The Tragedy of Coriolanus
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William Shakespeare

The Tragedy of Coriolanus





THE TRAGEDY OF CORIOLANUS




by William Shakespeare




PERSONS REPRESENTED


CAIUS MARCIUS CORIOLANUS, a noble Roman

TITUS LARTIUS, General against the Volscians

COMINIUS, General against the Volscians

MENENIUS AGRIPPA, Friend to Coriolanus

SICINIUS VELUTUS, Tribune of the People

JUNIUS BRUTUS, Tribune of the People

YOUNG MARCIUS, son to Coriolanus

A ROMAN HERALD

TULLUS AUFIDIUS, General of the Volscians

LIEUTENANT, to Aufidius

Conspirators with Aufidius

A CITIZEN of Antium

TWO VOLSCIAN GUARDS

VOLUMNIA, Mother to Coriolanus

VIRGILIA, Wife to Coriolanus

VALERIA, Friend to Virgilia

GENTLEWOMAN attending on Virgilia

Roman and Volscian Senators, Patricians, Aediles, Lictors,

Soldiers, Citizens, Messengers, Servants to Aufidius, and other

Attendants


SCENE: Partly in Rome, and partly in the territories of the Volscians and Antiates




ACT I





SCENE I. Rome. A street




[Enter a company of mutinous citizens, with staves, clubs, and other weapons.]



FIRST CITIZEN

		Before we proceed any further, hear me speak.


ALL

		Speak, speak.


FIRST CITIZEN

		You are all resolved rather to die than to famish?


ALL

		Resolved, resolved.


FIRST CITIZEN

		First, you know Caius Marcius is chief enemy to the people.


ALL

		We know't, we know't.
		FIRST CITIZEN. Let us kill him, and we'll have corn at our own price. Is't a verdict?


ALL

		No more talking on't; let it be done: away, away!


SECOND CITIZEN

		One word, good citizens.

		FIRST CITIZEN. We are accounted poor citizens; the patricians good. What authority surfeits on would relieve us; if they would yield us but the superfluity, while it were wholesome, we might guess they relieved us humanely; but they think we are too dear: the leanness that afflicts us, the object of our misery, is as an inventory to particularize their abundance; our sufferance is a gain to them. – Let us revenge this with our pikes ere we become rakes: for the gods know I speak this in hunger for bread, not in thirst for revenge.


SECOND CITIZEN

		Would you proceed especially against Caius Marcius?


FIRST CITIZEN

		Against him first: he's a very dog to the commonalty.


SECOND CITIZEN

		Consider you what services he has done for his country?

		FIRST CITIZEN. Very well; and could be content to give him good report for't, but that he pays himself with being proud.


SECOND CITIZEN

		Nay, but speak not maliciously.

		FIRST CITIZEN. I say unto you, what he hath done famously he did it to that end: though soft-conscienced men can be content to say it was for his country, he did it to please his mother, and to be partly proud; which he is, even to the altitude of his virtue.

		SECOND CITIZEN. What he cannot help in his nature you account a vice in him. You must in no way say he is covetous.

		FIRST CITIZEN. 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!


ALL

		Come, come.


FIRST CITIZEN

		Soft! who comes here?


SECOND CITIZEN

		Worthy Menenius Agrippa; one that hath always loved the people.


FIRST CITIZEN

		He's one honest enough; would all the rest were so!



[Enter MENENIUS AGRIPPA.]



MENENIUS

		What work's, my countrymen, in hand? where go you
		With bats and clubs? the matter? speak, I pray you.

		FIRST CITIZEN. 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.


MENENIUS

		Why, masters, my good friends, mine honest neighbours,
		Will you undo yourselves?


FIRST CITIZEN

		We cannot, sir; we are undone already.


MENENIUS

		I tell you, friends, most charitable care
		Have the patricians of you. 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' th' state, who care for you like fathers,
		When you curse them as enemies.

		FIRST CITIZEN. Care for us! True, indeed! They ne'er cared for us yet. Suffer us to famish, and their storehouses crammed with grain; make edicts for usury, to support usurers; repeal daily any wholesome act established against the rich, and provide more 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.


MENENIUS

		Either you must
		Confess yourselves wondrous malicious,
		Or be accus'd of folly. I shall tell you
		A pretty tale: it may be you have heard it;
		But, since it serves my purpose, I will venture
		To stale't a little more.

		FIRST CITIZEN. 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.


MENENIUS

		There was a time when all the body's members
		Rebell'd against the belly; thus accus'd it: —
		That only like a gulf it did remain
		I' the midst o' the body, idle and unactive,
		Still cupboarding the viand, never bearing
		Like labour with the rest; where th' other instruments
		Did see and hear, devise, instruct, walk, feel,
		And, mutually participate, did minister
		Unto the appetite and affection common
		Of the whole body. The belly answered, —


FIRST CITIZEN

		Well, sir, what answer made the belly?


MENENIUS

		Sir, I shall tell you. – With a kind of smile,
		Which ne'er came from the lungs, but even thus, —
		For, look you, I may make the belly smile
		As well as speak, – it tauntingly replied
		To the discontented members, the mutinous parts
		That envied his receipt; even so most fitly
		As you malign our senators for that
		They are not such as you.


