In asking their good loves, but thou wilt frame
Thyself, forsooth, hereafter theirs, so far

As thou hast power and person.

Men.

This but done,

Even as she speaks, why, their hearts were yours;
For they have pardons, being ask'd, as free

As words to little purpose.

Vol.

Prithee now,

Go, and be ruled: although I know thou hadst

rather

Follow thine enemy in a fiery gulf

Than flatter him in a bower.

90

Here is Cominius.

Enter COMINIUS.

Com. I have been i' the market-place; and, sir, 'tis fit

You make strong party, or defend yourself

By calmness or by absence: all's in anger.

Men. Only fair speech.

Com.

I think 'twill serve, if he

Can thereto frame his spirit..

Vol.
He must, and will.
Prithee now, say you will, and go about it.

Cor. Must I go show them my unbarbed sconce?
Must I with base tongue give my noble heart
A lie that it must bear? Well, I will do 't:
Yet, were there but this single plot to lose,
This mould of Marcius, they to dust should grind it
And throw't against the wind. To the market-
place!

You have put me now to such a part which never
I shall discharge to the life.

Com.

Come, come, we'll prompt you.
Vol. I prithee now, sweet son, as thou hast said

100

99. unbarbed sconce head 102. this single plot, my

without a helmet.

single person.

My praises made thee first a soldier, so,
To have my praise for this, perform a part
Thou hast not done before.

Cor.

Well, I must do 't :

110

Away, my disposition, and possess me

Some harlot's spirit! my throat of war be turn'd,
Which quired with my drum, into a pipe

Small as an eunuch, or the virgin voice
That babies lulls asleep! the smiles of knaves
Tent in my cheeks, and schoolboys' tears take up
The glasses of my sight! a beggar's tongue
Make motion through my lips, and my arm'd knees,
Who bow'd but in my stirrup, bend like his
That hath received an alms! I will not do 't,
Lest I surcease to honour mine own truth
And by my body's action teach my mind
A most inherent baseness.

Vol.

At thy choice, then:

To beg of thee, it is my more dishonour
Than thou of them. Come all to ruin; let
Thy mother rather feel thy pride than fear
Thy dangerous stoutness, for I mock at death
With as big heart as thou. Do as thou list.

Thy valiantness was mine, thou suck'dst it from me,
But owe thy pride thyself.

Cor.

Pray, be content:

Mother, I am going to the market-place;
Chide me no more. I'll mountebank their loves,
Cog their hearts from them, and come home

120

130

Or never trust to what my tongue can do
I' the way of flattery further.

Vol.

Do your will.

[Exit.

Com. Away! the tribunes do attend you: arm

yourself

To answer mildly; for they are prepared
With accusations, as I hear, more strong
Than are upon you yet.

Cor. The word is 'mildly.' Pray you, let us go :
Let them accuse me by invention, I

Will answer in mine honour.

Men.

Ay, but mildly.

[Exeunt.

Cor. Well, mildly be it then. Mildly!

140

SCENE III.

The same.

The Forum.

Enter SICINIUS and BRUTUS.

Bru. In this point charge him home, that he
affects

Tyrannical power: if he evade us there,
Enforce him with his envy to the people,

And that the spoil got on the Antiates
Was ne'er distributed.

Ed. With old Menenius, and those senators

That always favour'd him.

Sic.

Have you a catalogue

Of all the voices that we have procured

Set down by the poll?

Ed.

I have; 'tis ready. Sic. Have you collected them by tribes? Ed.

I have.

Sic. Assemble presently the people hither; And when they hear me say 'It shall be so

I' the right and strength o' the 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 old prerogative

And power i' the truth o' the cause.

Ed.

I shall inform them.

Bru. And when such time they have begun to

cry,

Let them not cease, but with a din confused

Enforce the present execution

Of what we chance to sentence.

Ed.

Very well.

Sic. Make them be strong and ready for this

hint,

When we shall hap to give 't them.

Go about it.

Bru.
[Exit Edile.
Put him to choler straight: he hath been used
Ever to conquer, and to have his worth

Of contradiction: being once chafed, he cannot
Be rein'd again to temperance; then he speaks
What's in his heart; and that is there which looks
With us to break his neck.

Sic.

Well, here he comes.

Enter CORIOLANUS, MENENIUS, and COMINIUS,
with Senators and Patricians.

Men. Calmly, I do beseech you.

Cor. Ay, as an ostler, that for the poorest piece

29. which looks, etc., which promises with our aid to break

his neck.

32. piece, coin.

ΙΟ

20

30

Will bear the knave by the volume. The honour'd

gods
Keep Rome in safety, and the chairs of justice
Supplied with worthy men! plant love among's!
Throng our large temples with the shows of peace,
And not our streets with war!

Cor. Shall I be charged no further than this

present ?

Must all determine here?

Sic.

I do demand,

If you submit you to the people's voices,
Allow their officers and are content

To suffer lawful censure for such faults
As shall be proved upon you?

Cor.

I am content.

Men. Lo, citizens, he says he is content :

The warlike service he has done, consider; think
Upon the wounds his body bears, which show

Like graves i' the holy churchyard.

Cor.

Scars to move laughter only.

Scratches with briers,

Consider further,

Men.
That when he speaks not like a citizen,
You find him like a soldier: do not take
His rougher accents for malicious sounds,
But, as I say, such as become a soldier,

33. bear the knave, bear being called 'knave.'

50