1
The Tragedy of Coriolanus.
Actus primus, Scœna prima.
Enter a Company of Mutinous Citizens, with Staues,
Clubs, and other weapons.
Clubs, and other weapons.
1. Citizen.
Efore we proceed any further, heare me speake.
Efore we proceed any further, heare me speake.All.
Speake, speake.
Speake, speake.
1. Cit.
You are all resolu'd rather to dy then to famish?
You are all resolu'd rather to dy then to famish?
All.
Resolu'd, resolu'd.
Resolu'd, resolu'd.
1. Cit.
First you know, Caius Martius is chiefe enemy
to the people.
First you know, Caius Martius is chiefe enemy
to the people.
All.
We know't, we know't.
We know't, we know't.
1. Cit.
Let vs kill him, and wee'l haue Corne at our own
price. Is't a Verdict?
Let vs kill him, and wee'l haue Corne at our own
price. Is't a Verdict?
All.
No more talking on't; Let it be done, away, away
No more talking on't; Let it be done, away, away
2. Cit.
One word, good Citizens.
One word, good Citizens.
1. Cit.
We are accounted poore Citizens, the Patricians
good: what Authority surfets one, would releeue
vs. If they would yeelde vs but the superfluitie while it
were wholsome, wee might guesse they releeued vs
humanely: But they thinke we are too deere, the leannesse
that afflicts vs, the obiect of our misery, is as an inuentory
to particularize their abundance, our sufferance is a
gaine to them. Let vs reuenge this with our Pikes, ere
we become Rakes. For the Gods know, I speake this in
hunger for Bread, not in thirst for Reuenge.
We are accounted poore Citizens, the Patricians
good: what Authority surfets one, would releeue
vs. If they would yeelde vs but the superfluitie while it
were wholsome, wee might guesse they releeued vs
humanely: But they thinke we are too deere, the leannesse
that afflicts vs, the obiect of our misery, is as an inuentory
to particularize their abundance, our sufferance is a
gaine to them. Let vs reuenge this with our Pikes, ere
we become Rakes. For the Gods know, I speake this in
hunger for Bread, not in thirst for Reuenge.
2. Cit.
Would you proceede especially against Caius Martius.
Would you proceede especially against Caius Martius.
All.
Against him first: He's a very dog to the Commonalty.
Against him first: He's a very dog to the Commonalty.
2. Cit.
Consider you what Seruices he ha's done for his Country?
Consider you what Seruices he ha's done for his Country?
1. Cit.
Very well, and could bee content to giue him
good report for't, but that hee payes himselfe with
beeing proud.
Very well, and could bee content to giue him
good report for't, but that hee payes himselfe with
beeing proud.
All.
Nay, but speak not maliciously.
Nay, but speak not maliciously.
1. Cit.
I say vnto you, what he hath done Famouslie,
he did it to that end: though soft conscienc'd men can be
content to say it was for his Countrey, he did it to please
his Mother, and to be partly proud, which he is, euen to
the altitude of his virtue.
I say vnto you, what he hath done Famouslie,
he did it to that end: though soft conscienc'd men can be
content to say it was for his Countrey, he did it to please
his Mother, and to be partly proud, which he is, euen to
the altitude of his virtue.
2. Cit.
What he cannot helpe in his Nature, you account
a Vice in him: You must in no way say he is
couetous.
What he cannot helpe in his Nature, you account
a Vice in him: You must in no way say he is
couetous.
1. Cit.
If I must not, I neede not be barren of Accusations
he hath faults (with surplus) to tyre in repetition.
Showts within.
What showts are these? The other side a'th City is risen:
why stay we prating heere? To th' Capitoll.
If I must not, I neede not be barren of Accusations
he hath faults (with surplus) to tyre in repetition.
Showts within.
What showts are these? The other side a'th City is risen:
why stay we prating heere? To th' Capitoll.
All.
Come, come.
Come, come.
1. Cit.
Soft, who comes heere?
Soft, who comes heere?
Enter Menenius Agrippa.
2. Cit.
Worthy Menenius Agrippa, one that hath
alwayes lou'd the people.
