SCENE X. _The camp of the Volsces._[2768]

_A flourish. Cornets. Enter_ TULLUS AUFIDIUS, _bloody, with two

or three_ Soldiers.

_Auf._ The town is ta'en![2769]

_First Sol._ 'Twill be deliver'd back on good condition.[2770][2769]

_Auf._ Condition!

I would I were a Roman; for I cannot,

Being a Volsce, be that I am. Condition![2771] 5

What good condition can a treaty find

I' the part that is at mercy? Five times, Marcius,

I have fought with thee; so often hast thou beat me;

And wouldst do so, I think, should we encounter

As often as we eat. By the elements,[2772] 10

If e'er again I meet him beard to beard,

He's mine, or I am his: mine emulation

Hath not that honour in 't it had; for where

I thought to crush him in an equal force,

True sword to sword, I'll potch at him some way,[2773] 15

Or wrath or craft may get him.

_First Sol._ He's the devil.[2770]

_Auf._ Bolder, though not so subtle. My valour's poison'd[2774][2775]

With only suffering stain by him; for him[2775][2776]

Shall fly out of itself: nor sleep nor sanctuary,[2777]

Being naked, sick, nor fane nor Capitol,[2778] 20

The prayers of priests nor times of sacrifice,

Embarquements all of fury, shall lift up[2779]

Their rotten privilege and custom 'gainst

My hate to Marcius: where I find him, were it

At home, upon my brother's guard, even there,[2780] 25

Against the hospitable canon, would I

Wash my fierce hand in's heart. Go you to the city;

Learn how 'tis held, and what they are that must

Be hostages for Rome.

_First Sol._ Will not you go?[2770]

_Auf._ I am attended at the cypress grove: I pray you--[2781] 30

'Tis south the city mills--bring me word thither[2782]

How the world goes, that to the pace of it

I may spur on my journey.

_First Sol._ I shall, sir. [_Exeunt._[2770][2783]

FOOTNOTES:

[2455] ACT I. SCENE I.] Actus Primus. Scæna Prima. Ff.

Rome. A street.] A street in Rome. Pope.

[2456] All.] Ff. Cit. [Several speaking at once. Malone.

[2457] _chief_] _the chief_ Pope.

[2458] _We know't, we know't_] F₁. _We know't_ F₂ F₃ F₄.

[2459] _let it_] _let't_ Rowe (ed 2).

[2460] _on_] F₃ F₄. _one_ F₁ F₂.

[2461] _humanely_] _humanly_ F₄.

[2462] _object_] _abjectness_ Collier MS.

[2463] _a gain_] _againe_ F₂.

[2464] _pikes_] _pitchforks_ Hanmer.

_rakes_] F₁. _raks_ F₂. _racks_ F₃ F₄.

[2465] _Marcius?_] _Martius?_ F₃ F₄. _Martius._ F₁ F₂.

[2466] All.] 1 Cit. Malone conj.

[2467] Sec. Cit.] Malone. All. Ff.

[2468] _to please...._] _partly to please_ Capell.

[2469] _to be partly_] _partly to be_ Hanmer. _to be_ Capell. _to be

portly_ Staunton conj.

[2470] _these_] F₁. _those_ F₂ F₃ F₄.

[2471] _o' the_] _o' th'_ F₄. _a'th_ F₁ F₂. _a' th'_ F₃.

[2472] Enter....] Ff. Dyce transfers it to follow line 48.

[2473] SCENE II. Pope.

[2474] _What ... pray you_] Arranged as by Theobald. Three lines,

ending _hand?... matter ... you_ in Ff. Prose in Pope.

[2475] _work's_] F₁. _workes_ F₂. _works_ F₃ F₄.

[2476] _With_] F₁. _with your_ F₂ F₃ F₄.

[2477] First Cit.] 1 Cit. Capell (and throughout the scene). 2 Cit. Ff.

[2478] _intend_] _intended_ Rowe (ed. 2).

[2479] _Why ... yourselves?_] Arranged as by Theobald. In Ff the first

line ends at _honest_. As prose in Pope.

[2480] _you. For your wants,_] Johnson. _you: for your wants,_ Rowe.

_you for your wants._ F₁ F₂. _you for your wants,_ F₃. _you, for your

wants._ F₄.

[2481] _suffering_] _sufferings_ Rowe (ed. 2).

[2482] _heaven_] _heavens_ Mason conj.

[2483] _link_] _linke_ F₁. _link'd_ F₂ F₃ F₄. _links_ Pope.

[2484] _True, indeed! They_] _true, indeed!--they_ Theobald. _True

indeed, they_ Ff.

[2485] _stale_] Theobald. _scale_ Ff.

[2486] _Well ... deliver_] As prose first by Capell. As four lines,

ending _Well ... thinke ... tale: ... deliver_ in Ff.

[2487] _I'll_] _We'll_ Hanmer.

_yet_] _but yet_ Hanmer.

[2488] _disgrace_] _disgraces_ Theobald.

_an't_] Hanmer. _and't_ Theobald.

[2489] _o' the_] _o' th'_ F₄. _a th'_ F₁ F₂. _a' th'_ F₃.

[2490] _And, mutually participate,_] Malone. _And mutually

participate,_ Ff. _And mutually participate;_ Knight.

[2491] _Of the ... Well, sir_] As one line, S. Walker conj.

[2492] _body._] Rowe. _body;_ F₃. _body,_ F₁ F₂ F₄.

_answer'd--_] Rowe. _answer'd._ F₁ F₄. _answer._ F₂ _answers._ F₃.

[2493] _you. With_] _you.--With_ Theobald. _you with_ Ff.

[2494] _tauntingly_] F₄. _taintingly_ F₁. _tantingly_ F₂ F₃.

[2495] _such as you._] _such as you--_ Rowe. _as you_ Steevens conj.

_What!_ Theobald. _What_ Ff. om. Seymour conj.

[2496] See note (I).

[2497] _kingly-crowned_] Warburton. _kingly crowned_ Pope. _kingly

crown'd_ Ff.

[2498] _What then?... then?_] Arranged as by Capell. The lines end

_speakes ... then?_ in Ff.

[2499] _'Fore me, this_] Theobald. _Foreme, this_ F₁ F₂ F₃. _For me,

this_ F₄.

[2500] _o' the_] _o' th'_ F₄. _a th'_ F₁ F₂. _a' th'_ F₃ (and passim).

[2501] _agents_] _agent_ F₂.

[2502] _a small_] _a little_ Seymour conj. _us all_ Jackson conj.

[2503] _you'll_] Rowe (ed. 2). _you'st_ Ff.

[2504] _You're_] Capell. _Y'are_ Ff. _You are_ Steevens (1773).

[2505] _heart, to_] Ff. _heart,--to_ Malone.

_the seat o' the_] _the seat, the_ Rann (Tyrwhitt conj.) _the senate_

Collier MS. _the state, the_ Anon. conj.

[2506] _brain; ... man,_] Theobald. _braine, ... man,_ Ff. _brain, ...

man;_ Pope.

[2507] _cranks_] _ranks_ Collier MS.

[2508] _You ... belly, mark me,--_] Rowe (substantially). _(You ...

belly) mark me._ Ff.

[2509] _flour_] Knight. _flowre_ F₁ F₂. _flowr_ F₃ F₄. _flow'r_ Rowe.

_flower_ Capell.

[2510] _answer: how_] _answer;--how_ Theobald. _answer, how_ Ff.

_answer--how_ Rowe.

[2511] _examine Their ... cares, digest_] _examine Their ... cares;

disgest_ F₁. _examine Their ... care; disgest_ F₂ F₃ F₄. _examine,

Their ... care; digest_ Rowe. _examine.--Their ... cares digest_

Ingleby conj.

[2512] _go'st_] Hanmer. _goest_ Ff.

[2513] _Thou ... vantage_] Erased in Collier MS.

_worst ... first_] _worst, in blood, to ruin, Lead'st first,_ Steevens,

1773 (Johnson conj.) _worst in blood, to run Lead'st first_ Steevens

(1778).

[2514] _art_] _are_ Rowe (ed. 2).

_worst in blood_] _first from blows_ Hanmer. _first in blood_ Capell.

_last in blood_ Staunton conj.

[2515] _bale_] Theobald. _baile_ F₁ F₂. _bail_ F₃ F₄. _bane_ Hanmer.

SCENE III. Pope.

[2516] _thee_] Ff. _ye_ Dyce.

[2517] _you have_] _have_ Steevens (1778). _you_ Seymour conj.

_you curs_] _ye curs_ Rowe.

[2518] _like nor peace_] F₁ F₂. _like not peace_ F₃ F₄. _likes not

peace_ Warburton.

[2519] _you proud_] _yon proud_ F₂.

_trusts to you_] _trusts you_ Reed (1803).

[2520] _you ... you_] _your ... your_ Rowe (ed. 2).

[2521] _geese: you are no_] Theobald. _geese you are: No_ Ff.

[2522] _did it_] _did_ Badham conj.

[2523] _Hang ye! Trust ye?_] _Hang ye trust ye?_ Ff. _Hang ye! Trust

you?_ Seymour conj. _Trust ye? Hang ye!_ Coleridge conj.

[2524] _a mind_] _your mind_ Collier MS.

[2525] _vile_] F₄. _vilde_ F₁ F₂ F₃.

_was_] _wore_ Anon. MS. (in Capell's copy of F₃).

[2526] _these_] _the_ Rowe.

[2527] _I or corn ... they say_] _Corn ... they do say_ Seymour conj.

[2528] _Who thrives_] Omitted by Hanmer.

_and who_] om. Seymour conj.

[2529] _Below ... discretion_] Hanmer ends the lines _grain ...

aside ... make ... slaves ... these ... for ... discretion_, reading

_Although_ for _though_ in line 195.

[2530] _enough_] om. Seymour conj.

[2531] _pick_] _pitch_ Rowe.

_lance._] _lance. Away, ye knaves!_ Seymour conj.

[2532] _almost_] _all most_ Singer (Collier MS.)

[2533] _cowardly. But, I_] _cowardly. I_ Hanmer. _coward. I_ Seymour

conj.

_But, I beseech_] _But, 'beseech_ S. Walker conj.

[2534] _hang 'em!_] om. Hanmer.

[2535] _Shouting_] Pope. _Shooting_ Ff. _Suiting_ Rowe (ed. 2).

_their emulation_] _their exultation_ Collier MS. _the innovation_ Leo

conj.

[2536] _tribunes_] _tributes_ F₂.

[2537] _one's_] _one on 'em 's_ Anon. conj.

_Brutus,_] _Brutus, one_ S. Walker conj.

[2538] _and I_] _and--I_ S. Walker conj., putting _'Sdeath_ in a

separate line.

_not--'Sdeath_] Rowe (ed. 2). _not. Sdeath_ Ff.

[2539] _unroof'd_] Theobald. _unroo'st_ Ff.

[2540] _upon_] _open_ Grant White conj.

[2541] _insurrection's_] Theobald. _insurrections_ Ff.

[2542] _fragments_] _fragments, hence, begone_ Seymour conj.

_hastily_] Ff. om. Rowe.

[2543] _what's_] _what is_ or _now, what's_ Seymour conj.

[2544] _Volsces_] Collier. _Volcies_ F₁ F₂ F₃. _Volscies_ F₄.

_Volscians_ Pope. _Volcians_ Capell. _Volces_ Steevens (1778).

[2545] _ha'_] _ha_ F₁ F₂ F₃. _have_ F₄.

[2546] _See, our_] Rowe. _See our_ Ff.

[2547] Enter ...] Malone and Capell substantially. Enter Sicinius

Velutus, Annius Brutus Cominius, Titus Lartius, with other Senatours.

Ff (Cominisn F₁). Enter ... Junius Brutus, Cominius, ... Rowe.

[2548] SCENE IV. Pope.

[2549] _I would_] _I could_ F₄. _I'd_ Pope.

_he_] _him_ Hanmer.

_together._] Capell. _together?_ Ff.

[2550] _Only my wars_] _My wars only_ Seymour conj.

[2551] _Lartius_] Rowe. _Lucius_ Ff.

[2552] _Tullus'_] Pope (ed. 2). _Tullus_ F₁ F₂ F₃. _Tullus's_ F₄.

_Tulliu'_ Pope (ed. 1), a misprint.

[2553] First Sen.] 1 Sen. Rowe. Sen. Ff.

[2554] [To Com.] ... [To Mar.] _Follow Cominius;_] Edd. (Malone conj.)

_Lead you on: Follow Cominius,_ Ff. _Lead you on; Follow, Cominius;_

Theobald.

[2555] _Lead ... priority._ Arranged as in Pope. As prose in Ff.

[2556] _you_] _your_ F₄.

_Marcius_] _Lartius_ Theobald.

[2557] [To the Citizens] Rowe.

_Nay_] om. Rowe.

[2558] _Worshipful_] _Worthy_ Seymour conj.

_mutiners_] _mutineers_ Rowe.

[2559] _pray_] _I pray you_ Seymour conj.]

[Citizens ...] Exeunt. Citizens steale away. Manent Sicin. and Brutus.

Ff (Manet F₁).

[2560] _gird the_] _gird at th’_ Badham conj.

[2561] _him:_] _him,_ Ff. _him!_ Hanmer.

[2562] _to be_] _of being_ Hanmer.

[2563] _Such ... Cominius._] As verse first by Pope. As prose in Ff.

[2564] _the which_] _which_ Hanmer.

[2565] _whom_] _which_ Hanmer.

_he's_] F₁. _he is_ F₂ F₃ F₄.

[2566] _be_] F₁ F₄. _he_ F₂ F₃.

[2567] _of_] _on_ Capell.

[2568] _demerits_] _merits_ Roderick conj., reading _Shall ...

Cominius_ as one line. _due merits_ Leo conj.

[2569] _Come: Half ... Marcius,_] As in Theobald. One line in Ff.

[2570] _Cominius'_] Pope. _Cominius_ F₁ F₂ F₃. _Cominius's_ F₄.

[2571] _earn'd_] _earn_ Hanmer.

[2572] _his_] _this_ Hanmer. _in_ Reed (1803, 1813, 1821).

[2573] SCENE II.] Rowe. SCENE V. Pope. om. Ff.

Corioli.] Pope. Coriolus. Rowe.

The Senate-House.] Capell. Enter ... Corioli.] Pope. Enter ...

Coriolus. Ff.

[2574] _have_] F₁. _hath_ F₂ F₃ F₄.

_on_] F₃ F₄. _one_ F₁ F₂.

[2575] [Reads] Reading. Theobald. om. Ff.

_press’d_] Capell. _prest_ Ff.

[2576] _dearth_] _death_ F₂.

[2577] _Whither_] F₃ F₄. _Whether_ F₁ F₂.

[2578] _veil'd_] F₃ F₄. _vayl’d_ F₁ F₂.

[2579] _seem’d_] _seems_ Hanmer.

[2580] _Corioli_] Pope. _Corioles_ F₁. _Coriolus_ F₂ F₃ F₄.

[2581] _Corioli: If ... before 's,_] _Coriolus: If ... before 's,_ F₄.

_Corioles If ... before 's:_ F₁. _Coriolus If ... before 's._ F₂ F₃.

[2582] _before 's_] _before us_ Capell.

_for the remove_] _'fore they remove_ Warburton. _for their remove_

Johnson conj. _further remove_ Jackson conj.

[2583] _They've_] Rowe. _Th' have_ Ff.

[2584] _certainties_] _very certainties_ Hanmer.

_more,_] _more, I hear,_ Badham conj.

[2585] _power_] _powers_ Steevens (1793).

[2586] _ever_] _never_ Reed (1803, 1813, 1821).

[2587] All. _Farewell._] om. Seymour conj.

[Exeunt.] Exeunt omnes. Ff.

[2588] SCENE III.] Rowe. SCENE VI. Pope. om. Ff.

Rome.] Rowe.

A room....] Capell. Scene changes to Caius Marcius's House in Rome.

Theobald.

Enter ... they set them....] Rowe. Enter Volumnia and Virgilia, mother

and wife to Martius: They set them.... Ff. Enter ... they sit.... Pope.

[2589] _should_] _would_ F₄.

[2590] _wherein_] _where_ Johnson (1771).

[2591] _would_] F₁ F₂. _should_ F₃ F₄.

[2592] _kings'_] Theobald. _kings_ Ff. _king's_ Johnson.

[2593] _sell_] F₃ F₄. _sel_ F₁ F₂. _let_ Anon. conj.

