Chapter XIV: 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]

What, will he come?[3348]

_Æd._ He's coming.

_Bru._ How accompanied?

_Æd._ With old Menenius and those senators
That always favour'd him.

_Sic._ Have you a catalogue
Of all the voices that we have procured,[3350]
Set down by the poll?[3350][3351]

_Æd._ I have; 'tis ready. 10

_Sic._ Have you collected them by tribes?

_Æd._ I have.[3352]

_Sic._ Assemble presently the people hither:
And when they hear me say 'It shall be so
I' the right and strength o' the commons,' be it either[3353]
For death, for fine, or banishment, then let them, 15
If I say fine, cry 'Fine,' if death, cry 'Death,'
Insisting on the old prerogative[3354]
And power i' the truth o' the cause.

_Æd._ I shall inform them.[3355]

_Bru._ And when such time they have begun to cry,
Let them not cease, but with a din confused 20
Enforce the present execution
Of what we chance to sentence.

_Æd._ Very well.

_Sic._ Make them be strong, and ready for this hint,
When we shall hap to give't them.

_Bru._ Go about it. [_Exit Ædile._[3356]
Put him to choler straight: he hath been used 25
Ever to conquer and to have his worth[3357][3358][3359]
Of contradiction: being once chafed, he cannot[3358]
Be rein'd again to temperance; then he speaks
What's in his heart; and that is there which looks[3360]
With us to break his neck.

_Sic._ Well, here he comes. 30

_Enter_ CORIOLANUS, MENENIUS, _and_ COMINIUS, _with_ Senators _and_
Patricians.[3361]

_Men._ Calmly, I do beseech you.

_Cor._ Ay, as an ostler, that for the poorest piece[3362]
Will bear the knave by the volume. The honour'd gods[3363][3364]
Keep Rome in safety, and the chairs of justice[3364]
Supplied with worthy men! plant love among's![3364][3365] 35
Throng our large temples with the shows of peace,[3364][3366]
And not our streets with war![3364]

_First Sen._ Amen, amen.

_Men._ A noble wish.

_Re-enter_ Ædile, _with_ Citizens.[3367]

_Sic._ Draw near, ye people.

_Æd._ List to your tribunes; audience: peace, I say![3368] 40

_Cor._ First, hear me speak.

_Both Tri._ Well, say. Peace, ho![3369]

_Cor._ Shall I be charged no further than this present?
Must all determine here?

_Sic._ I do demand,
If you submit you to the people's voices,
Allow their officers, and are content 45
To suffer lawful censure for such faults
As shall be proved upon you?

_Cor._ I am content.

_Men._ Lo, citizens, he says he is content:
The warlike service he has done, consider; think[3370]
Upon the wounds his body bears, which show[3370] 50
Like graves i' the holy churchyard.[3371]

_Cor._ Scratches with briers,[3372]
Scars to move laughter only.[3372]

_Men._ Consider further,
That when he speaks not like a citizen,
You find him like a soldier: do not take
His rougher accents for malicious sounds,[3373] 55
But, as I say, such as become a soldier
Rather than envy you.

_Com._ Well, well, no more.[3374]

_Cor._ What is the matter[3375]
That being pass'd for consul with full voice,
I am so dishonour'd that the very hour[3376] 60
You take it off again?

_Sic._ Answer to us.

_Cor._ Say, then: 'tis true, I ought so.

_Sic._ We charge you, that you have contrived to take
From Rome all season'd office and to wind
Yourself into a power tyrannical;[3377] 65
For which you are a traitor to the people.

_Cor._ How! traitor!

_Men._ Nay, temperately; your promise.

_Cor._ The fires i' the lowest hell fold-in the people![3378]
Call me their traitor! Thou injurious tribune!
Within thine eyes sat twenty thousand deaths,[3379] 70
In thy hands clutch'd as many millions, in[3379]
Thy lying tongue both numbers, I would say[3380]
'Thou liest' unto thee with a voice as free
As I do pray the gods.

_Sic._ Mark you this, people?[3381]

_Citizens._ To the rock, to the rock with him![3382][3383]

_Sic._ Peace! 75
We need not put new matter to his charge:
What you have seen him do and heard him speak,
Beating your officers, cursing yourselves,
Opposing laws with strokes, and here defying
Those whose great power must try him; even this,[3384] 80
So criminal and in such capital kind,[3384]
Deserves the extremest death.

_Bru._ But since he hath[3385]
Served well for Rome--[3385][3386]

_Cor._ What do you prate of service?

_Bru._ I talk of that, that know it.[3387]

_Cor._ You?[3387] 85

_Men._ Is this the promise that you made your mother?[3387][3388]

_Com._ Know, I pray you,--[3387]

_Cor._ I'll know no further:[3389]
Let them pronounce the steep Tarpeian death,
Vagabond exile, flaying, pent to linger[3390]
But with a grain a day, I would not buy 90
Their mercy at the price of one fair word,
Nor check my courage for what they can give,[3391]
To have't with saying 'Good morrow.'

