mind
gave me his clothes made a false report of him.

FIRST SERVINGMAN

What an arm he has! He turned me
2845about with his finger and his thumb as one would
170set up a top.

SECOND SERVINGMAN

Nay, I knew by his face that there
was something in him. He had, sir, a kind of face,
methought—I cannot tell how to term it.

FIRST SERVINGMAN

2850He had so, looking as it were—
175Would I were hanged but I thought there was
more in him than I could think.

SECOND SERVINGMAN

So did I, I’ll be sworn. He is simply
the rarest man i’ th’ world.

FIRST SERVINGMAN

2855I think he is. But a greater soldier
180than he you wot one.

SECOND SERVINGMAN

Who, my master?

FIRST SERVINGMAN

Nay, it’s no matter for that.

SECOND SERVINGMAN

Worth six on him.

FIRST SERVINGMAN

2860Nay, not so neither. But I take him
185to be the greater soldier.

SECOND SERVINGMAN

Faith, look you, one cannot tell
how to say that. For the defense of a town our general
is excellent.

FIRST SERVINGMAN

2865Ay, and for an assault too.

Enter the Third Servingman.

THIRD SERVINGMAN

190O slaves, I can tell you news, news,
you rascals!

BOTH

What, what, what? Let’s partake!

THIRD SERVINGMAN

I would not be a Roman, of all nations;
2870I had as lief be a condemned man.

BOTH

195Wherefore? Wherefore?

THIRD SERVINGMAN

Why, here’s he that was wont to
thwack our general, Caius Martius.

FIRST SERVINGMAN

Why do you say “thwack our
2875general”?

THIRD SERVINGMAN

200I do not say “thwack our general,”
but he was always good enough for him.

SECOND SERVINGMAN

Come, we are fellows and friends.
He was ever too hard for him; I have heard him
2880say so himself.

FIRST SERVINGMAN

205He was too hard for him directly, to
say the truth on ’t, before Corioles; he scotched
him and notched him like a carbonado.

SECOND SERVINGMAN

An he had been cannibally given,
2885he might have boiled and eaten him too.

FIRST SERVINGMAN

210But, more of thy news.

THIRD SERVINGMAN

Why, he is so made on here within
as if he were son and heir to Mars; set at upper end
o’ th’ table; no question asked him by any of the
2890senators but they stand bald before him. Our general
215himself makes a mistress of him, sanctifies
himself with ’s hand, and turns up the white o’ th’
eye to his discourse. But the bottom of the news is,
our general is cut i’ th’ middle and but one half of
2895what he was yesterday, for the other has half, by
220the entreaty and grant of the whole table. He’ll go,
he says, and sowl the porter of Rome gates by th’
ears. He will mow all down before him and leave
his passage polled.

SECOND SERVINGMAN

2900And he’s as like to do ’t as any
225man I can imagine.

THIRD SERVINGMAN

Do ’t? He will do ’t! For, look you,
sir, he has as many friends as enemies, which
friends, sir, as it were, durst not, look you, sir, show
2905themselves, as we term it, his friends whilest he’s
230in directitude.

FIRST SERVINGMAN

Directitude? What’s that?

THIRD SERVINGMAN

But when they shall see, sir, his
crest up again, and the man in blood, they will out
2910of their burrows like coneys after rain, and revel
235all with him.

FIRST SERVINGMAN

But when goes this forward?

THIRD SERVINGMAN

Tomorrow, today, presently. You
shall have the drum struck up this afternoon. ’Tis,
2915as it were, a parcel of their feast, and to be executed
240ere they wipe their lips.

SECOND SERVINGMAN

Why then, we shall have a stirring
world again. This peace is nothing but to rust iron,
increase tailors, and breed ballad-makers.

FIRST SERVINGMAN

2920Let me have war, say I. It exceeds
245peace as far as day does night. It’s sprightly walking,
audible, and full of vent. Peace is a very apoplexy,
lethargy; mulled, deaf, sleepy, insensible; a getter
of more bastard children than war’s a destroyer of
2925men.

SECOND SERVINGMAN

250’Tis so, and as wars in some sort
may be said to be a ravisher, so it cannot be denied
but peace is a great maker of cuckolds.

FIRST SERVINGMAN

Ay, and it makes men hate one
2930another.

THIRD SERVINGMAN

255Reason: because they then less
need one another. The wars for my money! I hope
to see Romans as cheap as Volscians. (Noise
within.) They are rising; they are rising.

FIRST AND SECOND SERVINGMEN

2935In, in, in, in!

They exit.

Scene 6

Enter the two Tribunes. Sicinius and Brutus.

SICINIUS

We hear not of him, neither need we fear him.
His remedies are tame—the present peace,
And quietness of the people, which before
Were in wild hurry. Here do we make his friends
52940Blush that the world goes well, who rather had,
Though they themselves did suffer by ’t, behold
Dissentious numbers pest’ring streets than see
Our tradesmen singing in their shops and going
About their functions friendly.

BRUTUS

102945We stood to ’t in good time.

Enter Menenius.

Is this Menenius?

SICINIUS

’Tis he, ’tis he. O, he is grown most kind
Of late.—Hail, sir.

MENENIUS

Hail to you both.

SICINIUS

152950Your Coriolanus is not much missed
But with his friends. The commonwealth doth stand,
And so would do were he more angry at it.

MENENIUS

All’s well, and might have been much better if
He could have temporized.

SICINIUS

202955Where is he, hear you?

MENENIUS

Nay, I hear nothing;
His mother and his wife hear nothing from him.

Enter three or four Citizens.

ALL CITIZENS , to the Tribunes

The gods preserve
you both!

SICINIUS

252960Good e’en, our neighbors.

BRUTUS

Good e’en to you all, good e’en to you all.

FIRST CITIZEN

Ourselves, our wives, and children, on our knees
Are bound to pray for you both.

