The second name of men, obeys his points Men. Here come the clusters.. If he should burn us all into one coal, Cit. 'Faith, we hear fearful news. 1 Cit. For mine own part, When I said, banish him, I said, 'twas pity. 2 Cit. And so did I. 3 Cit. And so did I; and, to say the truth, so did very many of us; that we did, we did for the best and though we willingly consented to his banishment, yet it was against our will. Com. You are goodly things, you voices! Men. You have made [Capitol? Good work, you and your cry!-Shall us to the Com. O, ay; what else? [exeunt Com. and Men. Sic. Go, masters, get you home, be not dismay'd; These are a side, that would be glad to have This true, which they so seem to fear. And show no sign of fear. Go home, 1 Cit. The gods be good to us! Come, masters, let's home. I ever said, we were i'the wrong, when we banished him. 2 Cit. So did we all. But come, let's home. [exeunt Citizens. Bru. I do not like this news. Sic. Nor I. Bru. Let's to the Capitol.-'would, half my Would buy this for a lie! [wealth [exeunt. Sic. Pray, let us go. Of our design. He bears himself more proudlier Lieu. Yet I wish, sir, (I mean for your particular), you had not Auf. I understand thee well; and be thou sure, Lieu. Sir, I beseech you, think you he'll carry Auf. All places yield to him ere he sits down, And the nobility of Rome are his : The senators and patricians love him too: One fire drives out one fire; one nail one nail; Rights by rights fouler, strengths by strengths, do fail. Come, let's away. When, Caius, Rome is thine, Thou art poor'st of all; then shortly art thou mine. [cxeunt. ACT. V. SCENE I. ROME. A PUBLIC PLACE. Enter Menenius, Cominius, Sicinius, Brutus, and others. Men. No, I'll not go: you hear what he hath said, Which was sometime his general; who lov'd him In a most dear particular. He call'd me, father; But what o'that? Go, you that banish'd him, A mile before his tent fall down, and kneel The way into his mercy: nay, if he coy'd To hear Cominius speak, I'll keep at home. Com. He would not seem to know me. Com. Yet one time he did call me by my name: Men. Why, so; you have made good work: F A pair or tribunes that have rack'd for Rome, Com. I minded him, how royal 'twas to pardon, To one whom they had punish'd. Men. Very well: Could he say less? Com. I offer'd to awaken his regard For his private friends. He could not stay to pick Of noisome, musty chaff. His answer to me was, them in a pile He said 'twas folly, For one poor grain or two, to leave unburnt, Men. For one poor grain Or two? I am one of those; his mother, wife, Men. No; I'll not meddle. [aid I think he'll hear me. Yet to bite his lip, Till he be dieted to my request, Bru. You know the very road into his kindness, And cannot lose your way. [ledge Men. Good faith, I'll prove him, Com. He'll never hear him. [exit. Com. I tell you, he does sit in gold, his eye Red as 'twould burn Rome; and his injury The gaoler to his pity. I kneel'd before him: Twas very faintly he said, Rise; dismiss'd me Thus, with his speechless hand: what he would do, He sent in writing after me; what he would not, Bound to yield to h to his conditions:" so, that with an oath, to hope is vain, Men. I tell thee, fellow, Thy general is my lover: I have been [name The book of his good acts, whence men have read (Of whom he's chief,) with all the size that verity Would without lapsing suffer: nay, sometimes, Like to a bowl upon a subtle ground, I have tumbled past the throw; and in his praise Have, almost, stamp'd the leasing: therefore, fellow, I must have leave to pass. 1 Guard. 'Faith, sir, if you had told as many lies in his behalf, as you have uttered words in your own, you should not pass here: no, though it were as virtuous to lie, as to live chastely Therefore, go back. Men. Pr'ythee, fellow, remember my name is Menenius, always factionary on the party of your general. 2 Guard. Howsoever you have been his liar (as you say, you have,) I am one that, telling true under him, must say, you cannot pass. Therefore, go back. Men. Has he dined, canst thou tell? for I would not speak with him till after dinner. 1 Guard. You are a Roman, are you! Men. I am as thy general is. 1 Guard. Then you should hate Rome, as he does. Can you, when you have pushed out your gates the very defender of them, and, in a violent popular ignorance, given your enemy your shield, think to front his revenges with the easy groans of old women, the virginal palms of your daughters, or with the palsied intercession of such a decayed dotant as you seem to be? Can you think to blow out the intended fire your city is ready to flame in, with such weak breath as this? No, you are deceived; therefore, back to Rome, and prepare for your execution: you are condemned, our general bas sworn you out of reprieve and pardon. Men. Sirrah, if thy captain knew I were here, he would use me with estimation. 