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Nombre de personnages parlants sur scène : ordre temporel et ordre croissant  
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Shakespeare, William, 1564-1616.. The Tragedie of Coriolanus from Mr. William Shakespeares comedies, histories, & tragedies. Published according to the true originall copies.. Table des rôles
Rôle Scènes Répl. Répl. moy. Présence Texte Texte % prés. Texte × pers. Interlocution
[TOUS] 29 sc. 1107 répl. 2,1 l. 2 369 l. 2 369 l. 13 % 19 547 l. (100 %) 8,3 pers.
First Citizen 4 sc. 25 répl. 1,6 l. 737 l. (32 %) 41 l. (2 %) 6 % 8 588 l. (44 %) 11,6 pers.
First Lord 1 sc. 4 répl. 1,9 l. 110 l. (5 %) 8 l. (1 %) 7 % 1 320 l. (7 %) 12,0 pers.
First Senator 6 sc. 9 répl. 2,0 l. 733 l. (31 %) 18 l. (1 %) 3 % 8 279 l. (43 %) 11,3 pers.
First Servingman 1 sc. 2 répl. 1,4 l. 156 l. (7 %) 3 l. (1 %) 2 % 1 093 l. (6 %) 7,0 pers.
First Servingman 1 sc. 18 répl. 1,0 l. 156 l. (7 %) 18 l. (1 %) 12 % 1 093 l. (6 %) 7,0 pers.
First Conspirator 1 sc. 3 répl. 1,6 l. 110 l. (5 %) 5 l. (1 %) 5 % 1 320 l. (7 %) 12,0 pers.
First Officer 1 sc. 4 répl. 2,6 l. 118 l. (5 %) 10 l. (1 %) 9 % 1 179 l. (7 %) 10,0 pers.
First Roman 1 sc. 1 répl. 0,4 l. 20 l. (1 %) 0 l. (1 %) 3 % 101 l. (1 %) 5,0 pers.
First Soldier 1 sc. 4 répl. 0,9 l. 48 l. (3 %) 4 l. (1 %) 8 % 336 l. (2 %) 7,0 pers.
First Watchman 1 sc. 12 répl. 1,8 l. 79 l. (4 %) 22 l. (1 %) 29 % 393 l. (3 %) 5,0 pers.
Second Citizen 3 sc. 32 répl. 1,2 l. 497 l. (21 %) 39 l. (2 %) 8 % 5 223 l. (27 %) 10,5 pers.
Second Lord 1 sc. 3 répl. 1,8 l. 110 l. (5 %) 5 l. (1 %) 5 % 1 320 l. (7 %) 12,0 pers.
Second Senator 2 sc. 4 répl. 1,4 l. 267 l. (12 %) 6 l. (1 %) 3 % 3 472 l. (18 %) 13,0 pers.
Second Servant 1 sc. 4 répl. 1,0 l. 156 l. (7 %) 4 l. (1 %) 3 % 1 093 l. (6 %) 7,0 pers.
Second Servingman 1 sc. 13 répl. 1,4 l. 156 l. (7 %) 18 l. (1 %) 12 % 1 093 l. (6 %) 7,0 pers.
Second Conspirator 1 sc. 2 répl. 1,8 l. 110 l. (5 %) 4 l. (1 %) 4 % 1 320 l. (7 %) 12,0 pers.
Second Officer 1 sc. 3 répl. 5,9 l. 118 l. (5 %) 18 l. (1 %) 15 % 1 179 l. (7 %) 10,0 pers.
Second Roman 1 sc. 1 répl. 0,2 l. 20 l. (1 %) 0 l. (1 %) 1 % 101 l. (1 %) 5,0 pers.
Second Soldier 1 sc. 1 répl. 0,1 l. 48 l. (3 %) 0 l. (1 %) 1 % 336 l. (2 %) 7,0 pers.
Second Watchman 1 sc. 6 répl. 1,2 l. 79 l. (4 %) 7 l. (1 %) 9 % 393 l. (3 %) 5,0 pers.
Third Citizen 2 sc. 13 répl. 3,2 l. 298 l. (13 %) 41 l. (2 %) 14 % 2 836 l. (15 %) 9,5 pers.
Third Conspirator 1 sc. 3 répl. 2,5 l. 110 l. (5 %) 8 l. (1 %) 7 % 1 320 l. (7 %) 12,0 pers.
Third Lord 1 sc. 1 répl. 1,0 l. 110 l. (5 %) 1 l. (1 %) 1 % 1 320 l. (7 %) 12,0 pers.
Third Roman 1 sc. 1 répl. 0,7 l. 20 l. (1 %) 1 l. (1 %) 4 % 101 l. (1 %) 5,0 pers.
All Conspirators 1 sc. 2 répl. 0,4 l. 110 l. (5 %) 1 l. (1 %) 1 % 1 320 l. (7 %) 12,0 pers.
All Lords 1 sc. 2 répl. 0,4 l. 110 l. (5 %) 1 l. (1 %) 1 % 1 320 l. (7 %) 12,0 pers.
All The People 2 sc. 2 répl. 1,2 l. 350 l. (15 %) 2 l. (1 %) 1 % 4 684 l. (24 %) 13,4 pers.
All Citizens 11 sc. 36 répl. 0,5 l. 1 285 l. (55 %) 19 l. (1 %) 2 % 13 810 l. (71 %) 10,8 pers.
Third Servingman 1 sc. 20 répl. 1,7 l. 156 l. (7 %) 34 l. (2 %) 23 % 1 093 l. (6 %) 7,0 pers.
Tullus Aufidius 8 sc. 45 répl. 4,0 l. 602 l. (26 %) 181 l. (8 %) 31 % 3 838 l. (20 %) 6,4 pers.
Both Tribunes 2 sc. 2 répl. 0,3 l. 214 l. (10 %) 1 l. (1 %) 1 % 2 263 l. (12 %) 10,6 pers.
Both 1 sc. 4 répl. 0,3 l. 189 l. (8 %) 1 l. (1 %) 1 % 2 274 l. (12 %) 12,0 pers.
Young Coriolanus 1 sc. 1 répl. 1,3 l. 154 l. (7 %) 1 l. (1 %) 1 % 772 l. (4 %) 5,0 pers.
Junius Brutus 9 sc. 90 répl. 1,6 l. 1 238 l. (53 %) 141 l. (6 %) 12 % 13 354 l. (69 %) 10,8 pers.
Citizen 1 sc. 3 répl. 0,5 l. 8 l. (1 %) 2 l. (1 %) 20 % 16 l. (1 %) 2,0 pers.
Cominius 11 sc. 67 répl. 2,6 l. 1 296 l. (55 %) 176 l. (8 %) 14 % 13 003 l. (67 %) 10,0 pers.
Coriolanus 18 sc. 187 répl. 3,0 l. 1 901 l. (81 %) 565 l. (24 %) 30 % 16 962 l. (87 %) 8,9 pers.
Aedile 3 sc. 10 répl. 0,7 l. 454 l. (20 %) 7 l. (1 %) 2 % 5 627 l. (29 %) 12,4 pers.
Gentlewoman 1 sc. 1 répl. 0,8 l. 79 l. (4 %) 1 l. (1 %) 1 % 317 l. (2 %) 4,0 pers.
Herald 1 sc. 2 répl. 2,0 l. 189 l. (8 %) 4 l. (1 %) 3 % 2 274 l. (12 %) 12,0 pers.
Titus Lartius 6 sc. 23 répl. 1,5 l. 580 l. (25 %) 35 l. (2 %) 7 % 6 469 l. (34 %) 11,1 pers.
Lieutenant 2 sc. 4 répl. 1,8 l. 47 l. (2 %) 7 l. (1 %) 16 % 93 l. (1 %) 2,0 pers.
Menenius Agrippa 13 sc. 164 répl. 2,4 l. 1 512 l. (64 %) 386 l. (17 %) 26 % 14 742 l. (76 %) 9,7 pers.
Messenger 6 sc. 17 répl. 2,2 l. 660 l. (28 %) 38 l. (2 %) 6 % 6 687 l. (35 %) 10,1 pers.
Nobleman 1 sc. 1 répl. 0,3 l. 107 l. (5 %) 0 l. (1 %) 1 % 644 l. (4 %) 6,0 pers.
Officer 1 sc. 1 répl. 0,3 l. 118 l. (5 %) 0 l. (1 %) 1 % 1 179 l. (7 %) 10,0 pers.
Patrician 1 sc. 2 répl. 0,5 l. 240 l. (11 %) 1 l. (1 %) 1 % 3 364 l. (18 %) 14,0 pers.
Roman 1 sc. 10 répl. 2,1 l. 35 l. (2 %) 21 l. (1 %) 60 % 105 l. (1 %) 3,0 pers.
Sicinius Velutus 10 sc. 117 répl. 1,4 l. 1 284 l. (55 %) 169 l. (8 %) 14 % 13 492 l. (70 %) 10,5 pers.
Senator 5 sc. 14 répl. 1,1 l. 669 l. (29 %) 15 l. (1 %) 3 % 7 584 l. (39 %) 11,3 pers.
Soldier 1 sc. 4 répl. 0,4 l. 24 l. (2 %) 1 l. (1 %) 7 % 48 l. (1 %) 2,0 pers.
Tribune 1 sc. 1 répl. 0,4 l. 113 l. (5 %) 0 l. (1 %) 1 % 1 358 l. (7 %) 12,0 pers.
Valeria 2 sc. 14 répl. 2,2 l. 269 l. (12 %) 30 l. (2 %) 12 % 2 591 l. (14 %) 9,6 pers.
Virgilia 5 sc. 25 répl. 0,8 l. 505 l. (22 %) 19 l. (1 %) 4 % 3 770 l. (20 %) 7,5 pers.
Volumnia 7 sc. 62 répl. 3,6 l. 647 l. (28 %) 222 l. (10 %) 35 % 4 518 l. (24 %) 7,0 pers.
Volsce 1 sc. 5 répl. 1,6 l. 35 l. (2 %) 8 l. (1 %) 23 % 105 l. (1 %) 3,0 pers.
Shakespeare, William, 1564-1616.. The Tragedie of Coriolanus from Mr. William Shakespeares comedies, histories, & tragedies. Published according to the true originall copies.. Statistiques par relation
Relation Scènes Texte Interlocution
First Citizen
Second Citizen		 19 l. (75 %) 8 répl. 2,4 l.
7 l. (26 %) 6 répl. 1,1 l. 		3 sc. 25 l. (2 %) 10,5 pers.
First Citizen
Third Citizen		 3 l. (24 %) 1 répl. 2,7 l.
9 l. (77 %) 2 répl. 4,3 l. 		1 sc. 11 l. (1 %) 8,0 pers.
First Citizen
All Citizens		 11 l. (84 %) 7 répl. 1,5 l.
3 l. (17 %) 6 répl. 0,4 l. 		2 sc. 13 l. (1 %) 12,9 pers.
First Citizen
Junius Brutus		 2 l. (68 %) 2 répl. 0,6 l.
1 l. (33 %) 1 répl. 0,6 l. 		1 sc. 2 l. (1 %) 9,5 pers.
First Citizen
Coriolanus		 6 l. (21 %) 5 répl. 1,0 l.
20 l. (80 %) 5 répl. 3,9 l. 		1 sc. 25 l. (2 %) 8,0 pers.
First Citizen
Sicinius Velutus		 2 l. (17 %) 1 répl. 1,4 l.
7 l. (84 %) 3 répl. 2,3 l. 		3 sc. 8 l. (1 %) 11,5 pers.
First Lord
Tullus Aufidius		 5 l. (47 %) 1 répl. 4,7 l.
6 l. (54 %) 2 répl. 2,7 l. 		1 sc. 10 l. (1 %) 12,0 pers.
First Lord
Coriolanus		 1 l. (9 %) 1 répl. 0,5 l.
7 l. (92 %) 1 répl. 6,1 l. 		1 sc. 7 l. (1 %) 12,0 pers.
First Senator
Tullus Aufidius		 4 l. (23 %) 2 répl. 1,6 l.
11 l. (78 %) 2 répl. 5,2 l. 		1 sc. 13 l. (1 %) 4,0 pers.
First Senator
Coriolanus		 8 l. (37 %) 2 répl. 3,7 l.
13 l. (64 %) 4 répl. 3,1 l. 		3 sc. 20 l. (1 %) 10,4 pers.
First Senator
Menenius Agrippa		 1 l. (2 %) 1 répl. 0,2 l.
14 l. (99 %) 2 répl. 6,8 l. 		2 sc. 14 l. (1 %) 11,9 pers.
First Servingman
Coriolanus		 2 l. (57 %) 1 répl. 1,5 l.
2 l. (44 %) 1 répl. 1,2 l. 		1 sc. 3 l. (1 %) 7,0 pers.
First Servingman
Second Servingman		 13 l. (46 %) 8 répl. 1,6 l.
16 l. (55 %) 10 répl. 1,5 l. 		1 sc. 28 l. (2 %) 7,0 pers.
First Servingman
Third Servingman		 6 l. (32 %) 10 répl. 0,6 l.
13 l. (69 %) 7 répl. 1,7 l. 		1 sc. 18 l. (1 %) 7,0 pers.
First Conspirator
Tullus Aufidius		 3 l. (14 %) 2 répl. 1,4 l.
19 l. (87 %) 3 répl. 6,2 l. 		1 sc. 21 l. (1 %) 12,0 pers.
First Officer
Second Officer		 10 l. (35 %) 3 répl. 3,1 l.
18 l. (66 %) 3 répl. 5,9 l. 		1 sc. 27 l. (2 %) 10,0 pers.
First Soldier
Second Soldier		 1 l. (83 %) 1 répl. 0,4 l.
1 l. (18 %) 1 répl. 0,1 l. 		1 sc. 0 l. (1 %) 7,0 pers.
First Soldier
All Citizens		 1 l. (52 %) 1 répl. 0,4 l.
1 l. (48 %) 1 répl. 0,4 l. 		1 sc. 1 l. (1 %) 7,0 pers.
First Soldier
Titus Lartius		 3 l. (25 %) 2 répl. 1,3 l.
9 l. (76 %) 2 répl. 4,0 l. 		1 sc. 11 l. (1 %) 7,0 pers.
First Watchman
Second Watchman		 4 l. (61 %) 5 répl. 0,8 l.
3 l. (40 %) 2 répl. 1,2 l. 		1 sc. 6 l. (1 %) 5,0 pers.
First Watchman
Menenius Agrippa		 19 l. (46 %) 7 répl. 2,6 l.
22 l. (55 %) 9 répl. 2,4 l. 		1 sc. 40 l. (2 %) 5,0 pers.
Second Citizen
Third Citizen		 4 l. (25 %) 6 répl. 0,7 l.
13 l. (76 %) 5 répl. 2,4 l. 		2 sc. 16 l. (1 %) 9,5 pers.
Second Citizen
All Citizens		 3 l. (59 %) 2 répl. 1,2 l.
2 l. (42 %) 2 répl. 0,9 l. 		2 sc. 4 l. (1 %) 10,1 pers.
Second Citizen
Junius Brutus		 1 l. (45 %) 1 répl. 0,6 l.
1 l. (55 %) 1 répl. 0,7 l. 		1 sc. 1 l. (1 %) 9,5 pers.
Second Citizen
Coriolanus		 2 l. (14 %) 4 répl. 0,5 l.
13 l. (87 %) 4 répl. 3,2 l. 		2 sc. 15 l. (1 %) 10,1 pers.
Second Citizen
Menenius Agrippa		 22 l. (29 %) 12 répl. 1,8 l.
54 l. (72 %) 12 répl. 4,5 l. 		1 sc. 75 l. (4 %) 12,0 pers.
Second Lord
Tullus Aufidius		 2 l. (22 %) 1 répl. 1,5 l.
6 l. (79 %) 1 répl. 5,5 l. 		1 sc. 7 l. (1 %) 12,0 pers.
Second Senator
All Citizens		 2 l. (75 %) 2 répl. 1,0 l.
1 l. (26 %) 2 répl. 0,3 l. 		2 sc. 3 l. (1 %) 13,0 pers.
Second Senator
Tullus Aufidius		 4 l. (42 %) 1 répl. 3,5 l.
5 l. (59 %) 1 répl. 4,9 l. 		1 sc. 8 l. (1 %) 4,0 pers.
Second Servant
Coriolanus		 4 l. (68 %) 3 répl. 1,0 l.
2 l. (33 %) 3 répl. 0,5 l. 		1 sc. 5 l. (1 %) 7,0 pers.
Second Servingman
Third Servingman		 2 l. (7 %) 2 répl. 0,5 l.
16 l. (94 %) 4 répl. 3,9 l. 		1 sc. 17 l. (1 %) 7,0 pers.
Second Servingman
Tullus Aufidius		 2 l. (80 %) 1 répl. 1,4 l.
1 l. (21 %) 1 répl. 0,4 l. 		1 sc. 2 l. (1 %) 7,0 pers.
Second Conspirator
Tullus Aufidius		 2 l. (59 %) 1 répl. 1,9 l.
2 l. (42 %) 1 répl. 1,4 l. 		1 sc. 3 l. (1 %) 12,0 pers.
Second Watchman
Menenius Agrippa		 5 l. (75 %) 4 répl. 1,1 l.
2 l. (26 %) 1 répl. 1,6 l. 		1 sc. 6 l. (1 %) 5,0 pers.
Third Citizen
All Citizens		 9 l. (96 %) 1 répl. 9,0 l.
1 l. (5 %) 1 répl. 0,4 l. 		1 sc. 9 l. (1 %) 8,0 pers.
Third Citizen
Coriolanus		 3 l. (32 %) 3 répl. 0,8 l.
5 l. (69 %) 4 répl. 1,3 l. 		1 sc. 7 l. (1 %) 8,0 pers.
Third Citizen
Sicinius Velutus		 7 l. (77 %) 1 répl. 6,5 l.
2 l. (24 %) 1 répl. 2,0 l. 		1 sc. 8 l. (1 %) 8,0 pers.
Third Conspirator
Tullus Aufidius		 8 l. (55 %) 3 répl. 2,5 l.
7 l. (46 %) 2 répl. 3,2 l. 		1 sc. 14 l. (1 %) 12,0 pers.
All Lords
Tullus Aufidius		 1 l. (60 %) 2 répl. 0,4 l.
1 l. (41 %) 1 répl. 0,6 l. 		1 sc. 1 l. (1 %) 12,0 pers.
All Citizens
Tullus Aufidius		 1 l. (6 %) 1 répl. 0,3 l.
6 l. (95 %) 2 répl. 3,0 l. 		2 sc. 6 l. (1 %) 10,4 pers.
All Citizens
Junius Brutus		 2 l. (17 %) 2 répl. 0,7 l.
7 l. (84 %) 6 répl. 1,1 l. 		4 sc. 8 l. (1 %) 11,1 pers.
All Citizens
Cominius		 2 l. (14 %) 2 répl. 0,8 l.
11 l. (87 %) 1 répl. 10,2 l. 		2 sc. 12 l. (1 %) 11,1 pers.
All Citizens
Coriolanus		 3 l. (90 %) 4 répl. 0,6 l.
1 l. (11 %) 1 répl. 0,3 l. 		4 sc. 2 l. (1 %) 10,6 pers.
All Citizens
Titus Lartius		 1 l. (48 %) 1 répl. 0,4 l.
1 l. (52 %) 1 répl. 0,4 l. 		1 sc. 1 l. (1 %) 7,0 pers.
All Citizens
Menenius Agrippa		 3 l. (20 %) 6 répl. 0,4 l.
10 l. (81 %) 3 répl. 3,1 l. 		2 sc. 12 l. (1 %) 11,5 pers.
All Citizens
Sicinius Velutus		 5 l. (25 %) 5 répl. 0,8 l.
13 l. (76 %) 6 répl. 2,1 l. 		3 sc. 17 l. (1 %) 11,1 pers.
All Citizens
Senator		 1 l. (9 %) 1 répl. 0,4 l.
5 l. (92 %) 1 répl. 4,3 l. 		1 sc. 5 l. (1 %) 2,0 pers.
Third Servingman
Coriolanus		 7 l. (67 %) 9 répl. 0,7 l.
4 l. (33 %) 8 répl. 0,4 l. 		1 sc. 10 l. (1 %) 7,0 pers.
Tullus Aufidius
Coriolanus		 53 l. (39 %) 17 répl. 3,1 l.
85 l. (62 %) 21 répl. 4,0 l. 		5 sc. 137 l. (6 %) 7,1 pers.
Tullus Aufidius
Lieutenant		 35 l. (84 %) 4 répl. 8,6 l.
7 l. (17 %) 3 répl. 2,3 l. 		1 sc. 41 l. (2 %) 2,0 pers.
Tullus Aufidius
Soldier		 23 l. (94 %) 4 répl. 5,7 l.
2 l. (7 %) 4 répl. 0,4 l. 		1 sc. 24 l. (2 %) 2,0 pers.
Both Tribunes
Coriolanus		 1 l. (49 %) 1 répl. 0,4 l.
1 l. (52 %) 1 répl. 0,4 l. 		1 sc. 1 l. (1 %) 9,0 pers.
Both
Menenius Agrippa		 2 l. (11 %) 4 répl. 0,3 l.
11 l. (90 %) 4 répl. 2,6 l. 		1 sc. 11 l. (1 %) 12,0 pers.
Junius Brutus
Cominius		 1 l. (30 %) 2 répl. 0,3 l.
2 l. (71 %) 3 répl. 0,6 l. 		2 sc. 2 l. (1 %) 12,9 pers.
Junius Brutus
Coriolanus		 12 l. (25 %) 12 répl. 0,9 l.
36 l. (76 %) 11 répl. 3,2 l. 		3 sc. 46 l. (2 %) 11,9 pers.
Junius Brutus
Aedile		 8 l. (93 %) 4 répl. 1,9 l.
1 l. (8 %) 2 répl. 0,3 l. 		2 sc. 8 l. (1 %) 10,6 pers.
Junius Brutus
Menenius Agrippa		 15 l. (21 %) 14 répl. 1,1 l.
58 l. (80 %) 17 répl. 3,4 l. 		6 sc. 72 l. (4 %) 11,0 pers.
Junius Brutus
Messenger		 1 l. (8 %) 2 répl. 0,3 l.
7 l. (93 %) 1 répl. 6,5 l. 		2 sc. 7 l. (1 %) 12,0 pers.
Junius Brutus
Sicinius Velutus		 97 l. (54 %) 44 répl. 2,2 l.
85 l. (47 %) 49 répl. 1,7 l. 		8 sc. 180 l. (8 %) 11,1 pers.
Junius Brutus
Volumnia		 2 l. (15 %) 3 répl. 0,4 l.
8 l. (86 %) 2 répl. 3,7 l. 		1 sc. 9 l. (1 %) 5,0 pers.
Citizen
Coriolanus		 2 l. (20 %) 3 répl. 0,5 l.
7 l. (81 %) 4 répl. 1,7 l. 		1 sc. 8 l. (1 %) 2,0 pers.
Cominius
Coriolanus		 45 l. (33 %) 27 répl. 1,6 l.
92 l. (68 %) 25 répl. 3,6 l. 		8 sc. 135 l. (6 %) 10,1 pers.
Cominius
Titus Lartius		 14 l. (92 %) 3 répl. 4,5 l.
2 l. (9 %) 1 répl. 1,3 l. 		1 sc. 15 l. (1 %) 10,0 pers.
Cominius
Menenius Agrippa		 75 l. (64 %) 18 répl. 4,1 l.
42 l. (37 %) 24 répl. 1,7 l. 		7 sc. 116 l. (5 %) 10,8 pers.
Cominius
Messenger		 11 l. (53 %) 3 répl. 3,5 l.
10 l. (48 %) 4 répl. 2,4 l. 		2 sc. 20 l. (1 %) 8,7 pers.
Cominius
Sicinius Velutus		 18 l. (97 %) 6 répl. 2,9 l.
1 l. (4 %) 2 répl. 0,3 l. 		4 sc. 18 l. (1 %) 11,5 pers.
Cominius
Senator		 1 l. (19 %) 1 répl. 0,2 l.
2 l. (82 %) 1 répl. 1,0 l. 		1 sc. 1 l. (1 %) 11,3 pers.
Cominius
Volumnia		 3 l. (48 %) 3 répl. 0,7 l.
3 l. (53 %) 2 répl. 1,2 l. 		2 sc. 5 l. (1 %) 9,8 pers.
Coriolanus
Aedile		 11 l. (94 %) 1 répl. 10,9 l.
1 l. (7 %) 1 répl. 0,8 l. 		1 sc. 12 l. (1 %) 9,0 pers.
Coriolanus
Herald		 1 l. (44 %) 1 répl. 0,4 l.
1 l. (57 %) 1 répl. 0,5 l. 		1 sc. 1 l. (1 %) 12,0 pers.
Coriolanus
Titus Lartius		 24 l. (56 %) 14 répl. 1,7 l.
19 l. (45 %) 16 répl. 1,2 l. 		4 sc. 42 l. (2 %) 11,2 pers.
Coriolanus
Menenius Agrippa		 103 l. (66 %) 35 répl. 2,9 l.
55 l. (35 %) 29 répl. 1,9 l. 		9 sc. 157 l. (7 %) 10,2 pers.
Coriolanus
Messenger		 3 l. (58 %) 4 répl. 0,5 l.
2 l. (43 %) 3 répl. 0,5 l. 		2 sc. 4 l. (1 %) 11,0 pers.
Coriolanus
Nobleman		 4 l. (93 %) 1 répl. 4,0 l.
1 l. (8 %) 1 répl. 0,3 l. 		1 sc. 4 l. (1 %) 6,0 pers.
Coriolanus
Sicinius Velutus		 29 l. (68 %) 14 répl. 2,1 l.
15 l. (33 %) 11 répl. 1,3 l. 		5 sc. 43 l. (2 %) 11,1 pers.
Coriolanus
Senator		 1 l. (16 %) 1 répl. 0,5 l.
3 l. (85 %) 4 répl. 0,6 l. 		3 sc. 3 l. (1 %) 12,4 pers.
Coriolanus
Virgilia		 30 l. (95 %) 3 répl. 10,0 l.
2 l. (6 %) 3 répl. 0,6 l. 		2 sc. 32 l. (2 %) 5,0 pers.
Coriolanus
Volumnia		 71 l. (47 %) 19 répl. 3,7 l.
83 l. (54 %) 18 répl. 4,6 l. 		4 sc. 152 l. (7 %) 7,9 pers.
Aedile
Menenius Agrippa		 4 l. (79 %) 2 répl. 1,9 l.
2 l. (22 %) 1 répl. 1,0 l. 		2 sc. 5 l. (1 %) 13,4 pers.
Aedile
Sicinius Velutus		 2 l. (19 %) 4 répl. 0,4 l.
8 l. (82 %) 4 répl. 1,8 l. 		1 sc. 9 l. (1 %) 9,0 pers.
Titus Lartius
Lieutenant		 5 l. (93 %) 2 répl. 2,5 l.
1 l. (8 %) 1 répl. 0,4 l. 		1 sc. 5 l. (1 %) 2,0 pers.
Menenius Agrippa
Messenger		 5 l. (44 %) 2 répl. 2,0 l.
6 l. (57 %) 1 répl. 5,3 l. 		2 sc. 9 l. (1 %) 9,4 pers.
Menenius Agrippa
Patrician		 5 l. (83 %) 1 répl. 4,6 l.
1 l. (18 %) 2 répl. 0,5 l. 		1 sc. 6 l. (1 %) 14,0 pers.
Menenius Agrippa
Sicinius Velutus		 65 l. (66 %) 29 répl. 2,2 l.
35 l. (35 %) 30 répl. 1,1 l. 		7 sc. 99 l. (5 %) 10,7 pers.
Menenius Agrippa
Senator		 10 l. (85 %) 11 répl. 0,9 l.
2 l. (16 %) 2 répl. 0,9 l. 		4 sc. 11 l. (1 %) 11,4 pers.
Menenius Agrippa
Virgilia		 8 l. (90 %) 3 répl. 2,4 l.
1 l. (11 %) 1 répl. 0,8 l. 		1 sc. 8 l. (1 %) 12,0 pers.
Menenius Agrippa
Volumnia		 30 l. (39 %) 15 répl. 2,0 l.
49 l. (62 %) 19 répl. 2,5 l. 		3 sc. 78 l. (4 %) 9,3 pers.
Messenger
Sicinius Velutus		 15 l. (74 %) 7 répl. 2,1 l.
6 l. (27 %) 7 répl. 0,8 l. 		2 sc. 20 l. (1 %) 9,4 pers.
Roman
Volumnia		 11 l. (64 %) 4 répl. 2,6 l.
7 l. (37 %) 4 répl. 1,5 l. 		1 sc. 17 l. (1 %) 3,0 pers.
Roman
Volsce		 11 l. (57 %) 6 répl. 1,7 l.
9 l. (44 %) 5 répl. 1,6 l. 		1 sc. 18 l. (1 %) 3,0 pers.
Sicinius Velutus
Virgilia		 1 l. (13 %) 1 répl. 0,2 l.
2 l. (88 %) 1 répl. 1,1 l. 		1 sc. 1 l. (1 %) 5,0 pers.
Sicinius Velutus
Volumnia		 2 l. (20 %) 3 répl. 0,5 l.
7 l. (81 %) 2 répl. 3,2 l. 		1 sc. 8 l. (1 %) 5,0 pers.
Valeria
Virgilia		 22 l. (77 %) 10 répl. 2,1 l.
7 l. (24 %) 9 répl. 0,7 l. 		1 sc. 28 l. (2 %) 4,0 pers.
Valeria
Volumnia		 9 l. (54 %) 3 répl. 2,8 l.
8 l. (47 %) 5 répl. 1,5 l. 		2 sc. 16 l. (1 %) 9,6 pers.
Virgilia
Volumnia		 8 l. (13 %) 10 répl. 0,8 l.
54 l. (88 %) 8 répl. 6,7 l. 		3 sc. 61 l. (3 %) 7,7 pers.