SICINIUS

Live, and thrive!

BRUTUS

302965Farewell, kind neighbors. We wished Coriolanus
Had loved you as we did.

ALL CITIZENS

Now the gods keep you!

BOTH TRIBUNES

Farewell, farewell.

Citizens exit.

SICINIUS

This is a happier and more comely time
352970Than when these fellows ran about the streets
Crying confusion.

BRUTUS

Caius Martius was
A worthy officer i’ th’ war, but insolent,
O’ercome with pride, ambitious, past all thinking
402975Self-loving.

SICINIUS

And affecting one sole throne, without assistance.

MENENIUS

I think not so.

SICINIUS

We should by this, to all our lamentation,
If he had gone forth consul, found it so.

BRUTUS

452980The gods have well prevented it, and Rome
Sits safe and still without him.

Enter an Aedile.

AEDILE

Worthy tribunes,
There is a slave, whom we have put in prison,
Reports the Volsces with two several powers
502985Are entered in the Roman territories,
And with the deepest malice of the war
Destroy what lies before ’em.

MENENIUS

’Tis Aufidius,
Who, hearing of our Martius’ banishment,
552990Thrusts forth his horns again into the world,
Which were inshelled when Martius stood for Rome,
And durst not once peep out.

SICINIUS

Come, what talk you of Martius?

BRUTUS

Go see this rumorer whipped. It cannot be
602995The Volsces dare break with us.

MENENIUS

Cannot be?
We have record that very well it can,
And three examples of the like hath been
Within my age. But reason with the fellow
653000Before you punish him, where he heard this,
Lest you shall chance to whip your information
And beat the messenger who bids beware
Of what is to be dreaded.

SICINIUS

Tell not me.
703005I know this cannot be.

BRUTUS

Not possible.

Enter a Messenger.

MESSENGER

The nobles in great earnestness are going
All to the Senate House. Some news is coming
That turns their countenances.

SICINIUS

753010’Tis this slave—
Go whip him ’fore the people’s eyes—his raising,
Nothing but his report.

MESSENGER

Yes, worthy sir,
The slave’s report is seconded, and more,
803015More fearful, is delivered.

SICINIUS

What more fearful?

MESSENGER

It is spoke freely out of many mouths—
How probable I do not know—that Martius,
Joined with Aufidius, leads a power ’gainst Rome
853020And vows revenge as spacious as between
The young’st and oldest thing.

SICINIUS

This is most likely!

BRUTUS

Raised only that the weaker sort may wish
Good Martius home again.

SICINIUS

903025The very trick on ’t.

MENENIUS

This is unlikely;
He and Aufidius can no more atone
Than violent’st contrariety.

Enter a Second Messenger.

SECOND MESSENGER

You are sent for to the Senate.
953030A fearful army, led by Caius Martius
Associated with Aufidius, rages
Upon our territories, and have already
O’erborne their way, consumed with fire and took
What lay before them.

Enter Cominius.

COMINIUS , to the Tribunes

1003035O, you have made good
work!

MENENIUS

What news? What news?

COMINIUS , to the Tribunes

You have holp to ravish your own daughters and
To melt the city leads upon your pates,
1053040To see your wives dishonored to your noses—

MENENIUS

What’s the news? What’s the news?

COMINIUS , to the Tribunes

Your temples burnèd in their cement, and
Your franchises, whereon you stood, confined
Into an auger’s bore.

MENENIUS

1103045Pray now, your news?—
You have made fair work, I fear me.—Pray, your
news?
If Martius should be joined with Volscians—

COMINIUS

If?
1153050He is their god; he leads them like a thing
Made by some other deity than Nature,
That shapes man better; and they follow him
Against us brats with no less confidence
Than boys pursuing summer butterflies
1203055Or butchers killing flies.

MENENIUS , to the Tribunes

You have made good work,
You and your apron-men, you that stood so much
Upon the voice of occupation and
The breath of garlic eaters!

COMINIUS

1253060He’ll shake your Rome about your ears.

MENENIUS

As Hercules did shake down mellow fruit.
You have made fair work.

BRUTUS

But is this true, sir?

COMINIUS

Ay, and you’ll look pale
1303065Before you find it other. All the regions
Do smilingly revolt, and who resists
Are mocked for valiant ignorance
And perish constant fools. Who is ’t can blame him?
Your enemies and his find something in him.

MENENIUS

1353070We are all undone, unless
The noble man have mercy.

COMINIUS

Who shall ask it?
The Tribunes cannot do ’t for shame; the people
Deserve such pity of him as the wolf
1403075Does of the shepherds. For his best friends, if they
Should say “Be good to Rome,” they charged him
even
As those should do that had deserved his hate
And therein showed like enemies.

MENENIUS

1453080’Tis true.
If he were putting to my house the brand
That should consume it, I have not the face
To say “Beseech you, cease.”—You have made fair
hands,
1503085You and your crafts! You have crafted fair!

COMINIUS

You have
brought
A trembling upon Rome such as was never
S’ incapable of help.

TRIBUNES

1553090Say not we brought it.

MENENIUS

How? Was ’t we? We loved him, but like beasts
And cowardly nobles, gave way unto your clusters,
Who did hoot him out o’ th’ city.

COMINIUS

But I fear
1603095They’ll roar him in again. Tullus Aufidius,
The second name of men, obeys his points
As if he were his officer. Desperation
Is all the policy, strength, and defense
That Rome can make against them.

Enter a troop of Citizens.

MENENIUS

1653100Here come the
clusters.—
And is Aufidius with him? You are they
That made the air unwholesome when you cast
Your stinking, greasy caps in hooting at
1703105Coriolanus’ exile. Now he’s coming,
And not a hair upon a soldier’s head
Which will not prove a whip. As many coxcombs
As you threw caps up will he tumble down
And pay you for your voices. ’Tis no matter.
1753110If he could burn us all into one coal,
We have deserved it.

