The Tragedie of Coriolanus

 
 Actus Primus. Scoena Prima.
 
 
 Enter a Company of Mutinous Citizens, with Staues, Clubs, and
 other
 weapons.
 
   1. Citizen. Before we proceed any further, heare me speake
 
    All. Speake, speake
 
    1.Cit. You are all resolu'd rather to dy then
 to famish?
   All. Resolu'd, resolu'd
 
    1.Cit. First you know, Caius Martius is chiefe enemy
 to the people
 
    All. We know't, we know't
 
    1.Cit. Let vs kill him, and wee'l haue Corne at our own
 price. Is't a Verdict?
   All. No more talking on't; Let it be done, away, away
   2.Cit. One word, good Citizens
 
    1.Cit. We are accounted poore Citizens, the Patricians
 good: what Authority surfets one, would releeue
 vs. If they would yeelde vs but the superfluitie while it
 were wholsome, wee might guesse they releeued vs humanely:
 But they thinke we are too deere, the leannesse
 that afflicts vs, the obiect of our misery, is as an inuentory
 to particularize their abundance, our sufferance is a
 gaine to them. Let vs reuenge this with our Pikes, ere
 we become Rakes. For the Gods know, I speake this in
 hunger for Bread, not in thirst for Reuenge
 
    2.Cit. Would you proceede especially against Caius
 Martius
 
    All. Against him first: He's a very dog to the Commonalty
 
    2.Cit. Consider you what Seruices he ha's done for his
 Country?
   1.Cit. Very well, and could bee content to giue him
 good report for't, but that hee payes himselfe with beeing
 proud
 
    All. Nay, but speak not maliciously
 
    1.Cit. I say vnto you, what he hath done Famouslie,
 he did it to that end: though soft conscienc'd men can be
 content to say it was for his Countrey, he did it to please
 his Mother, and to be partly proud, which he is, euen to
 the altitude of his vertue
 
    2.Cit. What he cannot helpe in his Nature, you account
 a Vice in him: You must in no way say he is couetous
 
    1.Cit. If I must not, I neede not be barren of Accusations
 he hath faults (with surplus) to tyre in repetition.
 
 Showts within.
 
 What showts are these? The other side a'th City is risen:
 why stay we prating heere? To th' Capitoll
 
    All. Come, come
 
    1 Cit. Soft, who comes heere?
 Enter Menenius Agrippa.
 
   2 Cit. Worthy Menenius Agrippa, one that hath alwayes
 lou'd the people
 
    1 Cit. He's one honest enough, wold al the rest wer so
 
    Men. What work's my Countrimen in hand?
 Where go you with Bats and Clubs? The matter
 Speake I pray you
 
    2 Cit. Our busines is not vnknowne to th' Senat, they
 haue had inkling this fortnight what we intend to do, w
 now wee'l shew em in deeds: they say poore Suters haue
 strong breaths, they shal know we haue strong arms too
 
    Menen. Why Masters, my good Friends, mine honest
 Neighbours, will you vndo your selues?
   2 Cit. We cannot Sir, we are vndone already
 
    Men. I tell you Friends, most charitable care
 Haue the Patricians of you for your wants.
 Your suffering in this dearth, you may as well
 Strike at the Heauen with your staues, as lift them
 Against the Roman State, whose course will on
 The way it takes: cracking ten thousand Curbes
 Of more strong linke assunder, then can euer
 Appeare in your impediment. For the Dearth,
 The Gods, not the Patricians make it, and
 Your knees to them (not armes) must helpe. Alacke,
 You are transported by Calamity
 Thether, where more attends you, and you slander
 The Helmes o'th State; who care for you like Fathers,
 When you curse them, as Enemies
 
    2 Cit. Care for vs? True indeed, they nere car'd for vs
 yet. Suffer vs to famish, and their Store-houses cramm'd
 with Graine: Make Edicts for Vsurie, to support Vsurers;
 repeale daily any wholsome Act established against
 the rich, and prouide more piercing Statutes daily, to
 chaine vp and restraine the poore. If the Warres eate vs
 not vppe, they will; and there's all the loue they beare
 vs
 
    Menen. Either you must
 Confesse your selues wondrous Malicious,
 Or be accus'd of Folly. I shall tell you
 A pretty Tale, it may be you haue heard it,
 But since it serues my purpose, I will venture
 To scale't a little more
 
    2 Citizen. Well,
 Ile heare it Sir: yet you must not thinke
 To fobbe off our disgrace with a tale:
 But and't please you deliuer
 
    Men. There was a time, when all the bodies members
 Rebell'd against the Belly; thus accus'd it:
 That onely like a Gulfe it did remaine
 I'th midd'st a th' body, idle and vnactiue,
 Still cubbording the Viand, neuer bearing
 Like labour with the rest, where th' other Instruments
 Did see, and heare, deuise, instruct, walke, feele,
 And mutually participate, did minister
 Vnto the appetite; and affection common
 Of the whole body, the Belly answer'd
 
    2.Cit. Well sir, what answer made the Belly
 
    Men. Sir, I shall tell you with a kinde of Smile,
 Which ne're came from the Lungs, but euen thus:
 For looke you I may make the belly Smile,
 As well as speake, it taintingly replyed
 To'th' discontented Members, the mutinous parts
 That enuied his receite: euen so most fitly,
 As you maligne our Senators, for that
 They are not such as you
 
    2.Cit. Your Bellies answer: What
 The Kingly crown'd head, the vigilant eye,
 The Counsailor Heart, the Arme our Souldier,
 Our Steed the Legge, the Tongue our Trumpeter,
 With other Muniments and petty helpes
 In this our Fabricke, if that they-
   Men. What then? Fore me, this Fellow speakes.
 What then? What then?
   2.Cit. Should by the Cormorant belly be restrain'd,
 Who is the sinke a th' body
 
    Men. Well, what then?
   2.Cit. The former Agents, if they did complaine,
 What could the Belly answer?
   Men. I will tell you,
 If you'l bestow a small (of what you haue little)
 Patience awhile; you'st heare the Bellies answer
 
    2.Cit. Y'are long about it
 
    Men. Note me this good Friend;
 Your most graue Belly was deliberate,
 Not rash like his Accusers, and thus answered.
 True is it my Incorporate Friends (quoth he)
 That I receiue the generall Food at first
 Which you do liue vpon: and fit it is,
 Because I am the Store-house, and the Shop
 Of the whole Body. But, if you do remember,
 I send it through the Riuers of your blood
 Euen to the Court, the Heart, to th' seate o'th' Braine,
 And through the Crankes and Offices of man,
 The strongest Nerues, and small inferiour Veines
 From me receiue that naturall competencie
 Whereby they liue. And though that all at once
 (You my good Friends, this sayes the Belly) marke me
 
    2.Cit. I sir, well, well
 
    Men. Though all at once, cannot
 See what I do deliuer out to each,
 Yet I can make my Awdit vp, that all
 From me do backe receiue the Flowre of all,
 And leaue me but the Bran. What say you too't?
   2.Cit. It was an answer, how apply you this?
   Men. The Senators of Rome, are this good Belly,
 And you the mutinous Members: For examine
 Their Counsailes, and their Cares; disgest things rightly,
 Touching the Weale a'th Common, you shall finde
 No publique benefit which you receiue
 But it proceeds, or comes from them to you,
 And no way from your selues. What do you thinke?
 You, the great Toe of this Assembly?
   2.Cit. I the great Toe? Why the great Toe?
   Men. For that being one o'th lowest, basest, poorest
 Of this most wise Rebellion, thou goest formost:
 Thou Rascall, that art worst in blood to run,
 Lead'st first to win some vantage.
 But make you ready your stiffe bats and clubs,
 Rome, and her Rats, are at the point of battell,
 The one side must haue baile.
 Enter Caius Martius.
 
 Hayle, Noble Martius
 
    Mar. Thanks. What's the matter you dissentious rogues
 That rubbing the poore Itch of your Opinion,
 Make your selues Scabs
 
    2.Cit. We haue euer your good word
 
    Mar. He that will giue good words to thee, wil flatter
 Beneath abhorring. What would you haue, you Curres,
 That like nor Peace, nor Warre? The one affrights you,
 The other makes you proud. He that trusts to you,
 Where he should finde you Lyons, findes you Hares:
 Where Foxes, Geese you are: No surer, no,
 Then is the coale of fire vpon the Ice,
 Or Hailstone in the Sun. Your Vertue is,
 To make him worthy, whose offence subdues him,
 And curse that Iustice did it. Who deserues Greatnes,
 Deserues your Hate: and your Affections are
 A sickmans Appetite; who desires most that
 Which would encrease his euill. He that depends
 Vpon your fauours, swimmes with finnes of Leade,
 And hewes downe Oakes, with rushes. Hang ye: trust ye?
 With euery Minute you do change a Minde,
 And call him Noble, that was now your Hate:
 Him vilde, that was your Garland. What's the matter,
 That in these seuerall places of the Citie,
 You cry against the Noble Senate, who
 (Vnder the Gods) keepe you in awe, which else
 Would feede on one another? What's their seeking?
   Men. For Corne at their owne rates, wherof they say
 The Citie is well stor'd
 
    Mar. Hang 'em: They say?
 They'l sit by th' fire, and presume to know
 What's done i'th Capitoll: Who's like to rise,
 Who thriues, & who declines: Side factions, & giue out
 Coniecturall Marriages, making parties strong,
 And feebling such as stand not in their liking,
 Below their cobled Shooes. They say ther's grain enough?
 Would the Nobility lay aside their ruth,
 And let me vse my Sword, I'de make a Quarrie
 With thousands of these quarter'd slaues, as high
 As I could picke my Lance
 
    Menen. Nay these are almost thoroughly perswaded:
 For though abundantly they lacke discretion
 Yet are they passing Cowardly. But I beseech you,
 What sayes the other Troope?
   Mar. They are dissolu'd: Hang em;
 They said they were an hungry, sigh'd forth Prouerbes
 That Hunger-broke stone wals: that dogges must eate
 That meate was made for mouths. That the gods sent not
 Corne for the Richmen onely: With these shreds
 They vented their Complainings, which being answer'd
 And a petition granted them, a strange one,
 To breake the heart of generosity,
 And make bold power looke pale, they threw their caps
 As they would hang them on the hornes a'th Moone,
 Shooting their Emulation
 
    Menen. What is graunted them?
   Mar. Fiue Tribunes to defend their vulgar wisdoms
 Of their owne choice. One's Iunius Brutus,
 Sicinius Velutus, and I know not. Sdeath,
 The rabble should haue first vnroo'st the City
 Ere so preuayl'd with me; it will in time
 Win vpon power, and throw forth greater Theames
 For Insurrections arguing
 
    Menen. This is strange
 
    Mar. Go get you home you Fragments.
 Enter a Messenger hastily.
 
   Mess. Where's Caius Martius?
   Mar. Heere: what's the matter!
   Mes. The newes is sir, the Volcies are in Armes
 
    Mar. I am glad on't, then we shall ha meanes to vent
 Our mustie superfluity. See our best Elders.
 Enter Sicinius Velutus, Annius Brutus Cominius, Titus Lartius,
 with other
 Senatours.
 
   1.Sen. Martius 'tis true, that you haue lately told vs,
 The Volces are in Armes
 
    Mar. They haue a Leader,
 Tullus Auffidius that will put you too't:
 I sinne in enuying his Nobility:
 And were I any thing but what I am,
 I would wish me onely he
 
    Com. You haue fought together?
   Mar. Were halfe to halfe the world by th' eares, & he
 vpon my partie, I'de reuolt to make
 Onely my warres with him. He is a Lion
 That I am proud to hunt
 
    1.Sen. Then worthy Martius,
 Attend vpon Cominius to these Warres
 
    Com. It is your former promise
 
    Mar. Sir it is,
 And I am constant: Titus Lucius, thou
 Shalt see me once more strike at Tullus face.
 What art thou stiffe? Stand'st out?
   Tit. No Caius Martius,
 Ile leane vpon one Crutch, and fight with tother,
 Ere stay behinde this Businesse
 
    Men. Oh true-bred
 
    Sen. Your Company to'th' Capitoll, where I know
 Our greatest Friends attend vs
 
    Tit. Lead you on: Follow Cominius, we must followe
 you, right worthy your Priority
 
    Com. Noble Martius
 
    Sen. Hence to your homes, be gone
 
    Mar. Nay let them follow,
 The Volces haue much Corne: take these Rats thither,
 To gnaw their Garners. Worshipfull Mutiners,
 Your valour puts well forth: Pray follow.
 
 Exeunt.
 
 Citizens steale away. Manet Sicin. & Brutus.
 
   Sicin. Was euer man so proud as is this Martius?
   Bru. He has no equall
 
    Sicin. When we were chosen Tribunes for the people
 
    Bru. Mark'd you his lip and eyes
 
    Sicin. Nay, but his taunts
 
    Bru. Being mou'd, he will not spare to gird the Gods
 
    Sicin. Bemocke the modest Moone
 
    Bru. The present Warres deuoure him, he is growne
 Too proud to be so valiant
 
    Sicin. Such a Nature, tickled with good successe, disdaines
 the shadow which he treads on at noone, but I do
 wonder, his insolence can brooke to be commanded vnder
 Cominius?
   Bru. Fame, at the which he aymes,
 In whom already he's well grac'd, cannot
 Better be held, nor more attain'd then by
 A place below the first: for what miscarries
 Shall be the Generals fault, though he performe
 To th' vtmost of a man, and giddy censure
 Will then cry out of Martius: Oh, if he
 Had borne the businesse
 
    Sicin. Besides, if things go well,
 Opinion that so stickes on Martius, shall
 Of his demerits rob Cominius
 
    Bru. Come: halfe all Cominius Honors are to Martius
 Though Martius earn'd them not: and all his faults
 To Martius shall be Honors, though indeed
 In ought he merit not
 
    Sicin. Let's hence, and heare
 How the dispatch is made, and in what fashion
 More then his singularity, he goes
 Vpon this present Action
 
    Bru. Let's along.
 
 Exeunt.
 
 Enter Tullus Auffidius with Senators of Coriolus.
 
   1.Sen. So, your opinion is Auffidius,
 That they of Rome are entred in our Counsailes,
 And know how we proceede,
   Auf. Is it not yours?
 What euer haue bin thought one in this State
 That could be brought to bodily act, ere Rome
 Had circumuention: 'tis not foure dayes gone
 Since I heard thence, these are the words, I thinke
 I haue the Letter heere: yes, heere it is;
 They haue prest a Power, but it is not knowne
 Whether for East or West: the Dearth is great,
 The people Mutinous: And it is rumour'd,
 Cominius, Martius your old Enemy
 (Who is of Rome worse hated then of you)
 And Titus Lartius, a most valiant Roman,
 These three leade on this Preparation
 Whether 'tis bent: most likely, 'tis for you:
 Consider of it
 
    1.Sen. Our Armie's in the Field:
 We neuer yet made doubt but Rome was ready
 To answer vs
 
    Auf. Nor did you thinke it folly,
 To keepe your great pretences vayl'd, till when
 They needs must shew themselues, which in the hatching
 It seem'd appear'd to Rome. By the discouery,
 We shalbe shortned in our ayme, which was
 To take in many Townes, ere (almost) Rome
 Should know we were a-foot
 
    2.Sen. Noble Auffidius,
 Take your Commission, hye you to your Bands,
 Let vs alone to guard Corioles
 If they set downe before's: for the remoue
 Bring vp your Army: but (I thinke) you'l finde
 Th'haue not prepar'd for vs
 
    Auf. O doubt not that,
 I speake from Certainties. Nay more,
 Some parcels of their Power are forth already,
 And onely hitherward. I leaue your Honors.
 If we, and Caius Martius chance to meete,
 'Tis sworne betweene vs, we shall euer strike
 Till one can do no more
 
    All. The Gods assist you
 
    Auf. And keepe your Honors safe
 
    1.Sen. Farewell
 
    2.Sen. Farewell
 
    All. Farewell.
 
 Exeunt. omnes.
 
 Enter Volumnia and Virgilia, mother and wife to Martius: They set
 them
 downe on two lowe stooles and sowe.
 
   Volum. I pray you daughter sing, or expresse your selfe
 in a more comfortable sort: If my Sonne were my Husband,
 I should freelier reioyce in that absence wherein
 he wonne Honor, then in the embracements of his Bed,
 where he would shew most loue. When yet hee was but
 tender-bodied, and the onely Sonne of my womb; when
 youth with comelinesse pluck'd all gaze his way; when
 for a day of Kings entreaties, a Mother should not sel him
 an houre from her beholding; I considering how Honour
 would become such a person, that it was no better then
 Picture-like to hang by th' wall, if renowne made it not
 stirre, was pleas'd to let him seeke danger, where he was
 like to finde fame: To a cruell Warre I sent him, from
 whence he return'd, his browes bound with Oake. I tell
 thee Daughter, I sprang not more in ioy at first hearing
 he was a Man-child, then now in first seeing he had proued
 himselfe a man
 
    Virg. But had he died in the Businesse Madame, how
 then?
   Volum. Then his good report should haue beene my
 Sonne, I therein would haue found issue. Heare me professe
 sincerely, had I a dozen sons each in my loue alike,
 and none lesse deere then thine, and my good Martius, I
 had rather had eleuen dye Nobly for their Countrey, then
 one voluptuously surfet out of Action.
 Enter a Gentlewoman.
 
   Gent. Madam, the lady Valeria is come to visit you
 
    Virg. Beseech you giue me leaue to retire my selfe
 
    Volum. Indeed you shall not:
 Me thinkes, I heare hither your Husbands Drumme:
 See him plucke Auffidius downe by th' haire:
 (As children from a Beare) the Volces shunning him:
 Me thinkes I see him stampe thus, and call thus,
 Come on you Cowards, you were got in feare
 Though you were borne in Rome; his bloody brow
 With his mail'd hand, then wiping, forth he goes
 Like to a Haruest man, that task'd to mowe
 Or all, or loose his hyre
 
    Virg. His bloody Brow? Oh Iupiter, no blood
 
    Volum. Away you Foole; it more becomes a man
 Then gilt his Trophe. The brests of Hecuba
 When she did suckle Hector, look'd not louelier
 Then Hectors forhead, when it spit forth blood
 At Grecian sword. Contenning, tell Valeria
 We are fit to bid her welcome.
 
 Exit Gent.
 
   Vir. Heauens blesse my Lord from fell Auffidius
 
    Vol. Hee'l beat Auffidius head below his knee,
 And treade vpon his necke.
 Enter Valeria with an Vsher, and a Gentlewoman.
 
   Val. My Ladies both good day to you
 
    Vol. Sweet Madam
 
    Vir. I am glad to see your Ladyship
 
    Val. How do you both? You are manifest house-keepers.
 What are you sowing heere? A fine spotte in good
 faith. How does your little Sonne?
   Vir. I thanke your Lady-ship: Well good Madam
 
    Vol. He had rather see the swords, and heare a Drum,
 then looke vpon his Schoolmaster
 
    Val. A my word the Fathers Sonne: Ile sweare 'tis a
 very pretty boy. A my troth, I look'd vpon him a Wensday
 halfe an houre together: ha's such a confirm'd countenance.
 I saw him run after a gilded Butterfly, & when
 he caught it, he let it go againe, and after it againe, and ouer
 and ouer he comes, and vp againe: catcht it again: or
 whether his fall enrag'd him, or how 'twas, hee did so set
 his teeth, and teare it. Oh, I warrant how he mammockt
 it
 
    Vol. One on's Fathers moods
 
    Val. Indeed la, tis a Noble childe
 
    Virg. A Cracke Madam
 
    Val. Come, lay aside your stitchery, I must haue you
 play the idle Huswife with me this afternoone
 
    Virg. No (good Madam)
 I will not out of doores
 
    Val. Not out of doores?
   Volum. She shall, she shall
 
    Virg. Indeed no, by your patience; Ile not ouer the
 threshold, till my Lord returne from the Warres
 
    Val. Fye, you confine your selfe most vnreasonably:
 Come, you must go visit the good Lady that lies in
 
    Virg. I will wish her speedy strength, and visite her
 with my prayers: but I cannot go thither
 
    Volum. Why I pray you
 
    Vlug. 'Tis not to saue labour, nor that I want loue
 
    Val. You would be another Penelope: yet they say, all
 the yearne she spun in Vlisses absence, did but fill Athica
 full of Mothes. Come, I would your Cambrick were sensible
 as your finger, that you might leaue pricking it for
 pitie. Come you shall go with vs
 
    Vir. No good Madam, pardon me, indeed I will not
 foorth
 
    Val. In truth la go with me, and Ile tell you excellent
 newes of your Husband
 
    Virg. Oh good Madam, there can be none yet
 
    Val. Verily I do not iest with you: there came newes
 from him last night
 
    Vir. Indeed Madam
 
    Val. In earnest it's true; I heard a Senatour speake it.
 Thus it is: the Volcies haue an Army forth, against who[m]
 Cominius the Generall is gone, with one part of our Romane
 power. Your Lord, and Titus Lartius, are set down
 before their Citie Carioles, they nothing doubt preuailing,
 and to make it breefe Warres. This is true on mine
 Honor, and so I pray go with vs
 
    Virg. Giue me excuse good Madame, I will obey you
 in euery thing heereafter
 
    Vol. Let her alone Ladie, as she is now:
 She will but disease our better mirth
 
    Valeria. In troth I thinke she would:
 Fare you well then. Come good sweet Ladie.
 Prythee Virgilia turne thy solemnesse out a doore,
 And go along with vs
 
    Virgil. No
 At a word Madam; Indeed I must not,
 I wish you much mirth
 
    Val. Well, then farewell.
 
