Coriolanus (1924) Yale/Text/Act I
ACT FIRST
Scene One
[Rome. A Street]
Enter a Company of mutinous Citizens, with staves, clubs, and other weapons.
1. Cit. Before we proceed any further, hear
me speak.
All. Speak, speak.
1. Cit. You are all resolved rather to die than 4
to famish?
All. Resolved, resolved.
1. Cit. First, you know Caius Martius is chief
enemy to the people. 8
All. We know 't, we know 't.
1. Cit. Let us kill him, and we'll have corn at
our own price. Is 't a verdict?
All. No more talking on 't; let it be done. 12
Away, away!
2. Cit. One word, good citizens.
1. Cit. We are accounted poor citizens, the
patricians good. What authority surfeits on 16
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 20
afflicts us, the object of our misery, is as an
inventory to particularise their abundance; our
sufferance is a gain to them. Let us revenge
this with our pikes, ere we become rakes: for 24
the gods know I speak this in hunger for bread,
not in thirst for revenge.
2. Cit. Would you proceed especially against
Caius Martius? 28
All. Against him first: he's a very dog to the
commonalty.
2. Cit. Consider you what services he has done
for his country? 32
1. Cit. Very well; and could be content to
give him good report for 't, but that he pays
himself with being proud.
2. Cit. Nay, but speak not maliciously. 36
1. Cit. I 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, 40
and to be partly proud; which he is, even to the
altitude of his virtue.
2. Cit. What he cannot help in his nature, you
account a vice in him. You must in no way say 44
he is covetous.
1. Cit. If I must not, I need not be barren of
accusations: he hath faults, with surplus, to tire
in repetition. Shouts within. What shouts are 48
these? The other side o' the city is risen: why
stay we prating here? to the Capitol!
All. Come, come.
1. Cit. Soft! who comes here? 52
Enter Menenius Agrippa.
2. Cit. Worthy Menenius Agrippa; one that
hath always loved the people.
1. Cit. He's one honest enough: would all the
rest were so! 56
Men. What work's, my countrymen, in hand? Where go you
With bats and clubs? The matter? Speak, I pray you.
2. Cit. Our business is not unknown to the
senate; they have had inkling this fortnight what 60
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. 64
Men. Why, masters, my good friends, mine honest neighbours,
Will you undo yourselves?
2. Cit. We cannot, sir; we are undone
already. 68
Men. I 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 72
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, 76
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 80
The helms o' the state, who care for you like fathers,
When you curse them as enemies.
2. Cit. Care for us! True, indeed! They
ne'er cared for us yet: suffer us to famish, and 84
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 88
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.
Men. Either you must 92
Confess yourselves wondrous malicious,
Or be accus'd 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 96
To scale 't a little more.
2. Cit. Well, I'll hear it, sir; yet you must not
think to fob off our disgrace with a tale; but,
an 't please you, deliver. 100
Men. There was a time when all the body's members
Rebell'd against the belly; thus accus'd it:
That only like a gulf it did remain
I' the midst o' the body, idle and unactive, 104
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 108
Unto the appetite and affection common
Of the whole body, The belly answer'd,—
2. Cit. Well, sir, what answer made the
belly? 112
Men. Sir, 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 taintingly replied 116
To the 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.
2. Cit. Your belly's answer? What! 120
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 124
In this our fabric, if that they—
Men. What then?—
'Fore me, this fellow speaks! what then? what then?
2. Cit. Should by the cormorant belly be restrain'd,
Who is the sink o' the body,—
Men. Well, what then? 128
2. Cit. The former agents, if they did complain,
What could the belly answer?
Men. I will tell you;
If you'll bestow a small, of what you have little,
Patience a while, you'st hear the belly's answer. 132
2. Cit. You're long about it.
Men. Note me this, good friend;
Your most grave belly was deliberate,
Not rash like his accusers, and thus answer’d:
'True is it, my incorporate friends,' quoth he, 136
'That I receive the general food at first,
Which you do live upon; and fit it is,
Because I am the store-house and the shop
Of the whole body: but, if you do remember, 140
I send it through the rivers of your blood,
Even to the court, the heart, to the seat o' the brain;
And, through the cranks and offices of man,
The strongest nerves and small inferior veins 144
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,—
2. Cit. Ay, sir; well, well.
Men. 'Though all at once cannot 148
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? 152
2. Cit. It was an answer: how apply you this?
Men. The senators of Rome are this good belly,
And you the mutinous members; for, examine
Their counsels and their cares, digest things rightly 156
Touching the weal o' the 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, 160
You, the great toe of this assembly?
