5BEfore we proceed any further, heare me speake.

6All. Speake, speake.

71. Cit. You are all resolu'd rather to dy then

8to famish?

9All. Resolu'd, resolu'd.

101. Cit. First you know, Caius Martius is chiefe enemy

11to the people.

12All. We know't, we know't.

131. Cit. Let vs kill him, and wee'l haue Corne at our own

14price. Is't a Verdict?

15All. No more talking on't; Let it be done, away, away

162. Cit. One word, good Citizens.

171. Cit. We are accounted poore Citizens, the Patri-

18cians good: what Authority surfets one, would releeue

19vs. If they would yeelde vs but the superfluitie while it

20were wholsome, wee might guesse they releeued vs hu-

21manely: But they thinke we are too deere, the leannesse

22that afflicts vs, the obiect of our misery, is as an inuento-

23ry to particularize their abundance, our sufferance is a

24gaine to them. Let vs reuenge this with our Pikes, ere

25we become Rakes. For the Gods know, I speake this in

26hunger for Bread, not in thirst for Reuenge.

272. Cit. Would you proceede especially against Caius

28Martius.

29All. Against him first: He's a very dog to the Com-

30monalty.

312. Cit. Consider you what Seruices he ha's done for his

32Country?

331. Cit. Very well, and could bee content to giue him

34good report for't, but that hee payes himselfe with bee-

35ing proud.

36All. Nay, but speak not maliciously.

371. Cit. I say vnto you, what he hath done Famouslie,

38he did it to that end: though soft conscienc'd men can be

39content to say it was for his Countrey, he did it to please

40his Mother, and to be partly proud, which he is, euen to

41the altitude of his vertue.

422. Cit. What he cannot helpe in his Nature, you ac-

43count a Vice in him: You must in no way say he is co-

44uetous.

451. Cit. If I must not, I neede not be barren of Accusa-

46tions he hath faults (with surplus) to tyre in repetition.

48What showts are these? The other side a'th City is risen:

49why stay we prating heere? To th' Capitoll.

50All. Come, come.

511 Cit. Soft, who comes heere?

532 Cit. Worthy Menenius Agrippa, one that hath al-

54wayes lou'd the people.

551 Cit. He's one honest enough, wold al the rest wer so.

56Men. What work's my Countrimen in hand?

57Where go you with Bats and Clubs? The matter

58Speake I pray you.

592 Cit. Our busines is not vnknowne to th' Senat, they

60haue had inkling this fortnight what we intend to do, w^t

61now wee'l shew em in deeds: they say poore Suters haue

62strong breaths, they shal know we haue strong arms too.

63Menen. Why Masters, my good Friends, mine honest

64Neighbours, will you vndo your selues?

652 Cit. We cannot Sir, we are vndone already.

66Men. I tell you Friends, most charitable care

67Haue the Patricians of you for your wants.

68Your suffering in this dearth, you may as well

69Strike at the Heauen with your staues, as lift them

70Against the Roman State, whose course will on

71The way it takes: cracking ten thousand Curbes

72Of more strong linke assunder, then can euer

73Appeare in your impediment. For the Dearth,

74The Gods, not the Patricians make it, and

75Your knees to them (not armes) must helpe. Alacke,

76You are transported by Calamity

77Thether, where more attends you, and you slander

78The Helmes o'th State; who care for you like Fathers,

79When you curse them, as Enemies.

802 Cit. Care for vs? True indeed, they nere car'd for vs

81yet. Suffer vs to famish, and their Store-houses cramm'd

82with Graine: Make Edicts for Vsurie, to support Vsu-

83rers; repeale daily any wholsome Act established against

84the rich, and prouide more piercing Statutes daily, to

85chaine vp and restraine the poore. If the Warres eate vs

86not vppe, they will; and there's all the loue they beare

87vs.

88Menen. Either you must

89Confesse your selues wondrous Malicious,

90Or be accus'd of Folly. I shall tell you

91A pretty Tale, it may be you haue heard it,

92But since it serues my purpose, I will venture

93To scale't a little more.

942 Citizen. Well,

95Ile heare it Sir: yet you must not thinke

96To fobbe off our disgrace with a tale:

97But and't please you deliuer.

98Men. There was a time, when all the bodies members

99Rebell'd against the Belly; thus accus'd it:

100That onely like a Gulfe it did remaine

101I'th midd'st a th' body, idle and vnactiue,

102Still cubbording the Viand, neuer bearing

103Like labour with the rest, where th' other Instruments

104Did see, and heare, deuise, instruct, walke, feele,

105And mutually participate, did minister

106Vnto the appetite; and affection common

107Of the whole body, the Belly answer'd.

1082. Cit. Well sir, what answer made the Belly.

109Men. Sir, I shall tell you with a kinde of Smile,

110Which ne're came from the Lungs, but euen thus:

111For looke you I may make the belly Smile,

112As well as speake, it taintingly replyed

113To'th' discontented Members, the mutinous parts

114That enuied his receite: euen so most fitly,

115As you maligne our Senators, for that

116They are not such as you.

1172. Cit. Your Bellies answer: What

118The Kingly crown'd head, the vigilant eye,

119The Counsailor Heart, the Arme our Souldier,

120Our Steed the Legge, the Tongue our Trumpeter,

121With other Muniments and petty helpes

122In this our Fabricke, if that they---

123Men. What then? Fore me, this Fellow speakes.

124What then? What then?

1252. Cit. Should by the Cormorant belly be restrain'd,

126Who is the sinke a th' body.

127Men. Well, what then?

1282. Cit. The former Agents, if they did complaine,

129What could the Belly answer?

130Men. I will tell you,

131If you'l bestow a small (of what you haue little)

132Patience awhile; you'st heare the Bellies answer.

1332. Cit. Y'are long about it.

134Men. Note me this good Friend;

135Your most graue Belly was deliberate,

136Not rash like his Accusers, and thus answered.

137True is it my Incorporate Friends (quoth he)

138That I receiue the generall Food at first

139Which you do liue vpon: and fit it is,

140Because I am the Store-house, and the Shop

141Of the whole Body. But, if you do remember,

142I send it through the Riuers of your blood

143Euen to the Court, the Heart, to th' seate o'th' Braine,

144And through the Crankes and Offices of man,

145The strongest Nerues, and small inferiour Veines

146From me receiue that naturall competencie

147Whereby they liue. And though that all at once

148(You my good Friends, this sayes the Belly) marke me.

1492. Cit. I sir, well, well.

150Men. Though all at once, cannot

151See what I do deliuer out to each,

152Yet I can make my Awdit vp, that all

153From me do backe receiue the Flowre of all,

154And leaue me but the Bran. What say you too't?

1552. Cit. It was an answer, how apply you this?

156Men. The Senators of Rome, are this good Belly,

157And you the mutinous Members: For examine

158Their Counsailes, and their Cares; disgest things rightly,

159Touching the Weale a'th Common, you shall finde

160No publique benefit which you receiue

161But it proceeds, or comes from them to you,

162And no way from your selues. What do you thinke?

163You, the great Toe of this Assembly?

1642. Cit. I the great Toe? Why the great Toe?

165Men. For that being one o'th lowest, basest, poorest

166Of this most wise Rebellion, thou goest formost:

167Thou Rascall, that art worst in blood to run,

168Lead'st first to win some vantage.

169But make you ready your stiffe bats and clubs,

170Rome, and her Rats, are at the point of battell,

171The one side must haue baile.

173Hayle, Noble Martius.

174Mar. Thanks. What's the matter you dissentious rogues

175That rubbing the poore Itch of your Opinion,

176Make your selues Scabs.

1772. Cit. We haue euer your good word.

178Mar. He that will giue good words to thee, wil flatter

179Beneath abhorring. What would you haue, you Curres,

180That like nor Peace, nor Warre? The one affrights you,

181The other makes you proud. He that trusts to you,

182Where he should finde you Lyons, findes you Hares:

183Where Foxes, Geese you are: No surer, no,

184Then is the coale of fire vpon the Ice,

185Or Hailstone in the Sun. Your Vertue is,

186To make him worthy, whose offence subdues him,

187And curse that Iustice did it. Who deserues Greatnes,

188Deserues your Hate: and your Affections are

189A sickmans Appetite; who desires most that

190Which would encrease his euill. He that depends

191Vpon your fauours, swimmes with finnes of Leade,

192And hewes downe Oakes, with rushes. Hang ye: trust ye?

193With euery Minute you do change a Minde,

194And call him Noble, that was now your Hate:

195Him vilde, that was your Garland. What's the matter,

196That in these seuerall places of the Citie,

197You cry against the Noble Senate, who

198(Vnder the Gods) keepe you in awe, which else

199Would feede on one another? What's their seeking?

200Men. For Corne at their owne rates, wherof they say

201The Citie is well stor'd.

202Mar. Hang 'em: They say?

203They'l sit by th' fire, and presume to know

204What's done i'th Capitoll: Who's like to rise,

205Who thriues, & who declines: Side factions, & giue out

206Coniecturall Marriages, making parties strong,

207And feebling such as stand not in their liking,

208Below their cobled Shooes. They say ther's grain enough?

209Would the Nobility lay aside their ruth,

210And let me vse my Sword, I'de make a Quarrie

211With thousands of these quarter'd slaues, as high

212As I could picke my Lance.

213Menen. Nay these are almost thoroughly perswaded:

214For though abundantly they lacke discretion

215Yet are they passing Cowardly. But I beseech you,

216What sayes the other Troope?

217Mar. They are dissolu'd: Hang em;

218They said they were an hungry, sigh'd forth Prouerbes

219That Hunger-broke stone wals: that dogges must eate

220That meate was made for mouths. That the gods sent not

221Corne for the Richmen onely: With these shreds

222They vented their Complainings, which being answer'd

223And a petition granted them, a strange one,

224To breake the heart of generosity,

225And make bold power looke pale, they threw their caps

226As they would hang them on the hornes a'th Moone,

227Shooting their Emulation.

228Menen. What is graunted them?

229Mar. Fiue Tribunes to defend their vulgar wisdoms

230Of their owne choice. One's Iunius Brutus,

231Sicinius Velutus, and I know not. Sdeath,

232The rabble should haue first vnroo'st the City

233Ere so preuayl'd with me; it will in time

234Win vpon power, and throw forth greater Theames

235For Insurrections arguing.