 Exeunt. Ladies.
 
 Enter Martius, Titus Lartius, with Drumme and Colours, with
 Captaines and
 Souldiers, as before the City Corialus: to them a Messenger.
 
   Martius. Yonder comes Newes:
 A Wager they haue met
 
    Lar. My horse to yours, no
 
    Mar. Tis done
 
    Lart. Agreed
 
    Mar. Say, ha's our Generall met the Enemy?
   Mess. They lye in view, but haue not spoke as yet
 
    Lart. So, the good Horse is mine
 
    Mart. Ile buy him of you
 
    Lart. No, Ile nor sel, nor giue him: Lend you him I will
 For halfe a hundred yeares: Summon the Towne
 
    Mar. How farre off lie these Armies?
   Mess. Within this mile and halfe
 
    Mar. Then shall we heare their Larum, & they Ours.
 Now Mars, I prythee make vs quicke in worke,
 That we with smoaking swords may march from hence
 To helpe our fielded Friends. Come, blow thy blast.
 
 They Sound a Parley: Enter two Senators with others on the Walles
 of
 Corialus.
 
 Tullus Auffidious, is he within your Walles?
   1.Senat. No, nor a man that feares you lesse then he,
 That's lesser then a little:
 
 Drum a farre off.
 
 Hearke, our Drummes
 Are bringing forth our youth: Wee'l breake our Walles
 Rather then they shall pound vs vp our Gates,
 Which yet seeme shut, we haue but pin'd with Rushes,
 They'le open of themselues. Harke you, farre off
 
 Alarum farre off.
 
 There is Auffidious. List what worke he makes
 Among'st your clouen Army
 
    Mart. Oh they are at it
 
    Lart. Their noise be our instruction. Ladders hoa.
 Enter the Army of the Volces.
 
   Mar. They feare vs not, but issue forth their Citie.
 Now put your Shields before your hearts, and fight
 With hearts more proofe then Shields.
 Aduance braue Titus,
 They do disdaine vs much beyond our Thoughts,
 which makes me sweat with wrath. Come on my fellows
 He that retires, Ile take him for a Volce,
 And he shall feele mine edge.
 
 Alarum, the Romans are beat back to their Trenches Enter Martius
 Cursing.
 
   Mar. All the contagion of the South, light on you,
 You Shames of Rome: you Heard of Byles and Plagues
 Plaister you o're, that you may be abhorr'd
 Farther then seene, and one infect another
 Against the Winde a mile: you soules of Geese,
 That beare the shapes of men, how haue you run
 From Slaues, that Apes would beate; Pluto and Hell,
 All hurt behinde, backes red, and faces pale
 With flight and agued feare, mend and charge home,
 Or by the fires of heauen, Ile leaue the Foe,
 And make my Warres on you: Looke too't: Come on,
 If you'l stand fast, wee'l beate them to their Wiues,
 As they vs to our Trenches followes.
 
 Another Alarum, and Martius followes them to gates, and is shut
 in.
 
 So, now the gates are ope: now proue good Seconds,
 'Tis for the followers Fortune, widens them,
 Not for the flyers: Marke me, and do the like.
 Enter the Gati.
 
   1.Sol. Foole-hardinesse, not I
 
    2.Sol. Nor I
 
    1.Sol. See they haue shut him in.
 
 Alarum continues
 
   All. To th' pot I warrant him.
 
 Enter Titus Lartius
 
   Tit. What is become of Martius?
   All. Slaine (Sir) doubtlesse
 
    1.Sol. Following the Flyers at the very heeles,
 With them he enters: who vpon the sodaine
 Clapt to their Gates, he is himselfe alone,
 To answer all the City
 
    Lar. Oh Noble Fellow!
 Who sensibly out-dares his sencelesse Sword,
 And when it bowes, stand'st vp: Thou art left Martius,
 A Carbuncle intire: as big as thou art
 Weare not so rich a Iewell. Thou was't a Souldier
 Euen to Calues wish, not fierce and terrible
 Onely in strokes, but with thy grim lookes, and
 The Thunder-like percussion of thy sounds
 Thou mad'st thine enemies shake, as if the World
 Were Feauorous, and did tremble.
 Enter Martius bleeding, assaulted by the Enemy.
 
   1.Sol. Looke Sir
 
    Lar. O 'tis Martius.
 Let's fetch him off, or make remaine alike.
 
 They fight, and all enter the City.
 
 Enter certaine Romanes with spoiles.
 
   1.Rom. This will I carry to Rome
 
    2.Rom. And I this
 
    3.Rom. A Murrain on't, I tooke this for Siluer.
 
 Exeunt.
 
 Alarum continues still a-farre off.
 
 Enter Martius, and Titus with a Trumpet.
 
   Mar. See heere these mouers, that do prize their hours
 At a crack'd Drachme: Cushions, Leaden Spoones,
 Irons of a Doit, Dublets that Hangmen would
 Bury with those that wore them. These base slaues,
 Ere yet the fight be done, packe vp, downe with them.
 And harke, what noyse the Generall makes: To him
 There is the man of my soules hate, Auffidious,
 Piercing our Romanes: Then Valiant Titus take
 Conuenient Numbers to make good the City,
 Whil'st I with those that haue the spirit, wil haste
 To helpe Cominius
 
    Lar. Worthy Sir, thou bleed'st,
 Thy exercise hath bin too violent,
 For a second course of Fight
 
    Mar. Sir, praise me not:
 My worke hath yet not warm'd me. Fare you well:
 The blood I drop, is rather Physicall
 Then dangerous to me: To Auffidious thus, I will appear and fight
 
    Lar. Now the faire Goddesse Fortune,
 Fall deepe in loue with thee, and her great charmes
 Misguide thy Opposers swords, Bold Gentleman:
 Prosperity be thy Page
 
    Mar. Thy Friend no lesse,
 Then those she placeth highest: So farewell
 
    Lar. Thou worthiest Martius,
 Go sound thy Trumpet in the Market place,
 Call thither all the Officers a'th' Towne,
 Where they shall know our minde. Away.
 
 Exeunt.
 
 Enter Cominius as it were in retire, with soldiers.
 
   Com. Breath you my friends, wel fought, we are come off,
 Like Romans, neither foolish in our stands,
 Nor Cowardly in retyre: Beleeue me Sirs,
 We shall be charg'd againe. Whiles we haue strooke
 By Interims and conueying gusts, we haue heard
 The Charges of our Friends. The Roman Gods,
 Leade their successes, as we wish our owne,
 That both our powers, with smiling Fronts encountring,
 May giue you thankfull Sacrifice. Thy Newes?
 Enter a Messenger.
 
   Mess. The Cittizens of Corioles haue yssued,
 And giuen to Lartius and to Martius Battaile:
 I saw our party to their Trenches driuen,
 And then I came away
 
    Com. Though thou speakest truth,
 Me thinkes thou speak'st not well. How long is't since?
   Mes. Aboue an houre, my Lord
 
    Com. 'Tis not a mile: briefely we heard their drummes.
 How could'st thou in a mile confound an houre,
 And bring thy Newes so late?
   Mes. Spies of the Volces
 Held me in chace, that I was forc'd to wheele
 Three or foure miles about, else had I sir
 Halfe an houre since brought my report.
 Enter Martius.
 
   Com. Whose yonder,
 That doe's appeare as he were Flead? O Gods,
 He has the stampe of Martius, and I haue
 Before time seene him thus
 
    Mar. Come I too late?
   Com. The Shepherd knowes not Thunder fro[m] a Taber,
 More then I know the sound of Martius Tongue
 From euery meaner man
 
    Martius. Come I too late?
   Com. I, if you come not in the blood of others,
 But mantled in your owne
 
    Mart. Oh! let me clip ye
 In Armes as sound, as when I woo'd in heart;
 As merry, as when our Nuptiall day was done,
 And Tapers burnt to Bedward
 
    Com. Flower of Warriors, how is't with Titus Lartius?
   Mar. As with a man busied about Decrees:
 Condemning some to death, and some to exile,
 Ransoming him, or pittying, threatning th' other;
 Holding Corioles in the name of Rome,
 Euen like a fawning Grey-hound in the Leash,
 To let him slip at will
 
    Com. Where is that Slaue
 Which told me they had beate you to your Trenches?
 Where is he? Call him hither
 
    Mar. Let him alone,
 He did informe the truth: but for our Gentlemen,
 The common file, (a plague-Tribunes for them)
 The Mouse ne're shunn'd the Cat, as they did budge
 From Rascals worse then they
 
    Com. But how preuail'd you?
   Mar. Will the time serue to tell, I do not thinke:
 Where is the enemy? Are you Lords a'th Field?
 If not, why cease you till you are so?
   Com. Martius, we haue at disaduantage fought,
 And did retyre to win our purpose
 
    Mar. How lies their Battell? Know you on w side
 They haue plac'd their men of trust?
   Com. As I guesse Martius,
 Their Bands i'th Vaward are the Antients
 Of their best trust: O're them Auffidious,
 Their very heart of Hope
 
    Mar. I do beseech you,
 By all the Battailes wherein we haue fought,
 By th' Blood we haue shed together,
 By th' Vowes we haue made
 To endure Friends, that you directly set me
 Against Affidious, and his Antiats,
 And that you not delay the present (but
 Filling the aire with Swords aduanc'd) and Darts,
 We proue this very houre
 
    Com. Though I could wish,
 You were conducted to a gentle Bath,
 And Balmes applyed to you, yet dare I neuer
 Deny your asking, take your choice of those
 That best can ayde your action
 
    Mar. Those are they
 That most are willing; if any such be heere,
 (As it were sinne to doubt) that loue this painting
 Wherein you see me smear'd, if any feare
 Lessen his person, then an ill report:
 If any thinke, braue death out-weighes bad life,
 And that his Countries deerer then himselfe,
 Let him alone: Or so many so minded,
 Waue thus to expresse his disposition,
 And follow Martius.
 
 They all shout and waue their swords, take him vp in their Armes,
 and cast
 vp their Caps.
 
 Oh me alone, make you a sword of me:
 If these shewes be not outward, which of you
 But is foure Volces? None of you, but is
 Able to beare against the great Auffidious
 A Shield, as hard as his. A certaine number
 (Though thankes to all) must I select from all:
 The rest shall beare the businesse in some other fight
 (As cause will be obey'd:) please you to March,
 And foure shall quickly draw out my Command,
 Which men are best inclin'd
 
    Com. March on my Fellowes:
 Make good this ostentation, and you shall
 Diuide in all, with vs.
 
 Exeunt.
 
 Titus Lartius, hauing set a guard vpon Carioles, going with Drum
 and
 Trumpet toward Cominius, and Caius Martius, Enters with a
 Lieutenant,
 other Souldiours, and a Scout.
 
   Lar. So, let the Ports be guarded; keepe your Duties
 As I haue set them downe. If I do send, dispatch
 Those Centuries to our ayd, the rest will serue
 For a short holding, if we loose the Field,
 We cannot keepe the Towne
 
    Lieu. Feare not our care Sir
 
    Lart. Hence; and shut your gates vpon's:
 Our Guider come, to th' Roman Campe conduct vs.
 
 Exit
 
 Alarum, as in Battaile.
 
 Enter Martius and Auffidius at seueral doores.
 
   Mar. Ile fight with none but thee, for I do hate thee
 Worse then a Promise-breaker
 
    Auffid. We hate alike:
 Not Affricke ownes a Serpent I abhorre
 More then thy Fame and Enuy: Fix thy foot
 
    Mar. Let the first Budger dye the others Slaue,
 And the Gods doome him after
 
    Auf. If I flye Martius, hollow me like a Hare
 
    Mar. Within these three houres Tullus
 Alone I fought in your Corioles walles,
 And made what worke I pleas'd: 'Tis not my blood,
 Wherein thou seest me maskt, for thy Reuenge
 Wrench vp thy power to th' highest
 
    Auf. Wer't thou the Hector,
 That was the whip of your bragg'd Progeny,
 Thou should'st not scape me heere.
 
 Heere they fight, and certaine Volces come in the ayde of Auffi.
 Martius
 fights til they be driuen in breathles.
 
 Officious and not valiant, you haue sham'd me
 In your condemned Seconds.
 
 Flourish. Alarum. A Retreat is sounded. Enter at one Doore
 Cominius, with
 the Romanes: At another Doore Martius, with his Arme in a
 Scarfe.
 
   Com. If I should tell thee o're this thy dayes Worke,
 Thou't not beleeue thy deeds: but Ile report it,
 Where Senators shall mingle teares with smiles,
 Where great Patricians shall attend, and shrug,
 I'th' end admire: where Ladies shall be frighted,
 And gladly quak'd, heare more: where the dull Tribunes,
 That with the fustie Plebeans, hate thine Honors,
 Shall say against their hearts, We thanke the Gods
 Our Rome hath such a Souldier.
 Yet cam'st thou to a Morsell of this Feast,
 Hauing fully din'd before.
 Enter Titus with his Power, from the Pursuit.
 
   Titus Lartius. Oh Generall:
 Here is the Steed, wee the Caparison:
 Hadst thou beheld-
   Martius. Pray now, no more:
 My Mother, who ha's a Charter to extoll her Bloud,
 When she do's prayse me, grieues me:
 I haue done as you haue done, that's what I can,
 Induc'd as you haue beene, that's for my Countrey:
 He that ha's but effected his good will,
 Hath ouerta'ne mine Act
 
    Com. You shall not be the Graue of your deseruing,
 Rome must know the value of her owne:
 'Twere a Concealement worse then a Theft,
 No lesse then a Traducement,
 To hide your doings, and to silence that,
 Which to the spire, and top of prayses vouch'd,
 Would seeme but modest: therefore I beseech you,
 In signe of what you are, not to reward
 What you haue done, before our Armie heare me
 
    Martius. I haue some Wounds vpon me, and they smart
 To heare themselues remembred
 
    Com. Should they not:
 Well might they fester 'gainst Ingratitude,
 And tent themselues with death: of all the Horses,
 Whereof we haue ta'ne good, and good store of all,
 The Treasure in this field atchieued, and Citie,
 We render you the Tenth, to be ta'ne forth,
 Before the common distribution,
 At your onely choyse
 
    Martius. I thanke you Generall:
 But cannot make my heart consent to take
 A Bribe, to pay my Sword: I doe refuse it,
 And stand vpon my common part with those,
 That haue beheld the doing.
 
 A long flourish. They all cry, Martius, Martius, cast vp their Caps
 and
 Launces: Cominius and Lartius stand bare.
 
   Mar. May these same Instruments, which you prophane,
 Neuer sound more: when Drums and Trumpets shall
 I'th' field proue flatterers, let Courts and Cities be
 Made all of false-fac'd soothing:
 When Steele growes soft, as the Parasites Silke,
 Let him be made an Ouerture for th' Warres:
 No more I say, for that I haue not wash'd
 My Nose that bled, or foyl'd some debile Wretch,
 Which without note, here's many else haue done,
 You shoot me forth in acclamations hyperbolicall,
 As if I lou'd my little should be dieted
 In prayses, sawc'st with Lyes
 
    Com. Too modest are you:
 More cruell to your good report, then gratefull
 To vs, that giue you truly: by your patience,
 If 'gainst your selfe you be incens'd, wee'le put you
 (Like one that meanes his proper harme) in Manacles,
 Then reason safely with you: Therefore be it knowne,
 As to vs, to all the World, That Caius Martius
 Weares this Warres Garland: in token of the which,
 My Noble Steed, knowne to the Campe, I giue him,
 With all his trim belonging; and from this time,
 For what he did before Corioles, call him,
 With all th' applause and Clamor of the Hoast,
 Marcus Caius Coriolanus. Beare th' addition Nobly euer?
 Flourish. Trumpets sound, and Drums.
 
   Omnes. Marcus Caius Coriolanus
 
    Martius. I will goe wash:
 And when my Face is faire, you shall perceiue
 Whether I blush or no: howbeit, I thanke you,
 I meane to stride your Steed, and at all times
 To vnder-crest your good Addition,
 To th' fairenesse of my power
 
    Com. So, to our Tent:
 Where ere we doe repose vs, we will write
 To Rome of our successe: you Titus Lartius
 Must to Corioles backe, send vs to Rome
 The best, with whom we may articulate,
 For their owne good, and ours
 
    Lartius. I shall, my Lord
 
    Martius. The Gods begin to mocke me:
 I that now refus'd most Princely gifts,
 Am bound to begge of my Lord Generall
 
    Com. Tak't, 'tis yours: what is't?
   Martius. I sometime lay here in Corioles,
 At a poore mans house: he vs'd me kindly,
 He cry'd to me: I saw him Prisoner:
 But then Auffidius was within my view,
 And Wrath o're-whelm'd my pittie: I request you
 To giue my poore Host freedome
 
    Com. Oh well begg'd:
 Were he the Butcher of my Sonne, he should
 Be free, as is the Winde: deliuer him, Titus
 
    Lartius. Martius, his Name
 
    Martius. By Iupiter forgot:
 I am wearie, yea, my memorie is tyr'd:
 Haue we no Wine here?
   Com. Goe we to our Tent:
 The bloud vpon your Visage dryes, 'tis time
 It should be lookt too: come.
 
 Exeunt.
 
 A flourish. Cornets. Enter Tullus Auffidius bloudie, with two or
 three
 Souldiors.
 
   Auffi. The Towne is ta'ne
 
    Sould. 'Twill be deliuer'd backe on good Condition
 
    Auffid. Condition?
 I would I were a Roman, for I cannot,
 Being a Volce, be that I am. Condition?
 What good Condition can a Treatie finde
 I'th' part that is at mercy? fiue times, Martius,
 I haue fought with thee; so often hast thou beat me:
 And would'st doe so, I thinke, should we encounter
 As often as we eate. By th' Elements,
 If ere againe I meet him beard to beard,
 He's mine, or I am his: Mine Emulation
 Hath not that Honor in't it had: For where
 I thought to crush him in an equall Force,
 True Sword to Sword: Ile potche at him some way,
 Or Wrath, or Craft may get him
 
    Sol. He's the diuell
 
    Auf. Bolder, though not so subtle: my valors poison'd,
 With onely suff'ring staine by him: for him
 Shall flye out of it selfe, nor sleepe, nor sanctuary,
 Being naked, sicke; nor Phane, nor Capitoll,
 The Prayers of Priests, nor times of Sacrifice:
 Embarquements all of Fury, shall lift vp
 Their rotten Priuiledge, and Custome 'gainst
 My hate to Martius. Where I finde him, were it
 At home, vpon my Brothers Guard, euen there
 Against the hospitable Canon, would I
 Wash my fierce hand in's heart. Go you to th' Citie,
 Learne how 'tis held, and what they are that must
 Be Hostages for Rome
 
    Soul. Will not you go?
   Auf. I am attended at the Cyprus groue. I pray you
 ('Tis South the City Mils) bring me word thither
 How the world goes: that to the pace of it
 I may spurre on my iourney
 
    Soul. I shall sir.
 
 Actus Secundus.
 
 
 Enter Menenius with the two Tribunes of the people, Sicinius &
 Brutus.
 
