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Soft as the parasite's silk, let him ' be made
A coverture for the wars!-No more, I say;
For that I have not wash'd my nose that bled,
Or foil'd some debile wretch,--which, without note,
Here's many else have done,-you shout me forth
In acclamations hyperbolical;

As if I lov'd my little should be dieted
In praises sauc'd with lyes.

Com. Too modest are you;

More cruel to your good report, than grateful
To us that give you truly by your patience,
If 'gainst yourself you be incens'd, we'll put you
(Like one that means his proper harm) in manacles,
Then reason safely with you.-Therefore, be it
known,

As to us, to all the world, that Caius Marcius
Wears this war's garland: in token of the which,
My noble steed, known to the camp, I give him,
With all his trim belonging; and, from this time,
For what he did before Corioli, call him,
With all the applause and clamour of the host,
Caius Marcius Coriolanus.-

Bear the addition nobly ever!

[Flourish. Trumpets sound, and drums.
Omnes. Caius Marcius Coriolanus!
Cor. I will go wash;

And when my face is fair, you shall perceive
Whether I blush, or no: Howbeit, I thank you :-
I mean to stride your steed; and, at all times,
To undercrest your good addition,
To the fairness of my power'.

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instead of it, the neuter.

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A flourish. Cornets. Enter Tullus Aufidius bloody, with two or three Soldiers.

Auf. The town is ta'en!

Sol. "Twill be deliver'd back on good condition.
Auf. Condition!--

I would, I were a Roman; for I cannot,
Being a Volce, be that I am.-Condition!
What good condition can a treaty find

20' the part that is at mercy? Five times, Marcius,
I have fought with thee; so often hast thou beat me;
And would'st do so, I think, should we encounter
As often as we eat.-By the elements,
If e'er again I meet him beard to beard,
25 He is mine, or I am his: Mine emulation
Hath not that honour in't, it had; for where
I thought to crush him in an equal force,
True sword to sword, I'll potch' at him some way;
Or wrath, or craft, may get him.

30

Sol. He's the devil.

[poison'd, Auf. Bolder, though not so subtle: My valour's With only suffering stain by him; for him Shall flie out of itself: nor sleep nor sanctuary, Being naked, sick; nor fane, nor capitol, 35 The prayers of priests, nor times of sacrifice, Embarquements' all of fury, shall lift up Their rotten privilege and custom 'gainst My hate to Marcius: where I find him, were it At home, upon my brother's guard, even there, 40 Against the hospitable canon, would I

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[city;

Wash my fierce hand in his heart. Go you to the
Learn how 'tis held; and what they are, that must
Be hostages for Rome.

Sol. Will not you go?

B

Auf. I am attended at the cypress grove: pray you,

Tis south the city mills) bring me word thither
How the world goes; that to the pace of it
I may spur on my journey.

50

Sol. I shall, sir.

[Exeunt.

'Him for it. The personal him is not unfrequently used by our author, and other writers of his age A phrase from heraldry, signifying, that he would endeavour to suppor i.e. in proportion equal to my power. i.e. the chief men of Corioli "Potch is a word used in the midland counties for a rough, violent push Embarquements mean not only an embarkation, but an embargoing, or impediment. i. e. expected

his good opinion of him.

i. e. enter into articles.

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Men. Not according to the prayer of the people, for they love not Marcius.

Sic. Nature teaches beasts to know their friends.
Men. Pray you, who does the wolf love?
Sic. The lamb.

Men. Ay, to devour him; as the hungry plebeians would the noble Marcius.

Bru. He's a lamb indeed, that baes like a bear. Men. He's a bear indeed that lives like a lamb. You two are old men; tell me one thing that I shall ask you.

