MESENIUS AGRIPPA, Friend to Coriolanus. SCINIUS VELUTUS.Tribunes of the People. JUSIES BRUTUS, Young MARCIUS, Son to Coriolanus. A Roman Herald. TELLUS AUFIDIUS, General of the Volscians. Lieutenant to Aufidius. Conspirators with Aufidius. A Citizen of Antium. Two Volscian Guards. VOLUMNIA, Mother to Coriolanus. Roman and Volscian Senators, Patricians Ediles, SCENE, partly in Rome, and partly in the Territories of the Volscians and Antiates. ACT I SCENE I.-Rome. A Street. 2 Cit. What he cannot help in his nature, you Enter a Company of mutinous Citizens, with account a vice in him: You must in no way say, Stares, Clubs, and other Weapons. 1 Cit. Before we proceed any further, hear me speak. Cit. Speak, speak. [Several speaking at once. 1 C. You are resolved rather to die than to nish? Cit. Resolved, resolved. 2 Cit. One word, good citizens. 1 Cit. We are accounted poor citizens; the paincians, good: What authority surfeits on, would relieve us: If they would yield us but the superaty, while it were wholesome, we might guess, they relieved us humanely! but they think, we are dear: the leanness that afflicts us, the object tour misery, is an inventory to particularize their abundance; our sufferance is a gain to them.Let us revenge this with our pikes, ere we become fakes; for the gods know, I speak this in hunger but bread, not in thirst for revenge. 2 Cit. Would you proceed especially against Caius Marcius? Cit. Against him first; he's a very dog to the Gamonalty. 2 C. Consider you what services he has done Er his country? 1Cu. Very well; and could be content to give m good report for't, but that he pays himself with being proud. 2 Cut. Nay, but speak not maliciously. 1. I say unto you, what he hath done famously, He did it to that end: though soft conscienced men -n be content to say it was for his country, he did to please his mother, and to be partly proud; hich he is, eve" to the altitude of his virtue. 2 Thin as rakes. Rich. he is covetous. 1 Cit. If I must not, I need not be barren of accusations; he hath faults with surplus, to tire in repetition. [Shouts within. What shouts are these? The other side o' the city is risen: Why stay we prating here? To the Capitol. Cit. Come, come. 1 Cit. Soft; who comes here? Enter MENENIUS AGRIPPA. always loved the people. 2 Cit. Worthy Menenius Agrippa: one that hath rest were so! 1 Cit. He's one honest enough; 'Would, all the Men. What work's, my countrymen, in hand? Where go you With bats and clubs! The matter speak, I pray you. 1 Cit. Our business is not unknown to the senate; They have had inkling, this fortnight, what we intend to do, which now we'll show 'em in deeds They say, poor suitors have strong breaths; they shall know, we have strong arms too. Men. Why, masters, my good friends, mine ho nest neighbors, Will you undo yourselves? 1 Cit. We cannot, sir, we are undone already. Have the patricians of you. Men. I tell you, friends, most charitable care For your wants. Your suffering in this dearth, you may as well Strike at the heaven with your staves, as lift them Against the Roman state; whose course will on The way it takes, cracking ten thousand curbs Of more strong link asunder, than can ever Appear in your impediment: For the dearth, The gods, not the patricians, make it; and Your knees to them, not arms, must help. Alack, You are transported by calamity Thither where more attends you and you slander The helms o' the state,who care for you like fathers, When you curse them as enemies." 1 Cit. Care for us!-True, indeed!-They ne'er cared for us yet. Suffer us to famish, and their storehouses crammed with grain; make edicts fo nsury to support usurers: repeal daily any wholesore act established against the rich; and provide mere piercing statutes daily, to chain up and restrain the poor. If the wars eat us not up, they will; and there's all the love they bear us. Men. Either you must Confess yourselves wondrous malicious, A pretty tale; it may be, you have heard it; 1 Cit. Well, I'll hear it, sir: yet you must not think to fob off our disgrace with a tale: but, an't please you, deliver. Men. There was a time when all the body's Rebell'd against the belly; thus accus'd it :- I' the midst o' the body, idle and inactive, Did see, and hear, devise, instruct, walk, feel, 1 Cit. Well, sir, what answer made the belly? To the discontented members, the mutinous parts Your belly's answer: What! What then? 