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.

1862Sicin. Ha's spoken like a Traitor, and shall answer

1863As Traitors do.

1864Corio. Thou wretch, despight ore-whelme thee:

1865What should the people do with these bald Tribunes?

1866On whom depending, their obedience failes

1867To'th' greater Bench, in a Rebellion:

1868When what's not meet, but what must be, was Law,

1869Then were they chosen: in a better houre,

1870Let what is meet, be saide it must be meet,

1871And throw their power i'th' dust.

1872Bru. Manifest Treason.

1873Sicin. This a Consull? No.

1875Bru. The Ediles hoe: Let him be apprehended:

1876Sicin. Go call the people, in whose name my Selfe

1877Attach thee as a Traitorous Innouator:

1878A Foe to'th' publike Weale. Obey I charge thee,

1879And follow to thine answer.

1880Corio. Hence old Goat.

1881All. Wee'l Surety him.

1882Com. Ag'd sir, hands off.

1883Corio. Hence rotten thing, or I shall shake thy bones

1884Out of thy Garments.

1885Sicin. Helpe ye Citizens.

1887Mene. On both sides more respect.

1888Sicin. Heere's hee, that would take from you all your

1889power.

1890Bru. Seize him AEdiles.

1891All. Downe with him, downe with him.

18922 Sen. Weapons, weapons, weapons:

1894Tribunes, Patricians, Citizens: what ho:

1895Sicinius, Brutus, Coriolanus, Citizens.

1896All. Peace, peace, peace, stay, hold, peace.

1897Mene. What is about to be? I am out of Breath,

1898Confusions neere, I cannot speake. You, Tribunes

1899To'th' people: Coriolanus, patience: Speak good Sicinius.

Bb2 Sicin.

1900Scici. Heare me, People peace.

1901All. Let's here our Tribune: peace, speake, speake,

1902speake.

1903Scici. You are at point to lose your Liberties:

1904Martius would haue all from you; Martius,

1905Whom late you haue nam'd for Consull.

1906Mene. Fie, fie, fie, this is the way to kindle, not to

1907quench.

1908Sena. To vnbuild the Citie, and to lay all flat.

1909Scici. What is the Citie, but the People?

1910All. True, the People are the Citie.

1911Brut. By the consent of all, we were establish'd the

1912Peoples Magistrates.

1913All. You so remaine.

1914Mene. And so are like to doe.

1915Com. That is the way to lay the Citie flat,

1916To bring the Roofe to the Foundation,

1917And burie all, which yet distinctly raunges

1918In heapes, and piles of Ruine.

1919Scici. This deserues Death.

1920Brut. Or let vs stand to our Authoritie,

1921Or let vs lose it: we doe here pronounce,

1922Vpon the part o'th' People, in whose power

1923We were elected theirs, Martius is worthy

1924Of present Death.

1925Scici. Therefore lay hold of him:

1926Beare him to th'Rock Tarpeian, and from thence

1927Into destruction cast him.

1928Brut. AEdiles seize him.

1929All Ple. Yeeld Martius, yeeld.

1930Mene. Heare me one word, 'beseech you Tribunes,

1931heare me but a word.

1932AEdiles. Peace, peace.

1933Mene. Be that you seeme, truly your Countries friend,

1934And temp'rately proceed to what you would

1935Thus violently redresse.

1936Brut. Sir, those cold wayes,

1937That seeme like prudent helpes, are very poysonous,

1938Where the Disease is violent. Lay hands vpon him,

1939And beare him to the Rock. Corio. drawes his Sword.

1940Corio. No, Ile die here:

1941There's some among you haue beheld me fighting,

1942Come trie vpon your selues, what you haue seene me.

1943Mene. Downe with that Sword, Tribunes withdraw

1944a while.

1945Brut. Lay hands vpon him.

1946Mene. Helpe Martius, helpe: you that be noble, helpe

1947him young and old.

1948All. Downe with him, downe with him. Exeunt.

1951Mene. Goe, get you to our House: be gone, away,

1952All will be naught else.

19532. Sena. Get you gone.

1954Com. Stand fast, we haue as many friends as enemies.

1955Mene. Shall it be put to that?

1956Sena. The Gods forbid:

1957I prythee noble friend, home to thy House,

1958Leaue vs to cure this Cause.

1959Mene. For 'tis a Sore vpon vs,

1960You cannot Tent your selfe: be gone, 'beseech you.

1961Corio. Come Sir, along with vs.

1962Mene. I would they were Barbarians, as they are,

1963Though in Rome litter'd: not Romans, as they are not,

1964Though calued i'th' Porch o'th' Capitoll:

1965Be gone, put not your worthy Rage into your Tongue,

1966One time will owe another.

1967Corio. On faire ground, I could beat fortie of them.

1968Mene. I could my selfe take vp a Brace o'th' best of

1969them, yea, the two Tribunes.