ALL CITIZENS

Faith, we hear fearful news.

FIRST CITIZEN

For mine own part,
When I said banish him, I said ’twas pity.

SECOND CITIZEN

1803115And so did I.

THIRD CITIZEN

And so did I. And, to say the truth, so
did very many of us. That we did we did for the
best; and though we willingly consented to his
banishment, yet it was against our will.

COMINIUS

1853120You’re goodly things, you voices!

MENENIUS

You have made good work, you and your cry!—
Shall ’s to the Capitol?

COMINIUS

O, ay, what else?

Both exit.

SICINIUS

Go, masters, get you home. Be not dismayed.
1903125These are a side that would be glad to have
This true which they so seem to fear. Go home,
And show no sign of fear.

FIRST CITIZEN

The gods be good to us! Come, masters,
let’s home. I ever said we were i’ th’ wrong when
1953130we banished him.

SECOND CITIZEN

So did we all. But, come, let’s home.

Citizens exit.

BRUTUS

I do not like this news.

SICINIUS

Nor I.

BRUTUS

Let’s to the Capitol. Would half my wealth
2003135Would buy this for a lie.

SICINIUS

Pray, let’s go.

Tribunes exit.

Scene 7

Enter Aufidius with his Lieutenant.

AUFIDIUS

Do they still fly to th’ Roman?

LIEUTENANT

I do not know what witchcraft’s in him, but
Your soldiers use him as the grace ’fore meat,
3140Their talk at table, and their thanks at end;
5And you are dark’ned in this action, sir,
Even by your own.

AUFIDIUS

I cannot help it now,
Unless by using means I lame the foot
3145Of our design. He bears himself more proudlier,
10Even to my person, than I thought he would
When first I did embrace him. Yet his nature
In that’s no changeling, and I must excuse
What cannot be amended.

LIEUTENANT

3150Yet I wish, sir—
15I mean for your particular—you had not
Joined in commission with him, but either
Have borne the action of yourself or else
To him had left it solely.

AUFIDIUS

3155I understand thee well, and be thou sure,
20When he shall come to his account, he knows not
What I can urge against him, although it seems,
And so he thinks and is no less apparent
To th’ vulgar eye, that he bears all things fairly,
3160And shows good husbandry for the Volscian state,
25Fights dragonlike, and does achieve as soon
As draw his sword; yet he hath left undone
That which shall break his neck or hazard mine
Whene’er we come to our account.

LIEUTENANT

3165Sir, I beseech you, think you he’ll carry Rome?

AUFIDIUS

30All places yields to him ere he sits down,
And the nobility of Rome are his;
The Senators and Patricians love him too.
The Tribunes are no soldiers, and their people
3170Will be as rash in the repeal as hasty
35To expel him thence. I think he’ll be to Rome
As is the osprey to the fish, who takes it
By sovereignty of nature. First, he was
A noble servant to them, but he could not
3175Carry his honors even. Whether ’twas pride,
40Which out of daily fortune ever taints
The happy man; whether defect of judgment,
To fail in the disposing of those chances
Which he was lord of; or whether nature,
3180Not to be other than one thing, not moving
45From th’ casque to th’ cushion, but commanding
peace
Even with the same austerity and garb
As he controlled the war; but one of these—
3185As he hath spices of them all—not all,
50For I dare so far free him—made him feared,
So hated, and so banished. But he has a merit
To choke it in the utt’rance. So our virtues
Lie in th’ interpretation of the time,
3190And power, unto itself most commendable,
55Hath not a tomb so evident as a chair
T’ extol what it hath done.
One fire drives out one fire, one nail one nail;
Rights by rights falter; strengths by strengths do
3195fail.
60Come, let’s away. When, Caius, Rome is thine,
Thou art poor’st of all; then shortly art thou mine.

They exit.

ACT 5

Scene 1

Enter Menenius, Cominius, Sicinius, Brutus (the two
Tribunes), with others.

MENENIUS

No, I’ll not go. You hear what he hath said
Which was sometime his general, who loved him
3200In a most dear particular. He called me father,
But what o’ that? Go you that banished him;
5A mile before his tent, fall down, and knee
The way into his mercy. Nay, if he coyed
To hear Cominius speak, I’ll keep at home.

COMINIUS

3205He would not seem to know me.

MENENIUS

Do you hear?

COMINIUS

10Yet one time he did call me by my name.
I urged our old acquaintance, and the drops
That we have bled together. “Coriolanus”
3210He would not answer to, forbade all names.
He was a kind of nothing, titleless,
15Till he had forged himself a name o’ th’ fire
Of burning Rome.

MENENIUS , to the Tribunes

Why, so; you have made good work!
3215A pair of tribunes that have wracked Rome
To make coals cheap! A noble memory!

COMINIUS

20I minded him how royal ’twas to pardon
When it was less expected. He replied
It was a bare petition of a state
3220To one whom they had punished.

MENENIUS

Very well.
25Could he say less?

COMINIUS

I offered to awaken his regard
For ’s private friends. His answer to me was
3225He could not stay to pick them in a pile
Of noisome musty chaff. He said ’twas folly
30For one poor grain or two to leave unburnt
And still to nose th’ offense.

MENENIUS

For one poor grain or two!
3230I am one of those! His mother, wife, his child,
And this brave fellow too, we are the grains;
35You are the musty chaff, and you are smelt
Above the moon. We must be burnt for you.

SICINIUS

Nay, pray, be patient. If you refuse your aid
3235In this so-never-needed help, yet do not
Upbraid ’s with our distress. But sure, if you
40Would be your country’s pleader, your good tongue,
More than the instant army we can make,
Might stop our countryman.

MENENIUS

3240No, I’ll not meddle.

SICINIUS

Pray you, go to him.

MENENIUS

45What should I do?

BRUTUS

Only make trial what your love can do
For Rome, towards Martius.

