Coriolanus (1924) Yale/Text/Act V
ACT FIFTH
Scene One
[Rome. A Public Place]
Enter Menenius, Cominius, Sicinius, Brutus (the two Tribunes), with Others.
Men. No, I'll not go: you hear what he hath said
Which was sometime his general; who lov'd him
In a most dear particular. He call'd me father:
But what o' that? Go, you that banish'd him; 4
A mile before his tent fall down, and knee
The way into his mercy. Nay, if he coy'd
To hear Cominius speak, I'll keep at home.
Com. He would not seem to know me.
Men. Do you hear? 8
Com. Yet one time he did call me by my name.
I urg'd our old acquaintance, and the drops
That we have bled together. Coriolanus
He would not answer to; forbad all names; 12
He was a kind of nothing, titleless,
Till he had forg'd himself a name o' the fire
Of burning Rome.
Men. Why, so: you have made good work!
A pair of tribunes that have rack'd for Rome, 16
To make coals cheap: a noble memory!
Com. I minded him how royal 'twas to pardon
When it was less expected: he replied,
It was a bare petition of a state 20
To one whom they had punish'd.
Men. Very well.
Could he say less?
Com. I offer'd to awaken his regard
For 's private friends: his answer to me was, 24
He could not stay to pick them in a pile
Of noisome musty chaff: he said 'twas folly,
For one poor grain or two, to leave unburnt
And still to nose th' offence.
Men. For one poor grain or two! 28
I am one of those; his mother, wife, his child,
And this brave fellow too, we are the grains:
You are the musty chaff, and you are smelt
Above the moon. We must be burnt for you. 32
Sic. Nay, pray, be patient: if you refuse your aid
In this so-never-needed help, yet do not
Upbraid 's with our distress. But, sure, if you
Would be your country's pleader, your good tongue, 36
More than the instant army we can make,
Might stop our countryman.
Men. No; I'll not meddle.
Sic. Pray you, go to him.
Men. What should I do? 40
Bru. Only make trial what your love can do
For Rome towards Martius.
Men. Well; and say that Martius
Return me, as Cominius is return'd,
Unheard; what then? 44
But as a discontented friend, grief-shot
With his unkindness? say 't be so?
Sic. Yet your good will
Must have that thanks from Rome, after the measure
As you intended well.
Men. I'll undertake 't: 48
I think he'll hear me. Yet, to bite his lip,
And hum at good Cominius, much unhearts me.
He was not taken well; he had not din'd:
The veins unfill'd, our blood is cold, and then 52
We pout upon the morning, are unapt
To give or to forgive; but when we have stuff'd
These pipes and these conveyances of our blood
With wine and feeding, we have suppler souls 56
Than in our priestlike fasts: therefore, I'll watch him
Till he be dieted to my request,
And then I'll set upon him.
Bru. You know the very road into his kindness, 60
And cannot lose your way.
Men. Good faith, I'll prove him,
Speed how it will. I shall ere long have knowledge
Of my success. Exit.
Com. He'll never hear him.
Sic. Not?
Com. I tell you he does sit in gold, his eye 64
Red as 'twould burn Rome, and his injury
The gaoler to his pity. I kneel'd before him;
'Twas very faintly he said 'Rise'; dismiss'd me
Thus, with his speechless hand: what he would do 68
He sent in writing after me, what he would not,
Bound with an oath to yield to his conditions:
So that all hope is vain
Unless his noble mother and his wife, 72
Who, as I hear, mean to solicit him
For mercy to his country. Therefore let's hence,
And with our fair entreaties haste them on. Exeunt.
Scene Two
[The Volscian Camp before Rome. The Guards at their stations]
Enter Menenius to the Watch or Guard.
1. Wat. Stay! whence are you?
2. Wat. Stand! and go back.
Men. You guard like men; 'tis well; but, by your leave,
I am an officer of state, and come
To speak with Coriolanus.
1. Wat. From whence?
Men. From Rome. 4
1. Wat. You may not pass; you must return: our general
Will no more hear from thence.
2. Wat. You'll see your Rome embrac'd with fire before
You'll speak with Coriolanus.
Men. Good my friends, 8
If you have heard your general talk of Rome,
And of his friends there, it is lots to blanks
My name hath touch'd your ears: it is Menenius.
1. Wat. Be it so; go back: the virtue of your name 12
Is not here passable.