[2594] _not more_] _no more_ F₄.

[2595] _had rather had_] _had rather_ Rowe. _would rather have_ Seymour

conj.

[2596] _you shall_] _thou shalt_ F₄.

[2597] _I hear hither_] _I hither hear_ Pope. _e'en now I hear_ Seymour

conj.

[2598] _See_] _I see_ Rowe.

_Aufidius down_] _down Aufidius_ Steevens (1773).

[2599] _from ... shunning_] _fly ... shunning_ or _shun ... flying_

Seymour conj.

[2600] [stamping. Johnson.

_call thus_] _thus call_ Seymour conj.

[2601] _you cowards_] F₁ F₂. _ye cowards_ F₃ F₄.

_you were_] _ye were_ Rowe (ed. 2).

[2602] _that's_] _thats_ F₂. _that_ F₁. _what's_ F₃ F₄.

[2603] _Or_] _O'er_ Singer.

[2604] _trophy_] _trophe_ F₁.

_breasts_] _brest_ F₄.

[2605] _At ... sword, contemning._] See note (II).

[2606] _We are fit_] _That we are waiting here_ Seymour conj.

[2607] _Aufidius'_] _Aufidius's_ F₄.

[2608] Gentlewoman.] a Gentlewoman. Ff.

[2609] _My ladies both_] om. Seymour conj.

[2610] _What are_] _What, are_ Capell (corrected in Errata).

_sewing_] F₄. _sowing_ F₁ F₂ F₃.

_spot, in_] _spotte in_ F₁ F₂. _spot in_ F₃ F₄. _sport, in_ Jackson

conj. _pattern,_ Leo conj.

[2611] _the swords_] _swords_ Collier MS.

[2612] _O'_] Theobald. _A_ Ff.

[2613] _upon_] _on_ Rowe.

_o'_] Rowe (ed. 2). _a_ Ff.

[2614] _has_] _ha's_ F₁ F₂ F₃. _Has_ F₄. _he has_ Steevens (1773).

[2615] _catched_] _catcht_ F₁ F₂ F₃. _and caught_ F₄.

_or whether_] _and whether_ Hanmer.

[2616] _on 's_] _o' s_ F₄. _of's_ Theobald. _of his_ Steevens (1778).

[2617] _No ... doors._] Prose in Pope. Two lines in Ff.

[2618] _most_] om. Rowe (ed. 2).

[2619] _Ulysses'_] Capell. _Ulysses_ F₁. F₂ F₃. _Ulysses's_ F₄.

_Ithaca_] F₃ F₄. _Athica_ F₁ F₂.

[2620] _madam?_] F₃ F₄. _madam._ F₁ F₂. _madam--_ Rowe.

[2621] _Corioli_] Pope. _Carioles_ F₁. _Cariolus_ F₂. _Coriolus_ F₃ F₄.

[2622] _mine_] _my_ Rowe.

[2623] _Let ... much mirth._] As prose in Pope. Irregular lines in Ff.

[2624] _lady; ... now,_] Pope. _ladie, ... now:_ F₁. _lady, ... now:_

F₂ F₃. _lady, ... now,_ F₄.

[2625] _o'_] Theobald. _a_ Ff.

[2626] [Exeunt.] Exeunt Ladies. Ff.

[2627] SCENE IV.] Rowe. SCENE VII. Pope. om. Ff.

Before Corioli.] Trenches before Corioli. Capell. The walls of

Coriolus. Rowe.

Soldiers.] Souldiers, as before the city Coriolus: Ff (Corialus: F₁).

[2628] _Yonder ... met_] One line in Pope. Two in Ff.

[2629] _no_] _not so_ Seymour conj.

[2630] _nor ... nor_] F₁. _not ... nor_ F₂ F₃ F₄.

_you him_] F₁ F₂. _him you_ F₃ F₄.

[2631] _you him ... years_] _him you I will for half an hundred years

or so_ Hanmer, ending the lines _you ... so._

[2632] _this mile_] _a mile_ Rowe.

_and half_] om. Steevens conj. _and a half_ Campbell.

[2633] _thy_] _the_ Rowe.

two] some Capell.

walls.] walles of Coriolus. Ff. (Corialus F₁ F₂).

[2634] _Aufidius_] F₄. _Auffidious_ F₁. _Auffidius_ F₂ F₃.

[2635] _walls_] _wall_ Rowe (ed. 2).

[2636] _nor_] _but_ Keightley.

_that fears you less_] _but fears you less_ Rann (Johnson conj.) _that

fears you more_ Johnson and Capell conj.

[2637] _That's ... drums_] one line in Pope. Two in Ff.

[2638] _up: our_] _up, our_ F₃. _up; our_ F₄. _up our_ F₁ F₂.

[2639] Enter ...] Enter the Volscies. Rowe. The Volscians enter and

pass over. Capell.

[2640] _forth_] _for'h_ F₂.

[2641] _With ... Titus_] As in Pope. Two lines in Ff.

[2642] _fellows_] _follows_ F₂.

[2643] _Volsce_] Collier. _Volce_ F₁ F₂. _Volcie_ F₃. _Volscie_ F₄.

_Volscian_ Pope.

[2644] Alarum ... Re-enter ...] Alarum ... Enter ... Ff. Exeunt, as to

the Fight. Alarums ... Re-enter Marcius. Capell.

cursing.] om. Rowe. enraged. Collier.

[2645] SCENE VIII. Pope.

[2646] _Rome! you herd of--Boils_] Johnson. _Rome: you Heard of Byles_

F₁ F₂. _Rome: you Herd of Biles_ F₃ F₄. _Rome; you herds of biles_ Rowe

(ed. 2). _Rome; you herds; of boils_ Pope (ed. 1.) _Rome, you! herds

of boils_ Pope, ed 2 (Theobald). _Rome, you herds, you! boils_ Hanmer.

_Rome! Unheard of boils_ Collier (Collier MS.) See note (III).

[2647] _If you'll ... As they_] As one line, S. Walker conj., reading

_follow'd_ in line 42.

[2648] _trenches followed._] F₂ F₃ F₄. _trenches followes._ F₁.

_trenches follow._ Collier (ed. 1). _trenches. Follow!_ Collier (ed.

2). _trenches: follow me._ Lettsom conj. _trenches._ [Follows.] Anon.

conj.

[2649] Another ... gates.] Edd. Another Alarum, and Martius ... gates,

and is shut in. Ff. Alarums. The Fight renew'd. Enter, in Retire

towards their city, the Volcians; Marcius, and the Romans, pressing

them. Capell.

[2650] [Enters....] Enter the Gati. F₁. Enter the Gates. F₂ F₃ F₄.

Charges the flying enemy: Enters the Gates with them; and is shut in.

Capell.

[2651] Marcius ... in.] Dyce. The Gates are closed. Staunton.

[2652] _the pot_] _pot_ Seymour conj. _the port_ Collier (Collier MS.)

Re-enter....] Dyce. Enter.... Ff.

[2653] _Clapp'd_] _Clapt_ Ff. _Clap_ Anon. conj.

[2654] _sensibly outdares_] _sensible, outdoes_ Theobald (Thirlby

conj.) _sensible, out-dares_ Johnson.

[2655] _stands_] Rowe. _stand'st_ Ff.

_art left,_] _art lost,_ Singer (Collier). _price-less_ Badham conj.

_art reft,_ Nicholson conj.

[2656] _Were_] F₃ F₄. _Weare_ F₁ F₂.

[2657] _Cato's_] Theobald (from Plutarch). _Calues_ (ital.) F₁.

_Calves_ (ital.) F₂ F₃ F₄. _Calvus_ Rowe. _Calvus'_ Pope.

[2658] _percussion_] _percussions_ Pope. _thy_] _the_ Rowe (ed. 1).

[2659] Re-enter....] Capell. Enter.... Ff.

[2660] SCENE V.] Capell. Scene continued in Ff, Rowe, Pope, &c.

Within Corioli. A street] Within the Town. A Street. Capell.

[2661] [Exeunt. Ff. Omitted by Theobald.

Titus Lartius] Titus Ff. Titus, officers &c. Capell.

[2662] _hours_] _honours_ Rowe (ed. 2).

[2663] _drachma_] Singer. _drachme_ F₁ F₂. _drachm_ F₃ F₄.

[2664] _To him!_] _To him;_ Pope. _To him,_ F₃ F₄. _To him_ F₁ F₂.

[2665] _haste_] _haffe_ F₂.

[2666] _violent For a_] _violent for A_ Capell.

[2667] _Than ... I will appear_] _Than dangerous: to Aufidius thus will

I Appear_ Steevens conj. (misquoting Hanmer).

_Than ... fight_] Arranged as by Capell. As one line in Ff. Two lines,

the first ending _me,_ in Pope.

[2668] _to me_] om. Hanmer, reading _Than ... I will_ as one line.

[2669] _thy_] _the_ S. Walker conj.

[2670] _those_] _to those_ Hanmer.

[2671] _Marcius!_] Capell. _Martius,_ Ff. _Marius,_ Pope (ed. 2).

_Martius,--_ Hanmer. _Martius._ Johnson.

[Exit Marcius] Capell. om. Ff.

[2672] [To the Trumpet. Hanmer.

[2673] _o' the_] _o' th'_ F₄. _a' th'_ F₁ F₂ F₃. _of the_ Capell.

[2674] SCENE VI.] Capell. SCENE IX. Pope. Rowe continues the Scene.

Near the camp....] Capell. The Roman Camp. Pope.

[2675] _struck_] F₄. _strooke_ F₁ F₂. _strook_ F₃.

[2676] _Ye_] Hanmer. _The_ Ff.

[2677] Enter....] Ff, after _news?_

[2678] _trenches_] _trenbhes_ F₂.

[2679] _speak’st_] Rowe (ed. 2). _speakest_ Ff.

_truth_] _true_ Capell.

[2680] _briefly we_] _briefly, we_ Theobald.

[2681] _thy_] _the_ Rowe.

[2682] Enter Marcius.] Ff. Transferred by Dyce to follow _man_, line 27.

[2683] _Before-time_] Hanmer. _Before time_ Ff.

Mar.] Mar. [within.] Dyce.

[2684] _Marcius'_] _Marcius's_ F₄.

[2685] _man_] _man's_ Hanmer.

[2686] _ye_] Ff. _you_ Capell.

[2687] _In arms_] _I armes_ F₂. _I am_ Long MS.

[2688] _woo'd; in heart As_] Theobald (Thirlby conj.) _woo'd in heart;

As_ Ff.

[2689] _Flower ... Lartius?_] As in Pope. One line in Ff.

[2690] _is't_] _i't_ F₂.

[2691] _slip_] _ship_ F₂.

[2692] _truth: but for our gentlemen,_] _truth but for our gentlemen._

Anon. conj.

[2693] _plague_] _plague on't_ Hanmer.

[2694] _think._] _thinke:_ Ff. _think--_ Rowe. _think it._ Collier

(Collier MS.)

[2695] _o' the_] _o' th'_ F₄. _a' th'_ F₃. _a' th_ F₁. _a th'_ F₂.

[2696] _Marcius ... purpose._] As by Capell. Two lines, the first

ending _fought,_ in Ff.

[2697] _purpose_] _propose_ F₂. _purposes_ Collier (Collier MS.),

arranging as in Ff.

[2698] _How.... They have_] _How.... they Have_ Rowe (ed. 2). Prose in

Rowe (ed. 1).

[2699] _which_] Malone. _w_ F₁. _what_ F₂ F₃ F₄.

[2700] _Antiates_] Pope. _Ancients_ Ff.

[2701] _By the blood ... Antiates_] Arranged as by Pope. As four lines

in Ff, ending _together, ... made ... set me ... Antiats_.

[2702] _we have ... We have_] _w’ave ... W'ave_ Pope.

[2703] _hour._] _hour.--_ Rowe.

[2704] _most are_] Ff. _are most_ Capell.

[2705] _Lesser_] F₃ F₄. _Lessen_ F₁ F₂. _Less for_ Rowe. _Less in_

Jackson conj.

_than_] _that_ Rowe (ed. 2).

[2706] _so many so_] _many if so_ Pope.

[2707] _O, me alone!_] _Oh me alone,_ Ff. _Let me alone_ Heath conj.

_Come! along!_ Singer. _O, come along!_ Id. conj. _Of me alone?_

Collier (ed. 2). _O, me aloft!_ Leo conj. _O, me alone?_ Lloyd conj.

_of me?_] Capell. _of me:_ Ff.

[2708] _Shield_] _Shiels_ F₂.

[2709] _Though ... the rest_] Arranged as by Boswell. The line ends at

_from all:_ in Ff.

_from all_] om. Hanmer, reading as one line _Though ... rest._

[2710] _to march And four_] _march before; And I_ Collier (Collier MS.)

[2711] _And four shall_] F₃ F₄. _And foure shall_ F₁ F₂. _And I shall_

Capell conj. _And so I shall_ Heath conj. _And foes shall_ Jackson

conj. _An hour shall_ Mitford conj. _And some shall_ Singer. _Before,

shall_ Leo conj. _And forth shall_ Keightley. _Ardour shall_ Anon. conj.

_And ... quickly_] _And forestal quickly;_ Bullock conj.

[2712] _four ... my ... best_] _fear ... of my ... least_ Johnson conj.

[2713] SCENE VII.] Capell. SCENE X. Pope.

The gates of Corioli.] Capell. Corioli. Pope.

[2714] _I have set them_] _they’re set_ Seymour conj.

[2715] _centuries_] _centries_ Theobald. _sentries_ Johnson.

[2716] _We cannot ... come_] As two lines, the first ending _Hence,_ S.

Walker conj.

[2717] _Hence_] _Hence then_ Keightley.

_upon 's_] _upon us_ Capell.

[2718] [Exeunt.] Pope (ed. 2). Exit. Ff.

[2719] SCENE VIII.] Capell. SCENE XI. Pope.

A field....] Capell. The Roman camp. Pope.

Enter....] Capell. Enter Martius and Auffidius at several doores. Ff.

[2720] _owns_] _owes_ Seymour conj.

[2721] _fame and envy_] Ff. _fame, and envy_ Theobald. _fame I envy_

Collier (Collier MS.) _fame I hate and envy_ Staunton conj.

[2722] _Fix thy foot._ Mar. _Let_] Mar. _Fix thy foot. Let_ Nicholson

conj.

[2723] _If ... hare_] Arranged as by Theobald. One line in Ff.

[2724] _Holloa_] _hollow_ Ff. _Halloo_ Warburton.

_Tullus_] om. Steevens conj.

[2725] _Wert ... Hector_] _Wilt thou hector?_ Jackson conj.

[2726] [They fight....] Here they fight.... Ff.

... in the aid....] Ff.... to the aid.... Rowe.

[2727] _condemned_] _contemned_ Johnson conj.

_seconds_] _seconding_ Hanmer. _second_ Mason conj.

[Exeunt] om. Ff. Exeunt fighting, driven in by Marcius. Alarum.

Retreat. Capell.

[2728] SCENE IX.] Capell. Pope continues the Scene.

Enter, from one side ... from the other side....] Enter at one

Doore.... At another Doore.... Ff.

scarf.] scarf, and other Romans. Capell.

[2729] _Thou'ldst_] Grant White (Capell conj.) _Thou't_ F₁ F₂ F₃.

_Thou'lt_ F₄.

[2730] _Where_] _Were_ Rowe (ed. 2).

[2731] _plebeians_] F₄. _Plebeans_ F₁ F₂ F₃.

[2732] Enter Titus Lartius.] Enter Titus.... Ff.

[2733] _caparison_] _caparisons_ Capell.

[2734] _beheld_] _behold_ F₂.

[2735] _my mother, Who ... blood_] Arranged as by Pope. One line in Ff.

[2736] _When ... country_] Arranged as by Hanmer, who reads _have also

been_ for _have been_ in line 17. In Ff the lines end _grieves me: ...

I can, ... countrey_.

[2737] _You ... traducement_] Arranged as by Pope. In Ff the lines end

_deserving, ... owne: ... theft, ... traducement._

[2738] _we have_] _we've_ Hanmer.

_good, and good store_] _store, and good_ Seymour conj.

_store, of all_] Rowe, _store of all,_ Ff.

[2739] _this field_] Ff. _the field_ Rowe.

[2740] _Before ... at_] As in Theobald. In Ff the line ends at

_distribution_.