FIRST CITIZEN

		Your belly's answer? What!
		The kingly crowned head, the vigilant eye,
		The counsellor heart, the arm our soldier,
		Our steed the leg, the tongue our trumpeter,
		With other muniments and petty helps
		Is this our fabric, if that they, —


MENENIUS

		What then? —
		'Fore me, this fellow speaks! – what then? what then?


FIRST CITIZEN

		Should by the cormorant belly be restrain'd,
		Who is the sink o' the body, —


MENENIUS

		Well, what then?


FIRST CITIZEN

		The former agents, if they did complain,
		What could the belly answer?


MENENIUS

		I will tell you;
		If you'll bestow a small, – of what you have little, —
		Patience awhile, you'll hear the belly's answer.


FIRST CITIZEN

		You are long about it.


MENENIUS

		Note me this, good friend;
		Your most grave belly was deliberate,
		Not rash like his accusers, and thus answer'd:
		'True is it, my incorporate friends,' quoth he,
		'That I receive the general food at first
		Which you do live upon; and fit it is,
		Because I am the storehouse and the shop
		Of the whole body: but, if you do remember,
		I send it through the rivers of your blood,
		Even to the court, the heart, – to the seat o' the brain;
		And, through the cranks and offices of man,
		The strongest nerves and small inferior veins
		From me receive that natural competency
		Whereby they live: and though that all at once
		You, my good friends,' – this says the belly, – mark me, —


FIRST CITIZEN

		Ay, sir; well, well.


MENENIUS

		'Though all at once cannot
		See what I do deliver out to each,
		Yet I can make my audit up, that all
		From me do back receive the flour of all,
		And leave me but the bran.' What say you to't?


FIRST CITIZEN

		It was an answer: how apply you this?


MENENIUS

		The senators of Rome are this good belly,
		And you the mutinous members; for, examine
		Their counsels and their cares; digest things rightly
		Touching the weal o' the common; you shall find
		No public benefit which you receive
		But it proceeds or comes from them to you,
		And no way from yourselves. – What do you think,
		You, the great toe of this assembly?


FIRST CITIZEN

		I the great toe? why the great toe?


MENENIUS

		For that, being one o' the lowest, basest, poorest,
		Of this most wise rebellion, thou go'st foremost:
		Thou rascal, that art worst in blood to run,
		Lead'st first to win some vantage. —
		But make you ready your stiff bats and clubs:
		Rome and her rats are at the point of battle;
		The one side must have bale. —



[Enter CAIUS MARCIUS.]


		Hail, noble Marcius!


MARCIUS

		Thanks. – What's the matter, you dissentious rogues
		That, rubbing the poor itch of your opinion,
		Make yourselves scabs?


FIRST CITIZEN

		We have ever your good word.


MARCIUS

		He that will give good words to thee will flatter
		Beneath abhorring. – What would you have, you curs,
		That like nor peace nor war? The one affrights you,
		The other makes you proud. He that trusts to you,
		Where he should find you lions, finds you hares;
		Where foxes, geese: you are no surer, no,
		Than is the coal of fire upon the ic,
		Or hailstone in the sun. Your virtue is
		To make him worthy whose offence subdues him,
		And curse that justice did it. Who deserves greatness
		Deserves your hate; and your affections are
		A sick man's appetite, who desires most that
		Which would increase his evil. He that depends
		Upon your favours swims with fins of lead,
		And hews down oaks with rushes. Hang ye! Trust ye!
		With every minute you do change a mind;
		And call him noble that was now your hate,
		Him vile that was your garland. What's the matter,
		That in these several places of the city
		You cry against the noble senate, who,
		Under the gods, keep you in awe, which else
		Would feed on one another? – What's their seeking?


MENENIUS

		For corn at their own rates; whereof they say
		The city is well stor'd.


MARCIUS

		Hang 'em! They say!
		They'll sit by th' fire and presume to know
		What's done i' the Capitol; who's like to rise,
		Who thrives and who declines; side factions, and give out
		Conjectural marriages; making parties strong,
		And feebling such as stand not in their liking
		Below their cobbled shoes. They say there's grain enough!
		Would the nobility lay aside their ruth
		And let me use my sword, I'd make a quarry
		With thousands of these quarter'd slaves, as high
		As I could pick my lance.


MENENIUS

		Nay, these are almost thoroughly persuaded;
		For though abundantly they lack discretion,
		Yet are they passing cowardly. But, I beseech you,
		What says the other troop?


MARCIUS

		They are dissolved: hang 'em!
		They said they were an-hungry; sigh'd forth proverbs, —
		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,
		To break the heart of generosity,
		And make bold power look pale, – they threw their caps
		As they would hang them on the horns o' the moon,
		Shouting their emulation.


MENENIUS

		What is granted them?


MARCIUS

		Five tribunes, to defend their vulgar wisdoms,
		Of their own choice: one's Junius Brutus,
		Sicinius Velutus, and I know not. – 'Sdeath!
		The rabble should have first unroof'd the city
		Ere so prevail'd with me: it will in time
		Win upon power, and throw forth greater themes
		For insurrection's arguing.


MENENIUS

		This is strange.


MARCIUS

		Go get you home, you fragments!



[Enter a MESSENGER, hastily.]



