SECOND OFFICER Faith, there hath 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 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 OFFICER 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 render it him, and leaves nothing undone that may fully discover him their opposite. Now to seem to affect the malice and displeasure of the people is as bad as that which he dislikes, to flatter them for their love.
SECOND OFFICER 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 rebuke from every ear that heard it.
FIRST OFFICER No more of him. He’s a worthy man. Make way, they are coming.
A sennet. Enter the Patricians, and Sicinius and Brutus, the tribunes of the people, lictors before them; Coriolanus, Menenius, Cominius the consul. ⌈The Patricians take their places and sit.⌉ Sicinius and Brutus take their places by themselves. Coriolanus stands
MENENIUS
Having determined of the Volsces, and
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 performed
By Martius Caius Coriolanus, whom
We met here both to thank and to remember
With honours like himself.
⌈Coriolanus sits⌉
FIRST SENATOR 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’th’ people,
We do request your kindest ears and, after,
Your loving motion toward the common body
To yield what passes here.
SICINIUS We are convented
Upon a pleasing treaty, and have hearts
Inclinable to honour and advance
The theme of our assembly.
BRUTUS Which the rather
We shall be blessed to do if he remember
A kinder value of the people than
He hath hereto prized them at.
MENENIUS That’s off, that’s off.
I would you rather had been silent. Please you
To hear Cominius speak?
BRUTUS Most willingly,
But yet my caution was more pertinent
Than the rebuke you give it.
MENENIUS He loves your people,
But tie him not to be their bedfellow.
Worthy Cominius, speak.
Coriolanus rises and offers to go away
(To Coriolanus) Nay, keep your place. ⌈FIRST⌉ SENATOR Sit, Coriolanus. Never shame to hear
What you have nobly done.
CORIOLANUS Your honours’ pardon,
I had rather have my wounds to heal again
Than hear say how I got them.
BRUTUS
Sir, I hope
My words disbenched you not?
CORIOLANUS No, sir, yet oft
When blows have made me stay I fled from words.
You soothed not, therefore hurt not; but your people,
I love them as they weigh—
MENENIUS Pray now, sit down.
CORIOLANUS
I had rather have one scratch my head i’th’ sun
When the alarum were struck than idly sit
To hear my nothings monstered.
Exit
MENENIUS Masters of the people,
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.
COMINIUS
I shall lack voice; the deeds of Coriolanus
Should not be uttered 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,
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‘erpressed Roman, and, i’th’ 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‘th’ field, and for his meed
Was brow-bound with the oak. His pupil age
Man-entered thus, he waxed like a sea,
And in the brunt of seventeen battles since
He lurched all swords of the garland. For this last
Before and in Corioles, let me say
I cannot speak him home. He stopped the fliers,
And by his rare example made the coward
Turn terror into sport. As weeds before
A vessel under sail, so men obeyed
And fell below his stem. His sword, death’s stamp,
Where it did mark, it took. From face to foot
He was a thing of blood, whose every motion
Was timed with dying cries. Alone he entered
The mortal gate of th’ city, which he, painted
With shunless destiny, aidless came off,
And with a sudden reinforcement struck
Corioles 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
Requickened what in flesh was fatigate,
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 called
Both field and city ours he never stood
To ease his breast with panting.
MENENIUS Worthy man.
⌈FIRST⌉ SENATOR
He cannot but with measure fit the honours
Which we devise him.
COMINIUS Our spoils he kicked at,
And looked upon things precious as they were
The common muck of the world. He covets less
Than misery itself would give, rewards
His deeds with doing them, and is content
To spend the time to end it.
MENENIUS He’s right noble.
Let him be called for.
⌈FIRST⌉ SENATOR Call Coriolanus.
OFFICER He doth appear.
Enter Coriolanus
MENENIUS
The senate, Coriolanus, are well pleased
To make thee consul.
CORIOLANUS I do owe them still
My life and services.
MENENIUS It then remains
That you do speak to the people.
CORIOLANUS I do beseech you,
; Let me o’erleap that custom, for I cannot
Put on the gown, stand naked, and entreat them
For my wounds’ sake to give their suffrage.
Please you that I may pass this doing.
SICINIUS Sir, the people
Must have their voices, neither will they bate
One jot of ceremony.
MENENIUS (to Coriolanus) 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.
CORIOLANUS It is a part
That I shall blush in acting, and might well
Be taken from the people.
BRUTUS (to Sicinius) Mark you that?
CORIOLANUS
To brag unto them ‘Thus I did, and thus’,
Show them th’unaching scars, which I should hide,
As if I had received them for the hire
Of their breath only!
MENENIUS Do not stand upon’t.—
We recommend to you, tribunes of the people,
Our purpose to them; and to our noble consul
Wish we all joy and honour.
SENATORS
To Coriolanus come all joy and honour!
A flourish of cornetts, then exeunt all but Sicinius and Brutus
BRUTUS
You see how he intends to use the people.
SICINIUS
May they perceive’s intent! He will require them
As if he did contemn what he requested
Should be in them to give.
BRUTUS Come, we’ll inform them
Of our proceedings here. On th’ market-place
I know they do attend us. Exeunt
2.3 Enter seven or eight Citizens
FIRST CITIZEN Once, if he do require our voices we ought not to deny him.
SECOND CITIZEN We may, sir, if we will.
THIRD CITIZEN 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 acceptance of them. Ingratitude is monstrous, and for the multitude to be ingrateful were to make a monster of the multitude, of the which we, being members, should bring ourselves to be monstrous members.
FIRST CITIZEN 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 CITIZEN We have been called so of many, not that our heads are some brown, some black, some abram, 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’th’ compass.
SECOND CITIZEN Think you so? Which way do you judge my wit would fly?