2 Guard. Come, my captain knows you not. Men. I mean, thy general, bum out of 1 Guard. My general cares not for you. Back, I say, go, lest I let forth your half pint of blood; -back, that's the utmost of your having:-back. Men. Nay, but fellow, fellow. Enter Coriolanus and Aufidius. Cor. What's the matter? Men. Now, you companion, I'll say an errand for you; you shall know now, that I am in estimation; you shall perceive that a Jack guardant cannot office me from my son Coriolanus: guess, but by my entertainment with him, if thou stand'st not i'the state of hanging, or of some death more long in spectatorship, and crueller in suffering; behold now presently, and swoon for what's to come upon thee. The glorious gods sit in hourly synod about thy particular prosperity, and love thee no worse than thy old father Menenius does! O, my son! my son! thou art preparing fire for us; look thee, here's water to quench it. I was hardly moved to come to thee; but, being assured none but myself could move thee, I have been blown out of your gates with sighs; and conjure thee to pardon Rome, and thy petitionary countrymen. The good gods assuage thy wrath, and turn the dregs of it upon this varlet here; this, who, like a block, hath denied my access to thee. Cor. Away! Men. How! away? My [affairs Cor. Wife, mother, child, I know not. Are servanted to others: though I owe My revenge properly, my remission lies In Volcian breasts. That we have been familiar, Ingrate forgetfulness shall poison, rather Than pity note how much.-Therefore, be gone. Mine ears against your suits are stronger, than Your gates against my force. Yet, for I loy'd thee, Take this along; I writ it for thy sake, [gives a letter, And would have sent it. Another word, Menenius, I will not hear thee speak.-This man, Aufidius, Was my belov'd in Rome: yet thou behold'stAuf. You keep a constant temper. [exeunt Coriolanus and Aufidius. 1 Guard. Now, sir, is your name Menenius? 2 Guard. 'Tis a spell, you see, of much power: you know the way home again. " 1 Guard. Do you hear how we are shent for keeping your greatness back? [swoon? 2 Guard. What cause, do you think, I have to Men. I neither care for the world, nor your general: for such things as you, I can scarce think there's any, you are so slight. He that hath a will to die by himself, fears it not from another. Let your general do his worst. For you, be that vou are, long; and your misery increase with your age! I say to you, as I was said to, Away! 1 Guard. A noble fellow, I warrant him. 2 Guard. The worthy fellow is our general is the rock, the oak not to be wind-shaken. he SCENE III. THE TENT OF CORIOLANUS, und Enter Coriolanus, Aufidius, and others Cor. We will before the walls of Rome to-morrow Set down our host. My partner in this action, You must report to the Volcian ords, how plainly You have respected; stopp'd your ears against Cor. This last old man, Whom with a crack'd heart I have sent to Rome, Shall I be tempted to infringe my vow I have forgot my part, and I am out, Vol. O, stand up bless'd! Whilst, with no softer cushion than the flint, Cor. What is this?, Your knees to me? to your corrected son? Then let the pebbles on the hungry beach [Freela Filip the stars; then let the mutinous winds Vol. Thou art my warrior; I holp to frame thee. Do you know this lady? Cor. The god of soldiers, With the consent of supreme Jove, inform Vol. Your knee, sirrah. Cor. That's my brave boy. Vol. Nay, go not from us thus. Vol. Even he, your wife, this lady, and myself, May say, 'this mercy we have show'd ;' the Romans, Are suitors to you. Cor. I beseech you, peace: Or, if you'd ask, remember this before; The things, I have forsworn to grant, may never Vol. O, no more, no more! should You have said, you will not grant us any thing; This we receiv'd;' and each in either side To tear with thunder the wide cheeks o'the air, More bound to his mother; yet here he lets me Like one i'the stocks. Thou hast never in thy life Show'd thy dear mother any courtesy; When she, (poor hen!) fond of no second brood, Has cluck'd thee to the wars, and safely home, Loaden with honour. Say, my request's unjust, And spurn me back: 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 To a mother's part belongs. He turns away :— Down, ladies; let us shame him with our knees. To his surname, Coriolanus, 'longs more pride, Than pity to our prayers. Down; and end;— This is the last;-so we will home to Rome, [us:And die among our neighbours.