Coriolanus (1924) Yale/Text/Act II
ACT SECOND
Scene One
[Rome. A Public Place]
Enter Menenius, with the two Tribunes of the people,
Sicinius & Brutus.
Men. The augurer tells me we shall have news
to-night.
Bru. Good or bad?
Men. Not according to the prayer of the people, 4
for they love not Martius.
Sic. Nature teaches beasts to know their
friends.
Men. Pray you, who does the wolf love? 8
Sic. The lamb.
Men. Ay, to devour him; as the hungry ple-
beians would the noble Martius.
Bru. He's a lamb indeed, that baes like a 12
bear.
Men. He's a bear indeed, that lives like a
lamb. You two are old men; tell me one thing
that I shall ask you. 16
Both. Well, sir.
Men. In what enormity is Martius poor in,
that you two have not in abundance?
Bru. He's poor in no one fault, but stored 20
with all.
Sic. Especially in pride.
Bru. And topping all others in boasting.
Men. This is strange now: do you two know 24
how you are censured here in the city, I mean
of us o' the right-hand file? Do you?
Both. Why, how are we censured?
Men. Because you talk of pride now,—Will 28
you not be angry?
Both. Well, well, sir; well.
Men. Why, 'tis no great matter; for a very
little thief of occasion will rob you of a great 32
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? 36
Bru. We do it not alone, sir.
Men. I know you can do very little alone;
for your helps are many, or else your actions
would grow wondrous single: your abilities are 40
too infant-like for doing much alone. You talk
of pride: O that you could turn your eyes
towards the napes of your necks, and make but
an interior survey of your good selves! O that 44
you could!
Both. What then, sir?
Men. Why, then you should discover a brace
of unmeriting, proud, violent, testy magis- 48
trates—alias fools—as any in Rome.
Sic. Menenius, you are known well enough
too.
Men. I am known to be a humorous patri- 52
cian, 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 com-
plaint; hasty and tinder-like upon too: trivial 56
motion; one that converses more with the but-
tock 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 weals- 60
men 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 64
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 68
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, 72
if I be known well enough too?
Bru. Come, sir, come, we know you well
enough.
Men. You know neither me, yourselves, nor 76
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 fosset-seller, and then rejourn the 80
controversy of three-pence to a second day of
audience. When you are hearing a matter be-
tween party and party, if you chance to be
pinched with the colic, you make faces like 84
mummers, set up the bloody flag against all
patience, and, in roaring for a chamber-pot, dis-
miss the controversy bleeding, the more en-
tangled by your hearing: all the peace you make 88
in their cause is, calling both the parties knaves.
You are a pair of strange ones.
Bru. Come, come, you are well understood
to be a perfecter giber for the table than a 92
necessary bencher in the Capitol.
Men. Our very priests must become mockers
if they shall encounter such ridiculous subjects
as you are. When you speak best unto the 96
purpose it is not worth the wagging of your
beards; and your beards deserve not so honour-
able a grave as to stuff a botcher's cushion, or
to be entombed in an ass's pack-saddle. Yet you 100
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 104
den to your worships: more of your conversa-
tion would infect my brain, being the herdsmen
of the beastly plebeians: I will be bold to take
my leave of you. 108
Enter Volumnia, Virgilia, and Valeria.
How now, my as fair as noble ladies,—and the
moon, were she earthly, no nobler,—whither
do you follow your eyes so fast?
Vol. Honourable Menenius, my boy Martius 112
approaches; for the love of Juno, let's go.
Men. Ha! Martius coming home?
Vol. Ay, worthy Menenius; and with most
prosperous approbation. 116
Men. Take my cap, Jupiter, and I thank
thee. Hoo! Martius coming home!
2 Ladies. Nay, 'tis true.
Vol. Look, here's a letter from him: the 120
state hath another, his wife another; and, I
think, there's one at home for you.
Men. I will make my very house reel to-
night. A letter for me! 124
Vir. Yes, certain, there's a letter for you; I
saw 't.
Men. A letter for me! It gives me an estate
of seven years' health; in which time I will 128
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 132
to come home wounded.