1970Com. But now 'tis oddes beyond Arithmetick,

1971And Manhood is call'd Foolerie, when it stands

1972Against a falling Fabrick. Will you hence,

1973Before the Tagge returne? whose Rage doth rend

1974Like interrupted Waters, and o're-beare

1975What they are vs'd to beare.

1976Mene. Pray you be gone:

1977Ile trie whether my old Wit be in request

1978With those that haue but little: this must be patcht

1979With Cloth of any Colour.

1980Com. Nay, come away. Exeunt Coriolanus and

1982Patri. This man ha's marr'd his fortune.

1983Mene. His nature is too noble for the World:

1984He would not flatter Neptune for his Trident,

1985Or Ioue, for's power to Thunder: his Heart's his Mouth:

1986What his Brest forges, that his Tongue must vent,

1987And being angry, does forget that euer

1988He heard the Name of Death. A Noise within.

1989Here's goodly worke.

1990Patri. I would they were a bed.

1991Mene. I would they were in Tyber.

1992What the vengeance, could he not speake 'em faire?

1994Sicin. Where is this Viper,

1995That would depopulate the city, & be euery man himself

1996Mene. You worthy Tribunes.

1997Sicin. He shall be throwne downe the Tarpeian rock

1998With rigorous hands: he hath resisted Law,

1999And therefore Law shall scorne him further Triall

2000Then the seuerity of the publike Power,

2001Which he so sets at naught.

20021 Cit. He shall well know the Noble Tribunes are

2003The peoples mouths, and we their hands.

2004All. He shall sure ont.

2005Mene. Sir, sir. Sicin. Peace.

2006Me. Do not cry hauocke, where you shold but hunt

2007With modest warrant.

2008Sicin. Sir, how com'st that you haue holpe

2009To make this rescue?

2010Mene. Heere me speake? As I do know

2011The Consuls worthinesse, so can I name his Faults.

2012Sicin. Consull? what Consull?

2013Mene. The Consull Coriolanus.

2014Bru. He Consull.

2015All. No, no, no, no, no.

2016Mene. If by the Tribunes leaue,

2017And yours good people,

2018I may be heard, I would craue a word or two,

2019The which shall turne you to no further harme,

2020Then so much losse of time.

2021Sic. Speake breefely then,

2022For we are peremptory to dispatch

2023This Viporous Traitor: to eiect him hence

2024Were but one danger, and to keepe him heere

2025Our certaine death: therefore it is decreed,

2026He dyes to night.

2027Menen. Now the good Gods forbid,

2028That our renowned Rome, whose gratitude

2029Towards her deserued Children, is enroll'd

2030In Ioues owne Booke, like an vnnaturall Dam

2031Should now eate vp her owne.

2032Sicin. He's a Disease that must be cut away.

2033Mene. Oh he's a Limbe, that ha's but a Disease

2034Mortall, to cut it off: to cure it, easie.

2035What ha's he done to Rome, that's worthy death?

2036Killing our Enemies, the blood he hath lost

2037(Which I dare vouch, is more then that he hath

2038By many an Ounce) he dropp'd it for his Country:

2039And what is left, to loose it by his Countrey,

2040Were to vs all that doo't, and suffer it

2041A brand to th' end a'th World.

2042Sicin. This is cleane kamme.

2043Brut. Meerely awry:

2044When he did loue his Country, it honour'd him.

2045Menen. The seruice of the foote

2046Being once gangren'd, is not then respected

2047For what before it was.

2048Bru. Wee'l heare no more:

2049Pursue him to his house, and plucke him thence,

2050Least his infection being of catching nature,

2051Spred further.

2052Menen. One word more, one word:

2053This Tiger-footed-rage, when it shall find

2054The harme of vnskan'd swiftnesse, will (too late)

2055Tye Leaden pounds too's heeles. Proceed by Processe,

2056Least parties (as he is belou'd) breake out,

2057And sacke great Rome with Romanes.

2058Brut. If it were so?

2059Sicin. What do ye talke?

2060Haue we not had a taste of his Obedience?

2061Our Ediles smot: our selues resisted: come.

2062Mene. Consider this: He ha's bin bred i'th' Warres

2063Since a could draw a Sword, and is ill-school'd

2064In boulted Language: Meale and Bran together

2065He throwes without distinction. Giue me leaue,

2066Ile go to him, and vndertake to bring him in peace,

2067Where he shall answer by a lawfull Forme

2068(In peace) to his vtmost perill.

20691. Sen. Noble Tribunes,

2070It is the humane way: the other course

2071Will proue to bloody: and the end of it,

2072Vnknowne to the Beginning.

2073Sic. Noble Menenius, be you then as the peoples officer:

2074Masters, lay downe your Weapons.

2075Bru. Go not home.

2076Sic. Meet on the Market place: wee'l attend you there:

2077Where if you bring not Martius, wee'l proceede

2078In our first way.

2079Menen. Ile bring him to you.

2080Let me desire your company: he must come,

2081Or what is worst will follow.

2082Sena. Pray you let's to him. Exeunt Omnes.