Worthy Menenius Agrippa, one that hath
alwayes lou'd the people.
1. Cit.
He's one honest enough, wold al the rest wer so.
He's one honest enough, wold al the rest wer so.
Men.
What work's my Countrimen in hand?
Where go you with Bats and Clubs? The matter
Speake I pray you.
What work's my Countrimen in hand?
Where go you with Bats and Clubs? The matter
Speake I pray you.
2. Cit.
Our busines is not vnknowne to th'Senat, they
haue had inkling this fortnight what we intend to do, which
now wee'l shew em in deeds: they say poore Suters haue
strong breaths, they shal know we haue strong arms too.
Our busines is not vnknowne to th'Senat, they
haue had inkling this fortnight what we intend to do, which
now wee'l shew em in deeds: they say poore Suters haue
strong breaths, they shal know we haue strong arms too.
Menen.
Why Masters, my good Friends, mine honest
Neighbours, will you vndo your selues?
Why Masters, my good Friends, mine honest
Neighbours, will you vndo your selues?
2. Cit.
We cannot Sir, we are vndone already.
We cannot Sir, we are vndone already.
Men.
I tell you Friends, most charitable care
Haue the Patricians of you for your wants.
Your suffering in this dearth, you may as well
Strike at the Heauen with your staues, as lift them
Against the Roman State, whose course will on
The way it takes: cracking ten thousand Curbes
Of more strong linke assunder, then can euer
Appeare in your impediment. For the Dearth,
The Gods, not the Patricians make it, and
Your knees to them (not armes) must helpe. Alacke,
You are transported by Calamity
Thether, where more attends you, and you slander
The Helmes o'th State; who care for you like Fathers,
When you curse them, as Enemies.
I tell you Friends, most charitable care
Haue the Patricians of you for your wants.
Your suffering in this dearth, you may as well
Strike at the Heauen with your staues, as lift them
Against the Roman State, whose course will on
The way it takes: cracking ten thousand Curbes
Of more strong linke assunder, then can euer
Appeare in your impediment. For the Dearth,
The Gods, not the Patricians make it, and
Your knees to them (not armes) must helpe. Alacke,
You are transported by Calamity
Thether, where more attends you, and you slander
The Helmes o'th State; who care for you like Fathers,
When you curse them, as Enemies.
2. Cit.
Care for vs? True indeed, they nere car'd for vs
yet. Suffer vs to famish, and their Store-houses cramm'd
with Graine: Make Edicts for Vsurie, to support Vsu
rers; repeale daily any wholsome Act established against
the rich, and prouide more piercing Statutes daily, to
chaine vp and restraine the poore. If the Warres eate vs
not vppe, they will; and there's all the loue they beare
vs.
Care for vs? True indeed, they nere car'd for vs
yet. Suffer vs to famish, and their Store-houses cramm'd
with Graine: Make Edicts for Vsurie, to support Vsu
rers; repeale daily any wholsome Act established against
the rich, and prouide more piercing Statutes daily, to
chaine vp and restraine the poore. If the Warres eate vs
not vppe, they will; and there's all the loue they beare
vs.
Menen.
Either you must
Confesse your selues wondrous Malicious,
Or be accus'd of Folly. I shall tell you
A pretty Tale, it may be you haue heard it,
But since it serues my purpose, I will venture
To scale't a little more.
Either you must
Confesse your selues wondrous Malicious,
Or be accus'd of Folly. I shall tell you
A pretty Tale, it may be you haue heard it,
But since it serues my purpose, I will venture
To scale't a little more.
2 Citizen.
Well, Ile heare it Sir: yet you must not thinke
To fobbe off our disgrace with a tale:
But and't please you deliuer.
Well, Ile heare it Sir: yet you must not thinke
To fobbe off our disgrace with a tale:
But and't please you deliuer.
Men.
There was a time, when all the bodies members
Rebell'd against the Belly; thus accus'd it:
That onely like a Gulfe it did remaine
There was a time, when all the bodies members
Rebell'd against the Belly; thus accus'd it:
That onely like a Gulfe it did remaine
I'th