Men. I tell thee, fellow,
Thy general is my lover: I have been
The book of his good acts, whence men have read
His fame unparallel'd, haply amplified; 16
For I have ever verified my friends—
Of whom he's chief—with all the size that verity
Would without lapsing suffer: nay, sometimes,
Like to a bowl upon a subtle ground, 20
I have tumbled past the throw, and in his praise
Have almost stamp'd the leasing. Therefore, fellow,
I must have leave to pass.
1. Wat. Faith, sir, if you had told as many 24
lies in his behalf as you have uttered words in
your own, you should not pass here; no, though
it were as virtuous to lie as to live chastely.
Therefore go back. 28
Men. Prithee, fellow, remember my name is
Menenius, always factionary on the party of your
general.
2. Wat. Howsoever you have been his liar 32
—as you say you have—I am one that,
telling true under him, must say you cannot pass.
Therefore go back.
Men. Has he dined, canst thou tell? for I 36
would not speak with him till after dinner.
1. Wat. You are a Roman, are you?
Men. I am as thy general is.
1. Wat. Then you should hate Rome, as he 40
does. Can you, when you have pushed out
your gates the very defender of them, and, in a
violent popular ignorance, given your enemy
your shield, think to front his revenges with the 44
easy groans of old women, the virginal palms of
your daughters, or with the palsied intercession
of such a decayed dotant as you seem to be?
Can you think to blow out the intended fire your 48
city is ready to flame in with such weak breath
as this? No, you are deceived; therefore, back
to Rome, and prepare for your execution: you
are condemned, our general has sworn you out 52
of reprieve and pardon.
Men. Sirrah, if thy captain knew I were here,
he would use me with estimation.
1. Wat. Come, my captain knows you not. 56
Men. I mean, thy general.
1. Wat. My general cares not for you.
Back, I say: go, lest I let forth your half-pint of
blood; back, that's the utmost of your having: 60
back!
Men. Nay, but, fellow, fellow,—
Enter Coriolanus with Aufidius.
Cor. What's the matter?
Men. Now, you companion, I'll say an errand 64
for you: you shall know now that I am in
estimation; you shall perceive that a Jack
guardant cannot office me from my son Corio-
lanus: guess, but by my entertainment with 68
him, if thou standest not i' the state of hanging,
or of some death more long in spectatorship,
and crueller in suffering; behold now presently,
and swound for what's to come upon thee. [To 72
Coriolanus.] The glorious gods sit in hourly
synod about thy particular prosperity, and love
thee no worse than thy old father Menenius
does! O my son! my son! thou art preparing 76
fire for us; look thee, here's water to quench it.
I was hardly moved to come to thee; but being
assured none but myself could move thee, I
have been blown out of your gates with sighs; 80
and conjure thee to pardon Rome, and thy
petitionary countrymen. The good gods assuage
thy wrath, and turn the dregs of it upon this
varlet here; this, who, like a block, hath denied 84
my access to thee.
Cor. Away!
Men. How! away!
Cor. Wife, mother, child, I know not. My affairs 88
Are servanted to others: though I owe
My revenge properly, my remission lies
In Volscian breasts. That we have been familiar,
Ingrate forgetfulness shall poison, rather 92
Than pity note how much. Therefore, begone:
Mine ears against your suits are stronger than
Your gates against my force. Yet, for I lov'd thee,
Take this along; I writ it for thy sake, 96
[Gives a paper.]
And would have sent it. Another word, Menenius,
I will not hear thee speak. This man, Aufidius,
Was my belov'd in Rome: yet thou behold'st!
Auf. You keep a constant temper. 100
Exeunt [Coriolanus and Aufidius].
1. Wat. Now, sir, is your name Menenius?
2. Wat. 'Tis a spell, you see, of much power.
You know the way home again.
1. Wat. Do you hear how we are shent for 104
keeping your greatness back?
2. Wat. What cause, do you think, I have to
swound?
Men. I neither care for the world, nor your 108
general: for such things as you, I can scarce
think there's any, y' are so slight. He that hath
a will to die by himself fears it not from another.
Let your general do his worst. For you, be that 112
you are long; and your misery increase with your
age! I say to you, as I was said to, Away! Exit.
1. Wat. A noble fellow, I warrant him.
2. Wat. The worthy fellow is our general: 116
he's the rock, the oak, not to be wind-shaken.
Scene Three
[The Tent of Coriolanus]
Enter Coriolanus and Aufidius.
Cor. We will before the walls of Rome to-morrow
Set down our host. My partner in this action,
You must report to the Volscian lords, how plainly
I have borne this business.
Auf. Only their ends 4
You have respected; stopp'd your ears against
The general suit of Rome; never admitted
A private whisper; no, not with such friends
That thought them sure of you.