MENENIUS

3245Well, and say that
Martius
50Return me, as Cominius is returned, unheard,
What then? But as a discontented friend,
Grief-shot with his unkindness? Say ’t be so?

SICINIUS

3250Yet your good will
Must have that thanks from Rome after the measure
55As you intended well.

MENENIUS

I’ll undertake ’t.
I think he’ll hear me. Yet to bite his lip
3255And hum at good Cominius much unhearts me.
He was not taken well; he had not dined.
60The veins unfilled, our blood is cold, and then
We pout upon the morning, are unapt
To give or to forgive; but when we have stuffed
3260These pipes and these conveyances of our blood
With wine and feeding, we have suppler souls
65Than in our priestlike fasts. Therefore I’ll watch him
Till he be dieted to my request,
And then I’ll set upon him.

BRUTUS

3265You know the very road into his kindness
And cannot lose your way.

MENENIUS

70Good faith, I’ll prove him,
Speed how it will. I shall ere long have knowledge
Of my success.

He exits.

COMINIUS

3270He’ll never hear him.

SICINIUS

Not?

COMINIUS

75I tell you, he does sit in gold, his eye
Red as ’twould burn Rome; and his injury
The jailor to his pity. I kneeled before him;
3275’Twas very faintly he said “Rise”; dismissed me
Thus with his speechless hand. What he would do
80He sent in writing after me; what he
Would not, bound with an oath to yield to his
Conditions. So that all hope is vain
3280Unless his noble mother and his wife,
Who, as I hear, mean to solicit him
85For mercy to his country. Therefore let’s hence
And with our fair entreaties haste them on.

They exit.

Scene 2

Enter Menenius to the Watch, or Guard.

FIRST WATCH

Stay! Whence are you?

SECOND WATCH

3285Stand, and go back.

MENENIUS

You guard like men; ’tis well. But by your leave,
I am an officer of state and come
5To speak with Coriolanus.

FIRST WATCH

From whence?

MENENIUS

3290From Rome.

FIRST WATCH

You may not pass; you must return. Our general
Will no more hear from thence.

SECOND WATCH

10You’ll see your Rome embraced with fire before
You’ll speak with Coriolanus.

MENENIUS

3295Good my friends,
If you have heard your general talk of Rome
And of his friends there, it is lots to blanks
15My name hath touched your ears. It is Menenius.

FIRST WATCH

Be it so; go back. The virtue of your name
3300Is not here passable.

MENENIUS

I tell thee, fellow,
Thy general is my lover. I have been
20The book of his good acts, whence men have read
His fame unparalleled happily amplified;
3305For I have ever verified my friends—
Of whom he’s chief—with all the size that verity
Would without lapsing suffer. Nay, sometimes,
25Like to a bowl upon a subtle ground,
I have tumbled past the throw, and in his praise
3310Have almost stamped the leasing. Therefore, fellow,
I must have leave to pass.

FIRST WATCH

Faith, sir, if you had told as many lies in
30his behalf as you have uttered words in your own,
you should not pass here, no, though it were as virtuous
3315to lie as to live chastely. Therefore, go back.

MENENIUS

Prithee, fellow, remember my name is Menenius,
always factionary on the party of your
35general.

SECOND WATCH

Howsoever you have been his liar, as
3320you say you have, I am one that, telling true under
him, must say you cannot pass. Therefore, go back.

MENENIUS

Has he dined, can’st thou tell? For I would
40not speak with him till after dinner.

FIRST WATCH

You are a Roman, are you?

MENENIUS

3325I am, as thy general is.

FIRST WATCH

Then you should hate Rome as he does.
Can you, when you have pushed out your gates the
45very defender of them, and, in a violent popular
ignorance given your enemy your shield, think to
3330front his revenges with the easy groans of old
women, the virginal palms of your daughters, or
with the palsied intercession of such a decayed
50dotant as you seem to be? Can you think to blow
out the intended fire your city is ready to flame in
3335with such weak breath as this? No, you are deceived.
Therefore, back to Rome and prepare for
your execution. You are condemned. Our general
55has sworn you out of reprieve and pardon.

MENENIUS

Sirrah, if thy captain knew I were here, he
3340would use me with estimation.

FIRST WATCH

Come, my captain knows you not.

MENENIUS

I mean thy general.

FIRST WATCH

60My general cares not for you. Back, I say,
go, lest I let forth your half pint of blood. Back!
3345That’s the utmost of your having. Back!

MENENIUS

Nay, but fellow, fellow—

Enter Coriolanus with Aufidius.

CORIOLANUS

What’s the matter?

MENENIUS to First Watch

65Now, you companion, I’ll
say an errand for you. You shall know now that I
3350am in estimation; you shall perceive that a Jack
guardant cannot office me from my son Coriolanus.
Guess but by my entertainment with him
70if thou stand’st not i’ th’ state of hanging or of some
death more long in spectatorship and crueler in
3355suffering; behold now presently, and swoon for
what’s to come upon thee. (To Coriolanus.) The
glorious gods sit in hourly synod about thy particular
75prosperity and love thee no worse than thy old
father Menenius does! O my son, my son! (He
weeps.) 3360Thou art preparing fire for us; look thee,
here’s water to quench it. I was hardly moved to
come to thee; but being assured none but myself
80could move thee, I have been blown out of your
gates with sighs, and conjure thee to pardon Rome
3365and thy petitionary countrymen. The good gods
assuage thy wrath and turn the dregs of it upon
this varlet here, this, who, like a block, hath denied
85my access to thee.

CORIOLANUS

Away!

MENENIUS

3370How? Away?