THIRD CITIZEN Nay, your wit will not so soon out as another man’s will, ‘tis strongly wedged up in a blockhead. But if it were at liberty, ’twould sure southward. SECOND CITIZEN Why that way?
THIRD CITIZEN To lose itself in a fog where, being three parts melted away with rotten dews, the fourth would return for conscience’ sake, to help to get thee a wife.
SECOND CITIZEN You are never without your tricks. You may, you may.
THIRD CITIZEN Are you all resolved to give your voices? 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.
Enter Coriolanus in a gown of humility, with Menenius
Here he comes, and in the gown of humility. Mark his behaviour. We are not to stay all together, but to come by him where he stands by ones, by twos, and by threes. He’s to make his requests by particulars, wherein every one of us has a single honour in giving him our own voices with our own tongues. Therefore follow me, and I’ll direct you how you shall go by him. ALL THE CITIZENS Content, content. Exeunt Citizens
MENENIUS
O sir, you are not right. Have you not known
The worthiest men have done’t?
CORIOLANUS What must I say?
‘I pray, sir’? Plague upon‘t, I cannot bring
My tongue to such a pace. ‘Look, sir, my wounds.
I got them in my country’s service, when
Some certain of your brethren roared and ran
From th’ noise of our own drums’?
MENENIUS O me, the gods! 55
You must not speak of that, you must desire them
To think upon you.
CORIOLANUS Think upon me? Hang ’em.
I would they would forget me like the virtues
Which our divines lose by ’em.
MENENIUS You’ll mar all.
I’ll leave you. Pray you, speak to ’em, I pray you, 60
In wholesome manner.
CORIOLANUS Bid them wash their faces
And keep their teeth clean.
Exit Menenius
Enter three of the Citizens
So, here comes a brace.
You know the cause, sir, of my standing here.
THIRD CITIZEN
We do, sir. Tell us what hath brought you to’t.
CORIOLANUS Mine own desert.
SECOND CITIZEN Your own desert?
CORIOLANUS Ay, but not mine own desire.
THIRD CITIZEN How not your own desire?
CORIOLANUS No, sir, ’twas never my desire yet to trouble the poor with begging.
THIRD CITIZEN You must think if we give you anything we hope to gain by you.
CORIOLANUS Well then, I pray, your price o’th’ consulship?
FIRST CITIZEN The price is to ask it kindly.
CORIOLANUS Kindly, sir, I pray let me ha’t. I have wounds to show you which shall be yours in private. (To Second Citizen) Your good voice, sir. What say you?
SECOND CITIZEN You shall ha’t, worthy sir.
CORIOLANUS A match, sir. There’s in all two worthy voices begged. I have your alms. Adieu.
THIRD CITIZEN (to the other Citizens) But this is something odd.
SECOND CITIZEN An ‘twere to give again—but ’tis no matter. Exeunt Citizens
Enter two other Citizens
CORIOLANUS Pray you now, if it may stand with the tune of your voices that I may be consul, I have here the customary gown.
⌈FOURTH⌉ CITIZEN You have deserved nobly of your country, and you have not deserved nobly.
CORIOLANUS Your enigma? ⌈FOURTH⌉ CITIZEN You have been a scourge to her enemies, you have been a rod to her friends. You have not, indeed, loved the common people.
CORIOLANUS 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 earn a dearer estimation of them. ’Tis a condition 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. Therefore, beseech you I may be consul.
⌈FIFTH⌉ CITIZEN We hope to find you our friend, and therefore give you our voices heartily.
⌈FOURTH⌉ CITIZEN You have received many wounds for your country.
CORIOLANUS I will not seal your knowledge with showing them. I will make much of your voices, and so trouble you no farther.
BOTH CITIZENS The gods give you joy, sir, heartily. CORIOLANUS Most sweet voices.
Exeunt Citizens
Better it is to die, better to starve,
Than crave the hire which first we do deserve.
Why in this womanish toge should I stand here
To beg of Hob and Dick that does 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 mounta
inous error be too highly heaped
For truth to o’erpeer. Rather than fool it so,
Let the high office and the honour go
To one that would do thus. I am half through.
The one part suffered, the other will I do. Enter three Citizens more
Here come more voices.
Your voices! For your voices I have fought,
Watched 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⌉ CITIZEN He has done nobly, and cannot go without any honest man’s voice.
⌈SEVENTH⌉ CITIZEN Therefore let him be consul. The gods give him joy and make him good friend to the people!
ALL THE CITIZENS Amen, amen. God save thee, noble consul!
CORIOLANUS Worthy voices.
Exeunt Citizens
Enter Menenius with Brutus and Sicinius
MENENIUS
You have stood your limitation, and the tribunes
Endue you with the people’s voice. Remains
That in th’ official marks invested, you
Anon do meet the senate.
CORIOLANUS
Is this done?
SICINIUS
The custom of request you have discharged.
The people do admit you, and are summoned
To meet anon upon your approbation.
CORIOLANUS
Where, at the senate-house?
SICINIUS
There, Coriolanus.
CORIOLANUS
May I change these garments?
SICINIUS
You may, sir.
CORIOLANUS
That I’ll straight do, and, knowing myself again,
Repair to th’ senate-house.
MENENIUS
I’ll keep you company. (To the tribunes) Will you
along?
BRUTUS
We stay here for the people.
SICINIUS Fare you well.
Exeunt Coriolanus and Menenius
He has it now, and by his looks methinks
’Tis warm at’s heart.
BRUTUS With a proud heart he wore
His humble weeds. Will you dismiss the people?
Enter the Plebeians
SICINIUS
How now, my masters, have you chose this man?
The Oxford Shakespeare: The Complete Works Page 353