The Tragedie of Coriolanus from Mr. William Shakespeares comedies, histories, & tragedies. Published according to the true originall copies.

Mr. VVilliam Shakespeares comedies, histories, & tragedies

Bodleian First Folio, Arch. G c.7

Shakespeare, William, 1564-1616. Heminge, John, approximately 1556-1630 Condell, Henry, -1627

Autres contributions

Droeshout, Martin, 1601- : engraver.
Jaggard, Isaac, -1627 : printer.
Blount, Edward, fl. 1594-1632 : printer.
Jaggard, William, 1569-1623 : publisher.
Smethwicke, John, -1641 : publisher.
Aspley, William, -1640 : publisher.
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Sprint for Shakespeare Crowdfunding The second phase of the Bodleian First Folio project was made possible by a lead gift from Dr Geoffrey Eibl-Kaye and generous support from the Sallie Dickson Memorial Fund/Dallas Shakespeare Club Fund, Mr James Barber, and a private individual. The Bodleian Libraries are very grateful for this additional support, which brings new features to the digitized First Folio, enabling more efficient and intuitive use for all with an interest in Shakespeare, early modern drama, theatre and book history. First publication edition. Bodleian Libraries, University of Oxford Bodleian Digital Library Systems and Services
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Shakespeare, William, 1564-1616. Mr. William Shakespeares comedies, histories, & tragedies.: Published according to the true originall copies.Mr. VVilliam Shakespeares comedies, histories, & tragediesFirst FolioLondon, England: William Jaggard, Edward Blount, John SmethwickeBodleian Library, Arch. G c.7S111228015592789
United Kingdom, Oxford, University of Oxford, Bodleian Library, Bodleian Library, Arch. G c.7, S 2.17 Art. [first Bodleian shelfmark, 1624-1664?], Arch. F c.13 [superscript z?] [second Bodleian shelfmark, 1906-?].
Mr VVILLIAM
SHAKESPEARES
COMEDIES,
HISTORIES, &
TRAGEDIES.
Publiſhed according to the True Originall Copies.
London : Printed by Isaac Iaggard, and Ed. Blount [at the charges of W. Iaggard, Ed. Blount, I. Smithweeke, and W. Aspley]., .
349 x 323.

[18], 303, [1], 46, 49-100, [2], 69-232, [2], 79-80, [26], 76, 79-82, 80-98, [2], 109-156, 257-993 [i.e. 399], [1] p.; fol.

Numbering peculiarities: 1st count: p.50 misnumbered 58; p.59 misnumbered 51; p.86 misnumbered 88; p.153 misnumbered 151; p.161 misnumbered] 163; p.164 misnumbered 162; p. 165 misnumbered 163; p. 189 misnumbered 187; p. 249 misnumbered 251; p.250 misnumbered 252; p. 265 misnumbered 273 -- 2nd count: p.37 misnumbered 39 in some copies; p.89 misnumbered 91; p. 90 misnumbered 92 -- 3rd count: p.165-166 numbered 167 and 168 respectively; p. 216 numbered 218 -- 5th count: p. 279 misnumbered 259; p. 282 misnumbered 280; p.308 misnumbered 38; p. 379 misnumbered 389; p. 399 misnumbered 993.

The signatures varies between sources, with the most commonly cited being Hinman's and West's: 1. Hinman: πA⁶ (πA1+1) [πB²], ²A-2B⁶ 2C² a-g⁶ χgg⁸ h-v⁶ x⁴ χ1.2 [para.]-2[para.]⁶ 3[para]¹ aa-ff⁶ gg² Gg⁶ hh⁶ kk-bbb⁶; 2. West: πA⁶ (πA1+1, πA5+1.2)²A-2B⁶ 2C² a-g⁶ ²g⁸ h-v⁶ x⁴ 'gg3.4' (±'gg3') [para.]-2[para.]⁶ 3[para]¹ 2a-2f⁶ 2g² 2G⁶ 2h⁶ 2k-2v⁶ x⁶ 2y-3b⁶.

Mis-signed leaves: a3 mis-signed Aa3; ³gg1 mis-signed Gg; nn1-nn2 mis-signed Nn and Nn2 and oo1 mis-signed Oo.

"The life and death of King Iohn" begins new pagination on leaf a1 recto; "The tragedy of Coriolanus" begins new pagination on leaf aa1 recto.

Lacks A1, the letterpress frontispiece entitled "To the reader". The title page is trimmed and mounted, with a section of the mount towards the foot of the leaf mutilated resulting in the loss of some the Droechout imprint at the bottom left hand corner of the portrait and the central section of an early MS note. For a full condition report, including a full survey of damage and repairs, please contact Rare Books.

Predominantly printed in double columns.

Text within simple lined frame.

Colophon reads: "Printed at the charges of W. Iaggard, Ed. Blount, I. Smithweeke, and W. Aspley. 1623.".

Editors’ dedication signed: Iohn Heminge. Henry Condell.

Head- and tail- pieces; initials.With an engraved title-page portrait of the author signed: "Martin- Droeshout: sculpsit· London.". The plate exists in 2 states: 1. The earlier state has lighter shading generall ; 2. Later state has heavier shading, especially around the collar, and minor differences particularly with the jawline and moustache. The vast majority of surviving copies have the plate in the second state which has led some scholars to conclude that the earlier state was a proof. The portrait in this copy is the second state.

Two MS verses on first endpaper verso: 1. 9 lines of verse by an unknown author, first line reads "An active swain to make a leap was seen". 2. A copy of Ben Jonson’s printed "To the Reader"; MS note on t.p. (mutilated) appears to read "Honest [Shakes]peare". Minor annotations on leaf 2n4 (Macbeth). All in an early English hand, presumably added after leaving the Library.

Seventeenth-century (1624) English (Oxford) smooth calf. Bound for the Bodleian Library by William Wildgoose, with evidence of two cloth ties, red sprinkled edge. Formerly chained, with evidence of chain staple at the head of the upper cover. Remains of paper label at the head of the spine. Enclosed in 20th century book box by Maltby of Oxford. See S. Gibson in Original Bodleian Copy of First Folio, p. 12-13. One of four items sent out on 17th February 1624 for binding by Wildgoose containing printed waste from a copy of Cicero’s "De Officiis, et al." [Deventer: Richard Pafraet, between 1480 and 1485] as paste-downs. For more information on this work see: Bod. Inc. Cat., C-322.

For further details on the printing of this item see Hinman, Charleton. The printing and proof-reading of the First Folio of Shakespeare: Oxford, 1963.

Acquired by the Bodleian in 1623, presumably in sheets. It was sent out to William Wildgoose on for binding (see: Library Records e.258, fol. 48r) and upon its return chained in Duke Humfrey at shelfmark S 2.17 Art. It is listed in the Bodleian’s catalogue of printed books but was gone by the publication of the next catalogue in , replaced by the newer Third Folio (). There is no explicit reference in Library Records to the disposal of this copy, but there is a record of a sale of "superfluous library books" to Richard Davis, a bookseller in Oxford, in for the sum of £24.

After leaving the Bodleian this copy entered the collection of Richard Turbutt of Ogston Hall, Derbyshire at some point in the early 18th century. It stayed in the family’s possession until , when it was reacquired by the Bodleian for the sum of £3000, raised by public subscription. For a full discussion of the rediscovery and purchase of this copy see: F. Madan, G. M. R. Turbutt and S. Gibson, The Original Bodleian Copy of the First Folio of Shakespeare (theTurbutt Shakespeare) (Oxford, 1905)

For a full discussion of this copy and the digital version see http://shakespeare.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/ and West and Rasmussen (2011), 31.

Digital facsimile images available at: http://firstfolio.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/.
First Citizen 1 1 Cit. 1. 1. Cit. 1. Citizen. First Lord 1 Lord. 1. Lord. First Senator 1 Sen. 1. Sen. 1. Senat. First Servingman 1 Ser. First Servingman 1. 1 Both. First Conspirator 1. Con. First Officer 1. Off. First Roman 1. Rom. First Soldier 1. Sol. First Watchman 1. Wat. Second Citizen 2 2 Cit. 2 Citizen. 2. 2. Cit. Second Lord 2 Lord. 2. Lord. Second Senator 2 Sen. 2. Sen. 2. Sena. Second Servant 2 Ser. Second Servingman 2. 2 Both. Second Conspirator 2. Con. Second Officer 2. Off. Second Roman 2. Rom. Second Soldier 2. Sol. Second Watchman 2. Wat. Third Citizen 3 3 Cit. 3. Cit. Third Conspirator 3. Con. 3. Consp. Third Lord 3. Lord. Third Roman 3. Rom. All Conspirators All Consp. All Lords All Lords. Lords. All The People All People. All Ple. All Citizens All. Omnes. Third Servingman 3. 3 Tullus Aufidius, general of the Vulscians Auf. Auff. Auffi. Auffid. Aufid. Both Tribunes Both Tri. Both Both. Young Coriolanus, son to Coriolanus Boy. Junius Brutus, tribune of the people Bru. Brut. Brutus. Citizen Cit. Cominius, general against the Volscians Com. Coriolanus, previously Caius Marcius Coriolanus Cor. Cori. Corio. Coriol. Mar. Mart. Martius. Aedile Edi. Edile. Ædile. Ædiles. Gentlewoman, attending on Virgilia Gent. Herald Herauld. Titus Lartius, general against the Volscians Lar. Lart. Lartius. Latius. Tit. Titus Lartius. Lieutenant, to Aufidius Lieu. Menenius Agrippa, friend to Coriolanus Me. Men. Mene. Menen. Messenger Mes. Mess. Nobleman Noble. Officer Off. Patrician Patri. Roman Rom. Sicinius Velutus, tribune of the people Scici. Scicin. Sic. Sicin. Senator Sen. Sena. Senat. Soldier Sol. Soul. Sould. Tribune Tri. Valeria, friend to Virgilia Val. Valer. Valeria. Virgilia, wife to Coriolanus Vir. Virg. Virgil. Vlug. 2. Ladies. Volumnia, mother to Coriolanus Vol. Volum. 2. Ladies. Volsce Volce.
[p. 1]

The Tragedie of Coriolanus.

Actus Primus. Scœna Prima.

[Act 1, Scene 1]

Enter a Company of Mutinous Citizens, with Staues,
Clubs, and other weapons.

1. Citizen.

1BEfore we proceed any further, heare me speake.

All.

2Speake, speake.

1. Cit.

3You are all resolu'd rather to dy then [l. 4] to famish?

All.

5Resolu'd, resolu'd.

1. Cit.

6First you know, Caius Martius is chiefe enemy [l. 7] to the people.

All.

8We know't, we know't.

1. Cit.

9Let vs kill him, and wee'l haue Corne at our own [l. 10] price. Is't a Verdict?

All.

11No more talking on't; Let it be done, away, away

2. Cit.

12One word, good Citizens.

1. Cit.

13We are accounted poore Citizens, the Patri­ [l. 14] cians good: what Authority surfets one, would releeue [l. 15] vs. If they would yeelde vs but the superfluitie while it [l. 16] were wholsome, wee might guesse they releeued vs hu­ [l. 17] manely: But they thinke we are too deere, the leannesse [l. 18] that afflicts vs, the obiect of our misery, is as an inuento­ [l. 19] ry to particularize their abundance, our sufferance is a [l. 20] gaine to them. Let vs reuenge this with our Pikes, ere [l. 21] we become Rakes. For the Gods know, I speake this in [l. 22] hunger for Bread, not in thirst for Reuenge.

2. Cit.

23Would you proceede especially against Caius [l. 24] Martius.

All.

25Against him first: He's a very dog to the Com­ [l. 26] monalty.

2. Cit.

27Consider you what Seruices he ha's done for his [l. 28] Country?

1. Cit.

29Very well, and could bee content to giue him [l. 30] good report for't, but that hee payes himselfe with bee­ [l. 31] ing proud.

All.

32Nay, but speak not maliciously.

1. Cit.

33I say vnto you, what he hath done Famouslie, [l. 34] he did it to that end: though soft conscienc'd men can be [l. 35] content to say it was for his Countrey, he did it to please [l. 36] his Mother, and to be partly proud, which he is, euen to [l. 37] the altitude of his virtue.

2. Cit.

38What he cannot helpe in his Nature, you ac­ [l. 39] count a Vice in him: You must in no way say he is co­ [l. 40] uetous.

1. Cit.

41If I must not, I neede not be barren of Accusa­ [l. 42] tions he hath faults (with surplus) to tyre in repetition. [l. 43] Showts within. [l. 44] What showts are these? The other side a'th City is risen: [l. 45] why stay we prating heere? To th' Capitoll.

All.

46Come, come.

1. Cit.

47Soft, who comes heere?

Enter Menenius Agrippa.

2. Cit.

48Worthy Menenius Agrippa, one that hath al­ [l. 49] wayes lou'd the people

1. Cit.

50He's one honest enough, wold al the rest wer so.

Men.

What work's my Countrimen in hand?
Where go you with Bats and Clubs? The matter
Speake I pray you.

2. Cit.

54Our busines is not vnknowne to th'Senat, they [l. 55] haue had inkling this fortnight what we intend to do, which [l. 56] now wee'l shew em in deeds: they say poore Suters haue [l. 57] strong breaths, they shal know we haue strong arms too.

Menen.

Why Masters, my good Friends, mine honest
Neighbours, will you vndo your selues?

2. Cit.

60We cannot Sir, we are vndone already.

Men.

I tell you Friends, most charitable care
Haue the Patricians of you for your wants.
Your suffering in this dearth, you may as well
Strike at the Heauen with your staues, as lift them
65 Against the Roman State, whose course will on
The way it takes: cracking ten thousand Curbes
Of more strong linke assunder, then can euer
Appeare in your impediment. For the Dearth,
The Gods, not the Patricians make it, and
70 Your knees to them (not armes) must helpe. Alacke,
You are transported by Calamity
Thether, where more attends you, and you slander
The Helmes o'th State; who care for you like Fathers,
When you curse them, as Enemies.

2. Cit.

75Care for vs? True indeed, they nere car'd for vs [l. 76] yet. Suffer vs to famish, and their Store‑houses cramm'd [l. 77] with Graine: Make Edicts for Vsurie, to support Vsu­ [l. 78] rers; repeale daily any wholsome Act established against [l. 79] the rich, and prouide more piercing Statutes daily, to [l. 80] chaine vp and restraine the poore. If the Warres eate vs [l. 81] not vppe, they will; and there's all the loue they beare [l. 82] vs.

Menen.

Either you must
Confesse your selues wondrous Malicious,
85 Or be accus'd of Folly. I shall tell you
A pretty Tale, it may be you haue heard it,
But since it serues my purpose, I will venture
To scale't a little more.

2 Citizen.

Well, Ile heare it Sir: yet you must not thinke
90 To fobbe off our disgrace with a tale:
But and't please you deliuer.

Men.

There was a time, when all the bodies members
Rebell'd against the Belly; thus accus'd it:
That onely like a Gulfe it did remaine
aa I'th [p. 2] The Tragedie of Coriolanus.
95 I'th midd'st a th'body, idle and vnactiue,
Still cubbording the Viand, neuer bearing
Like labour with the rest, where th'other Instruments
Did see, and heare, deuise, instruct, walke, feele,
And mutually participate, did minister
100 Vnto the appetite; and affection common
Of the whole body, the Belly answer'd.

2. Cit.

102Well sir, what answer made the Belly.

Men.

Sir, I shall tell you with a kinde of Smile,
Which ne're came from the Lungs, but euen thus:
105 For looke you I may make the belly Smile,
As well as speake, it taintingly replyed
To'th'discontented Members, the mutinous parts
That enuied his receite: euen so most fitly,
As you maligne our Senators, for that
110 They are not such as you.

2. Cit.

Your Bellies answer: What
The Kingly crown'd head, the vigilant eye,
The Counsailor Heart, the Arme our Souldier,
Our Steed the Legge, the Tongue our Trumpeter,
115 With other Muniments and petty helps
In this our Fabricke, if that they⸺

Men.

What then? Fore me, this Fellow speakes.
What then? What then?

2. Cit.

Should by the Cormorant belly be restrain'd,
120 Who is the sinke a th'body.

Men.

121Well, what then?

2. Cit.

The former Agents, if they did complaine,
What could the Belly answer?

Men.

I will tell you,
125 If you'l bestow a small (of what you haue little)
Patience awhile; you'st heare the Bellies answer.

2. Cit.

127Y'are long about it

Men.

Note me this good Friend;
Your most graue Belly was deliberate,
130 Not rash like his Accusers, and thus answered.
True is it my Incorporate Friends (quoth he)
That I receiue the generall Food at first
Which you do liue vpon: and fit it is,
Because I am the Store‑house, and the Shop
135 Of the whole Body. But, if you do remember,
I send it through the Riuers of your blood
Euen to the Court, the Heart, to th'seate o'th'Braine,
And through the Crankes and Offices of man,
The strongest Nerues, and small inferiour Veines
140 From me receiue that naturall competencie
Whereby they liue. And though that all at once
(You my good Friends, this sayes the Belly) marke me.

2. Cit.

143I sir, well, well.

Men.

Though all at once, cannot
145 See what I do deliuer out to each,
Yet I can make my Awdit vp, that all
From me do backe receiue the Flowre of all,
And leaue me but the Bran. What say you too't?

2. Cit.

149It was an answer, how apply you this?

Men.

150 The Senators of Rome, are this good Belly,
And you the mutinous Members: For examine
Their Counsailes, and their Cares; disgest things rightly,
Touching the Weale a'th Common, you shall finde
No publique benefit which you receiue
155 But it proceeds, or comes from them to you,
And no way from your selues. What do you thinke?
You, the great Toe of this Assembly?

2. Cit.

158I the great Toe? Why the great Toe?

Men.

For that being one o'th lowest, basest, poorest
160 Of this most wise Rebellion, thou goest formost:
Thou Rascall, that art worst in blood to run,
Lead'st first to win some vantage.
But make you ready your stiffe bats and clubs,
Rome, and her Rats, are at the point of battell,
165 The one side must haue baile.
Enter Caius Martius.
Hayle, Noble Martius

Mar.

Thanks. What's the matter you dissentious rogues
That rubbing the poore Itch of your Opinion,
Make your selues Scabs.

2. Cit.

170We haue euer your good word.

Mar.

He that will giue good words to thee, wil flatter
Beneath abhorring. What would you haue, you Curres,
That like nor Peace, nor Warre? The one affrights you,
The other makes you proud. He that trusts to you,
175 Where he should finde you Lyons, findes you Hares:
Where Foxes, Geese you are: No surer, no,
Then is the coale of fire vpon the Ice,
Or Hailstone in the Sun. Your Vertue is,
To make him worthy, whose offence subdues him,
180 And curse that Iustice did it. Who deserues Greatnes,
Deserues your Hate: and your Affections are
A sickmans Appetite; who desires most that
Which would encrease his euill. He that depends
Vpon your fauours, swimmes with finnes of Leade,
185 And hewes downe Oakes, with rushes. Hang ye: trust ye?
With euery Minute you do change a Minde,
And call him Noble, that was now your Hate:
Him vilde, that was your Garland. What's the matter,
That in these seuerall places of the Citie,
190 You cry against the Noble Senate, who
(Vnder the Gods) keepe you in awe, which else
Would feede on one another? What's their seeking?

Men.

For Corne at their owne rates, wherof they say
The Citie is well stor'd.

Mar.

195 Hang 'em: They say?
They'l sit by th'fire, and presume to know
What's done i'th Capitoll: Who's like to rise,
Who thriues, & who declines: Side factions, & giue out
Coniecturall Marriages, making parties strong,
200 And feebling such as stand not in their liking,
Below their cobled Shooes. They say ther's grain enough?
Would the Nobility lay aside their ruth,
And let me vse my Sword, I'de make a Quarrie
With thousands of these quarter'd slaues, as high
205 As I could picke my Lance.

Menen.

Nay these are almost thoroughly perswaded:
For though abundantly they lacke discretion
Yet are they passing Cowardly. But I beseech you,
What sayes the other Troope?

Mar.

210 They are dissolu'd: Hang em;
They said they were an hungry, sigh'd forth Prouerbes
That Hunger‑broke stone wals: that dogges must eate
That meate was made for mouths. That the gods sent not
Corne for the Richmen onely: With these shreds
215 They vented their Complainings, which being answer'd
And a petition granted them, a strange one,
To breake the heart of generosity,
And make bold power looke pale, they threw their caps
As they would hang them on the hornes a'th Moone,
220 Shooting their Emulation.

Menen.

221What is graunted them?

Mar.

Fiue Tribunes to defend their vulgar wisdoms
Of their owne choice. One's Iunius Brutus,
Sicinius Velutus, and I know not. Sdeath,
The [p. 3] The Tragedie of Coriolanus.
225 The rabble should haue first vnroo'st the City
Ere so preuayl'd with me; it will in time
Win vpon power, and throw forth greater Theames
For Insurrections arguing.

Menen.

229This is strange.

Mar.

230Go get you home you Fragments.

Enter a Messenger hastily.

Mess.

231Where's Caius Martius?

Mar.

232Heere: what's the matter?

Mes.

233The newes is sir, the Volcies are in Armes.

Mar.

234I am glad on't, then we shall ha meanes to vent [l. 235] Our mustie superfluity. See our best Elders.

Enter Sicinius Velutus, Annius Brutus Cominisu Cominius, Titus
Lartius, with other Senatours.

1. Sen.

236Martius 'tis true, that you haue lately told vs, [l. 237] The Volces are in Armes.

Mar.

They haue a Leader,
Tullus Auffidius that will put you too't:
240 I sinne in enuying his Nobility:
And were I any thing but what I am,
I would wish me onely he.

Com.

243You haue fought together?

Mar.

Were halfe to halfe the world by th'eares, & he
245 vpon my partie, I'de reuolt to make
Onely my warres with him. He is a Lion
That I am proud to hunt.

1. Sen.

Then worthy Martius,
Attend vpon Cominius to these Warres.

Com.

250It is your former promise.

Mar.

Sir it is,
And I am constant: Titus Lucius, thou
Shalt see me once more strike at Tullus face.
What art thou stiffe? Stand'st out?

Tit.

255 No Caius Martius,
Ile leane vpon one Crutch, and fight with tother,
Ere stay behinde this Businesse.

Men.

258Oh true‑bred.

Sen.

Your Company to'th'Capitoll, where I know
260 Our greatest Friends attend vs.

Tit.

Lead you on: Follow Cominius, we must followe
you, right worthy your Priority.

Com.

263Noble Martius.

Sen.

264Hence to your homes, be gone.

Mar.

265 Nay let them follow,
The Volces haue much Corne: take these Rats thither,
To gnaw their Garners. Worshipfull Mutiners,
Your valour puts well forth: Pray follow.
Exeunt.
Citizens steale away. Manet Sicin. & Brutus.

Sicin.

269Was euer man so proud as is this Martius?

Bru.

270He has no equall.

Sicin.

271When we were chosen Tribunes for the people.

Bru.

272Mark'd you his lip and eyes.

Sicin.

273Nay, but his taunts.

Bru.

274Being mou'd, he will not spare to gird the Gods.

Sicin.

275Bemocke the modest Moone.

Bru.

276The present Warres deuoure him, he is growne [l. 277] Too proud to be so valiant.

Sicin.

278Such a Nature, tickled with good successe, dis­ [l. 279] daines the shadow which he treads on at noone, but I do [l. 280] wonder, his insolence can brooke to be commanded vn­ [l. 281] der Cominius?

Bru.

Fame, at the which he aymes,
In whom already he's well grac'd, cannot
Better be held, nor more attain'd then by
285 A place below the first: for what miscarries
Shall be the Generals fault, though he performe
To th'vtmost of a man, and giddy censure
Will then cry out of Martius: Oh, if he
Had borne the businesse.

Sicin.

290 Besides, if things go well,
Opinion that so stickes on Martius, shall
Of his demerits rob Cominius.

Bru.

Come: halfe all Cominius Honors are to Martius
Though Martius earn'd them not: and all his faults
295 To Martius shall be Honors, though indeed
In ought he merit not.

Sicin.

Let's hence, and heare
How the dispatch is made, and in what fashion
More then his singularity, he goes
300 Vpon this present Action.

Bru.

301Let's along.

Exeunt.

[Act 1, Scene 2]

Enter Tullus Auffidius with Senators of Coriolus.

1. Sen.

So, your opinion is Auffidius,
That they of Rome are entred in our Counsailes,
And know how we proceede,

Auf.