_Sic._ For that he has,
As much as in him lies, from time to time
Envied against the people, seeking means[3392] 95
To pluck away their power, as now at last[3393]
Given hostile strokes, and that not in the presence[3394]
Of dreaded justice, but on the ministers[3395]
That do distribute it; in the name o' the people,[3353][3396]
And in the power of us the tribunes, we, 100
Even from this instant, banish him our city,
In peril of precipitation
From off the rock Tarpeian, never more
To enter our Rome gates: i' the people's name,[3397]
I say it shall be so. 105

_Citizens._ It shall be so, it shall be so; let him away:[3382]
He's banish'd, and it shall be so.[3398]

_Com._ Hear me, my masters, and my common friends,--[3399]

_Sic._ He's sentenced; no more hearing.

_Com._ Let me speak:
I have been consul, and can show for Rome[3400] 110
Her enemies' marks upon me. I do love
My country's good with a respect more tender,[3401]
More holy and profound, than mine own life,
My dear wife's estimate, her womb's increase[3402]
And treasure of my loins; then if I would 115
Speak that--[3403]

_Sic._ We know your drift:--speak what?

_Bru._ There's no more to be said, but he is banish'd,
As enemy to the people and his country:
It shall be so.

_Citizens._ It shall be so, it shall be so.[3382] 120

_Cor._ You common cry of curs! whose breath I hate[3404]
As reek o' the rotten fens, whose loves I prize
As the dead carcasses of unburied men
That do corrupt my air, I banish you;
And here remain with your uncertainty! 125
Let every feeble rumour shake your hearts!
Your enemies, with nodding of their plumes,
Fan you into despair! Have the power still
To banish your defenders; till at length
Your ignorance, which finds not till it feels, 130
Making not reservation of yourselves,[3405]
Still your own foes, deliver you as most[3406][3407]
Abated captives to some nation[3407]
That won you without blows! Despising,[3408]
For you, the city, thus I turn my back:[3408][3409] 135
There is a world elsewhere.

[_Exeunt Coriolanus, Cominius, Menenius, Senators and Patricians._[3410]

_Æd._ The people's enemy is gone, is gone!

_Citizens._ Our enemy is banish'd! he is gone! Hoo! hoo!

[_They all shout, and throw up their caps._[3411]

_Sic._ Go, see him out at gates, and follow him,
As he hath follow'd you, with all despite;[3412] 140
Give him deserved vexation. Let a guard[3412]
Attend us through the city.

_Citizens._ Come, come, let's see him out at gates; come.[3382][3413]
The gods preserve our noble tribunes! Come. [_Exeunt._

FOOTNOTES:

[3103] ACT III. SCENE I.] Rowe. Actus Tertius. Ff.

Rome.] Rowe.

A street.] A publick Street. Theobald.

all the Gentry,] om. Rowe.

Lartius,] F₂ F₃. Latius, F₁. Lucius, F₄ (and throughout the scene).

[3104] _road_] _inroad_ Pope.

[3105] _They are_] _They're_ Pope.

[3106] [To Lartius. Theobald.

[3107] _noble ... common_] F₁. _noble ... commons_ F₂ F₃ F₄. _nobles ... commons_ Rowe.

[3108] First Sen.] 1. S. Capell. Senat. Ff.

[3109] _Stop ... broil_] Arranged as by Pope. One line in Ff.

[3110] _herd_] F₃ F₄. _heard_ F₁ F₂.

[3111] _tongues_] F₄. _toungs_ F₁. _tongs_ F₂ F₃.

_offices?_] _offices_ F₂.

[3112] _suppliants for_] F₄. _suppliants: for_ F₁ F₂ F₃.

[3113] _sithence_] _since_ Pope.

[3114] Com.] Ff. Cor. Theobald.

_You are like_] _Yes, you are like enough_ Hanmer.

[3115] _Not ... yours_] Arranged as by Johnson. One line in Ff.

[3116] _Each ... yours_] _either ... you_ Hanmer.

[3117] _you are_] _you're_ Pope.

[3118] _never be_] _never to be_ Rowe (ed. 2). _ne'er to be_ Pope.

[3119] _abused; set on._] _abus'd, set on;_ Rowe. _abus'd: set on,_ Ff.

[3120] _Rome_] _Romans_ Steevens conj.

[3121] _Tell ... again_] Arranged as by Pope. In Ff the first line ends at _speech_.

[3122] _Now ... again_] Arranged as by Capell. In Ff the lines end _will ... pardons: ... Meynie, ... flatter, ... againe_.

[3123] _My_] _As for my_ Pope, ending the lines as Ff.

[3124] _For_] _But for_ Pope.

_many_] F₄. _Meynie_ F₁. _Meyny_ F₂ F₃.

[3125] _Therein_] _there_ Pope.

[3126] _plough'd_] _plow'd_ Rowe. _plowed_ Ff.

[3127] _they_] _we_ Pope.

[3128] _disdain_] _disdain'd_ Keightley.

_sought_] _seek_ Rowe.

[3129] _You ... sleep,_] Arranged as by Capell. In Ff the lines end _God ... infirmity ... know't ... his choller?... sleep._ Hanmer ends the lines _were ... man ... let ... Choler!... sleep_.