Vir. O! no, no, no.
Vol. O! he is wounded, I thank the gods for 't.
Men. So do I too, if it be not too much. 136
Brings a' victory in his pocket? The wounds
become him.
Vol. On 's brows, Menenius; he comes the
third time home with the oaken garland. 140
Men. Has he disciplined Aufidius soundly?
Vol. Titus Lartius writes they fought together,
but Aufidius got off.
Men. And 'twas time for him too, I'll war- 144
rant him that: an he had stayed by him I would
not have been so fidiused for all the chests in
Corioli, and the gold that's in them. Is the
senate possessed of this? 148
Vol. Good 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 152
doubly.
Val. In troth there's wondrous things spoke
of him.
Men. Wondrous! ay, I warrant you, and not 156
without his true purchasing.
Vir. The gods grant them true!
Vol. True! pow, wow.
Men. True! I'll be sworn they are true. 160
Where is he wounded? [To the Tribunes.] God
save your good worships! Martius is coming
home: he has more cause to be proud. [To
Volumnia.] Where is he wounded? 164
Vol. I' the shoulder, and i' the 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' the body. 168
Men. One i' the neck, and two i' the thigh,
there's nine that I know.
Vol. He had, before this last expedition,
twenty-five wounds upon him. 172
Men. Now, it's twenty-seven: every gash was
an enemy's grave.
Hark! the trumpets. A shout and flourish.
Vol. These are the ushers of Martius: before 176
him he carries noise, and behind him he leaves
tears:
Death, that dark spirit, in 's nervy arm doth lie;
Which, being advanc'd, declines, and then men die. 180
Her. Know, Rome, that all alone Martius did fight
Within Corioli gates: where he hath won,
With fame, a name to Caius Martius; these
In honour follows Coriolanus. 184
Welcome to Rome, renowned Coriolanus!
All. Welcome to Rome, renowned Coriolanus!
Cor. No more of this; it does offend my heart:
Pray now, no more.
Com. Look, sir, your mother!
Cor. O! 188
You have, I know, petition'd all the gods
For my prosperity. Kneels.
Vol. Nay, my good soldier, up;
My gentle Martius, worthy Caius, and
By deed-achieving honour newly nam'd,— 192
What is it?—Coriolanus must I call thee?
But O! thy wife!—
Cor. My gracious silence, hail!
Wouldst thou have laugh'd had I come coffin'd home,
That weep'st to see me triumph? Ah! my dear, 196
Such eyes the widows in Corioli wear,
And mothers that lack sons.
Men. Now, the gods crown thee!
Cor. And live you yet? [To Valeria.] O my sweet
lady, pardon. 199
Vol. I know not where to turn: O! welcome home;
And welcome, general; and y' are welcome all.
Men. A 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 204
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! 208
We call a nettle but a nettle, and
The faults of fools but folly.
Com. Ever right.
Cor. Menenius, ever, ever.
Her. Give way there, and go on!
Cor. [To Volumnia and Virgilia.] Your hand, and yours: 212
Ere in our own house I do shade my head,
The good patricians must be visited;
From whom I have receiv'd not only greetings,
But with them change of honours.
Vol. I have liv'd 216
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.
Cor. Know, good mother, 220
I had rather be their servant in my way
Than sway with them in theirs.
Com. On, to the Capitol!
Enter Brutus and Sicinius.
Bru. All tongues speak of him, and the bleared sights 224
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, 228
Clambering the walls to eye him: stalls, bulks, windows
Are smother'd up, leads fill'd, and ridges hors'd
With variable complexions, all agreeing
In earnestness to see him: seld-shown flamens 232
Do press among the popular throngs, and puff
To win a vulgar station; our veil'd dames
Commit the war of white and damask in
Their nicely-gawded cheeks to the wanton spoil 236
Of Phœbus' burning kisses: such a pother
As if that whatsoever god who leads him
Were slily crept into his human powers,
And gave him graceful posture.
Sic. On the sudden 240
I warrant him consul.
Bru. Then our office may,
During his power, go sleep.