Cor. This last old man, 8
Whom with a crack'd heart I have sent to Rome,
Lov'd me above the measure of a father;
Nay, godded me indeed. Their latest refuge
Was to send him; for whose old love I have, 12
Though I show'd sourly to him, once more offer'd
The first conditions, which they did refuse,
And cannot now accept, to grace him only
That thought he could do more. A very little 16
I have yielded to; fresh embassies and suits,
Nor from the state, nor private friends, hereafter
Will I lend ear to. Ha! what shout is this?
Shout within.
Shall I be tempted to infringe my vow 20
In the same time 'tis made? I will not.
Enter Virgilia, Volumnia, Valeria, young Martius with Attendants.
My wife comes foremost; then the honour'd mould
Wherein this trunk was fram'd, and in her hand
The grandchild to her blood. But out, affection! 24
All bond and privilege of nature, break!
Let it be virtuous to be obstinate.
What is that curtsy worth? or those doves' eyes,
Which can make gods forsworn? I melt, and am not 28
Of stronger earth than others. My mother bows,
As if Olympus to a molehill should
In supplication nod; and my young boy
Hath an aspect of intercession, which 32
Great nature cries, 'Deny not.' Let the Volsces
Plough Rome, and harrow Italy; I'll never
Be such a gosling to obey instinct, but stand
As if a man were author of himself 36
And knew no other kin.
Vir. My lord and husband!
Cor. These eyes are not the same I wore in Rome.
Vir. The sorrow that delivers us thus chang'd
Makes you think so.
Cor. Like a dull actor now, 40
I have forgot my part, and I am out,
Even to a full disgrace. Best of my flesh,
Forgive my tyranny; but do not say
For that, 'Forgive our Romans.' O! a kiss 44
Long as my exile, sweet as my revenge!
Now, by the jealous queen of heaven, that kiss
I carried from thee, dear, and my true lip
Hath virgin'd it e'er since. You gods! I prate, 48
And the most noble mother of the world
Leave unsaluted. Sink, my knee, i' the earth;
Kneels.
Of thy deep duty more impression show
Than that of common sons.
Vol. O! stand up bless'd; 52
Whilst, with no softer cushion than the flint,
I kneel before thee, and unproperly
Show duty, as mistaken all this while
Between the child and parent. [Kneels.]
Cor. What's this? 56
Your knees to me! to your corrected son!
Then let the pebbles on the hungry beach
Fillip the stars; then let the mutinous winds
Strike the proud cedars 'gainst the fiery sun, 60
Murd'ring impossibility, to make
What cannot be, slight work.
Vol. Thou art my warrior;
I holp to frame thee. Do you know this lady?
Cor. The noble sister of Publicola, 64
The moon of Rome; chaste as the icicle
That's curdied by the frost from purest snow,
And hangs on Dian's temple: dear Valeria!
Vol. This is a poor epitome of yours, 68
[Pointing to the Child.]
Which by th' interpretation of full time
May show like all yourself.
Cor. The god of soldiers,
With the consent of supreme Jove, inform
Thy thoughts with nobleness; that thou mayst prove 72
To shame unvulnerable, and stick i' the wars
Like a great sea-mark, standing every flaw,
And saving those that eye thee!
Vol. Your knee, sirrah.
Cor. That's my brave boy! 76
Vol. Even he, your wife, this lady, and myself
Are suitors to you.
Cor. I beseech you, peace:
Or, if you'd ask, remember this before:
The things I have forsworn to grant may never 80
Be held by you denials. Do not bid me
Dismiss my soldiers, or capitulate
Again with Rome's mechanics: tell me not
Wherein I seem unnatural: desire not 84
To allay my rages and revenges with
Your colder reasons.
Vol. O! no more, no more;
You have said you will not grant us anything;
For we have nothing else to ask but that 88
Which you deny already: yet we will ask;
That, if you fail in our request, the blame
May hang upon your hardness. Therefore, hear us.
Cor. Aufidius, and you Volsces, mark; for we'll 92
Hear nought from Rome in private. Your request?