236Menen. This is strange.

237Mar. Go get you home you Fragments.

239Mess. Where's Caius Martius?

240Mar. Heere: what's the matter?

241Mes. The newes is sir, the Volcies are in Armes.

242Mar. I am glad on't, then we shall ha meanes to vent

243Our mustie superfluity. See our best Elders.

2461. Sen. Martius 'tis true, that you haue lately told vs,

247The Volces are in Armes.

248Mar. They haue a Leader,

249Tullus Auffidius that will put you too't:

250I sinne in enuying his Nobility:

251And were I any thing but what I am,

252I would wish me onely he.

253Com. You haue fought together?

254Mar. Were halfe to halfe the world by th' eares, & he

255vpon my partie, I'de reuolt to make

256Onely my warres with him. He is a Lion

257That I am proud to hunt.

2581. Sen. Then worthy Martius,

259Attend vpon Cominius to these Warres.

260Com. It is your former promise.

261Mar. Sir it is,

262And I am constant: Titus Lucius, thou

263Shalt see me once more strike at Tullus face.

264What art thou stiffe? Stand'st out?

265Tit. No Caius Martius,

266Ile leane vpon one Crutch, and fight with tother,

267Ere stay behinde this Businesse.

268Men. Oh true-bred.

269Sen. Your Company to'th' Capitoll, where I know

270Our greatest Friends attend vs.

271Tit. Lead you on: Follow Cominius, we must followe

272you, right worthy you Priority.

273Com. Noble Martius.

274Sen. Hence to your homes, be gone.

275Mar. Nay let them follow,

276The Volces haue much Corne: take these Rats thither,

277To gnaw their Garners. Worshipfull Mutiners,

278Your valour puts well forth: Pray follow. Exeunt.

280Sicin. Was euer man so proud as is this Martius?

281Bru. He has no equall.

282Sicin. When we were chosen Tribunes for the people.

283Bru. Mark'd you his lip and eyes.

284Sicin. Nay, but his taunts.

285Bru. Being mou'd, he will not spare to gird the Gods.

286Sicin. Bemocke the modest Moone.

287Bru. The present VVarres deuoure him, he is growne

288Too proud to be so valiant.

289Sicin. Such a Nature, tickled with good successe, dis-

290daines the shadow which he treads on at noone, but I do

291wonder, his insolence can brooke to be commanded vn-

292der Cominius?

293Bru. Fame, at the which he aymes,

294In whom already he's well grac'd, cannot

295Better be held, nor more attain'd then by

296A place below the first: for what miscarries

297Shall be the Generals fault, though he performe

298To th' vtmost of a man, and giddy censure

299Will then cry out of Martius: Oh, if he

300Had borne the businesse.

301Sicin. Besides, if things go well,

302Opinion that so stickes on Martius, shall

303Of his demerits rob Cominius.

304Bru. Come: halfe all Cominius Honors are to Martius

305Though Martius earn'd them not: and all his faults

306To Martius shall be Honors, though indeed

307In ought he merit not.

308Sicin. Let's hence, and heare

309How the dispatch is made, and in what fashion

310More then his singularity, he goes

311Vpon this present Action.

312Bru. Let's along. Exeunt

3141. Sen. So, your opinion is Auffidius,

315That they of Rome are entred in our Counsailes,

316And know how we proceede,

317Auf. Is it not yours?

318What euer haue bin thought one in this State

319That could be brought to bodily act, ere Rome

320Had circumuention: 'tis not foure dayes gone

321Since I heard thence, these are the words, I thinke

322I haue the Letter heere: yes, heere it is;

323They haue prest a Power, but it is not knowne

324Whether for East or West: the Dearth is great,

325The people Mutinous: And it is rumour'd,

326Cominius, Martius your old Enemy

327(Who is of Rome worse hated then of you)

328And Titus Lartius, a most valiant Roman,

329These three leade on this Preparation

330Whether 'tis bent: most likely, 'tis for you:

331Consider of it.

3321. Sen. Our Armie's in the Field:

333We neuer yet made doubt but Rome was ready

334To answer vs.

335Auf. Nor did you thinke it folly,

336To keepe your great pretences vayl'd, till when

337They needs must shew themselues, which in the hatching

338It seem'd appear'd to Rome. By the discouery,

339We shalbe shortned in our ayme, which was

340To take in many Townes, ere (almost) Rome

341Should know we were a-foot.

3422. Sen. Noble Auffidius,

343Take your Commission, hye you to your Bands,

344Let vs alone to guard Corioles

345If they set downe before's: for the remoue

346Bring vp your Army: but (I thinke) you'l finde

347Th'haue not prepar'd for vs.

348Auf. O doubt not that,

349I speake from Certainties. Nay more,

350Some parcels of their Power are forth already,

351And onely hitherward. I leaue your Honors.

352If we, and Caius Martius chance to meete,

353'Tis sworne betweene vs, we shall euer strike

354Till one can do no more.

355All. The Gods assist you.

356Auf. And keepe your Honors safe.

3571. Sen. Farewell.

3582. Sen. Farewell.

359All. Farewell. Exeunt omnes.

aa2 Enter

362Volum. I pray you daughter sing, or expresse your selfe

363in a more comfortable sort: If my Sonne were my Hus-

364band, I should freelier reioyce in that absence wherein

365he wonne Honor, then in the embracements of his Bed,

366where he would shew most loue. When yet hee was but

367tender-bodied, and the onely Sonne of my womb; when

368youth with comelinesse pluck'd all gaze his way; when

369for a day of Kings entreaties, a Mother should not sel him

370an houre from her beholding; I considering how Honour

371would become such a person, that it was no better then

372Picture-like to hang by th' wall, if renowne made it not

373stirre, was pleas'd to let him seeke danger, where he was

374like to finde fame: To a cruell Warre I sent him, from

375whence he return'd, his browes bound with Oake. I tell

376thee Daughter, I sprang not more in ioy at first hearing

377he was a Man-child, then now in first seeing he had pro-

378ued himselfe a man.

379Virg. But had he died in the Businesse Madame, how

380then?

381Volum. Then his good report should haue beene my

382Sonne, I therein would haue found issue. Heare me pro-

383fesse sincerely, had I a dozen sons each in my loue alike,

384and none lesse deere then thine, and my good Martius, I

385had rather had eleuen dye Nobly for their Countrey, then

386one voluptuously surfet out of Action.

388Gent. Madam, the Lady Valeria is come to visit you.

389Virg. Beseech you giue me leaue to retire my selfe.

390Volum. Indeed you shall not:

391Me thinkes, I heare hither your Husbands Drumme:

392See him plucke Auffidius downe by th' haire:

393(As children from a Beare) the Volces shunning him:

394Me thinkes I see him stampe thus, and call thus,

395Come on you Cowards, you were got in feare

396Though you were borne in Rome; his bloody brow

397With his mail'd hand, then wiping, forth he goes

398Like to a Haruest man, that task'd to mowe

399Or all, or loose his hyre.

400Virg. His bloody Brow? Oh Iupiter, no blood.

401Volum. Away you Foole; it more becomes a man

402Then gilt his Trophe. The brests of Hecuba

403When she did suckle Hector, look'd not louelier

404Then Hectors forhead, when it spit forth blood

405At Grecian sword. Contenning, tell Valeria

406We are fit to bid her welcome. Exit Gent.

407Vir. Heauens blesse my Lord from fell Auffidius.

408Vol. Hee'l beat Auffidius head below his knee,

409And treade vpon his necke.

411Val. My Ladies both good day to you.

412Vol. Sweet Madam.

413Vir. I am glad to see your Ladyship.

414Val. How do you both? You are manifest house-kee-

415pers. What are you sowing heere? A fine spotte in good

416faith. How does your little Sonne?

417Vir. I thanke your Lady-ship: Well good Madam.

418Vol. He had rather see the swords, and heare a Drum,

419then looke vpon his Schoolmaster.

420Val. A my word the Fathers Sonne: Ile sweare 'tis a

421very pretty boy. A my troth, I look'd vpon him a Wens-

422day halfe an houre together: ha's such a confirm'd coun-

423tenance. I saw him run after a gilded Butterfly, & when

424he caught it, he let it go againe, and after it againe, and o-

425uer and ouer he comes, and vp againe: catcht it again: or

426whether his fall enrag'd him, or how 'twas, hee did so set

427his teeth, and teare it. Oh, I warrant how he mammockt

428it.

429Vol. One on's Fathers moods.

430Val. Indeed la, tis a Noble childe.

431Virg. A Cracke Madam.

432Val. Come, lay aside your stitchery, I must haue you

433play the idle Huswife with me this afternoone.

434Virg. No (good Madam)

435I will not out of doores.

436Val. Not out of doores?

437Volum. She shall, she shall.

438Virg. Indeed no, by your patience; Ile not ouer the

439threshold, till my Lord returne from the Warres.

440Val. Fye, you confine your selfe most vnreasonably:

441Come, you must go visit the good Lady that lies in.

442Virg. I will wish her speedy strength, and visite her

443with my prayers: but I cannot go thither.

444Volum. Why I pray you.

445Vlug. 'Tis not to saue labour, nor that I want loue.

446Val. You would be another Penelope: yet they say, all

447the yearne she spun in Vlisses absence, did but fill Athica

448full of Mothes. Come, I would your Cambrick were sen-

449sible as your finger, that you might leaue pricking it for

450pitie. Come you shall go with vs.

451Vir. No good Madam, pardon me, indeed I will not

452foorth.

453Val. In truth la go with me, and Ile tell you excellent

454newes of your Husband.

455Virg. Oh good Madam, there can be none yet.

456Val. Verily I do not iest with you: there came newes

457from him last night.

458Vir. Indeed Madam.

459Val. In earnest it's true; I heard a Senatour speake it.

460Thus it is: the Volcies haue an Army forth, against whō

461Cominius the Generall is gone, with one part of our Ro-

462mane power. Your Lord, and Titus Lartius, are set down

463before their Citie Carioles, they nothing doubt preuai-

464ling, and to make it breefe Warres. This is true on mine

465Honor, and so I pray go with vs.

466Virg. Giue me excuse good Madame, I will obey you

467in euery thing heereafter.

