The Tragedie of Coriolanus

William Shakespeare

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  • The Tragedie of Coriolanus
  • The Tragedie of Coriolanus

    Actus Primus. Scoena Prima.



    Enter a Company of Mutinous Citizens, with Staues, Clubs, and
    other
    weapons.


      1. Citizen. Before we proceed any further, heare me speake


       All. Speake, speake


       1.Cit. You are all resolu'd rather to dy then
    to famish?
      All. Resolu'd, resolu'd


       1.Cit. First you know, Caius Martius is chiefe enemy
    to the people


       All. 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?
      All. No more talking on't; Let it be done, away, away
      2.Cit. 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


       2.Cit. Would you proceede especially against Caius
    Martius


       All. Against him first: He's a very dog to the Commonalty


       2.Cit. 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


       All. 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 vertue


       2.Cit. 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


       All. Come, come


       1 Cit. Soft, who comes heere?
    Enter Menenius Agrippa.


      2 Cit. Worthy Menenius Agrippa, one that hath alwayes
    lou'd the people


       1 Cit. 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


       2 Cit. Our busines is not vnknowne to th' Senat, they
    haue had inkling this fortnight what we intend to do, w
    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?
      2 Cit. 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


       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 Vsurers;
    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


       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


       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
    I'th midd'st a th' body, idle and vnactiue,
    Still cubbording the Viand, neuer bearing
    Like labour with the rest, where th' other Instruments
    Did see, and heare, deuise, instruct, walke, feele,
    And mutually participate, did minister
    Vnto the appetite; and affection common
    Of the whole body, the Belly answer'd


       2.Cit. Well sir, what answer made the Belly


       Men. Sir, I shall tell you with a kinde of Smile,
    Which ne're came from the Lungs, but euen thus:
    For looke you I may make the belly Smile,
    As well as speake, it taintingly replyed
    To'th' discontented Members, the mutinous parts
    That enuied his receite: euen so most fitly,
    As you maligne our Senators, for that
    They are not such as you


       2.Cit. Your Bellies answer: What
    The Kingly crown'd head, the vigilant eye,
    The Counsailor Heart, the Arme our Souldier,
    Our Steed the Legge, the Tongue our Trumpeter,
    With other Muniments and petty helpes
    In this our Fabricke, if that they-
      Men. What then? Fore me, this Fellow speakes.
    What then? What then?
      2.Cit. Should by the Cormorant belly be restrain'd,
    Who is the sinke a th' body


       Men. Well, what then?
      2.Cit. The former Agents, if they did complaine,
    What could the Belly answer?
      Men. I will tell you,
    If you'l bestow a small (of what you haue little)
    Patience awhile; you'st heare the Bellies answer


       2.Cit. Y'are long about it


       Men. Note me this good Friend;
    Your most graue Belly was deliberate,
    Not rash like his Accusers, and thus answered.
    True is it my Incorporate Friends (quoth he)
    That I receiue the generall Food at first
    Which you do liue vpon: and fit it is,
    Because I am the Store-house, and the Shop
    Of the whole Body. But, if you do remember,
    I send it through the Riuers of your blood
    Euen to the Court, the Heart, to th' seate o'th' Braine,
    And through the Crankes and Offices of man,
    The strongest Nerues, and small inferiour Veines
    From me receiue that naturall competencie
    Whereby they liue. And though that all at once
    (You my good Friends, this sayes the Belly) marke me


       2.Cit. I sir, well, well


       Men. Though all at once, cannot
    See what I do deliuer out to each,
    Yet I can make my Awdit vp, that all
    From me do backe receiue the Flowre of all,
    And leaue me but the Bran. What say you too't?
      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 Counsailes, and their Cares; disgest things rightly,
    Touching the Weale a'th Common, you shall finde
    No publique benefit which you receiue
    But it proceeds, or comes from them to you,
    And no way from your selues. What do you thinke?
    You, the great Toe of this Assembly?
      2.Cit. I the great Toe? Why the great Toe?
      Men. For that being one o'th lowest, basest, poorest
    Of this most wise Rebellion, thou goest formost:
    Thou Rascall, that art worst in blood to run,
    Lead'st first to win some vantage.
    But make you ready your stiffe bats and clubs,
    Rome, and her Rats, are at the point of battell,
    The one side must haue baile.
    Enter Caius Martius.


    Hayle, Noble Martius


       Mar. Thanks. What's the matter you dissentious rogues
    That rubbing the poore Itch of your Opinion,
    Make your selues Scabs


       2.Cit. We haue euer your good word


       Mar. He that will giue good words to thee, wil flatter
    Beneath abhorring. What would you haue, you Curres,
    That like nor Peace, nor Warre? The one affrights you,
    The other makes you proud. He that trusts to you,
    Where he should finde you Lyons, findes you Hares:
    Where Foxes, Geese you are: No surer, no,
    Then is the coale of fire vpon the Ice,
    Or Hailstone in the Sun. Your Vertue is,
    To make him worthy, whose offence subdues him,
    And curse that Iustice did it. Who deserues Greatnes,
    Deserues your Hate: and your Affections are
    A sickmans Appetite; who desires most that
    Which would encrease his euill. He that depends
    Vpon your fauours, swimmes with finnes of Leade,
    And hewes downe Oakes, with rushes. Hang ye: trust ye?
    With euery Minute you do change a Minde,
    And call him Noble, that was now your Hate:
    Him vilde, that was your Garland. What's the matter,
    That in these seuerall places of the Citie,
    You cry against the Noble Senate, who
    (Vnder the Gods) keepe you in awe, which else
    Would feede on one another? What's their seeking?
      Men. For Corne at their owne rates, wherof they say
    The Citie is well stor'd


       Mar. Hang 'em: They say?
    They'l sit by th' fire, and presume to know
    What's done i'th Capitoll: Who's like to rise,
    Who thriues, &who declines: Side factions, &giue out
    Coniecturall Marriages, making parties strong,
    And feebling such as stand not in their liking,
    Below their cobled Shooes. They say ther's grain enough?
    Would the Nobility lay aside their ruth,
    And let me vse my Sword, I'de make a Quarrie
    With thousands of these quarter'd slaues, as high
    As I could picke my Lance


       Menen. Nay these are almost thoroughly perswaded:
    For though abundantly they lacke discretion
    Yet are they passing Cowardly. But I beseech you,
    What sayes the other Troope?
      Mar. They are dissolu'd: Hang em;
    They said they were an hungry, sigh'd forth Prouerbes
    That Hunger-broke stone wals: that dogges must eate
    That meate was made for mouths. That the gods sent not
    Corne for the Richmen onely: With these shreds
    They vented their Complainings, which being answer'd
    And a petition granted them, a strange one,
    To breake the heart of generosity,
    And make bold power looke pale, they threw their caps
    As they would hang them on the hornes a'th Moone,
    Shooting their Emulation


       Menen. What is graunted them?
      Mar. Fiue Tribunes to defend their vulgar wisdoms
    Of their owne choice. One's Iunius Brutus,
    Sicinius Velutus, and I know not. Sdeath,
    The rabble should haue first vnroo'st the City
    Ere so preuayl'd with me; it will in time
    Win vpon power, and throw forth greater Theames
    For Insurrections arguing


       Menen. This is strange


       Mar. Go get you home you Fragments.
    Enter a Messenger hastily.


      Mess. Where's Caius Martius?
      Mar. Heere: what's the matter!
      Mes. The newes is sir, the Volcies are in Armes


       Mar. I am glad on't, then we shall ha meanes to vent
    Our mustie superfluity. See our best Elders.
    Enter Sicinius Velutus, Annius Brutus Cominius, Titus Lartius,
    with other
    Senatours.


      1.Sen. Martius 'tis true, that you haue lately told vs,
    The Volces are in Armes


       Mar. They haue a Leader,
    Tullus Auffidius that will put you too't:
    I sinne in enuying his Nobility:
    And were I any thing but what I am,
    I would wish me onely he


       Com. You haue fought together?
      Mar. Were halfe to halfe the world by th' eares, &he
    vpon my partie, I'de reuolt to make
    Onely my warres with him. He is a Lion
    That I am proud to hunt


       1.Sen. Then worthy Martius,
    Attend vpon Cominius to these Warres


       Com. It is your former promise


       Mar. Sir it is,
    And I am constant: Titus Lucius, thou
    Shalt see me once more strike at Tullus face.
    What art thou stiffe? Stand'st out?
      Tit. No Caius Martius,
    Ile leane vpon one Crutch, and fight with tother,
    Ere stay behinde this Businesse


       Men. Oh true-bred


       Sen. Your Company to'th' Capitoll, where I know
    Our greatest Friends attend vs


       Tit. Lead you on: Follow Cominius, we must followe
    you, right worthy your Priority


       Com. Noble Martius


       Sen. Hence to your homes, be gone


       Mar. Nay let them follow,
    The Volces haue much Corne: take these Rats thither,
    To gnaw their Garners. Worshipfull Mutiners,
    Your valour puts well forth: Pray follow.


    Exeunt.


    Citizens steale away. Manet Sicin. &Brutus.


      Sicin. Was euer man so proud as is this Martius?
      Bru. He has no equall


       Sicin. When we were chosen Tribunes for the people


       Bru. Mark'd you his lip and eyes


       Sicin. Nay, but his taunts


       Bru. Being mou'd, he will not spare to gird the Gods


       Sicin. Bemocke the modest Moone


       Bru. The present Warres deuoure him, he is growne
    Too proud to be so valiant


       Sicin. Such a Nature, tickled with good successe, disdaines
    the shadow which he treads on at noone, but I do
    wonder, his insolence can brooke to be commanded vnder
    Cominius?
      Bru. Fame, at the which he aymes,
    In whom already he's well grac'd, cannot
    Better be held, nor more attain'd then by
    A place below the first: for what miscarries
    Shall be the Generals fault, though he performe
    To th' vtmost of a man, and giddy censure
    Will then cry out of Martius: Oh, if he
    Had borne the businesse


       Sicin. Besides, if things go well,
    Opinion that so stickes on Martius, shall
    Of his demerits rob Cominius


       Bru. Come: halfe all Cominius Honors are to Martius
    Though Martius earn'd them not: and all his faults
    To Martius shall be Honors, though indeed
    In ought he merit not


       Sicin. Let's hence, and heare
    How the dispatch is made, and in what fashion
    More then his singularity, he goes
    Vpon this present Action


       Bru. Let's along.


    Exeunt.


    Enter Tullus Auffidius with Senators of Coriolus.


      1.Sen. So, your opinion is Auffidius,
    That they of Rome are entred in our Counsailes,
    And know how we proceede,
      Auf. Is it not yours?
    What euer haue bin thought one in this State
    That could be brought to bodily act, ere Rome
    Had circumuention: 'tis not foure dayes gone
    Since I heard thence, these are the words, I thinke
    I haue the Letter heere: yes, heere it is;
    They haue prest a Power, but it is not knowne
    Whether for East or West: the Dearth is great,
    The people Mutinous: And it is rumour'd,
    Cominius, Martius your old Enemy
    (Who is of Rome worse hated then of you)
    And Titus Lartius, a most valiant Roman,
    These three leade on this Preparation
    Whether 'tis bent: most likely, 'tis for you:
    Consider of it


       1.Sen. Our Armie's in the Field:
    We neuer yet made doubt but Rome was ready
    To answer vs


       Auf. Nor did you thinke it folly,
    To keepe your great pretences vayl'd, till when
    They needs must shew themselues, which in the hatching
    It seem'd appear'd to Rome. By the discouery,
    We shalbe shortned in our ayme, which was
    To take in many Townes, ere (almost) Rome
    Should know we were a-foot


       2.Sen. Noble Auffidius,
    Take your Commission, hye you to your Bands,
    Let vs alone to guard Corioles
    If they set downe before's: for the remoue
    Bring vp your Army: but (I thinke) you'l finde
    Th'haue not prepar'd for vs


       Auf. O doubt not that,
    I speake from Certainties. Nay more,
    Some parcels of their Power are forth already,
    And onely hitherward. I leaue your Honors.
    If we, and Caius Martius chance to meete,
    'Tis sworne betweene vs, we shall euer strike
    Till one can do no more


       All. The Gods assist you


       Auf. And keepe your Honors safe


       1.Sen. Farewell


       2.Sen. Farewell


       All. Farewell.


    Exeunt. omnes.


    Enter Volumnia and Virgilia, mother and wife to Martius: They set
    them
    downe on two lowe stooles and sowe.


      Volum. I pray you daughter sing, or expresse your selfe
    in a more comfortable sort: If my Sonne were my Husband,
    I should freelier reioyce in that absence wherein
    he wonne Honor, then in the embracements of his Bed,
    where he would shew most loue. When yet hee was but
    tender-bodied, and the onely Sonne of my womb; when
    youth with comelinesse pluck'd all gaze his way; when
    for a day of Kings entreaties, a Mother should not sel him
    an houre from her beholding; I considering how Honour
    would become such a person, that it was no better then
    Picture-like to hang by th' wall, if renowne made it not
    stirre, was pleas'd to let him seeke danger, where he was
    like to finde fame: To a cruell Warre I sent him, from
    whence he return'd, his browes bound with Oake. I tell
    thee Daughter, I sprang not more in ioy at first hearing
    he was a Man-child, then now in first seeing he had proued
    himselfe a man


       Virg. But had he died in the Businesse Madame, how
    then?
      Volum. Then his good report should haue beene my
    Sonne, I therein would haue found issue. Heare me professe
    sincerely, had I a dozen sons each in my loue alike,
    and none lesse deere then thine, and my good Martius, I
    had rather had eleuen dye Nobly for their Countrey, then
    one voluptuously surfet out of Action.
    Enter a Gentlewoman.


      Gent. Madam, the lady Valeria is come to visit you


       Virg. Beseech you giue me leaue to retire my selfe


       Volum. Indeed you shall not:
    Me thinkes, I heare hither your Husbands Drumme:
    See him plucke Auffidius downe by th' haire:
    (As children from a Beare) the Volces shunning him:
    Me thinkes I see him stampe thus, and call thus,
    Come on you Cowards, you were got in feare
    Though you were borne in Rome; his bloody brow
    With his mail'd hand, then wiping, forth he goes
    Like to a Haruest man, that task'd to mowe
    Or all, or loose his hyre


       Virg. His bloody Brow? Oh Iupiter, no blood


       Volum. Away you Foole; it more becomes a man
    Then gilt his Trophe. The brests of Hecuba
    When she did suckle Hector, look'd not louelier
    Then Hectors forhead, when it spit forth blood
    At Grecian sword. Contenning, tell Valeria
    We are fit to bid her welcome.


    Exit Gent.


      Vir. Heauens blesse my Lord from fell Auffidius


       Vol. Hee'l beat Auffidius head below his knee,
    And treade vpon his necke.
    Enter Valeria with an Vsher, and a Gentlewoman.


      Val. My Ladies both good day to you


       Vol. Sweet Madam


       Vir. I am glad to see your Ladyship


       Val. How do you both? You are manifest house-keepers.
    What are you sowing heere? A fine spotte in good
    faith. How does your little Sonne?
      Vir. I thanke your Lady-ship: Well good Madam


       Vol. He had rather see the swords, and heare a Drum,
    then looke vpon his Schoolmaster


       Val. A my word the Fathers Sonne: Ile sweare 'tis a
    very pretty boy. A my troth, I look'd vpon him a Wensday
    halfe an houre together: ha's such a confirm'd countenance.
    I saw him run after a gilded Butterfly, &when
    he caught it, he let it go againe, and after it againe, and ouer
    and ouer he comes, and vp againe: catcht it again: or
    whether his fall enrag'd him, or how 'twas, hee did so set
    his teeth, and teare it. Oh, I warrant how he mammockt
    it


       Vol. One on's Fathers moods


       Val. Indeed la, tis a Noble childe


       Virg. A Cracke Madam


       Val. Come, lay aside your stitchery, I must haue you
    play the idle Huswife with me this afternoone


       Virg. No (good Madam)
    I will not out of doores


       Val. Not out of doores?
      Volum. She shall, she shall


       Virg. Indeed no, by your patience; Ile not ouer the
    threshold, till my Lord returne from the Warres


       Val. Fye, you confine your selfe most vnreasonably:
    Come, you must go visit the good Lady that lies in


       Virg. I will wish her speedy strength, and visite her
    with my prayers: but I cannot go thither


       Volum. Why I pray you


       Vlug. 'Tis not to saue labour, nor that I want loue


       Val. You would be another Penelope: yet they say, all
    the yearne she spun in Vlisses absence, did but fill Athica
    full of Mothes. Come, I would your Cambrick were sensible
    as your finger, that you might leaue pricking it for
    pitie. Come you shall go with vs


       Vir. No good Madam, pardon me, indeed I will not
    foorth


       Val. In truth la go with me, and Ile tell you excellent
    newes of your Husband


       Virg. Oh good Madam, there can be none yet


       Val. Verily I do not iest with you: there came newes
    from him last night


       Vir. Indeed Madam


       Val. In earnest it's true; I heard a Senatour speake it.
    Thus it is: the Volcies haue an Army forth, against who[m]
    Cominius the Generall is gone, with one part of our Romane
    power. Your Lord, and Titus Lartius, are set down
    before their Citie Carioles, they nothing doubt preuailing,
    and to make it breefe Warres. This is true on mine
    Honor, and so I pray go with vs


       Virg. Giue me excuse good Madame, I will obey you
    in euery thing heereafter


       Vol. Let her alone Ladie, as she is now:
    She will but disease our better mirth


       Valeria. In troth I thinke she would:
    Fare you well then. Come good sweet Ladie.
    Prythee Virgilia turne thy solemnesse out a doore,
    And go along with vs


       Virgil. No
    At a word Madam; Indeed I must not,
    I wish you much mirth


       Val. Well, then farewell.


    Exeunt. Ladies.


    Enter Martius, Titus Lartius, with Drumme and Colours, with
    Captaines and
    Souldiers, as before the City Corialus: to them a Messenger.


      Martius. Yonder comes Newes:
    A Wager they haue met


       Lar. My horse to yours, no


       Mar. Tis done


       Lart. Agreed


       Mar. Say, ha's our Generall met the Enemy?
      Mess. They lye in view, but haue not spoke as yet


       Lart. So, the good Horse is mine


       Mart. Ile buy him of you


       Lart. No, Ile nor sel, nor giue him: Lend you him I will
    For halfe a hundred yeares: Summon the Towne


       Mar. How farre off lie these Armies?
      Mess. Within this mile and halfe


       Mar. Then shall we heare their Larum, &they Ours.
    Now Mars, I prythee make vs quicke in worke,
    That we with smoaking swords may march from hence
    To helpe our fielded Friends. Come, blow thy blast.


    They Sound a Parley: Enter two Senators with others on the Walles
    of
    Corialus.


    Tullus Auffidious, is he within your Walles?
      1.Senat. No, nor a man that feares you lesse then he,
    That's lesser then a little:


    Drum a farre off.


    Hearke, our Drummes
    Are bringing forth our youth: Wee'l breake our Walles
    Rather then they shall pound vs vp our Gates,
    Which yet seeme shut, we haue but pin'd with Rushes,
    They'le open of themselues. Harke you, farre off


    Alarum farre off.


    There is Auffidious. List what worke he makes
    Among'st your clouen Army


       Mart. Oh they are at it


       Lart. Their noise be our instruction. Ladders hoa.
    Enter the Army of the Volces.


      Mar. They feare vs not, but issue forth their Citie.
    Now put your Shields before your hearts, and fight
    With hearts more proofe then Shields.
    Aduance braue Titus,
    They do disdaine vs much beyond our Thoughts,
    which makes me sweat with wrath. Come on my fellows
    He that retires, Ile take him for a Volce,
    And he shall feele 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 Heard of Byles and Plagues
    Plaister you o're, that you may be abhorr'd
    Farther then seene, and one infect another
    Against the Winde a mile: you soules of Geese,
    That beare the shapes of men, how haue you run
    From Slaues, that Apes would beate; Pluto and Hell,
    All hurt behinde, backes red, and faces pale
    With flight and agued feare, mend and charge home,
    Or by the fires of heauen, Ile leaue the Foe,
    And make my Warres on you: Looke too't: Come on,
    If you'l stand fast, wee'l beate them to their Wiues,
    As they vs to our Trenches followes.


    Another Alarum, and Martius followes them to gates, and is shut
    in.


    So, now the gates are ope: now proue good Seconds,
    'Tis for the followers Fortune, widens them,
    Not for the flyers: Marke me, and do the like.
    Enter the Gati.