Vol. Should we be silent and not speak, our raiment
And state of bodies would bewray what life
We have led since thy exile. Think with thyself 96
How more unfortunate than all living women
Are we come hither: since that thy sight, which should
Make our eyes flow with joy, hearts dance with comforts, 99
Constrains them weep and shake with fear and sorrow;
Making the mother, wife, and child to see
The son, the husband, and the father tearing
His country's bowels out. And to poor we
Thine enmity's most capital: thou barr'st us 104
Our prayers to the gods, which is a comfort
That all but we enjoy; for how can we,
Alas! how can we for our country pray,
Whereto we are bound, together with thy victory, 108
Whereto we are bound? Alack! or we must lose
The country, our dear nurse, or else thy person,
Our comfort in the country. We must find
An evident calamity, though we had 112
Our wish, which side should win; for either thou
Must, as a foreign recreant, be led
With manacles through our streets, or else
Triumphantly tread on thy country's ruin, 116
And bear the palm for having bravely shed
Thy wife and children's blood. For myself, son,
I purpose not to wait on Fortune till
These wars determine: if I cannot persuade thee 120
Rather to show a noble grace to both parts
Than seek the end of one, thou shalt no sooner
March to assault thy country than to tread—
Trust to 't, thou shalt not—on thy mother's womb, 124
That brought thee to this world.
Vir. Ay, and mine,
That brought you forth this boy, to keep your name
Living to time.
Boy. A' shall not tread on me:
I'll run away till I am bigger, but then I'll fight. 128
Cor. Not of a woman's tenderness to be,
Requires nor child nor woman's face to see,
I have sat too long. [Rising.]
Vol. Nay, go not from us thus,
If it were so, that our request did tend 132
To save the Romans, thereby to destroy
The Volsces whom you serve, you might condemn us,
As poisonous of your honour: no; our suit
Is, that you reconcile them: while the Volsces 136
May say, 'This mercy we have show'd'; the Romans,
'This we receiv'd'; and each in either side
Give the all-hail to thee, and cry, 'Be bless'd
For making up this peace!' Thou know'st, great son, 140
The end of war's uncertain; but this certain,
That, if thou conquer Rome, the benefit
Which thou shalt thereby reap is such a name
Whose repetition will be dogg'd with curses; 144
Whose chronicle thus writ: 'The man was noble,
But with his last attempt he wip'd it out,
Destroy'd his country, and his name remains
To th' ensuing age abhorr'd.' Speak to me, son! 148
Thou hast affected the fine strains of honour,
To imitate the graces of the gods;
To tear with thunder the wide cheeks o' the air,
And yet to charge thy sulphur with a bolt 152
That should but rive an oak. Why dost not speak?
Think'st thou it honourable for a nobleman
Still to remember wrongs? Daughter, speak you:
He cares not for your weeping. Speak thou, boy: 156
Perhaps thy childishness will move him more
Than can our reasons. There is no man in the world
More bound to 's mother; yet here he lets me prate
Like one i' the stocks. Thou hast never in thy life 160
Show'd thy dear mother any courtesy;
When she—poor hen! fond of no second brood—
Has cluck'd thee to the wars, and safely home,
Loaden with honour. Say my request's unjust, 164
And spurn me back; but if it be not so,
Thou art not honest, and the gods will plague thee,
That thou restrain'st from me the duty which
To a mother's part belongs. He turns away: 168
Down, ladies; let us shame him with our knees.
To his surname Coriolanus longs more pride
Than pity to our prayers. Down: an end;
This is the last; so we will home to Rome, 172
And die among our neighbours. Nay, behold 's,
This boy, that cannot tell what he would have,
But kneels and holds up hands for fellowship,
Does reason our petition with more strength 176
Than thou hast to deny 't. Come, let us go:
This fellow had a Volscian to his mother;
His wife is in Corioli, and his child
Like him by chance. Yet give us our dispatch: 180
I am hush'd until our city be a-fire,
And then I'll speak a little.
Cor. O, mother, mother!
Holds her by the hand silent.
What have you done? Behold! the heavens do ope,
The gods look down, and this unnatural scene 184
They laugh at. O my mother! mother! O!
You have won a happy victory to Rome;
But, for your son, believe it, O believe it,
Most dangerously you have with him prevail'd, 188
If not most mortal to him. But let it come.
Aufidius, though I cannot make true wars,
I'll frame convenient peace. Now, good Aufidius,
Were you in my stead, would you have heard 192
A mother less, or granted less, Aufidius?
Auf. I was mov'd withal.
Cor. I dare be sworn you were:
And, sir, it is no little thing to make
Mine eyes to sweat compassion. But, good sir, 196
What peace you'll make, advise me: for my part,
I'll not to Rome, I'll back with you: and pray you,
Stand to me in this cause. O mother! wife!
Auf. [Aside.] I am glad thou hast set thy mercy and thy honour 200
At difference in thee: out of that I'll work
Myself a former fortune.