468Vol. Let her alone Ladie, as she is now:

469She will but disease our better mirth.

470Valeria. In troth I thinke she would:

471Fare you well then. Come good sweet Ladie.

472Prythee Virgilia turne thy solemnesse out a doore,

473And go along with vs.

474Virgil. No

475At a word Madam; Indeed I must not,

476I wish you much mirth.

477Val. Well, then farewell. Exeunt Ladies.

482Martius. Yonder comes Newes:

483A Wager they haue met.

484Lar. My horse to yours, no.

485Mar. Tis done.

486Lart. Agreed.

487Mar. Say, ha's our Generall met the Enemy?

488Mess. They lye in view, but haue not spoke as yet.

489Lart. So, the good Horse is mine.

490Mart. Ile buy him of you.

491Lart. No, Ile nor sel, nor giue him: Lend you him I will

492For halfe a hundred yeares: Summon the Towne.

493Mar. How farre off lie these Armies?

494Mess. Within this mile and halfe.

495Mar. Then shall we heare their Larum, & they Ours.

496Now Mars, I prythee make vs quicke in worke,

497That we with smoaking swords may march from hence

498To helpe our fielded Friends. Come, blow thy blast.

501Tullus Auffidious, is he within your Walles?

5021. Senat. No, nor a man that feares you lesse then he,

503That's lesser then a little: Drum a farre off.

504Hearke, our Drummes

505Are bringing forth our youth: Wee'l breake our Walles

506Rather then they shall pound vs vp our Gates,

507Which yet seeme shut, we haue but pin'd with Rushes,

508They'le open of themselues. Harke you, farre off

510There is Auffidious. List what worke he makes

511Among'st your clouen Army.

512Mart. Oh they are at it.

513Lart. Their noise be our instruction. Ladders hoa.

515Mar. They feare vs not, but issue forth their Citie.

516Now put your Shields before your hearts, and fight

517With hearts more proofe then Shields.

518Aduance braue Titus,

519They do disdaine vs much beyond our Thoughts,

520which makes me sweat with wrath. Come on my fellows

521He that retires, Ile take him for a Volce,

522And he shall feele mine edge.

525Mar. All the contagion of the South, light on you,

526You Shames of Rome: you Heard of Byles and Plagues

527Plaister you o're, that you may be abhorr'd

528Farther then seene, and one infect another

529Against the Winde a mile: you soules of Geese,

530That beare the shapes of men, how haue you run

531From Slaues, that Apes would beate; Pluto and Hell,

532All hurt behinde, backes red, and faces pale

533With flight and agued feare, mend and charge home,

534Or by the fires of heauen, Ile leaue the Foe,

535And make my Warres on you: Looke too't: Come on,

536If you'l stand fast, wee'l beate them to their Wiues,

537As they vs to our Trenches followes.

540So, now the gates are ope: now proue good Seconds,

541'Tis for the followers Fortune, widens them,

542Not for the flyers: Marke me, and do the like.

5441. Sol. Foole-hardinesse, not I.

5452. Sol. Nor I.

5461. Sol. See they haue shut him in. Alarum continues

547All. To th' pot I warrant him. Enter Titus Lartius

548Tit. What is become of Martius?

549All. Slaine (Sir) doubtlesse.

5501. Sol. Following the Flyers at the very heeles,

551With them he enters: who vpon the sodaine

552Clapt to their Gates, he is himselfe alone,

553To answer all the City.

554Lar. Oh Noble Fellow!

555Who sensibly out-dares his sencelesse Sword,

556And when it bowes, stand'st vp: Thou art left Martius,

557A Carbuncle intire: as big as thou art

558Weare not so rich a Iewell. Thou was't a Souldier

559Euen to Calues wish, not fierce and terrible

560Onely in strokes, but with thy grim lookes, and

561The Thunder-like percussion of thy sounds

562Thou mad'st thine enemies shake, as if the World

563Were Feauorous, and did tremble.

5651. Sol. Looke Sir.

566Lar. O 'tis Martius.

567Let's fetch him off, or make remaine alike.

5701. Rom. This will I carry to Rome.

5712. Rom. And I this.

5723. Rom. A Murrain on't, I tooke this for Siluer. exeunt.

575Mar. See heere these mouers, that do prize their hours

576At a crack'd Drachme: Cushions, Leaden Spoones,

577Irons of a Doit, Dublets that Hangmen would

578Bury with those that wore them. These base slaues,

579Ere yet the fight be done, packe vp, downe with them.

580And harke, what noyse the Generall makes: To him

581There is the man of my soules hate, Auffidious,

582Piercing our Romanes: Then Valiant Titus take

583Conuenient Numbers to make good the City,

584Whil'st I with those that haue the spirit, wil haste

585To helpe Cominius.

586Lar. Worthy Sir, thou bleed'st,

587Thy exercise hath bin too violent,

588For a second course of Fight.

589Mar. Sir, praise me not:

590My worke hath yet not warm'd me. Fare you well:

591The blood I drop, is rather Physicall

592Then dangerous to me: To Auffidious thus, I will appear (and fight.

593Lar. Now the faire Goddesse Fortune,

594Fall deepe in loue with thee, and her great charmes

595Misguide thy Opposers swords, Bold Gentleman:

596Prosperity be thy Page.

597Mar. Thy Friend no lesse,

598Then those she placeth highest: So farewell.

599Lar. Thou worthiest Martius,

600Go sound thy Trumpet in the Market place,

601Call thither all the Officers a'th' Towne,

602Where they shall know our minde. Away. Exeunt

604Com. Breath you my friends, wel fought, we are come (off,

605Like Romans, neither foolish in our stands,

606Nor Cowardly in retyre: Beleeue me Sirs,

607We shall be charg'd againe. Whiles we haue strooke

608By Interims and conueying gusts, we haue heard

609The Charges of our Friends. The Roman Gods,

610Leade their successes, as we wish our owne,

611That both our powers, with smiling Fronts encountring,

612May giue you thankfull Sacrifice. Thy Newes?

614Mess. The Cittizens of Corioles haue yssued,

615And giuen to Lartius and to Martius Battaile:

aa3 I saw

616I saw our party to their Trenches driuen,

617And then I came away.

618Com. Though thou speakest truth,

619Me thinkes thou speak'st not well. How long is't since?

620Mes. Aboue an houre, my Lord.

621Com. 'Tis not a mile: briefely we heard their drummes.

622How could'st thou in a mile confound an houre,

623And bring thy Newes so late?

624Mes. Spies of the Volces

625Held me in chace, that I was forc'd to wheele

626Three or foure miles about, else had I sir

627Halfe an houre since brought my report.

629Com. Whose yonder,

630That doe's appeare as he were Flead? O Gods,

631He has the stampe of Martius, and I haue

632Before time seene him thus.

633Mar. Come I too late?

634Com. The Shepherd knowes not Thunder frō a Taber,

635More then I know the sound of Martius Tongue

636From euery meaner man.

637Martius. Come I too late?

638Com. I, if you come not in the blood of others,

639But mantled in your owne.

640Mart. Oh! let me clip ye

641In Armes as sound, as when I woo'd in heart;

642As merry, as when our Nuptiall day was done,

643And Tapers burnt to Bedward.

644Com. Flower of Warriors, how is't with Titus Lartius?

645Mar. As with a man busied about Decrees:

646Condemning some to death, and some to exile,

647Ransoming him, or pittying, threatning th' other;

648Holding Corioles in the name of Rome,

649Euen like a fawning Grey-hound in the Leash,

650To let him slip at will.

651Com. Where is that Slaue

652Which told me they had beate you to your Trenches?

653Where is he? Call him hither.

654Mar. Let him alone,

655He did informe the truth: but for our Gentlemen,

656The common file, (a plague-Tribunes for them)

657The Mouse ne're shunn'd the Cat, as they did budge

658From Rascals worse then they.

659Com. But how preuail'd you?

660Mar. Will the time serue to tell, I do not thinke:

661Where is the enemy? Are you Lords a'th Field?

662If not, why cease you till you are so?

663Com. Martius, we haue at disaduantage fought,

664And did retyre to win our purpose.

665Mar. How lies their Battell? Know you on w^t side

666They haue plac'd their men of trust?

667Com. As I guesse Martius,

668Their Bands i'th Vaward are the Antients

669Of their best trust: O're them Auffidious,

670Their very heart of Hope.

671Mar. I do beseech you,

672By all the Battailes wherein we haue fought,

673By th' Blood we haue shed together,

674By th' Vowes we haue made

675To endure Friends, that you directly set me

676Against Affidious, and his Antiats,

677And that you not delay the present (but

678Filling the aire with Swords aduanc'd) and Darts,

679We proue this very houre.

680Com. Though I could wish,

681You were conducted to a gentle Bath,

682And Balmes applyed to you, yet dare I neuer

683Deny your asking, take your choice of those

684That best can ayde your action.

685Mar. Those are they

686That most are willing; if any such be heere,

687(As it were sinne to doubt) that loue this painting

688Wherein you see me smear'd, if any feare

689Lessen his person, then an ill report:

690If any thinke, braue death out-weighes bad life,

691And that his Countries deerer then himselfe,

692Let him alone: Or so many so minded,

693Waue thus to expresse his disposition,

694And follow Martius.

697Oh me alone, make you a sword of me:

698If these shewes be not outward, which of you

699But is foure Volces? None of you, but is

700Able to beare against the great Auffidious

701A Shield, as hard as his. A certaine number

702(Though thankes to all) must I select from all:

703The rest shall beare the businesse in some other fight

704(As cause will be obey'd:) please you to March,

705And foure shall quickly draw out my Command,

706Which men are best inclin'd.

707Com. March on my Fellowes:

708Make good this ostentation, and you shall

709Diuide in all, with vs. Exeunt

714Lar. So, let the Ports be guarded; keepe your Duties

715As I haue set them downe. If I do send, dispatch

716Those Centuries to our ayd, the rest will serue

717For a short holding, if we loose the Field,

718We cannot keepe the Towne.

719Lieu. Feare not our care Sir.

720Lart. Hence; and shut your gates vpon's:

721Our Guider come, to th' Roman Campe conduct vs. Exit

724Mar. Ile fight with none but thee, for I do hate thee

725Worse then a Promise-breaker.

