Coriolanus

Act I

Scene I

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

FIRST CITIZENBefore we proceed any further, hear me speak.

ALLSpeak, speak!

FIRST CITIZENYou are all resolved rather to die than to famish?

ALLResolved, resolved!

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

ALLWe know’t, we know’t!

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

ALLNo more talking on’t; let it be done. Away, away!

SECOND CITIZENOne word, good citizens.

FIRST CITIZENWe are accounted poor citizens, the patricians good. 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 misery, 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 CITIZENWould you proceed especially against Caius Martius?

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

SECOND CITIZENConsider you what services he has done for his country?

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

SECOND CITIZENNay, but speak not maliciously.

FIRST CITIZENI 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 his virtue.

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

FIRST CITIZENIf I must not, I need not be barren of accusations. He 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!

ALLCome, come!

Enter Menenius Agrippa.

FIRST CITIZENSoft, who comes here?

SECOND CITIZENWorthy Menenius Agrippa, one that hath always loved the people.

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

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

FIRST CITIZENOur business is not unknown to th’ Senate. They have had inkling this
fortnight what we 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.

MENENIUSWhy, masters, my good friends, mine honest neighbours,
Will you undo yourselves?

FIRST CITIZENWe cannot, sir; we are undone already.

MENENIUSI tell you, friends, most charitable care
Have the patricians of you. For your wants,
Your suffering in this dearth, you may as well
Strike 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,
The 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,
When you curse them as enemies.

FIRST CITIZENCare 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 act 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.

MENENIUSEither you must confess yourselves wondrous malicious
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.

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

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

FIRST CITIZENWell, sir, what answer made the belly?

MENENIUSSir, I shall tell you. With a kind of smile,
Which 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
As you malign our senators for that
They are not such as you.

FIRST CITIZENYour belly’s answer—what?
The kingly crowned head, the vigilant eye,
The counsellor heart, the arm our soldier,
Our steed the leg, the tongue our trumpeter,
With other muniments and petty helps
Is this our fabric, if that they—

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

FIRST CITIZENShould by the cormorant belly be restrained,
Who is the sink o’ th’ body—

MENENIUSWell, what then?

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

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

FIRST CITIZENYou are long about it.

MENENIUSNote me this, good friend;
Your 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,
Because 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,
The 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—

FIRST CITIZENAy, 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,
And leave me but the bran.” What say you to’t?

FIRST CITIZENIt was an answer. How apply you this?

MENENIUSThe senators of Rome are this good belly,
And you the mutinous members. For examine
Their counsels and their cares, digest things rightly
Touching 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?

FIRST CITIZENI the great toe? Why the great toe?

MENENIUSFor 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.
But 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.

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

FIRST CITIZENWe have ever your good word.

MARTIUSHe that will give good words to thee will flatter
Beneath abhorring. What would you have, you curs,
That 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
Or hailstone in the sun. Your virtue is
To make him worthy whose offence 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
Which would increase his evil. He that depends
Upon your favours swims with fins of lead,
And hews down oaks with rushes. Hang ye! Trust ye?
With every minute you do change a mind
And 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
Would feed on one another?—What’s their seeking?

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

MARTIUSHang ’em! They say?
They’ll sit by th’ fire and presume to know
What’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
Below 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
As I could pick my lance.

MENENIUSNay, 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?

MARTIUSThey are dissolved. Hang ’em!
They said they were an-hungry, sighed forth proverbs
That hunger broke stone walls, that dogs must eat,
That 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
And 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,
Shouting their emulation.

MENENIUSWhat is granted them?

MARTIUSFive tribunes to defend their vulgar wisdoms,
Of their own choice. One’s Junius Brutus,
Sicinius Velutus, and I know not. ’Sdeath!
The 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.

MENENIUSThis is strange.

MARTIUSGo get you home, you fragments.

Enter a Messenger hastily.

MESSENGERWhere’s Caius Martius?

MARTIUSHere. What’s the matter?

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

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

Enter Sicinius Velutus, Junius Brutus, two Tribunes; Cominius, Titus

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

MARTIUSThey have a leader,
Tullus 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.

COMINIUSYou have fought together.

MARTIUSWere 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 SENATORThen, worthy Martius,
Attend upon Cominius to these wars.

COMINIUSIt is your former promise.

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

TITUS LARTIUSNo, Caius Martius,
I’ll lean upon one crutch and fight with th’ other
Ere stay behind this business.

MENENIUSO, true bred!

FIRST SENATORYour company to th’ Capitol, where I know
Our greatest friends attend us.

TITUS LARTIUSLead you on.
Follow Cominius. We must follow you;
Right worthy your priority.

COMINIUSNoble Martius.

FIRST SENATORHence to your homes, begone.

MARTIUSNay, let them follow.
The Volsces have much corn; take these rats thither
To gnaw their garners. Worshipful mutineers,
Your valour puts well forth. Pray follow.

Exeunt. Sicinius and Brutus remain_.

SICINIUSWas ever man so proud as is this Martius?

BRUTUSHe has no equal.

SICINIUSWhen we were chosen tribunes for the people—

BRUTUSMarked you his lip and eyes?

SICINIUSNay, but his taunts.

BRUTUSBeing moved, he will not spare to gird the gods.

SICINIUSBemock the modest moon.

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

SICINIUSSuch 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
Under Cominius.

BRUTUSFame, 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
Shall 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!”

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

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

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

BRUTUSLet’s along.

Exeunt.

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Scene II

Enter Tullus Aufidius with Senators of Corioles.

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

AUFIDIUSIs it not yours?
What ever 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
I have the letter here. Yes, here it is.
[_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 rumoured,
Cominius, Martius your old enemy,
Who 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.
Consider of it._

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

AUFIDIUSNor did you think it folly
To keep your great pretences veiled till when
They 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
To take in many towns ere almost Rome
Should know we were afoot.

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

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

ALLThe gods assist you!

AUFIDIUSAnd keep your Honours safe!

FIRST SENATORFarewell.

SECOND SENATORFarewell.

ALLFarewell.

Exeunt.

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Scene III

Enter Volumnia and Virgilia, mother and wife to Martius. They set them

VOLUMNIAI 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 honour than in the embracements of his bed where
he would show most love. When yet 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, I, considering how honour would become such 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, from whence he returned,
his brows bound with oak. 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.

VIRGILIABut had he died in the business, madam, how then?

VOLUMNIAThen 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 good Martius, I had
rather had eleven die nobly for their country than one voluptuously
surfeit out of action.

Enter a Gentlewoman.

GENTLEWOMANMadam, the Lady Valeria is come to visit you.

VIRGILIABeseech you, give me leave to retire myself.

VOLUMNIAIndeed 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.
Methinks I see him stamp thus and call thus:
“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
Or all or lose his hire.

VIRGILIAHis bloody brow? O Jupiter, no blood!

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

Exit Gentlewoman.

VIRGILIAHeavens bless my lord from fell Aufidius!

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

Enter Valeria with an Usher and a Gentlewoman.

VALERIAMy ladies both, good day to you.

VOLUMNIASweet madam.

VIRGILIAI am glad to see your Ladyship.

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

VIRGILIAI thank your Ladyship; well, good madam.

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

VALERIAO’ my word, the father’s son! I’ll swear ’tis a very 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, and after it again, and over and
over he comes, and 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!

VOLUMNIAOne on’s father’s moods.

VALERIAIndeed, la, ’tis a noble child.

VIRGILIAA crack, madam.

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

VIRGILIANo, good madam, I will not out of doors.

VALERIANot out of doors?

VOLUMNIAShe shall, she shall.

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

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

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

VOLUMNIAWhy, I pray you?

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

VALERIAYou would be another Penelope. Yet they say all 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.

VIRGILIANo, good madam, pardon me; indeed, I will not forth.

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

VIRGILIAO, good madam, there can be none yet.

VALERIAVerily, I do not jest with you. There came news from him last night.

VIRGILIAIndeed, madam!

VALERIAIn earnest, it’s true. I heard a senator speak it. Thus it is: the
Volsces have an army forth, against whom Cominius the General is gone
with one part 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 honour, and so, I pray, go
with us.

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

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

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

VIRGILIANo, at a word, madam. Indeed I must not. I wish you much mirth.

VALERIAWell then, farewell.

Exeunt.

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Scene IV

Enter Martius, Titus Lartius, with drum and colours, with Captains and

MARTIUSYonder comes news. A wager they have met.

LARTIUSMy horse to yours, no.

MARTIUS’Tis done.

LARTIUSAgreed.

