SCENE I
Rome. A public place.
[Enter MENENIUS with the two Tribunes of the people, SICINIUS and BRUTUS.
MENENIUS
The augurer tells me we shall have news to-night.
The augurer tells me we shall have news to-night.
BRUTUS
Good or bad?
Good or bad?
MENENIUS
Not according to the prayer of the people, for they love not Marcius.
Not according to the prayer of the people, for they love not Marcius.
SICINIUS
Nature teaches beasts to know their friends.
Nature teaches beasts to know their friends.
MENENIUS
Pray you, who does the wolf love?
Pray you, who does the wolf love?
SICINIUS
The lamb.
The lamb.
MENENIUS
Ay, to devour him; as the hungry plebeians would the noble Marcius.
Ay, to devour him; as the hungry plebeians would the noble Marcius.
BRUTUS
He’s a lamb indeed, that baes like a bear.
He’s a lamb indeed, that baes like a bear.
MENENIUS
He’s a bear indeed, that lives like a lamb. You two are old men: tell me one thing that I shall ask you.
He’s a bear indeed, that lives like a lamb. You two are old men: tell me one thing that I shall ask you.
Both
Well, sir.
Well, sir.
MENENIUS
In what enormity is Marcius poor in, that you two have not in abundance?
In what enormity is Marcius poor in, that you two have not in abundance?
BRUTUS
He’s poor in no one fault, but stored with all.
He’s poor in no one fault, but stored with all.
SICINIUS
Especially in pride.
Especially in pride.
BRUTUS
And topping all others in boasting.
And topping all others in boasting.
MENENIUS
This is strange now: do you two know how you are censured here in the city, I mean of us o’ the right-hand file? do you?
This is strange now: do you two know how you are censured here in the city, I mean of us o’ the right-hand file? do you?
Both
Why, how are we censured?
Why, how are we censured?
MENENIUS
Because you talk of pride now, – will you not be angry?
Because you talk of pride now, – will you not be angry?
Both
Well, well, sir, well.
Well, well, sir, well.
MENENIUS
Why, ’tis no great matter; for a very little thief of occasion will rob you of a great deal of patience: give your dispositions the reins, and be angry at your pleasures; at the least if you take it as a pleasure to you in being so. You blame Marcius for being proud?
Why, ’tis no great matter; for a very little thief of occasion will rob you of a great deal of patience: give your dispositions the reins, and be angry at your pleasures; at the least if you take it as a pleasure to you in being so. You blame Marcius for being proud?
BRUTUS
We do it not alone, sir.
We do it not alone, sir.
MENENIUS
I know you can do very little alone; for your helps are many, or else your actions would grow wondrous single: your abilities are too infant-like for doing much alone. You talk of pride: O that you could turn your eyes toward the napes of your necks, and make but an interior survey of your good selves!
O that you could!
I know you can do very little alone; for your helps are many, or else your actions would grow wondrous single: your abilities are too infant-like for doing much alone. You talk of pride: O that you could turn your eyes toward the napes of your necks, and make but an interior survey of your good selves!
O that you could!
BRUTUS
What then, sir?
What then, sir?
MENENIUS
Why, then you should discover a brace of unmeriting, proud, violent, testy magistrates, alias fools, as any in Rome.
Why, then you should discover a brace of unmeriting, proud, violent, testy magistrates, alias fools, as any in Rome.
SICINIUS
Menenius, you are known well enough too.
Menenius, you are known well enough too.
MENENIUS
I am known to be a humorous patrician, and one that loves a cup of hot wine with not a drop of allaying Tiber in’t; said to be something imperfect in favouring the first complaint; hasty and tinder-like upon too trivial motion; one that converses more with the buttock of the night than with the forehead of the morning: what I think I utter, and spend my malice in my breath. Meeting two such wealsmen as you are – I cannot call you Lycurguses – if the drink you give me touch my palate adversely, I make a crooked face at it. I can’t say your worships have delivered the matter well, when I find the ass in compound with the major part of your syllables: and though I must be content to bear with those that say you are reverend grave men, yet they lie deadly that tell you you have good faces. If you see this in the map of my microcosm, follows it that I am known well enough too? what barm can your bisson conspectuities glean out of this character, if I be known well enough too?