305 Is it not yours?
What euer haue bin thought one in this State
That could be brought to bodily act, ere Rome
Had circumuention: 'tis not foure dayes gone
Since I heard thence, these are the words, I thinke
310 I haue the Letter heere: yes, heere it is;
They haue prest a Power, but it is not knowne
Whether for East or West: the Dearth is great,
The people Mutinous: And it is rumour'd,
Cominius, Martius your old Enemy
315 (Who is of Rome worse hated then of you)
And Titus Lartius, a most valiant Roman,
These three leade on this Preparation
Whether 'tis bent: most likely, 'tis for you:
Consider of it.

1. Sen.

320 Our Armie's in the Field:
We neuer yet made doubt but Rome was ready
To answer vs.

Auf.

Nor did you thinke it folly,
To keepe your great pretences vayl'd, till when
325 They needs must shew themselues, which in the hatching
It seem'd appear'd to Rome. By the discouery,
We shalbe shal be shortned in our ayme, which was
To take in many Townes, ere (almost) Rome
Should know we were a‑foot.

2. Sen.

330 Noble Auffidius,
Take your Commission, hye you to your Bands,
Let vs alone to guard Corioles
If they set downe before's: for the remoue
Bring vp your Army: but (I thinke) you'l finde
335 Th'haue not prepar'd for vs.

Auf.

O doubt not that,
I speake from Certainties. Nay more,
Some parcels of their Power are forth already,
And onely hitherward. I leaue your Honors.
340 If we, and Caius Martius chance to meete,
'Tis sworne betweene vs, we shall euer strike
Till one can do no more.

All.

343The Gods assist you.

Auf.

344And keepe your Honors safe.

1. Sen.

345Farewell

2. Sen.

346Farewell.

All.

347Farewell.

Exeunt. omnes.
aa2 Enter [p. 4] The Tragedie of Coriolanus.

[Act 1, Scene 3]

Enter Volumnia and Virgilia, mother and wife to Martius:
They set them downe on two lowe stooles and sowe.

Volum.

348I pray you daughter sing, or expresse your selfe [l. 349] in a more comfortable sort: If my Sonne were my Hus­ [l. 350] band, I should freelier reioyce in that absence wherein [l. 351] he wonne Honor, then in the embracements of his Bed, [l. 352] where he would shew most loue. When yet hee was but [l. 353] tender‑bodied, and the onely Sonne of my womb; when [l. 354] youth with comelinesse pluck'd all gaze his way; when [l. 355] for a day of Kings entreaties, a Mother should not sel him [l. 356] an houre from her beholding; I considering how Honour [l. 357] would become such a person, that it was no better then [l. 358] Picture‑like to hang by th' wall, if renowne made it not [l. 359] stirre, was pleas'd to let him seeke danger, where he was [l. 360] like to finde fame: To a cruell Warre I sent him, from [l. 361] whence he return'd, his browes bound with Oake. I tell [l. 362] thee Daughter, I sprang not more in ioy at first hearing [l. 363] he was a Man‑child, then now in first seeing he had pro­ [l. 364] ued himselfe a man.

Virg.

365But had he died in the Businesse Madame, how [l. 366] then?

Volum.

367Then his good report should haue beene my [l. 368] Sonne, I therein would haue found issue. Heare me pro­ [l. 369] fesse sincerely, had I a dozen sons each in my loue alike, [l. 370] and none lesse deere then thine, and my good Martius, I [l. 371] had rather had eleuen dye Nobly for their Countrey, then [l. 372] one voluptuously surfet out of Action.

Enter a Gentlewoman.

Gent.

373Madam, the lady Valeria is come to visit you.

Virg.

374Beseech you giue me leaue to retire my selfe.

Volum.

375 Indeed you shall not:
Me thinkes, I heare hither your Husbands Drumme:
See him plucke Auffidius downe by th'haire:
(As children from a Beare) the Volces shunning him:
Me thinkes I see him stampe thus, and call thus,
380 Come on you Cowards, you were got in feare
Though you were borne in Rome; his bloody brow
With his mail'd hand, then wiping, forth he goes
Like to a Haruest man, that task'd to mowe
Or all, or loose his hyre.

Virg.

385His bloody Brow? Oh Iupiter, no blood.

Volum.

Away you Foole; it more becomes a man
Then gilt his Trophe. The brests of Hecuba
When she did suckle Hector, look'd not louelier
Then Hectors forhead, when it spit forth blood
390 At Grecian sword. Contenning, tell Valeria
We are fit to bid her welcome.
Exit Gent.

Vir.

392Heauens blesse my Lord from fell Auffidius

Vol.

Hee'l beat Auffidius head below his knee,
And treade vpon his necke.
Enter Valeria with an Vsher, and a Gentlewoman.

Val.

395My Ladies both good day to you.

Vol.

396Sweet Madam.

Vir.

397I am glad to see your Ladyship.

Val.

398How do you both? You are manifest house‑kee­ [l. 399] pers. What are you sowing heere? A fine spotte in good [l. 400] faith. How does your little Sonne?

Vir.

401I thanke your Lady‑ship: Well good Madam.

Vol.

402He had rather see the swords, and heare a Drum, [l. 403] then looke vpon his Schoolmaster.

Val.

404A my word the Fathers Sonne: Ile sweare 'tis a [l. 405] very pretty boy. A my troth, I look'd vpon him a Wens­ [l. 406] day halfe an houre together: ha's such a confirm'd coun­ [l. 407] tenance. I saw him run after a gilded Butterfly, & when [l. 408] he caught it, he let it go againe, and after it againe, and o­ [l. 409] uer and ouer he comes, and vp againe: catcht it again: or [l. 410] whether his fall enrag'd him, or how 'twas, hee did so set [l. 411] his teeth, and teare it. Oh, I warrant how he mammockt [l. 412] it.

Vol.

413One on's Fathers moods.

Val.

414Indeed la, tis a Noble childe.

Virg.

415A Cracke Madam.

Val.

416Come, lay aside your stitchery, I must haue you [l. 417] play the idle Huswife with me this afternoone.

Virg.

418No (good Madam) [l. 419] I will not out of doores.

Val.

420Not out of doores?

Volum.

421She shall, she shall.

Virg.

422Indeed no, by your patience; Ile not ouer the [l. 423] threshold, till my Lord returne from the Warres.

Val.

424Fye, you confine your selfe most vnreasonably: [l. 425] Come, you must go visit the good Lady that lies in.

Virg.

426I will wish her speedy strength, and visite her [l. 427] with my prayers: but I cannot go thither.

Volum.

428Why I pray you.

Vlug.

429'Tis not to saue labour, nor that I want loue.

Val.

430You would be another Penelope: yet they say, all [l. 431] the yearne she spun in Vlisses absence, did but fill Athica [l. 432] full of Mothes. Come, I would your Cambrick were sen­ [l. 433] sible as your finger, that you might leaue pricking it for [l. 434] pitie. Come you shall go with vs.

Vir.

435No good Madam, pardon me, indeed I will not [l. 436] foorth.

Val.

437In truth la go with me, and Ile tell you excellent [l. 438] newes of your Husband.

Virg.

439Oh good Madam, there can be none yet.

Val.

440Verily I do not iest with you: there came newes [l. 441] from him last night.

Vir.

442Indeed Madam.

Val.

443In earnest it's true; I heard a Senatour speake it. [l. 444] Thus it is: the Volcies haue an Army forth, against whom [l. 445] Cominius the Generall is gone, with one part of our Ro­ [l. 446] mane power. Your Lord, and Titus Lartius, are set down [l. 447] before their Citie Carioles, they nothing doubt preuai­ [l. 448] ling, and to make it breefe Warres. This is true on mine [l. 449] Honor, and so I pray go with vs.

Virg.

450Giue me excuse good Madame, I will obey you [l. 451] in euery thing heereafter.

Vol.

Let her alone Ladie, as she is now:
She will but disease our better mirth.

Valeria.

In troth I thinke she would:
455 Fare you well then. Come good sweet Ladie.
Prythee Virgilia turne thy solemnesse out a doore,
And go along with vs.

Virgil.

No
At a word Madam; Indeed I must not,
460 I wish you much mirth.

Val.

461Well, then farewell.

Exeunt. Ladies.

[Act 1, Scene 4]

Enter Martius, Titus Lartius, with Drumme and Co­
lours, with Captaines and Souldiers, as
before the City Corialus: to them
a Messenger.

Martius.

Yonder comes Newes:
A Wager they haue met.

Lar.

464My horse to yours, no.

Mar.

465Tis done.

Lart.

466Agreed.

Mar. [p. 5] The Tragedie of Coriolanus.

Mar.

467Say, ha's our Generall met the Enemy?

Mess.

468They lye in view, but haue not spoke as yet.

Lart.

469So, the good Horse is mine.

Mart.

470Ile buy him of you.

Lart.

No, Ile nor sel, nor giue him: Lend you him I will
For halfe a hundred yeares: Summon the Towne.

Mar.

473How farre off lie these Armies?

Mess.

474Within this mile and halfe.

Mar.

475 Then shall we heare their Larum, & they Ours.
Now Mars, I prythee make vs quicke in worke,
That we with smoaking swords may march from hence
To helpe our fielded Friends. Come, blow thy blast.
They Sound a Parley: Enter two Senators with others on
the Walles of Corialus.
Tullus Auffidious, is he within your Walles?

1. Senat.

480 No, nor a man that feares you lesse then he,
That's lesser then a little:
Drum a farre off.
Hearke, our Drummes
Are bringing forth our youth: Wee'l breake our Walles
Rather then they shall pound vs vp our Gates,
485 Which yet seeme shut, we haue but pin'd with Rushes,
They'le open of themselues. Harke you, farre off
Alarum farre off.
There is Auffidious. List what worke he makes
Among'st your clouen Army.

Mart.

489Oh they are at it.

Lart.

490 Their noise be our instruction. Ladders hoa.
Enter the Army of the Volces.

Mar.

They feare vs not, but issue forth their Citie.
Now put your Shields before your hearts, and fight
With hearts more proofe then Shields.
Aduance braue Titus,
495 They do disdaine vs much beyond our Thoughts,
which makes me sweat with wrath. Come on my fellows
He that retires, Ile take him for a Volce,
And he shall feele mine edge.
Alarum, the Romans are beat back to their Trenches
Enter Martius Cursing.

Mar.

All the contagion of the South, light on you,
500 You Shames of Rome: you Heard of Byles and Plagues
Plaister you o're, that you may be abhorr'd
Farther then seene, and one infect another
Against the Winde a mile: you soules of Geese,
That beare the shapes of men, how haue you run
505 From Slaues, that Apes would beate; Pluto and Hell,
All hurt behinde, backes red, and faces pale
With flight and agued feare, mend and charge home,
Or by the fires of heauen, Ile leaue the Foe,
And make my Warres on you: Looke too't: Come on,
510 If you'l stand fast, wee'l beate them to their Wiues,
As they vs to our Trenches followes.
Another Alarum, and Martius followes them to
gates, and is shut in.
So, now the gates are ope: now proue good Seconds,
'Tis for the followers Fortune, widens them,
Not for the flyers: Marke me, and do the like.
Enter the Gati.

1. Sol.

515Foole‑hardinesse, not I.

2. Sol.

516Nor I

1. Sol.

517See they haue shut him in.

Alarum continues

All.

518To th'pot I warrant him.

Enter Titus Lartius

Tit.

519What is become of Martius?

All.

520Slaine (Sir) doubtlesse.

1. Sol.

Following the Flyers at the very heeles,
With them he enters: who vpon the sodaine
Clapt to their Gates, he is himselfe alone,
To answer all the City.

Lar.

525 Oh Noble Fellow!
Who sensibly out‑dares his sencelesse Sword,
And when it bowes, stand'st vp: Thou art left Martius,
A Carbuncle intire: as big as thou art
Weare not so rich a Iewell. Thou was't a Souldier
530 Euen to Calues wish, not fierce and terrible
Onely in strokes, but with thy grim lookes, and
The Thunder‑like percussion of thy sounds
Thou mad'st thine enemies shake, as if the World
Were Feauorous, and did tremble.
Enter Martius bleeding, assaulted by the Enemy.

1. Sol.

535Looke Sir.

Lar.

O 'tis Martius.
Let's fetch him off, or make remaine alike.
They fight, and all enter the City.

[Act 1, Scene 5]

Enter certaine Romanes with spoiles.

1. Rom.

538This will I carry to Rome.

2. Rom.

539And I this.

3. Rom.

540A Murrain on't, I tooke this for Siluer.

exeunt.
Alarum continues still a‑farre off.
Enter Martius, and Titus with a Trumpet.

Mar.

See heere these mouers, that do prize their hours/>
At a crack'd Drachme: Cushions, Leaden Spoones,
Irons of a Doit, Dublets that Hangmen would
Bury with those that wore them. These base slaues,
545 Ere yet the fight be done, packe vp, downe with them.
And harke, what noyse the Generall makes: To him
There is the man of my soules hate, Auffidious,
Piercing our Romanes: Then Valiant Titus take
Conuenient Numbers to make good the City,
550 Whil'st I with those that haue the spirit, wil haste
To helpe Cominius

Lar.

Worthy Sir, thou bleed'st,
Thy exercise hath bin too violent,
For a second course of Fight.

Mar.

555 Sir, praise me not:
My worke hath yet not warm'd me. Fare you well:
The blood I drop, is rather Physicall
Then dangerous to me: To Auffidious thus, I will appear
(and fight.

Lar.

Now the faire Goddesse Fortune,
560 Fall deepe in loue with thee, and her great charmes
Misguide thy Opposers swords, Bold Gentleman:
Prosperity be thy Page.

Mar.

Thy Friend no lesse,
Then those she placeth highest: So farewell.

Lar.

565 Thou worthiest Martius,
Go sound thy Trumpet in the Market place,
Call thither all the Officers a'th'Towne,
Where they shall know our minde. Away.
Exeunt.

[Act 1, Scene 6]

Enter Cominius as it were in retire, with soldiers.

Com.

Breath you my friends, wel fought, we are come
(off,
570 Like Romans, neither foolish in our stands,
Nor Cowardly in retyre: Beleeue me Sirs,
We shall be charg'd againe. Whiles we haue strooke
By Interims and conueying gusts, we haue heard
The Charges of our Friends. The Roman Gods,
575 Leade their successes, as we wish our owne,
That both our powers, with smiling Fronts encountring,
May giue you thankfull Sacrifice. Thy Newes?
Enter a Messenger.

Mess.

The Cittizens of Corioles haue yssued,
And giuen to Lartius and to Martius Battaile:
aa3 I saw [p. 6] The Tragedie of Coriolanus.
580 I saw our party to their Trenches driuen,
And then I came away.

Com.

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

Mes.

584Aboue an houre, my Lord.

Com.

585 'Tis not a mile: briefely we heard their drummes.
How could'st thou in a mile confound an houre,
And bring thy Newes so late?

Mes.

Spies of the Volces
Held me in chace, that I was forc'd to wheele
590 Three or foure miles about, else had I sir
Halfe an houre since brought my report.
Enter Martius.

Com.

Whose yonder,
That doe's appeare as he were Flead? O Gods,
He has the stampe of Martius, and I haue
595 Before time seene him thus.

Mar.

596Come I too late?

Com.

The Shepherd knowes not Thunder from a Taber,
More then I know the sound of Martius Tongue
From euery meaner man.

Martius.

600Come I too late?

Com.

I, if you come not in the blood of others,
But mantled in your owne.

Mart.

Oh! let me clip ye
In Armes as sound, as when I woo'd in heart;
605 As merry, as when our Nuptiall day was done,
And Tapers burnt to Bedward.

Com.

607Flower of Warriors, how is't with Titus Lartius?

Mar.

As with a man busied about Decrees:
Condemning some to death, and some to exile,
610 Ransoming him, or pittying, threatning th' other;
Holding Corioles in the name of Rome,
Euen like a fawning Grey‑hound in the Leash,
To let him slip at will.

Com.

Where is that Slaue
615 Which told me they had beate you to your Trenches?
Where is he? Call him hither.

Mar.

Let him alone,
He did informe the truth: but for our Gentlemen,
The common file, (a plague‑Tribunes for them)
620 The Mouse ne're shunn'd the Cat, as they did budge
From Rascals worse then they.

Com.

622But how preuail'd you?

Mar.

Will the time serue to tell, I do not thinke:
Where is the enemy? Are you Lords a'th Field?
625 If not, why cease you till you are so?

Com.

Martius, we haue at disaduantage fought,
And did retyre to win our purpose.

Mar.

How lies their Battell? Know you on which side
They haue plac'd their men of trust?

Com.

630 As I guesse Martius,
Their Bands i'th Vaward are the Antients
Of their best trust: O're them Auffidious,
Their very heart of Hope.

Mar.

I do beseech you,
635 By all the Battailes wherein we haue fought,
By th'Blood we haue shed together,
By th'Vowes we haue made
To endure Friends, that you directly set me
Against Affidious, and his Antiats,
640 And that you not delay the present (but
Filling the aire with Swords aduanc'd) and Darts,
We proue this very houre.

Com.

Though I could wish,
You were conducted to a gentle Bath,
645 And Balmes applyed to you, yet dare I neuer
Deny your asking, take your choice of those
That best can ayde your action.

Mar.

Those are they
That most are willing; if any such be heere,
650 (As it were sinne to doubt) that loue this painting
Wherein you see me smear'd, if any feare
Lessen his person, then an ill report:
If any thinke, braue death out‑weighes bad life,
And that his Countries deerer then himselfe,
655 Let him alone: Or so many so minded,
Waue thus to expresse his disposition,
And follow Martius.
They all shout and waue their swords, take him vp in their
Armes, and cast vp their Caps.
Oh me alone, make you a sword of me:
If these shewes be not outward, which of you
660 But is foure Volces? None of you, but is
Able to beare against the great Auffidious
A Shield, as hard as his. A certaine number
(Though thankes to all) must I select from all:
The rest shall beare the businesse in some other fight
665 (As cause will be obey'd:) please you to March,
And foure shall quickly draw out my Command,
Which men are best inclin'd.

Com.

March on my Fellowes:
Make good this ostentation, and you shall
670 Diuide in all, with vs.
Exeunt

[Act 1, Scene 7]

Titus Lartius, hauing set a guard vpon Carioles, going with
Drum and Trumpet toward Cominius, and Caius Mar­
tius, Enters with a Lieutenant, other Souldiours, and a
Scout.

Lar.

So, let the Ports be guarded; keepe your Duties
As I haue set them downe. If I do send, dispatch
Those Centuries to our ayd, the rest will serue
For a short holding, if we loose the Field,
675 We cannot keepe the Towne.

Lieu.

676Feare not our care Sir.

Lart.

Hence; and shut your gates vpon's:
Our Guider come, to th'Roman Campe conduct vs.
Exit

[Act 1, Scene 8]

Alarum, as in Battaile.
Enter Martius and Auffidius at seueral doores.

Mar.

Ile fight with none but thee, for I do hate thee
680 Worse then a Promise‑breaker.

Auffid.

We hate alike:
Not Affricke ownes a Serpent I abhorre
More then thy Fame and Enuy: Fix thy foot.

Mar.

Let the first Budger dye the others Slaue,
685 And the Gods doome him after.

Auf.

If I flye Martius, hollow me like a Hare.

Mar.

Within these three houres Tullus
Alone I fought in your Corioles walles,
And made what worke I pleas'd: 'Tis not my blood,
690 Wherein thou seest me maskt, for thy Reuenge
Wrench vp thy power to th'highest.

Auf.

Wer't thou the Hector,
That was the whip of your bragg'd Progeny,
Thou should'st not scape me heere.
Heere they fight, and certaine Volces come in the ayde
of Auffi. Martius fights til they be driuen in breathles.
695 Officious and not valiant, you haue sham'd me
In your condemned Seconds.
Flourish. [p. 7] The Tragedie of Coriolanus.

[Act 1, Scene 9]

Flourish. Alarum. A Retreat is sounded. Enter at
one Doore Cominius, with the Romanes: At
another Doore Martius, with his
Arme in a Scarfe.

Com.

If I should tell thee o're this thy dayes Worke,
Thou't not beleeue thy deeds: but Ile report it,
Where Senators shall mingle teares with smiles,
700 Where great Patricians shall attend, and shrug,
I'th'end admire: where Ladies shall be frighted,
And gladly quak'd, heare more: where the dull Tribunes,
That with the fustie Plebeans, hate thine Honors,
Shall say against their hearts, We thanke the Gods
705 Our Rome hath such a Souldier.
Yet cam'st thou to a Morsell of this Feast,
Hauing fully din'd before.
Enter Titus with his Power, from the Pursuit.

Titus Lartius.

Oh Generall:
Here is the Steed, wee the Caparison:
710 Hadst thou beheld⸺

Martius.

Pray now, no more:
My Mother, who ha's a Charter to extoll her Bloud,
When she do's prayse me, grieues me:
I haue done as you haue done, that's what I can,
715 Induc'd as you haue beene, that's for my Countrey:
He that ha's but effected his good will,
Hath ouerta'ne mine Act

Com.

You shall not be the Graue of your deseruing,
Rome must know the value of her owne:
720 'Twere a Concealement worse then a Theft,
No lesse then a Traducement,
To hide your doings, and to silence that,
Which to the spire, and top of prayses vouch'd,
Would seeme but modest: therefore I beseech you,
725 In signe of what you are, not to reward
What you haue done, before our Armie heare me.

Martius.

I haue some Wounds vpon me, and they smart
To heare themselues remembred.

Com.

Should they not:
730 Well might they fester 'gainst Ingratitude,
And tent themselues with death: of all the Horses,
Whereof we haue ta'ne good, and good store of all,
The Treasure in this field atchieued, and Citie,
We render you the Tenth, to be ta'ne forth,
735 Before the common distribution,
At your onely choyse.

Martius.

I thanke you Generall:
But cannot make my heart consent to take
A Bribe, to pay my Sword: I doe refuse it,
740 And stand vpon my common part with those,
That haue beheld the doing.
A long flourish. They all cry, Martius, Martius,
cast vp their Caps and Launces: Cominius
and Lartius stand bare.

Mar.

May these same Instruments, which you prophane,
Neuer sound more: when Drums and Trumpets shall
I'th'field proue flatterers, let Courts and Cities be
745 Made all of false‑fac'd soothing:
When Steele growes soft, as the Parasites Silke,
Let him be made an Ouerture for th'Warres:
No more I say, for that I haue not wash'd
My Nose that bled, or foyl'd some debile Wretch,
750 Which without note, here's many else haue done,
You shoot me forth in acclamations hyperbolicall,
As if I lou'd my little should be dieted
In prayses, sawc'st with Lyes.

Com.

Too modest are you:
755 More cruell to your good report, then gratefull
To vs, that giue you truly: by your patience,
If'gainst your selfe you be incens'd, wee'le put you
(Like one that meanes his proper harme) in Manacles,
Then reason safely with you: Therefore be it knowne,
760 As to vs, to all the World, That Caius Martius
Weares this Warres Garland: in token of the which,
My Noble Steed, knowne to the Campe, I giue him,
With all his trim belonging; and from this time,
For what he did before Corioles, call him,
765 With all th'applause and Clamor of the Hoast,
Marcus Caius Coriolanus. Beare th' addition Nobly euer?
Flourish. Trumpets sound, and Drums.

Omnes.

767 Marcus Caius Coriolanus

Martius.

I will goe wash:
And when my Face is faire, you shall perceiue
770 Whether I blush or no: howbeit, I thanke you,
I meane to stride your Steed, and at all times
To vnder‑crest your good Addition,
To th'fairenesse of my power.

Com.

So, to our Tent:
775 Where ere we doe repose vs, we will write
To Rome of our successe: you Titus Lartius
Must to Corioles backe, send vs to Rome
The best, with whom we may articulate,
For their owne good, and ours.

Lartius.

780I shall, my Lord.

Martius.

The Gods begin to mocke me:
I that now refus'd most Princely gifts,
Am bound to begge of my Lord Generall.

Com.

784Tak't, 'tis yours: what is't?

Martius.

785 I sometime lay here in Corioles,
At a poore mans house: he vs'd me kindly,
He cry'd to me: I saw him Prisoner:
But then Auffidius was within my view,
And Wrath o're‑whelm'd my pittie: I request you
790 To giue my poore Host freedome.

Com.

Oh well begg'd:
Were he the Butcher of my Sonne, he should
Be free, as is the Winde: deliuer him, Titus.

Lartius.

794Martius, his Name.

Martius.

795 By Iupiter forgot:
I am wearie, yea, my memorie is tyr'd:
Haue we no Wine here?

Com.

Goe we to our Tent:
The bloud vpon your Visage dryes, 'tis time
800 It should be lookt too: come.
Exeunt.

[Act 1, Scene 10]

A flourish. Cornets. Enter Tullus Auffidius
bloudie, with two or three Souldiors.

Auffi.

801The Towne is ta'ne.

Sould.

802'Twill be deliuer'd backe on good Condition.

Auffid.

Condition?
I would I were a Roman, for I cannot,
805 Being a Volce, be that I am. Condition?
What good Condition can a Treatie finde
I'th'part that is at mercy? fiue times, Martius,
I haue fought with thee; so often hast thou beat me:
And would'st doe so, I thinke, should we encounter
As [p. 8] The Tragedie of Coriolanus.
810 As often as we eate. By th'Elements,
If ere againe I meet him beard to beard,
He's mine, or I am his: Mine Emulation
Hath not that Honor in't it had: For where
I thought to crush him in an equall Force,
815 True Sword to Sword: Ile potche at him some way,
Or Wrath, or Craft may get him.

Sol.

817He's the diuell.

Auf.

Bolder, though not so subtle: my valors poison'd,
With onely suff'ring staine by him: for him
820 Shall flye out of it selfe, nor sleepe, nor sanctuary,
Being naked, sicke; nor Phane, nor Capitoll,
The Prayers of Priests, nor times of Sacrifice:
Embarquements all of Fury, shall lift vp
Their rotten Priuiledge, and Custome 'gainst
825 My hate to Martius. Where I finde him, were it
At home, vpon my Brothers Guard, euen there
Against the hospitable Canon, would I
Wash my fierce hand in's heart. Go you to th' Citie,
Learne how 'tis held, and what they are that must
830 Be Hostages for Rome.

Soul.

831Will not you go?

Auf.

I am attended at the Cyprus groue. I pray you
('Tis South the City Mils) bring me word thither
How the world goes: that to the pace of it
835 I may spurre on my iourney.

Soul.

836I shall sir.

Actus Secundus.

[Act 2, Scene 1]

Enter Menenius with the two Tribunes of the
people, Sicinius & Brutus.

Men.

837The Agurer tels me, wee shall haue Newes to [l. 838] night.

Bru.

839Good or bad?

Men.

840Not according to the prayer of the people, for [l. 841] they loue not Martius.

Sicin.

842Nature teaches Beasts to know their Friends.

Men.

843Pray you, who does the Wolfe loue?

Sicin.

844The Lambe.

Men.

845I, to deuour him, as the hungry Plebeians would [l. 846] the Noble Martius.

Bru.

847He's a Lambe indeed, that baes like a Beare.

Men.

848Hee's a Beare indeede, that liues like a Lambe. [l. 849] You two are old men, tell me one thing that I shall aske [l. 850] you.

Both.

851Well sir.

Men.

852In what enormity is Martius poore in, that you [l. 853] two haue not in abundance?

Bru.

854He's poore in no one fault, but stor'd withal.

Sicin.

855Especially in Pride.