726Auffid. We hate alike:

727Not Affricke ownes a Serpent I abhorre

728More then thy Fame and Enuy: Fix thy foot.

729Mar. Let the first Budger dye the others Slaue,

730And the Gods doome him after.

731Auf. If I flye Martius, hollow me like a Hare.

732Mar. Within these three houres Tullus

733Alone I fought in your Corioles walles,

734And made what worke I pleas'd: 'Tis not my blood,

735Wherein thou seest me maskt, for thy Reuenge

736Wrench vp thy power to th' highest.

737Auf. Wer't thou the Hector,

738That was the whip of your bragg'd Progeny,

739Thou should'st not scape me heere.

742Officious and not valiant, you haue sham'd me

743In your condemned Seconds.

748Com. If I should tell thee o're this thy dayes Worke,

749Thou't not beleeue thy deeds: but Ile report it,

750Where Senators shall mingle teares with smiles,

751Where great Patricians shall attend, and shrug,

752I'th' end admire: where Ladies shall be frighted,

753And gladly quak'd, heare more: where the dull Tribunes,

754That with the fustie Plebeans, hate thine Honors,

755Shall say against their hearts, We thanke the Gods

756Our Rome hath such a Souldier.

757Yet cam'st thou to a Morsell of this Feast,

758Hauing fully din'd before.

760Titus Lartius. Oh Generall:

761Here is the Steed, wee the Caparison:

762Hadst thou beheld---

763Martius. Pray now, no more:

764My Mother, who ha's a Charter to extoll her Bloud,

765When she do's prayse me, grieues me:

766I haue done as you haue done, that's what I can,

767Induc'd as you haue beene, that's for my Countrey:

768He that ha's but effected his good will,

769Hath ouerta'ne mine Act.

770Com. You shall not be the Graue of your deseruing,

771Rome must know the value of her owne:

772'Twere a Concealement worse then a Theft,

773No lesse then a Traducement,

774To hide your doings, and to silence that,

775Which to the spire, and top of prayses vouch'd,

776Would seeme but modest: therefore I beseech you,

777In signe of what you are, not to reward

778What you haue done, before our Armie heare me.

779Martius. I haue some Wounds vpon me, and they smart

780To heare themselues remembred.

781Com. Should they not:

782Well might they fester 'gainst Ingratitude,

783And tent themselues with death: of all the Horses,

784Whereof we haue ta'ne good, and good store of all,

785The Treasure in this field atchieued, and Citie,

786We render you the Tenth, to be ta'ne forth,

787Before the common distribution,

788At your onely choyse.

789Martius. I thanke you Generall:

790But cannot make my heart consent to take

791A Bribe, to pay my Sword: I doe refuse it,

792And stand vpon my common part with those,

793That haue beheld the doing.

797Mar. May these same Instruments, which you prophane,

798Neuer sound more: when Drums and Trumpets shall

799I'th' field proue flatterers, let Courts and Cities be

800Made all of false-fac'd soothing:

801When Steele growes soft, as the Parasites Silke,

802Let him be made an Ouerture for th' Warres:

803No more I say, for that I haue not wash'd

804My Nose that bled, or foyl'd some debile Wretch,

805Which without note, here's many else haue done,

806You shoot me forth in acclamations hyperbolicall,

807As if I lou'd my little should be dieted

808In prayses, sawc'st with Lyes.

809Com. Too modest are you:

810More cruell to your good report, then gratefull

811To vs, that giue you truly: by your patience,

812If 'gainst your selfe you be incens'd, wee'le put you

813(Like one that meanes his proper harme) in Manacles,

814Then reason safely with you: Therefore be it knowne,

815As to vs, to all the World, That Caius Martius

816Weares this Warres Garland: in token of the which,

817My Noble Steed, knowne to the Campe, I giue him,

818With all his trim belonging; and from this time,

819For what he did before Corioles, call him,

820With all th' applause and Clamor of the Hoast,

821 Marcus Caius Coriolanus. Beare th' addition Nobly euer?

823Omnes. Marcus Caius Coriolanus.

824Martius. I will goe wash:

825And when my Face is faire, you shall perceiue

826Whether I blush or no: howbeit, I thanke you,

827I meane to stride your Steed, and at all times

828To vnder-crest your good Addition,

829To th' fairenesse of my power.

830Com. So, to our Tent:

831Where ere we doe repose vs, we will write

832To Rome of our successe: you Titus Lartius

833Must to Corioles backe, send vs to Rome

834The best, with whom we may articulate,

835For their owne good, and ours.

836Lartius. I shall, my Lord.

837Martius. The Gods begin to mocke me:

838I that now refus'd most Princely gifts,

839Am bound to begge of my Lord Generall.

840Com. Tak't, 'tis yours: what is't?

841Martius. I sometime lay here in Corioles,

842At a poore mans house: he vs'd me kindly,

843He cry'd to me: I saw him Prisoner:

844But then Auffidius was within my view,

845And Wrath o're-whelm'd my pittie: I request you

846To giue my poore Host freedome.

847Com. Oh well begg'd:

848Were he the Butcher of my Sonne, he should

849Be free, as is the Winde: deliuer him, Titus.

850Lartius. Martius, his Name.

851Martius. By Iupiter forgot:

852I am wearie, yea, my memorie is tyr'd:

853Haue we no Wine here?

854Com. Goe we to our Tent:

855The bloud vpon your Visage dryes, 'tis time

856It should be lookt too: come. Exeunt.

859Auffi. The Towne is ta'ne.

860Sould. 'Twill be deliuer'd backe on good Condition.

861Auffid. Condition?

862I would I were a Roman, for I cannot,

863Being a Volce, be that I am. Condition?

864What good Condition can a Treatie finde

865I'th' part that is at mercy? fiue times, Martius,

866I haue fought with thee; so often hast thou beat me:

867And would'st doe so, I thinke, should we encounter

868As often as we eate. By th' Elements,

869If ere againe I meet him beard to beard,

870He's mine, or I am his: Mine Emulation

871Hath not that Honor in't it had: For where

872I thought to crush him in an equall Force,

873True Sword to Sword: Ile potche at him some way,

874Or Wrath, or Craft may get him.

875Sol. He's the diuell.

876Auf. Bolder, though not so subtle: my valors poison'd,

877With onely suff'ring staine by him: for him

878Shall flye out of it selfe, nor sleepe, nor sanctuary,

879Being naked, sicke; nor Phane, nor Capitoll,

880The Prayers of Priests, nor times of Sacrifice:

881Embarquements all of Fury, shall lift vp

882Their rotten Priuiledge, and Custome 'gainst

883My hate to Martius. Where I finde him, were it

884At home, vpon my Brothers Guard, euen there

885Against the hospitable Canon, would I

886Wash my fierce hand in's heart. Go you to th' Citie,

887Learne how 'tis held, and what they are that must

888Be Hostages for Rome.

889Soul. Will not you go?

890Auf. I am attended at the Cyprus groue. I pray you

891('Tis South the City Mils) bring me word thither

892How the world goes: that to the pace of it

893I may spurre on my iourney.

894Soul. I shall sir.

898Men. The Agurer tels me, wee shall haue Newes to

899night.

900Bru. Good or bad?

901Men. Not according to the prayer of the people, for

902they loue not Martius.

903Sicin. Nature teaches Beasts to know their Friends.

904Men. Pray you, who does the Wolfe loue?

905Sicin. The Lambe.

906Men. I, to deuour him, as the hungry Plebeians would

907the Noble Martius.

908Bru. He's a Lambe indeed, that baes like a Beare.

909Men. Hee's a Beare indeede, that liues like a Lambe.

910You two are old men, tell me one thing that I shall aske

911you.

912Both. Well sir.

913Men. In what enormity is Martius poore in, that you

914two haue not in abundance?

915Bru. He's poore in no one fault, but stor'd withall.

916Sicin. Especially in Pride.

917Bru. And topping all others in boasting.

918Men. This is strange now: Do you two know, how

919you are censured heere in the City, I mean of vs a'th' right

920hand File, do you?

921Both. Why? how are we censur'd?

922Men. Because you talke of Pride now, will you not

923be angry.

924Both. Well, well sir, well.

925Men. Why 'tis no great matter: for a very little theefe

926of Occasion, will rob you of a great deale of Patience:

927Giue your dispositions the reines, and bee angry at your

928pleasures (at the least) if you take it as a pleasure to you, in

929being so: you blame Martius for being proud.

930Brut. We do it not alone, sir.

931Men. I know you can doe very little alone, for your

932helpes are many, or else your actions would growe won-

933drous single: your abilities are to Infant-like, for dooing

934much alone. You talke of Pride: Oh, that you could turn

935your eyes toward the Napes of your neckes, and make

936but an Interiour suruey of your good selues. Oh that you

937could.

938Both. What then sir?

939Men. Why then you should discouer a brace of vn-

940meriting, proud, violent, testie Magistrates (alias Fooles)

941as any in Rome.

942Sicin. Menenius, you are knowne well enough too.

943Men. I am knowne to be a humorous Patritian, and

944one that loues a cup of hot Wine, with not a drop of alay-

945ing Tiber in't: Said, to be something imperfect in fauou-

946ring the first complaint, hasty and Tinder-like vppon, to

947triuiall motion: One, that conuerses more with the But-

948tocke of the night, then with the forhead of the morning.

949What I think, I vtter, and spend my malice in my breath.

950Meeting two such Weales men as you are (I cannot call

951you Licurgusses,) if the drinke you giue me, touch my Pa-

952lat aduersly, I make a crooked face at it, I can say, your

953Worshippes haue deliuer'd the matter well, when I finde

954the Asse in compound, with the Maior part of your sylla-

955bles. And though I must be content to beare with those,

956that say you are reuerend graue men, yet they lye deadly,

957that tell you haue good faces, if you see this in the Map

958of my Microcosme, followes it that I am knowne well e-

959nough too? What harme can your beesome Conspectui-

960ties gleane out of this Charracter, if I be knowne well e-

961nough too.

962Bru. Come sir come, we know you well enough.

