world Hear nought from Rome in private.-Your request? | Than can our reasons.-There is no man in the Vol. Should we be silent and not speak, our raiment, And state of bodies, would bewray! what life Make our eyes flow with joy, hearts dance with Constrains them weep, and shake with fear and sorrow; Making the mother, wife, and child, to see Our wish, which side should win for either thou With manacles thorough our streets, or else These wars determine: if I cannot persuade thee Ay, and on mine, Boy. He shall not tread on me; Vol. [Rising. Nay, go not from us thus. To save the Romans, thereby to destroy If it were so, that our request did tend More bound to his mother; yet here he lets me prate Like him by chance:-Yet give us our despatch: Cor. O mother, mother! Cor. Auf. I am glad, thou hast set thy mercy and thy The Volces whom you serve, you might condemn us, At difference in thee: out of that I'll work As poisonous of your honour: No; our suit To tear with thunder the wide cheeks o'the air, (3) The refinements. Myself a former fortune [Aside. Cor. [Exeunt. SCENE IV.-Rome. A public place. Enter 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. (4) Angle. (5) Stay but for it. Sic. Is't possible, that so short a time can alter] Mess. Almost at point to enter. 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. Sic. And help the joy. We will meet them, [Going. Enter the Ladies, accompanied by Senators, Patri- 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 Unshout the noise that banish'd Marcius, shrinks before his treading. He is able to pierce a Repeal' him with the welcome of his mother; corslet with his eye; talks like a knell, and his hum Cry,-Welcome, ladies, welcome!is a battery. He sits in his state,' as a thing made for Alexander. What he bids be done, finished Welcome! 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 The plebeians have got your fellow-tribune, Enter another Messenger. Sic. The Volces are dislodg'd, and Marcius gone : Sic. Friend, [Trumpets and hautboys sounded, and drums beaten, all together. Shouting also within. The trumpets, sackbuts, psalteries, and fifes, Tabors, and cymbals, and the shouting Romans, Make the sun dance. Hark you! [Shouting again. A sea and land full: You have pray'd well to-day; Accept my thankfulness. Sir, we have all Great cause to give great thanks. All. Welcome, ladies! [A flourish with drums and trumpets. [Exeunt. SCENE V.-Antium. A public place. Enter Auf. Go tell the lords of the city, I am here: [Exeunt Attendants. If you do hold the same intent wherein Sir, I cannot tell; 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. Auf They are near the city? The army marvell'd at it. And, in the last, (1) Chair of state. (2) To resemble. Recall, (4) Gates. (5) Helped. (6) Thought me rewarded with good looks, For no less spoil, than glory, Auf. (I say, your city,) to his wife and mother: it;-Breaking his oath and resolution, like There was For which my sinews shall be stretch'd upon him. At a few drops of women's rheum,' which are As cheap as lies, he sold the blood and labour Of our great action; Therefore shall he die, And I'll renew me in his fall. But, hark! [Drums and trumpets sound, with great shouts of the people. 1 Con. Your native town you enter'd like a post, And had no welcomes home; but he returns, Splitting the air with noise. 2 Con. And patient fools, Whose children he hath slain, their base throats tear, With giving him glory. Here come the lords. Say no more; A twist of rotten silk; never admitting Counsel o'the war; but at his nurse's tears He whin'd and roar'd away your victory; That pages blush'd at him, and men of heart Look'd wondering each at other. 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 fore'd to scold. Your judgments, my grave lords, Must give this cur the lie (Who wears my stripes must bear and his own notion impress'd on him; that 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, The tragedy of Coriolanus is one of the most amusing of our author's performances. The old man's merriment in Menenius; the lofty lady's dignity in Volumnia; the bridal modesty in Virgilia; the patrician and military haughtiness in Coriolanus; the plebeian malignity and tribunitian inso lence in Brutus and Sicinius, make a very pleasing and interesting variety; and the various revolutions of the hero's fortune, fill the mind with anxious curiosity. There is, perhaps, too much bustle in the first act, and too little in the last. 2 T JOHNSON. 2 Cit. Truly, sir, to wear out their shoes, to get myself into more work. But, indeed, sir, we make holiday, to see Cæsar, and to rejoice in his triumph. Mar. Wherefore rejoice? What conquest brings he home! What tributaries follow him to Rome, HENCE; home, you idle creatures, get you To grace in captive bonds his chariot wheels? home; Is this a holiday? What! know you not, Of your profession ?-Speak, what trade art thou? Mar. Where is thy leather apron, and thy rule? 2 Cit. Truly, sir, in respect of a fine workman, 2 Cit. A trade, sir, that, I hope, I may use with a safe conscience; which is, indeed, sir, a mender of bad soals. Mar. What trade, thou knave? thou naughty knave, what trade? 2 Cit. Nay, I beseech you, sir, be not out with 2 Cit. Why, sir, cobble you. You blocks, you stones, you worse than senseless things! O, you hard hearts, you cruel men of Rome, And do you now put on your best attire ? Run to your houses, fall upon your knees, Pray to the gods to intermit the plague That needs must light on this ingratitude. Flav. Go, go, good countrymen, and, for this fault, 2 Cit. Truly, sir, all that I live by is, with the Assemble all the poor men of your sort ;' awl: I meddle with no tradesmen's matters, nor Draw them to Tyber banks, and weep your tears women's matters, but with awl. I am, indeed, sir, Into the channel, till the lowest stream a surgeon to old shoes; when they are in great Do kiss the most exalted shores of all. danger, I re-cover them. As proper men as ever See, whe'r their basest metal be not mov'd; trod upon neat's-leather, have gone upon my handy-They vanish tongue-tied in their guiltiness. work. Exe. Cit. Go you down that way towards the Capitol ; (S) Honorary ornaments; tokens of respect. t |