      1.Sol. Foole-hardinesse, not I


       2.Sol. Nor I


       1.Sol. See they haue shut him in.


    Alarum continues


      All. To th' pot I warrant him.


    Enter Titus Lartius


      Tit. What is become of Martius?
      All. Slaine (Sir) doubtlesse


       1.Sol. Following the Flyers at the very heeles,
    With them he enters: who vpon the sodaine
    Clapt to their Gates, he is himselfe alone,
    To answer all the City


       Lar. Oh Noble Fellow!
    Who sensibly out-dares his sencelesse Sword,
    And when it bowes, stand'st vp: Thou art left Martius,
    A Carbuncle intire: as big as thou art
    Weare not so rich a Iewell. Thou was't a Souldier
    Euen to Calues wish, not fierce and terrible
    Onely in strokes, but with thy grim lookes, and
    The Thunder-like percussion of thy sounds
    Thou mad'st thine enemies shake, as if the World
    Were Feauorous, and did tremble.
    Enter Martius bleeding, assaulted by the Enemy.


      1.Sol. Looke Sir


       Lar. O 'tis Martius.
    Let's fetch him off, or make remaine alike.


    They fight, and all enter the City.


    Enter certaine Romanes with spoiles.


      1.Rom. This will I carry to Rome


       2.Rom. And I this


       3.Rom. A Murrain on't, I tooke this for Siluer.


    Exeunt.


    Alarum continues still a-farre off.


    Enter Martius, and Titus with a Trumpet.


      Mar. See heere these mouers, that do prize their hours
    At a crack'd Drachme: Cushions, Leaden Spoones,
    Irons of a Doit, Dublets that Hangmen would
    Bury with those that wore them. These base slaues,
    Ere yet the fight be done, packe vp, downe with them.
    And harke, what noyse the Generall makes: To him
    There is the man of my soules hate, Auffidious,
    Piercing our Romanes: Then Valiant Titus take
    Conuenient Numbers to make good the City,
    Whil'st I with those that haue the spirit, wil haste
    To helpe Cominius


       Lar. Worthy Sir, thou bleed'st,
    Thy exercise hath bin too violent,
    For a second course of Fight


       Mar. Sir, praise me not:
    My worke hath yet not warm'd me. Fare you well:
    The blood I drop, is rather Physicall
    Then dangerous to me: To Auffidious thus, I will appear and fight


       Lar. Now the faire Goddesse Fortune,
    Fall deepe in loue with thee, and her great charmes
    Misguide thy Opposers swords, Bold Gentleman:
    Prosperity be thy Page


       Mar. Thy Friend no lesse,
    Then those she placeth highest: So farewell


       Lar. Thou worthiest Martius,
    Go sound thy Trumpet in the Market place,
    Call thither all the Officers a'th' Towne,
    Where they shall know our minde. Away.


    Exeunt.


    Enter Cominius as it were in retire, with soldiers.


      Com. Breath you my friends, wel fought, we are come off,
    Like Romans, neither foolish in our stands,
    Nor Cowardly in retyre: Beleeue me Sirs,
    We shall be charg'd againe. Whiles we haue strooke
    By Interims and conueying gusts, we haue heard
    The Charges of our Friends. The Roman Gods,
    Leade their successes, as we wish our owne,
    That both our powers, with smiling Fronts encountring,
    May giue you thankfull Sacrifice. Thy Newes?
    Enter a Messenger.


      Mess. The Cittizens of Corioles haue yssued,
    And giuen to Lartius and to Martius Battaile:
    I saw our party to their Trenches driuen,
    And then I came away


       Com. Though thou speakest truth,
    Me thinkes thou speak'st not well. How long is't since?
      Mes. Aboue an houre, my Lord


       Com. 'Tis not a mile: briefely we heard their drummes.
    How could'st thou in a mile confound an houre,
    And bring thy Newes so late?
      Mes. Spies of the Volces
    Held me in chace, that I was forc'd to wheele
    Three or foure miles about, else had I sir
    Halfe an houre since brought my report.
    Enter Martius.


      Com. Whose yonder,
    That doe's appeare as he were Flead? O Gods,
    He has the stampe of Martius, and I haue
    Before time seene him thus


       Mar. Come I too late?
      Com. The Shepherd knowes not Thunder fro[m] a Taber,
    More then I know the sound of Martius Tongue
    From euery meaner man


       Martius. Come I too late?
      Com. I, if you come not in the blood of others,
    But mantled in your owne


       Mart. Oh! let me clip ye
    In Armes as sound, as when I woo'd in heart;
    As merry, as when our Nuptiall day was done,
    And Tapers burnt to Bedward


       Com. Flower of Warriors, 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 pittying, threatning th' other;
    Holding Corioles in the name of Rome,
    Euen like a fawning Grey-hound in the Leash,
    To let him slip at will


       Com. Where is that Slaue
    Which told me they had beate you to your Trenches?
    Where is he? Call him hither


       Mar. Let him alone,
    He did informe the truth: but for our Gentlemen,
    The common file, (a plague-Tribunes for them)
    The Mouse ne're shunn'd the Cat, as they did budge
    From Rascals worse then they


       Com. But how preuail'd you?
      Mar. Will the time serue to tell, I do not thinke:
    Where is the enemy? Are you Lords a'th Field?
    If not, why cease you till you are so?
      Com. Martius, we haue at disaduantage fought,
    And did retyre to win our purpose


       Mar. How lies their Battell? Know you on w side
    They haue plac'd their men of trust?
      Com. As I guesse Martius,
    Their Bands i'th Vaward are the Antients
    Of their best trust: O're them Auffidious,
    Their very heart of Hope


       Mar. I do beseech you,
    By all the Battailes wherein we haue fought,
    By th' Blood we haue shed together,
    By th' Vowes we haue made
    To endure Friends, that you directly set me
    Against Affidious, and his Antiats,
    And that you not delay the present (but
    Filling the aire with Swords aduanc'd) and Darts,
    We proue this very houre


       Com. Though I could wish,
    You were conducted to a gentle Bath,
    And Balmes applyed to you, yet dare I neuer
    Deny your asking, take your choice of those
    That best can ayde your action


       Mar. Those are they
    That most are willing; if any such be heere,
    (As it were sinne to doubt) that loue this painting
    Wherein you see me smear'd, if any feare
    Lessen his person, then an ill report:
    If any thinke, braue death out-weighes bad life,
    And that his Countries deerer then himselfe,
    Let him alone: Or so many so minded,
    Waue thus to expresse his disposition,
    And follow Martius.


    They all shout and waue their swords, take him vp in their Armes,
    and cast
    vp their Caps.


    Oh me alone, make you a sword of me:
    If these shewes be not outward, which of you
    But is foure Volces? None of you, but is
    Able to beare against the great Auffidious
    A Shield, as hard as his. A certaine number
    (Though thankes to all) must I select from all:
    The rest shall beare the businesse in some other fight
    (As cause will be obey'd:) please you to March,
    And foure shall quickly draw out my Command,
    Which men are best inclin'd


       Com. March on my Fellowes:
    Make good this ostentation, and you shall
    Diuide in all, with vs.


    Exeunt.


    Titus Lartius, hauing set a guard vpon Carioles, going with Drum
    and
    Trumpet toward Cominius, and Caius Martius, Enters with a
    Lieutenant,
    other Souldiours, and a Scout.


      Lar. So, let the Ports be guarded; keepe your Duties
    As I haue set them downe. If I do send, dispatch
    Those Centuries to our ayd, the rest will serue
    For a short holding, if we loose the Field,
    We cannot keepe the Towne


       Lieu. Feare not our care Sir


       Lart. Hence; and shut your gates vpon's:
    Our Guider come, to th' Roman Campe conduct vs.


    Exit


    Alarum, as in Battaile.


    Enter Martius and Auffidius at seueral doores.


      Mar. Ile fight with none but thee, for I do hate thee
    Worse then a Promise-breaker


       Auffid. We hate alike:
    Not Affricke ownes a Serpent I abhorre
    More then thy Fame and Enuy: Fix thy foot


       Mar. Let the first Budger dye the others Slaue,
    And the Gods doome him after


       Auf. If I flye Martius, hollow me like a Hare


       Mar. Within these three houres Tullus
    Alone I fought in your Corioles walles,
    And made what worke I pleas'd: 'Tis not my blood,
    Wherein thou seest me maskt, for thy Reuenge
    Wrench vp thy power to th' highest


       Auf. Wer't thou the Hector,
    That was the whip of your bragg'd Progeny,
    Thou should'st not scape me heere.


    Heere they fight, and certaine Volces come in the ayde of Auffi.
    Martius
    fights til they be driuen in breathles.


    Officious and not valiant, you haue sham'd me
    In your condemned Seconds.


    Flourish. Alarum. A Retreat is sounded. Enter at one Doore
    Cominius, with
    the Romanes: At another Doore Martius, with his Arme in a
    Scarfe.


      Com. If I should tell thee o're this thy dayes Worke,
    Thou't not beleeue thy deeds: but Ile report it,
    Where Senators shall mingle teares with smiles,
    Where great Patricians shall attend, and shrug,
    I'th' end admire: where Ladies shall be frighted,
    And gladly quak'd, heare more: where the dull Tribunes,
    That with the fustie Plebeans, hate thine Honors,
    Shall say against their hearts, We thanke the Gods
    Our Rome hath such a Souldier.
    Yet cam'st thou to a Morsell of this Feast,
    Hauing fully din'd before.
    Enter Titus with his Power, from the Pursuit.


      Titus Lartius. Oh Generall:
    Here is the Steed, wee the Caparison:
    Hadst thou beheld-
      Martius. Pray now, no more:
    My Mother, who ha's a Charter to extoll her Bloud,
    When she do's prayse me, grieues me:
    I haue done as you haue done, that's what I can,
    Induc'd as you haue beene, that's for my Countrey:
    He that ha's but effected his good will,
    Hath ouerta'ne mine Act


       Com. You shall not be the Graue of your deseruing,
    Rome must know the value of her owne:
    'Twere a Concealement worse then a Theft,
    No lesse then a Traducement,
    To hide your doings, and to silence that,
    Which to the spire, and top of prayses vouch'd,
    Would seeme but modest: therefore I beseech you,
    In signe of what you are, not to reward
    What you haue done, before our Armie heare me


       Martius. I haue some Wounds vpon me, and they smart
    To heare themselues remembred


       Com. Should they not:
    Well might they fester 'gainst Ingratitude,
    And tent themselues with death: of all the Horses,
    Whereof we haue ta'ne good, and good store of all,
    The Treasure in this field atchieued, and Citie,
    We render you the Tenth, to be ta'ne forth,
    Before the common distribution,
    At your onely choyse


       Martius. I thanke you Generall:
    But cannot make my heart consent to take
    A Bribe, to pay my Sword: I doe refuse it,
    And stand vpon my common part with those,
    That haue beheld the doing.


    A long flourish. They all cry, Martius, Martius, cast vp their Caps
    and
    Launces: Cominius and Lartius stand bare.


      Mar. May these same Instruments, which you prophane,
    Neuer sound more: when Drums and Trumpets shall
    I'th' field proue flatterers, let Courts and Cities be
    Made all of false-fac'd soothing:
    When Steele growes soft, as the Parasites Silke,
    Let him be made an Ouerture for th' Warres:
    No more I say, for that I haue not wash'd
    My Nose that bled, or foyl'd some debile Wretch,
    Which without note, here's many else haue done,
    You shoot me forth in acclamations hyperbolicall,
    As if I lou'd my little should be dieted
    In prayses, sawc'st with Lyes


       Com. Too modest are you:
    More cruell to your good report, then gratefull
    To vs, that giue you truly: by your patience,
    If 'gainst your selfe you be incens'd, wee'le put you
    (Like one that meanes his proper harme) in Manacles,
    Then reason safely with you: Therefore be it knowne,
    As to vs, to all the World, That Caius Martius
    Weares this Warres Garland: in token of the which,
    My Noble Steed, knowne to the Campe, I giue him,
    With all his trim belonging; and from this time,
    For what he did before Corioles, call him,
    With all th' applause and Clamor of the Hoast,
    Marcus Caius Coriolanus. Beare th' addition Nobly euer?
    Flourish. Trumpets sound, and Drums.


      Omnes. Marcus Caius Coriolanus


       Martius. I will goe wash:
    And when my Face is faire, you shall perceiue
    Whether I blush or no: howbeit, I thanke you,
    I meane to stride your Steed, and at all times
    To vnder-crest your good Addition,
    To th' fairenesse of my power


       Com. So, to our Tent:
    Where ere we doe repose vs, we will write
    To Rome of our successe: you Titus Lartius
    Must to Corioles backe, send vs to Rome
    The best, with whom we may articulate,
    For their owne good, and ours


       Lartius. I shall, my Lord


       Martius. The Gods begin to mocke me:
    I that now refus'd most Princely gifts,
    Am bound to begge of my Lord Generall


       Com. Tak't, 'tis yours: what is't?
      Martius. I sometime lay here in Corioles,
    At a poore mans house: he vs'd me kindly,
    He cry'd to me: I saw him Prisoner:
    But then Auffidius was within my view,
    And Wrath o're-whelm'd my pittie: I request you
    To giue my poore Host freedome


       Com. Oh well begg'd:
    Were he the Butcher of my Sonne, he should
    Be free, as is the Winde: deliuer him, Titus


       Lartius. Martius, his Name


       Martius. By Iupiter forgot:
    I am wearie, yea, my memorie is tyr'd:
    Haue we no Wine here?
      Com. Goe we to our Tent:
    The bloud vpon your Visage dryes, 'tis time
    It should be lookt too: come.


    Exeunt.


    A flourish. Cornets. Enter Tullus Auffidius bloudie, with two or
    three
    Souldiors.


      Auffi. The Towne is ta'ne


       Sould. 'Twill be deliuer'd backe on good Condition


       Auffid. Condition?
    I would I were a Roman, for I cannot,
    Being a Volce, be that I am. Condition?
    What good Condition can a Treatie finde
    I'th' part that is at mercy? fiue times, Martius,
    I haue fought with thee; so often hast thou beat me:
    And would'st doe so, I thinke, should we encounter
    As often as we eate. By th' Elements,
    If ere againe I meet him beard to beard,
    He's mine, or I am his: Mine Emulation
    Hath not that Honor in't it had: For where
    I thought to crush him in an equall Force,
    True Sword to Sword: Ile potche at him some way,
    Or Wrath, or Craft may get him


       Sol. He's the diuell


       Auf. Bolder, though not so subtle: my valors poison'd,
    With onely suff'ring staine by him: for him
    Shall flye out of it selfe, nor sleepe, nor sanctuary,
    Being naked, sicke; nor Phane, nor Capitoll,
    The Prayers of Priests, nor times of Sacrifice:
    Embarquements all of Fury, shall lift vp
    Their rotten Priuiledge, and Custome 'gainst
    My hate to Martius. Where I finde him, were it
    At home, vpon my Brothers Guard, euen there
    Against the hospitable Canon, would I
    Wash my fierce hand in's heart. Go you to th' Citie,
    Learne how 'tis held, and what they are that must
    Be Hostages for Rome


       Soul. Will not you go?
      Auf. I am attended at the Cyprus groue. I pray you
    ('Tis South the City Mils) bring me word thither
    How the world goes: that to the pace of it
    I may spurre on my iourney


       Soul. I shall sir.

    Actus Secundus.



    Enter Menenius with the two Tribunes of the people, Sicinius Brutus.


      Men. The Agurer tels me, wee shall haue Newes to
    night


       Bru. Good or bad?
      Men. Not according to the prayer of the people, for
    they loue not Martius


       Sicin. Nature teaches Beasts to know their Friends


       Men. Pray you, who does the Wolfe loue?
      Sicin. The Lambe


       Men. I, to deuour him, as the hungry Plebeians would
    the Noble Martius


       Bru. He's a Lambe indeed, that baes like a Beare


       Men. Hee's a Beare indeede, that liues like a Lambe.
    You two are old men, tell me one thing that I shall aske
    you


       Both. Well sir


       Men. In what enormity is Martius poore in, that you
    two haue not in abundance?
      Bru. He's poore in no one fault, but stor'd withall


       Sicin. Especially in Pride


       Bru. And topping all others in boasting


       Men. This is strange now: Do you two know, how
    you are censured heere in the City, I mean of vs a'th' right
    hand File, do you?
      Both. Why? how are we censur'd?
      Men. Because you talke of Pride now, will you not
    be angry


       Both. Well, well sir, well


       Men. Why 'tis no great matter: for a very little theefe
    of Occasion, will rob you of a great deale of Patience:
    Giue your dispositions the reines, and bee 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


       Brut. We do it not alone, sir


       Men. I know you can doe very little alone, for your
    helpes are many, or else your actions would growe wondrous
    single: your abilities are to Infant-like, for dooing
    much alone. You talke of Pride: Oh, that you could turn
    your eyes toward the Napes of your neckes, and make
    but an Interiour suruey of your good selues. Oh that you
    could


       Both. What then sir?
      Men. Why then you should discouer a brace of vnmeriting,
    proud, violent, testie Magistrates (alias Fooles)
    as any in Rome


       Sicin. Menenius, you are knowne well enough too


       Men. I am knowne to be a humorous Patritian, and
    one that loues a cup of hot Wine, with not a drop of alaying
    Tiber in't: Said, to be something imperfect in fauouring
    the first complaint, hasty and Tinder-like vppon, to
    triuiall motion: One, that conuerses more with the Buttocke
    of the night, then with the forhead of the morning.
    What I think, I vtter, and spend my malice in my breath.
    Meeting two such Weales men as you are (I cannot call
    you Licurgusses,) if the drinke you giue me, touch my Palat
    aduersly, I make a crooked face at it, I can say, your
    Worshippes haue deliuer'd the matter well, when I finde
    the Asse in compound, with the Maior part of your syllables.
    And though I must be content to beare with those,
    that say you are reuerend graue men, yet they lye deadly,
    that tell you haue good faces, if you see this in the Map
    of my Microcosme, followes it that I am knowne well enough
    too? What harme can your beesome Conspectuities
    gleane out of this Charracter, if I be knowne well enough
    too


       Bru. Come sir come, we know you well enough


       Menen. You know neither mee, your selues, nor any
    thing: you are ambitious, for poore knaues cappes and
    legges: you weare out a good wholesome Forenoone, in
    hearing a cause betweene an Orendge wife, and a Forfetseller,
    and then reiourne the Controuersie of three-pence
    to a second day of Audience. When you are hearing a
    matter betweene party and party, if you chaunce to bee
    pinch'd with the Collike, you make faces like Mummers,
    set vp the bloodie Flagge against all Patience, and
    in roaring for a Chamber-pot, dismisse the Controuersie
    bleeding, the more intangled by your hearing: All the
    peace you make in their Cause, is calling both the parties
    Knaues. You are a payre of strange ones


       Bru. Come, come, you are well vnderstood to bee a
    perfecter gyber for the Table, then a necessary Bencher in
    the Capitoll


       Men. Our very Priests must become Mockers, if they
    shall encounter such ridiculous Subiects as you are, when
    you speake best vnto the purpose. It is not woorth the
    wagging of your Beards, and your Beards deserue not so
    honourable a graue, as to stuffe a Botchers Cushion, or to
    be intomb'd in an Asses Packe-saddle; yet you must bee
    saying, Martius is proud: who in a cheape estimation, is
    worth all your predecessors, since Deucalion, though peraduenture
    some of the best of 'em were hereditarie hangmen.
    Godden to your Worships, more of your conuersation
    would infect my Braine, being the Heardsmen of
    the Beastly Plebeans. I will be bold to take my leaue of
    you.


    Bru. and Scic. Aside.


    Enter Volumnia, Virgilia, and Valeria.


