T^t^HAy^^^V^ S- / /V^t^ H^h^^L"^ AuFiDius : '* I know thee not. Thy name ? " CoRiOLANUs : " My name is Caius Marcius " CoRioLANUS Aci IV Scene 5 iHooklovers Ecfi?!;ion "''^"^ ^oriolaryus V 2flllian\S}\al^spGarG VlTi^T^ I r^ ro cTu c ^ i o rxs, «^/^otGs, Glossary, Critical ^on\rT\Gi\jts, arycf ./i^e^Kocf of Stucfy Copyright, 1901 By THE UNIVERSITY SOCIETY COLLEG LIBRAm A I THE TRAGEDY OF CORIOLANUS. \^,o ^ Preface. The First Edition. Coriolamis was first published in the Folio of 1623, where it was originally placed at the head of the division of *' Tragedies," occupying pages i- 30; subsequently, howxver, Troiliis and Cressida was placed before it. The text of the play is extremely un- satisfactory, due to the careless transcript put into the printers' hands. The play is mentioned in the Stationers' Registers, under date of Nov. 8, 1623, as one of sixteen plays not previously entered to other men. The Date of Composition. There is no definite ex- ternal evidence for the date of Corioloiins •/" general con- siderations of style, diction, and metrical tests f point to 1608-1610 as the most probable years, and justify us in * The reference to the "ripest mulberry" (III. ii. 79) was thought by Malone and Chalmers to bear on the date ; for in 1609 the King made an attempt to encourage the breeding of silk- vvorms. Similarly, Chahners found in the references to famine and death allusions to the year 1609. Political allusions have also been found. All these doubtful pieces of evidence 'seem utterly valueless. t The light-endings and weak-endings, scanty in all the previous plays (the largest number being 21 of the former, and 2 of the latter, in Macbeth), reach the number of 71 and 28, respectively, in Antony; 60 and 44 in Coriolamis; 78 and 52 in Cymbeline; 42 and 25 in The Tempest; 57 and 43 in The Winters Talc. All these are plays of Shakespeare's Fourth, or last, Period. Preface THE TRAGEDY OF placing it next to Antony and Cleopatra, closely con- nected with it by consideration of subject and source. The Source of the Plot. Coriolamis was directly de- rived from Sir Thomas North's famous version of Plu- tarch's ''Lives of the Noble Grecians and Romans," the book to which Shakespeare was indebted also for his Julius Ccesar, Antony and Cleopatra, and, to some extent, for Timon of Athens, and which has been fittingly de- scribed as *' most sovereign in its dominion over the minds of great men in all ages." North's monumental version is one of the masterpieces of Enghsh prose, and no better proof exists than a comparison of the play with its original. Shakespeare has borrowed North's very vocabulary, and many of his most striking effects ; so closely does he follow the whole history that North's prose may actually assist in restoring a defective passage ; e.g. in Act II. Sc. iii. 11. 251-253 the foHo reads: — " And Nobly nam'd, so twice being Censor Was his great Ancestor : " the lines are obviously corrupt, owing to the loss of some words, or of a whole line ; the passage is adequately re- stored simply by " following Shakespeare's practice of taking so many of North's words in their order, as would fall into blank verse," and there is Httle doubt that it should be printed thus : — " [And Censorinus that was so siirnamed,] And nobly named so, tzvice being Censor; " the words given in italics are those taken from North. As an instance of the closeness of the play to its original the following lines afford an excellent illustration : — " Should we be silent and not speak, our raiment And state of bodies would bewray what life We have led since thy exile. Think with thyself How more unfortunte than all living women Are we come hither: " CORIOLANUS Preface Shakespeare has here merely touched with the magic of his genius these words of North : — " If we held our peace (my son) and determined 7wt to speak the state of our poor bodies, and present sight of oitr raiment zcoiild easily bewray to thee zi'Jiat life zve have led at home, since thy exile and abode abroad. But think how zvith thyself, hozv much more unfortunately'^ than all the zvomen lizing zve are come hither." The same correspondence is found in the other great speech of the play ; " the two speeches," as Mr. George Wyndham excellently observes, " dressed the one in perfect prose, the other in perfect verse, are both essentially the same under their faintly yet magically varied raiment." The literary history of North's book is briefly sum- marised on its title-page : — " The Lives of the Noble Grecians and Romans, compared together by that grave learned philosopher and historiographer, Plutarke of Ch^ronia, translated out of Greek into French by Tames Amyot, Abbot of Bellozane, Bishop of Auxerre, one of the King's Privy Council, and great Amner of France, and out of French into English by Thomas North. 1579." *" Unfortunately" in the editions of 1579, 1595, 1603; but "un- fortunate" in the 1612 edition; hence some scholars argue that Shakespeare must have used the late edition, and that the play- must therefore be dated 1612 or after ; the argument may, how- ever, be used the other way round ; the emendation in the 1612 edition of North may have been, and probably was, derived from Shakespeare's text. In this connection it is worth while noting that there is a copy of the 1612 edition of North's Plutarch in the Greenock Library, with the initials " W. S." In the first place, it is not certain that the signature is genuine : in the second, if it were proved to be Shakespeare's, it would merely seem that Shakespeare possessed this late edition of the work. Julius Ccesar is sufficient evidence that he possessed a copy of one of the early editions. It happens that in the Greenock copy there are some suggestive notes in the Life of Julius Ccesar. and these seem to me to tell against the gen- uineness of the initials on the fly-leaf. Vide Skeat's "Shake- speare's Plutarch," Introduction. Preface THE TRAGEDY OF A worthy tribute to North's memory is the noble edi- tion of his work, now in course of pubhcation, in the '* Tudor Translation Series," issued by Mr. Nutt, with an introductory study of rare excellence by Mr. Wynd- ham ; his dedicatory words should be remembered : — " This transfiguration in Unfading English of an immortal book."" Duration of Action. The time of this play is eleven days represented on the stage with intervals, arranged as follows : — Day I, Act I. Sc. i. Interval. Day 2, Act I. Sc. ii. Interval. Day 3, Act I. Sc. iii. to x. Interval. Day 4, Act II. Sc. i. Interval. Day 5, Act II. Sc. ii. to Act IV. Sc. ii. Day 6, Act IV. Sc. iii. Day 7, Act IV. Sc. iv. and V. Interval. Day 8, Act IV. Sc. vi. Interval. Day 9, Act IV. Sc. vii. Interval. Day 10, Act V. Sc. i.-v. In- terval. Day II, Act V. Sc. vi. The actual Historical time represented in this play " comprehends a period of about four years, commencing with the secession to the Mons Sacer in the year of Rome 262, and ending with the death of Coriolanus, a. u. c. 266" {vide Nezv Shak. Soc. Transactions, 1877). CORIOLANUS Critical Comments. I. Argument. I. After the expulsion of the Tarquins from Rome en- sues a famine, which is reHeved by a free distribution of corn. This allowance encourages the plebeians to make further demands upon the patricians, from whom they ask corn henceforth at their own price. As a concession, five tribunes elected by themselves are allowed to represent them — two* of whom, Sicinius Velutus and Junius Brutus, are demagogues, and, therefore, opposed to Caius Mar- cius, a high-minded nobleman, who will not curry favour with the populace. Naturally Marcius is unpopular, in spite of a splendid military record; but war breaking out at this time with the Volscians, he is enabled to re- gain popular favour and win fresh glory. He does such heroic deeds at Corioli that the two other generals and all the army enthusiastically greet him with the title of Coriolanus. II. A triumph is accorded Coriolanus on his return to Rome ; and the senate elects him consul. It is necessary, however, that he should also have the " voice of the peo- ple " through open solicitation. To the proud, reserved man the task is a hard one, and his overtures to the citi- zens are made so aw:kwardly, that although he is pri- vately given their voice, they are discontented, and it needs only the influence of Sicinius and Brutus to cause them to repent their decision. III. W'hen it comes to the open choice of Coriolanus for consul the fickle people disavow him. His ire is Comments THE TRAGEDY OF aroused, causing him to make vehement statements against the popular rights. The utterances are gladly seized upon and made use of by the two tribunes, who condemn him to exile, by decree of the people. IV. Deeply wounded at the ingratitude, and thirsting for revenge, Coriolanus goes to Antium where his Vol- scian foe, Tullus Aufidius, dwells. He makes peace with that general, who is delighted to acquire the aid of the stoutest arm in Italy just at a time when a new campaign against the Romans is being planned, though he soon after begins to dread Coriolanus's power. The expedi- tion proceeds against Rome, to the utter dismay of the tribunes and their adherents. V. The Roman forces being powerless to cope with the invasion, send peaceful embassies to Coriolanus, now encamped with Aufidius near the capital city. Though Coriolanus's stanchest friends are sent to him, he remains obdurate until his well-beloved mother and his wife come to make powerful entreaty. He cannot withstand their prayers, and raises the siege without striking a blow. The Volscian army returns to Antium. Coriolanus attempts to justify his conduct to the lords of the city, and doubtless would have succeeded on ac- count of his numerous conquests, had not Aufidius used his final action before Rome for a text to charge him with treachery. In the ensuing dispute some conspira- tors hired by Aufidius assassinate Coriolanus. McSpadden : Shakespearian Synopses. II. Coriolanus— His Strength and His Weakness. A haughty and passionate feeling, a superb egotism, are with Coriolanus the sources of weakness and of strength. The tragic study of the play is not that of patricians with plebeians but of Coriolanus with his own 6 CORIOLANUS Comments self. It is not the Roman people who bring about his destruction; it is the patrician haughtiness and passion- ate self-will of Coriolanus himself. Were the contest of political parties the chief interest of Shakspere's drama, the figures of the tribunes must have been drawn upon a larger scale. They would have been endowed with something more than " foxship." As representatives of a great principle, or of a power constantly tending in one direction, they might have appeared worthy rivals of the leaders of the patrician party; and the fall of Coriolanus would be signalized by some conquest and advance of the tide of popular power. Shakspere's drama is the drama of individuaHty, including under this name all those bonds of duty and of affection which attach man to his fellow man, but not impersonal principles and ideas. The passion of patriotism, high-toned and enthu- siastic, stands with Shakspere instead of general polit- ical principles and ideas; and the life of the individual is widened and elevated by the national life, to which the in- dividual surrenders himself with gladness and with pride. The pride of Coriolanus is, however, not that which comes from self-surrender to and union with some power or person or principle higher than one's self. It is two- fold — a passionate self-esteem which is essentially egois- tic, and, secondly, a passionate prejudice of class. His nature is the reverse of cold and selfish; his sympathies are deep, warm, and generous; but a line, hard and fast, has been drawn for him by the aristocratic tradition, and it is only within that line that he permits his sympathies to play. To the surprise of the tribunes, he can accept, well pleased, a subordinate command under Cominius. He yields with kindly condescension to accept the devo- tion and fidelity of Menenius, and cherishes towards the old man a filial regard — the feeling of a son who has the consciousness that he is greater than his father. He must dismiss Menenius disappointed ^rom the Volscian camp; but he contrives an innocent fraud by means of which the old senator will fancv that he has effected Comments THE TRAGEDY OF more for the peace of Rome than another could. For Virgiha, the gentle woman in whom his heart finds rest, Coriolanus has a manly tenderness and constant fresh- ness of adhesion: — " O, a kiss Long as my exile, sweet as my revenge ! Now, by the jealous queen of heaven, that kiss I carried from thee, dear ; and my true lip Hath virgin'd it e'er since ! " The weakness, the inconstancy, and the inca- pacity of apprehending facts which are the vices of the people, reflect and repeat themselves in the great patrician ; his aristocratic vices counterbalance their plebeian. He is rigid and obstinate; but under the influence of an angry egoism he can renounce his principles, his party, and his native city. He will not bear away to his private use the paltry booty of the Volsces ; but to obtain the con- sulship he is urged by his proud mother and his patrician friends to stand bareheaded before the mob, to expose his wounds, to sue for their votes, to give his heart the lie, to bend the knee like a beggar asking an alms. The judgement and blood of Coriolanus are ill commingled; he desires the end, but can only half submit to the means which are necessary to attain that end; he has not suffi- cient self-control to enable him to dispose of those chances of which he is lord. And so he mars his fortune. The pride of Coriolanus, as Mr. Hudson has observed, is " rendered altogether inflammable and uncontrollable by passion ; insomuch that if a spark of provocation is struck into the latter, the former instantly flames up be- yond measure, and sweeps away all the regards of pru- dence, of decorum, and even of common sense." Now, such passion as this Shakspere knew to be weakness, and not strength ; and by this uncontrollable violence of tem- per Coriolanus draws down upon himself his banishment from Rome and his subsequent fate. DowDEN : Shakspere. CORIOLANUS Comments Coriolanus himself stands out, in Shakespeare, yet more than m E^lutarch, as a giant among pigmies. He has the surpassing excellences of the true aristocrat, and seems to embody at once the aristocratic ideals of heroic Greece and of feudal chivalry He scorns money and pain; he has. a natural eloquence always at com- mand, and everything he says is impressed with an in- definable greatness. Less " churlish and solitary " than in Plutarch, for Shakespeare gives him the adoring friendship of Alenenius and Cominius, he is at bottom more " uncivil," less fit for citizenship, more impractica- ble in his passionate self-will. This aspect of his char- acter Shakespeare lias emphasised with a series of admi- rably imagined strokes. It is only in the drama that Cori- olanus revolts against the traditional ceremony of display- ing his wounds, and declaims, with the naive unreason of a headstrong nature, against the authority of " custom," on which his own patrician privilege ultimately rested. His vengeance is far more sweeping and uncompromising. He comes to burn Rome, not to get reasonable concessions for his allies ; far from " keeping the Noble men's lands and goods safe from harm and burning," he sternly dis- misses the appeal of his noble friends for discrimination ; he cannot stay to pick the few grains of wheat in a pile Of noisome musty chaff. Political partisanship is effaced in the fury of personal vengeance. Here and there the egoism of the aristo- cratic temper triumphs in a trait of sarcastic humour, as in the case of the poor man in Corioli who had be- friended him, and whose life he wished to save, but whose name was " By Jupiter! forgot." Coriolanus, says Mr. Barrett Wendell, owes his fate to " a passionate excess of inherently noble traits, whose very nobility unfits them for survival in the ignoble world about them." He represents " aristocracy as nobly worthy of dominance as in Henry V., and yet as inex- orably doomed as in .Vntony." But the man who pic- Comments THE TRAGEDY OF tured Henry before Agincourt among the common sol- diers hardly thought that the insolent hauteur of Corio- lanus was sufficiently explained and excused by his hav- ing to lead a " musty superfluity " of '' dissentious rogues." The tribunes themselves are permitted to utter a palpa- ble home-truth, when they tell him : — . You speak o' the people, As if you were a god to punish, not A man of their infirmity. Even Coriolanus's valour is described with a fire chiefly of the imagination. The magnificent battle-poetry of this play betrays no martial enthusiasm, like that which glows so transparently in the choruses of Henry V. The career of Coriolanus, with his fabulous, yet, in the sequel, futile valour, is a satire upon militarism ; and the sublime images in which his feats are told — he " struck Corioli like a planet " — " as weeds before a vessel under sail, so men obey'd and fell below his stem " — only make the undertone of irony more explicit. Shakespeare ha<:l dared to laugh at Achilles and Ajax; but the Homeric grandeur of Coriolanus (communicated through an ut- terly un-Homeric style) conceals a not less bitter sense of the futilities of heroism. Herford : The Eversley Shakespeare. III. Volumnia. He [Coriolanus] is prouder of his mother than of himself; cares more to please her than himself; owns no titles to honour in himself but what he can refer to that honoured source, nor covets any returns but such as will magnify the part she has in him; in brief, he looks up to her as a superior being whose benediction is the best grace of his life ; and his profound awe of her person and of her rights in him is itself a principle of such in- 10 CORIOLANUS Comments trinsic greatness and energy as would burst asunder the cold, dry ligatures of an ignoble and ungenerous nature. When, upon her coming out to intercede with him, he says, " My mother bows ; as if Olympus to a molehill should in supplication nod," we have the sublimity of filial reverence, imaged in a form not more magnificent in itself than characteristic of the speaker. Volumnia has the same essential greatness of char- acter, and the same high-strung pride ; the whole being cast, however, in a perfectly feminine mould, and ren- dered mellow and considerate by a larger experience and a more disinterested spirit. ]\Iore firm and steady, too, because less passionate, her pride is never inflamed into any breach of propriety and decorum; on the con- trary, she seems to become more dignified and self-pos- sessed when her pride is chafed and galled. And her energy of will and thought, if not greater than her son's, yet in the end outwrestles his, because it proceeds on grounds less selfish and personal. It was a very pro- found insight of woman's nature that led the Poet to rep- resent her as exhorting her son to temporise with the people, and to use arts for conciliating them which had no allowance in his bosom's truth; for even so woman, as having less of wilfulness and more of sensibility in the reason, naturally judges the quality of an action more by the consequences which she hopes or fears therefrom. What a story does the life of this mother and this son, Vvith their reciprocal action and influence, as set forth in the play, tell us of the old Roman matronage, and of that profound religion toward womanhood which formed so large and powerful an element in the social constitution of republican Rome! And what a comment does this deep awe of motherhood, taken along with the history of that wonderful nation, read upon the precept, " Hon- our thy father and thy mother, that thy davs may be long in the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee!" for reverence of children to their fathers is the principle that binds together successive generations in one continuous II Comments THE TRAGEDY OF life. So that the loosening or impairing of this tie is the beginning of national dissolution. For, in forgetting the past, men do but teach the future to forget them- selves ; and where we find a present that honours not a past, there we may be sure the very genius of nationality is gone. Hudson : The Works of Shakespeare. IV. Virgilia. This name [of Coriolanus — '* My gracious silence " — ] for his wife, who, while the others are receiving him with loud rejoicings, meets and welcomes him with speechless happiness looking out from her swimming eyes, is con- ceived in the very fulness of poetical and Shakespearian perfection. It comprises the gracefulness of beauty which distinguishes her, and the gracious effect which her muteness of love- joy has upon him who shrinks from noisy applause and even from merely expressed appro- bation ; and it wonderfully concentrates into one felic- itous word the silent softness that characterizes Mrgilia throughout. She is precisely the woman — formed by nature gentle in manner, and rendered by circumstances sparing in speech — to inspire the fondest affection in such a man as Coriolanus ; and we accordingly find him a passionately attached husband. The few words he ad- dresses to her in the course of the play are among the most intense utterances of spousal enamouredness that even Shakespeare has written. The dramatic portrait of Virgilia we have always considered to be one of the very finest of the Poet's sketch-productions. It is put in with the most masterly touches ; it paints her by very few strokes, very few colours ; but they are so true, so ex- quisitely artistic, that they present her to the life. She is supremely gentle, and, like most w^omen whose gentle- ness is their chief characteristic, singularly immovable, 12 CORIOLANUS Comments not lo say obstinate, when once resolved; she is habit- ually silent, as the wife of such a man as Coriolanus and daughter-in-law of such a woman as Volumnia would as- suredly become, being- naturally of a gentle disposition ; and this combination of gentleness and silence is w^on- derfully drawn by Shakespeare throughout the char- acter-portrait, and as wonderfully condensed here into one expressive name. Clarke: Casscll's Illustrated Shakespeare. V. Aufidius. The varying feelings of Aufidius are such as may be often observed to arise in the contentions of able and ambitious men for honour or power, and are just such as w^ould, under these circumstances, be natural in a mind like that of Aufidius — ambitious, proud, and bold, with many noble and generous qualities, yet not above the influence of selfish and vindictive emotions and desires. The mortification of defeat embitters his rivalry to hatred. When afterwards his banished rival appeals to his nobler nature, that hatred dies away, and his g-enerous feeling revives. Bitter jealousy and hatred again grow up, as his glories are eclipsed by his former adversary; yet this dark passion, too, finally yields to a generous sorrow at his rival's death. I think that I have observed very similar alternations of such mixed motives and sentiments, in eminent men, in the collisions of political life. Verplanck : The Illustrated Shakespeare. VI. Menenius. If there be any person in the play whom the Poet shows a leaning to more than another, it is old Menenius, 13 Comments THE TRAGEDY OF a frank, patriotic, liberal soul, who is genially and lov- ingly humourous towards the people even when his eye is upon their faults, yet free and upright in reprovnig them, though at the same time sensible of their virtues; who smilingly stoops to play jokes upon them, that so he may soothe and sweeten their exasperated minds ; exer- cising his good-natured wit to heal as fast as his sharp- ness wounds; and thus standing at an equal remove from the insulting aristocrat and the snaky demagogue. Hudson : The Works of Shakespeare. VII. Aristocracy Against Democracy. Shakespear has in this play shown himself well versed in history and state afifairs. Coriolanus is a storehouse of political commonplaces. Any one who studies it may save himself the trouble of reading Burke's Reflections, or Paine's Rights of Man, or the Debates in both Houses of Parliament since the French Revolution or cur own. The arguments for and against aristocracy or democracy, on the privileges of the few and the claims of the many, on liberty and slavery, power and the abuse of it, peace and war, are here very ably handled, w^ith the spirit of a poet and the acuteness of a philosopher. Shakespear himself seems to have had a leaning to the arbitrary side of the question, perhaps from some feeling of contempt for his own origin ; and to have spared no occasion of bating the rabble. What he says of them is very true : what he says of their betters is also very true, though he dwells less upon it. The whole dramatic moral of Coriolanus is that those who have little shall have less, and that those who have much shall take all that others have left. The people are poor; therefore they ought to be starved. They are slaves: therefore they ought to be beaten. They work 14 CORIOLANUS Comments hard ; therefore they ought to be treated hke beasts of burden. They are ignorant ; therefore they ought not to be allowed to feel that they want food, or clothing, or rest — that they are enslaved, oppressed, and miserable. This is the logic of the imagination and the passions ; which seek to aggrandize what excites admiration and to heaj) contempt on misery, to raise power into tyranny, and to make tyranny absolute. Hazlitt : Characters of Shakcspcars Plays. A theatrical audience of those days was, to Shake- speare's eyes at any rate, an uncultivated horde, and it was this crowd which represented to him " the people." He may have looked upon them in his youth with a cer- tain amount of good will and forbearance, but they had become entirely odious to him now. It was undoubtedly the constant spectacle of the " nndcrstandcrsy and the at- mosphere of their exhalations, which caused his scorn to flame so fiercely over democratic movements and their leaders, and all that ingratitude and lack of perception which, to him, represented " the people." With his necessarily slight historical knowledge and insight, Shakespeare would look upon the old days of both Rome and England in precisely the same light in which he saw his own times. His first Roman drama testifies to his innately anti-democratic tendencies. He seized with avidity upon every instance in Plutarch of the stu- pidity and brutality of the masses. Recall, for example, the scene in which the mob murders Cinna, the poet, for no better reason than its fury against Cinna, the conspira- tor {Julius Ccrsar, HI. iii.). This point of view meets us again and again in Corio- lauus: and whereas, in his earlier plays, it was only oc- casionally and, as it were, accidentally expressed, it has now grown and strengthened into deliberate utterance. Brandes: IVilliaiu Shakespeare. 15 Comments THE TRAGEDY OF The humorous scenes which give the play variety were entirely contributed by Shakespeare ; and the presentation of the mob is highly characteristic. The Poet hated the irrationality and violence of untrained men. Coriolanus never for a moment conceals his contempt for them : — I heard him swear, Were he to stand for consul, never would he Appear i' the market-place, nor on him put The napless vesture of humility ; Nor, showing (as the manner is) his wounds To the people, beg their stinking breaths. This is quite in accord with Casca's contempt for the " rabblement " which " hooted, and clapped their chapped hands, and threw up their sweaty night-caps, and uttered such a deal of stinking breath," because Caesar refused the crown. This contempt finds its most satiric expression in Jack Cade's manifesto : — " Be brave then ; for your captain is brave, and vows reformation. There shall be, in England, seven half- penny loaves sold for a penny ; the three-hooped pot shall have ten hoops ; and I will make it felony to drink small beer ; all the realm shall be in common, and in Cheapside shall my palfrey go to grass." In complete contrast with this conception of the com- mon people as a mere rabble, full of passion and devoid of ideas, stands Coriolanus — a typical aristocrat, with the virtues of the aristocrat: courage, indifference to pain, scorn of money, independence of thought, command of eloquence, and natural aptitude for leadership. These great qualities are neutralized by colossal egotism, mani- festing itself in a pride so irrational and insistent that, sooner or later, by the necessity of its nature, it must pro- duce the tragic conflict. Coriolanus, in spite of his great faults, has heroic proportions, and fills the play with the sense of his superiority ; he lives and dies like a true tragic hero. AIabie : William Shakespeare : Poet, Dramatist, and Man. i6 CORIOLANUS Comments VIII. Dramatic Features. There is more unity in the tragedy of Coriolanus than in either of the other Roman plays ; yet, grand and pow- erful as it is, its tragical interest is less than that of Julius (^crsar and its poetical merit less than that of Autony and Cleopatra. There is something hard about it, both in sentiment and in style. The delineation of social and personal pride is not a subject to evoke much sympathy or emotion, and although it may in its course reach sub- lime heights, its sublimity is wholly independent of moral greatness. Of all Shakespeare's greater works, this is the most difficult to construe : the unintelligibility of sev- eral passages is doubtless due to some corruption of the text, but besides this, the general style is exceedingly ob- scure, and overloaded with metaphorical and elliptical ex- pressions. Even the great scene between Coriolanus and his mother is not of uniform excellence. Staffer: Shakespeare and Classical Aiitiquity. The Tragedy of Coriolanus is one of the most amusing of our author's performances. The old man's merriment in Menenius ; the lofty lady's dignity in Volumnia ; the bridal modesty in Vlrgilia : the patrician and military haughtiness in Coriolanus ; the plebeian malignity and tribunitian insolence in Brutus and Sicinius, make a very pleasing and interesting variety ; and the various revolu- tions of the hero's fortune, fill the mind with anxious cu- riosity. There is perhaps too much bustle in the first act, and too little in the last. Johnson : General Observations on Shakspeare's Plays. 17 DRAMATIS PERSONAE. Caius Marcius, afterwards Caius Marcius Coriolanus. Titus Lartius, } . . • ^ y generals against the Volsaans. COMINIUS, ) Menenius Agrippa, friend to Coriolanus. SiciNius Velutus, ) ., , ,, , ^ y tribunes of the people. Junius Brutus, j Young Marcius, son of Coriolanus. A Roman Herald. TuLLus AuFiDius, general of the Volscians. Lieutenant to Aufidius. Conspirators with Aufidius. A Citizen of Antium. Two Volscian Guards. VoLUMNiA. mother to Coriolanus. Virgilia, wife to Coriolanus. \^ALERiA, friend to Virgilia. Gentlewoman attending on Virgilia. Roman and Volscian Senators, Patricians, ^'Ediles, Lictors, Soldiers, Citizens, Messengers. Servants to Aufidius, and other Attendants. Scene: Rome and the neighbourhood ; Corioli and the neigh- bourhood: Antium. i8 The Tragedy of Coriolanus, ACT FIRST. Scene I. Rome. A street. Enter a company of mutinous Citizens, with staves, clubs, and other zveapons. First Cit. Before we proceed any further, hear me speak. All. Speak, speak. First Cit. You are all resclved rather to die than to famish ? All. Resolved, resolved. First Cit. First, you know Caius Marcius is chief enemy to the people. All. We know 't, we know 't. First Cit. Let us kill him, and we '11 have corn at our lo own price. Is *t a verdict ? All. No more talking on 't ; let it be done : away, away ! Sec. Cit. One word, good citizens. First Cit. We are accounted poor citizens ; the patri- cians, good. What authority surfeits on would relieve us : if they would yield us but the super- fluity while it were wholesome, we might guess they relieved us humanely ; but they think we are' too dear : the leanness that afflicts us, the 20 19 Act I. Sc. i. THE TRAGEDY OF object of our misery, Is as an inventory to par- ticularize their abundance ; our sufferance is a gain to them. Let us revenge this Vv'ith our pikes, ere we become rakes : for the gods know I speak this in hunger for bread, not in thirst for revenge. Sec. Cit. Would you proceed especially against Caius Marcius ? All. Against him first : he 's a very dog to the com- monalty. 3c Sec. Cit. Consider you what services he has done for his country? First Cit. A'ery well ; and could be content to give him good report for 't, but that he pays himself with being proud. Sec. Cit. Nay, but speak not maliciously. First Cit. I say unto you, what he hath done famously, he did it to that end : though soft-consciencedmen can be content to say it was for his country, he did it to please his mother and to be partly 4c proud ; which he is, even to the altitude of his virtue. Sec. Cit. What he cannot help in his nature, you account a vice in him. You must in no way say he is covetous. First Cit. If I must not, I need not be barren of accusations ; he hath faults, with surplus, to tire in repetition. [Shouts zi-itJiin.] Wliat shouts are these ? The other side o' the city is risen : why stay we prating here ? to the Capitol ! 5^ All. Come, come. First Cit. Soft ! who comes here ? 20 CORIOLANUS Act I. Sc. i. Enter Mencnius Agrippa. Sec. Cit. Worthy Menenius Agrippa ; one that hath always loved the people. First Cit. He 's one honest enough : would all the rest were so ! Men. What w'ork 's, my countrymen, in hand ? where go you. With bats and clubs ? the matter ? speak, I pray you. First Cit. Our business is not unknown to the senate ; they have had inkling, this fortnight, what we 60 intend to do,w^hich now we '11 show 'em, in deeds. They say poor suitors have strong breaths : they shall know we have strong arms too. Moi. \N\\y, masters, my good friends, mine honest neigh- bours, Will you undo yourselves ? First Cit. We cannot, sir, we are undone already. Men. I tell you, friends, most charitable care Have the patricians of you. For your wants, Your suffering in this dearth, you may as well Strike at the heaven with your staves as lift them 70 Against the Roman state ; whose course will on The way it takes, cracking ten thousand curbs Of more strong link asunder than can ever Appear in your impediment. For the dearth. The gods, not the patricians, make it, and Your knees to them, not arms, must help. Alack, You are transported by calamity Thither where more attends you, and you slander The helms o' the state, who care for you like fathers, When you curse them as enemies. 