2. Cit. I the great toe? Why the great toe?
Men. For that, being one o' the lowest, basest, poorest,
Of this most wise rebellion, thou go'st foremost: 164
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; 168
The one side must have bale.
Enter Caius Martius.
Hail, noble Martius!
Mar. Thanks.—What's the matter, you dissentious rogues,
That, rubbing the poor itch of your opinion,
Make yourselves scabs?
2. Cit. We have ever your good word. 172
Mar. He 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, 176
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, 180
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 184
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, 188
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, 192
Under the gods, keep you in awe, which else
Would feed on one another? What's their seeking?
Men. For corn at their own rates; whereof they say
The city is well stor'd.
Mar. Hang 'em! They say! 196
They'll sit by the fire, and presume to know
What's done i' the Capitol; who's like to rise,
Who thrives, and who declines; side factions, and give out
Conjectural marriages; making parties strong, 200
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 204
With thousands of these quarter'd slaves, as high
As I could pick my lance.
Men. Nay, these are almost thoroughly persuaded;
For though abundantly they lack discretion, 208
Yet are they passing cowardly. But, I beseech you,
What says the other troop?
Mar. They are dissolv'd: hang em!
They said they were an-hungry; sigh'd forth proverbs:
That hunger broke stone walls; that dogs must eat; 212
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 answer'd,
And a petition granted them, a strange one,— 216
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' the moon,
Shouting their emulation.
Men. What is granted them? 220
Mar. Five 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 unroof'd the city, 224
Ere so prevail'd with me; it will in time
Win upon power, and throw forth greater themes
For insurrection's arguing.
Men. This is strange.
Mar. Go; get you home, you fragments! 228
Enter a Messenger, hastily.
Mess. Where's Caius Martius?
Mar. Here: what's the matter?
Mess. The news is, sir, the Volsces are in arms.
Mar. I am glad on 't; then we shall ha' means to vent
Our musty superfluity. See, our best elders. 232
Enter Sicinius Velutus, Junius Brutus; Cominius,
Titus Lartius, with other Senators.
1. Sen. Martius, 'tis true that you have lately told us;
The Volsces are in arms.
Mar. They have a leader,
Tullus Aufidius, that will put you to 't.
I sin in envying his nobility, 236
And were I anything but what I am,
I would wish me only he.
Com. You have fought together.
Mar. Were half to half the world by th' ears, and he
Upon my party, I'd revolt, to make 240
Only my wars with him: he is a lion
That I am proud to hunt.
1. Sen. Then, worthy Martius,
Attend upon Cominius to these wars.
Com. It is your former promise.
Mar. Sir, it is; 244
And I am constant. Titus Lartius, thou
Shalt see me once more strike at Tullus' face.
What! art thou stiff? stand'st out?
Tit. No, Caius Martius;
I'll lean upon one crutch and fight with t'other, 248
Ere stay behind this business.
Men. O! true-bred.
Sen. Your company to the Capitol; where I know
Our greatest friends attend us.
Tit. [To Cominius.] Lead you on:
[To Martius.] Follow Cominius; we must follow you; 252
Right worthy you priority.
Com. Noble Martius!
Sen. [To the Citizens.] Hence! to your homes! be gone.
Mar. Nay, let them follow:
The Volsces have much corn; take these rats thither
To gnaw their garners. Worshipful mutiners, 256
Your valour puts well forth; pray, follow.
Exeunt [Martius, Cominius, Titus, etc.].
Citizens steal away.
Sic. Was ever man so proud as is this Martius?
Bru. He has no equal. 259
Sic. When we were chosen tribunes for the people,—
Bru. Mark'd you his lip and eyes?
Sic. Nay, but his taunts.
Bru. Being mov'd, he will not spare to gird the gods.
Sic. Bemock the modest moon.
Bru. The present wars devour him! he is grown 264
Too proud to be so valiant.
