Of our proceedings here: on the market-place, I know, they do attend us. [Exeunt. SCENE III. The Forum. Enter seven or eight Citizens. 1 Cit. Once, if he do require our voices, we ought not to deny him. 2 Cit. We may, sir, if we will. 480 3 Cit. We have power in ourselves to do it, but it is a power that we have no power to do: for if he shew 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. 490 1 Cit. And to make us no better thought of, a little help will serve for once, when we stood up about the corn, he himself stuck not to call us-the manyheaded multitude. 3 Cit. We have been call'd so of many; not that our heads are some brown, some black, some auburn, some bald, but that our wits are so diversely colour'd and truly, I think, if all our wits were to issue out of one scull, they would fly east, west, north, north, south; and their consent of one direct way 503 3 Cit. Nay, your wit will not so soon out as ano ther man's will, 'tis strongly wedg'd up in a blockhead but if it were at liberty, 'twould, sure, southward. : 2 Cit. Why that way? 3 Cit. 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. 512 2 Cit. You are never without your tricks :-You may, you may. 3 Cit. Are you all resolv'd 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, and 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, Content, content. 526 Men. Men. O sir, you are not right; Have you not known The worthiest men have don't? Cor. What must I say?— I pray, sir-Plague upon't! I cannot bring 530 My 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! 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 540 Which our divines lose by 'em. Men. You'll mar all; I'll leave you: Pray you, speak to 'em, I pray you, In wholsome manner. Citizens approach. Cor. Bid them wash their faces, [Exit. And keep their teeth clean.-So, here comes a brace. 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! 550 Cor. Ay, not mine own desire. 1 Cit. How! not your own desire? Cor. No, sir: 'Twas never my desire yet Το To trouble the poor with begging. 1 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? 1 Cit. The price is, to ask it kindly. Cor. Kindly! 559 Sir, I pray, let me ha't: I have wounds to shew you, Which shall be your's in private.-Your good voice, sir; What say you? Both Cit. 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. 2 Cit. An 'twere to give again-But 'tis no matter. Enter two other Citizens. [Exeunt. Cor. Pray you now, if it may stand with the tune of your voices, that I may be consul, I have here the customary gown. 570 1 Cit. You have deserv'd nobly of your country, and you have not deserv'd nobly. Cor. Your ænigma ? 1 Cit. You have been a scourge to her enemies, 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 earn a dearer estimation of them; 'tis a condition they ac count 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 bountifully to the desirers. Therefore, beseech you, I may be consul. 587 2 Cit. We hope to find you our friend; and therefore give you our voices heartily. 1 Cit. You have received many wounds for your country. Cor. I will not seal your knowledge with shewing them. I will make much of your voices, and so trouble you no further. Both. The gods give you joy, sir, heartily! Cor. Most sweet voices ! Better it is to die, better to starve, [Exeunt. Than crave the hire which first we do deserve. 600 To |