Men. Consider further, That when he speaks not like a citizen, Com. Well, well, no more. Cor. What is the matter, That being pass'd for consul with full voice, I am so dishonour'd, that the very hour You take it off again? Sic. Answer to us. Cor. Say then: 'tis true, I ought so. Sic. We charge you, that you have contriv'd From Rome all season'd office, and to wind Men. Nay; temperately: Your promise. Sic. Mark you this, people? Cit. To the rock with him; to the rock with him! We need not put new matter to his charge: Bru. But since he hath Cor. What do you prate of service? That do distribute it; in the name o'the people, From off the rock Tarpeian, never more To enter our Rome gates: I'the people's name, I say, it shall be so. Cit. It shall be so, It shall be so; let him away: he's banish'd, Com. Hear me, my masters, and my common friends; Sic. He's sentenc'd: no more hearing. I have been consul, and can show from Rome, Sic. We know your drift: Speak what? As enemy to the people, and his country: Cit. It shall be so, it shall be so. Cor. You common cry of curs! whose breath I hate As reek o'the rotten fens, whose loves I prize [Exeunt Coriolanus, Cominius, Menenius, Senators, and Patricians. Ed. The people's enemy is gone, is gone! Cit. Our enemy's banish'd! he is gone! Hoo! hoo! [The People shout, and throw up their caps. Sic. Go, see him out at gates, and follow him, As he hath follow'd you, with all despite ; Give him deserv'd vexation. Let a guard Attend us through the city. Cit. Come, come, let us see him out at gates; ACT IV. SCENE I.-The same. Before the gate of the city. Enter CORIOLANUS, VOLUMNIA, VIRGILIA, MENENIUS, COMINIUS, and several young Patri cians. Cor. Come, leave your tears; a brief farewell:-the beast With many heads butts me away.-Nay, mother, craves A noble cunning: you were us'd to load me With precepts, that would make invincible The heart that conn'd them. Vir. O heavens! O heavens ! -- Cor. Nay, I pr'ythee, woman, Men. That's worthily As any ear can hear.-Come, let's not weep.- Vol. Now the red pestilence strike all trades I'd with thee every foot. in Rome, And occupations perish! Cor. What, what, what! I shall be lov'd, when I am lack'd. Nay, mother, I'll do well yet.-Thou old and true Menenius, I have seen thee stern, and thou hast oft beheld Heart-hard'ning spectacles; tell these sad women, 'Tis fond to wail inevitable strokes, As 'tis to laugh at them.-My mother, you wot well, My hazards still have been your solace and Makes fear'd, and talk'd of more than seen,) your son Will, or exceed the common, or be caught Vol. My first son, Whither wilt thou go? Take good Cominius Com. I'll follow thee a month, devise with thee Cor. Give me thy hand:Come. [Exeunt. SCENE II.-The same. A street near the gate. Enter SICINIUS, BRUTUS, and an Ædile. Sic. Bid them all home; he's gone, and we'll no further. The nobility are vex'd, who, we see, have sided In his behalf. Bru. Now we have shown our power, Let us seem humbler after it is done, Than when it was a doing. Sic. Bid them home: Say, their great enemy is gone, and they Bru. Dismiss them home. [Exit Edile. Vir. You shall stay too: [To Sicin. I would, To say so to my husband. Vol. Ay, fool; Is that a shame ?-Note but this fool. Was not a man my father? Hadst thou foxship To banish him that struck more blows for Rome, Than thou hast spoken words? Sic. O blessed heavens! Vol. More noble blows, than ever thou wise words; And for Rome's good.-I'll tell thee what ;- Nay, but thou shalt stay too:-I would my son Sic. What then? Vir. What then? He'd make an end of thy posterity. Vol. Bastards, and all. Goodman, the wounds that he does bear for Rome! Men. Come, come, peace. Sic. I would he had continued to his country, As he began; and not unknit himself The noble knot he made. Bru. I would he had. Vol. I would he had? 'Twas you incens'd the rabble: Cats, that can judge as fitly of his worth, Bru. Pray, let us go. Vol. Now, pray, sir, get you gone: The meanest house in Rome; so far, my son, Vol. Take my prayers with you.— Men. You have told them home, And, by my troth, you have cause. You'll sup with me? Vol. Anger's my meat; I sup upon myself, And so shall starve with feeding.-Come, let's go: Leave this faint puling, and lament as I do, In anger, Juno-like. Come, come, come. Men. Fye, fye, fye! [Exeunt. SCENE III.-A highway between Rome and Antium. Enter a Roman and a Volce, meeting. Rom. I know you well, sir, and you know me: your name, I think, is Adrian. Vol. It is so, sir: truly, I have forgot you. Rom. I am a Roman; and my services are, as you are, against them: Know you me yet? Vol. Nicanor? No. Rom. The same, sir. Vol. You had more beard, when I last saw you; but your favour is well appeared by your tongue. What's the news in Rome? I have a note from the Volcian state, to find you out there: You have well saved me a day's journey. Rom. There hath been in Rome strange insurrection: the people against the senators, patricians, and nobles. Vol. Hath been! Is it ended then? Our state thinks not so; they are in a most warlike preparation, and hope to come upon them in the heat of their division. Rom. The main blaze of it is past, but a small thing would make it flame again. For the nobles receive so to heart the banishment of that worthy Coriolanus, that they are in a ripe aptness, to take all power from the people, and to pluck from them their tribunes for ever. This lies glowing, I can tell you, and is almost mature for the violent breaking out. Vol. Coriolanus banished? Rom. Banished, sir. Vol. You will be welcome with this intelligence, Nicanor. Rom. The day serves well for them now. I have heard it