Sic. Such a nature,
Tickled with good success, disdains the shadow
Which he treads on at noon. But I do wonder
His insolence can brook to be commanded 268
Under Cominius.
Bru. Fame, at the which he aims,
In whom already he's well grac'd, cannot
Better be held nor more attain'd than by
A place below the first; for what miscarries 272
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.'
Sic. Besides, if things go well, 276
Opinion, that so sticks on Martius, shall
Of his demerits rob Cominius.
Bru. Come:
Half all Cominius' honours are to Martius,
Though Martius earn'd them not; and all his faults 280
To Martius shall be honours, though indeed
In aught he merit not.
Sic. Let's hence and hear
How the dispatch is made; and in what fashion,
More than his singularity, he goes 284
Upon this present action.
Bru. Let's along. Exeunt.
Scene Two
[Corioli. The Senate-house]
Enter Tullus Aufidius with Senators of Corioli.
1. Sen. So your opinion is, Aufidius,
That they of Rome are enter'd in our counsels,
And know how we proceed.
Auf. Is it not yours?
What ever have been thought on in this state, 4
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. 8
'They have press'd a power, but it is not known
Whether for east, or west: the dearth is great;
The people mutinous; and it is rumour'd,
Cominius, Martius, your old enemy,— 12
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: 16
Consider of it.'
1. Sen. Our army's in the field:
We never yet made doubt but Rome was ready
To answer us.
Auf. Nor did you think it folly
To keep your great pretences veil'd till when 20
They needs must show themselves; which in the hatching,
It seem'd, appear'd to Rome. By the discovery
We shall be shorten'd in our aim, which was
To take in many towns ere almost Rome 24
Should know we were afoot.
2. Sen. Noble Aufidius,
Take your commission; hie you to your bands;
Let us alone to guard Corioli:
If they set down before 's, for the remove 28
Bring up your army; but I think you'll find
They've not prepar'd for us.
Auf. O! doubt not that;
I speak from certainties. Nay, more;
Some parcels of their power are forth already, 32
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.
All. The gods assist you! 36
Auf. And keep your honours safe!
1. Sen. Farewell.
2. Sen. Farewell.
All. Farewell. Exeunt omnes.
Scene Three
[Rome. A Room in Martius's House]
Vol. I 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 4
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 8
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 the 12
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 16
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.
Vir. But had he died in the business, madam; 20
how then?
Vol. Then his good report should have been
my son; I therein would have found issue. Hear
me profess sincerely: had I a dozen sons, each 24
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 voluptu-
ously surfeit out of action. 28
Enter a Gentlewoman.
Gent. Madam, the Lady Valeria is come to
visit you.
Vir. Beseech you, give me leave to retire myself.
Vol. Indeed, you shall not. 32
Methinks I hear hither your husband's drum,
See him pluck Aufidius down by the hair,
As children from a bear the Volsces shunning him:
Methinks I see him stamp thus, and call thus: 36
'Come on, you cowards! you were got in fear,
Though you were born in Rome.' His bloody brow
With his mail'd hand then wiping, forth he goes,
Like to a harvestman that's task'd to mow 40
Or all or lose his hire.
Vir. His bloody brow! O Jupiter, no blood!
Vol. Away, you fool! it more becomes a man
Than gilt his trophy: the breasts of Hecuba, 44
When she did suckle Hector, look'd not lovelier
Than Hector's forehead when it spit forth blood,
At Grecian sword contemning. Tell Valeria
We are fit to bid her welcome. 48
Vir. Heavens bless my lord from fell Aufidius!
Vol. He'll beat Aufidius' head below his knee,
And tread upon his neck.
Enter Valeria with an Usher, and a Gentlewoman.
Val. My ladies both, good day to you. 52
Vol. Sweet madam.
Vir. I am glad to see your ladyship.
Val. How do you both? you are manifest
housekeepers. What are you sewing here? A 56
fine spot, in good faith. How does your little son?
Vir. I thank your ladyship; well, good
madam.
Vol. He had rather see the swords and hear 60
a drum, than look upon his schoolmaster.
Val. O' 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: 64
he has 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; 68
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!
Vol. One on 's father's moods. 72
Val. Indeed, la, 'tis a noble child.
Vir. A crack, madam.