Cor. Ay, by and by;
But we will drink together; and you shall bear
A better witness back than words, which we, 204
On like conditions, would have counterseal'd.
Come, enter with us. Ladies, you deserve
To have a temple built you: all the swords
In Italy, and her confederate arms, 208
Could not have made this peace. Exeunt.
Scene Four
[Rome. A Public Place]
Enter Menenius and Sicinius.
Men. See you yond coign o' the Capitol, yond
corner-stone?
Sic. Why, what of that?
Men. If it be possible for you to displace it 4
with your little finger, there is some hope the
ladies of Rome, especially his mother, may
prevail with him. But I say, there is no hope
in 't. Our throats are sentenced and stay upon 8
execution.
Sic. Is 't possible that so short a time can alter
the condition of a man?
Men. There is differency between a grub and 12
a butterfly; yet your butterfly was a grub. This
Martius is grown from man to dragon: he has
wings; he's more than a creeping thing.
Sic. He loved his mother dearly. 16
Men. So did he me; and he no more remem-
bers his mother now than an eight-year-old
horse. The tartness of his face sours ripe
grapes: when he walks, he moves like an engine, 20
and the ground shrinks before his treading: he
is able to pierce a corslet with his eye; talks like
a knell, and his 'hum!' is a battery. He sits in his
state, as a thing made for Alexander. What 24
he bids be done is finished with his bidding. He
wants nothing of a god but eternity and a heaven
to throne in.
Sic. Yes, mercy, if you report him truly. 28
Men. I paint him in the character. Mark what
mercy his mother shall bring from him: there is
no more mercy in him than there is milk in a
male tiger; that shall our poor city find: and 32
all this is long of you.
Sic. The gods be good unto us!
Men. No, in such a case the gods will not be
good unto us. When we banished him, we 36
respected not them; and, he returning to break
our necks, they respect not us.
Enter a Messenger.
Mess. Sir, if you'd save your life, fly to your house:
The plebeians have got your fellow-tribune, 40
And hale him up and down; all swearing, if
The Roman ladies bring not comfort home,
They'll give him death by inches.
Enter another Messenger.
Sic. What's the news?
Mess. Good news, good news! the ladies have prevail'd, 44
The Volscians are dislodg'd, and Martius gone.
A merrier day did never yet greet Rome,
No, not th' expulsion of the Tarquins.
Sic. Friend,
Art thou certain this is true? Is 't most certain? 48
Mess. As certain as I know the sun is fire:
Where have you lurk'd that you make doubt of it?
Ne'er through an arch so hurried the blown tide,
As the recomforted through the gates. Why, hark you! 52
Trumpets, hautboys, drums beat, all together.
The trumpets, sackbuts, psalteries, and fifes,
Tabors, and cymbals, and the shouting Romans,
Make the sun dance. Hark you! A shout within.
Men. This is good news:
I will go meet the ladies. This Volumnia 56
Is worth of consuls, senators, patricians,
A city full; of tribunes, such as you,
A sea and land full. You have pray'd well to-day:
This morning for ten thousand of your throats 60
I'd not have given a doit. Hark, how they joy!
Sic. First, the gods bless you for your tidings; next,
Accept my thankfulness.
Mess. Sir, we have all
Great cause to give great thanks.
Sic. They are near the city? 64
Mess. Almost at point to enter.
Sic. We'll meet them,
And help the joy. Exeunt.
Enter two Senators, with Ladies, passing over the Stage, with other Lords.
Sen. Behold our patroness, the life of Rome!
Call all your tribes together, praise the gods, 68
And make triumphant fires; strew flowers before them:
Unshout the noise that banish'd Martius;
Repeal him with the welcome of his mother;
Cry, 'Welcome, ladies, welcome!'
All. Welcome, ladies, 72
Welcome! A flourish with drums and trumpets.
Scene Five
[Corioli. A Public Place]
Enter Tullus Aufidius, with Attendants.
Auf. Go tell the lords o' the city I am here:
Deliver them this paper: having read it,
Bid them repair to the market-place; where I,
Even in theirs and in the commons' ears, 4
Will vouch the truth of it. Him I accuse
The city ports by this hath enter'd, and
Intends to appear before the people, hoping
To purge himself with words: dispatch, 8
Enter three or four Conspirators of Aufidius' faction.
Most welcome!
1. Con. How is it with our general?
Auf. Even so
As with a man by his own alms empoison'd,
And with his charity slain.