80 21 Act I. Sc. i. THE TRAGEDY OF First Cit. Care for us ! True, indeed ! They ne'er cared for us yet : suffer us to famish, and their store-houses crammed with grain ; make edicts for usury, to support usurers ; repeal daily any wholesome act established against the rich, and provide more piercing statutes daily, to chain up and restrain the poor. Tf the wars eat us not up, they will ; and there 's all the love they bear us. Men. Either you must 90 Confess yourselves wondrous malicious. Or be accused of folly. I shall tell you A pretty tale : it may be you have heard it ; But, since it serves my purpose, I will venture To stale 't a little more. First Cit. Well, I '11 hear it, sir : yet you must not think to fob off our disgrace with a tale : but, an 't please you, deliver. Men. There was a time when all the body's members Rebell'd against the belly ; thus accused it : 100 That only like a gulf it did remain r the midst o' the body, idle and unactive, Still cupboarding the viand, never bearing Like labour with the rest ; where the other instruments Did see and hear, devise, instruct, walk, feel. And, mutually participate, did minister Unto the appetite and affection common Of the whole body. The belly answer'd — First Cit. Well, sir, what answer made the belly ? Men. Sir, I shall tell you. With a kind of smile, no Which ne'er came from the lungs, but even thus — For, look you, I may make the belly smile 22 CORIOLANUS Act I. Sc. i. As well as speak — it tauntingly replied To the discontented members, the mutinous parts That envied his receipt ; even so most fitly As you malign our senators for that They are not such as you. First C it. Your belly's answer? What! The kingly-crowned head, the vigilant eye. The counsellor heart, the arm our soldier. Our steed the leg, the tongue our trumpeter, 120 With other muniments and petty helps In this our fabric, if that they — ]\^^^i What then? 'Fore me this fellow speaks! what then? what then? First Cit. Should by the cormorant belly be restrain'd, \\lio is the sink o' the body — ^f^-,1 Well, what then? First Cit. The former agents, if they did complain, What could the belly answer? ^|^^Jl^ I will tell you; If vou '11 bestow a small— of what you Irive little- Patience awhile, you 'st hear the belly's answer. First Cit. You 're long about it. -{[en. Xote me this, good friend; Your most grave belly was deliberate, 131 Not rash like his accusers, and thus answer'd: ' True is it, my incorporate friends,' quoth he, ' That I receive the general food at first, Which you do five upon; and fit it is, , Because I am the store-house and the shop Of the whole body : but, if you do remember, I send it through the rivers of your blood. Even to the court, the heart, to the seat o' the brain; 23 Act I. Sc. i. THE TRAGEDY GF And, through the cranks and offices of man, 140 The strongest nerves and small inferior veins From me receive that natural competency Whereby they live : and though that all at once, You, my good friends,' — this says the belly, mark me, — First Cit. Ay, sir; well, well. Men. ' Though all at once cannot See what I do deliver out to each, Yet I can make my audit up. that all From me do back receive the flour of all, And leave me but the bran.' What say you to 't? Firsl Cit. It was an answer: how apply you this? 150 Men. The senators of Rome are this good belly, And you the mutinous members : for examine Their counsels and their cares, digest things rightly I'ouching the weal o' the common, you shall find No public benefit which you receive But it proceeds or comes from them to you And no way from yourselves. What do you think. You, the great toe of this assembly ? First Cit. I the great toe! why the great toe? Men. For that, being one o' the lowest, basest, poorest. Of this most wise rebellion, thou go'st foremost: 161 Thou rascal, that art worst in blood to run, Lead'st first to win some vantage. But make you ready your stiff bats and clubs : Rome and her rats are at the point of battle; The one side must have bale. Enter Cains Mareius. Hail, noble Mareius! Mar. Thanks. What 's the matter, you dissentious rogues, 24 CORIOLANUS Act I. Sc. i. That, rubbing the poor itch of your opinion, Make yourselves scabs? First Cit. We have ever your good word. Mar. He that will give good words to thee will flatter 170 Beneath abhorring. What would you have, you curs, That like nor peace nor war? the, one affrights you, The other makes you proud. He that trusts to you, Where he should find you lions, finds you hares, Where foxes, geese: you are no surer, no. Than is the coal of fire upon the ice, Or hailstone in the sun. Your virtue is To make him worthy whose offence subdues him And curse that justice did it. Who deserves great- ness Deserves your hate ; and your affections are 180 A sick man's appetite, who desires most that Which would increase his evil. He that depends Upon your favours sw^ims with fins of lead • And hews down oaks with rushes. Hang ye! Trust ye? With every minute you do change a mind, And call him noble that was now your hate. Him vile that was your garland. What 's the matter. That in these several places of the city You cry against the noble senate, who, Under the gods, keep you in awe, vvhich else 190 Would feed on one another? What 's their seeking? Men. For corn at their own rates; whereof, they say, The city is well stored. ]\[ar. Hang 'em! They say! They '11 sit by the fire, and presume to know What 's done i' the Capitol; who 's like to rise, 25 Act I. Sc. i. THE TRAGEDY OF Who thrives and who dechnes ; side factions and give out Conjectural marriages; making parties strong, And feebHng such as stand not in their liking Below their cobbled shoes. They say there 's grain enough! Would the nobility lay aside their ruth, 200 And let me use my sword, I 'Id make a quarry With thousands of these quarter'd slaves, as high As I could pick my lance. Men. Nay, these are almost thoroughly persuaded; For though abundantly they lack discretion. Yet are they passing cowardly. But, I beseech you, What says the other troop? Mar. They are dissolved: hang 'em! They said they were an-hungry; sigh'd forth pro- verbs, That»hunger broke stone walls, that dogs must eat, That meat was made for mouths, that the gods sent not Corn for the rich men only: with these shreds 211 They vented their complainings; which being answer'd. And a petition granted them, a strange one — To break the heart of generosity And make bold powxr look pale — they threw their caps As they would hang them on the horns o' the moon. Shouting their emulation. Men. What is granted them ? Mar. Five tribunes to defend their vulgar wisdoms. Of their own choice: one 's Junius Brutus, Sicinius Velutus, and I know not — 'Sdeath! 220 The rabble should have first unroof'd the city, 26 CORIOLANUS Act I. Sc. i. Ere so prevail'd with me: it will in time Win upon power and throw forth greater themes For insurrection's arguing. Men. This is strange. Mar. Go get you home, you fragments ! Enter a Mcsscn^^er, hastily. Mess. Where's Caius ^slarcius? Mar. Here : what 's the matter ? Mess. The news is, sir, the Volsces are in arms. Mar. I am glad on 't . then we shall ha' means to vent Our musty superfluity. See, our best elders. Enter Coniinius, Titus Lartius, and other Senators; Ju- nius Brutus and Sicinius Velutus. First Sen. Marcius, 'tis true that you have lately told us ; The Volsces are in arms. Mar. They have a- leader, 231 TuUus Aufidius, that will put you to 't. I sin in envying his nobility ; And were I any thing but what I am, I would wish me only he. Com. You have fought together ? Mar. W>re half to half the world by the ears, and he Upon my party, I 'Id revolt, to make Only my wars with him : he is a lion That I am proud to hunt. First Sen. . Then, worthy Alarcius, Attend upon Cominius to these wars. 240 Com. It is your former promise. Mar. Sir, it is ; And I am constant. Titus Lartius, thou 27 Act I. Sc. i. THE TRAGEDY OF Shalt see me once more strike at Tulliis' face. What, art thou stiff? stand'st out? Tit. No, Caius Marcius ; I '11 lean upon one crutch, and fight with t' other, Ere stay behind this business. Men. O, true-bred ! First Sen. Your company to the Capitol ; where, I know, Our greatest friends attend us. Tit. {To Com.^^ Lead you on. [To Mar.] Follow Cominius ; we must follow you; Right worthy you priority. Com. Noble Marcius ! 250 First Sen. [To the Citiseiis] Hence to your homes ; begone ! Mar. Nay, let them follow : The Volsces have much corn ; take these rats thither To gnaw their garners. Worshipful mutiners, Your valour puts well forth : pray, follow. [Citi:2eus steal aicay. Exeunt all hut Sicinius and Brutus. Sic. Was ever man so proud as is this Marcius ? Bru. He has no equal. Sic. When we were chosen tribunes for the people, — Bru. Mark'd you his lip and eyes ? Sic. Nay, but his taunts. Bru. Being moved, he will not spare to gird the gods. Sic. Bemock the modest moon. 260 Bru. The present wars devour him ! he is grown Too proud to be so valiant. Sic. Such a nature, Tickled with good success, disdains the shadow Which he treads on at noon : but I do wonder His insolence can brook to be commanded 28 eORIOLANUS Act I. Sc. ii. Under Cominius. Bru. Fame, at the which he aims, In whom already he 's weU graced, cannot Better be held, nor more attain'd, than by A place below the first: for what miscarries Shall be the general's fault, though he perform 270 To the utmost of a man; and giddy censure Will then cry out of Marcius ' O, if he Had borne the business! ' Sic. Besides, if things go well, Opinion, that so sticks on Marcius, shall Of his demerits rob Cominius. Bru. Come: Half all Cominius' honours are to ^Marcius, Though Marcius earn'd them not; and all his faults To Marcius shall be honours, though indeed In aught he merit not. Sic. Let 's hence, and hear How the dispatch is made; and in what fashion, 280 More than his singularity, he goes Upon this present action. Bru. Let 's along. [Exeunt. Scene II. Corioli. The Senate-house. Enter Tullus Aufidius, ivith Senators of Corioli. First Sen. So, your opinion is, Aufidius, That they of Rome are enter'd in our counsels, And know how we proceed. Auf. Is it not yours? What ever have been thought on in this state, 29 Act I. Sc. ii. THE TRAGEDY OF That could be brought to bodily act ere Rome Had circumvention? 'Tis not four days gone Since I heard thence: these are the words: I think I have the letter here: yes, here it is: [Reads] ' They have press'd a power, but it is not known Whether for east or west: the dearth is great; lo The people mutinous : and it is rumour'd, Cominius, Marcius your old enemy, Who is of Rome worse hated than of you, And Titus Lartius, a most valiant Roman, These three lead on this preparation Whither 'tis bent: most likely 'tis for you: Consider of it.' First Sen. Our army 's in the field: We never yet made doubt but Rome was ready To answer us. Auf. Nor did you think it folly To keep your great pretences veil'd till when 20 They needs must show themselves; which in the hatching, It seem'd appear'd to Rome. By the discovery We shall be shorten'd in our aim, which was To take in many towns ere almost Rome Should know we were afoot. Sec. Sen. Noble Aufidius, Take your commission; hie you to your bands: Let us alone to guard Corioli : If they set down before 's, for the remove Bring up your army; but, I think, you '11 find They 've not prepared for us. Auf. O, doubt not that; 30 30 CORIOLANUS Act I. Sc. iii. I speak from certainties. Nay, more, Some parcels of their power are fortb already, And only hitherward. I leave your honours. If we and Caius Marcius chance to meet, ^Tis sworn between us, we shall ever strike Till one can do no more. All. The gods assist you ! Auf. And keep your honours safe! First Sen. Farewell. Sec. Sen. Farewell. All. Farewell. [Exeunt. * Scene III. Rome. A r-ooin in Marcius' house. Enter Volumnia and Virgilia: they set them down on tzvo lozi' stools, and sezv. Vol. I pray you, daughter, sing, or express yourself in a more comfortable sort : if my son were my husband, I should freelier rejoice in that absence wherein he won honour than in the embracements of his bed where he would show most love. When yet he was but tender-bodied, and the only son of my womb ; w^hen youth with come- liness plucked all gaze his way ; when, for a day of kings' entreaties, a mother should not sell him an hour from her beholding ; I, considering how lo honour would become such a person ; that it was no better than picture-like to hang by the wall, if renown made it not stir, was pleased to let him seek danger where he was like to find fame. To a cruel war I sent him ; from whence he returned, 31 Act I. Sc. iii. THE TRAGEDY OF his brows bound with oak. I tell thee, daughter, ". sprang not more in joy at first hearing he was a man-child, than now in first seeing he had proved himself a man. Fir. But had he died in the business, madam : how 20 then? J^ol. Then his good report should have been mv son ; I therein would have found issue. Hear me profess sincerely : had I a dozen sons, each in my love alike, and none less dear than thine and my good Marcius, I had rather had eleven die nobly for their country than one voluptuously surfeit out of action. ■% Enter a Gcjiflcii'ojuau. Gent. ]\Iadam, the Lady \'aleria is come to visit 3'ou. J'ir. Beseech you, give me leave to retire myself. 30 Vol. Indeed, you shall not. Methinks I hear hither your husband's drum ; See him pluck Aufidius down by the hair ; As children from a bear, the A'olsces shunning him : Methinks I see him stamp thus, and call thus : ' Come on, }-ou cowards ! you were got in fear, Though you were born in Rome ' : his bloody brow With his mail'd hand then wiping, forth he goes. Like to a harvest-man that 's task'd to mow Or all, or lose his hire. 40 J^ir. His bloody brow! O Jupiter, no blood! Vol. Away, you fool! it more becomes a man Than gilt his trophy : the breasts of Hecuba, When she did suckle Hector, look'd not lovelier Than Hector's forehead when it spit forth blood 32 CORIOLANUS Act I. Sc. iii. At Grecian sword, contemning. Tell \^aleria We are fit to bid her welcome. [Exit Gent. Vir. Heavens bless my lord from fell Aufidius ! Vol. He '11 beat Aufidius' head below his knee, And tread upon his neck. 50 Enter Valeria, iv'ith an Usher and Gentleujonian. Vol. My ladies both, good day to you. Vol. Sweet madam. Vir. I am glad to see your ladyship. Val. How do you both ? you are manifest house- ^ keepers. \\'hat are you sewing here? A fine spot, in good faith. How does your little son? Vir. I thank 3-our ladyship ; well, good madam. Vol. He had rather see the swords and hear a drum than look upon bis schoolmaster. Val. O' my word, the father's son : I '11 swear, 'tis a 60 very pretty boy. O' my troth, I look'd upon him o' Wednesday half an hour together ; has such a confirmed countenance. I saw him run after a gilded butterfly ; and when he caught it, he let it go again ; and after it again ; and over and over he comes, and up again ; catched it again : or whether his fall enraged him, or how 'twas, he did so set his teeth, and tear it ; O, I warrant, how he mammocked it ! Vol. One on 's father's moods. 70 Vol. Indeed, la, 'tis a noble child. Vir. A crack, madam. Val. Come lay aside your stitchery ; I must have you play the idle huswife with me this afternoon. Vir. No, good madam ; T will not out of doors. 33 Act I. Sc. iii. THE TRAGEDY OF VaL Not out of doors ! Vol. She shall, she shall. Vir. Indeed, no, by your patience ; I '11 not over the threshold till my lord return from the wars. Val. Fie, you confine yourself most unreasonably : 80 come, you must go visit the good lady that lies in. Vir. I will wish her speedy strength, and visit her with my prayers ; but I cannot go thither. Vol. Why, I pray you ? Vir. 'Tis not to save labour, nor that I want love. Val. You would be another Penelope : yet, thev say, all the yarn she spun in llysses' absence did # but fill Ithaca full of moths. Come; I w^ould your cambric were sensible as your finger, that you might leave pricking it for pity. Come, you, 90 shall go with us. Vir. No, good madam, pardon me ; indeed, I will not forth. Val. In truth, la, go with me, and I '11 tell you excellent news of your husband. Vir. O, good madam, there can be none yet. Val. Verily, I do not jest with you; there came news from him last night. Vir. Indeed, madam? Val. In earnest, it 's true ; I heard a senator speak 100 it. Thus it is : the Volsces have an army forth ; against whom Cominius the general is gone, with one part of our Roman power : your lord and Titus Lartius are set down before their city Corioli ; they nothing doubt prevailing, and to make it brief wars. This is true, on mine honour ; and so, I pray, go with us. 34 CORIOLANUS Act I. Sc. iv. Vir. Give me excuse, good madam ; I will obey you in every thing hereafter. Vol. Let her alone, lady; as she is now, she will but no disease our better mirth. Vol. In troth, I think she would. Fare you well, then. Come, good sweet lady. Prithee, Virgilia, turn thy solemness out o' door, and go along with us. Vir. No, at a word, madam ; indeed, I must not. I wish you much mirth. Val. Well then, farewell. [Exeunt. • Scene IV. Before Corioli. Enter, zuitli drum and colours, Marcius, Titus Eartius, Captains and Soldiers. To them a Messenger. Mar. Yonder comes news : a wager they have met. Lart. ]>.Iy horse to yours, no. Mar. 'Tis done. Eart. Agreed. Mar. Say, has our general met the enemy? Mess. They lie in view^ ; but have not spoke as yet. Eart. So, the good horse is mine. Mar. I '11 buy him of you. Eart. Xo, I '11 nor sell nor give him : lend you him I will For half a hundred years. Summon the town. Mar. How far off lie these armies ? Mess. Within this mile and half. Mar. Then shall we hear their 'larum, and they ours. Now, Mars, I prithee, make us quick in work, lo That we with smoking swords may march from hence, 35 Act I. Sc. iv. THE TRAGEDY OF To help our fielded friends ! Come, blow thy blast. Tliey sound a parley. Enter tzvo Senators ivith others, on the ivalls. Tullus Aufidius, is he within your walls? First Sen. No, nor a man that fears you less than he, That 's lesser than a little. Hark, our drums [Drum afar off. Are bringing forth our youth ! we '11 break our walls, Rather than they shall pound us up : our gates, Which yet seem shut, we have but pinn'd with rushes ; They '11 open of themselves. Hark you, far off ! [Alarum far off. There is Aufidius ; list, what work he makes 20 Amongst your cloven army. Mar. O, they are at it ! Lart. Their noise be our instruction. Ladders, ho ! Enter the army of the Volsces. Mar. They fear us not, but issue forth their city. Now put your shields before your hearts, and fight With hearts more proof than shields. Advance, brave Titus : They do disdain us much beyond our thoughts. Which makes me sweat with wrath. Come on, my fellows : He that retires, I '11 take him for a Volsce, And he shall feel mine edge. Alarum. The Romans are heat hack to their trenches. Re-enter Marcius, cursing. Mar. All the contagion of the south light on you, 30 • 36 CORIOLANUS Act I. Sc. iv. You shames of Rome ! you herd of — Boils and ])la^ues Plaster you o'er ; that you may be abhorr'd Farther than seen, and one infect another Against the wind a mile ! You souls of geese, That bear the shapes of men, how have you run From slaves that apes would beat ! Pluto and lied ! All hurt behind ; backs red, and faces pale With flight and agued fear ! Mend, and charge home, Or, by the fires of heaven, I '11 leave the foe, 39 And make rriy wars on you : look to 't : come on ; If you '11 stand fast, we '11 beat them to their wives. As they us to our trenches followed. Another alarum. The Volsces fly, and Marciiis follozcs them to the gates. So, now the gates are ope : now prove good seconds : 'Tis for the followers fortune wddens them, Not for the fliers : mark me, and do the like. [Enters the gates. First Sol. Fool-hardiness ; not I. Sec. Sol. Nor I. [Marciiis is shut in. First Sol. See, they have shut him in. All. To the pot, I warrant him. [Alarum continues. Re-enter Titus Lartius. Lart. What is become of Marcius? All. Slain, sir, doubtless. First Sol. Following the fliers at the very heels, \\'ith them He enters ; who. upon the sudden, 50 Clapp'd to their gates : he is himself alone, To answer all the city. ?>7 Act I. Sc. V. THE TRAGEDY OF Lart. O noble fellow ! Who sensibly outdares his senseless sword, And, when it bows, stands up ! Thou art left, Marcius : A carbuncle entire, as big as thou art, Were not so rich a jewel. Thou wast a soldier Even to Cato's wish, not fierce and terrible Only in strokes ; but, with thy grim looks and The thunder-like percussion of thy sounds, Thou madest thine enemies shake, as if the world 60 Were feverous and did tremble. Re-enter Marcius, bleeding, assaulted by the enemy. First Sol. Look, sir. Lart. O, 'tis Marcius ! Let 's fetch him off, or make remain alike. [They fight, and all enter the city. Scene V. Within Corioli. A street. Enter certain Romans, zi'ith spoils. First Rom. This wall I carry to Rome. Sec. Rom. And I this. Third Rom. A murrain on 't ! I took this for silver. [Alanim continues still afar off. Enter Marcius and Titus Lartius zi'ith a trumpet. Mar. See here these movers that do prize their hours At a crack'd drachma ! Cushions, leaden spoons, Irons of a doit, doublets that hangmen v.^ould Bury with those that wore them, these base slaves, Ere yet the fight be done, pack up : down with them ! 38 CORIOLANUS Act I. Sc. vi. And hark, what noise the general makes ! To him ! There is the man of my soul's hate, Aufidius, lo Piercing our Romans : then, valiant Titus, take Convenient numbers to make good the city ; Whilst I, with those that have the spirit, will haste To help Cominius. Lart. \A^orthy sir, thou bleed'st; Thy exercise hath been too violent For a second .course of fight. Mar. "^ Sir, praise me not ; My work hath yet ,pot warm'd me : fare you well : The blood I drop is rather physical Than dangerous to me : to Aufidius thus I will appear, and fight. Lart. Now the fair goddess. Fortune, 20 Fall deep ni love with thee ; and her great charms Misguide thy opposers' swords ! Bold gentleman, Prosperity be thy page ! Mar. Thy friend no less Than those she placeth highest ! So farewell. Lart. Thou worthiest Marcius ! [Exit Marcius. Go sound thy trumpet in the market-place; Call thither all the officers o' the town, Where they shall know our mind. Away ! [Exeunt. Scene VI. Near the camp of Cominius. Enter Cominius, as it were in retire, zcitJi Soldiers. Com. Breathe you, my friends : well fought ; we are come off Like Romans, neither foolish in our stands, 39 Act I. Sc. vi. THE TRAGEDY OF Nor cowardly in retire : believe me, sirs, We shall be charged again. Whiles we have struck, By interims and conveying gusts we have heard The charges of our friends. Ye Roman gods, Lead their successes as we wish our own, That both our powers, with smiling fronts encounter- ing, May give you thankful sacrifice ! Enter a Messenger. ^ Thy news? Mess. The citizens of Corioli have issued, lo And given to Lartius and to Marcius battle : I saw our party to their trenches driven, And then I came away. Com. Though thou speak'st truth, Methinks thou speak'st not well. How long is't since ? Mess. Above an hour, my lord. Com. 'Tis not a mile; briefly we heard their drums: How couldst thou in a mile confound an hour, And bring thy news so late? Mess. Spies of the Volsces Held me in chase, that I was forced to wheel Three or four miles about ; else had I, sir, 20 Half an hour since brought my report. Enter Marcius. Com. Who 's yonder. That does appear as he were flay'd ? O gods ! He has the stamp of Marcius ; and I have Before-time seen him thus. Mar. Come I too late? 40 CORIOLANUS Act I. Sc. vi. Com. The shepherd knows not thunder from a tabor More than I know the sound of Marcius' tongue From every meaner man. Alar. Come I too late? Com. Ay, if you come not in the blood of others, But mantled in your own. Mar. O, let me clip ye In arms as sound as when I woo'd; in heart 30 As merry as when our nuptial day was done, And tapers "buru'd to bedward! Com. Flower of warrior^, How is 't with Titus Lartius? Mar. As with a man busied about decrees: Condemning some to death, and some to exile; Ransoming him or pitying, threatening the other ; Holding Corioli in the name of Rome, Even like a fawning greyhound in the leash. To let him slip at will. Com. Where is that slave Which told me they had beat you to your trenches ? Where is he? call him hither. Mar. Let him alone ; 41 He did inform the truth: but for our gentlemen, The common file — a plague! tribunes for them! — The mouse ne'er shunn'd the cat as they did budge From rascals worse than they. Com. But how prevail'd you? Mar. Will the time serve to tell? I do not think. Where is the enemy ? are you lords o' the field ? If not, why cease you till you are so? Co7n. Alarcius, We have at disadvantage fought, and did 41 Act I. Sc. vi. THE TRAGEDY OF Retire to win our purpose. 50 Mar. How lies their battle? know you on which side They have placed their men of trust? Com. As I guess, Marcius. Their bands i' the vaward are the Antiates, Of their best trust; o'er them Aufidius, Their very heart of hope. Mar. I do beseech you, By all the battles wherein we have fought. By the blood we have shed together, by the vows • We have made to endure friends, that you directly Set we against Aufidius and his Antiates; And that you not delay the present, but, 60 Filling the air with swords advanced and darts, We prove this very hour. Com. Though I could wish You were conducted to a gentle bath. And balms applied to you, yet dare I never Deny your asking: take your choice of those That best can aid your action. Mar. Those are they That most are willing. If any such be here — As it were sin to doubt — that love this painting Wherein you see me smear'd; if any fear Lesser his person than an ill report; 70 If any think brave death outweighs bad life. And that his country's dearer than himself; Let him alone, or so manv so minded. Wave thus, to express his disposition, And follow JMarcius. [They all shout, and wave their swords: take him up in their arms, and east up their eaps. 42 CORIOLANUS Actl. Sc. vii. O, me alone ! make you a sword of me ? If these shows be not outward, which of you But is four V'olsces? none of you but is Able to bear against the great Aufidius A shield as hard as his. A certain number, 80 Though thanks to all, must I select from all : the rest Shall bear the business in some other fight, As cause will be obey'd. Please you to march ; And four shall quickly draw out my command. Which men are best inclined. Com. March on, my fellows : Make good this ostentation, and you shall Divide in all with us. [Exeunt. Scene VII. The gates of Corioli. Titus Lartius, having set a guard upon Corioli, going with drum and trumpet toward Cominius and Cains Mar- ciiis, enters with a Lieutenant, other Soldiers, and a Scout. Lart. So, let the ports be guarded : keep your duties. As I have set them down. If I do send, dispatch Those centuries to our aid ; the rest will serve For a short holding : if we lose the field, We cannot keep the town. Lieu. Fear not our care, sir. Lart. Hence, and shut your gates upon 's. Our guider, come ; to the Roman camp conduct us. [Exeuyit. 43 Act I. Sc. viii. THE TRAGEDY OF Scene VIII. A field of battle between the Roman and the Volscian camps. Alarum as in battle. Enter, from opposite sides, Marcius and Auiidius. Mar. I '11 fight with none but thee ; for I do hate thee Worse than a promise-breaker. Aiif, We hate alike: Not Afric owns a serpent I abhor More than thy fame and envy. Fix thy foot. Mar. Let the first budger die the other's slave, And the gods doom him after! Aiif. If I fly, ^larcius, Holloa me like a hare. Mar. Within these three hours, Tullus, Alone I fought in your Corioli walls, And made what work I pleased : 'tis not my blood Wherein thou seest me mask'd; for thy revenge lo Wrench up thy power to the highest. Aiif. Wert thou the Hector That was the whip of your bragg'd progeny, Thou shouldst not 'scape me here. {They fight, and certain Volsces come in the aid of Aufidius. Marcius fights till they be driven in breathless. Officious and not valiant, you have shamed me In your condemned seconds. [Exeunt. 44 CORIOLANUS Act I. Sc. ix. Scene IX. T!ie Roman camp. Flourish. Alarum. A retreat is sounded. Enter, from one side, Cominins zcitJi the Romans: from the other side, Marcius, zcith his arm in a scarf. Com. If I should tell thee o'er this thy day's work, Thou 'It not believe thy deeds : but I '11 report it, Where senators shall mingle tears with smiles ; Where great patricians shall attend, and shrug, r the end admire ; where ladies shall be frighted, And, gladly quaked, hear more ; where the dull tribunes, That, with the fusty plebeians, hate thine honours. Shall say against their hearts ' We thank the gods Our Rome hath such a soldier.' Yet camest thou to a morsel of this feast, lo Having fully dined before. Enter Titus Lartius, zuith his pozcer, from the pursuit. Lart. O general, Here is the steed, we the caparison : Hadst thou beheld — Mar. Pray now, no more : my mother, Who has a charier to extol her blood, When she does praise me grieves me. I have done As you have done ; that *s what I can : induced As you have been : that 's for my country : He that has but effected his good will Hath overtaken mine act. Com. Vou shall not be The grave of vour deserving ; Rome must know 20 The value of her own : 'twere a concealment 45 Act I. Sc. ix. THE TRAGEDY OF Worse than a theft, no less than a traducement, To hide your doings ; and to silence that, Which, to the spire and top of praises vouch'd, Would seem but modest : therefore, I beseech you — In sign of what you are, not to reward What you have done — ^before our army hear me. Mar. I have some wounds upon me, and they smart To hear themselves remember'd. Com. Should they not, W^ell might they fester 'gainst ingratitude, 30 And tent themselves with death. Of all the horses, Whereof we have ta'en good, and good store, of all The treasure in this field achieved and city, We render you the tenth ; to be ta'en forth, Before the common distribution, at Your only choice. Mar. I thank you, general : But cannot make my heart consent to take A bribe to pay my sword : I do refuse it, And stand upon my common part with those That have beheld the doing. 40 [A long Nourish. They all cry ' Marciiis! Marcius!' cast up their caps and lances: Cominius and Lartiiis stand bare. Mar. May these same instruments, which you profane, Never sound more ! when drums and trumpets shall r the field prove flatterers, let courts and cities be Made all of false-faced soothing ! When steel grows soft as the parasite's silk, Let him be made a coverture for the wars ! No more, I say ! For tha-t I have not wash'd My nose that bled, or foil'd some debile wretch, 46 CORIOLANUS Act I. Sc. ix. Which without note here 's many else have done, You shout me forth 50 In acclamations hyperbolical ; As if I loved my little should be dieted In praises sauced with lies. Com. Too modest are you ; More cruel to your good report than grateful To us that give you truly : by your patience, If 'gainst yourself you be incensed, we '11 put you. Like one that means his proper harm, in manacles. Then reason safely with you. Therefore, be it known, As to us, to all the world, that Caius Alarcius Wears this war's garland : in token of the which, 60 My noble steed, known to the camp, I give him. With all his trim belonging ; and from this time, For what he did before Corioli, call him. With all the applause and clamour of the host, Caius AIarcius Coriolanus. Bear The addition nobly ever ! [Flourish. Tniuipcts sound, and drums. All. Caius Marcius Coriolanus ! Cor. I will go wash ; And when my face is fair, you shall perceive Whether I blush, or no : howbeit, I thank you : 70 I mean to stride your steed ; and at all times To undercrest your good addition To the fairness of my power. Com. So, to our tent; Where, ere we do repose us, we will write To Rome of our success. You, Titus Lartius, Must to Corioli back : send us to Rome The best, with whom we may articulate 47 Act I. Sc. X. THE TRAGEDY OF For their own good and ours. Lart. I shall, my lord. Cor. The gods begin to mock me. I, that now Refused most princely gifts, am bound to beg 80 Of my lord general. Com. Take 't; 'tis yours. What is 't? Cor. I sometime lay here in Corioli At a poor roan's house ; he used me kindly : He cried to me ; I saw him prisoner ; But then Aufidius was within my view, And wrath o'erwhelm'd my pity : I request you To give my poor host freedom. Com. O, well begg'd ! . Were he the butcher of my son, he should Be free as is the wind. Deliver him, Titus. Lart. Marcius, his name? Cor. By Jupiter, forgot : 90 I am weary ; yea, my memory is tired. Have we no .wine here ? Com. Go we to our tent : The blood upon your visage dries ; 'tis time It should be look'd to : come. [Exeunt. Scene X. The camp of the Volsces. A nourish. Cornets. Enter Tullus Aufidius, bloody, with tzvo or three Soldiers. Auf. The town is ta'en ! Eirst Sol. 'Twill be deliver'd back on good condition. Auf. Condition! I would I were a Roman ; for I cannot, 48 CORIOLANUS Act I. Sc. x. Being a Volsce, be that I am. Condition ! What good condition can a treaty find r the part that is at mercy ? Five times, Marcius, I have fought with thee ; so often hast thou beat me ; And wouldst do so, I think, should we encounter As often as we eat. By the elements, lo If e'er again I meet him beard to beard, He 's mine, or I am his : mine emulation Hath not that honour in 't it had ; for where I thought to crush him in an equal force. True sword to sword, I '11 potch at him some way, Or wrath or craft may get him. First SoL He 's the devil. Aiif. Bolder, though not so subtle. My valour 's poison'd With only suffering stain by him ; for him Shall fly out of itself : nor sleep nor sanctuary. Being naked, sick, nor fane nor Capitol, 20 The prayers of priests nor times of sacrifice, Embarquements all of fury, shall lift up Their rotten privilege and custom 'gainst My hate to Marcius : where I find him, were it At home, upon my brother's guard, even there, Against the hospitable canon, would I Wash my fierce hand in 's heart. Go you to the city ; Learn how 'tis held, and what they are that must Be hostages for Rome. First Sol. Will not you go ? Aitf. I am attended at the cypress grove : I pray you — 30 'Tis south the city mills — bring me word thither How the world goes, that the pace of it I may spur on my journey. First SoL I shall, sir. [Exeunt. 