Val. Come, lay aside your stitchery; I must
have you play the idle huswife with me this 76
afternoon.
Vir. No, good madam; I will not out of
doors.
Val. Not out of doors!
Vol. She shall, she shall. 80
Vir. Indeed, no, by your patience; I'll not
over the threshold till my lord return from the
wars.
Vol. Fie! you confine yourself most un- 84
reasonably. Come; you must go visit the good
lady that lies in.
Vir. I will wish her speedy strength, and visit
her with my prayers; but I cannot go thither. 88
Vol. Why, I pray you?
Vir.'Tis not to save labour, nor that I want
love.
Val. You would be another Penelope; yet, 92
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. 96
Come, you shall go with us.
Vir. No, good madam, pardon me; indeed, I
will not forth.
Val. In truth, la, go with me; and I'll tell 100
you excellent news of your husband.
Vir. O, good madam, there can be none yet.
Val. Verily, I do not jest with you; there
came news from him last night. 104
Vir. Indeed, madam?
Val. In 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 108
gone, with one part of our Roman power: your
lord and Titus Lartius are set down before their
city Corioli; they nothing doubt prevailing and
to make it brief wars. This is true, on mine 112
honour; and so, I pray, go with us.
Vir. Give me excuse, good madam; I will
obey you in everything hereafter.
Vol. Let her alone, lady: as she is now she 116
will but disease our better mirth.
Val. In troth, I think she would. Fare you
well then. Come, good sweet lady. Prithee,
Virgilia, turn thy solemness out o' door, and go 120
along with us.
Vir. No, at a word, madam; indeed I must
not. I wish you much mirth.
Val. Well then, farewell. Exeunt Ladies.
Scene Four
[Before Corioli]
Mar. Yonder comes news: a wager they have met.
Lart. My horse to yours, no.
Mar. 'Tis done.
Lart. Agreed.
Mar. Say, has our general met the enemy?
Mess. They lie in view, but have not spoke as yet. 4
Lart. So the good horse is mine.
Mar. I'll buy him of you.
Lart. No, I'll nor sell nor give him; lend you him I will
For half a hundred years. Summon the town.
Mar. How far off lie these armies?
Mess. Within this mile and half. 8
Mar. Then 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. 12
They sound a Parley. Enter two Senators with others on the Walls of Corioli.
Tullus Aufidius, is he within your walls?
1. Sen. No, nor a man that fears you less than he:
That's lesser than a little.
Drum afar off.
Hark, our drums
Are bringing forth our youth: we'll break our walls, 16
Rather than they shall pound us up: our gates,
Which yet seem shut, we have but pinn'd with rushes;
They'll open of themselves. Hark you, far off!
Alarum far off.
There is Aufidius: list, what work he makes 20
Amongst your cloven army.
Mar. O! they are at it!
Lart. Their noise be our instruction. Ladders, ho!
Enter the Army of the Volsces.
Mar. They fear us not, but issue forth their city.
Now put your shields before your hearts, and fight 24
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, 28
And he shall feel mine edge.
Alarum. The Romans are beat back to their trenches.
Enter Martius, cursing.
Mar. All the contagion of the south light on you,
You shames of Rome! you herd of—Boils and plagues
Plaster you o'er, that you may be abhorr'd 32
Further 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! 36
All hurt behind; backs red, and faces pale
With flight and agu'd 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; 40
If you'll stand fast, we'll beat them to their wives,
As they us to our trenches follows.
Another alarum, and Martius follows them to gates, and is shut in.
So, now the gates are ope: now prove good seconds:
'Tis for the followers Fortune widens them, 44
Not for the fliers: mark me, and do the like.
1. Sol. Foolhardiness! not I.
2. Sol. Nor I.
1. Sol. See, they have shut him in.
All. To the pot, I warrant him.
Enter Titus Lartius.
Lart. What is become of Martius?
All. Slain, sir, doubtless. 48
1. Sol. Following the fliers at the very heels,
With them he enters; who, upon the sudden,
Clapp'd-to their gates; he is himself alone,
To answer all the city.
