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it is a power that we have no po he shew us his wounds, and tell 5 are to put our tongues into those w for them; so, if he tell us his noble also tell him our noble acceptan gratitude is monstrous: and for be ingrateful, were to make a 10 multitude; of the which, we should bring ourselves to be mon

1 Cit. And to make us no bett little help will serve: for once, wh about the corn, he himself stuck 15 the many-headed multitude.

3 Cit. We have been call'd so that our heads are some brown, so Jauburn, some bald, but that our versely colour'd: and truly, It 20 wits were to issue out of one scu fly cast, west, north, south; and one direct way should be at once o' the compass.

Put on the gown, stand naked, and entreat them
For my wounds' sake, to give their suffrage: 25
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

Cor. It is a part

Take to you, as your predecessors have,

Your honour with your form.

That I shall blush in acting, and might well Be taken from the people.

Bru. Mark you that?

Cor. To brag unto them,-Thus I did, and thus;

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Shew them the unaking scars, which I should hide, 40
As if I had receiv'd 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 45
Wish we all joy and honour.

Sen. To Coriolanus come all joy and honour!
[Flourish. Cornets. Then Exeunt.
Manent Sicinius, and Brutus.

people.

Bru. You see how he intends to use the 50
[quire them,
Sic. May they perceive his intent! He will re-
As if he did contemn what he requested

Should be in them to give.

Bru. Come, we'll inform them

Of our proceedings here: on the market place,
I know they do attend us.

SCENE III.

The Forum.

Enter seven or eight Citizens,

[Exeunt.

1 Cit. Once, if he do require our voices, we

ought not to deny him,

! Misery for avarice.

2 Cit. Think you so? Which judge, my wit would fly?

3 Cit. Nay, your wit will not another man's will, 'tis strongly block-head: but if it were at lib sure, southward.

2 Cit. Why that way?

3 Cit. To lose itself in a fog; whe parts melted away with rotten dev would return for conscience-sake, thee a wife.

2 Cit. You are never without y You may, you may

3 Cit. Are you all resolv'd to give But that's no matter, the greater p say, if he would incline to the peo never a worthier man.

I

Enter Coriolanus, and Men Here he comes, and in the gown mark his behaviour. We are not gether, but to come by him where ones, by twos, and by threes. He' requests by particulars; wherein ev has a single honour, in giving him ou with our own tongues: therefore fol I'll direct you how you shall go by All. Content, content.

Men. O sir, you are not right; 1 The worthiest men have done 't? Cor. What must I say? pray, sir,- -Plague upon 't! I ca My tongue to such a pace: Loo wounds;

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I got them in my country's service, Some certain of your brethren roar' 60 From the noise of our own drums. Men, O me, the gods!

You must not speak of that; you must
To think upon you.

? Once here means the same as when we say once for

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Citizens approach.

Cor. Bid them wash their faces,

And keep their teeth clean.-So, here comes brace.

a

You know the cause, sirs, of my standing here.
1 Cit. We do, sir; tell us what hath brought
you to 't.

Cor. Mine own desert.

2 Cit. Your own desert?

Cor. Ay, not mine own desire.

1 Cit. How! not your own desire?

Cor. No, sir; 'Twas never my desire yet To trouble the poor with begging.

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2

[Exeunt.

Than crave the hire which first we do deserve.
Why in this woolvish gown should I stand her,
To beg of Hob, and Dick, that do appear,
Their needless voucher? 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
15 For truth to over-pcer.-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 suffer'd, the other will I do.
Enter three Citizens more.

1 Cit. You must think, if we give you any 20 Here come more voices.— thing, we hope to gain by you.

Cor. Well then, I pray, your price o' the consulship?

1 Cit. The price is, to ask it kindly. Cor. Kindly?

Sir, I pray, let me ha't: I have wounds to shew you, Which shall be yours in private.-Your good voice, sir;

What say you?

Both Ci. You shall have it, worthy sir.

Cor. A match, sir:-There's in all two worthy voices begg'd:

I have your alms; adieu.

1 Cit. But this is something odd.

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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
Indeed, I would be consul.
[voices:

lout

1 Cit. He has done nobly, and cannot go with any honest man's voice.

2 Cit. Therefore let him be consul: The gods 30 give him joy, and make him good friend to the people!

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All. Amen, amen.--God save thee, noble consul! [Exeunt.

Cor. Worthy voices!

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Endue you with the people's voice: Remains,
That, in the official marks invested, you

40 Anon do meet the senate.

1 Cit. You have been a scourge to her enemies, you have been a rod to her friends; you have 45 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 earn a dearer estimation of them; 'tis a condition 50 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 55 man, and give it bountifully to the desirers. Therefore, beseech you, I may be consul.

