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The Complete Works of William Shakespeare In Plain and Simple English (Translated)

Page 481

by William Shakespeare


  not an important judge.

  for the table than a necessary bencher in the Capitol.

  MENENIUS.

  Even a priest would make fun of you if they knew how

  Our very priests must become mockers if they shall encounter such

  ridiculous you two are. Your speech isn’t worth the effort of

  ridiculous subjects as you are. When you speak best unto the

  wagging your beards while talking,

  purpose, it is not worth the wagging of your beards; and your

  and your beards aren’t good enough to fill

  beards deserve not so honourable a grave as to stuff a botcher's

  pillows or cushion an ass’s ass. Yet you have the gall to say

  cushion or to be entombed in an ass's pack-saddle. Yet you must

  Marcius is proud, even though, at a conservative estimate, he is worth

  be saying, Marcius is proud; who, in a cheap estimation, is worth

  more than all your predecessors since Noah (though the

  all your predecessors since Deucalion; though peradventure some

  best of your predecessors were just executioners). Good evening

  of the best of 'em were hereditary hangmen. Good-e’en to your

  gentlemen. If I listened to any more of your conversation I would lose my mind

  worships: more of your conversation would infect my brain, being

  and make me a demagogue like you. I will leave you

  the herdsmen of the beastly plebeians: I will be bold to take my

  now.

  leave of you.

  [BRUTUS and SICINIUS retire.]

  [Enter VOLUMNIA, VIRGILIA, VALERIA, &c.]

  How are you, ladies? You’re more noble than the moon.

  How now, my as fair as noble ladies,--and the moon, were she

  Where are you trying to go in such a hurry?

  earthly, no nobler,--whither do you follow your eyes so fast?

  VOLUMNIA.

  Menenius, my boy Marcius is coming. For the love of God,

  Honourable Menenius, my boy Marcius approaches; for the love of

  let’s go.

  Juno, let's go.

  MENENIUS.

  Oh boy! Marcius is coming home!

  Ha! Marcius coming home!

  VOLUMNIA.

  Yes, Menenius, and with all the signs of great success.

  Ay, worthy Menenius, and with most prosperous approbation.

  MENENIUS.

  You must be kidding. Hoo! Marcius coming

  Take my cap, Jupiter, and I thank thee.--Hoo! Marcius coming

  home!

  home!

  VOLUMNIA, VIRGILIA.

  No, it’s true.

  Nay, 'tis true.

  VOLUMNIA.

  Look, here’s a letter from him, the government has another,

  Look, here's a letter from him: the state hath another,

  and his wife has another. And I think there’s one at home for you.

  his wife another; and I think there's one at home for you.

  MENENIUS.

  I’m going to get so drunk tonight that my house is going to feel tipsy. A letter for me?

  I will make my very house reel to-night.--A letter for me?

  VIRGILIA.

  Yes, certainly there’s a letter for you; I saw it.

  Yes, certain, there's a letter for you; I saw it.

  MENENIUS.

  A letter for me! That makes me so glad that I’ll be healthy

  A letter for me! It gives me an estate of seven years'

  for seven years, during which time I will make faces at the doctor:

  health; in which time I will make a lip at the physician: the

  best medicine in the medical textbook is a no better

  most sovereign prescription in Galen is but empiricutic, and, to

  than horse-medicine compared to this news. Is he

  this preservative, of no better report than a horse-drench. Is he

  wounded? He tends to come home wounded.

  not wounded? he was wont to come home wounded.

  VIRGILIA.

  Oh, no, no, no.

  O, no, no, no.

  VOLUMNIA.

  Oh, he is wounded, and I thank God for that.

  O, he is wounded, I thank the gods for't.

  MENENIUS.

  So do I, as long as he’s not wounded too much. Did he

  So do I too, if it be not too much.--Brings a victory in

  win? The wounds will look on him.

  his pocket?--The wounds become him.

  VOLUMNIA.

  Yes, and Menenius, for the third time he’s been given a medal for

  On's brows: Menenius, he comes the third time home with the oaken

  saving Roman lives in action.

  garland.

  MENENIUS.

  Did he beat Aufidius soundly?

  Has he disciplined Aufidius soundly?

  VOLUMNIA.

  Titus Lartisu wrote to say that fought each other, but Aufidius

  Titus Lartius writes,--they fought together, but Aufidius

  escaped alive.

  got off.

  MENENIUS.

  It was time for him to go, I’ll give him that. If he had

  And 'twas time for him too, I'll warrant him that: an he

  stayed and fought, I wouldn’t have traded places with him for all the

  had stayed by him, I would not have been so fidiused for all the

  treasire in Corioles. Has the Senate been

  chests in Corioli and the gold that's in them. Is the Senate

  informed about all this?

  possessed of this?

  VOLUMNIA.

