So incapable of help.
Tribunes. Say not we brought it.
Men. How! Was 't we? We lov'd him; but, like beasts
And cowardly nobles, gave way unto your clusters,
Who did hoot him out o' the city.
Com. But I fear 124
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, 128
That Rome can make against them.
Enter a troop of Citizens.
Men. Here come the clusters.
And is Aufidius with him? You are they
That made the air unwholesome, when you cast
Your stinking greasy caps in hooting at 132
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, 136
And pay you for your voices. 'Tis no matter;
If he could burn us all into one coal,
We have deserv'd it.
Omnes. Faith, we hear fearful news.
1. Cit. For mine own part, 140
When I said banish him, I said 'twas pity.
2. Cit. And so did I.
3. Cit. And so did I; and, to say the
123 clusters: crowds
125 roar . . . again: yell with pain as he returns
126 second . . . men: the most famous man except Coriolanus
points: instructions
127–129 desperation . . . against them; cf. n.
135 coxcombs: fools' heads
138 coal: hot ember