'Fore me, this fellow speaks!-What then?-what then? 1 Cit. Should by the cormorant body be restrain'd, Who is the sink o' the body, Men. Well, what then? 1 Cit. The former agents, if they did complain, What could the belly answer? Men. I will tell you; If you'll bestow a small (of what you have little) Men. Note me this, good friend; me, 1 Cit. Ay, sir; well, well. Men. Of this most wise rebellion, thou go'st foremost. But make you ready your stiff bats and clubs; Mar. Thanks.-What's the matter, you dissen- That, rubbing the poor itch of your opinion, We have ever your good word. flatter Beneath abhorring. What would you have, yol curs, That like nor peace,nor war? the one affrights you, Or hailstone in the sun. Your virtue is, Deserves your hate: and your affections are With every minute you do change a mind; matter, That in these several places of the city The city is well stor❜d. Conjectural marriages; making parties strong, Would the nobility lay aside their ruth,8 Men. Nay, these are almost thoroughly pers For though abundantly they lack discretion, Mar. They are dissolved: Hang 'en' They said they were an-hungry; sigh'd forth pro verbs ; That, hunger broke stone walls; that dogs must eat; That, meat was made for mouths; that, the gods sent not Corn for the rich men only:-With these shreds They vented their complainings; which being answer'd, And a petition granted them, a strange one, see what I do deliver out to each; 1 Cit. I the great toe! Why the great toe? ⚫ Spread it. • Whereas. And make bold power look pale,) they threw their caps As they would hang them on the borns o' the moon Men. of their own choice: One's Junius Brutus, Bane. Pity, compassion •Heap of dend • Faction. Enter a Messenger. Mess. Where's Caius Marcius? Here: what's the matter? Mess. The news is, sir, the Volces are in arms. Mar. I am glad on't, then we shall have means to vent Our musty superfluity :-See, our best elders. Sen. Marcius, 'tis true, that you have lately told us; The Volces are in arms. Mar. I would wish me only he. Upon my party, I'd revolt, to make Only my wars with him: he is a lion Then, worthy Marcius, Sir, it is; No. Caius Marcius; Lead you on: Follow, Cominius; we must follow you; Right worthy your priority. Com. Noble Lartius! 1 Sen. Hence! to your homes, be gone. [To the Citizens. Mar. Nay, let them follow: The Volces have much corn; take these rats thither, To gnaw their garners :3-Worshipful mutineers, Your valor puts well forth: pray, follow. [Exeunt Senators, COM., MAR., TIT., and MENEN. Citizens steal away. Sic. Was ever man so proud as is this Marcius? Bru. He has no equal. Sic. When we were chosen tribunes for the Bru. Being mov'd, he will not spare to gird the gods. Sic. Bemock the modest moon. SCENE II-Corioli. The Senate House. Enter TULLUS AUFIDIUS, and certain Senators. 1 Sen. So, your opinion is, Aufidius, That they of Rome are enter'd in our councils, And know how we proceed. Auf. Is it not yours What ever nath been thought on in this state, That could be brought to bodily act, ere Rome Had circumvention? 'Tis not four days gone, Since I heard thence; these are the words: I think I have the letter here; yes, here it is: [Reads They have press'd a power, but it is not known Whether for east, or west: The dearth is great ; The people mutinous: and it is rumor'd, Cominius, Marcius, your old enemy, (Who is of Rome worse hated than of you,) And Titus Lartius, a most valiant Roman, These three lead on this preparation Whither 'tis bent: most likely, 'tis for you: Consider of it. 1 Sen. Our army's in the field: We never yet made doubt that Rome was ready To answer us. Auf. Nor did you think it folly, To keep your great pretences veil'd, till when They needs must show themselves; which in the hatching,, It seem'd, appear'd to Rome. By the discovery, We shall be shorten'd in our aini; which was, To take in many towns, ere, almost, Rome Should know we were afoot. 