MESSENGER

		Where's Caius Marcius?


MARCIUS

		Here: what's the matter?


MESSENGER

		The news is, sir, the Volsces are in arms.


MARCIUS

		I am glad on't: then we shall ha' means to vent
		Our musty superfluity. – See, our best elders.



[Enter COMINIUS, TITUS LARTIUS, and other SENATORS; JUNIUS BRUTUS and SICINIUS VELUTUS.]



FIRST SENATOR

		Marcius, 'tis true that you have lately told us: —
		The Volsces are in arms.


MARCIUS

		They have a leader,
		Tullus Aufidius, that will put you to't.
		I sin in envying his nobility;
		And were I anything but what I am,
		I would wish me only he.


COMINIUS

		You have fought together.


MARCIUS

		Were half to half the world by the ears, and he
		Upon my party, I'd revolt, to make
		Only my wars with him: he is a lion
		That I am proud to hunt.


FIRST SENATOR

		Then, worthy Marcius,
		Attend upon Cominius to these wars.


COMINIUS

		It is your former promise.


MARCIUS

		Sir, it is;
		And I am constant. – Titus Lartius, thou
		Shalt see me once more strike at Tullus' face.
		What, art thou stiff? stand'st out?


TITUS LARTIUS

		No, Caius Marcius;
		I'll lean upon one crutch and fight with the other
		Ere stay behind this business.


MENENIUS

		O, true bred!


FIRST SENATOR

		Your company to the Capitol; where, I know,
		Our greatest friends attend us.


TITUS LARTIUS

		Lead you on.
		Follow, Cominius; we must follow you;
		Right worthy your priority.


COMINIUS

		Noble Marcius!


FIRST SENATOR

		Hence to your homes; be gone!



[To the Citizens.]



MARCIUS

		Nay, let them follow:
		The Volsces have much corn; take these rats thither
		To gnaw their garners. – Worshipful mutineers,
		Your valour puts well forth: pray follow.



[Exeunt Senators, COM., MAR, TIT., and MENEN. Citizens steal away.]



SICINIUS

		Was ever man so proud as is this Marcius?


BRUTUS

		He has no equal.


SICINIUS

		When we were chosen tribunes for the people, —


BRUTUS

		Mark'd you his lip and eyes?


SICINIUS

		Nay, but his taunts!


BRUTUS

		Being mov'd, he will not spare to gird the gods.


SICINIUS

		Bemock the modest moon.


BRUTUS

		The present wars devour him: he is grown
		Too proud to be so valiant.


SICINIUS

		Such a nature,
		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.


BRUTUS

		Fame, at the which he aims, —
		In whom already he is well grac'd, – cannot
		Better be held, nor more attain'd, than by
		A place below the first: for what miscarries
		Shall be the general's fault, though he perform
		To th' utmost of a man; and giddy censure
		Will then cry out of Marcius 'O, if he
		Had borne the business!'


SICINIUS

		Besides, if things go well,
		Opinion, that so sticks on Marcius, shall
		Of his demerits rob Cominius.


BRUTUS

		Come:
		Half all Cominius' honours are to Marcius,
		Though Marcius earn'd them not; and all his faults
		To Marcius shall be honours, though, indeed,
		In aught he merit not.


SICINIUS

		Let's hence and hear
		How the dispatch is made; and in what fashion,
		More than in singularity, he goes
		Upon this present action.


BRUTUS

		Let's along.



[Exeunt.]





SCENE II. Corioli. The Senate House




[Enter TULLUS AUFIDIUS and certain SENATORS.]



FIRST SENATOR

		So, your opinion is, Aufidius,
		That they of Rome are enter'd in our counsels
		And know how we proceed.


AUFIDIUS

		Is it not yours?
		What ever have 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 pressed a power, but it is not known
		Whether for east or west: the dearth is great;
		The people mutinous: and it is rumour'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.'


FIRST SENATOR

		Our army's in the field:
		We never yet made doubt but Rome was ready
		To answer us.


AUFIDIUS

		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 aim; which was,
		To take in many towns ere, almost, Rome
		Should know we were afoot.


SECOND SENATOR

		Noble Aufidius,
		Take your commission; hie you to your bands;
		Let us alone to guard Corioli:
		If they set down before's, for the remove
		Bring up your army; but I think you'll find
		They've not prepared for us.


AUFIDIUS

		O, doubt not that;
		I speak from certainties. Nay, more,
		Some parcels of their power are forth already,
		And only hitherward. I leave your honours.
		If we and Caius Marcius chance to meet,
		'Tis sworn between us we shall ever strike
		Till one can do no more.


ALL

		The gods assist you!


AUFIDIUS

		And keep your honours safe!


FIRST SENATOR

		Farewell.


SECOND SENATOR

		Farewell.
		ALL. Farewell.



[Exeunt.]





SCENE III. Rome. An apartmnet in MARCIUS' house




[Enter VOLUMNIA and VIRGILIA; they sit down on two low stools and sew.]


		VOLUMNIA. I pray you, daughter, sing, or express yourself in a more comfortable sort; if my son were my husband, I should freelier rejoice in that absence wherein he won honour than in the embracements 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 pluck'd 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 honour would become such a person; that it was no better than picture-like to hang by th' wall if renown made it not stir; – was pleased to let him seek danger where he was 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 man.


