CAIGS MARCIUS CORIOLANUS, a noble Roman. VOLUMNIA, Mother to Coriolanus.
Titus LARTIUS, Generals against the Vol. VIRGILIA, Wife to Coriolanus.
COMINIUS,

scians.

VALERIA, Friend to Virgilia. MENENTUS AGRIPPA, Friend to Coriolanus. GENTLEWOMAN, attending Virgilia.

SiCINIUS PELUTUS, Tribunes of the people.

,
YOUNG MARCIUS, Son to Coriolanus.
A ROMAN HERALD.
TULLUS AUFIDIUS, General of the Volscians.
LIEUTENANT to Aufidius.
CONSPIRATORS with Aufidius.
A CITIZEN of Antium.
Two VOLSCIAN GUARDS.

Roman and Volscian Senators, Patricians,

Ædiles, Lictors, Soldiers, Citizens, Messen. gers, Servants to Aufidius, and other Attendants.

SCENE; partly in Rome, and partly in the

Territories of the Volscians and Antiates.

ACT I.

give him good report for't, but that he pays

himself with heing proud. SCENE 1.-Rome.-A Street.

2 Cit. Nay, but speak not maliciously.

1 Cit. I say unto you, what he hath done Enter a Company of mutinous Citizens, with

famously, he did it to that end: though soft States, Clubs, and other Weapons. conscienc'd men can be content to say, it was i Cit. Before we proceed any further, hear for his country, he did it to please his mother. me speak.

and to be partly proud; which he is, even to Cit. Speak, speak. [Several speaking at once. the altitude of his virtue. 1 Cit. You are all resolved rather to die, than

2 Cit. What he cannot help in his nature, to famish?

you account a vice in him: You must in no Cit. Resolved, resolved.

way say, he is covetous. 1 Cit. First you know, Caius Marcius is chief

i Cit. If I must not, I need not be barren of enemy to the people.

accusations; he hath faults, with surplus, to Cit. We know't, we know't.

tire repetition. [Shouts within.] What 1 Cit. Let us kill him, and we'll have corn shouts are these? The other side o'the city is at our own price. Is't a verdict ?

risen: Why stay we prating here? to the CapiCit. No more talking on't; let it be done: tol!

Cit. Come, come. away, away. 2 Cit. One word, good citizens.

1 Cit. Soft; who comes here? 1 Cit. We are accounted poor citizens; the

Enter MENENIUS AGRIPPA. patricians, good:* What authority surfeits on, would relieve us; If they would yield us but 2 Cit. Worthy Menenius Agrippa; one that the superfluity, wbile it were wholesome, we hath always loved the people. might guess, they relieved us humanely; but 1 Cit. He's one honest enough; 'Would, all they think, we are too dear: the leanness that the rest were so! afflicts us, the object of our misery, is as an in- Men. What work's, my countrymen, in hand? ventory to particularize their abundance; our

Where go you sufferance is a gain to them.-Let us revenge With bats and clubs? The matter? Speak, this with our pikes, ere we become rakes:t for

pray you. the gods know, I speak this in hunger for 1 Cit. Our business is not unknown to the bread, not in thirst for revenge.

senate; they have had inkling, this fortnight, i Cit. Would you proceed especially against what we intend to do, which now we'll show Caius Marcius ?"

'em in deeds. They say, poor suitors have Crt. Against him first; he's a very dog to strong breaths; they shall know, we bare the commonalty.

strong arms too. 2 Cit. Consider you what services he has Men. Why, masters, my good friends, mine done for his country?

honest neighbours, 1 Cit. Very well; and could be content to Will you undo yourselves?

i Cit. We cannot, Sir, we are undone al. • Rich + Thin as rakes.