MARTIUS[_To Messenger_.] Say, has our general met the enemy?

MESSENGERThey lie in view but have not spoke as yet.

LARTIUSSo the good horse is mine.

MARTIUSI’ll buy him of you.

LARTIUSNo, I’ll nor sell nor give him. Lend you him I will
For half a hundred years.—Summon the town.

MARTIUSHow far off lie these armies?

MESSENGERWithin this mile and half.

MARTIUSThen shall we hear their ’larum, and they ours.
Now, Mars, I prithee, make us quick in work,
That we with smoking swords may march from hence
To help our fielded friends!—Come, blow thy blast.

Enter two Senators with others on the walls of Corioles.

FIRST SENATORNo, nor a man that fears you less than he:
That’s lesser than a little.
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 rushes.
They’ll open of themselves.
Hark you, far off!
There is Aufidius. List what work he makes
Amongst your cloven army.

MARTIUSO, they are at it!

LARTIUSTheir noise be our instruction.—Ladders, ho!

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

MARTIUSThey fear us not but issue forth their city.—
Now put your shields before your hearts, and fight
With hearts more proof than shields.—Advance, brave 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,
And he shall feel mine edge.

Alarums. The Romans are beat back to their trenches. They exit, with

Enter Martius cursing, with Roman soldiers.

MARTIUSAll 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
Farther 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
With 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

FIRST SOLDIERFoolhardiness, not I.

SECOND SOLDIERNor I.

FIRST SOLDIERSee, they have shut him in.

ALLTo th’ pot, I warrant him.

Enter Titus Lartius.

LARTIUSWhat is become of Martius?

ALLSlain, sir, doubtless.

FIRST SOLDIERFollowing 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.

LARTIUSO noble fellow,
Who 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
Even 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, assaulted by the enemy.

FIRST SOLDIERLook, sir.

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

They fight, and all enter the city.

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Scene V

Enter certain Romans, with spoils.

FIRST ROMANThis will I carry to Rome.

SECOND ROMANAnd I this.

THIRD ROMANA murrain on’t! I took this for silver.

Enter Martius and Titus Lartius with a Trumpet.

MARTIUSSee here these movers that do prize their hours
At a cracked drachma. Cushions, leaden spoons,
Irons of a doit, doublets that hangmen would
Bury with those that wore them, these base slaves,
Ere yet the fight be done, pack up. Down with them!

Exit the Romans with spoils.

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

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

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

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

LARTIUSThou worthiest Martius!

Exit Martius.

Exeunt.

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Scene VI

Enter Cominius as it were in retire, with Soldiers.

COMINIUSBreathe you, my friends. Well fought! We are come off
Like Romans, neither foolish in our stands
Nor cowardly in retire. Believe me, sirs,
We shall be charged again. Whiles we have struck,
By 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 encount’ring,
May give you thankful sacrifice!

Enter a Messenger.

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

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

MESSENGERAbove an hour, my lord.

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

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

Exit Messenger.

Enter Martius, bloody.

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

MARTIUSCome I too late?

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

MARTIUSCome I too late?

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

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

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

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

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

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

COMINIUSBut how prevailed you?

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

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

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

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

MARTIUSI do beseech you,
By all the battles wherein we have fought,
By th’ blood we have shed together, by th’ vows we have made
To endure friends, that you directly set me
Against 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.

COMINIUSThough I could wish
You 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.

MARTIUSThose are they
That 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;
If any think brave death outweighs bad life,
And that his country’s dearer than himself;
Let him alone, or so many so minded,
Wave thus to express his disposition
And follow Martius.


[_They all shout and wave their swords, take him up in their arms, and
cast up their caps._]

O, me alone! Make you a sword of me?
If 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,
Though thanks to all, must I select from all.
The 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.

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

Exeunt.

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Scene VII

LARTIUSSo, 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
For a short holding. If we lose the field,
We cannot keep the town.

LIEUTENANTFear not our care, sir.

LARTIUSHence, and shut your gates upon’s.
Our guider, come. To th’ Roman camp conduct us.

Exeunt.

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Scene VIII

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

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

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

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

MARTIUSWithin 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
Wrench up thy power to th’ highest.

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


Officious and not valiant, you have shamed me
In your condemned seconds.

[_Martius fights till they be driven in breathless. Aufidius and
Martius exit, separately._]

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Scene IX

COMINIUSIf I should tell thee o’er this thy day’s work,
Thou’t not believe thy deeds. But I’ll report it
Where senators shall mingle tears with smiles;
Where great patricians shall attend and shrug,
I’ th’ end admire; where ladies shall be frighted
And, gladly quaked, hear more; where the dull tribunes,
That with the fusty plebeians hate thine honours,
Shall say against their hearts “We thank the gods
Our 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.

LARTIUSO general,
Here is the steed, we the caparison.
Hadst thou beheld—

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

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

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

COMINIUSShould they not,
Well 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
The treasure in this field achieved and city,
We render you the tenth, to be ta’en forth
Before the common distribution
At your only choice.

MARTIUSI thank you, general,
But cannot make my heart consent to take
A bribe to pay my sword. I do refuse it;
And 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,
Never sound more! When drums and trumpets shall
I’ th’ field prove flatterers, let courts and cities be
Made all of false-faced soothing! When steel grows soft
Soft as the parasite’s silk, let him be made
An ovator for the wars! No more, I say.
For that I have not washed my nose that bled,
Or foiled some debile wretch—which, without note,
Here’s many else have done—you shout me forth
In acclamations hyperbolical,
As if I loved my little should be dieted
In praises sauced with lies.

COMINIUSToo modest are you,
More 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,
Like one that means his proper harm, in manacles,
Then reason safely with you. Therefore be it known,
As 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,
With all his trim belonging. And from this time,
For what he did before Corioles, call him,
With all th’ applause and clamour of the host,
Caius Martius Coriolanus! Bear
Th’ addition nobly ever!

ALLCaius Martius Coriolanus!

CORIOLANUSI will go wash;
And 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
To undercrest your good addition
To th’ fairness of my power.

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

LARTIUSI shall, my lord.

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

COMINIUSTake’t, ’tis yours. What is’t?

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

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

LARTIUSMartius, his name?

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

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

A flourish of cornets. Exeunt.

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Scene X

AUFIDIUSThe town is ta’en.

SOLDIER’Twill be delivered back on good condition.

AUFIDIUSCondition?
I would I were a Roman, for I cannot,
Being a Volsce, be that I am. Condition?
What good condition can a treaty find
I’ 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
As often as we eat. By th’ elements,
If e’er again I meet him beard to beard,
He’s mine or I am his. Mine emulation
Hath not that honour in’t it had; for where
I thought to crush him in an equal force,
True sword to sword, I’ll potch at him some way,
Or wrath or craft may get him.

SOLDIERHe’s the devil.

AUFIDIUSBolder, though not so subtle. My valour’s poisoned
With only suff’ring stain by him; for him
Shall fly out of itself. Nor sleep nor sanctuary,
Being naked, sick, nor fane nor Capitol,
The prayers of priests nor times of sacrifice,
Embarquements all of fury, shall lift up
Their rotten privilege and custom ’gainst
My hate to Martius. Where I find him, were it
At home, upon my brother’s guard, even there,
Against 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
Be hostages for Rome.

SOLDIERWill not you go?

AUFIDIUSI 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
I may spur on my journey.

SOLDIERI shall, sir.

Exeunt.

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Act II

Scene I

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

MENENIUSThe augurer tells me we shall have news tonight.

BRUTUSGood or bad?

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

SICINIUSNature teaches beasts to know their friends.

MENENIUSPray you, who does the wolf love?

SICINIUSThe lamb.

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

BRUTUSHe’s a lamb indeed, that baas like a bear.

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

BOTH TRIBUNESWell, sir.

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

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

SICINIUSEspecially in pride.

BRUTUSAnd topping all others in boasting.

MENENIUSThis 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 TRIBUNESWhy, how are we censured?

MENENIUSBecause you talk of pride now, will you not be angry?

BOTH TRIBUNESWell, well, sir, well?

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

BRUTUSWe do it not alone, sir.

MENENIUSI know you can do very little alone, for your 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 of your necks and make but an interior
survey of your good selves! O, that you could!

BOTH TRIBUNESWhat then, sir?

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

SICINIUSMenenius, you are known well enough, too.

MENENIUSI 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 in favouring the first complaint, hasty and tinder-like upon
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 such wealsmen as you are—I
cannot call you Lycurguses—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
major part of your syllables. And though I must be 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 too? What harm can your bisson
conspectuities glean out of this character, if I be known well enough,
too?

