Your sudden approbation. Bru. Say, you ne'er had done't. (Harp on that still,) but by our putting on:3 And presently, when you have drawn your number, Repair to the Capitol. Cit. We will so: almost all [Several speak. Repent in their election. Bru. [Exeunt Citizens. Let them go on; This mutiny were better put in hazard, If, as his nature is, he fall in rage With their refusal, both observe and answer To the Capitol: Sic. Come; we'll be there before the stream o'the people; And this shall seem, as partly 'tis, their own, Which we have goaded onward. [Exeunt ACT III. SCENE I. The same. A Street. Cornets. Enter CORIOLANUS, MENENIUS, COMINIUS, TITUS LARTIUs, Senators, and Patricians. Cor. Tullus Aufidius then had made new head? Lart. He had, my lord; and that it was, which caus'd Our swifter composition. Cor. So then the Volces stand but as at first; Ready, when time shall prompt them, to make road The vantage of his anger.] Mark, catch, and improve the opportunity, which his hasty anger will afford us. Lart. On safe-guard he came to me;' and did curse Against the Volces, for they had so vilely Yielded the town: he is retir'd to Antium. Lart. Cor. He did, my lord. How? what? Lart. How often he had met you, sword to sword: That, of all things upon the earth, he hated Your person most: that he would pawn his fortunes To hopeless restitution, so he might Be call'd your vanquisher. Cor. Lart. At Antium. At Antium lives he? Cor. I wish, I had a cause to seek him there, To oppose [TO LARTIUS. Enter SICINIUS and BRUTUS. Behold! these are the tribunes of the people, them; For they do prank them in authority, Against all noble sufferance. Cor. Men. What makes this change? The matter? Com. Hath he not pass'd the nobles, and the commons? Bru. Cominius, no. Cor. Have I had children's voices? 1 Sen. Tribunes, give way; he shall to the mar ket-place. Bru. The people are incens'd against him. Sic. Or all will fall in broil. Cor. Stop, Are these your herd?Must these have voices, that can yield them now, And straight disclaim their tongues? What are your offices? You being their mouths, why rule you not their teeth? Have you not set them on? Men. Be calm, be calm. Cor. It is a purpos'd thing, and grows by plot, To curb the will of the nobility: Suffer it, and live with such as cannot rule, Call't not a plot: Bru. The people cry, you mock'd them; and, of late, When corn was given them gratis, you repin'd; Scandal'd the suppliants for the people; call'd them Time-pleasers, flatterers, foes to nobleness. Cor. Why, this was known before. Bru. Not to them all. Cor. Have you inform'd them since? How! I inform them! Not unlike, Cor. You are like to do such business. Bru. Each way, to better yours. Cor. Why then should I be consul? By yon clouds, Let me deserve so ill as you, and make me Your fellow tribune. Sic. You show too much of that, For which the people stir: If you will pass To where you are bound, you must inquire your way, Which you are out of, with a gentler spirit; Or never be so noble as a consul, Nor yoke with him for tribune. Men. Let's be calm. Com. The people are abus'd:-Set on.-This palt'ring Becomes not Rome; nor has Coriolanus Deserv'd this so dishonour'd rub, laid falsely9 I' the plain way of his merit. Cor. This was my speech, and I will speak't again;— Tell me of corn! Not in this heat, sir, now. Men. Not now, not now. 1 Sen. Cor. Now, as I live, I will.-My nobler friends, I crave their pardons: For the mutable, rank-scented many, let them Therein behold themselves:' I say again, In soothing them, we nourish 'gainst our senate 2 Which we ourselves have plough'd for, sow'd and scatter'd, By mingling them with us, the honour'd number; 8 This palt'ring Becomes not Rome;] That is, this trick of dissimulation; this shuffling. 9 1 rub, laid falsely, &c.] Falsely for treacherously. let them Regard me as I do not flatter, and Therein behold themselves:] Let them look in the mirror which I hold up to them, a mirror which does not flatter, and see themselves. JOHNSON. 2 The cockle of rebellion,] Cockle is a weed which grows up with the corn. Who lack not virtue, no, nor power, but that Men. Well, no more. 1 Sen. No more words, we beseech Cor. you. How! no more? As for my country I have shed my blood, Not fearing outward force, so shall my lungs Bru. As if you were a god to punish, not A man of their infirmity. Sic. We let the people know't. Men. Cor. Choler! You speak o'the people, 'Twere well, What, what? his choler? Were I as patient as the midnight sleep, Sic. It is a mind, That shall remain a poison where it is, Not poison any further. Cor. Shall remain! O good, but most unwise patricians, why, You grave, but reckless senators, have you thus That with his peremptory shall, being but 3 a leper. meazels,] Mesell is used in Pierce Plowman's Vision, for minnows?] A minnow is one of the smallest river fish, called in some counties a pink. 'Twas from the canon,] Was contrary to the established rule; it was a form of speech to which he has no right; but Mr. Mason thinks these words imply the very reverse. |