3

a

Men. I tell you, siends, most charitable care jIf you'll bestow a small (of what you have
Have the patricians of you. For your wants,

little,)

(swer.
Your suffering in this dearth, you may as well Patience, a while, you'll hear the belly's an-
Strike at the heaven with your staves, as lift 1 Cit. You are long about it.
them

{on Men. Note me this, good friend;
Against the Roman state; whose course will Your most grave belly was deliberate,
The way it takes, cracking ten thousand curbs Not rash like his accusers, and thus answer'a.
Of more strong link asunder, than can ever True is it, my incorporate friends, quoth he,
Appear in your impediment: For the dearth, That I receive the generul food ut first,
The gods, not the patricians, make it; and Which you do lice upon; and fit it is ;
Your knees to them, not arms, must help. Because I am the store-house, and the shop
Alack,

Of the whole body : But if you do remember,
You are transported by calamity [slander I send it through the rivers of your blood,
Thither where more attends you; and you Even to the court, the heart,--to the seat o'the
The helms o'the state, who care for you like

brain;
When you curse them as enemies. (fathers, And, through the cranks* and offices of man,

1 Cit. Care for us –True, indeed!—They The strongest nerves, and smali inferior reins, ne’er cared for us yet. Suffer us to famish, and From me receire that natural competency their store-houses crammed with grain; make Whereby they live : And though that uil at once, edicts for usury, to support usurers : repeal You, my good friends, (this says the belly, daily any wholesome act established against

mark me, the rich; and provide more piercing statutes 1 Cit. Ay, Sir; well, well. daily, to chain up and restrain the poor. If the Men. Though all at once cannot wars eat us not up, they will; and there's all See what I do deliver out to each ; the love they bear us.

Yet I can make my awit up, thut all,
Men. Either you must

From me do back receive the flour of all,
Confess yourselves wondrous malicious, And leave me but the bran. What say you to't!
Or be accus'd of folly. I shall tell you

1 Cit. It was an answer: How apply you A pretty tale; it may be, you have heard it;

this? But, since it serves my purpose, I will venture Men. The senators of Rome are this good To seale't* a little more.

belly, 1 Cit. Well, I'll hear it, Sir; yet you must And you the mutinous members: For examine pot think to fób off our disgracef with a tale: Their counsels, and their cares; digest things but, an't please you, deliver.

rightly,

(find, Men. There was a time, when all the body's Touching the weal o'the common? you shall members

No public benefit which you receive,
Rebell’d against the belly; thus accus'd it: But it proceeds, or comes, from them to you,
That only like a gulf it did remain

And no way from yourselves.-What do you
I'the midst o'the body, idle and inactive,

think? Still cupboarding the viand, never bearing You the great toe of this assembly? Like labour with the rest; wheret the other 1 Cit. I the great toe? Why the great toe ? instruments

Men. For that being one o'the lowest, basest, Did see, and bear, devise, instruct, walk, feel,

poorest,

(most:
And, mutually participate, did minister Of this most wise rebellion, thou go'st fore-
Unto the appetite and atfection common Thou rascal, that art worst in blood, to run
Of the whole body. The belly answered, Lead'st first to win some vantage.-

1 Cit. Well, Sir, what answer made the But make you ready your stiff bats and clubs; belly?

Rome and her rats are at the point of battle, Men. Sir, I shall tell you.-With a kind of The one side must have bailit Hail, noble smile,

[thus,

Marcius!
Which ne'er came from the lungs, but even
(For, look you, I may make the belly smile,

Enter Caius MARCIUS.
As well as speak,) it tauntingly replied Mar. Thanks.-What's the matter, you dis-
To the discontented members, the mutinous

sentious rogues,
parts

That rubbing the poor itch of your opinion,
That envied his receipt; even so most fitlys Make yourselves scabs ?
As you malign our senators, for that

I Cit. We have ever your good word.
They are not such as you.

Mar. He that will give good words to thee, i Cit. Your belly's answer: What!

will flatter The kingly-crowned head, the vigilant eye, Beneath abhorring:- What would you have, The counsellor heart, the arm our soldier,

you curs,

(you, Our steed the leg, the tongue our trumpeter, That like nor peace, nor war? the one affrights With other muniments and petty helps The other makes you proud. He that trusts In this our fabric, if that they

you,

[hares; Men. What then ?