CORIOLANUS

Wife, mother, child, I know not. My affairs
Are servanted to others. Though I owe
90My revenge properly, my remission lies
In Volscian breasts. That we have been familiar,
3375Ingrate forgetfulness shall poison rather
Than pity note how much. Therefore, begone.
Mine ears against your suits are stronger than
95Your gates against my force. Yet, for I loved thee,
Take this along; I writ it for thy sake,
He gives Menenius a paper.
3380And would have sent it. Another word, Menenius,
I will not hear thee speak.—This man, Aufidius,
Was my beloved in Rome; yet thou behold’st.

AUFIDIUS

100You keep a constant temper.

They exit.The Guard and Menenius remain.

FIRST WATCH

Now, sir, is your name Menenius?

SECOND WATCH

3385’Tis a spell, you see, of much power. You
know the way home again.

FIRST WATCH

Do you hear how we are shent for keeping
105your Greatness back?

SECOND WATCH

What cause do you think I have to
3390swoon?

MENENIUS

I neither care for th’ world nor your general.
For such things as you, I can scarce think
110there’s any, you’re so slight. He that hath a will to
die by himself fears it not from another. Let your
3395general do his worst. For you, be that you are,
long; and your misery increase with your age! I say
to you, as I was said to, away!

He exits.

FIRST WATCH

115A noble fellow, I warrant him.

SECOND WATCH

The worthy fellow is our general. He’s
3400the rock, the oak not to be wind-shaken.

Watch exit.

Scene 3

Enter Coriolanus and Aufidius.

CORIOLANUS

We will before the walls of Rome tomorrow
Set down our host. My partner in this action,
You must report to th’ Volscian lords how plainly
I have borne this business.

AUFIDIUS

53405Only their ends
You have respected, stopped your ears against
The general suit of Rome, never admitted
A private whisper, no, not with such friends
That thought them sure of you.

CORIOLANUS

103410This last old man,
Whom with a cracked heart I have sent to Rome,
Loved me above the measure of a father,
Nay, godded me indeed. Their latest refuge
Was to send him, for whose old love I have—
153415Though I showed sourly to him—once more offered
The first conditions, which they did refuse
And cannot now accept, to grace him only
That thought he could do more. A very little
I have yielded to. Fresh embassies and suits,
203420Nor from the state nor private friends, hereafter
Will I lend ear to.Shout within.
Ha? What shout is this?
Shall I be tempted to infringe my vow
In the same time ’tis made? I will not.

Enter Virgilia, Volumnia, Valeria, young Martius,
with Attendants.

253425My wife comes foremost, then the honored mold
Wherein this trunk was framed, and in her hand
The grandchild to her blood. But out, affection!
All bond and privilege of nature, break!
Let it be virtuous to be obstinate.Virgilia curtsies.
303430What is that curtsy worth? Or those doves’ eyes,
Which can make gods forsworn? I melt and am not
Of stronger earth than others.Volumnia bows.
My mother bows,
As if Olympus to a molehill should
353435In supplication nod; and my young boy
Hath an aspect of intercession which
Great Nature cries “Deny not!” Let the Volsces
Plow Rome and harrow Italy, I’ll never
Be such a gosling to obey instinct, but stand
403440As if a man were author of himself,
And knew no other kin.

VIRGILIA

My lord and husband.

CORIOLANUS

These eyes are not the same I wore in Rome.

VIRGILIA

The sorrow that delivers us thus changed
453445Makes you think so.

CORIOLANUS

Like a dull actor now,
I have forgot my part, and I am out,
Even to a full disgrace. Best of my flesh,
Forgive my tyranny, but do not say
503450For that “Forgive our Romans.”They kiss.
O, a kiss
Long as my exile, sweet as my revenge!
Now, by the jealous queen of heaven, that kiss
I carried from thee, dear, and my true lip
553455Hath virgined it e’er since. You gods! I prate
And the most noble mother of the world
Leave unsaluted. Sink, my knee, i’ th’ earth;Kneels.
Of thy deep duty more impression show
Than that of common sons.

VOLUMNIA

603460O, stand up blest,
He rises.
Whilst with no softer cushion than the flint
I kneel before thee and unproperly
Show duty, as mistaken all this while
Between the child and parent.

She kneels.

CORIOLANUS

653465What’s this?
Your knees to me? To your corrected son?
He raises her up.
Then let the pebbles on the hungry beach
Fillip the stars! Then let the mutinous winds
Strike the proud cedars ’gainst the fiery sun,
703470Murdering impossibility to make
What cannot be slight work.

VOLUMNIA

Thou art my warrior;
I holp to frame thee. Do you know this lady?

CORIOLANUS

The noble sister of Publicola,
753475The moon of Rome, chaste as the icicle
That’s curdied by the frost from purest snow
And hangs on Dian’s temple!—Dear Valeria.

VOLUMNIA , presenting young Martius

This is a poor epitome of yours,
Which by th’ interpretation of full time
803480May show like all yourself.

CORIOLANUS , to young Martius

The god of soldiers,
With the consent of supreme Jove, inform
Thy thoughts with nobleness, that thou mayst prove
To shame unvulnerable, and stick i’ th’ wars
853485Like a great seamark standing every flaw
And saving those that eye thee.

VOLUMNIA , to young Martius

Your knee, sirrah.

He kneels.

CORIOLANUS

That’s my brave boy!

VOLUMNIA

Even he, your wife, this lady, and myself
903490Are suitors to you.

Young Martius rises.

CORIOLANUS

I beseech you, peace;
Or if you’d ask, remember this before:
The thing I have forsworn to grant may never
Be held by you denials. Do not bid me
953495Dismiss my soldiers or capitulate
Again with Rome’s mechanics. Tell me not
Wherein I seem unnatural; desire not
T’ allay my rages and revenges with
Your colder reasons.

VOLUMNIA

1003500O, no more, no more!
You have said you will not grant us anything;
For we have nothing else to ask but that
Which you deny already. Yet we will ask,
That if you fail in our request, the blame
1053505May hang upon your hardness. Therefore hear us.