VIRGILIA

		But had he died in the business, madam? how then?

		VOLUMNIA. Then his good report should have been my son; I therein would have found issue. Hear me profess sincerely, – had I a dozen sons, each in my love alike, and none less dear than thine and my good Marcius, I had rather had eleven die nobly for their country than one voluptuously surfeit out of action.



[Enter a GENTLEWOMAN.]



GENTLEWOMAN

		Madam, the Lady Valeria is come to visit you.


VIRGILIA

		Beseech you, give me leave to retire myself.


VOLUMNIA

		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 Volsces 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 tasked to mow
		Or all, or lose his hire.


VIRGILIA

		His bloody brow! O Jupiter, no blood!


VOLUMNIA

		Away, you fool! It more becomes a man
		Than gilt his trophy: the breasts of Hecuba,
		When she did suckle Hector, looked 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 GENTLEWOMAN.]



VIRGILIA

		Heavens bless my lord from fell Aufidius!


VOLUMNIA

		He'll beat Aufidius' head below his knee,
		And tread upon his neck.



[Re-enter GENTLEWOMAN, with VALERIA and her Usher.]



VALERIA

		My ladies both, good-day to you.


VOLUMNIA

		Sweet madam.


VIRGILIA

		I am glad to see your ladyship.
		VALERIA. How do you both? you are manifest housekeepers. What are you sewing here? A fine spot, in good faith. – How does your little son?


VIRGILIA

		I thank your ladyship; well, good madam.

		VOLUMNIA. He had rather see the swords and hear a drum than look upon his schoolmaster.

		VALERIA. 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: 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 fall enraged him, or how 'twas, he did so set his teeth and tear it; O, I warrant, how he mammocked it!


VOLUMNIA

		One on's father's moods.


VALERIA

		Indeed, la, 'tis a noble child.


VIRGILIA

		A crack, madam.
		VALERIA. Come, lay aside your stitchery; I must have you play the idle huswife with me this afternoon.


VIRGILIA

		No, good madam; I will not out of doors.


VALERIA

		Not out of doors!


VOLUMNIA

		She shall, she shall.

		VIRGILIA. Indeed, no, by your patience; I'll not over the threshold till my lord return from the wars.

		VALERIA. Fie, you confine yourself most unreasonably; come, you must go visit the good lady that lies in.

		VIRGILIA. I will wish her speedy strength, and visit her with my prayers; but I cannot go thither.


VOLUMNIA

		Why, I pray you?


VIRGILIA

		'Tis not to save labour, nor that I want love.

		VALERIA. You would be another Penelope; yet they say all the yarn she spun in Ulysses' absence did but fill 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.


VIRGILIA

		No, good madam, pardon me; indeed I will not forth.
		VALERIA. In truth, la, go with me; and I'll tell you excellent news of your husband.


VIRGILIA

		O, good madam, there can be none yet.
		VALERIA. Verily, I do not jest with you; there came news from him last night.


VIRGILIA

		Indeed, madam?

		VALERIA. In earnest, it's true; I heard a senator speak it. Thus it is: – the Volsces have an army forth; against whom Cominius the general is gone, with one part of our Roman power: your lord and Titus Lartius are set down before their city Corioli; they nothing doubt prevailing, and to make it brief wars. This is true, on mine honour; and so, I pray, go with us.

		VIRGILIA. Give me excuse, good madam; I will obey you in everything hereafter.

		VOLUMNIA. Let her alone, lady; as she is now, she will but disease our better mirth.

		VALERIA. In troth, I think she would. – Fare you well, then. – Come, good sweet lady. – Pr'ythee, Virgilia, turn thy solemness out o' door and go along with us.


VIRGILIA

		No, at a word, madam; indeed I must not. I wish you much mirth.


VALERIA

		Well then, farewell.



[Exeunt.]





SCENE IV. Before Corioli




[Enter, with drum and colours, MARCIUS, TITUS LARTIUS, Officers, and soldiers.]



MARCIUS

		Yonder comes news: – a wager they have met.


LARTIUS

		My horse to yours, no.


MARCIUS

		'Tis done.


LARTIUS

		Agreed.



[Enter a Messenger.]



MARCIUS

		Say, has our general met the enemy?


MESSENGER

		They lie in view; but have not spoke as yet.


LARTIUS

		So, the good horse is mine.


MARCIUS

		I'll buy him of you.


LARTIUS

		No, I'll nor sell nor give him: lend you him I will
		For half a hundred years. – Summon the town.


MARCIUS

		How far off lie these armies?


MESSENGER

		Within this mile and half.


MARCIUS

		Then shall we hear their 'larum, and they ours. —
		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?


FIRST SENATOR

		No, nor a man that fears you less than he,
		That's lesser than a little.



[Drum afar off]


		Hark, our drums
		Are bringing forth our youth! we'll break our walls
		Rather than they shall pound us up: our gates,
		Which yet seem shut, we have but pinn'd with rushes;
		They'll open of themselves.



[Alarum far off.]


		Hark you far off!
		There is Aufidius; list what work he makes
		Amongst your cloven army.


MARCIUS

		O, they are at it!


LARTIUS

		Their noise be our instruction. – Ladders, ho!