[3130] _people_] _people, sir_ Hanmer.

[3131] _if_] om. Pope, ending the lines as Ff.

[3132] _A man_] _as being a man_ Hanmer.

_of_] _of of_ F₂.

[3133] _By Jove ... remain!_] Arranged as by Pope. In Ff the lines end _my minde ... poison ... further ... remaine?_

[3134] _Hear ... Triton_] _Heare you this Triton_ F₁. _Here you this Triton_ F₂ F₃. _Hear you this, Triton_ F₄.

[3135] _canon_] Rowe. _cannon_ Ff.

[3136] _'Shall'!... why_] Arranged as by Pope. One line in Ff.

[3137] _O good,_] Pope, ed. 2 (Theobald). _O God!_ Ff. _O Gods!_ Heath conj.

[3138] _reckless_] Hanmer. _wreaklesse_ F₁ F₂. _wreakless_ F₃ F₄.

[3139] _here_] F₃ F₄. _heere_ F₁ F₂. _leave_ Collier (Collier MS. and Long MS.) _heart_ Leo conj.

[3140] _monster's_] Edd. _monsters_ Ff. _monster_ Capell.

[3141] _If he ... by you_] See note (VI).

[3142] _vail_] F₄. _vale_ F₁ F₂ F₃.

_ignorance_] _impotence_ Collier (Collier MS.) _signorie_ or _signories_ Staunton conj.

[3143] _awake ... lenity_] _revoke ... bounty_ Collier (Collier MS.) _revoke ... lenity_ Grant White.

[3144] _awake_] _abate_ Jervis conj. _awake from_ Bailey conj. _away_ Leo conj.

[3145] _learn'd_] Ff. _learned_ Rowe.

[3146] _common_] _commons'_ Staunton conj.

[3147] _You are_] _You're_ Pope.

[3148] _blended, the_] Ff. _blended; the_ Rowe.

_great'st_] Ff. _greatest_ Rowe. _general_ Mason conj. _gross_ Anon. conj.

_taste_] _state_ Hudson (Singer conj.)

[3149] _Most palates_] _Must palate_ Johnson conj.

[3150] Cor.] Com. F₂.

[3151] _o'_] F₄. _a'_ F₁ F₂ F₃.

[3152] _Greece,--_] _Greece--_ F₃ F₄. _Greece._ F₁ F₂.

[3153] _I say ... state_] Arranged as by Pope. One line in Ff. Prose in Rowe.

[3154] _they_] _the_ F₂.

[3155] _Why,_] _Why_ Ff. om. Hanmer.

[3156] _worthier_] F₁. _worthie_ F₂. _worthy_ F₃ F₄.

_voices_] _voice_ Theobald.

[3157] _our_] _their_ Hanmer and Southern conj. MS. _for_ Ingleby conj.

_well_] om. Theobald.

[3158] _Their_] F₃ F₄. _There_ F₁. _Thare_ F₂.

[3159] _native_] Ff. _motive_ Singer (Johnson and Heath conj.)

[3160] _donation_] _denotion_ F₃.

[3161] _bisson multitude_] Dyce (Collier MS.) _bissom multitude_ Singer. _bosome-multiplied_ Ff.

[3162] _poll_] Rowe. _pole_ Ff.

[3163] _They_] _Thy_ F₃.

[3164] _Call ... eagles_] Arranged as in Ff. In Pope the first two lines end _ope ... crows_.

[3165] _cares_] _caresses_ Anon. conj.

_time_] _time to come_ or _after time_ Anon. conj.

[3166] _ope_] _open_ F₄.

[3167] _enough_] _enough, enough_ Hanmer.

[3168] _by, both_] Ff. _by. Both_ Warburton.

[3169] _Where one_] Rowe. _Whereon_ Ff.

[3170] _reason_] F₁. _season_ F₂ F₃ F₄.

[3171] _ignorance,--it must omit_] Capell. _ignorance, it must omit_ F₁ F₃ F₄. _ignorance, it must omit:_ F₂.

[3172] _slightness_] _sleights_ Badham conj.

[3173] _purpose ... purpose_] Put in brackets as spurious by Warburton.

[3174] _doubt_] _do_ Hanmer.

_on 't_] F₁. _oft_ F₂. _of't_ F₃ F₄.

[3175] _jump_] F₃ F₄. _iumpe_ F₁. _jumpe_ F₂. _vamp_ Pope. _imp_ Singer. _purge_ Staunton conj.

[3176] _it_] om. Pope.

[3177] _become 't_] _become it_ Rowe.

[3178] _control 't_] _controul it_ Rowe.]

_Has_] F₁ F₂. _Ha's_ F₃. _H'as_ F₄. _He has_ Capell.

[3179] _Has_] Dyce. _Ha's_ F₁ F₂ F₃. _H'as_ F₄. _He has_ Capell.

[3180] _bench: in a rebellion,_] _bench. In a rebellion,_ Pope. _bench, in a rebellion:_ Ff.

[3181] _what's not_] _not what's_ Anon. conj.

[3182] _it must be meet_] _that must be law_ Hanmer. _it must be law_ Warburton.