2 Sen. If they set down before us, for the remove Auf. All. The gods assist you! Auf. And keep your honors safe! 1 Sen. 2 Sen. All. Farewell. Farewell. Farewell. [Exeunt. Bru. The present wars devour him: he is grown wherein he won honor, than in the embracements Too proud to be so valiant. Tickled with good success, disdains the shadow Which he treads on at noon: But I do wonder, His insolence can brook to be commanded Under Cominius. of his bed, where he would show most love.When yet he was but tender-bodied, and the only son of my womb; when youth with comeliness plucked all gaze his way; when for a day of kings' entreaties, a mother should not sell him an hour from her beholding; I,-considering how honor would become such a person; that it was no better than picture-like to hang by the wall, if renown made it not stir,-was pleased to let him seek danger where he was like to find fame. To a cruel war I sent him; from whence he returned, his brows bound with oak. I tell thee, daughter,-I sprang not more in joy at first hearing he was a man-child, than now, in first seeing he had proved himself a Bru. Bri. Come: Haifall Cominius' honors are to Marcius, Vir. But had he died in the business, madam, how then? Vol. Then his good report should have been my son; I therein would have found issue. Hear me Though Marcius earn'd them not: and all his profess sincerely: Had I a dozen sons,-each in Vol. Indeed you shall not. Methinks, I hear hither your husband's drum; See him pluck Aufidius down by the hair; As children from a bear, the Volces shunning him: Methinks I see him stamp thus, and call thus,Come on, you cowards, you were got in fear, Though you were born in Rome: His bloody brow With his mail'd hand then wiping, forth he goes Like to a harvest-man, that's task'd to mow Or all, or lose his hire. Vir. His bloody brow! O, Jupiter, no blood! Vol. Away, you fool! it more becomes a man, Than gilt his trophy: The breasts of Hecuba, When she did suckle Hector, look'd not lovelier Than Hector's forehead, when it spit forth blood At Grecian swords' contending.-Tell Valeria, We are fit to bid her welcome. [Exit Gent. Vir. Heavens bless my lord from fell Aufidius! Vol. He'll beat Aufidius' head below his knee, And tread upon his neck. Re-enter Gentlewoman, with VALERIA and her Val. My ladies both, good day to you. Vir. I am glad to see your ladyship. Val. How do you both? you are manifest housekeepers. What, are you sewing here? A fine spot, in good faith.-How does your little son? Vir. I thank your ladyship: well, good madam. Vol. He had rather see the swords, and hear a drum, than look upon his school-master. Val. O'my word, the father's son: I'll swear, 'tis a very pretty boy. O' my troth, I looked upon him o' Wednesday half an hour together: he has such a confirmed countenance. I saw him run after a gilded butterfly; and when he caught it, he let it go again; and after it again; and over and over he comes, and up again; catched it again : or whether his tall enraged him, or how 'twas, he did so set his teeth, and tear it; O, I warrant, how he mammock eds it! Vol. One of his father's moods. Val. Come, lay aside your stitchery; I must have you play the idle huswife with me this afternoon. Vir. No, good madam: I will not out of doors. Val. Not out of doors! Vol. She shall, she shall. Vir. Indeed, no, by your patience: I will not over the threshold, till my lord return from the wars. Val. Fye.you confine yourself most unreasonably; Come, you must go visit the good lady that lies in. Vir. I will wish her speedy strength, and visit her with my prayers; but I cannot go thither. Vol. Why, I pray you? Vir. 