Where he should find you lions, finds you 'Fore me, this fellow speaks !-what then? | Where foxes, geese : You are no surer, no, what then ?

Than is the coal of fire upon the ice, 1 Cit. Should by the cormorant belly be re- Or hailstone in the sun. Your virtue is, strain’d,

To make him worthy, whose offence subdues Who is the sink o'the body,

him,

[greatness, Men. Well, what then ?

And curse that justice did it. Who deserves i Cit. The former agents, if they did com- Deserves your hate : and your affections are What could the belly answer? [plain, A sick man's appetite, who desires most that Men. I will tell you;

Which would increase his evil. He that de.

pends * &nread it,

+ Hardship Whereas,

Exactly
* Windings.

+ Bane.

1

1

upon your favours, swims with fins of lead, The Volces are in arms.
And hews down oaks with rushes. Hang ye! Mar. They have a leader,
Trust ye?

Tullus Aufidius, that will put you to't.
With every minute you do change a mind; I sin in envying his nobility:
And call him noble, that was now your hate, And were 1 any thing but what I am,
Him vile, that was your garland. What's the I would wish me only he.
matter,

Com. You have fought together.
That in these several places of the city

Mar. Were half to half the world by the eara, You cry against the noble senote, who,

and he Under the gods, keep you in awe, which else Upon my party, I'd revolt, to make Would feed on one another?- What's their Only my wars with him: he is a lion seeking?

That I am proud to hunt. Men. For corn at their own rates; whereof, i Sen. Then, worthy Marcius, they say,

Attend upon Cominius to these wars. The city is well stor’d.

Com. It is your former promise. Mar. Hang 'em! They say?

Mar. Sir, it is ; They'll sit by the fire, and presume to know And I am constant.-Titus Lartius, thou What's done i'the Capitol: who's like to rise, Shalt see me once more strike at Tullus' face: Who thrives, and who declines: side factions, what, art thou stiff? stand’st out? and give out

Tit. No, Caius Marcius;

[other, Conjectural marriages; making parties strong, I'll lean upon one crutch, and fight with the And feebling such as stand not in their liking, Ere stay behind this business. Below their cobbled shoes. They say, there's Men. (), true bred! grain enough?

1 Sen. Your company to the Capitol ; where, Would the nobility lay aside their ruth, *

I know,
And let me use my sword, I'd make a quarryt Our greatest friends attend us.
With thousands of these quarter'd slaves, as

Tit. Lead you oa:
As I could pickt my lance.

[high Follow, Cominius; we must follow you; Men. Nay, these are almost thoroughly per- Right worthy you priority. suaded;

Com. Noble Lartius! For though abundantly they lack discretion, 1 Sen. Hence! To your homes, be gone. Yet are they passing cowardly. But I beseech

[To the CITIZENS. What says the other troop?

(you, Mar. Nay, let them follow: Mar. They are dissolved: Hang 'em! The Volces have much corn; take these rats They said, they were an hungry; sigh’d forth

thither,

[neers, proverbs;

[eat; To gnaw their garners:t-Worshipful muti: That hunger broke stone walls; that, dogs must Your valour puts: well forth: pray, follow, That meat was made for mouths; that, the gods [Ereunt SENATORS, COM. MAR. Tit. und sent not

MENEN. CITIZENS steal away. Corn for the rich men only :-With these shreds Sic. Was ever man so proud as is this MarThey vented their complainings; which being

cius? answer'd,

Bru. He has no equal. And a petition granted them, a strange one, Sic. When we were chosen tribunes for the (To break the heart of generosity,

people, And make bold power look pale) they threw Bru. Mark'd you his lip, and eyes?

Sic. Nay, but his taunts. As they would hang them on the horns o'the Bru. Being mov’d, he will not spare to girdę Shouting their emulation. $

(moon,

the gods. Men. What is granted them?

Sic. Be-mock the modest moon. Mur. Five tribunes to defend their vulgar Bru. The present wars devour him: he is wisdoms,

T'oo proud to be so valiant.