   Men. The Agurer tels me, wee shall haue Newes to
 night
 
    Bru. Good or bad?
   Men. Not according to the prayer of the people, for
 they loue not Martius
 
    Sicin. Nature teaches Beasts to know their Friends
 
    Men. Pray you, who does the Wolfe loue?
   Sicin. The Lambe
 
    Men. I, to deuour him, as the hungry Plebeians would
 the Noble Martius
 
    Bru. He's a Lambe indeed, that baes like a Beare
 
    Men. Hee's a Beare indeede, that liues like a Lambe.
 You two are old men, tell me one thing that I shall aske
 you
 
    Both. Well sir
 
    Men. In what enormity is Martius poore in, that you
 two haue not in abundance?
   Bru. He's poore in no one fault, but stor'd withall
 
    Sicin. Especially in Pride
 
    Bru. And topping all others in boasting
 
    Men. This is strange now: Do you two know, how
 you are censured heere in the City, I mean of vs a'th' right
 hand File, do you?
   Both. Why? how are we censur'd?
   Men. Because you talke of Pride now, will you not
 be angry
 
    Both. Well, well sir, well
 
    Men. Why 'tis no great matter: for a very little theefe
 of Occasion, will rob you of a great deale of Patience:
 Giue your dispositions the reines, and bee angry at your
 pleasures (at the least) if you take it as a pleasure to you, in
 being so: you blame Martius for being proud
 
    Brut. We do it not alone, sir
 
    Men. I know you can doe very little alone, for your
 helpes are many, or else your actions would growe wondrous
 single: your abilities are to Infant-like, for dooing
 much alone. You talke of Pride: Oh, that you could turn
 your eyes toward the Napes of your neckes, and make
 but an Interiour suruey of your good selues. Oh that you
 could
 
    Both. What then sir?
   Men. Why then you should discouer a brace of vnmeriting,
 proud, violent, testie Magistrates (alias Fooles)
 as any in Rome
 
    Sicin. Menenius, you are knowne well enough too
 
    Men. I am knowne to be a humorous Patritian, and
 one that loues a cup of hot Wine, with not a drop of alaying
 Tiber in't: Said, to be something imperfect in fauouring
 the first complaint, hasty and Tinder-like vppon, to
 triuiall motion: One, that conuerses more with the Buttocke
 of the night, then with the forhead of the morning.
 What I think, I vtter, and spend my malice in my breath.
 Meeting two such Weales men as you are (I cannot call
 you Licurgusses,) if the drinke you giue me, touch my Palat
 aduersly, I make a crooked face at it, I can say, your
 Worshippes haue deliuer'd the matter well, when I finde
 the Asse in compound, with the Maior part of your syllables.
 And though I must be content to beare with those,
 that say you are reuerend graue men, yet they lye deadly,
 that tell you haue good faces, if you see this in the Map
 of my Microcosme, followes it that I am knowne well enough
 too? What harme can your beesome Conspectuities
 gleane out of this Charracter, if I be knowne well enough
 too
 
    Bru. Come sir come, we know you well enough
 
    Menen. You know neither mee, your selues, nor any
 thing: you are ambitious, for poore knaues cappes and
 legges: you weare out a good wholesome Forenoone, in
 hearing a cause betweene an Orendge wife, and a Forfetseller,
 and then reiourne the Controuersie of three-pence
 to a second day of Audience. When you are hearing a
 matter betweene party and party, if you chaunce to bee
 pinch'd with the Collike, you make faces like Mummers,
 set vp the bloodie Flagge against all Patience, and
 in roaring for a Chamber-pot, dismisse the Controuersie
 bleeding, the more intangled by your hearing: All the
 peace you make in their Cause, is calling both the parties
 Knaues. You are a payre of strange ones
 
    Bru. Come, come, you are well vnderstood to bee a
 perfecter gyber for the Table, then a necessary Bencher in
 the Capitoll
 
    Men. Our very Priests must become Mockers, if they
 shall encounter such ridiculous Subiects as you are, when
 you speake best vnto the purpose. It is not woorth the
 wagging of your Beards, and your Beards deserue not so
 honourable a graue, as to stuffe a Botchers Cushion, or to
 be intomb'd in an Asses Packe-saddle; yet you must bee
 saying, Martius is proud: who in a cheape estimation, is
 worth all your predecessors, since Deucalion, though peraduenture
 some of the best of 'em were hereditarie hangmen.
 Godden to your Worships, more of your conuersation
 would infect my Braine, being the Heardsmen of
 the Beastly Plebeans. I will be bold to take my leaue of
 you.
 
 Bru. and Scic. Aside.
 
 Enter Volumnia, Virgilia, and Valeria.
 
 How now (my as faire as Noble) Ladyes, and the Moone
 were shee Earthly, no Nobler; whither doe you follow
 your Eyes so fast?
   Volum. Honorable Menenius, my Boy Martius approches:
 for the loue of Iuno let's goe
 
    Menen. Ha? Martius comming home?
   Volum. I, worthy Menenius, and with most prosperous
 approbation
 
    Menen. Take my Cappe Iupiter, and I thanke thee:
 hoo, Martius comming home?
   2.Ladies. Nay, 'tis true
 
    Volum. Looke, here's a Letter from him, the State hath
 another, his Wife another, and (I thinke) there's one at
 home for you
 
    Menen. I will make my very house reele to night:
 A Letter for me?
   Virgil. Yes certaine, there's a Letter for you, I saw't
 
    Menen. A Letter for me? it giues me an Estate of seuen
 yeeres health; in which time, I will make a Lippe at
 the Physician: The most soueraigne Prescription in Galen,
 is but Emperickqutique; and to this Preseruatiue, of no
 better report then a Horse-drench. Is he not wounded?
 he was wont to come home wounded?
   Virgil. Oh no, no, no
 
    Volum. Oh, he is wounded, I thanke the Gods for't
 
    Menen. So doe I too, if it be not too much: brings a
 Victorie in his Pocket? the wounds become him
 
    Volum. On's Browes: Menenius, hee comes the third
 time home with the Oaken Garland
 
    Menen. Ha's he disciplin'd Auffidius soundly?
   Volum. Titus Lartius writes, they fought together, but
 Auffidius got off
 
    Menen. And 'twas time for him too, Ile warrant him
 that: and he had stay'd by him, I would not haue been so
 fiddious'd, for all the Chests in Carioles, and the Gold
 that's in them. Is the Senate possest of this?
   Volum. Good Ladies let's goe. Yes, yes, yes: The
 Senate ha's Letters from the Generall, wherein hee giues
 my Sonne the whole Name of the Warre: he hath in this
 action out-done his former deeds doubly
 
    Valer. In troth, there's wondrous things spoke of him
 
    Menen. Wondrous: I, I warrant you, and not without
 his true purchasing
 
    Virgil. The Gods graunt them true
 
    Volum. True? pow waw
 
    Mene. True? Ile be sworne they are true: where is
 hee wounded, God saue your good Worships? Martius
 is comming home: hee ha's more cause to be prowd:
 where is he wounded?
   Volum. Ith' Shoulder, and ith' left Arme: there will be
 large Cicatrices to shew the People, when hee shall stand
 for his place: he receiued in the repulse of Tarquin seuen
 hurts ith' Body
 
    Mene. One ith' Neck, and two ith' Thigh, there's nine
 that I know
 
    Volum. Hee had, before this last Expedition, twentie
 fiue Wounds vpon him
 
    Mene. Now it's twentie seuen; euery gash was an
 Enemies Graue. Hearke, the Trumpets.
 
 A showt, and flourish.
 
   Volum. These are the Vshers of Martius:
 Before him, hee carryes Noyse;
 And behinde him, hee leaues Teares:
 Death, that darke Spirit, in's neruie Arme doth lye,
 Which being aduanc'd, declines, and then men dye.
 
 A Sennet. Trumpets sound. Enter Cominius the Generall, and Titus
 Latius:
 betweene them Coriolanus, crown'd with an Oaken Garland, with
 Captaines and
 Souldiers, and a Herauld.
 
   Herauld. Know Rome, that all alone Martius did fight
 Within Corioles Gates: where he hath wonne,
 With Fame, a Name to Martius Caius:
 These in honor followes Martius Caius Coriolanus.
 Welcome to Rome, renowned Coriolanus.
 
 Sound. Flourish.
 
   All. Welcome to Rome, renowned Coriolanus
 
    Coriol. No more of this, it does offend my heart: pray
 now no more
 
    Com. Looke, Sir, your Mother
 
    Coriol. Oh! you haue, I know, petition'd all the Gods
 for my prosperitie.
 
 Kneeles.
 
   Volum. Nay, my good Souldier, vp:
 My gentle Martius, worthy Caius,
 And by deed-atchieuing Honor newly nam'd,
 What is it (Coriolanus) must I call thee?
 But oh, thy Wife
 
    Corio. My gracious silence, hayle:
 Would'st thou haue laugh'd, had I come Coffin'd home,
 That weep'st to see me triumph? Ah my deare,
 Such eyes the Widowes in Carioles were,
 And Mothers that lacke Sonnes
 
    Mene. Now the Gods Crowne thee
 
    Com. And liue you yet? Oh my sweet Lady, pardon
 
    Volum. I know not where to turne.
 Oh welcome home: and welcome Generall,
 And y'are welcome all
 
    Mene. A hundred thousand Welcomes:
 I could weepe, and I could laugh,
 I am light, and heauie; welcome:
 A Curse begin at very root on's heart,
 That is not glad to see thee.
 You are three, that Rome should dote on:
 Yet by the faith of men, we haue
 Some old Crab-trees here at home,
 That will not be grafted to your Rallish.
 Yet welcome Warriors:
 Wee call a Nettle, but a Nettle;
 And the faults of fooles, but folly
 
    Com. Euer right
 
    Cor. Menenius, euer, euer
 
    Herauld. Giue way there, and goe on
 
    Cor. Your Hand, and yours?
 Ere in our owne house I doe shade my Head,
 The good Patricians must be visited,
 From whom I haue receiu'd not onely greetings,
 But with them, change of Honors
 
    Volum. I haue liued,
 To see inherited my very Wishes,
 And the Buildings of my Fancie:
 Onely there's one thing wanting,
 Which (I doubt not) but our Rome
 Will cast vpon thee
 
    Cor. Know, good Mother,
 I had rather be their seruant in my way,
 Then sway with them in theirs
 
    Com. On, to the Capitall.
 Flourish. Cornets.
 
 Exeunt. in State, as before.
 
 Enter Brutus and Scicinius
 
   Bru. All tongues speake of him, and the bleared sights
 Are spectacled to see him. Your pratling Nurse
 Into a rapture lets her Baby crie,
 While she chats him: the Kitchin Malkin pinnes
 Her richest Lockram 'bout her reechie necke,
 Clambring the Walls to eye him:
 Stalls, Bulkes, Windowes, are smother'd vp,
 Leades fill'd, and Ridges hors'd
 With variable Complexions; all agreeing
 In earnestnesse to see him: seld-showne Flamins
 Doe presse among the popular Throngs, and puffe
 To winne a vulgar station: our veyl'd Dames
 Commit the Warre of White and Damaske
 In their nicely gawded Cheekes, toth' wanton spoyle
 Of Phoebus burning Kisses: such a poother,
 As if that whatsoeuer God, who leades him,
 Were slyly crept into his humane powers,
 And gaue him gracefull posture
 
    Scicin. On the suddaine, I warrant him Consull
 
    Brutus. Then our Office may, during his power, goe
 sleepe
 
    Scicin. He cannot temp'rately transport his Honors,
 From where he should begin, and end, but will
 Lose those he hath wonne
 
    Brutus. In that there's comfort
 
    Scici. Doubt not,
 The Commoners, for whom we stand, but they
 Vpon their ancient mallice, will forget
 With the least cause, these his new Honors,
 Which that he will giue them, make I as little question,
 As he is prowd to doo't
 
    Brutus. I heard him sweare,
 Were he to stand for Consull, neuer would he
 Appeare i'th' Market place, nor on him put
 The Naples Vesture of Humilitie,
 Nor shewing (as the manner is) his Wounds
 Toth' People, begge their stinking Breaths
 
    Scicin. 'Tis right
 
    Brutus. It was his word:
 Oh he would misse it, rather then carry it,
 But by the suite of the Gentry to him,
 And the desire of the Nobles
 
    Scicin. I wish no better, then haue him hold that purpose,
 and to put it in execution
 
    Brutus. 'Tis most like he will
 
    Scicin. It shall be to him then, as our good wills; a
 sure destruction
 
    Brutus. So it must fall out
 To him, or our Authorities, for an end.
 We must suggest the People, in what hatred
 He still hath held them: that to's power he would
 Haue made them Mules, silenc'd their Pleaders,
 And dispropertied their Freedomes; holding them,
 In humane Action, and Capacitie,
 Of no more Soule, nor fitnesse for the World,
 Then Cammels in their Warre, who haue their Prouand
 Onely for bearing Burthens, and sore blowes
 For sinking vnder them
 
    Scicin. This (as you say) suggested,
 At some time, when his soaring Insolence
 Shall teach the People, which time shall not want,
 If he be put vpon't, and that's as easie,
 As to set Dogges on Sheepe, will be his fire
 To kindle their dry Stubble: and their Blaze
 Shall darken him for euer.
 Enter a Messenger.
 
   Brutus. What's the matter?
   Mess. You are sent for to the Capitoll:
 'Tis thought, that Martius shall be Consull:
 I haue seene the dumbe men throng to see him,
 And the blind to heare him speak: Matrons flong Gloues,
 Ladies and Maids their Scarffes, and Handkerchers,
 Vpon him as he pass'd: the Nobles bended
 As to Ioues Statue, and the Commons made
 A Shower, and Thunder, with their Caps, and Showts:
 I neuer saw the like
 
    Brutus. Let's to the Capitoll,
 And carry with vs Eares and Eyes for th' time,
 But Hearts for the euent
 
    Scicin. Haue with you.
 
 Exeunt.
 
 Enter two Officers, to lay Cushions, as it were, in the Capitoll.
 
   1.Off. Come, come, they are almost here: how many
 stand for Consulships?
   2.Off. Three, they say: but 'tis thought of euery one,
 Coriolanus will carry it
 
    1.Off. That's a braue fellow: but hee's vengeance
 prowd, and loues not the common people
 
    2.Off. 'Faith, there hath beene many great men that
 haue flatter'd the people, who ne're loued them; and there
 be many that they haue loued, they know not wherefore:
 so that if they loue they know not why, they hate vpon
 no better a ground. Therefore, for Coriolanus neyther to
 care whether they loue, or hate him, manifests the true
 knowledge he ha's in their disposition, and out of his Noble
 carelesnesse lets them plainely see't
 
    1.Off. If he did not care whether he had their loue, or
 no, hee waued indifferently, 'twixt doing them neyther
 good, nor harme: but hee seekes their hate with greater
 deuotion, then they can render it him; and leaues nothing
 vndone, that may fully discouer him their opposite. Now
 to seeme to affect the mallice and displeasure of the People,
 is as bad, as that which he dislikes, to flatter them for
 their loue
 
    2.Off. Hee hath deserued worthily of his Countrey,
 and his assent is not by such easie degrees as those, who
 hauing beene supple and courteous to the People, Bonnetted,
 without any further deed, to haue them at all into
 their estimation, and report: but hee hath so planted his
 Honors in their Eyes, and his actions in their Hearts, that
 for their Tongues to be silent, and not confesse so much,
 were a kinde of ingratefull Iniurie: to report otherwise,
 were a Mallice, that giuing it selfe the Lye, would plucke
 reproofe and rebuke from euery Eare that heard it
 
    1.Off. No more of him, hee's a worthy man: make
 way, they are comming.
 
 A Sennet. Enter the Patricians, and the Tribunes of the People,
 Lictors
 before them: Coriolanus, Menenius, Cominius the Consul:
 Scicinius and
 Brutus take their places by themselues: Coriolanus stands.
 
   Menen. Hauing determin'd of the Volces,
 And to send for Titus Lartius: it remaines,
 As the maine Point of this our after-meeting,
 To gratifie his Noble seruice, that hath
 Thus stood for his Countrey. Therefore please you,
 Most reuerend and graue Elders, to desire
 The present Consull, and last Generall,
 In our well-found Successes, to report
 A little of that worthy Worke, perform'd
 By Martius Caius Coriolanus: whom
 We met here, both to thanke, and to remember,
 With Honors like himselfe
 
    1.Sen. Speake, good Cominius:
 Leaue nothing out for length, and make vs thinke
 Rather our states defectiue for requitall,
 Then we to stretch it out. Masters a'th' People,
 We doe request your kindest eares: and after
 Your louing motion toward the common Body,
 To yeeld what passes here
 
    Scicin. We are conuented vpon a pleasing Treatie, and
 haue hearts inclinable to honor and aduance the Theame
 of our Assembly
 
    Brutus. Which the rather wee shall be blest to doe, if
 he remember a kinder value of the People, then he hath
 hereto priz'd them at
 
    Menen. That's off, that's off: I would you rather had
 been silent: Please you to heare Cominius speake?
   Brutus. Most willingly: but yet my Caution was
 more pertinent then the rebuke you giue it
 
    Menen. He loues your People, but tye him not to be
 their Bed-fellow: Worthie Cominius speake.
 
 Coriolanus rises, and offers to goe away.
 
 Nay, keepe your place
 
    Senat. Sit Coriolanus: neuer shame to heare
 What you haue Nobly done
 
    Coriol. Your Honors pardon:
 I had rather haue my Wounds to heale againe,
 Then heare say how I got them
 
    Brutus. Sir, I hope my words dis-bench'd you not?
   Coriol. No Sir: yet oft,
 When blowes haue made me stay, I fled from words.
 You sooth'd not, therefore hurt not: but your People,
 I loue them as they weigh-
   Menen. Pray now sit downe
 
    Corio. I had rather haue one scratch my Head i'th' Sun,
 When the Alarum were strucke, then idly sit
 To heare my Nothings monster'd.
 Exit Coriolanus
 
   Menen. Masters of the People,
 Your multiplying Spawne, how can he flatter?
 That's thousand to one good one, when you now see
 He had rather venture all his Limbes for Honor,
 Then on ones Eares to heare it. Proceed Cominius
 
    Com. I shall lacke voyce: the deeds of Coriolanus
 Should not be vtter'd feebly: it is held,
 That Valour is the chiefest Vertue,
 And most dignifies the hauer: if it be,
 The man I speake of, cannot in the World
 Be singly counter-poys'd. At sixteene yeeres,
 When Tarquin made a Head for Rome, he fought
 Beyond the marke of others: our then Dictator,
 Whom with all prayse I point at, saw him fight,
 When with his Amazonian Shinne he droue
 The brizled Lippes before him: he bestrid
 An o're-prest Roman, and i'th' Consuls view
 Slew three Opposers: Tarquins selfe he met,
 And strucke him on his Knee: in that dayes feates,
 When he might act the Woman in the Scene,
 He prou'd best man i'th' field, and for his meed
 Was Brow-bound with the Oake. His Pupill age
 Man-entred thus, he waxed like a Sea,
 And in the brunt of seuenteene Battailes since,
 He lurcht all Swords of the Garland: for this last,
 Before, and in Corioles, let me say
 I cannot speake him home: he stopt the flyers,
 And by his rare example made the Coward
 Turne terror into sport: as Weeds before
 A Vessell vnder sayle, so men obey'd,
 And fell below his Stem: his Sword, Deaths stampe,
 Where it did marke, it tooke from face to foot:
 He was a thing of Blood, whose euery motion
 Was tim'd with dying Cryes: alone he entred
 The mortall Gate of th' Citie, which he painted
 With shunlesse destinie: aydelesse came off,
 And with a sudden re-inforcement strucke
 Carioles like a Planet: now all's his,
 When by and by the dinne of Warre gan pierce
 His readie sence: then straight his doubled spirit
 Requickned what in flesh was fatigate,
 And to the Battaile came he, where he did
 Runne reeking o're the liues of men, as if 'twere
 A perpetuall spoyle: and till we call'd
 Both Field and Citie ours, he neuer stood
 To ease his Brest with panting
 
    Menen. Worthy man
 
    Senat. He cannot but with measure fit the Honors
 which we deuise him
 
    Com. Our spoyles he kickt at,
 And look'd vpon things precious, as they were
 The common Muck of the World: he couets lesse
 Then Miserie it selfe would giue, rewards his deeds
 With doing them, and is content
 To spend the time, to end it
 
    Menen. Hee's right Noble, let him be call'd for
 
    Senat. Call Coriolanus
 
    Off. He doth appeare.
 Enter Coriolanus.
 
   Menen. The Senate, Coriolanus, are well pleas'd to make
 thee Consull
 
    Corio. I doe owe them still my Life, and Seruices
 
    Menen. It then remaines, that you doe speake to the
 People
 
    Corio. I doe beseech you,
 Let me o're-leape that custome: for I cannot
 Put on the Gowne, stand naked, and entreat them
 For my Wounds sake, to giue their sufferage:
 Please you that I may passe this doing
 
    Scicin. Sir, the People must haue their Voyces,
 Neyther will they bate one iot of Ceremonie
 
    Menen. Put them not too't:
 Pray you goe fit you to the Custome,
 And take to you, as your Predecessors haue,
 Your Honor with your forme
 
    Corio. It is a part that I shall blush in acting,
 And might well be taken from the People
 
    Brutus. Marke you that
 
    Corio. To brag vnto them, thus I did, and thus
 Shew them th' vnaking Skarres, which I should hide,
 As if I had receiu'd them for the hyre
 Of their breath onely
 
    Menen. Doe not stand vpon't:
 We recommend to you Tribunes of the People
 Our purpose to them, and to our Noble Consull
 Wish we all Ioy, and Honor
 
    Senat. To Coriolanus come all ioy and Honor.
 Flourish Cornets. Then Exeunt. Manet Sicinius and Brutus.
 
   Bru. You see how he intends to vse the people
 
    Scicin. May they perceiue's intent: he wil require them
 As if he did contemne what he requested,
 Should be in them to giue
 
    Bru. Come, wee'l informe them
 Of our proceedings heere on th' Market place,
 I know they do attend vs.
 Enter seuen or eight Citizens.
 
   1.Cit. Once if he do require our voyces, wee ought
 not to deny him
 
    2.Cit. We may Sir if we will
 
    3.Cit. We haue power in our selues to do it, but it is
 a power that we haue no power to do: For, if hee shew vs
 his wounds, and tell vs his deeds, we are to put our tongues
 into those wounds, and speake for them: So if he tel
 vs his Noble deeds, we must also tell him our Noble acceptance
 of them. Ingratitude is monstrous, and for the
 multitude to be ingratefull, were to make a Monster of
 the multitude; of the which, we being members, should
 bring our selues to be monstrous members
 
    1.Cit. And to make vs no better thought of a little
 helpe will serue: for once we stood vp about the Corne,
 he himselfe stucke not to call vs the many-headed Multitude
 
    3.Cit. We haue beene call'd so of many, not that our
 heads are some browne, some blacke, some Abram, some
 bald; but that our wits are so diuersly Coulord; and truely
 I thinke, if all our wittes were to issue out of one Scull,
 they would flye East, West, North, South, and their consent
 of one direct way, should be at once to all the points
 a'th Compasse
 
    2.Cit. Thinke you so? Which way do you iudge my
 wit would flye
 
    3.Cit. Nay your wit will not so soone out as another
 mans will, 'tis strongly wadg'd vp in a blocke-head: but
 if it were at liberty, 'twould sure Southward
 
    2 Cit. Why that way?
   3 Cit. To loose it selfe in a Fogge, where being three
 parts melted away with rotten Dewes, the fourth would
 returne for Conscience sake, to helpe to get thee a Wife
 
    2 Cit. You are neuer without your trickes, you may,
 you may
 
    3 Cit. Are you all resolu'd to giue your voyces? But
 that's no matter, the greater part carries it, I say. If hee
 would incline to the people, there was neuer a worthier
 man.
 Enter Coriolanus in a gowne of Humility, with Menenius.
 