[2741] _at Your only_] _At your own_ Hanmer.

[2742] _beheld_] _upheld_ Capell.

[2743] See note (IV)

[2744] _let_] om. Seymour conj.

_courts and_] F₁ F₃ F₄. _cours and_ F₂. _camps, as_ Theobald

(Warburton).

[2745] _be Made ... soothing_] As in Ff. One line in Pope.

[2746] _all of_] F₁ F₂. _of all_ F₃ F₄.

[2747] _When_] _Where_ Knight.

_as the_] _as is the_ Anon. conj.

_silk_] _silks_ Collier conj.

_for_ Collier conj. _read_ Singer conj.

[2748] _him ... a coverture_ Steevens (1778), partly following

Tyrwhitt. _him ... an overture_ Ff. _hymns ... An overture_ Theobald

(Warburton). _this ... a coverture_ Tyrwhitt conj. _them ... an

overture_ Knight. _it ... a coverture_ Collier, ed. 2 (Collier MS.)

_him ... an ovation_ Staunton conj. _pipes ... An overture_ Keightley.

_him ... a vesture_ Nicholson conj. _his ... a nurture_ Anon. conj.

[2749] _Let him ... I say_] _let him, I say, Be made a coverture for

the wars no more_ Badham conj.

[2750] _more, I_] F₄. _more I_ F₁ F₂ F₃.

[2751] _You ... hyperbolical_] As in Knight. One line in Ff.

[2752] _shout_] F₄. _shoot_ F₁ F₂ F₃.

[2753] _give_] _give't_ Heath conj.

[2754] _'gainst_] F₁. _against_ F₂ F₃ F₄.

[2755] _give him_] Ff. _give to him_ Rowe.

[2756] _Caius ... ever_] As by Steevens (1793). One line in Ff. Johnson

reads _Bear ... ever_ as a separate line.

[2757] _Caius Marcius_] _Caius Martius_ Rowe. _Marcus Caius_ F₁ F₂.

_Martius Caius_ F₃ F₄.

[2758] All.] Omnes. Ff.

[2759] Cor.] Steevens. Mar. Ff.

[2760] _fairness_] _fulness_ Seymour conj. _farness_ Becket conj.

_fairest_ Anon. conj.

[2761] _Where, ere_] _Where, e're_ F₄. _Where ere_ F₁ F₂ F₃.

[2762] _The gods ... general_] Arranged as by Hanmer. In Ff the first

two lines end _me: ... gifts_.

[2763] _now_] _but now_ Rowe.

[2764] _Of my ... kindly_] As four lines, ending _What is't? ...

lay ... house ... kindly,_ S. Walker conj., or _general ... lay ...

house ... kindly,_ Id. conj., reading _Take it_.

[2765] _Take 't_] _Take it_ Johnson.

[2766] _At a poor_] _And at a poor_ Hanmer. _At a most poor_ Capell.

_man's_] _Volce's_ Seymour conj.

_kindly_] _very kindly_ Keightley.

[2767] _I am_] _I'm_ Hanmer.

[2768] SCENE X.] Capell. SCENE XII. Pope.

The camp....] The Camp of the Volsci. Pope.

[2769] _The town ... back_] As one line, S. Walker conj.

[2770] First Sol.] 1. S. Capell. Soul. or Sol. Ff.

[2771] _Volsce_] _Volce_ F₁ F₂. _Volcie_ F₃. _Volscie_ F₄. _Volscian_

Pope.

[2772] _As_] F₁ F₄. _And_ F₂ F₃.

[2773] _sword, ... way,_] _sword, ... way;_ Pope. _sword: ... way,_ Ff.

_potch_] F₃ F₄. _potche_ F₁ F₂. _poach_ Grant White (Heath conj.)

[2774] _valour's_] _valor's_ F₃ F₄. _valors_ F₁ F₂.

[2775] _valour's ... him; for_] _valour (poison'd ... him) for him_

Pope.

[2776] _With ... by him;_] _Which ... by him,_ Mason conj.

[2777] _Shall_] _'T shall_ Collier MS.

_nor_] _not_ Rowe (ed. 2).

[2778] _sick_] _seek_ Long MS.

[2779] _Embarquements_] Ff. _Embarkments_ Rowe. _Embankments_ Hanmer.

_Embarrments_ Warburton. _Embargments_ Heath conj.

[2780] _brother's guard_] _household hearth_ Keightley conj.

[2781] _cypress_] Rowe. _cyprus_ Ff.

[2782] _mills_] _mils_ F₁ F₂. _mill_ F₃ F₄. _a mile_ Tyrwhitt conj.

[2783] [Exeunt.] Rowe. om. Ff.

ACT II.

SCENE I. _Rome. A public place._

_Enter_ MENENIUS, _with the two Tribunes of the people_, SICINIUS,

_and_ BRUTUS.[2784]

_Men._ The augurer tells me we shall have news to-night.[2785]

_Bru._ Good or bad?

_Men._ Not according to the prayer of the people, for

they love not Marcius.

_Sic._ Nature teaches beasts to know their friends. 5

_Men._ Pray you, who does the wolf love?[2786]

_Sic._ The lamb.

_Men._ Ay, to devour him; as the hungry plebeians would

the noble Marcius.

_Bru._ He's a lamb indeed, that baes like a bear. 10

_Men._ He's a bear indeed, that lives like a lamb. You

two are old men: tell me one thing that I shall ask you.

_Both._ Well, sir.

_Men._ In what enormity is Marcius poor in, that you[2787]

two have not in abundance? 15

_Bru._ He's poor in no one fault, but stored with all.[2788]

_Sic._ Especially in pride.[2789]

_Bru._ And topping all others in boasting.[2790]

_Men._ This is strange now: do you two know how you

are censured here in the city, I mean of us o' the right-hand[2791] 20

file? do you?

_Both._ Why, how are we censured?[2792]

_Men._ Because you talk of pride now,--will you not be

angry?

_Both._ Well, well, sir, well. 25

_Men._ Why, 'tis no great matter; for a very little thief of

occasion will rob you of a great deal of patience: give your

dispositions the reins, and be angry at your pleasures; at[2793]

the least, if you take it as a pleasure to you in being so.

You blame Marcius for being proud?[2794] 30

_Bru._ We do it not alone, sir.

_Men._ I know you can do very little alone; for your helps

are many, or else your actions would grow wondrous single:

your abilities are too infant-like for doing much alone. You

talk of pride: O that you could turn your eyes toward the[2795] 35

napes of your necks, and make but an interior survey of

your good selves! O that you could!

_Both._ What then, sir?[2796]

_Men._ Why, then you should discover a brace of unmeriting,[2797]

proud, violent, testy magistrates, alias fools, as 40

any in Rome.

_Sic._ Menenius, you are known well enough too.

_Men._ I am known to be a humorous patrician, and one

that loves a cup of hot wine with not a drop of allaying Tiber[2798]

in't; said to be something imperfect in favouring the first[2799][2800] 45

complaint, hasty and tinder-like upon too trivial motion;[2799][2801]

one that converses more with the buttock of the night than

with the forehead of the morning: what I think I utter, and

spend my malice in my breath. Meeting two such wealsmen

as you are,--I cannot call you Lycurguses--if the drink[2802] 50

you give me touch my palate adversely, I make a crooked

face at it. I can't say your worships have delivered the[2803]

matter well, when I find the ass in compound with the major

part of your syllables: and though I must be content to bear

with those that say you are reverend grave men, yet they[2804] 55

lie deadly that tell you you have good faces. If you see this[2805]

in the map of my microcosm, follows it that I am known

well enough too? what harm can your bisson conspectuities[2806]

glean out of this character, if I be known well enough too?

_Bru._ Come, sir, come, we know you well enough. 60

_Men._ You know neither me, yourselves, nor any thing.

You are ambitious for poor knaves' caps and legs: you wear

out a good wholesome forenoon in hearing a cause between

an orange-wife and a fosset-seller, and then rejourn the controversy[2807]

of three-pence to a second day of audience. When 65

you are hearing a matter between party and party, if you[2808]

chance to be pinched with the colic, you make faces like

mummers; set up the bloody flag against all patience; and,

in roaring for a chamber-pot, dismiss the controversy bleeding,[2809]

the more entangled by your hearing: all the peace you 70

make in their cause is, calling both the parties knaves. You

are a pair of strange ones.

_Bru._ Come, come, you are well understood to be a perfecter

giber for the table than a necessary bencher in the

Capitol. 75

_Men._ Our very priests must become mockers, if they

shall encounter such ridiculous subjects as you are. When[2810]

you speak best unto the purpose, it is not worth the wagging[2810]

of your beards; and your beards deserve not so honourable

a grave as to stuff a botcher's cushion, or to be entombed 80

in an ass's pack-saddle. Yet you must be saying, Marcius is[2811]

proud; who, in a cheap estimation, is worth all your predecessors

since Deucalion; though peradventure some of the

best of 'em were hereditary hangmen. God-den to your[2812]

worships: more of your conversation would infect my brain, 85

being the herdsmen of the beastly plebeians: I will be bold[2813]

to take my leave of you. [_Brutus and Sicinius go aside._

_Enter_ VOLUMNIA, VIRGILIA, _and_ VALERIA.[2814]

How now, my as fair as noble ladies,--and the moon, were[2815]

she earthly, no nobler--whither do you follow your eyes so

fast? 90

_Vol._ Honourable Menenius, my boy Marcius approaches;

for the love of Juno, let's go.

_Men._ Ha! Marcius coming home!

_Vol._ Ay, worthy Menenius; and with most prosperous

approbation. 95

_Men._ Take my cap, Jupiter, and I thank thee. Hoo![2816]

Marcius coming home![2817]

_Vir._} Nay, 'tis true.[2818]

_Val._}

_Vol._ Look, here's a letter from him: the state hath

another, his wife another; and, I think, there's one at home 100

for you.

_Men._ I will make my very house reel to-night: a letter

for me!

_Vir._ Yes, certain, there's a letter for you; I saw 't.

_Men._ A letter for me! it gives me an estate of seven 105

years' health; in which time I will make a lip at the physician:

the most sovereign prescription in Galen is but empiricutic,[2819]

and, to this preservative, of no better report than a

horse-drench. Is he not wounded? he was wont to come

home wounded. 110

_Vir._ O, no, no, no.

_Vol._ O, he is wounded; I thank the gods for't.

_Men._ So do I too, if it be not too much: brings a' victory[2820]

in his pocket? the wounds become him.[2821]

_Vol._ On's brows: Menenius, he comes the third time[2822] 115

home with the oaken garland.

_Men._ Has he disciplined Aufidius soundly?[2823]

_Vol._ Titus Lartius writes, they fought together, but

Aufidius got off.

_Men._ And 'twas time for him too, I'll warrant him that: 120

an he had stayed by him, I would not have been so fidiused[2824]

for all the chests in Corioli, and the gold that's in them. Is

the senate possessed of this?

_Vol._ Good ladies, let's go. Yes, yes, yes; the senate has

letters from the general, wherein he gives my son the whole 125

name of the war: he hath in this action outdone his former

deeds doubly.

_Val._ In troth, there's wondrous things spoke of him.

_Men._ Wondrous! ay, I warrant you, and not without

his true purchasing. 130

_Vir._ The gods grant them true!

_Vol._ True! pow, wow.[2825]

_Men._ True! I'll be sworn they are true. Where is he

wounded? [_To the Tribunes_] God save your good worships![2826][2827]

Marcius is coming home: he has more cause to be[2826] 135

proud. Where is he wounded?

_Vol._ I' the shoulder and i' the left arm: there will be[2828]

large cicatrices to show the people, when he shall stand for

his place. He received in the repulse of Tarquin seven

hurts i' the body. 140

_Men._ One i' the neck, and two i' the thigh; there's nine[2829]

that I know.

_Vol._ He had, before this last expedition, twenty five[2830]

wounds upon him.

_Men._ Now it's twenty seven: every gash was an enemy's[2831] 145

grave. [_A shout and flourish._] Hark! the trumpets.[2832]

_Vol._ These are the ushers of Marcius: before him he[2833]

carries noise, and behind him he leaves tears:[2833]

Death, that dark spirit, in's nervy arm doth lie;[2834]

Which, being advanced, declines, and then men die.[2834] 150

_A sennet. Trumpets sound. Enter_ COMINIUS _and_ TITUS

LARTIUS; _between them_, CORIOLANUS, _crowned with an

oaken garland; with_ Captains _and_ Soldiers, _and a_

Herald.[2835]

_Her._ Know, Rome, that all alone Marcius did fight[2836]

Within Corioli gates: where he hath won,[2837]

With fame, a name to Caius Marcius; these[2838][2839]

In honour follows Coriolanus.[2839][2840]

Welcome to Rome, renowned Coriolanus! [_Flourish._[2841][2842] 155

_All._ Welcome to Rome, renowned Coriolanus![2841]

_Cor._ No more of this, it does offend my heart;[2843]

Pray now, no more.[2843]

_Com._ Look, sir, your mother![2843]

_Cor._ O,[2843]

You have, I know, petition'd all the gods[2843]

For my prosperity! [_Kneels._[2843]

_Vol._ Nay, my good soldier, up;[2844] 160

My gentle Marcius, worthy Caius, and[2845]

By deed-achieving honour newly named,--[2845][2846]

What is it?--Coriolanus must I call thee?--

But, O, thy wife!

_Cor._ My gracious silence, hail![2847]

Wouldst thou have laugh'd had I come coffin'd home, 165

That weep'st to see me triumph? Ah, my dear,

Such eyes the widows in Corioli wear,[2848]

And mothers that lack sons.

_Men._ Now, the gods crown thee!

_Cor._ And live you yet? [_To Valeria_] O my sweet lady, pardon.[2849]

_Vol._ I know not where to turn: O, welcome home:[2850] 170

And welcome, general: and ye're welcome all.[2850][2851]

_Men._ A hundred thousand welcomes. I could weep[2852]

And I could laugh, I am light and heavy. Welcome:[2852][2853]

A curse begin at very root on's heart,[2852][2854]

That is not glad to see thee! You are three[2852] 175

That Rome should dote on: yet, by the faith of men,[2852]

We have some old crab-trees here at home that will not[2852][2855]

Be grafted to your relish. Yet welcome, warriors:[2852][2856]

We call a nettle but a nettle, and[2852]

The faults of fools but folly.[2852]

_Com._ Ever right.[2857] 180

_Cor._ Menenius, ever, ever.[2857][2858]

_Her._ Give way there, and go on.

_Cor._ [_To Volumnia and Virgilia_] Your hand, and yours:[2859]

Ere in our own house I do shade my head,

The good patricians must be visited;

From whom I have received not only greetings, 185

But with them change of honours.[2860]

_Vol._ I have lived

To see inherited my very wishes

And the buildings of my fancy: only[2861][2862]

There's one thing wanting, which I doubt not but[2861][2863]

Our Rome will cast upon thee.[2861]

_Cor._ Know, good mother,[2864] 190

I had rather be their servant in my way

Than sway with them in theirs.

_Com._ On, to the Capitol!

[_Flourish. Cornets. Exeunt in state, as before.

Brutus and Sicinius come forward._[2865]

_Bru._ All tongues speak of him, and the bleared sights[2866]

Are spectacled to see him: your prattling nurse

Into a rapture lets her baby cry[2867] 195

While she chats him: the kitchen malkin pins[2868]

Her richest lockram 'bout her reechy neck,

Clambering the walls to eye him: stalls, bulks, windows,[2869][2870]

Are smother'd up, leads fill'd and ridges horsed[2869]

With variable complexions, all agreeing 200

In earnestness to see him: seld-shown flamens[2871]

Do press among the popular throngs, and puff

To win a vulgar station: our veil'd dames

Commit the war of white and damask in[2872][2873]

Their nicely-gawded cheeks to the wanton spoil[2873] 205

Of Phœbus' burning kisses: such a pother,[2874]

As if that whatsoever god who leads him

Were slily crept into his human powers,[2875]

And gave him graceful posture.[2876]

_Sic._ On the sudden,[2877]

I warrant him consul.[2877]

_Bru._ Then our office may,[2877] 210

During his power, go sleep.[2877]

_Sic._ He cannot temperately transport his honours

From where he should begin and end, but will[2878]

Lose those he hath won.[2879]

_Bru._ In that there's comfort.

