SC. V.]

Con. Kill, kill, kill, kill, kill him.

CORIOLANUS.

[AUFIDIUS and the Conspirators draw and kill CORIOLANUS, who falls, and AUFIDIUS stands on him.

Lords.

Hold, hold, hold, hold. Auf. My noble masters, hear me speak. 1 Lord.

O Tullus!—

2 Lord. Thou hast done a deed whereat valor will

weep.

3 Lord. Tread not upon him.-Masters all, be quiet; Put up your swords.

Auf. My lords, when you shall know (as in this rage, Provoked by him, you cannot) the great danger Which this man's life did owe you, you'll rejoice That he is thus cut off. Please it your honors To call me to your senate, I'll deliver Myself your loyal servant, or endure

Your heaviest censure.

1 Lord.

Bear from hence his body,

And mourn you for him; let him be regarded
that ever herald

As the most noble corse
Did follow to his urn.1

571

2 Lord.
His own impatience
Takes from Aufidius a great part of blame.
Let's make the best of it.

Auf.
My rage is gone,
And I am struck with sorrow.-Take him up:
Help, three o' the chiefest soldiers; I'll be one.-
Beat thou the drum that it speak mournfully;
Trail your steel pikes.-Though in this city he
Hath widowed and unchilded many a one,
Which to this hour bewail the injury,
Yet he shall have a noble memory.2

Assist. [Exeunt, bearing the body of Coriolanus.

A dead march sounded.

1 This allusion is to a custom which was observed in the public funerals of English princes, at the conclusion of which a herald proclaims the style of the deceased.

2 Memorial. See Act iv. Sc. 5.

END OF VOL. V.

THE tragedy of Coriolanus is one of the most amusing of our author's performances. The old man's merriment in Menenius; the lofty lady's dignity in Volumnia; the bridal modesty in Virgilia; the patrician and military haughtiness in Coriolanus; the plebeian malignity and tribunitian insolence in Brutus and Sicinius,—make a very pleasing and interesting variety; and the various revolutions of the hero's fortune fill the mind with anxious curiosity. There is, perhaps, too much bustle in the first act, and too little in the last. JOHNSON.