2. Con. Most noble sir, 12
If you do hold the same intent wherein
You wish'd us parties, we'll deliver you
Of your great danger.
Auf. Sir, I cannot tell:
We must proceed as we do find the people. 16
3. Con. The people will remain uncertain whilst
'Twixt you there's difference; but the fall of either
Makes the survivor heir of all.
Auf. I know it;
And my pretext to strike at him admits 20
A good construction. I rais'd him, and I pawn'd
Mine honour for his truth: who being so heighten'd,
He water'd his new plants with dews of flattery,
Seducing so my friends; and, to this end, 24
He bow'd his nature, never known before
But to be rough, unswayable, and free.
3. Con. Sir, his stoutness
When he did stand for consul, which he lost 28
By lack of stooping,—
Auf. That I would have spoke of:
Being banish'd for 't, he came unto my hearth;
Presented to my knife his throat: I took him;
Made him joint-servant with me; gave him way 32
In all his own desires; nay, let him choose
Out of my files, his projects to accomplish,
My best and freshest men; serv'd his designments
In mine own person; holp to reap the fame 36
Which he did end all his; and took some pride
To do myself this wrong: till, at the last,
I seem'd his follower, not partner; and
He wag'd me with his countenance, as if 40
I had been mercenary.
1. Con. So he did, my lord:
The army marvell'd at it; and, in the last,
When we had carried Rome, and that we look'd
For no less spoil than glory,—
Auf. There was it; 44
For which my sinews shall be stretch'd upon him.
At a few drops of women's rheum, which are
As cheap as lies, he sold the blood and labour
Of our great action: therefore shall he die, 48
And I'll renew me in his fall. But, hark!
Drums and trumpets sound, with great shouts
1. Con. Your native town you enter'd like a post,
And had no welcomes home; but he returns,
Splitting the air with noise.
2. Con. And patient fools, 52
Whose children he hath slain, their base throats tear
With giving him glory.
3. Con. Therefore, at your vantage,
Ere he express himself, or move the people
With what he would say, let him feel your sword, 56
Which we will second. When he lies along,
After your way his tale pronounc'd shall bury
His reasons with his body.
Auf. Say no more:
Here come the lords. 60
Enter the Lords of the City.
All Lords. You are most welcome home.
Auf. I have not deserv'd it.
But, worthy lords, have you with heed perus'd
What I have written to you?
All. We have.
1. Lord. And grieve to hear 't.
What faults he made before the last, I think, 64
Might have found easy fines; but there to end
Where he was to begin, and give away
The benefit of our levies, answering us
With our own charge, making a treaty where 68
There was a yielding, this admits no excuse.
Auf. He approaches: you shall hear him.
Enter Coriolanus, marching with drums and colours;
the Commoners being with him.
Cor. Hail, lords! I am return'd your soldier;
No more infected with my country's love 72
Than when I parted hence, but still subsisting
Under your great command. You are to know,
That prosperously I have attempted and
With bloody passage led your wars even to 76
The gates of Rome. Our spoils we have brought home
Do more than counterpoise a full third part
The charges of the action. We have made peace
With no less honour to the Antiates 80
Than shame to the Romans; and we here deliver,
Subscrib'd by the consuls and patricians,
Together with the seal o' the senate, what
We have compounded on.
Auf. Read it not, noble lords; 84
But tell the traitor, in the highest degree
He hath abus'd your powers.
Cor. Traitor! How now?
Auf. Ay, traitor, Martius.
Cor. Martius!
Auf. Ay, Martius, Caius Martius. Dost thou think 88
I'll grace thee with that robbery, thy stol'n name,
Coriolanus in Corioli?
You lords and heads o' the state, perfidiously
He has betray'd your business, and given up, 92
For certain drops of salt, your city Rome,
I say 'your city,' to his wife and mother;
Breaking his oath and resolution like
A twist of rotten silk, never admitting 96
Counsel o' the war, but at his nurse's tears
He whin'd and roar'd away your victory,
That pages blush'd at him, and men of heart
Look'd wondering each at others.
Cor. Hear'st thou, Mars? 100
Auf. Name not the god, thou boy of tears.
Cor. Ha!
Auf. No more.
Cor. Measureless liar, thou hast made my heart
Too great for what contains it. Boy! O slave! 104
Pardon me, lords, 'tis the first time that ever
I was forc'd to scold. Your judgments, my grave lords,
Must give this cur the lie: and his own notion—
Who wears my stripes impress'd upon him, that 108
Must bear my beating to his grave—shall join
To thrust the lie unto him.