 Heere he comes, and in the Gowne of humility, marke
 his behauiour: we are not to stay altogether, but to come
 by him where he stands, by ones, by twoes, & by threes.
 He's to make his requests by particulars, wherein euerie
 one of vs ha's a single Honor, in giuing him our own voices
 with our owne tongues, therefore follow me, and Ile
 direct you how you shall go by him
 
    All. Content, content
 
    Men. Oh Sir, you are not right: haue you not knowne
 The worthiest men haue done't?
   Corio. What must I say, I pray Sir?
 Plague vpon't, I cannot bring
 My tongue to such a pace. Looke Sir, my wounds,
 I got them in my Countries Seruice, when
 Some certaine of your Brethren roar'd, and ranne
 From th' noise of our owne Drummes
 
    Menen. Oh me the Gods, you must not speak of that,
 You must desire them to thinke vpon you
 
    Coriol. Thinke vpon me? Hang 'em,
 I would they would forget me, like the Vertues
 Which our Diuines lose by em
 
    Men. You'l marre all,
 Ile leaue you: Pray you speake to em, I pray you
 In wholsome manner.
 
 Exit
 
 Enter three of the Citizens.
 
   Corio. Bid them wash their Faces,
 And keepe their teeth cleane: So, heere comes a brace,
 You know the cause (Sir) of my standing heere
 
    3 Cit. We do Sir, tell vs what hath brought you too't
 
    Corio. Mine owne desert
 
    2 Cit. Your owne desert
 
    Corio. I, but mine owne desire
 
    3 Cit. How not your owne desire?
   Corio. No Sir, 'twas neuer my desire yet to trouble the
 poore with begging
 
    3 Cit. You must thinke if we giue you any thing, we
 hope to gaine by you
 
    Corio. Well then I pray, your price a'th' Consulship
 
    1 Cit. The price is, to aske it kindly
 
    Corio. Kindly sir, I pray let me ha't: I haue wounds to
 shew you, which shall bee yours in priuate: your good
 voice sir, what say you?
   2 Cit. You shall ha't worthy Sir
 
    Corio. A match Sir, there's in all two worthie voyces
 begg'd: I haue your Almes, Adieu
 
    3 Cit. But this is something odde
 
    2 Cit. And 'twere to giue againe: but 'tis no matter.
 
 Exeunt. Enter two other Citizens.
 
   Coriol. Pray you now, if it may stand with the tune
 of your voices, that I may bee Consull, I haue heere the
 Customarie Gowne
 
    1. You haue deserued Nobly of your Countrey, and
 you haue not deserued Nobly
 
    Coriol. Your aenigma
 
    1. You haue bin a scourge to her enemies, you haue
 bin a Rod to her Friends, you haue not indeede loued the
 Common people
 
    Coriol. You should account mee the more Vertuous,
 that I haue not bin common in my Loue, I will sir flatter
 my sworne Brother the people to earne a deerer estimation
 of them, 'tis a condition they account gentle: & since
 the wisedome of their choice, is rather to haue my Hat,
 then my Heart, I will practice the insinuating nod, and be
 off to them most counterfetly, that is sir, I will counterfet
 the bewitchment of some popular man, and giue it
 bountifull to the desirers: Therefore beseech you, I may
 be Consull
 
    2. Wee hope to finde you our friend: and therefore
 giue you our voices heartily
 
    1. You haue receyued many wounds for your Countrey
 
    Coriol. I wil not Seale your knowledge with shewing
 them. I will make much of your voyces, and so trouble
 you no farther
 
    Both. The Gods giue you ioy Sir heartily
 
    Coriol. Most sweet Voyces:
 Better it is to dye, better to sterue,
 Then craue the higher, which first we do deserue.
 Why in this Wooluish tongue should I stand heere,
 To begge of Hob and Dicke, that does appeere
 Their needlesse Vouches: Custome calls me too't.
 What Custome wills in all things, should we doo't?
 The Dust on antique Time would lye vnswept,
 And mountainous Error be too highly heapt,
 For Truth to o're-peere. Rather then foole it so,
 Let the high Office and the Honor go
 To one that would doe thus. I am halfe through,
 The one part suffered, the other will I doe.
 Enter three Citizens more.
 
 Here come moe Voyces.
 Your Voyces? for your Voyces I haue sought,
 Watcht for your Voyces: for your Voyces, beare
 Of Wounds, two dozen odde: Battailes thrice six
 I haue seene, and heard of: for your Voyces,
 Haue done many things, some lesse, some more:
 Your Voyces? Indeed I would be Consull
 
    1.Cit. Hee ha's done Nobly, and cannot goe without
 any honest mans Voyce
 
    2.Cit. Therefore let him be Consull: the Gods giue him
 ioy, and make him good friend to the People
 
    All. Amen, Amen. God saue thee, Noble Consull
 
    Corio. Worthy Voyces.
 Enter Menenius, with Brutus and Scicinius.
 
   Mene. You haue stood your Limitation:
 And the Tribunes endue you with the Peoples Voyce,
 Remaines, that in th' Officiall Markes inuested,
 You anon doe meet the Senate
 
    Corio. Is this done?
   Scicin. The Custome of Request you haue discharg'd:
 The People doe admit you, and are summon'd
 To meet anon, vpon your approbation
 
    Corio. Where? at the Senate-house?
   Scicin. There, Coriolanus
 
    Corio. May I change these Garments?
   Scicin. You may, Sir
 
    Cori. That Ile straight do: and knowing my selfe again,
 Repayre toth' Senatehouse
 
    Mene. Ile keepe you company. Will you along?
   Brut. We stay here for the People
 
    Scicin. Fare you well.
 
 Exeunt. Coriol. and Mene.
 
 He ha's it now: and by his Lookes, me thinkes,
 'Tis warme at's heart
 
    Brut. With a prowd heart he wore his humble Weeds:
 Will you dismisse the People?
 Enter the Plebeians.
 
   Scici. How now, my Masters, haue you chose this man?
   1.Cit. He ha's our Voyces, Sir
 
    Brut. We pray the Gods, he may deserue your loues
 
    2.Cit. Amen, Sir: to my poore vnworthy notice,
 He mock'd vs, when he begg'd our Voyces
 
    3.Cit. Certainely, he flowted vs downe-right
 
    1.Cit. No, 'tis his kind of speech, he did not mock vs
 
    2.Cit. Not one amongst vs, saue your selfe, but sayes
 He vs'd vs scornefully: he should haue shew'd vs
 His Marks of Merit, Wounds receiu'd for's Countrey
 
    Scicin. Why so he did, I am sure
 
    All. No, no: no man saw 'em
 
    3.Cit. Hee said hee had Wounds,
 Which he could shew in priuate:
 And with his Hat, thus wauing it in scorne,
 I would be Consull, sayes he: aged Custome,
 But by your Voyces, will not so permit me.
 Your Voyces therefore: when we graunted that,
 Here was, I thanke you for your Voyces, thanke you
 Your most sweet Voyces: now you haue left your Voyces,
 I haue no further with you. Was not this mockerie?
   Scicin. Why eyther were you ignorant to see't?
 Or seeing it, of such Childish friendlinesse,
 To yeeld your Voyces?
   Brut. Could you not haue told him,
 As you were lesson'd: When he had no Power,
 But was a pettie seruant to the State,
 He was your Enemie, euer spake against
 Your Liberties, and the Charters that you beare
 I'th' Body of the Weale: and now arriuing
 A place of Potencie, and sway o'th' State,
 If he should still malignantly remaine
 Fast Foe toth' Plebeij, your Voyces might
 Be Curses to your selues. You should haue said,
 That as his worthy deeds did clayme no lesse
 Then what he stood for: so his gracious nature
 Would thinke vpon you, for your Voyces,
 And translate his Mallice towards you, into Loue,
 Standing your friendly Lord
 
    Scicin. Thus to haue said,
 As you were fore-aduis'd, had toucht his Spirit,
 And try'd his Inclination: from him pluckt
 Eyther his gracious Promise, which you might
 As cause had call'd you vp, haue held him to;
 Or else it would haue gall'd his surly nature,
 Which easily endures not Article,
 Tying him to ought, so putting him to Rage,
 You should haue ta'ne th' aduantage of his Choller,
 And pass'd him vnelected
 
    Brut. Did you perceiue,
 He did sollicite you in free Contempt,
 When he did need your Loues: and doe you thinke,
 That his Contempt shall not be brusing to you,
 When he hath power to crush? Why, had your Bodyes
 No Heart among you? Or had you Tongues, to cry
 Against the Rectorship of Iudgement?
   Scicin. Haue you, ere now, deny'd the asker:
 And now againe, of him that did not aske, but mock,
 Bestow your su'd-for Tongues?
   3.Cit. Hee's not confirm'd, we may deny him yet
 
    2.Cit. And will deny him:
 Ile haue fiue hundred Voyces of that sound
 
    1.Cit. I twice fiue hundred, & their friends, to piece 'em
 
    Brut. Get you hence instantly, and tell those friends,
 They haue chose a Consull, that will from them take
 Their Liberties, make them of no more Voyce
 Then Dogges, that are as often beat for barking,
 As therefore kept to doe so
 
    Scici. Let them assemble: and on a safer Iudgement,
 All reuoke your ignorant election: Enforce his Pride,
 And his old Hate vnto you: besides, forget not
 With what Contempt he wore the humble Weed,
 How in his Suit he scorn'd you: but your Loues,
 Thinking vpon his Seruices, tooke from you
 Th' apprehension of his present portance,
 Which most gibingly, vngrauely, he did fashion
 After the inueterate Hate he beares you
 
    Brut. Lay a fault on vs, your Tribunes,
 That we labour'd (no impediment betweene)
 But that you must cast your Election on him
 
    Scici. Say you chose him, more after our commandment,
 Then as guided by your owne true affections, and that
 Your Minds pre-occupy'd with what you rather must do,
 Then what you should, made you against the graine
 To Voyce him Consull. Lay the fault on vs
 
    Brut. I, spare vs not: Say, we read Lectures to you,
 How youngly he began to serue his Countrey,
 How long continued, and what stock he springs of,
 The Noble House o'th'Martians: from whence came
 That Ancus Martius, Numaes Daughters Sonne:
 Who after great Hostilius here was King,
 Of the same House Publius and Quintus were,
 That our best Water, brought by Conduits hither,
 And Nobly nam'd, so twice being Censor,
 Was his great Ancestor
 
    Scicin. One thus descended,
 That hath beside well in his person wrought,
 To be set high in place, we did commend
 To your remembrances: but you haue found,
 Skaling his present bearing with his past,
 That hee's your fixed enemie; and reuoke
 Your suddaine approbation
 
    Brut. Say you ne're had don't,
 (Harpe on that still) but by our putting on:
 And presently, when you haue drawne your number,
 Repaire toth' Capitoll
 
    All. We will so: almost all repent in their election.
 
 Exeunt. Plebeians.
 
   Brut. Let them goe on:
 This Mutinie were better put in hazard,
 Then stay past doubt, for greater:
 If, as his nature is, he fall in rage
 With their refusall, both obserue and answer
 The vantage of his anger
 
    Scicin. Toth' Capitoll, come:
 We will be there before the streame o'th' People:
 And this shall seeme, as partly 'tis, their owne,
 Which we haue goaded on-ward.
 
 Exeunt.
 
 
 Actus Tertius.
 
 Cornets. Enter Coriolanus, Menenius, all the Gentry, Cominius,
 Titus
 Latius, and other Senators.
 
   Corio. Tullus Auffidius then had made new head
 
    Latius. He had, my Lord, and that it was which caus'd
 Our swifter Composition
 
    Corio. So then the Volces stand but as at first,
 Readie when time shall prompt them, to make roade
 Vpon's againe
 
    Com. They are worne (Lord Consull) so,
 That we shall hardly in our ages see
 Their Banners waue againe
 
    Corio. Saw you Auffidius?
   Latius. On safegard he came to me, and did curse
 Against the Volces, for they had so vildly
 Yeelded the Towne: he is retyred to Antium
 
    Corio. Spoke he of me?
   Latius. He did, my Lord
 
    Corio. How? what?
   Latius. How often he had met you Sword to Sword:
 That of all things vpon the Earth, he hated
 Your person most: That he would pawne his fortunes
 To hopelesse restitution, so he might
 Be call'd your Vanquisher
 
    Corio. At Antium liues he?
   Latius. At Antium
 
    Corio. I wish I had a cause to seeke him there,
 To oppose his hatred fully. Welcome home.
 Enter Scicinius and Brutus.
 
 Behold, these are the Tribunes of the People,
 The Tongues o'th' Common Mouth. I do despise them:
 For they doe pranke them in Authoritie,
 Against all Noble sufferance
 
    Scicin. Passe no further
 
    Cor. Hah? what is that?
   Brut. It will be dangerous to goe on- No further
 
    Corio. What makes this change?
   Menen. The matter?
   Com. Hath he not pass'd the Noble, and the Common?
   Brut. Cominius, no
 
    Corio. Haue I had Childrens Voyces?
   Senat. Tribunes giue way, he shall toth' Market place
 
    Brut. The People are incens'd against him
 
    Scicin. Stop, or all will fall in broyle
 
    Corio. Are these your Heard?
 Must these haue Voyces, that can yeeld them now,
 And straight disclaim their toungs? what are your Offices?
 You being their Mouthes, why rule you not their Teeth?
 Haue you not set them on?
   Mene. Be calme, be calme
 
    Corio. It is a purpos'd thing, and growes by Plot,
 To curbe the will of the Nobilitie:
 Suffer't, and liue with such as cannot rule,
 Nor euer will be ruled
 
    Brut. Call't not a Plot:
 The People cry you mockt them: and of late,
 When Corne was giuen them gratis, you repin'd,
 Scandal'd the Suppliants: for the People, call'd them
 Time-pleasers, flatterers, foes to Noblenesse
 
    Corio. Why this was knowne before
 
    Brut. Not to them all
 
    Corio. Haue you inform'd them sithence?
   Brut. How? I informe them?
   Com. You are like to doe such businesse
 
    Brut. Not vnlike each way to better yours
 
    Corio. Why then should I be Consull? by yond Clouds
 Let me deserue so ill as you, and make me
 Your fellow Tribune
 
    Scicin. You shew too much of that,
 For which the People stirre: if you will passe
 To where you are bound, you must enquire your way,
 Which you are out of, with a gentler spirit,
 Or neuer be so Noble as a Consull,
 Nor yoake with him for Tribune
 
    Mene. Let's be calme
 
    Com. The People are abus'd: set on, this paltring
 Becomes not Rome: nor ha's Coriolanus
 Deseru'd this so dishonor'd Rub, layd falsely
 I'th' plaine Way of his Merit
 
    Corio. Tell me of Corne: this was my speech,
 And I will speak't againe
 
    Mene. Not now, not now
 
    Senat. Not in this heat, Sir, now
 
    Corio. Now as I liue, I will.
 My Nobler friends, I craue their pardons:
 For the mutable ranke-sented Meynie,
 Let them regard me, as I doe not flatter,
 And therein behold themselues: I say againe,
 In soothing them, we nourish 'gainst our Senate
 The Cockle of Rebellion, Insolence, Sedition,
 Which we our selues haue plowed for, sow'd, & scatter'd,
 By mingling them with vs, the honor'd Number,
 Who lack not Vertue, no, nor Power, but that
 Which they haue giuen to Beggers
 
    Mene. Well, no more
 
    Senat. No more words, we beseech you
 
    Corio. How? no more?
 As for my Country, I haue shed my blood,
 Not fearing outward force: So shall my Lungs
 Coine words till their decay, against those Meazels
 Which we disdaine should Tetter vs, yet sought
 The very way to catch them
 
    Bru. You speake a'th' people, as if you were a God,
 To punish; Not a man, of their Infirmity
 
    Sicin. 'Twere well we let the people know't
 
    Mene. What, what? His Choller?
   Cor. Choller? Were I as patient as the midnight sleep,
 By Ioue, 'twould be my minde
 
    Sicin. It is a minde that shall remain a poison
 Where it is: not poyson any further
 
    Corio. Shall remaine?
 Heare you this Triton of the Minnoues? Marke you
 His absolute Shall?
   Com. 'Twas from the Cannon
 
    Cor. Shall? O God! but most vnwise Patricians: why
 You graue, but wreaklesse Senators, haue you thus
 Giuen Hidra heere to choose an Officer,
 That with his peremptory Shall, being but
 The horne, and noise o'th' Monsters, wants not spirit
 To say, hee'l turne your Current in a ditch,
 And make your Channell his? If he haue power,
 Then vale your Ignorance: If none, awake
 Your dangerous Lenity: If you are Learn'd,
 Be not as common Fooles; if you are not,
 Let them haue Cushions by you. You are Plebeians,
 If they be Senators: and they are no lesse,
 When both your voices blended, the great'st taste
 Most pallates theirs. They choose their Magistrate,
 And such a one as he, who puts his Shall,
 His popular Shall, against a grauer Bench
 Then euer frown'd in Greece. By Ioue himselfe,
 It makes the Consuls base; and my Soule akes
 To know, when two Authorities are vp,
 Neither Supreame; How soone Confusion
 May enter 'twixt the gap of Both, and take
 The one by th' other
 
    Com. Well, on to'th' Market place
 
    Corio. Who euer gaue that Counsell, to giue forth
 The Corne a'th' Store-house gratis, as 'twas vs'd
 Sometime in Greece
 
    Mene. Well, well, no more of that
 
    Cor. Thogh there the people had more absolute powre
 I say they norisht disobedience: fed, the ruin of the State
 
    Bru. Why shall the people giue
 One that speakes thus, their voyce?
   Corio. Ile giue my Reasons,
 More worthier then their Voyces. They know the Corne
 Was not our recompence, resting well assur'd
 They ne're did seruice for't; being prest to'th' Warre,
 Euen when the Nauell of the State was touch'd,
 They would not thred the Gates: This kinde of Seruice
 Did not deserue Corne gratis. Being i'th' Warre,
 There Mutinies and Reuolts, wherein they shew'd
 Most Valour spoke not for them. Th' Accusation
 Which they haue often made against the Senate,
 All cause vnborne, could neuer be the Natiue
 Of our so franke Donation. Well, what then?
 How shall this Bosome-multiplied, digest
 The Senates Courtesie? Let deeds expresse
 What's like to be their words, We did request it,
 We are the greater pole, and in true feare
 They gaue vs our demands. Thus we debase
 The Nature of our Seats, and make the Rabble
 Call our Cares, Feares; which will in time
 Breake ope the Lockes a'th' Senate, and bring in
 The Crowes to pecke the Eagles
 
    Mene. Come enough
 
    Bru. Enough, with ouer measure
 
    Corio. No, take more.
 What may be sworne by, both Diuine and Humane,
 Seale what I end withall. This double worship,
 Whereon part do's disdaine with cause, the other
 Insult without all reason: where Gentry, Title, wisedom
 Cannot conclude, but by the yea and no
 Of generall Ignorance, it must omit
 Reall Necessities, and giue way the while
 To vnstable Slightnesse. Purpose so barr'd, it followes,
 Nothing is done to purpose. Therefore beseech you,
 You that will be lesse fearefull, then discreet,
 That loue the Fundamentall part of State
 More then you doubt the change on't: That preferre
 A Noble life, before a Long, and Wish,
 To iumpe a Body with a dangerous Physicke,
 That's sure of death without it: at once plucke out
 The Multitudinous Tongue, let them not licke
 The sweet which is their poyson. Your dishonor
 Mangles true iudgement, and bereaues the State
 Of that Integrity which should becom't:
 Not hauing the power to do the good it would
 For th' ill which doth controul't
 
    Bru. Has said enough
 
    Sicin. Ha's spoken like a Traitor, and shall answer
 As Traitors do
 
    Corio. Thou wretch, despight ore-whelme thee:
 What should the people do with these bald Tribunes?
 On whom depending, their obedience failes
 To'th' greater Bench, in a Rebellion:
 When what's not meet, but what must be, was Law,
 Then were they chosen: in a better houre,
 Let what is meet, be saide it must be meet,
 And throw their power i'th' dust
 
    Bru. Manifest Treason
 
    Sicin. This a Consull? No.
 Enter an aedile.
 
   Bru. The Ediles hoe: Let him be apprehended:
   Sicin. Go call the people, in whose name my Selfe
 Attach thee as a Traitorous Innouator:
 A Foe to'th' publike Weale. Obey I charge thee,
 And follow to thine answer
 
    Corio. Hence old Goat
 
    All. Wee'l Surety him
 
    Com. Ag'd sir, hands off
 
    Corio. Hence rotten thing, or I shall shake thy bones
 Out of thy Garments
 
    Sicin. Helpe ye Citizens.
 Enter a rabble of Plebeians with the Aediles.
 
