Coriolanus

by William Shakespeare

  and not confess so much were a kind of ingrateful injury: to

  report otherwise were a malice that, giving itself the lie29,

  would pluck reproof and rebuke from every ear that heard it.

  FIRST OFFICER No more of him: he's a worthy man: make way,

  they are coming.

  A sennet. Enter the Patricians, and the Tribunes of the people [Sicinius and Brutus], Lictors before them: Coriolanus, Menenius, Cominius the consul. Sicinius and Brutus take their places by themselves: Coriolanus stands

  MENENIUS Having determined of33 the Volsces and

  To send for Titus Lartius, it remains

  As the main point of this our after-meeting35,

  To gratify36 his noble service that

  Hath thus stood for37 his country. Therefore please you,

  Most reverend and grave38 elders, to desire

  The present consul and last general

  In our well-found40 successes to report

  A little of that worthy work performed

  By Martius Caius Coriolanus, whom

  We met here both to thank and to remember

  With honours like himself44.

  FIRST SENATOR Speak, good Cominius:

  Leave nothing out for length46, and make us think

  Rather our state's defective for requital47

  Than we to stretch it out.-- Masters o'th'people,

  To the Tribunes

  We do request your kindest ears: and after49

  Your loving motion toward the common body50,

  To yield51 what passes here.

  SICINIUS We are convented upon a pleasing treaty52, and have

  hearts inclinable to honour and advance the theme53 of our

  assembly.

  BRUTUS Which the rather we shall be blest55 to do if he

  remember a kinder value of the people than he hath hereto56

  prized them at.

  MENENIUS That's off58, that's off. I would you rather had been

  silent: please you to hear Cominius speak?

  BRUTUS Most willingly: but yet my caution was more

  pertinent than the rebuke you give it.

  MENENIUS He loves your people, but tie him not to be their

  bedfellow. Worthy Cominius, speak.

  Coriolanus rises, and offers to go away

  Nay, keep your place.

  To Coriolanus

  FIRST SENATOR Sit, Coriolanus: never shame to hear

  What you have nobly done.

  CORIOLANUS Your honour's pardon:

  I had rather have my wounds to heal again

  Than hear say how I got them.

  BRUTUS Sir, I hope my words disbenched70 you not?

  CORIOLANUS No, sir: yet oft,

  When blows have made me stay, I fled from words.

  You soothed73 not, therefore hurt not: but your people,

  I love them as they weigh74--

  MENENIUS Pray now, sit down.

  CORIOLANUS I had rather have76 one scratch my head i'th'sun

  When the alarum were struck than idly sit

  To hear my nothings monstered78.

  Exit Coriolanus

  MENENIUS Masters of the people,

  Your multiplying spawn80 how can he flatter --

  That's thousand to one good one81 -- when you now see

  He had rather venture all his limbs for honour

  Than one on's83 ears to hear it? Proceed, Cominius.

  COMINIUS I shall lack voice: the deeds of Coriolanus

  Should not be uttered feebly: it is held

  That valour is the chiefest virtue, and

  Most dignifies the haver: if it be,

  The man I speak of cannot in the world

  Be singly counterpoised89. At sixteen years,

  When Tarquin made a head for90 Rome, he fought

  Beyond the mark of others: our then dictator91,

  Whom with all praise I point at92, saw him fight,

  When with his Amazonian93 chin he drove

  The bristled lips before him: he bestrid94

  An o'erpressed Roman, and i'th'consul's view95

  Slew three opposers: Tarquin's self he met,

  And struck him on97 his knee: in that day's feats,

  When he might act the woman in the scene98,

  He proved best man i'th'field and for his meed99

  Was brow-bound with the oak. His pupil100 age

  Man-entered thus, he waxed101 like a sea,

  And in the brunt102 of seventeen battles since

  He lurched all swords of the garland: for103 this last,

  Before and in Corioles, let me say

  I cannot speak him home: he stopped the fliers105,

  And by his rare106 example made the coward

  Turn terror into sport: as weeds before

  A vessel under sail, so men obeyed

  And fell below his stem: his sword, death's stamp109,

  Where it did mark, it took110: from face to foot

  He was a thing of blood, whose every motion

  Was timed112 with dying cries: alone he entered

  The mortal gate of th'city, which he, painted113

  With shunless destiny, aidless came off114,

  And with a sudden reinforcement struck115

  Corioles like a planet116: now all's his:

  When by and by the din of war gan117 pierce

  His ready sense: then straight his doubled118 spirit

  Requickened what in flesh was fatigate119,

  And to the battle came he, where he did

  Run reeking121 o'er the lives of men, as if

  'Twere a perpetual spoil122: and till we called

  Both field and city ours, he never stood

  To ease his breast with panting.

  MENENIUS Worthy man.

  FIRST SENATOR He cannot but with measure126 fit the honours

  which we devise him.

  COMINIUS Our spoils he kicked at128,

  And looked upon things precious as129 they were

  The common muck of the world: he covets less

  Than misery131 itself would give, rewards

  His deeds with doing them132, and is content

  To spend the time to end it133.

  MENENIUS He's right noble: let him be called for.

  FIRST SENATOR Call Coriolanus.

  OFFICER He doth appear.

  Enter Coriolanus

  MENENIUS The senate, Coriolanus, are well pleased to make

  thee consul.

  CORIOLANUS I do owe them still139 my life and services.

  MENENIUS It then remains that you do speak to the people.

  CORIOLANUS I do beseech you,

  Let me o'erleap that custom, for I cannot

  Put on the gown, stand naked143, and entreat them,

  For my wounds' sake, to give their sufferage144:

  Please you that I may pass145 this doing.

  SICINIUS Sir, the people must have their voices146:

  Neither will they bate147 one jot of ceremony.

  MENENIUS Put148 them not to't:

  Pray you, go fit you to the custom and

  Take to you, as your predecessors have,

  Your honour with your form151.

  CORIOLANUS It is a part that I shall blush in acting,

  And might well be taken from the people.

  BRUTUS Mark you that?

  To Sicinius

  CORIOLANUS To brag unto them, 'Thus I did, and thus':

  Show them th'unaching scars which I should hide,

  As if I had received them for the hire157

  Of their breath only!

  MENENIUS Do not stand upon't159:

  We recommend160 to you, tribunes of the people,

  Our purpose to them161, and to our noble consul

  Wish we all joy and honour.

  SENATORS To Coriolanus come all joy and honour!

  Flourish [of] cornets. Then exeunt [all but] Sicinius and Brutus

  BRUTUS You see
how he intends to use164 the people.

  SICINIUS May they perceive's intent! He will require165 them

  As if he did contemn166 what he requested

  Should be in them to give.

  BRUTUS Come, we'll inform them

  Of our proceedings here: on th'market-place

  I know they do attend170 us.

  [Exeunt]

  [Act 2 Scene 3]

  running scene 7

  Enter seven or eight Citizens

  FIRST CITIZEN Once1, if he do require our voices, we ought not to

  deny him.

  SECOND CITIZEN We may, sir, if we will.

  THIRD CITIZEN We have power in ourselves to do5 it, but it is a

  power that we have no power to do: for, if he show us his

  wounds and tell us his deeds, we are to put our tongues into

  those wounds and speak for them: so, if he tell us his noble

  deeds, we must also tell him our noble acceptance of them.

  Ingratitude is monstrous9, and for the multitude to be

  ingrateful, were to make a monster of the multitude: of the

  which we, being members, should bring ourselves to be

  monstrous members.

  FIRST CITIZEN And to make us no better thought of, a little help13

  will serve: for once14 we stood up about the corn, he himself

  stuck15 not to call us the many-headed multitude.

  THIRD CITIZEN We have been called so of many, not that16 our

  heads are some brown, some black, some abram17, some bald,

  but that our wits are so diversely coloured: and truly I think

  if all our wits were to issue out of one skull, they would fly

  east, west, north, south, and their consent of20 one direct way

  should be at once to all the points o'th'compass.