_Sic._ Doubt not

The commoners, for whom we stand, but they 215

Upon their ancient malice will forget

With the least cause these his new honours; which[2880]

That he will give them make I as little question[2881]

As he is proud to do 't.[2882]

_Bru._ I heard him swear,

Were he to stand for consul, never would he 220

Appear i' the market-place, nor on him put

The napless vesture of humility,[2883]

Nor showing, as the manner is, his wounds

To the people, beg their stinking breaths.

_Sic._ 'Tis right.

_Bru._ It was his word: O, he would miss it rather[2884] 225

Than carry it but by the suit of the gentry to him[2884]

And the desire of the nobles.[2884][2885]

_Sic._ I wish no better[2886]

Than have him hold that purpose and to put it[2886]

In execution.[2886]

_Bru._ 'Tis most like he will.

_Sic._ It shall be to him then, as our good wills,[2887][2888] 230

A sure destruction.[2887]

_Bru._ So it must fall out

To him or our authorities. For an end,[2889]

We must suggest the people in what hatred

He still hath held them; that to's power he would[2890]

Have made them mules, silenced their pleaders and[2891] 235

Dispropertied their freedoms; holding them,[2892]

In human action and capacity,[2892]

Of no more soul nor fitness for the world

Than camels in the war, who have their provand[2893]

Only for bearing burthens, and sore blows 240

For sinking under them.

_Sic._ This, as you say, suggested

At some time when his soaring insolence[2894]

Shall touch the people--which time shall not want,[2895][2896]

If he be put upon 't; and that's as easy

As to set dogs on sheep--will be his fire[2897] 245

To kindle their dry stubble; and their blaze

Shall darken him for ever.

_Enter a_ Messenger.

_Bru._ What's the matter?

_Mess._ You are sent for to the Capitol. 'Tis thought[2898][2899]

That Marcius shall be consul:[2898]

I have seen the dumb men throng to see him and[2898] 250

The blind to hear him speak: matrons flung gloves,[2898][2900]

Ladies and maids their scarfs and handkerchers,[2901]

Upon him as he pass'd: the nobles bended,

As to Jove's statue, and the commons made

A shower and thunder with their caps and shouts: 255

I never saw the like.

_Bru._ Let's to the Capitol,

And carry with us ears and eyes for the time,

But hearts for the event.

_Sic._ Have with you. [_Exeunt._

SCENE II. _The same. The Capitol._

_Enter two_ Officers, _to lay cushions_.[2902]

_First Off._ Come, come, they are almost here. How

many stand for consulships?

_Sec. Off._ Three, they say: but 'tis thought of every

one Coriolanus will carry it.

_First Off._ That's a brave fellow; but he's vengeance 5

proud, and loves not the common people.

_Sec. Off._ Faith, there have 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 10

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.[2903]

_First Off._ If he did not care whether he had their love 15

or no, he waved indifferently 'twixt doing them neither good[2904]

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 20

as that which he dislikes, to flatter them for their love.

_Sec. Off._ He hath deserved worthily of his country: and

his ascent is not by such easy degrees as those who, having[2905]

been supple and courteous to the people, bonneted, without[2906]

any further deed to have them at all into their estimation[2906][2907] 25

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 30

every ear that heard it.

_First Off._ No more of him; he's a worthy man: make[2908]

way, they are coming.

_A sennet. Enter, with_ Lictors _before them_, COMINIUS _the

Consul_, MENENIUS, CORIOLANUS, Senators, SICINIUS _and_

BRUTUS. _The_ Senators _take their places; the_ Tribunes

_take their place by themselves_. CORIOLANUS _stands_.[2909]

_Men._ Having determined of the Volsces and[2910][2911]

To send for Titus Lartius, it remains,[2911] 35

As the main point of this our after-meeting,

To gratify his noble service that[2912]

Hath thus stood for his country: therefore, please you,[2912]

Most reverend and grave elders, to desire

The present consul, and last general[2913] 40

In our well-found successes, to report[2913]

A little of that worthy work perform'd

By Caius Marcius Coriolanus; whom[2914]

We met here, both to thank and to remember[2915]

With honours like himself.

_First Sen._ Speak, good Cominius: 45

Leave nothing out for length, and make us think

Rather our state's defective for requital[2916]

Than we to stretch it out. [_To the Tribunes_] Masters o' the people,[2917]

We do request your kindest ears, and after,[2918]

Your loving motion toward the common body, 50

To yield what passes here.[2919][2920]

_Sic._ We are convented[2920]

Upon a pleasing treaty, and have hearts[2920][2921]

Inclinable to honour and advance[2920]

The theme of our assembly.[2920][2922]

_Bru._ Which the rather[2920]

We shall be bless'd to do, if he remember[2920][2923] 55

A kinder value of the people than[2920]

He hath hereto prized them at.[2920][2924]

_Men._ That's off, that's off;[2920]

I would you rather had been silent. Please you[2920]

To hear Cominius speak?[2920]

_Bru._ Most willingly:[2920]

But yet my caution was more pertinent[2920] 60

Than the rebuke you give it.[2920][2925]

_Men._ He loves your people;[2920]

But tie him not to be their bedfellow.[2920]

Worthy Cominius, speak. [_Coriolanus offers to go away._][2920][2926]

Nay, keep your place.[2920]

_First Sen._ Sit, Coriolanus; never shame to hear[2927]

What you have nobly done.

_Cor._ Your honours' pardon:[2928] 65

I had rather have my wounds to heal again

Than hear say how I got them.

_Bru._ Sir, I hope[2929]

My words disbench'd you not.[2929]

_Cor._ No, sir: yet oft,[2930]

When blows have made me stay, I fled from words.

You sooth'd not, therefore hurt not: but your people,[2931] 70

I love them as they weigh.[2932]

_Men._ Pray now, sit down.

_Cor._ I had rather have one scratch my head i' the sun

When the alarum were struck than idly sit[2933]

To hear my nothings monster'd. [_Exit._[2934]

_Men._ Masters of the people,

Your multiplying spawn how can he flatter--[2935] 75

That's thousand to one good one--when you now see[2936]

He had rather venture all his limbs for honour

Than one on's ears to hear it? Proceed, Cominius.[2937]

_Com._ I shall lack voice: the deeds of Coriolanus

Should not be utter'd feebly. It is held[2938] 80

That valour is the chiefest virtue and[2939]

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 85

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[2940]

The bristled lips before him: he bestrid[2941]

An o'er-press'd Roman, and i' the consul's view 90

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' the field, and for his meed

Was brow-bound with the oak. His pupil age[2942] 95

Man-enter'd thus, he waxed like a sea;[2943]

And, in the brunt of seventeen battles since,

He lurch'd all swords of the garland. For this last,[2944]

Before and in Corioli, let me say,

I cannot speak him home: he stopp'd the fliers; 100

And by his rare example made the coward

Turn terror into sport: as weeds before[2945]

A vessel under sail, so men obey'd,

And fell below his stem: his sword, death's stamp,[2946]

Where it did mark, it took; from face to foot[2947] 105

He was a thing of blood, whose every motion[2947]

Was timed with dying cries: alone he enter'd[2948]

The mortal gate of the city, which he painted[2949]

With shunless destiny; aidless came off,[2950]

And with a sudden re-enforcement struck 110

Corioli like a planet: now all's his:[2951]

When, by and by, the din of war gan pierce[2952]

His ready sense; then straight his doubled spirit[2953]

Re-quicken'd what in flesh was fatigate,

And to the battle came he; where he did 115

Run reeking o'er the lives of men, as if[2954][2955]

'Twere a perpetual spoil: and till we call'd[2954]

Both field and city ours, he never stood

To ease his breast with panting.[2956]

_Men._ Worthy man!

_First Sen._ He cannot but with measure fit the

honours[2957][2958][2959] 120

Which we devise him.[2958]

_Com._ Our spoils he kick'd at,

And look'd upon things precious, as they were

The common muck of the world: he covets less[2960]

Than misery itself would give; rewards[2961][2962]

His deeds with doing them, and is content[2961] 125

To spend the time to end it.[2963]

_Men._ He's right noble:[2964]

Let him be call'd for.[2964]

_First Sen._ Call Coriolanus.[2965]

_Off._ He doth appear.

_Re-enter_ CORIOLANUS.[2966]

_Men._ The senate, Coriolanus, are well pleased[2967]

To make thee consul.[2967]

_Cor._ I do owe them still[2967] 130

My life and services.[2967]

_Men._ It then remains[2967]

That you do speak to the people.[2967]

_Cor._ I do beseech you,[2968]

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[2969][2970] 135

That I may pass this doing.[2969]

_Sic._ Sir, the people[2969][2971]

Must have their voices; neither will they bate[2969][2972]

One jot of ceremony.[2969]

_Men._ Put them not to't:[2969]

Pray you, go fit you to the custom, and[2969][2973]

Take to you, as your predecessors have,[2969][2974] 140

Your honour with your form.[2975]

_Cor._ It is a part[2976]

That I shall blush in acting, and might well[2976]

Be taken from the people.[2976][2977]

_Bru._ Mark you that?

_Cor._ To brag unto them, thus I did, and thus;[2978]

Show them the unaching scars which I should hide,[2978][2979] 145

As if I had received them for the hire

Of their breath only!

_Men._ Do not stand upon't.

We recommend to you, tribunes of the people,[2980]

Our purpose to them: and to our noble consul[2981]

Wish we all joy and honour. 150

_Senators._ To Coriolanus come all joy and honour!

[_Flourish of cornets. Exeunt all but Sicinius and Brutus._[2982]

_Bru._ You see how he intends to use the people.

_Sic._ May they perceive's intent! He will require them,[2983]

As if he did contemn what he requested

Should be in them to give.

_Bru._ Come, we'll inform them 155

Of our proceedings here: on the market-place,[2984]

I know, they do attend us. [_Exeunt._[2985]

SCENE III. _The same. The Forum._

_Enter seven or eight_ Citizens.[2986]

_First Cit._ Once, if he do require our voices, we ought[2987]

not to deny him.

_Sec. Cit._ We may, sir, if we will.

_Third Cit._ 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 5

his wounds and tell us his deeds, we are to put our tongues[2988]

into those wounds and speak for them; so, if he tell us his[2989]

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 10

the which we being members, should bring ourselves to be

monstrous members.

_First Cit._ And to make us no better thought of, a little

help will serve; for once we stood up about the corn, he[2990]

himself stuck not to call us the many-headed multitude.[2991] 15

_Third Cit._ We have been called so of many; not that

our heads are some brown, some black, some auburn, some[2992]

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[2993]

would fly east, west, north, south, and their consent of one 20

direct way should be at once to all the points o' the compass.[2994]

_Sec. Cit._ Think you so? Which way do you judge my

wit would fly?

_Third Cit._ Nay, your wit will not so soon out as another

man's will; 'tis strongly wedged up in a block-head; but if[2995] 25

it were at liberty, 'twould, sure, southward.[2996]

_Sec. Cit._ Why that way?

_Third Cit._ To lose itself in a fog; where being three

parts melted away with rotten dews, the fourth would return[2997]

for conscience sake, to help to get thee a wife. 30

_Sec. Cit._ You are never without your tricks: you may,

you may.[2998]

_Third Cit._ Are you all resolved to give your voices? But

that's no matter, the greater part carries it. I say, if he would[2999]

incline to the people, there was never a worthier man. 35

_Enter_ CORIOLANUS _in a gown of humility, with_ MENENIUS.[3000]

Here he comes, and in the gown of humility: mark his behaviour.

We are not to stay all together, but to come by him[3001]

where he stands, by ones, by twos, and by threes. He's to[3002]

make his requests by particulars; wherein every one of us[3003]

has a single honour, in giving him our own voices with our 40

own tongues: therefore follow me, and I'll direct you how

you shall go by him.

_All._ Content, content. [_Exeunt Citizens._[3004]

_Men._ O sir, you are not right: have you not known

The worthiest men have done 't?

_Cor._ What must I say?--[3005] 45

'I pray, sir,'--Plague upon 't! I cannot bring[3005]

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.'[3006]

_Men._ O me, the gods![3007] 50

You must not speak of that: you must desire them[3007]

To think upon you.[3007]

_Cor._ Think upon me! hang 'em!

I would they would forget me, like the virtues[3008]

Which our divines lose by 'em.[3008][3009]

_Men._ You'll mar all:

I'll leave you: pray you, speak to 'em, I pray you, 55

In wholesome manner. [_Exit._[3010]

_Cor._ Bid them wash their faces,

And keep their teeth clean. [_Re-enter two of the Citizens._]

So, here comes a brace.

_Re-enter a third_ Citizen.[3011]

You know the cause, sir, of my standing here.[3012]

_Third Cit._ We do, sir; tell us what hath brought you[3013]

to 't. 60

_Cor._ Mine own desert.[3014]

_Sec. Cit._ Your own desert![3014]

_Cor._ Ay, but not mine own desire.[3014][3015]

_First Cit._ How! not your own desire![3014]

_Cor._ No, sir, 'twas never my desire yet to trouble the[3014] 65

poor with begging.[3014]

_Third Cit._ You must think, if we give you any thing,[3013][3014]

we hope to gain by you.[3014]

_Cor._ Well then, I pray, your price o' the consulship?[3014][3016]

_First Cit._ The price is, to ask it kindly.[3014][3017] 70

_Cor._ Kindly! Sir, I pray, let me ha 't: I have wounds[3014][3018]

to show you, which shall be yours in private. Your good[3014][3019]

voice, sir; what say you?[3014]

_Sec. Cit._ You shall ha' it, worthy sir.[3014]

_Cor._ A match, sir. There's in all two worthy voices[3014] 75

begged. I have your alms: adieu.[3014]

_Third Cit._ But this is something odd.[3013][3014][3020]

_Sec. Cit._ An 'twere to give again,--but 'tis no matter.[3014]

[_Exeunt the three Citizens._

_Re-enter two other_ Citizens.[3021]

_Cor._ Pray you now, if it may stand with the tune of

your voices that I may be consul, I have here the customary 80

gown.

_Fourth Cit._ You have deserved nobly of your country,[3022]

and you have not deserved nobly.

_Cor._ Your enigma?[3023]

_Fourth Cit._ You have been a scourge to her enemies,[3022] 85

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[3024]

sworn brother, the people, to earn a dearer estimation of[3025] 90

them; 'tis a condition they account gentle: and since the

wisdom of their choice is rather to have my hat than my[3026]

heart, I will practise the insinuating nod and be off to[3027]

them most counterfeitly; that is, sir, I will counterfeit the

bewitchment of some popular man, and give it bountiful to[3028] 95

the desirers. Therefore, beseech you, I may be consul.[3029]

_Fifth Cit._ We hope to find you our friend; and therefore[3030]

give you our voices heartily.

_Fourth Cit._ You have received many wounds for your[3022]

country. 100

_Cor._ I will not seal your knowledge with showing them.

I will make much of your voices, and so trouble you no

farther.

_Both Cit._ The gods give you joy, sir, heartily! [_Exeunt._[3031]

_Cor._ Most sweet voices! 105

Better it is to die, better to starve,[3032]

Than crave the hire which first we do deserve.[3033]

Why in this woolvish toge should I stand here,[3034][3035]

To beg of Hob and Dick that do appear,[3034][3036][3037]

Their needless vouches? Custom calls me to 't:[3034][3036][3038] 110

What custom wills, in all things should we do 't,[3034][3039]

The dust on antique time would lie unswept,[3034]

And mountainous error be too highly heap'd[3034]

For truth to o'er-peer. Rather than fool it so,[3034][3040]

Let the high office and the honour go[3034] 115

To one that would do thus. I am half through:[3034]

The one part suffer'd, the other will I do.[3034]

_Re-enter three_ Citizens _more_.[3041]

Here come moe voices.[3042]

Your voices: for your voices I have fought;

Watch'd for your voices; for your voices bear 120

Of wounds two dozen odd; battles thrice six[3043]

I have seen, and heard of; for your voices have[3044][3045]

Done many things, some less, some more: your voices:[3045]

Indeed, I would be consul.[3045][3046]

_Sixth Cit._ He has done nobly, and cannot go without[3047] 125

any honest man's voice.

_Seventh Cit._ Therefore let him be consul: the gods give[3048]

him joy, and make him good friend to the people![3049]

_All._ Amen, amen. God save thee, noble consul!

[_Exeunt_

_Cor._ Worthy voices! 130

_Re-enter_ MENENIUS, _with_ BRUTUS _and_ SICINIUS.[3050]

_Men._ You have stood your limitation; and the tribunes[3051][3052]

Endue you with the people's voice: remains[3051]

That in the official marks invested in you[3051]

Anon do meet the senate.[3051]

_Cor._ Is this done?