963Menen. You know neither mee, your selues, nor any

964thing: you are ambitious, for poore knaues cappes and

965legges: you weare out a good wholesome Forenoone, in

966hearing a cause betweene an Orendge wife, and a Forfet-

967seller, and then reiourne the Controuersie of three-pence

968to a second day of Audience. When you are hearing a

969matter betweene party and party, if you chaunce to bee

970pinch'd with the Collicke, you make faces like Mum-

971mers, set vp the bloodie Flagge against all Patience, and

972in roaring for a Chamber-pot, dismisse the Controuersie

973bleeding, the more intangled by your hearing: All the

974peace you make in their Cause, is calling both the parties

975Knaues. You are a payre of strange ones.

976Bru. Come, come, you are well vnderstood to bee a

977perfecter gyber for the Table, then a necessary Bencher in

978the Capitoll.

979Men. Our very Priests must become Mockers, if they

980shall encounter such ridiculous Subiects as you are, when

981you speake best vnto the purpose. It is not woorth the

982wagging of your Beards, and your Beards deserue not so

983honourable a graue, as to stuffe a Botchers Cushion, or to

984be intomb'd in an Asses Packe-saddle; yet you must bee

985saying, Martius is proud: who in a cheape estimation, is

986worth all your predecessors, since Deucalion, though per-

987aduenture some of the best of 'em were hereditarie hang-

988men. Godden to your Worships, more of your conuer-

989sation would infect my Braine, being the Heardsmen of

990the Beastly Plebeans. I will be bold to take my leaue of

991you.

994How now (my as faire as Noble) Ladyes, and the Moone

995were shee Earthly, no Nobler; whither doe you follow

996your Eyes so fast?

997Volum. Honorable Menenius, my Boy Martius appro-

998ches: for the loue of Iuno let's goe.

999Menen. Ha? Martius comming home?

1000Volum. I, worthy Menenius, and with most prosperous

1001approbation.

1002Menen. Take my Cappe Iupiter, and I thanke thee:

1003hoo, Martius comming home?

10042. Ladies. Nay, 'tis true.

1005Volum. Looke, here's a Letter from him, the State hath

1006another, his Wife another, and (I thinke) there's one at

1007home for you.

1008Menen. I will make my very house reele to night:

1009A Letter for me?

1010Virgil. Yes certaine, there's a Letter for you, I saw't.

1011Menen. A Letter for me? it giues me an Estate of se-

1012uen yeeres health; in which time, I will make a Lippe at

1013the Physician: The most soueraigne Prescription in Galen,

1014is but Emperickqutique; and to this Preseruatiue, of no

1015better report then a Horse-drench. Is he not wounded?

1016he was wont to come home wounded?

1017Virgil. Oh no, no, no.

1018Volum. Oh, he is wounded, I thanke the Gods for't.

1019Menen. So doe I too, if it be not too much: brings a

1020Victorie in his Pocket? the wounds become him.

1021Volum. On's Browes: Menenius, hee comes the third

1022time home with the Oaken Garland.

1023Menen. Ha's he disciplin'd Auffidius soundly?

1024Volum. Titus Lartius writes, they fought together, but

1025Auffidius got off.

1026Menen. And 'twas time for him too, Ile warrant him

1027that: and he had stay'd by him, I would not haue been so

1028fiddious'd, for all the Chests in Carioles, and the Gold

1029that's in them. Is the Senate possest of this?

1030Volum. Good Ladies let's goe. Yes, yes, yes: The

1031Senate ha's Letters from the Generall, wherein hee giues

1032my Sonne the whole Name of the Warre: he hath in this

1033action out-done his former deeds doubly.

1034Valer. In troth, there's wondrous things spoke of him.

1035Menen. Wondrous: I, I warrant you, and not with-

1036out his true purchasing.

1037Virgil. The Gods graunt them true.

1038Volum. True? pow waw.

1039Mene. True? Ile be sworne they are true: where is

1040hee wounded, God saue your good Worships? Martius

1041is comming home: hee ha's more cause to be prowd:

1042where is he wounded?

1043Volum. Ith' Shoulder, and ith' left Arme: there will be

1044large Cicatrices to shew the People, when hee shall stand

1045for his place: he receiued in the repulse of Tarquin seuen

1046hurts ith' Body.

1047Mene. One ith' Neck, and two ith' Thigh, there's nine

1048that I know.

1049Volum. Hee had, before this last Expedition, twentie

1050fiue Wounds vpon him.

1051Mene. Now it's twentie seuen; euery gash was an

1052Enemies Graue. Hearke, the Trumpets.

1054Volum. These are the Vshers of Martius:

1055Before him, hee carryes Noyse;

1056And behinde him, hee leaues Teares:

1057Death, that darke Spirit, in's neruie Arme doth lye,

1058Which being aduanc'd, declines, and then men dye.

1064Herauld. Know Rome, that all alone Martius did fight

1065Within Corioles Gates: where he hath wonne,

1066With Fame, a Name to Martius Caius:

1067These in honor followes Martius Caius Coriolanus.

1068Welcome to Rome, renowned Coriolanus.

1070All. Welcome to Rome, renowned Coriolanus.

1071Coriol. No more of this, it does offend my heart: pray

1072now no more.

1073Com. Looke, Sir, your Mother.

1074Coriol. Oh! you haue, I know, petition'd all the Gods

1075for my prosperitie. Kneeles.

1076Volum. Nay, my good Souldier, vp:

1077My gentle Martius, worthy Caius,

1078And by deed-atchieuing Honor newly nam'd,

1079What is it (Coriolanus) must I call thee?

1080But oh, thy Wife.

1081Corio. My gracious silence, hayle:

1082Would'st thou haue laugh'd, had I come Coffin'd home,

1083That weep'st to see me triumph? Ah my deare,

1084Such eyes the Widowes in Carioles were,

1085And Mothers that lacke Sonnes.

1086Mene. Now the Gods Crowne thee.

1087Com. And liue you yet? Oh my sweet Lady, pardon.

1088Volum. I know not where to turne.

1089Oh welcome home: and welcome Generall,

1090And y'are welcome all.

1091Mene. A hundred thousand Welcomes:

1092I could weepe, and I could laugh,

1093I am light, and heauie; welcome:

1094A Curse begin at very root on's heart,

1095That is not glad to see thee.

1096Yon are three, that Rome should dote on:

1097Yet by the faith of men, we haue

1098Some old Crab-trees here at home,

1099That will not be grafted to your Rallish.

1100Yet welcome Warriors:

1101Wee call a Nettle, but a Nettle;

1102And the faults of fooles, but folly.

1103Com. Euer right.

1104Cor. Menenius, euer, euer.

1105Herauld. Giue way there, and goe on.

1106Cor. Your Hand, and yours?

1107Ere in our owne house I doe shade my Head,

1108The good Patricians must be visited,

1109From whom I haue receiu'd not onely greetings,

1110But with them, change of Honors.

1111Volum. I haue liued,

1112To see inherited my very Wishes,

1113And the Buildings of my Fancie:

1114Onely there's one thing wanting,

1115Which (I doubt not) but our Rome

1116Will cast vpon thee.

1117Cor. Know, good Mother,

1118I had rather be their seruant in my way,

1119Then sway with them in theirs.

1120Com. On, to the Capitall. Flourish. Cornets.

1123Bru. All tongues speake of him, and the bleared sights

1124Are spectacled to see him. Your pratling Nurse

1125Into a rapture lets her Baby crie,

1126While she chats him: the Kitchin Malkin pinnes

1127Her richest Lockram 'bout her reechie necke,

1128Clambring the Walls to eye him:

1129Stalls, Bulkes, Windowes, are smother'd vp,

1130Leades fill'd, and Ridges hors'd

1131With variable Complexions; all agreeing

1132In earnestnesse to see him: seld-showne Flamins

1133Doe presse among the popular Throngs, and puffe

1134To winne a vulgar station: our veyl'd Dames

1135Commit the Warre of White and Damaske

1136In their nicely gawded Cheekes, to th'wanton spoyle

1137Of Phoebus burning Kisses: such a poother,

1138As if that whatsoeuer God, who leades him,

1139Were slyly crept into his humane powers,

1140And gaue him gracefull posture.

1141Scicin. On the suddaine, I warrant him Consull.

1142Brutus. Then our Office may, during his power, goe

1143sleepe.

1144Scicin. He cannot temp'rately transport his Honors,

1145From where he should begin, and end, but will

1146Lose those he hath wonne.

1147Brutus. In that there's comfort.

1148Scici. Doubt not,

1149The Commoners, for whom we stand, but they

1150Vpon their ancient mallice, will forget

1151With the least cause, these his new Honors,

1152Which that he will giue them, make I as little question,

1153As he is prowd to doo't.

1154Brutus. I heard him sweare,

1155Were he to stand for Consull, neuer would he

1156Appeare i'th' Market place, nor on him put

1157The Naples Vesture of Humilitie,

1158Nor shewing (as the manner is) his Wounds

1159To th' People, begge their stinking Breaths.

1160Scicin. 'Tis right.

1161Brutus. It was his word:

1162Oh he would misse it, rather then carry it,

1163But by the suite of the Gentry to him,

1164And the desire of the Nobles.

1165Scicin. I wish no better, then haue him hold that pur-

1166pose, and to put it in execution.

1167Brutus. 'Tis most like he will.

1168Scicin. It shall be to him then, as our good wills; a

1169sure destruction.

1170Brutus. So it must fall out

1171To him, or our Authorities, for an end.

1172We must suggest the People, in what hatred

1173He still hath held them: that to's power he would

1174Haue made them Mules, silenc'd their Pleaders,

1175And dispropertied their Freedomes; holding them,

1176In humane Action, and Capacitie,

1177Of no more Soule, nor fitnesse for the World,

1178Then Cammels in their Warre, who haue their Prouand

1179Onely for bearing Burthens, and sore blowes

1180For sinking vnder them.

1181Scicin. This (as you say) suggested,

1182At some time, when his soaring Insolence

1183Shall teach the People, which time shall not want,

1184If he be put vpon't, and that's as easie,

1185As to set Dogges on Sheepe, will be his fire

1186To kindle their dry Stubble: and their Blaze

1187Shall darken him for euer.

1189Brutus. What's the matter?