-Nay, behold This boy, that cannot tell what he would have, Our wish, which side should win: for either thou But kneels, and holds up hands for fellowship, Must, as a foreign recreant, be led With manacles thorough our streets, or else Does reason our petition with more strength I am hush'd until our city be afire, And then I'll speak a little, Cor. O, mother, mother! [holding Volumnia by the hands, silent. What have you done? Behold, the heavens do ope, The gods look down, and this unnatural scene They laugh at. O, my mother, mother! O! You have won a happy victory to Rome: But, for your son,-believe it, O, believe it, Most dangerously you have with him prevail'd, If not most mortal to him. But, let it come:Aufidius, though I cannot make true wars, I'll frame convenient peace. Now, good Aufidius, Were you in my stead, say, would you have heard A mother less? or granted less, Aufidius? Auf. I was mov'd withal. Cor. I dare be sworn, you were: And, sir, it is no little thing, to make Mine eyes to sweat compassion. But, good sir, What peace you'll make, advise me: for my part, I'll not to Rome, I'll back with you; and, pray you, Stand to me in this cause.- -O, mother! wife! Auf. I am glad, thou hast set thy mercy and thy honour At difference in thee!-out of that I'll work [aside. SCENE IV. ROME. A PUBLIC PLACE. Enter Menenius and Sicinius. male tiger; that shall our poor city find: and all this is 'long of you. Sic. The gods be good unto us! Men. No, in such a case the gods will not be good unto us. When we banished him, we respected not them; and, he returning to break our necks, they respect not us. Enter a Messenger. Mess. Sir, if you'd save your life, fly to your The plebeians have got your fellow-tribune, [house: And hale him up and down; all swearing, if The Roman ladies bring not comfort home, They'll give him death by inches. Enter another Messenger. Sic. What's the news? [prevail'd Mess. Good news, good news;-the ladies hav The Volces are dislodg'd, and Marcius gone : A merrier day did never yet greet Rome, No, not the expulsion of the Tarquins. Sic. Friend, Art thou certain this is true? is it most certain? Mess. As certain as I know the sun is fire: Where have you lurk'd, that you make doubt of it? Ne'er through an arch so hurried the blown tide, As the recomforted through the gates. Why, hark you; [trumpets and hautboys sounded, and drums beaten, all together: shouting also within. The trumpets, sackbuts, psalteries, and fifes, Tabors, and cymbals, and the shouting Romans, Make the sun dance. Hark you! [shouting again. Men. This is good news: I will go meet the ladies. This Volumnia A sea and land full: you have pray'd well to-day; Men. See you yond' coign o'the Capitol: yond' I'd not have given a doit. Hark, how they joy! corner-stone? Sic. Why, what of that? Men. If it be possible for you to displace it with your little finger, there is some hope the ladies of Rome, especially his mother, may prevail with him. But, I say, there is no hope in't; our throats ere sentenc'd, and stay upon execution. Sic. Is't possible, that so short a time can alter the condition of man? Men. There is differency between a grub, and a butterfly; yet your butterfly was a grub. This Marcius is grown from man to dragon: he has wings; he's more than a creep thing. Sic. He loved his mother dearly. Men. So did he me: and he no more remembers his mother now, than an eight-year old horse. The tartness of his face sour ripe grapes. When he walks, he moves like an engine, and the ground shrinks before his treading. He is able to pierce a corslet with his eye; talks like a knell, and his hum is a battery. He sits in his state, as a thing made for Alexander. What he bids be done, is finished with his bidding. He wants nothing of a god but eternity, and a heaven to throne in. Sic. Yes, mercy, if you report him truly. Men. I paint him in the character. Mark what mercy his mother shall bring from him: there is no more mercy in him, than there is milk in a [shouting and music. Sic. First, the gods bless you for your tidings: Accept my thankfulness. [next, Mess. Sir, we have all And help the joy. [going. Enter the Ladies, accompanied by Senators, Patricians, and people. They pass over the stage. 1 Sen. Behold our patroness, the life of Rome Call all your tribes together, praise the gods, And make triumphant fires; strew flowers before Unshout the noise that banish'd Marcius: [them: Repeal him with the welcome of his mother Cry,-welcome, ladies, welcome! All. Welcome, ladies! Welcome! [a flourish with drums and trumpets; exeunt. SCENE V. ANTIUM. A PUBLIC PLACE. Enter Tullus Aufidius, with Attendants. Auf. Go, tell the lords of the city, I am here: Deliver them this paper: having read it, Bid them repair to the market-place; where L Even in theirs and in the commons' ears, Will vouch the truth of it. Him I accuse, The city ports by this hath enter'd, and |