SCENE III. The fame. The Forum. I CIT. Once, if he do require our voices, we ought not to deny him. 2 CIT. We may, fir, if we will. 3 CIT. We have power in ourselves to do it, but it is a power that we have no power to do: for if he show us his wounds, and tell us his deeds, we are to put our tongues into those wounds, and speak for them; so, if he tell us his noble deeds, we must also tell him our noble acceptance of them. Ingratitude is monftrous and for the multitude to be ingrateful, were to make a monster of the multitude; of the which, we being members, fhould bring ourselves to be monftrous members. I CIT. And to make us no better thought of, a little help will ferve: for once, when we ftood up about the he himself ftuck not to call us-the many-headed multitude. corn, 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 so diverfly colour'd: and truly I think, if all our wits were to iffue out of one skull, they would fly east, weft, north, fouth; and their confent of one direct way fhould be at once to all the points o' the compafs. 2 CIT. Think you fo? Which way, do wit would fly? you judge, my 3 CIT. Nay, your wit will not fo foon out as another man's will, 'tis ftrongly wedg'd up in a block-head: but if it were at liberty, 'twould, fure, fouthward. 2 CIT. Why that way? 3 CIT. To lose itself in a fog; where being three parts melted thee a wife. away with rotten dews, the fourth would return for confcience fake, to help to get 2 CIT. You are never without tricks :-You may, you may. your 3 CIT. 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 and MENENIUS. Here he comes, and in the gown of humility; mark his behaviour. We are not to stay all together, but to come by him where he ftands, by ones, by twos, and by threes. He's to make his requests by particulars; wherein every one of us has a fingle honour, in giving him our own voices with our own tongues: therefore follow me, and I'll direct you how you fhall go by him. ALL. Content, content. [Exeunt. MEN. O fir, you are not right: have you not known The worthieft men have done't? COR. What must I say?— I pray, fir,-Plague upon't! I cannot bring My tongue to fuch a pace :-Look, fir;-my wounds ;I got them in my country's fervice, when Some certain of your brethren roar'd, and ran From the noise of our own drums. MEN. O me, the gods! You must not speak of that; you must defire them To think upon you. COR. Think upon me? Hang 'em! I would they would forget me, like the virtues MEN. You'll mar all; I'll leave you: Pray you, fpeak to them, I pray you, In wholefome manner. Enter two CITIZENS. COR. Bid them wash their faces, [Exit. And keep their teeth clean.-So, here comes a brace. You know the cause, fir, of my standing here. I CIT. We do, fir; tell us what hath brought you to't. COR. Mine own defert. 2 CIT. Your own defert? COR. Ay, not Mine own defire. I CIT. How! not your own defire? 'Twas never my defire yet, to trouble The poor with begging. I CIT. You must think, if we give you any thing, We hope to gain by you. COR. Well then, I pray, your price o'the consulship? I CIT. The price is, fir, to ask it kindly. COR. Kindly! Sir, I pray, let me ha't: I have wounds to fhow you, Which fhall be yours in private.-Your good voice, fir; What say you? 2 CIT. You shall have it, worthy fir. COR. A match, fir :— There is in all two worthy voices begg'd: I have your alms; adieu. I CIT. But this is fomething odd. 2 CIT. An 'twere to give again,-But 'tis no matter. [Exeunt two CITIZENS. Enter two other CITIZENS. COR. Pray you now, if it may stand with the tune of your voices, that I may be conful, I have here the cuf tomary gown. 1 CIT. You have deserved nobly of your country, and you have not deferved nobly. COR. Your enigma? I 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 fhould account me the more virtuous, that I have not been common in my love. I will, fir, flatter my fworn brother, the people, to earn a dearer estimation of them; 'tis a condition they account gentle and fince the wisdom of their choice is rather to have my hat than my heart, I will practise the infinuating nod, and be off to them moft counterfeitly; that is, fir, 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. I CIT. You have received many wounds for your country. COR, I will not feal your knowledge with fhowing them. I will make much of your voices, and fo trouble you no further. BOTH CIT. The gods give you joy, fir, heartily! [Exeunt. COR. Most sweet voices ! Better it is to die, better to ftarve, Than crave the hire which first we do deserve. For truth to over-peer.-Rather than fool it fo, To one that would do thus.-I am half through; Enter three other CITIZENS. Here come more voices, Your voices for your voices I have fought; I have seen, and heard of; for your voices, have I 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 good friend to the people! ALL. Amen, amen. God fave thee, noble conful! COR. Worthy voices! [Exeunt CITIZENS. Re-enter MENENIUS, with BRUTUS and SICINIUS. MEN. You have stood your limitation; and the tribunes Endue you with the people's voice: Remains, That, in the official marks invested, you Anon do meet the fenate. COR. Is this done? SIC. The custom of request you have discharg'd ; The people do admit you; and are fummon'd To meet anon, upon your approbation. COR. Where? at the fenate-house ? SIC. There, Coriolanus. COR. May I then change these garments? SIC. You may, fir. COR. That I'll straight do; and, knowing myself again, |