For his private friends: his answer to me was, For one poor grain Men. You are the musty chaff; and you are smelt Sic. Nay, pray, be patient: if you refuse your aid Might stop our countryman. Men. No; I'll not meddle, What should I do? I think, he'll hear me. Yet to bite his lip, To give or to forgive, but when we have stuff'd And then I'll set upon him. Bru. You know the very road into his kindness, And cannot lose your way. Men, Good faith, I'll prove him, Speed how it will. I shall ere long have knowledge Of my success. [Exit. Com. Sic. He'll never hear him, Not? Com. I tell you, he does sit in gold, his eye Unless his noble mother, and his wife; For mercy to his country. Therefore, let's hence, (Of whom he's chief), with all the size that verity Would without lapsing suffer: nay, sometimes, Like to a bowl upon a subtle ground, I have tumbled past the throw; and in his praise Have, almost, stamp'd the leasing; therefore, fellow, I must have leave to pass. 1 G. 'Faith, sir, if you had told as many lies in his behalf, as you have uttered words in your own, you should not pass here; no, though it was as virtuous to lie as to live chastely. Therefore, go back. Men. Pr'ythee, fellow, remember my name is Menenius, always factionary on the party of your general. 2 G. Howsoever you have been his liar (as you say you have), I am one that, telling true under him, must say, you cannot pass. Therefore, go back. Men. Has he dined, canst thou tell? for I would not speak with him till after dinner. 1 G. You are a Roman, are you? Men. I am as thy general is. 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 virgi nal 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, I say: go, lest I let forth your half-pint of blood;-back,that's the utmost of your having;-back. Men. Nay, but fellow, fellow, - Enter CORIOLANUS and AUFIDIUS. Cor. What's the matter? Men. Now, you companion, I'll say an errand for you; you shall know now, that I am in estimation; you shall perceive that a jack guardant cannot office me from my son Coriolanus: guess, but by my entertainment with him, if thou stand'st not i' the state of hanging, or of some death more long in spectatorship, and crueller in suffering; behold now presently, and swoon for what's to come upon thee.-The glorious gods sit in hourly synod about thy particular progperity, and love thee no worse than thy old father Menenius does! O, my son! my son! thou art preparing fire for us; look thee, here's water 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; and conjure thee to pardon Rome, and thy petitionary countrymen. The good gods assuage thy wrath, and turn the dregs of it upon this varlet here; this, who, like a block, hath denied my access to thee. 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 Ingrate forgetfulness shall poison, rather [Gives a letter. [Exeunt CORIOLANUS and AUFID. 1 G. Now, sir, is your name Meuenius ? 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 gener al: 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! [Exit. 1 G. A noble fellow, I warrant him. 2 G. The worthy fellow is our general: he is the rock, the oak not to be wind-shaken, [Exeunt. SCENE III.-The Tent of Coriolanus. Enter CORIOLANUS, AUFIDIUS, and others. Cor. We will before the walls of Rome to-morrow Set down our host.-My partner in this action, You must report to the Volcian lords, how plainly I have borne this business. Auf. Only their ends You have respected; stopp'd your ears against Cor. This last old man, Whom with a crack'd heart I have sent to Rome, Shall I be tempted to infringe my vow What is that court'sy worth? or those doves' eyes, not 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, Even to a full disgrace. Best of my flesh. Forgive my tyranny; but do not say, For that, Forgive our Romans.-O, a kiss! Long as my exile, sweet as my revenge; Now, by the jealous queen of heaven, that kiss I carried from thee, dear; and my true lip Hath virgin'd it e'er since.