[The Volsces enter and pass over.]



MARCIUS

		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 on, my fellows:
		He that retires, I'll take him for a Volsce,
		And he shall feel mine edge.



[Alarums, and exeunt Romeans and Volsces fighting. Romans are beaten back to their trenches. Re-enter MARCIUS.]



MARCIUS

		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
		Farther than seen, and one infect another
		Against the wind a mile! You souls of geese
		That bear the shapes of men, how have you run
		From slaves that apes would beat! Pluto and hell!
		All hurt behind; backs red, and faces pale
		With flight and agued fear! Mend, and charge home,
		Or, by the fires of heaven, I'll leave the foe
		And make my wars on you: look to't: come on;
		If you'll stand fast we'll beat them to their wives,
		As they us to our trenches.



[Another alarum. The Volsces and Romans re-enter, and the fight is renewed. The Volsces retire into Corioli, and MARCIUS follows them to the gates.]


		So, now the gates are ope: – now prove good seconds:
		'Tis for the followers fortune widens them,
		Not for the fliers: mark me, and do the like.



[He enters the gates]



FIRST SOLDIER

		Fool-hardiness: not I.


SECOND SOLDIER

		Nor I.



[MARCIUS is shut in.]



FIRST SOLDIER

		See, they have shut him in.


ALL

		To th' pot, I warrant him.



[Alarum continues]

[Re-enter TITUS LARTIUS.]



LARTIUS

		What is become of Marcius?


ALL

		Slain, sir, doubtless.


FIRST SOLDIER

		Following the fliers at the very heels,
		With them he enters; who, upon the sudden,
		Clapp'd-to their gates: he is himself alone,
		To answer all the city.


LARTIUS

		O noble fellow!
		Who sensible, outdares his senseless sword,
		And when it bows stands up! Thou art left, Marcius:
		A carbuncle entire, as big as thou art,
		Were not so rich a jewel. Thou wast a soldier
		Even to Cato's wish, not fierce and terrible
		Only in strokes; but with thy grim looks and
		The thunder-like percussion of thy sounds
		Thou mad'st thine enemies shake, as if the world
		Were feverous and did tremble.



[Re-enter MARCIUS, bleeding, assaulted by the enemy.]



FIRST SOLDIER

		Look, sir.


LARTIUS

		O, 'tis Marcius!
		Let's fetch him off, or make remain alike.



[They fight, and all enter the city.]





SCENE V. Within Corioli. A street




[Enter certain Romans, with spoils.]



FIRST ROMAN

		This will I carry to Rome.


SECOND ROMAN

		And I this.


THIRD ROMAN

		A murrain on't! I took this for silver.



[Alarum continues still afar off.]

[Enter MARCIUS and TITUS LARTIUS with a trumpet.]



MARCIUS

		See here these movers that do prize their hours
		At a crack'd drachma! Cushions, leaden spoons,
		Irons of a doit, doublets that hangmen would
		Bury with those that wore them, these base slaves,
		Ere yet the fight be done, pack up: – down with them! —
		And hark, what noise the general makes! – To him! —
		There is the man of my soul's hate, Aufidius,
		Piercing our Romans; then, valiant Titus, take
		Convenient numbers to make good the city;
		Whilst I, with those that have the spirit, will haste
		To help Cominius.


LARTIUS

		Worthy sir, thou bleed'st;
		Thy exercise hath been too violent
		For a second course of fight.


MARCIUS

		Sir, praise me not;
		My work hath yet not warm'd me: fare you well;
		The blood I drop is rather physical
		Than dangerous to me: to Aufidius thus
		I will appear, and fight.


LARTIUS

		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!


MARCIUS

		Thy friend no less
		Than those she placeth highest! – So farewell.


LARTIUS

		Thou worthiest Marcius! —



[Exit MARCIUS.]


		Go, sound thy trumpet in the market-place;
		Call thither all the officers o' the town,
		Where they shall know our mind: away!



[Exeunt.]





SCENE VI. Near the camp of COMINIUS




[Enter COMINIUS and Foreces, retreating.]



COMINIUS

		Breathe you, my friends: well fought; we are come off
		Like Romans, neither foolish in our stands
		Nor cowardly in retire: believe me, sirs,
		We shall be charg'd again. Whiles we have struck,
		By interims and conveying gusts we have heard
		The charges of our friends. The Roman gods,
		Lead their successes as we wish our own,
		That both our powers, with smiling fronts encountering,
		May give you thankful sacrifice! —



[Enter A MESSENGER.]


		Thy news?


MESSENGER

		The citizens of Corioli have issued,
		And given to Lartius and to Marcius battle:
		I saw our party to their trenches driven,
		And then I came away.


COMINIUS

		Though thou speak'st truth,
		Methinks thou speak'st not well. How long is't since?


MESSENGER

		Above an hour, my lord.


COMINIUS

		'Tis not a mile; briefly we heard their drums:
		How couldst thou in a mile confound an hour,
		And bring thy news so late?


MESSENGER

		Spies of the Volsces
		Held me in chase, that I was forc'd to wheel
		Three or four miles about; else had I, sir,
		Half an hour since brought my report.


COMINIUS

		Who's yonder,
		That does appear as he were flay'd? O gods!
		He has the stamp of Marcius; and I have
		Before-time seen him thus.