Sic. He cannot temperately transport his honours
From where he should begin and end, but will 244
Lose those he hath won.
Bru. In that there's comfort.
Sic. Doubt not the commoners, for whom we stand,
But they upon their ancient malice will
Forget with the least cause these his new honours, 248
Which that he'll give them, make I as little question
As he is proud to do 't.
Bru. I heard him swear,
Were he to stand for consul, never would he
Appear i' the market-place, nor on him put 252
The napless vesture of humility;
Nor, showing, as the manner is, his wounds
To the people, beg their stinking breaths.
Sic. 'Tis right.
Bru. It was his word, O! he would miss it rather 256
Than carry it but by the suit of the gentry to him
And the desire of the nobles.
Sic. I wish no better
Than have him hold that purpose and to put it
In execution.
Bru. 'Tis most like he will. 260
Sic. It shall be to him then, as our good wills,
A sure destruction.
Bru. So it must fall out
To him or our authorities. For an end,
We must suggest the people in what hatred 264
He still hath held them; that to 's power he would
Have made them mules, silenc'd their pleaders, and
Dispropertied their freedoms; holding them,
In human action and capacity, 268
Of no more soul nor fitness for the world
Than camels in their war; who have their provand
Only for bearing burthens, and sore blows
For sinking under them.
Sic. This, as you say, suggested 272
At some time when his soaring insolence
Shall teach the people—which time shall not want,
If he be put upon 't; and that's as easy
As to set dogs on sheep—will be his fire 276
To kindle their dry stubble; and their blaze
Shall darken him for ever.
Enter a Messenger.
Bru. What's the matter?
Mess. You are sent for to the Capitol. 'Tis thought
That Martius shall be consul. 280
I have seen the dumb men throng to see him, and
The blind to hear him speak: matrons flung gloves,
Ladies and maids their scarfs and handkerchers
Upon him as he pass'd; the nobles bended, 284
As to Jove's statue, and the commons made
A shower and thunder with their caps and shouts:
I never saw the like.
Bru. Let's to the Capitol;
And carry with us ears and eyes for the time, 288
But hearts for the event.
Sic. Have with you. Exeunt.
Scene Two
[The Same. The Capitol]
Enter two Officers to lay cushions, as it were, in the Capitol.
1. Off. Come, come, they are almost here.
How many stand for consulships?
2. Off. Three, they say; but 'tis thought of
every one Coriolanus will carry it. 4
1. Off. That's a brave fellow; but he's
vengeance proud, and loves not the common
people.
2. Off. Faith, there hath been many great 8
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 12
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 16
them plainly see 't.
1. Off. If he did not care whether he had
their love or no, he waved indifferently 'twixt
doing them neither good nor harm; but he seeks 20
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 24
people is as bad as that which he dislikes, to
flatter them for their love.
2. Off. He hath deserved worthily of his
country; and his ascent is not by such easy 28
degrees as those who, having been supple and
courteous to the people, bonneted, without any
further deed to have them at all into their
estimation and report; but he hath so planted 32
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 in-
grateful injury; to report otherwise were a 36
malice, that, giving itself the lie, would pluck
reproof and rebuke from every ear that heard
it.
1. Off. No more of him; he's a worthy man: 40
make way, they are coming.
Men. Having determin'd of the Volsces, and
To send for Titus Lartius, it remains,
As the main point of this our after-meeting, 44
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 48
In our well-found successes, to report
A little of that worthy work perform'd
By Caius Martius Coriolanus, whom
We meet here both to thank and to remember 52
With honours like himself.
1. Sen. Speak, good Cominius:
Leave nothing out for length, and make us think
Rather our state's defective for requital,
Than we to stretch it out. [To the Tribunes.] Masters o' the people, 56
We do request your kindest ears, and, after,
Your loving motion toward the common body,
To yield what passes here.
Sic. We are convented
Upon a pleasing treaty, and have hearts 60
Inclinable to honour and advance
The theme of our assembly.
Bru. Which the rather
We shall be bless'd to do, if he remember
A kinder value of the people than 64
He hath hereto priz'd them at.
