SCENE I.-Rome. A Public Place.

Men. No, I'll not go: you hear, what he hath said,

Which was sometime his general; who lov'd him
In a most dear particular. He call'd me father:
But what of that? Go, you that banish'd him,
A mile before his tent fall down, and kneel
The way unto his mercy: Nay, if he coy'd3
To hear Cominius speak, I'll 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
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 i' 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

To one whom they had punish'd.
Men.

Could he say less?

Very well:

Com. I offer'd to awaken his regard For his 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 these; his mother, wife,
His child, and this brave fellow too, we are the
grains :

You are the musty chaff; and you are smelt
Above the moon: We must be burnt for you.
Sic. Nay, pray, be patient: If you refuse your aid
In this so never-needed help, yet do not
Upbraid us with our distress. But, sure, if you
Would be your country's pleader, your good tongue
More than the instant army we can make,
Might stop our countryman.
Men.

Sic. I pray you, go to him.
Men.

No: I'll not meddle.

What should I do? Bru. Only make trial what your love can do For Rome towards Marcius.

Men.

Well, and say that Marcius
Return me, as Cominius is returned,
Unheard; 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'll undertake it:
I think, he'll hear me. Yet to bite his lip,
And hum at good Cominius, much unhearts me.
He was not taken well; he had not dined:
The veins unfill'd, 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'll watch him
Till he be dieted to my request,
And then I'll set upon him.
Bru. You know the very road into his kindness,
And cannot lose your way.
Men.

Good faith, I'll prove him, Speed how it will. I shall ere long have knowledge Of my success. [Exit.

Com. Sic.

He'll never hear him.

Condescended unwillingly.

Not?

i.e. Have managed so well for Rome as to get the town burnt to save the expense of coals.

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 kneel'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,

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. [Ex.

SCENE II.-An advanced Post of the Volscian Camp before Rome. The Guard at their Stations. Enter to them MENENIUS.

1 G. Stay: Whence are you? 2 G. 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.

1 G. Men.

From whence?

From Rome.

1 G. You may not pass, you must return: our general

Will no more hear from thence.

2 G. You'll see your Rome embraced with fire,

before

If you have heard your general talk of Rome,
And of his friends there, it is lots5 to blanks,
My name hath touch'd your ears: It is Menenius.
I G. Be it so; go back: the virtue of your name
Is not here passable.
Men.

I tell thee, fellow,
Thy general is my lover:6 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 suffer: nay, sometimes,
Like to a bowl upon a subtle ground,

I have tumbled past the throw; and in his praise Have almost stamp'd the leasing. Therefore,

fellow,

I must have leave to pass.

1 G. '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. Therefore, 80 back.

Men. Pr'ythee, fellow, remember my name is Menenius, always factionary on the party of your general.

2 G. 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

1 G. Then you should hate Rome, as he does. Can you, when you have pushed out your gates the very defender of them, and, in a violent pop ignorance, given your enemy your shield, thin front his revenges with the easy groans of 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 de ceived, therefore, back to Rome, and prepare for your execution; you are condemned, our general has sworn you out of reprieve and pardon.

Men. Sirrah, if thy captain knew I were here, he would use me with estimation.

2 G. Come, my captain knows you not.

sorrow;

Making the mother, wife, and child, to see
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
An evident calamity, though we had
Our wish, which side should win: for either thou
Must, as a foreign recreant, be led

With manacles through our streets, or else
Triumphantly tread upon 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
Rather to show a noble grace to both parts,
Than seek the end of one, thou shalt no sooner
March to assault 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 on mine,
That brought you forth this boy, to keep your name
Living to time.
Boy.

He shall not tread on me;

I'll run away, till I am bigger, but then I'll fight.
Cor. Not of a woman's tenderness to be,
Requires nor child nor woman's face to see.
I have sat too long.
Vol.

[Rising.