MARCIUS



[Within.] Come I too late?



COMINIUS

		The shepherd knows not thunder from a tabor
		More than I know the sound of Marcius' tongue
		From every meaner man.



[Enter MARCIUS.]



MARCIUS

		Come I too late?


COMINIUS

		Ay, if you come not in the blood of others,
		But mantled in your own.


MARCIUS

		O! let me clip ye
		In arms as sound as when I woo'd; in heart
		As merry as when our nuptial day was done,
		And tapers burn'd to bedward.


COMINIUS

		Flower of warriors,
		How is't with Titus Lartius?


MARCIUS

		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,
		To let him slip at will.


COMINIUS

		Where is that slave
		Which told me they had beat you to your trenches?
		Where's he? call him hither.


MARCIUS

		Let him alone;
		He did inform the truth: but for our gentlemen,
		The common file, – a plague! – tribunes for them! —
		The mouse ne'er shunned the cat as they did budge
		From rascals worse than they.


COMINIUS

		But how prevail'd you?


MARCIUS

		Will the time serve to tell? I do not think.
		Where is the enemy? are you lords o' the field?
		If not, why cease you till you are so?


COMINIUS

		Marcius,
		We have at disadvantage fought, and did
		Retire, to win our purpose.


MARCIUS

		How lies their battle? know you on which side
		They have placed their men of trust?


COMINIUS

		As I guess, Marcius,
		Their bands in the vaward are the Antiates,
		Of their best trust; o'er them Aufidius,
		Their very heart of hope.


MARCIUS

		I do beseech you,
		By all the battles wherein we have fought,
		By the blood we have shed together, by the vows
		We have made to endure friends, that you directly
		Set me against Aufidius and his Antiates;
		And that you not delay the present, but,
		Filling the air with swords advanc'd and darts,
		We prove this very hour.


COMINIUS

		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
		That best can aid your action.


MARCIUS

		Those are they
		That most are willing. – If any such be here, —
		As it were sin to doubt, – that love this painting
		Wherein you see me smear'd; if any fear
		Lesser his person than an ill report;
		If any think brave death outweighs bad life,
		And that his country's dearer than himself;
		Let him alone, or so many so minded,
		Wave thus [waving his hand], to express his disposition,
		And follow Marcius.



[They all shout and wave their swords; take him up in their arms and cast up their caps.]


		O, me alone! Make you a sword of me?
		If these shows be not outward, which of you
		But is four Volsces? none of you but is
		Able to bear against the great Aufidius
		A shield as hard as his. A certain number,
		Though thanks to all, must I select from all: the rest
		Shall bear the business in some other fight,
		As cause will be obey'd. Please you to march;
		And four shall quickly draw out my command,
		Which men are best inclin'd.


COMINIUS

		March on, my fellows;
		Make good this ostentation, and you shall
		Divide in all with us.



[Exeunt.]





SCENE VII. The gates of Corioli




[TITUS LARTIUS, having set a guard upon Corioli, going with drum and trumpet toward COMINIUS and CAIUS MARCIUS, enters with a LIEUTENANT, a party of Soldiers, and a Scout.]



LARTIUS

		So, let the ports be guarded: keep your duties
		As I have set them down. If I do send, despatch
		Those centuries to our aid; the rest will serve
		For a short holding: if we lose the field
		We cannot keep the town.


LIEUTENANT

		Fear not our care, sir.


LARTIUS

		Hence, and shut your gates upon's. —
		Our guider, come; to the Roman camp conduct us.



[Exeunt.]





SCENE VIII. A field of battle between the Roman and the Volscian camps




[Alarum. Enter, from opposite sides, MARCIUS and AUFIDIUS.]



MARCIUS

		I'll fight with none but thee, for I do hate thee
		Worse than a promise-breaker.


AUFIDIUS

		We hate alike:
		Not Afric owns a serpent I abhor
		More than thy fame and envy. Fix thy foot.


MARCIUS

		Let the first budger die the other's slave,
		And the gods doom him after!


AUFIDIUS

		If I fly, Marcius,
		Halloo me like a hare.


MARCIUS

		Within these three hours, Tullus,
		Alone I fought in your Corioli walls,
		And made what work I pleas'd: 'tis not my blood
		Wherein thou seest me mask'd: for thy revenge
		Wrench up thy power to the highest.


AUFIDIUS

		Wert thou the Hector
		That was the whip of your bragg'd progeny,
		Thou shouldst not scape me here. —



[They fight, and certain Volsces come to the aid of AUFIDIUS.]


		Officious, and not valiant, – you have sham'd me
		In your condemned seconds.



[Exeunt fighting, driven in by MAR.]





SCENE IX. The Roman camp




[Alarum. A retreat is sounded. Flourish. Enter, at one side, COMINIUS and Romans; at the other side, MARCIUS, with his arm in a scarf, and other Romans.]



COMINIUS

		If I should tell thee o'er this thy day's work,
		Thou't not believe thy deeds: but I'll report it
		Where senators shall mingle tears with smiles;
		Where great patricians shall attend, and shrug,
		I' the end admire; where ladies shall be frighted
		And, gladly quak'd, hear more; where the dull tribunes,
		That, with the fusty plebeians, hate thine honours,
		Shall say, against their hearts 'We thank the gods
		Our Rome hath such a soldier.'
		Yet cam'st thou to a morsel of this feast,
		Having fully dined before.