Men. That's off, that's off;
I would you rather had been silent. Please you
To hear Cominius speak?
Bru. Most willingly;
But yet my caution was more pertinent 68
Than the rebuke you give it.
Men. He loves your people;
But tie him not to be their bedfellow.
Worthy Cominius, speak.
Nay, keep your place.
Sen. Sit, Coriolanus; never shame to hear 72
What you have nobly done.
Cor. Your honours' pardon:
I had rather have my wounds to heal again
Than hear say how I got them.
Bru. Sir, I hope
My words disbench'd you not.
Cor. No, sir: yet oft, 76
When blows have made me stay, I fled from words.
You sooth'd not, therefore hurt not. But your people,
I love them as they weigh—
Men. Pray now, sit down.
Cor. I had rather have one scratch my head i' the sun 80
When the alarum were struck than idly sit
To hear my nothings monster'd. Exit Coriolanus.
Men. Masters of the people,
Your multiplying spawn how can he flatter,—
That's thousand to one good one,—when you now see 84
He had rather venture all his limbs for honour
Than one on 's ears to hear it? Proceed, Cominius.
Com. I shall lack voice: the deeds of Coriolanus
Should not be utter'd feebly. It is held 88
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 counterpois'd. At sixteen years, 92
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 96
The bristled lips before him. He bestrid
An o'er-press'd Roman, and i' the consul's view
Slew three opposers: Tarquin's self he met,
And struck him on his knee: in that day's feats, 100
When he might act the woman in the scene,
He prov'd best man i' the field, and for his meed
Was brow-bound with the oak. His pupil age
Man-enter'd thus, he waxed like a sea, 104
And in the brunt of seventeen battles since
He lurch'd all swords of the garland. For this last,
Before and in Corioli, let me say,
I cannot speak him home: he stopp'd the fliers, 108
And by his rare example made the coward
Turn terror into sport: as weeds before
A vessel under sail, so men obey'd,
And fell below his stem: his sword, death's stamp, 112
Where it did mark, it took; from face to foot
He was a thing of blood, whose every motion
Was tim'd with dying cries: alone he enter'd
The mortal gate of the city, which he painted 116
With shunless destiny; aidless came off,
And with a sudden re-enforcement struck
Corioli like a planet. Now all's his:
When by and by the din of war 'gan pierce 120
His ready sense; then straight his doubled spirit
Re-quicken'd what in flesh was fatigate,
And to the battle came he; where he did
Run reeking o'er the lives of men, as if 124
'Twere a perpetual spoil; and till we call'd
Both field and city ours, he never stood
To ease his breast with panting.
Men. Worthy man!
Sen. He cannot but with measure fit the honours 128
Which we devise him.
Com. Our spoils he kick'd at,
And look'd upon things precious as they were
The common muck o' the world: he covets less
Than misery itself would give; rewards 132
His deeds with doing them, and is content
To spend the time to end it.
Men. He’s right noble:
Let him be call'd for.
Sen. Call Coriolanus.
Off. He doth appear. 136
Enter Coriolanus.
Men. The senate, Coriolanus, are well pleas'd
To make thee consul.
Cor. I do owe them still
My life and services.
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.
Bru. You see how he intends to use the people. 160
Sic. May they perceive 's intent! He will require them,
As if he did contemn what he requested
Should be in them to give.
Bru. Come; we'll inform them
Of our proceedings here: on the market-place 164
I know they do attend us. [Exeunt.]
Scene Three
[The Same. The Forum]
Enter seven or eight Citizens.
1. Cit. Once, if he do require our voices, we
ought not to deny him.
2. Cit. We may, sir, if we will.
3. Cit. We have power in ourselves to do 4
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 8
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 12
we being members, should bring ourselves to be
monstrous members.
1. Cit. And to make us no better thought of,
a little help will serve; for once we stood up about 16
the corn, he himself stuck not to call us the many-
headed multitude.
3. Cit. We have been called so of many; not
that our heads are some brown, some black, some 20
abram, some bald, but that our wits are so di-
versely 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 24
one direct way should be at once to all the points
o' the compass.