Lart. O noble fellow! 52
Who, sensibly, outdares his senseless sword,
And, when it bows, stands up. Thou art left, Martius:
A carbuncle entire, as big as thou art,
Were not so rich a jewel. Thou wast a soldier 56
Even to Cato's wish, not fierce and terrible
Only in strokes; but, with thy grim looks and
The thunder-like percussion of thy sounds,
Thou mad'st thine enemies shake, as if the world 60
Were feverous and did tremble.
Enter Martius, bleeding, assaulted by the Enemy.
1. Sol. Look, sir!
Lart. O! 'tis Martius!
Let's fetch him off, or make remain alike.
Scene Five
[Corioli. A Street]
Enter certain Romans, with spoils.
1. Rom. This will I carry to Rome.
2. Rom. And I this.
3. Rom. A murrain on 't! I took this for silver.
Enter Martius and Titus, with a Trumpet.
Mar. See here these movers that do prize their hours 4
At a crack'd drachme! 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! 8
And hark, what noise the general makes! To him!
There is the man of my soul's hate, Aufidius,
Piercing our Romans: then, valiant Titus, take
Convenient numbers to make good the city, 12
Whilst I, with those that have the spirit, will haste
To help Cominius.
Lart. Worthy sir, thou bleed'st;
Thy exercise hath been too violent
For a second course of fight.
Mar. Sir, praise me not; 16
My work hath yet not warm'd me: fare you well:
The blood I drop is rather physical
Than dangerous to me: to Aufidius thus
I will appear, and fight.
Lart. Now the fair goddess, Fortune, 20
Fall deep in love with thee; and her great charms
Misguide thy opposers' swords! Bold gentleman,
Prosperity be thy page!
Mar. Thy friend no less
Than those she places highest! So, farewell. 24
Lart. Thou worthiest Martius!—
[Exit Martius.]
Go, sound thy trumpet in the market-place;
Call thither all the officers o' the town,
Where they shall know our mind. Away! 28
Scene Six
[Near the Camp of Cominius]
Enter Cominius as it were in retire, with soldiers.
Com. Breathe 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 charg'd again. Whiles we have struck, 4
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 encountering, 8
May give you thankful sacrifice.
Enter a Messenger.
Thy news?
Mess. The citizens of Corioli have issu'd,
And given to Lartius and to Martius battle:
I saw our party to their trenches driven, 12
And then I came away.
Com. Though thou speak'st truth,
Methinks thou speak'st not well. How long is 't since?
Mess. Above an hour, my lord. 15
Com. 'Tis not a mile; briefly we heard their drums:
How couldst thou in a mile confound an hour,
And bring thy news so late?
Mess. Spies of the Volsces
Held me in chase, that I was forc'd to wheel
Three or four miles about; else had I, sir, 20
Half an hour since brought my report.
Com. Who's yonder,
That does appear as he were flay'd? O gods!
He has the stamp of Martius; and I have
Before-time seen him thus.
Mar. Come I too late? 24
Com. The shepherd knows not thunder from a tabor,
More than I know the sound of Martius' tongue
From every meaner man.
Mar. Come I too late?
Com. Ay, if you come not in the blood of others, 28
But mantled in your own.
Mar. O! let me clip ye
In arms as sound as when I woo'd, in heart
As merry as when our nuptial day was done,
And tapers burnt to bedward.
Com. Flower of warriors. 32
How is 't with Titus Lartius?
Mar. As with a man busied about decrees:
Condemning some to death, and some to exile;
Ransoming him, or pitying, threat'ning th' other; 36
Holding Corioli in the name of Rome,
Even like a fawning greyhound in the leash,
To let him slip at will.
Com. Where is that slave
Which told me they had beat you to your trenches? 40
Where is he? Call him hither.
Mar. Let him alone;
He did inform the truth: but for our gentlemen,
The common file—a plague! tribunes for them!—
The mouse ne'er shunn'd the cat as they did budge 44
From rascals worse than they.
Com. But how prevail'd you?
Mar. Will the time serve to tell? I do not think.
Where is the enemy? Are you lords o' the field?
If not, why cease you till you are so? 48
Com. Martius, we have at disadvantage fought,
And did retire to win our purpose.
Mar. How lies their battle? Know you on which side
They have plac'd their men of trust?
Com. As I guess, Martius, 52
Their bands i' the vaward are the Antiates,
Of their best trust; o'er them Aufidius,
Their very heart of hope.