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

MENENIUSYou know neither me, yourselves, nor anything. You are ambitious for
poor knaves’ caps and 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. When
you are hearing a matter between party and party, 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, the more entangled by your hearing. All the
peace you make in their cause is calling both the parties knaves. You
are a pair of strange ones.

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

MENENIUSOur 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 beards deserve not
so honourable a grave as to stuff 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 some of the best of ’em were hereditary hangmen.
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

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

MENENIUSHa? Martius coming home?

VOLUMNIAAy, worthy Menenius, and with most prosperous approbation.

MENENIUSTake my cap, Jupiter, and I thank thee! Hoo! Martius coming home?

VALERIA, VIRGILIANay, ’tis true.

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

MENENIUSI will make my very house reel tonight. A letter for me?

VIRGILIAYes, certain, there’s a letter for you; I saw it.

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

VIRGILIAO, no, no, no!

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

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

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

MENENIUSHas he disciplined Aufidius soundly?

VOLUMNIATitus Lartius writes they fought together, but Aufidius got off.

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

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

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

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

VIRGILIAThe gods grant them true.

VOLUMNIATrue? Pow, waw!

MENENIUSTrue? I’ll be sworn they are true. Where is he wounded? [_To the
Tribunes_.] God save your good Worships! Martius is coming home; he has
more cause to be proud.—Where is he wounded?

VOLUMNIAI’ 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 of Tarquin seven hurts i’ th’ body.

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

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

MENENIUSNow it’s twenty-seven. Every gash was an enemy’s grave.



Hark, the trumpets!

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

Enter Cominius the General and Titus Lartius, between them Coriolanus

HERALDKnow, Rome, that all alone Martius did fight
Within Corioles’ gates, where he hath won,
With fame, a name to Caius Martius; these
In honour follows “Coriolanus.”
Welcome to Rome, renowned Coriolanus.

ALLWelcome to Rome, renowned Coriolanus!

CORIOLANUSNo more of this, it does offend my heart.
Pray now, no more.

COMINIUSLook, sir, your mother.

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

VOLUMNIANay, my good soldier, up.


My gentle Martius, worthy Caius, and
By deed-achieving honour newly named—
What is it? Coriolanus must I call thee?
But, O, thy wife—

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

MENENIUSNow the gods crown thee!

CORIOLANUSAnd live you yet? [_To Valeria_] O my sweet lady, pardon.

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

MENENIUSA 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
That Rome should dote on; yet, by the faith of men,
We 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
The faults of fools but folly.

COMINIUSEver right.

CORIOLANUSMenenius ever, ever.

HERALDGive way there, and go on!

CORIOLANUS[_To Volumnia and Virgilia_.] Your hand, and yours.
Ere 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 honours.

VOLUMNIAI have lived
To 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.

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

COMINIUSOn, to the Capitol.

Flourish of cornets. Exeunt in state, as before.

BRUTUSAll tongues speak of him, and the bleared sights
Are spectacled to see him. Your prattling nurse
Into 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, windows
Are 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
To win a vulgar station. Our veiled dames
Commit 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
Were slyly crept into his human powers
And gave him graceful posture.

SICINIUSOn the sudden
I warrant him consul.

BRUTUSThen our office may,
During his power, go sleep.

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

BRUTUSIn that there’s comfort.

SICINIUSDoubt not the commoners, for whom we stand,
But they, upon their ancient malice will forget
With the least cause these his new honours—which
That he will give them make as little question
As he is proud to do’t.

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

SICINIUS’Tis right.

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

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

BRUTUS’Tis most like he will.

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

BRUTUSSo it must fall out
To him, or our authorities for an end.
We must suggest the people in what hatred
He 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
Of no more soul nor fitness for the world
Than camels in their war, who have their provand
Only for bearing burdens, and sore blows
For sinking under them.

SICINIUSThis, as you say, suggested
At some time when his soaring insolence
Shall touch the people—which time shall not want
If it 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
Shall darken him for ever.

Enter a Messenger.

BRUTUSWhat’s the matter?

MESSENGERYou 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
to hear him speak; matrons flung gloves,
Ladies 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.
I never saw the like.

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

SICINIUSHave with you.

Exeunt.

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Scene II

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

FIRST OFFICERCome, come. They are almost here. How many stand for consulships?

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

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

SECOND OFFICER’Faith, there have been many great men that have flattered the people
who ne’er loved them; and there be many that they have loved they know
not wherefore; so that, if they love they know not why, they hate upon
no better a ground. Therefore, for Coriolanus neither to care whether
they love or hate him manifests the true knowledge he has in their
disposition and, out of his noble carelessness, lets them plainly
see’t.

FIRST OFFICERIf he did not care whether he had their love or no, he waved
indifferently ’twixt doing them neither good nor harm; but he seeks
their hate with greater devotion than they can render it him and leaves
nothing undone that may fully discover him their opposite. Now, to seem
to affect the malice and displeasure of the people is as bad as that
which he dislikes, to flatter them for their love.

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

FIRST OFFICERNo 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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

MENENIUSHe loves your people,
But tie him not to be their bedfellow.—
Worthy Cominius, speak.


Nay, keep your place.

FIRST SENATORSit, Coriolanus. Never shame to hear
What you have nobly done.

CORIOLANUSYour Honours, pardon.
I had rather have my wounds to heal again
Than hear say how I got them.

BRUTUSSir, I hope
My words disbenched you not?

CORIOLANUSNo, sir. Yet oft,
When blows have made me stay, I fled from words.
You soothed not, therefore hurt not; but your people,
I love them as they weigh.

MENENIUSPray now, sit down.

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

Exit.

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

COMINIUSI shall lack voice. The deeds of Coriolanus
Should not be uttered feebly. It is held
That valour is the chiefest virtue and
Most dignifies the haver; if it be,
The man I speak of cannot in the world
Be singly counterpoised. At sixteen years,
When Tarquin made a head for Rome, he fought
Beyond the mark of others. Our then dictator,
Whom with all praise I point at, saw him fight
When with his Amazonian chin he drove
The bristled lips before him. He bestrid
An o’erpressed Roman and i’ th’ Consul’s view
Slew three opposers. Tarquin’s self he met
And struck him on his knee. In that day’s feats,
When he might act the woman in the scene,
He proved best man i’ th’ field and for his meed
Was brow-bound with the oak. His pupil age
Man-entered thus, he waxed like a sea,
And in the brunt of seventeen battles since
He 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
And by his rare example made the coward
Turn terror into sport. As weeds before
A 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
He was a thing of blood, whose every motion
Was timed with dying cries. Alone he entered
The mortal gate o’ th’ city, which he painted
With shunless destiny; aidless came off
And with a sudden reinforcement struck
Corioles like a planet. Now all’s his,
When by and by the din of war gan pierce
His ready sense; then straight his doubled spirit
Requickened what in flesh was fatigate,
And to the battle came he, where he did
Run reeking o’er the lives of men as if
’Twere a perpetual spoil; and till we called
Both field and city ours, he never stood
To ease his breast with panting.

MENENIUSWorthy man!

FIRST SENATORHe cannot but with measure fit the honours
Which we devise him.

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

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

FIRST SENATORCall Coriolanus.

OFFICERHe doth appear.

Enter Coriolanus.

MENENIUSThe Senate, Coriolanus, are well pleased
To make thee consul.

CORIOLANUSI do owe them still
My life and services.

MENENIUSIt then remains
That you do speak to the people.

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

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

MENENIUSPut them not to’t.
Pray you, go fit you to the custom, and
Take to you, as your predecessors have,
Your honour with your form.

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

BRUTUSMark you that?

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

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

SENATORSTo Coriolanus come all joy and honour!

Flourish cornets. Exeunt all but Sicinius and Brutus.

BRUTUSYou see how he intends to use the people.

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

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

Exeunt.

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Scene III

Enter seven or eight Citizens.

FIRST CITIZENOnce, if he do require our voices, we ought not to deny him.

SECOND CITIZENWe may, sir, if we will.

THIRD CITIZENWe have power in ourselves to do it, but it is a power that we have no
power to do; for, if he show us his wounds and tell us his deeds, we
are to put our tongues into those wounds and speak for them. So, if he
tell us his noble deeds, we must also tell him our noble acceptance of
them. Ingratitude is monstrous, and for the multitude to be ingrateful
were to make a monster of the multitude, of the which we being members,
should bring ourselves to be monstrous members.