2. Cit. Think you so? Which way do you judge
my wit would fly? 28
3. Cit. Nay, your wit will not so soon out as
another man’s will; 'tis strongly wedged up in
a block-head; but if it were at liberty, 'twould,
sure, southward. 32
2. Cit. Why that way?
3. Cit. To lose itself in a fog; where being
three parts melted away with rotten dews, the
fourth would return for conscience' sake, to help 36
to get thee a wife.
2. Cit. You are never without your tricks: you
may, you may.
3. Cit. Are you all resolved to give your voices? 40
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.
Here he comes, and in the gown of humility: 44
mark his behaviour. We are not to stay all
together, but to come by him where he stands,
by ones, by twos, and by threes. He's to make
his requests by particulars; wherein every one 48
of us has a single honour, in giving him our own
voices with our own tongues: therefore follow
me, and I'll direct you how you shall go by him.
All. Content, content. [Exeunt Citizens.] 52
Men. O, sir, you are not right: have you not known
The worthiest men have done 't?
Cor. What must I say?
'I pray, sir,'—Plague upon 't! I cannot bring
My tongue to such a pace. 'Look, sir, my wounds! 56
I got them in my country's service, when
Some certain of your brethren roar'd and ran
From the noise of our own drums.'
Men. O me! the gods!
You must not speak of that: you must desire them 60
To think upon you.
Cor. Think upon me! Hang 'em!
I would they would forget me, like the virtues
Which our divines lose by 'em.
Men. You'll mar all:
I'll leave you. Pray you, speak to 'em, I pray you, 64
In wholesome manner. Exit.
Enter two of the Citizens.
Cor. Bid them wash their faces,
And keep their teeth clean. So, here comes a brace.
You know the cause, sir, of my standing here?
1. Cit. We do, sir; tell us what hath brought 68
you to 't.
Cor. Mine own desert.
2. Cit. Your own desert!
Cor. Ay, not mine own desire. 72
1. Cit. How! not your own desire?
Cor. No, sir, 'twas never my desire yet to
trouble the poor with begging.
1. Cit. You must think, if we give you anything, 76
we hope to gain by you.
Cor. Well, then, I pray, your price o' the con-
sulship?
1. Cit. The price is, to ask it kindly. 80
Cor. Kindly! 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?
2. Cit. You shall ha 't, worthy sir. 84
Cor. A match, sir. There's in all two worthy
voices begged. I have your alms: adieu.
1. Cit. But this is something odd.
2. Cit. An 'twere to give again,—but 'tis no 88
matter. Exeunt.
Enter two other Citizens.
Cor. Pray you now, if it may stand with the
tune of your voices that I may be consul, I have
here the customary gown. 92
1. Cit. You have deserved nobly of your coun-
try, and you have not deserved nobly.
Cor. Your enigma?
1. Cit. You have been a scourge to her enemies, 96
you have been a rod to her friends; you have not
indeed loved the common people.
Cor. You should account me the more vir-
tuous that I have not been common in my love. 100
I will, sir, flatter my sworn brother the people,
to earn a dearer estimation of them; 'tis a con-
dition they account gentle: and since the wis-
dom of their choice is rather to have my hat 104
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 108
the desirers. Therefore, beseech you, I may be
consul.
2. Cit. We hope to find you our friend, and
therefore give you our voices heartily. 112
1. Cit. You have received many wounds for
your country.
Cor. I will not seal your knowledge with
showing them. I will make much of your voices, 116
and so trouble you no farther.
Both. The gods give you joy, sir, heartily!
Cor. Most sweet voices!
Better it is to die, better to starve, 120
Than crave the hire which first we do deserve.
Why in this wolfish toge should I stand here,
To beg of Hob and Dick, that does appear,
Their needless vouches? Custom calls me to 't: 124
What custom wills, in all things should we do 't,
The dust on antique time would lie unswept,
And mountainous error be too highly heap'd
For truth to o'er-peer. Rather than fool it so, 128
Let the high office and the honour go
To one that would do thus. I am half through;
The one part suffer'd, the other will I do.
Enter three Citizens more.
