As if you were a god to punish, not Sic. 'Twere well, We let the people know't. Men. What, what? his choler? Cor. Choler! Were I as patient as the midnight sleep, 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 Com. 'Twas from the canon. Cor. Shall! O gods! But most unwise patricians, why, 110 120 The horn and noise o' the monsters, wants not spirit 129 Let them have cushions by you. You are plebeians, And such a one as he, who puts his shall, Than ever frown'd in Greece! By Jove himself, May enter 'twixt the gap of both, and take 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. 140 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, 150 More worthier than their voices. They know, the corn 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, They would not thread the gates: this kind of service 160 Which they have often made against the senate, Men. Come, enough. Bru. Enough, with over-measure. Cor. No, take more: 170 What may be sworn by, both divine and human, Of general ignorance-it must omit Real necessities, and give way the while 180 To unstable slightness: purpose so barr'd, it follows, Nothing is done to purpose: Therefore, beseech you that prefer You that will be less fearful than discreet; 189 That's sure of death without it—at once pluck out Bru. He has said enough. Sic. He has spoken like a traitor, and shall answer As traitors do. Cor. Thou wretch! despight o'erwhelm thee!— What should the people do with these bald tribunes? On whom depending, their obedience fails To the greater bench: In a rebellion, 200 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, And throw their power i' the dust. Bru. Manifest treason. Sic. This a consul? no. Bru. The ædiles, ho!-Let him be apprehended. Sic. Go, call the people: [Exit BRUTUS.] in whose name, myself Attach thee, as a traiterous innovator, A foe to the publick weal: Obey, I charge thee, And follow to thine answer, Cor. Hence, old goat! 210 All. We'll surety him. Com. Aged sir, hands off. Cor. Hence, rotten thing, or I shall shake thy bones Out Out of thy garments. Sic. Help me, citizens. Re-enter BRUTUS, with a Rabble of Citizens, with the Ediles. Men. On both sides more respect. Sic. Here's he, that would Take from you all your power. Bru. Seize him, ædiles. All. Down with him, down with him! 2 Sen. Weapons, weapons, weapons! 220 [They all bustle about CORIOLANUS? Tribunes, patricians, citizens !—what ho !— Sicinius, Brutus, Coriolanus, citizens ! All. Peace, peace, peace! stay, hold, peace! Men. What is about to be?—I am out of breath; Confusion's near; I cannot speak :-You, tribunes To the people-Coriolanus, patience :--Speak, good Sicinius. Sic. Hear me, people;· -Peace. All. Let's hear our tribune: - speak, speak! Sic. You are at point to lose your 230 Peace. Speak, liberties: Marcius would have all from you; Marcius, Whom late you nam'd for consul. Men. Fie, fie, fie! This is the way to kindle, not to quench. 1 Sen. To unbuild the city, and to lay all flat. Sic. What is the city, but the people ? All. True, Giij 240 The |