   Mene. On both sides more respect
 
    Sicin. Heere's hee, that would take from you all your
 power
 
    Bru. Seize him Aediles
 
    All. Downe with him, downe with him
 
    2 Sen. Weapons, weapons, weapons:
 
 They all bustle about Coriolanus.
 
 Tribunes, Patricians, Citizens: what ho:
 Sicinius, Brutus, Coriolanus, Citizens
 
    All. Peace, peace, peace, stay, hold, peace
 
    Mene. What is about to be? I am out of Breath,
 Confusions neere, I cannot speake. You, Tribunes
 To'th' people: Coriolanus, patience: Speak good Sicinius
 
    Scici. Heare me, People peace
 
    All. Let's here our Tribune: peace, speake, speake,
 speake
 
    Scici. You are at point to lose your Liberties:
 Martius would haue all from you; Martius,
 Whom late you haue nam'd for Consull
 
    Mene. Fie, fie, fie, this is the way to kindle, not to
 quench
 
    Sena. To vnbuild the Citie, and to lay all flat
 
    Scici. What is the Citie, but the People?
   All. True, the People are the Citie
 
    Brut. By the consent of all, we were establish'd the
 Peoples Magistrates
 
    All. You so remaine
 
    Mene. And so are like to doe
 
    Com. That is the way to lay the Citie flat,
 To bring the Roofe to the Foundation,
 And burie all, which yet distinctly raunges
 In heapes, and piles of Ruine
 
    Scici. This deserues Death
 
    Brut. Or let vs stand to our Authoritie,
 Or let vs lose it: we doe here pronounce,
 Vpon the part o'th' People, in whose power
 We were elected theirs, Martius is worthy
 Of present Death
 
    Scici. Therefore lay hold of him:
 Beare him toth' Rock Tarpeian, and from thence
 Into destruction cast him
 
    Brut. aediles seize him
 
    All Ple. Yeeld Martius, yeeld
 
    Mene. Heare me one word, 'beseech you Tribunes,
 heare me but a word
 
    Aediles. Peace, peace
 
    Mene. Be that you seeme, truly your Countries friend,
 And temp'rately proceed to what you would
 Thus violently redresse
 
    Brut. Sir, those cold wayes,
 That seeme like prudent helpes, are very poysonous,
 Where the Disease is violent. Lay hands vpon him,
 And beare him to the Rock.
 
 Corio. drawes his Sword.
 
   Corio. No, Ile die here:
 There's some among you haue beheld me fighting,
 Come trie vpon your selues, what you haue seene me
 
    Mene. Downe with that Sword, Tribunes withdraw
 a while
 
    Brut. Lay hands vpon him
 
    Mene. Helpe Martius, helpe: you that be noble, helpe
 him young and old
 
    All. Downe with him, downe with him.
 
 Exeunt.
 
 In this Mutinie, the Tribunes, the aediles, and the People are beat
 in.
 
   Mene. Goe, get you to our House: be gone, away.
 All will be naught else
 
    2.Sena. Get you gone
 
    Com. Stand fast, we haue as many friends as enemies
 
    Mene. Shall it be put to that?
   Sena. The Gods forbid:
 I prythee noble friend, home to thy House,
 Leaue vs to cure this Cause
 
    Mene. For 'tis a Sore vpon vs,
 You cannot Tent your selfe: be gone, 'beseech you
 
    Corio. Come Sir, along with vs
 
    Mene. I would they were Barbarians, as they are,
 Though in Rome litter'd: not Romans, as they are not,
 Though calued i'th' Porch o'th' Capitoll:
 Be gone, put not your worthy Rage into your Tongue,
 One time will owe another
 
    Corio. On faire ground, I could beat fortie of them
 
    Mene. I could my selfe take vp a Brace o'th' best of
 them, yea, the two Tribunes
 
    Com. But now 'tis oddes beyond Arithmetick,
 And Manhood is call'd Foolerie, when it stands
 Against a falling Fabrick. Will you hence,
 Before the Tagge returne? whose Rage doth rend
 Like interrupted Waters, and o're-beare
 What they are vs'd to beare
 
    Mene. Pray you be gone:
 Ile trie whether my old Wit be in request
 With those that haue but little: this must be patcht
 With Cloth of any Colour
 
    Com. Nay, come away.
 
 Exeunt. Coriolanus and Cominius.
 
   Patri. This man ha's marr'd his fortune
 
    Mene. His nature is too noble for the World:
 He would not flatter Neptune for his Trident,
 Or Ioue, for's power to Thunder: his Heart's his Mouth:
 What his Brest forges, that his Tongue must vent,
 And being angry, does forget that euer
 He heard the Name of Death.
 
 A Noise within.
 
 Here's goodly worke
 
    Patri. I would they were a bed
 
    Mene. I would they were in Tyber.
 What the vengeance, could he not speake 'em faire?
 Enter Brutus and Sicinius with the rabble againe.
 
   Sicin. Where is this Viper,
 That would depopulate the city, & be euery man himself
   Mene. You worthy Tribunes
 
    Sicin. He shall be throwne downe the Tarpeian rock
 With rigorous hands: he hath resisted Law,
 And therefore Law shall scorne him further Triall
 Then the seuerity of the publike Power,
 Which he so sets at naught
 
    1 Cit. He shall well know the Noble Tribunes are
 The peoples mouths, and we their hands
 
    All. He shall sure ont
 
    Mene. Sir, sir
 
    Sicin. Peace
 
    Me. Do not cry hauocke, where you shold but hunt
 With modest warrant
 
    Sicin. Sir, how com'st that you haue holpe
 To make this rescue?
   Mene. Heere me speake? As I do know
 The Consuls worthinesse, so can I name his Faults
 
    Sicin. Consull? what Consull?
   Mene. The Consull Coriolanus
 
    Bru. He Consull
 
    All. No, no, no, no, no
 
    Mene. If by the Tribunes leaue,
 And yours good people,
 I may be heard, I would craue a word or two,
 The which shall turne you to no further harme,
 Then so much losse of time
 
    Sic. Speake breefely then,
 For we are peremptory to dispatch
 This Viporous Traitor: to eiect him hence
 Were but one danger, and to keepe him heere
 Our certaine death: therefore it is decreed,
 He dyes to night
 
    Menen. Now the good Gods forbid,
 That our renowned Rome, whose gratitude
 Towards her deserued Children, is enroll'd
 In Ioues owne Booke, like an vnnaturall Dam
 Should now eate vp her owne
 
    Sicin. He's a Disease that must be cut away
 
    Mene. Oh he's a Limbe, that ha's but a Disease
 Mortall, to cut it off: to cure it, easie.
 What ha's he done to Rome, that's worthy death?
 Killing our Enemies, the blood he hath lost
 (Which I dare vouch, is more then that he hath
 By many an Ounce) he dropp'd it for his Country:
 And what is left, to loose it by his Countrey,
 Were to vs all that doo't, and suffer it
 A brand to th' end a'th World
 
    Sicin. This is cleane kamme
 
    Brut. Meerely awry:
 When he did loue his Country, it honour'd him
 
    Menen. The seruice of the foote
 Being once gangren'd, is not then respected
 For what before it was
 
    Bru. Wee'l heare no more:
 Pursue him to his house, and plucke him thence,
 Least his infection being of catching nature,
 Spred further
 
    Menen. One word more, one word:
 This Tiger-footed-rage, when it shall find
 The harme of vnskan'd swiftnesse, will (too late)
 Tye Leaden pounds too's heeles. Proceed by Processe,
 Least parties (as he is belou'd) breake out,
 And sacke great Rome with Romanes
 
    Brut. If it were so?
   Sicin. What do ye talke?
 Haue we not had a taste of his Obedience?
 Our Ediles smot: our selues resisted: come
 
    Mene. Consider this: He ha's bin bred i'th' Warres
 Since a could draw a Sword, and is ill-school'd
 In boulted Language: Meale and Bran together
 He throwes without distinction. Giue me leaue,
 Ile go to him, and vndertake to bring him in peace,
 Where he shall answer by a lawfull Forme
 (In peace) to his vtmost perill
 
    1.Sen. Noble Tribunes,
 It is the humane way: the other course
 Will proue to bloody: and the end of it,
 Vnknowne to the Beginning
 
    Sic. Noble Menenius, be you then as the peoples officer:
 Masters, lay downe your Weapons
 
    Bru. Go not home
 
    Sic. Meet on the Market place: wee'l attend you there:
 Where if you bring not Martius, wee'l proceede
 In our first way
 
    Menen. Ile bring him to you.
 Let me desire your company: he must come,
 Or what is worst will follow
 
    Sena. Pray you let's to him.
 
 Exeunt. Omnes.
 
 Enter Coriolanus with Nobles.
 
   Corio. Let them pull all about mine eares, present me
 Death on the Wheele, or at wilde Horses heeles,
 Or pile ten hilles on the Tarpeian Rocke,
 That the precipitation might downe stretch
 Below the beame of sight; yet will I still
 Be thus to them.
 Enter Volumnia.
 
   Noble. You do the Nobler
 
    Corio. I muse my Mother
 Do's not approue me further, who was wont
 To call them Wollen Vassailes, things created
 To buy and sell with Groats, to shew bare heads
 In Congregations, to yawne, be still, and wonder,
 When one but of my ordinance stood vp
 To speake of Peace, or Warre. I talke of you,
 Why did you wish me milder? Would you haue me
 False to my Nature? Rather say, I play
 The man I am
 
    Volum. Oh sir, sir, sir,
 I would haue had you put your power well on
 Before you had worne it out
 
    Corio. Let go
 
    Vol. You might haue beene enough the man you are,
 With striuing lesse to be so: Lesser had bin
 The things of your dispositions, if
 You had not shew'd them how ye were dispos'd
 Ere they lack'd power to crosse you
 
    Corio. Let them hang
 
    Volum. I, and burne too.
 Enter Menenius with the Senators.
 
   Men. Come, come, you haue bin too rough, somthing
 too rough: you must returne, and mend it
 
    Sen. There's no remedy,
 Vnlesse by not so doing, our good Citie
 Cleaue in the midd'st, and perish
 
    Volum. Pray be counsail'd;
 I haue a heart as little apt as yours,
 But yet a braine, that leades my vse of Anger
 To better vantage
 
    Mene. Well said, Noble woman:
 Before he should thus stoope to'th' heart, but that
 The violent fit a'th' time craues it as Physicke
 For the whole State; I would put mine Armour on,
 Which I can scarsely beare
 
    Corio. What must I do?
   Mene. Returne to th' Tribunes
 
    Corio. Well, what then? what then?
   Mene. Repent, what you haue spoke
 
    Corio. For them, I cannot do it to the Gods,
 Must I then doo't to them?
   Volum. You are too absolute,
 Though therein you can neuer be too Noble,
 But when extremities speake. I haue heard you say,
 Honor and Policy, like vnseuer'd Friends,
 I'th' Warre do grow together: Grant that, and tell me
 In Peace, what each of them by th' other loose,
 That they combine not there?
   Corio. Tush, tush
 
    Mene. A good demand
 
    Volum. If it be Honor in your Warres, to seeme
 The same you are not, which for your best ends
 You adopt your policy: How is it lesse or worse
 That it shall hold Companionship in Peace
 With Honour, as in Warre; since that to both
 It stands in like request
 
    Corio. Why force you this?
   Volum. Because, that
 Now it lyes you on to speake to th' people:
 Not by your owne instruction, nor by'th' matter
 Which your heart prompts you, but with such words
 That are but roated in your Tongue;
 Though but Bastards, and Syllables
 Of no allowance, to your bosomes truth.
 Now, this no more dishonors you at all,
 Then to take in a Towne with gentle words,
 Which else would put you to your fortune, and
 The hazard of much blood.
 I would dissemble with my Nature, where
 My Fortunes and my Friends at stake, requir'd
 I should do so in Honor. I am in this
 Your Wife, your Sonne: These Senators, the Nobles,
 And you, will rather shew our generall Lowts,
 How you can frowne, then spend a fawne vpon 'em,
 For the inheritance of their loues, and safegard
 Of what that want might ruine
 
    Menen. Noble Lady,
 Come goe with vs, speake faire: you may salue so,
 Not what is dangerous present, but the losse
 Of what is past
 
    Volum. I prythee now, my Sonne,
 Goe to them, with this Bonnet in thy hand,
 And thus farre hauing stretcht it (here be with them)
 Thy Knee bussing the stones: for in such businesse
 Action is eloquence, and the eyes of th' ignorant
 More learned then the eares, wauing thy head,
 Which often thus correcting thy stout heart,
 Now humble as the ripest Mulberry,
 That will not hold the handling: or say to them,
 Thou art their Souldier, and being bred in broyles,
 Hast not the soft way, which thou do'st confesse
 Were fit for thee to vse, as they to clayme,
 In asking their good loues, but thou wilt frame
 Thy selfe (forsooth) hereafter theirs so farre,
 As thou hast power and person
 
    Menen. This but done,
 Euen as she speakes, why their hearts were yours:
 For they haue Pardons, being ask'd, as free,
 As words to little purpose
 
    Volum. Prythee now,
 Goe, and be rul'd: although I know thou hadst rather
 Follow thine Enemie in a fierie Gulfe,
 Then flatter him in a Bower.
 Enter Cominius.
 
 Here is Cominius
 
    Com. I haue beene i'th' Market place: and Sir 'tis fit
 You make strong partie, or defend your selfe
 By calmenesse, or by absence: all's in anger
 
    Menen. Onely faire speech
 
    Com. I thinke 'twill serue, if he can thereto frame his
 spirit
 
    Volum. He must, and will:
 Prythee now say you will, and goe about it
 
    Corio. Must I goe shew them my vnbarb'd Sconce?
 Must I with my base Tongue giue to my Noble Heart
 A Lye, that it must beare well? I will doo't:
 Yet were there but this single Plot, to loose
 This Mould of Martius, they to dust should grinde it,
 And throw't against the Winde. Toth' Market place:
 You haue put me now to such a part, which neuer
 I shall discharge toth' Life
 
    Com. Come, come, wee'le prompt you
 
    Volum. I prythee now sweet Son, as thou hast said
 My praises made thee first a Souldier; so
 To haue my praise for this, performe a part
 Thou hast not done before
 
    Corio. Well, I must doo't:
 Away my disposition, and possesse me
 Some Harlots spirit: My throat of Warre be turn'd,
 Which quier'd with my Drumme into a Pipe,
 Small as an Eunuch, or the Virgin voyce
 That Babies lull a-sleepe: The smiles of Knaues
 Tent in my cheekes, and Schoole-boyes Teares take vp
 The Glasses of my sight: A Beggars Tongue
 Make motion through my Lips, and my Arm'd knees
 Who bow'd but in my Stirrop, bend like his
 That hath receiu'd an Almes. I will not doo't,
 Least I surcease to honor mine owne truth,
 And by my Bodies action, teach my Minde
 A most inherent Basenesse
 
    Volum. At thy choice then:
 To begge of thee, it is my more dis-honor,
 Then thou of them. Come all to ruine, let
 Thy Mother rather feele thy Pride, then feare
 Thy dangerous Stoutnesse: for I mocke at death
 With as bigge heart as thou. Do as thou list,
 Thy Valiantnesse was mine, thou suck'st it from me:
 But owe thy Pride thy selfe
 
    Corio. Pray be content:
 Mother, I am going to the Market place:
 Chide me no more. Ile Mountebanke their Loues,
 Cogge their Hearts from them, and come home belou'd
 Of all the Trades in Rome. Looke, I am going:
 Commend me to my Wife, Ile returne Consull,
 Or neuer trust to what my Tongue can do
 I'th way of Flattery further
 
    Volum. Do your will.
 
 Exit Volumnia
 
   Com. Away, the Tribunes do attend you: arm your self
 To answer mildely: for they are prepar'd
 With Accusations, as I heare more strong
 Then are vpon you yet
 
    Corio. The word is, Mildely. Pray you let vs go,
 Let them accuse me by inuention: I
 Will answer in mine Honor
 
    Menen. I, but mildely
 
    Corio. Well mildely be it then, Mildely.
 
 Exeunt.
 
 Enter Sicinius and Brutus.
 
   Bru. In this point charge him home, that he affects
 Tyrannicall power: If he euade vs there,
 Inforce him with his enuy to the people,
 And that the Spoile got on the Antiats
 Was ne're distributed. What, will he come?
 Enter an Edile.
 
   Edile. Hee's comming
 
    Bru. How accompanied?
   Edile. With old Menenius, and those Senators
 That alwayes fauour'd him
 
    Sicin. Haue you a Catalogue
 Of all the Voices that we haue procur'd, set downe by'th Pole?
   Edile. I haue: 'tis ready
 
    Sicin. Haue you collected them by Tribes?
   Edile. I haue
 
    Sicin. Assemble presently the people hither:
 And when they heare me say, it shall be so,
 I'th' right and strength a'th' Commons: be it either
 For death, for fine, or Banishment, then let them
 If I say Fine, cry Fine; if Death, cry Death,
 Insisting on the olde prerogatiue
 And power i'th Truth a'th Cause
 
    Edile. I shall informe them
 
    Bru. And when such time they haue begun to cry,
 Let them not cease, but with a dinne confus'd
 Inforce the present Execution
 Of what we chance to Sentence
 
    Edi. Very well
 
    Sicin. Make them be strong, and ready for this hint
 When we shall hap to giu't them
 
    Bru. Go about it,
 Put him to Choller straite, he hath bene vs'd
 Euer to conquer, and to haue his worth
 Of contradiction. Being once chaft, he cannot
 Be rein'd againe to Temperance, then he speakes
 What's in his heart, and that is there which lookes
 With vs to breake his necke.
 Enter Coriolanus, Menenius, and Cominius, with others.
 
   Sicin. Well, heere he comes
 
    Mene. Calmely, I do beseech you
 
    Corio. I, as an Hostler, that fourth poorest peece
 Will beare the Knaue by'th Volume:
 Th' honor'd Goddes
 Keepe Rome in safety, and the Chaires of Iustice
 Supplied with worthy men, plant loue amongs
 Through our large Temples with y shewes of peace
 And not our streets with Warre
 
    1 Sen. Amen, Amen
 
    Mene. A Noble wish.
 Enter the Edile with the Plebeians.
 
   Sicin. Draw neere ye people
 
    Edile. List to your Tribunes. Audience:
 Peace I say
 
    Corio. First heare me speake
 
    Both Tri. Well, say: Peace hoe
 
    Corio. Shall I be charg'd no further then this present?
 Must all determine heere?
   Sicin. I do demand,
 If you submit you to the peoples voices,
 Allow their Officers, and are content
 To suffer lawfull Censure for such faults
 As shall be prou'd vpon you
 
    Corio. I am Content
 
    Mene. Lo Citizens, he sayes he is Content.
 The warlike Seruice he ha's done, consider: Thinke
 Vpon the wounds his body beares, which shew
 Like Graues i'th holy Church-yard
 
    Corio. Scratches with Briars, scarres to moue
 Laughter onely
 
    Mene. Consider further:
 That when he speakes not like a Citizen,
 You finde him like a Soldier: do not take
 His rougher Actions for malicious sounds:
 But as I say, such as become a Soldier,
 Rather then enuy you
 
    Com. Well, well, no more
 
    Corio. What is the matter,
 That being past for Consull with full voyce:
 I am so dishonour'd, that the very houre
 You take it off againe
 
    Sicin. Answer to vs
 
    Corio. Say then: 'tis true, I ought so
   Sicin. We charge you, that you haue contriu'd to take
 From Rome all season'd Office, and to winde
 Your selfe into a power tyrannicall,
 For which you are a Traitor to the people
 
    Corio. How? Traytor?
   Mene. Nay temperately: your promise
 
    Corio. The fires i'th' lowest hell. Fould in the people:
 Call me their Traitor, thou iniurious Tribune.
 Within thine eyes sate twenty thousand deaths
 In thy hands clutcht: as many Millions in
 Thy lying tongue, both numbers. I would say
 Thou lyest vnto thee, with a voice as free,
 As I do pray the Gods
 
    Sicin. Marke you this people?
   All. To'th' Rocke, to'th' Rocke with him
 
    Sicin. Peace:
 We neede not put new matter to his charge:
 What you haue seene him do, and heard him speake:
 Beating your Officers, cursing your selues,
 Opposing Lawes with stroakes, and heere defying
 Those whose great power must try him.
 Euen this so criminall, and in such capitall kinde
 Deserues th' extreamest death
 
    Bru. But since he hath seru'd well for Rome
 
    Corio. What do you prate of Seruice
 
    Brut. I talke of that, that know it
 
    Corio. You?
   Mene. Is this the promise that you made your mother
 
    Com. Know, I pray you
 
    Corio. Ile know no further:
 Let them pronounce the steepe Tarpeian death,
 Vagabond exile, Fleaing, pent to linger
 But with a graine a day, I would not buy
 Their mercie, at the price of one faire word,
 Nor checke my Courage for what they can giue,
 To haue't with saying, Good morrow
 
    Sicin. For that he ha's
 (As much as in him lies) from time to time
 Enui'd against the people; seeking meanes
 To plucke away their power: as now at last,
 Giuen Hostile strokes, and that not in the presence
 Of dreaded Iustice, but on the Ministers
 That doth distribute it. In the name a'th' people,
 And in the power of vs the Tribunes, wee
 (Eu'n from this instant) banish him our Citie
 In perill of precipitation
 From off the Rocke Tarpeian, neuer more
 To enter our Rome gates. I'th' Peoples name,
 I say it shall bee so
 
    All. It shall be so, it shall be so: let him away:
 Hee's banish'd, and it shall be so
 
    Com. Heare me my Masters, and my common friends
 
    Sicin. He's sentenc'd: No more hearing
 
    Com. Let me speake:
 I haue bene Consull, and can shew from Rome
 Her Enemies markes vpon me. I do loue
 My Countries good, with a respect more tender,
 More holy, and profound, then mine owne life,
 My deere Wiues estimate, her wombes encrease,
 And treasure of my Loynes: then if I would
 Speake that
 
    Sicin. We know your drift. Speake what?
   Bru. There's no more to be said, but he is banish'd
 As Enemy to the people, and his Countrey.
 It shall bee so
 
    All. It shall be so, it shall be so
 
    Corio. You common cry of Curs, whose breath I hate,
 As reeke a'th' rotten Fennes: whose Loues I prize,
 As the dead Carkasses of vnburied men,
 That do corrupt my Ayre: I banish you,
 And heere remaine with your vncertaintie.
 Let euery feeble Rumor shake your hearts:
 Your Enemies, with nodding of their Plumes
 Fan you into dispaire: Haue the power still
 To banish your Defenders, till at length
 Your ignorance (which findes not till it feeles,
 Making but reseruation of your selues,
 Still your owne Foes) deliuer you
 As most abated Captiues, to some Nation
 That wonne you without blowes, despising
 For you the City. Thus I turne my backe;
 There is a world elsewhere.
 