Here come moe voices. 132
Your voices: for your voices I have fought;
Watch'd for your voices; for your voices bear
Of wounds two dozen odd; battles thrice six
I have seen and heard of; for your voices have 136
Done many things, some less, some more; your voices:
Indeed, I would be consul.
1. Cit. He has done nobly, and cannot go with-
out any honest man's voice. 140
2. Cit. Therefore let him be consul. The gods
give him joy, and make him good friend to the
people!
All. Amen, amen. 144
God save thee, noble consul! [Exeunt Citizens.]
Cor. Worthy voices!
Enter Menenius, with Brutus and Sicinius.
Men. You have stood your limitation; and the tribunes
Endue you with the people's voice: remains
That, in th' official marks invested, you 148
Anon do meet the senate.
Cor. Is this done?
Sic. The custom of request you have discharg'd:
The people do admit you, and are summon'd
To meet anon, upon your approbation. 152
Cor. Where? at the senate-house?
Sic. There, Coriolanus.
Cor. May I change these garments?
Sic. You may, sir.
Cor. That I'll straight do; and, knowing myself again, 156
Repair to the senate-house.
Men. I'll keep you company. Will you along?
Bru. We stay here for the people.
Sic. Fare you well.
He has it now; and by his looks, methinks, 160
'Tis warm at 's heart.
Bru. With a proud heart he wore
His humble weeds. Will you dismiss the people?
Enter the Plebeians.
Sic. How now, my masters! have you chose this man?
1. Cit. He has our voices, sir. 164
Bru. We pray the gods he may deserve your loves.
2. Cit. Amen, sir. To my poor unworthy notice,
He mock'd us when he begg'd our voices.
3. Cit. Certainly,
He flouted us downright. 168
1. Cit. No, 'tis his kind of speech; he did not mock us.
2. Cit. Not one amongst us, save yourself, but says
He us'd us scornfully: he should have show'd us
His marks of merit, wounds receiv'd for 's country. 172
Sic. Why, so he did, I am sure.
All. No, no; no man saw 'em.
3. Cit. He 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, 176
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, 180
I have no further with you.' Was not this mockery?
Sic. Why either were you ignorant to see 't,
Or, seeing it, of such childish friendliness
To yield your voices?
Bru. Could you not have told him 184
As you were lesson'd, 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 188
I' the body of the weal; and now, arriving
A place of potency and sway o' the state,
If he should still malignantly remain
Fast foe to the plebeii, your voices might 192
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 196
Translate his malice towards you into love,
Standing your friendly lord.
Sic. Thus to have said,
As you were fore-advis'd, had touch'd his spirit
And tried his inclination; from him pluck'd 200
Either his gracious promise, which you might,
As cause had call'd you up, have held him to;
Or else it would have gall'd his surly nature,
Which easily endures not article 204
Tying him to aught; so, putting him to rage,
You should have ta'en th' advantage of his choler,
And pass'd him unelected.
Bru. Did you perceive
He did solicit you in free contempt 208
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 212
Against the rectorship of judgment?
Sic. Have you
Ere now denied the asker? and now again
Of him that did not ask, but mock, bestow
Your su'd-for tongues? 216
3. Cit. He's not confirm'd; we may deny him yet.
2. Cit. And will deny him:
I'll have five hundred voices of that sound.
1. Cit. Ay, twice five hundred and their friends to piece 'em. 220
Bru. Get 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 224
As therefore kept to do so.
Sic. Let them assemble;
And, on a safer judgment, all revoke
Your ignorant election. Enforce his pride,
And his old hate unto you; besides, forget not 228
With what contempt he wore the humble weed;
How in his suit he scorn'd you; but your loves,
Thinking upon his services, took from you
The apprehension of his present portance, 232
Which most gibingly, ungravely, he did fashion
After the inveterate hate he bears you.
Bru. Lay
A fault on us, your tribunes; that we labour'd,—
No impediment between,—but that you must 236
Cast your election on him.
Sic. Say, you chose him
More after our commandment than as guided
By your own true affections; and that, your minds,
Pre-occupied with what you rather must do 244
Than what you should, made you against the grain
To voice him consul: lay the fault on us.