[3183] Enter an Ædile.] Ff (after line 172). Omitted by Pope. Ædiles enter. Theobald.

[3184] [Exit Ædile] Collier. Exit Brutus. Capell. om. Ff.

_myself_] _I myself_ Keightley.

[Laying hold on Coriolanus. Rowe.

[3185] Senators, &c.] All. Ff. Sen. and Pat. Malone.

_Aged sir_] Rowe. _Ag'd sir_ Ff. _Hold, aged sir_ Hanmer. _My aged sir_ Capell.

[3186] _Help, ye_] Malone. _Helpe ye_ F₁ F₂. _Help me_ F₃ F₄.

Enter....] Enter a rabble of Plebeians with the Ædiles. Ff. Re-enter Brutus, with Ædiles, and a whole rabble of Citizens. Capell.

[3187] SCENE II. Pope.

[3188] Citizens.] Cit. Capell. All. Ff (and elsewhere).

[3189] Senators, &c.] Edd. 2. Sen. Ff.

They ... crying, _'Tribunes!' ..._] Edd. They ... Coriolanus. _Tribunes,...._ Ff. They ... Coriolanus. 1. S. _Tribunes,...._ Capell. See note (VII).

[3190] _'Peace...._] Edd. All. _Peace...._ Ff.

[3191] _Confusion's near_] F₃ F₄. _Confusions neere_ F₁. _Confusions ne're_ F₂.

_cannot speak. You_] _cannot.--Speak you,_ Rann (Mason conj.)

[3192] _To the people!_] Omitted by Pope. _Speak to the people._ Tyrwhitt conj.

[3193] _To ... Sicinius_] As in Capell. One line in Ff.

[3194] _good_] om. Pope, reading _Coriolanus ... Sicinius_, as one line.

[3195] _hear_] _here_ F₁.

_peace!_] _peace, ho!_ Hanmer.

_Speak_] Four times in Keightley.

[3196] _have named_] _nam'd_ Pope. _chose_ Capell.

[3197] _Fie ... quench._] As in Pope. Prose in Ff.

[3198] First Sen.] 1. S. Capell. Sena. Ff.

[3199] _True, ... city._] As in Capell. One line in Ff.

[3200] _By ... magistrates._] As in Pope. Prose in Ff.

[3201] Com.] Ff. Cor. Pope.

[3202] _of_] _on_ Rowe.

[3203] Citizens.] Cit. Capell. All Ple. Ff.

[3204] _Hear ... a word._] As in Johnson. Prose in Ff.

[3205] _tribunes_] _Ye tribunes_ Hanmer (ending line 215 at _beseech you_). _Good tribunes_ Capell.

[3206] [To Brutus] Edd.

_friend_] Ff. _friends_ Rowe.

[3207] _poisonous_] _poisons_ Rann (Johnson conj.)

[3208] _upon_] _on_ Pope.

[3209] [Drawing his sword.] Capell. Corio. drawes his Sword. Ff, after _rock_.

[3210] _seen me_] _seen me do_ Keightley.

[3211] _Help Marcius, help,_] _Help, help Marcius, help,_ Hanmer. _Help Marcius! help, help,_ Keightley.

[3212] _Help ... old!_] As verse, first by Hanmer. Prose in Ff.

[3213] [In....] Exeunt. In.... Ff.

A great Mutiny: Tribunes, Ædiles, and People are beat in. Capell.

[3214] SCENE III. Pope.

_your_] Rowe. _our_ Ff.

[3215] Sec. Sen.] Com. Capell.

_gone._] _gone, away!_ Hanmer.

Com.] Cor. Warburton. 2. S. Capell.

[3216] _Stand ... enemies._] As in Capell. One line in Ff.

[3217] First Sen.] 1. S. Capell. Sena. Ff.

[3218] _upon us_] om. Pope.

_us_] _us,_ F₁ F₄. _us._ F₂ F₃.

[3219] Com.] F₂ F₃ F₄. Corio. F₁.

[3220] Cor. _I ... Capitol,--_ Men. _Be gone: ... another._ Steevens, 1773 (Tyrwhitt conj.) Men. _I ... Capitoll: Be gone ... another._ Ff. Cor. _I ... Capitol.--Be gone._ Men. _Put ... another._ Steevens (1778).

[3221] _Be gone_] _Be gone, be gone_ Hanmer, ending the line at _rage_.

[3222] _Be gone: ... tongue:_] As in Capell. One line in Ff.

[3223] _will_] _we'll_ Becket conj.

_owe_] _own_ Jackson conj.

Cor.] Corio. F₁. Com. F₂ F₃ F₄.

[3224] _On ... them._] As in Capell. Prose in Ff.

[3225] _I ... tribunes._] Arranged as by Capell, who omits _of them_. Prose in Ff.

_myself ... yea_] _myself, I think, ... yea, even_ Hanmer, ending the line at _brace_.

[3226] _o' the_] _of the_ Steevens.

_of them_] om. Capell.

[3227] _whether_] _if_ Pope.

[3228] _Nay,_] om. Pope.

Cominius, and others.] Capell. and Cominius. Ff.

[3229] SCENE IV. Pope.