CORIOLANUS

Aufidius, and you Volsces, mark, for we’ll
Hear naught from Rome in private. He sits. Your
request?

VOLUMNIA

Should we be silent and not speak, our raiment
1103510And state of bodies would bewray what life
We have led since thy exile. Think with thyself
How more unfortunate than all living women
Are we come hither; since that thy sight, which
should
1153515Make our eyes flow with joy, hearts dance with
comforts,
Constrains them weep and shake with fear and
sorrow,
Making the mother, wife, and child to see
1203520The son, the husband, and the father tearing
His country’s bowels out. And to poor we
Thine enmity’s most capital. Thou barr’st us
Our prayers to the gods, which is a comfort
That all but we enjoy. For how can we—
1253525Alas, how can we—for our country pray,
Whereto we are bound, together with thy victory,
Whereto we are bound? Alack, or we must lose
The country, our dear nurse, or else thy person,
Our comfort in the country. We must find
1303530An evident calamity, though we had
Our wish, which side should win, for either thou
Must as a foreign recreant be led
With manacles through our streets, or else
Triumphantly tread on thy country’s ruin
1353535And bear the palm for having bravely shed
Thy wife and children’s blood. For myself, son,
I purpose not to wait on fortune till
These wars determine. If I cannot persuade thee
Rather to show a noble grace to both parts
1403540Than seek the end of one, thou shalt no sooner
March to assault thy country than to tread—
Trust to ’t, thou shalt not—on thy mother’s womb
That brought thee to this world.

VIRGILIA

Ay, and mine,
1453545That brought you forth this boy to keep your name
Living to time.

YOUNG MARTIUS

He shall not tread on me.
I’ll run away till I am bigger, but then I’ll fight.

CORIOLANUS

Not of a woman’s tenderness to be
1503550Requires nor child nor woman’s face to see.—
I have sat too long.

He rises.

VOLUMNIA

Nay, go not from us thus.
If it were so, that our request did tend
To save the Romans, thereby to destroy
1553555The Volsces whom you serve, you might condemn
us
As poisonous of your honor. No, our suit
Is that you reconcile them, while the Volsces
May say “This mercy we have showed,” the Romans
1603560“This we received,” and each in either side
Give the all-hail to thee and cry “Be blest
For making up this peace!” Thou know’st, great son,
The end of war’s uncertain, but this certain,
That, if thou conquer Rome, the benefit
1653565Which thou shalt thereby reap is such a name
Whose repetition will be dogged with curses,
Whose chronicle thus writ: “The man was noble,
But with his last attempt he wiped it out,
Destroyed his country, and his name remains
1703570To th’ ensuing age abhorred.” Speak to me, son.
Thou hast affected the fine strains of honor
To imitate the graces of the gods,
To tear with thunder the wide cheeks o’ th’ air
And yet to charge thy sulfur with a bolt
1753575That should but rive an oak. Why dost not speak?
Think’st thou it honorable for a noble man
Still to remember wrongs?—Daughter, speak you.
He cares not for your weeping.—Speak thou, boy.
Perhaps thy childishness will move him more
1803580Than can our reasons.—There’s no man in the world
More bound to ’s mother, yet here he lets me prate
Like one i’ th’ stocks. Thou hast never in thy life
Showed thy dear mother any courtesy
When she, poor hen, fond of no second brood,
1853585Has clucked thee to the wars and safely home,
Loaden with honor. Say my request’s unjust
And spurn me back; but if it be not so,
Thou art not honest, and the gods will plague thee
That thou restrain’st from me the duty which
1903590To a mother’s part belongs.—He turns away.—
Down, ladies! Let us shame him with our knees.
To his surname Coriolanus ’longs more pride
Than pity to our prayers. Down! An end.
They kneel.
This is the last. So, we will home to Rome
1953595And die among our neighbors.—Nay, behold ’s.
This boy that cannot tell what he would have,
But kneels and holds up hands for fellowship,
Does reason our petition with more strength
Than thou hast to deny ’t.—Come, let us go.
They rise.
2003600This fellow had a Volscian to his mother,
His wife is in Corioles, and his child
Like him by chance.—Yet give us our dispatch.
I am hushed until our city be afire,
And then I’ll speak a little.

He holds her by the hand, silent.

CORIOLANUS

2053605O mother, mother!
What have you done? Behold, the heavens do ope,
The gods look down, and this unnatural scene
They laugh at. O, my mother, mother, O!
You have won a happy victory to Rome,
2103610But, for your son—believe it, O, believe it!—
Most dangerously you have with him prevailed,
If not most mortal to him. But let it come.—
Aufidius, though I cannot make true wars,
I’ll frame convenient peace. Now, good Aufidius,
2153615Were you in my stead, would you have heard
A mother less? Or granted less, Aufidius?

AUFIDIUS

I was moved withal.

CORIOLANUS

I dare be sworn you were.
And, sir, it is no little thing to make
2203620Mine eyes to sweat compassion. But, good sir,
What peace you’ll make advise me. For my part,
I’ll not to Rome. I’ll back with you; and pray you,
Stand to me in this cause.—O mother!—Wife!

He speaks with them aside.

AUFIDIUS , aside

I am glad thou hast set thy mercy and thy honor
2253625At difference in thee. Out of that I’ll work
Myself a former fortune.

CORIOLANUS , to the Women

Ay, by and by;
But we will drink together, and you shall bear
A better witness back than words, which we,
2303630On like conditions, will have countersealed.
Come, enter with us. Ladies, you deserve
To have a temple built you. All the swords
In Italy, and her confederate arms,
Could not have made this peace.

They exit.

Scene 4

Enter Menenius and Sicinius.

MENENIUS

3635See you yond coign o’ th’ Capitol, yond
cornerstone?

SICINIUS

Why, what of that?

MENENIUS

If it be possible for you to displace it with
5your little finger, there is some hope the ladies of
3640Rome, especially his mother, may prevail with
him. But I say there is no hope in ’t. Our throats
are sentenced and stay upon execution.