    How now (my as faire as Noble) Ladyes, and the Moone
    were shee Earthly, no Nobler; whither doe you follow
    your Eyes so fast?
      Volum. Honorable Menenius, my Boy Martius approches:
    for the loue of Iuno let's goe


       Menen. Ha? Martius comming home?
      Volum. I, worthy Menenius, and with most prosperous
    approbation


       Menen. Take my Cappe Iupiter, and I thanke thee:
    hoo, Martius comming home?
      2.Ladies. Nay, 'tis true


       Volum. Looke, here's a Letter from him, the State hath
    another, his Wife another, and (I thinke) there's one at
    home for you


       Menen. I will make my very house reele to night:
    A Letter for me?
      Virgil. Yes certaine, there's a Letter for you, I saw't


       Menen. A Letter for me? it giues me an Estate of seuen
    yeeres health; in which time, I will make a Lippe at
    the Physician: The most soueraigne Prescription in Galen,
    is but Emperickqutique; and to this Preseruatiue, of no
    better report then a Horse-drench. Is he not wounded?
    he was wont to come home wounded?
      Virgil. Oh no, no, no


       Volum. Oh, he is wounded, I thanke the Gods for't


       Menen. So doe I too, if it be not too much: brings a
    Victorie in his Pocket? the wounds become him


       Volum. On's Browes: Menenius, hee comes the third
    time home with the Oaken Garland


       Menen. Ha's he disciplin'd Auffidius soundly?
      Volum. Titus Lartius writes, they fought together, but
    Auffidius got off


       Menen. And 'twas time for him too, Ile warrant him
    that: and he had stay'd by him, I would not haue been so
    fiddious'd, for all the Chests in Carioles, and the Gold
    that's in them. Is the Senate possest of this?
      Volum. Good Ladies let's goe. Yes, yes, yes: The
    Senate ha's Letters from the Generall, wherein hee giues
    my Sonne the whole Name of the Warre: he hath in this
    action out-done his former deeds doubly


       Valer. In troth, there's wondrous things spoke of him


       Menen. Wondrous: I, I warrant you, and not without
    his true purchasing


       Virgil. The Gods graunt them true


       Volum. True? pow waw


       Mene. True? Ile be sworne they are true: where is
    hee wounded, God saue your good Worships? Martius
    is comming home: hee ha's more cause to be prowd:
    where is he wounded?
      Volum. Ith' Shoulder, and ith' left Arme: there will be
    large Cicatrices to shew the People, when hee shall stand
    for his place: he receiued in the repulse of Tarquin seuen
    hurts ith' Body


       Mene. One ith' Neck, and two ith' Thigh, there's nine
    that I know


       Volum. Hee had, before this last Expedition, twentie
    fiue Wounds vpon him


       Mene. Now it's twentie seuen; euery gash was an
    Enemies Graue. Hearke, the Trumpets.


    A showt, and flourish.


      Volum. These are the Vshers of Martius:
    Before him, hee carryes Noyse;
    And behinde him, hee leaues Teares:
    Death, that darke Spirit, in's neruie Arme doth lye,
    Which being aduanc'd, declines, and then men dye.


    A Sennet. Trumpets sound. Enter Cominius the Generall, and Titus
    Latius:
    betweene them Coriolanus, crown'd with an Oaken Garland, with
    Captaines and
    Souldiers, and a Herauld.


      Herauld. Know Rome, that all alone Martius did fight
    Within Corioles Gates: where he hath wonne,
    With Fame, a Name to Martius Caius:
    These in honor followes Martius Caius Coriolanus.
    Welcome to Rome, renowned Coriolanus.


    Sound. Flourish.


      All. Welcome to Rome, renowned Coriolanus


       Coriol. No more of this, it does offend my heart: pray
    now no more


       Com. Looke, Sir, your Mother


       Coriol. Oh! you haue, I know, petition'd all the Gods
    for my prosperitie.


    Kneeles.


      Volum. Nay, my good Souldier, vp:
    My gentle Martius, worthy Caius,
    And by deed-atchieuing Honor newly nam'd,
    What is it (Coriolanus) must I call thee?
    But oh, thy Wife


       Corio. My gracious silence, hayle:
    Would'st thou haue laugh'd, had I come Coffin'd home,
    That weep'st to see me triumph? Ah my deare,
    Such eyes the Widowes in Carioles were,
    And Mothers that lacke Sonnes


       Mene. Now the Gods Crowne thee


       Com. And liue you yet? Oh my sweet Lady, pardon


       Volum. I know not where to turne.
    Oh welcome home: and welcome Generall,
    And y'are welcome all


       Mene. A hundred thousand Welcomes:
    I could weepe, and I could laugh,
    I am light, and heauie; welcome:
    A Curse begin at very root on's heart,
    That is not glad to see thee.
    You are three, that Rome should dote on:
    Yet by the faith of men, we haue
    Some old Crab-trees here at home,
    That will not be grafted to your Rallish.
    Yet welcome Warriors:
    Wee call a Nettle, but a Nettle;
    And the faults of fooles, but folly


       Com. Euer right


       Cor. Menenius, euer, euer


       Herauld. Giue way there, and goe on


       Cor. Your Hand, and yours?
    Ere in our owne house I doe shade my Head,
    The good Patricians must be visited,
    From whom I haue receiu'd not onely greetings,
    But with them, change of Honors


       Volum. I haue liued,
    To see inherited my very Wishes,
    And the Buildings of my Fancie:
    Onely there's one thing wanting,
    Which (I doubt not) but our Rome
    Will cast vpon thee


       Cor. Know, good Mother,
    I had rather be their seruant in my way,
    Then sway with them in theirs


       Com. On, to the Capitall.
    Flourish. Cornets.


    Exeunt. in State, as before.


    Enter Brutus and Scicinius


      Bru. All tongues speake of him, and the bleared sights
    Are spectacled to see him. Your pratling Nurse
    Into a rapture lets her Baby crie,
    While she chats him: the Kitchin Malkin pinnes
    Her richest Lockram 'bout her reechie necke,
    Clambring the Walls to eye him:
    Stalls, Bulkes, Windowes, are smother'd vp,
    Leades fill'd, and Ridges hors'd
    With variable Complexions; all agreeing
    In earnestnesse to see him: seld-showne Flamins
    Doe presse among the popular Throngs, and puffe
    To winne a vulgar station: our veyl'd Dames
    Commit the Warre of White and Damaske
    In their nicely gawded Cheekes, toth' wanton spoyle
    Of Phoebus burning Kisses: such a poother,
    As if that whatsoeuer God, who leades him,
    Were slyly crept into his humane powers,
    And gaue him gracefull posture


       Scicin. On the suddaine, I warrant him Consull


       Brutus. Then our Office may, during his power, goe
    sleepe


       Scicin. He cannot temp'rately transport his Honors,
    From where he should begin, and end, but will
    Lose those he hath wonne


       Brutus. In that there's comfort


       Scici. Doubt not,
    The Commoners, for whom we stand, but they
    Vpon their ancient mallice, will forget
    With the least cause, these his new Honors,
    Which that he will giue them, make I as little question,
    As he is prowd to doo't


       Brutus. I heard him sweare,
    Were he to stand for Consull, neuer would he
    Appeare i'th' Market place, nor on him put
    The Naples Vesture of Humilitie,
    Nor shewing (as the manner is) his Wounds
    Toth' People, begge their stinking Breaths


       Scicin. 'Tis right


       Brutus. It was his word:
    Oh he would misse it, rather then carry it,
    But by the suite of the Gentry to him,
    And the desire of the Nobles


       Scicin. I wish no better, then haue him hold that purpose,
    and to put it in execution


       Brutus. 'Tis most like he will


       Scicin. It shall be to him then, as our good wills; a
    sure destruction


       Brutus. So it must fall out
    To him, or our Authorities, for an end.
    We must suggest the People, in what hatred
    He still hath held them: that to's power he would
    Haue made them Mules, silenc'd their Pleaders,
    And dispropertied their Freedomes; holding them,
    In humane Action, and Capacitie,
    Of no more Soule, nor fitnesse for the World,
    Then Cammels in their Warre, who haue their Prouand
    Onely for bearing Burthens, and sore blowes
    For sinking vnder them


       Scicin. This (as you say) suggested,
    At some time, when his soaring Insolence
    Shall teach the People, which time shall not want,
    If he be put vpon't, and that's as easie,
    As to set Dogges on Sheepe, will be his fire
    To kindle their dry Stubble: and their Blaze
    Shall darken him for euer.
    Enter a Messenger.


      Brutus. What's the matter?
      Mess. You are sent for to the Capitoll:
    'Tis thought, that Martius shall be Consull:
    I haue seene the dumbe men throng to see him,
    And the blind to heare him speak: Matrons flong Gloues,
    Ladies and Maids their Scarffes, and Handkerchers,
    Vpon him as he pass'd: the Nobles bended
    As to Ioues Statue, and the Commons made
    A Shower, and Thunder, with their Caps, and Showts:
    I neuer saw the like


       Brutus. Let's to the Capitoll,
    And carry with vs Eares and Eyes for th' time,
    But Hearts for the euent


       Scicin. Haue with you.


    Exeunt.


    Enter two Officers, to lay Cushions, as it were, in the Capitoll.


      1.Off. Come, come, they are almost here: how many
    stand for Consulships?
      2.Off. Three, they say: but 'tis thought of euery one,
    Coriolanus will carry it


       1.Off. That's a braue fellow: but hee's vengeance
    prowd, and loues not the common people


       2.Off. 'Faith, there hath beene many great men that
    haue flatter'd the people, who ne're loued them; and there
    be many that they haue loued, they know not wherefore:
    so that if they loue they know not why, they hate vpon
    no better a ground. Therefore, for Coriolanus neyther to
    care whether they loue, or hate him, manifests the true
    knowledge he ha's in their disposition, and out of his Noble
    carelesnesse lets them plainely see't


       1.Off. If he did not care whether he had their loue, or
    no, hee waued indifferently, 'twixt doing them neyther
    good, nor harme: but hee seekes their hate with greater
    deuotion, then they can render it him; and leaues nothing
    vndone, that may fully discouer him their opposite. Now
    to seeme to affect the mallice and displeasure of the People,
    is as bad, as that which he dislikes, to flatter them for
    their loue


       2.Off. Hee hath deserued worthily of his Countrey,
    and his assent is not by such easie degrees as those, who
    hauing beene supple and courteous to the People, Bonnetted,
    without any further deed, to haue them at all into
    their estimation, and report: but hee hath so planted his
    Honors in their Eyes, and his actions in their Hearts, that
    for their Tongues to be silent, and not confesse so much,
    were a kinde of ingratefull Iniurie: to report otherwise,
    were a Mallice, that giuing it selfe the Lye, would plucke
    reproofe and rebuke from euery Eare that heard it


       1.Off. No more of him, hee's a worthy man: make
    way, they are comming.


    A Sennet. Enter the Patricians, and the Tribunes of the People,
    Lictors
    before them: Coriolanus, Menenius, Cominius the Consul:
    Scicinius and
    Brutus take their places by themselues: Coriolanus stands.


      Menen. Hauing determin'd of the Volces,
    And to send for Titus Lartius: it remaines,
    As the maine Point of this our after-meeting,
    To gratifie his Noble seruice, that hath
    Thus stood for his Countrey. Therefore please you,
    Most reuerend and graue Elders, to desire
    The present Consull, and last Generall,
    In our well-found Successes, to report
    A little of that worthy Worke, perform'd
    By Martius Caius Coriolanus: whom
    We met here, both to thanke, and to remember,
    With Honors like himselfe


       1.Sen. Speake, good Cominius:
    Leaue nothing out for length, and make vs thinke
    Rather our states defectiue for requitall,
    Then we to stretch it out. Masters a'th' People,
    We doe request your kindest eares: and after
    Your louing motion toward the common Body,
    To yeeld what passes here


       Scicin. We are conuented vpon a pleasing Treatie, and
    haue hearts inclinable to honor and aduance the Theame
    of our Assembly


       Brutus. Which the rather wee shall be blest to doe, if
    he remember a kinder value of the People, then he hath
    hereto priz'd them at


       Menen. That's off, that's off: I would you rather had
    been silent: Please you to heare Cominius speake?
      Brutus. Most willingly: but yet my Caution was
    more pertinent then the rebuke you giue it


       Menen. He loues your People, but tye him not to be
    their Bed-fellow: Worthie Cominius speake.


    Coriolanus rises, and offers to goe away.


    Nay, keepe your place


       Senat. Sit Coriolanus: neuer shame to heare
    What you haue Nobly done


       Coriol. Your Honors pardon:
    I had rather haue my Wounds to heale againe,
    Then heare say how I got them


       Brutus. Sir, I hope my words dis-bench'd you not?
      Coriol. No Sir: yet oft,
    When blowes haue made me stay, I fled from words.
    You sooth'd not, therefore hurt not: but your People,
    I loue them as they weigh-
      Menen. Pray now sit downe


       Corio. I had rather haue one scratch my Head i'th' Sun,
    When the Alarum were strucke, then idly sit
    To heare my Nothings monster'd.
    Exit Coriolanus


      Menen. Masters of the People,
    Your multiplying Spawne, how can he flatter?
    That's thousand to one good one, when you now see
    He had rather venture all his Limbes for Honor,
    Then on ones Eares to heare it. Proceed Cominius


       Com. I shall lacke voyce: the deeds of Coriolanus
    Should not be vtter'd feebly: it is held,
    That Valour is the chiefest Vertue,
    And most dignifies the hauer: if it be,
    The man I speake of, cannot in the World
    Be singly counter-poys'd. At sixteene yeeres,
    When Tarquin made a Head for Rome, he fought
    Beyond the marke of others: our then Dictator,
    Whom with all prayse I point at, saw him fight,
    When with his Amazonian Shinne he droue
    The brizled Lippes before him: he bestrid
    An o're-prest Roman, and i'th' Consuls view
    Slew three Opposers: Tarquins selfe he met,
    And strucke him on his Knee: in that dayes feates,
    When he might act the Woman in the Scene,
    He prou'd best man i'th' field, and for his meed
    Was Brow-bound with the Oake. His Pupill age
    Man-entred thus, he waxed like a Sea,
    And in the brunt of seuenteene Battailes since,
    He lurcht all Swords of the Garland: for this last,
    Before, and in Corioles, let me say
    I cannot speake him home: he stopt the flyers,
    And by his rare example made the Coward
    Turne terror into sport: as Weeds before
    A Vessell vnder sayle, so men obey'd,
    And fell below his Stem: his Sword, Deaths stampe,
    Where it did marke, it tooke from face to foot:
    He was a thing of Blood, whose euery motion
    Was tim'd with dying Cryes: alone he entred
    The mortall Gate of th' Citie, which he painted
    With shunlesse destinie: aydelesse came off,
    And with a sudden re-inforcement strucke
    Carioles like a Planet: now all's his,
    When by and by the dinne of Warre gan pierce
    His readie sence: then straight his doubled spirit
    Requickned what in flesh was fatigate,
    And to the Battaile came he, where he did
    Runne reeking o're the liues of men, as if 'twere
    A perpetuall spoyle: and till we call'd
    Both Field and Citie ours, he neuer stood
    To ease his Brest with panting


       Menen. Worthy man


       Senat. He cannot but with measure fit the Honors
    which we deuise him


       Com. Our spoyles he kickt at,
    And look'd vpon things precious, as they were
    The common Muck of the World: he couets lesse
    Then Miserie it selfe would giue, rewards his deeds
    With doing them, and is content
    To spend the time, to end it


       Menen. Hee's right Noble, let him be call'd for


       Senat. Call Coriolanus


       Off. He doth appeare.
    Enter Coriolanus.


      Menen. The Senate, Coriolanus, are well pleas'd to make
    thee Consull


       Corio. I doe owe them still my Life, and Seruices


       Menen. It then remaines, that you doe speake to the
    People


       Corio. I doe beseech you,
    Let me o're-leape that custome: for I cannot
    Put on the Gowne, stand naked, and entreat them
    For my Wounds sake, to giue their sufferage:
    Please you that I may passe this doing


       Scicin. Sir, the People must haue their Voyces,
    Neyther will they bate one iot of Ceremonie


       Menen. Put them not too't:
    Pray you goe fit you to the Custome,
    And take to you, as your Predecessors haue,
    Your Honor with your forme


       Corio. It is a part that I shall blush in acting,
    And might well be taken from the People


       Brutus. Marke you that


       Corio. To brag vnto them, thus I did, and thus
    Shew them th' vnaking Skarres, which I should hide,
    As if I had receiu'd them for the hyre
    Of their breath onely


       Menen. Doe not stand vpon't:
    We recommend to you Tribunes of the People
    Our purpose to them, and to our Noble Consull
    Wish we all Ioy, and Honor


       Senat. To Coriolanus come all ioy and Honor.
    Flourish Cornets. Then Exeunt. Manet Sicinius and Brutus.


      Bru. You see how he intends to vse the people


       Scicin. May they perceiue's intent: he wil require them
    As if he did contemne what he requested,
    Should be in them to giue


       Bru. Come, wee'l informe them
    Of our proceedings heere on th' Market place,
    I know they do attend vs.
    Enter seuen or eight Citizens.


      1.Cit. Once if he do require our voyces, wee ought
    not to deny him


       2.Cit. We may Sir if we will


       3.Cit. We haue power in our selues to do it, but it is
    a power that we haue no power to do: For, if hee shew vs
    his wounds, and tell vs his deeds, we are to put our tongues
    into those wounds, and speake for them: So if he tel
    vs his Noble deeds, we must also tell him our Noble acceptance
    of them. Ingratitude is monstrous, and for the
    multitude to be ingratefull, were to make a Monster of
    the multitude; of the which, we being members, should
    bring our selues to be monstrous members


       1.Cit. And to make vs no better thought of a little
    helpe will serue: for once we stood vp about the Corne,
    he himselfe stucke not to call vs the many-headed Multitude


       3.Cit. We haue beene call'd so of many, not that our
    heads are some browne, some blacke, some Abram, some
    bald; but that our wits are so diuersly Coulord; and truely
    I thinke, if all our wittes were to issue out of one Scull,
    they would flye East, West, North, South, and their consent
    of one direct way, should be at once to all the points
    a'th Compasse


       2.Cit. Thinke you so? Which way do you iudge my
    wit would flye


       3.Cit. Nay your wit will not so soone out as another
    mans will, 'tis strongly wadg'd vp in a blocke-head: but
    if it were at liberty, 'twould sure Southward


       2 Cit. Why that way?
      3 Cit. To loose it selfe in a Fogge, where being three
    parts melted away with rotten Dewes, the fourth would
    returne for Conscience sake, to helpe to get thee a Wife


       2 Cit. You are neuer without your trickes, you may,
    you may


       3 Cit. Are you all resolu'd to giue your voyces? But
    that's no matter, the greater part carries it, I say. If hee
    would incline to the people, there was neuer a worthier
    man.
    Enter Coriolanus in a gowne of Humility, with Menenius.


    Heere he comes, and in the Gowne of humility, marke
    his behauiour: we are not to stay altogether, but to come
    by him where he stands, by ones, by twoes, &by threes.
    He's to make his requests by particulars, wherein euerie
    one of vs ha's a single Honor, in giuing him our own voices
    with our owne tongues, therefore follow me, and Ile
    direct you how you shall go by him


       All. Content, content


       Men. Oh Sir, you are not right: haue you not knowne
    The worthiest men haue done't?
      Corio. What must I say, I pray Sir?
    Plague vpon't, I cannot bring
    My tongue to such a pace. Looke Sir, my wounds,
    I got them in my Countries Seruice, when
    Some certaine of your Brethren roar'd, and ranne
    From th' noise of our owne Drummes


       Menen. Oh me the Gods, you must not speak of that,
    You must desire them to thinke vpon you


       Coriol. Thinke vpon me? Hang 'em,
    I would they would forget me, like the Vertues
    Which our Diuines lose by em


       Men. You'l marre all,
    Ile leaue you: Pray you speake to em, I pray you
    In wholsome manner.


    Exit


    Enter three of the Citizens.


      Corio. Bid them wash their Faces,
    And keepe their teeth cleane: So, heere comes a brace,
    You know the cause (Sir) of my standing heere


       3 Cit. We do Sir, tell vs what hath brought you too't


       Corio. Mine owne desert


       2 Cit. Your owne desert


       Corio. I, but mine owne desire


       3 Cit. How not your owne desire?
      Corio. No Sir, 'twas neuer my desire yet to trouble the
    poore with begging


       3 Cit. You must thinke if we giue you any thing, we
    hope to gaine by you


       Corio. Well then I pray, your price a'th' Consulship


       1 Cit. The price is, to aske it kindly


       Corio. Kindly sir, I pray let me ha't: I haue wounds to
    shew you, which shall bee yours in priuate: your good
    voice sir, what say you?
      2 Cit. You shall ha't worthy Sir


       Corio. A match Sir, there's in all two worthie voyces
    begg'd: I haue your Almes, Adieu


       3 Cit. But this is something odde


       2 Cit. And 'twere to giue againe: but 'tis no matter.


    Exeunt. Enter two other Citizens.