I am known to be a humorous patrician, and one that loves a cup of hot wine with not a drop of allaying Tiber in’t; said to be something imperfect in favouring the first complaint; hasty and tinder-like upon too trivial motion; one that converses more with the buttock of the night than with the forehead of the morning: what I think I utter, and spend my malice in my breath. Meeting two such wealsmen as you are – I cannot call you Lycurguses – if the drink you give me touch my palate adversely, I make a crooked face at it. I can’t say your worships have delivered the matter well, when I find the ass in compound with the major part of your syllables: and though I must be content to bear with those that say you are reverend grave men, yet they lie deadly that tell you you have good faces. If you see this in the map of my microcosm, follows it that I am known well enough too? what barm can your bisson conspectuities glean out of this character, if I be known well enough too?
BRUTUS
Come, sir, come, we know you well enough.
Come, sir, come, we know you well enough.
MENENIUS
You know neither me, yourselves nor any thing. You are ambitious for poor knaves’ caps and legs: you wear out a good wholesome forenoon in hearing a cause between an orange wife and a fosset-seller; and then rejourn the controversy of three pence to a second day of audience. When you are hearing a matter between party and party, if you chance to be pinched with the colic, you make faces like mummers; set up the bloody flag against all patience; and, in roaring for a chamber-pot, dismiss the controversy bleeding the more entangled by your hearing: all the peace you make in their cause is, calling both the parties knaves. You are a pair of strange ones.
You know neither me, yourselves nor any thing. You are ambitious for poor knaves’ caps and legs: you wear out a good wholesome forenoon in hearing a cause between an orange wife and a fosset-seller; and then rejourn the controversy of three pence to a second day of audience. When you are hearing a matter between party and party, if you chance to be pinched with the colic, you make faces like mummers; set up the bloody flag against all patience; and, in roaring for a chamber-pot, dismiss the controversy bleeding the more entangled by your hearing: all the peace you make in their cause is, calling both the parties knaves. You are a pair of strange ones.
BRUTUS
Come, come, you are well understood to be a perfecter giber for the table than a necessary bencher in the Capitol.
Come, come, you are well understood to be a perfecter giber for the table than a necessary bencher in the Capitol.
MENENIUS
Our very priests must become mockers, if they shall encounter such ridiculous subjects as you are. When you speak best unto the purpose, it is not worth the wagging of your beards; and your beards deserve not so honourable a grave as to stuff a botcher’s cushion, or to be entombed in an ass’s pack- saddle. Yet you must be saying, Marcius is proud; who in a cheap estimation, is worth predecessors since Deucalion, though peradventure some of the best of ’em were hereditary hangmen. God-den to your worships: more of your conversation would infect my brain, being the herdsmen of the beastly plebeians: I will be bold to take my leave of you.
Our very priests must become mockers, if they shall encounter such ridiculous subjects as you are. When you speak best unto the purpose, it is not worth the wagging of your beards; and your beards deserve not so honourable a grave as to stuff a botcher’s cushion, or to be entombed in an ass’s pack- saddle. Yet you must be saying, Marcius is proud; who in a cheap estimation, is worth predecessors since Deucalion, though peradventure some of the best of ’em were hereditary hangmen. God-den to your worships: more of your conversation would infect my brain, being the herdsmen of the beastly plebeians: I will be bold to take my leave of you.
[BRUTUS and SICINIUS go aside]
[Enter VOLUMNIA, VIRGILIA, and VALERIA]
How now, my as fair as noble ladies, – and the moon, were she earthly, no nobler, – whither do you follow your eyes so fast?
VOLUMNIA
Honourable Menenius, my boy Marcius approaches; for the love of Juno, let’s go.
Honourable Menenius, my boy Marcius approaches; for the love of Juno, let’s go.
MENENIUS
Ha! Marcius coming home!
Ha! Marcius coming home!
VOLUMNIA
Ay, worthy Menenius; and with most prosperous approbation.
Ay, worthy Menenius; and with most prosperous approbation.
MENENIUS
Take my cap, Jupiter, and I thank thee. Hoo!
Marcius coming home!
Take my cap, Jupiter, and I thank thee. Hoo!
Marcius coming home!
VOLUMNIA, VIRGILIA
| Nay,’tis true. |
VOLUMNIA
Look, here’s a letter from him: the state hath another, his wife another; and, I think, there’s one at home for you.
Look, here’s a letter from him: the state hath another, his wife another; and, I think, there’s one at home for you.
MENENIUS
I will make my very house reel tonight: a letter for me!
I will make my very house reel tonight: a letter for me!
VIRGILIA
Yes, certain, there’s a letter for you; I saw’t.
Yes, certain, there’s a letter for you; I saw’t.
MENENIUS
A letter for me! it gives me an estate of seven years’ health; in which time I will make a lip at the physician: the most sovereign prescription in Galen is but empiricutic, and, to this preservative, of no better report than a horse-drench. Is he not wounded? he was wont to come home wounded.