 Exeunt. Coriolanus, Cominius, with Cumalijs. They all shout, and
 throw vp
 their Caps.
 
   Edile. The peoples Enemy is gone, is gone
 
    All. Our enemy is banish'd, he is gone: Hoo, oo
 
    Sicin. Go see him out at Gates, and follow him
 As he hath follow'd you, with all despight
 Giue him deseru'd vexation. Let a guard
 Attend vs through the City
 
    All. Come, come, lets see him out at gates, come:
 The Gods preserue our Noble Tribunes, come.
 
 Exeunt.
 
 
 Actus Quartus.
 
 Enter Coriolanus, Volumnia, Virgilia, Menenius, Cominius, with
 the yong
 Nobility of Rome.
 
   Corio. Come leaue your teares: a brief farwel: the beast
 With many heads butts me away. Nay Mother,
 Where is your ancient Courage? You were vs'd
 To say, Extreamities was the trier of spirits,
 That common chances. Common men could beare,
 That when the Sea was calme, all Boats alike
 Shew'd Mastership in floating. Fortunes blowes,
 When most strooke home, being gentle wounded, craues
 A Noble cunning. You were vs'd to load me
 With Precepts that would make inuincible
 The heart that conn'd them
 
    Virg. Oh heauens! O heauens!
   Corio. Nay, I prythee woman
 
    Vol. Now the Red Pestilence strike al Trades in Rome,
 And Occupations perish
 
    Corio. What, what, what:
 I shall be lou'd when I am lack'd. Nay Mother,
 Resume that Spirit, when you were wont to say,
 If you had beene the Wife of Hercules,
 Six of his Labours youl'd haue done, and sau'd
 Your Husband so much swet. Cominius,
 Droope not, Adieu: Farewell my Wife, my Mother,
 Ile do well yet. Thou old and true Menenius,
 Thy teares are salter then a yonger mans,
 And venomous to thine eyes. My (sometime) Generall,
 I haue seene the Sterne, and thou hast oft beheld
 Heart-hardning spectacles. Tell these sad women,
 Tis fond to waile ineuitable strokes,
 As 'tis to laugh at 'em. My Mother, you wot well
 My hazards still haue beene your solace, and
 Beleeu't not lightly, though I go alone
 Like to a lonely Dragon, that his Fenne
 Makes fear'd, and talk'd of more then seene: your Sonne
 Will or exceed the Common, or be caught
 With cautelous baits and practice
 
    Volum. My first sonne,
 Whether will thou go? Take good Cominius
 With thee awhile: Determine on some course
 More then a wilde exposture, to each chance
 That starts i'th' way before thee
 
    Corio. O the Gods!
   Com. Ile follow thee a Moneth, deuise with thee
 Where thou shalt rest, that thou may'st heare of vs,
 And we of thee. So if the time thrust forth
 A cause for thy Repeale, we shall not send
 O're the vast world, to seeke a single man,
 And loose aduantage, which doth euer coole
 Ith' absence of the needer
 
    Corio. Fare ye well:
 Thou hast yeares vpon thee, and thou art too full
 Of the warres surfets, to go roue with one
 That's yet vnbruis'd: bring me but out at gate.
 Come my sweet wife, my deerest Mother, and
 My Friends of Noble touch: when I am forth,
 Bid me farewell, and smile. I pray you come:
 While I remaine aboue the ground, you shall
 Heare from me still, and neuer of me ought
 But what is like me formerly
 
    Menen. That's worthily
 As any eare can heare. Come, let's not weepe,
 If I could shake off but one seuen yeeres
 From these old armes and legges, by the good Gods
 I'ld with thee, euery foot
 
    Corio. Giue me thy hand, come.
 
 Exeunt.
 
 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
 In 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,
 And 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?
   Sicin. 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
 
    Volum. 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?
   Volum. 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!
   Volum. Moe Noble blowes, then euer y 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
 
    Sicin. What then?
   Virg. When 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
 
    Sicin. 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 thou incenst the rable.
 Cats, 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.
 You 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 Ladies Husband heere; this (do you see)
 Whom you haue banish'd, does exceed you all
 
    Bru. 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,
 But 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
 
    Volum. 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.
 Enter.
 
 Enter a Roman, and a Volce.
 
   Rom. I know you well sir, and you know mee: your
 name I thinke is Adrian
 
    Volce. It is so sir, truly I haue forgot you
 
    Rom. I am a Roman, and my Seruices are as you are,
 against 'em. Know you me yet
 
    Volce. Nicanor: no
 
    Rom. The same sir
 
    Volce. You had more Beard when I last saw you, but
 your Fauour is well appear'd by your Tongue. What's
 the Newes in Rome: I haue a Note from the Volcean
 state to finde you out there. You haue well saued mee a
 dayes iourney
 
    Rom. There hath beene in Rome straunge Insurrections:
 The people, against the Senatours, Patricians, and
 Nobles
 
    Vol. Hath bin; is it ended then? Our State thinks not
 so, they are in a most warlike preparation, & hope to com
 vpon them, in the heate of their diuision
   Rom. The maine blaze of it is past, but a small thing
 would make it flame againe. For the Nobles receyue so
 to heart, the Banishment of that worthy Coriolanus, that
 they are in a ripe aptnesse, to take al power from the people,
 and to plucke from them their Tribunes for euer.
 This lyes glowing I can tell you, and is almost mature for
 the violent breaking out
 
    Vol. Coriolanus Banisht?
   Rom. Banish'd sir
 
    Vol. You will be welcome with this intelligence Nicanor
 
    Rom. The day serues well for them now. I haue heard
 it saide, the fittest time to corrupt a mans Wife, is when
 shee's falne out with her Husband. Your Noble Tullus
 Auffidius will appeare well in these Warres, his great
 Opposer Coriolanus being now in no request of his countrey
 
    Volce. He cannot choose: I am most fortunate, thus
 accidentally to encounter you. You haue ended my Businesse,
 and I will merrily accompany you home
 
    Rom. I shall betweene this and Supper, tell you most
 strange things from Rome: all tending to the good of
 their Aduersaries. Haue you an Army ready say you?
   Vol. A most Royall one: The Centurions, and their
 charges distinctly billetted already in th' entertainment,
 and to be on foot at an houres warning
 
    Rom. I am ioyfull to heare of their readinesse, and am
 the man I thinke, that shall set them in present Action. So
 sir, heartily well met, and most glad of your Company
 
    Volce. You take my part from me sir, I haue the most
 cause to be glad of yours
 
    Rom. Well, let vs go together.
 
 Exeunt.
 
 Enter Coriolanus in meane Apparrell, disguisd, and muffled.
 
   Corio. A goodly City is this Antium. Citty,
 'Tis I that made thy Widdowes: Many an heyre
 Of these faire Edifices fore my Warres
 Haue I heard groane, and drop: Then know me not,
 Least that thy Wiues with Spits, and Boyes with stones
 In puny Battell slay me. Saue you sir.
 Enter a Citizen.
 
   Cit. And you
 
    Corio. Direct me, if it be your will, where great Auffidius
 lies: Is he in Antium?
   Cit. He is, and Feasts the Nobles of the State, at his
 house this night
 
    Corio. Which is his house, beseech you?
   Cit. This heere before you
 
    Corio. Thanke you sir, farewell.
 
 Exit Citizen
 
 Oh World, thy slippery turnes! Friends now fast sworn,
 Whose double bosomes seemes to weare one heart,
 Whose Houres, whose Bed, whose Meale and Exercise
 Are still together: who Twin (as 'twere) in Loue,
 Vnseparable, shall within this houre,
 On a dissention of a Doit, breake out
 To bitterest Enmity: So fellest Foes,
 Whose Passions, and whose Plots haue broke their sleep
 To take the one the other, by some chance,
 Some tricke not worth an Egge, shall grow deere friends
 And inter-ioyne their yssues. So with me,
 My Birth-place haue I, and my loues vpon
 This Enemie Towne: Ile enter, if he slay me
 He does faire Iustice: if he giue me way,
 Ile do his Country Seruice.
 
 Enter.
 
 Musicke playes. Enter a Seruingman.
 
   1 Ser. Wine, Wine, Wine: What seruice is heere? I
 thinke our Fellowes are asleepe.
 
 Enter another Seruingman.
 
   2 Ser. Where's Cotus: my M[aster]. cals for him: Cotus.
 
 Exit
 
 Enter Coriolanus.
 
   Corio. A goodly House:
 The Feast smels well: but I appeare not like a Guest.
 Enter the first Seruingman.
 
   1 Ser. What would you haue Friend? whence are you?
 Here's no place for you: pray go to the doore?
 
 Exit
 
   Corio. I haue deseru'd no better entertainment, in being
 Coriolanus.
 Enter second Seruant.
 
   2 Ser. Whence are you sir? Ha's the Porter his eyes in
 his head, that he giues entrance to such Companions?
 Pray get you out
 
    Corio. Away
 
    2 Ser. Away? Get you away
 
    Corio. Now th'art troublesome
 
    2 Ser. Are you so braue: Ile haue you talkt with anon
 Enter 3 Seruingman, the 1 meets him.
 
   3 What Fellowes this?
   1 A strange one as euer I look'd on: I cannot get him
 out o'thhouse: Prythee call my Master to him
 
    3 What haue you to do here fellow? Pray you auoid
 the house
 
    Corio. Let me but stand, I will not hurt your Harth
 
    3 What are you?
   Corio. A Gentleman
 
    3 A maru'llous poore one
 
    Corio. True, so I am
 
    3 Pray you poore Gentleman, take vp some other station:
 Heere's no place for you, pray you auoid: Come
 
    Corio. Follow your Function, go, and batten on colde
 bits.
 
 Pushes him away from him.
 
   3 What you will not? Prythee tell my Maister what
 a strange Guest he ha's heere
 
    2 And I shall.
 
 Exit second Seruingman.
 
   3 Where dwel'st thou?
   Corio. Vnder the Canopy
 
    3 Vnder the Canopy?
   Corio. I
 
    3 Where's that?
   Corio. I'th City of Kites and crowes
 
    3 I'th City of Kites and Crowes? What an Asse it is,
 then thou dwel'st with Dawes too?
   Corio. No, I serue not thy Master
 
    3 How sir? Do you meddle with my Master?
   Corio. I, tis an honester seruice, then to meddle with
 thy Mistris: Thou prat'st, and prat'st, serue with thy trencher:
 Hence.
 
 Beats him away
 
 Enter Auffidius with the Seruingman.
 
   Auf. Where is this Fellow?
   2 Here sir, I'de haue beaten him like a dogge, but for
 disturbing the Lords within
 
    Auf. Whence com'st thou? What wouldst y? Thy name?
 Why speak'st not? Speake man: What's thy name?
   Corio. If Tullus not yet thou know'st me, and seeing
 me, dost not thinke me for the man I am, necessitie commands
 me name my selfe
 
    Auf. What is thy name?
   Corio. A name vnmusicall to the Volcians eares,
 And harsh in sound to thine
 
    Auf. Say, what's thy name?
 Thou hast a Grim apparance, and thy Face
 Beares a Command in't: Though thy Tackles torne,
 Thou shew'st a Noble Vessell: What's thy name?
   Corio. Prepare thy brow to frowne: knowst y me yet?
   Auf. I know thee not? Thy Name:
   Corio. My name is Caius Martius, who hath done
 To thee particularly, and to all the Volces
 Great hurt and Mischiefe: thereto witnesse may
 My Surname Coriolanus. The painfull Seruice,
 The extreme Dangers, and the droppes of Blood
 Shed for my thanklesse Country, are requitted:
 But with that Surname, a good memorie
 And witnesse of the Malice and Displeasure
 Which thou should'st beare me, only that name remains.
 The Cruelty and Enuy of the people,
 Permitted by our dastard Nobles, who
 Haue all forsooke me, hath deuour'd the rest:
 And suffer'd me by th' voyce of Slaues to be
 Hoop'd out of Rome. Now this extremity,
 Hath brought me to thy Harth, not out of Hope
 (Mistake me not) to saue my life: for if
 I had fear'd death, of all the Men i'th' World
 I would haue voided thee. But in meere spight
 To be full quit of those my Banishers,
 Stand I before thee heere: Then if thou hast
 A heart of wreake in thee, that wilt reuenge
 Thine owne particular wrongs, and stop those maimes
 Of shame seene through thy Country, speed thee straight
 And make my misery serue thy turne: So vse it,
 That my reuengefull Seruices may proue
 As Benefits to thee. For I will fight
 Against my Cankred Countrey, with the Spleene
 Of all the vnder Fiends. But if so be,
 Thou dar'st not this, and that to proue more Fortunes
 Th'art tyr'd, then in a word, I also am
 Longer to liue most wearie: and present
 My throat to thee, and to thy Ancient Malice:
 Which not to cut, would shew thee but a Foole,
 Since I haue euer followed thee with hate,
 Drawne Tunnes of Blood out of thy Countries brest,
 And cannot liue but to thy shame, vnlesse
 It be to do thee seruice
 
    Auf. Oh Martius, Martius;
 Each word thou hast spoke, hath weeded from my heart
 A roote of Ancient Enuy. If Iupiter
 Should from yond clowd speake diuine things,
 And say 'tis true; I'de not beleeue them more
 Then thee all-Noble Martius. Let me twine
 Mine armes about that body, where against
 My grained Ash an hundred times hath broke,
 And scarr'd the Moone with splinters: heere I cleep
 The Anuile of my Sword, and do contest
 As hotly, and as Nobly with thy Loue,
 As euer in Ambitious strength, I did
 Contend against thy Valour. Know thou first,
 I lou'd the Maid I married: neuer man
 Sigh'd truer breath. But that I see thee heere
 Thou Noble thing, more dances my rapt heart,
 Then when I first my wedded Mistris saw
 Bestride my Threshold. Why, thou Mars I tell thee,
 We haue a Power on foote: and I had purpose
 Once more to hew thy Target from thy Brawne,
 Or loose mine Arme for't: Thou hast beate mee out
 Twelue seuerall times, and I haue nightly since
 Dreamt of encounters 'twixt thy selfe and me:
 We haue beene downe together in my sleepe,
 Vnbuckling Helmes, fisting each others Throat,
 And wak'd halfe dead with nothing. Worthy Martius,
 Had we no other quarrell else to Rome, but that
 Thou art thence Banish'd, we would muster all
 From twelue, to seuentie: and powring Warre
 Into the bowels of vngratefull Rome,
 Like a bold Flood o're-beate. Oh come, go in,
 And take our friendly Senators by'th' hands
 Who now are heere, taking their leaues of mee,
 Who am prepar'd against your Territories,
 Though not for Rome it selfe
 
    Corio. You blesse me Gods
 
    Auf. Therefore most absolute Sir, if thou wilt haue
 The leading of thine owne Reuenges, take
 Th' one halfe of my Commission, and set downe
 As best thou art experienc'd, since thou know'st
 Thy Countries strength and weaknesse, thine own waies
 Whether to knocke against the Gates of Rome,
 Or rudely visit them in parts remote,
 To fright them, ere destroy. But come in,
 Let me commend thee first, to those that shall
 Say yea to thy desires. A thousand welcomes,
 And more a Friend, then ere an Enemie,
 Yet Martius that was much. Your hand: most welcome.
 
 Exeunt.
 
 Enter two of the Seruingmen.
 
   1 Heere's a strange alteration?
   2 By my hand, I had thoght to haue stroken him with
 a Cudgell, and yet my minde gaue me, his cloathes made
 a false report of him
 
    1 What an Arme he has, he turn'd me about with his
 finger and his thumbe, as one would set vp a Top
 
    2 Nay, I knew by his face that there was some-thing
 in him. He had sir, a kinde of face me thought, I cannot
 tell how to tearme it
 
    1 He had so, looking as it were, would I were hang'd
 but I thought there was more in him, then I could think
 
    2 So did I, Ile be sworne: He is simply the rarest man
 i'th' world
 
    1 I thinke he is: but a greater soldier then he,
 You wot one
 
    2 Who my Master?
   1 Nay, it's no matter for that
 
    2 Worth six on him
 
    1 Nay not so neither: but I take him to be the greater
 Souldiour
 
    2 Faith looke you, one cannot tell how to say that: for
 the Defence of a Towne, our Generall is excellent
 
    1 I, and for an assault too.
 Enter the third Seruingman.
 
   3 Oh Slaues, I can tell you Newes, News you Rascals
   Both. What, what, what? Let's partake
 
    3 I would not be a Roman of all Nations; I had as
 liue be a condemn'd man
 
    Both. Wherefore? Wherefore?
   3 Why here's he that was wont to thwacke our Generall,
 Caius Martius
 
    1 Why do you say, thwacke our Generall?
   3 I do not say thwacke our Generall, but he was alwayes
 good enough for him
   2 Come we are fellowes and friends: he was euer too
 hard for him, I haue heard him say so himselfe
 
    1 He was too hard for him directly, to say the Troth
 on't before Corioles, he scotcht him, and notcht him like a
 Carbinado
 
    2 And hee had bin Cannibally giuen, hee might haue
 boyld and eaten him too
 
    1 But more of thy Newes
 
    3 Why he is so made on heere within, as if hee were
 Son and Heire to Mars, set at vpper end o'th' Table: No
 question askt him by any of the Senators, but they stand
 bald before him. Our Generall himselfe makes a Mistris
 of him, Sanctifies himselfe with's hand, and turnes vp the
 white o'th' eye to his Discourse. But the bottome of the
 Newes is, our Generall is cut i'th' middle, & but one halfe
 of what he was yesterday. For the other ha's halfe, by
 the intreaty and graunt of the whole Table. Hee'l go he
 sayes, and sole the Porter of Rome Gates by th' eares. He
 will mowe all downe before him, and leaue his passage
 poul'd
 
    2 And he's as like to do't, as any man I can imagine
 
    3 Doo't? he will doo't: for look you sir, he has as many
 Friends as Enemies: which Friends sir as it were, durst
 not (looke you sir) shew themselues (as we terme it) his
 Friends, whilest he's in Directitude
 
    1 Directitude? What's that?
   3 But when they shall see sir, his Crest vp againe, and
 the man in blood, they will out of their Burroughes (like
 Conies after Raine) and reuell all with him
 
    1 But when goes this forward:
   3 To morrow, to day, presently, you shall haue the
 Drum strooke vp this afternoone: 'Tis as it were a parcel
 of their Feast, and to be executed ere they wipe their lips
 
    2 Why then wee shall haue a stirring World againe:
 This peace is nothing, but to rust Iron, encrease Taylors,
 and breed Ballad-makers
 
    1 Let me haue Warre say I, it exceeds peace as farre
 as day do's night: It's sprightly walking, audible, and full
 of Vent. Peace, is a very Apoplexy, Lethargie, mull'd,
 deafe, sleepe, insensible, a getter of more bastard Children,
 then warres a destroyer of men
 
    2 'Tis so, and as warres in some sort may be saide to
 be a Rauisher, so it cannot be denied, but peace is a great
 maker of Cuckolds
 
    1 I, and it makes men hate one another
 
    3 Reason, because they then lesse neede one another:
 The Warres for my money. I hope to see Romanes as
 cheape as Volcians. They are rising, they are rising
 
    Both. In, in, in, in.
 
 Exeunt.
 
 Enter the two Tribunes, Sicinius, and Brutus.
 
   Sicin. We heare not of him, neither need we fear him,
 His remedies are tame, the present peace,
 And quietnesse of the people, which before
 Were in wilde hurry. Heere do we make his Friends
 Blush, that the world goes well: who rather had,
 Though they themselues did suffer by't, behold
 Dissentious numbers pestring streets, then see
 Our Tradesmen singing in their shops, and going
 About their Functions friendly.
 Enter Menenius.
 
