SCENE III
The same. The Forum.Enter seven or eight Citizens.
First Cit.
Once, if he do require our
voices, we ought 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 his wounds and tell
us his deeds, we are to put our tongues into
those wounds and speak for them; so, if he
tell us his noble deeds, we must also tell him
our noble acceptance of them. Ingratitude is
monstrous, and for the multitude to be ingrateful,
were to make a monster of the multitude;
of the which we being members,
should bring ourselves to be monstrous members.
First Cit.
And to make us no better
thought of, a little help will serve; for once
we stood up about the corn, he himself stuck
not to call us the many-headed multitude.
Third Cit.
We have been called so of
many; not that our heads are some brown,
some black, some auburn, some 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 would fly east, west, north, south,
and their consent of one direct way should be
at once to all the points o' the compass.
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 it were at liberty,
'twould, sure, southward.
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 for conscience
sake, to help to get thee a wife.
Sec. Cit.
You are never without your
tricks: you may, you may. (40)
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 incline to the
people, there was never a worthier man. Enter CORIOLANUS in a gown of humility, with MENENIUS.
Here he comes, and in the gown of humility:
mark his behavior. We are not to stay all together,
but to come by him where he stands,
by ones, by twos, and by threes. He's to make
his requests by particulars; wherein every one
of us has a single honour, in giving him our
own voices with our own tongues: therefore
follow me, and I'll direct you how you shall
go by him. All.
Content, content. Exeunt citizens.
Men.
O sir, you are not right: have you not known
The worthiest men have done't?
Cor.
What must I say?
'I pray, sir,'—Plague upon't! I cannot bring
My tongue to such a pace:—'Look, sir, my wounds!
I got them in my country's service, when
Some certain of your brethren roar'd and ran
From the noise of our own drums.'
Men.
O me, the gods! (61)
You must not speak of that: you must desire them
To think upon you.
Cor.
Think upon me! hang 'em!
I would they would forget me, like the virtues
Which our divines lose by 'em.
Men.
You'll mar all:
I'll leave you: pray you, speak to 'em, I pray you,
In wholesome manner. Exit.
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.
You know the cause, sir, of my standing here.
Third Cit.
We do, sir; tell us what hath
brought you to't. (71)
Cor.
Mine own desert.
Sec. Cit.
Your own desert!
Cor.
Ay, but not mine own desire.
Third Cit.
How not your own desire?
Cor.
No, sir, 'twas never my desire yet to
trouble the poor with begging.
Third Cit.
You must think, if we give you
any thing, we hope to gain by you.
Cor.
Well then, I pray, your price o' the
consulship? (81)
First Cit.
The price is to ask it kindly.
Cor.
Kindly! Sir, I pray, let me ha't: I
have wounds to show you, which shall be
yours in private. Your good voice, sir; what
say you?
Sec. Cit.
You shall ha't, worthy sir.
Cor.
A match, sir. There's in all two
worthy voices begged. I have your alms:
adieu.
Third Cit.
But this is something odd.
Sec. Cit.
And 'twere to give again,—but 'tis
no matter. Exeunt the three Citizens. Re-enter two other Citizens.
Cor.
Pray you now, if it may stand with
the tune of your voices that I may be consul,
I have here the customary gown.
Fourth Cit.
You have deserved nobly of
your country, and you have not deserved
nobly.
Cor.
Your enigma?
Fourth Cit.
You have been a scourge to
her enemies, you have been a rod to her
friends; you have not indeed loved the common
people.
Cor.
You should account me the more virtuous
that I have not been common in my
love. I will, sir, flatter my sworn brother, the
people, to learn a dearer estimation of them;
'tis a condition they account gentle: and since
the wisdom of their choice is rather to have
my hat than my heart, I will practice the insinuating
nod and be off to them most counterfeitly;
that is, sir, I will counterfeit the bewitchment
of some popular man and give it
bountiful to the desirers. Therefore, beseech
you, I may be consul.
Fifth Cit.
We hope to find you our friend;
and therefore give you our voices heartily.
Fourth Cit.
You have received many
wounds for your country.
Cor.
I will not seal your knowledge with
showing them. I will make much of your
voices, and so trouble you no further.
Both Cit.
The gods give you joy, sir, heartily! Exeunt.
Cor.
Most sweet voices! (120)
Better it is to die, better to starve,
Than crave the hire which first we do deserve.
Why in this woolvish toge should I stand here,
To beg of Hob and Dick, that do appear,
Their needless vouches? Custom calls me to 't:
What custom wills, in all things should we do 't,
The dust on antique time would lie unswept,
And mountainous error be too highly heapt
For truth to o'er-peer. Rather than fool it so,
Let the high office and the honour go
To one that would do this. I am half through; (131)
The one part suffer'd, the other will I do. Re-enter three Citizens more.
Here come more voices.