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

THIRD CITIZENWe have been called so of many; not that our heads are some brown, some
black, some auburn, some bald, but that our wits are so diversely
coloured; and truly I think if all our wits were to issue out of one
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 CITIZENThink you so? Which way do you judge my wit would fly?

THIRD CITIZENNay, your wit will not so soon out as another man’s will; ’tis strongly
wedged up in a blockhead. But if it were at liberty, ’twould, sure,
southward.

SECOND CITIZENWhy that way?

THIRD CITIZENTo lose itself in a fog, where being three parts melted away with
rotten dews, the fourth would return for conscience’ sake, to help to
get thee a wife.

SECOND CITIZENYou are never without your tricks. You may, you may.

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

Enter Coriolanus in a gown of humility, with Menenius.

ALLContent, content.

Exeunt.

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

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

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

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

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

Exit Menenius.

CORIOLANUSBid them wash their faces
And keep their teeth clean.

Enter three of the Citizens.

THIRD CITIZENWe do, sir. Tell us what hath brought you to’t.

CORIOLANUSMine own desert.

SECOND CITIZENYour own desert?

CORIOLANUSAy, but not mine own desire.

THIRD CITIZENHow, not your own desire?

CORIOLANUSNo, sir, ’twas never my desire yet to trouble the poor with begging.

THIRD CITIZENYou must think if we give you anything, we hope to gain by you.

CORIOLANUSWell then, I pray, your price o’ th’ consulship?

FIRST CITIZENThe price is to ask it kindly.

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

SECOND CITIZENYou shall ha’ it, worthy sir.

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

THIRD CITIZENBut this is something odd.

SECOND CITIZENAn ’twere to give again—but ’tis no matter.

Exeunt two citizens.

Enter two other Citizens.

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

FOURTH CITIZENYou have deserved nobly of your country, and you have not deserved
nobly.

CORIOLANUSYour enigma?

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

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

FIFTH CITIZENWe hope to find you our friend, and therefore give you our voices
heartily.

FOURTH CITIZENYou have received many wounds for your country.

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

BOTH CITIZENSThe gods give you joy, sir, heartily.

Exeunt citizens.

CORIOLANUSMost sweet voices!
Better it is to die, better to starve,
Than crave the hire which first we do deserve.
Why in this wolvish toge should I stand here
To beg of Hob and Dick that does appear
Their 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
And mountainous error be too highly heaped
For truth to o’erpeer. Rather than fool it so,
Let the high office and the honour go
To one that would do thus. I am half through;
The one part suffered, the other will I do.

Enter three Citizens more.

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

SEVENTH CITIZENTherefore let him be consul. The gods give him joy, and make him good
friend to the people!

ALL THREE CITIZENSAmen, amen. God save thee, noble consul.

Exeunt citizens.

CORIOLANUSWorthy voices!

Enter Menenius with Brutus and Sicinius.

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

CORIOLANUSIs this done?

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

CORIOLANUSWhere? At the Senate House?

SICINIUSThere, Coriolanus.

CORIOLANUSMay I change these garments?

SICINIUSYou may, sir.

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

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

BRUTUSWe stay here for the people.

SICINIUSFare you well.

Exeunt Coriolanus and Menenius.

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

Enter the Pebleians.

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

FIRST CITIZENHe has our voices, sir.

BRUTUSWe pray the gods he may deserve your loves.

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

THIRD CITIZENCertainly, he flouted us downright.

FIRST CITIZENNo, ’tis his kind of speech. He did not mock us.

SECOND CITIZENNot one amongst us, save yourself, but says
He used us scornfully. He should have showed us
His marks of merit, wounds received for’s country.

SICINIUSWhy, so he did, I am sure.

ALLNo, no. No man saw ’em.

THIRD CITIZENHe said he had wounds, which he could show in private,
And with his hat, thus waving it in scorn,
“I would be consul,” says he; “aged custom,
But 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.
Your most sweet voices! Now you have left your voices,
I have no further with you.” Was not this mockery?

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

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

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

BRUTUSDid you perceive
He 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
When he hath power to crush? Why, had your bodies
No heart among you? Or had you tongues to cry
Against the rectorship of judgment?

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

THIRD CITIZENHe’s not confirmed.
We may deny him yet.

SECOND CITIZENAnd will deny him.
I’ll have five hundred voices of that sound.

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

BRUTUSGet 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
Than dogs that are as often beat for barking
As therefore kept to do so.

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

BRUTUSLay
A fault on us, your tribunes, that we laboured,
No impediment between, but that you must
Cast your election on him.

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

BRUTUSAy, 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,
The noble house o’ th’ Martians, from whence came
That Ancus Martius, Numa’s daughter’s son,
Who, after great Hostilius here was king,
Of the same house Publius and Quintus were,
That our best water brought by conduits hither;
And Censorinus, that was so surnamed,
And nobly named so, twice being censor,
Was his great ancestor.

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

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

ALLWe will so. Almost all
Repent in their election.

Exeunt Plebeians.

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

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

Exeunt.

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Act III

Scene I

CORIOLANUSTullus Aufidius then had made new head?

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

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

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

CORIOLANUSSaw you Aufidius?

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

CORIOLANUSSpoke he of me?

LARTIUSHe did, my lord.

CORIOLANUSHow? What?

LARTIUSHow 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
To hopeless restitution, so he might
Be called your vanquisher.

CORIOLANUSAt Antium lives he?

LARTIUSAt Antium.

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

Enter Sicinius and Brutus.

SICINIUSPass no further.

CORIOLANUSHa? What is that?

BRUTUSIt will be dangerous to go on. No further.

CORIOLANUSWhat makes this change?

MENENIUSThe matter?

COMINIUSHath he not passed the noble and the common?

BRUTUSCominius, no.

CORIOLANUSHave I had children’s voices?

FIRST SENATORTribunes, give way. He shall to the marketplace.

BRUTUSThe people are incensed against him.

SICINIUSStop,
Or all will fall in broil.

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

MENENIUSBe calm, be calm.

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

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

CORIOLANUSWhy, this was known before.

BRUTUSNot to them all.

CORIOLANUSHave you informed them sithence?

BRUTUSHow? I inform them?

COMINIUSYou are like to do such business.

BRUTUSNot unlike, each way, to better yours.

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

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

MENENIUSLet’s be calm.

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

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

MENENIUSNot now, not now.

FIRST SENATORNot in this heat, sir, now.

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

MENENIUSWell, no more.

FIRST SENATORNo more words, we beseech you.

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

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

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

MENENIUSWhat, what? His choler?

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

SICINIUSIt is a mind
That shall remain a poison where it is,
Not poison any further.

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

COMINIUS’Twas from the canon.

CORIOLANUS“Shall”?
O good but most unwise patricians, why,
You grave but reckless senators, have you thus
Given Hydra leave to choose an officer,
That with his peremptory “shall,” being but
The 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,
Then vail your ignorance; if none, awake
Your dangerous lenity. If you are learned,
Be 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
When, both your voices blended, the great’st taste
Most palates theirs. They choose their magistrate,
And such a one as he, who puts his “shall,”
His popular “shall,” against a graver bench
Than ever frowned in Greece. By Jove himself,
It makes the consuls base! And my soul aches
To know, when two authorities are up,
Neither supreme, how soon confusion
May enter ’twixt the gap of both and take
The one by th’ other.

COMINIUSWell, on to th’ marketplace.

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

MENENIUSWell, well, no more of that.

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

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

CORIOLANUSI’ll give my reasons,
More worthier than their voices. They know the corn
Was not our recompense, resting well assured
They ne’er did service for’t. Being pressed to th’ war,
Even when the navel of the state was touched,
They would not thread the gates. This kind of service
Did not deserve corn gratis. Being i’ th’ war,
Their mutinies and revolts, wherein they showed
Most valour, spoke not for them. Th’ accusation
Which they have often made against the Senate,
All cause unborn, could never be the native
Of our so frank donation. Well, what then?
How shall this bosom multitude digest
The senate’s courtesy? Let deeds express
What’s like to be their words: “We did request it;
We 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
Call our cares fears, which will in time
Break ope the locks o’ th’ Senate and bring in
The crows to peck the eagles.

MENENIUSCome, enough.

BRUTUSEnough, with over-measure.

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

BRUTUS’Has said enough.

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

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

BRUTUSManifest treason.

SICINIUSThis a consul? No.

BRUTUSThe aediles, ho! Let him be apprehended.

Enter an Aedile.

SICINIUSGo call the people;

Exit Aedile.