   Bru. We stood too't in good time. Is this Menenius?
   Sicin. 'Tis he, 'tis he: O he is grown most kind of late:
 Haile Sir
 
    Mene. Haile to you both
 
    Sicin. Your Coriolanus is not much mist, but with his
 Friends: the Commonwealth doth stand, and so would
 do, were he more angry at it
 
    Mene. All's well, and might haue bene much better,
 if he could haue temporiz'd
 
    Sicin. Where is he, heare you?
   Mene. Nay I heare nothing:
 His Mother and his wife, heare nothing from him.
 Enter three or foure Citizens.
 
   All. The Gods preserue you both
 
    Sicin. Gooden our Neighbours
 
    Bru. Gooden to you all, gooden to you all
 
    1 Our selues, our wiues, and children, on our knees,
 Are bound to pray for you both
 
    Sicin. Liue, and thriue
 
    Bru. Farewell kinde Neighbours:
 We wisht Coriolanus had lou'd you as we did
 
    All. Now the Gods keepe you
 
    Both Tri. Farewell, farewell.
 
 Exeunt. Citizens
 
   Sicin. This is a happier and more comely time,
 Then when these Fellowes ran about the streets,
 Crying Confusion
 
    Bru. Caius Martius was
 A worthy Officer i'th' Warre, but Insolent,
 O'recome with Pride, Ambitious, past all thinking
 Selfe-louing
 
    Sicin. And affecting one sole Throne, without assista[n]ce
   Mene. I thinke not so
 
    Sicin. We should by this, to all our Lamention,
 If he had gone forth Consull, found it so
 
    Bru. The Gods haue well preuented it, and Rome
 Sits safe and still, without him.
 Enter an aedile.
 
   Aedile. Worthy Tribunes,
 There is a Slaue whom we haue put in prison,
 Reports the Volces with two seuerall Powers
 Are entred in the Roman Territories,
 And with the deepest malice of the Warre,
 Destroy, what lies before' em
 
    Mene. 'Tis Auffidius,
 Who hearing of our Martius Banishment,
 Thrusts forth his hornes againe into the world
 Which were In-shell'd, when Martius stood for Rome,
 And durst not once peepe out
 
    Sicin. Come, what talke you of Martius
 
    Bru. Go see this Rumorer whipt, it cannot be,
 The Volces dare breake with vs
 
    Mene. Cannot be?
 We haue Record, that very well it can,
 And three examples of the like, hath beene
 Within my Age. But reason with the fellow
 Before you punish him, where he heard this,
 Least you shall chance to whip your Information,
 And beate the Messenger, who bids beware
 Of what is to be dreaded
 
    Sicin. Tell not me: I know this cannot be
 
    Bru. Not possible.
 Enter a Messenger.
 
   Mes. The Nobles in great earnestnesse are going
 All to the Senate-house: some newes is comming
 That turnes their Countenances
 
    Sicin. 'Tis this Slaue:
 Go whip him fore the peoples eyes: His raising,
 Nothing but his report
 
    Mes. Yes worthy Sir,
 The Slaues report is seconded, and more
 More fearfull is deliuer'd
 
    Sicin. What more fearefull?
   Mes. It is spoke freely out of many mouths,
 How probable I do not know, that Martius
 Ioyn'd with Auffidius, leads a power 'gainst Rome,
 And vowes Reuenge as spacious, as betweene
 The yong'st and oldest thing
 
    Sicin. This is most likely
 
    Bru. Rais'd onely, that the weaker sort may wish
 Good Martius home againe
 
    Sicin. The very tricke on't
 
    Mene. This is vnlikely,
 He, and Auffidius can no more attone
 Then violent'st Contrariety.
 Enter Messenger.
 
   Mes. You are sent for to the Senate:
 A fearefull Army, led by Caius Martius,
 Associated with Auffidius, Rages
 Vpon our Territories, and haue already
 O're-borne their way, consum'd with fire, and tooke
 What lay before them.
 Enter Cominius.
 
   Com. Oh you haue made good worke
 
    Mene. What newes? What newes?
   Com. You haue holp to rauish your owne daughters, &
 To melt the Citty Leades vpon your pates,
 To see your Wiues dishonour'd to your Noses
 
    Mene. What's the newes? What's the newes?
   Com. Your Temples burned in their Ciment, and
 Your Franchises, whereon you stood, confin'd
 Into an Augors boare
 
    Mene. Pray now, your Newes:
 You haue made faire worke I feare me: pray your newes,
 If Martius should be ioyn'd with Volceans
 
    Com. If? He is their God, he leads them like a thing
 Made by some other Deity then Nature,
 That shapes man Better: and they follow him
 Against vs Brats, with no lesse Confidence,
 Then Boyes pursuing Summer Butter-flies,
 Or Butchers killing Flyes
 
    Mene. You haue made good worke,
 You and your Apron men: you, that stood so much
 Vpon the voyce of occupation, and
 The breath of Garlicke-eaters
 
    Com. Hee'l shake your Rome about your eares
 
    Mene. As Hercules did shake downe Mellow Fruite:
 You haue made faire worke
 
    Brut. But is this true sir?
   Com. I, and you'l looke pale
 Before you finde it other. All the Regions
 Do smilingly Reuolt, and who resists
 Are mock'd for valiant Ignorance,
 And perish constant Fooles: who is't can blame him?
 Your Enemies and his, finde something in him
 
    Mene. We are all vndone, vnlesse
 The Noble man haue mercy
 
    Com. Who shall aske it?
 The Tribunes cannot doo't for shame; the people
 Deserue such pitty of him, as the Wolfe
 Doe's of the Shepheards: For his best Friends, if they
 Should say be good to Rome, they charg'd him, euen
 As those should do that had deseru'd his hate,
 And therein shew'd like Enemies
 
    Me. 'Tis true, if he were putting to my house, the brand
 That should consume it, I haue not the face
 To say, beseech you cease. You haue made faire hands,
 You and your Crafts, you haue crafted faire
 
    Com. You haue brought
 A Trembling vpon Rome, such as was neuer
 S' incapeable of helpe
 
    Tri. Say not, we brought it
 
    Mene. How? Was't we? We lou'd him,
 But like Beasts, and Cowardly Nobles,
 Gaue way vnto your Clusters, who did hoote
 Him out o'th' Citty
 
    Com. But I feare
 They'l roare him in againe. Tullus Affidius,
 The second name of men, obeyes his points
 As if he were his Officer: Desperation,
 Is all the Policy, Strength, and Defence
 That Rome can make against them.
 Enter a Troope of Citizens.
 
   Mene. Heere come the Clusters.
 And is Auffidius with him? You are they
 That made the Ayre vnwholsome, when you cast
 Your stinking, greasie Caps, in hooting
 At Coriolanus Exile. Now he's comming,
 And not a haire vpon a Souldiers head
 Which will not proue a whip: As many Coxcombes
 As you threw Caps vp, will he tumble downe,
 And pay you for your voyces. 'Tis no matter,
 If he could burne vs all into one coale,
 We haue deseru'd it
 
    Omnes. Faith, we heare fearfull Newes
 
    1 Cit. For mine owne part,
 When I said banish him, I said 'twas pitty
 
    2 And so did I
 
    3 And so did I: and to say the truth, so did very many
 of vs, that we did we did for the best, and though wee
 willingly consented to his Banishment, yet it was against
 our will
 
    Com. Y'are goodly things, you Voyces
 
    Mene. You haue made good worke
 You and your cry. Shal's to the Capitoll?
   Com. Oh I, what else?
 
 Exeunt. both.
 
   Sicin. Go Masters get you home, be not dismaid,
 These are a Side, that would be glad to haue
 This true, which they so seeme to feare. Go home,
 And shew no signe of Feare
 
    1 Cit. The Gods bee good to vs: Come Masters let's
 home, I euer said we were i'th wrong, when we banish'd
 him
 
    2 Cit. So did we all. But come, let's home.
 
 Exit Cit.
 
   Bru. I do not like this Newes
 
    Sicin. Nor I
 
    Bru. Let's to the Capitoll: would halfe my wealth
 Would buy this for a lye
 
    Sicin. Pray let's go.
 
 Exeunt. Tribunes.
 
 Enter Auffidius with his Lieutenant.
 
   Auf. Do they still flye to'th' Roman?
   Lieu. I do not know what Witchcraft's in him: but
 Your Soldiers vse him as the Grace 'fore meate,
 Their talke at Table, and their Thankes at end,
 And you are darkned in this action Sir,
 Euen by your owne
 
    Auf. I cannot helpe it now,
 Vnlesse by vsing meanes I lame the foote
 Of our designe. He beares himselfe more proudlier,
 Euen to my person, then I thought he would
 When first I did embrace him. Yet his Nature
 In that's no Changeling, and I must excuse
 What cannot be amended
 
    Lieu. Yet I wish Sir,
 (I meane for your particular) you had not
 Ioyn'd in Commission with him: but either haue borne
 The action of your selfe, or else to him, had left it soly
 
    Auf. I vnderstand thee well, and be thou sure
 When he shall come to his account, he knowes not
 What I can vrge against him, although it seemes
 And so he thinkes, and is no lesse apparant
 To th' vulgar eye, that he beares all things fairely:
 And shewes good Husbandry for the Volcian State,
 Fights Dragon-like, and does atcheeue as soone
 As draw his Sword: yet he hath left vndone
 That which shall breake his necke, or hazard mine,
 When ere we come to our account
 
    Lieu. Sir, I beseech you, think you he'l carry Rome?
   Auf. All places yeelds to him ere he sits downe,
 And the Nobility of Rome are his:
 The Senators and Patricians loue him too:
 The Tribunes are no Soldiers: and their people
 Will be as rash in the repeale, as hasty
 To expell him thence. I thinke hee'l be to Rome
 As is the Aspray to the Fish, who takes it
 By Soueraignty of Nature. First, he was
 A Noble seruant to them, but he could not
 Carry his Honors eeuen: whether 'twas Pride
 Which out of dayly Fortune euer taints
 The happy man; whether detect of iudgement,
 To faile in the disposing of those chances
 Which he was Lord of: or whether Nature,
 Not to be other then one thing, not moouing
 From th' Caske to th' Cushion: but commanding peace
 Euen with the same austerity and garbe,
 As he controll'd the warre. But one of these
 (As he hath spices of them all) not all,
 For I dare so farre free him, made him fear'd,
 So hated, and so banish'd: but he ha's a Merit
 To choake it in the vtt'rance: So our Vertue,
 Lie in th' interpretation of the time,
 And power vnto it selfe most commendable,
 Hath not a Tombe so euident as a Chaire
 T' extoll what it hath done.
 One fire driues out one fire; one Naile, one Naile;
 Rights by rights fouler, strengths by strengths do faile.
 Come let's away: when Caius Rome is thine,
 Thou art poor'st of all; then shortly art thou mine.
 
 Exeunt.
 
 Actus Quintus.
 
 Enter Menenius, Cominius, Sicinius, Brutus, the two Tribunes,
 with
 others.
 
   Menen. No, ile not go: you heare what he hath said
 Which was sometime his Generall: who loued him
 In a most deere particular. He call'd me Father:
 But what o'that? Go you that banish'd him
 A Mile before his Tent, fall downe, and knee
 The way into his mercy: Nay, if he coy'd
 To heare Cominius speake, Ile keepe at home
 
    Com. He would not seeme to know me
 
    Menen. Do you heare?
   Com. Yet one time he did call me by my name:
 I vrg'd our old acquaintance, and the drops
 That we haue bled together. Coriolanus
 He would not answer too: Forbad all Names,
 He was a kinde of Nothing, Titlelesse,
 Till he had forg'd himselfe a name a'th' fire
 Of burning Rome
 
    Menen. Why so: you haue made good worke:
 A paire of Tribunes, that haue wrack'd for Rome,
 To make Coales cheape: A Noble memory
 
    Com. I minded him, how Royall 'twas to pardon
 When it was lesse expected. He replyed
 It was a bare petition of a State
 To one whom they had punish'd
 
    Menen. Very well, could he say lesse
 
    Com. I offered to awaken his regard
 For's priuate Friends. His answer to me was
 He could not stay to picke them, in a pile
 Of noysome musty Chaffe. He said, 'twas folly
 For one poore graine or two, to leaue vnburnt
 And still to nose th' offence
 
    Menen. For one poore graine or two?
 I am one of those: his Mother, Wife, his Childe,
 And this braue Fellow too: we are the Graines,
 You are the musty Chaffe, and you are smelt
 Aboue the Moone. We must be burnt for you
 
    Sicin. Nay, pray be patient: If you refuse your ayde
 In this so neuer-needed helpe, yet do not
 Vpbraid's with our distresse. But sure if you
 Would be your Countries Pleader, your good tongue
 More then the instant Armie we can make
 Might stop our Countryman
 
    Mene. No: Ile not meddle
 
    Sicin. Pray you go to him
 
    Mene. What should I do?
   Bru. Onely make triall what your Loue can do,
 For Rome, towards Martius
 
    Mene. Well, and say that Martius returne mee,
 As Cominius is return'd, vnheard: what then?
 But as a discontented Friend, greefe-shot
 With his vnkindnesse. Say't be so?
   Sicin. Yet your good will
 Must haue that thankes from Rome, after the measure
 As you intended well
 
    Mene. Ile vndertak't:
 I thinke hee'l heare me. Yet to bite his lip,
 And humme at good Cominius, much vnhearts mee.
 He was not taken well, he had not din'd,
 The Veines vnfill'd, our blood is cold, and then
 We powt vpon the Morning, are vnapt
 To giue or to forgiue; but when we haue stufft
 These Pipes, and these Conueyances of our blood
 With Wine and Feeding, we haue suppler Soules
 Then in our Priest-like Fasts: therefore Ile watch him
 Till he be dieted to my request,
 And then Ile set vpon him
 
    Bru. You know the very rode into his kindnesse,
 And cannot lose your way
 
    Mene. Good faith Ile proue him,
 Speed how it will. I shall ere long, haue knowledge
 Of my successe.
 Enter.
 
   Com. Hee'l neuer heare him
 
    Sicin. Not
 
    Com. I tell you, he doe's sit in Gold, his eye
 Red as 'twould burne Rome: and his Iniury
 The Gaoler to his pitty. I kneel'd before him,
 'Twas very faintly he said Rise: dismist me
 Thus with his speechlesse hand. What he would do
 He sent in writing after me: what he would not,
 Bound with an Oath to yeeld to his conditions:
 So that all hope is vaine, vnlesse his Noble Mother,
 And his Wife, who (as I heare) meane to solicite him
 For mercy to his Countrey: therefore let's hence,
 And with our faire intreaties hast them on.
 
 Exeunt.
 
 Enter Menenius to the Watch or Guard.
 
   1.Wat. Stay: whence are you
 
    2.Wat. Stand, and go backe
 
    Me. You guard like men, 'tis well. But by your leaue,
 I am an Officer of State, & come to speak with Coriolanus
   1 From whence?
   Mene. From Rome
 
    I You may not passe, you must returne: our Generall
 will no more heare from thence
 
    2 You'l see your Rome embrac'd with fire, before
 You'l speake with Coriolanus
 
    Mene. Good my Friends,
 If you haue heard your Generall talke of Rome,
 And of his Friends there, it is Lots to Blankes,
 My name hath touch't your eares: it is Menenius
 
    1 Be it so, go back: the vertue of your name,
 Is not heere passable
 
    Mene. I tell thee Fellow,
 Thy Generall is my Louer: I haue beene
 The booke of his good Acts, whence men haue read
 His Fame vnparalell'd, happely amplified:
 For I haue euer verified my Friends,
 (Of whom hee's cheefe) with all the size that verity
 Would without lapsing suffer: Nay, sometimes,
 Like to a Bowle vpon a subtle ground
 I haue tumbled past the throw: and in his praise
 Haue (almost) stampt the Leasing. Therefore Fellow,
 I must haue leaue to passe
 
    1 Faith Sir, if you had told as many lies in his behalfe,
 as you haue vttered words in your owne, you should not
 passe heere: no, though it were as vertuous to lye, as to
 liue chastly. Therefore go backe
 
    Men. Prythee fellow, remember my name is Menenius,
 alwayes factionary on the party of your Generall
 
    2 Howsoeuer you haue bin his Lier, as you say you
 haue, I am one that telling true vnder him, must say you
 cannot passe. Therefore go backe
 
    Mene. Ha's he din'd can'st thou tell? For I would not
 speake with him, till after dinner
 
    1 You are a Roman, are you?
   Mene. I am as thy Generall is
 
    1 Then you should hate Rome, as he do's. Can you,
 when you haue pusht out your gates, the very Defender
 of them, and in a violent popular ignorance, giuen your
 enemy your shield, thinke to front his reuenges with the
 easie groanes of old women, the Virginall Palms of your
 daughters, or with the palsied intercession of such a decay'd
 Dotant as you seeme to be? Can you think to blow
 out the intended fire, your City is ready to flame in, with
 such weake breath as this? No, you are deceiu'd, therfore
 backe to Rome, and prepare for your execution: you are
 condemn'd, our Generall has sworne you out of repreeue
 and pardon
 
    Mene. Sirra, if thy Captaine knew I were heere,
 He would vse me with estimation
 
    1 Come, my Captaine knowes you not
 
    Mene. I meane thy Generall
 
    1 My Generall cares not for you. Back I say, go: least
 I let forth your halfe pinte of blood. Backe, that's the vtmost
 of your hauing, backe
 
    Mene. Nay but Fellow, Fellow.
 Enter Coriolanus with Auffidius.
 
   Corio. What's the matter?
   Mene. Now you Companion: Ile say an arrant for you:
 you shall know now that I am in estimation: you shall
 perceiue, that a Iacke gardant cannot office me from my
 Son Coriolanus, guesse but my entertainment with him: if
 thou stand'st not i'th state of hanging, or of some death
 more long in Spectatorship, and crueller in suffering, behold
 now presently, and swoond for what's to come vpon
 thee. The glorious Gods sit in hourely Synod about thy
 particular prosperity, and loue thee no worse then thy old
 Father Menenius do's. O my Son, my Son! thou art preparing
 fire for vs: looke thee, heere's water to quench it.
 I was hardly moued to come to thee: but beeing assured
 none but my selfe could moue thee, I haue bene blowne
 out of your Gates with sighes: and coniure thee to pardon
 Rome, and thy petitionary Countrimen. The good
 Gods asswage thy wrath, and turne the dregs of it, vpon
 this Varlet heere: This, who like a blocke hath denyed
 my accesse to thee
 
    Corio. Away
 
    Mene. How? Away?
   Corio. Wife, Mother, Child, I know not. My affaires
 Are Seruanted to others: Though I owe
 My Reuenge properly, my remission lies
 In Volcean brests. That we haue beene familiar,
 Ingrate forgetfulnesse shall poison rather
 Then pitty: Note how much, therefore be gone.
 Mine eares against your suites, are stronger then
 Your gates against my force. Yet for I loued thee,
 Take this along, I writ it for thy sake,
 And would haue sent it. Another word Menenius,
 I will not heare thee speake. This man Auffidius
 Was my belou'd in Rome: yet thou behold'st
 
    Auffid. You keepe a constant temper.
 
 Exeunt.
 
 Manet the Guard and Menenius.
 
   1 Now sir, is your name Menenius?
   2 'Tis a spell you see of much power:
 You know the way home againe
 
    1 Do you heare how wee are shent for keeping your
 greatnesse backe?
   2 What cause do you thinke I haue to swoond?
   Menen. I neither care for th' world, nor your General:
 for such things as you. I can scarse thinke ther's any, y'are
 so slight. He that hath a will to die by himselfe, feares it
 not from another: Let your Generall do his worst. For
 you, bee that you are, long; and your misery encrease
 with your age. I say to you, as I was said to, Away.
 
 Exit
 
   1 A Noble Fellow I warrant him
 
    2 The worthy Fellow is our General. He's the Rock,
 The Oake not to be winde-shaken.
 
 Exit Watch.
 
 Enter Coriolanus and Auffidius.
 
   Corio. We will before the walls of Rome to morrow
 Set downe our Hoast. My partner in this Action,
 You must report to th' Volcian Lords, how plainly
 I haue borne this Businesse
 
    Auf. Onely their ends you haue respected,
 Stopt your eares against the generall suite of Rome:
 Neuer admitted a priuat whisper, no not with such frends
 That thought them sure of you
 
    Corio. This last old man,
 Whom with a crack'd heart I haue sent to Rome,
 Lou'd me, aboue the measure of a Father,
 Nay godded me indeed. Their latest refuge
 Was to send him: for whose old Loue I haue
 (Though I shew'd sowrely to him) once more offer'd
 The first Conditions which they did refuse,
 And cannot now accept, to grace him onely,
 That thought he could do more: A very little
 I haue yeelded too. Fresh Embasses, and Suites,
 Nor from the State, nor priuate friends heereafter
 Will I lend eare to. Ha? what shout is this?
 
 Shout within
 
 Shall I be tempted to infringe my vow
 In the same time 'tis made? I will not.
 Enter Virgilia, Volumnia, Valeria, yong Martius, with Attendants.
 