Your voices: for your voices I have fought;
Watch'd for your voices; for your voices bear
Of wounds two dozen odd; battles thrice six
I have seen and heard of; for your voices have
Done many things, some less, some more: your voices:
Indeed, I would be consul.
Sixth Cit.
He has done nobly, and cannot (140)
go without any honest man's voice. (141)
Seventh Cit.
Therefore let him be consul:
the gods give him joy, and make him good
friend to the people!
All Cit.
Amen, amen. God save thee, noble consul! Exeunt.
Cor.
Worthy voices! Re-enter MENENIUS, with BRUTUS and SICINIUS.
Men.
You have stood your limitation; and the tribunes
Endue you with the people's voice: remains
That, in the official marks invested, you
Anon do meet the senate.
Cor.
Is this done? (150)
Sic.
The custom of request you have discharged:
The people do admit you, and are summon'd
To meet anon, upon your approbation.
Cor.
Where? at the senate-house?
Sic.
There, Coriolanus.
Cor.
May I change these garments?
Sic.
You may, sir.
Cor.
That I'll straight do; and, knowing myself again,
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 (160)
'Tis warm at's heart.
Bru.
With a proud heart he wore his humble weeds.
Will you dismiss the people? Re-enter Citizens.
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,
He mock'd us when he begg'd our voices.
Third Cit.
Certainly
He flouted us downright.
First Cit.
No, 'tis his kind of speech: he did not mock us. (170)
Sec. Cit.
Not one amongst us, save yourself, but says
He used us scornfully: he should have show'd us
His marks of merit, wounds received for's country.
Sic.
Why, so he did, I am sure.
Citizens.
No, no; no man saw 'em.
Third Cit.
He said he had wounds, which he could show in private;
And with his hat, thus waving it in scorn,
'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: (180)
Your most sweet voices: now you have left your voices,
I have no further with you.' Was not this mockery ?
Sic.
Why either were you ignorant to see 't,
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,
But was a petty servant to the state,
He was your enemy, ever spake against
Your liberties and the charters that you bear
I' the body of the weal; and now, arriving
A place of potency and sway o' the state,
If he should still malignantly remain
Fast foe to the plebeii, your voices might
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
Would think upon you for your voices and
Translate his malice towards you into love,
Standing your friendly lord.
Sic.
Thus to have said, (199)
As you were fore-advised, had touch'd his spirit
And tried his inclination; from him pluck'd
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
Tying him to aught; so putting him to rage,
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
When he did need your loves, and do you think
That his contempt shall not be bruising to you, (211)
When he hath power to crush? Why, had your bodies
No heart among you? or had you tongues to cry
Against the rectorship of judgement?
Sic.
Have you
Ere now denied the asker? and now again
Of him that did not ask, but mock, bestow
Your sued-for tongues?
Third Cit.
He's not confirm'd; we may deny him yet.
Sec. Cit.
And will deny him:
I'll have five hundred voices of that sound. (220)
First Cit.
I twice five hundred and their friends to piece 'em.
Bru.
Get you hence instantly, and tell those friends,
They have chose a consul that will from them take
Their liberties: make them of no more voice
Than dogs that are as often beat for barking
As therefore kept to do so.
Sic.
Let them assemble,
And on a safer judgement all revoke
Your ignorant election; enforce his pride,
And his old hate unto you; besides, forget not
With what contempt he wore the humble weed,
How in his suit he scorn'd you; but your loves, (231)
Thinking upon his services, took from you
The apprehension of his present portance,
Which most gibingly, ungravely, he did fashion
After the inveterate hate he bears you.
Bru.
Lay
A fault on us, your tribunes; that we labour'd,
No impediment between, but that you must
Cast your election on him.
Sic.
Say, you chose him
More after our commandment than as guided
By your own true affections, and that your minds,
Pre-occupied with what you rather must do (241)
Than what you should, made you against the grain
To voice him consul: lay the fault on us.
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,
The noble house o' the Marcians, from whence came
That Ancus Marcius, Numa's daughter's son,
Who, after great Hostilius, here was king;
Of the same house Publius and Quintus were, (250)
That our best water brought by conduits hither;
And [Censorinus,] nobly named so,
Twice being [by the people chosen] censor,
Was his great ancestor.
Sic.
One thus descended,
That hath beside well in his person wrought
To be set high in place, we did commend
To your remembrances: but you have found,
Scaling his present bearing with his past,
That he's your fixed enemy, and revoke
Your sudden approbation.
Bru.
Say, you ne'er had done 't—
Harp on that still—but by our putting on:
And presently, when you have drawn your number,
Repair to the Capitol.
All.
We will so: almost all
Repent in their election. Exeunt Citizens.
Bru.
Let them go on;
This mutiny were better put in hazard,
Than stay, past doubt, for greater:
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:
We will be there before the stream o' the people;
And this shall seem, as partly 'tis, their own,
Which we have goaded onward. Exeunt.