1190Mess. You are sent for to the Capitoll:

1191'Tis thought, that Martius shall be Consull:

1192I haue seene the dumbe men throng to see him,

1193And the blind to heare him speak: Matrons flong Gloues,

1194Ladies and Maids their Scarffes, and Handkerchers,

1195Vpon him as he pass'd: the Nobles bended

1196As to Ioues Statue, and the Commons made

1197A Shower, and Thunder, with their Caps, and Showts:

1198I neuer saw the like.

1199Brutus. Let's to the Capitoll,

1200And carry with vs Eares and Eyes for th' time,

1201But Hearts for the euent.

1202Scicin. Haue with you. Exeunt.

12051. Off. Come, come, they are almost here: how many

1206stand for Consulships?

12072. Off. Three, they say: but 'tis thought of euery one,

1208Coriolanus will carry it.

12091. Off. That's a braue fellow: but hee's vengeance

1210prowd, and loues not the common people.

12112. Off. 'Faith, there hath beene many great men that

1212haue flatter'd the people, who ne're loued them; and there

1213be many that they haue loued, they know not wherefore:

1214so that if they loue they know not why, they hate vpon

1215no better a ground. Therefore, for Coriolanus neyther to

1216care whether they loue, or hate him, manifests the true

1217knowledge he ha's in their disposition, and out of his No-

1218ble carelesnesse lets them plainely see't.

12191. Off. If he did not care whether he had their loue, or

1220no, hee waued indifferently, 'twixt doing them neyther

1221good, nor harme: but hee seekes their hate with greater

1222deuotion, then they can render it him; and leaues nothing

1223vndone, that may fully discouer him their opposite. Now

1224to seeme to affect the mallice and displeasure of the Peo-

1225ple, is as bad, as that which he dislikes, to flatter them for

1226their loue.

12272. Off. Hee hath deserued worthily of his Countrey,

1228and his assent is not by such easie degrees as those, who

1229hauing beene supple and courteous to the People, Bon-

1230netted, without any further deed, to haue them at all into

1231their estimation, and report: but hee hath so planted his

1232Honors in their Eyes, and his actions in their Hearts, that

1233for their Tongues to be silent, and not confesse so much,

1234were a kinde of ingratefull Iniurie: to report otherwise,

1235were a Mallice, that giuing it selfe the Lye, would plucke

1236reproofe and rebuke from euery Eare that heard it.

12371. Off. No more of him, hee's a worthy man: make

1238way, they are comming.

1244Menen. Hauing determin'd of the Volces,

1245And to send for Titus Lartius: it remaines,

1246As the maine Point of this our after-meeting,

1247To gratifie his Noble seruice, that hath

1248Thus stood for his Countrey. Therefore please you,

1249Most reuerend and graue Elders, to desire

1250The present Consull, and last Generall,

1251In our well-found Successes, to report

1252A little of that worthy Worke, perform'd

1253By Martius Caius Coriolanus: whom

1254We met here, both to thanke, and to remember,

1255With Honors like himselfe.

12561. Sen. Speake, good Cominius:

1257Leaue nothing out for length, and make vs thinke

1258Rather our states defectiue for requitall,

1259Then we to stretch it out. Masters a'th' People,

1260We doe request your kindest eares: and after

1261Your louing motion toward the common Body,

1262To yeeld what passes here.

1263Scicin. We are conuented vpon a pleasing Treatie, and

1264haue hearts inclinable to honor and aduance the Theame

1265of our Assembly.

1266Brutus. Which the rather wee shall be blest to doe, if

1267he remember a kinder value of the People, then he hath

1268hereto priz'd them at.

1269Menen. That's off, that's off: I would you rather had

1270been silent: Please you to heare Cominius speake?

1271Brutus. Most willingly: but yet my Caution was

1272more pertinent then the rebuke you giue it.

1273Menen. He loues your People, but tye him not to be

1274their Bed-fellow: Worthie Cominius speake.

1276Nay, keepe your place.

1277Senat. Sit Coriolanus: neuer shame to heare

1278What you haue Nobly done.

1279Coriol. Your Honors pardon:

1280I had rather haue my Wounds to heale againe,

1281Then heare say how I got them.

1282Brutus. Sir, I hope my words dis-bench'd you not?

1283Coriol. No Sir: yet oft,

1284When blowes haue made me stay, I fled from words.

1285You sooth'd not, therefore hurt not: but your People,

1286I loue them as they weigh---

1287Menen. Pray now sit downe.

1288Corio. I had rather haue one scratch my Head i'th' Sun,

1289When the Alarum were strucke, then idly sit

1290To heare my Nothings monster'd. Exit Coriolanus

1291Menen. Masters of the People,

1292Your multiplying Spawne, how can he flatter?

1293That's thousand to one good one, when you now see

1294He had rather venture all his Limbes for Honor,

1295Then on ones Eares to heare it. Proceed Cominius.

1296Com. I shall lacke voyce: the deeds of Coriolanus

1297Should not be vtter'd feebly: it is held,

1298That Valour is the chiefest Vertue,

1299And most dignifies the hauer: if it be,

1300The man I speake of, cannot in the World

1301Be singly counter-poys'd. At sixteene yeeres,

1302When Tarquin made a Head for Rome, he fought

1303Beyond the marke of others: our then Dictator,

1304Whom with all prayse I point at, saw him fight,

1305When with his Amazonian Shinne he droue

1306The brizled Lippes before him: he bestrid

1307An o're-prest Roman, and i'th' Consuls view

1308Slew three Opposers: Tarquins selfe he met,

1309And strucke him on his Knee: in that dayes feates,

1310When he might act the Woman in the Scene,

1311He prou'd best man i'th' field, and for his meed

1312Was Brow-bound with the Oake. His Pupill age

1313Man-entred thus, he waxed like a Sea,

1314And in the brunt of seuenteene Battailes since,

1315He lurcht all Swords of the Garland: for this last,

1316Before, and in Corioles, let me say

1317I cannot speake him home: he stopt the flyers,

1318And by his rare example made the Coward

1319Turne terror into sport: as Weeds before

1320A Vessell vnder sayle, so men obey'd,

1321And fell below his Stem: his Sword, Deaths stampe,

1322Where it did marke, it tooke from face to foot:

1323He was a thing of Blood, whose euery motion

1324Was tim'd with dying Cryes: alone he entred

1325The mortall Gate of th' Citie, which he painted

1326With shunlesse destinie: aydelesse came off,

1327And with a sudden re-inforcement strucke

1328Carioles like a Planet: now all's his,

1329When by and by the dinne of Warre gan pierce

1330His readie sence: then straight his doubled spirit

1331Requickned what in flesh was fatigate,

1332And to the Battaile came he, where he did

1333Runne reeking o're the liues of men, as if 'twere

1334A perpetuall spoyle: and till we call'd

1335Both Field and Citie ours, he neuer stood

1336To ease his Brest with panting.

1337Menen. Worthy man.

1338Senat. He cannot but with measure fit the Honors

1339which we deuise him.

1340Com. Our spoyles he kickt at,

1341And look'd vpon things precious, as they were

1342The common Muck of the World: he couets lesse

1343Then Miserie it selfe would giue, rewards his deeds

1344With doing them, and is content

1345To spend the time, to end it.

1346Menen. Hee's right Noble, let him be call'd for.

1347Senat. Call Coriolanus.

1348Off. He doth appeare.

1350Menen. The Senate, Coriolanus, are well pleas'd to make

1351thee Consull.

1352Corio. I doe owe them still my Life, and Seruices.

1353Menen. It then remaines, that you doe speake to the

1354People.

1355Corio. I doe beseech you,

1356Let me o're-leape that custome: for I cannot

1357Put on the Gowne, stand naked, and entreat them

1358For my Wounds sake, to giue their sufferage:

1359Please you that I may passe this doing.

1360Scicin. Sir, the People must haue their Voyces,

1361Neyther will they bate one iot of Ceremonie.

1362Menen. Put them not too't:

1363Pray you goe fit you to the Custome,

1364And take to you, as your Predecessors haue,

1365Your Honor with your forme.

1366Corio. It is a part that I shall blush in acting,

1367And might well be taken from the People.

1368Brutus. Marke you that.

1369Corio. To brag vnto them, thus I did, and thus

1370Shew them th' vnaking Skarres, which I should hide,

1371As if I had receiu'd them for the hyre

1372Of their breath onely.

1373Menen. Doe not stand vpon't:

1374We recommend to you Tribunes of the People

1375Our purpose to them, and to our Noble Consull

1376Wish we all Ioy, and Honor.

1377Senat. To Coriolanus come all ioy and Honor.

1380Bru. You see how he intends to vse the people.

1381Scicin. May they perceiue's intent: he wil require them

1382As if he did contemne what he requested,

1383Should be in them to giue.

1384Bru. Come, wee'l informe them

1385Of our proceedings heere on th' Market place,

1386I know they do attend vs.

13881. Cit. Once if he do require our voyces, wee ought

1389not to deny him.

13902. Cit. We may Sir if we will.

13913. Cit. We haue power in our selues to do it, but it is

1392a power that we haue no power to do: For, if hee shew vs

1393his wounds, and tell vs his deeds, we are to put our ton-

1394gues into those wounds, and speake for them: So if he tel

1395vs his Noble deeds, we must also tell him our Noble ac-

1396ceptance of them. Ingratitude is monstrous, and for the

1397multitude to be ingratefull, were to make a Monster of

1398the multitude; of the which, we being members, should

1399bring our selues to be monstrous members.

14001. Cit. And to make vs no better thought of a little

1401helpe will serue: for once we stood vp about the Corne,

1402he himselfe stucke not to call vs the many-headed Multi-

1403tude.

14043. Cit. We haue beene call'd so of many, not that our

1405heads are some browne, some blacke, some Abram, some

1406bald; but that our wits are so diuersly Coulord; and true-

1407ly I thinke, if all our wittes were to issue out of one Scull,

1408they would flye East, West, North, South, and their con-

1409sent of one direct way, should be at once to all the points

1410a'th Compasse.

14112. Cit. Thinke you so? Which way do you iudge my

1412wit would flye.

14133. Cit. Nay your wit will not so soone out as another

1414mans will, 'tis strongly wadg'd vp in a blocke-head: but

1415if it were at liberty, 'twould sure Southward.

14162 Cit. Why that way?

14173 Cit. To loose it selfe in a Fogge, where being three

1418parts melted away with rotten Dewes, the fourth would

1419returne for Conscience sake, to helpe to get thee a Wife.