Mar. I do beseech you,
By all the battles wherein we have fought, 56
By the blood we have shed together, by the 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, 60
Filling the air with swords advanc'd and darts,
We prove this very hour.
Com. Though I could wish
You were conducted to a gentle bath,
And balms applied to you, yet dare I never 64
Deny your asking: take your choice of those
That best can aid your action.
Mar. Those are they
That most are willing. If any such be here—
As it were sin to doubt—that love this painting 68
Wherein you see me smear'd; 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; 72
Let him, alone, or so many so minded,
Wave thus, to express his disposition,
And follow Martius.
in their arms, and cast up their caps.
[Soldiers.] O, me alone! Make you a sword of me! 76
[Mar.] 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, 80
Though thanks to all, must I select from all: the rest
Shall bear the business in some other fight,
As cause will be obey'd. Please you to march;
And four shall quickly draw out my command, 84
Which men are best inclin'd.
Com. March on, my fellows:
Make good this ostentation, and you shall
Divide in all with us. Exeunt.
Scene Seven
[The Gates of Corioli]
Lart. So; let the ports be guarded: keep your duties,
As I have set them down. If I do send, dispatch
Those centuries to our aid; the rest will serve
For a short holding: if we lose the field, 4
We cannot keep the town.
Lieu. Fear not our care, sir.
Lart. Hence, and shut your gates upon 's.
Our guider, come; to the Roman camp conduct us.
Scene Eight
[A Field of Battle between the Roman and the Volscian Camps]
Alarum, as in battle. Enter Martius and Aufidius at several doors.
Mar. I'll fight with none but thee; for I do hate thee
Worse than a promise-breaker.
Auf. We hate alike:
Not Afric owns a serpent I abhor
More than thy fame and envy. Fix thy foot. 4
Mar. Let the first budger die the other's slave,
And the gods doom him after!
Auf. If I fly, Martius,
Halloo me like a hare.
Mar. Within these three hours, Tullus, 8
Alone I fought in your Corioli walls,
And made what work I pleas'd; 'tis not my blood
Wherein thou seest me mask'd; for thy revenge
Wrench up thy power to the highest.
Auf. Wert thou the Hector 13
That was the whip of your bragg'd progeny,
Thou shouldst not 'scape me here.
Here they fight, and certain Volsces come in the aid of Aufidius. Martius fights till they be driven in breathless.
Officious, and not valiant, you have sham'd me
In your condemned seconds. 16
Scene Nine
[The Roman Camp]
Com. If 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, 4
I' the end, admire; where ladies shall be frighted,
And, gladly quak'd, hear more; where the dull Tribunes,
That, with the fusty plebeians, hate thine honours,
Shall say, against their hearts, 8
'We thank the gods our Rome hath such a soldier!'
Yet cam'st thou to a morsel of this feast,
Having fully din'd before.
Enter Titus, with his power, from the pursuit.
Titus Lartius. O general,
Here is the steed, we the caparison: 12
Hadst thou beheld—
Mar. Pray 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: induc'd 16
As you have been; that's for my country:
He that has but effected his good will
Hath overta'en mine act.
Com. You shall not be
The grave of your deserving; Rome must know 20
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 vouch'd, 24
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. 27
Mar. I have some wounds upon me, and they smart
To hear themselves remember'd.
Com. Should 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 32
The treasure, in this field achiev'd and city,
We render you the tenth; to be ta'en forth,
Before the common distribution,
At your only choice.
Mar. I thank you, general; 36
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. 40
A long flourish. They all cry 'Martius! Martius!' cast up their caps and lances: Cominius and Lartius stand bare.
Mar. May these same instruments, which you profane,
Never sound more! When drums and trumpets shall
I' the field prove flatterers, let courts and cities be
Made all of false-fac'd soothing! 44
When steel grows soft as is the parasite's silk,
Let him be made an overture for the wars!
No more, I say! For that I have not wash'd
My nose that bled, or foil'd some debile wretch, 48
Which, without note, here's many else have done,
You shout me forth
In acclamations hyperbolical;
As if I lov'd my little should be dieted 52
In praises sauc'd with lies.
