To speak with Coriolanus. 1 G. From whence? Men. From Rome. to quench it. I was hardly moved to come to thee; but being assured, none but myself could move thee, I have been blown out of your gates with sighs; 1 G. You may not pass, you must return: our and conjure thee to pardon Rome, and thy petitiogeneral Will no more hear from thence. nary countrymen. The good gods assuage thy wrath, and turn the dregs of it upon this varlet here; this, 2 G. You'll see your Rome embrac'd with fire,before who, like a block, hath denied my access to thee. You'll speak with Coriolanus. Men. Good my friends, If you have heard your general talk of Rome, My name hath touch'd your ears: it is Menenius. 1 G. Be it so; go back! the virtue of your name Is not here passable. Men. I tell thee, fellow, Thy general is my lover: I have been Cor. Away! Men. How! away? Cor. Wife, mother, child, I know not. My affairs Are servanted to others: though I owe My revenge properly, my remission lies In Volcian breasts. That we have been familiar, ! The book of his good acts, whence men have read Your gates against my force. Yet, for I lov'd thee, His fame unparallel'd, haply, amplified; (Of whom he's chief,) with all the size that verity I have tumbled past the throw; and in his praise 1 G. 'Faith, sir, if you had told as many lies in his 1 G. Then you should hate Rome, as he does. Can you, when you have pushed out your gates the very defender of them, and, in a violent popular ignorance, given your enemy your shield, think to front his revenges with the easy groans of old women, the virginal palms of your daughters, or with the palsied intercession of such a decayed dotant, as you seem to be? Can you think to blow out the intended fire your city is ready to flame in, with such weak breath as this? No, you are deceived; therefore, back to Rome, and prepare for your execution: you are condemned, our general has sworn you out of reprieve and pardon. Men. Sirrah, if thy captain knew I were here, he would use me with estimation. 2 G. Come, my captain knows you not. Men. I mean, thy general. 1 G. My general cares not for you. Back, go! lest I let forth your half pint of blood! -that's the utmost of your having !— back! Men. Nay, but fellow, fellow, I say, Enter CORIOLANUS and AUFIDIUS. Cor. What's the matter? I Take this along; I writ it for thy sake, [Gives a letter. [Exeunt Coriolanus and Aufidius. 1 G. Now, sir, is your name Menenius? 2 G. 'Tis a spell, you see, of much power: you know the way home again. 1 G. Do you hear how we are shent for keeping your greatness back? 2 G. What cause, do you think, I have to swoon? Men. I neither care for the world, nor your general: for such things as you, I can scarce think there's any, you are so slight. He, that hath a will to die by himself, fears it not from another. Let your general do his worst. For you, be that you are, long; and your misery increase with your age! I say to you, as I was said to, Away! SCENE III. The tent of CORIOLANUS. Whom with a crack'd heart I have sent to Rome, Lov'd me above the measure of a father; Nay, godded me, indeed. Their latest refuge Was to send him; for whose old love, I have (Though I show'd sourly to him,) once more offer'd The first conditions, which they did refuse, And cannot now accept, to grace him only, That thought he could do more; a very little Men. Now, you companion, I'll say an errand for I have yielded too: fresh embassies, and suits, you; you shall know now, that I am in estimation; Nor from the state, nor private friends, hereafter you shall perceive, that a Jack guardant cannot Will I lend ear to. - Ha! what shout is this? office me from my son Coriolanus: guess, but by my entertainment with him, if thou stand'st not i'the Shall I be tempted to infringe my vow state of hanging, or of some death more long in In the same time 'tis made? I will not. spectatorship, and crueller in suffering; behold now Enter, in mourning habits, VIRGILIA, Volumnia, presently, and swoon for what's to come upon thee. leading young MARCIUS, VALERIA, and Attendants. The glorious gods sit in hourly synod about thy My wife comes foremost; then the honour'd mould particular prosperity, and love thee no worse, than Wherein this trunk was fram'd, and in her hand thy old father Menenius does! O, my