49 Act II. Sc. i. THE TRAGEDY OF ACT SECOND. Scene I. Rome. A public place. Enter Menenius, with the t'u'o Tribunes of the people, Sicinius and Brutus. Men. The augurer tells me we shall have news to- night. Bru. Good or bad? Men. Not according to the prayer of the people, for they love not Marcius. Sic. Nature teaches beasts to know their friends. Men. Pray you, who does the wolf love? Sic. The lamb. Men. Ay, to devour him ; as the hungry plebeians would the noble Marcius. lo Bru. He 's a lamb indeed, that baes like a bear. Men. He 's a bear indeed, that lives like a lamb. You two are old men : tell me one thing that I shall ask you. Both. Well, sir. Men. In what enormity is Alarcius poor in, that you two have not in abundance ? Bru. He 's poor in no one fault, but stored with all. Sic. Especially in pride. Bru. And topping all others in boasting. 20 Men. This is strange now : do you two know how you are censured here in the city, I mean of us o' the right-hand file? do you? Both. Why, how are we censured? 50 CORIOLANUS Act II. Sc. i. Men. Bjecause you talk of pride now, — will you not be angry? Both. Well, well, sir, well. Men. Why, 'tis no great matter; for a very little thief of occasion will rob you of a great deal of patience: give your dispositions the reins, and 3.) be angry at your pleasures; at the least, if you take it as a pleasure to you in being so. You blame Marcius for being proud? Bni. W^e do it not alone, sir. Men. I know you can do very little alone; for your helps are many, or else your actions would grow wondrous single: your abilities are too infant- like for doing much alone. You talk of pride: that you could turn your eyes toward the napes of your necks, and make but an interior 40 survey of your good selves! O that you could! Both. What then, sir? Men. Why, then you should discover a brace of un- meriting, proud, violent, testy magistrates, alias fools, as any in Rome. Sic. Menenius, you are known well enough too. Men. I am known to be a humorous patrician, and one that loves a cup of hot wine with not a drop of allaying Tiber in 't ; said to be something im- perfect in favouring the first complaint, hasty and 50 tinder-like upon too trivial motion ; one that con- verses more with the buttock of the night than with the forehead of the morning : what I think 1 utter, and spend my malice in my breath. Meeting two such wealsmen as you are, — I can- not call you Lycurguses — if the drink you give 51 Act II. Sc. i. THE TRAGEDY OF me touch my palate adversely, I make a croolied face at it. I can 't say your worships have de- livered the matter well, when I find the ass in compound with the major part of your syllables : 60 and though I must be content to bear with those that say you are reverend grave men, yet they lie deadly that tell you you have good faces. If you see this in the map of my microcosm, follows it that I am known well enough too? what harm can your bisson conspectuities glean out of this # character, if I be known well enough too ? Bru. Come, sir, come, we know you well enough. Men. You know neither me, yourselves, nor any thing. You are ambitious for poor knaves' caps ; j and legs: you wear out a good wholesome fore- noon in hearing a cause between an orange-wife and a fosset-seller, and then rejourn the contro- versy of three-pence to a second day of audience. When you are hearing a matter between party and party, if you chance to be pinched wuth the colic, you make faces like mummers; set up the bloody flag against all patience; and, in roaring for a chamber-pot, dismiss the controversy bleed- ing, the more entangled by your hearing : all the 80 peace you make in their cause is, calling both the parties knaves. You are a pair of strange ones. Bru. Come, come, you are well understood to be a perfecter giber for the table than a necessary bencher in the Capitol. Men. Our very priests must become mockers, if they shall encounter such ridiculous subjects as you 52 CORIOLANUS Act II. Sc. i. are. When you speak best unto the purpose, it is not worth the wagging- of your beards ; and 90 your beards deserve not so honourable a grave as to stuff a botcher's cushion, or to be entombed in an ass's pack-saddle. Yet you must be saying, Marcius is proud ; who, in a cheap estimation, is worth all your predecessors since Deucalion ; though peradventure some of the best of 'em Avere hereditary hangmen. God-den to your wor- ships : more of your conversation would infect my brain, being the herdsmen of the beastly plebeians : I will be bold to take my leave of you. 100 [Brutus aud Sicinius go aside. Enter Vohiinuia, Virgilia, and Valeria. How now, my as fair as noble ladies, — and the moon, were she earthly, no nobler — whither do you follow your eyes so fast ? Vol. Honourable Menenius, my boy Alarcius ap- proaches ; for the love of Juno, let 's go. Men. Ha! ]\Iarcius coming home? Vol. Av, worthy ^Menenius ; and with most prosperous approbation. Meu. Take my cap, Jupiter, and I thank thee. Hoo! A larcius coming home? no T, , ,- Xav, 'tis true. Val. J Vol. Look, here 's a letter from him : the state hath another, his wife another ; and, I think, there 's one at home for you. Men. I will make my very house reel to-night: a letter for me? S3 Vir. \ Aet 11. Sc. i. THE TRAGEDY OF Vir. Yes, certain, there 's a letter for you ; I saw 't. Men. A letter for me ! it gives me an estate of seven years' health ; in which time I will make a lip at the physician : the most sovereign pre- 120 scription in Galen is but empiricutic, and, to this preservative, of no better report than a horse-drench. Is he not wounded? he was wont to come home wounded. Vir. O, no, no, no. Fo/. O, he is wounded ; I thank the gods for 't. Men. So do I too, if it be not too much : brings a' victory in his pocket? the wounds become him. Vol. On 's brows : Menenius, he comes the third time 130 home with the oaken garland. Men. Has he disciplined Aufidius soundly? Vol. Titus Lartius writes, they fought together, but Aufidius got off. Men. And 'twas time for him too, I '11 warrant him that: an he had stayed by him, I would not have been so fidiused for all the chests in Corioli, and the gold that 's in them. Is the senate possessed of this ? Vol. Good ladies, let 's go. Yes, yes, yes ; the 140 senate has letters from the general, wherein he gives my son the whole name of the war : he hath in this action outdone his former deeds doubly. Val. In troth, there 's wondrous things spoke of him. Men. Wondrous! ay, I warrant you, and not with- out his true purchasing. 54 CORIOLANUS Act II. Sc. i. Vir. The gods grant them true! Vol. True! pow, wow. 15b Men. True! I'll be sworn they are true. Where is he wounded? [To the Tribunes] God save your good worships ! Marcius is coming home : he has more cause to be proud. Where is he wounded ? Vol. T the shoulder and i' the left arm : there will be large cicatrices to show the people, when he shall stand for his place. He received in the repulse of Tarquin seven hurts i' the body. Men. One i' the neck, and two i' the thigh ; there 's 160 nine that I know. Vol. He had, before this last expedition, twenty five wounds upon him. Men. Now it 's twenty seven : every gash was an enemy's grave. [A shout and flourish.] Hark! the trumpets. Vol. These are the ushers of Marcius : before him he carries noise, and behind him he leaves tears : Death, that dark spirit, in 's nervy arm doth lie; 169 Which, being advanced, declines, and then men die. A sennet. Trumpets sound. Enter Cominius and Titus Lartius; between them, Coriolanns, crowned with an oaken garland; zvith Captains and Soldiers, and a Herald. Her. Know, Rome, that all alone Marcius did fight Within Corioli gates : where he hath won, With fame, a name to Caius Marcius ; these In honour follows Coriolanus. Welcome to Rome, renowned Coriolanus ! [Flourish. 55 Act II. Sc i. THE TRAGEDY OF AIL Welcome to Rome, renowned Coriolanus ! Cor. No more of this, it does offend my heart ; Pray now, no more. Com. Look, sir, }our mother! Cor. ' O, You have, I know, petition'd all the gods For my prosperity ! [Kneels. Vol. Nay, my good soldier, up; i8o My gentle Marcius, worthy Caius, and By deed-achieving honour newly named, — What is it ? — Coriolanus must I call thee ? — But, O, thy wife ! Cor. ]\Iy gracious silence, hail ! Wouldst thou have laugh'd had I come coffin'd home, That weep'st to see me triumph ? Ah, my dear. Such eyes the widows in Corioli w^ear, And mothers that lack sons. Men. Now% the gods crown thee! Cor. And live you yet? [To Valeria] O my sweet lady, pardon. Vol. I know not where to turn : O, welcome home : 190 And welcome, general : and ye 're welcome all. Men. A liundred thousand welcomes. I could weep. And I could laugh ; I am light and heavy. Welcome : 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 have some old crab-trees here at home that will not Be grafted to your relish. Yet welcome, warriors : We call a nettle but a nettle, and The faults of fools but folly. Co77t. Ever right. 200 CORIOLANUS Act II. Sc. i. Cor. Menenius, ever, ever. Her. Give way there, and go on. Cor. [To l^oliujinia and Virgilia] Your hand, and yours: Ere in our own house I do shade my head, The good patricians must be visited ; From whom I have received not only greetings, But with them change of honours. Ko/. I have Uved To see inherited my very wishes And the buildings of my fancy : only There 's one thing wanting, which I doubt not but Our Rome will cast upon thee. Cor. Know, good mother, 210 I had rather be their servant in my way Than sway with them in theirs. Com. On, to the Capitol ! [FlourisJi. Cornets. Exeunt in state, as before. Brutus and Sicijiius come forward. Bru. All tongues speak of him, and the bleared sights Are spectacled to see him : your prattling nurse Into a rapture lets her baby cry While she chats him : the kitchen malkin pins Her richest lockram 'bout her reechy neck, Clambering the walls to eye him : stalls, bulks, windows. Are smother'd up, leads fiU'd and ridges horsed With variable complexions, all agreeing 220 In earnestness to see him : seld-shown flamens Do press among the popular throngs, and puff To win a vulgar station : our veil'd dames Commit the war of white and damask in Their nicely-gawded cheeks to the wanton spoil 57 Act II. Sc. i. THE TRAGEDY OF Of Phcebus' burning kisses : such a pother. As if that whatsoever god who leads him Were shly crept into his human powers, And gave him graceful posture. Sic. On the sudden, I warrant him consul. Bnt. Then our office may, 230 During his power, go sleep. Sic. He cannot temperately transport his honours From where he should begin and end, but will Lose those he hath won. Brii. In that there 's comfort. Sic. Doubt not The commoners, for whom we stand, but they Upon their ancient malice will forget ^^'ith the least cause these his new honours ; which That he w411 give them make I as little question As he is proud to do 't. Bru. I heard him swear, WevQ he to stand for consul, never would he 240 Appear i' the market-place, nor on him put The napless vesture of humility. Nor show^ing, as the manner is, his wounds To the people, beg their stinking breaths. Sic. 'Tis right. Brii. It was his word : O, he would miss it rather Than carry it but by the suit of the gentry to him, And the desire of the nobles. Sic. I wish no better Than have him hold that purpose and to put it In execution. Bru. 'Tis most like he will. 58 CORIOLANUS Act II. Sc. i. Sic. It sliall be to him then, as our good wills, 250 A sure destruction. Brii. So it must fall out 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 Have made them mules, silenced their pleaders and Dispropertied their freedoms ; holding them, In human action and capacity, Of no more soul nor fitness for the world Than camels in the war, who have their provand Only for bearing burthens, and sore blows 260 For sinking under them. Sic. This, as you say, suggested At some time when his soaring insolence Shall touch the people — which time shall not want, If he be put upon 't ; and that 's as easy As to set dogs on sheep — will be his fire To kindle their dry stubble ; and their blaze Shall darken him for ever. Enter a Messenger. Bru. What 's the matter? Mess. You are sent for to the Capitol. 'Tis thought That Marcius shall be consul : I have seen the dumb men throng to see him and 270 The blind to hear him speak : matrons flung gloves, Ladies and maids their scarfs and handkerchers. Upon him as he pass'd : the nobles bended. As to Jove's statue, and the commons made A shower and thunder with* their caps and shouts : I never saw the like. 59 Act 11. Sc. ii. THE TRAGEDY OF Bru. Let 's to the Capitol, And carry with iis ears and eyes for the time, But hearts for the event. Sic. Have with yon. [Exeunt. Scene II. The same. The Capitol. Enter tzvo Officers, to lay cushions. First Off. Come, come, they are ahnost here. How many stand for consulships? Sec. Off. Three, they say: but 'tis thought of every one Coriolanus will carry it. First Off. That's a brave fellow; but he's ven- geance proud, and loves not the common people. Sec. Off. Faith, there have been many great men that have flattered the people, who ne'er loved them ; and there be many that they have loved, they know not wherefore : so that, if they love they lo know not why, they hate upon no better a ground : therefore, for Coriolanus neither to care whether they love or hate him manifests the true knowledge he has in their disposition ; and out of his noble carelessness lets them plainly see 't. First Off. If he did not care whether he had their love or no, he waved indifferently 'twixt doing them neither good nor harm : but he seeks their hate with greater devotion than they can 20 render it him, and leaves nothing undone that may fully discover -him their opposite. Now, to seem to affect the malice and displeasure of 60 30 CORIOLANUS Act II. Sc. the people is as bad as that which he dishkes, to flatter them for their love. Sec. Off. He hath deserved worthily of his country: and his ascent is not by such easy degrees as those who, having been supple and courteous to the people, bonneted, without any further deed to have them at all into their estimation and report : but he hath so planted his honours in their eyes and his actions in their hearts, that for their tongues to be silent and not confess so much, were a kind of ingrateful injury; to report otherwise were a malice that, giving itself the lie, would pluck reproof and re- buke from every ear that heard it. First Off. Xo more of him; he's a worthy man: make way, they are coming. A sennet. Enter, li'ith Lictors before them, Corninius the Consul, Meneniiis, Coriolanus, Senators, Sicinius and Briitns. The Senators take their places; the Tribunes take their places by thcmsch'cs. Coriolanus stands. Men. Having determined of the \'olsces and 40 To send for Titus Lartius, it remains, As the main point of this our after-meeting, To gratify his noble service that Hath thus stood for his country : therefore, please you, Most reverend and grave elders, to desire The present consul, and last general In our well-found successes, to report A little of that worthy work perform 'd By Caius Marcius Coriolanus : whom We met here, both to thank and to remember 5c 61 Act II. Sc. ii. THE TRAGEDY OF \\'ith honours like himself. First Sen. Speak, good Cominius : Leave nothing out for length, and make us think Rather our state 's defective for requital Than we to stretch it out. [To the Tribunes] Masters o' the people, We do request your kindest ears, and after. Your loving motion toward the common body, To yield what passes here. Sic. We are convented Upon a pleasing treaty, and have hearts Inclinable to honour and advance The theme of our assembly. Bru, Which the rather 60 We shall be bless'd to do, if he remember A kinder value of the people than He hath hereto prized them at. Men. That 's off, that 's off ; I would you rather had been silent. Please you To hear Cominius speak? Bru. Alost willingly: But yet my caution was more pertinent Than the rebuke you give it. Men. He loves your people ; But tie him not to be their bedfellow. Worthy Cominius, speak. [Coriolanus offers to go away.] Nay, keep your place. First Sen. Sit, Coriolanus ; never shame to hear 70 What you have nobly done. Cor. Your honours' pardon : 1 had rather have my wounds to heal again, Than hear say how I got them. 62 CORIOLANUS Act II. Sc. ii. Brn. Sir, I hope My words disbench'd you not. Cor. No, sir: yet oft, When blows have made me stay, I fled from words. You sooth 'd not, therefore hurt not : but your people, I love them as they w^eigh. Men. Pray now, sit down. Cor. I had rather have one scratch my head i' the sun • When the alarum were struck than idly sit To hear my nothings monster'd. [Exit. Men. Masters of the people, 80 Your multiplying spawn how can he flatter — That 's thousand to one good one — when you now see He had rather venture all his limbs for honour Than one on 's ears to hear it? Proceed, Cominius. Com. I shall lack voice : the deeds of Coriolanus Should not be utter'd feebly. It is held That valour is the chiefest virtue and Most dignifies the haver: if it be, The man I speak of cannot in the world Be singly counterpoised. At sixteen years, 90 When Tarquin made a head for Rome, he fought Beyond the mark of others: our then dictator, Whom with all praise I point at, saw him fight, When with his Amazonian chin he drove The bristled lips before him: he bestrid An o'er-press'd Roman, and i' the consul's view Slew three opposers: Tarquin's self he met. And struck him on his knee: in that day's feats, When he might act the woman in the scene, He proved best man i' the field, and for his meed 100 Was brow-bound with the oak. His pupil age 63 Act II. Sc. ii. THE TRAGEDY OF Man-enter'd thus, he waxed Hke a sea ; And, in the brunt of seventeen battles since, He lurch'd all swords of the garland. For this last, Before and in CorioH, let me say, I cannot speak him home: he stopp'd the fliers; And by his rare example made the coward Turn terror into sport: as weeds before ■ A vessel under sail, so men obey'd, And fell below his stem: his sword, death's stamp, AVhere it did mark, it took: from face to foot iii He was a thing of blood, whose every motion Was timed with dying cries: alone he enter'd The mortal gate of the city, which he painted With shunless destiny; aidless came off. And with a sudden re-enforcement struck Corioh like a planet: now all's his: When, by and by, the din of war gan pierce His ready sense; then straight his doubled spirit Re-quicken'd what in flesh was fatigate, 120 And to the battle came he; where he did Run reeking o'er the lives of men, as if 'Twere a perpetual spoil: and till we call'd Both field and city ours, he never stood To ease his breast with pant mg. Mcji. Worthy man! First Soi. He cannot but with measure fit the honours Which we devise him. Cojii. Our spoils he kick'd at, And look'd upon things precious, as they were The common muck of the world: he covets less Than misery itself would give; rewards 130 His deeds with doing them, and is content 64 CORIOLANUS Act II. Sc. ii. To spend the time to end it. Men. He 's right noble: Let him be call'd for. First Sen. Call Coriolanus. Off. He doth appear. Re-enter Coriolanus. Men. The senate, Coriolanus, are well pleased To make thee consul. Cor. I do owe them still My life and services. Men. It then remains That you do speak to the people. Cor. I do beseech you, Let me o'erleap that custom, for I cannot Put on the gown, stand naked, and entreat them, 140 For my wotmds' sake, to give their suffrage : please you That I may pass this doing. Sic. Sir, the people Must have their voices ; neither will they bate One jot of ceremony. Men. Put them not to 't : Pray you, go fit you to the custom, and Take to you, as your predecessors have, Your honour with your form. Cor. It is a part That I shall blush in acting, and might well Be taken from the people. Bru. ]\Iark you that? Cor. To brag unto them, thus I did, and thus; 150 Show them the unaching scars which I should hide, 65 Act II. Sc. iii. THE TRAGEDY OF As if I had received them for the hire Of their breath only ! Men. Do not stand upon 't. We recommend to you, tribunes of the people, Our purpose to them : and to our noble consul \Msh we all joy and honour. Senators. To Coriolanus come all joy and honour! [Flourish of cornets. Exeunt all but Sicinius and Brutus. Bru. You see how he intends to use the people. Sic. May they perceive 's intent ! He will require them, As if he did contemn what he requested i6o Should be in them to give. Bru. Come, we '11 inform them Of our proceedings here : on the market-place, I know, they do attend us. [Exeunt. Scene III. The same. The Forum. Enter seven or eight Citizens. First Cit. Once, if he do require our voices, we ought ' not to deny him. Sec. Cit. We may, sir, if we will. Third Cit. We have power in ourselves to do It, but it is a power that we have no power to do : for if he show us his wounds and tell us his deeds, we are to put our tongues into those wounds and speak for them : so, if he tell us his noble deeds, we must also tell him our noble accept- ance of them. Ingratitude is monstrous : and for lo the multitude to be in grateful, were to make a 66 CORIOLANUS Act II. Sc. iii. monster of the multitude ; of the which we being members, should bring ourselves to be mon- strous members. First Cit. And to make us no better thought of, a little help will serve ; for once we stood up about the corn, he himself stuck not to call us the many-headed multitude. Third Cit. We have been called so of many ; not that our heads are some brown, some black, some 20 auburn, some bald, but that our wits are so diversely coloured : and truly I think, if all our wits were to issue out of one skull, they would fly east, west, north, south, and their consent of one direct way should be at once to all the points o' the compass. Sec. Cit. Think you so ? Which way do you judge my wit would fly? Third Cit. Xay, your wit will not so soon out as another man's will ; 'tis strongly wedged up in 30 a blockhead ; but if it were at liberty, 'twould, sure, southward. Sec. Cit. Why that way ? Third Cit. To lose itself in a fog ; where being three parts melted away with rotten dew^s, the fourth would return for conscience sake, to help to get thee a wife. Sec. Cit. You are never without your tricks : you may, you may. Third Cit. Are you all resolved to give your voices ? 40 But that 's no matter, the greater part carries it. I say, if he would incline to the people, there was never a worthier man. ^7 Act II. Sc. iii. THE TRAGEDY OF Enter Coriolamis in a go-a'u of Jiuniility, zcith Mencniiis. Here he comes, and in the gown of humiUty : mark his behaviour. \\q are not to stay all together, bnt to come by him where he stands, by ones, by twos, and by threes. He's to make his requests l)y particulars ; wherein every one of us has a single honour, in giving him our own voices with our own tongues : therefore 50 follow me, and I '11 direct you how you shall go by him. All. Content, content. [Exeunt Citizens. Men. O sir, you are not right : have you not known The worthiest men have done 't ? Cor. What must I say ? — ' I pray, sir,' — Plague upon 't ! I cannot bring AI}' tongue to such a pace. ' Look, sir, my wounds ! I got them in my country's service, when Some certain of your brethren roar'd, and ran From the noise of our own drums.' Men. O me, the gods! 60 You must not speak of that : you must desire them To think upon you. Cor. Think upon me ! hang 'em ! I would they would forget me, like the virtues Which our divines lose by 'em. Men. You '11 mar all : I 11 leave you : pray you, speak to 'em, I pray you. In wholesome manner. [Exit. Cor. Bid them wash their faces. And keep their teeth clean. [Re-enter tivo of the Citij:ens. ] So, here comes a brace. CORIOLANUS Act II. Sc. iii. Rc-cjitcr a third Citizen. You know the cause, sir, of my standing here. Third Cit. We do, sir : tell ns what hath hrougiit you to 't. 70 Cor. Aline own desert. Sec. Cit. Your own desert ! Cor. Ay, but not mine own desire. Third Cit. How! not your own desire! Cor. No, sir, 'twas never my desire yet to trouble the poor with begging. Third Cit. You must think, if we give you any thing, we hope to gain by you. Cor. Well then, I pray, your price o' the consulship ? First Cit. The price is, to ask it kindly. 80 Cor. Kindly ! Sir, I pray, let me ha 't : I have wounds to show you, which shall be yours in private. Your good voice, sir ; what say you ? Sec. Cit. You shall ha 't, worthy sir. Cor. A match, sir. There 's in all two worthy voices begged. I have your alms : adieu. Third Cit. But this is something odd. Sec. Cit. An 'twere to give again, — but 'tis no matter. [Exeunt the three Citizens. Re-enter tico other Citizens. Cor. Pray you now, if it may stand with the tune of your voices that I may be consul, I have here the 90 customary gown. Fourth Cit. You have deserved nobly of your country, and you have not desired nobly. Cor. Your enigma? Foiirtli Cit. You have been a scourge to her enemies, 69 Act II. Sc. iii. THE TRAGEDY OF you have been a rod to her friends ; you have , not indeed loved the common people. Cor. You should account me the more virtuous, that I have not been common in my love. I will, sir, flatter my sworn brother, the people, to lOO earn a dearer estimation of them ; 'tis a condi- tion they account gentle : and since the wisdom of their choice is rather to have my hat than my heart, I will practise the insinuating nod, and be off to them most counterfeitly ; that is, sir, I will counterfeit the bewitchment of some popular man, and give it bountiful to the desirers. There- fore, beseech you, I may be consul. Fifth Cif. We hope to find you our friend ; and therefore give you our voices heartily. iic Fourth Cit. You have received many wounds for your country. Cor. I will not seal your knowledge with showing them. I will make much of your voices, and so trouble you no farther. Both Cif. The gods give you joy, sir, heartily! [Exeunt. Cor. Alost sweet voices ! Better it is to die, better to starve. Than crave the hire which first we do deserve. Why in this woolvish toge should I stand here ; 120 To beg of Hob and Dick that do appear, Their needless vouches ? Custom calls me to 't : What custom wills, in all things should we do 't, The dust on antique time would lie unswept. And mountainous error be too highly heap'd For truth to o'er-peer. Rather than fool it so, Let the high office and the honour go 70 CORIOLANUS Act II. Sc. iii. To one that would do thus. I am half through : The one part suffer'd, the other will I do. Re-enter three Citizens more. Here come moe voices. 130 Your voices : for your voices I have fought ; Watch'd for your voices ; for your voices bear Of wounds two dozen odd ; battles thrice six I have seen, and heard of ; for your voices have Done many things, some less, some more : your voices : Indeed, I would be consul. Sixth Cit. He has done nobly, and cannot. go without any honest man's voice. Seventh Cit. Therefore let him be consul : the gods give him joy, and make him good friend to the 140 people ! All. Amen, amen. God save thee, noble consul ! [Exeunt. Cor. Worthy voices ! Re-enter Meneniiis, li'ith Brutus and Sicinius. Men. You have stood your limitation ; and the tribunes Endue you with the people's voice : remains That in the official marks invested you Anon do meet the senate. Cor. Is this done? Sic. The custom of request you have discharged : The people do admit you, and are summon'd To meet anon upon your approbation. 150 Cor. Where? at the senate-house? Sic. There, Coriolanus. Cor. May 1 change these garments ? 71 Act II. Sc. iii. THE TRAGEDY OF Sic. You may, sir. Cor. That I '11 straight do, and, knowing myself again, Repair to the senate-house. Men. I '11 keep you company. Will you along ? Bru. We. stay here for the people. Sic. Fare you well. [EA'eunt Coriolanus and Menenius. He has it now ; and, by his looks, methinks Tis warm at 's heart. Bru. With a proud heart he wore His humble weeds. Will you dismiss the people ? Re-enter Cithens. Sic. How now, my masters ! have you chose this man ? First Cit. He has our voices, sir. i6i Bru. We pray the gods he may deserve your loves. Sec. Cit. Amen, sir : to my poor unworthy notice. He mock'd us when he begg'd our voices. Third Cit. Certainly He flouted us downright. First Cit. No, 'tis his kind of speech ; he did not mock us. Sec. Cit. Not one amongst us, save yourself, but says He used us scornfully : he should have show'd us His marks of merit, wounds received for 's country. Sic. Why, so he did, I am sure. i/o Citizens. No, no ; no man saw 'em. Third Cit. He said he had wounds which he could show in private ; And with his hat, thus waving it in scorn, * I would be consul,' says he : ' aged custom, But by your voices, will not so permit me ; Your voices therefore.' When we granted that, 72 CORIOLANUS Act II. Sc. iii. Here was ' I thank you for your voices : thank you : Your most sweet voices: now }ou have left your voices, I have no further with you.' Was not this mockery? Sic. Why, either were you ignorant to see 't, i8o Or, seeing it, of such childish friendliness To yield your voices? Bni. Could you not have told him, As you were lesson'd, when he had no power, But was a petty servant to the state, He was your enemy ; ever spake against Your liberties and the charters that you bear r the body of the weal: and now, arriving A place of potency and sway o' the state. If he should still malignantly remain Fast foe to the plebeii, your voices might 190 Be curses to yourselves? You should have said, That as his worthy deeds did claim no less Than what he stood for, so his gracious nature Would think upon you for your voices, and Translate his maHce towards you into love, Standing your friendly lord. Sic. Thus to have said, As you were fore-advised, had touch'd his spirit And tried his inclination; from him pluck'd Either his gracious promise, which you might. As cause had call'd you up, have held him to; 200 Or else it would have gallVl his surly nature, Which easily endures not article Tying him to aught : so, putting him to rage. You should have ta'en the advantage of his choler, And pass'd him unelected. 73 Act II. Sc. iii. THE TRAGEDY OF Bni. Did you perceive He did solicit you in free contempt When he did need your loves; and do you think That his contempt shall not be bruising to you When he hath power to crush ? Why, had your bodies No heart among you ? or had you tongues to cry Against the rectorship of judgement? 211 Sic. Have you, Ere now, denied the asker? and now again, Of him that did not ask but mock, bestow Your sued-for tongues? Third Cit. He 's not confirm'd; we may deny him yet. Sec. Cit. And will deny him: I '11 have five hundred voices of that sound. First Cit. I twice five hundred, and their friends to piece 'em. Bnt. Get you hence instantly, and tell those friends. They have chose a consul that will from them take Their liberties, make them of no more voice 221 Than dogs that are as often beat for barking, As therefore kept to do so. Si^. Let them assemble; And, on a safer judgement, all revoke Your ignorant election : enforce his pride And his old hate unto you: besides, forget not With what contempt he wore the humble weed, How in his suit he scorn'd you: but your loves, Thinking upon his services, took from you The apprehension of his present portance, 230 Which most gibingly, ungravely, he did fashion After the inveterate hate he bears you. Bru. Lay 74 CORIOLANUS Act II. Sc. iii. A fault on us, your tribunes ; that we labour'd, No impediment between, but that you must Cast your election on him. Sic. Say, you chose him More after our commandment than as guided By your own true affections : and that your minds, Pre-occupied with what you rather must do Than what you should, made you against the grain To voice him consul : lay the fault on us. 240 BriL Ay, spare us not. Say we read lectures to you, How youngly he began to serve I-is country, How long continued ; and what stock he springs of, The noble house o' the Marcians, from whence came That Ancus Marcius, Xuma's daughter's son, Who, after great Hostilius, here was king ; Of the same house Publius and Quintus were, That our best water brought by conduits hither ; And [Censorinus] nobly named so, Twice being [by the people chosen] censor, 250 Was his great ancestor. Sic. One thus descended. That hath beside well in his person wrought To be set high in place, we did commend To your remembrances : but you have found, Scaling his present bearing with his past. That he 's your fixed enemy, and revoke Your sudden approbation. Bru. Say, you ne'er had done 't — Harp on that still — but by our putting on : And presently, when you have drawn your number, Repair to the Capitol. Citizens. We will so : almost all 260 75 Act III. Sc. i. THE TRAGEDY OF Repent in their election. [Exeunt Cifir'::e)is. Br II. Let them go on ; This mutiny were better put in hazard, Than stay, past doubt, for greater : If, as his nature is, he fall in rage With their refusal, both observe and answer The vantage of his anger. Sic. To the Capitol, come : We will be there before the stream o' the people ; And this shall seem, as partly 'tis, their own, Which we have goaded onward. [Exeunt. ACT THIRD. Scene I. Rome. A street. Cornets. Enter Coriolaniis, Mcncnins, all the Gentry, Cominius, Titus Lartius, and other Senators. Cor. Tullus Aufidius then had made new head? Lart. He had, my lord ; and that it was which caused Our swifter composition. Cor. So then the Volsces stand but as at first ; Ready, when time shall prompt them, to make road Upon 's again. Com. They are worn, lord consul, so, That we shall hardly in our ages see Their banners wave again. Cor. Saw you Aufidius ? Lart. On safe-guard he came to me ; and did curse Against the Volsces, for they had so vilely lo Yielded the town : he is retired to Antium. 76 CORIOLANUS Act III. Sc. i. Cor. Spoke he of me? Lart. He did, my lord. Cor. How? what? Larf. How often he had met you, sword to sword ; That of all things upon the earth he hated Your person most ; that he would pawn his fortunes To hopeless restitution, so he might Be call'd your vanquisher. Cor. At Antium lives he? Lart. At Antium. Cor. I wish I had a cause to seek him there. To oppose his hatred fully. Welcome home. 20 Enter Sicinius and Brutus. Behold, these are the tribunes of the* people, The tongues o' the common mouth : I do despise them ; For they do prank them in authority, Against all noble sufiferance. Sic. Pass no further. Cor. Ha! what is that? Brii. It will be dangerous to go on : no further. Cor. What makes this change? Men. The matter? Com. Hath he not pass'd the noble and the common? Bru. Cominius, no. Cor. Have I had children's voices? 30 First Sen. Tribunes, give way ; he shall to the market- place. Bru. The people are incensed against him. Sic. Stop, Or all will fall in broil. 