First Patrician.] 1. P. Capell. Patri. Ff. 1. Sen. Rowe.

[3230] _Or ... mouth_] _Or Jove for's thunder; 's heart is in his mouth_ Badham conj.

_for 's_] _for his_ Capell.

_his mouth_] _in his mouth_ Keightley.

[3231] Sec. Pat] 2. Pat. Malone. Patri. Ff. 1. P. Capell.

_a-bed_] _in bed_ Farmer conj. MS.

[3232] _What ... fair?_] As in Pope. One line in Ff.

[3233] Re-enter ... rabble.] Malone. Enter ... rabble againe. Ff.

[3234] _That ... himself?_] As in Pope. One line in Ff.

[3235] _would_] _will_ Steevens (1773, 1778, 1785).

[3236] _tribunes--_] Rowe. _Tribunes._ Ff.

[3237] _of the_] _of_ Pope.

[3238] _He ... hands._] As in Johnson. Two lines, the first ending _are,_ in Ff.

[3239] Citizens.] Cit. Capell. All. Ff. Cit. [Several speak together. Malone.

[3240] _shall, sure on't_] _shall sure ont_ F₁. _shall sure out_ F₂ F₃ F₄. _shall be sure on't_ Pope. _shall, be sure on't_ Theobald. _shall, Be sure on't_ Hanmer, reading _The people's ... shall_ as one line. _shall, sure, out_ Capell. _shall sore on't,_ Malone conj., meaning perhaps, _shall sore rue't_.

_Sir, sir,--_] _Sir, Sir._ Ff. _Sirs,--_ Capell, ending the line at _Peace! Sir,--_ Steevens (1793).

[3241] _not_] _nor_ F₂.

[3242] _Sir ... rescue?_] Arranged as in Pope. Line 276 ends at _holpe_ in Ff.

[3243] _comes 't that_] Capell. _com'st that_ Ff. _comes it that_ Rowe. _comes it_ Pope.

[3244] _Hear ... faults,--_] As in Pope. Two lines, the first ending _know,_ in Ff.

[3245] _He consul!_] _He the consul!--_ Hanmer. Keightley ends the line at _No_.

[3246] _If ... people,_] One line in Pope. Two in Ff.

[3247] _I would_] _I'd_ Pope.

[3248] _viperous_] F₄. _Viporous_ F₁ F₂ F₃.

[3249] _one_] _our_ Theobald. _moe_ Edd. conj.

[3250] _deserved_] _deserving_ Pope.

[3251] _enemies,_] Ff. _enemies?_ Hanmer.

[3252] _do't_] F₃ F₄. _doo't_ F₁. _doo'_ F₂.

[3253] _kam_] F₄. _kamme_ F₁ F₂. _kamm_ F₃. _wrong_ Pope.

[3254] _when ... him_] As in Pope. One line in Ff.

[3255] Men.] Sicin. Hanmer (Warburton).

[3256] _foot Being_] _foot--_ Sic. _Being_ Seymour conj.

[3257] _is_] _it is_ Pope.

[3258] _was._] _was--_ Rowe. _was?_ Steevens.

[3259] _catching_] _a catching_ F₄.

[3260] _one word._] _hear me one word:_ Hanmer. _one word, I say._ Seymour conj.

[3261] _to's_] _t' its_ Johnson.

[3262] _If it were so--_] F₃ F₄. _If it were so?_ F₁ F₂. _If 'twere so--_ Pope. _If it were so, That he would yield obedience--_ or _If it were so, And he would prove obedient--_ Badham conj.

[3263] _smote_] F₄. _smot_ F₁ F₂ F₃.

_resisted? Come_] _resisted? come--_ Hanmer. _resisted: come._ F₁. _resisted come._ F₂. _resisted, come._ F₃ F₄. _resisted, come--_ Rowe.

[3264] _has_] _hath_ Rowe.

[3265] _he_] Rowe. _a_ Ff.

[3266] _bring him_] Pope. _bring him in peace._ Ff.

[3267] _bring him ... In peace, to_] _bring him in peace Where ... lawful Form to_ Keightley.

[3268] _humane_] _human_ Rowe.

[3269] _Noble ... officer._] As in Pope. One line in Ff.

[3270] _market-place_] _forum_ Pope.

_attend_] _tend_ Badham conj.

[3271] _to you_] _to you strait_ Seymour conj. _to you there_ Keightley.

[3272] Capell ends the lines _Let me ... what_.

[3273] [To the Senators] Hanmer.

[3274] _worst_] _worse_ Warburton.

_you_] om. Pope.

_let's_] _let us_ Capell.

First Sen.] Rowe. Sena. Ff.

[Exeunt.] Rowe. Exeunt Omnes. Ff.

[3275] SCENE II.] Capell. SCENE V. Pope. om. Ff.

A room....] Malone. A Hall.... Capell. The House of Coriolanus. Pope.

Patricians.] Capell. Nobles. Ff.

[3276] _to them_] om. Seymour conj.

_them._] _them._ Enter Volumnia. Ff.

A Patrician.] Pat. Capell. Noble. Ff.