  SECOND CITIZEN Think you so? Which way do you judge my wit

  would fly?

  THIRD CITIZEN Nay, your wit will not so soon out24 as another

  man's will: 'tis strongly wedged up in a blockhead: but if it

  were at liberty, 'twould sure southward26.

  SECOND CITIZEN Why that way?

  THIRD CITIZEN To lose itself in a fog, where being three parts

  melted away with rotten29 dews, the fourth would return for

  conscience30' sake, to help to get thee a wife.

  SECOND CITIZEN You are never without your tricks: you may31,

  you may.

  THIRD CITIZEN Are you all resolved to give your voices141? But that's

  no matter, the greater part carries it. I say, if he would incline34

  to the people, there was never a worthier man.

  Enter Coriolanus in a gown of humility, with Menenius

  Here he comes, and in the gown of humility: mark his

  behaviour. We are not to stay all together, but to come by

  him where he stands, by ones, by twos, and by threes. He's to

  make his requests by particulars39, wherein every one of us

  has a single honour40, in giving him our own voices with our

  own tongues: therefore follow me, and I'll direct you how

  you shall go by him.

  ALL Content, content

  [Exeunt Citizens]

  MENENIUS O sir, you are not right: have you not known

  The worthiest men have done't?

  CORIOLANUS What must I say?

  'I pray, sir'? Plague upon't, I cannot bring

  My tongue to such a pace48: 'Look, sir, my wounds:

  I got them in my country's service when

  Some certain of your brethren roared and ran

  From th'noise of our own drums.'

  MENENIUS O me, the gods! You must not speak of that:

  You must desire them to think upon you.

  CORIOLANUS Think upon me? Hang 'em:

  I would they would forget me, like the virtues55

  Which our divines lose by 'em.

  MENENIUS You'll mar all:

  I'll leave you: pray you, speak to 'em, I pray you,

  In wholesome59 manner.

  Exit

  CORIOLANUS Bid them wash their faces

  And keep their teeth clean.

  Enter three of the Citizens

  So, here comes a brace62.

  You know the cause, sir, of my standing here.

  THIRD CITIZEN We do, sir: tell us what hath brought you to't.

  CORIOLANUS Mine own desert.

  SECOND CITIZEN Your own desert?

  CORIOLANUS Ay, but not mine own desire.

  THIRD CITIZEN How not your own desire?

  CORIOLANUS No, sir, 'twas never my desire yet to trouble the poor

  with begging.

  THIRD CITIZEN You must think, if we give you anything, we hope to gain by you.

  CORIOLANUS Well then, I pray, your price o'th'consulship?

  FIRST CITIZEN The price is to ask it kindly73.

  CORIOLANUS Kindly, sir, I pray let me ha't: I have wounds to show

  you, which shall be yours75 in private: your good voice, sir:

  what say you?

  SECOND CITIZEN You shall ha't, worthy sir.

  CORIOLANUS A match, sir. There's in all two worthy voices78

  begged: I have your alms: adieu.

  THIRD CITIZEN But this is something80 odd.

  SECOND CITIZEN An 'twere81 to give again -- but 'tis no matter.

  Exeunt [Citizens]

  Enter two other Citizens

  CORIOLANUS Pray you now, if it may stand82 with the tune of your

  voices that I may be consul, I have here the customary gown.

  FOURTH CITIZEN You have deserved nobly of your country, and

  you have not deserved nobly.

  CORIOLANUS Your enigma86?

  FOURTH CITIZEN You have been a scourge87 to her enemies, you

  have been a rod88 to her friends: you have not indeed loved the

  common people.

  CORIOLANUS You should account me the more virtuous that I

  have not been common in my love: I will, sir, flatter my sworn91

  brother the people to earn a dearer estimation of them:92 'tis a

  condition they account gentle93: and since the wisdom of their

  choice is rather to have my hat94 than my heart, I will practise

  the insinuating nod, and be off to them most counterfeitly95:

  that is, sir, I will counterfeit the bewitchment of some popular96

  man and give it bountiful97 to the desirers. Therefore, beseech

  you, I may be consul.