77 Act III. Sc. i. THE TRAGEDY OF Cor. Are these your herd? Must these have voices, that can yield them now, And straight disclaim their tongues ? What are your offices ? You being their mouths, why rule you not their teetl: ? Have you not set them on ? Men. Be cahri, be calm. Cor. It is a purposed thing, and grows by plot, To curb the will of the nobihty : Suffer 't, and live with such as cannot rule, 40 Nor ever will be ruled. Bru. Call 't not a plot : The people cry you mock'd them ; and of late. When corn was given them gratis, you repined, Scandal'd the suppliants for the people, call'd them Time-pleasers, flatterers, foes to nobleness. Cor. Why, this was known before. Bru. Xot to them all. Cor. Have you informed them sithence? Bru. How ! I inform them ! Com. You are like to do such business. Bru. Xot unlike. Each way, to better yours. Cor. Why then should I be consul? By yond clouds. Let me deserve so ill as von, and make me 51 Your fellow tribune. Sic. You show too much of that For which the people stir : if you will pass To where you are bound, you must inquire your way, Which you are out of, with a gentler spirit ; Or never be so noble as a consul, Nor yoke with him for tribune. 78 CORIOLANUS Act III. Sc. i. Men. Let 's be calm. Com. The people are abused ; set on. This paltering Becomes not Rome ; nor has Coriolanus Deserved this so dishonoured rub, laid falsely 60 r the plain way of his merit. Cor. Tell me of corn ! This was my speech, and I will speak 't again — Men. Xot now, not now. First Sen. Not in this heat, sir, now. Cor. Now, as I live, I will. My nobler friends, I crave their pardons : For the mutable, rank-scented many, let them Regard me as I do not flatter, and ' Therein behold themselves : I say again, In soothing them, we nourish 'gainst our senate The cockle of rebellion, insolence, sedition, 70 Which we ourselves have plough'd for, sow'd and scatter'd, By mingling them with us, the honour'd number ; Who lack not virtue, no, nor power, but that Which they have given to beggars. Men. Well, no more. First Sen. No more words, we beseech you. Cor. How ! no more ! As for my country I have shed my blood. Not fearing outward force, so shall my lungs Coin words till their decay against those measles. Which we disdain should tetter us, yet sought The very way to catch them. Bni, You speak o' the people, 80 As if you were a god to punish, not A man of their infirmity. 79 Act III. Sc. i. THE TRAGEDY OF Sic. 'Twere well We let the people know 't. Men. "VMiat, what ? his choler ? Cor. Choler! Were I as patient as the midnight sleep, By Jove, 'twould be my mind ! Sic. It Is a mind That shall remain a poison where it is, Not poison any further. Cor. Shall remain ! Hear you this Triton of the minnows ? mark you His absolute ' shall ' ? Com. Twas from the canon. Cor. ' Shall ' ! 90 O good, but most unwise patricians ! why, You grave but reckless senators, have you thus Given Hydra here to choose an officer, That with his peremptory ' shall,' being but The horn and noise o' the monster's, wants not spirit To say he '11 turn your current in a ditch, And make your channel his ? If he have p^wer, Then vail your ignorance ; if none, awake Your dangerous lenity. If you are learn'd, Be not as common fools ; if you are not, 100 Let them have cushions by you. You are plebeians. If they be senators : and they are no less, Wlien, both your voices blended, the great'st taste Most palates theirs. They choose their magistrate ; And such a one as he, who puts his ' shall' His popular ' shall,' against a graver bench Than ever frown 'd in Greece. By Jove himself, It makes the consuls base ! and my soul aches 80 CORIOLANUS Act III. Sc. i. To know, when two authorities are up, Neither supreme, how soon confusion lio May enter 'twixt the gap of both and take The one by the other. Com. Well, on to the market-place. Cor. Whoever gave that counsel, to give forth The corn o' the storehouse gratis, as 'twas used Sometime in Greece, — Mill. ^^'ell, well, no more of that. Cor. Though there the people had more absolute power, I say, they nourish'd disobedience, fed The ruin of the state. Bru. Why, shall the people give One that speaks thus their voice? Cor. I '11 give my reasons. More worthier than their voices. They know the corn Was not our recompense, resting well assured 121 They ne'er did service for 't : being press'd to the war, Even when the navel of the state was touch'd. They would not thread the gates. This kind of service Did not deserve corn gratis: being i' the war, Their mutinies and revolts, wherein they show'd Most valour, spoke not for them: the accusation Which they have often made against the senate, All cause unborn, could never be the native Of our so frank donation. Well, what then? 130 How shall this bosom multiplied digest The senate's courtesy? Let deeds express What 's like to be their words: ' We did request it; We are the greater poll, and in true fear They gave us our demands.' Thus we debase The nature of our seats, and make the rabble 81 Act III. Sc. i. THE TRAGEDY OF Call our cares fears; which will in time Break ope the locks o' the senate, and bring in The crows to peck the eagles. Men, Come, enough. Bni. Enough, with over measure. Cor. No,' take more: 140 What may be sworn by, both divine and human. Seal what I end withal! This double worship. Where one part does disdain with cause, the other Insult without all reason ; where gentry, title, wisdom, Cannot conclude but by the yea and no Of general ignorance, — it must omit Real necessities, and give way the while To unstable slightness: purpose so barr'd, it follows, Nothing is done to purpose. Therefore, beseech you, — You that will be less fearful than discreet; 150 That love the fundamental part of state More than you doubt the change on't; that prefer A noble life before a long, and wish To jump a body with a dangerous physic That 's sure of death without it, — at once pluck out The multitudinous tongue ; let them not lick The sweet which is their poison. Your dishonour Mangles true judgement and bereaves the state Of that integrity which should become 't ; Not having the power to do the good it would, 160 For the ill which doth control 't. Brii. Has said enough. Sic. Has spoken like a traitor, and shall answer As traitors do. Cor. Thou wretch, despite o'erwhelm thee! What should the people do with these bald tribunes? 82 CORIOLANUS Act III. Sc. L On whom depending, their obedience fails To the greater bench: in a rebelhon, When what "s not meet, but what must be, was law. Then were they chosen : in a better hour, Let what is meet be said it must be meet, 170 And throw their power i' the dust, Bru. ^Manifest treason ! Sic. This a consul ? no. Bru. The sediles, ho ! Enter an zEdile. Let him be apprehended. Sic. Go, call the people: [Exit ^dilc] in whose name myself Attach thee as a traitorous innovator, A foe to the public weal : obey, I charge thee. And follow to thine answer. Cor. Hence, old goat ! Senators, etc. We '11 surety him. Com. Aged sir, hands off. Cor. Hence, rotten thing ! or I shall shake thy bones Out of thy garments. Sic. Help, ye citizens ! 180 Enter a rabble cf Citizens, zcith the ALdiles. Men. On both sides more respect. Sic. Here 's he that would take from you all your power. Bru. Seize him, sediles ! Citizens. Down with him ! down with him ! Senators, etc. Weapons, weapons, weapons ! [They all bustle about Coriolanus, crying, ' Tribunes ! ' ' Patricians ! ' ' Citizens ! ' ' What, ho ! ' ' Sicinius ! ' ' Brutus ! ' ' Coriolanus ! ' ' Citizens ! ' 83 Act III. Sc. i. THE TRAGEDY OF ' Peace, peace, peace ! ' ' Stay ! hold ! peace ! ' Men. What is about to be? I am out of breath. Confusion 's near. I canraot speak. You, tribunes To the people ! Coriolanus, patience ! 191 Speak, good Sicinius. Sic. Hear me, people ; peace ! Citizens. Let 's hear our tribune : peace ! — Speak, speak, speak. Sic. You are at point to lose your liberties : Marcius would have all from you ; ]\Iarcius, Wliom late you have named for consul. Men. Fie, fie, fie! This is the way to kindle, not to quench. First Sen. To unbuild the city, and to lay all flat. Sic. What is the city but the people ? Citizens. True, The people are the city. 200 Bni. By the consent of all, we were establish'd The people's magistrates. Citizens. You so remain. Men. And so are like to do. Com. That is the way to lay the city flat. To bring the roof to the foundation. And bury all which yet distinctly ranges. In heaps and piles of ruin. Sic, This deserves death. Brii. Or let us stand to our authority, Or let us lose it. We do here pronounce. Upon the part o' the people, in whose power 210 We were elected theirs, ]\Iarcius is worthy Of present death. Sic. Therefore lay hold of him ; 84 CORIOLANUS Act III. Sc. i. Rear him to the rock Tarpeian, and from thence Tiito destruction cast him. Bru. ^diles, seize him ! Citizens. Yield, Marcius, yield ! Men. Hear me one word ; Beseech you, tribunes, hear me but a word. JEdiles. Peace, peace ! Men. [To Brutus] Be that you seem, truly your country's friend. And temperately proceed to what you would Thus violently redress. Brii. Sir, those cold ways, 220 That seem like prudent helps, are very poisonous Where the disease is violent. Lay hands upon him. And bear him to the rock. Cor, Xo, I '11 die here. [Draz^'ing his sword. There 's some among you have beheld me fighting : Come, try upon yourselves what you have seen me. Men. Down with that sword ! Tribunes, withdraw awhile. Bru. Lay hands upon him. Aien. Help ^larcius, help. You that be noble ; help him, young and old ! Citizens. Down with him, down with him ! [In this mutiny, the Tribunes, the Aidiles, and the People are heat in. Men. Go, get you to your house ; be gone, away ! 230 All will be naught else. Sec. Sen. Get you gone. Com. Stand fast ; We have as many friends as enemies. Men. Shall it be put to that? First Sen, The gods forbid ! 85 Act III. Sc. i. THE TRAGEDY OF I prithee, noble friend, home to thy house; Leave us to cure this cause. Men. :■: For 'tis a sore upon us You cannot tent yourself : be ^^one, beseech you. Com. (Lome, sir, along with us. Cor. I would they were barbarians — as they are, Though in Rom.e litter'd — not Romans — as they are not, Though cah^ed i' the porch o' the Capitol, — Men. Be gone : 240 Put not your worthy rage into your tongue : One time will owe another. Cor. On fair ground I could beat forty of them. Men. I could myself Take up a brace o' the best of them ; yea, the two tribunes. Com. But now 'tis odds beyond arithmetic ; And manhood is call'd foolery, when it stands Against a falling fabric. Will you hence Before the tag return ? whose rage doth rend Like interrupted waters, and o'erbear What they are used to bear. Men. Pray you, be gone : 250 I '11 try whether my old wit be in request \\' ith those that have but little : this must be patch'd With cloth of any colour. Com. Xay, come away. [E.veunt Coriolanus, Comiuiiis, and others. First Patrician. This man has marr'd his fortune. Men. His nature is too noble for the world : He would not flatter Neptune for his trident. CORIOLANUS Act III. Sc. i. Or Jove for 's power to thunder. His heart 's his mouth : What his breast forges, that his tongue must vent ; And, being angry, does forget that ever He heard the name of death. [A noise z^'itliiii. 260 Here 's goodly work ! Sec. Pat. I would they were a-bed ! Men. I would they were in Tiber ! What, the vengeance. Could he not speak 'em fair ? Re-enter Brutus and Sicinins, zvitJi the rabble. Sic. Where is this viper, That would depopulate the city, and Be every man himself ? Men. You worthy tribunes — Sic. He shall be thrown down the Tarpeian rock With rigorous hands : he hath resisted law, And therefore law shall scorn him further trial Than the severity of the public power. Which he so sets at nought. First Cit. He shall well know 270 The noble tribunes are the people's mouths. And we their hands. Citizens. He shall, sure on 't. Men. Sir, sir, — Sic. Peace! Men. Do not cry havoc, where you should but hunt With modest warrant. Sic. Sir, how comes 't that you Have holp to make this rescue ? Men. Hear me speak: As I do know the consul's worthiness, 87 Act III. Sc. i. THE TRAGEDY OF So can I name his faults, — Sic. Consul ! what consul ? Men. The consul Coriolanus. Brii. He consul ! 280 Citizens. Xo, no, no, no, no. Men. If, by the tribunes' leave, and yours, good people, I may be heard, I would crave a word or two ; The which shall turn you to no further harm Than so much loss of time. Sic. Speak briefly then ; For we are peremptory to dispatch This viperous traitor : to eject him hence \\ ere but one danger, and to keep him here Our certain death : therefore it is decreed He dies to-night. Men. Now the good gods forbid 290 That our renowned Rome, whose gratitude Towards her deserved children is enroll'd In Jove's own book, like an unnatural dam Should now eat up her own ! Sic. He 's a disease that must be cut away. Men. O, he 's a lim.b that has but a disease ; Mortal, to cut it off ; to cure it, easy. What has he done to Rome that 's worthy death? Killing our enemies, the blood he hath lost — Which, I dare vouch, is more than that he hath 300 By many an ounce — he dropp'd it for his country ; And what is left, to lose it by his country Were to us all that do 't and suffer it A brand to the end o' the world. Sic. This is clean kam. Brii. Merelv awrv: when he did love his countrv, CORIOLANUS Act III. Sc. i. It honour'd him. Men. The service of the foot Being once gangrened, is not then respected For what before it was. Bnt. We '11 hear no more. Pursue him to his house, and pluck him thence ; Lest his infection, being of catching n?.ture. 310 Spread further. Men. One word more, one word. This tiger-footed rage, when it shall find The harm of unscann'd swiftness, will, too late. Tie leaden pounds to 's heels. Proceed by process; Lest parties, as he is beloved, break out, And sack great Rome with Romans. Bn{. If it w^ere so — Sic. A\'hat do ye talk? Plave we not had a taste of his obedience? Our sediles smote? ourselves resisted? Come. Men. Consider this: he has been bred i' the wars 320 Since he could draw a sword, and is ill school'd In bolted language ; meal and bran together He throws without distinction. Give me leave, I '11 go to him, and undertake to bring him Where he shall answer, by a lawful form, In peace, to his utmost peril. First Sen. Noble tribunes. It is the humane way : the other course Will prove too bloody; and the end of it L'nknown to the beginning. Sic. Xoble ]\Ienenius, Be you then as the people's officer. 330 Masters, lay down your weapons. 89 Act III. Sc. ii. THE TRAGEDY OF Brii. Go not home. Sic. Meet on the market-place. We '11 attend you there: Where, if you bring not Marcius, we '11 proceed In our first way. Men. I '11 bring him to you. [To the Senators] Let me desire your company: he must come, Or what is worst will follow. First Sen. Pray you, let 's to him. [Exeunt. Scene II. A room in Coriolanus's Jiouse. Enter Coriolanus i^'ith Patricians. Cor. Let them pull all about mine ears; present me Death on the wdieel, or at wild horses' heels; Or pile ten hills on the Tarpeian rock, That the precipitation might down stretch Below the beam of sight; yet will I still Be thus to them. A Patrician. You do the nobler. Cor. I muse my mother Does not approve me further, who was wont To call them woollen vassals, things created To buy and sell with groats, to show bare heads lo In congregations, to yawn, be still and wonder, When one but of-my ordinance stood up To speak of peace or war. Enter Vohinmia. I talk of you : Why did you wish me milder? would you nave me 90 CORIOLANUS Act HI. Sc. ii. False to my nature? Rather say, I play The man I am. Vol. O, sir, sir, sir, I would have had you put your power well on, Before you had worn it out. Cor. Let go. Vol. You might have been enough the man you are, With striving less to be so: lesser had been 20 The thwartings of your dispositions, if You had not show'd them how ye were disposed. Ere they lack'd power to cross you. Cor. Let them hang. Vol. Ay, and burn too. Enter Mencniiis zi'ith the Senators. Men. Come, come, you have been too rough, something too rough; You must return and mend it. First Sen. There's no remedy; Unless, by not so doing, our good city Cleave in the midst, and perish. Vol. Pray, be counsell'd : I have a heart as little apt as yours, But yet a brain that leads my use of anger 30 To better vantage. Men. Well said, noble woman! Before he should thus stoop to the herd, but that The violent fit o' the time craves it as physic For the whole state, I would put mine armour on. Which I can scarcely bear. Cor. What must I do? Men. Return to the tribunes. 91 Act III. Sc. ii. THE TRAGEDY OF Ccr. ^^'ell, what then? what then? Men. Repent what you have spoke. Cor. For them! I cannot do it to the gods; Must I then do 't to them? Vol. You are too absolute ; Though therein you can never be too noble, 40 But when extremities speak. I have heard you say, Honour and policy, like unsever'd friends, r the war do grow together: grant that, and tell me, In peace what each of them by the other lose, That they combine not there. Cor. Tush, tush! Men. A good demand. Vol. If it be honour in your wars to seem The same you are not, which, for your* best ends. You adopt your policy, how is it less or worse, That it shall hold companionship in peace With honour, as in war, since that to both 50 It stands in like request? Cor. Why force you this? Vol. Because that now it Hes you on to speak To the people; not by your own instruction, Nor by the matter which your heart prompts you. But with such words that are but roted in Your tongue, though but bastards and syllables Of no allowance to your bosom's truth. Now, this no more dishonours you at all Than to take in a town with gentle words, Which else would put you to your fortune and 60 The hazard of much blood. I would dissemble with my nature, where ]\Iy fortunes and my friends at stake required 92 CORIOLANUS Act III. Sc. ii. I should do so in honour. I am in this, Your wife, your son, these senators, the nobles ; And you will rather show our oreneral louts How you can frown than spend a fawn upon 'em, For the inheritance of their loves and safeguard Of what that want might ruin. Men. Xoble lady! Come, go with us; si)eak fair: you may salve so, Not what is dangerous present, but the loss 71 Of what is past. Vol. I prithee now, my son, Go to them, with this bonnet in thy hand; And thus far having stretch'd it — here be with them Thy knee bussing the stones — for in such business Action is eloquence, and the eyes of the ignorant More learned than the ears — waving thy head, Which often, thus, correcting thy stout heart, Xow humble as the ripest mulberry That will not hold the handling : or say to them, 80 Thou art their soldier, and being bred in broils Hast not the soft way which, thou dost confess, Were fit for thee to use, as they to claim, In asking their good loves; but thou wilt frame Thyself, forsooth, hereafter theirs, so far As thou hast power and person. Men. This but done. Even as she speaks, why, their hearts were yours; For they have pardons, being ask'd, as free As words to little purpose. Vol. Prithee now. Go, and be ruled: although I know thou hadst rather 90 93 Act III. Sc. ii. THE TRAGEDY OF Follow thine enemy in a fiery gulf Than flatter him in a bower. Enter Cominms. Here is Cominius. Com. I have been i' the market-place; and, sir, 'tis fit You make strong party, or defend yourself By calmness or by absence: all's in anger. Men. Only fair speech. Com. I think 'twill serve, if he Can thereto frame his spirit. Vol. He must, and will. Prithee now, say you will, and go about it. Cor. Must I go show them my unbarb'd sconce? must I, With my base tongue, give to my noble heart lOO A lie, that it must bear? Well, I will do 't: Yet, were there but this single plot to lose. This mould of Marcius, they to dust should grind it. And throw 't against the wind. To the market-place ! You have put me now to such a part, which never I shall discharge to the life. Com. Come, come, we '11 prompt you. Col. I prithee now, sweet son, as thou hast said My praises made thee first a soldier, so, To have my praise for this, perform a part. Thou hast not done before. Cor. Well, I must do't: no Awa\, my disposition, and possess me Some harlot's spirit! my throat of war be turn'd. Which quired with my drum, into a pipe Small as an eunuch, or the virgin voice That babies lulls asleep! the smiles of knaves 94 CORiOLANUS Act III. Sc. ii. Tent in my cheeks, and schoolboys' tears take up The glasses of my sight! a beggar's tongue Make motion through my lips, and my arm'd knees, Who bow'd but in my stirrup, bend like his That hath received an alms! I will not do 't; 120 Lest I surcease to honour mine own truth. And by my body's action teach my mind A most inherent baseness. j\)i At thy choice then : To beg of thee, it is my more dishonour Than thou of tfiem. Come all to ruin: let Thy mother rather feel thy pride than fear Thy dangerous stoutness, for I mock at death With as big heart as thou. Do as thou list. Thy valiantness was mine, thou suck'dst it from me. But owe thy pride thyself. Cor. Pray, be content : 130 Mother, I am going to the market-place ; Chide me no more. I '11 mountebank their loves, Cog their hearts from them, and come home beloved Of all the trades in Rome. Look. I am going: Commend me to my wife. I '11 return consul; Or never trust to what my tongue can do r the way of flattery further. VoL Do your will. [Exit. Com. Away! the tribunes do attend you: arm yourself To answer mildly; for they are prepared With accusations, as I hear, more strong 140 Than are upon you yet. Cor. The word is ' mildly.' Pray you, let us go: Let them accuse me by invention, I 95 Act III. Sc. iii. THE TRAGEDY OF Will answer in mine honour. Men. Ay, but mildly. Cor. Well, mildly be it then. Mildly! [E.veiinl. Scene III. The same. The Forum. Enter Sieinius and Brutus. Bru. In this point charge him home, that he affects Tyrannical power: if he evade us there, Enforce him with his envy to the people; And that the spoil got on the Antiates Was ne'er distributed. Enter an Mdile. What, will he come? ^d. He 's coming. Bru. How accompanied? ^d. With old Menenius and those senators That always favoured him. Sic. Have you a catalogue Of all the voices that we have procured, Set down by the poll ? ^d. I have; 'tis ready. lo Sic. Have you collected them by tribes? Md. I have. Sic. Assemble presently the people hither: And when they hear me say ' It shall be so r the right and strength o' the commons,' be it either For death, for fine, or banishment, then let them, If I say fine, cry ' Fine,' if death, cry ' Death,' Insisting on the old prerogative 96 CORIOLANUS Act III. Sc. iii. And power i' the truth o' the cause. ^j, I shall inform them. Bru. And when such time they have begun to cry, Let them not cease, but with a din confused 20 Enforce the present execution Of what we chance to sentence. ^d. ^ ery well. Sic. Make them be strong, and ready for this hint. When we shall hap to give 't them. Pj'ji^ Go about it. [Exit JEdile. Put him to choler straight: he hath been used Ever to conquer and to have his worth Of contradiction : being once chafed, he cannot Be rein'd again to temperance; then he speaks What 's in his heart; and that is there which looks With us to break his neck. Sic. Well, here he comes. 30 Enter Coriolanus, Menenius, and Cominius, with Senators and Patricians. Men. Calmly, I do beseech you. Cor. Ay, as an ostler, that for the poorest piece Will bear the knave by the volume. The honoured gods Keep Rome in safety, and the chairs of justice Supplied with worthy men ! plant love among 's ! Throng our large temples w4th the shows of peace, And not our streets with war! First Sen. Amen, amen. Men. A noble wish. Re-enter Aldile, zvith Citizens. Sic. Draw near, ye people. ^d. List to your tribunes ; audience : peace, I say ! 40 97 Act III. Sc. iii. THE TRAGEDY OF Cor. First, hear, me speak. Both Tri. Well, say. Peace, ho! Cor. Shall I be charged no further than this present? Must all determine here? Sic. I do demand. If you submit you to the people's voices. Allow their officers, and are content To suffer lawful censure for such faults As shall be proved upon you. Cor. I am content. Men. Lo, citizens, he says he is content: The warlike service he has done, consider; think Upon the wounds his body bears, which show 50 Like graves i' the holy churchyard. Cor. Scratches with briers, Scars to move laughter only. Men. Consider further. That when he speaks not like a citizen. You find him like a soldier: do not take His rougher accents for malicious sounds, But, as I say, such as become a soldier Rather than envy you. Com. Well, well, no more. Cor. What is the matter That being pass'd for consul with full voice, I am so dishonour'd that the very hour 60 You take it off again? Sic. Answer to us. Cor. Say, then: 'tis true, I ought so. Sic. We charge you, that you have contrived to take From Rome all season'd office, and to wind Yourself into a power tyrannical ; 98 CORIOLANUS Act III. Sc. iii. For which you are a traitor to the people. Cor. How! traitor! Men. Nay, temperately; your promise. Cor. The fires i' the low^est hell fold-in the people! Call me their traitor! Thou injurious tribune! Within thine eyes sat twenty thousand deaths, 7u In thy hands clutch'd as many milUons, in Thy i\ ing tongue both numbers, I w^ould say * Thou liest ' unto thee wdth a voice as free As I do pray the gods. Sic. ]Mark you this, people? Citizens. To the rock, to the rock with him! Sic. Peace! We need not put new matter to his charge: What you have seen him do and heard him speak, Beating your officers, cursing yourselves, Opposing laws with strokes, and here defying Those whose great power must try him; even this. So criminal and in such capital kind, 8l Deserves the extremest death. Brii. But since he hath Served well for Rome — Cor. What do you prate of service? Bru. I talk of that, that know it. Cor. You? Men. Is this the promise that you made your mother? Com. Know, I pray you, — Cor. I '11 know no further: Let them pronounce the steep Tarpeian death, Vagabond exile, flaying, pent to linger But with a grain a day, I would not buy 90 Their mercy at the price of one fair word, 99 Act III. Sc. iii. THE TRAGEDY OF Nor check my courage for what they can give, To have 't with saying ' Good morrow.' Sic. For that he has. As much as in him hes, from time to time Envied against the people, seeking means To pluck away their power, as now at last Given hostile strokes, and that not in the presence Of dreaded justice, but on the ministers That do distribute it ; in the name o' the people, And in the power of us the tribunes, we, lOO Even from this instant, banish him our city, In peril of precipitation From off the rock Tarpeian, never more To enter our Rome gates : i' the people's name, I say it shall be so. Citizens. It shall be so, it shall be so; let him away: He 's banish'd, and it shall be so. Com. Hear me, my masters, and my common friends, — Sic. He's sentenced; no more hearing. Com. Let me speak: I have been consul, and can show for Rome no Her enemies' marks upon iuq. I do love My country's good with a respect more tender, More holy and profound, than mine own life, My dear wife's estimate, her womb's increase And treasure of my loins; then if I would Speak that — Sic. We know your drift : — speak what? Bni. There 's no more to be said, but he is banish'd, As enemy to the people and his country: It shall be so. Citizens. It shall be so, it shall be so. 100 CORIOLANUS Act III. Sc. iii. Cor. You common cry of curs! whose breath I hate 120 As reek o' the rotten fens, whose loves I prize As the dead carcasses of unburied men That do corrupt my air, I banish you; And here remain with your uncertainty! Let every feeble rumour shake your hearts! Your enemies, with nodding of their plumes, Fan you into despair! Have the power still To banish your defenders; till at length Your ignorance, which finds not till it feels, Making not reservation of yourselves, Still your own foes, deliver you as most Abated captives to some nation That won you without blows ! Despising, For you, the city, thus I turn my back: There is a world elsewhere. [Exeunt Coriolanus, Coininiiis, Mencnius, Senators and Patrieians. ^id. The people's enemy is gone, is gone ! Citizens. Our enemy is banish 'd ! he is gone ! Hoo ! hoo ! [They all shout, and tliroiv up their caps. Sic. Go, see him out at gates, and follow him. As he hath foUow'd you, with all despite; Give him deserved vexation. Let a guard 140 Attend us through the city. Citizens. Come, come, let 's see him out at gates ; come. The gods preserve our noble tribunes! Come. [Exeunt. 101 Act IV. Sc. i. THE TRAGEDY OF ACT FOURTH. Scene I. Rome. Before a o-afe of the eity. Enter Coriolaiius, Voluivjiia, VirgUia, Menenius, Cominiits, wilh the young Nohility of Rome. Cor. Come, leave your tears; a brief farewell: the beast With many heads butts me away. Nay, mother, Where is your ancient courage? you were used To say extremity was the trier of spirits; That common chances common men could bear ; That when the sea was calm all boats alike Show'd mastership in floating ; fortune's blows, When most struck home, being gentle wounded, craves A noble cunning: you were used to load me With precepts that would make invincible lo The heart that conn'd them. Vir. O heavens ! O heavens ! Cor. Nay, I prithee, woman, — Vol. Now the red pestilence strike all trades in Rome, And occupations perish! Cor. What, what, what! I shall be loved when I am lack'd. Nay, mother. Resume that spirit, when you wxre wont to say, If you had been the wife of Hercules, Six of his labours you 'Id have done, and saved Your husband so much sweat. Cominius, Droop not; adieu. Farewell, my wife, my mother. I '11 do well vet. Thou old and true Menenius, 21 CORIOLANUS Act IV. Sc. i. Thy tears are salter than a younger man's, And venomous to thine eyes. My sometime general, I have seen thee stern, and thou hast oft Ijeheld Heart-hardening spectacles; tell these sad women, 'Tis fond to wail inevitable strokes, As 'tis to laugh at 'em. My mother, you wot well My hazards still have been your solace: and Believe 't not lightly — though I go alone. Like to a lonely dragon, that his fen 30 Makes fear'd and talk'd of more than seen — your son Will or exceed the common, or be caught With cautelous baits and practice. Vol. ^ly first son, Whither wilt thou go? Take good Cominius With thee awhile: determine on some course. More than a wild exposture to each chance That starts i' the way before thee. Cor. O the gods! Com. I '11 follow thee a month, devise with thee Where thou shalt rest, that thou mayst hear of us And we of thee: so, if the time thrust forth 40 A cause for thy repeal, we shall not send O'er the vast world to seek a single man. And lose advantage, which doth ever cool I' the absence of»the needer. Cor. Fare ye well: Thou hast years upon thee ; and thou art too full Of the wars' surfeits, to go rove with one That 's yet unbruised : bring me but out at gate. Come, my sweet wife, my dearest mother, and i\Iy friends of noble touch, when I am forth. Bid me farewell, and smile. I pray you, come. 50 103 Act IV. Sc. ii. THE TRAGEDY OF While I remain above the ground, you shall Hear from me still, and never of me aught But what is like me formerly. Men. That's worthily As any ear can hear. Come, let 's not weep. If I could shake off but one seven years From these old arms and legs, by the good gods, I 'Id with thee every foot. Cor. Give me thy hand: Come. [Exeunt. Scene II. The same. A street near*the gate. Enter the tzvo Tribunes, Sieiiiius and Brutus, zvith the ^dile. Sic. Bid them all home; he 's gone, and we '11 no further. The nobility are vex'd, whom we see have sided In his behalf. Bru. Now we have shown our power. Let us seem humbler after it is done Then when it was a-doing. Sic. Bid them home: Say their great enemy is gone, and they Stand in their ancient strength. Bru. Dismiss them home. [Exit ^Edile. Here comes his mother. Enter Volumnia, Virgilia, and Menenius. Sic. Let 's not meet her. Bru. Why? Sic. They say she 's mad. 104 CORIOLANUS Act IV. Sc. ii. Bni. They have ta'en note of us: keep on your way. lo Vol. O, ye 're well met: the hoarded plague o' the gods Requite your love! Men. Peace, peace; be not so loud. Vol. If that I could for weeping, you should hear, — Nay, and you shall hear some. [To Brufus] A\'ill you be gone? Vir. [To Siciniiis] You shall stay too : I would I had the power To say so to my husband. Sic. Are you mankind? Vol. Ay, fool; is that a shame? Note but this fool. Was not a man my father ? Hadst thou f oxship To banish him that struck more blows for Rome Than thou hast spoken words? Sic. O blessed heavens! 