Com. Too 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 incens'd, we'll put you, 56
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, 60
My noble steed, known to the camp, I give him,
With all his trim belonging; and from this time,
For what he did before Corioli, call him,
With all th' applause and clamour of the host, 64
Caius Martius Coriolanus! Bear
The addition nobly ever!
Omnes. Caius Martius Coriolanus!
Cor. I will go wash; 68
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 72
To the fairness of my power.
Com. So, to our tent;
Where, ere we do repose us, we will write
To Rome of our success. You, Titus Lartius,
Must to Corioli back: send us to Rome 76
The best, with whom we may articulate,
For their own good and ours.
Lart. I shall, my lord.
Cor. The gods begin to mock me. I, that now
Refus'd most princely gifts, am bound to beg 80
Of my lord general.
Com. Take 't; 'tis yours. What is 't?
Cor. I sometime lay here in Corioli
At a poor man's house; he us'd me kindly:
He cried to me; I saw him prisoner; 84
But then Aufidius was within my view,
And wrath o'erwhelm'd my pity: I request you
To give my poor host freedom.
Com. O! well begg'd!
Were he the butcher of my son, he should 88
Be free as is the wind. Deliver him, Titus.
Lart. Martius, his name?
Cor. By Jupiter! forgot.
I am weary; yea, my memory is tir'd.
Have we no wine here?
Com. Go we to our tent: 92
The blood upon your visage dries; 'tis time
It should be look'd to: come. Exeunt.
Scene Ten
[The Camp of the Volsces]
A Flourish. Cornets. Enter Tullus Aufidius, bloody, with two or three Soldiers.
Auf. The town is ta'en!
Sol. 'Twill be deliver'd back on good condition.
Auf. Condition!
I would I were a Roman; for I cannot, 4
Being a Volsce, be that I am. Condition!
What good condition can a treaty find
I' the part that is at mercy? Five times, Martius,
I have fought with thee; so often hast thou beat me, 8
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 is mine, or I am his: mine emulation 12
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.
Sol. He's the devil. 16
Auf. Bolder, though not so subtle. My valour's poison'd
With only suffering stain by him; for him
Shall fly out of itself. Nor sleep nor sanctuary,
Being naked, sick, nor fane nor Capitol, 20
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 24
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 the city;
Learn how 'tis held, and what they are that must 28
Be hostages for Rome.
Sol. Will not you go?
Auf. I 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 32
I may spur on my journey.
Sol. I shall, sir. [Exeunt.]
Footnotes to Act I
Scene One
19 guess: think
20 are too dear: cost too much
21 object: spectacle
22 particularise: itemize
23 sufferance: suffering
36 2. Cit.; cf. n.
41 to be partly: in part in order to be
47, 48 to . . . repetition: which it would weary one to list over
58 bats: heavy sticks
74 curbs: restraining chains
80 more: more calamity
81 helms: pilots
97 scale 't; cf. n.
99 disgrace: unfavored treatment
103 gulf: devouring whirlpool
108 participate: cooperating
114 Which . . . lungs; cf. n.
116 taintingly: effectively; cf. n.
118 his receipt: what he received
122 counsellor heart; cf. n.
124 muniments: furnishings
126 'Fore me: by my faith!
128 sink: cesspool
132 you'st: you shall
133 Note me: pray note
136 incorporate: joined in one body
139 shop: workshop
143 cranks: winding passages
offices: kitchen, etc.
145 competency: sufficiency
157 weal . . . common: common weal
165 rascal . . . blood; cf. n.
166 Lead'st first: art the very leader
vantage: personal profit
169 bale: disaster
171, 172 rubbing . . . scabs; cf. n.
174 Beneath abhorring: more than can be enough abhorred
175 nor . . . nor: neither . . . nor
179 Cf. n.
180–182 Your virtue . . . did it; cf. n.
183 affections: favorable opinions
198 like: likely
199 side: espouse
200 parties: favored factions
201 feebling: reducing
204 quarry: pile of dead
206 pick: pitch
209 passing: surpassingly
215 vented: gave vent to
answer'd: satisfied
217 generosity: the gentry
226 Win upon: get ahead of
power: constituted authority
227 For . . . arguing: for insurgents to maintain
231 vent: dispose of
239 half to half: one half against the other
241 Only . . . with him: with him alone
247 stand'st out: do you decline to go?
