Page:Coriolanus (1924) Yale.djvu/63

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The Tragedy of Coriolanus, II. ii
51

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

Cor. I do beseech you, 140
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.

Sic. Sir, the people 144
Must have their voices; neither will they bate
One jot of ceremony.

Men. Put them not to 't:
Pray you, go fit you to the custom, and
Take to you, as your predecessors have, 148
Your honour with your form.

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

Bru. [Aside to Sicinius.] Mark you that?

Cor. To brag unto them, thus I did, and thus; 152
Show them the unaching scars which I should hide,
As if I had receiv'd them for the hire
Of their breath only!

Men. Do not stand upon 't.
We recommend to you, tribunes of the people, 156
Our purpose to them; and to our noble consul
Wish we all joy and honour.

Sen. To Coriolanus come all joy and honour!

Flourish Cornets, Then exeunt.

Mane[n]t Sicinius and Brutus.


144 pass this doing: omit this action
145 voices: votes
bate: abate, waive
146 Put . . . to 't: do not force the issue
147 fit you: accommodate yourself
149 with your form: in the conventional manner
155 breath: i.e. votes
156 recommend: entrust
157 Our . . . them: what we propose to them