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  • Title: Coriolanus (Folio 1, 1623)

    • Copyright Internet Shakespeare Editions. This text may be freely used for educational, non-proift purposes; for all other uses contact the Coordinating Editor.
    Author: William Shakespeare
    Not Peer Reviewed

    Coriolanus (Folio 1, 1623)

    Enter the two Tribunes, Sicinius, and Brutus,
    with the Edile.
    Sicin. Bid them all home, he's gone: & wee'l no further,
    The Nobility are vexed, whom we see haue sided
    2505In his behalfe.
    Brut. Now we haue shewne our power,
    Let vs seeme humbler after it is done,
    Then when it was a dooing.
    Sicin. Bid them home: say their great enemy is gone,
    2510And they, stand in their ancient strength.
    Brut. Dismisse them home. Here comes his Mother.
    Enter Volumnia, Virgilia, and Menenius.
    Sicin. Let's not meet her.
    Brut Why?
    2515Sicin. They say she's mad.
    Brut. They haue tane note of vs: keepe on your way.
    Volum. Oh y'are well met:
    Th'hoorded plague a'th' Gods requit your loue.
    Menen. Peace, peace, be not so loud.
    2520Volum. If that I could for weeping, you should heare,
    Nay, and you shall heare some. Will you be gone?
    Virg. You shall stay too: I would I had the power
    To say so to my Husband.
    Sicin. Are you mankinde?
    2525Volum. I foole, is that a shame. Note but this Foole,
    Was not a man my Father? Had'st thou Foxship
    To banish him that strooke more blowes for Rome
    Then thou hast spoken words.
    Sicin. Oh blessed Heauens!
    2530Volum. Moe Noble blowes, then euer yu wise words.
    And for Romes good, Ile tell thee what: yet goe:
    Nay but thou shalt stay too: I would my Sonne
    Were in Arabia, and thy Tribe before him,
    His good Sword in his hand.
    2535Sicin. What then?
    Virg. What then? Hee'ld make an end of thy posterity
    Volum. Bastards, and all.
    Good man, the Wounds that he does beare for Rome!
    Menen. Come, come, peace.
    2540Sicin. I would he had continued to his Country
    As he began, and not vnknit himselfe
    The Noble knot he made.
    Bru. I would he had.
    Volum. I would he had? Twas you incenst the rable.
    2545Cats, that can iudge as fitly of his worth,
    As I can of those Mysteries which heauen
    Will not haue earth to know.
    Brut. Pray let's go.
    Volum. Now pray sir get you gone.
    2550You haue done a braue deede: Ere you go, heare this:
    As farre as doth the Capitoll exceede
    The meanest house in Rome; so farre my Sonne
    This
    The Tragedie of Coriolanus. 21
    This Ladies Husband heere; this (do you see)
    Whom you haue banish'd, does exceed you all.
    2555Bru. Well, well, wee'l leaue you.
    Sicin. Why stay we to be baited
    With one that wants her Wits. Exit Tribunes.
    Volum. Take my Prayers with you.
    I would the Gods had nothing else to do,
    2560But to confirme my Cursses. Could I meete 'em
    But once a day, it would vnclogge my heart
    Of what lyes heauy too't.
    Mene. You haue told them home,
    And by my troth you haue cause: you'l Sup with me.
    2565Volum. Angers my Meate: I suppe vpon my selfe,
    And so shall sterue with Feeding: Come, let's go,
    Leaue this faint-puling, and lament as I do,
    In Anger, Iuno-like: Come, come, come. Exeunt
    Mene. Fie, fie, fie. Exit.
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