CORIOLANUSHence, old goat.

ALL PATRICIANSWe’ll surety him.

COMINIUS[_to Sicinius_.] Aged sir, hands off.

CORIOLANUS[_to Sicinius_.] Hence, rotten thing, or I shall shake thy bones
Out of thy garments.

SICINIUSHelp, ye citizens!

Enter a rabble of Plebeians with the Aediles.

MENENIUSOn both sides more respect!

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

BRUTUSSeize him, aediles.

ALL PLEBEIANSDown with him, down with him!

SECOND SENATORWeapons, weapons, weapons!


Tribunes, patricians, citizens, what, ho!
Sicinius, Brutus, Coriolanus, citizens!

ALLPeace, peace, peace! Stay, hold, peace!

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

SICINIUSHear me, people! Peace!

ALL PLEBEIANSLet’s hear our tribune. Peace! Speak, speak, speak.

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

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

FIRST SENATORTo unbuild the city and to lay all flat.

SICINIUSWhat is the city but the people?

ALL PLEBEIANSTrue,
The people are the city.

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

ALL PLEBEIANSYou so remain.

MENENIUSAnd so are like to do.

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

SICINIUSThis deserves death.

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

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

BRUTUSAediles, seize him!

ALL PLEBEIANSYield, Martius, yield!

MENENIUSHear me one word.
Beseech you, tribunes, hear me but a word.

AEDILESPeace, peace!

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

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

CORIOLANUSNo; I’ll die here.
There’s some among you have beheld me fighting.
Come, try upon yourselves what you have seen me.

MENENIUSDown with that sword!—Tribunes, withdraw awhile.

BRUTUSLay hands upon him!

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

ALL PLEBEIANSDown with him, down with him!

[_In this mutiny the Tribunes, the Aediles and the People are beat
in._]

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

SECOND SENATORGet you gone.

CORIOLANUSStand fast!
We have as many friends as enemies.

MENENIUSShall it be put to that?

FIRST SENATORThe gods forbid!
I prithee, noble friend, home to thy house;
Leave us to cure this cause.

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

COMINIUSCome, sir, along with us.

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

MENENIUSBegone!
Put not your worthy rage into your tongue.
One time will owe another.

CORIOLANUSOn fair ground
I could beat forty of them.

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

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

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

COMINIUSNay, come away.

Exeunt Coriolanus and Cominius.

PATRICIANThis man has marred his fortune.

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


Here’s goodly work.

PATRICIANI would they were abed!

MENENIUSI would they were in Tiber! What the vengeance,
Could he not speak ’em fair?

Enter Brutus and Sicinius with the rabble again.

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

MENENIUSYou worthy tribunes—

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

FIRST CITIZENHe shall well know
The noble tribunes are the people’s mouths,
And we their hands.

ALL PLEBEIANSHe shall, sure on’t.

MENENIUSSir, sir—

SICINIUSPeace!

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

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

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

SICINIUSConsul? What consul?

MENENIUSThe consul Coriolanus.

BRUTUSHe consul?

ALL PLEBEIANSNo, no, no, no, no!

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

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

MENENIUSNow the good gods forbid
That our renowned Rome, whose gratitude
Towards her deserved children is enrolled
In Jove’s own book, like an unnatural dam
Should now eat up her own.

SICINIUSHe’s a disease that must be cut away.

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

SICINIUSThis is clean cam.

BRUTUSMerely awry. When he did love his country,
It honoured him.

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

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

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

BRUTUSIf it were so—

SICINIUSWhat do ye talk?
Have we not had a taste of his obedience?
Our aediles smote! Ourselves resisted? Come.

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

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

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

BRUTUSGo not home.

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

MENENIUSI’ll bring him to you.
[_To Senators_.] Let me desire your company. He must come,
Or what is worst will follow.

FIRST SENATORPray you, let’s to him.

Exeunt.

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Scene II

Enter Coriolanus with Nobles.

CORIOLANUSLet 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
Below the beam of sight, yet will I still
Be thus to them.

FIRST PATRICIANYou do the nobler.

CORIOLANUSI muse my mother
Does not approve me further, who was wont
To call them woollen vassals, things created
To 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.

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

CORIOLANUSLet go.

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

CORIOLANUSLet them hang!

VOLUMNIAAy, and burn too.

Enter Menenius with the Senators.

MENENIUSCome, come, you have been too rough, something too rough.
You must return and mend it.

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

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

MENENIUSWell said, noble woman.
Before 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 armour on,
Which I can scarcely bear.

CORIOLANUSWhat must I do?

MENENIUSReturn to th’ Tribunes.

CORIOLANUSWell, what then? What then?

MENENIUSRepent what you have spoke.

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

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

CORIOLANUSTush, tush!

MENENIUSA good demand.

VOLUMNIAIf it be honour 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
With honour as in war, since that to both
It stands in like request?

CORIOLANUSWhy force you this?

VOLUMNIABecause that now it lies you on to speak
To th’ people, not by your own instruction,
Nor by th’ matter which your heart prompts you,
But with such words that are but rooted in
Your tongue, though but bastards and syllables
Of no allowance to your bosom’s truth.
Now, this no more dishonours you at all
Than to take in a town with gentle words,
Which else would put you to your fortune and
The hazard of much blood.
I would dissemble with my nature where
My fortunes and my friends at stake required
I should do so in honour. I am in this
Your 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
Of what that want might ruin.

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

VOLUMNIAI prithee now, my son,
Go 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 busines
Action is eloquence, and the eyes of th’ ignorant
More learned 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
Thou art their soldier and, being bred in broils,
Hast 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
As thou hast power and person.

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

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

Enter Cominius.

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

MENENIUSOnly fair speech.

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

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

CORIOLANUSMust I go show them my unbarbed sconce? Must I
With my base tongue give to my noble heart
A lie that it must bear? Well, I will do’t.
Yet, were there but this single plot to lose,
This mould 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
I shall discharge to th’ life.

COMINIUSCome, come, we’ll prompt you.

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

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

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

CORIOLANUSPray, be content.
Mother, I am going to the marketplace.
Chide 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.
Commend me to my wife. I’ll return consul,
Or never trust to what my tongue can do
I’ th’ way of flattery further.

VOLUMNIADo your will.

Exit Volumnia.

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

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

MENENIUSAy, but mildly.

CORIOLANUSWell, mildly be it, then. Mildly.

Exeunt.

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Scene III

Enter Sicinius and Brutus.

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

Enter an Aedile.

AEDILEHe’s coming.

BRUTUSHow accompanied?

AEDILEWith old Menenius, and those senators
That always favoured him.

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

AEDILEI have. ’Tis ready.

SICINIUSHave you collected them by tribes?

AEDILEI have.

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

AEDILEI shall inform them.

BRUTUSAnd 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.

AEDILEVery well.

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

BRUTUSGo about it.

Exit Aedile.

Enter Coriolanus, Menenius and Cominius with other Senators.

SICINIUSWell, here he comes.

MENENIUSCalmly, I do beseech you.

CORIOLANUSAy, as an ostler, that for th’ poorest piece
Will bear the knave by th’ volume.—Th’ honoured gods
Keep 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 SENATORAmen, amen.

MENENIUSA noble wish.

Enter the Aedile with the Plebeians.

SICINIUSDraw near, ye people.

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

CORIOLANUSFirst, hear me speak.

BOTH TRIBUNESWell, say.—Peace, ho!

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

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

CORIOLANUSI am content.

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

CORIOLANUSScratches with briars,
Scars to move laughter only.

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

COMINIUSWell, well, no more.

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

SICINIUSAnswer to us.

CORIOLANUSSay then. ’Tis true, I ought so.

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

CORIOLANUSHow? Traitor?

MENENIUSNay, temperately! Your promise.

CORIOLANUSThe fires i’ th’ lowest hell fold in the people!
Call 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
“Thou liest” unto thee with a voice as free
As I do pray the gods.

SICINIUSMark you this, people?

ALL PLEBEIANSTo th’ rock, to th’ rock with him!

SICINIUSPeace!
We need not put new matter to his charge.
What 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,
So criminal and in such capital kind,
Deserves th’ extremest death.

BRUTUSBut since he hath
Served well for Rome—

CORIOLANUSWhat do you prate of service?

BRUTUSI talk of that that know it.

CORIOLANUSYou?

MENENIUSIs this the promise that you made your mother?

COMINIUSKnow, I pray you—

CORIOLANUSI’ll know no further.
Let them pronounce the steep Tarpeian death,
Vagabond 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,
To have’t with saying “Good morrow.”

