Bru. Mark you that? Cor. To brag unto them, thus I did, and thus, Shew them th' unaking scars, which I would hide, As if I had receiv'd them for the hire Of their breath only — Men. Do not ftand upon't : 8 We recommend t'ye, Tribunes of the people, Sen. To Coriolanus come all joy and honour! [Flourish Cornets. Then Exeunt. Manent Sicinius and Brutus. Bru. You fee how he intends to use the people. Sic. May they perceive's intent! he will require them, As if he did contemn what he requested Should be in them to give. Bru. Come, we'll inform them Of our proceedings here: on th' market-place I know they do attend us. 1 Cit. SCENE Once The Forum. Enter feven or eight Citizens. VII. [Exeunt. Nce a, if he do require our voices, we ought not to deny him. 2 Cit. We may, Sir, if we will. 3 Cit. We have power in our felves to do it, but it is a power that we have no power to do; for if he fhew us his wounds, and tell us his deeds, we are to put our tongues into thofe wounds, and fpeak for them: fo, if he tells us his noble deeds, we must also tell him of our noble (a) Once here means the fame as when we fay once for all. Warburton. noble acceptance of them. Ingratitude is monftrous, and for the multitude to be ingrateful, were to make a monfter of the multitude; of the which we being members, fhould bring our felves to be monftrous members. 1 Cit. And to make us no better thought of, a little help will ferve: for once when we ftood up about the corn, he himself ftuck not to call us the many-headed 9 'monster.` 3 Cit. We have been call'd fo of many, not that our heads are fome brown, fome black, fome auburn, fome bald; but that our wits are fo diverfely colour'd; and truly, I think, if all our wits were to iffue out of our fculls, they would fly Eaft, Weft, North, South, and their confent of one direct way would be at once to all points o' th' compafs. 2 Cit. Think you fo? which way do you judge my wit would fly? 3 Cit. Nay, your wit will not fo foon out as another man's will, 'tis ftrongly wedg'd up in a blockhead: but if it were at liberty, 'twould fure Southward. 2 Cit. Why that way? 3 Cit. To lofe itfelf in a fog, where being three parts melted away with rotten dews, the fourth would return for confcience fake, to help to get thee a wife. 2 Cit. You are never without your tricks you may you may, 3 Cil. Are you all refolved to give your voices? but that's no matter, the greater part carries it: I fay if he would incline to the people, there was never a worthier man. Enter Coriolanus in a gown, with Menenius. Here he comes, and in the gown of humility; mark his behaviour: we are not to ftay all together, but to come by him where he ftands, by one's, by two's, and by three's. He's to make his requefts by particulars, wherein every one of us has a fingle honour, in giving him our own voices voices with our own tongues: therefore follow me, and I'il direct you how you fhall go by him. All. Content, content. Men. Oh Sir, you are not right; have you not known The worthieft men have done't? Cor. What must I fay? I pray, Sir, plague upon't, I cannot bring My tongue to fuch a pace. Look, Sir, my wounds- Some certain of your brethren roar'd, and ran Men. Oh me, the Gods! You must not speak of that, you must defire them Cor. Think upon me? hang 'em. I would they would forget me, like the advices Men. You'll mar all. I'll leave you pray you speak to 'em, I pray you, Two Citizens approach. Cor. Bid them wash their faces, [Exit. And keep their teeth clean fo, here comes a brace: 1 Cit. We do, Sir; tell us what hath brought you to't. 2 Cit. Your own defert? Cor. Ay, not mine own defire? 1 Cit. How, not your own desire ? Cor. No, Sir, 'twas never my defire yet to trouble the poor with begging. 1 Cit. You must think, if we give you any thing, we hope to gain by you. Cor. Well then; I pray, your price o' th' Confulfhip? 1 Cit. The price is, to ask it kindly. Cor. Kindly, Sir, I pray let me ha't: I have wounds 2 virtues 3 by to to fhew you, which fhall be yours in private: your good voice, Sir; what say you? 2 Cit. You fhall ha't, worthy Sir. Cor. A match, Sir; there's in all two worthy voices begg'd: I have your alms, adieu. 1 Cit. But this is fomething odd. 2 Cit. An 'twere to give again :-but 'tis no matter. Two other Citizens. [Exeunt. Cor. Pray you now, if it may ftand with the tune of your voices, that I may be Conful, I have here the cuftomary gown. 1 Cit. You have deferved nobly of your country, and you have not deferv'd nobly. Cor. Your ænigma? 1 Cit. You have been a fcourge to her enemies; you have been a rod to her friends; you have not indeed loved the common people. Cor. You should account me the more virtuous, that I have not been common in my love; 4'but I will,` Sir, flatter my fworn brother, the people, to earn a dearer eftimation of them, 'for 'tis a condition they account gentle : and fince the wisdom of their choice is rather to have my cap than my heart, I will practise the infinuating nod, and be off to them most counterfeitly; that is, Sir, I will counterfeit the bewitchment of fome popular man, and give it bountifully to the defirers: therefore, 'befeech you I may be Conful. 2 Cit. We hope to find you our friend; and therefore give you our voices heartily. 1 Cit. You have received many wounds for your country. Cor. I will not feal your knowledge with fhewing them. I will make much of your voices, and fo trouble you no further. Both. The Gods give you joy, Sir, heartily! [Exeunt. Cor. Better it is to die, better to ftarve, Than crave the hire, which firft we do deferve, a Three Citizens more. Here come more voices. Your voices-for your voices I have fought, Done many things, fome lefs, fome more :- your voices: Indeed I would be Conful. 1 Cit. He has done nobly, and cannot go without any honeft man's voice. 2 Cit. Therefore let him be Conful: The Gods give him joy, and make him a good friend to the people! All. Amen, amen. God fave thee, noble Conful! Cor. Worthy voices! [Exeunt. Enter Menenius, with Brutus and Sicinius. Men. You've ftood your limitation: and the Tribunes Endue you with the people's voice. Remains, That in th' official marks invefted, you Anon do meet the Senate. Cor. Is this done? Sic. The cuftom of requeft you have difcharg'd: The people do admit you, and are fummon'd (a) - we do deserve. Why in this wool vifh gown fhould I ftand here, To beg of Hob and Dick, that do appear, To one that would do thus. I am half through, Το |