Both. Well, sir.

converses more with the buttock of the night, than with the forehead of the morning, What I think, I utter; and spend my malice in my breath: Meeting two such wealsmen as you are, 5 (I cannot call you Lycurgusses) if the drink you give me, touch my palate adversely, I make a crooked face at it. I can't say, your worships have deliver'd the matter well, when I find the ass in compound with the major part of your syllables; and though I must be content to bear with those that say you are reverend grave men; yet they lye deadly, that tell you you have good faces. If you see this in the map of my microcosm, follows it, that I am known well enough too? What harm can your bisson' conspectuities glean out of this character, if I be known well enough too?

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Bru. And topping all others in boasting. Men. This is strange now: Do you two know how you are censur'd here in the city, I mean of us o' the right-hand file? Do you?

Bru. Why, how are we censur'd?

25

Bru. Come, sir, come, we know you well enough, Men. You know neither me, yourselves, nor any thing. You are ambitious for poor knaves' caps and legs: you wear out a good wholesome forenoon, in hearing a cause between an orangewife and a fasset-seller; and then rejourn the controversy of three-pence to a second day of audience. When you are hearing a matter between party and party, if you chance to be pinch'd with the cholic, you make faces like muminers: set up the bloody flag against all patience, and, in roaring for a chamber-pot, dismiss the controversy bleeding, the more entangled by your hearing:

Men. Because you talk of pride now,-Will 30 all the peace you make in their cause, is, calling you not be angry?

Both. Well, well, sir, well.

Men. Why, 'tis no great matter; for a very little thief of occasion will rob you of a great Ideal of patience; give your dispositions the reins, and be angry at your pleasures; at the least, if you take it as a pleasure to you, in being so. You blame Marcius for being proud?

Bru. We do it not alone, sir.

both the parties knaves; you are a pair of strange

ones.

Bru. Come, come, you are well understood to be a perfecter giber for the table, than a neces35sary bencher in the Capitol.

Men. I know, you can do very little alone; for 40 your helps are many; or else your actions would grow wondrous single: your abilities are too infant-like, for doing much alone. You talk of pride: Oh, that you could turn your eyes towards the napes of your necks', and make but an interior survey of your good selves! O, that you could! Bru. What then, sir?

Men. Why, then you should discover a brace of as unmeriting, proud, violent, testy magistrates, (aliàs, fools) as any in Rome.

Men. Our very priests must become mockers, if they shall encounter such ridiculous subjects as you are. When you speak best unto the purpose, t is not worth the wagging of your beards; and your beards deserve not so honourable a grave, as to stuff a botcher's cushion, or to be entomb'd in an ass's pack-saddle. Yet you must be saying, Marcius is proud; who, in a cheap estimation, is worth all your predecessors, since Deucalion; 45 though, peradventure, some of the best of them were hereditary hangmen. Good-e'en to your worships: more of your conversation would infect my brain, being the herdsmen of the beastly plebeians: I will be bold to take my leave of you, 50 Enter Volumnia, Virgilia, and Valeria. How now, my fair as noble ladies, (and the moon, were she earthly, no nobler) whither do you follow your eyes so fast?

Sic. Menenius, you are known well enough too. Men, I am known to be a humourous patrician, and one that loves a cup of hot wine with not a drop of allaying Tiber in't; said to be something imperfect, in favouring the first complaint; hasty, 55 and tinder-like, upon too trivial motion: one that

Vol. Honourable Menenius, my boy Marcius approaches; for the love of Juno, let's go. Men. Ha! Marcius coming home?

'Alluding to the fable, which says, that every man has a bag hanging before him, in which he puts his neighbour's faults, and another behind him, in which he stows his own. lier-down than an early riser. i, e. blind. i. e. declare war against patience.

Rather a late

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He carries noise, and behind him he leaves tears;
Death, that dark spirit, in's nervy arm doth lie;
Which being advanc'd,declines, and then men die.

5 A Senate. Trumpets sound. Enter Cominius the
General, and Titus Lartius; between them, Co-
riolanus, crown'd with an oaken garland; with
Captains and Soldiers, and a Herald.
Her.Know, Rome, that all aloneMarcius did fight
Within Corioli' gates: where he hath won,
With fame, a name to Caius Marcius; these
In honour follows, Coriolanus :-
Welcome to Rome, renown'd Coriolanus !
[Sound. Flourish,

10

Men. A letter for me? It gives me an estate of seven years' health; in which time, I will make a lip at the physician: the most sovereign pre-15 scription in Galen is but empyric qutique, and, to this preservative, of no better report than a horse-drench. Is he not wounded? he was wont to come home wounded.