[Enter TITUS LARTIUS, with his power, from the pursuit.]



LARTIUS

		O general,
		Here is the steed, we the caparison:
		Hadst thou beheld, —


MARCIUS

		Pray now, no more: my mother,
		Who has a charter to extol her blood,
		When she does praise me grieves me. I have done
		As you have done, – that's what I can; induced
		As you have been, – that's for my country:
		He that has but effected his good will
		Hath overta'en mine act.


COMINIUS

		You shall not be
		The grave of your deserving; Rome must know
		The value of her own: 'twere a concealment
		Worse than a theft, no less than a traducement,
		To hide your doings; and to silence that
		Which, to the spire and top of praises vouch'd,
		Would seem but modest: therefore, I beseech you, —
		In sign of what you are, not to reward
		What you have done, – before our army hear me.


MARCIUS

		I have some wounds upon me, and they smart
		To hear themselves remember'd.


COMINIUS

		Should they not,
		Well might they fester 'gainst ingratitude,
		And tent themselves with death. Of all the horses, —
		Whereof we have ta'en good, and good store, – of all
		The treasure in this field achiev'd and city,
		We render you the tenth; to be ta'en forth
		Before the common distribution at
		Your only choice.


MARCIUS

		I thank you, general,
		But cannot make my heart consent to take
		A bribe to pay my sword: I do refuse it;
		And stand upon my common part with those
		That have beheld the doing.



[A long flourish. They all cry 'Marcius, Marcius!', cast up their


		caps and lances. COMINIUS and LARTIUS stand bare.]
		May these same instruments which you profane
		Never sound more! When drums and trumpets shall
		I' the field prove flatterers, let courts and cities be
		Made all of false-fac'd soothing.
		When steel grows soft as the parasite's silk,
		Let him be made a coverture for the wars.
		No more, I say! for that I have not wash'd
		My nose that bled, or foil'd some debile wretch, —
		Which, without note, here's many else have done, —
		You shout me forth in acclamations hyperbolical;
		As if I loved my little should be dieted
		In praises sauc'd with lies.


COMINIUS

		Too modest are you;
		More cruel to your good report than grateful
		To us that give you truly; by your patience,
		If 'gainst yourself you be incens'd, we'll put you, —
		Like one that means his proper harm, – in manacles,
		Then reason safely with you. – Therefore be it known,
		As to us, to all the world, that Caius Marcius
		Wears this war's garland: in token of the which,
		My noble steed, known to the camp, I give him,
		With all his trim belonging; and from this time,
		For what he did before Corioli, call him,
		With all the applause – and clamour of the host,
		'Caius Marcius Coriolanus.' —
		Bear the addition nobly ever!



[Flourish. Trumpets sound, and drums]



ALL

		Caius Marcius Coriolanus!


CORIOLANUS

		I will go wash;
		And when my face is fair you shall perceive
		Whether I blush or no: howbeit, I thank you; —
		I mean to stride your steed; and at all times
		To undercrest your good addition
		To the fairness of my power.


COMINIUS

		So, to our tent;
		Where, ere we do repose us, we will write
		To Rome of our success. – You, Titus Lartius,
		Must to Corioli back: send us to Rome
		The best, with whom we may articulate
		For their own good and ours.


LARTIUS

		I shall, my lord.


CORIOLANUS

		The gods begin to mock me. I, that now
		Refus'd most princely gifts, am bound to beg
		Of my lord general.


COMINIUS

		Take't: 'tis yours. – What is't?


CORIOLANUS

		I sometime lay here in Corioli
		At a poor man's house; he used me kindly:
		He cried to me; I saw him prisoner;
		But then Aufidius was within my view,
		And wrath o'erwhelmed my pity: I request you
		To give my poor host freedom.


COMINIUS

		O, well begg'd!
		Were he the butcher of my son, he should
		Be free as is the wind. Deliver him, Titus.


LARTIUS

		Marcius, his name?


CORIOLANUS

		By Jupiter, forgot: —
		I am weary; yea, my memory is tir'd. —
		Have we no wine here?


COMINIUS

		Go we to our tent:
		The blood upon your visage dries; 'tis time
		It should be look'd to: come.



[Exeunt.]





SCENE X. The camp of the Volsces




[A flourish. Cornets. Enter TULLUS AUFIDIUS, bloody, with two or three soldiers.]



AUFIDIUS

		The town is ta'en.


FIRST SOLDIER

		'Twill be delivered back on good condition.


AUFIDIUS

		Condition!
		I would I were a Roman; for I cannot,
		Being a Volsce, be that I am. – Condition?
		What good condition can a treaty find
		I' the part that is at mercy? – Five times, Marcius,
		I have fought with thee; so often hast thou beat me;
		And wouldst do so, I think, should we encounter
		As often as we eat. – By the elements,
		If e'er again I meet him beard to beard,
		He's mine or I am his: mine emulation
		Hath not that honour in't it had; for where
		I thought to crush him in an equal force, —
		True sword to sword, – I'll potch at him some way,
		Or wrath or craft may get him.