      Coriol. Pray you now, if it may stand with the tune
    of your voices, that I may bee Consull, I haue heere the
    Customarie Gowne


       1. You haue deserued Nobly of your Countrey, and
    you haue not deserued Nobly


       Coriol. Your aenigma


       1. You haue bin a scourge to her enemies, you haue
    bin a Rod to her Friends, you haue not indeede loued the
    Common people


       Coriol. You should account mee the more Vertuous,
    that I haue not bin common in my Loue, I will sir flatter
    my sworne Brother the people to earne a deerer estimation
    of them, 'tis a condition they account gentle: &since
    the wisedome of their choice, is rather to haue my Hat,
    then my Heart, I will practice the insinuating nod, and be
    off to them most counterfetly, that is sir, I will counterfet
    the bewitchment of some popular man, and giue it
    bountifull to the desirers: Therefore beseech you, I may
    be Consull


       2. Wee hope to finde you our friend: and therefore
    giue you our voices heartily


       1. You haue receyued many wounds for your Countrey


       Coriol. I wil not Seale your knowledge with shewing
    them. I will make much of your voyces, and so trouble
    you no farther


       Both. The Gods giue you ioy Sir heartily


       Coriol. Most sweet Voyces:
    Better it is to dye, better to sterue,
    Then craue the higher, which first we do deserue.
    Why in this Wooluish tongue should I stand heere,
    To begge of Hob and Dicke, that does appeere
    Their needlesse Vouches: Custome calls me too't.
    What Custome wills in all things, should we doo't?
    The Dust on antique Time would lye vnswept,
    And mountainous Error be too highly heapt,
    For Truth to o're-peere. Rather then foole it so,
    Let the high Office and the Honor go
    To one that would doe thus. I am halfe through,
    The one part suffered, the other will I doe.
    Enter three Citizens more.


    Here come moe Voyces.
    Your Voyces? for your Voyces I haue sought,
    Watcht for your Voyces: for your Voyces, beare
    Of Wounds, two dozen odde: Battailes thrice six
    I haue seene, and heard of: for your Voyces,
    Haue done many things, some lesse, some more:
    Your Voyces? Indeed I would be Consull


       1.Cit. Hee ha's done Nobly, and cannot goe without
    any honest mans Voyce


       2.Cit. Therefore let him be Consull: the Gods giue him
    ioy, and make him good friend to the People


       All. Amen, Amen. God saue thee, Noble Consull


       Corio. Worthy Voyces.
    Enter Menenius, with Brutus and Scicinius.


      Mene. You haue stood your Limitation:
    And the Tribunes endue you with the Peoples Voyce,
    Remaines, that in th' Officiall Markes inuested,
    You anon doe meet the Senate


       Corio. Is this done?
      Scicin. The Custome of Request you haue discharg'd:
    The People doe admit you, and are summon'd
    To meet anon, vpon your approbation


       Corio. Where? at the Senate-house?
      Scicin. There, Coriolanus


       Corio. May I change these Garments?
      Scicin. You may, Sir


       Cori. That Ile straight do: and knowing my selfe again,
    Repayre toth' Senatehouse


       Mene. Ile keepe you company. Will you along?
      Brut. We stay here for the People


       Scicin. Fare you well.


    Exeunt. Coriol. and Mene.


    He ha's it now: and by his Lookes, me thinkes,
    'Tis warme at's heart


       Brut. With a prowd heart he wore his humble Weeds:
    Will you dismisse the People?
    Enter the Plebeians.


      Scici. How now, my Masters, haue you chose this man?
      1.Cit. He ha's our Voyces, Sir


       Brut. We pray the Gods, he may deserue your loues


       2.Cit. Amen, Sir: to my poore vnworthy notice,
    He mock'd vs, when he begg'd our Voyces


       3.Cit. Certainely, he flowted vs downe-right


       1.Cit. No, 'tis his kind of speech, he did not mock vs


       2.Cit. Not one amongst vs, saue your selfe, but sayes
    He vs'd vs scornefully: he should haue shew'd vs
    His Marks of Merit, Wounds receiu'd for's Countrey


       Scicin. Why so he did, I am sure


       All. No, no: no man saw 'em


       3.Cit. Hee said hee had Wounds,
    Which he could shew in priuate:
    And with his Hat, thus wauing it in scorne,
    I would be Consull, sayes he: aged Custome,
    But by your Voyces, will not so permit me.
    Your Voyces therefore: when we graunted that,
    Here was, I thanke you for your Voyces, thanke you
    Your most sweet Voyces: now you haue left your Voyces,
    I haue no further with you. Was not this mockerie?
      Scicin. Why eyther were you ignorant to see't?
    Or seeing it, of such Childish friendlinesse,
    To yeeld your Voyces?
      Brut. Could you not haue told him,
    As you were lesson'd: When he had no Power,
    But was a pettie seruant to the State,
    He was your Enemie, euer spake against
    Your Liberties, and the Charters that you beare
    I'th' Body of the Weale: and now arriuing
    A place of Potencie, and sway o'th' State,
    If he should still malignantly remaine
    Fast Foe toth' Plebeij, your Voyces might
    Be Curses to your selues. You should haue said,
    That as his worthy deeds did clayme no lesse
    Then what he stood for: so his gracious nature
    Would thinke vpon you, for your Voyces,
    And translate his Mallice towards you, into Loue,
    Standing your friendly Lord


       Scicin. Thus to haue said,
    As you were fore-aduis'd, had toucht his Spirit,
    And try'd his Inclination: from him pluckt
    Eyther his gracious Promise, which you might
    As cause had call'd you vp, haue held him to;
    Or else it would haue gall'd his surly nature,
    Which easily endures not Article,
    Tying him to ought, so putting him to Rage,
    You should haue ta'ne th' aduantage of his Choller,
    And pass'd him vnelected


       Brut. Did you perceiue,
    He did sollicite you in free Contempt,
    When he did need your Loues: and doe you thinke,
    That his Contempt shall not be brusing to you,
    When he hath power to crush? Why, had your Bodyes
    No Heart among you? Or had you Tongues, to cry
    Against the Rectorship of Iudgement?
      Scicin. Haue you, ere now, deny'd the asker:
    And now againe, of him that did not aske, but mock,
    Bestow your su'd-for Tongues?
      3.Cit. Hee's not confirm'd, we may deny him yet


       2.Cit. And will deny him:
    Ile haue fiue hundred Voyces of that sound


       1.Cit. I twice fiue hundred, &their friends, to piece 'em


       Brut. Get you hence instantly, and tell those friends,
    They haue chose a Consull, that will from them take
    Their Liberties, make them of no more Voyce
    Then Dogges, that are as often beat for barking,
    As therefore kept to doe so


       Scici. Let them assemble: and on a safer Iudgement,
    All reuoke your ignorant election: Enforce his Pride,
    And his old Hate vnto you: besides, forget not
    With what Contempt he wore the humble Weed,
    How in his Suit he scorn'd you: but your Loues,
    Thinking vpon his Seruices, tooke from you
    Th' apprehension of his present portance,
    Which most gibingly, vngrauely, he did fashion
    After the inueterate Hate he beares you


       Brut. Lay a fault on vs, your Tribunes,
    That we labour'd (no impediment betweene)
    But that you must cast your Election on him


       Scici. Say you chose him, more after our commandment,
    Then as guided by your owne true affections, and that
    Your Minds pre-occupy'd with what you rather must do,
    Then what you should, made you against the graine
    To Voyce him Consull. Lay the fault on vs


       Brut. I, spare vs not: Say, we read Lectures to you,
    How youngly he began to serue his Countrey,
    How long continued, and what stock he springs of,
    The Noble House o'th'Martians: from whence came
    That Ancus Martius, Numaes Daughters Sonne:
    Who after great Hostilius here was King,
    Of the same House Publius and Quintus were,
    That our best Water, brought by Conduits hither,
    And Nobly nam'd, so twice being Censor,
    Was his great Ancestor


       Scicin. 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 haue found,
    Skaling his present bearing with his past,
    That hee's your fixed enemie; and reuoke
    Your suddaine approbation


       Brut. Say you ne're had don't,
    (Harpe on that still) but by our putting on:
    And presently, when you haue drawne your number,
    Repaire toth' Capitoll


       All. We will so: almost all repent in their election.


    Exeunt. Plebeians.


      Brut. Let them goe on:
    This Mutinie were better put in hazard,
    Then stay past doubt, for greater:
    If, as his nature is, he fall in rage
    With their refusall, both obserue and answer
    The vantage of his anger


       Scicin. Toth' Capitoll, come:
    We will be there before the streame o'th' People:
    And this shall seeme, as partly 'tis, their owne,
    Which we haue goaded on-ward.


    Exeunt.


    Actus Tertius.


    Cornets. Enter Coriolanus, Menenius, all the Gentry, Cominius,
    Titus
    Latius, and other Senators.


      Corio. Tullus Auffidius then had made new head


       Latius. He had, my Lord, and that it was which caus'd
    Our swifter Composition


       Corio. So then the Volces stand but as at first,
    Readie when time shall prompt them, to make roade
    Vpon's againe


       Com. They are worne (Lord Consull) so,
    That we shall hardly in our ages see
    Their Banners waue againe


       Corio. Saw you Auffidius?
      Latius. On safegard he came to me, and did curse
    Against the Volces, for they had so vildly
    Yeelded the Towne: he is retyred to Antium


       Corio. Spoke he of me?
      Latius. He did, my Lord


       Corio. How? what?
      Latius. How often he had met you Sword to Sword:
    That of all things vpon the Earth, he hated
    Your person most: That he would pawne his fortunes
    To hopelesse restitution, so he might
    Be call'd your Vanquisher


       Corio. At Antium liues he?
      Latius. At Antium


       Corio. I wish I had a cause to seeke him there,
    To oppose his hatred fully. Welcome home.
    Enter Scicinius and Brutus.


    Behold, these are the Tribunes of the People,
    The Tongues o'th' Common Mouth. I do despise them:
    For they doe pranke them in Authoritie,
    Against all Noble sufferance


       Scicin. Passe no further


       Cor. Hah? what is that?
      Brut. It will be dangerous to goe on- No further


       Corio. What makes this change?
      Menen. The matter?
      Com. Hath he not pass'd the Noble, and the Common?
      Brut. Cominius, no


       Corio. Haue I had Childrens Voyces?
      Senat. Tribunes giue way, he shall toth' Market place


       Brut. The People are incens'd against him


       Scicin. Stop, or all will fall in broyle


       Corio. Are these your Heard?
    Must these haue Voyces, that can yeeld them now,
    And straight disclaim their toungs? what are your Offices?
    You being their Mouthes, why rule you not their Teeth?
    Haue you not set them on?
      Mene. Be calme, be calme


       Corio. It is a purpos'd thing, and growes by Plot,
    To curbe the will of the Nobilitie:
    Suffer't, and liue with such as cannot rule,
    Nor euer will be ruled


       Brut. Call't not a Plot:
    The People cry you mockt them: and of late,
    When Corne was giuen them gratis, you repin'd,
    Scandal'd the Suppliants: for the People, call'd them
    Time-pleasers, flatterers, foes to Noblenesse


       Corio. Why this was knowne before


       Brut. Not to them all


       Corio. Haue you inform'd them sithence?
      Brut. How? I informe them?
      Com. You are like to doe such businesse


       Brut. Not vnlike each way to better yours


       Corio. Why then should I be Consull? by yond Clouds
    Let me deserue so ill as you, and make me
    Your fellow Tribune


       Scicin. You shew too much of that,
    For which the People stirre: if you will passe
    To where you are bound, you must enquire your way,
    Which you are out of, with a gentler spirit,
    Or neuer be so Noble as a Consull,
    Nor yoake with him for Tribune


       Mene. Let's be calme


       Com. The People are abus'd: set on, this paltring
    Becomes not Rome: nor ha's Coriolanus
    Deseru'd this so dishonor'd Rub, layd falsely
    I'th' plaine Way of his Merit


       Corio. Tell me of Corne: this was my speech,
    And I will speak't againe


       Mene. Not now, not now


       Senat. Not in this heat, Sir, now


       Corio. Now as I liue, I will.
    My Nobler friends, I craue their pardons:
    For the mutable ranke-sented Meynie,
    Let them regard me, as I doe not flatter,
    And therein behold themselues: I say againe,
    In soothing them, we nourish 'gainst our Senate
    The Cockle of Rebellion, Insolence, Sedition,
    Which we our selues haue plowed for, sow'd, &scatter'd,
    By mingling them with vs, the honor'd Number,
    Who lack not Vertue, no, nor Power, but that
    Which they haue giuen to Beggers


       Mene. Well, no more


       Senat. No more words, we beseech you


       Corio. How? no more?
    As for my Country, I haue shed my blood,
    Not fearing outward force: So shall my Lungs
    Coine words till their decay, against those Meazels
    Which we disdaine should Tetter vs, yet sought
    The very way to catch them


       Bru. You speake a'th' people, as if you were a God,
    To punish; Not a man, of their Infirmity


       Sicin. 'Twere well we let the people know't


       Mene. What, what? His Choller?
      Cor. Choller? Were I as patient as the midnight sleep,
    By Ioue, 'twould be my minde


       Sicin. It is a minde that shall remain a poison
    Where it is: not poyson any further


       Corio. Shall remaine?
    Heare you this Triton of the Minnoues? Marke you
    His absolute Shall?
      Com. 'Twas from the Cannon


       Cor. Shall? O God! but most vnwise Patricians: why
    You graue, but wreaklesse Senators, haue you thus
    Giuen Hidra heere to choose an Officer,
    That with his peremptory Shall, being but
    The horne, and noise o'th' Monsters, wants not spirit
    To say, hee'l turne your Current in a ditch,
    And make your Channell his? If he haue power,
    Then vale your Ignorance: If none, awake
    Your dangerous Lenity: If you are Learn'd,
    Be not as common Fooles; if you are not,
    Let them haue Cushions by you. You are Plebeians,
    If they be Senators: and they are no lesse,
    When both your voices blended, the great'st taste
    Most pallates theirs. They choose their Magistrate,
    And such a one as he, who puts his Shall,
    His popular Shall, against a grauer Bench
    Then euer frown'd in Greece. By Ioue himselfe,
    It makes the Consuls base; and my Soule akes
    To know, when two Authorities are vp,
    Neither Supreame; How soone Confusion
    May enter 'twixt the gap of Both, and take
    The one by th' other


       Com. Well, on to'th' Market place


       Corio. Who euer gaue that Counsell, to giue forth
    The Corne a'th' Store-house gratis, as 'twas vs'd
    Sometime in Greece


       Mene. Well, well, no more of that


       Cor. Thogh there the people had more absolute powre
    I say they norisht disobedience: fed, the ruin of the State


       Bru. Why shall the people giue
    One that speakes thus, their voyce?
      Corio. Ile giue my Reasons,
    More worthier then their Voyces. They know the Corne
    Was not our recompence, resting well assur'd
    They ne're did seruice for't; being prest to'th' Warre,
    Euen when the Nauell of the State was touch'd,
    They would not thred the Gates: This kinde of Seruice
    Did not deserue Corne gratis. Being i'th' Warre,
    There Mutinies and Reuolts, wherein they shew'd
    Most Valour spoke not for them. Th' Accusation
    Which they haue often made against the Senate,
    All cause vnborne, could neuer be the Natiue
    Of our so franke Donation. Well, what then?
    How shall this Bosome-multiplied, digest
    The Senates Courtesie? Let deeds expresse
    What's like to be their words, We did request it,
    We are the greater pole, and in true feare
    They gaue vs our demands. Thus we debase
    The Nature of our Seats, and make the Rabble
    Call our Cares, Feares; which will in time
    Breake ope the Lockes a'th' Senate, and bring in
    The Crowes to pecke the Eagles


       Mene. Come enough


       Bru. Enough, with ouer measure


       Corio. No, take more.
    What may be sworne by, both Diuine and Humane,
    Seale what I end withall. This double worship,
    Whereon part do's disdaine with cause, the other
    Insult without all reason: where Gentry, Title, wisedom
    Cannot conclude, but by the yea and no
    Of generall Ignorance, it must omit
    Reall Necessities, and giue way the while
    To vnstable Slightnesse. Purpose so barr'd, it followes,
    Nothing is done to purpose. Therefore beseech you,
    You that will be lesse fearefull, then discreet,
    That loue the Fundamentall part of State
    More then you doubt the change on't: That preferre
    A Noble life, before a Long, and Wish,
    To iumpe a Body with a dangerous Physicke,
    That's sure of death without it: at once plucke out
    The Multitudinous Tongue, let them not licke
    The sweet which is their poyson. Your dishonor
    Mangles true iudgement, and bereaues the State
    Of that Integrity which should becom't:
    Not hauing the power to do the good it would
    For th' ill which doth controul't


       Bru. Has said enough


       Sicin. Ha's spoken like a Traitor, and shall answer
    As Traitors do


       Corio. Thou wretch, despight ore-whelme thee:
    What should the people do with these bald Tribunes?
    On whom depending, their obedience failes
    To'th' greater Bench, in a Rebellion:
    When what's not meet, but what must be, was Law,
    Then were they chosen: in a better houre,
    Let what is meet, be saide it must be meet,
    And throw their power i'th' dust


       Bru. Manifest Treason


       Sicin. This a Consull? No.
    Enter an aedile.


      Bru. The Ediles hoe: Let him be apprehended:
      Sicin. Go call the people, in whose name my Selfe
    Attach thee as a Traitorous Innouator:
    A Foe to'th' publike Weale. Obey I charge thee,
    And follow to thine answer


       Corio. Hence old Goat


       All. Wee'l Surety him


       Com. Ag'd sir, hands off


       Corio. Hence rotten thing, or I shall shake thy bones
    Out of thy Garments


       Sicin. Helpe ye Citizens.
    Enter a rabble of Plebeians with the Aediles.


      Mene. On both sides more respect


       Sicin. Heere's hee, that would take from you all your
    power


       Bru. Seize him Aediles


       All. Downe with him, downe with him


       2 Sen. Weapons, weapons, weapons:


    They all bustle about Coriolanus.


    Tribunes, Patricians, Citizens: what ho:
    Sicinius, Brutus, Coriolanus, Citizens


       All. Peace, peace, peace, stay, hold, peace


       Mene. What is about to be? I am out of Breath,
    Confusions neere, I cannot speake. You, Tribunes
    To'th' people: Coriolanus, patience: Speak good Sicinius


       Scici. Heare me, People peace


       All. Let's here our Tribune: peace, speake, speake,
    speake


       Scici. You are at point to lose your Liberties:
    Martius would haue all from you; Martius,
    Whom late you haue nam'd for Consull


       Mene. Fie, fie, fie, this is the way to kindle, not to
    quench


       Sena. To vnbuild the Citie, and to lay all flat


       Scici. What is the Citie, but the People?
      All. True, the People are the Citie


       Brut. By the consent of all, we were establish'd the
    Peoples Magistrates


       All. You so remaine


       Mene. And so are like to doe


       Com. That is the way to lay the Citie flat,
    To bring the Roofe to the Foundation,
    And burie all, which yet distinctly raunges
    In heapes, and piles of Ruine


       Scici. This deserues Death


       Brut. Or let vs stand to our Authoritie,
    Or let vs lose it: we doe here pronounce,
    Vpon the part o'th' People, in whose power
    We were elected theirs, Martius is worthy
    Of present Death


       Scici. Therefore lay hold of him:
    Beare him toth' Rock Tarpeian, and from thence
    Into destruction cast him


       Brut. aediles seize him


       All Ple. Yeeld Martius, yeeld


       Mene. Heare me one word, 'beseech you Tribunes,
    heare me but a word


       Aediles. Peace, peace


       Mene. Be that you seeme, truly your Countries friend,
    And temp'rately proceed to what you would
    Thus violently redresse


       Brut. Sir, those cold wayes,
    That seeme like prudent helpes, are very poysonous,
    Where the Disease is violent. Lay hands vpon him,
    And beare him to the Rock.


    Corio. drawes his Sword.


      Corio. No, Ile die here:
    There's some among you haue beheld me fighting,
    Come trie vpon your selues, what you haue seene me


       Mene. Downe with that Sword, Tribunes withdraw
    a while


       Brut. Lay hands vpon him


       Mene. Helpe Martius, helpe: you that be noble, helpe
    him young and old


       All. Downe with him, downe with him.


    Exeunt.


    In this Mutinie, the Tribunes, the aediles, and the People are beat
    in.