SICINIUSFor 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
Given hostile strokes, and that not in the presence
Of dreaded justice, but on the ministers
That do 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
In peril of precipitation
From off the rock Tarpeian, never more
To enter our Rome gates. I’ th’ people’s name,
I say it shall be so.

ALL PLEBEIANSIt shall be so, it shall be so! Let him away!
He’s banished, and it shall be so.

COMINIUSHear me, my masters and my common friends—

SICINIUSHe’s sentenced. No more hearing.

COMINIUSLet me speak.
I have been consul and can show for Rome
Her enemies’ marks upon me. I do love
My 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
Speak that—

SICINIUSWe know your drift. Speak what?

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

ALL PLEBEIANSIt shall be so, it shall be so!

CORIOLANUSYou 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!
And here remain with your uncertainty;
Let every feeble rumour 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
Your ignorance—which finds not till it feels,
Making but reservation of yourselves,
Still your own foes—deliver you,
As most abated captives to some nation
That won you without blows! Despising
For you the city, thus I turn my back.
There is a world elsewhere.

Exeunt Coriolanus, Cominius, with other Senators.

AEDILEThe people’s enemy is gone, is gone.

ALL PLEBEIANSOur enemy is banished; he is gone. Hoo, hoo!

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

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

Exeunt.

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Act IV

Scene I

Enter Coriolanus, Volumnia, Virgilia, Menenius, Cominius with the young

CORIOLANUSCome, 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;
That common chances common men could bear;
That when the sea was calm, all boats alike
Showed mastership in floating; fortune’s blows
When most struck home, being gentle wounded craves
A noble cunning. You were used to load me
With precepts that would make invincible
The heart that conned them.

VIRGILIAO heavens! O heavens!

CORIOLANUSNay, I prithee, woman—

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

CORIOLANUSWhat, what, what!
I shall be loved when I am lacked. Nay, mother,
Resume that spirit when you were wont to say
If you had been the wife of Hercules,
Six of his labours you’d have done and saved
Your husband so much sweat.—Cominius,
Droop not. Adieu.—Farewell, my wife, my mother.
I’ll do well yet.—Thou old and true Menenius,
Thy 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
Heart-hard’ning spectacles. Tell these sad women
’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,
Like to a lonely dragon that his fen
Makes feared and talked of more than seen, your son
Will or exceed the common or be caught
With cautelous baits and practice.

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

VIRGILIAO the gods!

COMINIUSI’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
O’er the vast world to seek a single man
And lose advantage, which doth ever cool
I’ th’ absence of the needer.

CORIOLANUSFare ye well.
Thou hast years upon thee, and thou art too full
Of the wars’ surfeits to go rove with one
That’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.
While I remain above the ground, you shall
Hear from me still, and never of me aught
But what is like me formerly.

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

CORIOLANUSGive me thy hand.
Come.

Exeunt.

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Scene II

Enter two Tribunes, Sicinius, Brutus with the Aedile.

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

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

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

BRUTUSDismiss them home.

Exit Aedile.

Enter Volumnia, Virgilia and Menenius.

SICINIUSLet’s not meet her.

BRUTUSWhy?

SICINIUSThey say she’s mad.

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

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

MENENIUSPeace, peace! Be not so loud.

VOLUMNIAIf that I could for weeping, you should hear—
Nay, and you shall hear some. [_To Sicinius_.] Will you be gone?

VIRGILIA[_To Brutus_.] You shall stay too. I would I had the power
To say so to my husband.

SICINIUSAre you mankind?

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

SICINIUSO blessed heavens!

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

SICINIUSWhat then?

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

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

MENENIUSCome, come, peace.

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

BRUTUSI would he had.

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

BRUTUSPray, let’s go.

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

BRUTUSWell, well, we’ll leave you.

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

Exeunt Tribunes.

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

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

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

Exeunt.

MENENIUSFie, fie, fie!

Exit Menenius.

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Scene III

Enter a Roman and a Volsce.

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

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

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

VOLSCENicanor, no?

ROMANThe same, sir.

VOLSCEYou had more beard when I last saw you, but your favour is well
approved by your tongue. What’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.

ROMANThere hath been in Rome strange insurrections, the people against the
senators, patricians, and nobles.

VOLSCEHath 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 division.

ROMANThe 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 from the
people and to pluck from them their tribunes for ever. This lies
glowing, I can tell you, and is almost mature for the violent breaking
out.

VOLSCECoriolanus banished?

ROMANBanished, sir.

VOLSCEYou will be welcome with this intelligence, Nicanor.

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

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

ROMANI 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?

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

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

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

ROMANWell, let us go together.

Exeunt.

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Scene IV

Enter Coriolanus in mean apparel, disguised and muffled.

CORIOLANUSA 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,
Lest that thy wives with spits and boys with stones
In puny battle slay me.

Enter a Citizen.

CITIZENAnd you.

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

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

CORIOLANUSWhich is his house, beseech you?

CITIZENThis here before you.

CORIOLANUSThank you, sir. Farewell.

Exit Citizen.

Exit.

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Scene V

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

Exit.

Enter another Servingman.

SECOND SERVINGMANWhere’s Cotus? My master calls for him. Cotus!

Exit.

Enter Coriolanus.

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

Enter the First Servingman.

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

Exit.

CORIOLANUSI have deserved no better entertainment
In being Coriolanus.

Enter Second Servingman.

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

CORIOLANUSAway!

SECOND SERVINGMANAway? Get you away.

CORIOLANUSNow th’ art troublesome.

SECOND SERVINGMANAre you so brave? I’ll have you talked with anon.

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

THIRD SERVINGMANWhat fellow’s this?

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

THIRD SERVINGMANWhat have you to do here, fellow? Pray you, avoid the house.

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

THIRD SERVINGMANWhat are you?

CORIOLANUSA gentleman.

THIRD SERVINGMANA marv’llous poor one.

CORIOLANUSTrue, so I am.

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

CORIOLANUSFollow your function, go, and batten on cold bits.

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

SECOND SERVINGMANAnd I shall.

Exit.

THIRD SERVINGMANWhere dwell’st thou?

CORIOLANUSUnder the canopy.

THIRD SERVINGMANUnder the canopy?

CORIOLANUSAy.

THIRD SERVINGMANWhere’s that?

CORIOLANUSI’ th’ city of kites and crows.

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

CORIOLANUSNo, I serve not thy master.

THIRD SERVINGMANHow, sir? Do you meddle with my master?

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

Exit Third Servingman.

Enter Aufidius with the Second Servingman.

AUFIDIUSWhere is this fellow?

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

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

CORIOLANUS[_Removing his muffler_.] If, Tullus,
Not yet thou know’st me, and, seeing me, dost not
Think me for the man I am, necessity
Commands me name myself.

AUFIDIUSWhat is thy name?

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

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

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

AUFIDIUSI know thee not. Thy name?

CORIOLANUSMy name is Caius Martius, who hath done
To thee particularly and to all the Volsces
Great 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
But with that surname, a good memory
And witness of the malice and displeasure
Which thou shouldst bear me. Only that name remains.
The cruelty and envy of the people,
Permitted by our dastard nobles, who
Have 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—
Mistake me not—to save my life; for if
I 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
A heart of wreak in thee, that wilt revenge
Thine 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
That my revengeful services may prove
As 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
Thou ’rt tired, then, in a word, I also am
Longer 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,
Drawn tuns of blood out of thy country’s breast,
And cannot live but to thy shame, unless
It be to do thee service.

AUFIDIUSO Martius, Martius,
Each word thou hast spoke hath weeded from my heart
A 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
Mine arms about that body, whereagainst
My grained ash an hundred times hath broke
And scarred the moon with splinters. Here I clip
The anvil of my sword and do contest
As hotly and as nobly with thy love
As ever in ambitious strength I did
Contend against thy valour. Know thou first,
I loved the maid I married; never man
Sighed truer breath. But that I see thee here,
Thou noble thing, more dances my rapt heart
Than 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
Or lose mine arm for’t. Thou hast beat me out
Twelve 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,
And waked half dead with nothing. Worthy Martius,
Had 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,
Like a bold flood o’erbear ’t. O, come, go in,
And 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.

CORIOLANUSYou bless me, gods!

AUFIDIUSTherefore, 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
Thy country’s strength and weakness—thine own ways,
Whether to knock against the gates of Rome,
Or rudely visit them in parts remote
To fright them ere destroy. But come in.
Let me commend thee first to those that shall
Say yea to thy desires. A thousand welcomes!
And more a friend than e’er an enemy—
Yet, Martius, that was much. Your hand. Most welcome!