Nay, go not from us thus.
If it were so, that our request did tend
To save the Romans, thereby to destroy
The Volces whom you serve, you might condemn us,
As poisonous of your honor: No; our suit
Is, that you reconcile them: while the Volces,
May say, This mercy we have show'd; the Romans,
This we receiv'd; and each in either side
Give the all-hail to thee, and cry, Be bless'd
For making up this peace! Thou know'st, great son,
The end of war's uncertain; but this certain,
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 writ,-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 honor,
To imitate the graces of the gods;

To tear with thunder the wide cheeks o' the air,
And yet to charge thy sulphur with a bolt
That should but rive an oak. Why dost not speak?

Think'st thou it honorable 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 is no man in the
world

More bound to his 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;
When she (poor hen!) fond of no second brood,
Has cluck'd thee to the wars, and safely home,
Loaden with honor. Say, my 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,
Than pity to our prayers. Down; an end:
This is the last;-So we will home to Rome
• Betray.

And die among our neighbors.-Nay, behold us:
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 despatch:
I am hush'd until our city be afire,
And then I'll speak a little.
Cor.
O mother, mother
Holding VOLUMNIA by the hands, sileret.
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,
I'll frame convenient peace. Now, good Aufid ius,
Were you in my stead, say, would you have heard
A mother less? or granted less, Aufidius?
Auf. I was mov'd withal.

Cor.
I dare be sworn, you were;
And, sir, it is no little thing, to make
Mine eyes to sweat compassion. But, good sir,
What peace you'll make, advise me: For my part,
I'll not to Rome, I'll back with you; and pray you,
Stand to me in this cause.-O mother! wife!
Auf. I am glad thou hast set thy mercy and thy
honor

At difference in thee: out of that I'll work
Myself a former fortune.

Cor.

[Aside. [The Ladies make signs to CORIOLANUS. Ay, by-and-by; [To VOLUMNIA, VIRGILIA, &C. 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 her confederate arms, Could not have made this peace.

[Exeunt.

SCENE IV. Rome. A public Place. Enter MENENIUS and SICINIUS. Men. See you'yond' coign9 o' the Capitol: yond

corner stone?

Sic. Why, what of that?

Men. 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?

Men. There is a differency between a grub, and a butterfly; 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 a is a battery. He sits in his state, as a thing made corslet with his eye; talks like a knell, and his hum for2 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 his mother shall bring from him: There is no more mercy in him, than there is milk in a male tiger; that shall our poor city find: and all this is 'long of you.

Sic. The gods be good unto us!

1e

Men. No, in such a case the gods will not be good unto us. When we banished him, we spected not them: and, he returning to break our

necks, they respect not us.

Enter a Messenger.

Mess. Sir, if you'd save your life, fly to your house;

The plebeians have got your fellow-tribune,
And hale him up and down; all swearing, if

⚫ Angle. 1 Chair of state.

2 To resemble.

The Roman ladies bring not comfort home,
They'll give him death by inches.

Enter another Messenger.

Sic.
What's the news?
Mess. Good news, good news;-The ladies have
prevail'd,

The Volces are dislodg'd, 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?
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 and Hautboys sounded, and Drums
beaten, all together. Shouting also within.
The trumpets, sackbuts, psalteries, and fifes,
Tabors, and cymbals, and the shouting Romans,
Make the sun dance. Hark you! [Shouting again.
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 prayed well to-day;
This morning, for ten thousand of your throats
I'd not have given a doit. Hark, how they joy!
[Shouting and Music.
Sic. First, the gods bless you for their tidings;

Unshout the noise that banish'd Marcius, Repeal3 him with the welcome of his mother; Cry, -Welcome, ladies, welcome!

All.

Welcome, ladies! Welcome! [A flourish with Drums and Trumpets. [Exeunt.

SCENE V. Antium. A public Place. Enter TULLIUS AUFIDIUS, with Attendants. Auf. Go tell the lords of 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, Wil vouch the truth of it. Him I accuse, The city ports4 by this hath enter'd, and Inteads to appear before the people, hoping To purge himself with words: Despatch. [Exeunt Attendants. Enter three or four Conspirators of Aufiduis' Faction.