SICINIUS

Is ’t possible that so short a time can alter the
10condition of a man?

MENENIUS

3645There is differency between a grub and a
butterfly, yet your butterfly was a grub. This Martius
is grown from man to dragon. He has wings;
he’s more than a creeping thing.

SICINIUS

15He loved his mother dearly.

MENENIUS

3650So did he me; and he no more remembers
his mother now than an eight-year-old horse. The
tartness of his face sours ripe grapes. When he
walks, he moves like an engine, and the ground
20shrinks before his treading. He is able to pierce a
3655corslet with his eye, talks like a knell, and his hum
is a battery. He sits in his state as a thing made for
Alexander. What he bids be done is finished with
his bidding. He wants nothing of a god but eternity
25and a heaven to throne in.

SICINIUS

3660Yes, mercy, if you report him truly.

MENENIUS

I paint him in the character. Mark what
mercy his mother shall bring from him. There is
no more mercy in him than there is milk in a male
30tiger. That shall our poor city find, and all this is
3665long of you.

SICINIUS

The gods be good unto us.

MENENIUS

No, in such a case the gods will not be good
unto us. When we banished him, we respected not
35them; and he returning to break our necks, they
3670respect not us.

Enter a Messenger.

MESSENGER , to Sicinius

Sir, if you’d save your life, fly to your house.
The plebeians have got your fellow tribune
And hale him up and down, all swearing if
40The Roman ladies bring not comfort home,
3675They’ll give him death by inches.

Enter another Messenger.

SICINIUS

What’s the news?

SECOND MESSENGER

Good news, good news! The ladies have prevailed.
The Volscians are dislodged and Martius gone.
45A merrier day did never yet greet Rome,
3680No, not th’ expulsion of the Tarquins.

SICINIUS

Friend,
Art thou certain this is true? Is ’t most certain?

SECOND MESSENGER

As certain as I know the sun is fire.
50Where have you lurked that you make doubt of it?
3685Ne’er through an arch so hurried the blown tide
As the recomforted through th’ gates. Why, hark you!

Trumpets, hautboys, drums beat, all together.

The trumpets, sackbuts, psalteries, and fifes,
Tabors and cymbals, and the shouting Romans
55Make the sun dance. Hark you!

A shout within.

MENENIUS

3690This is good news.
I will go meet the ladies. This Volumnia
Is worth of consuls, senators, patricians
A city full; of tribunes such as you
60A sea and land full. You have prayed well today.
3695This morning for ten thousand of your throats
I’d not have given a doit. Hark, how they joy!

Sound still with the shouts.

SICINIUS , to Second Messenger

First, the gods bless
you for your tidings; next, accept my thankfulness.

SECOND MESSENGER

65Sir, we have all great cause to give great thanks.

SICINIUS

3700They are near the city?

SECOND MESSENGER

Almost at point to enter.

SICINIUS

We’ll meet them, and help the joy.

They exit.

Scene 5

Enter two Senators, with Ladies (Volumnia, Virgilia,
Valeria) passing over the stage, with other Lords.

SENATOR

Behold our patroness, the life of Rome!
Call all your tribes together, praise the gods,
3705And make triumphant fires. Strew flowers before
them,
5Unshout the noise that banished Martius,
Repeal him with the welcome of his mother.
Cry “Welcome, ladies, welcome!”

ALL

3710Welcome, ladies, welcome!

A flourish with drums and trumpets.They exit.

Scene 6

Enter Tullus Aufidius, with Attendants.

AUFIDIUS

Go tell the lords o’ th’ city I am here.
Deliver them this paper.(He gives them a paper.)
Having read it,
Bid them repair to th’ marketplace, where I,
53715Even in theirs and in the commons’ ears,
Will vouch the truth of it. Him I accuse
The city ports by this hath entered and
Intends t’ appear before the people, hoping
To purge himself with words. Dispatch.
The Attendants exit.

Enter three or four Conspirators of Aufidius’s faction.

103720Most welcome!

FIRST CONSPIRATOR

How is it with our general?

AUFIDIUS

Even so
As with a man by his own alms empoisoned
And with his charity slain.

SECOND CONSPIRATOR

153725Most noble sir,
If you do hold the same intent wherein
You wished us parties, we’ll deliver you
Of your great danger.

AUFIDIUS

Sir, I cannot tell.
203730We must proceed as we do find the people.

THIRD CONSPIRATOR

The people will remain uncertain whilst
’Twixt you there’s difference, but the fall of either
Makes the survivor heir of all.

AUFIDIUS

I know it,
253735And my pretext to strike at him admits
A good construction. I raised him, and I pawned
Mine honor for his truth, who, being so heightened,
He watered his new plants with dews of flattery,
Seducing so my friends; and to this end,
303740He bowed his nature, never known before
But to be rough, unswayable, and free.

THIRD CONSPIRATOR

Sir, his stoutness
When he did stand for consul, which he lost
By lack of stooping—

AUFIDIUS

353745That I would have spoke of.
Being banished for ’t, he came unto my hearth,
Presented to my knife his throat. I took him,
Made him joint servant with me, gave him way
In all his own desires; nay, let him choose
403750Out of my files, his projects to accomplish,
My best and freshest men; served his designments
In mine own person; holp to reap the fame
Which he did end all his; and took some pride
To do myself this wrong; till at the last
453755I seemed his follower, not partner; and
He waged me with his countenance as if
I had been mercenary.

FIRST CONSPIRATOR

So he did, my lord.
The army marvelled at it, and, in the last,
503760When he had carried Rome and that we looked
For no less spoil than glory—

AUFIDIUS

There was it
For which my sinews shall be stretched upon him.
At a few drops of women’s rheum, which are
553765As cheap as lies, he sold the blood and labor
Of our great action. Therefore shall he die,
And I’ll renew me in his fall. But hark!