FIRST SOLDIER

		He's the devil.


AUFIDIUS

		Bolder, though not so subtle. My valour's poisoned
		With only suffering stain by him; for him
		Shall fly out of itself: nor sleep nor sanctuary,
		Being naked, sick; nor fane nor Capitol,
		The prayers of priests nor times of sacrifice,
		Embarquements all of fury, shall lift up
		Their rotten privilege and custom 'gainst
		My hate to Marcius: where I find him, were it
		At home, upon my brother's guard, even there,
		Against the hospitable canon, would I
		Wash my fierce hand in's heart. Go you to the city;
		Learn how 'tis held; and what they are that must
		Be hostages for Rome.


FIRST SOLDIER

		Will not you go?


AUFIDIUS

		I am attended at the cypress grove: I pray you, —
		'Tis south the city mills, – bring me word thither
		How the world goes, that to the pace of it
		I may spur on my journey.


FIRST SOLDIER

		I shall, sir.



[Exeunt.]





ACT II





SCENE I. Rome. A public place




[Enter MENENIUS, SICINIUS, and BRUTUS.]



MENENIUS

		The augurer tells me we shall have news tonight.


BRUTUS

		Good or bad?


MENENIUS

		Not according to the prayer of the people, for they love not
		Marcius.


SICINIUS

		Nature teaches beasts to know their friends.


MENENIUS

		Pray you, who does the wolf love?


SICINIUS

		The lamb.


MENENIUS

		Ay, to devour him, as the hungry plebeians would the noble
		Marcius.


BRUTUS

		He's a lamb indeed, that baas like a bear.

		MENENIUS. He's a bear indeed, that lives like a lamb. You two are old men: tell me one thing that I shall ask you.


BOTH TRIBUNES

		Well, sir.
		MENENIUS. In what enormity is Marcius poor in, that you two have not in abundance?


BRUTUS

		He's poor in no one fault, but stored with all.


SICINIUS

		Especially in pride.


BRUTUS

		And topping all others in boasting.

		MENENIUS. This is strange now: do you two know how you are censured here in the city, I mean of us o' the right-hand file? Do you?


BOTH TRIBUNES

		Why, how are we censured?


MENENIUS

		Because you talk of pride now, – will you not be angry?


BOTH TRIBUNES

		Well, well, sir, well.

		MENENIUS. Why, 'tis no great matter; for a very little thief of occasion will rob you of a great deal of patience: give your dispositions the reins, and be angry at your pleasures; at the least, if you take it as a pleasure to you in being so. You blame Marcius for being proud?


BRUTUS

		We do it not alone, sir.

		MENENIUS. I know you can do very little alone; for your helps are many, or else your actions would grow wondrous single: your abilities are too infant-like for doing much alone. You talk of pride: O that you could turn your eyes toward the napes of your necks, and make but an interior survey of your good selves! O that you could!


BOTH TRIBUNES

		What then, sir?

		MENENIUS. Why, then you should discover a brace of unmeriting, proud, violent, testy magistrates, – alias fools, – as any in Rome.


SICINIUS

		Menenius, you are known well enough too.

		MENENIUS. I am known to be a humorous patrician, and one that loves a cup of hot wine with not a drop of allaying Tiber in't; said to be something imperfect in favouring the first complaint, hasty and tinder-like upon too trivial motion; one that converses more with the buttock of the night than with the forehead of the morning. What I think I utter, and spend my malice in my breath. Meeting two such wealsmen as you are, – I cannot call you Lycurguses, – if the drink you give me touch my palate adversely, I make a crooked face at it. I cannot say your worships have delivered the matter well when I find the ass in compound with the major part of your syllables; and though I must be content to bear with those that say you are reverend grave men, yet they lie deadly that tell you have good faces. If you see this in the map of my microcosm, follows it that I am known well enough too? What harm can your bisson conspectuities glean out of this character, if I be known well enough too?


BRUTUS

		Come, sir, come, we know you well enough.

		MENENIUS. You know neither me, yourselves, nor anything. You are ambitious for poor knaves' caps and legs; you wear out a good wholesome forenoon in hearing a cause between an orange-wife and a fosset-seller, and then rejourn the controversy of threepence to a second day of audience. – When you are hearing a matter between party and party, if you chance to be pinched with the colic, you make faces like mummers, set up the bloody flag against all patience, and, in roaring for a chamber-pot, dismiss the controversy bleeding, the more entangled by your hearing: all the peace you make in their cause is calling both the parties knaves. You are a pair of strange ones.

		BRUTUS. Come, come, you are well understood to be a perfecter giber for the table than a necessary bencher in the Capitol.

		MENENIUS. Our very priests must become mockers if they shall encounter such ridiculous subjects as you are. When you speak best unto the purpose, it is not worth the wagging of your beards; and your beards deserve not so honourable a grave as to stuff a botcher's cushion or to be entombed in an ass's pack-saddle. Yet you must be saying, Marcius is proud; who, in a cheap estimation, is worth all your predecessors since Deucalion; though peradventure some of the best of 'em were hereditary hangmen. God-den to your worships: more of your conversation would infect my brain, being the herdsmen of the beastly plebeians: I will be bold to take my leave of you.



[BRUTUS and SICINIUS retire.]





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