20 Vol. Moe noble blows than ever thou wise words; And for Rome's good. I '11 tell thee what; yet go: Nay, but thou shalt stay too: I would my son Were in Arabia, and thy tribe before him. His good sword in his hand. Sic. What then? Vir. What then! He 'Id make an end of thy posterity. J^ol. Bastards and all. Good man, the wounds that he does bear for Rome! Men. Come, come, peace. Sic. I would he had continued to his country 30 As he began, and not unknit himself The noble knot he made. Bru. I would he had. 105 Act IV. Sc. ii. THE TRAGEDY OF Vol. ' I would he had ! ' 'Twas you incensed the rabble ; Cats, that can judge as fitly of his worth As I can of those mysteries which heaven Will not have earth to know. Brii. Pray, let us go. Vol. Now, pray, sir, get you gone: You have done a brave deed. Ere you go, hear this: As far as doth the Capitol exceed The meanest house in Rome, so far my son — 40 This lady's husband here, this, do you see? — Whom you have banish'd, does exceed you all. Bru. Well, well, we '11 leave you. Sic. Why stay we to be baited A\'ith one that wants her wits ? Vol. Take my jirayers with you. [E.reiDit Tribunes. I would the gods had nothing else to do But to confirm my curses! Could I meet 'em But once a-day, it would unclog my heart Of what lies heavy to 't. Men. You have told them home ; And, by my troth, you have cause. You '11 sup with me? Vol. Anger 's my meat ; I sup upon myself, 50 And so shall starve with feeding. Come, let's go: Leave this faint puling, and lament as I do, In anger, Juno-like. Come, come. come. [Exeunt Vol. and Vir. Men. Fie, fie, fie! [Exit. 106 CORIOLANUS Act IV. Sc. iii. Scene III. A highway betzccoi Rome and Antiiim. Enter a Roman and a Volsce, nieeti)ig. Rom. I know you well, sir, and you know me: your name, I think, is Adrian. Vols. It is so, sir : truly, I have forgot you. Rom. I am a Roman ; and my services are, as you are, against 'em : know you me yet ? Vols. Nicanor? no. Rom. The same, sir. Vols. You had more beard when I last saw you ; but your favour is well appeared by your tongue. What 's the news in Rome? I have a note from lo the Volscian state, to find you out there: you have well saved me a day's journey. Rom. There hath been in Rome strange insurrections ; the people against the senators, patricians and nobles. Vols. Hath been! is it ended then? Our state thinks not so : they are in a most warlike preparation, and hope to come upon them in the heat of their division. Rom. The main blaze of it is past, but a small thing 20 would make it flame again : for the nobles receive so to heart the banishment of that worthy Corio- lanus, that they are in a ripe aptness to take all power from the people, and to pluck from them their tribunes for ever. This lies glowing, I can tell you, and is almost mature for the violent breaking out. 107 Act IV. Sc. iii. THE TRAGEDY OF Wols. Coriolanus banished! Rom. Banished, sir. Vols. You will be welcome with this intelligence, 30 Nicanor. Rom. The day serves well for them now. I have heard it said, the fittest time to corrupt a man's wife is when she 's fallen out with her husband. Your noble Tullus Aufidius will appear well in these wars, his great opposer, Coriolanus, being now in no request of his country. Vols. He cannot choose. I am most fortunate, thus accidentally to encounter you: you have ended 40 my business, and I will merrily accompany you home. Rom. I shall, between this and supper, tell you most strange things from Rome; all tending to the good of their adversaries. Have you an army ready, say you? Vols. A most royal onej the centurions and their charges, distinctly billeted, already in the enter- tainment, and to be on foot at an hour's warning. Rom. I am joyful to hear of their readiness, and am 50 the man, I think, that shall set them in present action. So, sir, heartily well met, and most glad of your company. Vols. You take my part from me, sir ; I have the most cause to be glad of yours. Rom. Well, let us go together. [Exeunt. 108 CORIOLANUS Act IV. Sc. iv. Scene IV. Antiiun. Before Aiifidius's house. Enter Coriolanus in mean apparel, disguised and ninifled. Cor, A goodly city is this Antium. City, Tis I that made thy widows : many an heir Of these fair edifices 'foie my wars Have I heard groan and drop : then know me not ; Lest that thy wives with spits, and boys with stones, In puny battle slay me. Enter a Citizen. Save you, sir. Cit. And you. Cor. Direct me, if it be your will. Where great Aufidius lies : is he in Antium ? Cit. He is, and feasts the nobles of the state At his house this night. Cor. Which is his house, beseech you ? lo Cit. This, here, before you. Cor. Thank you, sir : farewell. [Exit Citi:;eji, O world, thy slippery turns ! Friends now fast sworn, Whose double bosoms seem to wear one heart. Whose hours, whose bed, whose meal and exercise Are still together, who twin, as 'twere, in love Unseparable, shall within this hour. On a dissension of a doit, break out To bitterest enmity : so, fellest foes. Whose passions and whose plots have broke their sleep To take the one the other, by some chance, 20 109 Act IV. Sc. V. THE TRAGEDY OF Some trick not worth an egg, shall grow dear friends And interjoin their issues. So with me: My birth-place hate I, and my love 's upon This enemy town. I '11 enter : if he slay me, He does fair justice ; if he give me way, I '11 do his country service. [Exit. Scene V. The same. A hall in Auiidiuss house. Music ivithin. Enter a Servingman. First Serv. Wine, wine, wine ! — What service is here ! I think our fellows are asleep. [Exit. Enter another Serz'ingman. Sec. Serv. Where 's Cotus ? my rnaster calls for him. Cotus! [Exit. Enter Coriolanus. Cor, A goodly house : the feast smells well ; but I Appear not like a guest. Re-enter the first Servingman. First Serv. What would you have, friend ? whence are you ? Here 's no place for you : pray, go to the door. [Exit. Cor, I have deserved no better entertainment, lo In being Coriolanus. Re-enter second Servingman. Sec. Serv. Whence are you, sir ? Has the porter his eyes in his head, that he gives entrance to such companions? Pray, get you out. no CORIOLANUS Act IV. Sc. v. Cor. Away ! Sec. Scrr. ' Away ! ' get you away. Cor. Now thou 'rt troublesome. Sec. Serv. Are you so brave ? I '11 have you talked with anon. Enter a third Serz'iiigDiau. The first meets him. Third Serv. What fellow 's this ? 20 First Serz'. A strange one as ever I looked on : I cannot get him out o' the house : prithee, call my master to him. [Retires. Third Serv. What have you to do here, fellow ? Pray you, avoid the house. Cor. Let me but stand ; I will not hurt your hearth. Third Serv. What are you ? Cor. A gentleman. Third Serv. A marvellous poor one. Cor. True, so I am. 30 Third Serv. Pray you, poor gentleman, take up some other station ; here 's no place for you ; pray you, avoid : come. Cor. Follow your functions, go, and batten on cold bits. [Pushes him azcay from hiiu. Third Serv. What, you will not ? Prithee, tell my master what a strange guest he has here. Sec. Serv. And I shall. [Exit. Third Serv. Where dwell'st thou ? Cor. Under the canopy. 40 Third Serv. Under the canopy ! Cor. Ay. Third Serv. Where 's that ? Cor. V the citv of kites and crows. Act IV. Sc. V. THE TRAGEDY OF Third Sen: V the city of kites and crows ! What an ass it is ! Then thou dwell'st with daws too ? Coi\ No, I serve not thy master. Third Serv. How, sir ! do yon meddle with my master ? Cor. Ay ; 'tis an honester service than to meddle with thy mistress : 50 Thou pratest, and pratest ; serve with thy trencher, hence ! [Beats him azvay. Exit third Servingman. Enter AuHdius with the second Servingman. Auf. Where is this fellow ? Sec. Serv. Here, sir : I 'Id have beaten him like a dog, but for disturbing the lords within. [Retires. Auf. \Mience comest thou ? what wouldst thou ? thy name ? Why speak'st not ? speak, man : what 's thy name ? Cor. [UninitfHing] If, Tullus, Not yet thou knowest me, and, seeing me, dost not Think me for the man I am, necessity Commands me name myself. Auf. What is thy name? 60 Cor. A name unmusical to the \^olscians' ears. And harsh in sound to thine. Auf. Say, what 's thy name? Thou hast a grim appearance, and thy face Bears a command in 't ; though thy tackle 's torn, Thou show'st a noble vessel : what 's thy name ? Cor. Prepare thy brow to frown : — know'st thou me yet ? Auf. I know thee not: — thy name? Cor. Aly name is Caius Marcius. who hath done To thee particularly, and to all the A^olsces, Great hurt and mischief ; thereto witness may 70 112 CORIOLANUS Act IV. Sc. v. My surname, Coriolanus: the painful service, The extreme dangers, and the drops of blood Slied for my thankless country, are requited But with that surname; a good memory. And witness of the malice and displeasure Which thoushouldst bear me : only that name remains : The cruelty and envy of the people, Permitted by our dastard nobles, who Have all forsook me, hath devour'd the rest; And suffer'd me by the voice of slaves to be 80 Hoop'd out of Rome. Now, this extremity Hath brought me to thy hearth: not out of hope — Mistake me not — to save my life, for if I had fear'd death, of all the men i' the world I would have voided thee; but in mere spite. To be full quit of those my banishers, Stand I before thee here. Then if thou hast A heart of wreak in thee, thou wilt revenge Thine own particular wrongs, and stop those maims Of shame seen through thy country, speed thee straight, 90 And make my misery serve thy turn: so use it That my revengeful services may prove As benefits to thee; for I will fight Against my canker'd country with the spleen Of all the under fiends. But if so be Thou darest not this and that to prove more fortunes Thou Tt tired, then in a word, I also am Longer to live most weary, and present ^ly throat to thee and to thy ancient malice; Which not to cut would show thee but a fool, 100 Since I have ever follow'd thee with hate, 113 Act IV. Sc. V. THE TRAGEDY OF Drawn tuns of blood out of thy country's breast, And cannot live but to thy shame, unless It be to do thee service. Aitf. O Alarcius, Marcius! Each word thou hast spoke hath weeded from my heart A root of ancient envy. If Jupiter Should from yon cloud speak divine things, And say ' 'Tis true,' I 'Id not believe them more Than thee, all noble Marcius. Let me twine Mine arms about that body, where against no My grained ash an hundred times hath broke, And scarrVl the moon with splinters: here I clip The anvil of my sword, and do contest As hotly and as nobly with thy love As ever in ambitious strength I did Contend against thy valour. Know thou first, I loved the maid I married; never man Sigh'd truer breath ; but that I see thee here. Thou noble thing ! more dances my rapt heart Than when I first my wedded mistress saw 120 Bestride my threshold. Why, thou ]\Iars! I tell thee. We have a powxr on foot; and I had purpose Once more to hew thy target from thy brawn, Or lose mine arm for't: thou hast beat me out Twelve several times, and I have nightly since Dreamt of encounters 'twixt thyself and me; We have been down together in my sleep. Unbuckling helms, fisting each other's throat; And waked half dead with nothing. W^orthy Alarcius, Had we no quarrel else to Rome but that 130 Thou art thence banish'd, we would muster all From twelve to seventy, and pouring war 114 CORIOLANUS Act IV. Sc. v. Into the bowels of ungrateful Rome, Like a bold flood o'er-beat. O, come, go in, And take our friendly senators by the hands. Who now are here, taking their leaves of me, Who am prepared against your territories, Though not for Rome itself. Cor. Vou bless me, gods ! Auf. Therefore, most absolute sir, if thou wilt have The leading of thine own revenges, take 140 The one half of my commission, and set down — As best thou art experienced, since thou know'st Thy country's strength and weakness — thme own ways ; Whether to knock 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 Say yea to thy desires. A thousand welcomes ! And more a friend than e'er an enemy ; Yet, Marcius, that was much. Your hand: most welcome! 15° [Exeujit Coriolanus and Aiifidiiis. The tzoo Servingmen come forzvard. First Sen: Here's a strange alteration! Sec. Serz: By my hand, I had thought to have strucken him with a cudgel ; and yet my mind gave me his clothes made a false report of him. First Serz'. What an arm he has! he turned me about with his finger and his thumb, as one would set up a top. Sec. Serz: Xay. I knew by his face that there was something in him: he had, sir, a kind of face, methought, — I cannot tell how to term it. 160 IIS Act IV. Sc. V. THE TRAGEDY OF First Sen'. He had so ; looking as it were — Would I were hanged, but I thought there was more in him than I could think. Sec. Serv. So did I, I '11 be sworn : he is simply the rarest man i' the world. First Serv. I think he is : but a greater soldier than he, you wot one. Sec. Serv. Who? my master? First Serv. Nay, it 's no matter for that. Sec. Serv. Worth six on him. 170 First Serv. Nay, not so neither : but I take him to be the greater soldier. Sec. Serv. Faith, look you, one cannot tell how to say that : for the defence of a town, our general is excellent. First Serv. Ay, and for an assault too. Re-enter third Servingman. Third Serv. O slaves* I can tell you news ; news, you rascals ! First and Sec. Serv. W^hat, what, what ? let 's partake. Third Serv. I would not be a Roman, of all nations ; 180 I had as lieve be a condemned man. First and Sec. Serv. W^herefore ? wherefore ? Third Serv. Why, here 's he that was wont to thwack our general, Caius Marcius. First Serv. Why do you say, thwack our general? Third Serv. I do not say, thwack our general ; but he was always good enough for him. Sec. Serv. Come, we are fellows and friends : he was ever too hard for him ; I have heard him say so himself. 190 ii6 CORIOLANUS Act IV. Sc. v. First Serv. He was too hard for him directly, to say the troth on 't : before Coriol: he scotched him and notched him hke a carbonado. Sec. Scrv. An he had been cannibally given, he might have broiled and eaten him too. First Serv. But, more of thy news? Third Serv. Why, he is so made on here within as if he were son and heir to Mars ; set at upper end o' the table ; no question asked him by any of the senators, but they stand bald before him. Our 200 general himself makes a mistress of him ; sanc- tifies himself with 's hand, and turns up the white o' the eye to his discourse. But the bot- tom of the news is, our general is cut i' the mid- dle, and but one half of what he was yesterday ; for the other has half, by the entreaty and grant of the whole table. He '11 go, he says, and sow! the porter of Rome gates by the ears : he will mow all down before him, and leave his passage poll'd. Sec. Serv. And he 's as like to do 't as any man I can 210 imagine. Third Serv. Do 't ! he will do 't ; for, look you, sir, he has as many friends as enemies ; which friends, sir, as it were, durst not, look you, sir, show themselves, as we term it, his friends whilst he's in directitude. First Serv. Directitude ! what 's that ? Third Serv. But when they shall see, sir, his crest up again and the man in blood, they will out of their burrows, like conies after rain, and revel all with 220 him. First Sen'. But when goes this forward? 117 Act IV. Sc. vi. THE TRAGEDY OF Third Serv. To-morrow ; to-day ; presently vou shall have the drum struck up this afternoon : 'tis, as it were, a parcel of their feast, and to be executed ere they wipe their lips. Sec. Scrv. Wliy, then we shall have a stirring world again. This peace is nothing, but to rust iron, increase tailors, and breed ballad-makers. First Serv. Let me have war, say I ; it exceeds peace 230 as far as day does night ; it 's spritely, waking, audible, and full of vent. Peace is a verv apoplexy, lethargy, muU'd, deaf, sleepy, in- sensible ; a getter of more bastard children than war 's a destroyer of men. Sec. Serv. 'Tisso: and as war, in some sort, may be said to be a ravisher, so it cannot be denied but peace is a great maker of cuckolds. First Seri'. Ay, and it makes men hate one an- other. 240 TJiird Serv. Reason ; because they then less need one another. The wars for my monew I hope to see Romans as cheap as Volscians. They are rising, they are rising. First and Sec. Serv. In, in, in, in ! [Exeunt. Scene VI. Rome. A public place. Enter the tzvo Tribunes, Sicinius and Brutus. Sic, We hear not of him, neither need we fear him ; His remedies are tame i' the present peace And quietness of the people, which before Were in wild hurry. Here do we make his friends 118 CORIOLANUS Act IV. Sc. vL Blush that the world goes well ; who rather had, Though they themselves did suffer by 't, behold Dissentious numbers pestering streets than see Our tradesmen singing in their shops and going About their functions friendly. Bni. We stood to 't in good time. Enter Menenius. Is this Menenius ? lo Sic. 'Tis he, 'tis he : O, he is grown most kind Of late. Hail, sir ! Men. Hail to you both ! Sic. Your Coriolanus is not much miss'd, But with his friends : the commonwealth doth stand ; And so would do, were he more angry at it. Men. All 's well ; and might have been much better, if He could have temporized. Sic. Where is he, hear you ? Men. Nay, I hear nothing : his mother and his wife Hear nothing from him. Enter three or four Citizens. Citizens. The gods preserve you both ! Sic. God-den, our neighbours. 20 Bru. God-den to you all, god-den to you all. Eirst Cit. Ourselves, our wives, and children, on our knees. Are bound to pray for you both. Sic. Live, and thrive ! Bru. Farewell, kind neighbours : we wish'd Coriolanus Had loved you as we did. Citizens. Now the gods keep you ! Both'!} I. Farewell, farewell. [Exeunt Citizens. 119 Act IV. Sc. vi. THE TRAGEDY OF Sic. This is a happier and more comely time Than when these fellows ran about the streets, Crying confusion. Brii. Caius Alarcius was A worthy officer i' the war, but insolent, 30 O'ercome with pride, ambitious past all thinking, Self-loving, — Sic. And affecting one sole throne, Without assistance. Moi. I think not so. Sic. We should by this, to all our lamentation, If he had gone forth consul, found it so. Br II. The gods have well prevented it, and Rome Sits safe and still without him. Enter an JEdile. jEd. Worthy tribunes. There is a slave, whom we have put in prison. Reports, the Yolsces with two several powers Are enterVl m the Roman territories, 40 And with the deepest malice of the war Destroy what lies before 'em. Men. 'Tis Aufidius, Who, hearing of our Marcius' banishment, Thrusts forth his horns again into the world ; Which were inshell'd when Marcius stood for Rome, And durst not once peep out. Sic. Come, what talk you Of Marcius? Bru. Go see this rumourer whipp'd. It cannot be The Volsces dare break with us. 120 CORIOLANUS Act IV. Sc. vi. Men. (Cannot be ! We have record that very well it can, And three examples of the like have been 50 Within my age. But reason with the fellow, Before you punish him, where he heard this. Lest you shall chance to whip your information, And beat the messenger who bids beware Of what is to be dreaded. Sic. Tell me not : I know this cannot be. Brii. Not possible. Enter a Messenger. Mess. The nobles in great earnestness are going All to the senate-house : some news is come That turns their countenances. Sic. 'Tis this slave ; Go whip him 'fore the people's eyes : his raising; Nothing but his report. Mess. Yes, worthy sir, 61 The slave's report is seconded ; and more, More fearful, is deliver'd. Sic. What more fearful ? Mess. It is spoke freely out of many mouths — How probable I do not know — that JNIarcius, Join'd with Aufidius, leads a power 'gainst Rome, And vows revenge as spacious as between The young'st and oldest thing. Sic. This is most likely! Brn. Raised only, that the weaker sort may wish Good Marcius home again. Sic. The very trick on 't. 70 121 Act IV. Sc. vi. THE TRAGEDY OF Meiu This is unlikely: He and Aufidius can no more atone Than violentest contrariety. Enter a second Messenger. Sec. Mess. You are sent for to the senate : A fearful army, led by Caius Marcius Associated wiih Aufidius, rages Upon our territories ; and have already O'erborne their way, consumed with fire, and took What lay before them. Enter Coniinins. Com. O, you have made good work! Men. What news? what news? 80 Com. You have holp to ravish your own daughters, and To melt the city leads upon your pates ; To see your wives dishonour'd to your noses, — Men. What 's the news ? what 's the news ? Com. Your temples*burned in their cement, and Your franchises, whereon you stood, confined Into an auger's bore. Men. Pray now, your news? — You have made fair work, I fear me. — Pray, your news ? — If Marcius should be join'd with Volscians, — Com. If! He is their god : he leads them like a thing 90 Made by some other deity than nature. That shapes man better ; and they follow him, Against us brats, with no less confidence Than boys pursuing summer butterflies, Or butchers killing flies. 122 CORIOLANUS ActlV. Sc. vi. Men. You have made good work. You and your apron-men ; you that stood so much Upon the voice of occupation and The breath of garhc-eaters ! Coin. He '11 shake your Rome about your ears. Men. As Hercules Did shake down mellow fruit. You have made fair work! I GO Bni. But is this true, sir? Com. Ay ; and you '11 look pale Before you find it other. All the regions Do smilingly revolt ; and who resist Are mock'd for valiant ignorance, And perish constant fools. Who is 't can blame him? Your enemies and his find something in him. Men. We are all undone, unless The noble man have mercy. Com. Who shall ask It ? The tribunes cannot do 't for shan^e ; the people Deserve such pity of him as the wolf lio Does of the shepherds : for his best friends, if they Should say 'Be good to Rome,' they charged him even As those should do that had deserved his hate, And therein show'd like enemies. Men. 'Tis true : If he w^ere putting to my house the brand That should consume it, I have not the face To say ' Beseech you, cease.' You have made fair hands. You and your crafts ! you have crafted fair ! Com. You have brought A trembling upon Rome, such as was never 123 Act IV. Sc. vi. THE TRAGEDY OF So incapable of help. Both Tri. Say not, we brought it. 120 Men. How ! was it we ? we loved him ; but, like beasts And cowardly nobles, gave way unto your clusters, Who did hoot him out o' the city. Com. But I fear They '11 roar him in again. Tullus Aufidius, The second name of men, obeys his points As if he were his officer : desperation Is all the policy, strength and defence, That Rome can make against them. Enter a troop of Citizens. Men. Here comes the clusters. And is Aufidius with him ? You are they That made the air unwholesome, when you cast 130 Your stinking greasy caps in hooting at Coriolanus' exile. Now he 's coming ; And not a hair upon a soldier's head Which will not prove a whip : as many coxcombs As you threw caps up will he tumble down. And pay you for your voices. 'Tis no matter ; If he could burn us all into one coal. We have deserved it. Citizens. Faith, we hear fearful news. First Cit. For mine own part, When I said, banish him, I said, 'twas pity. 140 Sec. Cit. And so did I. Third 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. 124 CORIOLANUS Act IV. Sc. vii. Com. Ye 're goodly things, you voices ! Men. You have made Good work, you and your cry ! Shall 's to the Capitol ? Com. O, ay, what else? [Exeunt Cominiiis and Menenms. Sic. Go, masters, get you home ; be not dismay' d : These are a side that would be glad to have 150 This true which they so seem to fear. Go home, And show no sign of fear. First Cit. The gods be good to us ! Come, masters, let 's home. T ever said we were i' the wrong when we banished him. Sec. Cit. So did we all. But, come, let 's home. [Exeunt Citizens. Brii. I do not like this news. Sic. Nor I. Bru. Let 's to the Capitol: would half my wealth 159 Would buy this for a lie ! Sic. Tray, let us go. [Exeunt. Scene VII. A camp, at a small distance from Rome. Enter Aufidius ivith his Lieutenant. Auf. Do they still fly to the Roman ? Lieu. I do not know what witchcraft 's in him, but Your soldiers use him as the grace 'fore meat, Their talk at table and their thanks at end ; And you are darken'd in this action, sir, Even by your own. Auf. I cannot help it now. Unless, by using means, I lame the foot Of our design. He bears himself more proudlier, 125 Act IV. Sc. vii. THE TRAGEDY OF Even to my person, than I thought he would When first I did embrace him : yet his nature lo In that 's no changeHng ; and I must excuse What cannot be amended. Lieu. Yet I wish, sir — I mean for your particular — you had not Join'd in commission with him ; but either Had borne the action of yourself, or else To him had left it solely. Auf. I understand thee well ; and be thou sure, When he shall come to his account, he knows not What I can urge against him. Although it seems. And so he thinks, and is no less apparent 20 To the vulgar eye, that he bears all things fairly. And shows good husbandry for the Volscian state, Fights dragon-like, and does achieve as soon As draw his sword, yet he hath left undone That which shall break his neck or hazard mine, Whene'er we come to our account. Lieu. Sir, I beseech you, think you he '11 carry Rome ? Auf. All places yield to him ere he sits down ; And the nobility of Rome are his : The senators and patricians love him too: 30 The tribunes are no soldiers ; and their people W^ill be as rash in the repeal, as hasty To expel him thence. I think he '11 be to Rome As is the osprey to the fish, who takes it By sovereignty of nature. First he was A noble servant to them ; but he could not Carry his honours even : whether 'twas pride, Which out of daily fortune ever taints The happy man ; whether defect of judgement, 126 CORIOLANUS Act V. Sc. i. To fail in the disposing of those chances 40 Which he was lord ot ; or whether nature, Not to be other than one thing, not moving From the casque to the cushion, but commanding peace Even with the same austerity and garb As he controll'd the war ; but one of these — As he hath spices of them all, not all. For I dare so far free him — made him fear'd, So hated, and so banish'd : but he has a merit, To choke it in the utterance. So our virtues Lie in the interpretation of the time ; 50 And power, unto itself most commendable. Hath not a tomb so evident as a chair To extol what it hath done. One fire drives out one fire ; one nail, one nail ; Rights by rights falter, strengths by strengths do fail. Come, let 's away. \\'hen, Caius, Rome is thine, Thou art poor'st of all ; then shortly art thou mine. [Exeunt. ACT FIFTH. Scene I. Rome. jI piihlie place. Enter Menenins, Cominius, and Sieinius and Brutus, the tivo Tribunes, with otJiers. Men. Xo, I '11 not go : you hear what he hath said Which was sometime his general, who loved him In a most dear particular. He callVl me father : But what o' that ? Go, you that banish'd him ; 127 Act V. Sc. i. THE TRAGEDY OF A mile before his tent fall down, and knee The way into his mercy : nay, if he coy'd To hear Cominius speak, I '11 keep at home. Com. He would not seem to know me. Men. Do you hear? Com. Yet one time he did call me by my name: I urged our old acquaintance, and the drops lo That we have bled together. Coriolanus He would not answer to : forbade all names ; He was a kind of nothing, titleless, Till he had forged himself a name o' the fire Of burning Rome. Men. Why, so : you have made good work ! A pair of tribunes that have rack'd for Rome, To make coals cheap : a noble memory ! Com. I minded him how royal 'twas to pardon When it was less expected : he replied. It was a bare petition of a state 20 To one whom they had punish'd. Men. Very well: Could he say less? Com. I offer'd to awaken his regard For 's private friends : his answer to me was. He could not stay to pick them in a pile Of noisome musty chaff : he said, 'twas folly, For one poor grain or two, to leave unburnt, And still to nose the offence. Men. For one poor grain or two! I am one of those ; his mother, wife, his child. And this brave fellow too, we are the grains : 30 You are the musty chaff, and you are smelt Above the moon : we must be burnt for you. 128 CORIOLANUS Act V. Sc. i. Sic. Nay, pray, be patient : if you refuse your aid In this so never-needed help, yet do not Upbraid 's with our distress. But sure, if you Would be your country's pleader, your good tongue, More than the instant army we can make, i\Iight stop our countryman. Men. No, I '11 not meddle. Sic. Pray you, go to him. Men. What should I do? Brn. Only make trial what your love can do 40 For Rome, towards Alarcius. Men. Well, and say that Marcius Return me, as Cominius is return'd, Jnheard ; what then ? But as a discontented friend, grief-shot With his unkindness ? say 't be so ? Sic. Yet your good will Must have that thanks from Rome, after the measure As you intended well. Men. I '11 undertake 't : I think he '11 hear me. Yet, to bite his lip And hum at good Cominius, much unhearts me. He was not taken well ; he had not dined : 50 The veins unfiird, our blood is cold, and then We pout upon the morning, are unapt To give or to forgive ; but when we have stuff'd These pipes and these conveyances of our blood With wine and feeding, we have suppler souls Than in our priest-like fasts : therefore I '11 watch him Till he be dieted to my request, And then I '11 set upon him. Brn. You know the very road into his kindness, 129 Act V. Sc. ii. THE TRAGEDY OF And cannot lose your way. Men. Good faith, I '11 prove him, 60 Speed how it will. I shall ere long have knowledge Of my success. [Exit. Com. He '11 never hear him. Sic. Not ? 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 kneei'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 with an oath to yield to his conditions : So that all hope is vain, 70 Unless his noble mother, and his wife : Who, as I hear, mean to solicit him For mercy to his country. Therefore, let 's hence. And with our fair entreaties haste them on. [Exeunt. Scene II. Entrance to the Volscian camp before Rome. Two Sentinels on guard. Enter to them, Meneniiis. First Sen. Stay: whence are you? Sec. Sen. Stand, and go back. Men. You guard like men ; 'tis well : but, by your leave, I am an officer of state, and come To speak with Coriolanus. First Sen. From whence ? Men. From Rome. 130 CORIOLANUS Act V. Sc. il First Sen. You may not pass, you must return : our general Will no more hear from thence. Sec. Sen. You '11 see your Rome embraced with fire, before You '11 speak with Coriolanus. Men. Good my friends, If you have heard your general talk of Rome, And of his friends there, it is lots to blanks lo My name hath touch'd your ears : it is Menenius. First Sen. Be it so ; go back : the virtue of your name Is not here passable. Men. I tell thee, fellow, Thy general is my lover : I have been The book of his good acts, whence men have read His fame unparallel'd haply amplified ; For I have ever verified my friends, Of whom he 's chief, with all the size that verity Would without lapsing sufifer : nay, sometimes. Like to a bowl upon a subtle ground, 20 I have tumbled past the throw, and in his praise Have almost stamp'd the leasing: therefore, fellow, I must have leave to pass. First Sen. 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. There- fore go back. Men. Prithee,feilow, remember my name is Menenius, always factionary on the party of your general. 30 Sec. Sen. 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. 131 Act V. Sc. ii. THE TRAGEDY OF AJoi. Has he dined, canst thou tell? for I would not speak with him till after dinner. First Sen. You are a Roman, are you? Men. I am, as thy general is. First Sen. Then you should hate Rome, as he does. Can you, when }ou have pushed out your gates 40 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 50 condemned ; our general has sworn you out of reprieve and pardon. Meji. Sirrah, if thy captain knew I were here, he would use me with estimation. First Sen. Come, my captain knows you not. Men. I mean, thy general. First Sen. 