Bru.

856And topping all others in boasting.

Men.

857This is strange now: Do you two know, how [l. 858] you are censured heere in the City, I mean of vs a'th'right [l. 859] hand File, do you?

Both.

860Why? how are we censur'd?

Men.

861Because you talke of Pride now, will you not [l. 862] be angry.

Both.

863Well, well sir, well.

Men.

864Why 'tis no great matter: for a very little theefe [l. 865] of Occasion, will rob you of a great deale of Patience: Giue your dispositions the reines, and bee angry at your [l. 866] pleasures (at the least) if you take it as a pleasure to you, in [l. 867] being so: you blame Martius for being proud.

Brut.

868We do it not alone, sir.

Men.

869I know you can doe very little alone, for your [l. 870] helpes are many, or else your actions would growe won­ [l. 871] drous single: your abilities are to Infant‑like, for doing [l. 872] much alone. You talke of Pride: Oh, that you could turn [l. 873] your eyes toward the Napes of your neckes, and make [l. 874] but an Interiour suruey of your good selues. Oh that you [l. 875] could.

Both.

876What then sir?

Men.

877Why then you should discouer a brace of vn­ [l. 878] meriting, proud, violent, testie Magistrates (alias Fooles) [l. 879] as any in Rome.

Sicin.

880Menenius, you are knowne well enough too.

Men.

881I am knowne to be a humorous Patritian, and [l. 882] one that loues a cup of hot Wine, with not a drop of alay­ [l. 883] ing Tiber in't: Said, to be something imperfect in fauou­ [l. 884] ring the first complaint, hasty and Tinder‑like vppon, to [l. 885] triuiall motion: One, that conuerses more with the But­ [l. 886] tocke of the night, then with the forhead of the morning. [l. 887] What I think, I vtter, and spend my malice in my breath. [l. 888] Meeting two such Weales men as you are (I cannot call [l. 889] you Licurgusses,) if the drinke you giue me, touch my Pa­ [l. 890] lat aduersly, I make a crooked face at it, I can say, your [l. 891] Worshippes haue deliuer'd the matter well, when I finde [l. 892] the Asse in compound, with the Maior part of your sylla­ [l. 893] bles. And though I must be content to beare with those, [l. 894] that say you are reuerend graue men, yet they lye deadly, [l. 895] that tell you haue good faces, if you see this in the Map [l. 896] of my Microcosme, followes it that I am knowne well e­ [l. 897] nough too? What harme can your beesome Conspectui­ [l. 898] ties gleane out of this Charracter, if I be knowne well e­ [l. 899] nough too.

Bru.

900Come sir come, we know you well enough.

Menen.

901You know neither mee, your selues, nor any [l. 902] thing: you are ambitious, for poore knaues cappes and [l. 903] legges: you weare out a good wholesome Forenoone, in [l. 904] hearing a cause betweene an Orendge wife, and a Forset‑ [l. 905] seller, and then reiourne the Controuersie of three‑pence to a [l. 906] second day of Audience. When you are hearing a [l. 907] matter betweene party and party, if you chaunce to bee [l. 908] pinch'd with the Collike, you make faces like Mum­ [l. 909] mers, set vp the bloodie Flagge against all Patience, and [l. 910] in roaring for a Chamber‑pot, dismisse the Controuersie [l. 911] bleeding, the more intangled by your hearing: All the [l. 912] peace you make in their Cause, is calling both the parties [l. 913] Knaues. You are a payre of strange ones.

Bru.

914Come, come, you are well vnderstood to bee a [l. 915] perfecter gyber for the Table, then a necessary Bencher in [l. 916] the Capitoll.

Men.

917Our very Priests must become Mockers, if they [l. 918] shall encounter such ridiculous Subiects as you are, when [l. 919] you speake best vnto the purpose. It is not woorth the [l. 920] wagging of your Beards, and your Beards deserue not so [l. 921] honourable a graue, as to stuffe a Botchers Cushion, or to [l. 922] be intomb'd in an Asses Packe‑saddle; yet you must bee [l. 923] saying, Martius is proud: who in a cheape estimation, is [l. 924] worth all your predecessors, since Deucalion, though per­ [l. 925] aduenture some of the best of 'em were hereditarie hang­ [l. 926] men. Godden to your Worships, more of your conuer­ [l. 927] sation would infect my Braine, being the Heardsmen of [l. 928] the Beastly Plebeans. I will be bold to take my leaue of [l. 929] you.

Bru. and Scic. Aside.
Enter [p. 9] The Tragedie of Coriolanus.
Enter Volumnia, Virgilia, and Valeria.

How now (my as faire as Noble) Ladyes, and the Moone
were shee Earthly, no Nobler; whither doe you follow
your Eyes so fast?

Volum.

930Honorable Menenius, my Boy Martius appro­ [l. 931] ches: for the loue of Iuno let's goe.

Menen.

932Ha? Martius comming home?

Volum.

933I, worthy Menenius, and with most prosperous [l. 934] approbation.

Menen.

935Take my Cappe Iupiter, and I thanke thee: [l. 936] hoo, Martius comming home?

2. Ladies.

937Nay, 'tis true.

Volum.

938Looke, here's a Letter from him, the State hath [l. 939] another, his Wife another, and (I thinke) there's one at [l. 940] home for you.

Menen.

I will make my very house reele to night:
A Letter for me?

Virgil.

943Yes certaine, there's a Letter for you, I saw't.

Menen.

944A Letter for me? it giues me an Estate of se­ [l. 945] uen yeeres health; in which time, I will make a Lippe at [l. 946] the Physician: The most soueraigne Prescription in Galen, [l. 947] is but Emperickqutique; and to this Preseruatiue, of no [l. 948] better report then a Horse‑drench. Is he not wounded? [l. 949] he was wont to come home wounded?

Virgil.

950Oh no, no, no.

Volum.

951Oh, he is wounded, I thanke the Gods for't.

Menen.

952So doe I too, if it be not too much: brings a [l. 953] Victorie in his Pocket? the wounds become him.

Volum.

954On's Browes: Menenius, hee comes the third [l. 955] time home with the Oaken Garland.

Menen.

956Ha's he disciplin'd Auffidius soundly?

Volum.

957Titus Lartius writes, they fought together, but [l. 958] Auffidius got off.

Menen.

959And 'twas time for him too, Ile warrant him [l. 960] that: and he had stay'd by him, I would not haue been so [l. 961] fiddious'd, for all the Chests in Carioles, and the Gold [l. 962] that's in them. Is the Senate possest of this?

Volum.

963Good Ladies let's goe. Yes, yes, yes: The [l. 964] Senate ha's Letters from the Generall, wherein hee giues [l. 965] my Sonne the whole Name of the Warre: he hath in this [l. 966] action out‑done his former deeds doubly.

Valer.

967In troth, there's wondrous things spoke of him.

Menen.

968Wondrous: I, I warrant you, and not with­ [l. 969] out his true purchasing.

Virgil.

970The Gods graunt them true.

Volum.

971True? pow waw.

Mene.

972True? Ile be sworne they are true: where is [l. 973] hee wounded, God saue your good Worships? Martius [l. 974] is comming home: hee ha's more cause to be prowd: [l. 975] where is he wounded?

Volum.

976Ith' Shoulder, and ith' left Arme: there will be [l. 977] large Cicatrices to shew the People, when hee shall stand [l. 978] for his place: he receiued in the repulse of Tarquin seuen [l. 979] hurts ith' Body.

Mene.

980One ith' Neck, and two ith' Thigh, there's nine [l. 981] that I know.

Volum.

982Hee had, before this last Expedition, twentie [l. 983] fiue Wounds vpon him.

Mene.

984Now it's twentie seuen; euery gash was an [l. 985] Enemies Graue. Hearke, the Trumpets.

A showt, and flourish.

Volum.

These are the Vshers of Martius:
Before him, hee carryes Noyse;
And behinde him, hee leaues Teares:
Death, that darke Spirit, in's neruie Arme doth lye,
990 Which being aduanc'd, declines, and then men dye.
A Sennet. Trumpets sound.
Enter Cominius the Generall, and Titus Latius: be­
tweene them Coriolanus, crown'd with an Oaken
Garland, with Captaines and Soul­
diers, and a Herauld.

Herauld.

Know Rome, that all alone Martius did fight
Within Corioles Gates: where he hath wonne,
With Fame, a Name to Martius Caius:
These in honor followes Martius Caius Coriolanus.
995 Welcome to Rome, renowned Coriolanus.
Sound. Flourish.

All.

996Welcome to Rome, renowned Coriolanus.

Coriol.

997No more of this, it does offend my heart: pray [l. 998] now no more.

Com.

999Looke, Sir, your Mother.

Coriol.

1000Oh! you haue, I know, petition'd all the Gods [l. 1001] for my prosperitie.

Kneeles.

Volum.

Nay, my good Souldier, vp:
My gentle Martius, worthy Caius,
And by deed‑atchieuing Honor newly nam'd,
1005 What is it (Coriolanus) must I call thee?
But oh, thy Wife.

Corio.

My gracious silence, hayle:
Would'st thou haue laugh'd, had I come Coffin'd home,
That weep'st to see me triumph? Ah my deare,
1010 Such eyes the Widowes in Carioles were,
And Mothers that lacke Sonnes.

Mene.

1012Now the Gods Crowne thee.

Com.

1013And liue you yet? Oh my sweet Lady, pardon.

Volum.

I know not where to turne.
1015 Oh welcome home: and welcome Generall,
And y'are welcome all.

Mene.

A hundred thousand Welcomes:
I could weepe, and I could laugh,
I am light, and heauie; welcome:
1020 A Curse begin at very root on's heart,
That is not glad to see thee.
You are three, that Rome should dote on:
Yet by the faith of men, we haue
Some old Crab‑trees here at home,
1025 That will not be grafted to your Rallish.
Yet welcome Warriors:
Wee call a Nettle, but a Nettle;
And the faults of fooles, but folly.

Com.

1029Euer right.

Cor.

1030Menenius, euer, euer.

Herauld.

1031Giue way there, and goe on.

Cor.

Your Hand, and yours?
Ere in our owne house I doe shade my Head,
The good Patricians must be visited,
1035 From whom I haue receiu'd not onely greetings,
But with them, change of Honors.

Volum.

I haue liued,
To see inherited my very Wishes,
And the Buildings of my Fancie:
1040 Onely there's one thing wanting,
Which (I doubt not) but our Rome
Will cast vpon thee.

Cor.

Know, good Mother,
I had rather be their seruant in my way,
1045 Then sway with them in theirs.

Com.

1046On, to the Capitall.

Flourish. Cornets.
Exeunt. in State, as before.
Enter [p. 10] The Tragedie of Coriolanus.
Enter Brutus and Scicinius

Bru.

All tongues speake of him, and the bleared sights
Are spectacled to see him. Your pratling Nurse
Into a rapture lets her Baby crie,
1050 While she chats him: the Kitchin Malkin pinnes
Her richest Lockram 'bout her reechie necke,
Clambring the Walls to eye him:
Stalls, Bulkes, Windowes, are smother'd vp,
Leades fill'd, and Ridges hors'd
1055 With variable Complexions; all agreeing
In earnestnesse to see him: seld‑showne Flamins
Doe presse among the popular Throngs, and puffe
To winne a vulgar station: our veyl'd Dames
Commit the Warre of White and Damaske
1060 In their nicely gawded Cheekes, toth' wanton spoyle
Of Phoebus burning Kisses: such a poother,
As if that whatsoeuer God, who leades him,
Were slyly crept into his humane powers,
And gaue him gracefull posture.

Scicin.

1065On the suddaine, I warrant him Consull.

Brutus.

1066Then our Office may, during his power, goe [l. 1067] sleepe.

Scicin.

He cannot temp'rately transport his Honors,
From where he should begin, and end, but will
1070 Lose those he ha[..] wonne.

Brutus.

1071In that there's comfort.

Scici.

Doubt not,
The Commoners, for whom we stand, but they
Vpon their ancient mallice, will forget
1075 With the least cause, these his new Honors,
Which that he will giue them, make I as little question,
As he is prowd to doo't.

Brutus.

I heard him sweare,
Were he to stand for Consull, neuer would he
1080 Appeare i'th'Market place, nor on him put
The Naples Vesture of Humilitie,
Nor shewing (as the manner is) his Wounds
Toth' People, begge their stinking Breaths.

Scicin.

1084'Tis right.

Brutus.

1085 It was his word:
Oh he would misse it, rather then carry it,
But by the suite of the Gentry to him,
And the desire of the Nobles.

Scicin.

1089I wish no better, then haue him hold that pur­ [l. 1090] pose, and to put it in execution.

Brutus.

1091'Tis most like he will.

Scicin.

1092It shall be to him then, as our good wills; a [l. 1093] sure destruction.

Brutus.

So it must fall out
1095 To him, or our Authorities, for an end.
We must suggest the People, in what hatred
He still hath held them: that to's power he would
Haue made them Mules, silenc'd their Pleaders,
And dispropertied their Freedomes; holding them,
1100 In humane Action, and Capacitie,
Of no more Soule, nor fitnesse for the World,
Then Cammels in their Warre, who haue their Prouand
Onely for bearing Burthens, and sore blowes
For sinking vnder them.

Scicin.

1105 This (as you say) suggested,
At some time, when his soaring Insolence
Shall teach the People, which time shall not want,
If he be put vpon't, and that's as easie,
As to set Dogges on Sheepe, will be his fire
1110 To kindle their dry Stubble: and their Blaze
Shall darken him for euer.
Enter a Messenger.

Brutus.

1112What's the matter?

Mess.

You are sent for to the Capitoll:
'Tis thought, that Martius shall be Consull:
1115 I haue seene the dumbe men throng to see him,
And the blind to heare him speak: Matrons flong Gloues,
Ladies and Maids their Scarffes, and Handkerchers,
Vpon him as he pass'd: the Nobles bended
As to Ioues Statue, and the Commons made
1120 A Shower, and Thunder, with their Caps, and Showts:
I neuer saw the like.

Brutus.

Let's to the Capitoll,
And carry with vs Eares and Eyes for th'time,
But Hearts for the euent.

Scicin.

1125Haue with you.

Exeunt.

[Act 2, Scene 2]

Enter two Officers, to lay Cushions, as it were,
in the Capitoll.

1. Off.

1126Come, come, they are almost here: how many [l. 1127] stand for Consulships?

2. Off.

1128Three, they say: but 'tis thought of euery one, [l. 1129] Coriolanus will carry it.

1. Off.

1130That's a braue fellow: but hee's vengeance [l. 1131] prowd, and loues not the common people.

2. Off.

1132'Faith, there hath beene many great men that [l. 1133] haue flatter'd the people, who ne're loued them; and there [l. 1134] be many that they haue loued, they know not wherefore: [l. 1135] so that if they loue they know not why, they hate vpon [l. 1136] no better a ground. Therefore, for Coriolanus neyther to [l. 1137] care whether they loue, or hate him, manifests the true [l. 1138] knowledge he ha's in their disposition, and out of his No­ [l. 1139] ble carelesnesse lets them plainely see't.

1. Off.

1140If he did not care whether he had their loue, or [l. 1141] no, hee waued indifferently, 'twixt doing them neyther [l. 1142] good, nor harme: but hee seekes their hate with greater [l. 1143] deuotion, then they can render it him; and leaues nothing [l. 1144] vndone, that may fully discouer him their opposite. Now [l. 1145] to seeme to affect the mallice and displeasure of the Peo­ [l. 1146] ple, is as bad, as that which he dislikes, to flatter them for [l. 1147] their loue.

2. Off.

1148Hee hath deserued worthily of his Countrey, [l. 1149] and his assent is not by such easie degrees as those, who [l. 1150] hauing beene supple and courteous to the People, Bon­ [l. 1151] netted, without any further deed, to haue them at all into [l. 1152] their estimation, and report: but hee hath so planted his [l. 1153] Honors in their Eyes, and his actions in their Hearts, that [l. 1154] for their Tongues to be silent, and not confesse so much, [l. 1155] were a kinde of ingratefull Iniurie: to report otherwise, [l. 1156] were a Mallice, that giuing it selfe the Lye, would plucke [l. 1157] reproofe and rebuke from euery Eare that heard it.

1. Off.

1158No more of him, hee's a worthy man: make [l. 1159] way, they are comming.

A Sennet. Enter the Patricians, and the Tribunes of
the People, Lictors before them: Coriolanus, Mene­
nius, Cominius the Consul: Scicinius and Brutus
take their places by themselues: Corio­
lanus stands.

Menen.

1160 Hauing determin'd of the Volces,
And to send for Titus Lartius: it remaines,
As the maine Point of this our after‑meeting,
To [p. 11] The Tragedie of Coriolanus.
To gratifie his Noble seruice, that hath
Thus stood for his Countrey. Therefore please you,
1165 Most reuerend and graue Elders, to desire
The present Consull, and last Generall,
In our well‑found Successes, to report
A little of that worthy Worke, perform'd
By Martius Caius Coriolanus: whom
1170 We met here, both to thanke, and to remember,
With Honors like himselfe.

1. Sen.

Speake, good Cominius:
Leaue nothing out for length, and make vs thinke
Rather our states defectiue for requitall,
1175 Then we to stretch it out. Masters a'th'People,
We doe request your kindest eares: and after
Your louing motion toward the common Body,
To yeeld what passes here.

Scicin.

1179We are conuented vpon a pleasing Treatie, and [l. 1180] haue hearts inclinable to honor and aduance the Theame [l. 1181] of our Assembly.

Brutus.

1182Which the rather wee shall be blest to doe, if [l. 1183] he remember a kinder value of the People, then he hath [l. 1184] hereto priz'd them at.

Menen.

1185That's off, that's off: I would you rather had [l. 1186] been silent: Please you to heare Cominius speake?

Brutus.

1187Most willingly: but yet my Caution was [l. 1188] more pertinent then the rebuke you giue it.

Menen.

1189He loues your People, but tye him not to be [l. 1190] their Bed‑fellow: Worthie Cominius speake.

Coriolanus rises, and offers to goe away.

Nay, keepe your place.

Senat.

Sit Coriolanus: neuer shame to heare
What you haue Nobly done.

Coriol.

Your Honors pardon:
I had rather haue my Wounds to heale againe,
1195 Then heare say how I got them.

Brutus.

1196Sir, I hope my words dis‑bench'd you not?

Coriol.

No Sir: yet oft,
When blowes haue made me stay, I fled from words.
You sooth'd not, therefore hurt not: but your People,
1200 I loue them as they weigh—

Menen.

1201Pray now sit downe.

Corio.

I had rather haue one scratch my Head i'th'Sun,
When the Alarum were strucke, then idly sit
To heare my Nothings monster'd.
Exit Coriolanus

Menen.

1205 Masters of the People,
Your multiplying Spawne, how can he flatter?
That's thousand to one good one, when you now see
He had rather venture all his Limbes for Honor,
Then on ones Eares to heare it. Proceed Cominius.

Com.

1210 I shall lacke voyce: the deeds of Coriolanus
Should not be vtter'd feebly: it is held,
That Valour is the chiefest Vertue,
And most dignifies the hauer: if it be,
The man I speake of, cannot in the World
1215 Be singly counter‑poys'd. At sixteene yeeres,
When Tarquin made a Head for Rome, he fought
Beyond the marke of others: our then Dictator,
Whom with all prayse I point at, saw him fight,
When with his Amazonian Shinne he droue
1220 The brizled Lippes before him: he bestrid
An o're‑prest Roman, and i'th'Consuls view
Slew three Opposers: Tarquins selfe he met,
And strucke him on his Knee: in that dayes feates,
When he might act the Woman in the Scene,
1225 He prou'd best man i'th'field, and for his meed
Was Brow‑bound with the Oake. His Pupill age
Man‑entred thus, he waxed like a Sea,
And in the brunt of seuenteene Battailes since,
He lurcht all Swords of the Garland: for this last,
1230 Before, and in Corioles, let me say
I cannot speake him home: he stopt the flyers,
And by his rare example made the Coward
Turne terror into sport: as Weeds before
A Vessell vnder sayle, so men obey'd,
1235 And fell below his Stem: his Sword, Deaths stampe,
Where it did marke, it tooke from face to foot:
He was a thing of Blood, whose euery motion
Was tim'd with dying Cryes: alone he entred
The mortall Gate of th'Citie, which he painted
1240 With shunlesse destinie: aydelesse came off,
And with a sudden re‑inforcement strucke
Carioles like a Planet: now all's his,
When by and by the dinne of Warre gan pierce
His readie sence: then straight his doubled spirit
1245 Requickned what in flesh was fatigate,
And to the Battaile came he, where he did
Runne reeking o're the liues of men, as if 'twere
A perpetuall spoyle: and till we call'd
Both Field and Citie ours, he neuer stood
1250 To ease his Brest with panting.

Menen.

1251Worthy man.

Senat.

1252He cannot but with measure fit the Honors [l. 1253] which we deuise him.

Com.

Our spoyles he kickt at,
1255 And look'd vpon things precious, as they were
The common Muck of the World: he couets lesse
Then Miserie it selfe would giue, rewards his deeds
With doing them, and is content
To spend the time, to end it.

Menen.

1260Hee's right Noble, let him be call'd for.

Senat.

1261Call Coriolanus.

Off.

1262He doth appeare.

Enter Coriolanus.

Menen.

1263The Senate, Coriolanus, are well pleas'd to make [l. 1264] thee Consull.

Corio.

1265I doe owe them still my Life, and Seruices.

Menen.

1266It then remaines, that you doe speake to the [l. 1267] People.

Corio.

I doe beseech you,
Let me o're‑leape that custome: for I cannot
1270 Put on the Gowne, stand naked, and entreat them
For my Wounds sake, to giue their sufferage:
Please you that I may passe this doing.

Scicin.

Sir, the People must haue their Voyces,
Neyther will they bate one iot of Ceremonie.

Menen.

1275 Put them not too't:
Pray you goe fit you to the Custome,
And take to you, as your Predecessors haue,
Your Honor with your forme.

Corio.

It is a part that I shall blush in acting,
1280 And might well be taken from the People.

Brutus.

1281Marke you that.

Corio.

To brag vnto them, thus I did, and thus
Shew them th'vnaking Skarres, which I should hide,
As if I had receiu'd them for the hyre
1285 Of their breath onely.

Menen.

Doe not stand vpon't:
We recommend to you Tribunes of the People
Our purpose to them, and to our Noble Consull
Wish we all Ioy, and Honor.
Senat. To [p. 12] The Tragedie of Coriolanus.

Senat.

1290To Coriolanus come all ioy and Honor.

Flourish Cornets.
Then Exeunt. Manet Sicinius and Brutus.

Bru.

1291You see how he intends to vse the people.

Scicin.

May they perceiue's intent: he wil require them
As if he did contemne what he requested,
Should be in them to giue.

Bru.

1295 Come, wee'l informe them
Of our proceedings heere on th' Market place,
I know they do attend vs.

[Act 2, Scene 3]

Enter seuen or eight Citizens.

1. Cit.

1298Once if he do require our voyces, wee ought [l. 1299] not to deny him.

2. Cit.

1300We may Sir if we will.

3. Cit.

1301We haue power in our selues to do it, but it is [l. 1302] a power that we haue no power to do: For, if hee shew vs [l. 1303] his wounds, and tell vs his deeds, we are to put our ton­ [l. 1304] gues into those wounds, and speake for them: So if he tel [l. 1305] vs his Noble deeds, we must also tell him our Noble ac­ [l. 1306] ceptance of them. Ingratitude is monstrous, and for the [l. 1307] multitude to be ingratefull, were to make a Monster of [l. 1308] the multitude; of the which, we being members, should [l. 1309] bring our selues to be monstrous members.

1. Cit.

1310And to make vs no better thought of a little [l. 1311] helpe will serue: for once we stood vp about the Corne, [l. 1312] he himselfe stucke not to call vs the many‑headed Multi­ [l. 1313] tude.

3. Cit.

1314We haue beene call'd so of many, not that our [l. 1315] heads are some browne, some blacke, some Abram, some [l. 1316] bald; but that our wits are so diuersly Coulord; and true­ [l. 1317] ly I thinke, if all our wittes were to issue out of one Scull, [l. 1318] they would flye East, West, North, South, and their con­ [l. 1319] sent of one direct way, should be at once to all the points [l. 1320] a'th Compasse.

2. Cit.

1321Thinke you so? Which way do you iudge my [l. 1322] wit would flye.

3. Cit.

1323Nay your wit will not so soone out as another [l. 1324] mans will, 'tis strongly wadg'd vp in a blocke‑head: but [l. 1325] if it were at liberty, 'twould sure Southward.

2 Cit.

1326Why that way?

3 Cit.

1327To loose it selfe in a Fogge, where being three [l. 1328] parts melted away with rotten Dewes, the fourth would [l. 1329] returne for Conscience sake, to helpe to get thee a Wife.

2 Cit.

1330You are neuer without your trickes, you may, [l. 1331] you may.

3 Cit.

1332Are you all resolu'd to giue your voyces? But [l. 1333] that's no matter, the greater part carries it, I say. If hee [l. 1334] would incline to the people, there was neuer a worthier [l. 1335] man. [l. 1336] Enter Coriolanus in a gowne of Humility, with [l. 1337] Menenius. [l. 1338] Heere he comes, and in the Gowne of humility, marke [l. 1339] his behauiour: we are not to stay altogether, but to come [l. 1340] by him where he stands, by ones, by twoes, & by threes. [l. 1341] He's to make his requests by particulars, wherein euerie [l. 1342] one of vs ha's a single Honor, in giuing him our own voi­ [l. 1343] ces with our owne tongues, therefore follow me, and Ile [l. 1344] direct you how you shall go by him.

All.

1345Content, content.

Men.

1346Oh Sir, you are not right: haue you not knowne [l. 1347] The worthiest men haue done't?

Corio.

What must I say, I pray Sir?
Plague vpon't, I cannot bring
1350 My tongue to such a pace. Looke Sir, my wounds,
I got them in my Countries Seruice, when
Some certaine of your Brethren roar'd, and ranne
From th'noise of our owne Drummes.

Menen.

Oh me the Gods, you must not speak of that,
1355 You must desire them to thinke vpon you.

Coriol.

Thinke vpon me? Hang 'em,
I would they would forget me, like the Vertues
Which our Diuines lose by em.

Men.

You'l marre all,
1360 Ile leaue you: Pray you speake to em, I pray You
In wholsome manner.
Exit
Enter three of the Citizens.

Corio.

Bid them wash their Faces,
And keepe their teeth cleane: So, heere comes a brace,
You know the cause (Sir) of my standing heere.

3 Cit.

1365We do Sir, tell vs what hath brought you too't.

Corio.

1366Mine owne desert.

2 Cit.

1367Your owne desert.

Corio.

1368I, but mine owne desire.

3 Cit.

1369How not your owne desire?

Corio.

1370No Sir, 'twas neuer my desire yet to trouble the [l. 1371] poore with begging.

3 Cit.

1372You must thinke if we giue you any thing, we [l. 1373] hope to gaine by you.

Corio.

1374Well then I pray, your price a'th'Consulship.

1 Cit.

1375The price is, to aske it kindly.

Corio.

1376Kindly sir, I pray let me ha't: I haue wounds to [l. 1377] shew you, which shall bee yours in priuate: your good [l. 1378] voice sir, what say you?