_You ... nobler_] _You do the noble lady Volumnia wrong herein._ or _You do ... in this._ Badham conj. _You do the nobler part._ Keightley.

[3277] _my_] om. Seymour conj.

[3278] _me further_] _my father_ Badham conj.

[3279] _woollen_] Rowe. _Wollen_ Ff. _wooden_ Capell conj. (withdrawn).

[3280] _to yawn_] _yawn_ Pope.

[3281] Enter Volumnia.] Transferred from line 6 by Dyce (Collier MS.)

[To his mother. Hanmer.

[3282] _I play ... I am_] _I play Truly the man I am_ Hanmer. _I play Nobly the man I am_ Capell. _you are glad I play the man I am_ Badham conj.

[3283] _sir, sir, sir,_] _son, son, son,_ Collier (Collier MS.)

[3284] _Let go._] F₁. _Let goe._ F₂. _Lets go._ F₃. _Let's go._ F₄ _Let it go._ Theobald. _Why, let it go--_ Hanmer. _Let it go all._ Ritson conj. _Let go, let go_ Anon. conj.

[3285] _lesser_] _less_ Anon. conj.

[3286] _thwartings of_] Theobald. _things of_ Ff. _things that thwart_ Rowe.

_dispositions_] _disposition_ Hanmer.

[3287] _ye_] _you_ Hanmer.

[3288] _come ... it._] As in Pope. Prose in Ff.

[3289] _You have_] _you've_ Pope.

[3290] First Sen.] 1. S. Capell. Sen. Ff.

[3291] _as little apt_] _as little soft_ Singer conj. _of mettle apt_ Staunton conj. _as lightly rapt_ Leo conj. _as little warp’d_ Bullock conj.

_as yours,_] _as yours To brook control without the use of anger,_ Collier MS. _as yours To brook reproof without the use of anger,_ Collier (ed. 2). _as yours to yield,_ Keightley.

[3292] _to the herd_] Theobald (Warburton). _to' th' heart_ Ff. _o' the heart_ Collier (Collier MS.)

[3293] _o'_] F₄. _a'_ F₁ F₂ F₃.

_time_] _times_ Rowe (ed. 2).

[3294] _I would_] _I’d_ Pope.

[3295] _What ... spoke_] Two lines, the first ending _Well,_ in Capell.

[3296] _to the gods_] _for the gods_ Rowe.

[3297] _I have_] _I've_ Pope.

[3298] _lose_] F₃ F₄. _loose_ F₁ F₂. _loses_ Pope.

[3299] _adopt_] F₁ F₂ F₃. _adapt_ F₄. _call_ Pope.

_is it_] Ff. _is't_ Pope.

[3300] _honour_] _policy_ Seymour conj.

[3301] _Because ... syllables_] As in Malone. As six lines in Ff, ending _that ... people ... matter ... words ... tongue; ... syllables_. Capell ends the lines _Because, ... people ... matter ... words, ... bastards,_ reading with F₂ in line 54.

[3302] _that now_] om. Pope, reading _Because ... people_ as one line.

_you on_] _on you_ Pope.

[3303] _which your ... you_] F₁. _which your ... you to_ F₂ F₃ F₄. _your ... you to_ Seymour conj. _which your ... you with_ Keightley. _which your own ... you_ Anon. conj.

[3304] _that are_] om. Pope.

_roted in_] Malone. _roated in_ Ff. _roated on_ Hanmer. _rooted in_ Johnson.

[3305] _though but_] om. Pope. _though nought but_ Jervis conj.]

_though ... syllables_] _but bastards_ Capell. _though but bastards, syllables_ Seymour conj. _thought's bastards and but syllables_ Badham conj. _thought's bastards, and persuading syllables_ or _thought's bastards, and glib syllables_ Staunton conj.

[3306] _allowance_] _alliance_ Capell (Johnson conj.)

_to_] _from_ Mason conj.

[3307] _I am_] _I'm_ Pope.

_this_,] Capell (Johnson conj.) _this_ Ff.

[3308] _son, these ... nobles;_] _son, these ... nobles.--_ Theobald (Warburton). _sonne: these ... nobles,_ Ff.

[3309] _lady!_] Rowe. _lady,_ Ff.

[3310] _Not_] _Not only_ Keightley.

[3311] _this_] _thy_ Malone conj.

[3312] _stretch'd it ... bussing_] _stretch'd it, with thy knee_ [here bends] _Bussing_ Badham conj.

[3313] _be with_] _bow to_ Anon. conj.

_them_] After this S. Walker conjectures that part of a line, ending _thy knee_, is lost.

[3314] _waving ... often, thus,_] _baring ... softens: thus,_ Jackson conj.

[3315] _waving_] _vailing_ Badham conj.

_head_] _hand_ Hanmer (Warburton).

[3316] _head, Which ... thus,_] _head--Which, often; thus_ Grant White. _head Often thus, which_ Keightley.

[3317] _Which often_] _With often_ Johnson conj. _And often_ Capell. _While often_ Staunton conj. _Whiles-often_ Nicholson conj.