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, — 60 Enter Coriolanns and AuHdius. Cor. What 's the matter? Men. Now, you companion, I '11 say an errand for you: you shall know novv' that I am in estima- tion ; you shall perceive that a Jack guardant 132 CORIOLANUS Act V. Sc. ii. cannot office me from my son Coriolanus : guess, but by my entertainment with him, if thou stand- est not i' the state of hanging, or of some death more long in spectatorship and crueller in suf- fering ; behold now presently, and swoon for what 's to come upon thee. The glorious gods 70 sit in hourly synod about thy particular pros- perity, 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, 80 hath denied my access to thee. Cor. Away ! Men. How! away! Cor. Wife, mother, child, I know not. My affairs Are servanted to others : though I owe My revenge properly, my remission lies In \^olscian breasts. That we have been familiar, Ingrate forgetfulness shall poison rather Than pity note how much. Therefore be gone. 90 Mine ears against your suits are stronger than Your gates against my force. Yet, for I loved thee, Take this along ; I writ it for thy sake, And would have sent it. [Gives him a letter.] Another word, Menenius, I will not hear thee speak. This man, Aufidius, 133 Act V. Sc. iii. THE TRAGEDY OF Was my beloved in Rome : yet thou behold'st. Aiif. You keep a constant temper. [Exeunt Coriolamis and Anfidius. First Sen. Now, sir, is your name Menenius? Sec. Sen. Tis a spell, you see, of much power: you know the way home again. loo First Sen. Do you hear how we are shent for keep- ing your greatness back? Sec. Sen. What cause, do you think, I have to swoon ? Men. I neither care for the world nor your general: for such things as you, I can scarce think there 's any, ye 're 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 you are, long : and your misery increase with your age ! I say to you, as I was said to, Away ! [Exit. First Sen. A noble fellow, I warrant him. iii Sec. Sen. The worthy fellow is our general : he 's the rock, the oak not to be wind-shaken. [Exeunt. Scene III. The tent of Coriolamis. Enter Coriolamis, AuHdius, 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 Volscian lords how plainly I have borne this business. Amj. Only their ends You have respected ; stopp'd your ears against - The general suit of Rome ; never admitted A private whisper, no, not with such friends 134 CORIOLANUS Act V. Sc. iii. That thought them sure of you. Cor. This last old man, Whom with a crack'd heart I have sent to Rome, Loved me above the measure of a father, lo Nay, godded me indeed. Their latest refuge Was to send him ; for whose old love I have, Though I show'd sourly to him, once more offer'd The first conditions, which they did refuse And cannot now accept ; to grace him only That thought he could do more, a very little I have yielded to : fresh embassies and suits, Nor from the state nor private friends, hereafter Will I lend ear to. • [Shout zvithin.] Ha ! what shout is this? Shall I be tempted to infringe my vow 20 In the same time 'tis made? I will not. Enter, in mourning habits, Virgilia, Volumnia, leading young Marcius, Valeria, and Attendants. My wife comes foremost ; then the honour'd mould Wherein this trunk was framed, and in her hand The grandchild to her blood. But out, affection ! All bond and privilege of nature, break! Let it be virtuous to be obstinate. What is that curtsy worth ? or those doves' eyes. Which can make gods forsworn ? I melt, and am not Of stronger earth than others. My mother bows ; As if Olympus to a molehill should 30 In supplication nod : and my young boy Hath an aspect of intercession, which Great nature cries ' Deny not.' Let the Volsces Plough Rome, and harrow Italy : I '11 never 135 Act V. Sc. iii. THE TRAGEDY OF Be such a gosling to obey instinct ; but stand, As if a man were author of himself And knew no other kin. Vir. My lord and husband! Cor. These eyes are not the same I wore in Rome. Vir. The sorrow that delivers us thus changed Makes you think so. Cor. Like a dull actor now 40 I have forgot my part and I am out, • Even to a full disgrace. Best of my flesh, Forgive my tyranny ; but do not say, For that ' Forgive our Romans.' O, a kiss Long as my exile, sweet as my revenge ! Now, by the jealous queen of heaven, that kiss I carried from thee, dear, and my true lip Hath virgin'd it e'er since. You gods ! I prate. And the most noble mother of the world Leave unsaluted : sink, my knee, i' the earth ; [Kneels. Of thy deep duty more impression show. 51 Than that of common sons. Vol. O, stand up blest! Whilst, wath no softer cushion than the flint, I kneel before thee, and unproperly Show duty, as mistaken all this while Between the child and parent. [Kneels, Cor. What is this ? Your knees to me? to your corrected son? Then let the pebbles on the hungry beach Fillip the stars ; then let the mutinous winds Strike the proud cedars 'gainst the fiery sun, 60 Murdering impossibility, to make What cannot be, slight work. 136 CORIOLANUS Act V. Sc. iii. Vol. Thou art my warrior; I holp to frame thee. Do you know this lady? Cor. The noble sister of Pubiicola, The moon of Rome ; cliaste as the icicle That 's curded by the frost from purest snow And hangs on Dian's temple: dear \"aleria ! Vol. This is a poor epitome of yours, Which by the interpretation of full time ^lay show like all yourself. Cor. The god of soldiers, 70 With the consent of supreme Jove, inform Thy thoughts with nobleness, that thou mayst prove To shame unvulnerable, and stick i' the wars Like a great sea-mark, standing every flaw And saving those that eye thee ! Vol. .Your knee, sirrah. Cor. That 's my brave boy ! Vol. Even he, your wife, this lady and myself Are»suitors to you. Cor. I beseech you, peace : Or, if you 'Id ask, remember this before : The thing I have forsworn to grant may never 80 Be held by you denials. Do not bid me Dismiss my soldiers, or capitulate Again with Rome's mechanics : tell me not Wherein I seem unnatural : desire not To' allay my rages and revenges with Your colder reasons. Vol. O, no more, no more ! You have said you will not grant us any thing; For we have nothing else to ask, but that AMiich you deny already : yet we will ask ; 137 Act V. Sc. iii. THE TRAGEDY OF That, if you fail in our request, the blame 90 May hang upon your hardness : therefore hear us. Cor. Aufidius, and you Volsces, mark ; for we '11 Hear nought from Rome in private. Your request? Vol. Should we be silent and not speak, our raiment And state of bodies would bewray what life We have led since thy exile. Think with thyself How more unfortunate than all living women Are we come hither : since that thy sight, which should Make our eyes flow with joy, hearts dance with comforts. Constrains them weep and shake with fear and sorrow ; IMaking the mother, wife and child, to see loi The son, the husband and the father, tearing His country's bowels out. And to poor we Thine enmity's* most capital : thou barr'st us Our prayers to the gods, which is a comfort That all but we enjoy; for how can we, Alas, how can we for our country pray. Whereto we are bound, together with thy victory, Whereto we are bound ? alack, or we must lose The country, our dear nurse, or else thy person. Our comfort in the country. We must find iii An evident calamity, though we had Our wish, which side should win ; for either thou Must, as a foreign recreant, be led With manacles thorough our streets, or else Triumphantly tread on thy country's ruin, And bear the palm for having bravely shed Thy wife and children's blood. For myself, son, I purpose not to wait on fortune till These wars determine : if I cannot persuade thee 138 CORIOLANUS Act V. Sc. iii. Rather to show a noble grace to both parts 121 Than seek the end of one, thou shah no sooner March to assauk thy country than to tread — Trust to 't, thou shalt not — on thy mother's womb, That brought thee to this world. Vir. Ay, and mine. That brought you forth this boy, to keep your name Living to time. Boy. A' shall not tread on me ; I '11 run away till I am bigger, but then I '11 fight. Cor. Not of a woman's tenderness to be. Requires nor child nor woman's face to see. 130 1 have sat too long. [Rising. Vol. Xay, go not from us thus. If it w^ere so that our request did tend To save the Romans, thereby to destroy The A^olsces whom you serve, you might condemn us, As poisonous of your honour : no ; our suit Is, that you reconcile them : while the Volsces ]May say ' This mercy we have show'd,' the Romans, ' This we received ' ; and each in either side Give the all-hail to thee, and cry ' Be blest For making up this peace ! ' Thou know'st, great son, The end of war 's uncertain, but this certain, 141 That if thou conquer Rome, the benefit Which thou shalt thereby reap is such a name Whose repetition will be dogg'd with curses ; Whose chronicle thus wTit : ' The man was noble, But with his last attempt he wiped it out, Destroy'd his country, and his name remains To the ensuing age abhorr'd.' Speak to me, son : Thou hast affected the fine strains of honour, 139 Act V. Sc. iii. THE TRAGEDY OF To imitate the graces of the gods ; 150 To tear with thunder the wide cheeks o' the air, And yet to charge thy sulphur with a boh That should but rive an oak. Why dost not speak? Think'st thou it hdhourable for a noble man Still to remember wrongs ? Daughter, speak you : He cares not for your weeping. Speak thou, boy : Perhaps thy childishness will move him more Than can our reasons. There 's no man in the world More bound to 's mother, yet here he lets me prate Like one i' the stocks. Thou hast never in thy life Show'd thy dear mother any courtesy ; 161 When she, poor hen, fond of no second brood, Has cluck'd thee to the wars and safely home, Loaden with honour. Say m^y 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 170 Than pity to our prayers. Down : an end ; This is the last : so we will home to Rome, And die among our neighbours. Nay, behold 's : This boy, that cannot tell what he would have. But kneels and holds up hands for fellowship. Does reason our petition with more strength Than thou hast to deny 't. Come, let us go : This fellow had a Volscian to his mother ; His wife is in Corioli, and his child Like him by chance. Yet give us our dispatch : I am hush'd until our city be a-fire, 181 140 CORIOLANUS Act V. Sc. iii. And then I '11 speak a little. Cor. [After holding her by the hand, silent] O mother, mother ! 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, 190 I '11 frame convenient peace. Now, good Aufidius, Were you in my stead, would you have heard A mother less? or granted less, Aufidius? Auf. I was moved withal. Cor. I dare be sworn you were : And, sir, it is no Httle thing to make Mine eyes to sweat compassion. But, good sir, \\^hat peace you '11 make, advise me : for my part, I '11 not to Rome, I '11 back with you : and pray you, Stand to me in this cause. O mother ! wife ! Aiif. [Aside] I am glad thou hast set thy mercy and thy honour At difference in thee : out of that I '11 work 201 Myself a former fortune. [The Ladies make signs to Coriolanus. Cor. [To Voliimnia, Virgilia, &c.] Ay, by and by: — But we will drink together ; and you shall bear A better witness back than words, which we On like conditions will have counter-seal'd. Come, enter with us. Ladies, you deserve To have a temple built you : all the swords In Italy, and h"er confederate arms, Could not have made this peace. [Exeunt. 141 Act V. Sc. iv. THE TRAGEDY OF Scene IV. Rome. A public place. Enter Meneniiis and Siciniiis. Men. See you yond coign o' the Capitol, yond corner- stone ? Sic. Why, what of that ? ^!en. 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 are sentenced, and stay upon execution. Sic. Is 't possible that so short a time can alter the condition of a man? lo Men. There is differency between a grub and a but- terfly ; yet your butterfly was a grub. This Marcius is grown from man to dragon : he has wings ; he 's more than a creeping 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 sours ripe grapes : when he walks, he moves like an engine, and the ground shrinks before his treading : he is able to pierce 20 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 142 CORIOLANUS Act V. Sc. iv. his mother shall bring from him : there is no m.ore mercy in him than there is milk in a male tiger ; that shall our poor city find : and all this 30 is long of you. Sic. The gods be good unto us ! Men. Xo, 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 'Id save your life, fly to your house ; The plebeians have got your fellow-tribune, And hale him up and down, all swearing, if The Roman ladies bring not comfort home, 40 They '11 give him death by inches. Enter another Messenger. Sic, What 's the news ? Sec. Mess. Goodnews,goodnews ; the ladies haveprevail'd, The Volscians are dislodged, 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 ? Sec. 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; hautboys: drums beat; all together. The trumpets, sackbuts, psalteries and fifes, 51 Tabors and cymbals and the shouting Romans 14^ Act V. Sc. V. THE TRAGEDY OF Make the sun dance. Hark you! [A shout zvithin. Men. This is good news : I will go meet the ladies. This Volumnia Is worth of consuls, senators, patricians, A city full ; of tribunes, such as you, A sea and land full. You have pray'd well to-day : This morning for ten thousand of your throats I 'Id not have given a doit. Hark, how they joy ! [Music still, with shouts. Sic. First, the gods bless you for your tidings ; next, 60 Accept my thankfulness. Sec. Mess. Sir, we have all Great cause to give great thanks. Sic. They are near the city ? Sec. Aless. Almost at point to enter. Sic. We will meet them. And help the joy. [Exeunt. Scene V. The same. A street near the gate. Enter tzco Senators with Volumnia, Virgilia, Valeria, &c. passing over the stage, follozced by Patricians and others. First Sen. Behold our patroness, the life of Rome ! Call all your tribes together, praise the gods. And make triumphant fires ; strew flowers before them : Unshout the noise that banish'd Alarcius, Repeal him with the welcome of his mother ; Cry ' ^^^elcome, ladies, welcome ! ' All. Welcome, ladies, Welcome ! [A flourish witJi drums and trumpets. Exeunt. 144 CORIOLANUS Act V. Sc. Vi. Scene VI. Corioli. A public place. Enter Tiillus Aufidius, z^'ifli Attendants. Auf. Go tell the lords o' the city I am here : Deliver them this paper : having read it, Bid them repair to the market-place, where I, 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 Intends to appear before the people, hoping To purge himself with words : dispatch. [Exeunt Attendants. Enter three or four Conspirators of Aufidius' faction. Alost welcome ! First Con. How is it with our general ? Aiif. Even so lo As with a man by his own alms empoison'd, And with his charity slain. Sec. Con. ]\Iost noble sir, If you do hold the same intent wherein You wish'd us parties, we '11 deliver you Of your great danger. Auf. Sir, I cannot tell : We must proceed as we do find the people. Third ton. The people will remain uncertain whilst 'Twixt you there 's difiference : but the fall of either ]Makes the survivor heir of all. Auf. T know It, And my pretext to strike at him admits '20 A good construction. I raised him, and I pawn'd 145 Act V. Sc. Vi. THE TRACeOY OF Mine honour for his truth : who being so heightened, He water'd his new plants with dews of flattery, Seducing so my friends ; and, to this end. He bow'd his nature, never known before But to be rough, unswayable and free. Third Con. Sir, his stoutness When he did stand for consul, which he lost By lack of stooping, — Auf. That I would have spoke of : Being banish'd for 't, he came unto my hearth ; 30 Presented to my knife his throat : I took him. Made him joint-servant with me, gave him way In all his own desires, nay, let him choose Out of my files, his projects to accomplish. My best and freshest men, served his designments In mine own person, holp to reap the fame Which he did end all his ; and took some pride To do myself this wrong : till at the last I seem'd his follower, not partner, and He waged me with his countenance, as if 40 I had been mercenary. First Con. So he did, my lord : The army marvelFd at it, and in the last, When he had carried Rome and that we looked For no less spoil than glory — Auf. There was it : For which my sinews shall be stretch'd upon him. At a few drops of women's rheum, which are As cheap as lies, he sold the blood and labour Of our great action : therefore shall he die. And I '11 renew me in his fall. But hark ! \\Prums and trumpets sound, with err eat shouts of the people. 146 CORIOLANUS Act V. Sc. vi. First Con. Your native town you enter'd like a post, 50 And had no welcomes home ; but he returns, Splitting the air with noise. Sec. Con. And patient fools. Whose children he hath slain, their base throats tear With giving him glory. Third Con. Tlicrefore, at your vantage. Ere he express himself, or move the people With what he would say, let him feel your sword. Which we will.second. AA'hen he lies along, After your way his tale pronounced shall bury His reasons with his body. Aiif. Say no more : Here come the lords. 60 Enter the Lords of the city. All the Lords. You are most welcome home. Aiif. I have not deserved it. But, worthy lords, have you with heed perused What I have written to you ? Lords. We have. First Lord. And grieve to hear 't. What faults he made before the last, I think Might have found easy fines : but there to end Where he was to begin, and give away The benefit of our levies, answering us With our own charge, making a treaty where There was a yielding, — this admits no excuse. Aiif. He approaches : you shall hear him. 70 Enter Coriolanns, marching zvith drum and colours; the commoners being zvith him. Cor. Hail, lords ! I am return'd your soldier ; 147 Act V. Sc. vi. THE TRAGEDY OF No more infected with my country's love Than when I parted hence, but still subsisting Under your great command. You are to know, That prosperously I have attempted, and With bloody passage led your wars even to The gates of Rome. Our spoils we have brought home Do more than counterpoise a full third part The charges of the action. We have made peace. With no less honour to the Antiates 80 Than shame to the Romans : and we here deliver, Subscribed by the consuls and patricians, Together with the seal o' the senate, what We have compounded on. Aiif. Read it not, noble lords ; But tell the traitor, in the highest degree He hath abused your powers. Cor. Traitor ! how now ! Auf. Ay, traitor, Marcius ! Cor. Marcius ! Aiif. Ay, Marcius, Caius Marcius : dost thou think I '11 grace thee with that robbery, thy stol' n name Coriolanus, in Corioli ? 90 You lords and heads o' the state, perfidiously He has betray'd your business, and given up. For certain drops of salt, your city Rome, I say ' your city,' to his wnfe and mother ; Breaking his oath and resolution, like A. twist of rotten silk ; never admitting Counsel o' the war ; but at his nurse's tears He wdiined and roar'd away your victory ; That pages blush'd at him, and men of heart 143 CORIOLANUS Ac V. Sc. vi. Look'd wondering each at other. Cor. Hear'st thou, Mars ? loo Auf. Xame not the god, thon boy of tears ! Cor. Ha ! Auf. No more. Cor. Measureless har, thou hast made my heart Too great for what contains it. ' Boy ! ' O slave ! Pardon me, lords, 'tis the first time that ever I was forced to scold. Your judgements, my grave lords, Must give this cur the lie : and his own notion — Who wears my stripes impress'd upon him ; that Must bear my beating to his grave — shall join To thrust the lie unto him. IIO First Lord. Peace, both, and hear me speak. Cor. Cut me to pieces, Volsces ; men and lads, Stain all your edges on me. ' Boy ! ' false hound ! If you have writ your annals true, 'tis there, That, Hke an eagle in a dove-cote, I Flutter'd vour Volscians in Corioli ; Alone I did it. ' Boy ! ' Aiif. ^^ hy, noble lords. Will you be put in mind of his blind fortune, Which was your shame, by this unholy braggart, 'Fore your own eyes and ears ? All Consp. Let him die for 't. 120 All the People. ' Tear him to pieces.' ' Do it pres- ently.' ' He killed my son.' ' My daughter.' 'He killed my cousin Marc-us.' ' He killed my father.' Sec. Lord. Peace, ho ! no outrage : peace ! The man is noble and his fame folds-in 149 Act V. Sc. vi. THE TRAGEDY OF This orb o' the earth. His last offences to us Shall have judicious hearing. Stand, Aufidius, And trouble not the peace. Cor. O that I had him, With six Aufidiuses, or more, his tribe, 130 To use my lawful sword ! Auf. Insolent villain ! All Consp. Kill, kill, kill, kill, kill him ! [The Conspirators draiv, and kill Coriolanns: Aufidius stands on his body. Lords. Hold, hold, hold, hold ! Auf. My noble masters, hear me speak. First Lord. O TuUus, — Sec. Lord. Thou hast done a deed whereat valour will weep. Third Lord. Tread not upon him. Masters all, be quiet ; Put up your swords. Auf. My lords, when you shall know — as in this rage Provoked by him, you cannot — the great danger Which this man's life did owe you, you '11 rejoice That he is thus cut off. Please it your honours To call me to your senate, I '11 deliver 141 Myself your loyal servant, or endure Your heaviest censure. First Lord. Bear from hence his body ; And mourn you for him : let him be regarded- As the most noble corse that ever herald Did follow to his urn. Sec. Lord. His own impatience Takes from Aufidius a great part of blame. Let 's make the best of it. Anf. My rage is gone. And I am struck with sorrow. Take him up : 150 CORIOLANUS Act V. Sc. vi. Help, three o' the chiefest soldiers ; I '11 be one. Beat thou the drum, that it speak mournfully : 151 Trail your steel pikes. Though in this city he Hath widow 'd and unchilded many a one, Which to this hour bewail the injury. Yet he shall have a noble memory. Assist. [Exeunt, bearing the body of Coriolanus. A dead march soundedo »«l THE TRAGEDY OF Glossary. Abated, down-trodden, beaten- down (S. Walker conj. "abased") ; III. iii. 132. Absolute, perfect ; IV. v. 139. Abused, deceived; III. i. 58. Addition, title; I. ix. 66, Advanced, raised, uplifted; I. vi. 61. Affect, desire, aim at ; II. ii. 23. Affecting, aiming at; IV. vi. 32. Affection, inclination, tendency; I. i. 107. Affections, inclinations, de- sires ; I. i. 180. Affects, aims at; III. iii. i. Afric, Africa ; I. viii. 3. After, afterwards ; II. ii. 55. After your way, after you have told his story in your own way ; V. vi. 58. Against, over against, in the way of; III. i. 247. Age, lifetime; IV. vi. 51. Ages, time, life ; III. i. 7. Alarum, call to arms; II. ii. 79. All, any; III. i. 143. ; "all gaze"; the gaze of every eye; I. iii. 8. ; "all our lamentation''; i.e. " the sorrow of us all " ; IV. vi. 34. Allaying, tempering, diluting; II. i. 49. Alloiv, acknowledge ; III. iii. 45. A llowan ce, acknowledgement, III. ii. 57. Amazonian chin, chin beardless as that of a female warrior ; II. ii. 94. An, if; II. i. 136. Ancient, old. former; IV. i. 3; inveterate ; II. i. 236 ; IV. v. 102. Anon, at once; II. iii. 147, 150. Answer, meet in battle; I. ii. 19. , take advantage; II. iii. 265. , punishment, answering of a charge ; III. i. 177. Answering, requiting, paying the debt due to us ; V. vi. 67. Antiates, people of Antium ; III. iii. 4. Antique, old; II. iii. 124. Appeared, apparent (Hanmer, " affeer'd " ; Warburton, " ap- peal' d"; Jackson conj. " ap- parel' d") ; IV. iii. 9. Approbation; "upon your a.," for the purpose of confirming 3'our election ; II. iii. 150. Apron-men, mechanics; IV. vi. 96. Apt, susceptible ; III. ii. 29. Arabia, the Arabian desert ; IV. ii. 24. Are to, belong to; I. i. 276. Arithmetic, calculation; III. i. 245. 152 CORIOLANUS Glossary Arm yourself, prepare yourself ; III. ii. 138. Arriving, having reached; II. iii. 187. Article, condition; II. iii. 202. Articulate, enter into negotia- tions ; I. ix. yy. As, as if; I. i. 22. 216. , as that ; II. i. 239. , as that with which; III. iii. 74. Assembly (quadrisvllabic) ; I. i. 158. Assistance, persons assisting ( Hanmer, "assistants"; Walker, " assistancy") ; IV. vi. 33- At, at the price of ; V. vi. 46. At a zvord, in a word, in short ; I. iri. 116. At liome, in my own home; I. X. 25. Atone, reconciled; IV. vi. y2. At point, on the point of; III. i. 194. Attach, arrest; III. i. 175. Attend, listen : I. ix. 4. , await; II. ii. 163. Attended, waited for ; I. x. 30. Attends, awaits; I. i. 78. Auburn, probably flaxen (Fo- lios I, 2, 3, "Abram") ; II. iii. 21. Audible, quick of hearing; IV. V. 232. Augurer. soothsayer; II. i. i. Austerity and garb, austere de- meanour ; IV. vii. 44. AutJioritw those in power; I. i. 16. Avoid, quit ; IV. v. 2r>. , get you gone; IV. v. 33. Baes, cries ba; II. i. 11. Bald, senseless; III. i. 165. , uncovered, bareheaded ; IV. V. 200. Bale, harm, injury ; " must have b.," " must get the worst of it " ; I. i. 166. Bare ; " a b. petition " = a mere petition ; V. i. 20. Bats, heavy sticks ; I. i. 58. Batten, grow fat ; IV. v. 33. Battle, army drawn up in battle array ; I. vi. 51. Beam; "below the b. of sight," farther down than the range of sight ; III. ii. 5. Beard to beard, face to face ; I. X. II. Bear the knave, bear being- called knave ; III. iii. 33. Because that, because ; III. ii. 52. Bcmock, intensive form of mock ; I. i. 260. Be naught, be lost ; III. i. 231. Bended, made obeisance, bowed ; II. i. 273. Be off, take my hat off; II. iii. 105. Be put, come; III. i. 233. Best, i.e. best, chief men ; I. ix. yy. Bestrid, bestrode, i.e. stood over to defend a fallen sol- dier ; II. ii. 96. Be that I am, show myself in my true character ; I. x. 5. Be-a'rav. reveal, show, betray; V. iii. 95. Bisson conspectuities. purblind powers of sight (Folios i, 2. " beesome " ; Folios 3, 4. " heesom " and '' Besom ") ; II. i. 66. 153 Glossary THE TRAGEDY OF Bleeding, i.e. " without having, as it were, dressed and cured it" (Schmidt) ; II. i. 79. Bless'd, happy; 11. ii. 61. Bless from, preserve from ; I. iii. 48. Blood, offspring, son ; I. ix. 14. Bloivn, swollen ; V. iv. 49. Bolted, sifted, refined; III. i. 222. Bonnet, cap, hat ; III. ii. y^- Bonneted, i.e. unbonneted, took off their caps or bonnets (Johnson conj. " unhonnet- ted ") ; II. ii. 29. Bosom multiplied, " the bosom of that many-headed monster, the people" (Malone) ; III. i. 131. Botcher, patcher of old clothes ; II. i. 92. Bountiful, bountifully ; II. iii. 107. Brand, stigma; III. i. 304. Brawn, brawny or muscular part of the arm ; IV. v. 123. Break his neck, cause his down- fall, destroy him ; III. iii. 30. Breathe you, take breath ; I. vi. I. Briefly, a short time ago, lately ; I. vi. 16. Broils, wars; III. ii. 81. Broke, broken ; IV. iv. 19. Brow-bound, crowned ; II. ii. TOI. Budge, flee, flinch ; I. vi. 44. Bulks, the projecting parts of shops on which goods were exposed for sale ; II. i. 218. Bussing, kissing ; III. ii. 75. By, at; I. vi. 5. By, in comparison with ; I. x. 18. , next to, near; III. i. loi. Cambric, a fine white linen stuff; I. iii. 89. Came off, escaped; II. ii. 115. Canker'd. corrupted, polluted; IV. V. 94. Canopy, i.e. the canopy of heaven, the sky ; IV. v. 40. Capital, deadly; V. iii. 104. Capitulate, make terms; V. iii. .82. Caps and legs, salutations, obeisance ; II. i. 70. Carbonado, a piece of meat cut and slashed for broiling ; IV. V. 194. Casque, helmet ; IV. vii. '43. Catched, caught ; I. iii. 66. Cats, a term of contempt (Col- lier MS., " Curs " ; Staunton conj. "Bats"; Gould conj. "Rats") ; IV. ii. 34. Cause, occasion, opportunity ; II. iii. 200. , quarrel; III. i. 235. ; " as c. will be obey'd," as occasion shall dictate ; I. vi. 83. Cautelous, crafty ; IV. i. 2)2- Censure, judgement; I. i. 271. , sentence; III. iii. 46. Censured, estimated; II. i. 22. Centuries, bodies of a hundred men; I. vii. 3. Centurions, Roman officers who had the command of a hun- dred soldiers ; IV. iii. 47. Chafed, vexed, angered; III. iii. 27. 154 CORIOLANUS Glossary Change of honours, fresh hon- ours, variety of honours (Theobald, " charge ") ; 11. i. 207. Charge, cost ; V. vi. 68. Charg'd, would charge ; IV. vi. 112. Charges, troops, companies ; IV. iii. 48. Charter, privilege ; I. ix. 14. Chats, chats of, gossips about ; II. i. 216. Choice; " at thy c," do as you like; III. ii. 123. Choose, fail to ; IV. iii. 39. Chose, chosen ; II. iii. 160. Circumvention, the power of circumventing ; I. ii. 6. Clapp'd to, quickly shut ; I. i v. 5 1 . Clean kam, quite from the pur- pose; ^a»i = crooked ; III. i. 304. Clip, embrace ; I. vi. 29. Cluck'd, called, as a hen does (Folio I, " clock'd") ', v. iii. 163. Clusters, mobs ; IV. vi. 122. Clutch' d, if there were clutched ; III. iii. 71. Cockle, weed which grows in cornfields ; III. i. 70, Cog, cheat, cozen ; III. ii. 133. Coign, corner; V. iv. i. Come oif, come out of the bat- tle; I. vi. I. Comfortable, cheerful ; I. iii. 2. Commanded, entrusted with a command ; I. i. 265. Commandment, command; II. iii. 236. Commend, recommend, intro- duce; IV. v. 147. Common, commons, people; I. i. 154. Conwion part, share in com- mon ; I. ix. 39. Companions, fellows (used contemptuously) ; IV. v. 14. Complcxio ns, temperaments, dispositions ; II. i, 220. Compounded, agreed; V. vi. 84. Conclude, decide ; III. i. 144. Condemned, (?) damnable; I. viii. 15. Condition, disposition ; II. iii, lOI. Confirmed, determined, reso- lute; I. iii. 63. Confound, waste; I. vi. 17. Confusion, ruin; III. i. no. Conies, rabbits ; IV. v. 220. Conn'd, learned; IV. i. 11. Consent of, agreement about; II. iii. 25. Constant, true to my word; I. i. 242. Contrived, plotted ; III. iii. 63. Convented, convened; II. ii. 57. Converses, is conversant, asso- ciates ; II. i. 51. Corioli walls, the walls of Corioli ; I. viii. 8. Cormorant, ravenous; I. i. 124. Countenance, mere patronage; V. vi. 40. Counterpoised, equalled, coun- ter-balanced ; II. ii. 90. Country (trisyllabic) ; I. ix. 17. Courage, plain speaking (Col- lier MS. and Singer MS., "carriage") ; III. iii. 92. Crack, boy (slightly contemp- tuous) ; I. iii. y2. Cracking, breaking; I. i. 72. 155 Glossary THE TRAGEDY OF Crafted fair, made nice work of Deucalion, the Greek Noah ; II it; IV. vi. ii8. Cranks, winding passages ; I. i, 140. Cry, pack; III. iii. 120. , proclaim ; III. i. 275. Cudgel, thick stick; IV. v. 153. Cunning, knowledge; IV. i. 9. Cupboarding, hoarding; I. i. 102. Curded, congealed (Folios, " curded " ; R o w e , " cur- dled"); V. iii. 66. Cypress grove, grove of cypress trees ( Folios, " C y p r u s grove ") ; I. x. 30. Dances, causes to dance ; IV. v. 119. Daws, jackdaws (daws were considered as emblems of chattering and foolish per- sons) ; IV. V. 46. Debile, weak ; I. ix. 48. Declines, falls; 11. i. 170. Deed-achieving honour, honour gained by achievement; II. i. 182. Deliver, narrate, tell vour tale; I. i. 98. , show; V. vi. 141. Delivei-'d, reported; IV. vi. 6;^. Demand, ask; III. iii. 43. Demerits, merits; I. i. 275. Deserved, deserving ; III. i. 292. Designments, designs; V. vi. 35. Despite, spite; III. iii. 139. Determine, terminate, end ; III. iii. 43. Determined of, decided, con- cerning; II. ii. 40. 1- 95. Devour, destroy; I. i. 261. Dieted, fed up ; I. ix. 52. Differency, difference (so Fo- lio I ; Folio 2, "difference") ; V. iv. II. Directitude, a coined word not understood; IV. v. 216, 217. Disbench'd, drove from youi seat ; II. ii. 74. Discharge, perform (technical term for playing a part upon the stage) ; III. ii. 106. Disciplined, thrashed ; II. i. 132. Disease, disturb, spoil ; I. iii. III. Disgrace, humiliation ; I. i. 97. D ish on ou r' d, dishonourable ; III. i. 60. Disposition, five syllables ; I. vi. 74. Dispropertied, taken away (Fo- lios 2. 3. 4, " dispropor- tioned ") ; II. i. 256. Dissentious, seditious, rebel- lious ; I. i. 167. Distinctly ranges, stands up- right ; III. i. 206. Doit, the smallest piece of money, worth half a farthing ; a common metaphor for a trifle ; I. v. 7. Dotant, dotard; V. ii. 46. Doublets, the inner garments of a man ; I. v. 7. Doubt, fear ; III. i. 152. Drachma, an ancient Greek coin (Folios i. 2, " Drachme" ; Folios 3, 4, " Drachm " ; Staunton, "dram.") ; I. v. 6. Drop, shed; I. v. 19. 156 CORIOLANUS Glossary Each zuay, in every way ; III. i. 49- Ears; "by the e.," quarrelling; 1. i. 236. Edge, sword ; I. iv. 29. Effected, achieved ; I. ix. 18, Embarqiiements, probably em- bargo, restrain, hinderance (Rowe, " Enibarkments" ; Hanmer, "Embankments" ; Warburton, " Embarrments," etc.) ; I. X. 22. Embracemcnts, embraces; I. iii. 4. Empiricutic, quackish (prob- ably a coined word) ; Folios I, 2, " Emperickqiitiqiie" ; Folios 3, 4. " Empericktique" ; Pope, " Emperic " ; Collier MS., "Empiric physic") ; II. i. 121. Emulation, envious contention ; I. i. 217. End ; " for an e.," to bring mat- ters to a crisis (according to some =3 to cut the matter short) ; 11. i. 252. End all his, make all his own at last (" end," a provincial term for getting in a har- vest) V. vi. 37. Endure, remain ; I. vi. 58. Enemy (used adjectively; Fo- lio 4. "enemy's") ; IV. iv. 24. Enforce, urge, lay stress upon ; II. iii. 225. Enter'd in, acquainted with ; I. ii. 2. Entertainment, engaged for service ; IV. iii. 48. -, reception ; IV. v. 10. Envied against, shown malice, ill-will toward (Becket conj. " inveigh' d") ; III. iii. 95. Envy, hatred, malice ; III. iii. 3. Envy you, show hatred against you (Keightley, "envy to you ") ; III. iii. 57. Estimate, worth; III. iii. 114. Even, equably ; IV. vii, ^y. Ever, ever, always the same ; II. i. 201. Exposture, exposure ; IV. i. 36. Extol, praise, laud ; I. ix. 14. Extremities, urgent necessity ; III. ii. 41. Factionary, taking part in a quarrel ; V. ii. 30. Factions, parties, sides in a quarrel ; I. i. 196. Fail in, fail in granting; V. iii. 90. Fair, kind, conciliatory ; III. iii. 91. Fairness, best ; I. ix. jt,. Falsely, treacherously ; III. i. 60. Fame and envy, detested or odious fame ; I. viii. 4. Fane, temple; I. x. 20. Fatigate, fatigued, wearied; II. ii. 120. Favour, countenance, look; IV. iii. 9. Fear, fear for ; I. vii. 5. Feebling, weakening ; I. i. 198. Fell, cruel ; I. iii. 48. Fellest, cruellest, fiercest ; IV. iv. 18. Fidiused, beaten; "jocularly formed from the name of Aufidius" (Folios, " fid- dious'd") ; II. i. 137. 157 Glossary THE TRAGEDY OF Fielded, in the field; I. iv. 12. Fillip, strike, beat ; V. iii. 59. Fire (dissyllabic) ; I. i. 194. Fires of heaven, stars; I. iv. 39. First, first-born (Heath conj. " fierce " ; Keightley, " fair- est" -, Cartwrightconj. "dear'st"); IV. i. Z2>- Fit o' the time, present distem- perature ; III. ii. ^2>- Fit you, fit yourself; II. ii. 145. Flamens, priests ; II. i. 221. Flaw, gust ; V. iii. 74. Flouted, mocked ; II. iii. 165. Fob off, trick, cheat ; I. i. 97. Foil'd, defeated ; I. ix. 48. Fold-in, enclose; III. iii. 68. Fond, foolish ; IV. i. 26. Fool, play the fool ; II. iii. 126. For, as for ; I. i. 68. , against; II. ii. 91. Force, urge; III. ii. 51. Fore-advised, advised, admon- ished beforehand; II. iii. 197. 'Fore me, an oath; probably used instead of " 'fore God " ; I. i. 123. Forgot, forgotten ; IV. iii. 3. Forsworn to grant ; sworn not to grant ; V. iii. 80. Forth, forth from, out of ; I. iv. , gone ; IV. i. 49. For that, because; I. i. 116. Fosset-seller, seller of fossets or taps (Folios i, 2, 3. " For- set"; Folio 4, " Fauset ") ; II. i. 73- Four, (?) used of an indefinite number ; I. vi. 84. Foxship, ingratitude and cun- ning; IV. ii. 18. Fragments, a term of contempt ; I. i. 225. Frame, fashion; III. ii. 84. Free, liberal ; III. ii. 88. Free contempt, unconcealed contempt ; II. iii. 206. Freelier, more freely ; I. iii. 3. From the canon, against estab- lished rule (Mason takes the words to mean " according to rule ; alluding to the absolute veto of the tribunes"); III. i. 90. Front, confront ; V. ii. 43. Full quit of, fully revenged upon ; IV. v. 86. Full third part, by a full third ; V. vi. 78. Further, further business; II. iii. 179. Gall'd, hurt, wounded; II. iii. 201. Can, began ; II. ii. 118. Gangrened, mortified, diseased; III. i. 307. Garland, crown, glory; I. i. 187. , i.e. the oaken garland, the prize of victory; II. ii. 104. Gave him zvay, gave way to him ; V. vi. 32. Gave me, made me suspect ; IV. V. 153. General louts, stupid bumpkins ; III. ii. 64. Generosity; "to break the heart of g.," i.e. "to give the final blow to the nobles" (John- son) ; I. i. 214. Gentry, gentle birth ; III. i. 143. Giber, scoffer ; II. i. 85. 158 CORIOLANUS Glossary Giddy, thoughtless ; I. i. 271. Gird, taunt, jeer at; I. i. 259. Give, represent; I. ix. 55. Give me excuse, excuse me, pardon me ; I. iii. 114. Give me way, yields to me ; IV. iv. 25. Given, given the power ; III. i. 93- Godded, idolized; V. iii. 11. God-den, good even (Folio 4, " good-e'en") ; II. i. 97. Gone, ago ; I. ii. 6. Good, rich, with play upon lit- eral sense of the word; I. i. 16. , good quality ; I. ix. 32. , (used ironically) ; IV. vi. 70. Good condition, used in double sense; (i) good terms of treaty ; (2) good character ; I. x. 6. Good report, reputation ; I. ix. 54. Got on, won from ; III. iii. 4. Grace, show honour to ; V. iii. 15. Gracious, lovely and loveable ; II. i. 184. Grained ash, rough, tough, ashen spear; IV. v. iii. Gratify, requite ; II. ii. 43. Greater part, majority; II. iii. 41- Grief-shot, sorrow-stricken; V. i. 44. Groat, coin of the value of fourpence ; III. ii. 10. Guard; " upon my brother's g.," under the protection of my brother ; I. x. 25. Guess, think, imagine ; I. i. 18. Gulf, whirlpool ; I. i. 100. Had carried, might have car- ried (or had in effect car- ried) ; V. vi. 43. Had purpose, intended ; IV. v. 122. Hale, haul; V. iv. 40. Handkerchers, handkerchiefs ; II. i. 272. Hang by the wall, be useless ; I. iii. 12. Hap, happen, chance ; III. iii. 24. Hardly, with difficulty ; V. ii. 75- Has, he has (Folio 3. " Ha's" ', Folio 4, " H'as") ; III. i. 161. Haver, he who has it, pos- sessor ; II. ii, 88. Have struck, have been stri- king ; I. vi. 4. Have them into, get them- selves into ; II. ii. 30. Have zuith you, I am with you ; come on ; II. i. 278. Havoc, merciless destruction ; III. i. 275. Head ; " made new h e a d," raised a fresh army ; III. i. i. Hear hither, hear the sound here ; I. iii. 2,2- Heart, sense; II. iii. 210. Helms, those at the helm, i.e. the leaders; I. i. 79. , helmets ; IV. v. 128. Helps, remedies; III, i. 221. Here, " at this point, suiting the action to the word " (Wright) ; III. ii. 74. Hereto, hitherto; II. ii. 63. 