A letter for me! it gives me an estate of seven years’ health; in which time I will make a lip at the physician: the most sovereign prescription in Galen is but empiricutic, and, to this preservative, of no better report than a horse-drench. Is he not wounded? he was wont to come home wounded.
VIRGILIA
O, no, no, no.
O, no, no, no.
VOLUMNIA
O, he is wounded; I thank the gods for’t.
O, he is wounded; I thank the gods for’t.
MENENIUS
So do I too, if it be not too much: brings a’ victory in his pocket? the wounds become him.
So do I too, if it be not too much: brings a’ victory in his pocket? the wounds become him.
VOLUMNIA
On’s brows: Menenius, he comes the third time home with the oaken garland.
On’s brows: Menenius, he comes the third time home with the oaken garland.
MENENIUS
Has he disciplined Aufidius soundly?
Has he disciplined Aufidius soundly?
VOLUMNIA
Titus Lartius writes, they fought together, but Aufidius got off.
Titus Lartius writes, they fought together, but Aufidius got off.
MENENIUS
And ’twas time for him too, I’ll warrant him that: an he had stayed by him, I would not have been so fidiused for all the chests in Corioli, and the gold that’s in them. Is the senate possessed of this?
And ’twas time for him too, I’ll warrant him that: an he had stayed by him, I would not have been so fidiused for all the chests in Corioli, and the gold that’s in them. Is the senate possessed of this?
VOLUMNIA
Good ladies, let’s go. Yes, yes, yes; the senate has letters from the general, wherein he gives my son the whole name of the war: he hath in this action outdone his former deeds doubly
Good ladies, let’s go. Yes, yes, yes; the senate has letters from the general, wherein he gives my son the whole name of the war: he hath in this action outdone his former deeds doubly
VALERIA
In troth, there’s wondrous things spoke of him.
In troth, there’s wondrous things spoke of him.
MENENIUS
Wondrous! ay, I warrant you, and not without his true purchasing.
Wondrous! ay, I warrant you, and not without his true purchasing.
VIRGILIA
The gods grant them true!
The gods grant them true!
VOLUMNIA
True! pow, wow.
True! pow, wow.
MENENIUS
True! I’ll be sworn they are true.
Where is he wounded?
True! I’ll be sworn they are true.
Where is he wounded?
[To the Tribunes]
God save your good worships! Marcius is coming home: he has more cause to be proud. Where is he wounded?
VOLUMNIA
I’ the shoulder and i’ the left arm there will be large cicatrices to show the people, when he shall stand for his place. He received in the repulse of Tarquin seven hurts i’ the body.
I’ the shoulder and i’ the left arm there will be large cicatrices to show the people, when he shall stand for his place. He received in the repulse of Tarquin seven hurts i’ the body.
MENENIUS
One i’ the neck, and two i’ the thigh, – there’s nine that I know.
One i’ the neck, and two i’ the thigh, – there’s nine that I know.
VOLUMNIA
He had, before this last expedition, twenty-five wounds upon him.
He had, before this last expedition, twenty-five wounds upon him.
MENENIUS
Now it’s twenty-seven: every gash was an enemy’s grave.
Now it’s twenty-seven: every gash was an enemy’s grave.
[A shout and flourish]
Hark! the trumpets.
VOLUMNIA
These are the ushers of Marcius: before him he carries noise, and behind him he leaves tears:
Death, that dark spirit, in ’s nervy arm doth lie;
These are the ushers of Marcius: before him he carries noise, and behind him he leaves tears:
Death, that dark spirit, in ’s nervy arm doth lie;
Which, being advanced, declines, and then men die.
[A sennet. Trumpets sound. Enter COMINIUS the general, and TITUS LARTIUS; between them, CORIOLANUS, crowned with an oaken garland; with Captains and Soldiers, and a Herald]
Herald
Know, Rome, that all alone Marcius did fight
Within Corioli gates: where he hath won,
With fame, a name to Caius Marcius; these
In honour follows Coriolanus.
Welcome to Rome, renowned Coriolanus!
Know, Rome, that all alone Marcius did fight
Within Corioli gates: where he hath won,
With fame, a name to Caius Marcius; these
In honour follows Coriolanus.
Welcome to Rome, renowned Coriolanus!
[Flourish]
All
Welcome to Rome, renowned Coriolanus!
Welcome to Rome, renowned Coriolanus!
CORIOLANUS
No more of this; it does offend my heart:
Pray now, no more.