2 Cit.

1379You shall ha't worthy Sir.

Corio.

1380A match Sir, there's in all two worthie voices [l. 1381] begg'd: I haue your Almes, Adieu.

3 Cit.

1382But this is something odde.

2 Cit.

1383And 'twere to giue againe: but 'tis no matter.

Exeunt.
Enter two other Citizens.

Coriol.

1384Pray you now, if it may stand with the tune [l. 1385] of your voices, that I may bee Consull, I haue heere the [l. 1386] Customarie Gowne.

1.

1387You haue deserued Nobly of your Countrey, and [l. 1388] you haue not deserued Nobly.

Coriol.

1389Your Ænigma.

1.

1390You haue bin a scourge to her enemies, you haue [l. 1391] bin a Rod to her Friends, you haue not indeede loued the [l. 1392] Common people.

Coriol.

1393You should account mee the more Vertuous, [l. 1394] that I haue not bin common in my Loue, I will sir flatter [l. 1395] my sworne Brother the people to earne a deerer estima­ [l. 1396] tion of them, 'tis a condition they account gentle: & since [l. 1397] the wisedome of their choice, is rather to haue my Hat, [l. 1398] then my Heart, I will practice the insinuating nod, and be [l. 1399] off to them most counterfetly, that is sir, I will counter­ [l. 1400] fet the bewitchment of some popular man, and giue it [l. 1401] bountifull to the desirers: Therefore beseech you, I may [l. 1402] be Consull.

2.

1403Wee hope to finde you our friend: and therefore [l. 1404] giue you our voices heartily.

1.

1405You haue receyued many wounds for your Coun­ [l. 1406] trey.

Coriol.

1407I wil not Seale your knowledge with shewing [l. 1408] them. I will make much of your voyces, and so trouble [l. 1409] you no farther.

Both.

1410The Gods giue you ioy Sir heartily.

Coriol.

Most sweet Voyces:
Better it is to dye, better to sterue,
Then craue the higher, which first we do deserue.
Why in this Wooluish tongue should I stand heere,
1415 To begge of Hob and Dicke, that does appeere
Their [p. 13] The Tragedie of Coriolanus.
Their needlesse Vouches: Custome calls me too't.
What Custome wills in all things, should we doo't?
The Dust on antique Time would lye vnswept,
And mountainous Error be too highly heapt,
1420 For Truth to o're‑peere. Rather then foole it so,
Let the high Office and the Honor go
To one that would doe thus. I am halfe through,
The one part suffered, the other will I doe.
Enter three Citizens more.
Here come moe Voyces.
1425 Your Voyces? for your Voyces I haue fought,
Watcht for your Voyces: for your Voyces, beare
Of Wounds, two dozen odde: Battailes thrice six
I haue seene, and heard of: for your Voyces,
Haue done many things, some lesse, some more:
1430 Your Voyces? Indeed I would be Consull.

1. Cit.

1431Hee ha's done Nobly, and cannot goe without [l. 1432] any honest mans Voyce.

2. Cit.

1433Therefore let him be Consull: the Gods giue [l. 1434] him ioy, and make him good friend to the People.

All.

1435Amen, Amen. God saue thee, Noble Consull.

Corio.

1436Worthy Voyces.

Enter Menenius, with Brutus and Scicinius.

Mene.

You haue stood your Limitation:
And the Tribunes endue you with the Peoples Voyce,
Remaines, that in th'Officiall Markes inuested,
1440 You anon doe meet the Senate.

Corio.

1441Is this done?

Scicin.

The Custome of Request you haue discharg'd:
The People doe admit you, and are summon'd
To meet anon, vpon your approbation.

Corio.

1445Where? at the Senate‑house?

Scicin.

1446There, Coriolanus.

Corio.

1447May I change these Garments?

Scicin.

1448You may, Sir.

Cori.

That Ile straight do: and knowing my selfe again,
1450 Repayre toth' Senate‑house.

Mene.

1451Ile keepe you company. Will you along?

Brut.

1452We stay here for the People.

Scicin.

Fare you well.
Exeunt. Coriol. and Mene.
He ha's it now: and by his Lookes, me thinkes,
1455 'Tis warme at's heart.

Brut.

With a prowd heart he wore his humble Weeds:
Will you dismisse the People?
Enter the Plebeians.

Scici.

1458How now, my Masters, haue you chose this man?

1. Cit.

1459He ha's our Voyces, Sir.

Brut.

1460We pray the Gods, he may deserue your loues.

2. Cit.

Amen, Sir: to my poore vnworthy notice,
He mock'd vs, when he begg'd our Voyces.

3. Cit.

1463Certainely, he flowted vs downe‑right.

1. Cit.

1464No, 'tis his kind of speech, he did not mock vs.

2. Cit.

1465 Not one amongst vs, saue your selfe, but says
He vs'd vs scornefully: he should haue shew'd vs
His Marks of Merit, Wounds receiu'd for's Countrey.

Scicin.

1468Why so he did, I am sure.

All.

1469No, no: no man saw 'em.

3. Cit.

1470 Hee said hee had Wounds,
Which he could shew in priuate:
And with his Hat, thus wauing it in scorne,
I would be Consull, sayes he: aged Custome,
But by your Voyces, will not so permit me.
1475 Your Voyces therefore: when we graunted that,
Here was, I thanke you for your Voyces, thanke you
Your most sweet Voyces: now you haue left your Voyces,
I haue no further with you. Was not this mockerie?

Scicin.

Why eyther were you ignorant to see't?
1480 Or seeing it, of such Childish friendlinesse,
To yeeld your Voyces?

Brut.

Could you not haue told him,
As you were lesson'd: When he had no Power,
But was a pettie seruant to the State,
1485 He was your Enemie, euer spake against
Your Liberties, and the Charters that you beare
I'th'Body of the Weale: and now arriuing
A place of Potencie, and sway o'th' State,
If he should still malignantly remaine
1490 Fast Foe toth' Plebeij, your Voyces might
Be Curses to your selues. You should haue said,
That as his worthy deeds did clayme no lesse
Then what he stood for: so his gracious nature
Would thinke vpon you, for your Voyces,
1495 And translate his Mallice towards you, into Loue,
Standing your friendly Lord.

Scicin.

Thus to haue said,
As you were fore‑aduis'd, had toucht his Spirit,
And try'd his Inclination: from him pluckt
1500 Eyther his gracious Promise, which you might
As cause had call'd you vp, haue held him to;
Or else it would haue gall'd his surly nature,
Which easily endures not Article,
Tying him to ought, so putting him to Rage,
1505 You should haue ta'ne th'aduantage of his Choller,
And pass'd him vnelected.

Brut.

Did you perceiue,
He did sollicite you in free Contempt,
When he did need your Loues: and doe you thinke,
1510 That his Contempt shall not be brusing to you,
When he hath power to crush? Why, had your Bodyes
No Heart among you? Or had you Tongues, to cry
Against the Rectorship of Iudgement?

Scicin.

Haue you, ere now, deny'd the asker:
1515 And now againe, of him that did not aske, but mock,
Bestow your su'd‑for Tongues?

3. Cit.

1517Hee's not confirm'd, we may deny him yet.

2. Cit.

And will deny him:
Ile haue fiue hundred Voyces of that sound.

1. Cit.

1520I twice fiue hundred, & their friends, to piece 'em.

Brut.

Get you hence instantly, and tell those friends,
They haue chose a Consull, that will from them take
Their Liberties, make them of no more Voyce
Then Dogges, that are as often beat for barking,
1525 As therefore kept to doe so.

Scici.

Let them assemble: and on a safer Iudgement,
All reuoke your ignorant election: Enforce his Pride,
And his old Hate vnto you: besides, forget not
With what Contempt he wore the humble Weed,
1530 How in his Suit he scorn'd you: but your Loues,
Thinking vpon his Seruices, tooke from you
Th'apprehension of his present portance,
Which most gibingly, vngrauely, he did fashion
After the inueterate Hate he beares you.

Brut.

1535 Lay a fault on vs, your Tribunes,
That we labour'd (no impediment betweene)
But that you must cast your Election on him.

Scici.

Say you chose him, more after our commandment,
Then as guided by your owne true affections, and that
1540 Your Minds pre‑occupy'd with what you rather must do,
Then what you should, made you against the graine
To Voyce him Consull. Lay the fault on vs.
bb Brut. I, [p. 14] The Tragedie of Coriolanus.

Brut.

I, spare vs not: Say, we read Lectures to you,
How youngly he began to serue his Countrey,
1545 How long continued, and what stock he springs of,
The Noble House o'th' Martians: from whence came
That Ancus Martius, Numaes Daughters Sonne:
Who after great Hostilius here was King,
Of the same House Publius and Quintus were,
1550 That our best Water, brought by Conduits hither,
And Nobly nam'd, so twice being Censor,
Was his great Ancestor.

Scicin.

One thus descended,
That hath beside well in his person wrought,
1555 To be set high in place, we did commend
To your remembrances: but you haue found,
Skaling his present bearing with his past,
That hee's your fixed enemie; and reuoke
Your suddaine approbation.

Brut.

1560 Say you ne're had don't,
(Harpe on that still) but by our putting on:
And presently, when you haue drawne your number,
Repaire toth'Capitoll.

All.

1564We will so: almost all repent in their election.

Exeunt Plebeians.

Brut.

1565 Let them goe on:
This Mutinie were better put in hazard,
Then stay past doubt, for greater:
If, as his nature is, he fall in rage
With their refusall, both obserue and answer
1570 The vantage of his anger.

Scicin.

Toth'Capitoll, come:
We will be there before the streame o'th' People:
And this shall seeme, as partly 'tis, their owne,
Which we haue goaded on‑ward.
Exeunt.

Actus Tertius.

[Act 3, Scene 1]

Cornets. Enter Coriolanus, Menenius, all the Gentry,
Cominius, Titus Latius, and other Senators.

Corio.

1575Tullus Auffidius then had made new head.

Latius.

1576He had, my Lord, and that it was which caus'd [l. 1577] Our swifter Composition.

Corio.

So then the Volces stand but as at first,
Readie when time shall prompt them, to make roade
1580 Vpon's againe.

Com.

They are worne (Lord Consull) so,
That we shall hardly in our ages see
Their Banners waue againe.

Corio.

1584Saw you Auffidius?

Latius.

1585 On safegard he came to me, and did curse
Against the Volces, for they had so vildly
Yeelded the Towne: he is retyred to Antium.

Corio.

1588Spoke he of me?

Latius.

1589He did, my Lord.

Corio.

1590How? what?

Latius.

How often he had met you Sword to Sword:
That of all things vpon the Earth, he hated
Your person most: That he would pawne his fortunes
To hopelesse restitution, so he might
1595 Be call'd your Vanquisher.

Corio.

1596At Antium liues he?

Latius.

1597At Antium.

Corio.

I wish I had a cause to seeke him there,
To oppose his hatred fully. Welcome home.
Enter Scicinius and Brutus.
1600 Behold, these are the Tribunes of the People,
The Tongues o'th'Common Mouth. I do despise them:
For they doe pranke them in Authoritie,
Against all Noble sufferance.

Scicin.

1604Passe no further.

Cor.

1605Hah? what is that?

Brut.

1606It will be dangerous to goe on—No further.

Corio.

1607What makes this change?

Menen.

1608The matter?

Com.

1609Hath he not pass'd the Noble, and the Common?

Brut.

1610Cominius, no.

Corio.

1611Haue I had Childrens Voyces?

Senat.

1612Tribunes giue way, he shall toth'Market place.

Brut.

1613The People are incens'd against him.

Scicin.

1614Stop, or all will fall in broyle.

Corio.

1615 Are these your Heard?
Must these haue Voyces, that can yeeld them now,
And straight disclaim their toungs? what are your Offices?
You being their Mouthes, why rule you not their Teeth?
Haue you not set them on?

Mene.

1620Be calme, be calme.

Corio.

It is a purpos'd thing, and growes by Plot,
To curbe the will of the Nobilitie:
Suffer't, and liue with such as cannot rule,
Nor euer will be ruled.

Brut.

1625 Call't not a Plot:
The People cry you mockt them: and of late,
When Corne was giuen them gratis, you repin'd,
Scandal'd the Suppliants: for the People, call'd them
Time‑pleasers, flatterers, foes to Noblenesse.

Corio.

1630Why this was knowne before.

Brut.

1631Not to them all.

Corio.

1632Haue you inform'd them sithence?

Brut.

1633How? I informe them?

Com.

1634You are like to doe such businesse.

Brut.

1635Not vnlike each way to better yours.

Corio.

Why then should I be Consull? by yond Clouds
Let me deserue so ill as you, and make me
Your fellow Tribune.

Scicin.

You shew too much of that,
1640 For which the People stirre: if you will passe
To where you are bound, you must enquire your way,
Which you are out of, with a gentler spirit,
Or neuer be so Noble as a Consull,
Nor yoake with him for Tribune.

Mene.

1645Let's be calme.

Com.

The People are abus'd: set on, this paltring
Becomes not Rome: nor ha's Coriolanus
Deseru'd this so dishonor'd Rub, layd falsely
I'th'plaine Way of his Merit.

Corio.

1650 Tell me of Corne: this was my speech,
And I will speak't againe.

Mene.

1652Not now, not now.

Senat.

1653Not in this heat, Sir, now.

Corio.

Now as I liue, I will.
1655 My Nobler friends, I craue their pardons:
For the mutable ranke‑sented Meynie,
Let them regard me, as I doe not flatter,
And therein behold themselues: I say againe,
In soothing them, we nourish 'gainst our Senate
1660 The Cockle of Rebellion, Insolence, Sedition,
Which we our selues haue plowed for, sow'd, & scatter'd,
By mingling them with vs, the honor'd Number,
Who lack not Vertue, no, nor Power, but that
Which they haue giuen to Beggers.

Mene.

1665Well, no more.

Senat.

1666No more words, we beseech you.

Corio.

How? no more?
As [p. 15] The Tragedie of Coriolanus.
As for my Country, I haue shed my blood,
Not fearing outward force: So shall my Lungs
1670 Coine words till their decay, against those Meazels
Which we disdaine should Tetter vs, yet sought
The very way to catch them.

Bru.

You speake a'th'people, as if you were a God,
To punish; Not a man, of their Infirmity.

Sicin.

1675'Twere well we let the people know't.

Mene.

1676What, what? His Choller?

Cor.

Choller? Were I as patient as the midnight sleep,
By Ioue, 'twould be my minde.

Sicin.

It is a minde that shall remain a poison
1680 Where it is: not poyson any further.

Corio.

Shall remaine?
Heare you this Triton of the Minnoues? Marke you
His absolute Shall?

Com.

1684'Twas from the Cannon.

Cor.

1685 Shall? O God! but most vnwise Patricians: why
You graue, but wreaklesse Senators, haue you thus
Giuen Hidra heere to choose an Officer,
That with his peremptory Shall, being but
The horne, and noise o'th'Monsters, wants not spirit
1690 To say, hee'l turne your Current in a ditch,
And make your Channell his? If he haue power,
Then vale your Ignorance: If none, awake
Your dangerous Lenity: If you are Learn'd,
Be not as common Fooles; if you are not,
1695 Let them haue Cushions by you. You are Plebeians,
If they be Senators: and they are no lesse,
When both your voices blended, the great'st taste
Most pallates theirs. They choose their Magistrate,
And such a one as he, who puts his Shall,
1700 His popular Shall, against a grauer Bench
Then euer frown'd in Greece. By Ioue himselfe,
It makes the Consuls base; and my Soule akes
To know, when two Authorities are vp,
Neither Supreame; How soone Confusion
1705 May enter 'twixt the gap of Both, and take
The one by th'other.

Com.

1707Well, on to'th'Market place.

Corio.

Who euer gaue that Counsell, to giue forth
The Corne a'th'Store‑house gratis, as 'twas vs'd
1710 Sometime in Greece.

Mene.

1711Well, well, no more of that.

Cor.

Thogh there the people had more absolute powre
I say they norisht disobedience: fed, the ruin of the State.

Bru.

Why shall the people giue
1715 One that speakes thus, their voyce?

Corio.

Ile giue my Reasons,
More worthier then their Voyces. They know the Corne
Was not our recompence, resting well assur'd
They ne're did seruice for't; being prest to'th'Warre,
1720 Euen when the Nauell of the State was touch'd,
They would not thred the Gates: This kinde of Seruice
Did not deserue Corne gratis. Being i'th'Warre,
There Mutinies and Reuolts, wherein they shew'd
Most Valour spoke not for them. Th'Accusation
1725 Which they haue often made against the Senate,
All cause vnborne, could neuer be the Natiue
Of our so franke Donation. Well, what then?
How shall this Bosome‑multiplied, digest
The Senates Courtesie? Let deeds expresse
1730 What's like to be their words, We did request it,
We are the greater pole, and in true feare
They gaue vs our demands. Thus we debase
The Nature of our Seats, and make the Rabble
Call our Cares, Feares; which will in time
1735 Breake ope the Lockes a'th'Senate, and bring in
The Crowes to pecke the Eagles.

Mene.

1737Come enough.

Bru.

1738Enough, with ouer measure.

Corio.

No, take more.
1740 What may be sworne by, both Diuine and Humane,
Seale what I end withall. This double worship,
Whereon part do's disdaine with cause, the other
Insult without all reason: where Gentry, Title, wisedom
Cannot conclude, but by the yea and no
1745 Of generall Ignorance, it must omit
Reall Necessities, and giue way the while
To vnstable Slightnesse. Purpose so barr'd, it followes,
Nothing is done to purpose. Therefore beseech you,
You that will be lesse fearefull, then discreet,
1750 That loue the Fundamentall part of State
More then you doubt the change on't: That preferre
A Noble life, before a Long, and Wish,
To iumpe a Body with a dangerous Physicke,
That's sure of death without it: at once plucke out
1755 The Multitudinous Tongue, let them not [.]icke
The sweet which is their poyson. Your dishonor
Mangles true iudgement, and bereaues the State
Of that Integrity which should becom't:
Not hauing the power to do the good it would
1760 For th'ill which doth controul't.

Bru.

1761Has said enough.

Sicin.

Ha's spoken like a Traitor, and shall answer
As Traitors do.

Corio.

Thou wretch, despight ore‑whelme thee:
1765 What should the people do with these bald Tribunes?
On whom depending, their obedience failes
To'th'greater Bench, in a Rebellion:
When what's not meet, but what must be, was Law,
Then were they chosen: in a better houre,
1770 Let what is meet, be saide it must be meet,
And throw their power i'th'dust.

Bru.

1772Manifest Treason.

Sicin.

1773This a Consull? No.

Enter an Ædile.

Bru.

1774The Ediles hoe: Let him be apprehended:

Sicin.

1775 Go call the people, in whose name my Selfe
Attach thee as a Traitorous Innouator:
A Foe to'th'publike Weale. Obey I charge thee,
And follow to thine answer.

Corio.

1779Hence old Goat.

All.

1780Wee'l Surety him.

Com.

1781Ag'd sir, hands off.

Corio.

Hence rotten thing, or I shall shake thy bones
Out of thy Garments.

Sicin.

1784Helpe ye Citizens.

Enter a rabble of Plebeians with the Ædiles.

Mene.

1785On both sides more respect.

Sicin.

1786Heere's hee, that would take from you all your [l. 1787] power

Bru.

1788Seize him Ædiles

All.

1789Downe with him, downe with him.

2 Sen.

1790 Weapons, weapons, weapons:
They all bustle about Coriolanus.
Tribunes, Patricians, Citizens: what ho:
Sicinius, Brutus, Coriolanus, Citizens.

All.

1793Peace, peace, peace, stay, hold, peace.

Mene.

What is about to be? I am out of Breath,
1795 Confusions neere, I cannot speake. You, Tribunes
To'th'people: Coriolanus, patience: Speak good Sicinius
Bb2 Sicin. [p. 16] The Tragedie of Coriolanus.

Scici.

1797Heare me, People peace.

All.

1798Let's here our Tribune: peace, speake, speake, [l. 1799] speake.

Scici.

1800 You are at point to lose your Liberties:
Martius would haue all from you; Martius,
Whom late you haue nam'd for Consull.

Mene.

1803Fie, fie, fie, this is the way to kindle, not to [l. 1804] quench.

Sena.

1805To vnbuild the Citie, and to lay all flat.

Scici.

1806What is the Citie, but the People?

All.

1807True, the People are the Citie.

Brut.

1808By the consent of all, we were establish'd the [l. 1809] Peoples Magistrates.

All.

1810You so remaine.

Mene.

1811And so are like to doe.

Com.

That is the way to lay the Citie flat,
To bring the Roofe to the Foundation,
And burie all, which yet distinctly raunges
1815 In heapes, and piles of Ruine.

Scici.

1816This deserues Death.

Brut.

Or let vs stand to our Authoritie,
Or let vs lose it: we doe here pronounce,
Vpon the part o'th'People, in whose power
1820 We were elected theirs, Martius is worthy
Of present Death.

Scici.

Therefore lay hold of him:
Beare him toth'Rock Tarpeian, and from thence
Into destruction cast him.

Brut.

1825Ædiles seize him.

All Ple.

1826Yeeld Martius, yeeld.

Mene.

1827Heare me one word, 'beseech you Tribunes, [l. 1828] heare me but a word.

Ædiles.

1829Peace, peace.

Mene.

1830 Be that you seeme, truly your Countries friend,
And temp'rately proceed to what you would
Thus violently redresse

Brut.

Sir, those cold wayes,
That seeme like prudent helpes, are very poysonous,
1835 Where the Disease is violent. Lay hands vpon him,
And beare him to the Rock.
Corio. drawes his Sword.

Corio.

No, Ile die here:
There's some among you haue beheld me fighting,
Come trie vpon your selues, what you haue seene me.

Mene.

1840Downe with that Sword, Tribunes withdraw [l. 1841] a while.

Brut.

1842Lay hands vpon him.

Mene.

1843Helpe Martius, helpe: you that be noble, helpe [l. 1844] him young and old.

All.

1845Downe with him, downe with him.

Exeunt.
In this Mutinie, the Tribunes, the Ædiles, and the
People are beat in.

Mene.

Goe, get you to our House: be gone, away.
All will be naught else.

2. Sena.

1848Get you gone.

Com.

1849Stand fast, we haue as many friends as enemies.

Mene.

1850Shall it be put to that?

Sena.

The Gods forbid:
I prythee noble friend, home to thy House,
Leaue vs to cure this Cause.

Mene.

For 'tis a Sore vpon vs,
1855 You cannot Tent your selfe: be gone, 'beseech you.

Corio.

1856Come Sir, along with vs.

Mene.

I would they were Barbarians, as they are,
Though in Rome litter'd: not Romans, as they are not,
Though calued i'th'Porch o'th'Capitoll:
1860 Be gone, put not your worthy Rage into your Tongue,
One time will owe another.

Corio.

1862On faire ground, I could beat fortie of them.

Mene.

1863I could my selfe take vp a Brace o'th'best of [l. 1864] them, yea, the two Tribunes.

Com.

1865 But now 'tis oddes beyond Arithmetick,
And Manhood is call'd Foolerie, when it stands
Against a falling Fabrick. Will you hence,
Before the Tagge returne? whose Rage doth rend
Like interrupted Waters, and o're‑beare
1870 What they are vs'd to beare.

Mene.

Pray you be gone:
Ile trie whether my old Wit be in request
With those that haue but little: this must be patcht
With Cloth of any Colour.

Com.

1875Nay, come away.

Exeunt Coriolanus and
Cominius.

Patri.

1876This man ha's marr'd his fortune.

Mene.

His nature is too noble for the World:
He would not flatter Neptune for his Trident,
Or Ioue, for's power to Thunder: his Heart's his Mouth:
1880 What his Brest forges, that his Tongue must vent,
And being angry, does forget that euer
He heard the Name of Death.
A Noise within.
Here's goodly worke.

Patri.

1884I would they were a bed.

Mene.

1885 I would they were in Tyber.
What the vengeance, could he not speake 'em faire?
Enter Brutus and Sicinius with the rabble againe.

Sicin.

Where is this Viper,
That would depopulate the city, & be euery man himself

Mene.

You worthy Tribunes.

Sicin.

1890 He shall be throwne downe the Tarpeian rock
With rigorous hands: he hath resisted Law,
And therefore Law shall scorne him further Triall
Then the seuerity of the publike Power,
Which he so sets at naught.

1 Cit.

1895 He shall well know the Noble Tribunes are
The peoples mouths, and we their hands.

All.

1897He shall sure ont.

Mene.

1898Sir, sir.

Sicin.

1899Peace.

Me.

1900 Do not cry hauocke, where you shold but hunt
With modest warrant.

Sicin.

Sir, how com'st that you haue holpe
To make this rescue?

Mene.

Heere me speake? As I do know
1905 The Consuls worthinesse, so can I name his Faults.

Sicin.

1906Consull? what Consull?

Mene.

1907The Consull Coriolanus.

Bru.

1908He Consull.

All.

1909No, no, no, no, no.

Mene.

1910 If by the Tribunes leaue,
And yours good people,
I may be heard, I would craue a word or two,
The which shall turne you to no further harme,
Then so much losse of time.

Sic.

1915 Speake breefely then,
For we are peremptory to dispatch
This Viporous Traitor: to eiect him hence
Were but one danger, and to keepe him heere
Our certaine death: therefore it is decreed,
1920 He dyes to night.

Menen.

Now the good Gods forbid,
That our renowned Rome, whose gratitude
Towards her deserued Children, is enroll'd
In Ioues owne Booke, like an vnnaturall Dam
1925 Should now eate vp her owne.
Sicin. [p. 17] The Tragedie of Coriolanus.

Sicin.

He's a Disease that must be cut away.

Mene.

Oh he's a Limbe, that ha's but a Disease
Mortall, to cut it off: to cure it, easie.
What ha's he done to Rome, that's worthy death?
1930 Killing our Enemies, the blood he hath lost
(Which I dare vouch, is more then that he hath
By many an Ounce) he dropp'd it for his Country:
And what is left, to loose it by his Countrey,
Were to vs all that doo't, and suffer it
1935 A brand to th'end a'th World.

Sicin.

1936This is cleane kamme.

Brut.

Meerely awry:
When he did loue his Country, it honour'd him.

Menen.

The seruice of the foote
1940 Being once gangren'd, is not then respected
For what before it was.

Bru.

Wee'l heare no more:
Pursue him to his house, and plucke him thence,
Least his infection being of catching nature,
1945 Spred further.

Menen.

One word more, one word:
This Tiger‑footed‑rage, when it shall find
The harme of vnskan'd swiftnesse, will (too late)
Tye Leaden pounds too's heeles. Proceed by Processe,
1950 Least parties (as he is belou'd) breake out,
And sacke great Rome with Romanes.

Brut.

1952If it were so?

Sicin.

What do ye talke?
Haue we not had a taste of his Obedience?
1955 Our Ediles smot: our selues resisted: come.

Mene.

Consider this: He ha's bin bred i'th'Warres
Since a could draw a Sword, and is ill‑school'd
In boulted Language: Meale and Bran together
He throwes without distinction. Giue me leaue,
1960 Ile go to him, and vndertake to bring him in peace,
Where he shall answer by a lawfull Forme
(In peace) to his vtmost perill.

1. Sen.

Noble Tribunes,
It is the humane way: the other course
1965 Will proue to bloody: and the end of it,
Vnknowne to the Beginning.

