3 Cit. Are you all refolved to give your voices? but that's no matter, the greater part carries it: I say if he would incline to the people, there was never a worthier man. Enter Coriolanus in a gown, with 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 one's, by two's, and by three's.. He's to make his requests by particulars, wherein every one of us has a single 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. Men. Oh Sir, you are not right; have you not known The worthieft men have don't? Cor. What must I say? - I pray, Sir,-plague upon't, I cannot bring Men. Oh me, the Gods! my wounds. You must not speak of that, you must defire them Cor. Think upon me? hang 'em. I would they would forget me, like the advices Men. You'll mar all. I'll leave you pray you speak to 'em, I pray you, In wholfome manner, Two Citizens approach, [Exit. fo, here comes a brace :: Cor. Bid them wash their faces, And keep their teeth clean You know the caufe, Sirs, of my standing here. 1 Cit. We do, Sir; tell us what hath brought you to't. Cor. Mine own defert. 2 Cit. Your own defert ? Cor. Ay, not mine own defire. 1 Cit. How, not your own defire ? Cor. No, Sir, 'twas never my defire yet to trouble the poor with begging. VOL. VII. 1 Cit. You must think, if we give you any thing, we hope to gain by you. Cor. Well then; I pray, your price o' th' Consulship? 1 Cit. The price is, to ask it kindly. Cor. Kindly, Sir, I pray let me ha't: I have wounds to fhew you, which fhall be yours in private your good voice, Sir; what say you? 2 Cit. You fhall ha't, worthy Sir. Cor. A match, Sir; there's in all two worthy voices begg'd: I have your alms, adieu. 1 Cit. But this is fomething odd. Two other Citizens. but 'tis no matter. [Exeunt. Cor. Pray you now, if it may ftand with the tune of your voices, that I may be Conful, I have here the cuftomary gown. 1 Cit. You have deferved nobly of your country, and you have not deserved nobly. Cor. Your ænigma ? 1 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; but I will, Sir, flatter my fworn brother, the people, to earn a dearer eftimation of them, for 'tis a condition they account gentle : and fince the wisdom of their choice is rather to have my cap than my heart, I will practise the infinuating nod, and be off to them most counterfeitly; that is, Sir, 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 fhewing them. I will make much of your voices, and fo trouble you no further. Both. The Gods give you joy, Sir, heartily! [Exeunt. Cor. Moft fweet voices Better Better it is to die, better to ftarve, Than crave the hire, which firft we do deferve. * Here come more voices. Your voices for your voices I have fought, Watch'd for your voices; for your voices, bear have Done many things, fome lefs, fome more :-your voices : Indeed I would be Conful. 1 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 a good friend to the people! All. Amen, amen. God fave thee, noble Conful! [Exeunt. Cor. Worthy voices ! Enter Menenius, with Brutus and Sicinius. Men. You've ftood your limitation: and the Tribunes Endue you with the people's voice. Remains,. That in th'official marks invefted, you Anon do meet the Senate. Cor. Is this done? Sic. The cuftom of requeft you have discharg'd: Cor. Where? at the fenate-houfe? Sic. There, Coriolanus. Cor. May I then change these garments ? Sic. Sir, you may. Cor. That I'll ftraight do: and knowing my self again, ----- we do deferve. Why in this woolvifh gown fhould I ftand here, To one that would do thus. I am half through, Three citizens, &c. Repair to th' fenate-house. Men. I'll keep you company. Will you along? Sic. Fare you well. [Exeunt Coriol. and Men. SCENE VIII. He has it now, and by his looks, methinks 'Tis warm at's heart. Bru. With a proud heart he wore His humble weeds: will you difmifs the people? Enter Citizens. Sic. How now, my mafters, have you chofe this man? 1 Cit. He has our voices, Sir. Bru. We pray the Gods he may deferve your loves. 2 Cit. Amen, Sir: to my poor unworthy notice, He mock'd us, when he begg'd our voices. 3 Cit. Certainly he flouted us down-right: I Cit. No, 'tis his kind of speech, he did not mock us. 2 Cit. Not one amongst us, fave your self, but says He us'd us fcornfully: he fhould have shew'd us His marks of merit, wounds receiv'd for's country. Sic. Why fo he did, I am fure. All. No, no man faw 'em. 3 Cit. He faid he'd wounds, which he could fhew in private: And with his cap, thus waving it in fcorn, I would be Conful, fays he aged cuftom, But by your voices, will not fo permit me ; Your voices therefore: when we granted that, Here was - I thank you for your voices - thank you Or feeing it, of fuch childish friendliness, To yield your voices ? Bru. Could you not have told him, As you were leffon'd? when he had no power, If he should still malignantly remain Faft foe to the Plebeians, your voices, might Sic. Thus to have faid, As you were fore-advis'd, had touch'd his fpirit, Tying him to ought; fo putting him to rage, Bru. Did you perceive, He did follicit you in free contempt, When he did need your loves; and do you think Sic. Have you Ere now deny'd the afker; and now again, 3 Cit. He's not confirm'd, we may Deny him yet. 2 Cit. Ay and we will deny him : I'll have five hundred voices of that found. 1 Cit. Ay, twice five hundred, and their friends to piece em. Bru. Get you hence inftantly, and tell those friends, They've chofe a Conful that will from them take Their liberties, make them of no more voice Than dogs that are as often beat for barking, As therefore kept to do fo. Sic. Let them affemble; and one fafer judgment, K 3 Revoke |