son! my son! The grand-child to her blood. But, out, affection! thou art preparing fire for us; look thee, here's water All bond and privilege of nature, break! - Let it be virtuous, to be obstinate. —- Let the Volces Vir. My lord and husband! Cor. These eyes are not the same I wore in Rome. Vir. The sorrow, that delivers us thus chang'd, Makes you think so. Cor. Like a dull actor now, I have forgot my part, and I am out, Of thy deep duty more impression show P Which you deny already. Yet we will ask; [Kneels. Whilst, with no softer cushion than the flint, Vol. 0, stand up bless'd! I kneel before thee; and unproperly Show duty, as mistaken all the while Between the child and parent. Cor. What is this? [Kneels. Your knees to me? to your corrected son? I holp to frame thee. Do you know this lady? Cor. The god of soldiers, With the consent of supreme Jove, inform Make our eyes flow with joy, hearts dance with comforts, Constrains them weep, and shake with fear and sorrow; Thy thoughts with nobleness; that thou may'st prove Vol. Your kuce, sirrah! Cor. That's my brave boy. Vol. Even he, your wife, this lady, and myself, Are suitors to you. Cor. I beseech you, peace! Or, if you'd ask, remember this before; Vir. Ay, and on mine, That brought you forth this boy, to keep your name Living to time. Boy. He shall not tread on me; I'll run away till I am bigger, but then I'll fight. Vol. Nay, go not from us thus. [Rising If it were so, that our request did tend - The things, I have forsworn to grant, may never Destroy'd his country; and his name remains Be held by you denials. Do not bid me Again with Rome's mechanics. - Tell me not To allay my rages and revenges, with Your colder reasons. Vol. 0, no more, no more! You have said, you will not grant us any thing; son! To the ensuing age, abhorr'd. Speak to me, Still to remember wrongs? - Daughter, speak y Perhaps thy childishness will move him more, Cor. O mother, mother! ope, [Holding Volumnia by the hands, silent. Cor. I dare be sworn, you were: Mine eyes to sweat compassion. But, good sir, honour At difference in thee: out of that I'll work [Aside. [Exeunt. SCENE IV. Rome. A public place. Men. See you yond' coign o'the Capitol; yond' corner-stone? Sic. Why, what of that? Men. If it be possible for you to displace it with your little finger, there is some hope the ladies of Rome, especially his mother, may prevail with him. But I say, there is no hope in't; our throats are sentenced, and stay upon execution. Sic. Is't possible, that so short a time can alter the condition of a man? Men. There is differency between a grub, and a butterfly; yet your butterfly was a grub. This Marcius is grown from man to dragon: he has wings; he's more than a creeping thing. Sic. He loved his mother dearly. Men. So did he me: and he no more remembers his mother now, than an eight year old horse. The tartness of his face sours ripe grapes. When he walks, he moves like an engine, and the ground shrinks before his treading. He is able to pierce a corslet with his eye; talks like a knell, and his hum is a battery. He sits in his state, as a thing made for Alexander. What he bids be done, is finished with his bidding. He wants nothing of a god but eternity, and a heaven to throne in. Sic. Yes, mercy, if you report him truly. Men. I paint him in the character. Mark what mercy his mother shall bring from him. There is no more mercy in him, than there is milk in a male tiger; that shall our poor city find: and all this is 'long of you. Sic. The gods be good unto us! Men. No, in such a case the gods will not be good unto us. When we banished him, we respected not them; and, he returning to break our necks, they respect not us. Enter a Messenger. Mess. Sir, if you'd save your life, fly to your house; Sic. What's the news? - the ladies have The Volces are dislodg'd, and Marcius gone: Art thou certain this is true? is it most certain? The trumpets, sackbuts, psalteries, and fifes, I will go meet the ladies. This Volumnia A sea and land full. You have pray'd well to-day; Mess. Sir, we have all Great cause to give great thanks. [Going. Enter the Ladies, accompanied by Senators, Pa- All. Welcome, ladies! Welcome! Ere he express himself, or move the people [A flourish with drums and trumpets. With what he would say, let him feel your sword, SCENEV. - Antium. A public place. 