Vir. O, no, no, no.

Vol. O, he is wounded, I thank the gods for't. Men. So do I too, if it be not too much :Brings 'a victory in his pocket?-The wounds become him.

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Vol. On's brows, Menenius; he comes the 25 third time home with the oaken garland.

Men. Has he disciplin'd Aufidius soundly? Vol. Titus Lartius writes,-they fought together, but Aufidius got off.

Men. And it was time for him too, I'll warrant 30 him that: an' he had staid by him, I would not have been so fidius'd for all the chests in Corioli, and the gold that's in them. Is the senate possess'd' of this?

Vol. Good ladies, let's go :-Yes, yes, yes: the 35 senate has letters from the general, wherein he gives my son the whole name of the war: he hath in this action outdone his former deeds doubly.

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

Men. Wondrous? ay, I warrant you, and not without his true purchasing.

Vir. The gods grant them true!
Vol. True? pow, wow.

Men. True? I'll be sworn they are true';Where is he wounded?-God save your good worships! [To the Tribunes.] Marcius is coming home he has more cause to be proud.—Where is he wounded?

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Vol. I' the shoulder, and i' the left arm: There 50 will be large cicatrices to shew the people, when he shall stand for his place. He receiv'd, in the repulse of Tarquin, seven hurts i' the body.

Men. One i' the neck, and one too i' the thigh: -There's nine that I know.

Vol. He had, before this last expedition,twentyfive wounds upon him.

Men. Now 'tis twenty-seven: every gash was an enemy's grave: Hark, the trumpets.

All. Welcome to Rome, renown'd Coriolanus ! Cor. No more of this, it does offend any hearts Pray now, no more.

Com. Look, sir, your mother,

Cor. O!

You have, I know, petition'd all the gods
For my prosperity.

Vol. Nay, my good soldier, up;

My gentle Marcius, worthy Caius, and
By deed-atchieving honour newly nam'd.
What is it? Coriolanus, must I call thee?
But O, thy wife————

Cor. My gracious silence2, hail! Would'st thou have laugh'd, had I come coffin'd home,

That weep'st to see me triumph? Ah, my dear
Such eyes the widows in Corioli wear,
And mothers that lack sons.

don.

weep,

Men. Now the gods crown thee! Cor. And live you yet? O my sweet lady, par[To Valeria. Vol. I know not where to turn:-O, welcome home: [all. And welcome, general;-And you are welcome Men. A hundred thousand welcomes: I could [come: And I could laugh; I am light and heavy. WelA curse begin at very root of's heart, That is not glad to see thee!- -You are three, That Rome should dote on: yet by the faith of [will not We have some old crab-trees here at home, that Be grated to your relish. Yet welcome, warriors: We call a nettle, but a nettle; and The faults of fools but folly.

men,

Com. Ever right.

Cor. Menenius, ever, ever,
Her. Give way there, and go on.
Cor. Your hand, and yours:

[To his Wife and Mother.
55 Ere in our own house I do shade my head,
The good patricians must be visited;
From whom I have receiv'd not only greetings,
But with them change of honours,

[A shout, and flourish. 60

Vol. I have liv'd

To see inherited my very wishes, Vol.These are th' ushers of Marcius: before him And the buildings of my fancy:

1i. e. informed. 2 i. e. according to Mr. Steevens, "Thou whose silent tears are more eloquent and grateful to me, than the clamorous applause of the rest,"

Only

Only there's one thing wanting, which I doubt
But our Rome will cast upon thee.

Cor. Know, good mother,

I had rather be their servant in my way,
Than sway with them in theirs.