_Sic._ The custom of request you have discharged: 135

The people do admit you, and are summon'd

To meet anon upon you approbation.

_Cor._ Where? at the senate-house?

_Sic._ There, Coriolanus.

_Cor._ May I change these garments?

_Sic._ You may, sir.[3053]

_Cor._ That I'll straight do, and, knowing myself again, 140

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 Coriolanus and Menenius._

He has it now; and, by his looks, methinks[3054]

'Tis warm at's heart.[3055]

_Bru._ With a proud heart he wore[3056] 145

His humble weeds. Will you dismiss the people?[3056]

_Re-enter_ Citizens.[3057]

_Sic._ How now, my masters! have you chose this man?

_First Cit._ He has our voices, sir.

_Bru._ We pray the gods he may deserve your loves.

_Sec. Cit._ Amen, sir: to my poor unworthy notice,[3058] 150

He mock'd us when he begg'd our voices.

_Third Cit._ Certainly[3059]

He flouted us downright.[3059]

_First Cit._ No, 'tis his kind of speech; he did not mock us.

_Sec. Cit._ Not one amongst us, save yourself, but says[3060]

He used us scornfully: he should have show'd us[3060] 155

His marks of merit, wounds received for's country.[3061]

_Sic._ Why, so he did, I am sure.[3062]

_Citizens._ No, no; no man saw 'em.[3063]

_Third Cit._ He said he had wounds which he could show in private;[3064]

And with his hat, thus waving it in scorn,[3065] 160

'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 your voices, 165

I have no further with you.' Was not this mockery?[3066]

_Sic._ Why, either were you ignorant to see't,[3067]

Or, seeing it, of such childish friendliness

To yield your voices?

_Bru._ Could you not have told him,

As you were lesson'd, when he had no power, 170

But was a petty servant to the state,

He was your enemy; ever spake against[3068]

Your liberties and the charters that you bear[3069]

I' the body of the weal: and now, arriving

A place of potency and sway o' the state,[3070] 175

If he should still malignantly remain

Fast foe to the plebeii, your voices might[3071]

Be curses to yourselves? You should have said,

That as his worthy deeds did claim no less

Than what he stood for, so his gracious nature 180

Would think upon you for your voices and[3072][3073]

Translate his malice towards you into love,[3073]

Standing your friendly lord.

_Sic._ Thus to have said,

As you were fore-advised, had touch'd his spirit

And tried his inclination; from him pluck'd 185

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[3074]

Tying him to aught: so, putting him to rage,[3074] 190

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[3075]

When he did need your loves; and do you think[3075]

That his contempt shall not be bruising to you 195

When he hath power to crush? Why, had your bodies[3076]

No heart among you? or had you tongues to cry

Against the rectorship of judgement?

_Sic._ Have you,[3077]

Ere now, denied the asker? and now again,[3077]

Of him that did not ask but mock, bestow[3077][3078] 200

Your sued-for tongues?[3077][3079]

_Third Cit._ He's not confirm'd; we may deny him yet.[3079]

_Sec. Cit._ And will deny him:[3080]

I'll have five hundred voices of that sound.[3081]

_First Cit._ I twice five hundred, and their friends to

piece 'em.[3082] 205

_Bru._ Get you hence instantly, and tell those friends,

They have chose a consul that will from them take[3083]

Their liberties, make them of no more voice

Than dogs that are as often beat for barking

As therefore kept to do so.[3084]

_Sic._ Let them assemble;[3085] 210

And, on a safer judgement, all revoke[3085][3086]

Your ignorant election: enforce his pride[3085][3086]

And his old hate unto you: besides, forget not[3086][3087]

With what contempt he wore the humble weed,

How in his suit he scorn'd you: but your loves, 215

Thinking upon his services, took from you

The apprehension of his present portance,

Which most gibingly, ungravely, he did fashion[3088]

After the inveterate hate he bears you.[3089]

_Bru._ Lay[3090][3091][3092]

A fault on us, your tribunes; that we labour'd,[3090] 220

No impediment between, but that you must[3090]

Cast your election on him.[3090]

_Sic._ Say, you chose him[3090]

More after our commandment than as guided[3090][3092]

By your own true affections; and that your minds,[3090][3092]

Pre-occupied with what you rather must do[3090] 225

Than what you should, made you against the grain[3090][3092][3093]

To voice him consul: lay the fault on us.[3090]

_Bru._ Ay, spare us not. Say we read lectures to you,

How youngly he began to serve his country,

How long continued; and what stock he springs of, 230

The noble house o' the Marcians, from whence came[3094]

That Ancus Marcius, Numa's daughter's son,

Who, after great Hostilius, here was king;

Of the same house Publius and Quintus were,

That our best water brought by conduits hither;[3095] 235

And [Censorinus] nobly named so,[3095]

Twice being [by the people chosen] censor,[3095]

Was his great ancestor.[3095]

_Sic._ One thus descended,

That hath beside well in his person wrought[3096]

To be set high in place, we did commend 240

To your remembrances: but you have found,

Scaling his present bearing with his past,[3097]

That he's your fixed enemy, and revoke

Your sudden approbation.

_Bru._ Say, you ne'er had done't--[3098]

Harp on that still--but by our putting on: 245

And presently, when you have drawn your number,

Repair to the Capitol.

_Citizens._ We will so: almost all[3099][3100]

Repent in their election. [_Exeunt Citizens._[3099]

_Bru._ Let them go on;[3101]

This mutiny were better put in hazard,

Than stay, past doubt, for greater: 250

If, as his nature is, he fall in rage

With their refusal, both observe and answer

The vantage of his anger.

_Sic._ To the Capitol, come:[3102]

We will be there before the stream o' the people;

And this shall seem, as partly 'tis, their own, 255

Which we have goaded onward. [_Exeunt._

FOOTNOTES:

[2784] ACT II. SCENE I.] Rowe. Actus Secundus. Ff.

Enter....] Ff. Enter Menenius with Sicinius. Rowe (ed. 1).

[2785] _augurer_] _Agurer_ F₁. _augur_ Pope.

[2786] _who_] _whom_ Pope.

[2787] _In what_] _What_ Capell conj.

_poor in_] _poor_ Pope.

[2788] _with all_] F₃ F₄. _withall_ F₁ F₂.

[2789] _in pride_] _pride_ Rowe.

[2790] _boasting_] F₁. _boast_ F₂ F₃ F₄.

[2791] _o'_] F₄. _a'_ F₁ F₂ F₃.

_right-hand_] _right_ Rowe (ed. 2).

[2792] Both.] F₁ F₂. Bru. F₃ F₄.

_how are_] _ho ware_ F₁.

[2793] _dispositions_] _disposition_ Reed (1803).

[2794] _proud?_] Capell. _proud._ Ff.

[2795] _toward_] _towards_ Rowe.

[2796] Both.] F₁ F₂ F₃. Men. F₄. Bru. Rowe.

[2797] _unmeriting_] _as unmeriting_ Rowe.

[2798] _with not_] _without_ Collier (Collier MS.)

[2799] _favouring ... complaint_] _savouring the feast of lent_ or

_savouring the fish of lent_ Leo conj.

[2800] _imperfect_] _impatient_ Anon. conj.

_first_] _thirst_ Collier (Collier MS.)

[2801] _upon too_] Rowe (ed. 2). _uppon, to_ F₁. _upon, to_ F₂ F₃ F₄.

_upon to_ Rowe (ed. 1). _too, upon_ Anon. conj.

[2802] _call you_] F₁ F₄. _call your_ F₂ F₃.

[2803] _can't_] Theobald. _can_ Ff. _cannot_ Capell.

[2804] _men_] F₁. om. F₂ F₃ F₄.

[2805] _tell you you_] _tell you, you_ Pope. _tell you_ Ff.

[2806] _bisson_] Theobald. _beesome_ F₁ F₂. _beesom_ F₃. _Besom_ F₄.

[2807] _orange_] F₄. _orendge_ F₁ F₂ F₃.

_fosset_] Rowe (ed. 2). _forset_ F₁ F₂ F₃. _fauset_ F₄.

_rejourn the_] _adjourn a_ Pope.

[2808] _between party_] _between a party_ F₄.

[2809] _bleeding_] _pleading_ Collier (Collier MS.)

[2810] _are. When ... purpose, it_] _are; when ... purpose, it_ Rowe.

_are, when ... purpose. It_ F₁ F₂ F₃. _are; when ... purpose, It_ F₄.

[2811] _ass's_] _Asses_ Ff.

[2812] _'em_] _them_ Pope.

_God-den_] _Good-e'en_ F₄.

[2813] _herdsmen_] _herdsman_ Collier (ed. 1).

_plebeians_] F₂ F₃ F₄. _Plebeans_ F₁.

[2814] [Brutus....] Brutus and Sicinius stand aside. Theobald. Bru. and

Scic. Aside. F₁. Brutus and Sicinius. Aside. F₂ F₃ F₄. Exeunt Brutus

and Sicinius. Rowe.

Enter....] F₁. Enter Volumnia and Valeria. F₂ F₃ F₄. As Menenius is

going out, enter.... Theobald. Enter, hastily, Volumnia, Virgilia,

Valeria, and a great Crowd of People: Tribunes join the Crowd. Capell.

Enter ... Valeria, &c. Steevens (1793).

[2815] SCENE II. Pope.

[2816] _cap_] _cup_ Warburton.

[2817] [Throwing it up. Keightley (Johnson conj.)

[2818] Vir. Val.] Capell. 2 Ladies. Ff. Both. Rowe. Vol. Vir. Dyce.

[2819] _empiricutic_] _Emperickqutique_ F₁ F₂. _Empericktique_ F₃ F₄.

_emperic_ Pope. _empiric physic_ Collier (Collier MS.)

[2820] _a'_] Theobald. _a_ Ff. _he a_ Pope.

[2821] _pocket?_] Ff. _pocket,_ Hanmer.

[2822] _brows: Menenius,_] Ff. _brows, Menenius;_ Theobald. _brows,

Menenius,_ Mason conj.

[2823] _Has_] _Hath_ Rowe (ed. 2).

[2824] _an_] _an'_ Capell. _and_ Ff. _if_ Pope.

[2825] _pow, wow._] Capell. _pow waw._ Ff.

[2826] _wounded?... worships!_] _wounded?... worships;_ Theobald.

_wounded, ... worships?_ Ff.

[2827] [To the Tribunes] Theobald. To the Tribunes, who come forward.

Reed (1803).

_your_] _their_ Hanmer.

[2828] Vol.] Volum. Ff. Val. Hanmer.

[2829] _two_] _one too_ Theobald (Warburton).

_thigh;_] Rowe. _thigh,--_ Capell. _thigh,_ Ff.

[2830] _this_] _his_ F₄.

[2831] _it's_] _'tis_ Rowe (ed. 2).

[2832] [A ... flourish.] Ff (after _trumpets_).

[2833] _These ... tears._] As prose first by Pope. As three lines,

ending _Martius ... noise ... tears_, in Ff. As two lines, the first

ending _before him_, in Hanmer.

[2834] _Death ... die._] Spurious, according to Grant White.

[2835] sennet.] F₁. sonet. F₂ F₃ F₄. sonnet. Rowe.

Lartius] Latius F₁.

[2836] SCENE III. Pope.

[2837] _Corioli_] _Corioli's_ Johnson.

[2838] _Caius Marcius_] _Caius Martius_ Rowe. _Martius Caius_ Ff.

[2839] _these In ... Coriolanus_] Steevens. _these In honour follows

now, Coriolanus_ Capell. _These in honor followes Martius Caius

Coriolanus_ Ff (as one line). _These in honour follows, Caius Martius,

Coriolanus_ Rowe (ed. 1). _This ... Caius Martius Coriolanus_ Rowe (ed.

2). Omitted by Pope. _In honour follows Coriolanus these_ Seymour conj.

_In honour ... Coriolanus: welcome,_ S. Walker conj. _For these in ...

Coriolanus_ Keightley (as one line).

[2840] _honour_] _sign of honour_ Anon. conj.

_follows_] _followeth_ Anon. conj.

[2841] _renowned_] Ff. _renown'd_ Hanmer.

[2842] [Flourish.] Malone. Sound. Flourish. Ff. Shout. Flourish. Capell.

[2843] _No ... prosperity_] As verse first by Pope. Prose in Ff.

[2844] _good_] om. Pope.

[2845] _and By_] Theobald. _And by_ Ff. _By_ Pope.

[2846] _deed-achieving_] _deed-atchieved_ Hanmer. _deed, achieving_

Anon. conj.

[2847] [Rises. Collier (ed. 2).

[2848] _wear_] F₃ F₄. _weare_ F₂. _were_ F₁.

[2849] [To Valeria] Theobald.

[2850] _I ... all_] Arranged as by Pope. As three lines, ending

_turne ... Generall, ... all_, in Ff.

[2851] _and ye're_] _and y'are_ Johnson. _And y'are_ Ff. _Y'are_ Rowe

(ed. 2). _y'are_ Pope. _and your_ Capell (corrected in Errata).

[2852] _A ... folly._] Arranged as by Pope. As twelve lines, ending

_welcomes: ... laugh, ... welcome: ... heart, ... thee ... on: ...

have ... home, ... rallish ... warriors ... nettle; ... folly_, in Ff.

[2853] _I am_] _I'm_ Pope.

[2854] _very root on's_] _the very root on's_ Rowe. _very root of's_

Capell. _very root of his_ Malone.

[2855] _We have_] _We've_ Pope.

[2856] _relish_] F₄. _rallish_ F₁. _rellish_ F₂ F₃.

_Yet_] om. Pope.

[2857] Com. _Ever ... ever._] Com. _Ever right, Menenius._ Cor. _Ever,

ever._ Tyrwhitt conj. Com. _Ever right._ Cor. _Menenius? ever, ever._

Ritson conj. Com. _Ever right_ Menenius. Cor. _Ever, ever._ Rann.

[2858] Cor. _Menenius, ever, ever._] om. Seymour conj.

[2859] [To ... Virgilia] to his Wife and Mother. Capell.

[2860] _change_] _charge_ Theobald.

_honours_] _honour_ Hanmer.

[2861] _And ... thee._] As by Malone. Four lines, ending _fancie: ...

wanting, ... Rome, ... thee_, in Ff. _And buildings of my fancy; only

one thing Is wanting, which I doubt not but our Rome Will ... thee._

Pope. Three lines, ending _fancy: ... doubt not ... thee_, in Capell.

[2862] _And_] _Ay, and_ or _And all_ Anon. conj.

_buildings_] _beguilings_ Anon. conj.

_fancy: only There's_] _fancy_ [some words omitted] _Only there is_

Keightley.

[2863] _There's_] _there Is_ Steevens (1793), ending line 188 at

_there_.

[2864] Pope ends the line at _I_.

[2865] _Than_] F₃ F₄. _Then_ F₁. _Ten_ F₂.

[Brutus ... forward.] Theobald. Enter Brutus and Sicinius. Ff.

[2866] SCENE IV. Pope.

[2867] _Into_] _Too, in_ Becket conj.

_rapture_] _rupture_ P. W. ap. Long MS., and Anon. ap. Weston, conj.

[2868] _chats_] _chats to_ Seymour conj. _cheers_ Collier (Collier MS.)

_claps_ Singer conj. _shouts_ Staunton conj. _chats of_ Keightley.

_malkin_] _Malkin_ (ital.) Ff. _Maukin_ Rowe.

[2869] _Clambering ... horsed_] As in Pope. Three lines, ending

_him: ... up, ... hors'd_, in Ff.

[2870] _stalls_] _stalks_ Capell (corrected in Errata).

[2871] _seld-shown_] _fell-shown_ or _pile-shown_ Grey conj.

[2872] _war_] _ware_ Warburton.

[2873] _damask in Their_] Pope. _damaske In their_ Ff.

[2874] _pother_] Rowe. _poother_ Ff.

[2875] _human_] Rowe. _humane_ Ff.

[2876] _posture_] _action_ Capell.

[2877] _On ... sleep._] As in Pope. Prose in Ff.

[2878] _From_] _Form_ Becket conj.

_and end_] _t' an end_ Johnson conj. _to the end_ Seymour conj.

[2879] _those he_] _those that he_ Steevens (1793).