      Mene. Goe, get you to our House: be gone, away.
    All will be naught else


       2.Sena. Get you gone


       Com. Stand fast, we haue as many friends as enemies


       Mene. Shall it be put to that?
      Sena. The Gods forbid:
    I prythee noble friend, home to thy House,
    Leaue vs to cure this Cause


       Mene. For 'tis a Sore vpon vs,
    You cannot Tent your selfe: be gone, 'beseech you


       Corio. Come Sir, along with vs


       Mene. I would they were Barbarians, as they are,
    Though in Rome litter'd: not Romans, as they are not,
    Though calued i'th' Porch o'th' Capitoll:
    Be gone, put not your worthy Rage into your Tongue,
    One time will owe another


       Corio. On faire ground, I could beat fortie of them


       Mene. I could my selfe take vp a Brace o'th' best of
    them, yea, the two Tribunes


       Com. But now 'tis oddes beyond Arithmetick,
    And Manhood is call'd Foolerie, when it stands
    Against a falling Fabrick. Will you hence,
    Before the Tagge returne? whose Rage doth rend
    Like interrupted Waters, and o're-beare
    What they are vs'd to beare


       Mene. Pray you be gone:
    Ile trie whether my old Wit be in request
    With those that haue but little: this must be patcht
    With Cloth of any Colour


       Com. Nay, come away.


    Exeunt. Coriolanus and Cominius.


      Patri. This man ha's marr'd his fortune


       Mene. His nature is too noble for the World:
    He would not flatter Neptune for his Trident,
    Or Ioue, for's power to Thunder: his Heart's his Mouth:
    What his Brest forges, that his Tongue must vent,
    And being angry, does forget that euer
    He heard the Name of Death.


    A Noise within.


    Here's goodly worke


       Patri. I would they were a bed


       Mene. I would they were in Tyber.
    What the vengeance, could he not speake 'em faire?
    Enter Brutus and Sicinius with the rabble againe.


      Sicin. Where is this Viper,
    That would depopulate the city, &be euery man himself
      Mene. You worthy Tribunes


       Sicin. He shall be throwne downe the Tarpeian rock
    With rigorous hands: he hath resisted Law,
    And therefore Law shall scorne him further Triall
    Then the seuerity of the publike Power,
    Which he so sets at naught


       1 Cit. He shall well know the Noble Tribunes are
    The peoples mouths, and we their hands


       All. He shall sure ont


       Mene. Sir, sir


       Sicin. Peace


       Me. Do not cry hauocke, where you shold but hunt
    With modest warrant


       Sicin. Sir, how com'st that you haue holpe
    To make this rescue?
      Mene. Heere me speake? As I do know
    The Consuls worthinesse, so can I name his Faults


       Sicin. Consull? what Consull?
      Mene. The Consull Coriolanus


       Bru. He Consull


       All. No, no, no, no, no


       Mene. If by the Tribunes leaue,
    And yours good people,
    I may be heard, I would craue a word or two,
    The which shall turne you to no further harme,
    Then so much losse of time


       Sic. Speake breefely then,
    For we are peremptory to dispatch
    This Viporous Traitor: to eiect him hence
    Were but one danger, and to keepe him heere
    Our certaine death: therefore it is decreed,
    He dyes to night


       Menen. Now the good Gods forbid,
    That our renowned Rome, whose gratitude
    Towards her deserued Children, is enroll'd
    In Ioues owne Booke, like an vnnaturall Dam
    Should now eate vp her owne


       Sicin. He's a Disease that must be cut away


       Mene. Oh he's a Limbe, that ha's but a Disease
    Mortall, to cut it off: to cure it, easie.
    What ha's he done to Rome, that's worthy death?
    Killing our Enemies, the blood he hath lost
    (Which I dare vouch, is more then that he hath
    By many an Ounce) he dropp'd it for his Country:
    And what is left, to loose it by his Countrey,
    Were to vs all that doo't, and suffer it
    A brand to th' end a'th World


       Sicin. This is cleane kamme


       Brut. Meerely awry:
    When he did loue his Country, it honour'd him


       Menen. The seruice of the foote
    Being once gangren'd, is not then respected
    For what before it was


       Bru. Wee'l heare no more:
    Pursue him to his house, and plucke him thence,
    Least his infection being of catching nature,
    Spred further


       Menen. One word more, one word:
    This Tiger-footed-rage, when it shall find
    The harme of vnskan'd swiftnesse, will (too late)
    Tye Leaden pounds too's heeles. Proceed by Processe,
    Least parties (as he is belou'd) breake out,
    And sacke great Rome with Romanes


       Brut. If it were so?
      Sicin. What do ye talke?
    Haue we not had a taste of his Obedience?
    Our Ediles smot: our selues resisted: come


       Mene. Consider this: He ha's bin bred i'th' Warres
    Since a could draw a Sword, and is ill-school'd
    In boulted Language: Meale and Bran together
    He throwes without distinction. Giue me leaue,
    Ile go to him, and vndertake to bring him in peace,
    Where he shall answer by a lawfull Forme
    (In peace) to his vtmost perill


       1.Sen. Noble Tribunes,
    It is the humane way: the other course
    Will proue to bloody: and the end of it,
    Vnknowne to the Beginning


       Sic. Noble Menenius, be you then as the peoples officer:
    Masters, lay downe your Weapons


       Bru. Go not home


       Sic. Meet on the Market place: wee'l attend you there:
    Where if you bring not Martius, wee'l proceede
    In our first way


       Menen. Ile bring him to you.
    Let me desire your company: he must come,
    Or what is worst will follow


       Sena. Pray you let's to him.


    Exeunt. Omnes.


    Enter Coriolanus with Nobles.


      Corio. Let them pull all about mine eares, present me
    Death on the Wheele, or at wilde Horses heeles,
    Or pile ten hilles on the Tarpeian Rocke,
    That the precipitation might downe stretch
    Below the beame of sight; yet will I still
    Be thus to them.
    Enter Volumnia.


      Noble. You do the Nobler


       Corio. I muse my Mother
    Do's not approue me further, who was wont
    To call them Wollen Vassailes, things created
    To buy and sell with Groats, to shew bare heads
    In Congregations, to yawne, be still, and wonder,
    When one but of my ordinance stood vp
    To speake of Peace, or Warre. I talke of you,
    Why did you wish me milder? Would you haue me
    False to my Nature? Rather say, I play
    The man I am


       Volum. Oh sir, sir, sir,
    I would haue had you put your power well on
    Before you had worne it out


       Corio. Let go


       Vol. You might haue beene enough the man you are,
    With striuing lesse to be so: Lesser had bin
    The things of your dispositions, if
    You had not shew'd them how ye were dispos'd
    Ere they lack'd power to crosse you


       Corio. Let them hang


       Volum. I, and burne too.
    Enter Menenius with the Senators.


      Men. Come, come, you haue bin too rough, somthing
    too rough: you must returne, and mend it


       Sen. There's no remedy,
    Vnlesse by not so doing, our good Citie
    Cleaue in the midd'st, and perish


       Volum. Pray be counsail'd;
    I haue a heart as little apt as yours,
    But yet a braine, that leades my vse of Anger
    To better vantage


       Mene. Well said, Noble woman:
    Before he should thus stoope to'th' heart, but that
    The violent fit a'th' time craues it as Physicke
    For the whole State; I would put mine Armour on,
    Which I can scarsely beare


       Corio. What must I do?
      Mene. Returne to th' Tribunes


       Corio. Well, what then? what then?
      Mene. Repent, what you haue spoke


       Corio. For them, I cannot do it to the Gods,
    Must I then doo't to them?
      Volum. You are too absolute,
    Though therein you can neuer be too Noble,
    But when extremities speake. I haue heard you say,
    Honor and Policy, like vnseuer'd Friends,
    I'th' Warre do grow together: Grant that, and tell me
    In Peace, what each of them by th' other loose,
    That they combine not there?
      Corio. Tush, tush


       Mene. A good demand


       Volum. If it be Honor in your Warres, to seeme
    The same you are not, which for your best ends
    You adopt your policy: How is it lesse or worse
    That it shall hold Companionship in Peace
    With Honour, as in Warre; since that to both
    It stands in like request


       Corio. Why force you this?
      Volum. Because, that
    Now it lyes you on to speake to th' people:
    Not by your owne instruction, nor by'th' matter
    Which your heart prompts you, but with such words
    That are but roated in your Tongue;
    Though but Bastards, and Syllables
    Of no allowance, to your bosomes truth.
    Now, this no more dishonors you at all,
    Then to take in a Towne with gentle words,
    Which else would put you to your fortune, and
    The hazard of much blood.
    I would dissemble with my Nature, where
    My Fortunes and my Friends at stake, requir'd
    I should do so in Honor. I am in this
    Your Wife, your Sonne: These Senators, the Nobles,
    And you, will rather shew our generall Lowts,
    How you can frowne, then spend a fawne vpon 'em,
    For the inheritance of their loues, and safegard
    Of what that want might ruine


       Menen. Noble Lady,
    Come goe with vs, speake faire: you may salue so,
    Not what is dangerous present, but the losse
    Of what is past


       Volum. I prythee now, my Sonne,
    Goe to them, with this Bonnet in thy hand,
    And thus farre hauing stretcht it (here be with them)
    Thy Knee bussing the stones: for in such businesse
    Action is eloquence, and the eyes of th' ignorant
    More learned then the eares, wauing thy head,
    Which often thus correcting thy stout heart,
    Now humble as the ripest Mulberry,
    That will not hold the handling: or say to them,
    Thou art their Souldier, and being bred in broyles,
    Hast not the soft way, which thou do'st confesse
    Were fit for thee to vse, as they to clayme,
    In asking their good loues, but thou wilt frame
    Thy selfe (forsooth) hereafter theirs so farre,
    As thou hast power and person


       Menen. This but done,
    Euen as she speakes, why their hearts were yours:
    For they haue Pardons, being ask'd, as free,
    As words to little purpose


       Volum. Prythee now,
    Goe, and be rul'd: although I know thou hadst rather
    Follow thine Enemie in a fierie Gulfe,
    Then flatter him in a Bower.
    Enter Cominius.


    Here is Cominius


       Com. I haue beene i'th' Market place: and Sir 'tis fit
    You make strong partie, or defend your selfe
    By calmenesse, or by absence: all's in anger


       Menen. Onely faire speech


       Com. I thinke 'twill serue, if he can thereto frame his
    spirit


       Volum. He must, and will:
    Prythee now say you will, and goe about it


       Corio. Must I goe shew them my vnbarb'd Sconce?
    Must I with my base Tongue giue to my Noble Heart
    A Lye, that it must beare well? I will doo't:
    Yet were there but this single Plot, to loose
    This Mould of Martius, they to dust should grinde it,
    And throw't against the Winde. Toth' Market place:
    You haue put me now to such a part, which neuer
    I shall discharge toth' Life


       Com. Come, come, wee'le prompt you


       Volum. I prythee now sweet Son, as thou hast said
    My praises made thee first a Souldier; so
    To haue my praise for this, performe a part
    Thou hast not done before


       Corio. Well, I must doo't:
    Away my disposition, and possesse me
    Some Harlots spirit: My throat of Warre be turn'd,
    Which quier'd with my Drumme into a Pipe,
    Small as an Eunuch, or the Virgin voyce
    That Babies lull a-sleepe: The smiles of Knaues
    Tent in my cheekes, and Schoole-boyes Teares take vp
    The Glasses of my sight: A Beggars Tongue
    Make motion through my Lips, and my Arm'd knees
    Who bow'd but in my Stirrop, bend like his
    That hath receiu'd an Almes. I will not doo't,
    Least I surcease to honor mine owne truth,
    And by my Bodies action, teach my Minde
    A most inherent Basenesse


       Volum. At thy choice then:
    To begge of thee, it is my more dis-honor,
    Then thou of them. Come all to ruine, let
    Thy Mother rather feele thy Pride, then feare
    Thy dangerous Stoutnesse: for I mocke at death
    With as bigge heart as thou. Do as thou list,
    Thy Valiantnesse was mine, thou suck'st it from me:
    But owe thy Pride thy selfe


       Corio. Pray be content:
    Mother, I am going to the Market place:
    Chide me no more. Ile Mountebanke their Loues,
    Cogge their Hearts from them, and come home belou'd
    Of all the Trades in Rome. Looke, I am going:
    Commend me to my Wife, Ile returne Consull,
    Or neuer trust to what my Tongue can do
    I'th way of Flattery further


       Volum. Do your will.


    Exit Volumnia


      Com. Away, the Tribunes do attend you: arm your self
    To answer mildely: for they are prepar'd
    With Accusations, as I heare more strong
    Then are vpon you yet


       Corio. The word is, Mildely. Pray you let vs go,
    Let them accuse me by inuention: I
    Will answer in mine Honor


       Menen. I, but mildely


       Corio. Well mildely be it then, Mildely.


    Exeunt.


    Enter Sicinius and Brutus.


      Bru. In this point charge him home, that he affects
    Tyrannicall power: If he euade vs there,
    Inforce him with his enuy to the people,
    And that the Spoile got on the Antiats
    Was ne're distributed. What, will he come?
    Enter an Edile.


      Edile. Hee's comming


       Bru. How accompanied?
      Edile. With old Menenius, and those Senators
    That alwayes fauour'd him


       Sicin. Haue you a Catalogue
    Of all the Voices that we haue procur'd, set downe by'th Pole?
      Edile. I haue: 'tis ready


       Sicin. Haue you collected them by Tribes?
      Edile. I haue


       Sicin. Assemble presently the people hither:
    And when they heare me say, it shall be so,
    I'th' right and strength a'th' Commons: be it either
    For death, for fine, or Banishment, then let them
    If I say Fine, cry Fine; if Death, cry Death,
    Insisting on the olde prerogatiue
    And power i'th Truth a'th Cause


       Edile. I shall informe them


       Bru. And when such time they haue begun to cry,
    Let them not cease, but with a dinne confus'd
    Inforce the present Execution
    Of what we chance to Sentence


       Edi. Very well


       Sicin. Make them be strong, and ready for this hint
    When we shall hap to giu't them


       Bru. Go about it,
    Put him to Choller straite, he hath bene vs'd
    Euer to conquer, and to haue his worth
    Of contradiction. Being once chaft, he cannot
    Be rein'd againe to Temperance, then he speakes
    What's in his heart, and that is there which lookes
    With vs to breake his necke.
    Enter Coriolanus, Menenius, and Cominius, with others.


      Sicin. Well, heere he comes


       Mene. Calmely, I do beseech you


       Corio. I, as an Hostler, that fourth poorest peece
    Will beare the Knaue by'th Volume:
    Th' honor'd Goddes
    Keepe Rome in safety, and the Chaires of Iustice
    Supplied with worthy men, plant loue amongs
    Through our large Temples with y shewes of peace
    And not our streets with Warre


       1 Sen. Amen, Amen


       Mene. A Noble wish.
    Enter the Edile with the Plebeians.


      Sicin. Draw neere ye people


       Edile. List to your Tribunes. Audience:
    Peace I say


       Corio. First heare me speake


       Both Tri. Well, say: Peace hoe


       Corio. Shall I be charg'd no further then this present?
    Must all determine heere?
      Sicin. I do demand,
    If you submit you to the peoples voices,
    Allow their Officers, and are content
    To suffer lawfull Censure for such faults
    As shall be prou'd vpon you


       Corio. I am Content


       Mene. Lo Citizens, he sayes he is Content.
    The warlike Seruice he ha's done, consider: Thinke
    Vpon the wounds his body beares, which shew
    Like Graues i'th holy Church-yard


       Corio. Scratches with Briars, scarres to moue
    Laughter onely


       Mene. Consider further:
    That when he speakes not like a Citizen,
    You finde him like a Soldier: do not take
    His rougher Actions for malicious sounds:
    But as I say, such as become a Soldier,
    Rather then enuy you


       Com. Well, well, no more


       Corio. What is the matter,
    That being past for Consull with full voyce:
    I am so dishonour'd, that the very houre
    You take it off againe


       Sicin. Answer to vs


       Corio. Say then: 'tis true, I ought so
      Sicin. We charge you, that you haue contriu'd to take
    From Rome all season'd Office, and to winde
    Your selfe into a power tyrannicall,
    For which you are a Traitor to the people


       Corio. How? Traytor?
      Mene. Nay temperately: your promise


       Corio. The fires i'th' lowest hell. Fould in the people:
    Call me their Traitor, thou iniurious Tribune.
    Within thine eyes sate twenty thousand deaths
    In thy hands clutcht: as many Millions in
    Thy lying tongue, both numbers. I would say
    Thou lyest vnto thee, with a voice as free,
    As I do pray the Gods


       Sicin. Marke you this people?
      All. To'th' Rocke, to'th' Rocke with him


       Sicin. Peace:
    We neede not put new matter to his charge:
    What you haue seene him do, and heard him speake:
    Beating your Officers, cursing your selues,
    Opposing Lawes with stroakes, and heere defying
    Those whose great power must try him.
    Euen this so criminall, and in such capitall kinde
    Deserues th' extreamest death


       Bru. But since he hath seru'd well for Rome


       Corio. What do you prate of Seruice


       Brut. I talke of that, that know it


       Corio. You?
      Mene. Is this the promise that you made your mother


       Com. Know, I pray you


       Corio. Ile know no further:
    Let them pronounce the steepe Tarpeian death,
    Vagabond exile, Fleaing, pent to linger
    But with a graine a day, I would not buy
    Their mercie, at the price of one faire word,
    Nor checke my Courage for what they can giue,
    To haue't with saying, Good morrow


       Sicin. For that he ha's
    (As much as in him lies) from time to time
    Enui'd against the people; seeking meanes
    To plucke away their power: as now at last,
    Giuen Hostile strokes, and that not in the presence
    Of dreaded Iustice, but on the Ministers
    That doth distribute it. In the name a'th' people,
    And in the power of vs the Tribunes, wee
    (Eu'n from this instant) banish him our Citie
    In perill of precipitation
    From off the Rocke Tarpeian, neuer more
    To enter our Rome gates. I'th' Peoples name,
    I say it shall bee so


       All. It shall be so, it shall be so: let him away:
    Hee's banish'd, and it shall be so


       Com. Heare me my Masters, and my common friends


       Sicin. He's sentenc'd: No more hearing


       Com. Let me speake:
    I haue bene Consull, and can shew from Rome
    Her Enemies markes vpon me. I do loue
    My Countries good, with a respect more tender,
    More holy, and profound, then mine owne life,
    My deere Wiues estimate, her wombes encrease,
    And treasure of my Loynes: then if I would
    Speake that


       Sicin. We know your drift. Speake what?
      Bru. There's no more to be said, but he is banish'd
    As Enemy to the people, and his Countrey.
    It shall bee so


       All. It shall be so, it shall be so


       Corio. You common cry of Curs, whose breath I hate,
    As reeke a'th' rotten Fennes: whose Loues I prize,
    As the dead Carkasses of vnburied men,
    That do corrupt my Ayre: I banish you,
    And heere remaine with your vncertaintie.
    Let euery feeble Rumor shake your hearts:
    Your Enemies, with nodding of their Plumes
    Fan you into dispaire: Haue the power still
    To banish your Defenders, till at length
    Your ignorance (which findes not till it feeles,
    Making but reseruation of your selues,
    Still your owne Foes) deliuer you
    As most abated Captiues, to some Nation
    That wonne you without blowes, despising
    For you the City. Thus I turne my backe;
    There is a world elsewhere.


    Exeunt. Coriolanus, Cominius, with Cumalijs. They all shout, and
    throw vp
    their Caps.


      Edile. The peoples Enemy is gone, is gone


       All. Our enemy is banish'd, he is gone: Hoo, oo


       Sicin. Go see him out at Gates, and follow him
    As he hath follow'd you, with all despight
    Giue him deseru'd vexation. Let a guard
    Attend vs through the City


       All. Come, come, lets see him out at gates, come:
    The Gods preserue our Noble Tribunes, come.


    Exeunt.


    Actus Quartus.


    Enter Coriolanus, Volumnia, Virgilia, Menenius, Cominius, with
    the yong
    Nobility of Rome.