14202 Cit. You are neuer without your trickes, you may,

1421you may.

14223 Cit. Are you all resolu'd to giue your voyces? But

1423that's no matter, the greater part carries it, I say. If hee

1424would incline to the people, there was neuer a worthier

1425man.

1428Heere he comes, and in the Gowne of humility, marke

1429his behauiour: we are not to stay altogether, but to come

1430by him where he stands, by ones, by twoes, & by threes.

1431He's to make his requests by particulars, wherein euerie

1432one of vs ha's a single Honor, in giuing him our own voi-

1433ces with our owne tongues, therefore follow me, and Ile

1434direct you how you shall go by him.

1435All. Content, content.

1436Men. Oh Sir, you are not right: haue you not knowne

1437The worthiest men haue done't?

1438Corio. What must I say, I pray Sir?

1439Plague vpon't, I cannot bring

1440My tongue to such a pace. Looke Sir, my wounds,

1441I got them in my Countries Seruice, when

1442Some certaine of your Brethren roar'd, and ranne

1443From th' noise of our owne Drummes.

1444Menen. Oh me the Gods, you must not speak of that,

1445You must desire them to thinke vpon you.

1446Coriol. Thinke vpon me? Hang 'em,

1447I would they would forget me, like the Vertues

1448Which our Diuines lose by em.

1449Men. You'l marre all,

1450Ile leaue you: Pray you speake to em, I pray you

1451In wholsome manner. Exit

1453Corio. Bid them wash their Faces,

1454And keepe their teeth cleane: So, heere comes a brace,

1455You know the cause (Sir) of my standing heere.

14563 Cit. We do Sir, tell vs what hath brought you too't.

1457Corio. Mine owne desert.

14582 Cit. Your owne desert.

1459Corio. I, but mine owne desire.

14603 Cit. How not your owne desire?

1461Corio. No Sir, 'twas neuer my desire yet to trouble the

1462poore with begging.

14633 Cit. You must thinke if we giue you any thing, we

1464hope to gaine by you.

1465Corio. Well then I pray, your price a'th' Consulship.

14661 Cit. The price is, to aske it kindly.

1467Corio. Kindly sir, I pray let me ha't: I haue wounds to

1468shew you, which shall bee yours in priuate: your good

1469voice Sir, what say you?

14702 Cit. You shall ha't worthy Sir.

1471Corio. A match Sir, there's in all two worthie voyces

1472begg'd: I haue your Almes, Adieu.

14733 Cit. But this is something odde.

14742 Cit. And 'twere to giue againe: but 'tis no matter.

1476Coriol. Pray you now, if it may stand with the tune

1477of your voices, that I may bee Consull, I haue heere the

1478Customarie Gowne.

14791. You haue deserued Nobly of your Countrey, and

1480you haue not deserued Nobly.

1481Coriol. Your AEnigma.

14821. You haue bin a scourge to her enemies, you haue

1483bin a Rod to her Friends, you haue not indeede loued the

1484Common people.

1485Coriol. You should account mee the more Vertuous,

1486that I haue not bin common in my Loue, I will sir flatter

1487my sworne Brother the people to earne a deerer estima-

1488tion of them, 'tis a condition they account gentle: & since

1489the wisedome of their choice, is rather to haue my Hat,

1490then my Heart, I will practice the insinuating nod, and be

1491off to them most counterfetly, that is sir, I will counter-

1492fet the bewitchment of some popular man, and giue it

1493bountifull to the desirers: Therefore beseech you, I may

1494be Consull.

14952. Wee hope to finde you our friend: and therefore

1496giue you our voices heartily.

14971. You haue receyued many wounds for your Coun-

1498trey.

1499Coriol. I wil not Seale your knowledge with shewing

1500them. I will make much of your voyces, and so trouble

1501you no farther.

1502Both. The Gods giue you ioy Sir heartily.

1503Coriol. Most sweet Voyces:

1504Better it is to dye, better to sterue,

1505Then craue the higher, which first we do deserue.

1506Why in this Wooluish tongue should I stand heere,

1507To begge of Hob and Dicke, that does appeere

1508Their needlesse Vouches: Custome calls me too't.

1509What Custome wills in all things, should we doo't?

1510The Dust on antique Time would lye vnswept,

1511And mountainous Error be too highly heapt,

1512For Truth to o're-peere. Rather then foole it so,

1513Let the high Office and the Honor go

1514To one that would doe thus. I am halfe through,

1515The one part suffered, the other will I doe.

1517Here come moe Voyces.

1518Your Voyces? for your Voyces I haue fought,

1519Watcht for your Voyces: for your Voyces, beare

1520Of Wounds, two dozen odde: Battailes thrice six

1521I haue seene, and heard of: for your Voyces,

1522Haue done many things, some lesse, some more:

1523Your Voyces? Indeed I would be Consull.

15241. Cit. Hee ha's done Nobly, and cannot goe without

1525any honest mans Voyce.

15262. Cit. Therefore let him be Consull: the Gods giue him

1527ioy, and make him good friend to the People.

1528All. Amen, Amen. God saue thee, Noble Consull.

1529Corio. Worthy Voyces.

1531Mene. You haue stood your Limitation:

1532And the Tribunes endue you with the Peoples Voyce,

1533Remaines, that in th' Officiall Markes inuested,

1534You anon doe meet the Senate.

1535Corio. Is this done?

1536Scicin. The Custome of Request you haue discharg'd:

1537The People doe admit you, and are summon'd

1538To meet anon, vpon your approbation.

1539Corio. Where? at the Senate-house?

1540Scicin. There, Coriolanus.

1541Corio. May I change these Garments?

1542Scicin. You may, Sir.

1543Cori. That Ile straight do: and knowing my selfe again,

1544Repayre to th'Senate-

1545house. Mene. Ile keepe you company. Will you along?

1546Brut. We stay here for the People.

1547Scicin. Fare you well. Exeunt Coriol. and Mene.

1548He ha's it now: and by his Lookes, me thinkes,

1549'Tis warme at's heart.

1550Brut. With a prowd heart he wore his humble Weeds:

1551Will you dismisse the People?

1553Scici. How now, my Masters, haue you chose this man?

15541. Cit. He ha's our Voyces, Sir.

1555Brut. We pray the Gods, he may deserue your loues.

15562. Cit. Amen, Sir: to my poore vnworthy notice,

1557He mock'd vs, when he begg'd our Voyces.

15583. Cit. Certainely, he flowted vs downe-right.

15591. Cit. No, 'tis his kind of speech, he did not mock vs.

15602. Cit. Not one amongst vs, saue your selfe, but sayes

1561He vs'd vs scornefully: he should haue shew'd vs

1562His Marks of Merit, Wounds receiu'd for's Countrey.

1563Scicin. Why so he did, I am sure.

1564All. No, no: no man saw 'em.

15653. Cit. Hee said hee had Wounds,

1566Which he could shew in priuate:

1567And with his Hat, thus wauing it in scorne,

1568I would be Consull, sayes he: aged Custome,

1569But by your Voyces, will not so permit me.

1570Your Voyces therefore: when we graunted that,

1571Here was, I thanke you for your Voyces, thanke you

1572Your most sweet Voyces: now you haue left your Voyces,

1573I haue no further with you. Was not this mockerie?

1574Scicin. Why eyther were you ignorant to see't?

1575Or seeing it, of such Childish friendlinesse,

1576To yeeld your Voyces?

1577Brut. Could you not haue told him,

1578As you were lesson'd: When he had no Power,

1579But was a pettie seruant to the State,

1580He was your Enemie, euer spake against

1581Your Liberties, and the Charters that you beare

1582I'th' Body of the Weale: and now arriuing

1583A place of Potencie, and sway o'th' State,

1584If he should still malignantly remaine

1585Fast Foe to th'Plebeij, your Voyces might

1586Be Curses to your selues. You should haue said,

1587That as his worthy deeds did clayme no lesse

1588Then what he stood for: so his gracious nature

1589Would thinke vpon you, for your Voyces,

1590And translate his Mallice towards you, into Loue,

1591Standing your friendly Lord.

1592Scicin. Thus to haue said,

1593As you were fore-aduis'd, had toucht his Spirit,

1594And try'd his Inclination: from him pluckt

1595Eyther his gracious Promise, which you might

1596As cause had call'd you vp, haue held him to;

1597Or else it would haue gall'd his surly nature,

1598Which easily endures not Article,

1599Tying him to ought, so putting him to Rage,

1600You should haue ta'ne th' aduantage of his Choller,

1601And pass'd him vnelected.

1602Brut. Did you perceiue,

1603He did sollicite you in free Contempt,

1604When he did need your Loues: and doe you thinke,

1605That his Contempt shall not be brusing to you,

1606When he hath power to crush? Why, had your Bodyes

1607No Heart among you? Or had you Tongues, to cry

1608Against the Rectorship of Iudgement?

1609Scicin. Haue you, ere now, deny'd the asker:

1610And now againe, of him that did not aske, but mock,

1611Bestow your su'd-for Tongues?

16123. Cit. Hee's not confirm'd, we may deny him yet.

16132. Cit. And will deny him:

1614Ile haue fiue hundred Voyces of that sound.

16151. Cit. I twice fiue hundred, & their friends, to piece 'em.

1616Brut. Get you hence instantly, and tell those friends,

1617They haue chose a Consull, that will from them take

1618Their Liberties, make them of no more Voyce

1619Then Dogges, that are as often beat for barking,

1620As therefore kept to doe so.

1621Scici. Let them assemble: and on a safer Iudgement,

1622All reuoke your ignorant election: Enforce his Pride,

1623And his old Hate vnto you: besides, forget not

1624With what Contempt he wore the humble Weed,

1625How in his Suit he scorn'd you: but your Loues,

1626Thinking vpon his Seruices, tooke from you

1627Th' apprehension of his present portance,

1628Which most gibingly, vngrauely, he did fashion

1629After the inueterate Hate he beares you.

1630Brut. Lay a fault on vs, your Tribunes,

1631That we labour'd (no impediment betweene)

1632But that you must cast your Election on him.