_he hath_] _he 'ath_ Pope.

[2880] _honours; which_] As in Pope. The line ends at _honors_, in Ff.

[2881] _he will_] _he'll_ Steevens (1793), ending lines 214-218 at

_comfort ... stand, ... will ... honours ... question_.

_them_] om. Pope.

_I_] om. Reed (1803).

[2882] _As_] _As that_ Capell conj.

_proud_] _prone_ Warburton conj.

[2883] _napless_] Rowe. _Naples_ Ff.

[2884] _It ... nobles._] Arranged as in Steevens (1778). Four lines,

ending _word: ... carry it, ... him, ... nobles_, in Ff. Three, ending

_rather ... gentry ... nobles_, in Pope, omitting _to him_.

[2885] _of the_] _o' th'_ Pope.

[2886] _I ... execution._] As in Pope. Prose in Ff.

[2887] _It ... destruction._] As in Rowe. Prose in Ff.

[2888] _as_] _at_ Collier (Collier MS.)

_wills_] _will's_ Johnson. _wills it_ Keightley.

[2889] _authorities. For an end,_] Pope. _authorities, for an end._ Ff.

_an end_] _our end_ Hanmer. _that end_ Heath conj.

[2890] _to's_] _to his_ Capell.

[2891] _pleaders and_] As in Pope. The line ends at _pleaders_, in Ff.

[2892] _Dispropertied_] _dispropertied_ F₁. _disproportioned_ F₂ F₃ F₄.

[2893] _the war_] Hanmer. _their Warre_ Ff. _their way_ Mason conj.

_their wane_ Jackson conj. _their wars_ Keightley.

_provand_] _provender_ Pope.

[2894] _soaring_] _searing_ Anon. conj.

[2895] _touch_] Hanmer. _teach_ Ff. _reach_ Pope, ed. 2 (Theobald).

_tech_ Seymour conj. _stench_ Jackson conj.

[2896] _people--which time...._] _people, which time...._ Ff. _people

which (time...._ Pope (ed. 1).

[2897] _his_] _the_ Pope. _as_ Capell.

[2898] _You ... gloves,_] Arranged as in Dyce. The lines end

_Capitoll: ... Consull ... see him ... gloves_, in Ff. They end

_thought ... seen ... blind ... gloves_, in Steevens.

[2899] _You are_] _You're_ Pope.

_Capitol_] F₃ F₄. _Capitoll_ F₁. _Capitall_ F₂.

[2900] _matrons flung_] _the matrons flung their_ Pope, ending the

lines _thought ... seen ... blind ... gloves_. _matrons flung their_

Keightley, ending the lines _Capitol ... I ... and ... gloves_.

_matrons flung down their_ Lloyd conj.

[2901] _handkerchers_] _handkerchiefs_ F₄.

[2902] SCENE II.] Capell. SCENE V. Pope.

The same. The Capitol. Enter....] Enter two Officers, to lay Cushions,

as it were, in the Capitoll. Ff (Capitall. F₂. Capitol. F₃ F₄).

[2903] _lets_] Ff. _he lets_ Hanmer.

[2904] _he waved_] _he'd wave_ Blackstone conj.

[2905] _ascent_] _assent_ F₁.

_those_] _theirs_ Hanmer.

_having_] Ff. _have_ Rowe.

[2906] _people, bonneted ... all into_] _People, Bonnetted ... all

into_ Ff. _people bonneted, ... all into_ Hanmer. _people,

unbonnetted ... all into_ Johnson conj. _people, bonneted ... all,

into_ Delius.

[2907] _deed ... at all_] _deed at all to have them_ Anon. conj.

_have_] _heave_ Pope.

[2908] _he's_] _he is_ Rowe.

[2909] A sennet.] F₁. A Sonnet. F₂ F₃. A Sonet. F₄. om. Pope.

Enter....] Enter the Patricians, and the Tribunes of the People,

Lictors before them: Coriolanus, Menenius, Cominius the Consul:

Scicinius and Brutus take their places by themselves: Coriolanus

stands. Ff.

Coriolanus stands.] Omitted by Rowe.

[2910] SCENE VI. Pope.

[2911] _Having ... remains_] Arranged as by Pope. In Ff the first line

ends at _Volces_.

[2912] _To gratify ... please you_] Arranged as by Pope. In Ff the

first line ends at _hath_.

[2913] _last ... well-found_] _late ... well-fought_ Capell conj.

[2914] _Caius Marcius_] _Caius Martius_ Rowe. _Martius Caius_ Ff.

[2915] _We met_] Ff. _We meet_ Hanmer. _We are met_ Capell. _We’ve met_

Anon. conj.

[2916] _state's_] F₄. _states_ F₁ F₂ F₃.

[2917] _we to_] Ff. _that we_ Hanmer.

[To the Tribunes] Edd. Omitted in Ff.

_o’_] F₄. _a'_ F₁ F₂ F₃.

[2918] _ears_] _eares_ F₁. _eare_ F₂. _ear_ F₃ F₄.

_and after,_] F₃ F₄. _and after_ F₁ F₂.

[2919] _what_] _to what_ Hanmer.

[2920] _We are ... place_] Arranged as by Pope. Prose in Ff.

[2921] _treaty_] _treatise_ Collier MS.

[2922] _our_] _your_ Warburton conj.

[2923] _bless’d_] _biass'd_ Badham conj. _prest_ Singer (Collier MS.

and Singer MS.) _pleased_ Nicholson conj.

[2924] _hereto_] _hitherto_ Rowe.

[2925] _it_] om. Pope.

[2926] [Coriolanus offers ...] Edd. Coriolanus rises, and offers ... Ff.

[2927] First Sen.] 1 Sen. Rowe. Senat. Ff.

_Sit,_] _Sit_ F₁. _Sir_ F₂. _Sir,_ F₃ F₄.

[2928] _honours'_] Theobald. _honors_ F₁ F₂ F₃. _honours_ F₄.

_honour's_ Rowe.

[2929] _Sir, I hope ... not_] Arranged as by Pope. One line in Ff.

[2930] _yet_] _yes_ F₂.

[2931] _sooth'd_] _sooth_ Pope.

[2932] _weigh._] Hanmer. _weigh--_ Ff.

[2933] _struck_] F₃ F₄. _strucke_ F₂. _strooke_ F₁.

[2934] [Exit.] Exit Coriolanus. Ff.

[2935] _flatter--_] _flatter,_ Rowe. _flatter?_ Ff.

[2936] _now_] om. Pope

[2937] _one on's_] F₃. _on ones_ F₁ F₂. _one o's_ F₄. _one of's_ Rowe.

_hear it_] _hear't_ Pope.

[2938] _Should_] _Sould_ F₂.

[2939] _That ... and_] Arranged as in F₂ F₃ F₄. In F₁ the first line

ends at _vertue._

[2940] _chin_] F₃ F₄. _shinne_ F₁ F₂.

[2941] _bristled_] Rowe. _brisled_ Ff.

[2942] _pupil age_] _pupill age_ F₁. _pupilage_ F₂ F₃ F₄.

[2943] _waxed_] F₁. _wated_ F₂. _waited_ F₃ F₄.

[2944] _of the_] F₁. _o'th_ F₂. _o'th'_ F₃ F₄.

[2945] _weeds_] F₁ _waves_ F₂ F₃ F₄.

[2946] _below_] _before_ Becket conj.

_stem_] _stern_ Pope.

[2947] _took; from face to foot He_] Steevens (Tyrwhitt conj.) _tooke

from face to foot: He_ Ff.

[2948] _timed_]_tim'd_ F₁. _trim'd_ F₂. _trimm'd_ F₃ F₄. _tun'd_

Collier MS.

[2949] _The mortal gate ... he painted_] _The gate ... he mortal

painted_ Hanmer.

_of the_] _of th'_ F₁. _o' th_ F₂ F₃ F₄.

_painted_] _gained_ Becket conj. _kick'd_ or _keck'd at_ Badham conj.

_parted_ Keightley.

[2950] _destiny_] _destinie_ F₁. _defamy_ F₂ F₃ F₄.

[2951] _now all's his_] F₁. _now all's this_ F₂ F₃ F₄. _nor all's this_

Rowe. _nor's this all_ Hanmer.

[2952] _When_] _For_ Rowe.

[2953] _then_] _when_ Rowe.

[2954] _Run ... as if 'Twere_] As in F₂ F₃ F₄. One line in F₁.

[2955] _reeking_] _recking_ F₂.

[2956] _panting_] F₁ F₄. _painting_ F₂ F₃.

[2957] First Sen.] 1 Sen. Rowe. Senat. Ff.

[2958] _He ... him_] As in Rowe. Prose in Ff.

[2959] _fit_] _fill_ Hanmer.

[2960] _of the_] F₁. _o'th_ F₂. _o'th'_ F₃ F₄.

[2961] _Than ... deeds_] As in Pope. One line in Ff.

[2962] _rewards_] _he rewards_ Johnson conj.

[2963] _the time ... end_] _his time ... end_ Rowe. _his time ...

spend_ Johnson conj.

_time to end it._ Men. _He's_] _time--_ Men. _To end it, he's_

Warburton conj.

[2964] _He's ... for_] As in Pope. One line in Ff.

[2965] First Sen.] 1. S. Capell. Senat. Ff.

_Call_] _Call for_ Steevens (1793).

[2966] Re-enter....] Capell. Enter.... Ff.

[2967] _The senate ... people_] As in Rowe (ed. 2). Prose in Ff.

[2968] _do beseech_] _beseech_ Pope.

[2969] _For my ... have_] Arranged as in Capell. In Ff the lines end

_sufferage: ... doing ... voyces: ... ceremony ... too't ...

custome, ... have_.

[2970] _suffrage_] F₄. _sufferage_ F₁ F₃. _fufferage_ F₂. _suffrages_

Rowe.

[2971] _pass_] _over-pass_ Hanmer.

_the people_] _but the people too_ Hanmer.

[2972] _neither_] Ff. _Nor_ Pope.

[2973] _Pray you, go fit_] _pray fit_ Pope (reading _Put ... custom_ as

one line).

[2974] _to you_] _t' ye_ Pope.

[2975] _your form_] _the form_ Hanmer.

[2976] _It is ... people_] Arranged as in Pope. Two lines, the first

ending _acting,_ in Ff.

[2977] _that?_] Rowe (ed. 2). _that._ Ff.

[2978] _thus; Show_] _thus, Shew_ F₃ F₄. _thus Shew_ F₁ F₂.

[2979] _should_] _would_ Rowe.

[2980] _to you_] _t' ye_ Pope.

[2981] _purpose to them: and to_] _purpose to them, and to_ Ff.

_purpose, and to them: to_ Hanmer. _purpose:--to them, and to_ Collier

(Mason conj.)

[2982] Senators.] Senat. Ff. Sic. Rowe (ed. 2).

[Flourish of cornets.] Flourish cornets. Ff.

Exeunt....] Then Exeunt. Manet Sicinius and Brutus. Ff (Manent F₄).

[2983] _perceive's intent! He_] _perceive his intent. He_ Capell.

_perceive it. He that_ Seymour conj.

[2984] _here: on_] Theobald, _heere on_ F₁ F₂. _here on_ F₃ F₄.

[2985] [Exeunt.] Rowe. om. Ff.

[2986] SCENE III.] Capell. SCENE VII. Pope.

The same. The Forum.] Capell. Scene changes to the Forum. Theobald.

seven or eight....] Ff. a number of ... Capell. several ... Malone.

[2987] _Once, if_] Theobald. _Once if_ Ff. _Oons! if_ Pope. _If once_

Seymour conj. _When if_ Collier MS.

[2988] _and ... deeds,_] om. Anon. conj.

[2989] _if he tell_] _if he tells_ Rowe.

[2990] _once_] _once when_ Rowe.

[2991] _multitude_] _monster_ Hanmer.

[2992] _auburn_] F₄. _Abram_ F₁ F₂ F₃.

[2993] _one skull_] _our sculls_ Hanmer.

[2994] _should be_] _would be_ Rowe.

_all the_] _all_ Rowe.

_o'_] F₄. _a'_ F₁ F₂ F₃.

[2995] _wedged_] _wadg'd_ F₁.

[2996] _'twould, sure,_] _'twould soar_ Grey conj.

[2997] _fourth_] _forth_ F₂.

[2998] _may._] _may.--_ Rowe.

[2999] _carries it. I say,_] Theobald. _carries it, I say._ Ff.

[3000] Enter Coriolanus....] Ff. Enter Coriolanus and Menenius. Dyce

(after line 43).

in ... humility,] in a gown, Pope. om. Capell.

[3001] _all together_] F₃ F₄. _al together_ F₂. _altogether_ F₁.

[3002] _and by threes_] _by & threes_ F₂.

[3003] _wherein_] _where_ F₄.

[3004] [Exeunt citizens.] Capell. om. Ff. Exeunt Rowe.

[3005] _What ... bring_] As in Pope. Two lines, the first ending

_Sir?_, in Ff.

[3006] _the noise_] _noise_ Pope.

[3007] _O me, ... you_] As in Pope. Two lines, the first ending _that,_

in Ff.

[3008] _virtues ... lose by 'em_] _advices ... lose on 'em_ Hanmer.

_vultures ... divines lose sight of_ or _vultures ... diviners lease

by_ Badham conj.

[3009] _divines_] _diviners_ Becket conj.

_'em_] _them_ Capell.

[3010] [Exit.] Ff. Exit Menenius. Dyce (after _clean,_ line 57).

[3011] [Re-enter two of the Citizens.] Edd. Enter three of the

citizens. Ff (after _manner_, line 56). Enter two of the citizens.

Rowe (after _manner_, line 56). Citizens approach. Pope. Two citizens

approach. Hanmer. Re-enter two Citizens. Dyce (after _brace_, line 57).

_brace_] _leash_ Anon. conj.

Re-enter a third Citizen.] Edd.

[3012] _sir_] _sirs_ Rowe.

[3013] Third Cit.] 3 Cit. Ff. 1 Cit. Rowe.

[3014] _Mine ... matter._] Prose in Ff. As thirteen lines of verse

by Capell, ending _not ... desire?... yet ... think, ... you ...

consulship?... Kindly? ... you, ... sir; ... sir ... beg'd: ... odd ...

matter._

[3015] _Ay, but not_] Edd. _I, but_ F₁. _I, no_ F₂. _I, not_ F₃ F₄.

_Ay, not_ Rowe.

[3016] _pray, your_] Ff. _pray your_ Pope.

_consulship_?] F₄. _consulship._ F₁ F₂ F₃.

[3017] _is_] _is, sir_, Capell. _of it is_ Keightley.

[3018] _Kindly! Sir,_] _Kindly? Sir_, Capell. _Kindly sir,_ F₁ F₂ F₃.

_Kindly, sir,_ F₄. _Kindly, Sir?_ Johnson.

[3019] _Your_] _You_ Rowe (ed. 2).

[3020] _But this_] _This_ Steevens conj.

[3021] _An_] Pope. _And_ Ff.

_again,--_] _again:--_ Rowe. _againe:_ Ff.

[Exeunt ...] Edd. Exeunt. Ff. Exeunt these: Capell.

Re-enter ...] Dyce. Enter ... Ff.

[3022] Fourth Cit.] Edd. 1. Ff. 1 Cit. Rowe. Third Cit. Reed (1803).

[3023] _enigma?_] _Ænigma?_ Rowe. _Ænigma._ Ff.

[3024] _I will_] _but I will_ Hanmer. _I will not_ Collier MS.

[3025] _brother_] _brothers_ Collier MS.

[3026] _hat_] _cap_ Pope.

[3027] _be off_] _doff_ Badham conj.

[3028] _bountiful_] _bountifully_ Rowe (ed. 2).

[3029] _desirers_] F₁. _desires_ F₂ F₃ F₄.

_consul_] _confull_ F₂.

[3030] Fifth Citizen.] Edd. 2. Ff. Fourth Cit. Reed (1803).

[3031] [Exeunt.] Rowe. om. Ff.

[3032] _starve_] F₄. _sterve_ F₁ F₂ F₃.

[3033] _hire_] _higher_ F₁.

[3034] _Why ... do._] Put in the margin by Pope.