No more of this; it does offend my heart:
Pray now, no more.
COMINIUS
| Look, sir, your mother! |
CORIOLANUS
O,
You have, I know, petition’d all the gods
For my prosperity!
O,
You have, I know, petition’d all the gods
For my prosperity!
[Kneels]
VOLUMNIA
My gentle Marcius, worthy Caius, and
By deed-achieving honour newly named, –
What is it? – Coriolanus must I call thee? –
But O, thy wife!
| Nay, my good soldier, up; |
By deed-achieving honour newly named, –
What is it? – Coriolanus must I call thee? –
But O, thy wife!
CORIOLANUS
Wouldst thou have laugh’d had I come coffin’d home,
That weep’st to see me triumph? Ay, my dear,
Such eyes the widows in Corioli wear,
And mothers that lack sons.
| My gracious silence, hail! |
That weep’st to see me triumph? Ay, my dear,
Such eyes the widows in Corioli wear,
And mothers that lack sons.
MENENIUS
Now, the gods crown thee!
Now, the gods crown thee!
CORIOLANUS
And live you yet?
And live you yet?
[To VALERIA]
O my sweet lady, pardon.
O my sweet lady, pardon.
VOLUMNIA
I know not where to turn: O, welcome home:
And welcome, general: and ye’re welcome all.
I know not where to turn: O, welcome home:
And welcome, general: and ye’re welcome all.
MENENIUS
A hundred thousand welcomes. I could weep
And I could laugh, I am light and heavy. Welcome.
A curse begin at very root on’s heart,
That is not glad to see thee! You are three
That Rome should dote on: yet, by the faith of men,
We have some old crab-trees here at home that will not
Be grafted to your relish. Yet welcome, warriors:
We call a nettle but a nettle and
The faults of fools but folly.
A hundred thousand welcomes. I could weep
And I could laugh, I am light and heavy. Welcome.
A curse begin at very root on’s heart,
That is not glad to see thee! You are three
That Rome should dote on: yet, by the faith of men,
We have some old crab-trees here at home that will not
Be grafted to your relish. Yet welcome, warriors:
We call a nettle but a nettle and
The faults of fools but folly.
COMINIUS
Ever right.
Ever right.
CORIOLANUS
Menenius ever, ever.
Menenius ever, ever.
Herald
Give way there, and go on!
Give way there, and go on!
CORIOLANUS
Ere in our own house I do shade my head,
The good patricians must be visited;
From whom I have received not only greetings,
But with them change of honours.
| [To VOLUMNIA and VIRGILIA] | Your hand, and yours: |
The good patricians must be visited;
From whom I have received not only greetings,
But with them change of honours.
VOLUMNIA
I have lived
To see inherited my very wishes
And the buildings of my fancy: only
There’s one thing wanting, which I doubt not but
Our Rome will cast upon thee.
I have lived
To see inherited my very wishes
And the buildings of my fancy: only
There’s one thing wanting, which I doubt not but
Our Rome will cast upon thee.
CORIOLANUS
Know, good mother,
I had rather be their servant in my way,
Than sway with them in theirs.
Know, good mother,
I had rather be their servant in my way,
Than sway with them in theirs.
COMINIUS
On, to the Capitol!
On, to the Capitol!
[Flourish. Cornets. Exeunt in state, as before. BRUTUS and SICINIUS come forward]
BRUTUS
All tongues speak of him, and the bleared sights
Are spectacled to see him: your prattling nurse
Into a rapture lets her baby cry
While she chats him: the kitchen malkin pins
Her richest lockram ’bout her reechy neck,
Clambering the walls to eye him: stalls, bulks, windows,
Are smother’d up, leads fill’d, and ridges horsed
With variable complexions, all agreeing
In earnestness to see him: seld-shown flamens
Do press among the popular throngs and puff
To win a vulgar station: or veil’d dames
Commit the war of white and damask in
Their nicely-gawded cheeks to the wanton spoil
Of Phoebus’ burning kisses: such a pother
As if that whatsoever god who leads him
Were slily crept into his human powers
And gave him graceful posture.
All tongues speak of him, and the bleared sights
Are spectacled to see him: your prattling nurse
Into a rapture lets her baby cry
While she chats him: the kitchen malkin pins
Her richest lockram ’bout her reechy neck,
Clambering the walls to eye him: stalls, bulks, windows,
Are smother’d up, leads fill’d, and ridges horsed
With variable complexions, all agreeing
In earnestness to see him: seld-shown flamens
Do press among the popular throngs and puff
To win a vulgar station: or veil’d dames
Commit the war of white and damask in
Their nicely-gawded cheeks to the wanton spoil
Of Phoebus’ burning kisses: such a pother
As if that whatsoever god who leads him
Were slily crept into his human powers
And gave him graceful posture.
