Bru. Come, we'll inform them Of our proceedings here: on th' market place SCENE VII. Changes to the Forum. Enter feven or eight Citizens. [Exeunt. 1 Cit. Once, if he do require our voices, we ought not to deny him. 2 Cit. We may, Sir, if we will. 3 Cit. We have power in ourselves to do it, but it is a power that we have no power to do; for if he fhew us his wounds, and tell us his deeds, we are to put our tongues into those wounds, and speak for them: fo, if he tells us his noble deeds, we muft alfo tell him our noble acceptance of them. Ingratitude is monftrous; and for the multitude to be ingrateful, were to make a monster of the multitude; of the which, we being members, fhould bring ourselves to be monftrous members. 1 Cit. And to make us no better thought of, a little help will ferve: for once, when we flood up about the corn, he himself stuck not to call us the many-headed monfter. 3 Cit. We have been call'd fo of many; not that our heads are fome brown, fome black, fome auburn, fome bald; but that our wits are fo diverfely colour'd: and truly I think, if all our wits were to iffue out of one fcull they would fly eaft, weft, north, fouth; and their confent of one direct way would be at once to all points o' th' compafs. 2 Cit. Think you fo? which way do you judge my wit would fly? 3 Cit. Nay, your wit will not fo foon out as another man's will, 'tis ftrongly wedg'd up in a blockhead: but if it were at liberty, 'twould, fure, fouthward. 2 Cit. Why that way? 3 Cit. To loofe itself in a fog; where, being three "parts melted away with rotten dews, the fourth would "return for confcience fake, to help to get thee a wife. 2 Cit. You are never without you tricks. may, you may + once, here means the fame as when we fay, once for all. -you 3 Cit. 3 Cit. Are you all refolved to give your voices? but that's no matter, the greater part carries it. I fay, if he would incline to the people, tirere was never a worthier man. Enter Coriolanus in a gown, with Menenius. Here he comes, 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 requeft by particulars, wherein every one of us has a fingle 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 worthiest men have don't? Cor. What must I say? I pray, Sir,plague upon't, I cannot bring My tongue to fuch a pace! Look, Sir,-my woundsI got them in my country's fervice, when Some certain of your brethren roar'd, and ran From noife of our own drums. Men. Oh me, the gods! You must not speak of that; you must defire them: To think upon you, Cor. Think upon me? hang 'em,. I would they would forget me, like the virtues Men. You'll mar all. I'll leave you pray you speak to 'em, I pray you, In wholesome manner. Two Citizens approach.. Cor. Bid them wash their faces, [Exit And keep their teeth clean.So, here comes a brace.. You know the caufe, Sirs, of my ftanding 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, 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' confulfhip?' 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 your's in private. Your good voice, Sir; what fay 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. I Cit. But this is fomething odd. 2 Cit. An 'twere to, give again :-but 'tis no matter. Two other Citizens. [Exeunt. Cor. Pray you now, if it may fland with the tune of your voices that I may be Conful, I have here the cuftomary gown. 1 Cit. You have deserved 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 should 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 estimation of them; for 'tis a condition they account gentle and fince the wifdom of their choice is rather to have my cap than my heart, I will practise the infinuating nod, and be off to them moft 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. 1 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. Cor. Moft fweet voices. Better it is to die, better to ftarve, Than crave the hire which first we do deserve †. Three Citizens more. Here come more voices. Your voices for your voices I have fought, any -your [voices: 1 Cit. He has done nobly, and cannot go without honest man's voice. 2 Cit. Therefore let him be Conful, the gods give him joy, and make him a good friend to the people. God fave thee, Noble Conful! All. Amen, amen. Cor. Worthy voices! [Exeunt. Enter Menenius, with Bratus and Sicinius. Men. You've food your limitation: and the Tribunes Endue you with the people's voice. Remains, That in th' official marks invested, you Anon do meet the senate Cor. Is this done? Sic. The cuftom of requeft you have discharg'd: The people do admit you, and are fummon'd To meet anon, upon your approbation. Cor. Where? at the fenate-houfe? Sic. There, Coriolanus. -we do deferve. Why in this woolvifh gown fhould I stand here, Their needlefs voucher? Cuftom calls me to't--- To one that wou'd do thus. I am half through; Three Citizens, &c. Cor. Cor. May I change thefe garments? Sic. You may, Sir. Cor. That I'll ftraight do: and, knowing myself again, Repair to th' fenate-houfe. 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 Plebeians. Sic. How now, my mafters? have 1 Cit. He has our voices, Sir. you chose this man? 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. 1 Git. No, 'tis his kind of fpeech, he did not mock us. 2 Cit. Not one amongst us, fave yourfelf, but fays 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 And with his cap, thus waving it in fcorn, : I would be Conful, fays he aged cuftom, [private; your voices-thank youYour most fweet voices-now you have left your voices, I have nothing further with you. Wa'n't this mockery? Sic. Why, either you were ignorant to fee't? Or, feeing it, of fuch childish friendlinefs To yield your voices? Bru. Could you not have told him As you were leffon'd? When he had no power, VOL. VI. Ff But |