  FIFTH CITIZEN We hope to find you our friend, and therefore give

  you our voices heartily.

  FOURTH CITIZEN You have received many wounds for your country.

  CORIOLANUS I will not seal102 your knowledge with showing them. I

  will make much of your voices, and so trouble you no

  further.

  BOTH CITIZENS The gods give you joy, sir, heartily.

  [Exeunt Citizens]

  CORIOLANUS Most sweet voices:

  Better it is to die, better to starve,

  Than crave the hire108 which first we do deserve.

  Why in this wolvish tongue110 should I stand here,

  To beg of Hob and Dick that does appear

  Their needless vouches111? Custom calls me to't.

  What custom wills, in all things should we do't?

  The dust on antique time113 would lie unswept,

  And mountainous error be too highly heaped

  For truth to o'erpeer115. Rather than fool it so,

  Let the high office and the honour go

  To one that would do thus117. I am half through:

  The one part suffered, the other will I do.

  Enter three Citizens more

  Here come more voices.

  Your voices120! For your voices I have fought,

  Watched121 for your voices: for your voices bear

  Of wou
nds two dozen odd: battles thrice six

  I have seen and heard of123: for your voices have

  Done many things, some less, some more: your voices!

  Indeed I would be consul.

  SIXTH CITIZEN He has done nobly, and cannot go without any

  honest man's voice.

  SEVENTH CITIZEN Therefore let him be consul: the gods give him

  joy, and make him good friend to the people.

  ALL CITIZENS Amen, amen. God save thee, noble consul.

  CORIOLANUS Worthy voices!

  [Exeunt Citizens]

  Enter Menenius, with Brutus and Sicinius

  MENENIUS You have stood your limitation132, and the tribunes

  Endue you with the people's voice: remains133

  That in th'official marks134 invested, you

  Anon135 do meet the senate.

  CORIOLANUS Is this done?

  SICINIUS The custom of request137 you have discharged:

  The people do admit you, and are summoned

  To meet anon, upon your approbation139.

  CORIOLANUS Where? At the senate house?

  SICINIUS There, Coriolanus.

  CORIOLANUS May I change these garments?

  SICINIUS You may, sir.

  CORIOLANUS That I'll straight do, and, knowing myself again,

  Repair145 to th'senate house.

  MENENIUS I'll keep you company.-- Will you along?

  To the Tribunes

  BRUTUS We stay here for the people.

  SICINIUS Fare you well.

  Exeunt Coriolanus and Menenius

  He has it now, and by his looks methinks

  'Tis warm at's heart.

  BRUTUS With a proud heart he wore his humble weeds151.

  Will you dismiss the people?

  Enter the Plebeians [Citizens]

  SICINIUS How now, my masters153, have you chose this man?

  FIRST CITIZEN He has our voices, sir.

  BRUTUS We pray the gods he may deserve your loves.

  SECOND CITIZEN Amen, sir: to my poor unworthy notice156,

  He mocked us when he begged our voices.

  THIRD CITIZEN Certainly: he flouted158 us downright.

  FIRST CITIZEN No, 'tis his kind of speech159: he did not mock us.

  SECOND CITIZEN Not one amongst us, save yourself, but says

  He used us scornfully: he should have showed us

  His marks of merit, wounds received for's country.

  SICINIUS Why, so he did, I am sure.

  ALL CITIZENS No, no: no man saw 'em.

  THIRD CITIZEN He said he had wounds, which he could show in

  private;

  And with his hat, thus waving it in scorn,

  'I would be consul', says he: 'Aged custom,

  But by your voices, will not so permit me.

  Your voices therefore.' When we granted that,

  Here was 'I thank you for your voices: thank you:

  Your most sweet voices: now you have left your voices,

  I have no further with173 you.' Was not this mockery?

  SICINIUS Why either were you ignorant174 to see't,

  Or, seeing it, of such childish friendliness

  To yield your voices?

  BRUTUS Could you not have told him