ACT II
SCENE III The same. The Forum.


 [Enter seven or eight Citizens]

First Citizen Once, if he do require our voices, we ought not to deny him.

Second Citizen We may, sir, if we will.

Third Citizen 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 Citizen 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 Citizen 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.

Second Citizen Think you so? Which way do you judge my wit would
 fly?

Third Citizen 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.

Second Citizen Why that way?

Third Citizen 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.

Second Citizen You are never without your tricks: you may, you may.

Third Citizen 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 direct you how
 you shall go by him.

All Content, content.

 [Exeunt Citizens]

MENENIUS O sir, you are not right: have you not known
 The worthiest men have done't?

CORIOLANUS 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.'

MENENIUS O me, the gods!
 You must not speak of that: you must desire them
 To think upon you.

CORIOLANUS                   Think upon me! hang 'em!
 I would they would forget me, like the virtues
 Which our divines lose by 'em.

MENENIUS You'll mar all:
 I'll leave you: pray you, speak to 'em, I pray you,
 In wholesome manner.

 [Exit]

CORIOLANUS 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, air, of my standing here.

Third Citizen We do, sir; tell us what hath brought you to't.

CORIOLANUS Mine own desert.

Second Citizen Your own desert!

CORIOLANUS Ay, but not mine own desire.

Third Citizen How not your own desire?

CORIOLANUS No, sir,'twas never my desire yet to trouble the
 poor with begging.

Third Citizen You must think, if we give you any thing, we hope to
 gain by you.

CORIOLANUS Well then, I pray, your price o' the consulship?

First Citizen The price is to ask it kindly.

CORIOLANUS 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?

Second Citizen You shall ha' it, worthy sir.

CORIOLANUS A match, sir. There's in all two worthy voices
 begged. I have your alms: adieu.

Third Citizen But this is something odd.

Second Citizen An 'twere to give again,--but 'tis no matter.

 [Exeunt the three Citizens]

 [Re-enter two other Citizens]

CORIOLANUS 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 Citizen You have deserved nobly of your country, and you
 have not deserved nobly.

CORIOLANUS Your enigma?

Fourth Citizen You have been a scourge to her enemies, you have
 been a rod to her friends; you have not indeed loved
 the common people.

CORIOLANUS 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
 bountiful to the desirers. Therefore, beseech you,
 I may be consul.

Fifth Citizen We hope to find you our friend; and therefore give
 you our voices heartily.

Fourth Citizen You have received many wounds for your country.

CORIOLANUS I will not seal your knowledge with showing them. I
 will make much of your voices, and so trouble you no further.

Both Citizens The gods give you joy, sir, heartily!

 [Exeunt]

CORIOLANUS Most sweet voices!
 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 thus. I am half through;
 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 Citizen He has done nobly, and cannot go without any honest
 man's voice.

Seventh Citizen Therefore let him be consul: the gods give him joy,
 and make him good friend to the people!

All Citizens Amen, amen. God save thee, noble consul!

 [Exeunt]

CORIOLANUS Worthy voices!

 [Re-enter MENENIUS, with BRUTUS and SICINIUS]

MENENIUS 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.

CORIOLANUS Is this done?

SICINIUS The custom of request you have discharged:
 The people do admit you, and are summon'd
 To meet anon, upon your approbation.

CORIOLANUS Where? at the senate-house?

SICINIUS There, Coriolanus.

CORIOLANUS May I change these garments?

SICINIUS You may, sir.

CORIOLANUS That I'll straight do; and, knowing myself again,
 Repair to the senate-house.

MENENIUS I'll keep you company. Will you along?

BRUTUS We stay here for the people.

SICINIUS Fare you well.

 [Exeunt CORIOLANUS and MENENIUS]

 He has it now, and by his looks methink
 'Tis warm at 's heart.

BRUTUS With a proud heart he wore his humble weeds.
 will you dismiss the people?

 [Re-enter Citizens]

SICINIUS How now, my masters! have you chose this man?

First Citizen He has our voices, sir.

BRUTUS We pray the gods he may deserve your loves.

Second Citizen Amen, sir: to my poor unworthy notice,
 He mock'd us when he begg'd our voices.

Third Citizen Certainly
 He flouted us downright.

First Citizen No,'tis his kind of speech: he did not mock us.

Second Citizen 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.

SICINIUS Why, so he did, I am sure.

Citizens No, no; no man saw 'em.

Third Citizen 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:
 Your most sweet voices: now you have left
 your voices,
 I have no further with you.' Was not this mockery?

SICINIUS Why either were you ignorant to see't,
 Or, seeing it, of such childish friendliness
 To yield your voices?

BRUTUS 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.

SICINIUS Thus to have said,
 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.

BRUTUS 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,
 When he hath power to crush? Why, had your bodies
 No heart among you? or had you tongues to cry
 Against the rectorship of judgment?

SICINIUS Have you
 Ere now denied the asker? and now again
 Of him that did not ask, but mock, bestow
 Your sued-for tongues?

Third Citizen He's not confirm'd; we may deny him yet.

Second Citizen And will deny him:
 I'll have five hundred voices of that sound.

First Citizen I twice five hundred and their friends to piece 'em.

BRUTUS 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.

SICINIUS Let them assemble,
 And on a safer judgment 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,
 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.

BRUTUS Lay
 A fault on us, your tribunes; that we laboured,
 No impediment between, but that you must
 Cast your election on him.

SICINIUS Say, you chose him
 More after our commandment than as guided
 By your own true affections, and that your minds,
 Preoccupied with what you rather must do
 Than what you should, made you against the grain
 To voice him consul: lay the fault on us.

BRUTUS 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,
 That our beat water brought by conduits hither;
 And  [Censorinus,]  nobly named so,
 Twice being  [by the people chosen]  censor,
 Was his great ancestor.

SICINIUS 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.

BRUTUS 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]

BRUTUS 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.

SICINIUS 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]




 CORIOLANUS


ACT III