[not,

Com. On, to the Capitol. [Flourish. Cornets.
[Exeunt in state, as before.
Brutus and Sicinius come forward.
Bru. All tongues speak of him, and the bleared
sights

Are spectacled to see him: Your prattling nurse
Into a rapture lets her baby cry,

While she chats him: the kitchen-malkin 2 pins
Her richest lockram' 'bout her reeky neck,
Clambering the walls to eye him: Stails, bulks,
windows,

Are smother'd up, leads fill'd, and ridges hors'd
With variable complexions; all agreeing

In earnestness to see him: seld-shown flamens
Do press among the popular throngs, and puff
To win a vulgar station: our veil'd dames
Commit the war of white and damask, in
Their nicely gawded cheeks, to the wanton spoil
Of Phoebus' burning kisses: such a pother,
As if that whatsoever god, who leads him',
Were slily crept into his human powers,
And gave him graceful posture.

Sic. On the sudden,

I warrant him consul.

Bru. Then our office may,

During his power, go sleep.

Sic. He cannot temperately transport his honours

From where he should begin, and end; but will
Lose those he hath won.

Bru. In that there's comfort.

Sic. Doubt not,

The commoners, for whom we stand, but they,
Upon their ancient malice, will forget,

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Mess. You are sent for to the Capitol. Tis 20 That Marcius shall be consul: I have seen The dumb men throng to see him, and the blind To hear him speak: Matrons flung gloves, Ladies and maids their scarfs and handkerchiefs, Upon him as he pass'd: the nobles bended, 25 As to Jove's statue; and the commons made A shower, and thunder, with their caps, and I never saw the like. [shouts :

Bru. Let's to the Capitol;

And carry with us ears and eyes for the time, 130 But hearts for the event.

35

With the least cause, these his new honours; which
That he will give them, make I as little question 40|
As he is proud to do't.

Bru. I heard him swear,

Were he to stand for consul, never would he
Appear i' the market-place, nor on him put
The napless vesture of humility:

Sic. Have with you.

SCENE II.

The Capitol.

[Exeunt.

Enter two Officers, to lay cushions.

1 Off. Come, come, they are almost here: How many stand for consulships?

2 Off. Three, they say; but 'tis thought of every one, Coriolanus will carry it.

1 Off. That's a brave fellow; but he's ven geance proud, and loves not the common people,

2 Off. Faith, there have been many great men that have flatter'd the people, who ne'er lov'd them; and there be many that they have lov'd, 45 they know not wherefore: so that, if they love they know not why, they hate upon no better a ground: Therefore, for Coriolanus neither to care whether they love, or hate him, manifests the true knowledge he has in their disposition; Than carry it, but by the suit o' the gentry to him, 50 and, out of his noble carelessness, lets them And the desire of the nobles.

Nor shewing (as the manner is) his wounds
To the people, beg their stinking breaths.
Sic. 'Tis right.

Bru. It was his word: O, he would miss it, rather

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plainly see't..

1 Of. If he did not care whether he had their love or no, he wav'd indifferently 'twixt doing them neither good, nor harm; but he seeks their 55 hate with greater devotion than they can render it him; and leaves nothing undone, that may fully discover him their opposite. Now, to seem to affect the malice and displeasure of the people, is as bad as that which he dislikes, to flatter them 160 for their love.

1 Rapture was a common term at that time used for a fit simply. A kind of mop made of clouts for the use of sweeping ovens: thence a dirty wench.-Maukin in some parts of England signifies a figure of clouts set up to fright birds in gardens; a scarecrow. 3 Lockram was some kind of

cheap linen. 4i. e. priests who seldom exhibit themselves to public view.-Seld is often used by ancient writers for seldom. i. e. as if that god who leads him, whatsoever god he be.

2 Of. He hath deserved worthily of his country: And his ascent is not by such easy degrees as those, who have been supple and courteous to the people; bonneted', without any further deed to heave them at all into their estimation and report: but 5 he hath so planted his honours in their eyes, and his actions in their hearts, that for their tongues to be silent, and not confess so much,| were a kind of ingrateful injury; to report otherwise, were a malice, that, giving itself the lye, 10 would pluck reproof and rebuke from every ear

that heard it.