[3318] _Which often, thus, ... humble_] _(Which humble thus;) ... soften'd_ Tyrwhitt conj. _Which ... caractering, the stout hearts Now tumble_ Becket conj. _Now humble--thus ... Which soften_ Badham conj.

[3319] _often_] _soften_ Hanmer (Warburton).

[3320] _Now ... That_] _Bow ... That_ Mason conj. _Now's ... That_ Collier MS. _That ... Now_ Reed (1803).

[3321] _or_] om. Hanmer.

[3322] _they_] _them_ Hanmer.

[3323] _speaks_] _speaks it_ Capell. _why, their_] _why, all their_ Pope.

[3324] _thou hadst_] _thou'dst_ Pope. _thou would'st_ Seymour conj.

[3325] _I have_] _I've_ Theobald.

[3326] _make_] _have_ Rowe.

[3327] _I think ... spirit_] As in Rowe (ed. 2). Prose in Ff.

[3328] _unbarb'd_] Ff. _unbarbed_ Rowe. _imbared_ Becket conj. _embarbed_ Nicholson conj.

[3329] _must I, With ... heart_] As in Capell. One line in Ff.

_must I, With my_] _Must my_ Pope.

[3330] _bear? Well,_] Pope. _beare well?_ Ff.

[3331] _plot to lose_,] Theobald. _plot, to loose_ F₁ F₂. _plot, to lose_ F₃ F₄. _pelt to lose_, Hanmer.

[3332] _grind_] _bring_ Rowe.

[3333] _You have_] _You've_ Pope.

_which_] See note (VIII).

[3334] _I prithee_] _Ay, prithee_ Rowe.

[3335] _quired_] _quier'd_ Ff.

_drum, into a pipe_] Pope. _drum, into a pipe,_ Rowe. _drumme into a pipe,_ Ff.

[3336] _eunuch_] _eunuch's_ Hanmer.

[3337] _lulls_] Rowe. _lull_ Ff.

[3338] _sight_] _fight_ F₂.

[3339] _Who_] _Which_ Pope.

[3340] _suck'dst_] Rowe (ed. 2). _suck'st_ Ff.

[3341] _owe_] F₁. _owne_ F₂. _own_ F₃ F₄. _ow'st_ Collier MS.

[3342] _I am_] _I'm_ Pope.

[3343] [Exit.] Exit Volumnia. Ff.

[3344] _they are_] _they're_ Pope, ending line 138 at _arm._

[3345] _Mildly!_] _(as you say,) mildly!_ Seymour conj. _mildly be it then!_ Keightley.

[3346] SCENE III.] Capell. SCENE VI. Pope.

The same. The Forum.] The Forum. Pope.

[3347] _Tyrannical_] _Tyrannic_ Pope.

[3348] _Was ... come?_] As in Capell. One line in Ff.

[3349] Enter an Ædile.] As in Capell. In Ff it is placed after _come?_

[3350] _Of all ... poll?_] As in Pope. One line in Ff.

[3351] _poll?_] Rowe. _pole?_ Ff.

_ready_] _ready,_ here Pope.

[3352] _I have_] F₁. _I have: 'tis ready_ F₂ F₃ F₄.

[3353] _o'_] F₄. _a'_ F₁ F₂ F₃.

[3354] _the old_] _their old_ Collier MS.

[3355] _And ... them_] _And power._ Æd. _In the ... them._ Mason conj.

_i' the truth_] _o'er the truth_ Johnson conj. _i' the teeth_ Badham conj.

_shall_] _will_ Rowe.

[3356] _Go about_] _Go, about_ Capell.

[Exit Ædile.] Pope. om. Ff.

[3357] _conquer_] _canker_ Bullock conj.

[3358] _and ... being_] _and (to have his worth) Of contradiction being_ Badham conj.

_his worth Of_] _no word Of_ Hanmer. _his word, Off_ Warburton.

[3359] _worth_] Ff. _word_ Rowe. _'worth_ Capell. _wroth_ Becket conj. _mouth_ Collier (Collier MS.) _wreak_ Keightley.

[3360] _looks_] _works_ Hanmer.

[3361] Enter ... Senators and Patricians.] Enter ... others. Ff (after _neck_).

Senators and Patricians] Capell.

[3362] _ostler_] Hanmer. _hostler_ Ff.

_for the_] F₃ F₄. _for th'_ F₂. _fourth_ F₁.

[3363] _Will ... gods_] As in Pope. Two lines in Ff.

_the knave_] _'thou knave'_ Anon. conj.

[3364] _The ... war_!] Com. _The ... war!_ Anon. conj.

[3365] _Supplied_] Ff. _Supply_ Pope.

_among's_!] Dyce. _amongs_ F₁. _amongst you,_ F₂ F₃ F₄. _amongst you_ Pope. _among us!_ Capell.

[3366] _Throng_] Theobald and Warburton. _Through_ Ff.

[3367] Re-enter ...] Capell. Enter the Edile with the Plebeians. Ff.

[3368] _List ... I say_] As in Steevens. Two lines in Ff.

[3369] _say._] _Sir, say on._--Steevens conj.

_ho_!] _ho! say on_ Seymour conj.

[3370] _think Upon_] Ff. _Think on_ Pope, reading _Think ... shew_ as one line.