If you do hold the same intent wherein You wishd us parties, we'll deliver you Of your great danger.

Sir, I cannot tell;

Auf.
We must proceed, as we do find the people.

3 Con. The people will remain uncertain, whilst "Twixt you there's difference: but the fall of either Makes the survivor heir of all.

Auf. I know it; And my pretext to strike at him admits A good construction. I rais'd him, and I pawn'd Mine honor for his truth: Who being so heighten'd He water'd his new plants with dews of flattery, Seducing so my friends: and to this end, He bow'd his iature, never known before But to be rougi, unswayable, and free. 3 Con. Sir, hs stoutness,

• Recall.

• Gates.

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; 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; serv'd 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 seemed his follower, not partner; and He waged me with his countenance, as if I had been mercenary. 1 Con. So he did, my lord: The army marvell'd at it. And, in the last, When he had carried Rome; and that we look'd 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,6 which are As cheap as lies, he sold the blood and labor Of our great action: Therefore shall he die, And I'll renew me in his fall. But, hark!

[Drums and Trumpets sound, with great shouts of the People.

1 Con. Your native town you enter'd like a post, And had no welcomes home; but he returns, Splitting the air with noise.

2 Con. And patient fools, Whose children he hath slain, their base throats tear, With giving him glory.

3 Con. Therefore, 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. When he lies along, After your way his tale pronounc'd shall bury His reasons with his body. Auf. Say no more; Here come the lords.

Enter the Lords of the City.

Lords. You are most welcome home.
Auf.

I have not deserv'd it: But, worthy lords, have you with heed perus'd What I have written to you?

We have.

Lords. 1 Lord. And grieve to hear it, 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. Auf. He approaches, you shall hear him. Enter CORIOLANUS, with Drums and Colors; a Crowd of Citizens with him.

Cor. Hail, lords! I am return'd your soldier;
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 honor to the Antiates,

Than shame to the Romans: And we here de

Breaking his oath and resolution, like
A twist of rotten silk; never admitting
Counsel o' the war; but at his nurse's tears
He whin'd and roar'd away your victory;
That pages blush'd at him, and men of heart
Look'd wondering each at other.

Cor.
Hear'st thou, Mars?
Auf. Name not the god, thou boy of tears,-
Cor.

Auf. No more.

Ha!

Cor. Measureless liar, 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 forc'd to scold. Your judgments, my grave lords,

Must give this cur the lie: and his own notion
(Who wears my stripes impress'd on him; that must
bear

My beating to his grave) shall join to thrust
The lie unto him.

1 Lord.
Peace, both, and hear me speak.
Cor. Cut me to pieces, Volces; men and lads,
Stain all your edges on me.-Boy! False hound,
If you have writ your annals true, 'tis there,
That like an eagle in a dove-cote, I

Flutter'd your Volces in Corioli:
Alone I did it.-Boy!

Auf.

Why, 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?

Con. Let him die for't. [Several speak at once. Cit. [Speaking promiscuously.] Tear him to pieces, do it presently. He killed my son;-my daughter;-He killed my cousin Marcus;-He killed my father.

2 Lord. Peace, ho;-no outrage:-peace. The man is noble, and his fame folds in This orb o' the earth. His last offence to us Shall have judicious hearing.-Stand, Aufidius,. And trouble not the peace.

8 Judiciol.

rage,

Provok'd by him, you cannot) the great danger
Which this man's life did owe you, you'll rejoice
That he is thus cut off. Please it your honors
To call me to your senate, I'll deliver
Myself your royal servant, or endure
Your heaviest censure.

1 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.

2 Lord. His own impatience Takes from Aufidius a great part of blame. Let's make the best of it. Auf. My rage is gone, And I am struck with sorrow.-Take him up. Help, three o' the chiefest soldiers: I'll be one.Beat thou the drum, that it speak mournfully: 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 CORIOLANUB A dead March sounded.