      Corio. Come leaue your teares: a brief farwel: the beast
    With many heads butts me away. Nay Mother,
    Where is your ancient Courage? You were vs'd
    To say, Extreamities was the trier of spirits,
    That common chances. Common men could beare,
    That when the Sea was calme, all Boats alike
    Shew'd Mastership in floating. Fortunes blowes,
    When most strooke home, being gentle wounded, craues
    A Noble cunning. You were vs'd to load me
    With Precepts that would make inuincible
    The heart that conn'd them


       Virg. Oh heauens! O heauens!
      Corio. Nay, I prythee woman


       Vol. Now the Red Pestilence strike al Trades in Rome,
    And Occupations perish


       Corio. What, what, what:
    I shall be lou'd when I am lack'd. Nay Mother,
    Resume that Spirit, when you were wont to say,
    If you had beene the Wife of Hercules,
    Six of his Labours youl'd haue done, and sau'd
    Your Husband so much swet. Cominius,
    Droope not, Adieu: Farewell my Wife, my Mother,
    Ile do well yet. Thou old and true Menenius,
    Thy teares are salter then a yonger mans,
    And venomous to thine eyes. My (sometime) Generall,
    I haue seene the Sterne, and thou hast oft beheld
    Heart-hardning spectacles. Tell these sad women,
    Tis fond to waile ineuitable strokes,
    As 'tis to laugh at 'em. My Mother, you wot well
    My hazards still haue beene your solace, and
    Beleeu't not lightly, though I go alone
    Like to a lonely Dragon, that his Fenne
    Makes fear'd, and talk'd of more then seene: your Sonne
    Will or exceed the Common, or be caught
    With cautelous baits and practice


       Volum. My first sonne,
    Whether will thou go? Take good Cominius
    With thee awhile: Determine on some course
    More then a wilde exposture, to each chance
    That starts i'th' way before thee


       Corio. O the Gods!
      Com. Ile follow thee a Moneth, deuise with thee
    Where thou shalt rest, that thou may'st heare of vs,
    And we of thee. So if the time thrust forth
    A cause for thy Repeale, we shall not send
    O're the vast world, to seeke a single man,
    And loose aduantage, which doth euer coole
    Ith' absence of the needer


       Corio. Fare ye well:
    Thou hast yeares vpon thee, and thou art too full
    Of the warres surfets, to go roue with one
    That's yet vnbruis'd: bring me but out at gate.
    Come my sweet wife, my deerest Mother, and
    My Friends of Noble touch: when I am forth,
    Bid me farewell, and smile. I pray you come:
    While I remaine aboue the ground, you shall
    Heare from me still, and neuer of me ought
    But what is like me formerly


       Menen. That's worthily
    As any eare can heare. Come, let's not weepe,
    If I could shake off but one seuen yeeres
    From these old armes and legges, by the good Gods
    I'ld with thee, euery foot


       Corio. Giue me thy hand, come.


    Exeunt.


    Enter the two Tribunes, Sicinius, and Brutus, with the Edile.


      Sicin. Bid them all home, he's gone: &wee'l no further,
    The Nobility are vexed, whom we see haue sided
    In his behalfe


       Brut. Now we haue shewne our power,
    Let vs seeme humbler after it is done,
    Then when it was a dooing


       Sicin. Bid them home: say their great enemy is gone,
    And they, stand in their ancient strength


       Brut. Dismisse them home. Here comes his Mother.
    Enter Volumnia, Virgilia, and Menenius.


      Sicin. Let's not meet her


       Brut. Why?
      Sicin. They say she's mad


       Brut. They haue tane note of vs: keepe on your way


       Volum. Oh y'are well met:
    Th' hoorded plague a'th' Gods requit your loue


       Menen. Peace, peace, be not so loud


       Volum. If that I could for weeping, you should heare,
    Nay, and you shall heare some. Will you be gone?
      Virg. You shall stay too: I would I had the power
    To say so to my Husband


       Sicin. Are you mankinde?
      Volum. I foole, is that a shame. Note but this Foole,
    Was not a man my Father? Had'st thou Foxship
    To banish him that strooke more blowes for Rome
    Then thou hast spoken words


       Sicin. Oh blessed Heauens!
      Volum. Moe Noble blowes, then euer y wise words.
    And for Romes good, Ile tell thee what: yet goe:
    Nay but thou shalt stay too: I would my Sonne
    Were in Arabia, and thy Tribe before him,
    His good Sword in his hand


       Sicin. What then?
      Virg. When then? Hee'ld make an end of thy posterity
      Volum. Bastards, and all.
    Good man, the Wounds that he does beare for Rome!
      Menen. Come, come, peace


       Sicin. I would he had continued to his Country
    As he began, and not vnknit himselfe
    The Noble knot he made


       Bru. I would he had


       Volum. I would he had? Twas thou incenst the rable.
    Cats, that can iudge as fitly of his worth,
    As I can of those Mysteries which heauen
    Will not haue earth to know


       Brut. Pray let's go


       Volum. Now pray sir get you gone.
    You haue done a braue deede: Ere you go, heare this:
    As farre as doth the Capitoll exceede
    The meanest house in Rome; so farre my Sonne
    This Ladies Husband heere; this (do you see)
    Whom you haue banish'd, does exceed you all


       Bru. Well, well, wee'l leaue you


       Sicin. Why stay we to be baited
    With one that wants her Wits.


    Exit Tribunes.


      Volum. Take my Prayers with you.
    I would the Gods had nothing else to do,
    But to confirme my Cursses. Could I meete 'em
    But once a day, it would vnclogge my heart
    Of what lyes heauy too't


       Mene. You haue told them home,
    And by my troth you haue cause: you'l Sup with me


       Volum. Angers my Meate: I suppe vpon my selfe,
    And so shall sterue with Feeding: come, let's go,
    Leaue this faint-puling, and lament as I do,
    In Anger, Iuno-like: Come, come, come.


    Exeunt.


      Mene. Fie, fie, fie.
    Enter.


    Enter a Roman, and a Volce.


      Rom. I know you well sir, and you know mee: your
    name I thinke is Adrian


       Volce. It is so sir, truly I haue forgot you


       Rom. I am a Roman, and my Seruices are as you are,
    against 'em. Know you me yet


       Volce. Nicanor: no


       Rom. The same sir


       Volce. You had more Beard when I last saw you, but
    your Fauour is well appear'd by your Tongue. What's
    the Newes in Rome: I haue a Note from the Volcean
    state to finde you out there. You haue well saued mee a
    dayes iourney


       Rom. There hath beene in Rome straunge Insurrections:
    The people, against the Senatours, Patricians, and
    Nobles


       Vol. Hath bin; is it ended then? Our State thinks not
    so, they are in a most warlike preparation, &hope to com
    vpon them, in the heate of their diuision
      Rom. The maine blaze of it is past, but a small thing
    would make it flame againe. For the Nobles receyue so
    to heart, the Banishment of that worthy Coriolanus, that
    they are in a ripe aptnesse, to take al power from the people,
    and to plucke from them their Tribunes for euer.
    This lyes glowing I can tell you, and is almost mature for
    the violent breaking out


       Vol. Coriolanus Banisht?
      Rom. Banish'd sir


       Vol. You will be welcome with this intelligence Nicanor


       Rom. The day serues well for them now. I haue heard
    it saide, the fittest time to corrupt a mans Wife, is when
    shee's falne out with her Husband. Your Noble Tullus
    Auffidius will appeare well in these Warres, his great
    Opposer Coriolanus being now in no request of his countrey


       Volce. He cannot choose: I am most fortunate, thus
    accidentally to encounter you. You haue ended my Businesse,
    and I will merrily accompany you home


       Rom. I shall betweene this and Supper, tell you most
    strange things from Rome: all tending to the good of
    their Aduersaries. Haue you an Army ready say you?
      Vol. A most Royall one: The Centurions, and their
    charges distinctly billetted already in th' entertainment,
    and to be on foot at an houres warning


       Rom. I am ioyfull to heare of their readinesse, and am
    the man I thinke, that shall set them in present Action. So
    sir, heartily well met, and most glad of your Company


       Volce. You take my part from me sir, I haue the most
    cause to be glad of yours


       Rom. Well, let vs go together.


    Exeunt.


    Enter Coriolanus in meane Apparrell, disguisd, and muffled.


      Corio. A goodly City is this Antium. Citty,
    'Tis I that made thy Widdowes: Many an heyre
    Of these faire Edifices fore my Warres
    Haue I heard groane, and drop: Then know me not,
    Least that thy Wiues with Spits, and Boyes with stones
    In puny Battell slay me. Saue you sir.
    Enter a Citizen.


      Cit. And you


       Corio. Direct me, if it be your will, where great Auffidius
    lies: Is he in Antium?
      Cit. He is, and Feasts the Nobles of the State, at his
    house this night


       Corio. Which is his house, beseech you?
      Cit. This heere before you


       Corio. Thanke you sir, farewell.


    Exit Citizen


    Oh World, thy slippery turnes! Friends now fast sworn,
    Whose double bosomes seemes to weare one heart,
    Whose Houres, whose Bed, whose Meale and Exercise
    Are still together: who Twin (as 'twere) in Loue,
    Vnseparable, shall within this houre,
    On a dissention of a Doit, breake out
    To bitterest Enmity: So fellest Foes,
    Whose Passions, and whose Plots haue broke their sleep
    To take the one the other, by some chance,
    Some tricke not worth an Egge, shall grow deere friends
    And inter-ioyne their yssues. So with me,
    My Birth-place haue I, and my loues vpon
    This Enemie Towne: Ile enter, if he slay me
    He does faire Iustice: if he giue me way,
    Ile do his Country Seruice.


    Enter.


    Musicke playes. Enter a Seruingman.


      1 Ser. Wine, Wine, Wine: What seruice is heere? I
    thinke our Fellowes are asleepe.


    Enter another Seruingman.


      2 Ser. Where's Cotus: my M[aster]. cals for him: Cotus.


    Exit


    Enter Coriolanus.


      Corio. A goodly House:
    The Feast smels well: but I appeare not like a Guest.
    Enter the first Seruingman.


      1 Ser. What would you haue Friend? whence are you?
    Here's no place for you: pray go to the doore?


    Exit


      Corio. I haue deseru'd no better entertainment, in being
    Coriolanus.
    Enter second Seruant.


      2 Ser. Whence are you sir? Ha's the Porter his eyes in
    his head, that he giues entrance to such Companions?
    Pray get you out


       Corio. Away


       2 Ser. Away? Get you away


       Corio. Now th'art troublesome


       2 Ser. Are you so braue: Ile haue you talkt with anon
    Enter 3 Seruingman, the 1 meets him.


      3 What Fellowes this?
      1 A strange one as euer I look'd on: I cannot get him
    out o'thhouse: Prythee call my Master to him


       3 What haue you to do here fellow? Pray you auoid
    the house


       Corio. Let me but stand, I will not hurt your Harth


       3 What are you?
      Corio. A Gentleman


       3 A maru'llous poore one


       Corio. True, so I am


       3 Pray you poore Gentleman, take vp some other station:
    Heere's no place for you, pray you auoid: Come


       Corio. Follow your Function, go, and batten on colde
    bits.


    Pushes him away from him.


      3 What you will not? Prythee tell my Maister what
    a strange Guest he ha's heere


       2 And I shall.


    Exit second Seruingman.


      3 Where dwel'st thou?
      Corio. Vnder the Canopy


       3 Vnder the Canopy?
      Corio. I


       3 Where's that?
      Corio. I'th City of Kites and crowes


       3 I'th City of Kites and Crowes? What an Asse it is,
    then thou dwel'st with Dawes too?
      Corio. No, I serue not thy Master


       3 How sir? Do you meddle with my Master?
      Corio. I, tis an honester seruice, then to meddle with
    thy Mistris: Thou prat'st, and prat'st, serue with thy trencher:
    Hence
    .


    Beats him away


    Enter Auffidius with the Seruingman.


      Auf. Where is this Fellow?
      2 Here sir, I'de haue beaten him like a dogge, but for
    disturbing the Lords within


       Auf. Whence com'st thou? What wouldst y? Thy name?
    Why speak'st not? Speake man: What's thy name?
      Corio. If Tullus not yet thou know'st me, and seeing
    me, dost not thinke me for the man I am, necessitie commands
    me name my selfe


       Auf. What is thy name?
      Corio. A name vnmusicall to the Volcians eares,
    And harsh in sound to thine


       Auf. Say, what's thy name?
    Thou hast a Grim apparance, and thy Face
    Beares a Command in't: Though thy Tackles torne,
    Thou shew'st a Noble Vessell: What's thy name?
      Corio. Prepare thy brow to frowne: knowst y me yet?
      Auf. I know thee not? Thy Name:
      Corio. My name is Caius Martius, who hath done
    To thee particularly, and to all the Volces
    Great hurt and Mischiefe: thereto witnesse may
    My Surname Coriolanus. The painfull Seruice,
    The extreme Dangers, and the droppes of Blood
    Shed for my thanklesse Country, are requitted:
    But with that Surname, a good memorie
    And witnesse of the Malice and Displeasure
    Which thou should'st beare me, only that name remains.
    The Cruelty and Enuy of the people,
    Permitted by our dastard Nobles, who
    Haue all forsooke me, hath deuour'd the rest:
    And suffer'd me by th' voyce of Slaues to be
    Hoop'd out of Rome. Now this extremity,
    Hath brought me to thy Harth, not out of Hope
    (Mistake me not) to saue my life: for if
    I had fear'd death, of all the Men i'th' World
    I would haue voided thee. But in meere spight
    To be full quit of those my Banishers,
    Stand I before thee heere: Then if thou hast
    A heart of wreake in thee, that wilt reuenge
    Thine owne particular wrongs, and stop those maimes
    Of shame seene through thy Country, speed thee straight
    And make my misery serue thy turne: So vse it,
    That my reuengefull Seruices may proue
    As Benefits to thee. For I will fight
    Against my Cankred Countrey, with the Spleene
    Of all the vnder Fiends. But if so be,
    Thou dar'st not this, and that to proue more Fortunes
    Th'art tyr'd, then in a word, I also am
    Longer to liue most wearie: and present
    My throat to thee, and to thy Ancient Malice:
    Which not to cut, would shew thee but a Foole,
    Since I haue euer followed thee with hate,
    Drawne Tunnes of Blood out of thy Countries brest,
    And cannot liue but to thy shame, vnlesse
    It be to do thee seruice


       Auf. Oh Martius, Martius;
    Each word thou hast spoke, hath weeded from my heart
    A roote of Ancient Enuy. If Iupiter
    Should from yond clowd speake diuine things,
    And say 'tis true; I'de not beleeue them more
    Then thee all-Noble Martius. Let me twine
    Mine armes about that body, where against
    My grained Ash an hundred times hath broke,
    And scarr'd the Moone with splinters: heere I cleep
    The Anuile of my Sword, and do contest
    As hotly, and as Nobly with thy Loue,
    As euer in Ambitious strength, I did
    Contend against thy Valour. Know thou first,
    I lou'd the Maid I married: neuer man
    Sigh'd truer breath. But that I see thee heere
    Thou Noble thing, more dances my rapt heart,
    Then when I first my wedded Mistris saw
    Bestride my Threshold. Why, thou Mars I tell thee,
    We haue a Power on foote: and I had purpose
    Once more to hew thy Target from thy Brawne,
    Or loose mine Arme for't: Thou hast beate mee out
    Twelue seuerall times, and I haue nightly since
    Dreamt of encounters 'twixt thy selfe and me:
    We haue beene downe together in my sleepe,
    Vnbuckling Helmes, fisting each others Throat,
    And wak'd halfe dead with nothing. Worthy Martius,
    Had we no other quarrell else to Rome, but that
    Thou art thence Banish'd, we would muster all
    From twelue, to seuentie: and powring Warre
    Into the bowels of vngratefull Rome,
    Like a bold Flood o're-beate. Oh come, go in,
    And take our friendly Senators by'th' hands
    Who now are heere, taking their leaues of mee,
    Who am prepar'd against your Territories,
    Though not for Rome it selfe


       Corio. You blesse me Gods


       Auf. Therefore most absolute Sir, if thou wilt haue
    The leading of thine owne Reuenges, take
    Th' one halfe of my Commission, and set downe
    As best thou art experienc'd, since thou know'st
    Thy Countries strength and weaknesse, thine own waies
    Whether to knocke against the Gates of Rome,
    Or rudely visit them in parts remote,
    To fright them, ere destroy. But come in,
    Let me commend thee first, to those that shall
    Say yea to thy desires. A thousand welcomes,
    And more a Friend, then ere an Enemie,
    Yet Martius that was much. Your hand: most welcome.


    Exeunt.


    Enter two of the Seruingmen.


      1 Heere's a strange alteration?
      2 By my hand, I had thoght to haue stroken him with
    a Cudgell, and yet my minde gaue me, his cloathes made
    a false report of him


       1 What an Arme he has, he turn'd me about with his
    finger and his thumbe, as one would set vp a Top


       2 Nay, I knew by his face that there was some-thing
    in him
    . He had sir, a kinde of face me thought, I cannot
    tell how to tearme it


       1 He had so, looking as it were, would I were hang'd
    but I thought there was more in him, then I could think


       2 So did I, Ile be sworne: He is simply the rarest man
    i'th' world


       1 I thinke he is: but a greater soldier then he,
    You wot one


       2 Who my Master?
      1 Nay, it's no matter for that


       2 Worth six on him


       1 Nay not so neither: but I take him to be the greater
    Souldiour


       2 Faith looke you, one cannot tell how to say that: for
    the Defence of a Towne, our Generall is excellent


       1 I, and for an assault too.
    Enter the third Seruingman.


      3 Oh Slaues, I can tell you Newes, News you Rascals
      Both. What, what, what? Let's partake


       3 I would not be a Roman of all Nations; I had as
    liue be a condemn'd man


       Both. Wherefore? Wherefore?
      3 Why here's he that was wont to thwacke our Generall,
    Caius Martius


       1 Why do you say, thwacke our Generall?
      3 I do not say thwacke our Generall, but he was alwayes
    good enough for him
      2 Come we are fellowes and friends: he was euer too
    hard for him, I haue heard him say so himselfe


       1 He was too hard for him directly, to say the Troth
    on't before Corioles, he scotcht him, and notcht him like a
    Carbinado


       2 And hee had bin Cannibally giuen, hee might haue
    boyld and eaten him too


       1 But more of thy Newes


       3 Why he is so made on heere within, as if hee were
    Son and Heire to Mars, set at vpper end o'th' Table: No
    question askt him by any of the Senators, but they stand
    bald before him
    . Our Generall himselfe makes a Mistris
    of him, Sanctifies himselfe with's hand, and turnes vp the
    white o'th' eye to his Discourse. But the bottome of the
    Newes is, our Generall is cut i'th' middle, &but one halfe
    of what he was yesterday. For the other ha's halfe, by
    the intreaty and graunt of the whole Table. Hee'l go he
    sayes, and sole the Porter of Rome Gates by th' eares. He
    will mowe all downe before him, and leaue his passage
    poul'd


       2 And he's as like to do't, as any man I can imagine


       3 Doo't? he will doo't: for look you sir, he has as many
    Friends as Enemies: which Friends sir as it were, durst
    not (looke you sir) shew themselues (as we terme it) his
    Friends, whilest he's in Directitude


       1 Directitude? What's that?
      3 But when they shall see sir, his Crest vp againe, and
    the man in blood, they will out of their Burroughes (like
    Conies after Raine) and reuell all with him


       1 But when goes this forward:
      3 To morrow, to day, presently, you shall haue the
    Drum strooke vp this afternoone: 'Tis as it were a parcel
    of their Feast, and to be executed ere they wipe their lips


       2 Why then wee shall haue a stirring World againe:
    This peace is nothing, but to rust Iron, encrease Taylors,
    and breed Ballad-makers


       1 Let me haue Warre say I, it exceeds peace as farre
    as day do's night: It's sprightly walking, audible, and full
    of Vent
    . Peace, is a very Apoplexy, Lethargie, mull'd,
    deafe, sleepe, insensible, a getter of more bastard Children,
    then warres a destroyer of men


       2 'Tis so, and as warres in some sort may be saide to
    be a Rauisher, so it cannot be denied, but peace is a great
    maker of Cuckolds


       1 I, and it makes men hate one another


       3 Reason, because they then lesse neede one another:
    The Warres for my money
    . I hope to see Romanes as
    cheape as Volcians. They are rising, they are rising


       Both. In, in, in, in.


    Exeunt.


    Enter the two Tribunes, Sicinius, and Brutus.


      Sicin. We heare not of him, neither need we fear him,
    His remedies are tame, the present peace,
    And quietnesse of the people, which before
    Were in wilde hurry. Heere do we make his Friends
    Blush, that the world goes well: who rather had,
    Though they themselues did suffer by't, behold
    Dissentious numbers pestring streets, then see
    Our Tradesmen singing in their shops, and going
    About their Functions friendly.
    Enter Menenius.