Exeunt Coriolanus and Aufidius.

FIRST SERVINGMANHere’s a strange alteration!

SECOND SERVINGMANBy 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 SERVINGMANWhat an arm he has! He turned me about with his finger and his thumb as
one would set up a top.

SECOND SERVINGMANNay, 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 SERVINGMANHe had so, looking as it were—Would I were hanged, but I thought there
was more in him than I could think.

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

FIRST SERVINGMANI think he is. But a greater soldier than he you wot one.

SECOND SERVINGMANWho, my master?

FIRST SERVINGMANNay, it’s no matter for that.

SECOND SERVINGMANWorth six on him.

FIRST SERVINGMANNay, not so neither. But I take him to be the greater soldier.

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

FIRST SERVINGMANAy, and for an assault too.

Enter the Third Servingman.

THIRD SERVINGMANO slaves, I can tell you news, news, you rascals!

FIRST and SECOND SERVINGMAN.
What, what, what? Let’s partake.

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

FIRST and SECOND SERVINGMAN.
Wherefore? Wherefore?

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

FIRST SERVINGMANWhy do you say, “thwack our general”?

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

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

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

SECOND SERVINGMANAn he had been cannibally given, he might have boiled and eaten him
too.

FIRST SERVINGMANBut, more of thy news?

THIRD SERVINGMANWhy, 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
senators but they stand bald before him. Our general himself 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 what he was yesterday, for the
other has half, by the 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 SERVINGMANAnd he’s as like to do’t as any man I can imagine.

THIRD SERVINGMANDo’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
themselves, as we term it, his friends whilest he’s in directitude.

FIRST SERVINGMANDirectitude? What’s that?

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

FIRST SERVINGMANBut when goes this forward?

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

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

FIRST SERVINGMANLet me have war, say I. It exceeds peace 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 men.

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

FIRST SERVINGMANAy, and it makes men hate one another.

THIRD SERVINGMANReason: because they then less need one another. The wars for my money!
I hope to see Romans as cheap as Volscians. They are rising; they are
rising.

ALLIn, in, in, in!

Exeunt.

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Scene VI

Enter the two Tribunes. Sicinius and Brutus.

SICINIUSWe 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
Blush 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.

BRUTUSWe stood to’t in good time.

Enter Menenius.

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

MENENIUSHail to you both.

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

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

SICINIUSWhere is he, hear you?

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

Enter three or four Citizens.

ALL CITIZENSThe gods preserve you both!

SICINIUSGood e’en, our neighbours.

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

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

SICINIUSLive and thrive!

BRUTUSFarewell, kind neighbours. We wished Coriolanus
Had loved you as we did.

CITIZENSNow the gods keep you!

BOTH TRIBUNESFarewell, farewell.

Exeunt Citizens.

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

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

SICINIUSAnd affecting one sole throne, without assistance.

MENENIUSI think not so.

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

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

Enter an Aedile.

AEDILEWorthy tribunes,
There is a slave, whom we have put in prison,
Reports the Volsces with two several powers
Are 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,
Thrusts forth his horns again into the world,
Which were inshelled when Martius stood for Rome,
And durst not once peep out.

SICINIUSCome, what talk you of Martius?

BRUTUSGo see this rumourer whipped. It cannot be
The Volsces dare break with us.

MENENIUSCannot 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
Before 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.

SICINIUSTell not me.
I know this cannot be.

BRUTUSNot possible.

Enter a Messenger.

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

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

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

SICINIUSWhat more fearful?

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

SICINIUSThis is most likely!

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

SICINIUSThe very trick on ’t.

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

Enter a Second Messenger.

SECOND MESSENGERYou are sent for to the Senate.
A 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.

COMINIUSO, you have made good work!

MENENIUSWhat news? What news?

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

MENENIUSWhat’s the news? What’s the news?

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

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

COMINIUSIf?
He 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
Or butchers killing flies.

MENENIUSYou 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!

COMINIUSHe’ll shake your Rome about your ears.

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

BRUTUSBut is this true, sir?

COMINIUSAy, and you’ll look pale
Before 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.

MENENIUSWe are all undone unless
The noble man have mercy.

COMINIUSWho shall ask it?
The Tribunes cannot do’t for shame; the people
Deserve such pity of him as the wolf
Does 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’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,
You and your crafts! You have crafted fair!

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

TRIBUNESSay not we brought it.

MENENIUSHow? Was it we? We loved him, but like beasts
And cowardly nobles, gave way unto your clusters,
Who did hoot him out o’ th’ city.

COMINIUSBut I fear
They’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 defence
That Rome can make against them.

Enter a troop of Citizens.

MENENIUSHere comes 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
Coriolanus’ 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.
If he could burn us all into one coal
We have deserved it.

ALL CITIZENSFaith, we hear fearful news.

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

SECOND CITIZENAnd so did I.

THIRD CITIZENAnd 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.

COMINIUSYou are goodly things, you voices!

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

COMINIUSO, ay, what else?

Exeunt Cominius and Menenius.

SICINIUSGo, masters, get you home. Be not dismayed.
These 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 CITIZENThe gods be good to us! Come, masters, let’s home. I ever said we were
i’ th’ wrong when we banished him.

SECOND CITIZENSo did we all. But, come, let’s home.

Exeunt Citizens.

BRUTUSI do not like this news.

SICINIUSNor I.

BRUTUSLet’s to the Capitol. Would half my wealth
Would buy this for a lie!

SICINIUSPray let’s go.

Exeunt.

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Scene VII

Enter Aufidius with his Lieutenant.

AUFIDIUSDo they still fly to th’ Roman?

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

AUFIDIUSI cannot help it now,
Unless by using means I lame the foot
Of our design. He bears himself more proudlier,
Even 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.

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

AUFIDIUSI understand thee well, and be thou sure,
When 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,
And shows good husbandry for the Volscian state,
Fights 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.

LIEUTENANTSir, I beseech you, think you he’ll carry Rome?

AUFIDIUSAll places yield 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
Will be as rash in the repeal as hasty
To 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
Carry his honours even. Whether ’twas pride,
Which 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,
Not to be other than one thing, not moving
From th’ casque to th’ cushion, but commanding peace
Even with the same austerity and garb
As he controlled the war; but one of these—
As he hath spices of them all—not all,
For 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,
And power, unto itself most commendable,
Hath 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 fail.
Come, let’s away. When, Caius, Rome is thine,
Thou art poor’st of all; then shortly art thou mine.

Exeunt.

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Act V

Scene I

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

MENENIUSNo, I’ll not go. You hear what he hath said
Which was sometime his general, who loved him
In a most dear particular. He called me father,
But what o’ that? Go you that banished him;
A 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.

COMINIUSHe would not seem to know me.

MENENIUSDo you hear?

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

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

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

MENENIUSVery well.
Could he say less?

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

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

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

MENENIUSNo, I’ll not meddle.

SICINIUSPray you, go to him.

MENENIUSWhat should I do?

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

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

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

MENENIUSI’ll undertake’t.
I think he’ll hear me. Yet to bite his lip
And hum at good Cominius much unhearts me.
He was not taken well; he had not dined.
The 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
These pipes and these conveyances of our blood
With wine and feeding, we have suppler souls
Than in our priestlike fasts. Therefore I’ll watch him
Till he be dieted to my request,
And then I’ll set upon him.

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

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

Exit.

COMINIUSHe’ll never hear him.

SICINIUSNot?

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

Exeunt.

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Scene II

Enter Menenius to the Watch, or Guard.

FIRST WATCHStay! Whence are you?

SECOND WATCHStand, and go back.

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

FIRST WATCHFrom whence?

MENENIUSFrom Rome.

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

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

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

FIRST WATCHBe it so; go back. The virtue of your name
Is not here passable.

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

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

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

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

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

FIRST WATCHYou are a Roman, are you?

MENENIUSI am, as thy general is.

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

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

SECOND WATCHCome, my captain knows you not.

MENENIUSI mean thy general.

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

MENENIUSNay, but fellow, fellow—

Enter Coriolanus with Aufidius.

CORIOLANUSWhat’s the matter?

MENENIUSNow, you companion, I’ll say an errand for you. You shall know now that
I am in estimation; you shall perceive that a Jack guardant cannot
office me from my son Coriolanus. Guess but by my entertainment with
him if thou stand’st not i’ th’ state of hanging or of some death more
long in spectatorship and crueller in suffering; behold now presently,
and swoon for what’s to come upon thee. [_to Coriolanus_.] The glorious
gods sit in hourly synod about thy particular prosperity and love thee
no worse than thy old father Menenius does! O my son, my son! Thou 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 could
move thee, I have been blown out of your gates with sighs, and conjure
thee to pardon Rome and 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 my access to thee.