Bru. Ay, spare us not. Say we read lectures to you,
How youngly he began to serve his country, 244
How long continu'd, and what stock he springs of,
The noble house o' the Martians, from whence came
That Ancus Martius, Numa's daughter's son,
Who, after great Hostilius, here was king; 248
Of the same house Publius and Quintus were,
That our best water brought by conduits hither;
And Censorinus, that was so surnam'd,—
And nobly nam'd so, twice being censor,— 252
Was his great ancestor.
Sic. One 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, 256
Scaling his present bearing with his past,
That he's your fixed enemy, and revoke
Your sudden approbation.
Bru. Say you ne'er had done 't—
Harp on that still—but by our putting on; 260
And presently, when you have drawn your number,
Repair to the Capitol.
All. We will so; almost all
Repent in their election. Exeunt Plebeians.
Bru. Let them go on;
This mutiny were better put in hazard 264
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.
Sic. To the Capitol, come: 268
We will be there before the stream o' the people;
And this shall seem, as partly 'tis, their own,
Which we have goaded onward. Exeunt.
Footnotes to Act II
Scene One
18 In . . . poor in: what fault has Martius in small degree
23 topping: surpassing
25 censured: estimated
26 right-hand file: conservative, aristocratic party
31, 32 a very . . . occasion: a very little occasion, acting like a thief
40 single: simple, weak
42–44 O that . . . good selves; cf. n.
52 humorous: whimsical
54 allaying Tiber: diluting water; cf. n.
55 something . . . complaint: somewhat hasty in judgment
57 motion: occasion, incitement
57–59 one . . . morning; cf. n.
59, 60 spend . . . breath: get rid of my ill will by putting it into words
60 wealsmen: politicians
61 Lycurguses: great lawgivers
63–66 I cannot . . . syllables; cf. n.
70 map . . . microcosm; cf. n.
72 bisson conspectuities: blinded sight; cf. n.
78 caps and legs: applause and reverence
79 orange-wife: hawker of oranges
80 fosset-seller: seller of faucets, taps for barrels
rejourn: postpone
85 mummers: rustic actors
set . . . flag: proclaim violent war
91–93 Cf. n.
97, 98 not worth . . . beards: not worth the effort of opening and closing your mouths
99 botcher's: patching tailor's
102 estimation: valuation
103 Deucalion: the Greek Noah
104, 105 Good den: good evening
111 your eyes: the eager looks you cast ahead
116 prosperous approbation: positive success
117 Take . . . Jupiter: i.e. I throw my cap high in the air
129 make a lip at: defy
sovereign: efficacious
130 empiricutic: experimental, quackish
to: in comparison with
139 On 's brows: i.e. not in his pocket
146 fidiused: Aufidiused, put in Aufidius' proper place
148 possessed: informed
151 name: reputation
167 stand . . . place: seek the consulship
168 repulse of Tarquin; cf. n.
170 nine; cf. n.
179 nervy: muscular
180 advanc'd: raised
declines: falls
180 S. d. Sennet: trumpet signal for a procession to move
183 to: added to
194 My gracious silence; cf. n.
200 I . . . turn: cf. n.
204 begin; cf. n.
207 crab-trees: crabapple trees, i.e. the sour tribunes
208 Be . . . relish: be brought to taste like you
211 Menenius . . . ever: still the same Menenius
216 change: a variety
217 inherited: realized, come into my possession
222 sway with: rule
223 S.d. Enter, etc.; cf. n.
226 rapture: fit
227 chats: gossips about
malkin: wench
228 lockram: linen cloth
reechy: dirty
229 bulks: projecting shelves outside a shop
230 leads: lead-covered roofs
ridges hors'd: roof tops bestridden
231 variable complexions: all types of people
232 seld-shown flamens: priests who seldom show themselves
233 popular throngs: crowds of rabble
234 vulgar station: place in the mob
236 nicely-gawded: daintily colored
237 pother: hubbub
243, 244 He . . . end; cf. n.