Sic.

Noble Menenius, be you then as the peoples officer:
Masters, lay downe your Weapons.

Bru.

1969Go not home.

Sic.

1970 Meet on the Market place: wee'l attend you there:
Where if you bring not Martius, wee'l proceede
In our first way.

Menen.

Ile bring him to you.
Let me desire your company: he must come,
1975 Or what is worst will follow.

Sena.

1976Pray you let's to him.

Exeunt Omnes.

[Act 3, Scene 2]

Enter Coriolanus with Nobles.

Corio.

Let them pull all about mine eares, present me
Death on the Wheele, or at wilde Horses heeles,
Or pile ten hilles on the Tarpeian Rocke,
1980 That the precipitation might downe stretch
Below the beame of sight; yet will I still
Be thus to them.
Enter Volumnia.

Noble.

1983You do the Nobler.

Corio.

I muse my Mother
1985 Do's not approue me further, who was wont
To call them Wollen Vassailes, things created
To buy and sell with Groats, to shew bare heads
In Congregations, to yawne, be still, and wonder,
When one but of my ordinance stood vp
1990 To speake of Peace, or Warre. I talke of you,
Why did you wish me milder? Would you haue me
False to my Nature? Rather say, I play
The man I am.

Volum.

Oh sir, sir, sir,
1995 I would haue had you put your power well on
Before you had worne it out.

Corio.

1997Let go.

Vol.

You might haue beene enough the man you are,
With striuing lesse to be so: Lesser had bin
2000 The things of your dispositions, if
You had not shew'd them how ye were dispos'd
Ere they lack'd power to crosse you.

Corio.

2003Let them hang.

Volum.

2004I, and burne too.

Enter Menenius with the Senators.

Men.

2005Come, come, you haue bin too rough, somthing [l. 2006] too rough: you must returne, and mend it.

Sen.

There's no remedy,
Vnlesse by not so doing, our good Citie
Cleaue in the midd'st, and perish.

Volum.

2010 Pray be counsail'd;
I haue a heart as little apt as yours,
But yet a braine, that leades my vse of Anger
To better vantage.

Mene.

Well said, Noble woman:
2015 Before he should thus stoope to'th'heart, but that
The violent fit a'th'time craues it as Physicke
For the whole State; I would put mine Armour on,
Which I can scarsely beare.

Corio.

2019What must I do?

Mene.

2020Returne to th'Tribunes.

Corio.

2021Well, what then? what then?

Mene.

2022Repent, what you haue spoke.

Corio.

For them, I cannot do it to the Gods,
Must I then doo't to them?

Volum.

2025 You are too absolute,
Though therein you can neuer be too Noble,
But when extremities speake. I haue heard you say,
Honor and Policy, like vnseuer'd Friends,
I'th'Warre do grow together: Grant that, and tell me
2030 In Peace, what each of them by th'other loose,
That they combine not there?

Corio.

2032Tush, tush.

Mene.

2033A good demand.

Volum.

If it be Honor in your Warres, to seeme
2035 The same you are not, which for your best ends
You adopt your policy: How is it lesse or worse
That it shall hold Companionship in Peace
With Honour, as in Warre; since that to both
It stands in like request

Corio.

2040Why force you this?

Volum.

Because, that
Now it lyes you on to speake to th'people:
Not by your owne instruction, nor by'th'matter
Which your heart prompts you, but with such words
2045 That are but roated in your Tongue;
Though but Bastards, and Syllables
Of no allowance, to your bosomes truth.
Now, this no more dishonors you at all,
Then to take in a Towne with gentle words,
2050 Which else would put you to your fortune, and
The hazard of much blood.
I would dissemble with my Nature, where
My Fortunes and my Friends at stake, requir'd
I should do so in Honor. I am in this
bb3 Your [p. 18] The Tragedie of Coriolanus.
2055 Your Wife, your Sonne: These Senators, the Nobles,
And you, will rather shew our generall Lowts,
How you can frowne, then spend a fawne vpon 'em,
For the inheritance of their loues, and safeguard
Of what that want might ruine.

Menen.

2060 Noble Lady,
Come goe with vs, speake faire: you may salue so,
Not what is dangerous present, but the losse
Of what is past.

Volum.

I prythee now, my Sonne,
2065 Goe to them, with this Bonnet in thy hand,
And thus farre hauing stretcht it (here be with them)
Thy Knee bussing the stones: for in such businesse
Action is eloquence, and the eyes of th'ignorant
More learned then the eares, wauing thy head,
2070 Which often thus correcting thy stout heart,
Now humble as the ripest Mulberry,
That will not hold the handling: or say to them,
Thou art their Souldier, and being bred in broyles,
Hast not the soft way, which thou do'st confesse
2075 Were fit for thee to vse, as they to clayme,
In asking their good loues, but thou wilt frame
Thy selfe (forsooth) hereafter theirs so farre,
As thou hast power and person.

Menen.

This but done,
2080 Euen as she speakes, why their hearts were yours:
For they haue Pardons, being ask'd, as free,
As words to little purpose.

Volum.

Prythee now,
Goe, and be rul'd: although I know thou hadst rather
2085 Follow thine Enemie in a fierie Gulfe,
Then flatter him in a Bower.
Enter Cominius.

Here is Cominius.

Com.

I haue beene i'th'Market place: and Sir 'tis fit
You make strong partie, or defend your selfe
By calmenesse, or by absence: all's in anger.

Menen.

2090Onely faire speech.

Com.

2091I thinke 'twill serue, if he can thereto frame his [l. 2092] spirit.

Volum.

He must, and will:
Prythee now say you will, and goe about it.

Corio.

2095 Must I goe shew them my vnbarb'd Sconce?
Must I with my base Tongue giue to my Noble Heart
A Lye, that it must beare well? I will doo't:
Yet were there but this single Plot, to loose
This Mould of Martius, they to dust should grinde it,
2100 And throw't against the Winde. Toth' Market place:
You haue put me now to such a part, which neuer
I shall discharge toth' Life.

Com.

2103Come, come, wee'le prompt you.

Volum.

I prythee now sweet Son, as thou hast said
2105 My praises made thee first a Souldier; so
To haue my praise for this, performe a part
Thou hast not done before.

Corio.

Well, I must doo't:
Away my disposition, and possesse me
2110 Some Harlots spirit: My throat of Warre be turn'd,
Which quier'd with my Drumme into a Pipe,
Small as an Eunuch, or the Virgin voyce
That Babies lull a‑sleepe: The smiles of Knaues
Tent in my cheekes, and Schoole‑boyes Teares take vp
2115 The Glasses of my sight: A Beggars Tongue
Make motion through my Lips, and my Arm'd knees
Who bow'd but in my Stirrop, bend like his
That hath receiu'd an Almes. I will not doo't,
Least I surcease to honor mine owne truth,
2120 And by my Bodies action, teach my Minde
A most inherent Basenesse

Volum.

At thy choice then:
To begge of thee, it is my more dis‑honor,
Then thou of them. Come all to ruine, let
2125 Thy Mother rather feele thy Pride, then feare
Thy dangerous Stoutnesse: for I mocke at death
With as bigge heart as thou. Do as thou list,
Thy Valiantnesse was mine, thou suck'st it from me:
But owe thy Pride thy selfe.

Corio.

2130 Pray be content:
Mother, I am going to the Market place:
Chide me no more. Ile Mountebanke their Loues,
Cogge their Hearts from them, and come home belou'd
Of all the Trades in Rome. Looke, I am going:
2135 Commend me to my Wife, Ile returne Consull,
Or neuer trust to what my Tongue can do
I'th way of Flattery further.

Volum.

2138Do your will.

Exit Volumnia

Com.

Away, the Tribunes do attend you: arm your self
2140 To answer mildely: for they are prepar'd
With Accusations, as I heare more strong
Then are vpon you yet.

Corio.

The word is, Mildely. Pray you let vs go,
Let them accuse me by inuention: I
2145 Will answer in mine Honor.

Menen.

2146I, but mildely.

Corio.

2147Well mildely be it then, Mildely.

Exeunt.

[Act 3, Scene 3]

Enter Sicinius and Brutus.

Bru.

In this point charge him home, that he affects
Tyrannicall power: If he euade vs there,
2150 Inforce him with his enuy to the people,
And that the Spoile got on the Antiats
Was ne're distributed. What, will he come?
Enter an Edile.

Edile.

2153Hee's comming.

Bru.

2154How accompanied?

Edile.

2155 With old Menenius, and those Senators
That alwayes fauour'd him.

Sicin.

Haue you a Catalogue
Of all the Voices that we haue procur'd, set downe by'th
(Pole?

Edile.

2159I haue: 'tis ready.

Sicin.

2160Haue you collected them by Tribes?

Edile.

2161I haue.

Sicin.

Assemble presently the people hither:
And when they heare me say, it shall be so,
I'th'right and strength a'th'Commons: be it either
2165 For death, for fine, or Banishment, then let them
If I say Fine, cry Fine; if Death, cry Death,
Insisting on the olde prerogatiue
And power i'th Truth a'th Cause.

Edile.

2169I shall informe them.

Bru.

2170 And when such time they haue begun to cry,
Let them not cease, but with a dinne confus'd
Inforce the present Execution
Of what we chance to Sentence.

Edi.

2174Very well.

Sicin.

2175 Make them be strong, and ready for this hint
When we shall hap to giu't them.

Bru.

Go about it,
Put him to Choller straite, he hath bene vs'd
Euer to conquer, and to haue his worth
2180 Of contradiction. Being once chaft, he cannot
Be rein'd againe to Temperance, then he speakes
What's [p. 19] The Tragedie of Coriolanus.
What's in his heart, and that is there which looks
With vs to breake his necke.
Enter Coriolanus, Menenius, and Comi­
nius, with others.

Sicin.

2184Well, heere he comes.

Mene.

2185Calmely, I do beseech you.

Corio.

I, as an Hostler, that fourth poorest peece
Will beare the Knaue by'th Volume:
Th' honor'd Goddes
Keepe Rome in safety, and the Chaires of Iustice
2190 Supplied with worthy men, plant loue amongs
Through our large Temples with the shewes of peace
And not our streets with Warre.

1 Sen.

2193Amen, Amen.

Mene.

2194A Noble wish.

Enter the Edile with the Plebeians.

Sicin.

2195Draw neere ye people.

Edile.

List to your Tribunes. Audience:
Peace I say.

Corio.

2198First heare me speake.

Both Tri.

2199Well, say: Peace hoe.

Corio.

2200 Shall I be charg'd no further then this present?
Must all determine heere?

Sicin.

I do demand,
If you submit you to the peoples voices,
Allow their Officers, and are content
2205 To suffer lawfull Censure for such faults
As shall be prou'd vpon you.

Corio.

2207I am Content.

Mene.

Lo Citizens, he sayes he is Content.
The warlike Seruice he ha's done, consider: Thinke
2210 Vpon the wounds his body beares, which shew
Like Graues i'th holy Church‑yard.

Corio.

Scratches with Briars, scarres to moue
Laughter onely.

Mene.

Consider further:
2215 That when he speakes not like a Citizen,
You finde him like a Soldier: do not take
His rougher Actions for malicious sounds:
But as I say, such as become a Soldier,
Rather then enuy you.

Com.

2220Well, well, no more.

Corio.

What is the matter,
That being past for Consull with full voyce:
I am so dishonour'd, that the very houre
You take it off againe.

Sicin.

2225Answer to vs.

Corio.

2226Say then: 'tis true, I ought so

Sicin.

We charge you, that you haue contriu'd to take
From Rome all season'd Office, and to winde
Your selfe into a power tyrannicall,
2230 For which you are a Traitor to the people.

Corio.

2231How? Traytor?

Mene.

2232Nay temperately: your promise.

Corio.

The fires i'th'lowest hell. Fould in the people:
Call me their Traitor, thou iniurious Tribune.
2235 Within thine eyes sate twenty thousand deaths.
In thy hands clutcht: as many Millions in
Thy lying tongue, both numbers. I would say
Thou lyest vnto thee, with a voice as free,
As I do pray the Gods.

Sicin.

2240Marke you this people?

All.

2241To'th'Rocke, to'th'Rocke with him.

Sicin.

Peace:
We neede not put new matter to his charge:
What you haue seene him do, and heard him speake:
2245 Beating your Officers, cursing your selues,
Opposing Lawes with stroakes, and heere defying
Those whose great power must try him.
Euen this so criminall, and in such capitall kinde
Deserues th'extreamest death.

Bru.

2250But since he hath seru'd well for Rome.

Corio.

2251What do you prate of Seruice.

Brut.

2252I talke of that, that know it.

Corio.

2253You?

Mene.

2254Is this the promise that you made your mother.

Com.

2255Know, I pray you.

Corio.

Ile know no further:
Let them pronounce the steepe Tarpeian death,
Vagabond exile, Fleaing, pent to linger
But with a graine a day, I would not buy
2260 Their mercie, at the price of one faire word,
Nor checke my Courage for what they can giue,
To haue't with saying, Good morrow.

Sicin.

For that he ha's
(As much as in him lies) from time to time
2265 Enui'd against the people; seeking meanes
To plucke away their power: as now at last,
Giuen Hostile strokes, and that not in the presence
Of dreaded Iustice, but on the Ministers
That doth distribute it. In the name a'th'people,
2270 And in the power of vs the Tribunes, wee
(Eu'n from this instant) banish him our Citie
In perill of precipitation
From off the Rocke Tarpeian, neuer more
To enter our Rome gates. I'th'Peoples name,
2275 I say it shall bee so.

All.

It shall be so, it shall be so: let him away:
Hee's banish'd, and it shall be so.

Com.

Heare me my Masters, and my common friends.

Sicin.

2279He's sentenc'd: No more hearing.

Com.

2280 Let me speake:
I haue bene Consull, and can shew from Rome
Her Enemies markes vpon me. I do loue
My Countries good, with a respect more tender,
More holy, and profound, then mine owne life,
2285 My deere Wiues estimate, her wombes encrease,
And treasure of my Loynes: then if I would
Speake that.

Sicin.

2288We know your drift. Speake what?

Bru.

There's no more to be said, but he is banish'd
2290 As Enemy to the people, and his Countrey.
It shall bee so.

All.

2292It shall be so, it shall be so.

Corio.

You common cry of Curs, whose breath I hate,
As reeke a'th'rotten Fennes: whose Loues I prize,
2295 As the dead Carkasses of vnburied men,
That do corrupt my Ayre: I banish you,
And heere remaine with your vncertaintie.
Let euery feeble Rumor shake your hearts:
Your Enemies, with nodding of their Plumes
2300 Fan you into dispaire: Haue the power still
To banish your Defenders, till at length
Your ignorance (which findes not till it feeles,
Making but reseruation of your selues,
Still your owne Foes) deliuer you
2305 As most abated Captiues, to some Nation
That wonne you without blowes, despising
For you the City. Thus I turne my backe;
There is a world elsewhere.
Exeunt Coriolanus, Cominius, with Cumalijs.
They all shout, and throw vp their Caps.
Edile [p. 20] The Tragedie of Coriolanus.

Edile.

The peoples Enemy is gone, is gone.

All.

2310 Our enemy is banish'd, he is gone: Hoo, oo.

Sicin.

Go see him out at Gates, and follow him
As he hath follow'd you, with all despight
Giue him deseru'd vexation. Let a guard
Attend vs through the City.

All.

2315 Come, come, lets see him out at gates, come:
The Gods preserue our Noble Tribunes, come.
Exeunt.

Actus Quartus.

[Act 4, Scene 1]

Enter Coriolanus, Volumnia, Virgilia, Menenius, Cominius,
with the yong Nobility of Rome.

Corio.

Come leaue your teares: a brief farwel: the beast
With many heads butts me away. Nay Mother,
Where is your ancient Courage? You were vs'd
2320 To say, Extreamities was the trier of spirits,
That common chances. Common men could beare,
That when the Sea was calme, all Boats alike
Shew'd Mastership in floating. Fortunes blowes,
When most strooke home, being gentle wounded, craues
2325 A Noble cunning. You were vs'd to load me
With Precepts that would make inuincible
The heart that conn'd them.

Virg.

2328Oh heauens! O heauens!

Corio.

2329Nay, I prythee woman.

Vol.

2330 Now the Red Pestilence strike al Trades in Rome,
And Occupations perish.

Corio.

What, what, what:
I shall be lou'd when I am lack'd. Nay Mother,
Resume that Spirit, when you were wont to say,
2335 If you had beene the Wife of Hercules,
Six of his Labours youl'd haue done, and sau'd
Your Husband so much swet. Cominius,
Droope not, Adieu: Farewell my Wife, my Mother,
Ile do well yet. Thou old and true Menenius,
2340 Thy teares are salter then a yonger mans,
And venomous to thine eyes. My (sometime) Generall,
I haue seene the Sterne, and thou hast oft beheld
Heart‑hardning spectacles. Tell these sad women,
'Tis fond to waile ineuitable strokes,
2345 As 'tis to laugh at 'em. My Mother, you wot well
My hazards still haue beene your solace, and
Beleeu't not lightly, though I go alone
Like to a lonely Dragon, that his Fenne
Makes fear'd, and talk'd of more then seene: your Sonne
2350 Will or exceed the Common, or be caught
With cautelous baits and practice.

Volum.

My first sonne,
Whether will thou go? Take good Cominius
With thee awhile: Determine on some course
2355 More then a wilde exposture, to each chance
That starts i'th'way before thee.

Corio.

2357O the Gods!

Com.

Ile follow thee a Moneth, deuise with thee
Where thou shalt rest, that thou may'st heare of vs,
2360 And we of thee. So if the time thrust forth
A cause for thy Repeale, we shall not send
O're the vast world, to seeke a single man,
And loose aduantage, which doth euer coole
Ith'absence of the needer.

Corio.

2365 Fare ye well:
Thou hast yeares vpon thee, and thou art too full
Of the warres surfets, to go roue with one
That's yet vnbruis'd: bring me but out at gate.
Come my sweet wife, my deerest Mother, and
2370 My Friends of Noble touch: when I am forth,
Bid me farewell, and smile. I pray you come:
While I remaine aboue the ground, you shall
Heare from me still, and neuer of me ought
But what is like me formerly.

Menen.

2375 That's worthily
As any eare can heare. Come, let's not weepe,
If I could shake off but one seuen yeeres
From these old armes and legges, by the good Gods
I'ld with thee, euery foot.

Corio.

2380Giue me thy hand, come.

Exeunt

[Act 4, Scene 2]

Enter the two Tribunes, Sicinius, and Brutus,
with the Edile.

Sicin.

Bid them all home, he's gone: & wee'l no further,
The Nobility are vexed, whom we see haue sided
In his behalfe.

Brut.

Now we haue shewne our power,
2385 Let vs seeme humbler after it is done,
Then when it was a dooing.

Sicin.

Bid them home: say their great enemy is gone,
And they, stand in their ancient strength.

Brut.

2389Dismisse them home. Here comes his Mother.

Enter Volumnia, Virgilia, and Menenius.

Sicin.

2390Let's not meet her.

Brut.

2391Why?

Sicin.

2392They say she's mad.

Brut.

They haue tane note of vs: keepe on your way.

Volum.

Oh y'are well met:
2395 Th'hoorded plague a'th'Gods requit your loue.

Menen.

2396Peace, peace, be not so loud.

Volum.

If that I could for weeping, you should heare,
Nay, and you shall heare some. Will you be gone?

Virg.

You shall stay too: I would I had the power
2400 To say so to my Husband.

Sicin.

2401Are you mankinde?

Volum.

I foole, is that a shame. Note but this Foole,
Was not a man my Father? Had'st thou Foxship
To banish him that strooke more blowes for Rome
2405 Then thou hast spoken words.

Sicin.

2406Oh blessed Heauens!

Volum.

Moe Noble blowes, then euer thou wise words.
And for Romes good, Ile tell thee what: yet goe:
Nay but thou shalt stay too: I would my Sonne
2410 Were in Arabia, and thy Tribe before him,
His good Sword in his hand.

Sicin.

2412What then?

Virg.

When then? Hee'ld make an end of thy posterity

Volum.

Bastards, and all.
2415 Good man, the Wounds that he does beare for Rome!

Menen.

2416Come, come, peace.

Sicin.

I would he had continued to his Country
As he began, and not vnknit himselfe
The Noble knot he made.

Bru.

2420I would he had.

Volum.

I would he had? Twas thou incenst the rable.
Cats, that can iudge as fitly of his worth,
As I can of those Mysteries which heauen
Will not haue earth to know.

Brut.

2425Pray let's go.

Volum.

Now pray sir get you gone.
You haue done a braue deede: Ere you go, heare this:
As farre as doth the Capitoll exceede
The meanest house in Rome; so farre my Sonne
This [p. 21] The Tragedie of Coriolanus.
2430 This Ladies Husband heere; this (do you see)
Whom you haue banish'd, does exceed you all.

Bru.

2432Well, well, wee'l leaue you.

Sicin.

Why stay we to be baited
With one that wants her Wits.
Exit Tribunes.

Volum.

2435 Take my Prayers with you.
I would the Gods had nothing else to do,
But to confirme my Cursses. Could I meete 'em
But once a day, it would vnclogge my heart
Of what lyes heauy too't.

Mene.

2440 You haue told them home,
And by my troth you haue cause: you'l Sup with me.

Volum.

Angers my Meate: I suppe vpon my selfe,
And so shall sterue with Feeding: Come, let's go,
Leaue this faint‑puling, and lament as I do,
2445 In Anger, Iuno‑like: Come, come, come.
Exeunt

Mene.

2446Fie, fie, fie.

Exit.

[Act 4, Scene 3]

Enter a Roman, and a Volce.

Rom.

2447I know you well sir, and you know mee: your [l. 2448] name I thinke is Adrian.

Volce.

2449It is so sir, truly I haue forgot you.

Rom.

2450I am a Roman, and my Seruices are as you are, [l. 2451] against 'em. Know you me yet.

Volce.

2452Nicanor: no.

Rom.

2453The same sir.

Volce.

2454You had more Beard when I last saw you, but [l. 2455] your Fauour is well appear'd by your Tongue. What's [l. 2456] the Newes in Rome: I haue a Note from the Volcean [l. 2457] state to finde you out there. You haue well saued mee a [l. 2458] dayes iourney.

Rom.

2459There hath beene in Rome straunge Insurrecti­ [l. 2460] ons: The people, against the Senatours, Patricians, and [l. 2461] Nobles.

Vol.

2462Hath bin; is it ended then? Our State thinks not [l. 2463] so, they are in a most warlike preparation, & hope to com [l. 2464] vpon them, in the heate of their diuision

Rom.

2465The maine blaze of it is past, but a small thing [l. 2466] would make it flame againe. For the Nobles receyue so [l. 2467] to heart, the Banishment of that worthy Coriolanus, that [l. 2468] they are in a ripe aptnesse, to take al power from the peo­ [l. 2469] ple, and to plucke from them their Tribunes for euer. [l. 2470] This lyes glowing I can tell you, and is almost mature for [l. 2471] the violent breaking out.

Vol.

2472Coriolanus Banisht?

Rom.

2473Banish'd sir.

Vol.

2474You will be welcome with this intelligence Ni­ [l. 2475] canor.

Rom.

2476The day serues well for them now. I haue heard [l. 2477] it saide, the fittest time to corrupt a mans Wife, is when [l. 2478] shee's falne out with her Husband. Your Noble Tullus [l. 2479] Auffidius well will appeare well in these Warres, his great [l. 2480] Opposer Coriolanus being now in no request of his coun­ [l. 2481] trey.

Volce.

2482He cannot choose: I am most fortunate, thus [l. 2483] accidentally to encounter you. You haue ended my Bu­ [l. 2484] sinesse, and I will merrily accompany you home.

Rom.

2485I shall betweene this and Supper, tell you most [l. 2486] strange things from Rome: all tending to the good of [l. 2487] their Aduersaries. Haue you an Army ready say you?

Vol.

2488A most Royall one: The Centurions, and their [l. 2489] charges distinctly billetted already in th'entertainment, [l. 2490] and to be on foot at an houres warning.

Rom.

2491I am ioyfull to heare of their readinesse, and am [l. 2492] the man I thinke, that shall set them in present Action. So [l. 2493] sir, heartily well met, and most glad of your Company.

Volce.

2494You take my part from me sir, I haue the most cause to be glad of yours.

Rom.

2495Well, let vs go together.

Exeunt.

[Act 4, Scene 4]

Enter Coriolanus in meane Apparrell, Dis­
guisd, and muffled.

Corio.

A goodly City is this Antium. Citty,
'Tis I that made thy Widdowes: Many an heyre
Of these faire Edifices fore my Warres
Haue I heard groane, and drop: Then know me not,
2500 Least that thy Wiues with Spits, and Boyes with stones
In puny Battell slay me. Saue you sir.
Enter a Citizen.

Cit.

2502And you.

Corio.

2503Direct me, if it be your will, where great Auf­ [l. 2504] fidius lies: Is he in Antium?

Cit.

2505He is, and Feasts the Nobles of the State, at his [l. 2506] house this night.

Corio.

2507Which is his house, beseech you?

Cit.

2508This heere before you.

Corio.

2509Thanke you sir, farewell.

Exit Citizen
2510 Oh World, thy slippery turnes! Friends now fast sworn,
Whose double bosomes seemes to weare one heart,
Whose Houres, whose Bed, whose Meale and Exercise
Are still together: who Twin (as 'twere) in Loue,
Vnseparable, shall within this houre,
2515 On a dissention of a Doit, breake out
To bitterest Enmity: So fellest Foes,
Whose Passions, and whose Plots haue broke their sleep
To take the one the other, by some chance,
Some tricke not worth an Egge, shall grow deere friends
2520 And inter‑ioyne their yssues. So with me,
My Birth‑place haue I, and my loues vpon
This Enemie Towne: Ile enter, if he slay me
He does faire Iustice: if he giue me way,
Ile do his Country Seruice.
Exit.

[Act 4, Scene 5]

Musicke playes. Enter a Seruingman.

1 Ser.

2525Wine, Wine, Wine: What seruice is heere? I [l. 2526] thinke our Fellowes are asleepe.

Enter another Seruingman.

2 Ser.

2527Where's Cotus: my Master cals for him: Cotus.

Exit
Enter Coriolanus.

Corio.

A goodly House:
The Feast smels well: but I appeare not like a Guest.
Enter the first Seruingman.

1 Ser.

2530 What would you haue Friend? whence are you?
Here's no place for you: pray go to the doore?
Exit.

Corio.

2532I haue deseru'd no better entertainment, in be­ [l. 2533] ing Coriolanus.

Enter second Seruant.

2 Ser.

2534Whence are you sir? Ha's the Porter his eyes in [l. 2535] his head, that he giues entrance to such Companions? [l. 2536] Pray get you out.

Corio.

2537Away.

2 Ser.

2538Away? Get you away.

Corio.

2539Now th'art troublesome.

2 Ser.

2540Are you so braue: Ile haue you talkt with anon

Enter 3 Seruingman, the 1 meets him.

3

2541What Fellowes this?

1

2542A strange one as euer I look'd on: I cannot get him [l. 2543] out o'th'house: Prythee call my Master to him.

3

2544What haue you to do here fellow? Pray you auoid [l. 2545] the house.

Corio.

2546Let me but stand, I will not hurt your Harth.