1 Con. How is it with our general? As with a man by his own alms empoison'd, 2 Con. Most noble sir, If you do hold the same intent, wherein You wish'd us parties, well deliver you Auf. Sir, I cannot tell; We must proceed, as we do find the people. Auf. Say no more; Here come the lords. Enter the Lords of the city. But, worthy lords, have you with heed perus'd 8 Con. The people will remain uncertain, whilst 'Twixt you there's difference; but the fall of either Makes the survivor heir of all. Auf. I know it; And my pretext to strike at him admits Lords. We have. 1 Lord. And grieve to hear it. A good construction. I rais'd him, and I pawn'd When he did stand for consul, which he lost Auf. That I would have spoke of: Being banish'd for't, he came unto my hearth; Cor. Hail, lords! I am return'd your soldier; For which my sinews shall be stretch'd upon him. Auf. Read it not, noble lords; But tell the traitor, in the highest degree [Drums and trumpets sound, with great 1 Con. Your native town you enter'd like a post, 2 Con. And patient fools, Cor. Traitor! How now? Cor. Marcius! Auf. Ay, Marcius, Caius Marcius; dost thou think You lords and heads of the state, perfidiously Cor. Hear'st thou, Mars! Auf. Name not the god, thou boy of tears,— Cor. Ha! Auf. No more. Cor. Measureless liar, thou hast made my heart Too great for what contains it. Boy! O slave!Pardon me, lords, 'tis the first time that ever was forc'd to scold. Your judgments, my grave lords, I Must give this cur the lie: and his own notion bear My beating to his grave;) shall join to thrust The lie unto him. Whose children he hath slain, their base throats tear, 1 Lord. Peace, both, and hear me speak! T SH T If you have writ your annals true, 'tis there, That, like an eagle in a dove-cote, I Alone I did it. - Boy! Auf. Why, noble lords! Will you be put in mind of his blind fortune, [Several speak at once. Cit. [Speaking promiscuously.] Tear him to pieces, do it presently. He killed my son; my daughter; -He killed my cousin Marcus; he killed my father.2 Lord. Peace, ho -no outrage! - peace! The man is noble, and his fame folds in This orb o'the earth. His last offence to us Shall have judicious hearing.—Stand, Aufidius, And trouble not the peace! Cor. O, that I had him, With six Aufidiuses, or more, his tribe, Auf. Insolent villain! Con. Kill, kill, kill, kill, kill him! [Aufidius and the Conspirators draw, and kill Coriolanus, who falls, and Aufidius stands on him. Lords. Hold, hold, hold, hold! Auf. My noble masters, hear me speak! 1 Lord. O Tullus, 2 Lord. Thou hast done a deed whereat valour will weep. 3 Lord. Tread not upon him!- Masters all, be quiet; Put up your swords! Auf. My lords, when you shall know (as in this rage, Provok'd by him, you cannot,) the great danger Which this man's life did owe you, you'll rejoice That he is thus cut off. Please it your honours To call me to your senate, I'll deliver Myself your loyal servant, or endure Your heaviest censure. 1 Lord. Bear from hence his body, And mourn you for him: let him be regarded 2 Lord. His own impatience Takes from Aufidius a great part of blame. Auf. My rage is gone, And I am struck with sorrow. - Take him up!- CINNA, conspirators against Julius Caesar. FLAVIUS and MARULLUS, tribunes. CINNA, a poet. Another Poet. LUCILIUS, TITINius, Messala, young Сsão, and VoLUMNIUS; friends to Brutus and Cassius. VARRO, CLITUS, CLAUDIUS, STRAto, Lucius, DardaNIUS; servants to Brutus. PINDARUS, servant to Cassius. CALPHURNIA, wife to Caesar. PORTIA, wife to Brutus. Senators, Citizens, Guards, Attendants, etc. SCENE,- During a great part of the play, at Rome; afterwards at Sardis; and near Philippi. Mar. Where is thy leather apron, and thy rule? What dost thou with thy best apparel on? You, sir; what trade are you? 2 Cit. Nay, I beseech you, sir, be not out with me: yet, if you be out, sir, I can mend you. Mar. What meanest thou by that? Mend me, thon saucy fellow? 2 Cit. Why, sir, cobble you. Flav. Thou art a cobbler, art thou? 2 Cit. Truly, sir, all that I live by is, with the awl: 2 Cit. Truly, sir, in respect of a fine workman, II meddle with no tradesman's masters, nor women's am but, as you would say, a cobbler. matters, but with awl. I am, indeed, sir, a surgeon |