159 Glossary THE TRAGEDY OF Hie, hasten; I. ii. 26. Him, i.e. this one ; I. vi. 36. Hint, occasion, that which gives matter and motive ; III. iii. 23. Hob and Dick, familiar names of clowns; Hob diminutive of Robert {cp. colloquial use "Tom, Dick, and Harry"); II. iii. 121. Hold, bear; III. ii. 80. Holloa, cry hollo ! after me, pursue (Folios, "hollow") ) I. viii. 7. Holp, helped ; III. i. 277. Home, to the utmost ; I. iv. 38. , thoroughly ; " speak him h.," adequately praise him; II. ii. 106. Honour d, honourable ; III. i. 72. Hoo, an exclamation of joy; II. i. no. Hoop'd, i.e. whooped, hollowed, hooted; ly. v. 8r. Horse-drench, physic for a horse ; II. i. 123. Hospitable canon, sacred law of hospitality; I. x. 26. Hours, time (Rowe [ed. 2], "honours") ; I. v. 5. Housekeepers, keepers, stayers at home ; I. iii. 54. Hum, to make a sound ex- pressive of contempt or anger (Quartos, "hem"); V. i. 49. Humorous, full of whims and humours ; II. i. 47. Hungry, sterile ; V. iii. 58. Husbandry, management ; IV. vii. 22. Huswife, housewife ; I. iii. 74. Hydra, the fabulous serpent with many heads killed by Hercules ; III. i. 93. Impediment ; " your i.," " the obstacles opposed by you '" ; I. i. 74- Imperfect, faulty (as a magis- trate) ; II. i. 50. In, of; II. ii. 14. , into; II. iii. 264; III. ii. 91. . by; III. i. 210. . on ; III. iii. 102. Incorporate, forming one body; I. i- 133. Iniirmity, weakness; "of their i.," subject to the same faults and failings as they; III. i. 82. Information, the source of in- formation, informant ; IV. vi. 53- Ingrate, ungrateful ; V. ii. 89. Ingrateful, ungrateful ; II. ii. 34- Inheritance, possessor; III. ii. 68. Inherited, realised, enjoyed; II. i. 207. Injurious, insulting; III. iii. 69. Injury, sense of wrong; V.i.64. Innovator, one who changes things for the worse ; III. i. 175; Interims, intervals; I. vi. 5. Inter join, cause to intermarry; IV. iv. 22. Issues, children ; IV. iv. 22. It is, he is (used contemptu- ously) ; IV. V. 46. 160 CORIOLANUS Glossary Jack guardant, a Jack on guard ; V. ii. 64. Jealous queen of heaven, i.e. Juno, the guardian of con- jugal fidelity; V. iii. 46. Judicious, judicial; V. vi. 127. Jump, risk, hazard (Pope, "vamp"; Singer [ed. 2], "imp ") ; III. i. 154. Kicked at, scorned, spurned ; II. ii. 127. Knee, go on your knees ; V. i. 6. Lack'd, had lost ; III. ii. 23. Lamentation; "to all our 1.," to the sorrow of us all ; IV. vi. 34- Lamm, alarm, the call to arms ; I. iv. 9. Late, lately; III. i. 196. Lay, lodged; I. ix. 82. Leads, leaden roofs of the houses ; IV. vi. 82. Leash, the string or chain by which a greyhound is held; I. yi. 38. ' Leasing, falsehood ; V. ii. 22. Leave, leave off ; I. iii. 90. Leaves, leave ; IV. v. 136. Lenity, mildness, want of se- verity ; III. i. 99. Lessfi', less (Folios i, 2, '' les- sen"; Rowe, "Less for"); I. vi. 70. Lesson'd, taught by us ; II. iii. 183. Let go, let it go, let it pass ; III. ii. 18. Lets, he lets; II. ii. 15. Lies, lodges, dwells; IV. iv. 8. Lies you on, is incumbent upon you ; III. ii. 52. Licve, lief, gladly (Folios 2. 3, "live"; Folio i, "Hue"; Capell, "lief"); IV. v. 181. Like, equal ; I. i. 103. , likely ; I. iii. 14. Liking, good opinion, favour; Li. 198. Limitation, required time; II. iii. 144. List, listen, hear ; I. iv. 20. , pleasest ; III. ii. 128. Lockram, coarse linen ; II. i. 217. Long of vou, owing to you ; V. iv. 32. 'Longs, belongs ; V. iii. 170. Looks, seems likely, promises (Hanmer, "zvorks") ; III. iii. 29. Lose, waste, by preaching to them in vain ; II. iii. 64. Lots to blanks = all the world to nothing (lots = prizes in the lottery ; the reference is to the value of the lots, not to the number) ; V. ii. 10. Lover, loving friend ; V. ii. 14. Lurch'd, robbed; II. ii. 104. Made doubt, doubted; I. ii. 18. Made fair hands, made good work; IV. vi. 117. Made head, raised an army ; II. ii. 91. Maims of shame, shameful. disgraceful injuries; IV. v. 89. Make a lip, curl up my lip in contempt ; II. i. 120. 161 Glossary THE TRAGEDY OF Make good, hold, defend; I. v. 13- Malice, hatred; II. i. 236. Malkin, kitchen-wench ; prob- ably contraction of Matilda ; II. i. 216. Mammocked, tore in pieces; I. iii. 69. Man-entered, initiated into manhood ; II. ii. 102. Manifest, notorious ; I. iii. 54. Mankind (i.) masculine; (ii.) a human being; IV. ii. 16. Many, multitude (Folio i. "meynic"\ Folios 2. 3. "meyny"; III. i. 66. Mark, power ; II. ii. 92. Match, bargain ; II. iii. 85. Measles, scurvv wretches ; III. i. 78. Meed, reward; II. ii. 100. Memory, memorial ; IV. v. 74. Mercy; "at m.," at the mercy of the conquered ; I. x. 7. Merely, absolutely; III. i. 305. Met, are met (Hanmer, '' meet " ; Capell, " are met " : Anon conj. "we've met"); II. ii. 50. Microcosm, little world ; II. i. 64. Minded, reminded ; V. i. 18. Minnows, small fry; III. i. 89. Mirth; "our better m.," "our mirth. which would be greater without her com- pany " (Schmidt) ; I. iii. iii. Misery, wretchedness, poverty; II. ii. 130. Mock'd, scoffed at; II. iii. 164. Modest, moderate ; III. i. 275. Moe, more ; II. iii. 130. Monster'd, exaggerated ; II. ii. 80. More, greater; III. ii. 124. Mortal, fatal; II. ii. 114. , mortally ; V. iii. 189. Motion, motive; II. i. 51. ; "your loving m. to- wards," " your kind interpo- sition with" (Johnson); TI. ii. 56. Mummers. (a) From the Romance of Faiivel 'n the National Library, Paris. \b) From a MS. in the Bodleian Library copied by Strutt. 162 CORIOLANUS Glossary Mountebank their loves, play the mountebank to win their love ; III. ii. 132. Movers, loafers in search of plunder ; I. v. 5. Mull'd, flat, insipid ; IV. v. 233. Multitudinous tongue, the tongues of the multitude ; III. i. 156. Mummers, maskers, masque- raders ; II. i. yy. (Cp. illus- tration.) Muniments, supplies of war; I. i. 121. Murrain; "a m. on't," a plague upon.it (an oath) ; I. v. 3. Muse, wonder; III. ii. 7. Mutiners, mutineers ; I. i. 253. My horse to yours, I '11 wager my horse to yours ; I. iv. 2. Name, credit ; II. i. 142. Napless, threadbare ; II. i. 242. Native, origin, source (John- son and Heath conj. "mo- tive") ; III. i. 129. Nature, natural disposition ; IV. vii. 41. Navel, centre; III. i. 123. Needer, the man needing the advantage ; IV. i. 44. Nerves, sinews; I. i. 141. Nervy, sinewy; II. i. 169. Never-needed ; " so n.n.," i.e. never so needed ; V. i. 34. Nicely-gazvded, daintily be- decked (Lettsom conj. "nicely-guarded") ; II. i. 225. Noble, nobles ; III. i. 29. Noble touch, tested nobility ; IV. i. 49. Noise and horn, noisy horn; III. i. 95. Nose, to scent ; V. i. 28. Not, not only (Hanmer, "not only") ; III. iii. 97. Note, notice ; I. ix. 49. .Nothing, not at all; I. iii. 105. Notion, understanding; V. vi. 107. Now, just; I. ix. 79. Object, sight ; I. i. 20. Occupation ; "the voice of o.," i.e. " the votes of the work- ing men " ; IV. vi. 97. O'er-beat, overwhelm (Folios, " 0' re-beat " ; Rowe, " o'er- bcar"\ Becket conj. " o'er- bear't") ; IV. v. 134. O'er-peer, rise above; II. iii. 126. Of, from ; II. iii. 243. , concerning ; I. i. 272. , by; I. ii. 13. Offe/d, attempted ; V. i. 23. , about, of the value of ; IV. iv. 17. , on ; II. iii. 213. OiRce me from, use your office to keep me from ; V. ii. 65. Official marks, tokens of office ; II. iii. 146. On, of (Folios i, 2. "one"); I. ii. 4. Once, once for all ; II. iii. i. , once when ; II. iii. 16. One danger, ( ?) " constant source of danger" (Theo- bald, "our"); III. i. 288. . Only, sole ; I. ix. 36. On 's, of his ; I. iii. 70. On't, of it; III. i. 152. 163 Glossary THE TRAGEDY OF Oj)c, open; I. iv. 43. Opinion, public opinion ; I. i. 274. Opposcr, opponent; IV. iii. 36. Opposite, opponent ; II. ii. 22. Oraiigc-zuifc, woman who sells oranges ; II. i. 72. Ordinance, rank; III. ii. 12. Osprey, the fishing hawk or eagle, supposed to have the power of fascinating fish (Folios, " Aspray") ; IV. vii. 34. Our, from us (Hanmer, "their''; Ingleby conj. "for"; Lettsom conj. "a"; Kinnear, "as") ; III. i. 121. Out, thoroughly, out and out; IV. V. 124. Outdares, exceeds in bravery ; I. iv. 53. Out 0' door, out of doors (Folio I, "out a doore") ; I. iii. 114. From a terra-cotta figure found at Moulins-sur-Allier, France. Out of; " out of daily fortune," i.e. " in consequence of unin- terrupted success " ; IV. vii. 38. Overta'cn, come up with, equalled ; I. ix. 19. Owe, own ; III. ii. 130. Owe you, exposed you to; V. vi. 139. Pack-saddle; II. i. 93. {Cp. illustration.) Palates; "the greatest taste most p. theirs," the predomi- nant taste savours most of theirs (Johnson, '' must pal- ate") ; III. i. 104. Paltering, equivocation, tri- fling; III. i. 58. Parcel, part ; IV. v. 225. Parcels, portions ; I. ii. 32. Part, side ; I. x. 7. Parted, departed ; V. vi. JT)- Participate := participating ; I. i. 106. Particular, personal ; IV. v. 89. , private interest ; IV. vii. 13. , personal relation ; V. i. 3. Particularize, specify, empha- size ; I. i. 21. Particulars ; " by p.," one by one ; II. iii. 48. Party, side, part ; I. i. 237. Pass, pass by, neglect; II. ii. 142. Pass doubt, without doubt; II. iii. 263. Patience; " by your p.," by your leave ; I. iii. 78. Pawn'd, pledged; V. vi. 21. Penelope, the wife of Ulysses ; I. ii. 92. 164 CORIOLANUS Glossary Pent, the sentence of being pent ; III, iii. 89. Perceive 's, perceive his; II. ii. 159. Pcrcfuptory, firmly resolved ; III. i. 286. Pestering, thronging ; IV. vi. 7. Physical, salutary ; I. v. 19. Pick, pitch ; I. i. 203. Piece, piece of money, coin ; III. iii, 32. , add to ; II. iii. 218, Piercing, sharp, severe; (?) mortifying; I. i. 86, Pikes, (i.) lances, spears, (ii.) pitch-forks (used with play on both senses) ; I. i. 23. Place; " his p.," i.e. the consul- ship ; II. i, 158. Please it, if it please ; V. vi. 140. Plebeii, plebeians (Rowe, "plebeians") ; II. iii. 190, Plot; " single p.," my own per- son, body; III. ii. 102. Points, commands (as if given by a trumpet) ; IV. vi. 125. Poison, destroy ; V, ii, 89. Poll, number, counted by heads (Folios, ''pole") ; III. i. 134. Polled, bared, cleared (origi- nally cut the hair) ; IV. v. 209. Poorest, smallest ; III. iii. 32. Portance, bearing, demeanour ; II, iii, 230, Ports, gates; I, vii, i. Possessed, informed ; II. i. 139. Post, messenger ; V. vi. 50. Pot; "to the p.," to certain death ; I. iv. 47, Potch, poke ; I, x. 15. Pother, uproar; II. i. 226. Pound up, shut up as in a pound ; I. iv. 17. Power, army, armed force ; I. ii. 9. Pow, ivozv, pooh, pooh; II. i. 150. Practice, stratagem ; IV. i. Prank them, deck themselves (used contemptuously) ; III. Precipitation, precipitousness ; III. ii. 4. Preparation, force ready for ac- tion ; I. ii. 15. Present, present time, oppor- tunity ; I. vi, 60. , immediate, instant; III. i, 212, Presently, immediately, at once ; IV. v. 223. Press'd, impressed, forced into service ; I. ii. 9, Pretences, intentions ; I. ii. 20. Progeny, race ; I, viii. 12. Pronounce, pronounce the sen- tence ; III. iii. 88. Proof; " more p.," more capa- ble of resistance ; I. iv. 25. Proper, own ; I. ix. 57. Properly, as my own personal matter ; V. ii. 87. Proud; "p. to be " = proud of being ; I. i. 262. Provand, provender (Pope, "provender") ; II. i. 259. Prove, put to the proof ; I. vi. 62. Puling, whining, whimpering ; IV. ii. 52. Glossary THE TRAGEDY OF Pupil age, pupilage, minority (Folios 2, 3, 4. "Pupil- age") ; II. ii. loi. Purpose; " our p. to them," of announcing our intention to them (i.e. the people) ; II. li. 155; Put in hazard, risked; II. iii. 262. Put upon, incited, urged: II. i. 264. Put you to 't, put you to the test ; I. i. 232. Put you to your fortune, re- duce you to the necessity of making the chances of war ; III. ii. 60. Putting on, instigation; II. iii. 258. Quaked, made to shudder ; I. ix. 6. Quarry, technically, game alive or dead; here, a heap of dead(ahuntingterm) ; Li. 201. Quarter d, slaughtered ; I. 202. Quired, sang in harmony ; III. ii. 113. Rack'd, strained to the utmost ; V. i. 16. Rakes, (i.) instruments for raking, (ii.) good for noth- ing men (used with play on both senses of the word) ; I. i. 24. Rapt, enraptured; IV. v. 119. Rapture, fit ; II. i. 215. Rascal, originally, a lean and worthless deer; with play on both meanings of the word ; I. i. 162. Reason ^= " there is reason for it " ; IV. V. 241. , argue for; V. iii. 176. , converse ; I. ix. 58. Reasons, arguments ; V. vi. 59. Receipt; " his r.," that which he received ; I. i. 115. Receive to heart, take to heart ; IV. iii. 22. Reckless, thoughtless ; III. i. 92. Recommend, commit the task; II. ii. 154. Rectorship, guidance ; II. iii. 211. Reechy, dirty (literally smoky) ; II. i. 217. Reek, vapour; III. iii. 121. Rejourn, adjourn; II. i. y^- Remains, it remains ; II. iii. 145. Remove; " for the r.," to raise the siege; I. ii. 28. Render, render up, give ; I. ix. 34. Repeal, recall from banish- ment ; IV. vii. 32. Repetition, utterance, mention ; I. i. 47. Report, reputation ; II. i. 122. ; "give him good r.." speak well of him ; I. i. ^S- Request, asking the votes of the people ; II. iii. 148. Require, ask; II. ii. 159. Rest, stay ; IV. i. 39. Restitution; "to hopeless v.," so that there were no hope of restitution ; III. i. 16. Retire, retreat; I. vi. (direc). Rheum, tears ; V. vi. 46. Ridges horsed, ridges of house- roofs with people sitting astride of them ; II. i. 219. 166 CORIOLANUS Glossary Ripe aptness, perfect readiness ; IV. iii. 23. Road, inroad; III. i. 5. Rome gates, the gates of Rome ; IV. V. 208. Roted, learned by rote ; III. ii. 55- _ Ruh, impediment ; a term taken from the game of bowls; III. i. 60. Ruth, pity ; I. i. 200. Safe-guard ; " on s.," under pro- tection of a guard ; III. i. 9. Sat, if there sat ; III. iii. 70. Save you, i.e. God save you (a common form of salutation) ; IV. iv. 6. Say, say on, speak; III. iii. 41. Scabs, a term of extreme con- tempt ; here used quibbling- ly; I. i. 169. Scaling, weighing, comparing; II. iii. 255. Scandal'd, defamed; III. i. 44. Scarr'd, wounded; IV. v. 112. Scorn him, disdain to allow him ; III. i. 268. Scotched, cut, hacked ; I\'\ v. 192. 'Sdeath, a contraction of God's death, a favorite oath of Queen Elizabeth ; I. i. 220. Season'd, " established and set- tled by time, and made famil- iar to the people by long use " (Johnson) ; " well-ripened or matured and rendered palata- ble to the people by time " (Wright); "qualified, tem- pered" (Schmidt); III. iii. 64. Seeking, request, demand; I. i. 191. Seld-shown, seldom seen; II. i. 221. Self ; " Tarquin's self," Tarquin himself ; II. ii. 97. Sennet, a particular set of notes played on the cornet or trum- pet ; II. i. 170. Sensible, sensitive ; I. iii. 89. Sensibly, endowed with feel- ing ; sensibility ; I. iv. 53. Servanted to, subject to; V. ii. 86. Set dozini before 's, besiege us ; I. ii. 28. Set on, incited, instigated ( ? go on!) ; III. i. 58. Set up the bloody-flag, i.e. de- clare war (a red flag was the signal for battle) ; Several, separate ; IV. Sezi'ing, embroidering ; Shall, shall go ; III. i. Shall 's, shall we go 148. Shame, be ashamed; II. Shcnt, reproved, rated lOI. Shop, workshop ; I. i. 136. Should, would ; II. iii. 25. Show'd, would appear; IV. vi. 114. Shozv'st, appearest ; IV. v. 65. Shrug, shrug the shoulders as not believing the story ; I. ix. 4- Shunless, not to be shunned or avoided ; II. ii. 115. Side, take sides with ; I. i. 196. Silence, silent one; II. i. 184. Since that, since; III. ii. 50. II. i. 77- V. 12 5- I. iii. 55- 31. IV. vi. [. ii. 7 0. d; V. ii. 167 Glossary THE TRAGEDY OF Single, insignificant, simple (used quibblingly) ; 11. i. 37- Singly, by a single person; II. ii. 90. Singularity ; " more than s.," i.e. independently of his own peculiar disposition; I. i. 281. Sithence, since ; III. i. 47. Sits dozvn, begins the siege ; IV. vii. 28. Slight, insignificant ; V. ii. 106. Sliglitness, trifling; III. i. 148. Slip; " let s.," let loose (a hunting term) ; I. vi. 39. Small, clear and high; III. ii. 114. Smote, struck at; III. i. 319. Soft, gentle ; III. ii. 82. Soldier (trisyllabic) ; I. i. 119. Solemness, gravity; I. iii. 114. So made on, made so much of; IV. V. 197. So many so, as many as are so ; I. vi. 72)' Some certain, some ; II. iii. 59. Something, somewhat; II. i. 49. Sometime, at one time, for- merly; III. i. 115. Sooth'd, flattered; II. ii. 76. Soothing, flattery ; I. ix. 44. , flattering; III. i. 69. Sort, manner ; I. iii. 2. South; "all the contagion of the s. light on you," the south was regarded as the quarter from which diseases and noxious vapours came ; I. iv. 30. Sozvl, pull by the ears ; IV. v. 207. Speak, proclaim themselves ; III. ii. 41. Speed, turn out; V. i. 61. Spices, samples ; IV. vii, 46. Spirit (monosyllabic) ; II. i, 169, Spot, figure, pattern ; I. iii. 56. Spritely, lively; IV. v. 231. Stain, eclipse ; I. x. 18. Stale 't, make it stale (Folios, " scale 't") ; I. i. 95. Stamp'd, given the impress of truth to ; V. ii. 22. Stand, stop ; V. vi. 128. Stand to, uphold ; III. i. 208. , stand by ; V. iii. 199. Stand upon, insist upon; I. ix, 39- Stand zvith, be consistent with; II. iii. 90. State, government; IV. iii, 11. Stay upon, wait but for; V. iv. 8. Steep Tarpcian death, death by being hurled from the high Tarpeian rock ; III. iii. 88. Stem, the forepart of a ship ; II. ii. no. Sticks on, is fixed on like an ornament ; I. i. 274. Stiff, obstinate (perhaps = un- able to move) ; I. i. 244. Still, ahvays, constantly ; II. i. 254- Stitchery, stitching, needle- work ; I. iii. yT)- Stocks. (The specimen here engraved was discovered at Pompeii, and is now pre- served in the Museo Bor- bonico at Naples) ; V, iii. 160. 16S CORIOLANUS Glossary Stocks. Stood, stood lip in defence of; IV. vi. 45- Stood to 't, made a stand, stood firm ; IV. vi. lo. Store; "good store," good quantity; I. ix. 32. Stout, proud; III. ii. 78. Stoutness, pride; III. ii. 127. Straight, straightway, immedi- ately; II. ii. 119- Stretch it out, extending its power to the utmost ; II. ii. 54- Stride, bestride; I. ix. 71. Strucken, struck; IV. v. 152. Stuck, hesitated; II. iii. I7- Subdues, subjects him to pun- ishment ; I. i. 179- Subtle, smooth and deceptive; V. ii. 20. Like to a bowl upon a subtle ground. From Strutt's copy of an illumination in a Book of Prayers belongu-g to Douce. Sudden, hasty; II. iii. 257. Sufferance, suffering ; I. i. 22. , endurance ; " against all noble s.," beyond the endu- rance of the nobility; III. i. 24. Suggest, prompt ; II. i. 253. Summon the tozvn, i.e. to sur- render ; I. iv. 7. Surcease, cease; III. ii. 121. Surer; " no s.," no more to be depended upon; I. i. 175- Surety, be sureties for; III. i. 178. Szuay, bear sway; II. i. 212. Szvifter composition, making terms more quickly; III. i. 3- Szi'orn brother; people who had taken an oath to share each other's fortunes were called fr aires jurat i, sworn brothers; II. iii. ico. Tabor, a small drum of mediae- val origin, usually strapped upon the left arm between wrist and elbow and beaten by the right hand; I. vi. 25. (Cp. illustration). 169 Glossary THE TRAGEDY OF From a XlVth cent. MS. in the National Library, Paris. Ta'enforth, chosen, selected ; I. ix. 34- Ta'en note, noticed; IV. ii. lo. Tag, rabble; III. i. 248. Taints, infects; IV. vii. 38. Take in, subdue, capture ; I. ii. 24. Take lip, cope with ; III. i. 244. Taken well, interviewed at a favourable time ; V. i. 50. Tame, ineffectual : IV. vi. 2. Target, a small shield ; IV. v. 123. Tauntingly, mockingly. dis- paragingly (Folio I. " taint- ingly " ; Folios 2, 3. " tanting- ly"); I. i. 113. Temperance, moderation, self- restraint ; III. iii. 28. Tent, probe; I. ix. 31. , probe (verb) ; III. i. 236. . tent, encamp; III. ii. 116. Tetter, infect with tetter, i.e. eruption on the skin ; III. i. 79. Than those, than she is to those ; I. v. 25. That's, that has; II. ii. 82. That's off, that is nothing to the purpose ; II. ii. 6^. Thread, file through singly ; III. i. 124. Tiber, figurative for water; II. i. 49. Tiger-footed, tiger-like, " has- tening to seize its prey " ; III. i. 312. Time, immediate present ; pres- ent time ; II. i. 277. , " the t.," i.e. the age in which one lives ; IV. vii. 50. 'Tis right, it is true, it is just as you say ; II. i. 244. To, according to ; I. iv. 57, , compared to ; II. i. 121. , against; IV. v. 130. , " to his mother " = for his mother; V. iii. 178. Told, foretold ; I. i. 230. Took, took effect, told; II. ii. III. To 's power, to the utmost of his ability, as far as lay m his power ; II. i. 254. To 't, upon it ; IV. ii. 48. Toiich'd, tested, as metal is tested by the touchstone ; II. iii. 197- Traducement, calumny ; I. ix. 22. Traitor; " their t.." a traitor to them ; III. iii. 69. Translate, transform ; II. iii. 195. Transport, bear, carry ; II. i. 232. Treaty, proposal, tending to an agreement ; II. ii. 58. Trick, trifle; IV. iv. 21. Triton, Neptune's trumpeter; III. i. 80. 170 CORIOLANUS Glossary 7 roth ; " o' my t.," on my word (a blight oath) ; I, iii. 62. , faith; IV. ii. 49, , truth ; IV. v. 192. True purchasing, honest earn- ing; II. i. 148. Trumpet, trumpeter ; I. v. 4. 5. Tuns, large casks, IV, v. 102. Turn, put; III. i. 284. Twins, are like twins ; IV. iv. 15. Unactive, inactive ; I. i. loi. * Unbarb'd sconce, unarmed, bare, head (sconce, used con- temptuously; Becket conj. " imbarhed" ; Nicholson conj. " embarbed") III. ii. 99. Unborn; "all cause u.," no cause existing; III. i. 129. Undercrest, wear as on a crest ; I. ix. y2. Under fiends, fiends of hell ; IV. V. 95. Ungravely, without dignity ; II. iii. 231. Unhearts, disheartens; V. i. 49. Unlike, unlikely; III. i. 48. Unmeriting, as undeserving ; II. i. 43. Unproperly, improperly ; V. iii. 54. Unscann'd, inconsiderate ; III. i. 313- Unseparable, inseparable ; IV. iv. 16. Unsever'd, inseparable ; III. ii. 42. Upon, laid upon ; III. ii. 141. , on account of, in conse- quence of ; II. i. 236. Upon, against; III. iii. 47. Used; " as 'twas used," as they used to do; III. i, 114. Ushers, forerunners; II. i. 167. Vail, let fall, lower; III. i. 98. Vantage, advantage, benefit ; I. i. 163. Vantage; " v. of his anger." i.e. the favourable opportunity which his anger will afiford ; II. iii. 266. Variable, various, all kinds; II. i. 220. Vazvard, vanguard ; I. vi. 53. Vent, get rid of; I. i. 228. ; " full of v.," keenly ex- cited, full of pluck and cour- age (a hunting term) ; IV. v. 232. Verified, supported the credit of (or spoken the truth of) ; V. ii. 17. Vexation, anger, mortification ; III. iii. 140. Viand, food ; I. i. 102. Virginal, maidenly ; V. ii. 44. Virgin' d it, been as a virgin ; V. iii. 48. Virtue, valour, bravery; I. i. 41. Voice, vote (verb) ; II. iii. 240. ! Voices, votes ; II. ii. 143. 'Voided, avoided (Folios "voided") ; IV. v. 85. Vouches, attestations ; II. ii. 122. Vulgar station, standing room among the crowd ; II. i. 223. Wail, bewail ; IV. i. 26. Want, am wanting in ; I. iii. 85. Warm at's heart, i.e. he is gratified; II. iii. 148. 171 Glossary THE TRAGEDY OF Warrant, measures; III. i. 276, War's garland, laurel wreath, the emblem of glory ; I. ix. 60. Watch' d, kept guard; 11. iii. 132. Waved, would waver; II. ii. 18. Waving, bowing; III. ii. yy. Waxed, grew, throve (Folio 2, " wated " ; Folios 3, 4, "waited") ; II. ii. 103. Weal, good; welfare; I. i. 154. , commonwealth ; II. iii. 187. Wealsmen, statesmen ; II. i. 55. Weeds, garments ; II. iii. 159. Well-found, fortunately met with ; II. ii. 47. What, why; III. i. 317. , exclamation of impa- tience ; IV. i. 14. Wheel, make a circuit ; I. vi. 19. Where, whereas ; I. i. 103. Where against, against which; IV. V. no. Which, who; I. i. 191. Whither (monosyllabic) ; I^'^. i.34. Who, he who : I. i. 179. , whom ; II. i. 7. , which; III. ii. 119. Wholesome, suitable, reason- able; II. iii. 66. Whom, which ; I. i. 267. Wills; " as our good w.." ac- cording to our best efforts ; II. i. 250. IVind, advance indirectly, in- sinuate ; III. iii. 65. Win upon, gain advantage, get the better of (Grant White conj. " win open") ; I. i. 223. With, by; III. iii. 7. Withal, with; TIL i. 141. ]Vith us, as we shall take ad- vantage of it ; III. iii. 30. Wives, women ; IV. iv. 5. Woollen, coarsely clad; III. ii. 9- JVook'ish togc, " rough hirsute gown" (Johnson); v. Note; II.' iii. 120. Word, pass-word, watch-word; III. ii. 142. Worn, worn out ; III. i. 6. IJ^orsliip, dignity, authority; III. i. 141. Worst in blood, in the worst condition ; I. i. 162. Worth; "his w. of contradic- tion," " his full quota or pro- portion of contradiction '" (Malone) ; III. iii. 26. Worthy; "is w. of," is de- serving of, deserves ; III. i. 211. , justifiable; III. i. 241. Wot, know; IV. v. 167. Wreak, vengeance ; IV. v. 88. Wrench up, screw up, exert; I. viii. II. Yield, grant; II. ii. 57. You may, you may, go on, poke your fun at me ; II. iii. 39. Yoiingly, young ; II. iii. 242. 172 CORIOLANUS Critical Notes. BY ISRAEL GOLLANCZ. I. i. 177,179. 'your virtue, etc.; "your virtue is to speak well of him whom his own offences have subjected to justice; and to rail at those laws by which he whom j-ou praise was punished " (Johnson). I. iii. 12. ' Picture-like to hang by the wall.' " Ancient wall pic- tures were usually paintings in fres- co .. . but the Pompeian wall- paintings furnish us with the an- nexed curious example of a portable picture (protected by folding leaves) placed over a door, and inclining forward by means of strings secured to rings after the fashion of those in our own houses." I. iii. 16. ' bound with oak,' as a mark of honour for saving the life of a citizen. I. iii. 46. 'At Grecian sword, con- temning,' etc. ; Folio i reads, ' At Grecian sword. Contenning, tell Valeria,' etc.; the reading in the text is substantially Collier's; many emendations have been proposed ; perhaps a slightly better version of the line would be gained by the omission of the comma. I. iv. 14. 'that fears you less'; Johnson conj. 'but fears you less'; Johnson and Capell conj. 'that fears you more'; Schmidt, ' that fears you, — less.' The meaning is obvious, though there is a confusion, due to the case of the double negative in ' nor ' and ' less.' I, iv. 31. 'you herd of — Boils,' Johnson's emendation. Folios I. 2, 'you Heard of Byles'; Folios 3, 4, 'you Herd of Biles'; Rowe, 'you herds of biles'; Pope (ed. i), 'you herds; of boils'; 173 Notes THE TRAGEDY OF you! herds of boils': Collier MS., '«n- ,'ed ' ; so Folios 2, 3, 4 ; Folio i, (ed. i), 'trenches follow'; (ed. 2), Dyce, Lettsom conj. 'trenches: follow Calues ' Pope (ed. 2), Theobald, heard of boils ' ; etc., etc. I. iv. 42. ' trenches folloi' ' trenches followes ' ; Collier ' trenches. Follow ! me ' ; etc. I. iv. 57. ' Cato's'; Theobald's emendation of Folios, and ' Calves ' ; Rowe, ' Calvus.' I. vi. 6. ' ye'\ Folios, 'the' I. vi. 76. Folios. ' O, me alone! make you a sivord of me?' ; the punctuation in the text is Capell's. Clarke's explanation, making the line imperative, seems the most plausible : — " O take me alone for weapon among you all ! make yourselves a sword of me," I. ix. 41-53. The chief de- parture from the folios in this doubtful passage is the substitu- tion of ' coverture ' for ' over- ture' as conjectured by Tyr- whitt ; 'him' is seemingly used here instead of the neuter ' it.' II. i, 52. 'A cup of hot wine.' Cp. the subjoined drawing of an urn discovered at Pompeii. A is a cylindrical furnace, B B spaces for holding the liquor to be warmed. This is poured in at C, and drawn out by a cock on the other side. II. i, 221-2. ' the bleared sights are spectacled to see him.' Spectacles were not known till the XlVth century. An early form of them may be seen in the subjoined cut copied from a painting dated 1490. II. i. 233. ' end,' i.e. to where he should end. II. i. 263. 'touch,' Hanmer's emen- dation : Folios, ' teach ' ; Theobald, 'reach.' 174 CORIOLANUS Notes II. iii. 63-64. ' virtues IV hich our divines lose by 'em/ i.e. which, our divines preach to men in vain ' ; but the line is possibly corrupt. II. iii. 120. ' wulvish toge' ; Steevens' conj., adopted by Malone : Folio I reads 'Wooluish tongue; Folios 2, 3, 4, 'Woolvish gowne' ; Capell, 'wolfish gown'; Mason conj. 'woollen gown,' or 'foolish gown'; Beckett conj. ' woolish gown'; Steevens' conj. 'woolvish tongue'; Grant White conj. 'foolish togue'; Clarke (?) ' wool- 'nish,' i.e. ' woolenish.' II. iii, 249-251. vide Preface. III. i. 93. 'Hydra here'; i.e. 'the many-headed multitude'; so Folio 2. III. i. 98-101. i.e. "let your admitted ignorance take a lower tone and defer to their admitted superiority" (Clarke). III. i. 230. 'your'; Rowe's emendation of Folios, 'our.' III. ii. 21. ' thwartings of; Theobald's reading; ¥o\\os,,' things of ; Rowe, ' tilings that thwart' ; Wright conj. ' things that cross.' III. ii. 32. 'to the herd'; Warburton's suggestion, adopted by Theobald; Folios, 'to the heart'; Collier MS., ' o' th' heart'; etc. III. ii. 56. 'though but bastards and syllables'; Capell, 'but bastards'; Seymour conj. 'although but bastards, syllables'; Bad- ham conj. 'thought's bastards, and but syllables.' III. ii. 64. 'I am in this'; Warburton, 'In this advice I speak as your wife, your son,' etc. III. ii. 69. ' that want,' i.e. the want of that inheritance. III. ii. 78. 'Which often, thus, correcting thy stout heart'; Johnson, 'With often,' etc.; Capell, 'And often'; Staunton conj. 'While often'; Nicholson conj. ' Whiles-often' ; Warburton, ' Which soften.' III. iii. 35. 'among 's,' i.e. among us; Folio i, ' amongs'; Folios 2, 3, 4, ' amongst you ' ; Pope, ' amongst you ' ; Capell, ' among us.' III. iii. 36. ' throng,' Theobald's and Warburton's emendation of Folios, ' Through.' III. iii. 55. 'accents,' Theobald's correction of Folios, 'actions.' III. iii. 130. 'not'; Capell's correction of Folios, 'but.' IV. i. 7-9. 'fortune's blows, When most struck home, being gentle wounded, craves A noble cunning'; i.e. "When Fortune's blows are most struck home, to be gentle, although wounded, de- mands a noble philosophy" (Clarke). Pope, 'gently warded'; Hanmer, 'greatly warded'; Collier MS., 'gentle-minded.' IV. iv. 23. 'My birth-place hate I, and my love's upon '; Capell's emendation. Folio i reads, ' My Birth-place have I, and my hues upon ' ; Folios 2, 3, ' My Birth-lace have I, and my lover upon ' ; 17s Notes THE TRAGEDY OF Folio 4, 'My Birth-place have I, and my Lover left; xipon' \ Pope, 'My birth-place have I and my lovers left'; Beckett conj. 'My country have I and my lovers lost' etc. IV. V. 62). 'appearance' ', Folio i, ' opparance ' (probably the recognised form of the word, representing the pronunciation at the time. IV. vii. 51-53. The sense of the lines should be to this effect: — " Power is in itself most commendable, but the orator's chair, from which a man's past actions are extolled, is the inevitable tomb of his power." The passage is crude, and many suggestions have been advanced. IV. vii. 55. ' falter,' Dyce's ingenious reading ; the Camb. ed. following Folios ' fouler/ V. i. 69. Many emendations have been proposed to clear up the obscurity of the line. It appears to mean either (i.) that Corio- lanus bound Cominius by an oath to yield to his conditions; or (ii.) that Coriolanus was bound by an oath as to zuhat he would not, unless the Romans should yield to his conditions. Johnson proposed to read — " IV hat he would not. Bound by an oath. To yield to his conditions," — the rest being omitted. Many attempts have been made to im- prove the passage, but no proposal carries conviction with it. V. ii. yy. 'your'; so Folios i, 2, 3; Folio 4. 'our.' V. ii. 86-88. ' though I owe My revenge properly,' i.e. ' though revenge is my own, remission belongs to the Volscians.' V. vi. 152. ' Trail your steel pikes'; a mode of showing honour pertaining to the Shakespearian rather than to the classic era. The subjoined illustration is copied from a plate in a volume descriptive of the funeral ceremony of the Prince of Orange at Delft, 1647. CORIOLANUS Explanatory Notes. The Explanatory Notes in this edition have been specially selected and adapted, with emendations after the latest and best authorities, from the most eminent Shakespearian scholars and commentators, including Johnson, Malone, Steevens, Singer, Dyce, Hudson, White, Furness, Dowden, and others. Tiiis method, here introduced for the first time, provides the best annotation of Shakespeare ever embraced in a single edition. ACT FIRST. Scene I. [Citizens.] Gervinus thinks that if we observe closely we shall not find the people here represented as so very bad. We must distinguish between the way in which they really act and the way in which the mockers and despisers of the people represent them ; we may then soon find that the populace in Julius Cccsar appear much worse than in Coriolanus. In Antony and Cleopatra, where the people had ceased to be of any importance, they no longer appear ; in Julius CcBsar, where their degeneracy ruined the republic, they are shown in all their weakness ; in Coriolanus, where they can oppose but not stop the progress of Rome's politi- cal career, they appear equally endowed with good and bad ([ualities. 40. Thus in North's Plutarch : " But touching ^lartius. the only thing that made him to love honour was the joy he saw his mother did take of him. For he thought nothing made him so happy and honourable, as that his mother might hear every body praise and commend him, that she might always see him return with a crown upon his head, and that she might still embrace him with tears running down her cheeks for joy." 99 ct seq. The fable of TJic Belly and the Members has been traced far back in antiquity. It is found in several ancient col- lections of ^sopian fables so that there is as much reason for making .^sop the author of this as of many others that go in his name. Shakespeare was acquainted with a very spirited 177 Notes THE TRAGEDY OF version of it in Camden's Remains ; but he was chielly indebted for the matter to North's Plutarch, where it is very interestingly given. 139. the seat 0' the brain : — According to the old philosophy, the heart was the seat of the understanding ; hence it is here called the court. So in a previous speech (line 119) : The counsellor heart. 162. Thou rascal, etc. : — The meaning seems to be, " thou worthless scoundrel, though thou art in the worst plight for running of all this herd of plebeians, like a deer not in blood, thou takest the lead in this tumult in order to obtain some private advantage to thyself." 208. proverbs: — Trench, speaking of proverbs, says that "in a fastidious age, indeed, and one of false refinement, they may go nearly or quite out of use among the so-called upper classes. No gentleman, says Lord Chesterfield, or * no man of fashion,' as I think is his exact phrase, ' ever uses a proverb.' And with how fine a touch of nature Shakespeare makes Coriolanus, the man who, with all his greatness, is entirely devoid of all sym- pathy for the people, to utter his scorn of them in scorn of their proverbs, and of their frequent employment of these." Scene II. 9. press' d: — The use of press' d in this place is well explained by a passage in North's Plutarch : " The common people, being set on a broile and bravery with these words, would not appeare when the consuls called their names by a bill, to presse them for the warres. Martius then, who was now growne to great credit, and a stout man besides, rose up and openly spake against these flattering tribunes : but to the warres the people by no means would be brought or constrained." 