[3371] _churchyard_] _yard_ Badham conj.

[3372] _Scratches ... only_] As in Capell. Two lines, the first ending _move,_ in Ff. One line in Theobald.

[3373] _accents_] Pope, ed. 2 (Theobald). _actions_ Ff.

[3374] _envy you._] _envy, you--_ Pope. _envy to you._ Keightley.

_more._] _more._ [To Cor. Capell.

[3375] _What_] _I will:--What_ Capell.

[3376] _I am_] _I'm_ Pope.

_so_] om. Rowe (ed. 2).

_the_] _i' the_ Keightley.

[3377] _into_] _unto_ F₄.

[3378] _fires_] _fire's_ Warburton (a misprint).

_hell fold-in_] _hell fold in_ Pope. _hell. Fould in_ F₁. _hell, Fould in_ F₂ F₃ F₄.

[3379] _deaths, In ... clutch'd as ... millions, in_] _deaths, In ... clucht as ... millions, in_ F₃ F₄ (_clutcht_ F₄). _deaths In ... clutcht: as ... millions in_ F₁ F₂.

[3380] _lying_] _brutal_ or _tribune_ Seymour conj.

_numbers, I_] F₃ F₄. _numbers. I_ F₁ F₂.

[3381] _As I do_] _As when I_ Seymour conj.

_this, people_] F₄. _this people_ F₁ F₂ F₃.

[3382] Citizens.] Cit. Capell. All. Ff.

[3383] _To the rock, to the rock with him_] _To 'th' Rocke, to 'th' Rocke with him_ F₁. _To 'th' Rocke with him_ F₂ F₃ F₄. _To the rock with him, to the rock with him_ Capell.

[3384] _even this ... kind_] As in Pope. One line in Ff.

[3385] _But ... Rome_] As in Pope. One line in Ff.

[3386] _Rome--_] F₃ F₄. _Rome._ F₁ F₂.

[3387] _I talk ... know_] Two lines, the first ending _Is this,_ in Capell.

[3388] _mother?_] F₂ F₃ F₄. _mother_ F₁.

[3389] _you,--_] _you.--_ Rowe. _you._ Ff. _you, yet to--_ Seymour conj.

_further_] F₁ F₂. _farther_ F₃ F₄.

[3390] _flaying, pent_] _fleaing, pent_ Ff. _fleaing. Pent_ Johnson.

[3391] _courage_] _carriage_ Collier (Collier MS. and Singer MS.)

[3392] _Envied_] _Inveigh'd_ Becket conj.

[3393] _as now_] _has now_ Hanmer. _and now_ Hudson conj.

[3394] _not in the_] _not only in_ Hanmer.

_presence_] _presence only_ Keightley.

[3395] _justice_] _justice only_ Mason conj.

[3396] _do_] F₃ F₄. _doe_ F₂. _doth_ F₁.

_it; in_] Theobald. _it, In_ Rowe (ed. 2). _it. In_ Ff.

[3397] _Rome_] _Rome's_ Rowe.

[3398] _it shall be so_] _so it shall be_ Steevens (1793), reading _it shall be so; let him away: he's banish'd,_ as one line.

[3399] _friends,--_] _friends--_ Rowe. _friends._ Ff.

[3400] _for_] Theobald. _from_ Ff. _'fore_ Anon. conj.

[3401] _country's_] Rowe. _countries_ Ff.

[3402] _wife's_] Rowe. _wives_ Ff.

[3403] _that--_] Rowe. _that._ Ff. _that I know,--_ Capell.

[3404] _hate_] _rate_ Badham conj.

[3405] _not_] Capell. _but_ Ff.

[3406] _foes_] _enemies_ Pope.

[3407] _as most ... nation_] As in Capell. One line in Ff.

[3408] _blows!... city, thus_] Capell. _blows. Despising then For you, the city, thus_ Pope. _blowes, despising For you the City. Thus_ Ff. _blows! Despising, therefore For ... thus_ Steevens conj. _blows! Despising you, For you, the city, thus_ Jackson conj. _blows! Despising, for you, The city, thus_ Keightley.

[3409] _back_] _back upon it_ Keightley.

[3410] _elsewhere._] _elsewhere--_ Pope.

[Exeunt ...] Exit Coriolanus: Menenius, Cominius, Sen. and Pat. follow. Capell. Exeunt Coriolanus, Cominius, with Cumalijs. F₁ F₂. Exeunt Coriolanus, Cominius, cum aliis. F₃ F₄.

[3411] _enemy is_] _enemy's_ Singer.

_Hoo! hoo!_] _Hoo, hoo._ F₃ F₄. _Hoo, oo._ F₁ F₂. Omitted by Capell.

[They all ...] Ff (after Exeunt, &c.)

[3412] _you, with all despite; Give_] Capell. _you, with all despight Give_ F₁ F₂. _you, with all despight, Give_ F₃ F₄.

[3413] _let's_] _lets_ Ff. _let us_ Steevens.

_gates_] F₁. _the gates_ F₂ F₃ F₄.

_gates; come._] _gates; come, come._ Keightley (Capell conj.)