257 puts . . . forth: shows well (ironic)
257 S.d. Manent: remain on the stage
265 to be: of being
266, 267 disdains . . . noon; cf. n.
274 giddy censure: fickle opinion
278 demerits: merits
284 singularity: peculiar character
Scene Two
2 enter'd: instructed
4 What: what designs
6 circumvention: means to circumvent
9 press'd a power: levied troops
15 preparation: expedition
20 pretences: designs
24 take in: capture
27 Corioli; cf. n.
28 remove: raising the siege
32 parcels: portions
Scene Three
8, 9 for . . . entreaties: though kings should entreat for a day
11 person: beauty of body
16 bound with oak; cf. n.
28 out of action: in inactivity
40 task'd: assigned the task
44 Than . . . trophy: than gilding becomes his monument
47 contemning: showing defiance
56 housekeepers: recluses, stay-at-homes
57 spot: pattern for embroidery
65 confirmed: determined
66 gilded: gold-colored
71 mammocked: tore in pieces
72 on 's: of his
74 crack: lively child
76 play . . . huswife: idle away your time
90 want: am lacking in
95 sensible: sensitive
114 Give . . . excuse: pardon
117 disease: disturb
120 turn . . . door: banish gravity
122 at a word: positively
Scene Four
4 spoke: euphemism for 'fought'
12 fielded: engaged on the battlefield
14 less; cf. n.
17 pound . . . up: impound, confine
22 instruction: directions for proceeding
26 beyond . . . thoughts: more than we expected
30 south: south wind (thought to bring disease)
34 Against . . . mile; cf. n.
38 Mend: reform
42 follows; cf. n.
43 seconds: assistants
47 pot: cooking-pot; i.e, destruction
51 himself alone: quite alone
52 answer: withstand
53 sensibly: though sensitive to pain
54 left: forsaken
57 Cato's wish; cf. n.
62 make . . . alike: remain to share his fate
Scene Five
4 movers: cowards
5 drachme: drachma, small Greek coin of silver
6 doit: Dutch copper coin
6, 7 doublets . . . wore them; cf. n.
18 physical: beneficial to health
23 Thy friend: may prosperity befriend thee
Scene Six
5 By . . . gusts: from time to time, as winds conveyed the sound
6 The Roman gods; cf. n.
16 briefly: a short time ago
17 confound: use up
19 that: so that
22 as: as if
25 tabor: small drum
27 From: from that of
29 clip: embrace
36 pitying: exempting from ransom
44 budge: shrink
53 vaward: vanguard
Antiates: inhabitants of Antium
58 endure: continue
60 delay . . . present: make present delay
62 We prove: that we make trial of
70 his person: personal injury
76 Cf. n.
83 As . . . obey'd: as occasion requires
86 ostentation: show of valor
Scene Seven
1 ports: gates
3 centuries: companies
Scene Eight
(viii) 4 fame and envy: rivalry in fame(?)
13 whip . . . progeny; cf. n.
16 condemned seconds: despised efforts at assistance
Scene Nine
4 attend: give attention
shrug: express inability to believe
6 quak'd: fearful
12 caparison: the mere accoutrements
14 charter: privilege
her blood: him whose blood she shares
18 effected: exhibited in action
20 The grave of: that which buries or conceals
23 silence: ignore with silence
24 to . . . vouch'd: testified to with utmost praise
29 Should they not: i.e. hear themselves remembered
31 tent: cleanse, cure; cf. n.
32 good store: a goodly number
33 in . . . city: acquired both in this battle and in the city
40 beheld . . . doing: been present at the fighting
44 soothing: flattery
46 an overture; cf. n.
48 foil'd: have overcome
debile: weak
49 note: special attention
52, 53 dieted In: fed on
55 give: report
57 proper: own
60 garland: i.e. special honor
62 his . . . belonging: the trappings that go with him
66 addition: title of honor
69 fair: clean
72 undercrest: maintain as a crest or distinguishing device
77 articulate: discuss terms
82 lay: lodged
Scene Ten
2 condition: terms
5 that: what
7 I': from the point of view of
15 potch: poke, thrust heedlessly
16 Or wrath: in which either wrath
22 Embarquements: embargoes, restraints
26 hospitable canon: law of hospitality
30 attended: awaited