247 upon: on account of
253 napless: threadbare
257 but: otherwise than
261 as . . . wills: as we would have it
263 For an end: in short
264 suggest: remind by insinuation
265 still: always
266 mules: beasts of burden
267 Dispropertied: annulled
270 provand: food
274 teach; cf. n.
275 put upon 't: provoked
276 will . . . fire: will be in him like a spark
278 darken: tarnish, remove the gloss from
286 shower: i.e. of falling caps
288 time: the present spectacle
289 hearts . . . event: i.e. keep our minds intent upon what ts to follow
Have with you: let us go
Scene Two
4 carry: win
6 vengeance: accursedly
9 who: i.e. the people
15 in: concerning
19 waved indifferently: would waver impartially
21 devotion: earnestness
23 discover: manifest
opposite: adversary
24 affect: aim at, desire
28, 29 easy degrees: gradual steps
30 bonneted: with hats off
37 giving . . . lie: manifesting its own falsehood
42 determin'd of: reached a decision concerning
45 gratify: reward
46 stood for: supported
49 well-found: auspicious
53 like himself: worthy of him
55 defective: insufficient
56 Than . . . out: than we deficient in seeking to make the largest requital
58 motion toward: proposal to
59 passes: is voted
convented: called together
60 treaty: proposal
62 theme: subject, i.e. Coriolanus
63 bless'd: happy
64 kinder value: more favorable opinion
65 off: amiss
76 disbench'd: unseated
78 sooth'd: flattered
79 as they weigh: according to their worth
82 monster'd: grotesquely exaggerated
84 That's . . . good one: of whom only one in a thousand is good
90 haver: possessor
92 Be . . . counterpois'd: find any single equal
93 made . . . for: raised an army against
94 mark; cf. n.
96 Amazonian: i.e. beardless
100 on his knee: with such force as to bring him to his knee
101 in the scene: on the stage
104 Man-enter'd: entered upon manhood
106 lurch'd: robbed; cf. n.
108 speak him home: do him full justice
112 fell . . . stem: yielded to his course
113 took: took possession, slew
116, 117 painted . . . destiny: stained with the blood of those who could not escape their doom
120 by and by: immediately
122 fatigate: wearied
129 kick'd at: scorned
130 as: as if
134 to end it: merely to kill time
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
161 require: request
162 contemn what: scorn that what
Scene Three
1 Once: once for all
16 once: once when
17 stuck: hesitated
21 abram: auburn
24 consent of: agreement about
35 rotten dews: infectious vapors
39 you may: you may have your joke
41 greater part: majority
48 by particulars: individually
49 single: separate
63 lose by 'em: i.e. vainly seek to propagate in them by preaching
65 wholesome: sane, reasonable
65 S. d. two of the Citizens; cf. n.
78 o': for
102 of: from
106 be off: bare my head
counterfeitly: hypocritically
107 bewitchment: sorcery
108 popular man: demagogue
bountiful: bountifully
115 seal: confirm
121 first: previously, already
122 wolfish toge; cf. n.
123 Hob . . . appear: whatever plebeian appears
124 needless vouches: unnecessary confirmations
128 o'er-peer: peep over the accumulation of tradition
fool it: play the fool
134 Watch'd: done vigil
146 limitation: fixed period of time
147 remains: it remains
148 marks: emblems of authority
152 upon: on the business of
161 'Tis . . . heart: it warms his heart
182 ignorant to: so dull as not to
185 lesson'd: instructed
188 charters: privileges
189 weal: commonwealth
arriving: attaining
202 call'd you up: summoned you
204 article: condition
213 rectorship: guiding power
215 Of: upon
220 piece: reinforce
226 safer: more prudent
227 Enforce: lay stress upon
232 apprehension: discernment
portance: behavior
234 After: in accord with
236 No . . . between: without admitting any impediment
251 Cf. n.
257 Scaling: balancing
260 putting on: urging
261 drawn . . . number: collected a sufficient number
263 Repent in: repent of
264 put in hazard: risked
265 stay: . . . greater: that we should wait for a greater, inevitable hazard
267, 268 answer . . . vantage: make use