  Let’s go, ladies. Yes, yes, yes: the Senate has letters

  Good ladies, let's go.--Yes, yes, yes; the Senate has letters

  from the General, in which he gives all the credit for the victory

  from the general, wherein he gives my son the whole name of the

  to Marcius: he’s outdone himself this time.

  war: he hath in this action outdone his former deeds doubly.

  VALERIA.

  Honestly, they’re saying the most wonderful things about him.

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

  MENENIUS.

  Wonderful! Yes, I bet they are, and I’m sure he deserves their praise.

  Wondrous! ay, I warrant you, and not without his true purchasing.

  VIRGILIA.

  God made them true!

  The gods grant them true!

  VOLUMNIA.

  True! Yeah, right.

  True! pow, wow.

  MENENIUS.

  True! I swear they’re true. Where is he wounded? [To the

  True! I'll be sworn they are true. Where is he wounded?--[To the

  TRIBUNES, who come forward.] Hello, gentlemen! Marcius

  TRIBUNES, who come forward.] God save your good worships! Marcius

  is coming home, and he has good reason to be proud.—Where is he

  is coming home; he has more cause to be proud.--Where is he

  wounded?

  wounded?

  VOLUMNIA.

  In the shoulder and in the left arm. He will have large

  I' the shoulder and i' the left arm; there will be large

  scars to show people when he is campaigning to be consul [head of the Roman Republic].

  cicatrices to show the people when he shall stand for his place.

  He received seven wounds in the last war.

  He received in the repulse of Tarquin seven hurts i' the body.

  MENENIUS.

  Plus one in the neck, and two in the thigh—there’s nine wounds that I

  One i' the neck and two i' the thigh,--there's nine that I

  know of.

  know.

  VOLUMNIA.

  Before this last expedition, he had a total of 25 wounds on his body.

  He had, before
this last expedition, twenty-five wounds upon him.

  MENENIUS.

  Now it’s 27. And every wound on him meant the death of an enemy.

  Now it's twenty-seven: every gash was an enemy's grave.

  [A shout and the sound of trumpets.]

  [A shout and flourish.]

  Listen! The trumpets are sounding.

  Hark! the trumpets.

  VOLUMNIA.

  Those mean that Marcius is coming. He makes noise

  These are the ushers of Marcius: before him

  before he shows up, and leaves a wake of tears behind him.

  He carries noise, and behind him he leaves tears;

  In his strong arms he carries Death;

  Death, that dark spirit, in's nervy arm doth lie;

  when he raises and lowers his arms, men die.

  Which, being advanc'd, declines, and then men die.

  [A sennet. Trumpets sound. Enter COMINIUS and TITUS LARTIUS;

  between them, CORIOLANUS, crowned with an oaken garland; with

  CAPTAINS and Soldiers and a HERALD.]

  HERALD.

  Know, Romans, that Marcius fought all alone

  Know, Rome, that all alone Marcius did fight

  behind enemy line, and he won

  Within Corioli gates: where he hath won,

  a new name to add to Caius Marcius:

  With fame, a name to Caius Marcius; these

  Coriolanus!

  In honour follows Coriolanus:--

  Welcome to Rome, famous Coriolanus!

  Welcome to Rome, renowned Coriolanus!

  [Flourish.]

  ALL.

  Welcome to Rome, famous Coriolanus!

  Welcome to Rome, renowned Coriolanus!

  CORIOLANUS.

  Stop that, it offends me to be praised so much.

  No more of this, it does offend my heart;

  Please, no more.

  Pray now, no more.

  COMINIUS.

  Look, sire, your mother!

  Look, sir, your mother!

  CORIOLANUS.

  Oh,

  O,

  I know you prayed to all the gods

  You have, I know, petition'd all the gods

  for me to do well!

  For my prosperity!

  [Kneels.]

  VOLUMNIA.

  No, good soldier, stand up.

  Nay, my good soldier, up;

  My gentle Marcius, good Caius and

  My gentle Marcius, worthy Caius, and

  (because of your great achievements) now called—

  By deed-achieving honour newly nam'd,--

  What is it?—Do I have to call you Coriolanus?

  What is it?--Coriolanus must I call thee?

  But, look, your wife!

  But, O, thy wife!

  CORIOLANUS.

  Hello my dear silent lady!

  My gracious silence, hail!

  Would you have laughed if I had come home dead?

  Wouldst thou have laugh'd had I come coffin'd home,

  Then why do you cry to see me triumphant? Oh, my dear,

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

  you look as sad as the widows of Corioles,

  Such eyes the widows in Corioli wear,

  and the mothers who’ve lost sons.

  And mothers that lack sons.

  MENENIUS.

  Now you will be made you consul!

  Now the gods crown thee!

  CORIOLANUS.

  You’re still alive? [To VALERIA] Oh, I beg your pardon, my lady.

  And live you yet? [To VALERIA]--O my sweet lady, pardon.

  VOLUMNIA.