[3035] _in this woolvish toge_] Malone (Steevens conj.) _in this

Wooluish tongue_ F₁. _in this Woolvish gowne_ F₂ F₃ F₄. _in this

wolfish gown_ Capell. _in this woollen gown_ or _in this foolish gown_

Mason conj. _in this woolish gown_ Becket conj. _in this whorish

gown_ Jackson conj. _with this woolvish tongue_ Steevens conj. _in

this foolish togue_ Grant White conj. _in this woolless toge_ Collier

(Collier MS.) _in this wolfish throng_ Staunton conj. _in this foolish

toge_ Leo.

[3036] _that do appear, Their_] _which do appear Their_ Badham conj.

[3037] _do_] F₄. _does_ F₁ F₂ F₃.

[3038] _vouches_] _voucher_ Rowe. _voices_ Capell.

[3039] _wills, ... things_] _wills in all things_, Ff.

_do't_,] Theobald, _doo't_? F₁ F₂. _do't_? F₃ F₄.

[3040] _to o'er-peer_] _to over-peer_ Capell. _t' o'er-peer_ S. Walker

conj.

[3041] Re-enter ...] Dyce. Enter ... Ff.

[3042] _moe_] F₁ F₂. _more_ F₃ F₄.

[3043] _odd_] _and odd_ Rowe.

[3044] _I have_] _I've_ Pope.

_and heard_] _and you have heard_ Farmer conj. _or heard_ Seymour conj.

_voices have_] _voices_, Farmer conj.

[3045] _voices have ... consul_] As in Pope. Lines 122, 123 end

_voyces, ... more_, in Ff.

[3046] _Indeed_] _for indeed_ Rowe.

[3047] Sixth Cit.] Edd. 1 Cit. Ff. 5 Cit. Reed (1803).

[3048] Seventh Cit.] Edd. 2 Cit. Ff. 6 Cit. Reed. (1803).

[3049] _good_] _a good_ Rowe.

[3050] Re-enter ...] Malone. Enter ... Ff.

[3051] _You ... senate._] _Arranged_ as in Pope. Lines 130, 132, 133

end _limitation: ... voyce, ... invested,_ in Ff.

[3052] _You have_] _You've_ Pope.

[3053] _May I_] _May I then_ Hanmer.

_You may, sir_] _Sir, you may_ Hanmer.

[3054] SCENE VIII. Pope.

[3055] _at's_] _at his_ Capell.

[3056] _With ... people?_] As in Pope. The first line ends at _weeds:_

in Ff.

[3057] Re-enter Citizens.] Capell. Enter the Plebeians. Ff. Enter

Citizens. Hanmer.

[3058] _notice_] _notion_ S. Walker conj.

[3059] _Certainly ... downright._] As in Capell. One line in Ff.

[3060] _says He_] _sayes. He_ F₂.

[3061] _for's_] _for his_ Capell.

[3062] Sic.] First Cit. Anon. conj.

[3063] Citizens.] Cit. Malone. All. Ff.

_No, no;_] _No,_ Pope.

_'em_] _them_ Capell. _them_ [several speak. Malone.

[3064] _He ... private;_] One line in Pope. Two in Ff.

_he had_] _he'd_ Pope.

[3065] _hat_] _cap_ Pope.

[3066] _no_] _nothing_ Rowe.

_Was not_] _Wa' n't_ Pope.

[3067] _ignorant_] _impotent_ Hanmer.

[3068] _ever_] _still_ Pope.

[3069] _the_] om. Pope.

[3070] _A place_] _At place_ F₄.

[3071] _plebeii_] _plebeians_ Rowe.

[3072] _Would_] _Should_ Keightley.

[3073] _voices and Translate_] As in F₂ F₃ F₄. Line 181 ends at

_voyces,_ in F₁.

[3074] _article ... aught:_] _article, ... ought,_ Ff. _article, ...

ought;_ Rowe.

[3075] _contempt When_] _contempt, When_ F₁ F₃ F₄. _contempt. When_ F₂.

[3076] _Why, had_] _Why had_ F₄.

[3077] _Have you, ... tongues?_] Arranged as in Pope. Three lines,

ending _asker: ... mock, ... tongues?_, in Ff.

[3078] _Of_] _On_ Theobald.

_bestow_] _bestow'd_ Hanmer.

[3079] _sued-for tongues.... He's_] _tongues unsu'd-for.... He is_

Capell, reading _Your ... will deny him_ as two lines.

[3080] _And_] _Ay and we_ Hanmer, ending line 202 at _may_.

[3081] _I'll_] _I Will_ S. Walker conj., reading lines 201-204 as three

lines of verse, ending _may ... him; I ... sound._

[3082] First Cit.] Third Cit. Anon. conj.

_I twice_] F₁ F₂ F₃. _I, twice_ F₄. _Ay, twice_ Rowe.

[3083] _They have_] _They've_ Pope.

[3084] _therefore ... so_] _therefore kept_ or _kept to do so_ Seymour

conj.

[3085] _Let ... pride_] As in Theobald. Two lines, the first ending

_judgement,_ in Ff.

[3086] _a safer ... all revoke ... unto_] _safer ... Revoke ... to_

Pope, ending the lines _judgement, ... election: ... you._

[3087] _besides, forget not_] As a separate line in Pope.

[3088] _most_] om. Pope.

[3089] _you_] _to you_ Pope.

[3090] _Lay ... us._] Arranged as in Capell. Six lines, ending

_Tribunes, ... betweene) ... on him ... commandment, ... that ... do,_

in Ff.

[3091] _Lay_] _Nay, lay_ Pope.

[3092] _Lay ... as guided ... true affections ... should_] _Nay,

lay ... guided ... affections, ... should do,_ Pope, ending the lines

_that ... between) ... on him ... commandment ... affections, ...

what ... should do ... consul ... on us._

[3093] _what you should_] _with what you should do_ Hanmer, following

Pope's arrangement.

[3094] _o’ the Marcians_] _of Marcius_ Pope. _o' the Marcii_ Capell.

[3095] _hither ... ancestor._] See note (V).

[3096] _hath_] _had_ Hanmer.

[3097] _present bearing_] _present, bearing_ F₂.

[3098] _Say, you ne'er had_] _You'd ne'er_ Seymour conj.

[3099] _We will ... election_] Arranged as by Hanmer. One line in Ff.

[3100] _so_] om. Hanmer.

[3101] [Exeunt Citizens.] Hanmer. Exeunt Plebeians. Ff.

_them_] _'em_ Hanmer.

[3102] _To ... come:_] _come; to th’ Capitol._ Pope.

ACT III.

SCENE I. _Rome. A street._

_Cornets. Enter_ CORIOLANUS, MENENIUS, _all the_ Gentry, COMINIUS,

TITUS LARTIUS, _and other_ Senators.[3103]

_Cor._ Tullus Aufidius then had made new head?

_Lart._ He had, my lord; and that it was which caused

Our swifter composition.

_Cor._ So then the Volsces stand but as at first;

Ready, when time shall prompt them, to make road[3104] 5

Upon's again.

_Com._ They are worn, lord consul, so,[3105]

That we shall hardly in our ages see

Their banners wave again.

_Cor._ Saw you Aufidius?

_Lart._ On safe-guard he came to me; and did curse

Against the Volsces, for they had so vilely 10

Yielded the town: he is retired to Antium.

_Cor._ Spoke he of me?

_Lart._ He did, my lord.

_Cor._ How? what?

_Lart._ How often he had met you, sword to sword;

That of all things upon the earth he hated

Your person most; that he would pawn his fortunes 15

To hopeless restitution, so he might

Be call'd your vanquisher.

_Cor._ At Antium lives he?

_Lart._ At Antium.

_Cor._ I wish I had a cause to seek him there,

To oppose his hatred fully. Welcome home.[3106] 20

_Enter_ SICINIUS _and_ BRUTUS.

Behold, these are the tribunes of the people,

The tongues o' the common mouth: I do despise them;

For they do prank them in authority,

Against all noble sufferance.

_Sic._ Pass no further.

_Cor._ Ha! what is that? 25

_Bru._ It will be dangerous to go on: no further.

_Cor._ What makes this change?

_Men._ The matter?

_Com._ Hath he not pass'd the noble and the common?[3107]

_Bru._ Cominius, no.

_Cor._ Have I had children's voices? 30

_First Sen._ Tribunes, give way; he shall to the market-place.[3108]

_Bru._ The people are incensed against him.

_Sic._ Stop,[3109]

Or all will fall in broil.[3109]

_Cor._ Are these your herd?[3110]

Must these have voices, that can yield them now,

And straight disclaim their tongues? What are your offices?[3111] 35

You being their mouths, why rule you not their teeth?

Have you not set them on?

_Men._ Be calm, be calm.

_Cor._ It is a purposed thing, and grows by plot,

To curb the will of the nobility:

Suffer 't, and live with such as cannot rule, 40

Nor ever will be ruled.

_Bru._ Call't not a plot:

The people cry you mock'd them; and of late,

When corn was given them gratis, you repined,

Scandal'd the suppliants for the people, call'd them[3112]

Time-pleasers, flatterers, foes to nobleness. 45

_Cor._ Why, this was known before.

_Bru._ Not to them all.

_Cor._ Have you inform'd them sithence?[3113]

_Bru._ How! I inform them!

_Com._ You are like to do such business.[3114]

_Bru._ Not unlike,[3115]

Each way, to better yours.[3115][3116]

_Cor._ Why then should I be consul? By yond clouds, 50

Let me deserve so ill as you, and make me

Your fellow tribune.

_Sic._ You show too much of that

For which the people stir: if you will pass

To where you are bound, you must inquire your way,[3117]

Which you are out of, with a gentler spirit; 55

Or never be so noble as a consul,[3118]

Nor yoke with him for tribune.

_Men._ Let's be calm.

_Com._ The people are abused; set on. This paltering[3119]

Becomes not Rome; nor has Coriolanus[3120]

Deserved this so dishonour'd rub, laid falsely 60

I' the plain way of his merit.

_Cor._ Tell me of corn![3121]

This was my speech, and I will speak 't again--[3121]

_Men._ Not now, not now.

_First Sen._ Not in this heat, sir, now.

_Cor._ Now, as I live, I will. My nobler friends,[3122][3123]

I crave their pardons:[3122] 65

For the mutable, rank-scented many, let them[3122][3124]

Regard me as I do not flatter, and[3122]

Therein behold themselves: I say again,[3122][3125]

In soothing them, we nourish 'gainst our senate

The cockle of rebellion, insolence, sedition, 70

Which we ourselves have plough'd for, sow'd and scatter'd,[3126]

By mingling them with us, the honour'd number;

Who lack not virtue, no, nor power, but that

Which they have given to beggars.[3127]

_Men._ Well, no more.

_First Sen._ No more words, we beseech you.

_Cor._ How! no more! 75

As for my country I have shed my blood,

Not fearing outward force, so shall my lungs

Coin words till their decay against those measles,

Which we disdain should tetter us, yet sought[3128]

The very way to catch them.

_Bru._ You speak o' the people,[3129][3130] 80

As if you were a god to punish, not[3129][3131]

A man of their infirmity.[3129][3132]

_Sic._ 'Twere well[3129]

We let the people know't.[3129]

_Men._ What, what? his choler?[3129]

_Cor._ Choler![3129]

Were I as patient as the midnight sleep,[3129] 85

By Jove, 'twould be my mind![3133]

_Sic._ It is a mind[3133]

That shall remain a poison where it is,[3133]

Not poison any further.[3133]

_Cor._ Shall remain![3133]

Hear you this Triton of the minnows? mark you[3134]

His absolute 'shall'?

_Com._ 'Twas from the canon.[3135]

_Cor._ 'Shall'![3136] 90

O good, but most unwise patricians! why,[3136][3137]

You grave but reckless senators, have you thus[3138]

Given Hydra here to choose an officer,[3139]

That with his peremptory 'shall,' being but

The horn and noise o' the monster's, wants not spirit[3140] 95

To say he'll turn your current in a ditch,

And make your channel his? If he have power,[3141]

Then vail your ignorance; if none, awake[3141][3142][3143][3144]

Your dangerous lenity. If you are learn'd,[3141][3143][3145]

Be not as common fools; if you are not,[3141][3146] 100

Let them have cushions by you. You are plebeians,[3141][3147]

If they be senators: and they are no less,

When, both your voices blended, the great'st taste[3148]

Most palates theirs. They choose their magistrate;[3149]

And such a one as he, who puts his 'shall,' 105

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 110

May enter 'twixt the gap of both and take

The one by the other.

_Com._ Well, on to the market-place.

_Cor._ Whoever gave that counsel, to give forth[3150]

The corn o' the storehouse gratis, as 'twas used[3151]

Sometime in Greece,--[3152]

_Men._ Well, well, no more of that. 115

_Cor._ Though there the people had more absolute power,

I say, they nourish'd disobedience, fed[3153][3154]

The ruin of the state.[3153]

_Bru._ Why, shall the people give[3155]

One that speaks thus their voice?

_Cor._ I'll give my reasons,

More worthier than their voices. They know the corn[3156] 120

Was not our recompense, resting well assured[3157]

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

Did not deserve corn gratis: being i' the war, 125

Their mutinies and revolts, wherein they show'd[3158]

Most valour, spoke not for them: the accusation

Which they have often made against the senate,

All cause unborn, could never be the native[3159]

Of our so frank donation. Well, what then?[3160] 130

How shall this bisson multitude digest[3161]

The senate's courtesy? Let deeds express

What's like to be their words: 'We did request it;

We are the greater poll, and in true fear[3162]

They gave us our demands.' Thus we debase[3163] 135

The nature of our seats, and make the rabble

Call our cares fears; which will in time[3164][3165]

Break ope the locks o' the senate, and bring in[3164][3166]

The crows to peck the eagles.[3164]

_Men._ Come, enough.[3167]

_Bru._ Enough, with over measure.

_Cor._ No, take more: 140

What may be sworn by, both divine and human,[3168]

Seal what I end withal! This double worship,

Where one part does disdain with cause, the other[3169]

Insult without all reason; where gentry, title, wisdom,[3170]

Cannot conclude but by the yea and no 145

Of general ignorance,--it must omit[3171]

Real necessities, and give way the while

To unstable slightness: purpose so barr'd, it follows,[3172][3173]

Nothing is done to purpose. Therefore, beseech you,--[3173]

You that will be less fearful than discreet; 150

That love the fundamental part of state

More than you doubt the change on 't; that prefer[3174]

A noble life before a long, and wish

To jump a body with a dangerous physic[3175]

That's sure of death without it,--at once pluck out[3176] 155

The multitudinous tongue; let them not lick

The sweet which is their poison. Your dishonour

Mangles true judgement and bereaves the state

Of that integrity which should become 't;[3177]

Not having the power to do the good it would, 160

For the ill which doth control 't.

_Bru._ Has said enough.[3178]

_Sic._ Has spoken like a traitor, and shall answer[3179]

As traitors do.

_Cor._ Thou wretch, despite o'erwhelm thee!

What should the people do with these bald tribunes? 165

On whom depending, their obedience fails

To the greater bench: in a rebellion,[3180]

When what's not meet, but what must be, was law,[3181]

Then were they chosen: in a better hour,

Let what is meet be said it must be meet,[3182] 170

And throw their power i' the dust.

_Bru._ Manifest treason!

_Sic._ This a consul? no.

_Bru._ The ædiles, ho!

_Enter an_ Ædile.[3183]

Let him be apprehended.

_Sic._ Go, call the people: [_Exit Ædile_] in whose name myself[3184]

Attach thee as a traitorous innovator, 175

A foe to the public weal: obey, I charge thee,

And follow to thine answer.

_Cor._ Hence, old goat!

_Senators, &c._ We'll surety him.

_Com._ Aged sir, hands off.[3185]

_Cor._ Hence, rotten thing! or I shall shake thy bones

Out of thy garments.

_Sic._ Help, ye citizens! 180

_Enter a rabble of_ Citizens, _with the_ Ædiles.[3186]

_Men._ On both sides more respect.[3187]

_Sic._ Here's he that would take from you all your power.

_Bru._ Seize him, ædiles!

_Citizens._ Down with him! down with him![3188]

_Senators, &c._ Weapons, weapons, weapons! 185

[_They all bustle about Coriolanus, crying_,[3189]

'Tribunes!' 'Patricians!' 'Citizens!' 'What, ho!'

'Sicinius!' 'Brutus!' 'Coriolanus!' 'Citizens!'

'Peace, peace, peace!' 'Stay! hold! peace!'[3190]

_Men._ What is about to be? I am out of breath.