1. Lord. Peace, both, and hear me speak.
Cor. Cut me to pieces, Volsces; men and lads, 112
Stain all your edges on me. Boy! False hound!
If you have writ your annals true, 'tis there,
That, like an eagle in a dove-cote, I
Flutter'd your Volscians in Corioli: 116
Alone I did it. Boy!
Auf. Why, noble lords,
Will you be put in mind of his blind fortune,
Which was your shame, by this unholy braggart,
'Fore your own eyes and ears?
All Consp. Let him die for 't. 120
All People. Tear him to pieces.—Do it
presently.—He killed my son.—My daughter.
—He killed my cousin Marcus.—He killed my
father. 124
2. Lord. Peace, ho! no outrage: peace!
The man is noble and his fame folds in
This orb o' the earth. His last offences to us
Shall have judicious hearing. Stand, Aufidius, 128
And trouble not the peace.
Cor. O that I had him,
With six Aufidiuses, or more, his tribe,
To use my lawful sword!
Auf. Insolent villain!
All. Consp. Kill, kill, kill, kill, kill him!
Draw all the Conspirators, and kill Martius,
Lords. Hold, hold, hold, hold! 132
Auf. My noble masters, hear me speak.
1. Lord. O Tullus!
2. Lord. Thou hast done a deed whereat valour will weep.
3. Lord. Tread not upon him, masters; all be quiet.
Put up your swords. 136
Auf. My lords, when you shall know,—as in this rage,
Provok'd by him, you cannot,—the great danger
Which this man's life did owe you, you'll rejoice
That he is thus cut off. Please it your honours 140
To call me to your senate, I'll deliver
Myself your loyal servant, or endure
Your heaviest censure.
1. Lord. Bear from hence his body;
And mourn you for him! Let him be regarded 144
As the most noble corse that ever herald
Did follow to his urn.
2. Lord. His own impatience
Takes from Aufidius a great part of blame.
Let's make the best of it.
Auf. My rage is gone, 148
And I am struck with sorrow. Take him up:
Help, three o' the chiefest soldiers; I'll be one,
Beat thou the drum, that it speak mournfully;
Trail your steel pikes. Though in this city he 152
Hath widow'd and unchilded many a one,
Which to this hour bewail the injury,
Yet he shall have a noble memory.
Assist. Exeunt, bearing the body of Martius.
A dead march sounded.
FINIS.
Footnotes to Act V
Scene One
3 particular: personal relation
5 knee: crawl on your knees
6 coy'd: held back, showed reluctance
12 forbad: prohibited the use of
14 o': out of
16 rack'd: strained themselves, worked desperately; cf. n.
17 coals: cinders, charcoal
18 minded: reminded
20 bare: threadbare, poor
23 offer'd: presumed
28 nose: smell
offence: nuisance, offensive matter
37 instant: capable of being raised at once
42 towards: in relation to
45 grief-shot: pierced with grief
47, 48 after . . . well: proportionate to the goodness of your intention
50 unhearts: dispirits
51 taken well: propitiously encountered
58 dieted to: fed up auspiciously for
62 Speed: turn out
63 Of . . . success: how I shall fare
64 in gold: on golden throne
67 faintly: coldly
68–70 what . . . conditions; cf. n.
72 Unless: unless in the efforts of
Scene Two
10 lots to blanks; cf. n.
13 passable: valid
15 book: record, that which reports
17 verified my friends: shown my friends to be my friends; cf. n.
18 size: exaggeration
19 lapsing: slipping into falsehood
20 subtle: temptingly level
21 throw: distance aimed at
22 stamp'd the leasing: confirmed actual falsehood
30 factionary . . . party: an active adherent
34 telling . . . him: speaking truth in his service
41 out: out of
43 violent . . . ignorance: folly of mob violence
44 front: meet
47 dotant: dotard
52, 53 out of: beyond the reach of
55 estimation: esteem
60 the utmost . . . having: the most you shall get
64, 65 say . . . for you: make a report about you
66, 67 Jack guardant: good-for-nothing sentry
67 office: officiously detain
68 entertainment: reception
70 more . . . spectatorship: which will still more prolong your public ignominy
72 swound: swoon
74 synod: conference
80 your: i.e. the Roman
84 block: block of wood, blockhead
89 servanted: made servants
90 properly: personally
remission: forgiveness, mercy; cf. n.
91–93 That . . . much; cf. n.
95 for: because
104 shent: scolded
110, 111 He . . . another; cf. n.