3

2547What are you?

Corio.

2548A Gentleman.

3

2549A maru'llous poore one.

Corio.

2550True, so I am.

3

2551Pray you poore Gentleman, take vp some other sta­ [l. 2552] tion, [p. 22] The Tragedie of Coriolanus. tion: Heere's no place for you, pray you auoid: Come.

Corio.

2553Follow your Function, go, and batten on colde [l. 2554] bits.

Pushes him away from him.

3

2555What you will not? Prythee tell my Maister what [l. 2556] a strange Guest he ha's heere.

2

2557And I shall.

Exit second Seruingman.

3

2558Where dwel'st thou?

Corio.

2559Vnder the Canopy.

3

2560Vnder the Canopy?

Corio.

2561I.

3

2562Where's that?

Corio.

2563I'th City of Kites and crowes.

3

2564I'th City of Kites and Crowes? What an Asse it is, [l. 2565] then thou dwel'st with Dawes too?

Corio.

2566No, I serue not thy Master.

3

2567How sir? Do you meddle with my Master?

Corio.

2568I, tis an honester seruice, then to meddle with [l. 2569] thy Mistris: Thou prat'st, and prat'st, serue with thy tren­ [l. 2570] cher: Hence.

Beats him away
Enter Auffidius with the Seruingman.

Auf.

2571Where is this Fellow?

2

2572Here sir, I'de haue beaten him like a dogge, but for [l. 2573] disturbing the Lords within.

Auf.

Whence com'st thou? What wouldst thou? Thy name?
2575 Why speak'st not? Speake man: What's thy name?

Corio.

2576If Tullus not yet thou know'st me, and seeing [l. 2577] me, dost not thinke me for the man I am, necessitie com­ [l. 2578] mands me name my selfe.

Auf.

2579What is thy name?

Corio.

2580 A name vnmusicall to the Volcians eares,
And harsh in sound to thine.

Auf.

Say, what's thy name?
Thou hast a Grim apparance, and thy Face
Beares a Command in't: Though thy Tackles torne,
2585 Thou shew'st a Noble Vessell: What's thy name?

Corio.

2586Prepare thy brow to frowne: knowst thou me yet?

Auf.

2587I know thee not? Thy Name?

Corio.

My name is Caius Martius, who hath done
To thee particularly, and to all the Volces
2590 Great hurt and Mischiefe: thereto witnesse may
My Surname Coriolanus. The painfull Seruice,
The extreme Dangers, and the droppes of Blood
Shed for my thanklesse Country, are requitted:
But with that Surname, a good memorie
2595 And witnesse of the Malice and Displeasure
Which thou should'st beare me, only that name remains.
The Cruelty and Enuy of the people,
Permitted by our dastard Nobles, who
Haue all forsooke me, hath deuour'd the rest:
2600 And suffer'd me by th'voyce of Slaues to be
Hoop'd out of Rome. Now this extremity,
Hath brought me to thy Harth, not out of Hope
(Mistake me not) to saue my life: for if
I had fear'd death, of all the Men i'th'World
2605 I would haue voided thee. But in meere spight
To be full quit of those my Banishers,
Stand I before thee heere: Then if thou hast
A heart of wreake in thee, that wilt reuenge
Thine owne particular wrongs, and stop those maimes
2610 Of shame seene through thy Country, speed thee straight
And make my misery serue thy turne: So vse it,
That my reuengefull Seruices may proue
As Benefits to thee. For I will fight
Against my Cankred Countrey, with the Spleene
2615 Of all the vnder Fiends. But if so be,
Thou dar'st not this, and that to proue more Fortunes
Th'art tyr'd, then in a word, I also am
Longer to liue most wearie: and present
My throat to thee, and to thy Ancient Malice:
2620 Which not to cut, would shew thee but a Foole,
Since I haue euer followed thee with hate,
Drawne Tunnes of Blood out of thy Countries brest,
And cannot liue but to thy shame, vnlesse
It be to do thee seruice.

Auf.

2625 Oh Martius, Martius;
Each word thou hast spoke, hath weeded from my heart
A roote of Ancient Enuy. If Iupiter
Should from yond clowd speake diuine things,
And say 'tis true; I'de not beleeue them more
2630 Then thee allͤNoble Martius. Let me twine
Mine armes about that body, where against
My grained Ash an hundred times hath broke,
And scarr'd the Moone with splinters: heere I cleep
The Anuile of my Sword, and do contest
2635 As hotly, and as Nobly with thy Loue,
As euer in Ambitious strength, I did
Contend against thy Valour. Know thou first,
I lou'd the Maid I married: neuer man
Sigh'd truer breath. But that I see thee heere
2640 Thou Noble thing, more dances my rapt heart,
Then when I first my wedded Mistris saw
Bestride my Threshold. Why, thou Mars I tell thee,
We haue a Power on foote: and I had purpose
Once more to hew thy Target from thy Brawne,
2645 Or loose mine Arme for't: Thou hast beate mee out
Twelue seuerall times, and I haue nightly since
Dreamt of encounters 'twixt thy selfe and me:
We haue beene downe together in my sleepe,
Vnbuckling Helmes, fisting each others Throat,
2650 And wak'd halfe dead with nothing. Worthy Martius,
Had we no other quarrell else to Rome, but that
Thou art thence Banish'd, we would muster all
From twelue, to seuentie: and powring Warre
Into the bowels of vngratefull Rome,
2655 Like a bold Flood o're‑beate. Oh come, go in,
And take our Friendly Senators by'th'hands
Who now are heere, taking their leaues of mee,
Who am prepar'd against your Territories,
Though not for Rome it selfe.

Corio.

2660You blesse me Gods.

Auf.

Therefore most absolute Sir, if thou wilt haue
The leading of thine owne Reuenges, take
Th'one halfe of my Commission, and set downe
As best thou art experienc'd, since thou know'st
2665 Thy Countries strength and weaknesse, thine own waies
Whether to knocke against the Gates of Rome,
Or rudely visit them in parts remote,
To fright them, ere destroy. But come in,
Let me commend thee first, to those that shall
2670 Say yea to thy desires. A thousand welcomes,
And more a Friend, then ere an Enemie,
Yet Martius that was much. Your hand: most welcome.
Exeunt
Enter two of the Seruingmen.

1

2673Heere's a strange alteration?

2

2674By my hand, I had thoght to haue stroken him with [l. 2675] a Cudgell, and yet my minde gaue me, his cloathes made [l. 2676] a false report of him.

1

2677What an Arme he has, he turn'd me about with his [l. 2678] finger and his thumbe, as one would set vp a Top.

2

2679Nay, I knew by his face that there was some‑thing [l. 2680] in him. He had sir, a kinde of face me thought, I cannot tell [p. 23] The Tragedie of Coriolanus. tell how to tearme it.

1

2681He had so, looking as it were, would I were hang'd [l. 2682] but I thought there was more in him, then I could think.

2

2683So did I, Ile be sworne: He is simply the rarest man [l. 2684] i'th'world.

1

2685I thinke he is: but a greater soldier then he, [l. 2686] You wot one.

2

2687Who my Master?

1

2688Nay, it's no matter for that.

2

2689Worth six on him.

1

2690Nay not so neither: but I take him to be the greater [l. 2691] Souldiour.

2

2692Fai[.]h looke you, one cannot tell how to say that: for [l. 2693] the Defence of a Towne, our Generall is excellent.

1

2694I, and for an assault too.

Enter the third Seruingman.

3

2695Oh Slaues, I can tell you Newes, News you Rascals

Both.

2696What, what, what? Let's partake.

3

2697I would not be a Roman of all Nations; I had as [l. 2698] liue be a condemn'd man.

Both.

2699Wherefore? Wherefore?

3

2700Why here's he that was wont to thwacke our Ge­ [l. 2701] nerall, Caius Martius.

1

2702Why do you say, thwacke our Generall?

3

2703I do not say thwacke our Generall, but he was al­ [l. 2704] wayes good enough for him

2

2705Come we are fellowes and friends: he was euer too [l. 2706] hard for him, I haue heard him say so himselfe.

1

2707He was too hard for him directly, to say the Troth [l. 2708] on't before Corioles, he scotcht him, and notcht him like a [l. 2709] Carbinado.

2

2710And hee had bin Cannibally giuen, hee might haue [l. 2711] boyld and eaten him too.

1

2712But more of thy Newes.

3

2713Why he is so made on heere within, as if hee were [l. 2714] Son and Heire to Mars, set at vpper end o'th'Table: No [l. 2715] question askt him by any of the Senators, but they stand [l. 2716] bald before him. Our Generall himselfe makes a Mistris [l. 2717] of him, Sanctifies himselfe with's hand, and turnes vp the [l. 2718] white o'th'eye to his Discourse. But the bottome of the [l. 2719] Newes is, our Generall is cut i'th'middle, & but one halfe [l. 2720] of what he was yesterday. For the other ha's halfe, by [l. 2721] the intreaty and graunt of the whole Table. Hee'l go he [l. 2722] sayes, and sole the Porter of Rome Gates by th'eares. He [l. 2723] will mowe all downe before him, and leaue his passage [l. 2724] poul'd.

2

2725And he's as like to do't, as any man I can imagine.

3

2726Doo't? he will doo't: for look you sir, he has as ma­ [l. 2727] ny Friends as Enemies: which Friends sir as it were, durst [l. 2728] not (looke you sir) shew themselues (as we terme it) his [l. 2729] Friends, whilest he's in Directitude.

1

2730Directitude? What's that?

3

2731But when they shall see sir, his Crest vp againe, and [l. 2732] the man in blood, they will out of their Burroughes (like [l. 2733] Conies after Raine) and reuell all with him.

1

2734But when goes this forward:

3

2735To morrow, to day, presently, you shall haue the [l. 2736] Drum strooke vp this afternoone: 'Tis as it were a parcel [l. 2737] of their Feast, and to be executed ere they wipe their lips.

2

2738Why then wee shall haue a stirring World againe: [l. 2739] This peace is nothing, but to rust Iron, encrease Taylors, [l. 2740] and breed Ballad‑makers.

1

2741Let me haue Warre say I, it exceeds peace as farre [l. 2742] as day do's night: It's sprightly walking, audible, and full [l. 2743] of Vent. Peace, is a very Apoplexy, Lethargie, mull'd, [l. 2744] deafe, sleepe, insensible, a getter of more bastard Chil­ [l. 2745] dren, then warres a destroyer of men.

2

2746'Tis so, and as warres in some sort may be saide to [l. 2747] be a Rauisher, so it cannot be denied, but peace is a great [l. 2748] maker of Cuckolds.

1

2749I, and it makes men hate one another.

3

2750Reason, because they then lesse neede one another: [l. 2751] The Warres for my money. I hope to see Romanes as [l. 2752] cheape as Volcians. They are rising, they are rising.

Both.

2753In, in, in, in.

Exeunt

[Act 4, Scene 6]

Enter the two Tribunes, Sicinius, and Brutus.

Sicin.

We heare not of him, neither need we fear him,
2755 His remedies are tame, the present peace,
And quietnesse of the people, which before
Were in wilde hurry. Heere do we make his Friends
Blush, that the world goes well: who rather had,
Though they themselues did suffer by't, behold
2760 Dissentious numbers pestring streets, then see
Our Tradesmen singing in their shops, and going
About their Functions friendly.
Enter Menenius.

Bru.

2763We stood too't in good time. Is this Menenius?

Sicin.

2764'Tis he, 'tis he: O he is grown most kind of late: [l. 2765] Haile Sir.

Mene.

2766Haile to you both.

Sicin.

Your Coriolanus is not much mist, but with his
Friends: the Commonwealth doth stand, and so would
do, were he more angry at it.

Mene.

2770All's well, and might haue bene much better, [l. 2771] if he could haue temporiz'd.

Sicin.

2772Where is he, heare you?

Mene.

Nay I heare nothing:
His Mother and his wife, heare nothing from him.
Enter three or foure Citizens.

All.

2775The Gods preserue you both.

Sicin.

2776Gooden our Neighbours.

Bru.

2777Gooden to you all, gooden to you all.

1

Our selues, our wiues, and children, on our knees,
Are bound to pray for you both.

Sicin.

2780Liue, and thriue.

Bru.

Farewell kinde Neighbours:
We wisht Coriolanus had lou'd you as we did.

All.

2783Now the Gods keepe you.

Both Tri.

2784Farewell, farewell.

Exeunt Citizens

Sicin.

2785 This is a happier and more comely time,
Then when these Fellowes ran about the streets,
Crying Confusion.

Bru.

Caius Martius was
A worthy Officer i'th'Warre, but Insolent,
2790 O'recome with Pride, Ambitious, past all thinking
Selfe‑louing.

Sicin.

2792And affecting one sole Throne, without assistance

Mene.

2793I thinke not so.

Sicin.

We should by this, to all our Lamention,
2795 If he had gone forth Consull, found it so.

Bru.

The Gods haue well preuented it, and Rome
Sits safe and still, without him.
Enter an Ædile.

Ædile.

Worthy Tribunes,
There is a Slaue whom we haue put in prison,
2800 Reports the Volces with two seuerall Powers
Are entred in the Roman Territories,
And with the deepest malice of the Warre,
Destroy, what lies before' em.

Mene.

'Tis Auffidius,
2805 Who hearing of our Martius Banishment,
Thrusts forth his hornes againe into the world
Which were In‑shell'd, when Martius stood for Rome,
And [p. 24] The Tragedie of Coriolanus.
And durst not once peepe out.

Sicin.

2809Come, what talke you of Martius.

Bru.

2810 Go see this Rumorer whipt, it cannot be,
The Volces dare breake with vs.

Mene.

Cannot be?
We haue Record, that very well it can,
And three examples of the like, hath beene
2815 Within my Age. But reason with the fellow
Before you punish him, where he heard this,
Least you shall chance to whip your Information,
And beate the Messenger, who bids beware
Of what is to be dreaded.

Sicin.

2820Tell not me: I know this cannot be.

Bru.

2821Not possible.

Enter a Messenger.

Mes.

The Nobles in great earnestnesse are going
All to the Senate‑house: some newes is comming
That turnes their Countenances.

Sicin.

2825 'Tis this Slaue:
Go whip him fore the peoples eyes: His raising,
Nothing but his report.

Mes.

Yes worthy Sir,
The Slaues report is seconded, and more
2830 More fearfull is deliuer'd.

Sicin.

2831What more fearefull?

Mes.

It is spoke freely out of many mouths,
How probable I do not know, that Martius
Ioyn'd with Auffidius, leads a power 'gainst Rome,
2835 And vowes Reuenge as spacious, as betweene
The yong'st and oldest thing.

Sicin.

2837This is most likely.

Bru.

Rais'd onely, that the weaker sort may wish
Good Martius home againe.

Sicin.

2840The very tricke on't.

Mene.

This is vnlikely,
He, and Auffidius can no more attone
Then violent'st Contrariety.
Enter Messenger.

Mes.

You are sent for to the Senate:
2845 A fearefull Army, led by Caius Martius,
Associated with Auffidius, Rages
Vpon our Territories, and haue already
O're‑borne their way, consum'd with fire, and tooke
What lay before them.
Enter Cominius.

Com.

2850Oh you haue made good worke.

Mene.

2851What newes? What newes?

Com.

You haue holp to rauish your owne daughters, &
To melt the Citty Leades vpon your pates,
To see your Wiues dishonour'd to your Noses.

Mene.

2855What's the newes? What's the newes?

Com.

Your Temples burned in their Ciment, and
Your Franchises, whereon you stood, confin'd
Into an Augors boare.

Mene.

Pray now, your Newes:
2860 You haue made faire worke I feare me: pray your newes,
If Martius should be ioyn'd with Volceans.

Com.

If? He is their God, he leads them like a thing
Made by some other Deity then Nature,
That shapes man Better: and they follow him
2865 Against vs Brats, with no lesse Confidence,
Then Boyes pursuing Summer Butter‑flies,
Or Butchers killing Flyes.

Mene.

You haue made good worke,
You and your Apron men: you, that stood so much
2870 Vpon the voyce of occupation, and
The breath of Garlicke‑eaters.

Com.

2872Hee'l shake your Rome about your eares.

Mene.

As Hercules did shake downe Mellow Fruite:
You haue made faire worke.

Brut.

2875But is this true sir?

Com.

I, and you'l looke pale
Before you finde it other. All the Regions
Do smilingly Reuolt, and who resists
Are mock'd for valiant Ignorance,
2880 And perish constant Fooles: who is't can blame him?
Your Enemies and his, finde something in him.

Mene.

We are all vndone, vnlesse
The Noble man haue mercy.

Com.

Who shall aske it?
2885 The Tribunes cannot doo't for shame; the people
Deserue such pitty of him, as the Wolfe
Doe's of the Shepheards: For his best Friends, if they
Should say be good to Rome, they charg'd him, euen
As those should do that had deseru'd his hate,
2890 And therein shew'd like Enemies.

Me.

'Tis true, if he were putting to my house, the brand
That should consume it, I haue not the face
To say, beseech you cease. You haue made faire hands,
You and your Crafts, you haue crafted faire.

Com.

2895 You haue brought
A Trembling vpon Rome, such as was neuer
S'incapeable of helpe.

Tri.

2898Say not, we brought it.

Mene.

How? Was't we? We lou'd him,
2900 But like Beasts, and Cowardly Nobles,
Gaue way vnto your Clusters, who did hoote
Him out o'th'Citty.

Com.

But I feare
They'l roare him in againe. Tullus Affidius,
2905 The second name of men, obeyes his points
As if he were his Officer: Desperation,
Is all the Policy, Strength, and Defence
That Rome can make against them.
Enter a Troope of Citizens.

Mene.

Heere come the Clusters.
2910 And is Auffidius with him? You are they
That made the Ayre vnwholsome, when you cast
Your stinking, greasie Caps, in hooting
At Coriolanus Exile. Now he's comming,
And not a haire vpon a Souldiers head
2915 Which will not proue a whip: As many Coxcombes
As you threw Caps vp, will he tumble downe,
And pay you for your voyces. 'Tis no matter,
If he could burne vs all into one coale,
We haue deseru'd it.

Omnes.

2920Faith, we heare fearfull Newes.

1 Cit.

for mine owne part,
When I said banish him, I said 'twas pitty.

2

2923And so did I.

3

2924And so did I: and to say the truth, so did very ma­ [l. 2925] ny of vs, that we did we did for the best, and though wee [l. 2926] willingly consented to his Banishment, yet it was against [l. 2927] our will.

Com.

2928Y'are goodly things, you Voyces.

Mene.

You haue made good worke
2930 You and your cry. Shal's to the Capitoll?

Com.

2931Oh I, what else?

Exeunt both.

Sicin.

Go Masters get you home, be not dismaid,
These are a Side, that would be glad to haue
This true, which they so seeme to feare. Go home,
2935 And shew no signe of Feare.
1. Cit. [p. 25] The Tragedie of Coriolanus.

1 Cit.

2936The Gods bee good to vs: Come Masters let's [l. 2937] home, I euer said we were i'th wrong, when we banish'd [l. 2938] him.

2 Cit.

2939So did we all. But come, let's home.

Exit Cit.

Bru.

2940I do not like this Newes.

Sicin.

2941Nor I.

Bru.

Let's to the Capitoll: would halfe my wealth
Would buy this for a lye.

Sicin.

2944Pray let's go.

Exeunt Tribunes.

[Act 4, Scene 7]

Enter Auffidius with his Lieutenant.

Auf.

2945Do they still flye to'th'Roman?

Lieu.

I do not know what Witchcraft's in him: but
Your Soldiers vse him as the Grace 'fore meate,
Their talke at Table, and their Thankes at end,
And you are darkned in this action Sir,
2950 Euen by your owne.

Auf.

I cannot helpe it now,
Vnlesse by vsing meanes I lame the foote
Of our designe. He beares himselfe more proudlier,
Euen to my person, then I thought he would
2955 When first I did embrace him. Yet his Nature
In that's no Changeling, and I must excuse
What cannot be amended.

Lieu.

Yet I wish Sir,
(I meane for your particular) you had not
2960 Ioyn'd in Commission with him: but either haue borne
The action of your selfe, or else to him, had left it soly.

Auf.

I vnderstand thee well, and be thou sure
When he shall come to his account, he knowes not
What I can vrge against him, although it seemes
2965 And so he thinkes, and is no lesse apparant
To th'vulgar eye, that he beares all things fairely:
And shewes good Husbandry for the Volcian State,
Fights Dragon‑like, and does atcheeue as soone
As draw his Sword: yet he hath left vndone
2970 That which shall breake his necke, or hazard mine,
When ere we come to our account.

Lieu.

2972Sir, I beseech you, think you he'l carry Rome?

Auf.

All places yeelds to him ere he sits downe,
And the Nobility of Rome are his:
2975 The Senators and Patricians loue him too:
The Tribunes are no Soldiers: and their people
Will be as rash in the repeale, as hasty
To expell him thence. I thinke hee'l be to Rome
As is the Aspray to the Fish, who takes it
2980 By Soueraignty of Nature. First, he was
A Noble seruant to them, but he could not
Carry his Honors eeuen euen: whether 'was Pride
Which out of dayly Fortune euer taints
The happy man; whether detect of iudgement,
2985 To faile in the disposing of those chances
Which he was Lord of: or whether Nature,
Not to be other then one thing, not moouing
From th'Caske to th'Cushion: but commanding peace
Euen with the same austerity and garbe,
2990 As he controll'd the warre. But one of these
(As he hath spices of them all) not all,
For I dare so farre free him, made him fear'd,
So hated, and so banish'd: but he ha's a Merit
To choake it in the vtt'rance: So our Vertue,
2995 Lie in th'interpretation of the time,
And power vnto it selfe most commendable,
Hath not a Tombe so euident as a Chaire
T'extoll what it hath done.
One fire d[...]es out one fire; one Naile, one Naile;
3000 Rights by rights fouler, strengths by strengths do faile.
Come let's away: when Caius Rome is thine,
Thou art poor'st of all; then shortly art thou mine.
exeunt

Actus Quintus.

[Act 5, Scene 1]

Enter Menenius, Cominius, Sicinius, Brutus,
the two Tribunes, with others.

Menen.

No, ile not go: you heare what he hath said
Which was sometime his Generall: who loued him
3005 In a most deere particular. He call'd me Father:
But what o'that? Go you that banish'd him
A Mile before his Tent, fall downe, and knee
The way into his mercy: Nay, if he coy'd
To heare Cominius speake, Ile keepe at home.

Com.

3010He would not seeme to know me.

Menen.

3011Do you heare?

Com.

Yet one time he did call me by my name:
I vrg'd our old acquaintance, and the drops
That we haue bled together. Coriolanus
3015 He would not answer too: Forbad all Names,
He was a kinde of Nothing, Titlelesse,
Till he had forg'd himselfe a name a'th'fire
Of burning Rome.

Menen.

Why so: you haue made good worke:
3020 A paire of Tribunes, that haue wrack'd for Rome,
To make Coales cheape: A Noble memory.

Com.

I minded him, how Royall 'twas to pardon
When it was lesse expected. He replyed
It was a bare petition of a State
3025 To one whom they had punish'd

Menen.

3026Very well, could he say lesse.

Com.

I offered to awaken his regard
For's priuate Friends. His answer to me was
He could not stay to picke them, in a pile
3030 Of noysome musty Chaffe. He said, 'twas folly
For one poore graine or two, to leaue vnburnt
And still to nose th'offence.

Menen.

For one poore graine or two?
I am one of those: his Mother, Wife, his Childe,
3035 And this braue Fellow too: we are the Graines,
You are the musty Chaffe, and you are smelt
Aboue the Moone. We must be burnt for you.

Sicin.

Nay, pray be patient: If you refuse your ayde
In this so neuer‑needed helpe, yet do not
3040 Vpbraid's with our distresse. But sure if you
Would be your Countries Pleader, your good tongue
More then the instant Armie we can make
Might stop our Countryman.

Mene.

3044No: Ile not meddle.

Sicin.

3045Pray you go to him.

Mene.

3046What should I do?

Bru.

Onely make triall what your Loue can do,
For Rome, towards Martius.

Mene.

Well, and say that Martius returne mee,
3050 As Cominius is return'd, vnheard: what then?
But as a discontented Friend, greefe‑shot
With his vnkindnesse. Say't be so?

Sicin.

Yet your good will
Must haue that thankes from Rome, after the measure
3055 As you intended well

Mene.

Ile vndertak't:
I thinke hee'l heare me. Yet to bite his lip,
And humme at good Cominius, much vnhearts mee.
cc Hee [p. 26] The Tragedie of Coriolanus.
He was not taken well, he had not din'd,
3060 The Veines vnfill'd, our blood is cold, and then
We powt vpon the Morning, are vnapt
To giue or to forgiue; but when we haue stufft
These Pipes, and these Conueyances of our blood
With Wine and Feeding, we haue suppler Soules
3065 Then in our Priest‑like Fasts: therefore Ile watch him
Till he be dieted to my request,
And then Ile set vpon him.

Bru.

You know the very rode into his kindnesse,
And cannot lose your way.

Mene.

3070 Good faith Ile proue him,
Speed how it will. I shall ere long, haue knowledge
Of my successe.
Exit.

Com.

3073Hee'l neuer heare him.

Sicin.

3074Not.

Com.

3075 I tell you, he doe's sit in Gold, his eye
Red as 'twould burne Rome: and his Iniury
The Gaoler to his pitty. I kneel'd before him,
'Twas very faintly he said Rise: dismist me
Thus with his speechlesse hand. What he would do
3080 He sent in writing after me: what he would not,
Bound with an Oath to yeeld to his conditions:
So that all hope is vaine, vnlesse his Noble Mother,
And his Wife, who (as I heare) meane to solicite him
For mercy to his Countrey: therefore let's hence,
3085 And with our faire intreaties hast them on.
Exeunt

[Act 5, Scene 2]

Enter Menenius to the Watch or Guard.

1. Wat.

3086Stay: whence are you.

2. Wat.

3087Stand, and go backe.

Me.

You guard like men, 'tis well. But by your leaue,
I am an Officer of State, & come to speak with Coriolanus

1

3090From whence?

Mene.

3091From Rome.

1

3092You may not passe, you must returne: our Generall [l. 3093] will no more heare from thence.

2

You'l see your Rome embrac'd with fire, before
3095 You'l speake with Coriolanus

Mene.

Good my Friends,
If you haue heard your Generall talke of Rome,
And of his Friends there, it is Lots to Blankes,
My name hath touch't your eares: it is Menenius.

1

3100 Be it so, go back: the vertue of your name,
Is not heere passable.

Mene.

I tell thee Fellow,
Thy Generall is my Louer: I haue beene
The booke of his good Acts, whence men haue read
3105 His Fame vnparalell'd, happely amplified:
For I haue euer verified my Friends,
(Of whom hee's cheefe) with all the size that verity
Would without lapsing suffer: Nay, sometimes,
Like to a Bowle vpon a subtle ground
3110 I haue tumbled past the throw: and in his praise
Haue (almost) stampt the Leasing. Therefore Fellow,
I must haue leaue to passe.

1

3113Faith Sir, if you had told as many lies in his behalfe, [l. 3114] as you haue vttered words in your owne, you should not [l. 3115] passe heere: no, though it were as vertuous to lye, as to [l. 3116] liue chastly. Therefore go backe.

Men.