2 Cit. We hope to find you our friend; and therefore give you our voices heartily.

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Cor. Is this done?

Sic. The custom of request you have discharg'd:
The people do admit you; and are summon'd
To meet anon, upon your approbation.

Cor. Where? at the senate-house?
Sic. There, Coriolanus.

Cor. May I change these garments?
Sic. You may, sir.

[again. Cor. That I'll straight do; and, knowing inyself Repair to the senate-house.

Men. I'll keep you company.-Will you along?
Bru. We stay here for the people.

Sic. Fare you well. [Exeunt Coriol. and Men.
He has it now; and by his looks, methinks,
Tis warm at his heart.

Bru. With a proud heart he wore
His humble weeds: Will you dismiss the people?
Re-enter Citizens.

Sic. How now, my masters? have you chose 1 Cit. He has our voices, sir. [this man? Bru. We praythe gods, he may deserve your loves.

! I will not strengthen or complete your knowledge.-The seal is that which gives authenticity to a writing. i. e. this rough hirsute gown.

[graphic]

1 Cit. No, 'tis his kind of speech, he did not mock us.

[says, 5

2 Cit. Not one amongst us, save yourself, but He us'd us scornfully: he should have shew'd us His marks of merit, wounds receiv'd for his counSic. Why, so he did, I am sure. All. No, no man saw 'em.

[try.

3 Cit. He said, he had wounds, which he could shew 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,
Here was,--I thank you for your voices, thank you,--
Your most sweet voices: now you have left yourvoices,
I have nothing further with you:-
-Was not this

mockery?

Sic. Why, either, were you ignorant to see 't'?

Or, seeing it, of such childish friendliness

To yield your voices?

Bru. Could you not have told him,

Theyhave chose a consul,that w
Their liberties; make them of
Than dogs, that are as often be
As therefore kept to do so.

Sic. Let them assemble;
And, on a safer judgement, all
10 Your ignorant election: Enford
And his old hate unto you: bes
With what contempt he wore th
How in his suit he scorn'd you
Thinking upon his services, took
15 The apprehension of his present
Which most gibingly, ungravely
After the inveterate hate he bea
Bru. Lay

A fault on us, your tribunes; th 20(No impediment between) but t Cast your election on him.

Sic. Say, you chose him
More after our commandinent,
By your own true affections: and

As you were lesson'd,-When he had no power, 25 Pre-occupy'd with what you rat

bear

But was a petty servant to the state,
He was your enemy; ever spake against
Your liberties, and the charters that you
I' 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
Be curses to yourselves: You should have said,
That, as his worthy decds did claim no less
Than what he stood for; so his gracious nature
Would think upon you for your voices, and
Translate his malice towards you into love,
Standing your friendly lord.

Sic. Thus to have said,

Than what you should, made you
To voice him consul: Lay the fau

Bru. Ay, spare us not. Say, w How youngly he began to serve 30 How long continued: and what st The noble house o' the Marcian

came

That Ancus Marcius, Numa's d Who, after great Hostilius, here 35 Of the same house Publius and Q That our best water brought by And Censorinus, darling of the p And noble nam'd so, twice being Was his great ancestor.

As you were fore-advis'd, had touch'd his spirit, 40
And try'd his inclination; from him pluck'd
Either his gracious promise, which you might,
As cause had call'd you up, have held him to;
Or else it would have gall'd 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.

Bru. Did you perceive,

He did solicit you in free contempt,
When he did need your loves; and do you think,
This his contempt shall not be bruising to you,
When he hath power to crush? Why, had your

bodies

Sic. One thus descended, That hath beside well in his perso To be set high in place, we did c To your remembrances: but you Scaling his present bearing with h 45 That he's your fixed enemy, and Your sudden approbation.

50

Bru. Say, you ne'er had done (Harp on that still) but by our put And presently, whenyou have draw Repair to the Capitol.

All. We will so: almost all

Repent in their election.

Bru. Let them go on;

[E

This mutiny were better put in ha

No heart among you? Or had you tongues, to cry 55 Than stay, past doubt, for greater

Against the rectorship of judgement?

Sic. Have you,

Ere now, deny'd the asker? and, now again,
On him, that did not ask, but mock, bestow
Your su'd-for tongues?

3 Cit. He's not confirm'd, we may deny him yet.
2 Cit. And will deny him:

I'll have five hundred voices of that sound.

If, as his nature is, he fall in rage
With their refusal, both observe an
The vantage of his anger'.