[grown Of their own choice: One's Junius Brutus, Sic. Such a nature,

(dow Sicinius Velutus, and I know not—'Sdeath! Tickled with good success, disdains the shaThe rabble should have first unroof'd the city; Which he treads on at noon: But I do wonder Ere so prevail'd with me: it will in time His insolence can brook to be commanded Win upon power, and throw forth greater Under Cominius. For insurrection's arguing.ll themes Bru. Fame, at the which he aims,Men. This is strange.

In whom already he is well grac'd.--cannot Mar. Go, get you home, you fragments! Better be held, nor more attain'd, than by

A place below the first: for what miscarries Enter a MESSENGER.

Shall be the general's fault, though he perform Mes, Where's Caius Marcius?

To the utmost of a man; and giddy censure Mar, Here: What's the matter?

Will then cry out of Marcius, 0, if he

Had borne the business!
Mes. The news is, Sir, the Volces are in

Sic. Besides, if things go well;
Mar. I am glad on't; then we shall have Opinion, that so sticks on Marcius, shall

Of his demerits|| rob Cominius.
means to vent

Bru. Come : Jur musty superfluity:-See, our best elders.

Half all Cominius' honours are to Marcius, Enter Cominius, Titus LARTIUs, and other SE- Though Marcius earn'd them not; and all'his NATORS; JUNIUS BRUTUS, and SICINIUS VE

faults LUTUS.

To Marcins shall be honours, though, indeed, 1 Sen. Marcius, 'tis true, that you have late. In aught he merit not. ly told us;

a

their caps

arms.

visit you.

Sic. Let's hence, and hear

than picture-like to hang by the wall, it renown How the despatch is made; and in what fa- made it not stir,-was pleased to let him seek More than in singularity, be goes (shion, danger where he was like to find fame. To a l'pon his present action.

cruel war I sent bim; from whence he returned, Bru. Let's along.

(Eseunt. his brows bound with oak. I tell thee, daugha

ter,-I sprang not more in joy at first hear. SCENE II.-Corioli.—The Senate-House. ing he was a man-child, than now in first see. Enter Tullus AUFIDIUS, and certain Senators. ing he had proved himself a man.

l'ir. But had he died in the business, madam? 1 Sen. So, your opinion is, Aufidius,

how then ? That they of Rome are enter'd in our counsels, Vol. Then his good report should have been And know how we proceed.

my son; I therein would have found issue. Auf. Is it not yours?

Hear me profess sincerely: Had I a dozen What ever hath been thought on in this state, sons,-each in my love alike, and done less That could be brought to bodily act ere Rome dear than thine and my good Marcius,- I had Had circumvention!* "Tis not four days gone, rather bad eleven die nobly for their country, since I heard thence; these are the words : I than one voluptuously surfeit out of action.

think, I have the letter here; yes, here it is : [Reads.

Enter a GENTLEWOMAN.
They hure press'd a power, but it is not knoicn

Gent. Madam, the lady Valeria is come to
Whitler for east, or west: The deurth is great ;
The people mutinous : and it is rumour'd,

Vir. 'Beseech you, give me leave to retire*
Cominius, Marcius your old enemy,

myself. ( Who is of Rome worse hated thun of you,) Vol. Indeed, you shall not. And Titus Lartius, a most valiant Roman, Methinks. I hear hither your husband's drum These three lead on this preparation

See him pluck Aufidius down by the hair ; Whither 'tis bent : most likely, 'tis for you : As children from a bear the Volces shunning Consider of it.

him : 1 Sen. Our army's in the field:

Methinks, I see him stamp thus, and call thus,-e never yet made doubt but Rome was ready Come on, you couards, you were got in fear, To answer us.

Though you were born in Rome: His bloody Auf. Nor did you think it folly,

brow

[gues ; To keep your great pretences veil'd, till when With his mail'd hand then wiping, forth he They needs must show themselves, which in Like to a harvest-man, that's task'd to mow the hatching,

Or all, or lose his hire. It seem'd, appear'd to Rome. By the discovery,

Vir. His bloody brow! O, Jupiter, no blood! We shall be shorten'd in our aim; which was,

Vol. Away, you fool! it more becomes a To take int many towns, ere, almost, Rome

man, Should know we were afoot.