10f. No more of him; he is a worthy man: Make way, they are coming.

20

A Senate. Enter the Patricians, and the Tribunes of 15
the people, Lictors before them; Coriolanus, Me-
nenius, Cominius the Consul: Sicinius and Bru-
tus, as Tribunes, take their places by themselves.
Men. Having determin'd of the Volces, and
To send for Titus Lartius, it remains,
As the main point of this our after-meeting,
To gratify his noble service, that
Hath thus stood for his country: Therefore, please
Most reverend and grave elders, to desire
The present consul, and last general
In our well-found successes, to report
A little of that worthy work perform'd
By Caius Marcius Coriolanus; whom

[you,

We meet here, both to thank, and to remember
With honours like himself.

1 Sen. Speak, good Cominius:
Leave nothing out for length; and make us think,
Rather our state's defective for requital,
Than we to stretch it out.-Masters o' the people,]
We do request your kindest ear; and, after,
Your loving motion toward the common body,
To yield what passes here.

Sic. We are convented

Upon a pleasing treaty; and have hearts
Inclinable to honour and advance
The theme of our assembly.

Bru. Which the rather

We shall be blest to do, if he remember
A kinder value of the people, than
He hath hereto priz'd them at.

Men. That's off, that's off2;

I would you rather had been silent: Please you
To hear Cominius speak?

Bru. Most willingly;

But yet my caution was more pertinent,
Than the rebuke you give it.

Men. He loves your people;
But tye him not to be their bed fellow.-
Worthy Cominius, speak.-Nay, keep your place.
[Coriolanus rises, and offers to go away.

1 Sen. Sit, Coriolanus: never shame to hear What you have nobly done.

Cor. Your honours' pardon;

I had rather have my wounds to heal again,

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Com. I shall lack voice: the deeds of Coriolanus
Should not be utter'd feebly.-It is held,
That valour is the chiefest virtue, and
Most dignifies the haver; if it be,

4

The man I speak of cannot in the world
25 Be singly counterpois'd. At sixteen years,
When Tarquin made a head for Rome, he fought
Beyond the mark of others: our then dictator,
Whom with all praise I point at, saw him fight,
When with his Amazonian chin he drove
30 The bristled lips before him: he bestrid
An o'er-prest Roman, and i' the consul's view
Slew three opposers; Tarquin's self he met,
And struck him on his knee: in that day's feats,
When he might act the woman in the scene,
He prov'd best man i' the field, and for his meed
Was brow-bound with the oak. His pupil age
Man enter'd thus, he waxed like a sea;
And, in the brunt of seventeen battles since,
He lurch'd all swords o' the garland. For this last,
40 Before and in Corioli, let me say,

35

I cannot speak him home: He stopt the fliers;
And, by his rare example, made the coward
Turn terror into sport: as waves before

A vessel under sail, so men obey'd, [stamp)
45 And fell below his stem: his sword (death's
Where it did mark, it took; from face to foot
He was a thing of blood, whose every motion
Was tim'd with dying cries: alone he enter'd
The mortal gate o' the city, which he painted
50 With shunless destiny; aidless came off,
And with a sudden re-inforcement struck
Corioli, like a planet: Now all's his:
When by-and-by the din of war 'gan pierce
His ready sense: then straight his doubled spirit
Re-quicken'd what in flesh was fatigate,

55

And to the battle came he; where he did
Run reeking o'er the lives of men, as if
Twere a perpetual spoil: and, 'till we call'd
Both field and city ours, he never stood

2 i. e. that is nothing to the purpose. i. e. his chin on which there was no beard.

1 Bonneter, Fr. is, to pull off one's cap. power to recover Rome."

3i. e. raised a The parts of women

were, in Shakspeare's time, represented by the most smooth-faced young men to be found among the i.e. the gate was made the scene of death.

players.

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