      Bru. We stood too't in good time. Is this Menenius?
      Sicin. 'Tis he, 'tis he: O he is grown most kind of late:
    Haile Sir


       Mene. Haile to you both


       Sicin. Your Coriolanus is not much mist, but with his
    Friends: the Commonwealth doth stand, and so would
    do, were he more angry at it


       Mene. All's well, and might haue bene much better,
    if he could haue temporiz'd


       Sicin. Where is he, heare you?
      Mene. Nay I heare nothing:
    His Mother and his wife, heare nothing from him.
    Enter three or foure Citizens.


      All. The Gods preserue you both


       Sicin. Gooden our Neighbours


       Bru. Gooden to you all, gooden to you all


       1 Our selues, our wiues, and children, on our knees,
    Are bound to pray for you both


       Sicin. Liue, and thriue


       Bru. Farewell kinde Neighbours:
    We wisht Coriolanus had lou'd you as we did


       All. Now the Gods keepe you


       Both Tri. Farewell, farewell.


    Exeunt. Citizens


      Sicin. This is a happier and more comely time,
    Then when these Fellowes ran about the streets,
    Crying Confusion


       Bru. Caius Martius was
    A worthy Officer i'th' Warre, but Insolent,
    O'recome with Pride, Ambitious, past all thinking
    Selfe-louing


       Sicin. And affecting one sole Throne, without assista[n]ce
      Mene. I thinke not so


       Sicin. We should by this, to all our Lamention,
    If he had gone forth Consull, found it so


       Bru. The Gods haue well preuented it, and Rome
    Sits safe and still, without him.
    Enter an aedile.


      Aedile. Worthy Tribunes,
    There is a Slaue whom we haue put in prison,
    Reports the Volces with two seuerall Powers
    Are entred in the Roman Territories,
    And with the deepest malice of the Warre,
    Destroy, what lies before' em


       Mene. 'Tis Auffidius,
    Who hearing of our Martius Banishment,
    Thrusts forth his hornes againe into the world
    Which were In-shell'd, when Martius stood for Rome,
    And durst not once peepe out


       Sicin. Come, what talke you of Martius


       Bru. Go see this Rumorer whipt, it cannot be,
    The Volces dare breake with vs


       Mene. Cannot be?
    We haue Record, that very well it can,
    And three examples of the like, hath beene
    Within my Age. But reason with the fellow
    Before you punish him, where he heard this,
    Least you shall chance to whip your Information,
    And beate the Messenger, who bids beware
    Of what is to be dreaded


       Sicin. Tell not me: I know this cannot be


       Bru. Not possible.
    Enter a Messenger.


      Mes. The Nobles in great earnestnesse are going
    All to the Senate-house: some newes is comming
    That turnes their Countenances


       Sicin. 'Tis this Slaue:
    Go whip him fore the peoples eyes: His raising,
    Nothing but his report


       Mes. Yes worthy Sir,
    The Slaues report is seconded, and more
    More fearfull is deliuer'd


       Sicin. What more fearefull?
      Mes. It is spoke freely out of many mouths,
    How probable I do not know, that Martius
    Ioyn'd with Auffidius, leads a power 'gainst Rome,
    And vowes Reuenge as spacious, as betweene
    The yong'st and oldest thing


       Sicin. This is most likely


       Bru. Rais'd onely, that the weaker sort may wish
    Good Martius home againe


       Sicin. The very tricke on't


       Mene. This is vnlikely,
    He, and Auffidius can no more attone
    Then violent'st Contrariety.
    Enter Messenger.


      Mes. You are sent for to the Senate:
    A fearefull Army, led by Caius Martius,
    Associated with Auffidius, Rages
    Vpon our Territories, and haue already
    O're-borne their way, consum'd with fire, and tooke
    What lay before them.
    Enter Cominius.


      Com. Oh you haue made good worke


       Mene. What newes? What newes?
      Com. You haue holp to rauish your owne daughters, To melt the Citty Leades vpon your pates,
    To see your Wiues dishonour'd to your Noses


       Mene. What's the newes? What's the newes?
      Com. Your Temples burned in their Ciment, and
    Your Franchises, whereon you stood, confin'd
    Into an Augors boare


       Mene. Pray now, your Newes:
    You haue made faire worke I feare me: pray your newes,
    If Martius should be ioyn'd with Volceans


       Com. If? He is their God, he leads them like a thing
    Made by some other Deity then Nature,
    That shapes man Better: and they follow him
    Against vs Brats, with no lesse Confidence,
    Then Boyes pursuing Summer Butter-flies,
    Or Butchers killing Flyes


       Mene. You haue made good worke,
    You and your Apron men: you, that stood so much
    Vpon the voyce of occupation, and
    The breath of Garlicke-eaters


       Com. Hee'l shake your Rome about your eares


       Mene. As Hercules did shake downe Mellow Fruite:
    You haue made faire worke


       Brut. But is this true sir?
      Com. I, and you'l looke pale
    Before you finde it other. All the Regions
    Do smilingly Reuolt, and who resists
    Are mock'd for valiant Ignorance,
    And perish constant Fooles: who is't can blame him?
    Your Enemies and his, finde something in him


       Mene. We are all vndone, vnlesse
    The Noble man haue mercy


       Com. Who shall aske it?
    The Tribunes cannot doo't for shame; the people
    Deserue such pitty of him, as the Wolfe
    Doe's of the Shepheards: For his best Friends, if they
    Should say be good to Rome, they charg'd him, euen
    As those should do that had deseru'd his hate,
    And therein shew'd like Enemies


       Me. 'Tis true, if he were putting to my house, the brand
    That should consume it, I haue not the face
    To say, beseech you cease. You haue made faire hands,
    You and your Crafts, you haue crafted faire


       Com. You haue brought
    A Trembling vpon Rome, such as was neuer
    S' incapeable of helpe


       Tri. Say not, we brought it


       Mene. How? Was't we? We lou'd him,
    But like Beasts, and Cowardly Nobles,
    Gaue way vnto your Clusters, who did hoote
    Him out o'th' Citty


       Com. But I feare
    They'l roare him in againe. Tullus Affidius,
    The second name of men, obeyes his points
    As if he were his Officer: Desperation,
    Is all the Policy, Strength, and Defence
    That Rome can make against them.
    Enter a Troope of Citizens.


      Mene. Heere come the Clusters.
    And is Auffidius with him? You are they
    That made the Ayre vnwholsome, when you cast
    Your stinking, greasie Caps, in hooting
    At Coriolanus Exile. Now he's comming,
    And not a haire vpon a Souldiers head
    Which will not proue a whip: As many Coxcombes
    As you threw Caps vp, will he tumble downe,
    And pay you for your voyces. 'Tis no matter,
    If he could burne vs all into one coale,
    We haue deseru'd it


       Omnes. Faith, we heare fearfull Newes


       1 Cit. For mine owne part,
    When I said banish him, I said 'twas pitty


       2 And so did I


       3 And so did I: and to say the truth, so did very many
    of vs, that we did we did for the best, and though wee
    willingly consented to his Banishment, yet it was against
    our will


       Com. Y'are goodly things, you Voyces


       Mene. You haue made good worke
    You and your cry. Shal's to the Capitoll?
      Com. Oh I, what else?


    Exeunt. both.


      Sicin. Go Masters get you home, be not dismaid,
    These are a Side, that would be glad to haue
    This true, which they so seeme to feare. Go home,
    And shew no signe of Feare


       1 Cit. The Gods bee good to vs: Come Masters let's
    home, I euer said we were i'th wrong, when we banish'd
    him


       2 Cit. So did we all. But come, let's home.


    Exit Cit.


      Bru. I do not like this Newes


       Sicin. Nor I


       Bru. Let's to the Capitoll: would halfe my wealth
    Would buy this for a lye


       Sicin. Pray let's go.


    Exeunt. Tribunes.


    Enter Auffidius with his Lieutenant.


      Auf. Do they still flye to'th' Roman?
      Lieu. I do not know what Witchcraft's in him: but
    Your Soldiers vse him as the Grace 'fore meate,
    Their talke at Table, and their Thankes at end,
    And you are darkned in this action Sir,
    Euen by your owne


       Auf. I cannot helpe it now,
    Vnlesse by vsing meanes I lame the foote
    Of our designe. He beares himselfe more proudlier,
    Euen to my person, then I thought he would
    When first I did embrace him. Yet his Nature
    In that's no Changeling, and I must excuse
    What cannot be amended


       Lieu. Yet I wish Sir,
    (I meane for your particular) you had not
    Ioyn'd in Commission with him: but either haue borne
    The action of your selfe, or else to him, had left it soly


       Auf. I vnderstand thee well, and be thou sure
    When he shall come to his account, he knowes not
    What I can vrge against him, although it seemes
    And so he thinkes, and is no lesse apparant
    To th' vulgar eye, that he beares all things fairely:
    And shewes good Husbandry for the Volcian State,
    Fights Dragon-like, and does atcheeue as soone
    As draw his Sword: yet he hath left vndone
    That which shall breake his necke, or hazard mine,
    When ere we come to our account


       Lieu. Sir, I beseech you, think you he'l carry Rome?
      Auf. All places yeelds to him ere he sits downe,
    And the Nobility of Rome are his:
    The Senators and Patricians loue him too:
    The Tribunes are no Soldiers: and their people
    Will be as rash in the repeale, as hasty
    To expell him thence. I thinke hee'l be to Rome
    As is the Aspray to the Fish, who takes it
    By Soueraignty of Nature. First, he was
    A Noble seruant to them, but he could not
    Carry his Honors eeuen: whether 'twas Pride
    Which out of dayly Fortune euer taints
    The happy man; whether detect of iudgement,
    To faile in the disposing of those chances
    Which he was Lord of: or whether Nature,
    Not to be other then one thing, not moouing
    From th' Caske to th' Cushion: but commanding peace
    Euen with the same austerity and garbe,
    As he controll'd the warre. But one of these
    (As he hath spices of them all) not all,
    For I dare so farre free him, made him fear'd,
    So hated, and so banish'd: but he ha's a Merit
    To choake it in the vtt'rance: So our Vertue,
    Lie in th' interpretation of the time,
    And power vnto it selfe most commendable,
    Hath not a Tombe so euident as a Chaire
    T' extoll what it hath done.
    One fire driues out one fire; one Naile, one Naile;
    Rights by rights fouler, strengths by strengths do faile.
    Come let's away: when Caius Rome is thine,
    Thou art poor'st of all; then shortly art thou mine.


    Exeunt.

    Actus Quintus.


    Enter Menenius, Cominius, Sicinius, Brutus, the two Tribunes,
    with
    others.


      Menen. No, ile not go: you heare what he hath said
    Which was sometime his Generall: who loued him
    In a most deere particular. He call'd me Father:
    But what o'that? Go you that banish'd him
    A Mile before his Tent, fall downe, and knee
    The way into his mercy: Nay, if he coy'd
    To heare Cominius speake, Ile keepe at home


       Com. He would not seeme to know me


       Menen. Do you heare?
      Com. Yet one time he did call me by my name:
    I vrg'd our old acquaintance, and the drops
    That we haue bled together. Coriolanus
    He would not answer too: Forbad all Names,
    He was a kinde of Nothing, Titlelesse,
    Till he had forg'd himselfe a name a'th' fire
    Of burning Rome


       Menen. Why so: you haue made good worke:
    A paire of Tribunes, that haue wrack'd for Rome,
    To make Coales cheape: A Noble memory


       Com. I minded him, how Royall 'twas to pardon
    When it was lesse expected. He replyed
    It was a bare petition of a State
    To one whom they had punish'd


       Menen. Very well, could he say lesse


       Com. I offered to awaken his regard
    For's priuate Friends. His answer to me was
    He could not stay to picke them, in a pile
    Of noysome musty Chaffe. He said, 'twas folly
    For one poore graine or two, to leaue vnburnt
    And still to nose th' offence


       Menen. For one poore graine or two?
    I am one of those: his Mother, Wife, his Childe,
    And this braue Fellow too: we are the Graines,
    You are the musty Chaffe, and you are smelt
    Aboue the Moone. We must be burnt for you


       Sicin. Nay, pray be patient: If you refuse your ayde
    In this so neuer-needed helpe, yet do not
    Vpbraid's with our distresse. But sure if you
    Would be your Countries Pleader, your good tongue
    More then the instant Armie we can make
    Might stop our Countryman


       Mene. No: Ile not meddle


       Sicin. Pray you go to him


       Mene. What should I do?
      Bru. Onely make triall what your Loue can do,
    For Rome, towards Martius


       Mene. Well, and say that Martius returne mee,
    As Cominius is return'd, vnheard: what then?
    But as a discontented Friend, greefe-shot
    With his vnkindnesse. Say't be so?
      Sicin. Yet your good will
    Must haue that thankes from Rome, after the measure
    As you intended well


       Mene. Ile vndertak't:
    I thinke hee'l heare me. Yet to bite his lip,
    And humme at good Cominius, much vnhearts mee.
    He was not taken well, he had not din'd,
    The Veines vnfill'd, our blood is cold, and then
    We powt vpon the Morning, are vnapt
    To giue or to forgiue; but when we haue stufft
    These Pipes, and these Conueyances of our blood
    With Wine and Feeding, we haue suppler Soules
    Then in our Priest-like Fasts: therefore Ile watch him
    Till he be dieted to my request,
    And then Ile set vpon him


       Bru. You know the very rode into his kindnesse,
    And cannot lose your way


       Mene. Good faith Ile proue him,
    Speed how it will. I shall ere long, haue knowledge
    Of my successe.
    Enter.


      Com. Hee'l neuer heare him


       Sicin. Not


       Com. I tell you, he doe's sit in Gold, his eye
    Red as 'twould burne Rome: and his Iniury
    The Gaoler to his pitty. I kneel'd before him,
    'Twas very faintly he said Rise: dismist me
    Thus with his speechlesse hand. What he would do
    He sent in writing after me: what he would not,
    Bound with an Oath to yeeld to his conditions:
    So that all hope is vaine, vnlesse his Noble Mother,
    And his Wife, who (as I heare) meane to solicite him
    For mercy to his Countrey: therefore let's hence,
    And with our faire intreaties hast them on.


    Exeunt.


    Enter Menenius to the Watch or Guard.


      1.Wat. Stay: whence are you


       2.Wat. Stand, and go backe


       Me. You guard like men, 'tis well. But by your leaue,
    I am an Officer of State, &come to speak with Coriolanus
      1 From whence?
      Mene. From Rome


       I You may not passe, you must returne: our Generall
    will no more heare from thence


       2 You'l see your Rome embrac'd with fire, before
    You'l speake with Coriolanus


       Mene. Good my Friends,
    If you haue heard your Generall talke of Rome,
    And of his Friends there, it is Lots to Blankes,
    My name hath touch't your eares: it is Menenius


       1 Be it so, go back: the vertue of your name,
    Is not heere passable


       Mene. I tell thee Fellow,
    Thy Generall is my Louer: I haue beene
    The booke of his good Acts, whence men haue read
    His Fame vnparalell'd, happely amplified:
    For I haue euer verified my Friends,
    (Of whom hee's cheefe) with all the size that verity
    Would without lapsing suffer: Nay, sometimes,
    Like to a Bowle vpon a subtle ground
    I haue tumbled past the throw: and in his praise
    Haue (almost) stampt the Leasing. Therefore Fellow,
    I must haue leaue to passe


       1 Faith Sir, if you had told as many lies in his behalfe,
    as you haue vttered words in your owne, you should not
    passe heere: no, though it were as vertuous to lye, as to
    liue chastly
    . Therefore go backe


       Men. Prythee fellow, remember my name is Menenius,
    alwayes factionary on the party of your Generall


       2 Howsoeuer you haue bin his Lier, as you say you
    haue, I am one that telling true vnder him, must say you
    cannot passe
    . Therefore go backe


       Mene. Ha's he din'd can'st thou tell? For I would not
    speake with him, till after dinner


       1 You are a Roman, are you?
      Mene. I am as thy Generall is


       1 Then you should hate Rome, as he do's. Can you,
    when you haue pusht out your gates, the very Defender
    of them, and in a violent popular ignorance, giuen your
    enemy your shield, thinke to front his reuenges with the
    easie groanes of old women, the Virginall Palms of your
    daughters, or with the palsied intercession of such a decay'd
    Dotant as you seeme to be? Can you think to blow
    out the intended fire, your City is ready to flame in, with
    such weake breath as this? No, you are deceiu'd, therfore
    backe to Rome, and prepare for your execution: you are
    condemn'd, our Generall has sworne you out of repreeue
    and pardon


       Mene. Sirra, if thy Captaine knew I were heere,
    He would vse me with estimation


       1 Come, my Captaine knowes you not


       Mene. I meane thy Generall


       1 My Generall cares not for you. Back I say, go: least
    I let forth your halfe pinte of blood. Backe, that's the vtmost
    of your hauing, backe


       Mene. Nay but Fellow, Fellow.
    Enter Coriolanus with Auffidius.


      Corio. What's the matter?
      Mene. Now you Companion: Ile say an arrant for you:
    you shall know now that I am in estimation: you shall
    perceiue, that a Iacke gardant cannot office me from my
    Son Coriolanus, guesse but my entertainment with him: if
    thou stand'st not i'th state of hanging, or of some death
    more long in Spectatorship, and crueller in suffering, behold
    now presently, and swoond for what's to come vpon
    thee. The glorious Gods sit in hourely Synod about thy
    particular prosperity, and loue thee no worse then thy old
    Father Menenius do's. O my Son, my Son! thou art preparing
    fire for vs: looke thee, heere's water to quench it.
    I was hardly moued to come to thee: but beeing assured
    none but my selfe could moue thee, I haue bene blowne
    out of your Gates with sighes: and coniure thee to pardon
    Rome, and thy petitionary Countrimen. The good
    Gods asswage thy wrath, and turne the dregs of it, vpon
    this Varlet heere: This, who like a blocke hath denyed
    my accesse to thee


       Corio. Away


       Mene. How? Away?
      Corio. Wife, Mother, Child, I know not. My affaires
    Are Seruanted to others: Though I owe
    My Reuenge properly, my remission lies
    In Volcean brests. That we haue beene familiar,
    Ingrate forgetfulnesse shall poison rather
    Then pitty: Note how much, therefore be gone.
    Mine eares against your suites, are stronger then
    Your gates against my force. Yet for I loued thee,
    Take this along, I writ it for thy sake,
    And would haue sent it. Another word Menenius,
    I will not heare thee speake. This man Auffidius
    Was my belou'd in Rome: yet thou behold'st


       Auffid. You keepe a constant temper.


    Exeunt.


    Manet the Guard and Menenius.


      1 Now sir, is your name Menenius?
      2 'Tis a spell you see of much power:
    You know the way home againe


       1 Do you heare how wee are shent for keeping your
    greatnesse backe?
      2 What cause do you thinke I haue to swoond?
      Menen. I neither care for th' world, nor your General:
    for such things as you
    . I can scarse thinke ther's any, y'are
    so slight
    . He that hath a will to die by himselfe, feares it
    not from another: Let your Generall do his worst. For
    you, bee that you are, long; and your misery encrease
    with your age. I say to you, as I was said to, Away.


    Exit


      1 A Noble Fellow I warrant him


       2 The worthy Fellow is our General. He's the Rock,
    The Oake not to be winde-shaken.


    Exit Watch.


    Enter Coriolanus and Auffidius.


      Corio. We will before the walls of Rome to morrow
    Set downe our Hoast. My partner in this Action,
    You must report to th' Volcian Lords, how plainly
    I haue borne this Businesse


       Auf. Onely their ends you haue respected,
    Stopt your eares against the generall suite of Rome:
    Neuer admitted a priuat whisper, no not with such frends
    That thought them sure of you


       Corio. This last old man,
    Whom with a crack'd heart I haue sent to Rome,
    Lou'd me, aboue the measure of a Father,
    Nay godded me indeed. Their latest refuge
    Was to send him: for whose old Loue I haue
    (Though I shew'd sowrely to him) once more offer'd
    The first Conditions which they did refuse,
    And cannot now accept, to grace him onely,
    That thought he could do more: A very little
    I haue yeelded too. Fresh Embasses, and Suites,
    Nor from the State, nor priuate friends heereafter
    Will I lend eare to. Ha? what shout is this?


    Shout within


    Shall I be tempted to infringe my vow
    In the same time 'tis made? I will not.
    Enter Virgilia, Volumnia, Valeria, yong Martius, with Attendants.