1633Scici. Say you chose him, more after our commandment,

1634Then as guided by your owne true affections, and that

1635Your Minds pre-occupy'd with what you rather must do,

1636Then what you should, made you against the graine

1637To Voyce him Consull. Lay the fault on vs.

bb Brut. I,

1638Brut. I, spare vs not: Say, we read Lectures to you,

1639How youngly he began to serue his Countrey,

1640How long continued, and what stock he springs of,

1641The Noble House o'th' Martians: from whence came

1642That Ancus Martius, Numaes Daughters Sonne:

1643Who after great Hostilius here was King,

1644Of the same House Publius and Quintus were,

1645That our best Water, brought by Conduits hither,

1646And Nobly nam'd, so twice being Censor,

1647Was his great Ancestor.

1648Scicin. One thus descended,

1649That hath beside well in his person wrought,

1650To be set high in place, we did commend

1651To your remembrances: but you haue found,

1652Skaling his present bearing with his past,

1653That hee's your fixed enemie; and reuoke

1654Your suddaine approbation.

1655Brut. Say you ne're had don't,

1656(Harpe on that still) but by our putting on:

1657And presently, when you haue drawne your number,

1658Repaire to th'Capitoll.

1659All. We will so: almost all repent in their election.

1661Brut. Let them goe on:

1662This Mutinie were better put in hazard,

1663Then stay past doubt, for greater:

1664If, as his nature is, he fall in rage

1665With their refusall, both obserue and answer

1666The vantage of his anger.

1667Scicin. To th'Capitoll, come:

1668We will be there before the streame o'th' People:

1669And this shall seeme, as partly 'tis, their owne,

1670Which we haue goaded on-ward. Exeunt.

1674Corio. Tullus Auffidius then had made new head.

1675Latius. He had, my Lord, and that it was which caus'd

1676Our swifter Composition.

1677Corio. So then the Volces stand but as at first,

1678Readie when time shall prompt them, to make roade

1679Vpon's againe.

1680Com. They are worne (Lord Consull) so,

1681That we shall hardly in our ages see

1682Their Banners waue againe.

1683Corio. Saw you Auffidius?

1684Latius. On safegard he came to me, and did curse

1685Against the Volces, for they had so vildly

1686Yeelded the Towne: he is retyred to Antium.

1687Corio. Spoke he of me?

1688Latius. He did, my Lord.

1689Corio. How? what?

1690Latius. How often he had met you Sword to Sword:

1691That of all things vpon the Earth, he hated

1692Your person most: That he would pawne his fortunes

1693To hopelesse restitution, so he might

1694Be call'd your Vanquisher.

1695Corio. At Antium liues he?

1696Latius. At Antium.

1697Corio. I wish I had a cause to seeke him there,

1698To oppose his hatred fully. Welcome home.

1700Behold, these are the Tribunes of the People,

1701The Tongues o'th' Common Mouth. I do despise them:

1702For they doe pranke them in Authoritie,

1703Against all Noble sufferance.

1704Scicin. Passe no further.

1705Cor. Hah? what is that?

1706Brut. It will be dangerous to goe on--- No further.

1707Corio. What makes this change?

1708Mene. The matter?

1709Com. Hath he not pass'd the Noble, and the Common?

1710Brut. Cominius, no.

1711Corio. Haue I had Childrens Voyces?

1712Senat. Tribunes giue way, he shall to th'Market place.

1713Brut. The People are incens'd against him.

1714Scicin. Stop, or all will fall in broyle.

1715Corio. Are these your Heard?

1716Must these haue Voyces, that can yeeld them now,

1717And straight disclaim their toungs? what are your Offices?

1718You being their Mouthes, why rule you not their Teeth?

1719Haue you not set them on?

1720Mene. Be calme, be calme.

1721Corio. It is a purpos'd thing, and growes by Plot,

1722To curbe the will of the Nobilitie:

1723Suffer't, and liue with such as cannot rule,

1724Nor euer will be ruled.

1725Brut. Call't not a Plot:

1726The People cry you mockt them: and of late,

1727When Corne was giuen them gratis, you repin'd,

1728Scandal'd the Suppliants: for the People, call'd them

1729Time-pleasers, flatterers, foes to Noblenesse.

1730Corio. Why this was knowne before.

1731Brut. Not to them all.

1732Corio. Haue you inform'd them sithence?

1733Brut. How? I informe them?

1734Com. You are like to doe such businesse.

1735Brut. Not vnlike each way to better yours.

1736Corio. Why then should I be Consull? by yond Clouds

1737Let me deserue so ill as you, and make me

1738Your fellow Tribune.

1739Scicin. You shew too much of that,

1740For which the People stirre: if you will passe

1741To where you are bound, you must enquire your way,

1742Which you are out of, with a gentler spirit,

1743Or neuer be so Noble as a Consull,

1744Nor yoake with him for Tribune.

1745Mene. Let's be calme.

1746Com. The People are abus'd: set on, this paltring

1747Becomes not Rome: nor ha's Coriolanus

1748Deseru'd this so dishonor'd Rub, layd falsely

1749I'th' plaine Way of his Merit.

1750Corio. Tell me of Corne: this was my speech,

1751And I will speak't againe.

1752Mene. Not now, not now.

1753Senat. Not in this heat, Sir, now.

1754Corio. Now as I liue, I will.

1755My Nobler friends, I craue their pardons:

1756For the mutable ranke-sented Meynie,

1757Let them regard me, as I doe not flatter,

1758And therein behold themselues: I say againe,

1759In soothing them, we nourish 'gainst our Senate

1760The Cockle of Rebellion, Insolence, Sedition,

1761Which we our selues haue plowed for, sow'd, & scatter'd,

1762By mingling them with vs, the honor'd Number,

1763Who lack not Vertue, no, nor Power, but that

1764Which they haue giuen to Beggers.

1765Mene. Well, no more.

1766Senat. No more words, we beseech you.

1767Corio. How? no more?

1768As for my Country, I haue shed my blood,

1769Not fearing outward force: So shall my Lungs

1770Coine words till their decay, against those Meazels

1771Which we disdaine should Tetter vs, yet sought

1772The very way to catch them.

1773Bru. You speake a'th' people, as if you were a God,

1774To punish; Not a man, of their Infirmity.

1775Sicin. 'Twere well we let the people know't.

1776Mene. What, what? His Choller?

1777Cor. Choller? Were I as patient as the midnight sleep,

1778By Ioue, 'twould be my minde.

1779Sicin. It is a minde that shall remain a poison

1780Where it is: not poyson any further.

1781Corio. Shall remaine?

1782Heare you this Triton of the Minnoues? Marke you

1783His absolute Shall?

1784Com. 'Twas from the Cannon.

1785Cor. Shall? O God! but most vnwise Patricians: why

1786You graue, but wreaklesse Senators, haue you thus

1787Giuen Hidra heere to choose an Officer,

1788That with his peremptory Shall, being but

1789The horne, and noise o'th' Monsters, wants not spirit

1790To say, hee'l turne your Current in a ditch,

1791And make your Channell his? If he haue power,

1792Then vale your Ignorance: If none, awake

1793Your dangerous Lenity: If you are Learn'd,

1794Be not as common Fooles; if you are not,

1795Let them haue Cushions by you. You are Plebeians,

1796If they be Senators: and they are no lesse,

1797When both your voices blended, the great'st taste

1798Most pallates theirs. They choose their Magistrate,

1799And such a one as he, who puts his Shall,

1800His popular Shall, against a grauer Bench

1801Then euer frown'd in Greece. By Ioue himselfe,

1802It makes the Consuls base; and my Soule akes

1803To know, when two Authorities are vp,

1804Neither Supreame; How soone Confusion

1805May enter 'twixt the gap of Both, and take

1806The one by th' other.

1807Com. Well, on to'th' Market place.

1808Corio. Who euer gaue that Counsell, to giue forth

1809The Corne a'th' Store-house gratis, as 'twas vs'd

1810Sometime in Greece.

1811Mene. Well, well, no more of that.

1812Cor. Thogh there the people had more absolute powre

1813I say they norisht disobedience: fed, the ruin of the State.

1814Bru. Why shall the people giue

1815One that speakes thus, their voyce?

1816Corio. Ile giue my Reasons,

1817More worthier then their Voyces. They know the Corne

1818Was not our recompence, resting well assur'd

1819They ne're did seruice for't; being prest to'th' Warre,

1820Euen when the Nauell of the State was touch'd,

1821They would not thred the Gates: This kinde of Seruice

1822Did not deserue Corne gratis. Being i'th' Warre,

1823There Mutinies and Reuolts, wherein they shew'd

1824Most Valour spoke not for them. Th'Accusation

1825Which they haue often made against the Senate,

1826All cause vnborne, could neuer be the Natiue

1827Of our so franke Donation. Well, what then?

1828How shall this Bosome-multiplied, digest

1829The Senates Courtesie? Let deeds expresse

1830What's like to be their words, We did request it,

1831We are the greater pole, and in true feare

1832They gaue vs our demands. Thus we debase

1833The Nature of our Seats, and make the Rabble

1834Call our Cares, Feares; which will in time

1835Breake ope the Lockes a'th' Senate, and bring in

1836The Crowes to pecke the Eagles.

1837Mene. Come enough.

1838Bru. Enough, with ouer measure.

1839Corio. No, take more.

1840What may be sworne by, both Diuine and Humane,

1841Seale what I end withall. This double worship,

1842Whereon part do's disdaine with cause, the other

1843Insult without all reason: where Gentry, Title, wisedom

1844Cannot conclude, but by the yea and no

1845Of generall Ignorance, it must omit

1846Reall Necessities, and giue way the while

1847To vnstable Slightnesse. Purpose so barr'd, it followes,

1848Nothing is done to purpose. Therefore beseech you,

1849You that will be lesse fearefull, then discreet,

1850That loue the Fundamentall part of State

1851More then you doubt the change on't: That preferre

1852A Noble life, before a Long, and Wish,

1853To iumpe a Body with a dangerous Physicke,

1854That's sure of death without it: at once plucke out

1855The Multitudinous Tongue, let them not licke

1856The sweet which is their poyson. Your dishonor

1857Mangles true iudgement, and bereaues the State

1858Of that Integrity which should becom't:

1859Not hauing the power to do the good it would

1860For th' ill which doth controul't.

1861Bru. Has said enough.