CORIOLANUSAway!

MENENIUSHow? Away?

CORIOLANUSWife, mother, child, I know not. My affairs
Are servanted to others. Though I owe
My revenge properly, my remission lies
In Volscian breasts. That we have been familiar,
Ingrate forgetfulness shall poison rather
Than pity note how much. Therefore begone.
Mine ears against your suits are stronger than
Your gates against my force. Yet, for I loved thee,
Take this along; I writ it for thy sake,


And 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.

AUFIDIUSYou keep a constant temper.

They exit.

FIRST WATCHNow, sir, is your name Menenius?

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

FIRST WATCHDo you hear how we are shent for keeping your Greatness back?

SECOND WATCHWhat cause do you think I have to swoon?

MENENIUSI neither care for th’ world nor your general. For such things as you,
I can scarce think there’s any, you’re so slight. He that hath a will
to die by himself fears it not from another. Let your general 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!

Exit.

FIRST WATCHA noble fellow, I warrant him.

SECOND WATCHThe worthy fellow is our general. He is the rock, the oak not to be
wind-shaken.

Exeunt.

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Scene III

Enter Coriolanus and Aufidius.

CORIOLANUSWe 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.

AUFIDIUSOnly 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.

CORIOLANUSThis last old man,
Whom with 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—
Though 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,
Nor from the state nor private friends, hereafter
Will I lend ear to.


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.

VIRGILIAMy lord and husband.

CORIOLANUSThese eyes are not the same I wore in Rome.

VIRGILIAThe sorrow that delivers us thus changed
Makes you think so.

CORIOLANUSLike 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
For that, “Forgive our Romans.”


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
Hath 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;


Of thy deep duty more impression show
Than that of common sons.

VOLUMNIAO, stand up blest,


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.

CORIOLANUSWhat is this?
Your knees to me? To your corrected son?


Then let the pebbles on the hungry beach
Fillip the stars! Then let the mutinous winds
Strike the proud cedars ’gainst the fiery sun,
Murdering impossibility to make
What cannot be slight work.

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

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

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

CORIOLANUSThe 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
Like a great seamark standing every flaw
And saving those that eye thee.

VOLUMNIA[_To young Martius_.] Your knee, sirrah.

CORIOLANUSThat’s my brave boy!

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

CORIOLANUSI 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
Dismiss 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.

VOLUMNIAO, 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
May hang upon your hardness. Therefore hear us.

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

VOLUMNIAShould we be silent and not speak, our raiment
And 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
Make 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
The 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—
Alas, 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
An 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
And 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
Than 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.

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

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

CORIOLANUSNot of a woman’s tenderness to be
Requires nor child nor woman’s face to see.—
I have sat too long.

VOLUMNIANay, go not from us thus.
If it were so, that our request did tend
To save the Romans, thereby to destroy
The Volsces whom you serve, you might condemn us
As poisonous of your honour. No, our suit
Is that you reconcile them, while the Volsces
May say “This mercy we have showed,” the Romans
“This we received,” and each in either side
Give the all-hail to thee and cry, “Be blessed
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
Which 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
To th’ ensuing age abhorred.” Speak to me, son.
Thou hast affected the fine strains of honour
To imitate the graces of the gods,
To tear with thunder the wide cheeks o’ th’ air
And yet to charge thy sulphur with a bolt
That should but rive an oak. Why dost not speak?
Think’st thou it honourable 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
Than 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,
Has clucked thee to the wars and safely home,
Loaden with honour. 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
To 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.


This is the last. So we will home to Rome
And die among our neighbours.—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.


This 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.

CORIOLANUSO 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,
But, 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,
Were you in my stead, would you have heard
A mother less? Or granted less, Aufidius?

AUFIDIUSI was moved withal.

CORIOLANUSI dare be sworn you were.
And, sir, it is no little thing to make
Mine 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!

AUFIDIUS[_Aside_.] I am glad thou hast set thy mercy and thy honour
At difference in thee. Out of that I’ll work
Myself a former fortune.

CORIOLANUS[_To the Women_.] Ay, by and by;
But we’ll drink together, and you shall bear
A better witness back than words, which we,
On 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.

Exeunt.

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Scene IV

Enter Menenius and Sicinius.

MENENIUSSee you yond coign o’ the Capitol, yond cornerstone?

SICINIUSWhy, what of that?

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

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

MENENIUSThere 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.

SICINIUSHe loved his mother dearly.

MENENIUSSo 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 shrinks before his
treading. He is able to pierce a corslet 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 and a heaven to throne in.

SICINIUSYes, mercy, if you report him truly.

MENENIUSI 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
tiger. That shall our poor city find, and all this is long of you.

SICINIUSThe gods be good unto us.

MENENIUSNo, in such a case the gods will not be good unto us. When we banished
him, we respected not them; and he returning to break our necks, they
respect not us.

Enter a Messenger.

MESSENGERSir, 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
The Roman ladies bring not comfort home,
They’ll give him death by inches.

Enter another Messenger.

SICINIUSWhat’s the news?

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

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

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


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

MENENIUSThis 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
A sea and land full. You have prayed well today.
This morning for ten thousand of your throats
I’d not have given a doit. Hark, how they joy!

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

SECOND MESSENGERSir, we have all great cause to give great thanks.

SICINIUSThey are near the city?

MESSENGERAlmost at point to enter.

SICINIUSWe’ll meet them, and help the joy.

Exeunt.

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Scene V

Enter two Senators, with Ladies (Volumnia, Virgilia, Valeria) passing

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

ALLWelcome, ladies, welcome!

Exeunt.

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Scene VI

Enter Tullus Aufidius with Attendants.

AUFIDIUSGo tell the lords o’ th’ city I am here.
Deliver them this paper.


Having read it,
Bid them repair to th’ marketplace, where I,
Even 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.

Exeunt Attendants.

Enter three or four Conspirators of Aufidius’s faction.

FIRST CONSPIRATORHow is it with our general?

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

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

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

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

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

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

AUFIDIUSThat 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
Out 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
I seemed his follower, not partner; and
He waged me with his countenance as if
I had been mercenary.

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

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

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

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

THIRD CONSPIRATORTherefore at your vantage,
Ere 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.

AUFIDIUSSay no more.
Here come the lords.

Enter the Lords of the city.

ALL LORDSYou are most welcome home.

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

ALL LORDSWe have.

FIRST LORDAnd grieve to hear’t.
What faults he made before the last, I think
Might have found easy fines, but there to end
Where 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 Colours, the Commoners being

AUFIDIUSHe approaches. You shall hear him.

CORIOLANUSHail, 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
With 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
With no less honour 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.

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

CORIOLANUS“Traitor?” How now?

AUFIDIUSAy, traitor, Martius.

CORIOLANUSMartius?

AUFIDIUSAy, 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
He 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
Counsel 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.

CORIOLANUSHear’st thou, Mars?

AUFIDIUSName not the god, thou boy of tears.

CORIOLANUSHa?

AUFIDIUSNo more.

CORIOLANUSMeasureless liar, thou hast made my heart
Too great for what contains it. “Boy”? O slave!—
Pardon 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
Must bear my beating to his grave—shall join
To thrust the lie unto him.

FIRST LORDPeace, both, and hear me speak.

CORIOLANUSCut me to pieces, Volsces. Men and lads,
Stain all your edges on me. “Boy”? False hound!
If 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”!

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

ALL CONSPIRATORSLet him die for’t.

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

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

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

AUFIDIUSInsolent villain!

ALL CONSPIRATORSKill, kill, kill, kill, kill him!


[_Draw the Conspirators, and kills Martius, who falls. Aufidius stands
on him._]

LORDSHold, hold, hold, hold!

AUFIDIUSMy noble masters, hear me speak.

FIRST LORDO Tullus!

SECOND LORDThou hast done a deed whereat valour will weep.

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

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

FIRST LORDBear 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 LORDHis own impatience
Takes from Aufidius a great part of blame.
Let’s make the best of it.

AUFIDIUSMy rage is gone,
And I am struck with sorrow.—Take him up.
Help, three o’ th’ chiefest soldiers; I’ll be one.—
Beat 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.
Assist.

Exeunt, bearing the body of Martius. A dead march sounded.

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