14. Titus Lartius: — North's Plutarch has been closely followed in this Scene : " In the country of the Volsces, against whom the Romans made war at that time, there was a principal city and of most fame, that was called Corioles. before the which the Consul Cominius did lay siege. Wherefore all the other Volsces, fearing lest that city should be taken by assault, they came from all parts of the country to save it, intending to give the Romans battle before the city, and to give an onset on them in two several places. The Consul Cominius, understanding this, divided his army also into two parts ; and taking the one part with himself, 178 CORIOLANUS Notes he marched towards them that were drawing to the city out of the country: and the other part of his army he left in the camp with Titus Lartius (one of the vaHantest men the Romans had at that time) to resist those that would make any sally out of the city upon them." Scene III. [Volumnia and Virgilia.] Of this "very gr?ceful scene, in which the two Roman ladies, the wife and mother of Coriolanus. are discovered at their needle-work, conversing on his absence and danger," Mrs. Jameson says that over it " Shakespeare, with- out any display of learning, has breathed the very spirit of classi- cal antiquity. The haughty temper of Volumnia, her admiration of the valour and high bearing of her son, and her proud but un- selfish love for him, are finely contrasted with the modest sweet- ness, the conjugal tenderness, and the fond solicitude of his wife Virgilia." i6. hound u-itJi oak : — This incident is related with much spirit in North's Plutarch : " The first time he went to the wars, being but a stripling, was when Tarquine surnamed the Proud did come to Rome with all the aid of the Latines. and many other people of Italy; even as it were to set up his whole rest upon a battel by them, who with a great and mighty army had under- taken to put him into his kingdome againe ; not so much to pleasure him, as to overthrow the power of the Romaines, whose greatnesse they both feared and envied. In this battel, wherein are many bote and sharpe encounters of either party, Martins valiantly fought in the sight of the Dictator ; and, a Romaine soldier being throwne to the ground even hard by him, Martins straight bestrid him. and slue the enemie with his owne hands, that had before overthrowne the Romaine. Hereupon, after the battell was won, the Dictator did not forget so noble an act, and therefore first of all he crowned Martins with a garland of oaken boughes. For whosoever saveth the life of a Romaine, it is a manner among them to honour him with such a garland." Scene IV. 53. WJio sensibly outdares, etc.: — Hudson reads ''sensible, out- dares." Whitelaw interprets : " The endurance of the man is more wonderful than that of the sword, because he can feel and 179 Notes THE TRAGEDY OF the sword cannot, and yet he endures the longer." Sidney's Arcadia has a similar thought: " Their very armour by piecemeal fell away from them : yet their flesh abode the wounds constantly, as though it were less sensible of smart than the senseless armour." 56,57. a soldier»even to Cato's zvisli: — Thus North's Plutarch: " For he was even such another as Cato would have a souldier and a captaine to be ; not only terrible and fierce to lay about him. but to make the enemy afeard with the sound of his voice and grimnesse of his countenance." Cato was not born till some 255 years after the death of Coriolanus. The Poet was perhaps led into the anachronism by not observing the difference between historical narrative and dramatic representation. Scene V. 4. their hours: — Several commentators have changed hours to honours, but hows is ascertained to be the right reading by re- ferring to the authority which the Poet followed: "The city being taken in this sort, the most part of the souldiers began in- continently to spoile, to carry away, and to looke up the bootie they had wonne. But Martins was marvellous angry with them, and cryed out on them, that it was no time now to looke after spoile, and to runne stragling here and there to enrich them- selves." Scene VI. 41 et seq. " The author of Coriolanus," says Bagehot. " never believed in a mob, and did something towards preventing any- body else from doing so." Shakespeare, he adds, had a disbelief in the middle classes, and no opinion of traders. " You will gen- erally find that when a citizen is mentioned, he is made to do or to say something absurd." Scene VII. I. keep your duties: — The picture of the commotions of the republic exhibits also the qualities that, restraining those commo- tions within limits, excluded the last violences of faction and al- lowed the progress of the state in its imperial career notwith- 180 OORIOLANUS Notes standing. We see the regulating as well as the exciting powers and principles — we see the more clearly therefore what danger is ever in waiting, and by the relaxation of what moral restraint it will be fatally admitted, with equal misery, whether by the popular or the patrician side. Scene VIII. 12. the whip of your bragg'd progeny : — The whip or scourge with which your boasted progenitors (progeny used, singularly for this) punished their enemies. 14. [They fight . . . driven in breathless.] Brandes says: " The hero's bodily strength and courage are strained to the mythical. He forces his way single-handed into a hostile town, holds his own there against a whole army, and finally makes good his retreat, wounded but not subdued. Even Bible tradition, in which divine aid comes to the rescue, cannot furnish forth such deeds. Neither Samson's escape from Gaza (Judges xvi.) nor David's from Keilah (i Samuel xxiii.) can compare with this amazing exploit." Scene IX. 10, II. The meaning appears to be that what he has done here is but as a morsel compared to Marcius's full feast of battle at Corioli. 19. Hath overta'cn mine act: — "That is, has done as much as I have done, insomuch as my ardour to serve the state is such that I have never been able to effect all that I wished." So says Ma- lone. " The meaning," as Rolfe thinks, " seems rather to be : he that has done his best has come up with me, for that is all I have done." 82 et seq. I sometime . . . freedom : — The Poet found this incident thus related in Plutarch : " Onely this grace, said he. I crave, and beseech you to grant me : Among the Volsces there is an old friend and hoast of mine, an honest wealthy man and now a prisoner; who, living before in great wealth in his owne coun- trey, liveth now a poore prisoner in the hands of his enemies ; and yet. notwithstanding all this his misery and misfortune, it would do me great pleasure, if I could save him from this one danger, to keepe him from being sold as a slave." 181 Notes THE TRAGEDY OF Scene X. 10 et seq. : — Upon this speech of Autidius Coleridge remarks : " I have such deep faith in Shakespeare's heart-lore, that I take for granted that this is in nature; although I cannot in myself discover any germ of possible feeling, which could wax and un- fold itself into such a sentiment. However, I perceive that in this speech is meant to be contained a prevention of shock at the after-change in Aufidius's character." In connection with this note see Verplanck's observations upon Aufidius (originally made upon these remarks of Coleridge) in the Critical Comments prefixed to this play. ACT SECOND. Scene I. 39-41. The allusion here is to the fable, that every man has a bag hanging before him, in which he puts his neighbour's faults; and another behind him, in which he stows his own. 48,49. a cup of hot wine, etc.: — There is a similar expression in Lovelace's little song. To Althca, from Prison: — " When flowing cups run swiftly round, With no allaying Thames ; Our careless heads with roses bound. Our hearts with loyal flames." 51-53. converses more . . . morning: — Rather a late lier- down than an early riser. So in Love's Labour's Lost, V. i. 88, 89: "In the posteriors of this day, which the rude multitude call the afternoon." 87-89. Our very priests . . . you are: — Brandes says: " That Shakespeare held the same political views as Coriolanus is amply shown by the fact that the most dissimilar characters approve of them in every particular, excepting only the vioknt and defiant manner in which they are expressed. Menenius's de- scription of the tribunes of the people is not a whit less scathing than that of Marcius." 121. Galen: — Certain critics have made merry at the Poet for thus making Menenius refer to Galen, the person speaking having lived about 650 years before the person spoken of. Upon whom 182 CORIOLANUS Notes does It devolve to determine whether the anachronism were per- petrated in ignorance or in contempt of historical accuracy? 184. Gracious silence probably means " thou whose silent tears are more eloquent and grateful to me than the clamorous applause of the rest." Thus in Jonson's Every Man out of his Humour : " You shall see sweet silent rhetoric and dumb eloquence speaking in her eye." Gracious is frequently used by Shakespeare for grateful, acceptable. 271 efseq. Here we have another anachronism; the Romans being represented as doing what, in the days of chivalry, was done at tiltings and tournaments in honour of the successful combatant. Scene II. [Enter two OiHcers, etc.] Brandes observes that even the voice of one of the two serving-men of the Capitol exalts Coriolanus and justifies his scorn for the love or hatred of the people, the ignorant, bewildered masses. " We perceive," he adds, " that the Poet has taken no particular pains to disguise his own voice." 86-88. It is held that valour, etc. :— This thought was evidently borrowed from Plutarch : " Now in those dales, valiantnes was honoured in Rome above all other vertues ; which they call by the name of vertue it selfe, as including in that generall name all other specially vertue besides." 98. struck him on his knee:— Not that he gave Tarquin a blow on the knee, but gave him such a blow as made him fall on his knee. Scene III. 55-60. When his friends insist upon his conforming to custom and appearing in person as applicant, Shakespeare, who has hitherto followed Plutarch step by step, here diverges, in order to represent this step as being excessively disagreeable to Mar- cius. According to the Greek historian, Coriolanus at once pro- ceeds with a splendid retinue to the Forum, and there displays the wounds he has received in the recent wars ; but Shakespeare's hero cannot bring himself to boast of his exploits to the people, nor to appeal to their admiration and compassion by making an exhibition of his wounds. He finally yields, but has hardly set foot in the Forum before he begins to curse at the position in which he has placed himself. 183 Notes THE TRAGEDY OF ACT THIRD. Scene I. Plutarch was by no means prejudiced against the people, and the subject had to be entirely refashioned by Shakespeare before it would harmonize with his mood. The historian may be guilty of serious contradictions in matters of detail, but he endeavours, to the best of his ability, to enter into the circumstances of times which were of hoary antiquity, even to him. The main drift of his narrative is to the effect that Coriolanus had already attained to great authority and influence in the city, when the Senate, which represented the wealth of the community, came into col- lision with the masses. The people were overridden by usurers, the law was terribly severe upon debtors, and the poor were sub- jected to incessant distraint; their few possessions were sold, and men who had fought bravely for their country and were covered with honourable scars were frequently imprisoned. In the recent war with the Sabines the patricians had been forced to promise the people better treatment in the future, but the moment the war was over they broke their word, and distraint and imprison- ment went on as before. After this the plebeians refused to come forward at the conscription, and the patricians, in spite of the opposition of Coriolanus, were compelled to yield. 103, 104. the great'st taste, etc. : — Whitelaw explains the passage thus : " The prevailing flavour of the whole smacks rather of their voice than of yours.' Judged by results — the taste it leaves in the mouth — this dualized government of compromise gives ex- pression to the popular, rather than to the patrician, will : the tribunicial nay is stronger than the consular yea." 275,276. Do not cry havoc, etc.: — Havoc, the signal for general slaughter, was not to be pronounced with impunity, but by authority. Thus in the Statutes and Ordynaunces of Warre, 1513 : " That no man be so hardy to crye havoke, upon payne of him that is so founde begynner, to dye therfore, and the reme- naunt to be emprysoned, and their bodies to be punyshed at the kinges wyll." The meaning of the text is, do not give the signal for no quarter when more moderate action may suffice. 304. clean kam : — Cotgrave has : " All goes cleane contrarie, quite kamnie." The word occurs in Richard Hooker's sermon on TJie Nature of Pride: "Where is, then, the obliquity of the mind of man? His mind is perverse, kam, and crooked, when it 184 CORIOLANUS Notes bendeth so, that it swerveth either to the right hand or to the left, by excess or defect, from that exact rule whereby human actions are measured." Clean kam appears to have been cor- rupted into kim-kam ; of which word Holland's Plutarch furnishes several instances: " First mark, I beseech you, the com- parison, how they go clean kim-kam, and against the stream, as if rivers run up hills." Scene II. 13. [Enter Volumnia.] Mrs. Jameson says that " in Volumnia, Shakespeare has given us the portrait of a Roman matron, con- ceived in the true antique spirit, and finished in every part. Al- though Coriolanus is the hero of the play, yet much of the interest of the action and the final catastrophe turn upon the character of his mother, Volumnia, and the power she exercised over his mind, by which, according to the story, ' she saved Rome and lost her son.' Her lofty patriotism, her patrician haughtiness, her maternal pride, her eloquence, and her towering spirit, are ex- hibited with the utmost power of effect; yet the truth of female nature is beautifully preserved, and the portrait, with all its vigour, is without harshness." Scene III. 68 et seq. Coriolanus's fierce outburst when the name of traitor is flung at him proves, as Brandes thinks, that Shakespeare did not look upon treason as a pardonable crime. ACT FOURTH. Scene I. 1.2. the beast zvith many heads: — That is. the many-headed multitude. Coriolanus is by no means free from personal pride and ambition, and yet his foremost wish at all times is but the good of his country. A plebeian government, in his eyes, is the greatest of misfortunes. He considers all political rights as con- nected with birth, because it includes all virtues — love of country, valour and nobility of mind. He is the pure embodiment of the aristocratic principle. Hence the harshness, the stubbornness and the passionate vehemence with which he rejects every com- 185 Notes THE TRAGEDY OF promise, every demand which he regards as derogatory ; this is the cause of his contempt of the common herd. This contempt is •as immoderate, as exaggerated, as his pride and admiration of true personal dignity and virtue. Scene II. I. he's gone, and zuc'll no further: — Rome is preserved from cleaving in the midst by the virtues of the state, the reverence for the political majesty which pervades both the contending parties. The senate averts the last evil by timely concession of the tribuni- tian power first, and then by sacrifice of a favourite champion of their own order, rather than civil war shall break out and all go to ruin in quarrel for the privilege and supremacy of a part. Rather than this they will concede, and trust to temporizing, to negotiating, to management, to the material influence of their position and the effect of their own merits and achievements, to secure their power or recover it hereafter. Among the people, on the other hand, there is also a restraining sentiment, a religion that holds back from the worst abuses of successful insurrection or excited faction. The proposition to kill Marcius is easily given up. Even the tribunes are capable of being persuaded to forego the extremity of rancour against the enemy of the people, and of their authority. Scene IV. The matter of this short scene is more fully presented in North's Plutarch : " Now in the city of Antium there was one called Tullus Aufidius, who for his riches, as also for his nobility and valiantness, was honoured among the Volsces as a king. Martins knew very well that Tullus did more malice and envy him than he did all the Romans besides : because that many times. in battles where they met, they were ever at the encounter one against another, like lusty courageous youths striving in all emu- lation of honour, and had encountered many times together. Insomuch as, besides the common quarrel between them, there was bred a marvellous private hate one agamst another. Yet notwithstanding, considering that Tullus Aufidius was a man of great mind, and that he above all other of the Volsces most de- sired revenge of the Romans, for the injuries they had done unto them : he did an act that confirmed the words of an ancient poet to be true, who said : — 1 86 CORIOLANUS Notes * It is a thing full hard, man's anger to withstand. If it be stiffy bent to take an enterprise in hand. For then most men will have the thing that they desire. Although it cost their lives therefore, such force hath wicked And so did he. For he disguised himself in such array and attire, as he thought no man could ever have known him for the person he was, seeing him in that apparel he had upon his back: and as Homer said of Ulysses : — ' So did he enter into the enemies" town.' It was even twilight when he entered the city of Antium, and many people met him in the streets, but no man knew him. So he went directlv to Tullus Aufidius's house." Scene V. 68 et seq. The quick change that takes place in the demeanour of Coriolanus, after his sentence of banishment, is most ex- pressive: his nature is now in truth subjected by a deeper feeling than it ever owned before. He who could not soothe either populace, tribunes or patricians, is seen an actual dissimulator for the time, as he urges composure — himself apparently composed, on his wailing and indignant family and mourning friends. For the first time he has embraced a bold counsel, and holds it con- cealed. In the presence of his former hated enemy Tullus, he learns such deliberate and impressive speech that gains him over immediately, and the feelings of the Volscian are the subject of a revulsion as sudden as those of Coriolanus himself. 216,217. directitiide: — "The third servant," says Clarke. " wishing to use a fine long word and intending to coin some such term as discrcditude from discredit, or dejcctitude from dejected- ness (Shakespeare using the words discredit, deject, and dejected in such a way as to countenance either of these suggestions), blunders out his grandiloquent directitude. The author's relish of the joke is pleasantly indicated by his making the first servant repeat the word amazedly, as if not knowing what to make of it. and ask its meaning; and then making the third servant avoid the inconvenient inquiry by not noticing it, but running on with his own harangue." % 187 Notes THE TRAGEDY OF Scene VI. I. IVe hear not of him, etc. : — The expulsion of Coriolanus is proof and witness of the young vitality of the body politic, which is able thus harmlessly and decisively to thrust out an element that is hostile ; for Coriolanus is a type of all the trouble and mischief that befel the republic in ensuing years, from the traitor- ous selfishness of otherwise well-meriting servants that it re- tained within its bosom. Scene VII. 34. osprcy : — This fine allusion is well explained by the follow- ing from Drayton's Polyolbion, xxv. 134: — " The asp ray oft here seen, though seldom here it breeds. Which over them the fish no sooner do espy. But (betwixt him and them, by an antipathy) Turning their bellies up, as though their death they saw. They at his pleasure lie, to stuff his glutt'nous maw." And in Peele's Battle of Alcazar, 1594: — " I will provide thee of a princely osprey, That, as she flieth over fish in pools, The fish shall turn their glistening bellies up, And thou shalt take thy liberal choice of all." Again, in TJic Tzi'o Noble Kinsmen, i. i : — " Your actions Soon as they move, as ospreys do the fish, Subdue before they touch." 37-43. zvhether 'twas pride . . . cushion : — "Aufidius," says Johnson, "assigns three probable reasons for the miscarriage of Coriolanus ; pride, which easily follows an uninterrupted train of success; unskilfulness to regulate the consequences of his own victories ; a stubborn uniformity of nature, which could not make the proper transition from the casque to the cushion, or chair of civil authority; but acted with the same despotism in peace as in war." 49, 50. So our virtues, etc. : — Whitelaw explains the passage as follows: "Our virtues are virtues no longer if the time interprets 188 CORIOLANUS Notes them as none. The soldier who is all soldier is misinterpreted in time of peace ; for his unfitness for peace is seen, his fitness for war is not seen." ACT FIFTH. Scene I. 50. This observation is not only from nature, and finely ex- pressed, but admirably befits the mouth of one who, in the begin- ning of the play, had told us that he loved convivial doings. 59, 60. " In the last Act." says Lloyd, " when old Menenius con- sents to try his influence, the tribune assures him, ' You know the very road into his kindness, and cannot lose your way ' ; and whatever oddity there may be in the way he attempts, I do not doubt it was that which he thought, and justly, gave him the best chance. ' Shakespeare wanted a buffoon,' says Johnson in refer- ence to Menenius. ' and he went into the senate-house for that with which the senate-house would most certainly have supplied him.' Johnson had not reported and written debates for the Lords' house without making some observations; but as regards Menenius, it is unfair to call him a buiffoon, for he 'evinces so much sober earnestness in the scenes of the senate-house, that he would not have failed had the occasion invited such a display again." Scene III. 22 et seq. Mrs. Jameson says : " When the spirit of the mother and the son are brought into immediate collision, he yields before her; the warrior who stemmed alone the whole city of Corioli, who was ready to face ' the steep Tarpeian death, or at wild horses' heels, — vagabond exile — flaying,' rather than abate one jot of his proud will — shrinks at her rebuke. The haughty, fiery, overbearing temperament of Coriolanus, is drawn in such forcible and striking colours, that nothing can more impress us with the real grandeur and power of Volumnia's character than his bound- less submission to her will — his more than filial tenderness and respect." 94 et seq. Again Mrs. Jameson : " The triumph of Volumnia's character, the full display of all her grandeur of soul, her patriot- ism, her strong affections, and her sublime eloquence, are reserved 189 Notes THE TRAGEDY OF for her last scene, in which she pleads for the safety of Rome, and wins from her angry son that peace which all the swords of Italy and her confederate arms could not have purchased. The strict and even literal adherence to the truth of history is an additional beauty." This famous speech, ending with line 182. closely follows the spirit and letter of Plutarch, as rendered by North: "My son, why dost thou not answ^er me? Dost thou think it good altogether to give place unto thy choler and desire of revenge, and thinkest thou it not honesty [an honour] for thee to grant thy mother's request in so weighty a cause? Dost thou take it honourable for a nobleman to remember the Avrongs and injuries done him. and dost not in like case think it an honest nobleman's part to be thankful for the goodness that parents do show to their children, acknowledging the duty and reverence they ought to bear unto them? No man living is more bound to show himself thankful in all parts and respects than thyself, who so universally showest all ingratitude. Moreover, my son, thou hast sorely taken of thy country, exacting grievous payments upon them in re-^enge of the injuries offered thee; besides, thou hast not hitherto showed thy poor mother any courtesy. And. there- fore, it is not only honest [honourable], but due unto me. that without compulsion I should obtain my so just and reasonable request of thee. But since by reason I cannot persuade thee to it, to what purpose do I defer my last hope?" And with these words, herself, his wife, and children fell down upon their knees before him. Scenes IV.=V. With scarcely the intervention of any speaker of superior gravity to Menenius, the return and reception of the successful embassy of ladies and their demeanour are set before us with such simple force as to excite our veneration for the state deserv- edly destined to be imperial. The last encounter of the ladies and the city was marked by the mad petulance of Volumnia enraged at her loss, and the pettish lamentations of Virgilia ; they now pass along after a still greater private loss — for hope of the re- turn of Coriolanus is over — silent and dignified, and all the mem- bers of the state that were before opposed, unite to accompany them with honour, and senators and patricians, tribunes and peo- ple, forget all past disputes in joy and gratitude for the salvation of the state which none was false to in its hour of utmost peril. 190 CORIOLANUS Notes Scene VI. 132. Kill: — In the concluding Scene we appear to see the su- premacy of Rome assured, by her former faults and excesses ap- pearing to be expelled with the banished Coriolanus to her enemies. In the capitol of the Volscians is perpetrated the as- sassination from the disgrace of which the better spirit of the Romans preserved their city; Aufidius and his fellows with equal envy and ingratitude take the place of the plotting tribunes, and the senators are powerless to control the conspirators and the mob of citizens who abet them. For Coriolanus himself it cannot be said that his mercy to his native city either sprung from or engendered a nobler sentiment of patriotism than he had shown himself capable of entertaining before ; he returns the soldier of the Volscian as he went, and the only alleviation that his fate admits is that it is at least by an outburst of his original nature, faulty as it might be, that he provokes it, and that, carried away by passion and impatience, he dies at least in declared exultation ' at an exploit performed when he was the glorious soldier of Rome. 19T THE TRAGEDY OF Questions on Coriolanus. ACT FIRST. 1. Why does the play open with a scene presenting the common people ? 2. In what respects does this mob resemble the Jack Cade mob presented in 2 Henry VI.? 3. What opinion of Caius Marcius is held by the citizens ? 4. How does Menenius make application of the fable of The Belly and the Members? 5. Mention some of the things that Caius Marcius says about the common people in his first speech. What does he say about the use of proverbs? What said Lord Chesterfield about the same? 6. Is it Shakespeare's usual method to introduce a character in this way? Does the situation develop the attitude of Caius Mar- cius, or does he seem to come forth as the possessor of an habitual mood? 7. Why does Caius Marcius welcome the news of the bellig- erency of the Volscians? What is foreshadowed in what he says of Tullus Aufidius? 8. What is the comment on Marcius made by the tribunes after his withdrawal ? 9. What is effected by Sc. ii. ? 10. In Sc. iii., where Volumnia first appears, what is the sub- ject of her discourse and what national trait does it display? How is Virgilia contrasted with her? What interests her imagi- nation ? 11. How is cruelty as a trait ascribed to Marcius? 12. How is the iron temper of the times indicated by the do- mestic picture shown in Sc. iii.? For what does Virgilia stand? 13. Describe the battle incidents of Sc. iv. and indicate their effect upon Marcius. 14. How is Marcius presented in Sc. v.; how in Sc. vi.? 15. Does Sc. viii. bear out the reality of all the boasting of Marcius? Is the incident suitable for representation? 192 CORIOLANUS Questions i6. How does Marcius receivetthe honours of war? Compare Plutarch's account of the incident of the prisoner for whom Coriolanus begged release with Shakespeare's presentation of it. 17. What terms are granted to the Volscian city? How does Aufidius speak of Coriolanus? ACT SECOND. 18. What account of himself does Menenius give in Sc. i.? Has he humour; has he patrician arrogance? Compare him with Lafeu in All's Well that Ends Well. 19. How does he contrast with Coriolanus in his opinion of the plebeian orders? 20. Indicate the purpose of the scene between Menenius and the women. Is Volumnia indifferent to the honours that proceed from the common people? 21. How is Coriolanus welcomed home by his mother; how by his wife? 22. What of his courtesy to women? 23. Where does Coriolanus first go in the city? 24. In what spirit does Brutus describe the crowd (lines 213- 229) that go out to meet Coriolanus? 25. What do the tribunes fear from Coriolanus's elevation? What dramatic purpose is effected by lines 232-234? 26. What had Coriolanus said about the manner of suing for the consulship? What schemes for his defeat do the two tribunes meditate? 27. How is the enveloping atmosphere of the play indicated in the dialogue of the two Officers in Sc. ii.? 28. W^hat provocation did Brutus give for the outbreak of Coriolanus in the senate? 29. Against what prerogative of the commons does Coriolanus inveigh? What motive prompts him? Do his words react against him? 30. How (Sc. iii.) do the citizens reason? How does the pre- liminary of the Scene prepare for the public appearance of Corio- lanus? 31. What feelings bred by his egotism does Coriolanus show at the outset? How are the three scenes of petitioning differen- tiated? Has Coriolanus any better excuse than personal repug- nance to deter him from asking the people for their voices? 193 Questions THE TRAGEDY OF 32. How are the commons wrought upon to withdraw the promises they have given? ACT THIRD. S3. With what ominous sounds does Sc. i. open? Is there irony in lines 19, 20? 34. What does Coriolanus say of the free distribution of corn? What measure of political wisdom do€S he utter during his in- dignant rejoinder to Sicinius? 35. Were not the commons right in rejecting him as consul? 36. How is the brawl fomented? Does Coriolanus bear himself with dignity? Is there heard ever a word of criticism of him from his fellow patricians? S7. What influence has Menenius upon the crowd? 38. Does Volumnia in Sc. ii. council prudence? Is she superior to her son in mental power? 39. Comment upon the ethics of her speech beginning line 52. What motive impels her to urge her son to conciliate the angry people ? 40. What leads Coriolanus to yield? With what presage of success does he go forth? ■ 41. How does Sicinius prepare for the appearance of Corio- lanus ? 42. What instinct leads Coriolanus to turn inquisitor first? What stirs up his anger again? 43. Was there consideration in the sentence passed upon him? 44. Indicate the efifect of his final speech. Being the apotheosis of egotism, what does it need behind it to carry conviction? ACT FOURTH. 45. What Is the unconscious irony of Coriolanus's words, Sc.i.4? 46. Was it maternal love or disappointed ambition that caused Volumnia to forget her patriotism? 47. How does Sc. ii. present Volumnia? How is the action ad- vanced by Sc. iii.? 48. How does Coriolanus philosophize in Sc. iv. ? What con- necting link in the action is here supplied? 49. Characterize the humour of the scene of the parley of Corio- lanus with the servants of Aufidius. 194 CORIOLANUS Questions 50. In Coriolanus's account of himself to Aufidius what in- justice does he do the nobles of Rome? How does this show his egotism and the narrowness of his vision? 51. In the reply of Aufidius how much is due to poetic passion and how much to manners now made obsolete? 52. What future action do they determine upon? 53. Point out the humour of the servants' talk following. 54. What truth and irony are expressed in Sicinius's speech opening Sc. vi. ? How is the speech translated into action? 55. Compare the manner in which the news of the Volscian prisoner is received by Menenius and by Sicinius and Brutus. What traits of class are illustrated thereby? 56. How does Menenius misunderstand Coriolanus? 57. What effect is made upon nobles and upon commons by the news that the Volscians approach, led by Coriolanus? How is the general drift of the play as a comment on democracy sub- served ? 58. What is the nature of the complaint of Aufidius against Coriolanus? Does he point the defect in the latter? 59. Show the underlying irony of this Act as exhibiting the falling action. ACT FIFTH: 60. How in the report of Cominius is Coriolanus shown to feel towards Rome? What has he done with friendship; with filial and family affections? 61. How does Menenius plan to prepare him for his own re- quests? How is he received in the Volscian camp? 62. Where is Sc. iii. prepared for? What yielding was there towards Menenius? What does Coriolanus say at the entrance of his mother and his wife? 6z. How is he finally affected by their appearance? 64. Trace the stages of emotion in Volumnia's plea. What passion is supreme in her? What is. the effect of the two lines spoken by young Marcius? 65. In yielding to his mother what does Coriolanus surrender? 66. What is the effect of the comments of Menenius in Sc. iv. ? 67. What cover has Aufidius for his jealous perfidy? 68. What report does Coriolanus make to the lords of the Volscians? What trait is exhibited in his taking up Aufidius's insult, Boyl t95 Questions 69. Does the play close with the note of optimism observable in some of Shakespeare's tragedies? 70. What is the imderl3ang philosophy of this play? 71. Comment on the perfection as well as simplicity or its con- struction. ']2. Hazlitt has called Coriolanus " a perfect character." Other critics have spoken of him as the personification of a mood. Is there disagreement between the two ; and which, in your opinion, is right? ']},. Does this play suggest the methods in which Marlowe usually worked? 74. Does this play more than some others suggest a set purpose on the part of the dramatist to inculcate something of his own political philosophy? What constructive peculiarities seem to bear out the view ? 106 UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA-LOS ANGELES L 009 978 337 5