Sic. To the Capitol, come;
60 We will be there before the stream
And this shall seem, as partly 'tis,
Which we have goaded onward.

i. e. did you want knowledge to discern it? 2 i. e. with contempt open and Object his pride. 4 i. e. carriage. i. e. weighing his past and present behav mark, catch, and improve the opportunity which his hasty anger will afford us.

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10

Com. They are worn, lord consul, so,

15

[curse

Cor. Saw you Aufidius?

Lart. On safe-guard he came to me; and did Against the Volces, for they had so vilely Yielded the town: he is retir'd to Antium.

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Have you not set them on?

Men. Be calm, be calm.

Cor. It is a purpos'd thing, and grows by płot, To curb the will of the nobility:

Suffer 't, and live with such as cannot rule,
Nor ever will be rul'd.

Bru. Call 't not a plot:

The people cry, you mock'd them; and, of late, When corn was given them gratis, you repin'd; Scandal'd the suppliants for the people; `call'd

them

Time-pleasers, flatterers, foes to nobleness.
Cor. Why, this was known before.
Bru. Not to them all.

Cor. Have you inform'd them since?
Bru. How I inform them!

Cor. You are like to do such business.
Bru. Not unlike,

Each way, to better yours.

[clouds, Cor. Why then should I be consul? "By yon Let me deserve so ill as you, and make me Your fellow-tribune.

Sic. You shew too much of that, For which the people stir: If you will pass To where you are bound, you must enquire your

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This was my speech, and I will speak 't again ;— Men. Not now, not now.

Sen. Not in this heat, sir, now.

Cor. Now, as I live, I will.-My nobler friends, 40I crave their pardons :

For the mutable, rank-scented many, let them Regard me as I do not flatter, and

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Therein behold themselves: I In soothing them, we nourish 'gainst our senate 45 The cockle of rebellion, insolence, sedition, 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 50 Which they have given to beggars.

Men. Well, no more.

Sen. No more words, we beseech you.
Cor. How! no more?

As for my country I have shed my blood,

[teeth 55 Not fearing outward force, so shall my lungs, Coin words till their decay, against those meazels

You being their mouths, why rule you not their

1 Plume, deck, upon any one. up with the corn.

dignify themselves. 2 The metaphor is from men's setting a bull-dog or mastiff i. e. shuffling. Falsely for treacherously. Cockle is a weed which grows

Mesell is used, in Pierce Plowman's Vision, for a leper.

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you thus

[rit

O gods!-But most unwise patricians, why,
You grave, but reckless senators, have
Given Hydra here to choose an officer,
That with his peremptory shall, being but
The horn and noise o' the monsters, wants not spi-
To say, he'll turn your current in a ditch,
And make your channel his? If he have power,
Then vail your ignorance; if none, awake
Your dangerous lenity. If you are learned,
Be not as common fools; if you are not,
Let them have cushions by you. You areplebeians,
If they be senators: and they are no less,
When, both your voices blended, the greatest 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,
To know, when two authorities are up,
Neither supreme, how soon confusion
May enter 'twixt the gap of both, and take
The one by the other!

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Com. Well,-on to the market-place.
Cor. Whoever gave that counsel, to give forth
The corn o' the store-house gratis, as 'twas us'd
Sometime in Greece,-

Men. Well, 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'll give my reasons,

[the corn

More worthier than their voices. They know,
Was not our recompence; resting well assur'd
They ne'er did service for 't: Being press'd to

the war,

Even when the navel of the state was touch'd,

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Men. Come, enough.

Bru. Enough, with over-mea Cor. No, take more: What may be sworn by, both d Seal what I end withal!-This Where one part does disdain wit 25 Insult without all reason; whe wisdom,

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Bru. He has said enough.
Sic. He has spoken like a trait
As traitors do.

Cor. Thou wretch! despight o
What should the peopledowiththe
50 On whom depending, their obed
To the greater bench: In a rebe
When what's not meet, but wha
Then were they chosen: in a be
Let what is meet, be said, it mus
55 And throw their power i' the dus
Bru. Manifest treason.
Sic. This a consul? no.
Bru. The ædiles, ho! Let him b

2

A minnow is one of the smallest river fish, called in some counties a pink. having called him Triton before. Meaning, that senators and plebeians are e highest taste is best pleased with that which pleases the lowest. 4 That is, pass t natural parent. ❝i. e. fear. 7 To jump anciently signified to jolt, to give a rud any thing. To jump a body may therefore mean, to put it into a violent agitation Integrity is in this place, soundness, uniformity, consistency.

1

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