Bru. Mark you that? Cor. To brag unto them.-Thus I did, and thus ;Shew them the unaking scars which I should hide, 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, Sen. To Coriolanus come all joy and honour! As if he did contemn what he requested Bru. Come, we'll inform them. Of our proceedings here: on the market-place, [Exeunt. SCENE 111.-The same.-The Forum. Enter several CITIZENS. 1 Cit. Once, if he do require our voices, we ought not to deny him. 2 Cit. We may, Sir, if we will. 3 Cit. We have power in ourselves to do it, but it is a power that we have no power to do: for it he shew 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 mul titude to be ingrateful, were to make a monster of the multitude; of the which, we being members, should bring ourselves to be monstrous members. 1 Cit. And to make us no better thought of, a little help will serve: for once, when we stood up about the corn, he himself stuck not to call us the many-headed multitude. 3 Čit. We have been call'd so of many; not that our heads are some brown, some black, some auburn, some bald, but that our wits are so diversly colour'd and truly I think, if all our wits were to issue out of one scull, 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. 2 Cit. Think you so? Which way, do you judge, my wit would fly? VOL. IV. Fff 3 Cit. Nay, your wit will not so soon out as another man's will, 'tis strongly wedged up in a blockhead but if it were at liberty, 'twould, sure, southward. 2 Cit. Why that way? 3 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. 2 Cit. You are never without your tricks :-You may, you may. 3 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 and MENENIUS. Here he comes, and in the gown of humility; mark his behaviour. 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. Men. O Sir, you are not right: Have you not known The worthiest men have done it! 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 Men. O me, the gods! my 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 Men. You'll mar all; I'll leave you: pray you, speak to them, I pray you, In wholesome manner. Enter two CITIZENS. Cor. Bid them wash their faces, [Exit. And keep their teeth clean.-So, here comes a brace. You know the cause, Sir, of my standing here. 1 Cit. We do, Sir; tell us what hath brought you to't." Cor. Mine own desert. 2 Cit. Your own desert? Cor. Ay, not Mine own desire. 1. 1 Cit. How! Not your own desire ? Cor. No, Sir: 'Twas never my desire yet, To trouble the poor with begging. 1 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? 1 Cit. The price is, Sir, to ask it kindly. Cor. Kindly? Sir, I pray let me ha't I have wounds to shew you, Which shall be yours in private.-Your good voice, Sir; What say you? 2 Cit. You shall have it, worthy Sir. Cor. A match, Sir: There is in all two worthy voices begg'd : I have your alms; adien. 1 Cit. But this is something odd. 2 Cit. An 'twere to give again,-But 'tis no matter. [Exeunt two Citizens. 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. 3 Cit. You have deserved nobly of your country, and you have not deserved nobly. Cor. Your enigma ? 3 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 earn 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 practise 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 bountifully to the desirers." Therefore, beseech you, I may be consul. 4 Cit. We hope to find;you our friend; and therefore give you our voices heartily. 3 Cit. You have received many wounds for your country. Cor. I will not seal your knowledge with shewing 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! Better it is to die, better to starve, Their needless vouches! Custom calls me to't:- To one that would do thus.-I am half through; Enter three other CITIZENS. Here come more voices, Your voices for your voices I have fought; Indeed, I would be consul. 5 Cit. He has done nobly, and cannot go without any honest man's voice. 6 Cit. Therefore let him be consul: the gods give him joy, and make him good friend to the people! All. Amen, Amen. God save thee, noble consul! [Exeunt Citizens. Over-look. Re-enter MENENIUS, with BRUTUS, and SICINIUS. Men. You have stood your limitation; and the -tribunes Endue you with the people's voice: remains, Anon do meet the senate. Cor. Is this done ? 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 then change these garments? Cor. That I'll straight do; and, knowing myself again, Repair to the senate-house. Men. I'll keep you company.Will you along t Bru. We stay here for the people. Sic. Fare you well. [Exeunt Coriolanus and Menenius. He has it now; and by his looks, methinks, "Tis warm at his 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? 1 Cit. He has our voices, Sir. Bru. We pray the gods, he may deserve your loves. 2 Cit. Amen, Sir: to my poor unworthy notice, He mock'd us, when he begg'd our voices. 3 Cit. Certainly, He flouted us down-right. 1 Cit. No, 'tis his kind of speech, he did not mock us. 2 Cit. Not one amongst us save yourself, but says, He used us scornfully he should have shew'd us His marks of merit, wounds received for his country. Sic. Why, so he did, I am sure. Cit. No; no man saw 'em. [Several speak. 3 Cit. He said, he had wounds, which he could shew in private; And with his hat, thus waving it in scorn, |