said, the fittest time to corrupt a man's wife, is when she's fallen out with her husband. Your noble Tullus Aufidius will appear well in these wars, his great opposer, Coriolanus, being now in no request of his country. Vol. He cannot choose. I am most fortunate, thus accidentally to encounter you: You have ended my business, and I will merrily accompany you home. Rom. I shall, between this and supper, tell you most strange things from Rome; all tending to the good of their adversaries. Have you an army ready, say you? Vol. A most royal one: the centurions, and their charges, distinctly billetted, already in the entertainment, and to be on foot at an hour's warning. Rom. I am joyful to hear of their readiness, and am the man, I think, that shall set them in present action. So, sir, heartily well met, and most glad of your company. Vol. You take my part from me, sir; I have the most cause to be glad of yours. Rom. Well, let us go together. [Exeunt. SCENE IV.-Antium. Before AUFIDIUS's house Enter CORIOLANUS, in mean apparel, disguised and muffled. Cor. A goodly city is this Antium: City, 'Tis I that made thy widows; many an heir Of these fair edifices 'fore my wars Have I heard groan, and drop: then know me not; Lest that thy wives with spits, and boys with stones, Enter a Citizen. In puny battle slay me.-Save you, sir. Cor. Direct me, if it be your will, Cor. Which is his house, 'beseech you? Cor. Thank you, sir; farewell. [Exit Citizen. sworn, Whose double bosoms seem to wear one heart, Are still together, who twin, as 'twere, in love To take the one the other, by some chance, And interjoin their issues. So with me:- [Exit. SCENE V.-The same. A hall in AUFIDIUS'S house. Music within. Enter a Servant. 1 Serv. Wine, wine, wine! What service is here! I think our fellows are asleep. Enter another Servant. [Exit. 2 Serv. Where's Cotus? my master calls for him.-/ Cotus ! Enter CORIOLANUS. [Exit. Cor. Now thou art troublesome. 2 Serv. Are you so brave? I'll have you talked with anon. Enter a third Servant. The first meets him. 3 Serv. What fellow's this? 1 Serv. A strange one as ever I looked on: I cannot get him out o'the house: Pr'ythee, call my master to him. 3 Serv. What have you to do here, fellow? Pray you, avoid the house. Cor. Let me but stand; I will not hurt your 3 Serv. What are you? 3 Serv. A marvellous poor one. 3 Serv. Pray you, poor gentleman, take up some other station; here's no place for you; pray you, avoid come. Cor. Follow your function, go! 3 Serv. What, will you not? Pr'ythee, tell 3 Serv. Where dwellest thou? 3 Serv. Under the canopy? 3 Serv. Where's that? Cor. I'the city of kites and crows. [Exit. 3 Serv. I'the city of kites and crows?-What an ass it is!-Then thou dwellest with daws too? Cor. No, I serve not thy master. 3 Serv. How, sir! Do you meddle with my master? Cor. Ay, 'tis an honester service than to meddle with thy mistress: Thou prat'st, and prat'st; serve with thy trencher, hence! [Beats him away. Enter AUFIDIUS and the second Servant. Auf. Where is this fellow? 2 Serv. Here, sir; I'd have beaten him like a dog, but for disturbing the lords within. Auf. Whence comest thou? What wouldest thou? Thy name? Cor. A goodly house: The feast smells well; Why speak'st not? Speak, man: What's thy name? but I Appear not like a guest. Re-enter the first Servant. 1 Serv. What would you have, friend? Whence are you? Here's no place for you: Pray, go to the door. Cor. I have deserv'd no better entertainment, In being Coriolanus. Re-enter second Servant. 2 Serv. Whence are you, sir? Has the porter his eyes in his head, that he gives entrance to such companions? Pray, get you out. Cor. Away! 2 Serv. Away? Get you away. Cor. If, Tullus, Unmuffling. Great hurt and mischief; thereto witness may The cruelty and envy of the people, Have all forsook me, hath devour'd the rest; Of shame seen through thy country, speed thee straight, And make my misery serve thy turn; so use it, Thou dar'st not this, and that to prove more for tunes Thou art tir'd, then, in a word, I also am Auf. O Marcius, Marcius, Each word thou hast spoke hath weeded from my heart A root of ancient envy. If Jupiter say, 'Tis true; I'd not believe them more than thee, We have a power on foot; and I had purpose Twelve several times, and I have nightly since Had we no quarrel else to Rome, but that Cor. You bless me, gods! Auf. Therefore, most absolute sir, if thou wilt have The leading of thine own revenges, take own ways: Whether to knock against the gates of Rome, To fright them, ere destroy. But come in: [Exeunt Coriolanus and Aufidius. 1 Serv. [Advancing.] Here's a strange alteration ! 2 Serv. By my hand, I had thought to have strucken him with a cudgel; and yet my mind gave me, his clothes made a false report of him. 1 Serv. What an arm he has! He turned me about with his finger and his thumb, as one would set up a top. 2 Serv. Nay, I knew by his face that there was something in him: He had, sir, a kind of face, methought,-I cannot tell how to term it. 1 Serv. He had so; looking as it were,'Would I were hanged, but I thought there was more in him than I could think. 2 Serv. So did I, I'll be sworn: He is simply the rarest man i'the world. 1 Serv. I think, he is; but a greater soldier than he, you wot one. 2 Serv. Who? my master? 1 Serv. Nay, it's no matter for that. 2 Serv. Worth six of him. 1 Serv. Nay, not so neither; but I take him to be the greater soldier. 2 Serv. Faith, look you, one cannot tell how to say that: for the defence of a town, our general is excellent. 1 Serv. Ay, and for an assault too. Re-enter third Servant. 3 Serv. O, slaves, I can tell you news; news, you rascals. |