 My wife comes formost, then the honour'd mould
 Wherein this Trunke was fram'd, and in her hand
 The Grandchilde to her blood. But out affection,
 All bond and priuiledge of Nature breake;
 Let it be Vertuous to be Obstinate.
 What is that Curt'sie worth? Or those Doues eyes,
 Which can make Gods forsworne? I melt, and am not
 Of stronger earth then others: my Mother bowes,
 As if Olympus to a Mole-hill should
 In supplication Nod: and my yong Boy
 Hath an Aspect of intercession, which
 Great Nature cries, Deny not. Let the Volces
 Plough Rome, and harrow Italy, Ile neuer
 Be such a Gosling to obey instinct; but stand
 As if a man were Author of himself, & knew no other kin
   Virgil. My Lord and Husband
 
    Corio. These eyes are not the same I wore in Rome
 
    Virg. The sorrow that deliuers vs thus chang'd,
 Makes you thinke so
 
    Corio. Like a dull Actor now, I haue forgot my part,
 And I am out, euen to a full Disgrace. Best of my Flesh,
 Forgiue my Tyranny: but do not say,
 For that forgiue our Romanes. O a kisse
 Long as my Exile, sweet as my Reuenge!
 Now by the iealous Queene of Heauen, that kisse
 I carried from thee deare; and my true Lippe
 Hath Virgin'd it ere since. You Gods, I pray,
 And the most noble Mother of the world
 Leaue vnsaluted: Sinke my knee i'th' earth,
 
 Kneeles
 
 Of thy deepe duty, more impression shew
 Then that of common Sonnes
 
    Volum. Oh stand vp blest!
 Whil'st with no softer Cushion then the Flint
 I kneele before thee, and vnproperly
 Shew duty as mistaken, all this while,
 Betweene the Childe, and Parent
 
    Corio. What's this? your knees to me?
 To your Corrected Sonne?
 Then let the Pibbles on the hungry beach
 Fillop the Starres: Then, let the mutinous windes
 Strike the proud Cedars 'gainst the fiery Sun:
 Murd'ring Impossibility, to make
 What cannot be, slight worke
 
    Volum. Thou art my Warriour, I hope to frame thee
 Do you know this Lady?
   Corio. The Noble Sister of Publicola;
 The Moone of Rome: Chaste as the Isicle
 That's curdied by the Frost, from purest Snow,
 And hangs on Dians Temple: Deere Valeria
 
    Volum. This is a poore Epitome of yours,
 Which by th' interpretation of full time,
 May shew like all your selfe
 
    Corio. The God of Souldiers:
 With the consent of supreame Ioue, informe
 Thy thoughts with Noblenesse, that thou mayst proue
 To shame vnvulnerable, and sticke i'th Warres
 Like a great Sea-marke standing euery flaw,
 And sauing those that eye thee
 
    Volum. Your knee, Sirrah
 
    Corio. That's my braue Boy
 
    Volum. Euen he, your wife, this Ladie, and my selfe,
 Are Sutors to you
 
    Corio. I beseech you peace:
 Or if you'ld aske, remember this before;
 The thing I haue forsworne to graunt, may neuer
 Be held by you denials. Do not bid me
 Dismisse my Soldiers, or capitulate
 Againe, with Romes Mechanickes. Tell me not
 Wherein I seeme vnnaturall: Desire not t' allay
 My Rages and Reuenges, with your colder reasons
 
    Volum. Oh no more, no more:
 You haue said you will not grant vs any thing:
 For we haue nothing else to aske, but that
 Which you deny already: yet we will aske,
 That if you faile in our request, the blame
 May hang vpon your hardnesse, therefore heare vs
 
    Corio. Auffidius, and you Volces marke, for wee'l
 Heare nought from Rome in priuate. Your request?
   Volum. Should we be silent & not speak, our Raiment
 And state of Bodies would bewray what life
 We haue led since thy Exile. Thinke with thy selfe,
 How more vnfortunate then all liuing women
 Are we come hither; since that thy sight, which should
 Make our eies flow with ioy, harts dance with comforts,
 Constraines them weepe, and shake with feare & sorow,
 Making the Mother, wife, and Childe to see,
 The Sonne, the Husband, and the Father tearing
 His Countries Bowels out; and to poore we
 Thine enmities most capitall: Thou barr'st vs
 Our prayers to the Gods, which is a comfort
 That all but we enioy. For how can we?
 Alas! how can we, for our Country pray?
 Whereto we are bound, together with thy victory:
 Whereto we are bound: Alacke, or we must loose
 The Countrie our deere Nurse, or else thy person
 Our comfort in the Country. We must finde
 An euident Calamity, though we had
 Our wish, which side should win. For either thou
 Must as a Forraine Recreant be led
 With Manacles through our streets, or else
 Triumphantly treade on thy Countries ruine,
 And beare the Palme, for hauing brauely shed
 Thy Wife and Childrens blood: For my selfe, Sonne,
 I purpose not to waite on Fortune, till
 These warres determine: If I cannot perswade thee,
 Rather to shew a Noble grace to both parts,
 Then seeke the end of one; thou shalt no sooner
 March to assault thy Country, then to treade
 (Trust too't, thou shalt not) on thy Mothers wombe
 That brought thee to this world
 
    Virg. I, and mine, that brought you forth this boy,
 To keepe your name liuing to time
 
    Boy. A shall not tread on me: Ile run away
 Till I am bigger, but then Ile fight
 
    Corio. Not of a womans tendernesse to be,
 Requires nor Childe, nor womans face to see:
 I haue sate too long
 
    Volum. Nay, go not from vs thus:
 If it were so, that our request did tend
 To saue the Romanes, thereby to destroy
 The Volces whom you serue, you might condemne vs
 As poysonous of your Honour. No, our suite
 Is that you reconcile them: While the Volces
 May say, this mercy we haue shew'd: the Romanes,
 This we receiu'd, and each in either side
 Giue the All-haile to thee, and cry be Blest
 For making vp this peace. Thou know'st (great Sonne)
 The end of Warres vncertaine: but this certaine,
 That if thou conquer Rome, the benefit
 Which thou shalt thereby reape, is such a name
 Whose repetition will be dogg'd with Curses:
 Whose Chronicle thus writ, The man was Noble,
 But with his last Attempt, he wip'd it out:
 Destroy'd his Country, and his name remaines
 To th' insuing Age, abhorr'd. Speake to me Son:
 Thou hast affected the fiue straines of Honor,
 To imitate the graces of the Gods.
 To teare with Thunder the wide Cheekes a'th' Ayre,
 And yet to change thy Sulphure with a Boult
 That should but riue an Oake. Why do'st not speake?
 Think'st thou it Honourable for a Nobleman
 Still to remember wrongs? Daughter, speake you:
 He cares not for your weeping. Speake thou Boy,
 Perhaps thy childishnesse will moue him more
 Then can our Reasons. There's no man in the world
 More bound to's Mother, yet heere he let's me prate
 Like one i'th' Stockes. Thou hast neuer in thy life,
 Shew'd thy deere Mother any curtesie,
 When she (poor Hen) fond of no second brood,
 Ha's clock'd thee to the Warres: and safelie home
 Loden with Honor. Say my Request's vniust,
 And spurne me backe: But, if it be not so
 Thou art not honest, and the Gods will plague thee
 That thou restrain'st from me the Duty, which
 To a Mothers part belongs. He turnes away:
 Down Ladies: let vs shame him with him with our knees
 To his sur-name Coriolanus longs more pride
 Then pitty to our Prayers. Downe: an end,
 This is the last. So, we will home to Rome,
 And dye among our Neighbours: Nay, behold's,
 This Boy that cannot tell what he would haue,
 But kneeles, and holds vp hands for fellowship,
 Doe's reason our Petition with more strength
 Then thou hast to deny't. Come, let vs go:
 This Fellow had a Volcean to his Mother:
 His Wife is in Corioles, and his Childe
 Like him by chance: yet giue vs our dispatch:
 I am husht vntill our City be afire, & then Ile speak a litle
 
 Holds her by the hand silent.
 
   Corio. O Mother, Mother!
 What haue you done? Behold, the Heauens do ope,
 The Gods looke downe, and this vnnaturall Scene
 They laugh at. Oh my Mother, Mother: Oh!
 You haue wonne a happy Victory to Rome.
 But for your Sonne, beleeue it: Oh beleeue it,
 Most dangerously you haue with him preuail'd,
 If not most mortall to him. But let it come:
 Auffidius, though I cannot make true Warres,
 Ile frame conuenient peace. Now good Auffidius,
 Were you in my steed, would you haue heard
 A Mother lesse? or granted lesse Auffidius?
   Auf. I was mou'd withall
 
    Corio. I dare be sworne you were:
 And sir, it is no little thing to make
 Mine eyes to sweat compassion. But (good sir)
 What peace you'l make, aduise me: For my part,
 Ile not to Rome, Ile backe with you, and pray you
 Stand to me in this cause. Oh Mother! Wife!
   Auf. I am glad thou hast set thy mercy, & thy Honor
 At difference in thee: Out of that Ile worke
 My selfe a former Fortune
 
    Corio. I by and by; But we will drinke together:
 And you shall beare
 A better witnesse backe then words, which we
 On like conditions, will haue Counter-seal'd.
 Come enter with vs: Ladies you deserue
 To haue a Temple built you: All the Swords
 In Italy, and her Confederate Armes
 Could not haue made this peace.
 
 Exeunt.
 
 Enter Menenius and Sicinius.
 
   Mene. See you yon'd Coin a'th Capitol, yon'd corner stone?
   Sicin. Why what of that?
   Mene. If it be possible for you to displace it with your
 little finger, there is some hope the Ladies of Rome, especially
 his Mother, may preuaile with him. But I say, there
 is no hope in't, our throats are sentenc'd, and stay vppon
 execution
 
    Sicin. Is't possible, that so short a time can alter the
 condition of a man
 
    Mene. There is differency between a Grub & a Butterfly,
 yet your Butterfly was a Grub: this Martius, is
 growne from Man to Dragon: He has wings, hee's more
 then a creeping thing
 
    Sicin. He lou'd his Mother deerely
 
    Mene. So did he mee: and he no more remembers his
 Mother now, then an eight yeare old horse. The tartnesse
 of his face, sowres ripe Grapes. When he walks, he moues
 like an Engine, and the ground shrinkes before his Treading.
 He is able to pierce a Corslet with his eye: Talkes
 like a knell, and his hum is a Battery. He sits in his State,
 as a thing made for Alexander. What he bids bee done, is
 finisht with his bidding. He wants nothing of a God but
 Eternity, and a Heauen to Throne in
 
    Sicin. Yes, mercy, if you report him truly
 
    Mene. I paint him in the Character. Mark what mercy
 his Mother shall bring from him: There is no more
 mercy in him, then there is milke in a male-Tyger, that
 shall our poore City finde: and all this is long of you
 
    Sicin. The Gods be good vnto vs
 
    Mene. No, in such a case the Gods will not bee good
 vnto vs. When we banish'd him, we respected not them:
 and he returning to breake our necks, they respect not vs.
 Enter a Messenger.
 
   Mes. Sir, if you'ld saue your life, flye to your House,
 The Plebeians haue got your Fellow Tribune,
 And hale him vp and downe; all swearing, if
 The Romane Ladies bring not comfort home
 They'l giue him death by Inches.
 Enter another Messenger.
 
   Sicin. What's the Newes?
   Mess. Good Newes, good newes, the Ladies haue preuayl'd.
 The Volcians are dislodg'd, and Martius gone:
 A merrier day did neuer yet greet Rome,
 No, not th' expulsion of the Tarquins
 
    Sicin. Friend, art thou certaine this is true?
 Is't most certaine
 
    Mes. As certaine as I know the Sun is fire:
 Where haue you lurk'd that you make doubt of it:
 Ne're through an Arch so hurried the blowne Tide,
 As the recomforted through th' gates. Why harke you:
 
 Trumpets, Hoboyes, Drums beate, altogether.
 
 The Trumpets, Sack-buts, Psalteries, and Fifes,
 Tabors, and Symboles, and the showting Romans,
 Make the Sunne dance. Hearke you.
 
 A shout within
 
   Mene. This is good Newes:
 I will go meete the Ladies. This Volumnia,
 Is worth of Consuls, Senators, Patricians,
 A City full: Of Tribunes such as you,
 A Sea and Land full: you haue pray'd well to day:
 This Morning, for ten thousand of your throates,
 I'de not haue giuen a doit. Harke, how they ioy.
 
 Sound still with the Shouts.
 
   Sicin. First, the Gods blesse you for your tydings:
 Next, accept my thankefulnesse
 
    Mess. Sir, we haue all great cause to giue great thanks
 
    Sicin. They are neere the City
 
    Mes. Almost at point to enter
 
    Sicin. Wee'l meet them, and helpe the ioy.
 
 Exeunt.
 
 Enter two Senators, with Ladies, passing ouer the Stage, with other
 Lords.
 
   Sena. Behold our Patronnesse, the life of Rome:
 Call all your Tribes together, praise the Gods,
 And make triumphant fires, strew Flowers before them:
 Vnshoot the noise that Banish'd Martius;
 Repeale him, with the welcome of his Mother:
 Cry welcome Ladies, welcome
 
    All. Welcome Ladies, welcome.
 
 A Flourish with Drummes & Trumpets.
 
 Enter Tullus Auffidius, with Attendants.
 
   Auf. Go tell the Lords a'th' City, I am heere:
 Deliuer them this Paper: hauing read it,
 Bid them repayre to th' Market place, where I
 Euen in theirs, and in the Commons eares
 Will vouch the truth of it. Him I accuse:
 The City Ports by this hath enter'd, and
 Intends t' appeare before the People, hoping
 To purge himselfe with words. Dispatch.
 Enter 3 or 4 Conspirators of Auffidius Faction.
 
 Most Welcome
 
    1.Con. How is it with our Generall?
   Auf. Euen so, as with a man by his owne Almes impoyson'd,
 and with his Charity slaine
 
    2.Con. Most Noble Sir, If you do hold the same intent
 Wherein you wisht vs parties: Wee'l deliuer you
 Of your great danger
 
    Auf. Sir, I cannot tell,
 We must proceed as we do finde the People
 
    3.Con. The People will remaine vncertaine, whil'st
 'Twixt you there's difference: but the fall of either
 Makes the Suruiuor heyre of all
 
    Auf. I know it:
 And my pretext to strike at him, admits
 A good construction. I rais'd him, and I pawn'd
 Mine Honor for his truth: who being so heighten'd,
 He watered his new Plants with dewes of Flattery,
 Seducing so my Friends: and to this end,
 He bow'd his Nature, neuer knowne before,
 But to be rough, vnswayable, and free
 
    3.Consp. Sir, his stoutnesse
 When he did stand for Consull, which he lost
 By lacke of stooping
 
    Auf. That I would haue spoke of:
 Being banish'd for't, he came vnto my Harth,
 Presented to my knife his Throat: I tooke him,
 Made him ioynt-seruant with me: Gaue him way
 In all his owne desires: Nay, let him choose
 Out of my Files, his proiects, to accomplish
 My best and freshest men, seru'd his designements
 In mine owne person: holpe to reape the Fame
 Which he did end all his; and tooke some pride
 To do my selfe this wrong: Till at the last
 I seem'd his Follower, not Partner; and
 He wadg'd me with his Countenance, as if
 I had bin Mercenary
 
    1.Con. So he did my Lord:
 The Army marueyl'd at it, and in the last,
 When he had carried Rome, and that we look'd
 For no lesse Spoile, then Glory
 
    Auf. There was it:
 For which my sinewes shall be stretcht vpon him,
 At a few drops of Womens rhewme, which are
 As cheape as Lies; he sold the Blood and Labour
 Of our great Action; therefore shall he dye,
 And Ile renew me in his fall. But hearke.
 
 Drummes and Trumpets sounds, with great showts of the people.
 
   1.Con. Your Natiue Towne you enter'd like a Poste,
 And had no welcomes home, but he returnes
 Splitting the Ayre with noyse
 
    2.Con. And patient Fooles,
 Whose children he hath slaine, their base throats teare
 With giuing him glory
 
    3.Con. Therefore at your vantage,
 Ere he expresse himselfe, or moue the people
 With what he would say, let him feele your Sword:
 Which we will second, when he lies along
 After your way. His Tale pronounc'd, shall bury
 His Reasons, with his Body
 
    Auf. Say no more. Heere come the Lords,
 Enter the Lords of the City.
 
   All Lords. You are most welcome home
 
    Auff. I haue not deseru'd it.
 But worthy Lords, haue you with heede perused
 What I haue written to you?
   All. We haue
 
    1.Lord. And greeue to heare't:
 What faults he made before the last, I thinke
 Might haue found easie Fines: But there to end
 Where he was to begin, and giue away
 The benefit of our Leuies, answering vs
 With our owne charge: making a Treatie, where
 There was a yeelding; this admits no excuse
 
    Auf. He approaches, you shall heare him.
 Enter Coriolanus marching with Drumme, and Colours. The
 Commoners being
 with him.
 
   Corio. Haile Lords, I am return'd your Souldier:
 No more infected with my Countries loue
 Then when I parted hence: but still subsisting
 Vnder your great Command. You are to know,
 That prosperously I haue attempted, and
 With bloody passage led your Warres, euen to
 The gates of Rome: Our spoiles we haue brought home
 Doth more then counterpoize a full third part
 The charges of the Action. We haue made peace
 With no lesse Honor to the Antiates
 Then shame to th' Romaines. And we heere deliuer
 Subscrib'd by'th' Consuls, and Patricians,
 Together with the Seale a'th Senat, what
 We haue compounded on
 
    Auf. Read it not Noble Lords,
 But tell the Traitor in the highest degree
 He hath abus'd your Powers
 
    Corio. Traitor? How now?
   Auf. I Traitor, Martius
 
    Corio. Martius?
   Auf. I Martius, Caius Martius: Do'st thou thinke
 Ile grace thee with that Robbery, thy stolne name
 Coriolanus in Corioles?
 You Lords and Heads a'th' State, perfidiously
 He ha's betray'd your businesse, and giuen vp
 For certaine drops of Salt, your City Rome:
 I say your City to his Wife and Mother,
 Breaking his Oath and Resolution, like
 A twist of rotten Silke, neuer admitting
 Counsaile a'th' warre: But at his Nurses teares
 He whin'd and roar'd away your Victory,
 That Pages blush'd at him, and men of heart
 Look'd wond'ring each at others
 
    Corio. Hear'st thou Mars?
   Auf. Name not the God, thou boy of Teares
 
    Corio. Ha?
   Aufid. No more
 
    Corio. Measurelesse Lyar, thou hast made my heart
 Too great for what containes it. Boy? Oh Slaue,
 Pardon me Lords, 'tis the first time that euer
 I was forc'd to scoul'd. Your iudgments my graue Lords
 Must giue this Curre the Lye: and his owne Notion,
 Who weares my stripes imprest vpon him, that
 Must beare my beating to his Graue, shall ioyne
 To thrust the Lye vnto him
 
    1 Lord. Peace both, and heare me speake
 
    Corio. Cut me to peeces Volces men and Lads,
 Staine all your edges on me. Boy, false Hound:
 If you haue writ your Annales true, 'tis there,
 That like an Eagle in a Doue-coat, I
 Flatter'd your Volcians in Corioles.
 Alone I did it, Boy
 
    Auf. Why Noble Lords,
 Will you be put in minde of his blinde Fortune,
 Which was your shame, by this vnholy Braggart?
 'Fore your owne eyes, and eares?
   All Consp. Let him dye for't
 
    All People. Teare him to peeces, do it presently:
 He kill'd my Sonne, my daughter, he kill'd my Cosine
 Marcus, he kill'd my Father
 
    2 Lord. Peace hoe: no outrage, peace:
 The man is Noble, and his Fame folds in
 This Orbe o'th' earth: His last offences to vs
 Shall haue Iudicious hearing. Stand Auffidius,
 And trouble not the peace
 
    Corio. O that I had him, with six Auffidiusses, or more:
 His Tribe, to vse my lawfull Sword
 
    Auf. Insolent Villaine
 
    All Consp. Kill, kill, kill, kill, kill him.
 
 Draw both the Conspirators, and kils Martius, who falles,
 Auffidius stands
 on him
 
    Lords. Hold, hold, hold, hold
 
    Auf. My Noble Masters, heare me speake
 
    1.Lord. O Tullus
 
    2.Lord. Thou hast done a deed, whereat
 Valour will weepe
 
    3.Lord. Tread not vpon him Masters, all be quiet,
 Put vp your Swords
 
    Auf. My Lords,
 When you shall know (as in this Rage
 Prouok'd by him, you cannot) the great danger
 Which this mans life did owe you, you'l reioyce
 That he is thus cut off. Please it your Honours
 To call me to your Senate, Ile deliuer
 My selfe your loyall Seruant, or endure
 Your heauiest Censure
 
    1.Lord. Beare from hence his body,
 And mourne you for him. Let him be regarded
 As the most Noble Coarse, that euer Herald
 Did follow to his Vrne
 
    2.Lord. His owne impatience,
 Takes from Auffidius a great part of blame:
 Let's make the Best of it
 
    Auf. My Rage is gone,
 And I am strucke with sorrow. Take him vp:
 Helpe three a'th' cheefest Souldiers, Ile be one.
 Beate thou the Drumme that it speake mournfully:
 Traile your steele Pikes. Though in this City hee
 Hath widdowed and vnchilded many a one,
 Which to this houre bewaile the Iniury,
 Yet he shall haue a Noble Memory. Assist.
 
 Exeunt. bearing the Body of Martius. A dead March Sounded.
 
 
 FINIS. The Tragedy of Coriolanus.