Drums and trumpets sounds, with great shouts
of the people.

FIRST CONSPIRATOR

Your native town you entered like a post
And had no welcomes home, but he returns
603770Splitting the air with noise.

SECOND CONSPIRATOR

And patient fools,
Whose children he hath slain, their base throats tear
With giving him glory.

THIRD CONSPIRATOR

Therefore at your vantage,
653775Ere he express himself or move the people
With what he would say, let him feel your sword,
Which we will second. When he lies along,
After your way his tale pronounced shall bury
His reasons with his body.

AUFIDIUS

703780Say no more.

Enter the Lords of the city.

Here come the lords.

ALL LORDS

You are most welcome home.

AUFIDIUS

I have not deserved it.
But, worthy lords, have you with heed perused
753785What I have written to you?

ALL LORDS

We have.

FIRST LORD

And grieve to hear ’t.
What faults he made before the last, I think
Might have found easy fines, but there to end
803790Where he was to begin and give away
The benefit of our levies, answering us
With our own charge, making a treaty where
There was a yielding—this admits no excuse.

Enter Coriolanus marching with Drum and Colors, the
Commoners being with him.

AUFIDIUS

He approaches. You shall hear him.

CORIOLANUS

853795Hail, lords! I am returned your soldier,
No more infected with my country’s love
Than when I parted hence, but still subsisting
Under your great command. You are to know
That prosperously I have attempted, and
903800With bloody passage led your wars even to
The gates of Rome. Our spoils we have brought
home
Doth more than counterpoise a full third part
The charges of the action. We have made peace
953805With no less honor to the Antiates
Than shame to th’ Romans, and we here deliver,
Subscribed by’ th’ Consuls and patricians,
Together with the seal o’ th’ Senate, what
We have compounded on.

He offers the lords a paper.

AUFIDIUS

1003810Read it not, noble lords,
But tell the traitor in the highest degree
He hath abused your powers.

CORIOLANUS

“Traitor”? How now?

AUFIDIUS

Ay, traitor, Martius.

CORIOLANUS

1053815Martius?

AUFIDIUS

Ay, Martius, Caius Martius. Dost thou think
I’ll grace thee with that robbery, thy stol’n name
Coriolanus, in Corioles?
You lords and heads o’ th’ state, perfidiously
1103820He has betrayed your business and given up
For certain drops of salt your city Rome—
I say your city—to his wife and mother,
Breaking his oath and resolution like
A twist of rotten silk, never admitting
1153825Counsel o’ th’ war, but at his nurse’s tears
He whined and roared away your victory,
That pages blushed at him and men of heart
Looked wond’ring each at other.

CORIOLANUS

Hear’st thou, Mars?

AUFIDIUS

1203830Name not the god, thou boy of tears.

CORIOLANUS

Ha?

AUFIDIUS

No more.

CORIOLANUS

Measureless liar, thou hast made my heart
Too great for what contains it. “Boy”? O slave!—
1253835Pardon me, lords, ’tis the first time that ever
I was forced to scold. Your judgments, my grave
lords,
Must give this cur the lie; and his own notion—
Who wears my stripes impressed upon him, that
1303840Must bear my beating to his grave—shall join
To thrust the lie unto him.

FIRST LORD

Peace, both, and hear me speak.

CORIOLANUS

Cut me to pieces, Volsces. Men and lads,
Stain all your edges on me. “Boy”? False hound!
1353845If you have writ your annals true, ’tis there
That like an eagle in a dovecote, I
Fluttered your Volscians in Corioles,
Alone I did it. “Boy”!

AUFIDIUS

Why, noble lords,
1403850Will you be put in mind of his blind fortune,
Which was your shame, by this unholy braggart,
’Fore your own eyes and ears?

ALL CONSPIRATORS

Let him die for ’t.

ALL PEOPLE

Tear him to pieces! Do it presently! He
1453855killed my son! My daughter! He killed my cousin
Marcus! He killed my father!

SECOND LORD

Peace, ho! No outrage! Peace!
The man is noble, and his fame folds in
This orb o’ th’ Earth. His last offenses to us
1503860Shall have judicious hearing. Stand, Aufidius,
And trouble not the peace.

CORIOLANUS , drawing his sword

O, that I had him,
With six Aufidiuses, or more, his tribe,
To use my lawful sword.

AUFIDIUS

1553865Insolent villain!

ALL CONSPIRATORS

Kill, kill, kill, kill, kill him!

Draw the Conspirators, and kills Martius, who falls.
Aufidius stands on him.

LORDS

Hold, hold, hold, hold!

AUFIDIUS

My noble masters, hear me speak.

FIRST LORD

O Tullus!

SECOND LORD

1603870Thou hast done a deed whereat valor will weep.

THIRD LORD

Tread not upon him.—Masters, all be quiet.—
Put up your swords.

AUFIDIUS

My lords, when you shall know—as in this rage,
Provoked by him, you cannot—the great danger
1653875Which this man’s life did owe you, you’ll rejoice
That he is thus cut off. Please it your Honors
To call me to your senate, I’ll deliver
Myself your loyal servant or endure
Your heaviest censure.

FIRST LORD

1703880Bear from hence his body,
And mourn you for him. Let him be regarded
As the most noble corse that ever herald
Did follow to his urn.

SECOND LORD

His own impatience
1753885Takes from Aufidius a great part of blame.
Let’s make the best of it.

AUFIDIUS

My rage is gone,
And I am struck with sorrow.—Take him up.
Help, three o’ th’ chiefest soldiers; I’ll be one.—
1803890Beat thou the drum that it speak mournfully.—
Trail your steel pikes. Though in this city he
Hath widowed and unchilded many a one,
Which to this hour bewail the injury,
Yet he shall have a noble memory.
1853895Assist.

They exit bearing the body of Martius.
A dead march sounded.