-You gods! I prate, And the most noble mother of the world Of thy deep duty more impression show [Kneels. Vol. O, stand up bless'd! Whilst, with no softer cushion than the fiut, I kneel before thee: and unproperly Show duty, as mistaken all the while Between the child and parent. Cor. [Kneels. What is this r Your knees to me? to your corrected son ? Thou art my warrior; Vol. This is a poor epitome of yours, Which by the interpretation of full time May show like all yourself, Or, if you'd ask, remember this before: Vol. O, no more, no more! And state of bodies would bewray what life should Make our eyes flow with joy, hearts dance with comforts. Constrains them weep, and shake with fear and sor row: Making the mother, wife, and child, to see With manacles through our streets, or else 1 purpose not to wait on fortune, till These wars determine: If I cannot persuade thee 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. [Rising. Vol. Nay, go not from us thus. If it were so, that our request did tend To save the Romans, thereby to destroy The Volces whom you serve, you might condemn us, As poisonous of your honour: no, our suit Is, that you reconcile them: while the Volces May say, This mercy we have show'd; the Romans, This we receiv'd; and each in either side Give the all-hail to thee, and cry, Be bless'd For making up this peace! Thou knowest, great son, To tear with thunder the wide cheeks o' the air; And yet to charge thy sulphur with a bolt When she (poor hen), fond of no second brood, Cor. O mother, mother! [Holding Volumnia by the hand, silent. What have you done? Behold the heavens do ope, The gods look down, and this unnatural scene They laugh at. O, my mother, mother! O! You have won a happy victory to Rome: But, for your son, believe it, O believe it, Most dangerously you have with him prevail'd, If not most mortal to him. But let it come;Aufidius, though I cannot make true wars, I'll frame convenient peace. Now, good Aufidius, Were you in my stead, say, would you have heard A mother less? or granted less, Aufidius ? Auf. I was mov'd withal. Cor. I dare be sworn you were: And, sir, it is no little thing to make Mine eyes to sweat compassion. But, good sir, What peace you'll make, advise me: for my part, I'll not to Rome, I'll back with you; and pray you, Stand to me in this cause.-O mother!-wife! Auf. I am glad, thou hast set thy mercy and thy honour At difference in thee: out of that I'll work Cor. [Aside. [The Ladies make signs to CORIOLANUS. Ay, by and by; [To VOLUMNIA, VIRGILIA, &c. But we will drink together; and ye shall bear A better witness back than words, which we, On like conditions, will have counter-seal'd. Come, enter with us. Ladies, you deserve To have a temple built you: all the swords In Italy, and her confederate arms, Could not have made this peace. [Exeunt. SCENE IV.-Rome. A Public Place. Men. See you yond' coign o' the Capitol; yond'cor ner-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 has grown from man to dragon: he has wings; he's more than a creeping thing, Sic. He loved his mother dearly. The Men. So did he me: and he no more remembers his mother now, than an eight-year-old horse. 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 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 ti. ger; 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. you; [Trumpets and hautboys sounded, and drums beaten all together. Shouting also within. The trumpets, sack-buts, psalteries, and fifes, Tabors, and cymbals, and the shouting Romans, Make the sun dance, Hark you! [Shouting again. Men. This is good news; I will go meet the ladies. This Volumnia A sea and land full: you have pray'd well to-day; Accept my thankfulness. Mess. Sir, we have all Great cause to give great thanks. Sic. They are near the city? Mess. Almost at point to enter. Sic. We will meet them, [Going. And help the joy. Enter the Ladies, accompanied by Senators, Patricians, and People. They pass over the Stage. 1 Sen. Behold our patroness, the life of Rome: Call all your tribes together, praise the gods, And make triumphant fires; strew flowers before them: Unshout the noise that banish'd Marcius, Repeal him with the welcome of his mother; Cry,-Welcome, ladies, welcome! All. Welcome, ladies! Welcome! [A flourish with drums and trumpets. [Exeunt. SCENE V.-Antium. 4 Public Place. [Exeunt Attendants, Enter Three or Four Conspirators of Aufidius' fac tion. Most welcome ! 1 Con. How is it with our general? Auf Even so 2 Con. We must proceed, as we do find the people. 3 Con. The people will remain uncertain whilst "Twixt you there's difference; but the fall of either Makes the survivor heir of all. Auf. A good construction. I rais'd him, and I pawn'd 3 Con. Sir, his stoutness, When he did stand for consul, which he lost By lack of stooping, Auf. That I would have spoke of: Being banish'd for't, he came unto my hearth; Presented to my knife his throat: I took him; Made him joint-servant with me; gave him way In all his own desires; nay, let him choose Out of my files, his projects to accomplish, My best and freshest men; serv'd his designments In mine own person; holp to reap the fame, Which he did end all his; and took some pride To do myself this wrong: till, at the last, I seem'd his foliower, not partner; and He wag'd me with his countenance, as if I had been mercenary. Con. So he did, my lord: 1 Lord. And grieve to hear it. What faults he made before the last, I think, Might have found easy fines: but there to end, Where he was to begin, and give away The benefit of our levies, answering us With our own charge; making a treaty, where Enter CORIOLANUS, with Drums and Colours; a crowl of Citizens with him. Cor. Hail, lords! I am return'd your soldier; Do more than counterpoise, a full third part, Than shame to the Romans; and we here deliver, Auf. Read it not, noble lords; But tell the traitor, in the highest degree He hath abus'd your powers. Cor. Traitor !-How now? Auf. Cor. Ay, traitor Marcius. Marcius! Auf. Ay, Marcius, Caius Marcius: dost thou thing I'll grace thee with that robbery, thy stol'n name, Coriolanus, in Corioli ? You, lords and heads of the state, perfidiously Cor. Hear'st thou, Mars? Auf Name not the god, thou boy of tears,Cor. Auf. No more. Ha! 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 I was forc'd to scold. Your judgments, my grave lords, Must give this cur the lie: and his own notion (Who wears my stripes impress'd on him, that must bear My beating to his grave) shall join to thrust The lie unto him. 1 Lord. Peace, both, and hear me speak. Flutter'd your Volces in Corioli: 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 fa ther. 2 Lord. Peace, ho! no outrage;-peace. Cor. Insolent villain! Con. Kill, kill, kill, kill, kill him, Lords. 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 1 Lord. 2 Lord. Auf. Assist. [Exeunt, bearing the body of CORIOLANUS; a dead march sounded. JULIUS CÆSAR, PERSONS REPRESENTED. JULIUS CESAR. OCTAVIUS CESAR, MARCUS ANTONIUS, M. EMIL. LEPIDUS, Have you climbed up to walls and battlements, To towers and windows-yea, to chimney-tops, Your infants in your arms, and there have sat Triumvirs after the death of To see great Pompey pass the streets of Rome: The live-long day, with patient expectation, Julius Cæsar. CICERO, PUBLIUS, POPILIUS LENA; Senators. MARCUS BRUTUS, CASSIUS, SCENE I.-Rome. A Street. Enter FLAVIUS, MARULLUS, and a rabble of Flav. Hence; home, you idle creatures; get you home! Is this a holiday? what! know you not, Of your profession ?-Speak, what trade art thou P 1 Cit, Why, sir, a carpenter. 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. Truly, sir, in respect of a fine workman, I am but, as you would say, a cobbler. Mar. But what trade art thou ? Answer me directly. 2 Cit. A trade, sir, that, I hope, I may use with a safe conscience; which is, indeed, sir, a mender of bad soles. Mar. What trade, thou knave; thou naughty knave, what trade? 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, thou 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: I meddle with no tradesman's matters, nor women's matters, but with awl. I am, indeed, sir, a eurgeon to old shoes: when they are in great danger, I recover them. As proper men as ever trod upon neat'sleather, have gone upon my handywork, Flav. But wherefore art not in thy shop to-day? Why dost thou lead these men about the streets? 2 Cit. Truly, sir, to wear out their shoes, to get myself into more work. But, indeed, sir, we make holyday, to see Cæsar, and to rejoice in his triumph. Mar. Wherefore rejoice? What conquest brings he home ? What tributaries follow him to Rome, To grace in captive bonds his chariot wheels ? things! O, you hard hearts, you cruel men of Rome, Knew you not Pompey? Many a time and oft And, when you saw his chariot but appear, Run to your houses, fall upon your knees, Flav. Go, go, good countrymen, and for this fault, [Exeunt Citizens, If you do find them deck'd with ceremonies. You know it is the feast of Lupercal. Flav. It is no matter; let no images Be hung with Caesar's trophies. I'll about, [Exeunt. SCENE II.- The Same. A Public Place. Enter in procession with music, CESAR; ANTONY, for the course; CALPHURNIA, PORTIA, DECIUS, CICERO, BRUTUS, CASSIUS, and CASCA; a great crowd following; among them a Soothsayer. Cæs. Calphurnia,— Cusca. Cæs. Peace, ho! Cæsar speaks. Cal. Here, my lord. Cæs. Forget not in your speed, Antonius, Ant, I shall remember; When Cæsar, says, Do this, it is perform'd. Cæs. Set on; and leave no ceremony out. [Music. Sooth, Cæsar. Cæs. Ha? Who calls P Casca. Bid every noise be still:-Peace yet again. [Music ceases. Cæs. Who is it in the press, that calls on me? Cas. Set him before me,-let me see his face. Cæsar. Cæs. What say'st thou to me, now? Speak once again. Sooth. Beware the ides of March, |