SICINIUS
On the sudden,
I warrant him consul.
On the sudden,
I warrant him consul.
BRUTUS
Then our office may,
During his power, go sleep.
Then our office may,
During his power, go sleep.
SICINIUS
He cannot temperately transport his honours
From where he should begin and end, but will
Lose those he hath won.
He cannot temperately transport his honours
From where he should begin and end, but will
Lose those he hath won.
BRUTUS
In that there’s comfort.
In that there’s comfort.
SICINIUS
Doubt not
The commoners, for whom we stand, but they
Upon their ancient malice will forget
With the least cause these his new honours, which
That he will give them make I as little question
As he is proud to do’t.
Doubt not
The commoners, for whom we stand, but they
Upon their ancient malice will forget
With the least cause these his new honours, which
That he will give them make I as little question
As he is proud to do’t.
BRUTUS
I heard him swear,
Were he to stand for consul, never would he
Appear i’ the market-place nor on him put
The napless vesture of humility;
Nor showing, as the manner is, his wounds
To the people, beg their stinking breaths.
I heard him swear,
Were he to stand for consul, never would he
Appear i’ the market-place nor on him put
The napless vesture of humility;
Nor showing, as the manner is, his wounds
To the people, beg their stinking breaths.
SICINIUS
’Tis right.
’Tis right.
BRUTUS
It was his word: O, he would miss it rather
Than carry it but by the suit of the gentry to him,
And the desire of the nobles.
It was his word: O, he would miss it rather
Than carry it but by the suit of the gentry to him,
And the desire of the nobles.
SICINIUS
I wish no better
Than have him hold that purpose and to put it
In execution.
I wish no better
Than have him hold that purpose and to put it
In execution.
BRUTUS
’Tis most like he will.
’Tis most like he will.
SICINIUS
It shall be to him then as our good wills,
A sure destruction.
It shall be to him then as our good wills,
A sure destruction.
BRUTUS
So it must fall out
To him or our authorities. For an end,
We must suggest the people in what hatred
He still hath held them; that to’s power he would
Have made them mules, silenced their pleaders and
Dispropertied their freedoms, holding them,
In human action and capacity,
Of no more soul nor fitness for the world
Than camels in the war, who have their provand
Only for bearing burdens, and sore blows
For sinking under them.
So it must fall out
To him or our authorities. For an end,
We must suggest the people in what hatred
He still hath held them; that to’s power he would
Have made them mules, silenced their pleaders and
Dispropertied their freedoms, holding them,
In human action and capacity,
Of no more soul nor fitness for the world
Than camels in the war, who have their provand
Only for bearing burdens, and sore blows
For sinking under them.
SICINIUS
This, as you say, suggested
At some time when his soaring insolence
Shall touch the people – which time shall not want,
If he be put upon ’t; and that’s as easy
As to set dogs on sheep – will be his fire
To kindle their dry stubble; and their blaze
Shall darken him for ever.
This, as you say, suggested
At some time when his soaring insolence
Shall touch the people – which time shall not want,
If he be put upon ’t; and that’s as easy
As to set dogs on sheep – will be his fire
To kindle their dry stubble; and their blaze
Shall darken him for ever.
[Enter a Messenger]
BRUTUS
What’s the matter?
What’s the matter?
Messenger
You are sent for to the Capitol. ’Tis thought
That Marcius shall be consul:
I have seen the dumb men throng to see him and
The blind to bear him speak: matrons flung gloves,
Ladies and maids their scarfs and handkerchers,
Upon him as he pass’d: the nobles bended,
As to Jove’s statue, and the commons made
A shower and thunder with their caps and shouts:
I never saw the like.
You are sent for to the Capitol. ’Tis thought
That Marcius shall be consul:
I have seen the dumb men throng to see him and
The blind to bear him speak: matrons flung gloves,
Ladies and maids their scarfs and handkerchers,
Upon him as he pass’d: the nobles bended,
As to Jove’s statue, and the commons made
A shower and thunder with their caps and shouts:
I never saw the like.
BRUTUS
Let’s to the Capitol;
And carry with us ears and eyes for the time,
But hearts for the event.
Let’s to the Capitol;
And carry with us ears and eyes for the time,
But hearts for the event.
SICINIUS
Have with you.
Have with you.
[Exeunt]