  I’m all in a tizzy. Welcome home, Martius; and welcome,

  I know not where to turn.--O, welcome home;--and welcome,

  General; welcome, everyone.

  general;--and you are welcome all.

  MENENIUS.

  A hundred thousand welcome. I don’t know whether

  A hundred thousand welcomes.--I could weep

  to laugh or cry; I am happy and sad at once. Welcome!

  And I could laugh; I am light and heavy.--Welcome:

  Damn everybody

  A curse begin at very root on's heart

  who isn’t glad to see you1 You are three of the best

  That is not glad to see thee!--You are three

  people in Rome, but, I’m afraid to say,

  That Rome should dote on: yet, by the faith of men,

  we have some people here at home that cannot be

  We have some old crab trees here at home that will not

  improved. But welcome home anyway, soldiers.

  Be grafted to your relish. Yet welcome, warriors.

  Let’s just dismiss those bad people as bad

  We call a nettle but a nettle; and

  foolish.

  The faults of fools but folly.

  COMINIUS.

  Right, as always, Menenius!

  Ever right.

  CORIOLANUS.

  Menenius is the best.

  Menenius ever, ever.

  HERALD.

  Keep moving people!

  Give way there, and go on!

  CORIOLANUS.

  [To his wife and mother.] Give me your hands and come with me.

  [To his wife and mother.] Your hand, and yours:

  Before I can rest in our house

  Ere in our own house I do shade my head,

  I have to visit the Senate,

  The good patricians must be visited;

  which not only greeted me

  From whom I have receiv'd not only greetings,

  but gave me all kinds of honors.

  But with them change of honours.

  VOLUMNIA.

  I have lived

  I have lived

  to see all my dreams come true,

  To see inherited my very wishes,

  there’s only one thing missing

  And the buildings of my fancy; only

  [seeing Coriolanus made consul], and I’m sure

  There's one thing wanting, which I doubt not but

  Rome will give it to you.

  Our Rome will cast upon thee.

  CORIOLANUS.

  But remember, mother,

  Know, good mother,

  I would rather serve the people as I see fit,

  I had rather be their servant in my way

  rather than do what the people want.

  Than sway with them in theirs.

  COMINIUS.

  Let’s go to the Capitol.

  On, to the Capitol.

  [Flourish. Cornets. Exeunt in state, as before. The tribunes

  remain.]

  BRUTUS.

  Everyone is talking about him, and short-sighted people

  All tongues speak of him and the bleared sights

  put on their glasses to see him. Nursemaids let the babies

  Are spectacled to see him: your prattling nurse

  they’re supposed to be watching cry while they

  Into a rapture lets her baby cry

  chat with him; the kitchen slut wears

  While she chats him: the kitchen malkin pins

  her best rags on her filthy body,

  Her richest lockram 'bout her reechy neck,

  and climbs the walls to catch a glimpse of him; all kinds of

  Clamb'ring the walls to eye him: stalls, bulks, windows,

  shops close up, and people of all types climb

  Are smother'd up, leads fill'd and ridges hors'd

  on the rooftops, all trying

  With variable complexions; all agreeing

  to see him pass. Rarely-seen priests

  In earnestness to see him: seld-shown flamens

  come out and mingle with the crowds, and struggle

  Do press among the popular throngs, and puff

  to gain a place among the people. Fancy ladies

  To win a vulgar station: our veil'd dames


  blush pink when they see him,

  Commit the war of white and damask, in

  in their expensive makeup, which makes them

  Their nicely gawded cheeks, to the wanton spoil

  look sunburned. They male such a fuss over him,

  Of Phoebus' burning kisses; such a pother,

  as if God himself

  As if that whatsoever god who leads him

  had entered his body

  Were slily crept into his human powers,

  and made him as good-looking as he is.

  And gave him graceful posture.

  SICINIUS.

  I bet he’ll shortly

  On the sudden

  be made consul.

  I warrant him consul.

  BRUTUS.

  In that case we

  Then our office may

  will lose all of our power during his time in office.

  During his power go sleep.

  SICINIUS.

  Fortunately, he can’t bring his honors

  He cannot temp'rately transport his honours

  with him into the future. By the time of the election for consul

  From where he should begin and end; but will

  he will have lost this good-will.

  Lose those he hath won.

  BRUTUS.

  We can take comfort in that, at least.

  In that there's comfort.

  SICINIUS.

  Don’t doubt that the common people, who we represent,

  Doubt not the commoners, for whom we stand,

  will gladly forget these new honors,

  But they, upon their ancient malice will forget,

  on account of the old hatred they have for Coriolanus.

  With the least cause these his new honours; which

  I don’t doubt that be will give them a new reason to hate him,

  That he will give them make as little question

  any more than that he will be proud to have earned their hatred.

  As he is proud to do't.

  BRUTUS.

  I heard him swear,

  I heard him swear,

  that if he were to run for the consulship, he would never

 

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