Than gilt his trophy: The breasts of Hecuba, 2 Sen. Noble Aufidius,

When she did suckle Hector, look'd not lovelier Take your commission; hie you to your bands: Than Hector's forehead, when it spit forth Let us alone to guard Corioli:

blood If they set down before us, for the remove At Grecian swords' contending.–Tell Valeria, Bring up your army; but, I think, you'll find We are fit to bid her welcome. (Exit Gent. They have not prepar'd for us.

Vir. Heavens bless my lord from fell Aufidius! Auf. 0, doubt not that;'

Vol. He'll beat Aufidius' head below his I speak from certainties. ' Nay, more.

And tread upon his neck.

[knee
Some parcels of their powers are forth already,
And only hitherward. I leave your honours. Re-enter GENTLEWOMAN, with Valeria and her
If we and Caius Marcius chance to meet,

USER. "Tis sworn between us, we shall never strike

Val. My ladies both, good day to you. Till one can do no more.

Vol. Sweet madam,All. The gods assist you!

Vir. I am glad to see your ladyship. Auf. And keep your honours safe!

Val. How do you both ? you are manifest 1 Sen. Farewell.

house-keepers. What, are you sewing here ! 2 Sen. Farewell.

A fine spot,t in good faith.-How does your All. Farewell.

[Exeunt.

little son ? SCENE III.--Rome.--An Apartment in

Vir. I thank your ladyship; well, good madam.
MARCIUS' House.

Vol. He had rather see the swords, and hear

a drum, than look upon his school-master. Enter VOLUMNIA, and VIRGILIA: They sit down

Val. O' my word, the father's son: I'l! on tuo low stools, and sew.

swear, 'tis a very pretty boy. 0' my troth, I Pol. I pray you, daughter, sing; or express looked upon him o' Wednesday halt an hour yourself in a more comfortable sort: If my son together: he has such a confirmed countenance. were my husband, I should freelier rejoice in I saw him run after a giided butterfly; and that absence wherein he won honour, than in when he caught it, he let it go again; and after the embracements of his bed, where he would it again; and over and over he comes, and up show most love. When yet he was but tender again; catched it again: or whether his fall bodied, and the only son of my womb; when enraged him, or how 'twas, he did so set his youth with comeliness plucked all gaze his teeth, and tear it; 0, I warrant, how he mam. way ;t when, for a day of kings' entreaties, a mocked it! mother should not sell him an hour from her Vol. One of his father's moods. beholding; 1,--considering how honour would Val. Indeed la, 'tis a noble child, become such a person; that it was no better Vir. A crack, madam.

Val. Come, lay aside your stitchery; I must * Preoccupation. + To subdue. 1 Attracted attention,

# Withdraw, + or work, * Tore.

Dos

save you play the idle huswife with me this af- | That we with smoking swords may march from ternoon.

hence,

(blast Vir. No, good madam; I will not out of To help our fielded* friends !-Come, blow thy

doors. Val. Not out of doors!

They sourd a parley.- Enter, on the wulls, some Vol. She shall, she shall.

SENATORS, and others. Vir. Indeed, no, by your patience: I will | Tullus Autidius, is he within your walls ? dot over the threshold, ull my lord return from 1 Sen. No, nor a man ihat fears you less than the wars.

he, Val. Fie, you confine yourself most unrea. That's lesser than a little. Hark, our drums sonably; Come, you must go visit the good

[Alarums afur off. lady that lies in.

Are bringing forth our youth: We'll break our Vir. I will wish her speedy strength, and walls, visit her with my prayers; but I cannot go thi. Rather than they shall pound us up: our gates, ther.

Which yet seem shut, we have but pinn'd with Vol. Why, I pray you?

rushes; Vir. "Tis not to save labour, nor that I want They'll open of themselves. Hark you, far off; love.