Confusion's near. I cannot speak. You, tribunes[3191] 190

To the people! Coriolanus, patience![3192][3193]

Speak, good Sicinius.[3193][3194]

_Sic._ Hear me, people; peace!

_Citizens._ Let's hear our tribune: peace!--Speak, speak, speak.[3195]

_Sic._ You are at point to lose your liberties:

Marcius would have all from you; Marcius, 195

Whom late you have named for consul.[3196]

_Men._ Fie, fie, fie![3197]

This is the way to kindle, not to quench.[3197]

_First Sen._ To unbuild the city, and to lay all flat.[3198]

_Sic._ What is the city but the people?

_Citizens._ True,[3199]

The people are the city.[3199] 200

_Bru._ By the consent of all, we were establish'd[3200]

The people's magistrates.[3200]

_Citizens._ You so remain.

_Men._ And so are like to do.

_Com._ That is the way to lay the city flat,[3201]

To bring the roof to the foundation, 205

And bury all which yet distinctly ranges,

In heaps and piles of ruin.

_Sic._ This deserves death.

_Bru._ Or let us stand to our authority,

Or let us lose it. We do here pronounce,

Upon the part o' the people, in whose power 210

We were elected theirs, Marcius is worthy

Of present death.

_Sic._ Therefore lay hold of him;[3202]

Bear him to the rock Tarpeian, and from thence

Into destruction cast him.

_Bru._ Ædiles, seize him!

_Citizens._ Yield, Marcius, yield![3203]

_Men._ Hear me one word;[3204] 215

Beseech you, tribunes, hear me but a word.[3204][3205]

_Ædiles._ Peace, peace!

_Men._ [_To Brutus_] Be that you seem, truly your country's friend,[3206]

And temperately proceed to what you would

Thus violently redress.

_Bru._ Sir, those cold ways, 220

That seem like prudent helps, are very poisonous[3207]

Where the disease is violent. Lay hands upon him,[3208]

And bear him to the rock.

_Cor._ No, I'll die here. [_Drawing his sword._[3209]

There's some among you have beheld me fighting:

Come, try upon yourselves what you have seen me.[3210] 225

_Men._ Down with that sword! Tribunes, withdraw awhile.

_Bru._ Lay hands upon him.

_Men._ Help Marcius, help,[3211][3212]

You that be noble; help him, young and old![3212]

_Citizens._ Down with him, down with him!

[_In this mutiny, the Tribunes, the Ædiles,

and the People, are beat in._[3213]

_Men._ Go, get you to your house; be gone, away![3214] 230

All will be naught else.

_Sec. Sen._ Get you gone.

_Com._ Stand fast;[3215][3216]

We have as many friends as enemies.[3216]

_Men._ Shall it be put to that?

_First Sen._ The gods forbid![3217]

I prithee, noble friend, home to thy house;

Leave us to cure this cause.

_Men._ For 'tis a sore upon us[3218] 235

You cannot tent yourself: be gone, beseech you.

_Com._ Come, sir, along with us.[3219]

_Cor._ I would they were barbarians--as they are,[3220]

Though in Rome litter'd--not Romans--as they are not,[3220]

Though calved i' the porch o' the Capitol,--[3220]

_Men._ Be gone:[3220][3221][3222] 240

Put not your worthy rage into your tongue:[3220][3222]

One time will owe another.[3220][3223]

_Cor._ On fair ground[3224]

I could beat forty of them.[3224]

_Men._ I could myself[3225]

Take up a brace o' the best of them; yea, the two tribunes.[3225][3226]

_Com._ But now 'tis odds beyond arithmetic; 245

And manhood is call'd foolery, when it stands

Against a falling fabric. Will you hence

Before the tag return? whose rage doth rend

Like interrupted waters, and o'erbear

What they are used to bear.

_Men._ Pray you, be gone: 250

I'll try whether my old wit be in request[3227]

With those that have but little: this must be patch'd

With cloth of any colour.

_Com._ Nay, come away.

[_Exeunt Coriolanus, Cominius, and others._[3228]

_First Patrician._ This man has marr'd his fortune.[3229]

_Men._ His nature is too noble for the world: 255

He would not flatter Neptune for his trident,

Or Jove for 's power to thunder. His heart's his mouth:[3230]

What his breast forges, that his tongue must vent;

And, being angry, does forget that ever

He heard the name of death. [_A noise within._ 260

Here's goodly work!

_Sec. Pat._ I would they were a-bed![3231]

_Men._ I would they were in Tiber! What, the vengeance,[3232]

Could he not speak 'em fair?[3232]

_Re-enter_ BRUTUS _and_ SICINIUS, _with the rabble_.[3233]

_Sic._ Where is this viper,

That would depopulate the city, and[3234][3235]

Be every man himself?[3234]

_Men._ You worthy tribunes--[3236] 265

_Sic._ He shall be thrown down the Tarpeian rock

With rigorous hands: he hath resisted law,

And therefore law shall scorn him further trial

Than the severity of the public power,[3237]

Which he so sets at nought.

_First Cit._ He shall well know[3238] 270

The noble tribunes are the people's mouths,[3238]

And we their hands.[3238]

_Citizens._ He shall, sure on't.[3239]

_Men._ Sir, sir,--[3240]

_Sic._ Peace!

_Men._ Do not cry havoc, where you should but hunt[3241] 275

With modest warrant.

_Sic._ Sir, how comes 't that you[3242][3243]

Have holp to make this rescue?[3242]

_Men._ Hear me speak:[3244]

As I do know the consul's worthiness,[3244]

So can I name his faults,--[3244]

_Sic._ Consul! what consul?

_Men._ The consul Coriolanus.

_Bru._ He consul![3245] 280

_Citizens._ No, no, no, no, no.[3239]

_Men._ If, by the tribunes' leave, and yours, good people,[3246]

I may be heard, I would crave a word or two;[3247]

The which shall turn you to no further harm

Than so much loss of time.

_Sic._ Speak briefly then; 285

For we are peremptory to dispatch

This viperous traitor: to eject him hence[3248]

Were but one danger, and to keep him here[3249]

Our certain death: therefore it is decreed

He dies to-night.

_Men._ Now the good gods forbid 290

That our renowned Rome, whose gratitude

Towards her deserved children is enroll'd[3250]

In Jove's own book, like an unnatural dam

Should now eat up her own!

_Sic._ He's a disease that must be cut away. 295

_Men._ O, he's a limb that has but a disease;

Mortal, to cut it off; to cure it, easy.

What has he done to Rome that's worthy death?

Killing our enemies, the blood he hath lost--[3251]

Which, I dare vouch, is more than that he hath 300

By many an ounce--he dropp'd it for his country;

And what is left, to lose it by his country

Were to us all that do 't and suffer it[3252]

A brand to the end o' the world.

_Sic._ This is clean kam.[3253]

_Bru._ Merely awry: when he did love his country,[3254] 305

It honour'd him.[3254]

_Men._ The service of the foot[3255][3256]

Being once gangrened, is not then respected[3256][3257]

For what before it was.[3258]

_Bru._ We'll hear no more.

Pursue him to his house, and pluck him thence;

Lest his infection, being of catching nature,[3259] 310

Spread further.

_Men._ One word more, one word.[3260]

This tiger-footed rage, when it shall find

The harm of unscann'd swiftness, will, too late,

Tie leaden pounds to 's heels. Proceed by process;[3261]

Lest parties, as he is beloved, break out, 315

And sack great Rome with Romans.

_Bru._ If it were so--[3262]

_Sic._ What do ye talk?

Have we not had a taste of his obedience?

Our ædiles smote? ourselves resisted? Come.[3263]

_Men._ Consider this: he has been bred i' the wars[3264] 320

Since he could draw a sword, and is ill school'd[3265]

In bolted language; meal and bran together

He throws without distinction. Give me leave,

I'll go to him, and undertake to bring him[3266][3267]

Where he shall answer, by a lawful form,[3267] 325

In peace, to his utmost peril.[3267]

_First Sen._ Noble tribunes,

It is the humane way: the other course[3268]

Will prove too bloody; and the end of it

Unknown to the beginning.

_Sic._ Noble Menenius,[3269]

Be you then as the people's officer.[3269] 330

Masters, lay down your weapons.

_Bru._ Go not home.

_Sic._ Meet on the market-place. We'll attend you there:[3270]

Where, if you bring not Marcius, we'll proceed

In our first way.

_Men._ I'll bring him to you.[3271][3272]

[_To the Senators_] Let me desire your company: he must

come,[3272][3273] 335

Or what is worst will follow.

_First Sen._ Pray you, let's to him. [_Exeunt._[3274]

SCENE II. _A room in Coriolanus's house._

_Enter_ CORIOLANUS _with_ Patricians.[3275]

_Cor._ Let them pull all about mine ears; present me

Death on the wheel, or at wild horses' heels;

Or pile ten hills on the Tarpeian rock,

That the precipitation might down stretch

Below the beam of sight; yet will I still 5

Be thus to them.

_A Patrician._ You do the nobler.[3276]

_Cor._ I muse my mother[3277]

Does not approve me further, who was wont[3278]

To call them woollen vassals, things created[3279]

To buy and sell with groats, to show bare heads 10

In congregations, to yawn, be still and wonder,[3280]

When one but of my ordinance stood up

To speak of peace or war.

_Enter_ VOLUMNIA.

I talk of you:[3281]

Why did you wish me milder? would you have me

False to my nature? Rather say, I play[3282] 15

The man I am.[3282]

_Vol._ O, sir, sir, sir,[3283]

I would have had you put your power well on,

Before you had worn it out.

_Cor._ Let go.[3284]

_Vol._ You might have been enough the man you are,

With striving less to be so: lesser had been[3285] 20

The thwartings of your dispositions, if[3286]

You had not show'd them how ye were disposed[3287]

Ere they lack'd power to cross you.

_Cor._ Let them hang.

_Vol._ Ay, and burn too.

_Enter_ MENENIUS _with the_ Senators.

_Men._ Come, come, you have been too rough,

something too rough;[3288][3289] 25

You must return and mend it.[3288]

_First Sen._ There's no remedy;[3290]

Unless, by not so doing, our good city

Cleave in the midst, and perish.

_Vol._ Pray, be counsell'd:

I have a heart as little apt as yours,[3291]

But yet a brain that leads my use of anger 30

To better vantage.

_Men._ Well said, noble woman!

Before he should thus stoop to the herd, but that[3292]

The violent fit o' the time craves it as physic[3293]

For the whole state, I would put mine armour on,[3294]

Which I can scarcely bear.

_Cor._ What must I do?[3295] 35

_Men._ Return to the tribunes.[3295]

_Cor._ Well, what then? what then?[3295]

_Men._ Repent what you have spoke.[3295]

_Cor._ For them! I cannot do it to the gods;[3296]

Must I then do't to them?

_Vol._ You are too absolute;

Though therein you can never be too noble, 40

But when extremities speak. I have heard you say,[3297]

Honour and policy, like unsever'd friends,

I' the war do grow together: grant that, and tell me,

In peace what each of them by the other lose,[3298]

That they combine not there.

_Cor._ Tush, tush!

_Men._ A good demand. 45

_Vol._ If it be honour in your wars to seem

The same you are not, which, for your best ends,

You adopt your policy, how is it less or worse,[3299]

That it shall hold companionship in peace

With honour, as in war, since that to both[3300] 50

It stands in like request?

_Cor._ Why force you this?

_Vol._ Because that now it lies you on to speak[3301][3302]

To the people; not by your own instruction,[3301]

Nor by the matter which your heart prompts you,[3301][3303]

But with such words that are but roted in[3301][3304] 55

Your tongue, though but bastards and syllables[3301][3305]

Of no allowance to your bosom's truth.[3306]

Now, this no more dishonours you at all

Than to take in a town with gentle words,

Which else would put you to your fortune and 60

The hazard of much blood.

I would dissemble with my nature, where

My fortunes and my friends at stake required

I should do so in honour. I am in this,[3307]

Your wife, your son, these senators, the nobles;[3308] 65

And you will rather show our general louts

How you can frown than spend a fawn upon 'em,

For the inheritance of their loves and safeguard

Of what that want might ruin.

_Men._ Noble lady![3309]

Come, go with us; speak fair: you may salve so, 70

Not what is dangerous present, but the loss[3310]

Of what is past.

_Vol._ I prithee now, my son,

Go to them, with this bonnet in thy hand;[3311]

And thus far having stretch'd it--here be with them--[3312][3313]

Thy knee bussing the stones--for in such business[3312] 75

Action is eloquence, and the eyes of the ignorant

More learned than the ears--waving thy head,[3314][3315][3316]

Which often, thus, correcting thy stout heart,[3314][3316][3317][3318][3319]

Now humble as the ripest mulberry[3318][3320]

That will not hold the handling: or say to them,[3320][3321] 80

Thou art their soldier, and being bred in broils

Hast not the soft way which, thou dost confess,

Were fit for thee to use, as they to claim,[3322]

In asking their good loves; but thou wilt frame

Thyself, forsooth, hereafter theirs, so far 85

As thou hast power and person.

_Men._ This but done,

Even as she speaks, why, their hearts were yours;[3323]

For they have pardons, being ask'd, as free

As words to little purpose.

_Vol._ Prithee now,

Go, and be ruled: although I know thou hadst rather[3324] 90

Follow thine enemy in a fiery gulf

Than flatter him in a bower.

_Enter_ COMINIUS.

Here is Cominius.

_Com._ I have been i' the market-place; and, sir, 'tis fit[3325]

You make strong party, or defend yourself[3326]

By calmness or by absence: all's in anger. 95

_Men._ Only fair speech.

_Com._ I think 'twill serve, if he[3327]

Can thereto frame his spirit.[3327]

_Vol._ He must, and will.

Prithee now, say you will, and go about it.

_Cor._ Must I go show them my unbarb'd sconce? must I,[3328][3329]

With my base tongue, give to my noble heart[3329] 100

A lie, that it must bear? Well, I will do't:[3330]

Yet, were there but this single plot to lose,[3331]

This mould of Marcius, they to dust should grind it,[3332]

And throw't against the wind. To the market-place!

You have put me now to such a part, which never[3333] 105

I shall discharge to the life.

_Com._ Come, come, we'll prompt you.

_Vol._ I prithee now, sweet son, as thou hast said[3334]

My praises made thee first a soldier, so,

To have my praise for this, perform a part

Thou hast not done before.

_Cor._ Well, I must do't: 110

Away, my disposition, and possess me

Some harlot's spirit! my throat of war be turn'd,

Which quired with my drum, into a pipe[3335]

Small as an eunuch, or the virgin voice[3336]

That babies lulls asleep! the smiles of knaves[3337] 115

Tent in my cheeks, and schoolboys' tears take up

The glasses of my sight! a beggar's tongue[3338]

Make motion through my lips, and my arm'd knees,

Who bow'd but in my stirrup, bend like his[3339]

That hath received an alms! I will not do't; 120

Lest I surcease to honour mine own truth,

And by my body's action teach my mind

A most inherent baseness.

_Vol._ At thy choice then:

To beg of thee, it is my more dishonour

Than thou of them. Come all to ruin: let 125

Thy mother rather feel thy pride than fear

Thy dangerous stoutness, for I mock at death

With as big heart as thou. Do as thou list.

Thy valiantness was mine, thou suck'dst it from me,[3340]

But owe thy pride thyself.[3341]

_Cor._ Pray, be content: 130

Mother, I am going to the market-place;[3342]

Chide me no more. I'll mountebank their loves,

Cog their hearts from them and come home beloved

Of all the trades in Rome. Look, I am going:

Commend me to my wife. I'll return consul; 135

Or never trust to what my tongue can do

I' the way of flattery further.

_Vol._ Do your will. [_Exit._[3343]

_Com._ Away! the tribunes do attend you: arm yourself

To answer mildly; for they are prepared[3344]

With accusations, as I hear, more strong 140

Than are upon you yet.

_Cor._ The word is 'mildly.' Pray you, let us go:

Let them accuse me by invention, I

Will answer in mine honour.

_Men._ Ay, but mildly.

_Cor._ Well, mildly be it then. Mildly! [_Exeunt._[3345] 145

SCENE III. _The same. The Forum._[3346]

_Enter_ SICINIUS _and_ BRUTUS.

_Bru._ In this point charge him home, that he affects

Tyrannical power: if he evade us there,[3347]

Enforce him with his envy to the people;

And that the spoil got on the Antiates

Was ne'er distributed.[3348] 5

_Enter an_ Ædile.[3349]