'Tis not to save labor, nor that I want love. Val. You would be another Penelope: yet, they say, all the yarn she spun, in Ulysses absence, did but till Ithaca full of moths. Come; I would, your cambric were sensible as your finger, that you might leave pricking it for pity. Come, you shall go with us. Vir. No, good madam, pardon me; indeed, I will not forth. Val. In truth, la, go with me; and I'll tell you excellent news of your husband. Vir. O, good madam, there can be none yet. Val..Verily, I do not jest with you; there came news from him last night. Vir. Indeed, madam? Now, Mars, I pr'ythee make us quick in work; That we with smoking swords may march from hence, To help our fielded friends!-Come, blow thy blast. They sound a Parley. Enter, on the Walls, some Senators, and others. Tullus Aufidius, is he within your walls? That's lesser than a little. Hark, our drums 1 Sen. No, nor a man that fears you less than he, [Alarums afar off. Are bringing forth our youth: We'll break our walls, Rather than they shall pound us up: our gates, Hark you, afar off; O, they are at it! Lart. Their noise be our instruction.-Ladders, ho! The Volces enter, and pass over the Stage. Mar. They fear us not, but issue forth their city. Now put your shields before your hearts, and fight With hearts more proof than shields.-Advance, brave Titus: They do disdain us much beyond our thoughts. Which makes me sweat with wrath.-Come, my fellows; He that retires, I'll take him for a Volce, Alarum, and exeunt Romans and Volces, fighting The Romans are beaten back to their TreNCAES. Re-enter MARCIUS. Mar. All the contagion of the south light on you, You shames of Rome! you herd of Boils and plagues Plaster you o'er; that you may be abhorr'd seconds: 'Tis for the followers fortune widens them, Not for the fliers: mark me, and do the like. [He enters the Gates and is shut vi 1 Sol. Fool-hardiness; not 1. 2 Sol. 3 Sol. Have shut him in. All Nor 1. See, they [Alarum continue To the pot, I warian' hi A carbuncle entire, as big as thou art, Were not so rich a jewel. Thou wast a soldier Only in strokes; but, with thy grim looks, and Thou mad'st thine enemies shake, as if the world Re-enter MARCIUS, bleeding, assaulted by the Enemy. 1 Sol. Look, sir. Lart. 'Tis Marcius! Let's fetch him off, or make remain alike. [They fight, and all enter the City. SCENE V. Within the Town. A Street. 1 Rom. This will I carry to Rome. 3 Rom. A murrain on't! I took this for silver. [Alarum continues still afar off. Enter MARCIUS, and TITUS LARTIUS, with a Trumpet. There is the man of my soul's hate, Aufidius, Worthy sir, thou bleed'st; Thy exercise hath been too violent for A second course of fight. Mar. Sir, praise me not; My work hath yet not warm'd me: Fare you well. Than dangerous to me: To Aufidius thus Now the fair goddess, Fortune. Fall deep in love with thee; and her great charms Misguide thy opposers' swords! Bold gentleman, Prosperity be thy page! Mar. [Exit MARCIUS. SCENE VI-Near the Camp of Cominius. Like Romans, neither foolish in our stands, Enter a Messenger. May give you thankful sacrifice!-Thy news! 'Having sensation, feeling. Mar. As with a man busied about decrees: Condemning some to death, and some to exile; Ransoming him, or pitying, threat'ning the other Holding Corioli in the name of Rome, Even like a fawning greyhound in the leash, Com. Where is that slave, Which told me they had beat you to your trenches! Mar. The mouse ne'er shunn'd the cat, as they did budge From rascals worse than they. Com. But how prevail'd you? Mar. Will the time serve to tell? I do not thinkWhere is the enemy? Are you lords o' the field? If not, why cease you till you are so? Com. Marcius, We have at disadvantage fought, and did Mar. How lies their battle? Know you on which side They have placed their men of trust? Their bands in the vaward' are the Antiates, Mar. Filling the air with swords advanced, and darts, We prove this very hour. Com. Though I could wish You were conducted to a gentle bath, And balms applied to you, yet dare I never Deny your asking; take your choice of those The best can aid your action. Mar. If any think, brave death outweighs bad life, And follow Marcius. [They all shout, and wove their Swords; take him up in their Arms and cast up their Cape • Expend. A Roman coin. Soldiers of Antium • Front. Present time. |