[Other Alarums. Vul. You would be another Penelope: yet, There is Aufidius; list, what work he makes they say, all the yarn she spun, in Ulysses'abo Amongst your cloven army. sence, did but fill Ithaca full of moths. Come; Mar. O, they are at it! I would, your cambric were sensible as your Lart. Their noise be our instruction.- Lad. finger, that you might leave pricking it for pity.

ders, hɔ! ome, you shall go with us. Vir. No, good madan, pardon me; indeed,

The Voices enter and puss over the Stage. will not forth.

Mar. They fear us not, but issue forth their Pal. In truth, la, go with ine; and I'll tell

city.

[fight yon excellent news of your husband.

Now put your shields before your hearts, and Vir. O, good madam, there can be none yet. With hearts more proof than shields.-AdVal. Verily, I do not jest with you; there

vance, brave Titus: came news from him last night.

They do disdain us much beyond our thoughts, Vir. Indeed, madam?

Which makes me sweat with wrath.-Come Val. In earnest, it's true; I heard a senator

on, my fellows; speak it. Thus it is :- The Volces have an He that retires, I'll take him for a Volce, army forth; against whom Cominius the gen. And he shall feel mine edge. eral is gone, with one part of our Roman power: your lord, and Titus Lartius, are set Alarum, and exeunt Romans and VOLcEs, fight. down before their city Corioli; they nothing ing. The ROMANS are beaten back to their doubt prevailing, and to make it brief wars. trenches. Re-enter MARCIUS. This is true, on mine honour; and so, I pray, Mar. All the contagion of the south light on go with us.

you.

(plagues Vir. Give me excuse, good madam; I will You shames of Rome! you herd of–Koils and obey you in every thing hereafter. Vol. Let her alone, lady; as she is now, she Further than seen, and one infect another

Plaster you o'er; that you may be abhorr'd will but disease our better mirth.

Against the wind 'a mile! You souls of geese, Val. In troth, I think, she would :Fare you That bear the shapes of men, how have you well then. Come, good sweet Jady.- Pr’y.

[bell! thee, Virgilia, turn thy solemness out o'door, From slaves that apes would beat? Pluto and and go along with us.

All hurt behind; backs red, and faces pale Vir. No: at a word, madam; indeed, I must With flight and agued fear!'Mend, and charge Rot. I wish you much mirth.

home, Vul. Well, then farewell.

[Exeunt.

Or, by the fires of heaven, I'll leave the foe, SCENE IV.-Before Corioli.

And make my wars on you: look to't: Come on ;

(wives, Enter, wuh Drums and Colours, MARCIUS, TI- If you'll stand fast, we'll beat them to their

TUS Lartius, Officers and Soldiers. To them As they us to our trenches followed.
u MESSENGER.
Mar. Yonder comes news:-A wager, they

Another Alarum. The Voices and RUMANS TChave met.

enter, and the fight is renewed. The Voices Lart. My horse to yours, no.

retire into Corioli, and MARCIUS follows then Mar. "Tis done.

to the gates. Lart. Agreed.

So, now the gates are ope:-Now prove good Mar. Say, has our general met the enemy?

seconds: Mess. They lie in view; but have not spoke 'Tis for the followers fortune widens them, as yet.

Not for the fliers: mark me, and do the like, Lart. So, the good horse is mine.

[He enters the gates, and is shut m. Mar. I'll buy him of you.

Sol. Fool-hardiness; not I. Lurt. No, I'll nor sell, nor give him: lend 2 Sol. Nor I. you him, I will,

3 Sol. See, they For halí a hundred years.-Summon the town. Have shut him in. (Alaruin continxro. Mar. How far off lie the armies?

All. To the pot, I warrant him. bless. Within this mile and half. Mur. Then shall we hear their larum, and

Enter Titus LARTIUS. they ours.

Lart. What is become of Marcius Now, Mars, I pr’ythee make us quick in wo k:

All. Slain, Sir, doubtless. * Short

run