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 60
The hazard of much blood.
I would dissemble with my nature where
My fortunes and my friends at stake requir'd
I should do so in honour: I am in this, 64
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 68
Of what that want might ruin.
Men. Noble lady!
Come, go with us; speak fair; you may salve so,
Not what is dangerous present, but the loss
Of what is past.
Vol. I prithee now, my son, 72
Go to them, with this bonnet in thy hand;
And thus far having stretch'd it,—here be with them,—
Thy knee bussing the stones,—for in such business
Action is eloquence, and the eyes of th' ignorant 76
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, 80
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,
59 take in: get possession of
60 put . . . fortune: force you to risk the fortune of war
64 I am: I am at stake
66 general louts: the good-for-nothings of the community
68 safeguard: for the security
69 that want: the want of their loves
71, 72 Not . . . past; cf. n.
73 this bonnet: that which Coriolanus wears
74, 75 And . . . stones; cf. n.
78 Which often: a concilatory gesture which you are to repeat often
83 as they: as for them