112, 113 be . . . long: may you remain long in your present wretched state
Scene Three
3 plainly: candidly, honestly
4 borne: conducted
6 general . . . Rome: petitions of all Rome
11 godded: deified
18 Nor . . . friends: neither from the state nor from private friends
23 in . . . hand: led by the hand
35 gosling: young goose
38 These . . . same: i.e. I look upon you with different feelings
39 thus chang'd: in mourning garb; cf. n.
41 out: at loss for the proper words
51 duty: dutifulness, respect
more . . . show; cf. n.
54 unproperly: abnormally
55 as mistaken: as if the obligation of deference had been misunderstood
57 corrected: yielding to correction, submissive
58 hungry: sterile (?), voracious (?)
59 Fillip: hit against
61 Murd'ring: annulling
62 slight work: a trivial task
66 curdied: congealed
67 dear Valeria; cf. n.
69 by . . . time: when full growth has shown what he is
71 inform: inspire
73 stick: stand conspicuous
74 sea-mark: beacon
flaw: squall of wind
75 eye: take as guide
82 capitulate: make terms
90 fail in: disappoint us in
95 state of bodies: physical health
bewray: disclose
103 we: us
104 capital: fatal
109 or: either
113 which: in determining which
114 foreign recreant: one whose treachery has made him a foreigner
120 determine: end
122 end: destruction
129 Not . . . be: not to yield to womanly weakness
139 all-hail: formal acclamation
146 attempt: undertaking
it: his nobility
149 fine strains: special refinements
151 cheeks . . . air; cf. n.
152, 153 And yet . . . oak; cf. n.
159 prate: talk without result
160 one . . . stocks: a prisoner who has nothing free but his voice
161 courtesy: particular favor
166 honest: honorable
170 longs: belongs
175 for fellowship: to keep us company
176 Does . . . strength: has stronger arguments in favor of our petition
181 hush'd: silent
189 most mortal: with most mortal results
191 convenient: a fitting
194 withal: therewith
196 sweat compassion: weep with pity
199 Stand to: support
202 a . . . fortune: a position as great as formerly
204 A better witness: i.e. a formal document
205 If conditions had been reversed, should have been glad to confirm strongly
208 her . . . arms: the weapons of Italy's allies
Scene Four
1 coign: keystone
8 stay upon: await
12 differency: difference
20 engine: piece of artillery
22 corslet: breastplate
22, 23 talks . . . battery; cf. n.
24 state: chair of state
as . . . Alexander: like a statue of Alexander the Great
25 finished . . . bidding: as good as done when he commands it
27 throne: enthrone himself
29 in . . . character: as he is
33 long of: on account of
37 respected: heeded
43 by inches: by slow torture
45 are dislodg'd: have broken camp
51 blown: swollen; cf. n.
53 sackbuts: bass wind instruments, trombones
psalteries: stringed instruments, dulcimers
55 Make . . . dance; cf. n.
66 S. d. Cf. n.
69 fires: bonfires
70 Unshout: cancel and retract by your shouts
Scene Five
Scene Five Corioli; cf. n.
6 city ports: gates of the city
8 purge: clear
14 parties: to take part
18 difference: dispute
20 pretext: design
21 good construction: justification
23 By flattery he increased his power in his new environment
26 free: independent
32 way: freedom of action
34 files: troops
35, 36 serv'd . . . person: personally assisted him in his designs
37 end: garner, store away
40 wag'd: rewarded
countenance: patronizing favor
42 in the last: finally
45 my sinews . . . stretch'd: I shall exert all my force
46 rheum: tears, liquid secretion
50 post: messenger
54 at . . . vantage: as soon as favorable opportunity arises
57 along: prostrate
58 After . . . pronounc'd: your statement of his case
59 His reasons: what he might urge in his behalf
65 fines: penalties
67 benefit . . . levies: profits of war
answering: repaying; cf. n.
68 treaty: compromise
69 yielding: complete defeat of the enemy
72 infected: affected, contaminated
75 prosperously . . . attempted: my attempts have prospered
77 we have: which we have
84 compounded: agreed
96 twist: skein
96, 97 never . . . war: permitting no council of war
99 That pages: so that young boys
men of heart: valiant men
104 Too . . . it: swollen with indignation till my breast cannot contain it
107 notion: intelligence
108 that: who
116 Flutter'd: put to flight
128 judicious: judicial, legal
Stand: stay, hold
139 did owe you: promised to bring upon you, rendered you liable to
141 deliver: demonstrate
152 Trail: drag on the ground in sign of mourning
153 unchilded: slain the children of