3117Prythee fellow, remember my name is Menenius, [l. 3118] alwayes factionary on the party of your Generall.

2

3119Howsoeuer you haue bin his Lier, as you say you [l. 3120] haue, I am one that telling true vnder him, must say you [l. 3121] cannot passe. Therefore go backe.

Mene.

3122Ha's he din'd can'st thou tell? For I would not [l. 3123] speake with him, till after dinner.

1

3124You are a Roman, are you?

Mene.

3125I am as thy Generall is.

1

3126Then you should hate Rome, as he do's. Can you, [l. 3127] when you haue pusht out your gates, the very Defender [l. 3128] of them, and in a violent popular ignorance, giuen your [l. 3129] enemy your shield, thinke to front his reuenges with the [l. 3130] easie groanes of old women, the Virginall Palms of your [l. 3131] daughters, or with the palsied intercession of such a de­ [l. 3132] cay'd Dotant as you seeme to be? Can you think to blow [l. 3133] out the intended fire, your City is ready to flame in, with [l. 3134] such weake breath as this? No, you are deceiu'd, therfore [l. 3135] backe to Rome, and prepare for your execution: you are [l. 3136] condemn'd, our Generall has sworne you out of repreeue [l. 3137] and pardon.

Mene.

Sirra, if thy Captaine knew I were heere,
He would vse me with estimation.

1

3140Come, my Captaine knowes you not.

Mene.

3141I meane thy Generall.

1

3142My Generall cares not for you. Back I say, go: least [l. 3143] I let forth your halfe pinte of blood. Backe, that's the vt­ [l. 3144] most of your hauing, backe.

Mene.

3145Nay but Fellow, Fellow.

Enter Coriolanus with Auffidius.

Corio.

3146What's the matter?

Mene.

3147Now you Companion: Ile say an arrant for you: [l. 3148] you shall know now that I am in estimation: you shall [l. 3149] perceiue, that a Iacke gardant cannot office me from my [l. 3150] Son Coriolanus, guesse but my entertainment with him: if [l. 3151] thou stand'st not i'th state of hanging, or of some death [l. 3152] more long in Spectatorship, and crueller in suffering, be­ [l. 3153] hold now presently, and swoond for what's to come vpon [l. 3154] thee. The glorious Gods sit in hourely Synod about thy [l. 3155] particular prosperity, and loue thee no worse then thy old [l. 3156] Father Menenius do's. O my Son, my Son! thou art pre­ [l. 3157] paring fire for vs: looke thee, heere's water to quench it. [l. 3158] I was hardly moued to come to thee: but beeing assured [l. 3159] none but my selfe could moue thee, I haue bene blowne [l. 3160] out of your Gates with sighes: and coniure thee to par­ [l. 3161] don Rome, and thy petitionary Countrimen. The good [l. 3162] Gods asswage thy wrath, and turne the dregs of it, vpon [l. 3163] this Varlet heere: This, who like a blocke hath denyed [l. 3164] my accesse to thee.

Corio.

3165Away

Mene.

3166How? Away?

Corio.

Wife, Mother, Child, I know not. My affaires
Are Seruanted to others: Though I owe
My Reuenge properly, my remission lies
3170 In Volcean brests. That we haue beene familiar,
Ingrate forgetfulnesse shall poison rather
Then pitty: Note how much, therefore be gone.
Mine eares against your suites, are stronger then
Your gates against my force. Yet for I loued thee,
3175 Take this along, I writ it for thy sake,
And would haue sent it. Another word Menenius,
I will not heare thee speake. This man Auffidius
Was my belou'd in Rome: yet thou behold'st.

Auffid.

3179You keepe a constant temper.

Exeunt
Manet the Guard and Menenius.

1

3180Now sir, is your name Menenius?

2

'Tis a spell you see of much power:
You know the way home againe.

1

3183Do you heare how wee are shent for keeping your [l. 3184] greatnesse backe?

2

3185What cause do you thinke I haue to swoond?

Menen.

3186I neither care for th'world, nor your General: [l. 3187] for such things as you. I can scarse thinke ther's any, y'are [l. 3188] so slight. He that hath a will to die by himselfe, feares it not [p. 27] The Tragedie of Coriolanus. not from another: Let your Generall do his worst. For [l. 3189] you, bee that you are, long; and your misery increase [l. 3190] with your age. I say to you, as I was said to, Away.

Exit

1

3191A Noble Fellow I warrant him.

2

The worthy Fellow is our General. He's the Rock,
The Oake not to be winde‑shaken.
Exit Watch.

[Act 5, Scene 3]

Enter Coriolanus and Auffidius.

Corio.

We will before the walls of Rome to morrow
3195 Set downe our Hoast. My partner in this Action,
You must report to th'Volcian Lords, how plainly
I haue borne this Businesse.

Auf.

Onely their ends you haue respected,
Stopt your eares against the generall suite of Rome:
3200 Neuer admitted a priuat whisper, no not with such frends
That thought them sure of you.

Corio.

This last old man,
Whom with a crack'd heart I haue sent to Rome,
Lou'd me, aboue the measure of a Father,
3205 Nay godded me indeed. Their latest refuge
Was to send him: for whose old Loue I haue
(Though I shew'd sowrely to him) once more offer'd
The first Conditions which they did refuse,
And cannot now accept, to grace him onely,
3210 That thought he could do more: A very little
I haue yeelded too. Fresh Embasses, and Suites,
Nor from the State, nor priuate friends heereafter
Will I lend eare to. Ha? what shout is this?
Shout within
Shall I be tempted to infringe my vow
3215 In the same time 'tis made? I will not.
Enter Virgilia, Volumnia, Valeria, yong Martius,
with Attendants.
My wife comes formost, then the honour'd mould
Wherein this Trunke was fram'd, and in her hand
The Grandchilde to her blood. But out affection,
All bond and priuiledge of Nature breake;
3220 Let it be Vertuous to be Obstinate.
What is that Curt'sie worth? Or those Doues eyes,
Which can make Gods forsworne? I melt, and am not
Of stronger earth then others: my Mother bowes,
As if Olympus to a Mole‑hill should
3225 In supplication Nod: and my yong Boy
Hath an Aspect of intercession, which
Great Nature cries, Deny not. Let the Volces
Plough Rome, and harrow Italy, Ile neuer
Be such a Gosling to obey instinct; but stand
3230 As if a man were Author of himself, & knew no other kin

Virgil.

3231My Lord and Husband.

Corio.

3232These eyes are not the same I wore in Rome.

Virg.

The sorrow that deliuers vs thus chang'd,
Makes you thinke so.

Corio.

3235 Like a dull Actor now, I haue forgot my part,
And I am out, euen to a full Disgrace. Best of my Flesh,
Forgiue my Tyranny: but do not say,
For that forgiue our Romanes. O a kisse
Long as my Exile, sweet as my Reuenge!
3240 Now by the iealous Queene of Heauen, that kisse
I carried from thee deare; and my true Lippe
Hath Virgin'd it ere since. You Gods, I pray,
And the most noble Mother of the world
Leaue vnsaluted: Sinke my knee i'th'earth, Kneeles
3245 Of thy deepe duty, more impression shew
Then that of common Sonnes.

Volum.

Oh stand vp blest!
Whil'st with no softer Cushion then the Flint
I kneele before thee, and vnproperly
3250 Shew duty as mistaken, all this while,
Betweene the Childe, and Parent.

Corio.

What's this? your knees to me?
To your Corrected Sonne?
Then let the Pibbles on the hungry beach
3255 Fillop the Starres: Then, let the mutinous windes
Strike the proud Cedars 'gainst the fiery Sun:
Murd'ring Impossibility, to make
What cannot be, slight worke.

Volum.

Thou art my Warriour, I hope to frame thee
3260 Do you know this Lady?

Corio.

The Noble Sister of Publicola;
The Moone of Rome: Chaste as the Isicle
That's curdied by the Frost, from purest Snow,
And hangs on Dians Temple: Deere Valeria.

Volum.

3265 This is a poore Epitome of yours,
Which by th'interpretation of full time,
May shew like all your selfe.

Corio.

The God of Souldiers:
With the consent of supreame Ioue, informe
3270 Thy thoughts with Noblenesse, that thou mayst proue
To shame vnvulnerable, and sticke i'th Warres
Like a great Sea‑marke standing euery flaw,
And sauing those that eye thee.

Volum.

3274Your knee, Sirrah.

Corio.

3275That's my braue Boy.

Volum.

Euen he, your wife, this Ladie, and my selfe,
Are Sutors to you.

Corio.

I beseech you peace:
Or if you'ld aske, remember this before;
3280 The thing I haue forsworne to graunt, may neuer
Be held by you denials. Do not bid me
Dismisse my Soldiers, or capitulate
Againe, with Romes Mechanickes. Tell me not
Wherein I seeme vnnaturall: Desire not t'allay
3285 My Rages and Reuenges, with your colder reasons.

Volum.

Oh no more, no more:
You haue said you will not grant vs any thing:
For we haue nothing else to aske, but that
Which you deny already: yet we will aske,
3290 That if you faile in our request, the blame
May hang vpon your hardnesse, therefore heare vs.

Corio.

Auffidius, and you Volces marke, for wee'l
Heare nought from Rome in priuate. Your request?

Volum.

Should we be silent & not speak, our Raiment
3295 And state of Bodies would bewray what life
We haue led since thy Exile. Thinke with thy selfe,
How more vnfortunate then all liuing women
Are we come hither; since that thy sight, which should
Make our eies flow with ioy, harts dance with comforts,
3300 Constraines them weepe, and shake with feare & sorow,
Making the Mother, wife, and Childe to see,
The Sonne, the Husband, and the Father tearing
His Countries Bowels out; and to poore we
Thine enmities most capitall: Thou barr'st vs
3305 Our prayers to the Gods, which is a comfort
That all but we enioy. For how can we?
Alas! how can we, for our Country pray?
Whereto we are bound, together with thy victory:
Whereto we are bound: Alacke, or we must loose
3310 The Countrie our deere Nurse, or else thy person
Our comfort in the Country. We must finde
An euident Calamity, though we had
Our wish, which side should win. For either thou
Must as a Forraine Recreant be led
3315 With Manacles through our streets, or else
Triumphantly treade on thy Countries ruine,
cc2 And [p. 28] The Tragedie of Coriolanus.
And beare the Palme, for hauing brauely shed
Thy Wife and Childrens blood: For my selfe, Sonne,
I purpose not to waite on Fortune, till
3320 These warres determine: If I cannot perswade thee,
Rather to shew a Noble grace to both parts,
Then seeke the end of one; thou shalt no sooner
March to assault thy Country, then to treade
(Trust too't, thou shalt not) on thy Mothers wombe
3325 That brought thee to this world.

Virg.

I, and mine, that brought you forth this boy,
To keepe your name liuing to time.

Boy.

A shall not tread on me: Ile run away
Till I am bigger, but then Ile fight.

Corio.

3330 Not of a womans tendernesse to be,
Requires nor Childe, nor womans face to see:
I haue sate too long.

Volum.

Nay, go not from vs thus:
If it were so, that our request did tend
3335 To saue the Romanes, thereby to destroy
The Volces whom you serue, you might condemne vs
As poysonous of your Honour. No, our suite
Is that you reconcile them: While the Volces
May say, this mercy we haue shew'd: the Romanes,
3340 This we receiu'd, and each in either side
Giue the All‑haile to thee, and cry be Blest
For making vp this peace. Thou know'st (great Sonne)
The end of Warres vncertaine: but this certaine,
That if thou conquer Rome, the benefit
3345 Which thou shalt thereby reape, is such a name
Whose repetition will be dogg'd with Curses:
Whose Chronicle thus writ, The man was Noble,
But with his last Attempt, he wip'd it out:
Destroy'd his Country, and his name remaines
3350 To th'insuing Age, abhorr'd. Speake to me Son:
Thou hast affected the fiue straines of Honor,
To imitate the graces of the Gods.
To teare with Thunder the wide Cheekes a'th'Ayre,
And yet to change thy Sulphure with a Boult
3355 That should but riue an Oake. Why do'st not speake?
Think'st thou it Honourable for a Nobleman
Still to remember wrongs? Daughter, speake you:
He cares not for your weeping. Speake thou Boy,
Perhaps thy childishnesse will moue him more
3360 Then can our Reasons. There's no man in the world
More bound to's Mother, yet heere he let's me prate
Like one i'th'Stockes. Thou hast neuer in thy life,
Shew'd thy deere Mother any curtesie,
When she (poore Hen) fond of no second brood,
3365 Ha's clock'd thee to the Warres: and safelie home
Loden with Honor. Say my Request's vniust,
And spurne me backe: But, if it be not so
Thou art not honest, and the Gods will plague Thee
That thou restrain'st from me the Duty, which
3370 To a Mothers part belongs. He turnes away:
Down Ladies: let vs shame him with him with our knees
To his sur‑name Coriolanus longs more pride
Then pitty to our Prayers. Downe: an end,
This is the last. So, we will home to Rome,
3375 And dye among our Neighbours: Nay, behold's,
This Boy that cannot tell what he would haue,
But kneeles, and holds vp hands for fellowship,
Doe's reason our Petition with more strength
Then thou hast to deny't. Come, let vs go:
3380 This Fellow had a Volcean to his Mother:
His Wife is in Corioles, and his Childe
Like him by chance: yet giue vs our dispatch:
I am husht vntill our City be afire, & then Ile speak a litle
Holds her by the hand silent.

Corio.

O Mother, Mother!
3385 What haue you done? Behold, the Heauens do ope,
The Gods looke downe, and this vnnaturall Scene
They laugh at. Oh my Mother, Mother: Oh!
You haue wonne a happy Victory to Rome.
But for your Sonne, beleeue it: Oh beleeue it,
3390 Most dangerously you haue with him preuail'd,
If not most mortall to him. But let it come:
Auffidius, though I cannot make true Warres,
Ile frame conuenient peace. Now good Auffidius,
Were you in my steed, would you haue heard
3395 A Mother lesse? or granted lesse Auffidius?

Auf.

3396I was mou'd withall.

Corio.

I dare be sworne you were:
And sir, it is no little thing to make
Mine eyes to sweat compassion. But (good sir)
3400 What peace you'l make, aduise me: For my part,
Ile not to Rome, Ile backe with you, and pray you
Stand to me in this cause. Oh Mother! Wife!

Auf.

I am glad thou hast set thy mercy, & thy Honor
At difference in thee: Out of that Ile worke
3405 My selfe a former Fortune.

Corio.

I by and by; But we will drinke together:
And you shall beare
A better witnesse backe then words, which we
On like conditions, will haue Counter‑seal'd.
3410 Come enter with vs: Ladies you deserue
To haue a Temple built you: All the Swords
In Italy, and her Confederate Armes
Could not haue made this peace.
Exeunt.

[Act 5, Scene 4]

Enter Menenius and Sicinius.

Mene.

3414See you yon'd Coin a'th Capitol, yon'd corner [l. 3415] (stone?

Sicin.

3416Why what of that?

Mene.

3417If it be possible for you to displace it with your [l. 3418] little finger, there is some hope the Ladies of Rome, espe­ [l. 3419] cially his Mother, may preuaile with him. But I say, there [l. 3420] is no hope in't, our throats are sentenc'd, and stay vppon [l. 3421] execution.

Sicin.

3422Is't possible, that so short a time can alter the [l. 3423] condition of a man.

Mene.

3424There is differency between a Grub & a But­ [l. 3425] terfly, yet your Butterfly was a Grub: this Martius, is [l. 3426] growne from Man to Dragon: He has wings, hee's more [l. 3427] then a creeping thing.

Sicin.

3428He lou'd his Mother deerely.

Mene.

3429So did he mee: and he no more remembers his [l. 3430] Mother now, then an eight yeare old horse. The tartnesse [l. 3431] of his face, sowres ripe Grapes. When he walks, he moues [l. 3432] like an Engine, and the ground shrinkes before his Trea­ [l. 3433] ding. He is able to pierce a Corslet with his eye: Talkes [l. 3434] like a knell, and his hum is a Battery. He sits in his State, [l. 3435] as a thing made for Alexander. What he bids bee done, is [l. 3436] finisht with his bidding. He wants nothing of a God but [l. 3437] Eternity, and a Heauen to Throne in.

Sicin.

3438Yes, mercy, if you report him truly.

Mene.

3439I paint him in the Character. Mark what mer­ [l. 3440] cy his Mother shall bring from him: There is no more [l. 3441] mercy in him, then there is milke in a male‑Tyger, that [l. 3442] shall our poore City finde: and all this is long of you.

Sicin.

3443The Gods be good vnto vs.

Mene.

3444No, in such a case the Gods will not bee good [l. 3445] vnto vs. When we banish'd him, we respected not them: [l. 3446] and he returning to breake our necks, they respect not vs.

Enter a Messenger.
Mess. [p. 29] The Tragedie of Coriolanus.

Mes.

Sir, if you'ld saue your life, flye to your House,
The Plebeians haue got your Fellow Tribune,
And hale him vp and downe; all swearing, if
3450 The Romane Ladies bring not comfort home
They'l giue him death by Inches.
Enter another Messenger.

Sicin.

3452What's the Newes?

Mess.

Good Newes, good newes, the Ladies haue
(preuayl'd,
The Volcians are dislodg'd, and Martius gone:
3455 A merrier day did neuer yet greet Rome,
No, not th'expulsion of the Tarquins.

Sicin.

Friend, art thou certaine this is true?
Is't most certaine.

Mes.

As certaine as I know the Sun is fire:
3460 Where haue you lurk'd that you make doubt of it:
Ne're through an Arch so hurried the blowne Tide,
As the recomforted through th'gates. Why harke you:
Trumpets, Hoboyes, Drums beate, altogether.
The Trumpets, Sack‑buts, Psalteries, and Fifes,
Tabors, and Symboles, and the showting Romans,
3465 Make the Sunne dance. Hearke you.
A shout within

Mene.

This is good Newes:
I will go meete the Ladies. This Volumnia,
Is worth of Consuls, Senators, Patricians,
A City full: Of Tribunes such as you,
3470 A Sea and Land full: you haue pray'd well to day:
This Morning, for ten thousand of your throates,
I'de not haue giuen a doit. Harke, how they ioy.
Sound still with the Shouts.

Sicin.

First, the Gods blesse you for your tydings:
Next, accept my thankefulnesse.

Mess.

3475Sir, we haue all great cause to giue great thanks.

Sicin.

3476They are neere the City.

Mes.

3477Almost at point to enter.

Sicin.

3478Wee'l meet them, and helpe the ioy.

Exeunt.

[Act 5, Scene 5]

Enter two Senators, with Ladies, passing ouer
the Stage, with other Lords.

Sena.

Behold our Patronnesse, the life of Rome:
3480 Call all your Tribes together, praise the Gods,
And make triumphant fires, strew Flowers before them:
Vnshoot the noise that Banish'd Martius;
Repeale him, with the welcome of his Mother:
Cry welcome Ladies, welcome.

All.

3485Welcome Ladies, welcome.

A Flourish with Drummes & Trumpets.

[Act 5, Scene 6]

Enter Tullus Auffidius, with Attendants.

Auf.

Go tell the Lords a'th'City, I am heere:
Deliuer them this Paper: hauing read it,
Bid them repayre to th'Market place, where I
Euen in theirs, and in the Commons eares
3490 Will vouch the truth of it. Him I accuse:
The City Ports by this hath enter'd, and
Intends t'appeare before the People, hoping
To purge himselfe with words. Dispatch.
Enter 3 or 4 Conspirators of Auffidius Faction.

Most Welcome.

1. Con.

3494How is it with our Generall?

Auf.

3495Euen so, as with a man by his owne Almes im­ [l. 3496] poyson'd, and with his Charity slaine.

2. Con.

Most Noble Sir, If you do hold the same intent
Wherein you wisht vs parties: Wee'l deliuer you
Of your great danger.

Auf.

3500 Sir, I cannot tell,
We must proceed as we do finde the People.

3. Con.

The People will remaine vncertaine, whil'st
'Twixt you there's difference: but the fall of either
Makes the Suruiuor heyre of all.

Auf.

3505 I know it:
And my pretext to strike at him, admits
A good construction. I rais'd him, and I pawn'd
Mine Honor for his truth: who being so heighten'd,
He watered his new Plants with dewes of Flattery,
3510 Seducing so my Friends: and to this end,
He bow'd his Nature, neuer knowne before,
But to be rough, vnswayable, and free.

3. Consp.

Sir, his stoutnesse
When he did stand for Consull, which he lost
3515 By lacke of stooping.

Auf.

That I would haue spoke of:
Being banish'd for't, he came vnto my Harth,
Presented to my knife his Throat: I tooke him,
Made him ioynt‑seruant with me: Gaue him way
3520 In all his owne desires: Nay, let him choose
Out of my Files, his proiects, to accomplish
My best and freshest men, seru'd his designements
In mine owne person: holpe to reape the Fame
Which he did end all his; and tooke some pride
3525 To do my selfe this wrong: Till at the last
I seem'd his Follower, not Partner; and
He wadg'd me with his Countenance, as if
I had bin Mercenary.

1. Con.

So he did my Lord:
3530 The Army marueyl'd at it, and in the last,
When he had carried Rome, and that we look'd
For no lesse Spoile, then Glory.

Auf.

There was it:
For which my sinewes shall be stretcht vpon him,
3535 At a few drops of Womens rhewme, which are
As cheape as Lies; he sold the Blood and Labour
Of our great Action; therefore shall he dye,
And Ile renew me in his fall. But hearke.
Drummes and Trumpets sounds, with great
showts of the people.

1. Con.

Your Natiue Towne you enter'd like a Poste,
3540 And had no welcomes home, but he returnes
Splitting the Ayre with noyse.

2. Con.

And patient Fooles,
Whose children he hath slaine, their base throats teare
With giuing him glory.

3. Con.

3545 Therefore at your vantage,
Ere he expresse himselfe, or moue the people
With what he would say, let him feele your Sword:
Which we will second, when he lies along
After your way. His Tale pronounc'd, shall bury
3550 His Reasons, with his Body.

Auf.

3551Say no more. Heere come the Lords,

Enter the Lords of the City.

All Lords.

3552You are most welcome home.

Auff.

I haue not deseru'd it.
But worthy Lords, haue you with heede perused
3555 What I haue written to you?

All.

3556We haue.

1. Lord.

And greeue to heare't:
What faults he made before the last, I thinke
Might haue found easie Fines: But there to end
3560 Where he was to begin, and giue away
The benefit of our Leuies, answering vs
With our owne charge: making a Treatie, where
There was a yeelding; this admits no excuse.
cc3 Auf. [p. 30] The Tragedie of Coriolanus.

Auf.

3564He approaches, you shall heare him.

Enter Coriolanus marching with Drumme, and Colours. The
Commoners being with him.

Corio.

3565 Haile Lords, I am return'd your Souldier:
No more infected with my Countries loue
Then when I parted hence: but still subsisting
Vnder your great Command. You are to know,
That prosperously I haue attempted, and
3570 With bloody passage led your Warres, euen to
The gates of Rome: Our spoiles we haue brought home
Doth more then counterpoize a full third part
The charges of the Action. We haue made peace
With no lesse Honor to the Antiates
3575 Then shame to th'Romaines. And we heere deliuer
Subscrib'd by'th'Consuls, and Patricians,
Together with the Seale a'th Senat, what
We haue compounded on.

Auf.

Read it not Noble Lords,
3580 But tell the Traitor in the highest degree
He hath abus'd your Powers.

Corio.

3582Traitor? How now?

Auf.

3583I Traitor, Martius.

Corio.

3584Martius?

Auf.

3585 I Martius, Caius Martius: Do'st thou thinke
Ile grace thee with that Robbery, thy stolne name
Coriolanus in Corioles?
You Lords and Heads a'th'State, perfidiously
He ha's betray'd your businesse, and giuen vp
3590 For certaine drops of Salt, your City Rome:
I say your City to his Wife and Mother,
Breaking his Oath and Resolution, like
A twist of rotten Silke, neuer admitting
Counsaile a'th'warre: But at his Nurses teares
3595 He whin'd and roar'd away your Victory,
That Pages blush'd at him, and men of heart
Look'd wond'ring each at others.

Corio.

3598Hear'st thou Mars?

Auf.

3599Name not the God, thou boy of Teares.

Corio.

3600Ha?

Aufid.

3601No more.

Corio.

Measurelesse Lyar, thou hast made my heart
Too great for what containes it. Boy? Oh Slaue,
Pardon me Lords, 'tis the first time that euer
3605 I was forc'd to scoul'd. Your iudgments my graue Lords
Must giue this Curre the Lye: and his owne Notion,
Who weares my stripes imprest vpon him, that
Must beare my beating to his Graue, shall ioyne
To thrust the Lye vnto him.

1 Lord.

3610Peace both, and heare me speake.

Corio.

Cut me to peeces Volces men and Lads,
Staine all your edges on me. Boy, false Hound:
If you haue writ your Annales true, 'tis there,
That like an Eagle in a Doue‑coat, I
3615 Flatter'd your Volcians in Corioles.
Alone I did it, Boy.

Auf.

Why Noble Lords,
Will you be put in minde of his blinde Fortune,
Which was your shame, by this vnholy Braggart?
3620 'Fore your owne eyes, and eares?

All Consp.

3621Let him dye for't.

All People.

Teare him to peeces, do it presently:
He kill'd my Sonne, my daughter, he kill'd my Cosine
Marcus, he kill'd my Father.

2 Lord.

3625 Peace hoe: no outrage, peace:
The man is Noble, and his Fame folds in
This Orbe o'th'earth: His last offences to vs
Shall haue Iudicious hearing. Stand Auffidius,
And trouble not the peace.

Corio.

3630 O that I had him, with six Auffidiusses, or more:
His Tribe, to vse my lawfull Sword.

Auf.

3632Insolent Villaine.

All Consp.

Kill, kill, kill, kill, kill him.
Draw both the Conspirators, and kils Martius, who
falles, Auffidius stands on him.

Lords.

3634Hold, hold, hold, hold.

Auf.

3635My Noble Masters, heare me speake.

1. Lord.

3636O Tullus.

2. Lord.

Thou hast done a deed, whereat
Valour will weepe.

3. Lord.

Tread not vpon him Masters, all be quiet,
3640 Put vp your Swords.

Auf.

My Lords,
When you shall know (as in this Rage
Prouok'd by him, you cannot) the great danger
Which this mans life did owe you, you'l reioyce
3645 That he is thus cut off. Please it your Honours
To call me to your Senate, Ile deliuer
My selfe your loyall Seruant, or endure
Your heauiest Censure.

1. Lord.

Beare from hence his body,
3650 And mourne you for him. Let him be regarded
As the most Noble Coarse, that euer Herald
Did follow to his Vrne.

2. Lord.

His owne impatience,
Takes from Auffidius a great part of blame:
3655 Let's make the Best of it.

Auf.

My Rage is gone,
And I am strucke with sorrow. Take him vp:
Helpe three a'th'cheefest Souldiers, Ile be one.
Beate thou the Drumme that it speake mournfully:
3660 Traile your steele Pikes. Though in this City hee
Hath widdowed and vnchilded many a one,
Which to this houre bewaile the Iniury,
Yet he shall haue a Noble Memory. Assist.
Exeunt bearing the Body of Martius. A dead March
Sounded.

FINIS.