    My wife comes formost, then the honour'd mould
    Wherein this Trunke was fram'd, and in her hand
    The Grandchilde to her blood. But out affection,
    All bond and priuiledge of Nature breake;
    Let it be Vertuous to be Obstinate.
    What is that Curt'sie worth? Or those Doues eyes,
    Which can make Gods forsworne? I melt, and am not
    Of stronger earth then others: my Mother bowes,
    As if Olympus to a Mole-hill should
    In supplication Nod: and my yong Boy
    Hath an Aspect of intercession, which
    Great Nature cries, Deny not. Let the Volces
    Plough Rome, and harrow Italy, Ile neuer
    Be such a Gosling to obey instinct; but stand
    As if a man were Author of himself, &knew no other kin
      Virgil. My Lord and Husband


       Corio. These eyes are not the same I wore in Rome


       Virg. The sorrow that deliuers vs thus chang'd,
    Makes you thinke so


       Corio. Like a dull Actor now, I haue forgot my part,
    And I am out, euen to a full Disgrace. Best of my Flesh,
    Forgiue my Tyranny: but do not say,
    For that forgiue our Romanes. O a kisse
    Long as my Exile, sweet as my Reuenge!
    Now by the iealous Queene of Heauen, that kisse
    I carried from thee deare; and my true Lippe
    Hath Virgin'd it ere since. You Gods, I pray,
    And the most noble Mother of the world
    Leaue vnsaluted: Sinke my knee i'th' earth,


    Kneeles


    Of thy deepe duty, more impression shew
    Then that of common Sonnes


       Volum. Oh stand vp blest!
    Whil'st with no softer Cushion then the Flint
    I kneele before thee, and vnproperly
    Shew duty as mistaken, all this while,
    Betweene the Childe, and Parent


       Corio. What's this? your knees to me?
    To your Corrected Sonne?
    Then let the Pibbles on the hungry beach
    Fillop the Starres: Then, let the mutinous windes
    Strike the proud Cedars 'gainst the fiery Sun:
    Murd'ring Impossibility, to make
    What cannot be, slight worke


       Volum. Thou art my Warriour, I hope to frame thee
    Do you know this Lady?
      Corio. The Noble Sister of Publicola;
    The Moone of Rome: Chaste as the Isicle
    That's curdied by the Frost, from purest Snow,
    And hangs on Dians Temple: Deere Valeria


       Volum. This is a poore Epitome of yours,
    Which by th' interpretation of full time,
    May shew like all your selfe


       Corio. The God of Souldiers:
    With the consent of supreame Ioue, informe
    Thy thoughts with Noblenesse, that thou mayst proue
    To shame vnvulnerable, and sticke i'th Warres
    Like a great Sea-marke standing euery flaw,
    And sauing those that eye thee


       Volum. Your knee, Sirrah


       Corio. That's my braue Boy


       Volum. Euen he, your wife, this Ladie, and my selfe,
    Are Sutors to you


       Corio. I beseech you peace:
    Or if you'ld aske, remember this before;
    The thing I haue forsworne to graunt, may neuer
    Be held by you denials. Do not bid me
    Dismisse my Soldiers, or capitulate
    Againe, with Romes Mechanickes. Tell me not
    Wherein I seeme vnnaturall: Desire not t' allay
    My Rages and Reuenges, with your colder reasons


       Volum. Oh no more, no more:
    You haue said you will not grant vs any thing:
    For we haue nothing else to aske, but that
    Which you deny already: yet we will aske,
    That if you faile in our request, the blame
    May hang vpon your hardnesse, therefore heare vs


       Corio. Auffidius, and you Volces marke, for wee'l
    Heare nought from Rome in priuate. Your request?
      Volum. Should we be silent &not speak, our Raiment
    And state of Bodies would bewray what life
    We haue led since thy Exile. Thinke with thy selfe,
    How more vnfortunate then all liuing women
    Are we come hither; since that thy sight, which should
    Make our eies flow with ioy, harts dance with comforts,
    Constraines them weepe, and shake with feare &sorow,
    Making the Mother, wife, and Childe to see,
    The Sonne, the Husband, and the Father tearing
    His Countries Bowels out; and to poore we
    Thine enmities most capitall: Thou barr'st vs
    Our prayers to the Gods, which is a comfort
    That all but we enioy. For how can we?
    Alas! how can we, for our Country pray?
    Whereto we are bound, together with thy victory:
    Whereto we are bound: Alacke, or we must loose
    The Countrie our deere Nurse, or else thy person
    Our comfort in the Country. We must finde
    An euident Calamity, though we had
    Our wish, which side should win. For either thou
    Must as a Forraine Recreant be led
    With Manacles through our streets, or else
    Triumphantly treade on thy Countries ruine,
    And beare the Palme, for hauing brauely shed
    Thy Wife and Childrens blood: For my selfe, Sonne,
    I purpose not to waite on Fortune, till
    These warres determine: If I cannot perswade thee,
    Rather to shew a Noble grace to both parts,
    Then seeke the end of one; thou shalt no sooner
    March to assault thy Country, then to treade
    (Trust too't, thou shalt not) on thy Mothers wombe
    That brought thee to this world


       Virg. I, and mine, that brought you forth this boy,
    To keepe your name liuing to time


       Boy. A shall not tread on me: Ile run away
    Till I am bigger, but then Ile fight


       Corio. Not of a womans tendernesse to be,
    Requires nor Childe, nor womans face to see:
    I haue sate too long


       Volum. Nay, go not from vs thus:
    If it were so, that our request did tend
    To saue the Romanes, thereby to destroy
    The Volces whom you serue, you might condemne vs
    As poysonous of your Honour. No, our suite
    Is that you reconcile them: While the Volces
    May say, this mercy we haue shew'd: the Romanes,
    This we receiu'd, and each in either side
    Giue the All-haile to thee, and cry be Blest
    For making vp this peace. Thou know'st (great Sonne)
    The end of Warres vncertaine: but this certaine,
    That if thou conquer Rome, the benefit
    Which thou shalt thereby reape, is such a name
    Whose repetition will be dogg'd with Curses:
    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 remaines
    To th' insuing Age, abhorr'd. Speake to me Son:
    Thou hast affected the fiue straines of Honor,
    To imitate the graces of the Gods.
    To teare with Thunder the wide Cheekes a'th' Ayre,
    And yet to change thy Sulphure with a Boult
    That should but riue an Oake. Why do'st not speake?
    Think'st thou it Honourable for a Nobleman
    Still to remember wrongs? Daughter, speake you:
    He cares not for your weeping. Speake thou Boy,
    Perhaps thy childishnesse will moue him more
    Then can our Reasons. There's no man in the world
    More bound to's Mother, yet heere he let's me prate
    Like one i'th' Stockes. Thou hast neuer in thy life,
    Shew'd thy deere Mother any curtesie,
    When she (poor Hen) fond of no second brood,
    Ha's clock'd thee to the Warres: and safelie home
    Loden with Honor. Say my Request's vniust,
    And spurne me backe: 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 Mothers part belongs. He turnes away:
    Down Ladies: let vs shame him with him with our knees
    To his sur-name Coriolanus longs more pride
    Then pitty to our Prayers. Downe: an end,
    This is the last. So, we will home to Rome,
    And dye among our Neighbours: Nay, behold's,
    This Boy that cannot tell what he would haue,
    But kneeles, and holds vp hands for fellowship,
    Doe's reason our Petition with more strength
    Then thou hast to deny't. Come, let vs go:
    This Fellow had a Volcean to his Mother:
    His Wife is in Corioles, and his Childe
    Like him by chance: yet giue vs our dispatch:
    I am husht vntill our City be afire, &then Ile speak a litle


    Holds her by the hand silent.


      Corio. O Mother, Mother!
    What haue you done? Behold, the Heauens do ope,
    The Gods looke downe, and this vnnaturall Scene
    They laugh at. Oh my Mother, Mother: Oh!
    You haue wonne a happy Victory to Rome.
    But for your Sonne, beleeue it: Oh beleeue it,
    Most dangerously you haue with him preuail'd,
    If not most mortall to him. But let it come:
    Auffidius, though I cannot make true Warres,
    Ile frame conuenient peace. Now good Auffidius,
    Were you in my steed, would you haue heard
    A Mother lesse? or granted lesse Auffidius?
      Auf. I was mou'd withall


       Corio. I dare be sworne you were:
    And sir, it is no little thing to make
    Mine eyes to sweat compassion. But (good sir)
    What peace you'l make, aduise me: For my part,
    Ile not to Rome, Ile backe with you, and pray you
    Stand to me in this cause. Oh Mother! Wife!
      Auf. I am glad thou hast set thy mercy, &thy Honor
    At difference in thee: Out of that Ile worke
    My selfe a former Fortune


       Corio. I by and by; But we will drinke together:
    And you shall beare
    A better witnesse backe then words, which we
    On like conditions, will haue Counter-seal'd.
    Come enter with vs: Ladies you deserue
    To haue a Temple built you: All the Swords
    In Italy, and her Confederate Armes
    Could not haue made this peace.


    Exeunt.


    Enter Menenius and Sicinius.


      Mene. See you yon'd Coin a'th Capitol, yon'd corner stone?
      Sicin. Why what of that?
      Mene. If it be possible for you to displace it with your
    little finger, there is some hope the Ladies of Rome, especially
    his Mother, may preuaile with him. But I say, there
    is no hope in't, our throats are sentenc'd, and stay vppon
    execution


       Sicin. Is't possible, that so short a time can alter the
    condition of a man


       Mene. There is differency between a Grub &a Butterfly,
    yet your Butterfly was a Grub: this Martius, is
    growne from Man to Dragon: He has wings, hee's more
    then a creeping thing


       Sicin. He lou'd his Mother deerely


       Mene. So did he mee: and he no more remembers his
    Mother now, then an eight yeare old horse. The tartnesse
    of his face, sowres ripe Grapes. When he walks, he moues
    like an Engine, and the ground shrinkes before his Treading.
    He is able to pierce a Corslet with his eye: Talkes
    like a knell, and his hum is a Battery. He sits in his State,
    as a thing made for Alexander. What he bids bee done, is
    finisht with his bidding. He wants nothing of a God but
    Eternity, and a Heauen to Throne in


       Sicin. Yes, mercy, if you report him truly


       Mene. I paint him in the Character. Mark what mercy
    his Mother shall bring from him: There is no more
    mercy in him, then there is milke in a male-Tyger, that
    shall our poore City finde: and all this is long of you


       Sicin. The Gods be good vnto vs


       Mene. No, in such a case the Gods will not bee good
    vnto vs. When we banish'd him, we respected not them:
    and he returning to breake our necks, they respect not vs.
    Enter a Messenger.


      Mes. Sir, if you'ld saue your life, flye to your House,
    The Plebeians haue got your Fellow Tribune,
    And hale him vp and downe; all swearing, if
    The Romane Ladies bring not comfort home
    They'l giue him death by Inches.
    Enter another Messenger.


      Sicin. What's the Newes?
      Mess. Good Newes, good newes, the Ladies haue preuayl'd.
    The Volcians are dislodg'd, and Martius gone:
    A merrier day did neuer yet greet Rome,
    No, not th' expulsion of the Tarquins


       Sicin. Friend, art thou certaine this is true?
    Is't most certaine


       Mes. As certaine as I know the Sun is fire:
    Where haue you lurk'd that you make doubt of it:
    Ne're through an Arch so hurried the blowne Tide,
    As the recomforted through th' gates. Why harke you:


    Trumpets, Hoboyes, Drums beate, altogether.


    The Trumpets, Sack-buts, Psalteries, and Fifes,
    Tabors, and Symboles, and the showting Romans,
    Make the Sunne dance. Hearke you.


    A shout within


      Mene. This is good Newes:
    I will go meete the Ladies. This Volumnia,
    Is worth of Consuls, Senators, Patricians,
    A City full: Of Tribunes such as you,
    A Sea and Land full: you haue pray'd well to day:
    This Morning, for ten thousand of your throates,
    I'de not haue giuen a doit. Harke, how they ioy.


    Sound still with the Shouts.


      Sicin. First, the Gods blesse you for your tydings:
    Next, accept my thankefulnesse


       Mess. Sir, we haue all great cause to giue great thanks


       Sicin. They are neere the City


       Mes. Almost at point to enter


       Sicin. Wee'l meet them, and helpe the ioy.


    Exeunt.


    Enter two Senators, with Ladies, passing ouer the Stage, with other
    Lords.


      Sena. Behold our Patronnesse, the life of Rome:
    Call all your Tribes together, praise the Gods,
    And make triumphant fires, strew Flowers before them:
    Vnshoot the noise that Banish'd Martius;
    Repeale him, with the welcome of his Mother:
    Cry welcome Ladies, welcome


       All. Welcome Ladies, welcome.


    A Flourish with Drummes &Trumpets.


    Enter Tullus Auffidius, with Attendants.


      Auf. Go tell the Lords a'th' City, I am heere:
    Deliuer them this Paper: hauing read it,
    Bid them repayre to th' Market place, where I
    Euen in theirs, and in the Commons eares
    Will vouch the truth of it. Him I accuse:
    The City Ports by this hath enter'd, and
    Intends t' appeare before the People, hoping
    To purge himselfe with words. Dispatch.
    Enter 3 or 4 Conspirators of Auffidius Faction.


    Most Welcome


       1.Con. How is it with our Generall?
      Auf. Euen so, as with a man by his owne Almes impoyson'd,
    and with his Charity slaine


       2.Con. Most Noble Sir, If you do hold the same intent
    Wherein you wisht vs parties: Wee'l deliuer you
    Of your great danger


       Auf. Sir, I cannot tell,
    We must proceed as we do finde the People


       3.Con. The People will remaine vncertaine, whil'st
    'Twixt you there's difference: but the fall of either
    Makes the Suruiuor heyre of all


       Auf. I know it:
    And my pretext to strike at him, admits
    A good construction. I rais'd him, and I pawn'd
    Mine Honor for his truth: who being so heighten'd,
    He watered his new Plants with dewes of Flattery,
    Seducing so my Friends: and to this end,
    He bow'd his Nature, neuer knowne before,
    But to be rough, vnswayable, and free


       3.Consp. Sir, his stoutnesse
    When he did stand for Consull, which he lost
    By lacke of stooping


       Auf. That I would haue spoke of:
    Being banish'd for't, he came vnto my Harth,
    Presented to my knife his Throat: I tooke him,
    Made him ioynt-seruant with me: Gaue him way
    In all his owne desires: Nay, let him choose
    Out of my Files, his proiects, to accomplish
    My best and freshest men, seru'd his designements
    In mine owne person: holpe to reape the Fame
    Which he did end all his; and tooke some pride
    To do my selfe this wrong: Till at the last
    I seem'd his Follower, not Partner; and
    He wadg'd me with his Countenance, as if
    I had bin Mercenary


       1.Con. So he did my Lord:
    The Army marueyl'd at it, and in the last,
    When he had carried Rome, and that we look'd
    For no lesse Spoile, then Glory


       Auf. There was it:
    For which my sinewes shall be stretcht vpon him,
    At a few drops of Womens rhewme, which are
    As cheape as Lies; he sold the Blood and Labour
    Of our great Action; therefore shall he dye,
    And Ile renew me in his fall. But hearke.


    Drummes and Trumpets sounds, with great showts of the people.


      1.Con. Your Natiue Towne you enter'd like a Poste,
    And had no welcomes home, but he returnes
    Splitting the Ayre with noyse


       2.Con. And patient Fooles,
    Whose children he hath slaine, their base throats teare
    With giuing him glory


       3.Con. Therefore at your vantage,
    Ere he expresse himselfe, or moue the people
    With what he would say, let him feele your Sword:
    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. Heere come the Lords,
    Enter the Lords of the City.


      All Lords. You are most welcome home


       Auff. I haue not deseru'd it.
    But worthy Lords, haue you with heede perused
    What I haue written to you?
      All. We haue


       1.Lord. And greeue to heare't:
    What faults he made before the last, I thinke
    Might haue found easie Fines: But there to end
    Where he was to begin, and giue away
    The benefit of our Leuies, answering vs
    With our owne charge: making a Treatie, where
    There was a yeelding; this admits no excuse


       Auf. He approaches, you shall heare him.
    Enter Coriolanus marching with Drumme, and Colours. The
    Commoners being
    with him.


      Corio. Haile Lords, I am return'd your Souldier:
    No more infected with my Countries loue
    Then when I parted hence: but still subsisting
    Vnder your great Command. You are to know,
    That prosperously I haue attempted, and
    With bloody passage led your Warres, euen to
    The gates of Rome: Our spoiles we haue brought home
    Doth more then counterpoize a full third part
    The charges of the Action. We haue made peace
    With no lesse Honor to the Antiates
    Then shame to th' Romaines. And we heere deliuer
    Subscrib'd by'th' Consuls, and Patricians,
    Together with the Seale a'th Senat, what
    We haue compounded on


       Auf. Read it not Noble Lords,
    But tell the Traitor in the highest degree
    He hath abus'd your Powers


       Corio. Traitor? How now?
      Auf. I Traitor, Martius


       Corio. Martius?
      Auf. I Martius, Caius Martius: Do'st thou thinke
    Ile grace thee with that Robbery, thy stolne name
    Coriolanus in Corioles?
    You Lords and Heads a'th' State, perfidiously
    He ha's betray'd your businesse, and giuen vp
    For certaine 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 Silke, neuer admitting
    Counsaile a'th' warre: But at his Nurses teares
    He whin'd and roar'd away your Victory,
    That Pages blush'd at him, and men of heart
    Look'd wond'ring each at others


       Corio. Hear'st thou Mars?
      Auf. Name not the God, thou boy of Teares


       Corio. Ha?
      Aufid. No more


       Corio. Measurelesse Lyar, thou hast made my heart
    Too great for what containes it. Boy? Oh Slaue,
    Pardon me Lords, 'tis the first time that euer
    I was forc'd to scoul'd. Your iudgments my graue Lords
    Must giue this Curre the Lye: and his owne Notion,
    Who weares my stripes imprest vpon him, that
    Must beare my beating to his Graue, shall ioyne
    To thrust the Lye vnto him


       1 Lord. Peace both, and heare me speake


       Corio. Cut me to peeces Volces men and Lads,
    Staine all your edges on me. Boy, false Hound:
    If you haue writ your Annales true, 'tis there,
    That like an Eagle in a Doue-coat, I
    Flatter'd your Volcians in Corioles.
    Alone I did it, Boy


       Auf. Why Noble Lords,
    Will you be put in minde of his blinde Fortune,
    Which was your shame, by this vnholy Braggart?
    'Fore your owne eyes, and eares?
      All Consp. Let him dye for't


       All People. Teare him to peeces, do it presently:
    He kill'd my Sonne, my daughter, he kill'd my Cosine
    Marcus, he kill'd my Father


       2 Lord. Peace hoe: no outrage, peace:
    The man is Noble, and his Fame folds in
    This Orbe o'th' earth: His last offences to vs
    Shall haue Iudicious hearing. Stand Auffidius,
    And trouble not the peace


       Corio. O that I had him, with six Auffidiusses, or more:
    His Tribe, to vse my lawfull Sword


       Auf. Insolent Villaine


       All Consp. Kill, kill, kill, kill, kill him.


    Draw both the Conspirators, and kils Martius, who falles,
    Auffidius stands
    on him


       Lords. Hold, hold, hold, hold


       Auf. My Noble Masters, heare me speake


       1.Lord. O Tullus


       2.Lord. Thou hast done a deed, whereat
    Valour will weepe


       3.Lord. Tread not vpon him Masters, all be quiet,
    Put vp your Swords


       Auf. My Lords,
    When you shall know (as in this Rage
    Prouok'd by him, you cannot) the great danger
    Which this mans life did owe you, you'l reioyce
    That he is thus cut off. Please it your Honours
    To call me to your Senate, Ile deliuer
    My selfe your loyall Seruant, or endure
    Your heauiest Censure


       1.Lord. Beare from hence his body,
    And mourne you for him. Let him be regarded
    As the most Noble Coarse, that euer Herald
    Did follow to his Vrne


       2.Lord. His owne impatience,
    Takes from Auffidius a great part of blame:
    Let's make the Best of it


       Auf. My Rage is gone,
    And I am strucke with sorrow. Take him vp:
    Helpe three a'th' cheefest Souldiers, Ile be one.
    Beate thou the Drumme that it speake mournfully:
    Traile your steele Pikes. Though in this City hee
    Hath widdowed and vnchilded many a one,
    Which to this houre bewaile the Iniury,
    Yet he shall haue a Noble Memory. Assist.


    Exeunt. bearing the Body of Martius. A dead March Sounded.



    FINIS. The Tragedy of Coriolanus.